‍An open letter to our fans from our Owner, Ben Pierson.

“You’ve gotta make it happen.” Those were the words I left you with at the end of last season. Looking back now, they feel even more relevant.

As we approach our second birthday and prepare for our third season, that mindset continues to define who we are and where we’re heading.

Basketball is entering an exciting new era. The NBA has identified Manchester as a key city in its plans for a new European league, further recognition of something we’ve believed from day one: this city will be an important basketball city within the UK and on the European stage. Super League Basketball continues to grow, with rival Liverpool joining the competition. And here at Manchester Basketball, we’re continuing to do things the Manchester way - with ambition, grit and a willingness to challenge the norm.

Our goal remains unchanged: to build a sustainable, top-tier basketball club that this city can be proud of. One that leads through action, not words.

The past 12 months were another big step forward, although we didn’t accomplish everything we wanted to. We came close on domestic silverware on both the men’s and women’s side.  We competed in Europe with the men, taking home an impressive second place trophy but wanting more.  We continue to build a club that competes at the highest level, and I’m incredibly proud of our progress.

One of the most important steps we took was appointing Claire Bradbury as our first Chief Executive Officer.  Building a strong professional organization around our teams has always been critical to what we’re trying to accomplish.  Claire has brought leadership and focus to that effort, and we will continue to add talented people throughout the club.  We are thrilled by what she has brought to the club in such a short time.

We’re building more than just basketball teams. We’re creating opportunities, strengthening the game across Greater Manchester, and building something that will last.  Every investment we make – in people, players, facilities, community, and fan experience – is part of building Manchester into one of Europe’s leading basketball cities.

Commercially, we’re proud to continue our kit partnership with Castore while welcoming new partners including Destination Sport Travel, The Alexandra Hospital and the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport. Working with ambitious northern businesses is central to who we are and we’re grateful to every partner who supports our goal.

On the court, representing British basketball in Europe was a huge achievement. Reaching the ENBL Final in our first season, after knocking out the competition’s top seed along the way, is something everyone connected to the club should be immensely proud of. To those of you who travelled with us to Germany, thank you. We saw you. We heard you.

Now our attention turns to the next challenge. Our sights are firmly set on the Basketball Champions League, beginning with the qualifying rounds in September. Whatever the outcome, Manchester will once again be on the European stage, either in Basketball Champions League or in the FIBA Europe Cup.

Our rivalry with our friends from London has quickly become one of the standout stories in British basketball. North versus South. We battled for silverware, pushed each other throughout the season and created some unforgettable moments. The loud support you gave us at the AO Arena transformed it into what genuinely felt like our home. There’s unfinished business there, and I can’t wait to see where that rivalry goes next.

Away from the court, last year I told you we were preparing to renovate outdoor basketball courts across Manchester. Seeing our first community court open at Cringle Park was one of my proudest moments of the year. It’s a visible reminder that our ambition reaches far beyond professional basketball. Two more courts will open later this year before we begin planning our next regeneration project for 2027.

We’re also launching our new community strategy, MCR Community Collective, with four new programmes rolling out across schools and grassroots clubs. We want to create more opportunities for young people to play, learn and belong through basketball, helping grow the game from the ground up across our city.

You’ll also notice some improvements to your gameday experience this season. We’ve also introduced new Family Saver ticket options to make games more accessible. And yes, for those of you who love the courtside experience, the Courtside Bar is here to stay. This is Manchester after all - and you might even discover a few new cocktail surprises during the season.

Behind the scenes we’ve continued to invest across the club: new players, new coaches, additional staff and improved facilities and equipment, all with one objective - to ensure Manchester Basketball operates as a high-performance organisation.

I want to thank our players for competing with courage and humility, our staff for their relentless commitment, and our partners for believing in what we’re building.

Most of all, I want to thank you.

I’ve said from the beginning that we cannot build what we want to build without our fans. This season proved why.

You created an atmosphere and energy that every player, coach and member of staff feels every time they pull on the MCR jersey.

You travelled with us. You filled Belle Vue.  You turned the AO Arena into our home. And you continue to help us build something special.

As we look ahead, we do so with confidence and with huge ambition.

We’ll continue building - on the court, off the court, and throughout our communities. We’ll continue investing in people, creating opportunities and chasing trophies.

Because that’s what Manchester does.

We don’t wait for opportunity.

We create it.

We make it happen.

With pride and appreciation,

Ben Pierson & The Sherwood Group

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