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      Ian Stirling dead at 57: Man Utd fan and campaigner passes away with club to pay tribute against Southampton

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fan and campaigner Ian Stirling has died aged 57. Stirling was the independent supporter liaison officer for the Manchester United Supporters Trust, a role he took up in 2003.
      Man Utd fan and campaigner Ian Stirling has died aged 57Credit: Manchester United FC
      He was also a regular on TV as a representative of fans and led campaigns against the club’s unpopular Glazer family owners.
      United will pay respect to Stirling by wearing black armbands against Southampton at Old Trafford today and released a statement following his passing.
      It read: “Everyone at Manchester United is profoundly saddened by the loss of our longstanding friend and fan representative Ian Stirling, who has died at the age of 57.
      “Over many years, Ian played a vital role in dialogue between fans and the club and as a fearless champion on fan issues.
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      “Ian was a founding member of the club’s Fans’ Advisory Board and a long-time member of our Fans’ Forum.
      “As the Independent Supporter Liaison Officer for Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, Ian worked tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our fans.”
      United’s chief executive Richard Arnold said: “This is truly devastating news for all of us at the club who knew and worked with Ian.
      “He was a towering figure within our fan community, loved and respected in equal measure.
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      “Ian was a relentless and unflinching advocate for the interests of fans, particularly match-goers, and we highly-valued the plain-speaking advice he provided.
      “We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Lynn, daughter Lucy, and other loved ones. 
      “The best tribute we can pay to Ian is to continue strengthening the club’s commitment to fan engagement via the Fans’ Advisory Board and Fans’ Forum, and preserving the lines of communication and advocacy which he opened in his role as Independent Supporter Liaison Officer.”
      Manchester United Supporters Trust said: “Everyone at MUST is heartbroken at the news that Ian Stirling, our much loved friend and colleague, has passed away.
      “Ian was a truly great man. Warm, compassionate, generous and funny. As his closest friends and family will confirm, no-one enjoyed a joke more than Ian, and there are few in our fanbase who have inspired such widespread affection and respect. 
      “For many years he has been at the heart of championing fans’ interests.
      Ian was a relentless and unflinching advocate for the interests of fans, particularly match-goers, and we highly-valued the plain-speaking advice he provided.Man Utd chief exec Richard Arnold on Ian Stirling
      “He served as our Independent Supporter Liaison Officer directly helping countless fans in their dealings with the Club and other football authorities but his reach went far beyond that.
      “He also served as our representative on the Fans Forum, making the supporters’ case firmly and consistently.
      “His stature with the club was such that in latter years he was asked to join the Fans Advisory Board where he spoke truth to power representing the interests of fans and our football club at the highest levels.
      “It really is impossible to think of another United supporter who has done so much for his fellow fans. The tributes to Ian have been flooding in from all over the world.
      “We can’t really imagine our organisation without him but through the tears and emotion of today we are determined to continue his work to create a truly fitting legacy.
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      “Away from football Ian was a devoted husband and father and we send our love to his wife, Lynn, and his daughter, Lucy and his many friends in Salford and Manchester and all around the world.”
      A floral tribute sits on the seat of fan Ian StirlingCredit: Getty
      Man Utd paid their respects before playing SouthamptonCredit: Getty More

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      Pele’s will reveals star could have a secret DAUGHTER who has to take DNA test to get a cut of legend’s ‘£80m fortune’

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      PELE’s will reveals he could have a secret daughter – who is in line to get a cut of his rumoured £80million fortune.The football icon – who died in December aged 82 – left 30 per cent of his estate to his widow, third wife Marcia – with the rest to be split between his children.
      Pele left 30 per cent of his estate to third wife MarciaCredit: Rex
      Pele refused to recognise his secret daughter Sandra Regina until after she diedCredit: Reuters
      Pele had at least seven children, but his will reveals there could be an eighth
      Pelé was known to have seven children in total, including a secret daughter who he refused to acknowledge until years after her death.
      Now it has emerged he could have an eighth child, who is set to take a DNA test.
      Pelé left room in his will for her to get her share of inheritance, said Marcia’s lawyer Luiz Kignel.
      He said: “He indicated the possibility of the existence of another daughter, whose recognition will depend on a DNA test.”
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      The Brazilian woman, who was not named, had previously started legal action to prove she was Pele’s daughter.
      In September, a court in Sao Paulo ordered ailing Pelé to submit to a DNA test, according to the G1 website.
      But Mr Kignel said the test “could not be carried out (on Pele) due to the pandemic and the state of his health.”
      Instead her DNA will be compared to one of Pelé’s other children to confirm if he was her father.
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      The lawyer added Marcia will inherit the soccer hero’s mansion in Guaruja, a seaside resort town south of Sao Paulo, where the couple lived.
      Other assets include more real estate and a stake in the Pelé brand, Mr Kignel said, adding that a complete inventory has yet to be made.
      Three-times World Cup winner Pelé – hailed the greatest footballer of all time – was said to have a fortune of around £80million, most of it earned after he retired.
      However other reports have claimed the will is worth around £13million.
      Pelé was married three times, but once admitted he did not know how many children he had after countless wild affairs.
      He had three children with first wife Rosemeri – Kelly, Edinho and Jennifer.
      Daughter Flavia was born after a romance with journalist Lenita Kurtz.
      In 1994 he married second wife, gospel singer Assaria, who gave birth to twins Joshua and Celeste.
      However it also emerged he had a fling with his housekeeper Anizia Machado.
      Her daughter Sandra Regina, born in 1964, spent years trying to prove she was Pelé’s daughter.
      But he refused to recognise her, even after a court ruled he was her father in 1996, and she died “heartbroken” ten years later.
      He finally acknowledged Sandra in his will, and it was reportedly his “dying wish” to meet her sons.
      Just a day before his death in December, he had his first meeting with grandsons Octavio and Gabriel.
      They are expected to inherit Sandra’s share of the estate.
      Gabriel told the Mirror: “I thank God for providing this moment – it was what my mother dreamed of most. I spoke to my aunts, and they said that our grandfather wanted to see us.
      “Every family has fights and rows, ours is no different, but there are moments when union and love are more important than anything else.”
      Pelé’s other children also gathered by his death bed, including daughter Kely who shared the last picture of him in hospital.
      The icon – known in Brazil as “O Rei” or The King – had been battling colon cancer.
      Thousands of fans lined the streets of his home town Santos for his funeral in January.
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      Brazil’s president led mourners paying respects before he was buried in the world’s tallest cemetery overlooking the pitch that made him famous.
      Pele had twins with second wife Assaria
      Pele’s daughter Kely shared this heartbreaking final photo in DecemberCredit: Refer to Caption
      The icon’s children and grandchildren gathered at his bedside in hospitalCredit: Instagram
      Brazil legend Pele is the only player to win the World Cup three times More

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      Italo Galbiati dead aged 85: Tributes pour in as England assistant manager under Fabio Capello passes away

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      FABIO CAPELLO’s former assistant manager has passed away.Italo Galbiati, who has died aged 85, worked with the ex-England boss almost everywhere he went, including Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus, the Three Lions and Russia.
      Italo Galbiati was once Fabio Capello’s No2 at EnglandCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Capello alongside David Beckham and GalbiatiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Galbiati worked with Capello almost everywhere he went including Real Madrid, Roma and JuventusCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And at AC Milan, he stepped in to take over the first team on numerous occasions.
      A statement from Milan read: “Italo Galbiati, a point of reference in the Rossoneri world and a strong point of many companies in the history of Milan, has left us.
      “We cling to the family with affection and concussion.”
      Tributes have poured in from across the football world.
      Serie A side Monza described Galbiati as “a master of football”.
      They said on Twitter: “AC Monza mourns Italo Galbiati and joins the pain of the family.
      “Player, coach and talent scout, a master of football.
      “A legendary career, which Italo closed by putting his experience at the service of the Youth Sector of our Society.”
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      Robert Chase dead at 84: Former Norwich chairman who oversaw club’s most successful spell dies after short illness

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      FORMER Norwich City chairman Robert Chase has died.The 84-year-old’s family confirmed the sad news today that he passed away on Friday after a short illness.
      Ex-Norwich City chairman Robert Chase has died
      Chase was in charge of the now Championship club from 1985 to 1996.
      His time at the helm coincided with one of the most successful periods of the club’s history, which included their famous Uefa Cup triumph over Bayern Munich in 1993.
      Chase was a great-grandfather, who had three sons, and leaves behind his wife Ruth.
      The family confirmed they were by his side when he died as they also thanked people for their condolences.
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      Norwich had three finishes in the top five of the English Football League during his time there before he left in 1996.
      A statement from Norwich read: “Norwich City are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former club chairman Robert Chase.
      “Chase joined the board of the club in 1982 before becoming chairman in 1985.
      “During his time as chair, the club enjoyed some of their highest ever finishes in the Football League as well as that memorable two-legged victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.
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      “Chase was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2003.
      “All at the club would like to pass on their deepest condolences to Robert’s family and friends at this sad time.”
      Malcolm Robertson, A former sports reporter who covered the Canaries during that period, said: “Robert Chase will always be remembered as a highly significant figure in the history of Norwich City Football Club.”
      Albert Jones, whose dad Jimmy was vice-chair during Mr Chase’s time in charge, also says that he could not speak more highly of him.
      Chase managed the family construction business from the early 1960s away from Carrow Road.
      He also served for 14 years as a member of the Norfolk County Council.
      And he spent four years as chair of Norfolk Police Authority. More

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      Pelayo Novo dead aged 32: Spanish football star who was paralysed from hotel fall dies after being ‘hit by a train’

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      EX-SPANISH footballer Pelayo Novo has died aged 32 after reportedly being hit by a train.Novo had turned to wheelchair tennis five years ago after an horrific fall from the third-floor of his team’s hotel.
      Tragic Pelayo Novo played for second-tier Spanish clubsCredit: Getty
      Novo, pictured at the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Nottingham last July, has died after another horrific incidentCredit: Getty
      Spanish media said on Tuesday night the former second-tier midfielder was crushed to death by a train in Oviedo.
      Novo was a second-tier midfielder for Elche, Cordoba, Lugo and Albacete – and also briefly turned out for Romanian side CFR Cluj
      And tributes from past clubs, as well as teams he was connected with, have poured in.
      Real Oviedo posted a message on Twitter.

      It read: “With a broken heart. We deeply regret the death of Pelayo Novo, captain of our Foundation. Family, friends: we are with you. Rest in peace Pelayo.”
      A statement from Cordoba read: “We deeply regret the death of our former player Pelayo Novo at the age of 32.
      “He will always remain in the memory of the Cordobesistas, since a cross of his made us ‘touch the sky in Las Tendillas’.Our sincere condolences to family and friends.”
      Novo was 27 when he was seriously hurt after falling from Albacete’s team hotel in the North Eastern city of Huesca in March 2018.
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      He spent 51 days in a Zaragoza hospital following that accident.
      And when he was moved to the Toledo National Paraplegic Hospital he captured hearts with his attitude once he realised he’d never play football again.
      He became an ambassador for professional and aspiring disabled athletes in his country.
      Novo discovered a love for wheelchair tennis and eventually became a member of the board of directors of the Asturian Tennis Federation.
      He was also an active player who entered competitions and played at the Open de Catalunya most recently.
      Novo was seen as an inspiration for disabled sports people.
      Talking about his accident, a few years ago he said: “The human being adapts to the circumstances that he has.
      “It is logical that it takes time because there are times when it is bad.
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      “I managed to get out of that and now I am having a great time.”
      Now the world of Spanish sport is trying to comprehend his tragic death following a second horrifying incident. More

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      What happened to Jules Bianchi?

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      JULES BIANCHI sadly passed away following suffering severe head injuries in a crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.Bianchi was tipped to be a top prospect in F1 and had the potential to be the future of Ferrari.
      F1 drivers taking part in a minutes silence before the Hungarian Grand Prix
      Who was Jules Bianchi?
      Bianchi was born in Nice, France, on August 3rd, 1989, making him just 25 years old when he tragically passed away.
      He drove for Marissia for two years and made his debut in the 2013 Australian GP.
      That season, he ended in 19th place after failing to score any points.
      The 2014 Monaco F1 Grand Prix was Bianchi’s best finish as he placed 9th.
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      How did Jules Bianchi die?
      During the 2014 Japanese GP, Bianchi lost control of his Marussia and clashed with a recovery vehicle.
      The weather conditions in Japan during the time of the 2014 Grand Prix were treacherous and delayed the race from getting underway.
      Following the collision, Bianchi suffered a diffuse axonal injury which is caused by severe damage to the head.
      Bianchi spent nine months in a coma before passing away in 2015.
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      He was the first F1 driver to die from injuries that occurred during a Grand Prix since Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna.
      What did his family say?
      In a statement, his family said: “Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end.”
      The Marussia team, now known as Manor, said Bianchi had left an “indelible mark on all our lives”. More

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      Sammy Winston dead at 44: Ex-Tottenham player who became fireman dies as Leyton Orient lead tributes

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      FORMER Leyton Orient striker Sammy Winston has died aged 44. Winston started his career at Tottenham, where he came through the academy ranks.
      Sammy Winston has died aged 44Credit: Getty
      After hanging up his boots be became a firefighter.
      During his career, he helped Spurs reach the final of the FA Youth Cup final, in a stellar academy side.
      In 1996, he signed for Leyton Orient in the fourth division, making 11 league appearances, scoring on his debut.
      That was before joining fifth division side Yeovil Town, and then on to Sutton United.
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      Winston went on to play for a number of non-league sides before winding down his career in 2009.
      Tributes poured in from across the football world on social media after the announcement of his death.
      Leyton Orient said: “The Club is saddened to learn the news of the passing of former player Sammy Winston, aged 44.
      “Everyone at Orient sends their deepest condolences to Sammy’s family and friends at this sad time.”
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      One fan said: “A real gent & a real life hero having joined the fire service after his playing career.
      “He was still playing charity matches for an Arsenal legends side, which includes Joe Baker his old O’s team mate. RIP Sammy.”
      Another added: “RIP Sammy, condolences to his family & friends.”
      More said: “I’m absolutely gutted. Such a great fun guy who always had a smile on his face.” More

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      TV legend John Motson watched football in the pub on night before he passed away aged 77

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      LEGENDARY football commentator John Motson spent his final night watching a football match and enjoying a pint at his local pub, the landlords have revealed.Motson – who passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday – was at The George in Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, watching Manchester City’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
      Broadcasting legend Motson passed away on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He spent his final night at his local pubCredit: The George – At Little Brickhill
      He had become a regular at the village pub when he moved to Buckinghamshire and established a close friendship with landlords Simon and Louise Babikian.
      And Mrs Babikian has revealed that he spent his final evening enjoying the football with his friends.
      She told the BBC: “Wednesday evening, the night before he passed, he came into the pub to watch his football match and sat with his mates having a beer and talking us through the game, as he would most evenings.
      “He seemed to really enjoy himself.”
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      Mr Babikian, who watched the match with Motson, added: “He was a true gentleman, a true friend to many people in the village.
      “He always had something very diplomatic to say about the game. He was very unbiased and just a true fan of the game and most sports.
      “My memory will be him saying goodnight, how he’d see us at the weekend and he might come in the day after for the United game. He just loved every team and everybody.”
      Mr and Mrs Babikian also told of how many of the local villagers came to the pub after Motson’s death was announced, adding: “I think this was his special place.
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      “But what is quite funny, is many different people from different generations might not recognise him until he spoke.
      “Once he spoke, he had such an iconic voice and was so pleased to meet people that recognised what he’s done for the world of broadcasting.”
      Motson, who was also known as Motty, commentated on more than 2000 matches on TV and radio throughout his incredible career, including 29 FA Cup finals, 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships.
      And the news of his death sent shockwaves across the football community.
      Some of the sport’s biggest names were quick to pay tribute to ‘the voice of football’.
      Gary Lineker tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died.
      “A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. He’ll be very much missed. RIP Motty.”
      Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler said: “John was the standard-setter for us all.
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      “We basically all looked up to him – his diligence, his dedication, his knowledge. He was a very serious broadcaster but he was a real fun guy to be around.”
      And Clive Tyldesley wrote: “As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else.” More