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When the roof collapsed at Ardwick Boxing Club it looked like a knockout blow had landed on the historic stable.
But thanks to the generosity of kind-hearted bosses at Manchester City, the 114-year-old institution is about to drag itself from the canvas and roar back into life.
Coach Ian Harrison had feared the worst when lead thieves prompted the collapse at their already-dilapidated gym on Palmerston Street.
It had only just been given the green light to reopen after flooding wreaked havoc last winter.
With no money to pay for a new home he was faced with delivering the heartbreaking news to 20 young fighters that they would have to find somewhere else to train.
But City chiefs heard of the club's plight and leapt into action - finding them a new home at a former church on Bosworth Street in the shadows of their own stadium.
And their generosity did not end there. They made the boxing club the first winners of the new Connell Awards, named after the family that founded City and aimed at helping sports clubs in east Manchester, and handed them a cheque for new gear.
Blues staff were also drafted in to spend a day working at the new site and club sponsors were called upon to donate equipment.
As though that was not enough 52-year-old Ian, and ardent United fan, says Blues officials have promised they can move to the club's new planned world-leading training facility when it opens.
He said: "In June the roof fell in and hurt one of the cleaners and they closed the place down.
"I was ferrying the lads to a friend's gym in Droylsden but it wasn't looking good.
"Then City stepped in and they have helped us no end. They gave us the first Connell Award, found this place and brought in staff, painters and builders to help.
"We've got Buckinghams contractors putting some showers in at the moment and we hope to be open before the end of the month. We are hoping to hold an open day in December and get Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton here.
"Already we have been inundated with calls from kids asking us when we are opening.
"We are going to be here rent free for the next three years and then City have said we can move to their new training complex.
"They have been brilliant."
Despite a big helping hand from the Blues Ian says he is not changing his football allegiances.
He joked: "When I went down to pick up the award I met Noel Gallagher and Patrick Vieira and they were calling me a dirty Red. But I'm not changing – especially after what happened in the derby."
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