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      Chelsea starlet dubbed the ‘Italian Ballack’ completes loan transfer to Leicester after failing to convince Pochettino

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      CHELSEA’S starlet Cesare Casadei is said to be closing in on a loan move to Leicester City.The agreement is at its final stages despite interest from Serie A side Genoa.
      Leicester are closing in on loan deal for U20 World Cup Golden Boot winner Cesare CasadeiCredit: Getty
      Leicester have been working on a loan deal for the Italian midfielder after new boss Enzo Maresca made him his “top target”.
      Chelsea would rather loan Casadei as the prospect of him staying in English football is better all round for the Blues.
      The talented 20-year-old featured for Chelsea in pre-season.
      But the Premier League giants were always expected to let him depart on loan this summer.
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      The Foxes got their first win under new management last weekend in a thrilling 2-1 victory against Midlands rivals Coventry City.
      Leicester’s bench was named a “joke” by fans across the country for how strong it was.
      The likes of Patson Daka, Dennis Praet, James Justin and more were present.

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      However, midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall took the spotlight for his emphatic brace to get them over the line.
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      Casadei would bring a new level into the ex-Premier League champions’ team, adding flair and determination in that advanced playmaker role.
      The ex-Inter Milan youngster showed his prowess in the recent Under-20’s World Cup.
      Chelsea fans were calling him the “Italian Ballack” after their former German hero as he was crowned the player of the tournament and also won the Golden Boot. More

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      Leeds release new kit but fans fume that it reminds them of MR BLOBBY and Fruit Salads

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      LEEDS fans have fumed that their new kit reminds them of Mr Blobby and Fruit Salads.The Championship club released their third kit for the 2023/24 season on Tuesday.
      Leeds have released their new third kitCredit: Instagram @Leedsunited
      Fans have fumed at the kit’s designCredit: Instagram @Leedsunited
      Featuring a bright pink and yellow design with black trim, the shirt is said to be a nod to the club’s association with the peacock.
      It is understood that the link, which is represented by a colourful peacock print, stems from The Old Peacock pub close to Elland Road.
      The Adidas strip was modelled by players including Liam Cooper, Ethan Ampadu and Luke Ayling for the launch.
      However, Leeds fans have been left unimpressed by the kit and have slammed the design on social media.
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      One supporter even compared it to 90s TV icon Mr Blobby’s pink and yellow spots.
      The character is famous of appearing alongside Noel Edmonds on Noel’s House Party.
      Others highlighted the similarities between the kit and Fruit Salad sweets.
      Sharing a picture of Mr Blobby, one fan tweeted: “Knew I had seen the new third kit somewhere else before.”
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      Another wrote: “Horrendous. Look like Fruit Salads lads.”
      A third added: “Looks like someone has scoffed a packet of refreshers and then vomited all over a shirt.”
      One more also commented: “Sorry, but it literally looks like vomit.”
      Leeds could debut the new third kit away to Birmingham on Saturday.
      Daniel Farke’s side began their Championship campaign on Sunday following relegation from the Premier League.
      A stoppage time equaliser at home to Cardiff rescued a point after Leeds had been two goals down.
      One fan compared the kit to Mr Blobby’s pink and yellow spotsCredit: Rex
      Another claimed the kit looks like Fruit Salad sweetsCredit: Alamy More

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      I’m Britain’s most loyal football fan… I haven’t missed a game in 50 years & it ended my marriage – I have no regrets

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      BRITAIN’S most loyal football fan who hasn’t missed a match for 50 years says he has no regrets – despite his obsession costing him his marriage.Birmingham City supporter Rob Shannon has watched his side more than 2,300 times in a row – first going to see them beat Derby County in 1974.
      Dedicated Birmingham City fan Rob Shannon has not missed a match since 1974Credit: SWNS
      But he admits the Championship football club could be to blame for his divorce from his ex-wife, who was a fan of their West Midlands arch rivals Aston Villa.
      Rob said: “She used to say, ‘You love Blues more than me’.
      “I always joked, ‘I love Villa more than you’.”
      The dad-of-two, 64, loyally follows the Blues both home and away – having attended his first game as a four-year-old boy during the 1962-1963 season.
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      He has seen them play in all four league divisions – including several stints in the Premier League – as well as all League Cup and FA Cup games over the past half a century.
      Only the Covid-19 pandemic kept him away from their St Andrew’s home ground, when lockdown restrictions forced football clubs to play behind closed doors.
      He said: “My mum and dad took me down when I was a boy around the 62-63 season and I’ve loved going ever since.
      “It’s become a bit of an obsession – I just follow them through thick and thin, although it’s been more like thin and thin.
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      “People say you must have seen all the ups and downs and I joke it’s mostly downs for Blues.”
      Stand-up comedian Jasper Carrott, another Birmingham City fan, has previously joked: “You lose some, you draw some.”
      Yet Rob, from Sheldon in Birmingham, did get to enjoy a day of glory at Wembley for the match he says is his most cherished.
      City, then managed by ex-Scotland international Alex McLeish, clinched a surprise last-minute 2-1 victory over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in the 2011 Carling Cup final.
      Rob said: “My favourite game was without a doubt the Carling Cup final – it was the best day of my life, and the European games that followed were really special too.
      “But any game that we beat the Villa is also my favourite.
      “I’ve also seen a couple of wins at Anfield and Old Trafford, which doesn’t happy very often for us.”
      His favourite player was former Birmingham and England striker Trevor Francis, who became Britain’s first £1million footballer when moving to Nottingham Forest in 1979.
      Rob was saddened by Francis’s death last month at the age of 69 at his home near Marbella in Spain.
      Rob said: “I was devastated when Trevor Francis passed away.
      “I got to know him and his sons – he is still my favourite player.
      “I’m proud to now volunteer at the club as part of their Former Players Association – I get to arrange for ex-players to come back to the club for games.”
      He is also an admirer of ex-City star and England international Jude Bellingham, who came through Birmingham’s youth ranks and this summer joined La Liga giants Real Madrid for £115million from Germany’s Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
      Rob named his son Andrew, 32, after the club’s St Andrew’s stadium – and even once discharged himself from hospital to attend an away game at Swansea City.
      He now hopes the club can return to the Premier League having been away since relegation in 2011.
      American NFL legend Tom Brady sprang a surprise last week by revealing he has become one of the club’s joint owners.
      Brady, recently rumoured to be dating Kim Kardashian, has “entered into a partnership” with Birmingham’s new owners Knighthead Capital Management LLC.
      Rob said: “There have been some good times really but it has been a bad few years – although the new owners sound like they really mean business and are very ambitious.
      “Getting the likes of Tom Brady on board can only be a good thing so I think the future is bright and I certainly have no intentions of stopping.
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      “I’d resigned myself to the fact I would probably never see Blues in the Premier League again but hopefully we can get back there under these new owners.
      “It’s the hope and anticipation that kills you, though – but I guess that’s what being a football fan is all about.”
      Rob’s most cherished memory is of Birmingham winning the Carling Cup in 2011Credit: SWNS
      He was club mascot for a match as a seven-year-old, leading the team on to the fieldCredit: SWNS
      Rob’s home in Birmingham’s Sheldon district is packed with Blues memorabiliaCredit: SWNS
      Rob got on well with Birmingham legend Trevor Francis, who died last monthCredit: SWNS
      A more recent favourite has been England international midfielder Jude BellinghamCredit: SWNS More

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      Hilarious moment Championship star forgets which club he plays for as he leaves team-mates in hysterics

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      DUNCAN WATMORE forgot which club he plays for during Millwall’s win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.The hilarious moment was caught on camera during the match, with his team-mates left in hysterics by his blunder.
      Duncan Watmore left his team-mates in hysterics with his blunder

      Watmore’s unfortunate mistake came after he was substituted off in the 73rd minute.
      As he left the pitch he wrongly started to walk towards the Boro dugout.
      Fortunately, he realised his error before taking a seat on the bench, shaking his head and smiling as he headed for the away dugout.
      His team-mates were left in stitches as they shook his hands and made space for him amongst the substitutes.
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      It was an easy mistake to make for Watmore, who was making his first return to the Riverside Stadium since leaving the club.
      He spent three years on Teesside, making 97 appearances for Boro.
      During that time, he became accustomed to sitting in the home dugout when he was not on the pitch.
      However, he is now a Millwall player after completing a move in January and started in central midfield for their season opener.
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      It was the Lions who came away victorious as well, with Watmore’s replacement Romain Esse grabbing the winner in the 79th minute.
      The 18-year-old came off the bench to score his first senior goal and claim all three points for Gary Rowett’s side.
      Duncan Watmore mistakenly walked towards the Middlesbrough bench More

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      Leicester star James Justin has no intention of following James Maddison and Harvey Barnes out the exit door

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      JAMES JUSTIN was playing for England last year but this season must slog it in the Championship.The defender has no intention of leaving Leicester after relegation from the Premier League.
      James Justin is looking forward to a season in the Championship with Leicester
      Justin was called up by England last summer by Gareth Southgate
      Justin, 25, celebrated a career high last summer when he made his Three Lions debut in Hungary — and was in with a shout of playing at the Qatar World Cup.
      But he ruptured his Achilles in November against Newport in the Carabao Cup, which saw him miss the rest of the season as the Foxes crashed out of the top flight.
      Yet as the 2016 Premier League champions prepare to host Coventry tomorrow, Justin told me he will not be following the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes out the door.
      He said: “I went from the highest of highs by playing for England to the lows of being injured and relegated.
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      “But I’m staying. Leicester took a chance on me after I won promotion from League One with Luton four years ago. 
      “This club has done a lot for my career. They’ve stuck by me through two bad injuries, having previously been out for 11 months with an ACL, and fully rehabilitated me. 
      “My plan is to help the team get promoted this season.
      “The Championship is going to be fast, furious, in your face and we’ll not be allowed to breathe for a second.
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      “It’ll be a graft with 46 games. You can get comfy in the Premier League playing only 38. It’ll be a shock to some of those who aren’t used to it.
      “We’re not going to get any special treatment because we’re Leicester.” 
      It was frustrating for Justin to watch helplessly last season — especially in April when he recovered ahead of schedule but could not play due to being omitted from Leicester’s 25-man squad in January.
      He said: “Everyone looks at the talent we had but the final table didn’t lie. It was a bitter pill to swallow because I couldn’t put my stamp on things after I came back from injury.
      “The club had to make a decision about who to register in the squad and no-one could’ve foreseen I’d be back ahead of time.
      Justin meets Justin … Leicester ace James Justin chats to our man Justin Allen
      Harvey Barnes and Ricardo Pereira are gutted as Leicester’s relegation is confirmed despite their last-day victory against West Ham
      “Our relegation was down to a combination of things. We weren’t ruthless enough when we were on top in games and were shipping goals for fun.
      “We had a great run before the World Cup where we kept six clean sheets out of seven but weren’t able to do that consistently and that’s ultimately why we went down.”
      Leicester made £60m selling Barnes to Newcastle and Maddison to Tottenham.
      And they have reinvested half of that by snapping up midfielder Harry Winks (Spurs), centre-half Conor Coady (Wolves), forward Stephy Mavididi (Montpellier) and Denmark No1 Mads Hermansen (Brondby) — as well as defender Callum Doyle on loan from Manchester City.
      Justin said: “We’ve done some good stuff in the transfer window and I don’t think we’re close to finishing the business we’re doing in and out. So there’ll be some more great players coming in to help us.”
      The Foxes made a bold statement by appointing Pep Guardiola’s assistant Enzo Maresca as their new manager in June on a three-year deal.
      Enzo Maresca puts James Justin through his paces at an open training event Leicester held for their fans at the King Power Stadium
      Maresca addresses fans during the club’s open training session
      New Leicester signing Harry Winks in pre-season action against Liverpool
      And already he is making a big impression on the squad and Justin says fans can expect a similar playing style to Manchester City.
      He said: “It’s been good and intense. The manager has installed a lot of his philosophies.
      “In our pre-season games our style and how we’re set up is completely changing.
      “It’s going to take time to get everything perfect. We’ve only been together a month while it took Pep’s City six years to get their domination of English and European football.
      “We’ve worked on how we build up. A lot of teams build with four at the back as standard or three with two wing backs. We’re changing that and adopting what City have done in moving John Stones into midfield. Brighton also use a similar concept — but we’re looking to put our own spin on things.”
      Only last summer Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany transformed a relegated Burnley team known for its defensive structure and long-ball style into one playing free-flowing possession-based football that ran away with the Championship.
      The Leicester ace takes time out of his busy schedule preparing for the new season to speak to SunSport
      Justin is enjoying the new playing style being adopted by Leicester
      Justin said: “It was amazing what they achieved and hopefully we can be similar.
      “Kompany said when he arrived at Burnley they already had good ideas and a foundation at the club — and we also have that at Leicester.
      “He showed what Burnley could do if they had confidence to play that way.”
      It is hoped Justin will play a huge part for Leicester this season with his versatility and attack-minded approach being huge assets.
      So where does he prefer playing? Left-back, right-back, left wing, right wing or central midfield?
      He said: “Any of the above but I prefer playing on the left — but I’m not picky. I just get on with my job.”
      And while his hopes of playing at the World Cup were dashed, Justin does not have to give up on making next summer’s Euro squad.
      Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate revealed in March he will keep tabs on the Championship because the number of English players starting Premier League games are dwindling.
      The Foxes star said: “It gives you encouragement and extra fire knowing Gareth and his staff will be watching.
      “Being part of the England squad and playing alongside that calibre of player opened my eyes.
      “It made me think, ‘This is the level I want to be at every week’ and seeing people like Harry Kane and what they do to prepare after training to get better is something I want to emulate.”
      While things have been tough for Justin in recent times, he had the joy of his partner Laurel giving birth to their baby boy Remi four months ago — and home-town club Luton getting promoted to the Premier League.
      Justin’s home-town club Luton won promotion to the Premier League
      Justin is looking forward to a bright future after a tough year
      The lifelong Hatters fan, who used to watch from the terraces with his late father Mick, was at Wembley to see his ex-team-mates beat Coventry in the play-off final.
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      He said: “I used to watch Luton in the National League and when I broke into the first team, they were in League Two. So for Kenilworth Road to be hosting Premier League football, it’s unreal.
      “I went to the team hotel afterwards to see the lads and their families. That club has gone through some dark days, it’s a fairytale.” More

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      Major rule change to stadium clocks and big screens as new season kicks off as fans say ‘thank the Lord’ and ‘love that’

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      FOOTBALL fans are rejoicing over a rule change which means stadium clocks will now show added time at the end of each half.EFL scoreboards or giant screen timers will run until the completion of the half – rather than stopping at 45 and 90 minutes.
      EFL clocks and screens will show added time at the end of each halfCredit: Getty
      It comes as a result of IFAB guidance following the introduction of a new approach to timekeeping.
      The step has been taken to improve the “transparency” of the game as fans will be more informed as to how much time remains.
      According to The Mail, Howard Webb and the PGMOL, the referees’ body, had a major say in the decision to change stadium clocks.
      The alteration will be enforced in the Championship, League One and League Two where technology permits it.
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      It is not yet clear whether the stadium clocks will show added time in the Premier League.
      In response to the change, one fan said: “Thank the lord I think these footballing governing bodies are finally waking up ❤️⚽️.”

      While another added: “About time.”
      A third responded: “Love that, won’t have to guess how much time is left anymore 😅.”
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      And a fourth replied: “Good idea. Hated the fact that it would get to 90 minutes and just stop.”
      More minutes are expected to be played this season in an attempt to combat time wasting.
      This is set to mirror the time added during the Men’s World Cup last year and the Women’s World Cup that is currently being held.
      It comes after FA chief David Dein hinted at a possible change earlier this year.
      He told The Times: “The time has come for transparency via a countdown clock so the public can actually see how much time is left. It should not be a national secret.
      “I’m not saying the clock should be stopped every time the ball goes out of play, but certainly for those incidents which cause the greatest delays: goal celebrations, substitutions, penalties, injuries and now VAR checks.” More

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      Simon Thomas teases fans about a ‘new look Soccer Saturday’ as Sky Sports presenter admits he is ‘a bit nervous’

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      SIMON THOMAS has teased football fans that Soccer Saturday will have a “new look” when the show returns tomorrow.The presenter was named the show’s lead after replacing the long-standing Jeff Stelling.
      Simon Thomas has teased fans about a ‘new look’ Soccer Saturday
      He will be hosting the show this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
      Former host Jeff Stelling stepped down after 30 years at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      Thomas, 50, admitted that he is “a bit nervous” about starting in the role.
      In a video on Instagram, he said: “The night before the football season returned in full and not a sound in the house could be heard.
      “I know the season returns tonight with Sheffield Wednesday against Southampton, but tomorrow is the return of Soccer Saturday with a new look, a new studio and a new host.
      “And I will be honest enough to say I am a bit nervous.
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      “I think nerves are good, I would be a bit worried if I had no nerves.
      “Healthy nerves are good, overwhelming nerves, not so good.
      “But I am feeling okay, I have been working really hard for the last month to try and catch up on everything.
      “Because it has been a long time since I was involved in football full-time, obviously I have been doing bits and bobs for Amazon Prime over the last three seasons, which has been amazing.
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      “But now I am fully back at Sky, and I am really excited, the Soccer Saturday team a brilliant team.
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      “I know that the pundits that are with me tomorrow, Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith and Neil Lennon is popping in, so I know I am in safe hands.”
      The former Blue Peter star has won the race for the iconic job – six years after leaving Sky Sports following the tragic death of wife Gemma.
      The respected broadcaster quit his full-time job in 2017 to care for his son when wife Gemma died just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
      And Thomas admitted in an emotional statement that he never thought he’d end up hosting Soccer Saturday, thanking new wife Derrina and his family and friends for their support.
      Thomas is not the only new face joining Soccer Saturday next month.
      Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has landed a role offering insight into games from the perspective of an official.
      He secured the job just 24 hours after quitting football, leaving his role as a video assistant ref in the process.

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      Everyone at Birmingham’s buzzing that Tom Brady has invested but I’m scared I’ll be kicked out of fantasy league for him

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      THE messages on the Birmingham WhatsApp group were going mad yesterday morning.Imagine this. You’re in a highly competitive workplace NFL Fantasy Football competition and there’s an announcement that Tom Brady — a seven-time Super Bowl winner and the greatest quarterback in history — has joined your company.
      Tom Brady is involved in a group that has taken over BirminghamCredit: Instagram
      Tom Brady is widely-regarded as one of the best NFL players everCredit: EPA
      Troy Deeney played for the club last seasonCredit: PA
      Because that’s exactly what’s happened for those Blues players and staff.
      I’m still in that Fantasy Football competition despite leaving my home-town club this summer and, frankly, I’m worried I’ll be kicked out of it.
      As one of the boys messaged: “Who’s going to make way for Tom Brady?”
      There are 12 of us in the competition, eight players and four staff members — and it’s great because if you choose one player in the draft then no one else can have him.
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      I don’t really want to give him any credit because he was not a gracious winner but striker Lukas Jutkiewicz won our fantasy league last season.
      And he’s so sure of himself that he probably thinks he will beat Tom Brady at it, too!
      Brady has become a minority owner of Birmingham City as well as chairman of the club’s advisory board.
      The boys are absolutely buzzing about the prospect of meeting Brady, who will apparently be passing on advice on fitness and nutrition to them as well as working on commercial projects.
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      Brady addressed Blues fans in a video, stressing he can’t wait to get excitedCredit: Instagram @bcfc
      There was already real optimism that the club would move in the right direction under the new American ownership of Tom Wagner’s Knighthead Capital Management.
      But the involvement of Brady, one of the biggest names in world sport, has added to that.
      If I tell you a little about playing for Birmingham over the past two seasons, you will understand the scale of the transformation at the club.
      It’s 100 per cent true that if Blues hadn’t had the right manager, John Eustace, we would have been relegated last season.
      Sometimes we were going into training not knowing whether the old ownership had signed off the purchase of footballs for us to  practise with.
      If you wanted an ice bath, it was often broken. Players were chipping in with their own money for things.
      On match days, two stands were closed and the playing surface was terrible because the women’s team and the Under-23s were playing all of their matches on it.
      The job Eustace did in leading the club comfortably clear of relegation was outstanding and I hope he gets the time to advance his philosophy and playing style under the new owners.
      Brady is the latest celebrity from American sports and entertainment to buy into English football, after Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking over Wrexham.
      Another Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan investing in Bournemouth and Major golf champions Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas joining the new ownership at Leeds.
      The success of Wrexham — promoted back to the Football League and enjoying a high-profile US Tour on the back of the club’s Disney documentary — has got a lot of Americans interested in English football at lower levels as well as the Premier League.
      For these Americans, it’s not necessarily about the wealthiest or most successful clubs, it’s about great people.
      So it would not surprise me if Birmingham have a Netflix or Amazon documentary made about them as well.
      Those projects, as well as the investment of someone like Brady, are not just PR gimmicks. They say a lot about a club’s direction.
      Some of the Leeds lads have watched the Full Swing Netflix documentary about the PGA Tour and will be excited about the involvement of Spieth and Thomas.
      It all adds glamour to the new Championship season, which starts with newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday against newly relegated Southampton.
      Playing in the Championship is relentless and unpredictable. It’s two games per week, so it’s hard work but also immense fun.I’ve experienced both ends of it.
      At Watford, we were still being run like a  Premier League club when we were promoted back to the top tier . . . staying in the best hotels, flying to away games and no expense spared with facilities.
      At Blues, it was very different . . . wondering if we had enough footballs, staying in average hotels and spending hours stuck on buses in motorway traffic jams on Friday afternoons.
      All that may change for Birmingham now but in such a competitive league, a top-half finish would still be good — but I fancy them to make the  play-offs.
      My time at my boyhood club came to an end this summer but it was a great honour to captain them for two years.
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      And even though I’ve left, the arrival of Brady has excited me, just as it’s excited the rest of that WhatsApp group.
      Please don’t kick me out of the Fantasy Football, lads!
      Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen were married for over 13 years before their divorce last yearCredit: Getty
      Tom Brady played for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay BuccaneersCredit: Getty Images – Getty More