Good sport adds taste of home to the New York scene

FROM CHADDERTON TO BIG APPLE FOR BAR OWNER TOM

- By ADAM MAIDMENT

Inside Tom's Bar

A MAN from Greater Manchester has opened a new sports bar more than 3,346 miles away that pays homage to his hometown.

Tom Mills, who was born and raised in Oldham, moved to America after being invited to take part in a lucrative football scholarship.

Having played for Oldham Athletic FC's youth team as a schoolboy, he was released and made the move to Pennsylvania at the age of 17.

Having stayed in the United States after the scholarship and his football career came to an end, Tom has since earned a Master's Degree in Business.

Having spent some time in California, he relocated to New York about nine years ago and hasn't looked back.

"I've actually been in America for more than half of my life now," Tom, 33, tells the Manchester Evening News. "I come home two or three times a year, but I just love it here and I've stayed here ever since."

Last month, Tom opened his very own venue, Central Park Tavern, in Manhattan, in an ideal spot overlooking the very same iconic and historic 843-acre park it's named after.

Inspired by New York's 'golden age of taverns,' the Hell's Kitchen sports bar, on 327 West 57th Street, will also feature many references to Tom's hometown.

"It's not a Manchester-themed bar per se," he explains. "But there are certainly some subtle nods throughout the place. There's a cocktail called A Charming Man, there's a signed Anthony Crolla glove and some signed Manchester United shirts on the wall.

"In terms of the decoration, there's the bee logo, as well as the Industrial Revolution and the textile industry.

"But it's not a tacky bar - we've managed to find the line where it's not cheesy.