Theatre of Dreams - Old Trafford

Advantages: The best team in the world, good facilities
Disadvantages: Expensive and busy

...I have visited Old Trafford twice in 2 seasons now specifically for the United v City Derby. The ground has good transport links to Manchester via Tram, Bus, Car and "Football special" train. Initially I had some reservations about attending the ground for such a "hard fought" fixture, however the reception of fans and organisation was most excellent. I would recommend catching one of 3 special football trains from Manchester Piccadilly (on match days) to get you to the ground in around 10 minutes.... these trains are two commuter style trains that are joined together - arrive totally empty and can generally find space, with some standing, for everyone who is waiting. The train drops you off by the south Stand, which is not far from the away section, major entrances to stands and the club shop. Match days are very well policed...

jedimasterlincoln 30.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Old Trafford

Old Trafford, Manchester

Advantages: there's nothing like it !!
Disadvantages: bad rep for atmosphere

...It has been said many times over the years upon the arrival of each new player that ?there?s no better place to play than Old Trafford?. Whether it be for the atmosphere, the magnificent structure of the ground or even the friendly staff, it truly is a place that to so many is known as The Theatre Of Dreams. I value every match-day experience as equally as the last because you never know if it will be the last, as well as the fact that it never gets boring to be sat in the stand watching the worlds greatest players put their talent on show. Over the years players such as Best, Charlton, Cantona, Keane, and Beckham, have strode from the tunnel on countless occasions, yet you can see on their face the pure delight that comes with each and every single game. These days its Ferdinand, Giggs, Scholes, Van Nistelrooy and Rooney who share...

ManUtdBoi 29.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of Old Trafford

Trafford Spender!

Advantages: Wide range of shops, plenty of places to eat, easily accessible by Public transport
Disadvantages: Can get very busy, especially in the school Holidays & at Xmas

...I remember the day when the Trafford Centre - one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, opened. There I was, stood outside this magnificent building that looked far too posh to be a shopping centre, hoping that the shops inside wouldn't be all designer and that I would be able to afford to buy something from there. I'm lucky really - the Trafford Centre (from now on I will refer to it as the TC) is literally 5 minutes drive away from my house - and 2 minutes away from where I work. I visit the TC at least once a week - sometimes not to shop at all, but to have a walk around, get some lunch and generally window shop for a full hour. Anyway, before I talk about the TC nowadays, I want to take you back??.. The Beginning The Idea of the TC was conceived in 1984 by Peel Holdings, who are the largest privately...

jayandfoo 14.06.2005 · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

New Trafford

Advantages: huge,big sales,clean & tidy, all the brands
Disadvantages: too far away from Manchester

...When 1st I went to Trafford Centre, I can say I was amazed. I’ve been to a lot of shopping malls, shopping centres, or whatever. I’ve been to Italy, Hungary, Spain, but I have to admit that Trafford was by lots to far the biggest, most completed, most tidy and many many pros more. A friend of mine suggested it to me so I took Mrs aek21 to go by train. When we arrive in Piccadilly station we knew were to go. Thanks God ‘cause the town is in a very big mess and no one knows where to go. Anyway we went to Manchester Piccadilly bus station ant we took the bus 250. We paid £3.60 pp return and after a 20’ drive we end up to the Trafford Centre. You can go by car if you want. the last thing to worry about is where to park your car, as with 10,000 free spaces and 350 bus spaces you are sure tha you will not struggle...

aek21 01.02.2002 (13.04.2002) · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre MAJOR REWRITE

Advantages: Free to park, lots of shops and decent entertainment sections too.
Disadvantages: Gets busy at weekends, some very expensive places to shop and eat.

...NOTE : I have re-written this op almost completely as I felt I had more to add (and I'd already started it before realising I did it already - DOH) The Trafford Centre may well be the shoppers idea of Paradise (Moose perks up her ears.) Opened in September 1998, and just a stones throw from where I was living at the time, the massive centre took shape on top of previously overgrown waste ground in Davyhulme, Manchester. The Trafford Centre is among the largest shopping centres in Europe, but it has more to offer than just shops, as I’ll explain later. Before I go on I’ll say two things which make me qualified to write this op, firstly I’m a shopaholic, and secondly with the centre on my doorstep for 3 years I used to go there amazingly regularly, so I know it pretty well. As a result I’ve reviewed it...

Nameless 22.02.2001 (29.06.2001) · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

Advantages: Great music
Disadvantages: Disadvantages?!

...Here's a debut helping from one of Radio One's favourite bands in the world right now; Friendly Fires. Resonating from St. Albans, Radio One would have you believe they're set for world domination. Far be it from me to be the critic here, but here we go... Released originally in September last year, it's due for re-release at the end of August, with the addition of some new material including the brand new track "Kiss of Life". This original outing however consists of ten dance-punk/synth-pop/whatever the new term is kind of tracks that are, even on first listen, pleasant listening pleasure. Having recently been nominated for this year's Mercury Music Prize, opening track "Jump in the Pool" showcases just why they have been. It's sound is somewhat unique and unheard of. Combining big drums from the streets of the Rio carnival...

carl.mcqueen 31.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Friendly Fires [Digipak] - Friendly Fires

Playing with Fire

Advantages: still a big fan of this series after reading this, I love the characters
Disadvantages: It takes forever to get into and was too drawn out at the beginning. Not as good as the first!

...The late Stieg Larsson's second book in the Millennium series, "The Girl Who played with Fire" is more focussed on it's Introverted and mysterious computer hacker heroine, Lisbeth Salander. Salander and Millenniums magazine's publisher Mikael Blomkvist are once again reunited (or rather linked) by a chain of events caused by the intended publication of facts regarding the sex trade in Sweden which would expose many important men from journalists to police officers. Before the publication can go ahead and before Salander can exert her own brand of justice, three people are murdered and forensic evidence puts Salander right in the frame. Before long, there is a nationwide manhunt for Lisbeth and only a handful of people including Blomkvist believe in her innocence. But Lisbeth cannot be traced and when she does make contact...

burtybookworm 20.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson

Old Trafford (Cricket), Manchester

Advantages: Atmosphere at key games, facilities
Disadvantages: Lack of covered seating, can feel empty.

...Old Trafford Cricket Ground is situated in Stretford, on Talbout road a good few miles out of Manchester City Centre. It has "test status" which means, according to the ECB (English Cricket Board) it has the facilities, transport links, and crowd capacity to cope with and to execute the hosting of international matches to a high standard. On a "good day" it can take 22,000 people, although generally there are never more than half that many people attending popular matches involving Lancashire, the home county. With Manchester being known nationally as the "Rainy City" it is no surprise that the drainage facilities on the actual playing service have been constantly improved over the last 5 years. Unfortunatley, there is only ONE covered stand (discounting the Pavilion - for 'members' only) for spectators to shelter under, which...

jedimasterlincoln 15.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Old Trafford Cricket Ground

The Trafford Centre

Advantages: Everything is under one roof
Disadvantages: Not enough cafe's

...In Oct 2000, 3 friends and l, took ourselves off for a weekend of girly shopping to Manchester. Our first stop was IKEA (obviously!) and then we moved on to that shopping Mecca - The Trafford Centre. I had heard various reports - "Three miles of Shops in one place" being the most striking, so we were full of high hopes. Having got parked relatively easy - which we were surprised at, we made our way inside. Stores such as Debenham, Selfridges, Boots, The Pier etc etc all jumped out. Every high street store imaginable was there. We split up meeting up every so often to compare purchases and re-fuel! So what did l think of the experience, well indeed there were lots of shops to choose from - but l think 3 miles was an exaggeration slightly! Overall though l wasnt impressed - there was nothing different really, or unusal...

purdy 23.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

Man on Fire

Advantages: On screen chemistry, innovative revenge, heart warming
Disadvantages: Predictable

...The best things in life are the simple things. Ok, not always, but Man on Fire is a shining example of how a paper thin and predictable plot can touch the depths of a grown man's heart, and make him wail like a newborn baby. It's a testament to the chemistry between Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning that make this much more than your typical "Revenge movie", littered with cheesy moments. Washington plays Creasy, who, in his own words, is a "Drunk; a has-been" who feels he has nothing worth living for; he attempts to top himself one lonely night. Pita, however, the girl he must protect as the bodyguard, takes to Creasy immediately, and attempts to emotionally unwrap this "Big sad bear". The first half of the film is dedicated to the developing bond between Creasy and Pita, in an attempt to justify the title "Man on Fire...

andycarrington 10.02.2009 · Read review
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