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      Forgotten Premier League star takes first step into management with ninth tier minnows

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      PADDY KENNY has launched his managerial career by taking over at Goole AFC.The ninth-tier club have announced that, following interviews with numerous candidates, Kenny has been selected as the man to lead them forwards.
      Paddy Kenny starred for the likes of QPR during his careerCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The former goalkeeper will now manage ninth-tier GooleCredit: Goole
      Kenny, 45, will be assisted by Nathan Helliwell at Victoria Pleasure Ground.
      Announcing their appointment, Goole wrote: “Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who applied for the position of first team manager.
      “Due to the high number of applicants, the club committee met over the weekend to evaluate each application and put together a shortlist for interviews.
      “Following a long day of interviews throughout Monday, we are now in a position to announce Paddy Kenny and Nathan Helliwell as our new joint management team.
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      “Paddy and Nathan will be announcing their backroom team in due course.
      “Please join us in welcoming Paddy and Nathan to the club.”
      Kenny subsequently tweeted: “Really excited about this @NathanHelliwel4.”
      The former stopper previously worked as a goalkeeper coach at Northampton Town in the 2016-17 season.
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      Kenny, 45, played as a goalkeeper for numerous yearsCredit: Getty
      He has since resisted a career in football, however, due to his successful business.
      Earlier this year, the seven-cap former Ireland international wrote on social media: “People keep asking me why I aren’t involved in football but I’ve dipped my toes in coach @ntfc but it wasn’t for me.
      “I’ve taken a different path now in my life with my transport business, after dinners and been the best dad I can be.
      “I’m very content in my life as well.”
      Kenny is a director for his PK Transport Movements business.
      While he is also on the after-dinner circuit as a speaker.
      During his playing career he represented the likes of Sheffield United, Leeds and Queens Park Rangers – and was signed by Neil Warnock on a number of occasions.
      He also played 67 times in the Premier League, and won the Championship title with QPR.
      Kenny was previously player-coach at NorthamptonCredit: Getty More

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      Robert Lewandowski told he ‘would have won Ballon d’Or by now’ if he made shock transfer to Championship club

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      SUPERSTAR striker Robert Lewandowski might have won the Ballon d’Or if he’d signed for Blackburn.That’s according to his Barcelona team-mate Ilkay Gundogan at least.
      Robert Lewandowski almost joined Blackburn Rovers in 2010Credit: Getty
      Ilkay Gundogan told Lewandowski he’d have won Ballon d’Or if he joined Blackburn
      Lewandowski was just a plane ride away from joining Championship side Blackburn in 2010.
      However, an ash cloud caused by an Icelandic volcano grounded flights across Europe for days.
      And, unfortunately for Rovers, the deal never recovered.
      It’s safe to say Lewandowski’s career didn’t suffer for the missed opportunity in Lancashire.
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      But despite his prolific goalscoring exploits across Europe, the Pole has never won football’s top individual honour.
      And Gundogan reckons a spell at Ewood Park could have fixed that.
      Lewandowski, now 35, visited that failed move when he met up with Barca team-mate Gundogan for a Q&A in the Champions League’s UCL show.
      The two stars, who also spent three years together at Borussia Dortmund, tested how well they know each other with a series of questions.
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      Lewandowski asked: “Which team was I meant to move to before I came to Germany?”
      Ex-Manchester City captain Gundogan responded: “I read it somewhere once, was it to Italy?”
      Lewandowski answered: “No, it wasn’t Italy. I wanted to see Blackburn Rovers at the time.”
      Gundogan quipped: “Perhaps if you’d moved to Blackburn, you’d have won the Ballon d’Or by now.”
      Lewandowski then started to laugh with his team-mate before stating: “What’s he saying?”
      Lewandowski instead moved to Dortmund the same year and quickly rose to superstardom, helping them win the Bundesliga and reach the Champions League final.
      That led to a move to Bayern Munich in 2014, where he won every title available and registered a staggering 344 goals in 375 appearances.
      And it was during his time at Bayern when he came the closest to winning the Ballon d’Or, only to be denied by the coronavirus pandemic which cancelled the annual awards in 2020.
      After eight glittering seasons at Bayern, the forward went to Barcelona last year and has extended his goalscoring exploits with 39 goals and 12 assists in 56 games. More

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      Former Premier League boss Nigel Pearson opens up on health issues as he reveals ‘neurological’ problem

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      NIGEL PEARSON has revealed he is suffering from a neurological issue but insists it won’t hold him back.The Bristol City boss has been on crutches for the last six weeks owing to back pain.
      Nigel Pearson is suffering a neurological problemCredit: PA
      He used to manage Leicester in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Tests have been conducted on the problem and surgery is needed.
      Pearson has opened up about his health, saying: “People know about the fact I need a back operation and that hasn’t changed.
      “But that’s not really the main problem for me at the minute, it’s a neurological situation.
      “I’m still awaiting further tests to find out what the prognosis is and one of the things that I’m trying to avoid at the minute is blanket treatment.
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      “There’s no point going onto steroids and that having some sort of an impact, and it masking what it is.
      “The good news from my perspective is all the sinister possibilities – cancer – have all been ruled out.
      “What I need to do now is wait for an opportunity whereby I can get into hospital and get it all done in one hit which might take 24 to 48 hours.”
      The issue has seen Pearson remain seated during Bristol City’s recent matches.
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      His assistants Curtis Fleming and Jason Euell are coaching the players in training and stepping up to take media duties.
      Pearson said: “As a working group of people we have to adapt slightly how I and we work.
      “You know already I’m a bit more of an observational type of person anyway.
      “What’s important is that we continue to work closely together as a group of staff to make sure, as always, the players come first and that’s what I will always do.
      “On a personal level, it’s a bit frustrating, but on a professional level it’s just something I’ve got to deal with.”
      Pearson previously managed Leicester to Premier League promotion in 2014.
      He has also had spells in charge of Southampton, Hull, Derby and Watford. More

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      I’m a former Premier League star who personally cost club owner £1million – but he had no clue who I was when we met

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      FORMER Premier League striker Leroy Lita has revealed that ex-Reading owner John Madejski didn’t know who he was when he joined the club.Lita, now 38, joined the Royals from Bristol City in 2005.
      Leroy Lita has recalled the awkward moment he met the owner of ReadingCredit: PA:Press Association
      Lita revealed John Madejski didn’t know what he looked likeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Then-owner Madejski spent £1million of his own money in order to sign him, but he didn’t even know what the striker looked like.
      Discussing his move to Reading on the Under the Cosh podcast, Lita said: “I walked into the Madejski Stadium, when he paid £1million. Not out of the budget, it was out of his own pocket.
      “So I’ve walked into the Madejski Stadium to do my medical and stuff like that, I’ve gone into the restaurant with my agent, walked past him and he didn’t have a clue who I was.
      “Didn’t even know what I looked like, swear down.
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      “I could have been anyone. He was like ‘oh, good morning guys’. He was with Cilla Black at the time. He was having dinner or lunch with Cilla Black.
      “My agent had to go ‘John Madejski, this is Leroy by the way’. He was like ‘oh, how are you’.
      “I was like, he didn’t even know who I was! He just paid a million pound out of his back pocket for me. What’s going on!”
      Lita spent four years with Reading before moving to Middlesbrough in 2009.
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      The striker has played for 21 different clubs so far in his career, including Swansea, Brighton, Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich.
      He is now playing for Nuneaton Borough in the Isthmian Premier League North. More

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      Wayne Rooney suffers last-minute heartbreak on Birmingham debut as they concede 89th-minute winner to Middlesbrough

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      WAYNE ROONEY’S return to English football did not go as planned.That’s because Birmingham crashed to a late defeat at Middlesbrough.
      Wayne Rooney’s return to English football ended in a dismal defeatCredit: Rex
      Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough beat Birmingham 1-0 with an 89th minute winnerCredit: PA
      Rooney, 37, was quickly snapped up by Tom Brady’s ambitious Championship outfit ten days ago after leaving DC United.
      Wazza was tasked with leading Brum to victory in his first game against former Man Utd pal Michael Carrick at the Riverside.
      But his debut starting XI went down like a lead balloon with fans.
      And Rooney felt the full force of their wrath as Birmingham conceded an 89th minute Morgan Rogers goal, handing Middlesbrough all three points.
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      The visitors had just three shots on target and five all game, with the hosts dominating with 60 per cent of the ball.
      The result brought Birmingham’s two-game winning run to an abrupt end.
      But Rooney has little time to nurse his wounds, with Hull visiting the Midlands on Wednesday.
      The former England captain will be hoping for backing in the transfer window this January.
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      Morgan Rogers netted the only goal of the game in the final momentsCredit: Getty
      And all eyes will be on Birmingham’s clash with Leicester on December 18, with Rooney set to go up against Jamie Vardy.
      Their partners were famously embroiled in the ‘Wagatha Christie’ saga.
      And both Colleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy could be present for the winner-takes-all battle. More

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      Wayne Rooney’s first Birmingham XI goes down like a lead balloon with fans already questioning Man Utd legend

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      BIRMINGHAM fans were far from impressed with the starting line-up ahead of Wayne Rooney’s first game in charge.Rooney, 37, was appointed as Birmingham’s new manager last week following the departure of John Eustace.
      Birmingham fans were not impressed with Rooney’s first line-upCredit: Reuters

      The former Manchester United striker joined the club just a few days after leaving MLS side DC United.
      And he has already made his mark on the squad.
      Rooney’s first starting line-up included some significant changes which left fans baffled.
      The most controversial among supporters was the decision to bench in-form Koji Miyoshi.
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      One person tweeted: “How can you not start Miyoshi?”
      Another added: “In one game he’s played a more defensive team that Eustace has all season.”
      A third fan said: “Rooney was one of the greatest ever strikers. Would love to know what he’s seen from Hogan to warrant a start.”
      While a fourth chimed in: “Did anyone tell Rooney we had two of our best performances when we dropped Hogan from the starting 11?
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      “I guess all players get a clean slate but the fact that he’s in the team and Miyoshi is benched is a tough one for me to understand.”
      However, some fans appeared to be pleased with the line-up, with another writing: “All the best boys!! First game for Rooney, all the best for you too! We all are behind you! Come on boys!”
      Birmingham currently sit seventh in the Championship table with 19 points from 12 games.
      Meanwhile, their opponents, Middlesbrough, sit down in 16th with 15 points. More

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      Part-time footballers face fines for failing to bring in cakes or leaving bar early after game

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      PART-time footballers face fines for failing to bring in cakes or leaving the bar early after a game.They also have to fork out for talking back to the boss or speaking to fans online.
      The Havant & Waterlooville FC boss is causing a stir in non-league footballCredit: 2020 Getty Images
      Steve King has implemented the harsh fines on his playersCredit: Havantandwaterloovillefc.co.uk
      The strict rules were brought in by Steve King, the manager at National League South bottom club Havant & Waterlooville FC.
      He took over at the Hampshire side last month.
      Under his regime players face a £50 fine for failing to stay in the bar after a home match until 5.45pm.
      And there is a £25 penalty if they do not bring in cakes when it’s their turn, or supply a “bad selection”.
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      Talking back to the boss is a £150 fine, while being late on matchday is £100.
      Players, who earn around £300 to £400 a week and often have second jobs, can be docked a week’s wages if they “comment on club social media posts” and “respond to fan comments regarding the football club”.
      King’s list appeared online, and one fan said: “Who would want to play for him?”
      The club said it is investigating.
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      King has previously been in charge at Gloucester City, Dartford, Farnborough, Lewes and Whitehawk. More

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      My dad is a Premier League cult hero and played for England – now I’m making my own way in the Championship

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      GEORGE HIRST’S father David starred for Sheffield Wednesday in the Premier League and even earned three England caps during his successful career.But despite playing in the same position, the Ipswich striker has never felt pressure to emulate his old man.
      George Hirst is starring for high-flying IpswichCredit: PA
      David Hirst remains an icon at Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Alamy
      The 24-year-old began his career at Wednesday, but left for Belgium after just two appearances.
      Following a brief stint at OH Leuven he returned to these shores with Leicester, going on to be farmed out on four loans.
      In the last of these temporary spells, Hirst found somewhere he wanted to call a home in Portman Road.
      The 6ft 4in target man bagged six goals during the second half of Ipswich’s promotion campaign last term, and has been a regular this time around in the Championship.
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      Despite his illustrious dad, Hirst has never felt the weight of his surname.
      Speaking to The Portsmouth News in 2021, he said: “I don’t see it as a pressure because we are two completely different strikers.
      “As much as people will make the comparisons naturally, my dad is 5ft 11in, even though he tells me he’s 6ft. I’m 6ft 4in. He’s left footed, I’m right footed.
      “So straight away I don’t see the comparison at all, there are differences.
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      “Growing up with that hasn’t been a pressure, I’ve seen it as a free learning tool. You can have the best coach in the world, but to have someone like that on my doorstep at home every night, looking at my clips, giving me little pointers, is invaluable.”
      Hirst does dream of improving on his dad’s exploits, however, adding: “I would love to be able to retire and say I played for England more times than he did.
      “He also spends a lot of time talking about his goal in the 1993 FA Cup final, so if I can score a couple that would be brilliant.”
      Hirst’s Ipswich Town are certainly heading in the right direction.
      Having sealed promotion from League One courtesy of a runners-up finish behind Plymouth Argyle last term, the Tractor Boys have raced out of the blocks in the second tier.
      Kieran McKenna’s men sit second in the Championship table after 11 games, just two points behind Hirst’s former team Leicester.
      On why he wanted to stay at Portman Road, Hirst said in the summer: “Ipswich has felt like home for the last six months and a big part of why I wanted to come back.
      “The last few months of last season were massive for me, doing what we did as a team, and that was something I wanted to carry on being part of. The reception I got from the fans, players and staff here was brilliant.”
      Hirst has found a home in Ipswich after numerous loansCredit: Rex More