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      Former Premier League star and sacked EFL boss will focus on music if football career stalls

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      FORMER Wycombe and QPR head coach Gareth Ainsworth has revealed his plans to focus on music if he fails to secure a managerial position.The 50-year-old was sacked by QPR last month after six defeats in a row left them 23rd in the Championship.
      Gareth Ainsworth, second from right, says he is a singer first and manager secondCredit: Ian Tuttle
      He is the singer of The Cold Blooded Hearts who released their debut album in JulyCredit: Ian Tuttle
      Three months before he was dismissed, he released his debut album with band Cold Blooded Hearts.
      And he has now revealed he will continue to focus on that part of his life while out of football.
      Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I’m a musician first, that’s what I always say to people.
      “Somebody told me, when you’ve got nothing, you’ve got to have some focus; that focus for me is getting better at the guitar.”
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      Ainsworth enjoyed spells with a number of big clubs during his playing career including Preston, Port Vale, Wimbledon, QPR and Wycombe.
      He even played 10 games for Wimbledon in the Premier League in the late 1990s.
      After being appointed Wycombe manager in 2012, he spent 12 years with the club, taking them from League Two to the Championship after they won the League One play-offs in 2020.
      They were relegated at the end of their first season in the second tier, but Ainsworth stayed for the 2021/22 campaign, before he left for QPR in February.
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      Ainsworth played 10 Premier League games for WimbledonCredit: Getty
      Ainsworth led Wycombe to the Championship in 2020Credit: Getty
      However, a difficult time at Loftus Road has left his stock lower than it was 12 months ago.
      It means he has turned to music as he prepares to give it a real go with Cold Blooded Hearts.
      And Ainsworth, a big fan of rock band Motorhead, has even hinted at a potential tour in the US.
      He added: “Football is so good to me and I’ve loved it throughout my career but you never know.”
      “I’ve been a football player, a football manager and then I could be touring with a rock band in America.
      “If that could come off, wow!” More

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      Footie ace Cameron Beckles in critical condition after collapsing mid-match and being rushed to hospital

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      FOOTBALL star Cameron Beckles is in critical condition after collapsing during a match.The Corinthian FC ace was taken ill during a match against Larkfield & New Hythe on Saturday.
      Corinthian FC released a statement about Cameron BecklesCredit: Twitter @CorinthianFC
      Beckles was quickly treated by physios from both teams before being taken to Maidstone Hospital.
      As a result of the incident, the match was abandoned at 1-1 midway through the second half.
      Beckles was transferred to a hospital in London and had surgery that evening before undergoing further surgery on Sunday.
      Corinthian have since confirmed that Beckles is stable but is in a critical condition on social media.
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      A club statement read: “In the 40th minute of our Kent Senior Trophy match at Larkfield and New Hyth, our player Cameron Beckles collapsed.
      “The management, players and in particular the physios of both sides acted swiftly and with complete professionalism and we offer our thanks to Larkfield for this.
      “Cam was taken by ambulance to Maidstone Hospital and then transferred to a London hospital for surgery on Saturday night.
      “He then required further surgery on Sunday afternoon and he is currently in a stable but critical condition and will continue to be monitored closely over the next 48 hours.
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      The world of football has come together to pray for BecklesCredit: Twitter @CorinthianFC
      “All of our thoughts and prayers are with Cam and his family, and we as a football club continue to support them in any way we can.
      “The match, which was level at 1-1, was rightly abandoned and will be replayed at a later date.
      “Our league game with Stansfield this weekend has also been postponed.
      “We will provide further updates as and when his family wish for this information to be shared.”
      The Kent FA County Cups match between Corinthian and Larkfield & New Hythe will be replayed at a later date.
      Meanwhile, the match that Corinthian were due to play this weekend against Stansfield has also been postponed.
      Croydon FC have led messages on social media wishing the player a quick recovery.
      The club posted: ” All at Croydon FC would like to wish Cameron Beckles a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.”
      Cray Valley PM FC commented: “Our thoughts are with you all at this time! Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery Cam!”
      Royston Town FC wrote: “Sending the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Royston Town to Cameron and all concerned. Speedy recovery!”
      Faversham Town FC said: “The whole of Faversham Town FC are sending best wishes and prayers to Cameron 🙏💚.” More

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      Forgotten ex-Premier League ace Yannick Bolasie, 34, returns to English football on free transfer after Turkey spell

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      YANNICK BOLASIE has signed for Swansea on a short-term contract.The Swans confirmed the winger will wear the No 17 shirt after putting pen to paper.
      Yannick Bolasie has signed for Swansea on a short-term contractCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      His transfer is subject to EFL and international clearance.
      Bolasie, 34, returns to English football following a two-year spell in Turkey playing for Caykur Rizespor.
      He experienced relegation in his first season with the club before scoring 17 goals in 26 league games to help them return to the Super Lig at the first time of asking.
      However he was released at the end of the summer and was unable to find a new club – until now.
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      Bolasie previously had spells in the Championship with Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and most recently Middlesbrough.
      He helped Palace win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 and scored 13 goals in 144 games for the Eagles.
      Bolasie was also part of the side that finished as FA Cup runners-up in 2016.
      The Lyon-born star has also had spells at Plymouth, Barnet and once signed for Everton for ÂŁ25million, but injuries limited his opportunities and he subsequently spent time on loan at Sporting Lisbon and Anderlecht.
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      Bolasie could be in line to make his first Swansea appearance against Leeds on Saturday.
      The Swans are 17th in the Championship with just five wins in 17 games, but they are only seven points off the play-offs. More

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      Liverpool could let wonderkid leave on January loan transfer with Championship side leading chase

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      YOUNG Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah will be on Preston’s wanted list if he goes out on loan.Quansah, 20, made his Kop debut against Newcastle in August.
      Jarell Quansah is on the radar of PrestonCredit: Getty
      He has played nine matches so far with four starts coming in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
      And he may be allowed out in January to gain more experience.
      North End boss Ryan Lowe has watched the centre-back and is already on good terms with the Anfield chiefs after taking Calvin Ramsay on loan in the summer.
      The Scottish right-back is yet to make his debut due to a knee issue but did make the subs bench yesterday in Preston’s 2-1 loss to Cardiff.
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      Meanwhile, Quansah has also been checked out by Leicester, who are in the market for a defender.
      The Foxes are top of the Championship and the new signing could boost their squad as they aim for the title.
      Quansah has come through the ranks at Liverpool after joining the club aged five.
      He spent last season out on loan with Bristol Rovers in League One.
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      The wonderkid has also been capped three times by the England Under-21s.
      Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Quansah and admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by how good he has been this season.
      His manager when at Bristol Rovers, Joey Barton said: “He has an enormous future in front of him.” More

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      Huge brawl breaks out at end of dramatic Preston vs Cardiff clash as raging players and staff dragged apart by stewards

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      PLAYERS and staff were dragged apart in a brawl at the end of Cardiff’s 2-1 victory at Preston.The aggro kicked off after Karlan Grant and Ike Ugbo both scored for the Welsh side during TEN MINUTES of added time.
      Cardiff’s Yakou Meite was in the middle of the row on the final whistleCredit: Getty
      Bluebirds star Joe Ralls, right, gets heated at the endCredit: PA
      Players grappled following Cardiff’s last-gasp comeback winCredit: Getty
      Deepdale stewards stepped in while others tried to restore order.
      Feelings had run high all through the Championship clash as Preston’s Robbie Brady was sent off and Cardiff’s Jamelu Collins clashed with Ched Evans.
      Referee Bobby Madley took a close look at the ruck and will consider all the evidence before submitting his report.
      Both clubs could be fined for failing to control their players rather than seeing individuals punished.
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      Grant and Ugbo were Cardiff’s late heroes — but Preston bad boy Brady went down as the villain.
      Brady was booked for dissent then body-checked Yakou Meite to be sent off with 52 minutes gone – just after Milutin Osmajic had burst clear to fire North End in front.
      Preston clung on until Grant squeezed in Cardiff’s equaliser from a 96th-minute corner.
      And Ugbo was left unmarked to head the winner three minutes later.
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      Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut said: “I made changes and the game changed in a positive way. It’s never easy playing against ten men. you can lose your focus.
      “We controlled the game from the first minute until the end. We didn’t allow them many chances.”
      Preston chief Ryan Lowe said: “I’m gutted but I’m not angry about the sending off. If you take someone down when you’re on a yellow card you have to go.
      “We left everything out there. If we carried on with 11 we win the game but we switched off and they got their goals.” More

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      Wayne Rooney loses his voice after Birmingham boss’ furious half-time rollicking inspires Blues to first win in charge

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      WAYNE ROONEY lost his voice – as his own version of the hairdryer treatment inspired his first victory as Birmingham boss.The former England skipper went hoarse roasting his players at half-time against Sheffield Wednesday – seemingly aping the legendary blasts of his ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
      Wayne Rooney was left speechless after tearing into his side’s first-half displayCredit: Rex
      Rooney and Co suffered ‘hairdryer treatment’ from Alex Ferguson at Man UtdCredit: PA:Press Association
      And although Rooney’s tactic backfired on his own voice, it revived the Blues for a late win at his sixth attempt.
      Sub Jordan James drilled home late on after Juninho Bacuna cancelled out George Byers’ opener for Championship bottom side Wednesday.
      Birmingham’s players also had to overcome a hostile reaction from home supporters at the interval.
      But Rooney said: “Forget the fans, my reaction at half-time wasn’t good. That’s why my voice has gone.
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      “We didn’t play with the energy I wanted first half, and I made the players aware of that at half-time, but in the second half we were a lot better.”
      And the former Everton hero explained why he had been so frustrated.
      He said: “I wanted more and I expected more.
      “I keep saying this, over the last few weeks the lads have been great and I’ve seen an improvement week by week.
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      “So if that first half was four weeks ago I would understand it, but it was unrecognisable to what we have been doing in this international break.”
      Rooney’s legendary old Red Devils’ manager Fergie famously introduced the verbal hairdryer to football during his golden reign from 1986-2013.
      But it seems Roo has plenty to do to get the same vocal stamina and power – unless he has happy to keep whispering after victories. More

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      I’ve had two multi-million pound transfers to Premier League clubs – but am yet to play in top-flight and am out on loan

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      TWO Premier League clubs forked out a total of £5.5million to sign  Josh Bowler — and yet he is still waiting to play a first-team game in the top flight.But the 24-year-old winger believes he is finding the confidence and consistency he needs to reach his goal of playing in the big time during his latest loan spell at Cardiff.
      Josh Bowler (centre) is on loan at yet another club – this time, CardiffCredit: Getty
      Bowler joined Everton for ÂŁ1.5m in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
      The forward’s current parent club is Nottingham Forest, who paid ÂŁ4m for himCredit: Getty
      It is the fourth occasion in his career that Bowler has been sent out by his parent club — the Bluebirds being his latest short-term home after stints at Hull, Blackpool and Olympiakos.
      A wonderkid in his teenage years at QPR, he was sold to Everton in 2017 for £1.5m. 
      Only 18 at the time, he played for the under-21 side but then got sent out on loan to Hull.
      Four years on, he joined Blackpool on a free without making a first-team appearance for the Toffees.
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      Nottingham Forest were next to splash the cash, paying ÂŁ4m in September 2022 then immediately sending him to their sister club in Greece for five months.
      He came back to Blackpool for another temporary stint before starting a season-long loan under boss Erol Bulut at Cardiff in the summer.
      Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Preston, Bowler said: “The type of player I am it is always going to be hit and miss. I try stuff that’s difficult, and I’m never going to back down from that.
      “Some games it won’t come off  and that’s why I need to improve on my consistency.
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      “I think that is coming with age and more knowledge of the game.
      “Every night I dream about making my Premier League debut and I don’t think my time is over.  It’s important I don’t give up on myself, however tough it is, and .
      “I feel I’m flourishing here at Cardiff and the manager has given me real self-belief and confidence. Confidence is the biggest drug in football — with it you can go out and be ten times the player.
      “I moved away from my family at 18 and since then living I’ve be on my own. It’s been a bit lonely, but there are people in worse situations.”
      His ball of fluff, Pomeranian dog Esaias keeps him company on his travels, with his Liverpool-based partner and family visiting him for matches.
      Bowler said: “I’ve been on my own for a while now, so I’m used to that, and my little dog is massive for me and keeps me company.
      It was a surreal moment for me to sign for such a massive club as Everton as a teenager… it was an offer I couldn’t turn down.Josh Bowler
      “It was a surreal moment for me to sign for such a massive club as Everton as a teenager. It was an offer I couldn’t turn down.
      “There have been a lot of ups and downs in my career with moves to Everton and Forest, but that’s just like many other players. Finally, I feel I’ve got a bit of stability.
      “But the experience at Everton was great for me, but it just didn’t click. I was quite shy, and it helped me to grow as a person and a player.
      “The key is to never stop believing in yourself and to keep working hard.
      “Because I’ve been close a few times to reaching my dream, it makes me even more hungry for it. 
      “I can taste it, but I haven’t had the full bite yet… and I really want it.” More

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      Amazing XI of stars playing in Championship in 2019 ‘would challenge for title’ now with Bellingham and World Cup winner

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM and World Cup-winner Emi Martinez were playing in the Championship in 2019 along with a host of other stars.Some were on loan while Bellingham was enjoying his first year as a professional at Birmingham.
      Several 2019 Championship stars are now England playersCredit: Getty
      Several high-profile players do not even make the starting line-up including an England star
      The Real Madrid man is the superstar in a line-up from that season, with fans suggesting the side of Championship all-stars would challenge for the Premier League title if they were a team today.
      Nine out of 11 players in the team have gone on to represent their country while Martinez, who was on loan at Reading from Arsenal in 2019, won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
      Rico Henry is the only other player in the squad not to have represented England, but he has impressed since arriving in the Premier League with Brentford.
      He is joined on the left flank by ÂŁ100million man Jack Grealish, who was a talisman for Aston Villa in 2019.
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      Now the Villa faithful have a new hero – Ollie Watkins – who also played for Brentford that season.
      He is joined in attack by Jarrod Bowen, who scored 52 goals in 124 games for Hull before leaving in 2020.
      There are also four players with Chelsea links in the side – Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount.
      They were all on loan from the Blues and while Tomori and Mount have since departed on permanent deals, James is Chelsea captain.
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      Ben White also features in the line-up while his former Leeds team-mate Kalvin-Phillips is unfortunate to miss out.
      There are several notable absentees with the 2019 Championship also featuring the likes of Harvey Barnes, John McGinn, David Raya, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Dean Henderson.
      Fans were in awe of the team and many claimed it could challenge for the title if they played together now.
      One said: “As a manager if you didn’t get this team in the top 4 you’d have underperformed.”
      Another added: “That team could compete for the title tbf if City weren’t around.”
      A third wrote: “With Jude [Bellingham] in the team they should be comfortably top four.” More