Team players celebrate on outdoor lawn at Erdington Court Bowls Club / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
An open day at Erdington Court Bowls Club (ECBC) is hoping to attract new members to the sport and “defeat the killer armchair” that stops too many people from enjoying regular exercise – according to a club spokesperson.
Held on Monday 26 May, the free to attend event will give Erdington locals the chance to have a go at lawn bowls on a full sixed indoor pitch, with the hope they will take up the sport as a regular activity.
EBCC boasts a wide range of facilities, with both indoor and outdoor lawns, enabling people of all ages and abilities to take part in the sport – whatever the weather.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic alone, over £150,000 has also been fundraised by ECBC to allow people with a range of physical confidence to take an active part in the club and encourage a variety of new members.
Support has come from funds including the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS), facilitated by Witton Lodge Community Association on behalf of Birmingham City Council and partners.
Fundaraising at Erdington Court Bowls Club – with Paulette Hamilton MP (centre left) and Ray Woods (centre right) holding a cheque / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
The longstanding club also hosts a range of social events and activities for the local community, hoping to challenge social isolation through a healthy and interactive pastime.
The clubhouse has a bar and lounge area, and regular events such as the club’s popular Bowl for Health programme – which combines an hour of bowls on the indoor court with a social event afterwards – have been providing extra sessions for people living with Parkinsons diseases and brain injury.
The Erdington club was also recently shortlisted for two awards in the prestigious Bowls England National Awards 2025, sponsored by AVIVA.
ECBC, which was founded 100 years ago this year, was recognised for its work encouraging new members to the sport and supporting the wider community with a nomination in the ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ category.
The second nomination is for Club Charity Trustee and lead on community affairs, Ray Woods, who has been celebrated as an ‘Unsung Hero’ for his tireless work at the century old club.
A collage of members and activities at Erdington Court Bowls Club / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
A spokesperson for ECBC told Erdington Local: “The open day a part of our campaign to defeat the killer armchair and celebrate our centenary at the same time. It is a chance for people of all ages to try a new sport and meet other people at our club – which is open the whole year round.”
They added: “Too many people now spend hours sitting in armchairs watching sport or flicking through mobile phones – but not being active themselves. We want to reverse that trend and offer local residents of all ages the chance to try bowls for themselves in our full size indoor arena.”
The Erdington Court Bowls Club open day on 26 May is part of the nationwide Big Bowls Weekend, where over 800 bowls clubs across the country will be organising events to promote the sport and encourage new members.
Erdington Court Bowls Club is situated on Bowling Green Close, off Goosemoor Lane, in Erdington.
Rose Hanks in official racing attire / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Earlier this year, Erdington’s pioneering TT sidecar racer Rose Hanks passed away. A stalwart in the male dominated sport, Rose Hanks became the first female competitor to stand on the winners’ podium at an Isle of Man TT – inspiring women and girls everywhere to take up motor racing.
LOCAL AMBASSADOR and journalist, Sheila Pennell, interviewed Rose for a feature in Yours Magazine some years ago – and with fresh quotes from her family, and some kindly donated photographs, Sheila has put together a special feature remembering the life and achievements of this exceptional woman.
With thanks to the Hanks family.
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Words by Sheila Pennell / Pics donated by the Hanks family
Erdington’s dare-devil sidecar racer, Rose Hanks, passed away peacefully in February this year, aged 86. Her achievements in the sport, including becoming the first female rider to stand on the winners’ podium at the Isle-of-Man TT, were featured in the Radio 4 show Last Word with input from her daughter, Julie Hanks-Elliott.
Julie’s twin daughters, Jamie and Bobby, are ensuring that today’s growing female interest in TT and motorcycle sports will live on – with Julie currently competing at the World Women’s Road Race Championships.
Rose Hanks (left) with grandaughter Jamie (middle) and daughter Julie (right) / Pic supplied by Hanks family
The Hanks motorcycle dynasty had humble beginnings, starting life after the war when Fred Hanks and his wife Maizie opened Fred Hanks Motorcycles at 247 Slade Road, Erdington.
Fred decided ‘motorisation’ was going to be the future, and ran the Slade Road store with his two sons – Norman who often raced with Rose, and Roy who was the one who finally won her heart.
However, being a woman in a male dominated sport at the time garnered attention from some more surprising places.
Rose remembered: “When the Duke of Edinburgh passed on, I had an urge to look through my scrap book and reminisce about the time I met him at the TT races in 1968 – and, in typical Prince Philip style, he asked ‘if I ever scraped my bottom on the ground’ as he presented my award. I blushed and replied that the double rubbers protected us quite well.
“What a vivid memory – I was the first woman to take a place on the winner’s rostrum in 65 years of racing. I’d won second place in the sidecar 750cc Race.”
A young Rosetta Barty / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks was born Rosetta Barty, in Bedworth, in 1938. The oldest child, Rose was soon followed by six sisters and two brothers, and it was in her family home where her interest in motorbikes began. “My Dad always had motorbikes, and I started to love them so much I can remember every registration number,” admitted Rose.
“To get away from all the kids at home, I moved to Birmingham. I worked as a gas welder, making hoods for sports cars – but hankered after a bit more excitement in life.
“Then one day a friend, Ken West, took me out to an airfield. He’d bought a scramble outfit and said ‘Rose, come on, sit in and have a try’ – and I never looked back. In that position, low down and keeping the bike balanced, you ‘look forward’ all the time.”
Rose Hanks and Norman Hanks racing / Pic supplied by Hanks family
But as the racing bug took hold, Rose built ambitions that were more than just getting out of the house – and soon she would get to start living her dream.
“My ambition was to ride in the TT. And in the TT Jubilee year, 1967, I got my big break – the chance to ‘passenger’ for a local chap, Norman Hanks. Well, we had engine problems and came 27th, but it turned out the ‘top prize’ was just twelve months away.”
Rose continued: “Dozens of weekends away came and went. Norman and I entered events all over the country – Mallory Park, Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park – gaining some wins, vital experience, and a few lucky escapes with our lives along the way.
“The word ‘passenger’ might make it sound easy, but I had to lie flat on the straights and put my weight where it was needed on the bends.
“1968 was the first year of the TT’s 750cc Sidecar class and, riding a 750cc BSA with Norman, we came second. Our time for the three laps – 113 miles – was 1.21.44.0, our speed 83.1 mph – only a point or two behind the winners Terry Vinicombe and John Flaxman. I’d secured my place on the winners’ rostrum; I could hardly believe it.
“The other sidecar crews gave me a bouquet and I was taken on to Hillberry to be presented to Prince Philip. The American and Canadian Division of the Women’s International Motorcycle Federation presented me with a trophy too.”
Rose Hanks meeting Prince Phillip / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Despite a recognised dare devil on the track, Rose was to face other obstacles as a woman racing on a notoriously mal dominated track – and racing at a time when conversations about equality in sport were only just beginning to happen.
She remembered: “The headlines that year in the national press wouldn’t go down well nowadays. ‘Housewife stars among the 130 mph men’; ‘A wife doing a man’s job’; ‘A rider for the girls to root for’, and ‘A woman’s world now’.”
But Rose’s legacy lives on, both on the track and at home, inspiring her daughter and granddaughters to compete in motor sports as they grew to love what is now a family tradition.
After her mum passed away, Rose’s daughter Julie Hanks-Elliott, paid a final tribute to LOCAL AMBASSADORS: “When I was born, Dad said perhaps best mum stay home more. I’m not sure if she did, but she made a brilliant job of everything – even when her knees started to go.”
Julie added: “We miss her terribly but are so proud of her achievements. The rest of us live – and still do – within five houses of each other in Erdington. The Hanks-Elliott dynasty will race on. Mum has inspired us all.”
PICTURE GALLERY: Rose Hanks and family
Rose Hanks meeting Prince Phillip / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks and Norman Hanks racing / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks in official racing attire / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Roay and Rose Hanks celebrate 50 years of TT racing / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks (left) with grandaughter Jamie (middle) and daughter Julie (right) / Pic supplied by Hanks family
A young Rosetta Barty / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks's graddaughter,Jamie, racing aged 14 / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks, taken a few years before her death / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Erdington MMA fighter, Mo ‘Terminator’ Zubair’, is competing for his first professional title on Saturday 12 April – facing off against Mike Jurik from the Czech Republic at the Northamptonshire County Cricket Ground.
Promoted by Battle Arena, Zubair and Jurik will be the headline bout in the featherweight category, with a total of 28 fights, both professional and amateur, on the evening’s bill.
Standing at 5ft 7”, and with fights both the Featherweight and Bantamweight class, Mo ‘Terminaror’ Zubair entered the world of professional MMA in March 2024 – where he beat Spain’s Nestor Santana by corner stoppage after the first round.
Mo’s next fight, the following June, saw him step up last minute to fight Darlington’s Liam Thomas, beating the established British in only 12 second with a ferocious first round knock-out.
Video of the fight went viral on social media and got the Erdington fighter on the radar of promoters across the sport.
Mo ‘Terminator’ Zubair knocks out Liam Thomas in first round / Pic supplied by Mo Zubair
The spectacular first round KO also drew platitudes from other MMA stars – including the former UFC Welterweight champion from Aston/Erdington, Leon Edwards, whom Zubair shared a gym with as part of Team Renegade.
Subsequent fights would see Mo Zubair defeat the UK’s Maro Pina by unanimous decision and finish off Sweden’s Martin Fouda with a Guillotine Choke in the first round.
Dedicated to his rising MMA career, Mo previous told Erdington Local: “I train twice a day, I go home and do the same the next day. I don’t go to any nightclubs, or any of that. I want to fight in the UFC.
“That is where the action is and I will not settle for anything less, it is the Premier League of MMA.”
Talking about Leon Edwards, Mo added: “Leon is a big inspiration to me, he has been really supportive. He has let me join him in training camps and join him on the circuit.
“He proves what can be achieved. We are alike, we both came from the streets and just turned up to the gym and changed our lives.
“And it would be great to have two fighters from Erdington as champions. It can be done.”
Mo ‘Terminator’ Zubair fights Mike Jurik at the Northamptonshire County Showground on Saturday 12 April. For further information and links to online ticket sales visit www.facebook.com/mma.battlearena
Click on the links to follow Mo ‘Terminaror’ Zubair on Instagram and Facebook.
Members of Pype Hayes Community Cycling Club on group cycle ride / Image supplied by Pype Hayes CCC
Pype Hayes Community Cycling Club (CCC) is a local non-profit organisation that runs cycling activities and group sessions for people of all ages and abilities.
Affiliated with the national sports charity Cycling UK, Pype Hayes CCC has been providing cycling opportunities to people of all ages and abilities since August 2022. Previously called the Cobble Café/Easy Riders, the club works on a volunteer basis with members donating their time to support its activities.
With its primary Bike Hub based at Paget Primary School on Paget Road, the club now has a total of 116 members, with 50 actively participating in its ‘Learn to Pedal’ sessions which take place every Sunday at 10am.
Pype Hayes Community Cycling Club Bike Hub at Paget Primary School / Image supplied by Pype Hayes CCC
The ‘Learn to Pedal’ programme is open to people of all age ranges, with the youngest participant being three years old and the oldest being 93. The sessions are designed to help individuals build confidence and develop basic cycling skills, with the option to progress to a Bikeability certification – in line with the government’s national cycle training programme.
Pype Hayes CCC welcomes people with varying levels of experience and the pace of learning is adapted to each person’s needs – also running ‘Led Rides’, providing opportunities for people to cycle together in a social, group environment.
The club has a second Bike Hub at the Witton Lodge Community Association Eco Hub on Witton Lakes, where additional ‘Led Rides’ take place weekly. These group rides usually include stops at local cafes, to give members a chance to socialise and to support Erdington’s local community spaces.
‘Mr Fix It’ providing bike repairs and maintanence / Image supplied by Pype Hayes CCC
Outside of the group activities, Pype Hayes CCC lends bikes to people who do not own a bicycle but want to embrace a healthier and greener way of transport – allocating spare cycles from both Bike Hubs at Paget Primary School and Witton Lakes Eco Hub.
It also offers a servicing initiative called ‘Mr Fix It’, where local residents can access bike repairs and maintenance to ensure their bike is safe to use – encouraging more two wheel travel and allowing more people to participate in the club’s activities.
With support received through a grant from the National Lottery, Pype Hayes CCC has been able to expand its bike stock and improve essential equipment.
The funding has been significant in enabling the club to offer its wider range of services to the Pype Hayes community and neighbouring areas.
Pype Hayes Community Cycling Club at Witton Lakes Eco Hub / Image supplied by Pype Hayes CCC
Gareth Jones, National Standard Cycling Instructor at Pype Hayes Community Cycling Club, said: “Cycling is one of many great ways to get active and enjoy the outdoors, but it is also about supporting one another in the group and the wider community.
“It is very rewarding to see people overcome their fears by taking part and achieve something they did not think was possible at all. We are able to support anyone who wants to join in, learn, or ride socially with other people.”
He added: “We believe our club is unique, because people do not need to know how to pedal straight away – we encourage all of our members to take things slowly in the beginning and then learn at their own pace.
“We welcome people from many different backgrounds and with different abilities. All of the Bikeability instructors here are registered and are SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) trained too.”
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
Words supplied by The Pioneer Group / Compass Support
Young girls playing football as a team / Pic from Adobe Stock Images
Compass Support, part of The Pioneer Group, is launching an exciting new initiative to introduce girls to football in the local community.
A special taster session will take place on Wednesday, 19 February, during half-term, offering young girls the chance to experience the sport through fun activities, teamwork, and skill-based games.
These sessions aim to encourage girls aged 8-11 to get involved in football, make new friends, and build confidence in a supportive and engaging environment. The taster session will serve as a launchpad for upcoming FA Wildcats sessions, which will continue in the coming months to help grow grassroots girls’ football in the area.
The Sanctuary community centre on Tangemere Drive, Castle Vale / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group
These sessions will initially be held at The Sanctuary, with plans to move to Castle Vale Stadium, part of The Pioneer Group, as the programme expands into the summer months.
This programme has been made possible thanks to funding from Birmingham FA, after the team successfully completed FA training to become an official provider. This funding will help lay the foundation for long-term opportunities for girls to get involved in football and develop their skills.
Local residents attending football match at Castle Vale Stadium / Pic by Ed King
Jo Fieldhouse, Director of Housing and Community, said: “This wonderful opportunity is made possible by the great community assets we continue to invest in across Castle Vale, The Sanctuary community centre and Castle Vale Stadium.
“I am delighted to see this initiative progressing, the team have been holding some informal coaching sessions for some time, attracting funding will strengthen our capacity to continue supporting girls football”
A spokesperson from Birmingham FA added: “We at Birmingham FA are pleased to support and encourage football. Our purpose is to help the game develop, to boost participation and engage the community. By giving players access to fundamental equipment like footballs makes this possible.”
The ultimate goal is to bring girls’ football to Castle Vale by providing a clear pathway for young players to progress in the sport while fostering a love for the game in a fun and inclusive setting.
For more information or to register interest, please contact Compass Support at [email protected] or on (0121) 748 8111.
Compass Support and The Pioneer Group are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.
Club members on outdoor bowling green / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
Celebrating its centenary year, Erdington Bowls Club is a cornerstone of community life in Erdington.
Founded as a multi-sport club, the group introduced bowls in 1925 and has since been an integral part of the local community. The club is a welcoming space for all ages and abilities, serving as a hub for health and social connection.
The roots of Erdington Bowls Club trace back to the Erdington Methodist Youth Club, which originally established the organisation. In 1976, it moved to its current location on Bowling Green Close, becoming a self-standing charity. Since then, the club has remained dedicated to improving the lives of local residents, and its role as a community asset has only grown.
The club’s mission, outlined when it became independent in 1976, is to ‘provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure-time occupation for the inhabitants of Erdington and the wider neighbourhood.’
Club members on indoor bowling green / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
As a charitable trust, Erdington Bowls Club is run entirely by volunteers, focussing on creating an inclusive environment, ensuring everyone can benefit from its facilities.
It has become more involved in the community in the recent years. It now offers two ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ where people can come to relax and meet others. There are also ‘Bowl for Health’ sessions that take place, which help people with Parkinson’s disease, people recovering from brain injuries, and adults with special needs.
These sessions help people to stay active and socialise, improving their mental and physical health in a supportive environment. One-on-one coaching is available to anyone who would like to try playing bowls for the first time.
Club members with Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
Erdington Bowls Club also has several mobility aids available to help people with physical challenges take part in the club’s activities. It has even received national praise for its efforts to making bowling available to everyone. Looking ahead, the club will be the new home of the Aston Unity Cricket Club in 2025.
Ray Woods, Marketing Officer and Trustee at Erdington Court Bowls Club, told: “What makes the club particularly special are its facilities. It has both an outdoor green space for bowling and a large indoor arena, which is the only one of its kind in North Birmingham.
“The indoor space allows the club to host games and events all-year round, regardless of the weather. Over 150 people enjoy playing bowls in this facility, for either fun or serious competition.”
Birmingham Council Leader Cllr John Cotton at ECBC / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
Ray added: “We welcome both new members, and anyone who would like to get more exercise, learn a new sport, and meet new people.
“Spending too much time at home, or sitting down, is not the best for health, so why not pop along and have a tour?”
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
People for People CIC are inviting families from across Erdington to join them for a free End of Summer Event at Spring Lane Playing Fields on Sunday 15 September – centred around the Erdington Rugby Club facilities.
Running from 2pm, the day out will be free to attend with family fun activities including a bouncy castle, face painting, temporary ‘tattoos’ for children, a children’s entertainer, and a variety of sporting events.
There will also be stalls selling food and drinks, including barbequed sausages and candy floss.
The End of Summer Event will also give people a chance to test their football skills against the Polish Builders, a special home team made up of tradespeople from different towns – alongside a special children’s Vs parent’s football match for those attending the event.
Both are free to enter with people asked to simply sign up on the day.
(Although if you’re an over eager parent looking to be picked up as the next Lionel Messi, the children’s football game will be refereed by local mums… so be warned, their side might win.)
Following on from a successful first event last year, promoted as a Polish Heritage Day and Spring Volleyball Tournament, the Community Interest Company are hoping to bring the community back together for an afternoon of family fun and entertainment for all ages.
There will also be another volleyball tournament held at this year’s End of Summer Event, with mixed teams including a minimum of two female players invited to enter for a joining fee.
Volleyball is fast paced and a fun way to get healthy, as well as being a popular sport across Eastern Europe – with prizes awarded to the best three teams and four individuals that take part on the day, donated by Erdington’s Central and Eastern European community,
Established as a CIC in February 2022, People for People are a locally based community group driven by a passion for bringing people together through community events, as well as offering advice and support to those in need.
Run by members of the local Central and Eastern European community, People for People work to “connect people, encourage mutual support, and create a sense of belonging.”
Ahead of the End of Summer Event, Magdalena Breitkopf from People for People told Erdington Local: “We want to bring the community together for a day of family fun alongside a volleyball tournament – it’s a very popular sport in Eastern Europe, much more so than in the UK.
“But although we will keep score and compete for (very symbolic) prizes, the point of the day is fun.”
She added: “Our small organisation does a lot of different projects at the moment – we provide housing and welfare advice, teach basic IT and English.
“But we started it all out of our passion for organising community events because it’s our favourite thing to do!”
People for People will be hosting the free to attend End of Summer Event at Spring Lane Playing Fields on Sunday 15 September, running from 2pm – to visit the event’s Facebook page click here.
Words by Tony Roche, pics supplied by Bagot Arms Golf Society
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Bagot Arms Golf Society recently organised a charity golf day that raised an impressive £5,200 for local charity Spitfire Services.
The fundraising sporting event also featured a raffle, auction, and gathered generous donations from club members, contributors, friends, and sponsors.
Spitfire Services, a charity based on Castle Vale, was established in 2002 and supports people facing hardship, isolation, and offers advice and guidance over finances.
The charity also operates several facilities on the Vale, including the Upcycle showroom and Castle Vale Library, and provides essential food bank services to communities in Castle Vale, Erdington, Pype Hayes, and Tyburn – assisting the vulnerable and needy during these challenging times of the cost of living crisis.
Jane Roche, Operations Manager for Spitfire Services, extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Bagot Arms Golf Society and all those involved in the charity golf day that raised £5,200 for the organisation.
Jane emphasised the critical role that community support plays in enabling Spitfire Services to continue their mission of helping those in need, particularly during challenging times.
She told: “The generosity and solidarity displayed by the Bagot Arms Golf Society and its supporters stand as a testament to the strength of community bonds and the commitment to aiding those in need.
“In these challenging times, acts of kindness like these serve as beacons of hope and compassion for all.”
Established in 2009 and originally based at the Bagot Arms public house in Pype Hayes, the Bagot Arms Golf Society has transcended the loss of its iconic venue – which has now been demolished after a fire destroyed the roof and building – and continues to serve as a beacon of community unity on the golf course, fostering friendship and camaraderie among its members.
The club also has a rich history of fundraising for charities noble causes such as Cancer Research, The Make a Wish Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Research, and Help for Heroes.
Reflecting on the success of the recent charity golf day, Bagot Arms Golf Society club secretary Jason Wellings expressed gratitude to all involved, emphasising the lasting impact of their collective contribution.
He told: “The awareness raised about the importance of food banks in our community is invaluable, and we urge local businesses and residents to continue supporting Spitfire Services in their crucial mission.”
Words and lead image supplied by The Pioneer Group / Supporting pics by Ed King
Birmingham-based Paget Rangers have come home to Castle Vale, playing on Saturday afternoons at Castle Vale Stadium as per league fixtures.
Since leaving the estate in the late 90s, the football club are already re-engaging with the local community by welcoming them to their home games.
The team are also preparing to provide free football training at the stadium, for those living in Castle Vale and surrounding areas.
Dave Travers, Stadium Manager at Castle Vale Stadium, said: “We are delighted to have brought back Paget Rangers to the stadium, as a new club with a big community focus.
“With a junior section of teams from ages 7 to 18, they have a clear pathway into first team football and are producing their first own team players.”
Lee Woods, Stadium Duty Officer, added: “It’s exciting to welcome Paget Rangers back home and see how the club drives forward.
“All of us at the stadium and wider organisation, The Pioneer Group, look forward to the future of this new, bright partnership.”
Almost 25 years ago, Paget Rangers moved to their home, Vale Stadium in Castle Vale, for the start of the 1998/1999 season, after five seasons ground sharing with Sutton Coldfield Town.
Unfortunately, this did not work out – however, The Pioneer Group bought the stadium, maintaining a community sport and social hub for Castle Vale residents.
Sean Feeney, Chairman of Paget Rangers, said: “We believe that Castle Vale Stadium can be the heartbeat of this football club and residents of the local community can be our 12th man.
“We look forward to supporters joining us, so we have decided to offer all residents from Castle Vale a discounted season ticket this year.”
The Pioneer Group, Castle Vale Community Housing, and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.
Erdington’s Mo ‘Terminator’ Zubair scored an astonishing first round knock-out victory in a crucial MMA fight last weekend, spectacularly announcing his entrance to professional MMA fighting.
On Saturday 1 June, Mo Zubair headed to Darlington for the second fight in his burgeoning professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) career – to challenge hometown favourite Liam Thomas.
After taking the fight after only eight days notice, Mo stepped up a weight to take on the more seasoned opponent but stunned The Dolphin Centre crowd by knocking Thomas out stone cold.
It took the Erdington fighter just 13 seconds to win, which quickly went viral across MMA websites across the world.
Mo Zubair, a Team Renegade trained fighter, caught Thomas flush on the chin with a counter punch which sent him crashing to the canvas and the referee scrambling to protect him from anymore punishment.
Mo told Erdington Local: “It was a successful night. We left Birmingham at 2pm, got up there around 5.30pm, registered, had a coffee and then fought around 10pm.
“I won after 13 seconds in the first round. There was a huge noise with the shock, I think. We were back in Birmingham by 2.30am.
“I was up the next day to meet my manager for a sauna and was back training again this morning (Monday).”
In a sport which more than any other relies on an athlete’s ability to excite fans as well as winning, Mo’s devastating finish will make him a more attractive proposition to promoters’ match makers.
He continued: “People love to see a knock-out, especially other fighters; I had Leon Edwards message me straight after the fight saying great finish. And he was buzzing in the gym this morning, it was great seeing the team again after a win like that.
“One of videos has already had 80,000 views and I’ve noticed some veteran UFC fighters’ comments saying great knock-out which is brilliant exposure for me.”
The route to the top table of the sport involves being invited and then excelling in various MMA tournaments and championships.
UFC world champions and stars like Leon Edwards and Conor McGregor were champions in promotions like Cage Warriors and Bellator before catching the eye of the most powerful man in the sport Dana White.
In March this year, Mo Zubair won his first professional MMA fight again Nestor Santana, beating the Spaniard by corner stoppage in the first round.
Last weekend’s fight was part of Unity Fighting Championships, Mo’s second professional MMA appearance, and has already set his sights set on climbing the ladder.
Mo added: “I think this was my first and only fight on a Unity bill, my team will take stock and look at our options.
“I am a prize fighter, I will fight anywhere, anytime, providing the money is right.
“I want another two fights this year. I want to end 2024 4-0.”
Click on the links to follow Mo ‘Terminator’ Zubair on Instagram and Facebook.
