What do you get when you combine two of Greater Manchester’s finest modern institutions?
The Metrolink has been ferrying passengers across the length and breadth of the county since 1992, while Tyldesley’s Ella Toone is a hero and household name in these parts, having played a key role in England’s two Women’s Euro triumphs.
So, when the chance came for a link-up between the local icons, to promote Wednesday’s big game in M16 between United and Paris Saint-Germain and the ability to use the network to get to Old Trafford, we jumped at it.
“Right, Ella, you’re going to be driving a tram today,”
we tell her, as our car pulls away from the stadium for the short journey down the Warwick Road to the Metrolink depot, which is tucked just behind Lancashire cricket ground.
Admittedly, it’s not a standard brief for a monthly player-appearance day, but Tooney is willing to give it a go, especially when she is greeted by driver Cheryl Kavanagh, a fervent Red who follows United Women home and away and – naturally – is buzzing at the opportunity to show one of our stars the ropes.
With health and safety paramount, our no.7 pulls on an orange hi-vis vest and talks shop with Cheryl.
“I was in Madrid the other week,”
says our knowledgeable guide. “It was a brilliant win that, especially with 10 players…”
There are 147 trams on the network and we’ve had one specially reserved for us – its illuminated yellow neon sign fittingly displaying the words ‘Old Trafford’.
Camera operator Holly has rigged up a couple of GoPros in the driver’s cab and that’s where we’re headed. This is a closed line, so I’m the only passenger, as the others head to the cramped confines of the ‘cockpit’.
“Proper bucket list this!”
exclaims Ella, as Cheryl gives her a whistlestop lesson in taking the reins of this 39.7-tonne behemoth. “I feel like I’m on my driving test again!”
These vehicles can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, according to Cheryl, but even with no other trams to worry about, we’re restricted to 10 per cent of this.
I’m too far back to see the precise mechanics of starting the engine and setting off, but although there seem to be hundreds of buttons in different colours, our trainee tram driver is apparently a natural.
“There’s actually less to learn than when you start in a car,” she says, as Cheryl reminds her that, to be fair, real staff do have to undertake weeks of learning in a classroom before they’re even allowed access to the keys.
Ella is pretty good, though, and after 50 metres or so of travel, manages to bring the vehicle to a smooth and steady halt, almost right up to the yellow line she was aiming for.
Now that particular item is ticked off, it’s time to head upstairs, to the nerve centre of the Greater Manchester tram network.
Cameras cover stations across the map, and each route taken by a driver is meticulously delineated.
Announcements can also be made from here, and Ella is asked to record a number of messages which will be played to commuters in the lead-up to the game.
“At least she’s come in to see us,”
jokes one member of staff. “Liam Gallagher sent his via voice note!”
Keep an ear out for Ella’s dulcet tones during the next few days, although it’s fair to say that her proclamation for Old Trafford was a little more enthusiastic than that directing travellers to the Etihad – much to the delight of another, clearly United-supporting, employee.
Before we go, Ella is given a wreath made by a member of the team and says she will hang it up at Carrington in the women’s building.
Cheryl admits it’s been one of the more eventful days in her career with the Bee Network, as we all look forward to the European tests to come.
“It all depends on the shifts,”
she says, when I ask if she’s got any flights booked.
“I can’t do Wolfsburg and I’m struggling for Juventus but hopefully, fingers crossed, we get through to the knockout rounds and I’ll have a new set of holidays to work with…”
She also suggests a new celebration to Ella, should she net against the Parisians.
Watch our video above for a sneak preview of it, and don't miss out on Wednesday's game, with tickets for United Women v PSG still available.