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    Emma Hayes ‘disappointed’ by criticism of Barbra Banda after Zambia star’s BBC Women’s Footballer award win

    Emma Hayes hit out at “ridiculous” remarks aimed at Barbra Banda following her BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year triumph.The Orlando Pride and Zambia forward has been the target of hostile comments and abuse online following her award win. Banda’s BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award win follows her finishing as the NWSL’s second highest scorer this seasonCredit: APThe Zambia forward’s goals helped Orlando Pride with the NWSL Championship for the first timeCredit: GettyBanda, who captains her national side, helped Orlando win a National Women’s Soccer League title for the first time in their history this year. However the BBC’s decision to award her their Women’s Football of the Year has seen the forward face a torrent of abuse on social media. Criticism of the organisation awarding the prize to Banda follows the player being withdrawn from two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations contests amid claims she failed a gender eligibility test. This includes the tournament hosted in Morocco two years ago which was won by South Africa.Read More Football StoriesHowever her agent Anton Maksimov and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) say she did not take a test. They said her withdrawal was down to the Football Association of Association Zambia.Author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies have been among the public figures who criticised Banda’s BBC award win.  However some of the women’s game most powerful organisations and individuals have come to the forward’s defence. Most read in FootballThis includes Hayes, two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe and the NWSL Players’ Association. Hayes said: “It is ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, she has our support. “She’s someone who’s done a tremendous amount, not just for her club but for her country, and what a brilliant season she’s had. “We should be talking about that, the impact she’s had on the NWSL, and we saw it firsthand in the Olympics (when she played for Zambia).””Quite frankly, I’m disappointed when I hear a lot of these things being said.”Banda, who made her senior international debut in 2016, has made 63 appearances for her countryThis includes featuring in three games at last year’s Women’s World Cup after Fifa deemed her eligible to play. This season Banda scored 13 goals in 22 NWSL games helping Orlando win the divisions title.Banda captained the Zambia team that competed in last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New ZealandCredit: GettyHayes added: “I speak so highly of her because in the women’s game, we talk about all top players that come from more traditional (football) nations. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think it’s great that we see such quality coming out of Africa and for her to make the impact that she has. “I know my assistant coach (Lisa Cole) coached her at Zambia, and talked about what an amazing person she is. She has our full support.” More

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    I won Gladiators and faced Gareth Southgate as a player – now I’m looking to cause FA Cup upset with minnows

    HARBOROUGH TOWN’S contender is ready . . . Dave Staff, assistant boss of the seventh-tier club, is a former winner of the TV show Gladiators.Dave Staff pulled off a red win on Gladiators, now he’s hoping to sink ReadingHarborough assistant boss Staff is ‘proud’ of his 2009 Gladiators titlesStaff was in action when Nuneaton Borough famously took then-Prem side Middlesbrough to an FA Cup replay replay 18 years agoCredit: Getty Images – GettyStaff will now be looking to cause an upset in BerkshireCredit: HarboroughBut being part of his home-town club’s journey to a second-round tie at League One Reading feels bigger even than reaching the top of the Travelator first.Staff was a non-league player when he became the 2009 male champion — and then champion of champions — in the Sky One reboot of Gladiators.Staff, 45, said: “About 10,000 people applied for the series. I’m really proud of it.“My best event was probably Powerball. I could carry my own bodyweight well and move pretty quick. I also remember coming up against a Gladiator called Doom in a thing called Earthquake.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“You’re on a Perspex plate 50ft in the air or something. You have a wrestle and try to push each other off — and he broke my nose. But the video referee said I won.“I got £25,000 for winning the main series.“The missus spent most of it on a kitchen in a house that we ended up moving out of about six months later.”Gladiators is not Staff’s only brush with fame.Most read in FA CupEx-Gladiators winner Staff has an unusual claim to fameFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe was in the Nuneaton Borough side that faced Premier League Middlesbrough and their team of stars in the FA Cup third round in 2006.Gaizka Mendieta put Boro ahead with a wonderful free-kick. But Gareth Southgate’s handball led to a penalty — that Gez Murphy scored to earn a replay.Top 10 highest paid footballersStaff said: “There’s a picture of Mendieta curling the free-kick over my head and in.“Unfortunately, I came off injured after 18 minutes so I missed the replay.“After the 90 minutes in the game at Nuneaton, Mark Viduka said to one of our lads, ‘What happens now?’.“‘We’re going back to your place!’“‘OK, cheers, fella’. He didn’t even know!“We went out in Nuneaton that night. I hobbled around the pubs and watched Match of the Day — Lee Dixon called me ‘Davy’ Staff for some reason! “We got the papers in the morning after staying in a hotel and the lad I shared a room with, Matty Collins, was on the back pages. It was a great experience.”As a coach, Staff was part of Brackley Town’s FA Trophy triumph at Wembley in 2018.But nothing matches the feeling of success with the club from the Leicestershire town where he was born and bred.I’m walking around town with my dog and there is such a buzz. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history by far.Dave StaffStaff joined Harborough 18 months ago as assistant to boss Mitch Austin and last season they won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division Central — the highest level in the club’s history.In this campaign, Harborough beat Tonbridge Angels in their first-ever FA Cup first-round tie to earn the clash with Reading.Staff said: “I’ve always lived in the town.“I knew so many people behind the goal when we scored those goals at Tonbridge, I kinda wished I was there instead of the dugout.“I’m walking around town with my dog and there is such a buzz. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history by far.READ MORE SUN STORIES“As a local boy, it’s a bit of a dream and we’re all hoping it can go on as long as possible.”And if you have already defeated Doom, why not Reading?Gareth Southgate conceded a penalty when Staff played for NuneatonCredit: Getty More

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    Paul Pogba’s first game after ban CANCELLED at last-minute as new date is set for King’s Cup Dubai

    PAUL POGBA’S return to football is off after his comeback match was cancelled just days before kick-off.The former Manchester United and Juventus star has not played since September last year due to a doping ban.Paul Pogba’s return to the pitch is offCredit: GettyPogba was initially hit with a four-year suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing substance DHEA in August 2023.But following an appeal, the 31-year-old’s ban was reduced to 18 months.He has since had his contract at Juve terminated and is looking for a new club, with his return set for March.To keep fit, Pogba was allowed to compete in the King’s Cup.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe event was set to see football royalty go head-to-head in a one-off game in Dubai tomorrow.But the match has been shockingly axed just four days before due to “unforeseen circumstances”.Fans that had tickets can apply for refunds with the tournament rescheduled to February.Supporters have been left devastated, with one saying: “You don’t explain why it was cancelled and what happened. Just a refund doesn’t make anything better?”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnother added: “This is not fair at all.”Pogba was set to run out for Hedge & Sachs Royals, who are captained by Chelsea and England legend John Terry.Paul Pogba was brought back to Man Utd to HUMILIATE Sir Alex Ferguson – I told him not to return, says Patrice EvraThe Frenchman, alongside Roberto Carlos from the opponents, were going to wear the “King’s Guard” shirts.The role limits the players to just 15 minute appearances per half and they would be exempt from offsides, as well as yellow and red cards.King’s Cup Dubai line-upKing’s XI (subject to change):Edgar Davids (C)Roberto CarlosBlaise MatuidiLoris KariusRobert HuthBernard MendyDanny SimpsonFranck RiberyYohan CabayeRyan BabelJay Jay OkochaEl Hadji DioufBobby ZamoraMichael OwenDavid VillaAl HussainiHedge & Sachs Royals XI (subject to change):John Terry (C)Paul PogbaMarouane FellainiPaul ScholesCiaran ClarkAchraf LazaarMarc AlbrightonDavid SilvaClarence SeedorfBlaise MatuidiKeiren WestwoodStephen IrelandTheo Walcott*Emmanuel Adebayor**May play More

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    Sarina Wiegman eager to consign USA to first defeat under Emma Hayes with team unbeaten in 11 games

    SARINA WIEGMAN will not be letting friendship get in the way of her determination to guide England to victory over Emma Hayes’ USA. The duo go toe-to-toe as coaches for the first time tomorrow when the Lionesses face the United States at Wembley. Sarina Wiegman is aiming to guide the Lionesses to friendly wins against the USA and SwitzerlandCredit: GettyEngland’s clash with the United States women’s team will see Wiegman pitted against USA boss Emma HayesCredit: GettyUSA captain Lindsey Horan says her side enjoy “the pressure moments” when facing teams like EnglandCredit: GettyThe 5:20pm Saturday clash will be Hayes’ first homecoming as USA chief this year. She began her role in June, after ending her reign as Chelsea boss leading the Blues to a seventh WSL title. Tomorrow’s fixture follows Hayes, 48, steering her US stars to a gold medal win at the Paris Olympics in August. And with the team unbeaten in 11 games since Hayes took charge, Wiegman is ready to give her rival her first taste of international defeat. Read More Football Stories The Lioness chief, 55, said: “Emma and I used to collaborate, but now we’re opponents and I’m really looking forward to that.”With friends, you really want to beat them, maybe even more than if they’re not your friends. “We play at Wembley, there’s going to be around 85,000 people there, plus the USA won at the Olympics, so it’s really exciting.”The Lionesses’ clash with the United States will be the first time the teams have faced each other since England’s 2-1 victory two years ago in October. Most read in FootballSince then the Lionesses reached a World Cup final for the first time last summer, falling to a 1-0 loss to Spain. Results for both sides in the last international window have been in contrast. While Hayes’ players saw off Iceland and Argentina with 3-1 and 3-0 wins, Wiegman’s team suffered a 4-3 loss to Germany before defeating South Africa 2-1.And though the USA have been the victors in 12 of their 19 duels with England, full-back Lucy Bronze believes the rivalry between both sides is respectful. The Lioness, who is a Fifa 2024 women’s player of the year nominee, added: “As much as there is a rivalry, there is that level of respect.”You get that when you have a rivalry with two teams that get to the highest level. “As an English team we’ve always understood that the US have had to do so much to get to where they are, “That’s something we really admire in them and something that they’ve inspired us to do as an England team after winning the Euros. “We’re rivals, we’re a community but at the same time we still want to beat each other. “With England and America, it’s always that high level of rivalry but also respect.”With more than 83,000 fans expected at Wembley, Hayes was asked her thoughts on how the women’s game is currently faring here compared to across the pond. However the USA chief believes the sport in both locations should be celebrated equally. The USA chief said: “It’s fair to say that both countries are committed to women’s sport and developing the women’s game. Lucy Bronze is among the five Lionesses who have been shortlisted for this year’s Fifa women’s player of the year awardCredit: Getty”As always, we talk about the things we need to keep doing to improve it, but I think we need to celebrate how far we’ve come. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Having 80,000 paying fans to watch a great match-up is, again, not just a sign of progress, but shows that the Lionesses are sustaining a lot.”It’s about celebrating both countries and celebrating the work that’s being done, as opposed to picking it apart.” More

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    Sudan is engaged in murderous civil war and stadiums have become graveyards but football brings a touch of humanity

    SUDAN is engaged in a murderous civil war and yet football carries on, bringing a touch of humanity amid terrible suffering.Football is a long way from perfection but time and plenty of wars have shown that it motivates people and brings moments of grace among the desolation.Sudan reaching the Africa Cup of Nations finals has provided a glimpse of relief for the war-hit countryCredit: Instagram @sfa1936Most people know of the Christmas Day 1914 kickabout in a brief truce between German troops and British squaddies.On a later occasion, our soldiers were provided with footballs to kick as they charged enemy lines.Women played their part in that war and many munitions factories formed football teams.Shortly afterwards, the FA stopped this with a ban that prevented official women’s football for 50 years, claiming it was undignified.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaybe, but the huge crowds they were drawing, 50,000 for one in Preston, caused official annoyance.Football is only “war” in the over-heated imagination of terrace drunks, psychopaths and plain idiots and only once, thank goodness, has it been a major cause.It happened after a 1969 World Cup qualifier between El Salvador and Honduras whose governments were already a long way from comradeship as neighbours in central America.The war lasted only four days but more than 2,000 people were killed and three El Salvador planes shot down.Most read in FootballWar as a backdrop is fairly common. In Sudan, it is life and death. About 150,000 people have been slaughtered and 14million displaced from homes. Football grounds around the capital, Khartoum, have become graveyards.James Kwesi Appiah managed Ghana twice and has now guided Sudan to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations finalsCredit: EPASo far Sudan have played home matches in five neighbouring African countries. Their head coach James Kwesi Appiah says: “Most of the time when we are in camp, a message will come that one of the players has lost a family member. It’s happened about five times.“Why can’t we all do something to let these guys achieve, so that at least the people back home will be happy?”Appiah, former Ghana captain and coach, has led Sudan to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in a year’s time and within hailing distance of the 2026 World Cup.It is an amazing achievement. And in the hell of Sudan, it is a mental haven of hope.When war gives way to fanaticism, results can be striking.In Afghanistan, the male-run Taliban outlawed women’s sport and the world in general has nodded acceptance.There have been no sanctions and so the country’s men — useless at football, useful at cricket — carry on, undisturbed by controversy or embarrassment.Neither war nor pestilence can keep a good team down.Why should they? Only men matter there.A few women have overcome this apartheid. The Afghan cricket team fled to Australia, whose cricket authority offered a sole protest on their behalf by refusing to play a men’s match against the rogue country.The International Cricket Council have remained silent and, far from any boycott, Afghan’s men’s team are flourishing.So is the Ukrainian Premier League, which defied the Russian invasion, and has just signed a new TV contract. The 16-team competition has only ever been halted by Covid.Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv dominate the top places since the league was formed after the country’s split from Russia.READ MORE SUN STORIESIndeed, after the invasion Shakhtar left Donetsk for Kyiv where, along with Dynamo and Metalist 1925, they share the 70,500 capacity Olympic stadium.Proving neither war nor pestilence can keep a good team down. More

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    Ruben Amorim forced to get creative in Man Utd training due to lack of time with stars given walkthroughs

    RUBEN AMORIM has adapted his coaching methods to get Manchester United players to learn his system quickly.The new boss has so far overseen a 1-1 draw with Ipswich and a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt.Ruben Amorim has revealed he has had to tweak his coaching methodsCredit: GettyHe has been doing walkthroughs with his playersCredit: GettyBut he has little time on the training pitch to break down the games as the fixtures come thick and fast, with seven Premier League matches and two cup ties in December.The schedule is squeezing the ex-Sporting manager’s chance to work with his new players and he has resorted to a new approach to get his 3-4-3 style across.Amorim said: “I was a football player. Football players, videos more than 12 minutes? Forget. Because they lose the concentration.”So, we have to work on… imagine there’s an indoor stadium. We have that.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Instead of video, we do it like walking and jogging. It’s a way to do it and showing some videos.”Then we have all the staff. For example, Carlos Fernandes (assistant) is with the strikers.”They will show individual moments, so we will try to cope with that.”Everybody has a job in the staff, and they are more important maybe than me.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So, that’s it. Trying to see the game, what is missing. “They are very good players, they need to believe and we will show individual stuff, team stuff and work. Ruben Amorim bizarrely SLAPS Man Utd stars in training as fans joke ‘I hope Luke Shaw doesn’t get injured'”If you cannot run, you can jog and make the same exercise.”Ahead of facing Everton on Sunday, Amorim said: “Win. I am hoping to win.”It’s going to be a different match with a lot of fighting, long balls, second balls. “They have a quality coach that understands the league, that understands the moment of the opponent.”We need to have the ball because we have a short time to recover.”We need to rotate the team, so I hope for a win and I hope to see different things in my team.”Improve like we did from Ipswich to now, with Everton without training. But I expect to see different things and better things.”Man Utd ratings vs Bodo/Glimt More

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    Ruud van Nistelrooy CONFIRMED as Leicester manager as Man Utd legend makes instant return to Premier League

    RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has been confirmed as Leicester’s new manager.The Dutchman, 48, has made a quick return to management after working as Manchester United’s caretaker boss following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.Ruud van Nistelrooy has been confirmed as Leicester’s new managerCredit: GettyHe will be in the stands as the Foxes take on Brentford tomorrow and his first in the dugout will be against West HamCredit: GettySteve Cooper was sacked by the Foxes after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to ChelseaCredit: PAVan Nistelrooy succeeds Steve Cooper as Foxes manager, after the former Nottingham Forest boss received the axe following a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.The Dutchman is set to be in the stands for their game against Brentford tomorrow, meaning his first match in charge will be against West Ham on Tuesday. On his Leicester arrival, Van Nistelrooy said: “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic. “They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.”Van Nistelrooy also revealed he spoke to ex-Foxes-turned-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca about taking the job, who was his team-mate at Malaga. He revealed: “When the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time. “When you hear these things, it’s a club you want to be a part of. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVan Nistelrooy’s controversial appointmentBy Neil Custis, Football writerRUUD VAN NISTELROOY walking into the Leicester job must have managers further down the leagues tearing their hair out.This week at the Northwest Football Awards, for example, Dave Challinor of Stockport was named manager of the year ahead of Pep Guardiola.Now that may be because organisers felt he would probably turn up to get his gong, unlike Guardiola.Still, two promotions in 2½ years to lift the area’s poor relation from the National League to League One — where they sit fourth — is incredible.Yet that and a managerial background at Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde and Hartlepool would sadly never put him on a Premier League club’s radar.Van Nistelrooy was on that radar at the Foxes in the summer after one season managing at PSV Eindhoven before they went for Steve Cooper.Now after a further four games as interim Manchester United boss and he is in at the King Power and Cooper is out.Big names excite fans and Van Nistelrooy has one, literally.But he also comes with a red flag or two…”Obviously, with the interest coming, I phoned him and I asked him more detailed questions about the Club, the structures, the people that work there, the squad, the stadium, the fans, the town, the surroundings… it was a fantastic conversation. “It’s always a pleasure to talk to him.”Leicester stars party in nightclub next to ‘Enzo I miss you’ sign hours after Chelsea loss on night before Cooper sackedChairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: “It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City. “He joins a Club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together. “Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our club.”I have to say, when the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time.Van Nistelrooy on speaking to Maresca before taking the jobDuring his spell as Man Utd caretaker, Van Nistelrooy twice beat Cooper’s Leciester.They met in the Carabao Cup on October 30, with the Red Devils running out 5-2 winners.And he beat Leicester again 3-0 just 11 days later in the Premier League.Cooper won just two of his 12 Prem encounters at the Leicester helm, having succeeded Enzo Maresca in the summer, who guided the club to the Championship title last term.The players seemingly miss their old boss as they were spotted partying next to a sign that read “Enzo I miss u” during their Christmas party.Just hours after the loss to Chelsea, the squad jetted off to their festive Copenhagen bash signed off by Cooper, unaware he was about to be axed.According to The Telegraph, Cooper fell out with Jannik Vestergaard, Harry Winks and Hamza Choudhury during his ill-fated 157-day stint in charge at the King Power, with the former even being banished from training at one stageThe Foxes are 16th in the Prem table, a point above the relegation zone.Prior to joining Ten Hag’s Old Trafford coaching staff, the former Man Utd and Real Madrid striker managed PSV Eindhoven.He won 33 of his 51 games in charge, winning the KNVB Cup in 2023.Van Nistelrooy stepped down a week before the end of that season, citing a lack of support from above.READ MORE SUN STORIESFollowing Cooper’s sacking, Leicester were linked with Graham Potter and David Moyes.But club chiefs quickly settled upon Van Nistelrooy as their main target and have now got their man.Van Nistelrooy on joining Leicester “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic.”They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. “I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.“Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic, has great stories about the quality of the people working at the Club, the supporters, also of course, the recent history of the Club is impressive. “I’m dead excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.“It’s also something I hear a lot about. I can’t wait to find that out, to be part of the Club, in a manager role, which is a big responsibility. I take it very seriously. “Also, getting to know everybody, the community and the supporters, I can only imagine what it means to them. I want to feel it.”I want to get started and get to know everybody and take time to invest in the relationship with all the other departments and community of the Football Club. That can make us a really strong movement to go forward and get results.“Of course, when you’re in football a long time, you know so many people and that’s why I said about the stories about the Club and its people and its supporters. That’s always positive. “It’s a stable club, you can see within the leadership structures that it’s all good and organised and with an idea. “Also, the squad, of course, is exciting with young emerging talents, also experienced players… a good mixture. I can’t wait to get on the pitch and start with them.”There are two players in every position of good quality. There’s young, emerging talents, with very experienced players and, obviously, the captain, Jamie Vardy, has the most experience and the character. He’s the face of the Football Club. As a former striker, I can’t wait to work together with him as well.“A lot of principles and structures that I see, on the ball and off the ball, are structures that I use a lot myself as the PSV manager and at United. “Not all of them, of course, but many of them. The way Leicester City played under [Enzo] Maresca, winning the Championship and going into the Premier League, I see also that line continuing in those structures and the idea of playing.”I have to say, when the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time. When you hear these things, it’s a club you want to be a part of. “Obviously, with the interest coming, I phoned him and I asked him more detailed questions about the Club, the structures, the people that work there, the squad, the stadium, the fans, the town, the surroundings… it was a fantastic conversation. It’s always a pleasure to talk to him.” More

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    I went from the Prem to prison ‘hell’ filled with shower stabbings and cockroaches but now I’m eyeing an FA Cup shock

    NILE RANGER sat in prison with his gut churning after eating half-cooked chicken and watching cockroaches crawling through cracks in the walls of his cell.The ex-Newcastle striker, 33, was banged up at Pentonville in north London in 2017 after pleading guilty of committing online banking fraud.Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: Jon BondHe was a promising Premier League starCredit: GettyHe helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPBut things spiralled out of control and saw Nile end up in prisonCredit: Jon BondHe had conspired to swindle more than £2,000 from a woman two years earlier.It completed a fall from grace for a highly-promising player who made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before nose diving down the leagues.Ranger swapped training and playing alongside stars such as Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll for mixing with criminals who boasted about such things as tossing an unfortunate soul into a car boot after cutting their fingers off!But on Sunday he will be back on a football field with Southern Premier Kettering hoping to create some FA Cup magic as they host League Two Doncaster — having scored the winner in the previous round to topple League One Northampton.READ MORE FOOTBALLTo say Ranger is the ultimate model for any young professional NOT to follow is an understatement.He told SunSport: “It was bad in prison, full of wrong ’uns, and no place to be if you’ve got your head screwed on.“I had mine on compared to those people. I had just been silly, unruly and lacked discipline.“There was this guy who told me he had put someone in a car boot and chopped off their fingers.Most read in FA Cup“I heard people planning murders and armed robberies when they got out.“There were prisoners getting stabbed in the showers and drones flying in drugs and mobile phones. It was hell.”Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashAlthough sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to serve eight months inside one of Britain’s most notorious jails, Ranger was released after 10 weeks for good behaviour — although he had to wear an electronic tag to make sure he was not up to no good.Ranger said: “There were cockroaches coming through the gaps of the cell walls and door.“We had to block those with towels and if you killed a cockroach others would appear from eggs they laid. There were mice running about as well. It was disgusting.“The food was appalling. The chicken I’m certain wasn’t properly cooked.“I was locked up 23 hours a day — using the hour outside my cell to exercise and shower.“Some of the guards were arrogant — trying to make me feel small. They were jealous because I was a footballer. But I didn’t rise to it.”I focused on getting out and thought, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months and playing football again.’“I was at Southend and they were still paying my wages while in prison so that was always on my mind when the guards were belittling me.“I felt the sentence was unfair. People have done far-worse and only got suspended sentences.“I reckon the judge had already decided while having dinner with his wife the previous evening he was going to lock me up.”Kept messing upRanger concedes he screwed up and wasted his incredible talent. Had he applied himself he could have had a good Premier League career.But he kept messing up — despite countless chances.Just shortly after signing for Southampton from Crystal Palace as a kid, he was banged up for 11 weeks in a young offenders institute for being involved in an armed robbery.The Saints stuck by him then but lost patience after he stole his entire academy team’s kit and a box of chocolates from the kit lady.He explained: “I don’t know why I took the chocolates but we had been told we could have some of the kit. The season had finished and Southampton were getting us new ones.“I had friends at home in North London who loved football so I took everything, all the kit and boots. I was caught on camera and Southampton terminated my contract.”Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second roundCredit: PAYet Ranger landed on his feet when Newcastle snapped him up and despite breaking into the first team and helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and going on to play in the Premier League, he pressed the self-destruct button with a series of disciplinary problems.He also had such a gambling addiction that the club got him banned from every casino in Newcastle. He was constantly late for training or did not show at all.Kevin Keegan got so fed up with him when he started training with the first team, he told Ranger: “I’m going to pull out and sell your gold tooth if you’re late again because your wages will not be enough to cover the fine.”Chris Hughton, who had a summit meeting with Ranger and his mum, and Alan Pardew, who banished him to train with the academy team until he sorted out his time-keeping, both tried in vain to save his career before the latter decided to let him go.Swindon, Blackpool and Southend (twice) all took punts but to no avail — and after a spell with National League club Boreham Wood he crashed out of the game for 20 months before joining Kettering in September.When he was a promising 18-year-old at Newcastle he was earning almost £10,000-a-week — and admits he would be penniless today if it was not for his beloved mum Karen.He said: “When I was making the money I was, I didn’t appreciate it and was spunking it.“My mum sorted out some property investments. I should’ve done way more. Had she not done that, I’d have nothing now.“I’ve a bit of money to live on but cannot live a lavish lifestyle.”Mum has always looked out for me and out of everyone I’ve upset with my actions she’s the one I regret hurting the most — along with all my family.”Celebration promiseRanger believes he has matured since becoming a dad. He has a three-year-old son Aziel and while he has since split from the mother, insists he prioritises being a good dad.And while the striker knows seventh-tier Kettering is a world away from the level he reached, he still believes he can play in League One or Two.But right now he wants to help the Poppies win promotion this season and help youngsters not make the same mistakes he has as well as inspire criminals serving time to mend their ways.He said: “Prison is supposed to be a place where they rehabilitate you. I didn’t see any of that happening. In fact, jail can make people worse.“I accept I’m not a good football role model — but I am a role model, one who made lots of mistakes, but who can teach people what NOT to do.“I’ve already done a talk to some youngsters at an academy. I’ve been invited to schools and prisons. I’d like to use my experience to help others.“But right now my focus is on enjoying the last part of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup shock.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Ranger has promised to do one thing on live TV if he scores against Doncaster.He said: “I have a tattoo on my lower lip of a smiley emoji. I am going to run to a TV camera and show my happy lip!”He’s vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekendCredit: Jon BondTV viewers will get a close up view of his ‘happy’ lip tattooCredit: Jon Bond More