Following the success of its inaugural Lunch With A Legend event, BW3 (Business Working With Wythenshawe) and Baguley Athletic FC are delighted to announce the launch of an official Lunch Club programme, with four exclusive events planned throughout the 2026/27 season.
The pilot event, held at TRIBE Manchester Airport in June, brought together a small group of business guests for an intimate lunch with former England international footballer David Platt.
Guests enjoyed a specially curated Italian-inspired lunch, wine and informal networking, while David shared stories and insights from his remarkable football career, including his experiences playing for England, competing at the World Cup, playing in Italy and his career in football management.
Unlike a traditional sports dinner, the event was deliberately kept small, allowing guests to spend genuine time with David, ask questions and hear stories from behind the scenes of his career.
A unique business experience
The feedback from guests following the pilot was overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the intimate format, the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to speak directly with David.
One guest described the event as:
“A unique and relaxed relationship building setting that will inevitably last long in their memory.”
Another commented:
“The reason that guests purchase tickets is to see, meet, listen to and chat with David Platt. Your event ticked those boxes without question.”
The pilot also demonstrated the potential of the Lunch Club as a distinctive opportunity for businesses to entertain clients, reward employees and build relationships in a setting that is very different from traditional corporate hospitality or networking events.
Four Lunch Club events for 2026/27
Following the success of the pilot, BW3 and Baguley Athletic FC are now launching a programme of four Lunch With A Legend events throughout the year.
The dates are:
Friday 25th September 2026
Thursday 12th November 2026
Friday 12th March 2027
Friday 21st May 2027
The events will alternate between two premium venues at Manchester Airport, with lunches taking place at Dakota Manchester and TRIBE Manchester Airport Hotel.
Each event will retain the format that proved so popular at the pilot: an intimate lunch, great food and wine, informal networking and, most importantly, the opportunity to spend time with David Platt and hear his stories and insights from a remarkable career in football.
An opportunity for businesses
The Lunch Club has been designed with businesses in mind.
Guests can attend for themselves, bring a colleague or use the experience to entertain an important client or business contact. The relaxed format provides an opportunity to build relationships away from the usual meeting room or networking event.
Three options will be available for the 2026/27 programme:
Full Year Package – £1,200
Two places at all four Lunch Club events.
Single Event Package – £350
Two places at one Lunch Club event.
Individual Place – £200
One place at one Lunch Club event.
There will also be opportunities for businesses to become event sponsors, providing additional opportunities to showcase their organisation while supporting the work of BW3 and Baguley Athletic FC. Businesses interested in sponsorship are invited to contact BW3 to discuss the opportunities available.
Supporting Wythenshawe
The Lunch Club is part of the growing partnership between BW3 and Baguley Athletic FC, which brings together the local business community and grassroots football to create opportunities for young people across Wythenshawe.
The partnership is focused on using the reach and influence of both organisations to support schools, young people and community initiatives, while raising aspirations and showcasing positive pathways into education, employment and sport.
David Platt and representatives from Baguley Athletic FC will continue to be involved in BW3 initiatives as part of the partnership.
The Lunch Club therefore offers businesses the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience while also contributing to work that makes a positive difference to the Wythenshawe community.
Be part of the next Lunch With A Legend
Places at each Lunch Club will be deliberately limited to retain the intimate format that made the pilot so successful.
If you would like to find out more about the 2026/27 Lunch Club programme, discuss sponsorship or register your interest, please contact BW3.
Lunch With A Legend – four dates, one unique opportunity to get closer to David Platt and hear the stories behind an extraordinary football career.