Geeta Sharma, who used to run SGF in Ferryhill which later became a Go Local, tragically died on Saturday, April 11, at the age of 67.

Geeta, who was married to husband Satish, known as Simon, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) shortly after retiring in September 2023.

Alongside being at the helm of the Ferryhill shop, Geeta was also a devoted mum to six children, Nickyta, Poonam, Sheena, Misha, Karishma and Shivam.

Her daughter Sheena, 39, has paid tribute to her mum.

Sheena said her mum was ‘loving’ and ‘selfless’ (Image: SHEENA SHARMA)

She said: “She was more like a friend than a mum. She was really approachable with any problems we had; you were never ashamed to go to her for any advice or guidance.

“She was really loving and selfless. She always put us first and sacrificed so much in her life for all of us. She was always pushing us to do our best; she always used to say if we were one step ahead of her, she knew she succeeded in life.

“My little brother, Shivam, was the last one to graduate and she was so proud she had managed to get all the children through education.

“Shop life isn’t easy; it’s hard work and a lot of hours. We didn’t come from a very fortunate background, so we did struggle. But although my mum and dad struggled, they always put us first.”

Sheena’s parents owned the shop for more than 30 years and when they retired they moved to the Midlands – but not before the Ferryhill community threw a street party.

Geeta with her husband and six children (Image: SHEENA SHARMA)

Sheena said: “My mum and dad hadn’t just seen families grow up, but even saw their children have children. They were very much integrated within the community.

“The shop was like a central hub for a lot of people; it wasn’t just a place where people bought things. If anyone had any problems or concerns, it was a bit of a drop-in place.”

Sheena, who lives in Darlington, described her mum is being selfless.

She said: “My mum didn’t see her own mum for 16 years and when they could finally afford to go back to India, my mum sent me and my two older sisters. She was completely selfless.”

Geeta, who was originally from India, moved to the UK with her husband Satish, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1979. And Geeta was known for hosting an incredible Christmas.

Geeta was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in September 2023 (Image: SHEENA SHARMA)

Geeta and Satish got married in India in 1979 (Image: SHEENA SHARMA)

“We all used to love Christmas, my mum would make it really special,” she said.

“Although we are Indian and Hindu, my parents wanted to integrate with where we lived. Christmas was always a big thing around ours. Other people used to feel confused that we would still celebrate Christmas in the same way.

“Our parents didn’t want us to feel isolated, but she would always make it really special. She was a really good cook.”

Geeta’s food was so good that people would always know when she was cooking. She would also cook curries for her customers too.

Geeta and Satish moved to the Midlands in September 2023, but Sheena said the North East was always home for her mum.

Geeta and Satish owned a shop in Ferryhill for more than 30 years (Image: SHEENA SHARMA)

“She would always ask me to connect with some of the customers, she used to love TikTok and Facebook. She’d send the customers messages and always wanted to hear how they were doing,” she said.

“She always used to say the North East felt like home. I think a large part of her heart was left in the North East.

“She missed everyone. The people in Ferryhill are so nice, they have a big heart. We didn’t realise how fortunate we were until we moved away to be surrounded by people like that.”

Following her MND diagnosis, Sheena said the entire family were devastated.

She said: “We were not fully aware of what MND was until mum was diagnosed, it is a really cruel condition. It takes everything away from a patient apart from the cognitive functions in the eyes.

A family wedding (Image: SHEENA SHARMA)

“She never had the time to enjoy life after working. She was really sad when we moved to the Midlands that she was not ever able to go back to Ferryhill to see the locals and the customers because of her mobility.”

And Sheena said the family were “astonished” at how many people had commented on her mum’s passing.

“It has been really nice that so many people, who we have been away from for a couple of years, still have a lot of love and respect for my mum.

“It shows how much she meant to the community and how many customers valued going into the shop to see her.

“We call her the queen of our family, but she literally was a little queen. She melted everyone’s heart.”

Following the news of her death, Ferryhill residents paid tribute to the much-loved former shop owner.

One said: “Such a big part of Dean Bank. Sending love to you all at this sad time, absolutely lovely lady. RIP Geeta.”

Another added: “So sorry to hear this. Geeta was lovely always had a smile for you, condolences to Simon & family.”

One resident said she would be missed by “so many”, adding: “I am thinking of you all at this difficult time. It is an honour to have had you in my life and I know we will cross paths again upon our reincarnation Geeta.”

Michael Harvey, general manager, said he hopes to turn the site into a “destination” venue despite saying the current state of the central market hall is “absolutely dire”. 

Although all shop units around the market are now full and the street food hall is operating at 83 per cent full, other stalls in the market are facing uncertain futures. 

In an update on the market’s performance to Darlington Borough Council, Mr Harvey said the majority of the market’s income comes from its two bars – The Vault and Market Tap – which are helping keep the facility afloat. 

Michael Harvey, general manager of Darlington Market. (Image: Darlington Market Asset Management)

He told the council’s economy scrutiny committee: “Retailers are very cautious about committing to take on units in the market – and those who have are struggling to make it work. This is due to a combination of things: rising costs of energy, stock, and staffing. 

“We are still competing against the convenience and value of supermarkets, retail parks and online shopping. Shoppers are increasingly looking for experiences – places to eat, drink, and socialise.” 

In a bid to turn the tide, bosses are drawing up a programme of specialist events to attract new audiences. A specific focus has been placed on creating a family-friendly venue that will show men’s World Cup football matches throughout June and July. 

“Our response is shifting focus from retail for the sake of retail to carefully curating the businesses that people actually use,” Mr Harvey added. 

He told councillors: “Over the past year, we have phased out some of the low-quality offerings and raised the standards. We are closely monitoring the performance of all businesses within the street food hall and are working with and supporting them.”

Darlington Market (Image: The Northern Echo)

Market Asset Management (MAM) was tasked with improving the building in 2017 when the then Labour-led council relinquished responsibility.

It has overseen a significant redevelopment of the market, which has included creating a new street food area and an enhanced focus on hosting events to attract a younger and broader demographic of visitors.

However, the Labour and Liberal Democrat-controlled council has faced pressure to regain control of the site. 

An advisory board has now been formed in partnership with Darlington Borough Council to monitor its performance and suggest improvements. 

It will consist of officers from MAM, a councillor and council officer, and independent advisors from local businesses and market experts. 

Despite recent closures, Mr Harvey said the market helped launch several new businesses in the town. 

He added: “We have had three startups open in the market, and despite them struggling to make it work, we have nurtured them and they have moved on into the town. It proves Darlington Market’s ability as a launchpad for startup businesses. 

“Darlington Market is evolving from a traditional retail space into a vibrant, experience-led destination, supporting local businesses, creating community moments, and building a more resilient financial model for the future.”

And council leaders remain committed to working with the market.

Chris McEwan, deputy council leader, said he is confident the market will improve over time. 

He added: “The market has faced challenges. What we do as an authority is not run the market but work with it. I’m a great believer that if the market fails, we fail.”

What do you think is the solution for the future of Darlington Market? Have your say in the comments.

Magdalene Robertson believes Emma Caldwell killer Iain Packer had more victims and even struck while on holiday abroad

A woman raped by Iain Packer at the age of 15 believes his reign of terror extended to holiday hotspots abroad including the USA and Spain.

Magdalene Robertson has even contacted the FBI in America with her concerns.

Packer is serving life for the murder of Emma Caldwell and the rape and sexual assault of 22 other women, including Magdalene.

She says he visited Florida several times over the years including trips with his family on Boxing Day.

Magdalene gave the FBI a statement after contacting them in 2024 about Packer’s vacations in the Sunshine State.

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She said:”You don’t be a serial rapist and sexual offender and say, I’m on holiday from that. Your habits go with you.

“For anything, you feel a bit more relaxed about your vices, don’t you?

“There is the fact of going to Florida and being around all these children and young people. that’s so scary in itself.

“There’s also the adult places that he would go to. We also know from the court case he used to join the sex clubs and he used to take it too far with the people who were already open-minded.

“We know that he’s committed so many rapes he’s been convicted of.

“There’s all the other potential victims that we haven’t heard about, it’s reasonable cause to believe that he would have attacked people in the States in Florida.”

Magdalene was indecently assaulted by Packer at 14 and raped by him when 15 in 1990 at a property in the Garrowhill area of Glasgow.

She gave up her right to anonymity two years ago when giving evidence to a Scottish Parliament Justice Committee about her experience of making a complaint against the police.

It has previously been reported that Packer visited Florida during the winter months including trips to theme parks like Walt Disney World.

Magdalene added:” The person I spoke to in the FBI was really polite and I told them the situation. We went over it from the beginning right to the end.

“He took down details of the police. He took the details of the court case.

“The court case was going on at the time and he took information down.”

Magdalene also claims she was told by police that they had carried out inquiries in Spain.

She said:”I don’t know why and I don’t know who it was, but they had a reason to go to Spain to question people.”

Magdalene says Police Scotland should be sharing what they know about Packer with the US authorities.

She added:”There an alliance between the UK and America?

“Do Scotland not owe a duty of care to the States?”

Magdalene also plans to hire a private investigator to probe Packer’s trips to Florida when she learns more about the places he visited.

She added: “That’s really what I want to do. I just need to find out that little bit of information.

“So if anybody’s got information to tell me exactly where he used to go in Florida.”

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Magdalene believes that Packer, who was a sign erector, would be identified quite easily by other victims.

She added:” He didn’t wash, he wasn’t very clean.

“He stunk of cigarettes.

” He was small, he looked like a Neanderthal. And he’s very, very stocky.

“So he’s got an extremely wide neck and he’s very strong. I think he’s very distinctive, plus his accent would have stood out as well.

“We have lots of photos that could be shared and I don’t know why the police have just not handed that over to the states. “

Magdalene, now a successful renewable energy consultant, believes there are other victims closer to home.

She added: “He’s travelling everywhere, he’s going to different places, he’s in a white van.

“He’s working in a community. He has contracts.

“He had access. He worked in schools with children with disabilities and adults with learning difficulties.

“He had absolute access to different people.”

Magdalene, who is now in her early 50’s, believes she wasn’t Packer’s first victim and that there were others even younger than her.

She also believes that Packer’s victims could number in the hundreds.

Magdalene added:” He is psychopathic. You have to understand that. There’s no human side to him.

“I don’t believe that I was the first one. Not at all.

“Because the first time when he went to try and attack me he knew what he was doing.

“I swear to it, he’d been offending well before he even attacked me.

“There’s all the other people in my network that he approached when we were younger. There was a lot of them.

“There was basically every female, any young female. that wasn’t fully protected or didn’t have their parents with them or didn’t have somebody with them. I wasn’t the first.

“There’s many people that didn’t come forward

“How many hundreds would it be?”

Packer’s victim Emma Caldwell was one of seven women involved in prostitution who were murdered between 1991 and 2005 while working in Glasgow.

Her body was found in Limefield Woods near Biggar in Lanarkshire in May 2005 after she had been reported missing

Magdalene was speaking out in the latest episode of the Clyde1 podcast Beware Book, about the seven murders.

The title refers to a diary at a drop­ in centre where women like Emma logged dangerous clients’ names.

Packer was overlooked as a prime suspect in the original 2005 investigation even though he admitted taking Emma and other women to Limefield Woods for sex.

Instead senior officers focussed their attention on four Turks who were charged with Emma’s murder in 2007 but had the charges dropped the following year.

Packer then went on to carry out attacks on other women.

He was named as the “the forgotten suspect” in our sister paper, the Sunday Mail, in 2015 and a fresh probe began, leading to his 2022 arrest.

A public inquiry into the original investigation by Strathclyde Police has begun and is due to hear evidence later this year.

One of the cops involved in the original Emma Caldwell investigation in 2005 and who helped identify Iain Packer as a prime suspect also believes there are more victims, at home and abroad.

Former Detective Constable Stuart Hall said:”When people go on holiday, they go on holiday to relax, to let their hair down

“So I don’t see him going to stop any pattern of behaviour. That’s who he is.

“His campaign of violence towards women, goes way beyond my involvement.

“Prior to that, when he was a younger man, he was violent towards women. So that just seems to be who he is, how he deals with life and women.

“So, absolutely. There’ll be more in this country and I think wherever he’s holidayed. “

Stuart was one of a number of detectives who investigated Packer but were told by their bosses that he was not a suspect and would never be an accused in the case.

Instead they learned that the focus of the murder investigation was on the four Turkish suspects who were later cleared of any involvement in Emma’s death.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Emma Caldwell’s family have shown incredible courage and determination following her murder in 2005 and we are absolutely committed to supporting the Inquiry and getting her loved ones the answers they deserve.”

* The latest episode of Beware Book is available on the Rayo app, Apple, Amazon Music and Spotify.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Yuji, a 6-week-old patas monkey in Mexico, wakes up every day clinging to a stuffed dog. More than a toy, this plush companion acts as a surrogate mom after the tiny primate was rejected by his own mother, Kamaria, a first-time parent unable to form a maternal bond.

Weighing a mere 673 grams (1.4 pounds), Yuji represents the most recent case of assisted rearing at the Guadalajara Zoo in western Mexico.

The story of Yuji has captured the attention of the Mexican public, drawing parallels to Punch, the Japanese macaque that went viral on social media after growing up clinging to a stuffed orangutan following his mother’s rejection.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

The DWP is also offering grants up to £3,000

Universal Credit claimants may be entitled to some extra support and payments. The DWP has released an update regarding a grants scheme designed to assist claimants, as part of a wider package of reforms.

The Government issued the update in response to a written question from an MP. Liberal Democrat representative Dr Al Pinkerton asked ministers what assistance is available to help young people into employment.

DWP minister Andrew Western provided the Government’s response. He set out what support is on the way to help young people into work. The minister said: “Building on the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy announcement at Budget, the Government committed a further £1billion for young people on 16th March 2026, taking total additional investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5billion over the next three years.

“This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.” He shared some details of a grant scheme designed to assist employers in taking on and upskilling younger workers.

New grants available

The minister said: “The Government is taking action to support employers to recruit and train young people, helping to unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities. This includes a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18 to 24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16 to 24-year-old, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.”

A previous Government report indicated these grants could benefit around 60,000 young people over a three-year period. The DWP has also announced that from autumn 2026, the Jobs Guarantee will be extended to all eligible 18 to 24-year-olds who are claiming Universal Credit and have been seeking employment for 18 months.

Government guidance states: “They will benefit from 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work. Young people on the scheme will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.”

The minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 currently stands at £10.85 per hour, or £12.71 for anyone aged 21 and above. At these rates, an 18 to 20 year old working 25 hours a week would take home £271.25 weekly, or £7,052.50 across six months. Someone aged 21 or over would earn £317.75 a week, or £8,261.50 over the same period.

Expanded support

Mr Western spoke about what other support is being brought in as part of the same package of reforms. He said: “The Government is delivering 8 Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expanding Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introducing a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres.

“The Gateway will provide 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit a dedicated session and follow-up support to help them move into work, training or education.” Further plans are also in place to bolster support in schools.

This includes widening access to work experience opportunities, as well as plans to work with local authorities to automatically enrol students into further education.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot finds himself facing a crunch Premier League trip to Everton after the Reds’ elimination from the Champions League

After seeing their Champions League dreams ended by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Liverpool are braced for a huge Merseyside derby over the weekend. Defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium could increase the pressure on manager Arne Slot, who has found things tough during the Reds’ title defence.

Slot’s team go into this weekend’s fixtures in fifth place in the Premier League table, with Chelsea four points behind them and Brentford and Everton one further back. Five English teams will qualify for next season’s Champions League through their league position but there is little margin for error.

Just 24 hours after Liverpool dropped out of Europe, their former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold followed suit. Alexander-Arnold and his Real Madrid team-mates gave themselves a fighting chance of overturning a first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich but were ultimately undone by two late goals.

We’ve got a pointed reaction from the right-back’s brother as well as a fresh verdict on Slot’s future. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around Anfield.

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READ MORE: Liverpool confirm extent of Hugo Ekitike injury as devastating statement issuedREAD MORE: Ousmane Dembele makes Liverpool thoughts clear after decisive PSG victory

Alexander-Arnold’s brother speaks out

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brother Marcel snapped back at Liverpool fans while on a stream during Real Madrid’s European exit. The comment which appeared to prompt the response involved a Reds supporter asking “weren’t you a Liverpool fan yesterday?” and this prompted him to bring up the Reds’ home defeat.

“I am a Liverpool fan but the hate that comes in here comes purely from Liverpool fans. So I will stand on business,” Marcel replied. “Listen, I am a Real Madrid fan but when Liverpool win, I’m happy to see them win. But I care more about my brother than I care about Liverpool. Simple as that.

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“So if someone is hating on my brother, I will roast whatever team you support. If it’s Liverpool, then so be it. Your team got cooked yesterday. Relax.”

Slot sack verdict

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Liverpool can’t sack Arne Slot so soon after the Dutch coach delivered a league title. Speaking on Stick to Football, Keane backed the Merseyside club to still end the season in the Champions League places.

“Yeah, you can’t be sacking the manager a year after winning the league,” the Irishman said. “They’re [the fans] restless. Of course, but aren’t most fans?

“It’s about how they finish the season. They’ve got United in a couple of weeks. So, they’re big games emotionally for the fans, aren’t they? But I’ll think they’ll be fine for top five.”

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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Rivas Hernandez – who lived about 75 miles (120km) away from where her body was discovered – had last been reported missing by her family in April 2024, but it was not the first time she had run away from their Lake Elsinore home. A first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from El Salvador, neighbours recognised her as a girl who would visit the corner store almost daily to buy candy and soda, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This week’s Q&A takes a look at how defensive plans are shaping up for next season as well as potential arrivals over the summer.

Manchester City have given themselves a chance of doing something very special. Their win over Chelsea on Sunday followed Arsenal’s shock home defeat at the hands of Bournemouth to spice up the title race and set up a titanic clash between the top two this Sunday.

Having already claimed the Carabao Cup and with Southampton standing in their way of a fourth straight FA Cup final, City are starting to dream of the Premier League again. With so much going on at the club, we’ll be hosting weekly Q&A sessions with our chief City writer Simon Bajkowski.

The day of the week it comes out on may change depending on what City’s schedule looks like, but essentially this is your chance to get an answer on anything you want – simply pop your question here at any time of the week and Simon will pick them all up and wrap everything up in one place.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

This week we are looking at some of the potential incomings this season and how the defence could shape up next season with another batch of young players pushing to be part of City’s plans. Elliot Anderson remains City’s top target for the summer window but there are set to be other moves in both directions.

I’m curious about the extent of our contact with Anderson, including whether an official bid has been made and what the expected transfer fee might be. There has been talk about viewing him as a number 8, so I’m wondering if he is considered purely as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, and if a midfielder like Kovacic were to leave, whether we would sign another midfielder. Lastly, I’d appreciate any updates on our progress in bringing in a new right-back. ddide

What’s the update on Elliot Anderson to City? MCFC1894

The update on Elliot Anderson is that there isn’t much to update on Elliot Anderson. My colleague Jeremy Cross, the chief sports writer for Reach’s national titles, reported last week that City believe they have won the race to sign him and that Anderson wants a move. It feels like the Morgan Gibbs-White deal last season that City lined up, where it isn’t to say that it will definitely happen but things are in place before the end of the season. Before then, though, City are trying to win two trophies, and Anderson is trying to keep Forest in the Premier League while also upsetting the odds and attempting to win the Europa League. It is a busy time for both that doesn’t need to be interrupted with anything transfer-related.

It is definitely a possibility that City sign two midfielders this summer and there are players that they like; Sandro Tonali is one name that has cropped up who could well be available given Newcastle’s position. But it depends on whether City feel like they need another player in that position and what kind of price point they are looking at. Nico Gonzalez will expect to take a heavy chunk of Bernardo Silva’s minutes, providing he stays, while Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden will also be looking for more.

Add in Rico Lewis if he stays and Nico O’Reilly who can move into midfield and there are lots of options for City. Signing one midfielder is a necessity that is basically set in stone for the window but any more remain up in the air.

How can we improve our defence? I feel like that has been our major concern all season. We’ve lost or tied games we should’ve won but the defence didn’t show up. Thank you, from Chicago! Andrew Gomez

Thanks for the question, Andrew. I must admit it’s not the question I expected after three clean sheets in a row against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, but equally all of those games contained top saves from either James Trafford or Gianluigi Donnarumma. City have been pretty fortunate to have not conceded any goals in the last three games and they will have to be switched on if they are to keep Arsenal out on Sunday.

Strangely, I’d say they’ve been okay from set-pieces but it has been more in open play that they have been caught out with O’Reilly or Nunes targeted. I’d say City’s fortunes now will be more about their attack though. They were sticky in March and Erling Haaland had been struggling but now they’ve shown they can dominate teams and score multiple goals when they are on top. If the attack is clicking, the defence should take care of itself.

What have you heard about Vitor Reis’s future at City? Will he be part of the club’s defensive lineup next season? Vladimir

With Guehi and Khusanov being incredible, Gvardiol back soon and Reis doing amazing, why would City not cash out on Dias this summer? Seb

Vitor Reis is a player who impressed enough for City to sign him in January 2025 and his reputation has gone up since then. He has looked really good in a Girona team that has got better and better this season, and he has eyes on returning to Manchester next term and being part of Guardiola’s plans. When you consider the players already there though, it isn’t a given. Which one of Gvardiol, Dias, Guehi and Khusanov would Reis be starting ahead of at the beginning of the next campaign?

It would be controversial if it were any of them, in which case Reis could decide to be part of the group anyway and force his way into Guardiola’s thinking, but equally, having played for a year in Spain’s top division, the best option may be to build his reputation that way. William Saliba joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old and spent the first three years of his deal on loan before coming in as a ready-made option at the Emirates, and at 20 Reis has time on his side.

City have plenty of other contenders to fill that fifth spot if it isn’t deemed right for Reis. Max Alleyne and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey have both been out on loan this season and would be a greener option for that place in the squad. City had five central defenders this term and still ended up needing to bring back Alleyne from his loan and then sign Marc Guehi in January to be able to survive the season, so quite why they’d want to sell one of their senior defenders and probable captains in Dias is beyond me.

I recently read reports mentioning that Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza is a transfer target for City. I’m curious to know if he is actually on our shortlist and whether there is a possibility of signing him this summer. Yjj

Hi, you read correctly! Although it may depend on what you view as a target. He is definitely a player that City have watched and like, but the list that that places him on is not short. City have obviously had plenty of success recruiting from the Bundesliga and Maza is an interesting prospect, it is just that City have other priorities for the window so will concentrate on that business and then see what they need and want. Hugo Viana has already shown that he is willing to strike if he feels an opportunity is there so Maza is one to keep an eye on, even if there are many more like him.

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When do you expect City to be going on tour and why no announcement yet? Hugo

Hi Simon, I was wondering if you have any insight into this summer’s pre-season tour plans. With many senior players likely to be unavailable due to the World Cup, is the club considering an overseas tour—perhaps to places like Korea or Japan—with a squad made up largely of younger players? Or is it more likely that you’ll opt for a smaller, warm-weather training camp in somewhere like the UAE instead? I’m sure overseas fans like myself are very curious about where the team will be heading for pre-season this summer. TJ Lee

Fans will soon find out about the tour, although it’s worth pointing out there is a lot of uncertainty owing to the war in Iran. A warm-weather training camp in the UAE does not sound as appealing as it did before all the bombs started flying around that area of the world. It is likely that nearly everyone in the City squad barring a handful (if that) of senior players will be at the World Cup but I am not expecting a watered-down tour even if City have to push the schedule a bit later and have more from the squad join up for later parts of it. The other big question for the tour is will Guardiola still be in charge to oversee it? You would expect an answer on that in the coming weeks as well.