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    ITV legend, 73, reveals how he went from being a hospital porter to presenting greatest title clash in history

    ELTON WELSBY was the face of football on TV in the 1980s, long before the days of satellite TV and the Premier League rebrand.He was the presenter of arguably the greatest top-flight game of them all — when Liverpool met Arsenal in the final game of the season on Friday, May 26, 1989.Elton Welsby is one of football’s most iconic broadcastersCredit: PAUL COOPERWelsby was the face of football on TV in the 1980sCredit: Rex FeaturesThe Gunners needed to win at least 2-0 at Anfield to beat Liverpool to the title.Welsby handed over to Brian Moore for his famous Michael Thomas “it’s up for grabs now” as the Gunners dramatically won 2-0 to snatch top spot from under the noses of their great rivals.Elton, 73, is now happily retired but has been persuaded by good friend Gary Cook to write his autobiography, Game For A Laugh.He said: “Gary invited me on to his retro podcast a couple of years ago and we just seemed to hit it off straight away.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“For over an hour-and-a-half I told him a load of my stories and by the end of it Gary told me I had to write a book so that others could share these great old tales.”It is easy to understand how a meeting between the two ended in this autobiography.Welsby is captivating company, with so many memories of a golden age of the game before wall-to-wall football became the diet of the TV fan.So often we are reminded of iconic players and games via internet clips — most of which we have seen a hundred times.Most read in FootballWelbsy was the presenter for Arsenal’s iconic win over Liverpool in 1989Credit: GettyThe straight shootout at Anfield saw Arsenal win the leagueCredit: GettyWelsby worked in a hospital before starting his career in sportCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe magic of Game For A Laugh is these are FRESH stories on giants of football — including some of Elton’s genuine friends such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, George Best, Denis Law and Sir Alex Ferguson.Welsby reflected on how he arrived in the football media,He said: “When I left school I went to work for Royal Insurance in Liverpool but hated every minute of it.One of football’s greatest commentators – Barry Davies – set to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame“I had to get out so I went and worked at Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool as a porter. I’d been there about 12 months and really loved it.“But one day I was wheeling a patient past the hospital shop and saw the Liverpool Weekly News.“I’d never heard of it. So I bought it, went into the porters’ room, had a cup of tea and noticed there was something like eight pages of sport.“I needed a vocation and I saw this as a perfect step. So I wrote off to the managing editor, a guy called Ron Carrington, and the reply back was almost immediate.“I went for an interview and was amazed to get a response within 48 hours, saying, ‘Come and join us’. That was my start in journalism, which was in 1970.“I did four years at the Liverpool Weekly News but then Radio City was starting up in 1974 and I applied there.“Ultimately, moving to Radio City caught the attention of Paul Doherty at Granada TV, and I joined Granada in January 1978.”Welsby accepts that journalists’ access to top bosses and players in the 70s and 80s was hugely different to today. But having their trust was paramount.He added: “There were no mobiles but if I needed a line for Radio City, I’d simply ring one of the Liverpool players at home. “Bob Paisley became a close friend. If Liverpool were playing away, he’d ask how I was getting to the game and tell me to jump on the bus with them.“And because Liverpool were more successful during that period than my beloved Everton, I was with them virtually 24-7.“Bob would tell me stuff that he shouldn’t have told me. I could have sold so many of Bob’s stories to the nationals and earned quite a bit of money.“But that was never my way. I was on the coach because Bob trusted me. He was a dear, dear friend.“We were on our way back from a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough in 1977 and I was sat in my usual place at the front of the bus.“Bob would often wear his slippers and at some stage during the journey he’d plonk himself next to me.“I said to him, ‘The Boro lad Souness looked good’ and without flinching he replied, ‘Yes, we are going to sign him’. Bang! Just like that.“That story would have been a major exclusive on Radio City but I just had to sit on it. That’s how it was then — I never betrayed a confidence.”Welsby was good friends with Liverpool manager Bob PaisleyCredit: GettyPaisley had told Welsby he was going to sign Graeme Souness for The RedsCredit: Rex FeaturesWhen ITV got exclusive rights to top-flight football from 1988 to 1992, Elton never missed a game presenting The Match.It started in October 1988 with Everton against Manchester United and Welsby was there right through until the last game ITV showed, a 2-0 win for Liverpool over Manchester United, which confirmed Leeds as champions.And then there was the greatest finish ever to a top-flight season — until Aguero, anyway — as Arsenal’s win at Liverpool clinched the title on a famous Friday night, with Welsby presenting alongside his studio guest, Bobby Robson.In the mid-1980s, after World of Sport had disappeared from our screens, ITV retained a results service programme and Elton anchored the show.He added: “When I got back from the 1992 Euros, I got a call from my Granada boss, Doherty, telling me ITV had lost exclusivity to what was then First Division football. “But he wanted me to carry on at Granada so all I really lost was the Sunday afternoons doing The Match.”Welsby talks fondly about the icons he worked with.He said: “I go back to my radio days with Bill Shankly — they broke the mould with Bill — nor will there ever be another Brian Clough, who I worked with on numerous occasions.“The fact I came through unscathed is a great tribute to my relationship with Cloughie. He never ever had a go at me.“But the guy I enjoyed working with the most would be Jack Charlton.“People would often ask how Jack and I got on so well because we’re chalk and cheese. It didn’t matter, we just hit it off.”As far as his first love Everton are concerned, Elton was sitting on the bench next to manager Howard Kendall when they won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985 — providing the interview on the final whistle with Toffees’ jubilant boss.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “That was the best night of my life. Nothing could ever eclipse that as an Evertonian, or as a professional.” GAME FOR A LAUGH, Elton Welsby’s autobiography by Elton Welsby & Gary Cook, is available from eltonwelsby.comWelsby said he enjoyed working Jack Charlton more than anyone elseCredit: SportsfileElton Welsby’s Game For A Laugh is out now More

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    Mo Salah ‘tries to stop Liverpool making a substitution over fear of rule breach as referee is forced to intervene’

    MOHAMED SALAH had to be reassured that his team weren’t about to break the rules in the late stages of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.Salah was spotted doing everything he could to stop Jarrell Quansah from being substituted on in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Egyptian fearing Liverpool were about go over their quota of substitutes.Mohamed Salah tried to stop Liverpool from making a sixth substitution during their win over SouthamptonCredit: EPAThe Reds had already made five changes – the usual limit in a Premier League match – before Quansah was warming up on the touchline.And fearing punishment for going over their allotted amount, Salah was “desperately” trying to stop the sixth sub of the match in the 89th minute.That was until referee Lewis Smith went over to explain that a little-known rule was in play and Liverpool were allowed to make a sixth switch.A head injury to Armel Bella-Kotchap in the first half had led to Southampton leaning on a concussion substitution to replace the German with Jan Bednarek.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLConcussion protocol rules enforce that if a team uses a concussion substitute it does not count towards their allocation of tactical switches.As a result, the opposition team are granted a sixth change too – meaning Liverpool’s decision to bring on Quansah was perfectly legal.Fans online were all for Salah’s attempts to stop the substitution, telling that it was an example of just how much he wants to win the league.One wrote: “Mo was trying to prevent it from happening in case we get docked points. He’s really making sure we win the league”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEven if Liverpool had gone over their quota it is very unlikely they would have been handed any kind of points deduction for the blunder.IFAB rules state that any team trying to exceed the permitted number of subs “must be prevented by the referee”.Liverpool manager Arne Slot says his team were ‘lucky’ to beat PSG Salah’s influence on the game didn’t stop at trying to prevent tactical errors.The Premier League’s leading goalscorer added two more to his tally as he scored twice from the penalty spot in the 3-1 win.Both penalties came after Darwin Nunez had levelled for the Merseyside outfit following a Will Smallbone opener for the Saints.Liverpool’s victory means they are now an astonishing 16 points clear at the top of the table, with closest rivals Arsenal travelling to face Manchester United this afternoon. More

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    Pep Guardiola in secret Spain trip to save marriage as he refuses to give up hope after divorce announcement

    PEP Guardiola has made a secret three-day trip to Barcelona to rescue his marriage — staying with wife Cristina at their home.The Man City boss has “not given up hope on his marriage” despite a divorce announcement in January, sources say.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola flew to Spain to try to rescue his marriage to Cristina SerraCredit: SplashPep and Cristina had announced plans to divorce, but he is not giving up on their marriageCredit: GettyPep, 54, took a private jet from Manchester to Barcelona just hours after his team’s 3-1 win against Plymouth in the FA Cup last Saturday.City had seven days without a game ahead of yesterday’s Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest.A source said: “They spent three nights together in Barcelona, both staying at the family home.“Pep went out on Monday to the dentist and Cristina went to her fashion shop in the city centre.READ MORE ON PEP GUARDIOLA“They met up again at the shop and spent three hours there before returning to the house to spend the evening together. “Pep left for Manchester on Tuesday morning.”The trip has given rise to hopes that the couple will save their marriage.They drifted apart after Cristina, 52, moved back to Barcelona in 2019.Most read in FootballManchester City were approached for comment on behalf of Pep.Henry reveals sympathy for Pep Guardiola after own marriage split with Man City boss ‘not usual self’ More

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    Bruno Fernandes is the closest thing Man Utd have to a star, but he’d only be fit to put out cones for the Class of 92

    IN 20 years of taking teams to Old Trafford, there was one thing I never worked out — how come it was always the longest game of the season?Not just a few minutes of Fergie time, either. Some afternoons I’d sit in the dugout for what seemed like hours.Bruno Fernandes has been a shining light for Manchester United this seasonCredit: RexBut Harry Redknapp claims he would be handing out bibs to his team-mates if he was in Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd squadCredit: RexThat’s how it felt back then, anyway, when a trip to Manchester United pretty much meant respectability at best.These days there isn’t a side in the Premier League who goes to Old Trafford and doesn’t believe they can’t win.Seven have done so already. United have lost more than they’ve won — when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager, two home defeats meant a crisis.United were the best team in the country — Sir Alex built a few of them, too — and if they were on it,  you were in for it.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSThere were days, after we had conceded an early goal, and I’d think, “My God, this is going to be a long, long afternoon”.Sir Alex had stars coming out of his ears, you didn’t only have to stop one or two. Never mind the Red Devils, it was more like the Red Arrows.You were bombarded with pace down either wing, crosses were flying in, incredible movement, goals everywhere. United could run all over anyone.People rave about what Pep Guardiola has done at City but when United were on their game, they were just as good  — believe me.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSome of the football they played under Sir Alex was out of this world . . . yet you don’t admire it quite so much when you’re in the opposition dugout!I’d be praying for the ref to blow his whistle as soon as possible — thinking, “Let’s get out of here as quickly as possible with a bit of pride intact”.One of football’s greatest commentators – Barry Davies – set to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of FameI lost every league game as boss of West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth twice and finally QPR. And I’m not the only one by any means.Mind you, I do know what it feels like to be a winning manager at Old Trafford . . . and, no, I’m not talking  Soccer Aid, but two FA Cup ties remembered for very different reasons.The first was with West Ham in 2001, when Paolo Di Canio scored the winner as Fabian Barthez stood appealing for offside.Keeper Barthez was trying to con Paolo into turning to look at the ref, then he’d dive on the ball. But he didn’t fall for it and carried on to stick it in the corner instead.Paolo di Canio scored an infamous goal against Manchester United in 2001Credit: PA:Press AssociationSulley Muntari helped Portsmouth beat the Red Devils in 2008Credit: AP:Associated PressPortsmouth’s win in 2008 caused even more controversy when Sulley Muntari scored the winner past Rio Ferdinand because Tomasz Kuszczak had been sent off.Kuszczak had replaced Edwin van der Sar at half-time, leaving United without a keeper when he got the red card for his foul on Milan Baros.Rio Ferdinand took the gloves — quite ironic seeing his boy is a keeper on Brighton’s books now — but Muntari put us in the semis.Sir Alex was very, very down after that because he had his eyes on another Treble. At least he can say United lost to the losers, because we went on to win the Cup that year!But every other trip ended in defeat. There were even sides who effectively lost before they left the tunnel.You’d hope the team talk would give them a bit of belief, and then David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes or one of the others would blow it away in minutes.Players have always gone on about making their ground a fortress but Old Trafford was the strongest of all.There was a genuine fear about going there . . . now the only ones it strikes terror into are those in red shirts.In Fergie’s era teams went to United hoping for a point. These days many are actually expecting a win — Arsenal certainly will be on Sunday.After seven Champions League goals away from home in midweek, why wouldn’t they?Imagine how many they’d have got if all their strikers were fit!United can’t stick the ball in the net even when they are. They are so far behind the top teams, it’s frightening.I like manager Ruben Amorim but it will take years to turn them around . . . if it can be done at all. It has become a great club in name only.You’d look at the United of Fergie’s day and see superstars everywhere. Amorim would love just one.Bruno Fernandes is the closest and even then no more than a place in the squad. He wouldn’t have a prayer of making the team.Who would you drop? Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, even Nicky Butt or Darren Fletcher? Not a chance.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggled to get a game,  Fernandes wouldn’t get beyond putting the cones down and handing out bibs.And I tell you what — if Bruno and Co had been at United when I was managing, I’d know all about winning at Old Trafford. More

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    Man Utd have option to EXTEND Kobbie Mainoo deal until 2028 in major transfer boost with star on lowest salary in squad

    MANCHESTER UNITED have an option to extend Kobbie Mainoo’s contract by 12 months.The midfielder, 19, has two years left on his current deal, which led to fears manager Ruben Amorim could be forced to sell him in the summer.Man Utd hold an option to extend Kobbie Mainoo’s contractCredit: AlamyBut United have a contractual option to keep Mainoo until 2028 — giving them control over his short-term future.The clause is understood to be one-sided, so Mainoo does not have  to agree for it to be activated.United still hope Mainoo will sign a longer contract as Amorim sees him as key to his plans.He earns about £20,000-a-week and his representatives want to raise that.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSThe 12-month option could prove crucial in protecting the England international’s transfer value, which the club have set at £70million.Chelsea are monitoring Mainoo’s situation with a view to making a summer bid.But the Stockport-born academy graduate is also thought to favour a move overseas should he seek a transfer. United declined to comment when contacted by SunSport.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe club have used 12-month options before as a way of giving them flexibility over their squad.Mainoo has been out of action for a month with a muscle injury.Which Manchester United stars should stay and go?Amorim has not given a recent update on his return date but it will not be before this month’s international break. More

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    Arne Slot salutes controversial hero Darwin Nunez as Liverpool ace escapes red card to lead comeback against Southampton

    ARNE SLOT saluted his controversial hero Darwin Nunez — as Liverpool stormed SIXTEEN points clear at the top of the Prem.The pair had a bitter fallout last month when Kop boss Slot accused the £64million striker of a lazy attitude following his horror open-goal miss against Aston Villa.Darwin Nunez scored and won a penalty versus SouthamptonCredit: GettyNunez was perhaps fortunate not to be red carded for wild lunge on Kyle Walker-PetersCredit: Sky SportsVAR decided not to give him a red cardCredit: RexBut after Nunez escaped a red card for kicking Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, he turned the game in four second-half minutes by levelling and winning a penalty from which Mo Salah put them ahead.And Slot declared: “In the second-half, he showed the workrate that he can bring to the team.”The Dutch boss wildly celebrated in the stands amid his two-match ban for an X-rated rant at ref Michael Oliver as his Reds profited from TWO penalty awards.First, rookie ref Lewis Smith adjudged Saints’ scorer Will Smallbone had fouled Nunez, then VAR Matt Donohue ruled Yukinari Sugawara handled.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut SunSport’s ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey insisted Nunez was lucky not to be sent off for scything down Walker-Peters.VAR did look at the incident – and backed Smith’s decision to only give him a yellow card.Yet Halsey said: “Nunez deliberately kicked an opponent when there was no chance of getting the ball. It was violent conduct.“On another day, with another referee, it would have been a red.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBBC pundit Chris Sutton added: “It was such a reckless, daft challenge. Liverpool were lucky to have 11 on the pitch.”Salah’s two pens took his Liverpool goals tally to 243 — and he sits third in their all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285). ‘The miss I can accept, but what is harder to accept…’ Arne Slot slams ‘behaviour’ of Liverpool star Darwin NunezBut superstar Salah revealed Slot got the hairdryer out at half-time.The Egyptian said: “It was a bit of frustration. His head was going for us. We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don’t think we played well.“But if you want to win the title, you have to win games like that.”Slot made a triple half-time substitution to inspire their comeback — bringing on Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Andy Robertson.Arne Slot praised Nunez’s workrate after he changed the gameCredit: GettyNunez missed an open goal against Villa last month and was slammed by Slot for his attitudeThe Reds chief said: “I had to make hard calls to create a certain anger with the players.“Our energy levels were far, far, far too low.“The three who came on did really well. But I saw a different attitude from the other eight, too.”Liverpool are 16 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand and visit Manchester United.But Southampton boss Ivan Juric was fuming over both penalty decisions.The Croat blasted: “The first, contact is almost nothing. This just cannot be a penalty — ever.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m sorry it happened because then it was 1-1 and it changed the match.“The second one, maybe it was a handball, but he was pushed. My guys fought until the end.” More

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    ‘It is so hard to understand’ – Ruben Amorim says he has no idea why Man Utd fans tell him he is doing a good job

    RUBEN AMORIM is bewildered by Manchester United fans telling him he is doing a GOOD job.Amorim gave a telling insight into his troubled reign at Old Trafford when asked what is the most common thing Red Devils supporters say when they meet him.Ruben Amorim finds the support from Man Utd ‘strange’ considering the resultsCredit: GettyThe Portuguese almost laughed at himself and revealed: “They say one thing that is really strange for me: ‘You are doing a good job.’“It is so hard to understand sometimes. It’s really important for me.”Amorim appreciates the support of the United faithful so much because he knows that his four months in the job cannot be considered a success at all.United go into the home clash with Arsenal marooned in the bottom half of the Premier League table after just six victories — and eight defeats — in 18 top-flight matches on his watch.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAmorim, 40, openly admits to making mistakes — particularly in his handling of relationships with staff outside the dressing room. He told TNT Sports: “When you are a player you just focus on you but when you are a manager you have to focus on a lot of people, not just the players but all the staff.“All the staff are paying attention to you so you have to pay attention to that, and that is something that I didn’t do very well in the beginning here in Manchester because I was focused on the games.“At the moment I am starting to get a really good connection with all the staff and the players.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWell, all the staff that are still there after owners Ineos confirmed 200 more redundancies in the latest round of savage cost-cutting.Amorim won respect from some non-football staff for saying that it was ultimately United’s struggles on the pitch that were responsible for people losing their jobs.Ruben Amorim says Man Utd must make more of opportunities after draw with Real Sociedad But some inside the dressing room were said to be less impressed about being called out by the new boss and the shadow of United’s incredible success under Sir Alex Ferguson hangs over Amorim —  just like all those who have tried to follow in the legend’s footsteps.Amorim revealed Fergie has been in touch, saying: “He already called me to give me some advice.”The United boss also said he would consider altering his pre-match routine of handing a water bottle to his assistant in a bid to inspire a change in fortune.Amorim added: “This is the time to change things, when you are not winning too much.”Friends of Amorim sometimes feel that he offers too much of himself in interviews and press conferences.And his answers to a quick-fire set of questions provided more  revelations than you would normally expect.The biggest message that came through was how grateful Amorim is  for the fans continuing to believe in him when it seems as though he is doubting himself.He said: “The way they support us, even when you are losing, in the bad moments, that is the most special thing.”Amorim was a champion of Portugal both as a player at Benfica and as a coach with their Lisbon rivals, Sporting.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he longs for the day when United fans can sing his favourite chant, their version of a John Denver classic, in celebration of  winning their first Premier League crown since Fergie left in 2013.Amorim said: “[Take Me Home,] Country Roads that they adapt is perfect. I really dream to win the title and listen to that song at Old Trafford.” More

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    Rangers star hit speeds of 100mph in motorway police chase where he tailgated cop car

    RANGERS star Rabbi Matondo hit speeds of over 100mph as cops chased him to Ibrox — after he had tailgated their unmarked motor.The Welsh winger, 24, also weaved in and out of traffic on Glasgow’s M8 and ran a red light as he rushed to training.Rabbi Matondo was slapped with a driving banMatondo was driving an Audi Q8 at the timeCredit: GettyHe was clocked on the M8He was hit with a year’s road ban and fined after being convicted of dangerous driving.But cops didn’t try to keep up with Rangers ace Rabbi Matondo’s car during a 100mph dash to Ibrox — in case he lost control and killed someone, a court heard.A traffic constable told how he feared “a fatality” if he tried to match the high speeds hit by the winger, 24, as he raced to a public training session.Officers finally caught up with the footie ace at the Rangers stadium, where they marched in through the players’ entrance to charge him with dangerous driving.And the Welsh international was hit with a 12-month driving ban after being convicted of the offence at Glasgow Sheriff Court.PC James Bowie told how he was with a colleague in an unmarked police motor on the M8 when they were tailgated by Matondo’s Audi Q8 on the city’s Kingston Bridge.Dashcam footage showed the powerful SUV speeding off, sparking a pursuit on August 1, 2023. The Light Blues forward was then seen undertaking an HGV and running a red light as he left the cops in his wake.Most read in FootballPC Bowie said they “never went anywhere near” his car despite reaching 80mph.He explained: “I knew it was a nice big Audi Q8. But I thought that if he loses control at 100 miles per hour there is a possibility of a fatality.”Former Sky Sports pundit and Rangers striker Andy Gray’s foul-mouthed rant at Jose MourinhoWhen the officers eventually got to interview Matondo, they said he was “remorseful”.Defence lawyer Ronnie Simpson said the officers’ report stated the player’s average speed was 72mph on a 50mph stretch.PC Bowie replied: “That’s an average between distances.“In among that the speed was in excess of 100mph.”He was also asked why he charged Matondo with dangerous driving rather than hand him a fixed penalty notice.PC Bowie said there were “other elements” to his driving, and it was a “course of conduct”.The cop added: “In my opinion, he seemed remorseful and his attitude was pretty good.“He understood what we were explaining and seemed to accept why we were there.”Mr Simpson said: “He was a young man running late to his work — and he didn’t want to let his colleagues down.”But Sheriff Mary Shields found Matondo — currently on loan at German side Hannover 96 — guilty of dangerous driving.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe first offender was handed a year’s road ban and £420 fine.The law chief said: “I think overwhelmingly the way in which Mr Matondo drove the Audi car over the distance shown on CCTV is obviously far below what is expected of a driver.”Matondo at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he given a 12 month ban and fined £420Credit: Spindrift More