Manchester Giants Returns - The Final 6 Tickets are now available

After an absence of a decade, Manchester Giants reclaimed their place in the professional British Basketball League (BBL) in the 2012/13 season. Did you know that Manchester Giants was the biggest club in UK basketball in the late 1990s, attracting crowds of up to 15,000 each game? The club disappeared from the BBL in 2001 leaving an army of fans bereft. But the game continued… Manchester still has the highest number of basketball players and enthusiasts – thanks in part to a vibrant amateur scene. The Giants returned in 2012 to offer ‘homegrown’ talent a chance to ‘go pro’ in their own city. The Giants return to action with a Roses Derby against B. Braun Sheffield Sharks on Sunday, 16 February 2020. A ‘Final Six Ticket’ has been made available, which covers all six of the remaining home games for the price of four.

As of February 2020, the Giants have played 18 games in the BBL, with 13 remaining. After winning 19 games last season and reaching the semi-finals of both the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy – the most successful season since the club returned to the BBL in 2012 – the start of the 2019-20 campaign has been disappointing, with nothing yet in the win column. Performances have improved in recent outings, with Giants running title-chasing Newcastle Eagles close at home and left to rue mistakes in three games over Christmas and New Year. But in offering his reflections there is one thing, above all, that Head Coach Danny Byrne has taken heart from over the last four months.

Manchester Giants (2019-20) season team roster:
1 Benson Arogbo
2 Yorick Williams
5 Del’vin Dickerson
6 James Jones
7 Jack Hudson
8 Ingus Bankevics
9 Zack Powell
10 David Ulph
11 Callum Jones (C)
14 Edu Arques
19 Ronalds Elksnis

SOME FACTS ABOUT BASKETBALL FROM BBC SPORT WEBSITE:

Aims & Teams – Basketball is played by two teams who score points by throwing a ball into the opposing team’s basket. The team who scores the most points are the winners. Each team has a squad of 12 players to choose from. Five of those players are allowed on the court at any one time, with unlimited substitutions. Players can move the ball around the court by passing, tapping, throwing, rolling or dribbling.

Duration – The game consists of four quarters of 10 minutes each, with a 15-minute break at half-time. There are also two-minutes interval between the first and second periods, and between the third and fourth periods. If the game is tied after the fourth period, it continues with an extra period of five minutes, then as many five-minute periods as are necessary to break the tie.

Officials & Starting the Game – The main officials include one referee and one umpire. The court is divided between them and they swap places after each foul involving a free throw penalty, as well as after each jump ball decision. They use whistles and hand signals to make and explain their decisions. Each game begins with a jump ball or tip-off. The referee throws the ball into the air in the centre circle and two opposing players leap up and try to tap it away. Each player is allowed two taps before the ball hits the ground, a basket, a backboard or another player.

Scoring – Points are scored for shooting the basketball through the hoop. Two points for a goal inside the three-point semi-circle, and three points for goals scored from outside. Free throws, taken from the free-throw line and awarded after a foul, are worth one point.

Where is the game?

The Giants return to action with a Roses Derby against B. Braun Sheffield Sharks on Sunday, 16 February 2020. A ‘Final Six Ticket’ has been made available, which covers all six of the remaining home games for the price of four, including the game on Sunday 1 March against Plymouth Raiders which Yeah Lifestyle will be attending and covering – look out for our review after the game.

How much are the tickets and how can I book it?

Tickets for all home games, including the Final Six ticket, are available now from www.manchestergiants.com. Prices range from £8 to £16 (depending if you buy it earlier or on the door). Family tickets cost £35 and £45 on the door. £1 booking fee applies.

Where will the Game be played?

Home matches will be played at the George H Carnall Leisure Centre, Kingston Park, Urmston, M41 7FJ. Friday games tip-off at 7pm, Sunday games tip-off at 5pm. Doors open an hour before tip-off.

THINGS TO NOTE:

Gaining access to the match – Enter the building and turn left and left again, where the Giants ticket desks are situated. If you have pre-booked, give your name and you will be issued entry. If you have a voucher, you will be able to hand this in at the desk to gain entry. There is a separate ticket desk for cash on the day, though be aware ticket prices are cheaper if bought in advance.

Timings – Doors open an hour before tip-off (so doors open at 4pm on Sundays and 6pm on Fridays). Players will be on court from around that time for their warm-up, and there is the introduction to the court of the players 15 minutes prior to tip-off. A match consists of four quarters of 10 minutes, though the clock does stop when the ball is not in play. Typically a total match time would be no more than an hour and a half, including breaks.

Seating – The seating at the venue are benches so there are no individual seats. If you are a particularly large group, you may want to arrive early or contact the club in advance to reserve a suitable space. All season ticket holders have a reserved space identified by a sticker, and these spaces should be left free.

Refreshments – There is a refreshments van outside the venue which has drinks and food. There is a drinks and confectionery vending machine.

Merchandise – We run a club shop on match days that sells replica vests, Giants team wear, t-shirts, hoodies and pocket money items. We also sell foam fingers and other exclusive ranges. Cash and card payments are accepted.

About The Club

After an absence of a decade, Manchester Giants reclaimed their place in the professional British Basketball League for the 2012/13 season. After being resurrected by a team of basketball enthusiasts, courts across Britain are once again rumbling to the sound of Giant footsteps. Manchester Giants was the biggest club in UK basketball in the late 1990s, attracting crowds of up to 15,000 each game. The club disappeared from the BBL in 2001 leaving an army of fans bereft. But the game continued…Manchester still has the highest number of basketball players and enthusiasts – thanks in part to a vibrant amateur scene. And the Giants returned in 2012 to offer ‘homegrown’ talent a chance to ‘go pro’ in their own city. After jumping through many hoops, Manchester Giants – the club, the brand and the fans – are back!