THE most famous and successful basketball team in the world is coming Manchester to delight audiences with their skill.

The Harlem Globetrotters formed by Englishmen Abe Saperstein in 1926, played their first game in 1927 and have been called the Harlem Globetrotters since 1930.

In 1946, they ran out to the song Sweet Georgia Brown for the first time, and once the familiar notes ring out, you know that you're in for some special entertainment.

It seems almost irrelevant, but aside from their tricks and comedy which has become an essential part of their history, they are actually a serious sports team, winning their first ever World Championship in 1940.

At one point in their career, they had a winning streak that lasted from 1975 to 1995, that was 8,829 games without losing, and in total, they only lost about 300 out of their first 9,000 games.

They have travelled all over the world –in fact to almost 120 countries and their trips to the UK resulted in some great Bank Holiday television viewing.

It wasn't long before they introduced trick shots and comedy into their routine and the two all-time greats of the team were Curly Neal, who played for the Globetrotters from 1963 to 1985 and the Clown Prince of Basketball – Meadowlark Lemon - who ruled the roost between 1954 and 1978, and who sadly died recently.

It has to be stressed that Lemon, although a great prankster, was a talented player as well. He once – on TV, threw the ball backwards, over his head, from the half-way line and actually scored!

It is actually a special year for the team as they are celebrating their 90th anniversary.

Current stars of the team include 'Big Easy' Loften, 'Bull' Bullard, 'Hi-Lite' Bruton and playmaker and chief clown 'Ant' Atkinson.

Once a predominantly male sport, the Globetrotters have, in 'TNT' Maddox and 'Sweet' J Ekworomadu, some talented female stars.

So we can expect laughs and skill in equal measure as the Harlem Globetrotters strut their stuff, running rings – sometimes quite literally – around their poor opponents.

And, as this is a family show, we can also expect some audience participation, as the team are not averse to picking children out of the crowd to help them with their stunts.

This year, they are bringing an exciting new show with more basketball skills and wizardry and providing some great family entertainment. The two and a half hour show is full of tricks, spins, spectacular slam dunks and lots of laughter.

The Harlem Globetrotters, Manchester Arena, Sunday, May 1. Details from 0844 847 8000.