After a long campaign over the summer I am thrilled to announce that Manchester has been shortlisted in VisitEngland’s search to find the country’s Home of Sport.

The search to establish England’s ultimate sporting capital began back in June, when VisitEngland asked the public to nominate their top sporting experiences and venues across the country. More than 2,000 submissions flooded in from across the country and we canvassed the public and our members for nominations.

A VisitEngland panel worked through the thousands of claims to select the leading destinations according to their offering of sporting venues and attractions, the breadth of their sporting experiences, diverse and beautiful backdrops, and sporting trivia or claims to fame.

Manchester was shortlisted for its fantastic sporting attractions and the rest of the shortlist, announced today, includes:

• The people’s choice (most nominations) – Nottingham
•  Sporting playground – Yorkshire
• Biggest claim to fame – Rugby
• Quirkiest…