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      Cash-strapped Championship club ask players to book their OWN flights home from pre-season tour

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      BLACKBURN Rovers asked their players to pay for their OWN flights to come back from a pre-season tour.The Championship side are currently facing huge financial problems, according to reports.
      Cash-strapped Blackburn Rovers asked their players to pay for their own flights home from a pre-season tourCredit: Rex
      Last week, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side were in Austria as they began their preparations for the new season.
      But, on their return home they could not get a direct flight back and landed in Frankfurt and stayed overnight.
      A small amount of seats were available at a premium price the following day.
      That forced Blackburn chiefs into giving the players the option of arranging their own return to the UK.
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      However, they were told that any cost would have to come out of their own pockets.
      Some senior players took the club up on their offer and bought their own flights home.
      However, younger staff members remained in Frankfurt for one more night.
      Blackburn are believed to be facing legal action from agents over overdue fees.
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      However, their coffers could be swelled by the sale of wonderkid, Ashley Phillips.
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      The 18-year-old centre-back is a target for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
      But, Rovers have slapped a £9,45million price tag on their star asset.
      They already lost a hefty sum – losing star man Ben Brereton Diaz to Villarreal when his contract expired this summer. More

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      Manchester United starlet in talks to leave Old Trafford and sign for League One Reading

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      MANCHESTER UNITED starlet Charlie Savage is in talks over a permanent move to Reading.But the Royals face competition with several Championship and League One clubs also interested.
      Charlie Savage has trained with United’s senior squad including star midfielder Bruno FernandesCredit: Getty
      Savage is the son of ex-Prem star Robbie, who played in the top-flight for Leicester, Blackburn, Birmingham and DerbyCredit: Getty
      New Reading boss Ruben Selles is looking to rebuild after the Berkshire club suffered relegation to the third tier of English football.
      SunSport understands Championship duo Cardiff and Rotherham have also eyed up Savage.
      And Reading’s League One rivals Portsmouth are keen on the United starlet, 20, as well.
      Savage, son of ex-Wales and Leicester midfielder Robbie, spent last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers.
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      Despite relegation for Forest Green to League Two, Wales Under-21 international Savage impressed on his first spell away from the Red Devils.
      He returned to Old Trafford this summer and was made captain for the second half of United’s pre-season 2-0 win over Leeds in Oslo last Wednesday.
      But Savage was not in Erik ten Hag’s squad for today’s 1-0 friendly win against Lyon in Edinburgh.
      He was also not selected in the 31-man senior squad to go on tour to the United States.
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      United welcomed back seasoned internationals and fellow midfielders Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay for the tour, leaving limited space for younger players.
      Cardiff, who recently signed Wales captain Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer, cannot pay fees for players until January so a loan would suit the Welsh club’s needs. More

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      Premier League flop brutally trolled at the darts after fans chanted ‘you fat b*****d’ in final-day defeat

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      A FORMER Premier League player was brutally trolled at the darts with a savage sign shown on live TV.The Leeds man struggled to make an impact at Elland Road last season.
      This sign hit out at Weston McKennie at the dartsCredit: SKYSPORTS
      And on the final day of the season, as Leeds were relegated to the Championship, fans harshly chanted “you fat b*****d” at him.
      Now Weston McKennie has been subject to further abuse – this time at Winter Gardens in Blackpool for Monday’s PDC World Matchplay darts action.
      As Andrew Gilding walked on to face Peter Wright on Monday, a sign was held out in front of the Sky Sports camera which read: “Weston McKennie loves a takeaway.”
      And the Leeds fan had also added “MOT” on the side – which stands for Leeds’ motto, ‘Marching On Together’.
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      The brutal dig was lauded by a selection of Leeds supporters.
      One said: “What a fanbase.”
      Another wrote: “Hahahaha 10/10.”
      And a third added: “Tweet of the day.”
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      McKennie, 24, joined Leeds on loan from Juventus for the second half of the season in January.
      However, the American could not make his mark in his 20 appearances and was unable to keep the Whites in the top flight.
      McKennie’s dad John hit out at Leeds supporters on Twitter following his son’s exit, writing: “All the best to LUFC! For those who supported Weston in a hostile environment, you have my respect!
      “For those who failed to remember it’s a team sport, you live to fight another day!”
      McKennie now looks set to be sold by his Italian parent club, with Borussia Dortmund linked with a transfer.
      Meanwhile, his former club have brought in Daniel Farke as their new boss and Ethan Ampadu to bolster the squad for the Championship.
      The American endured a torrid time at Elland RoadCredit: Getty More

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      Charlie Savage lined up for Man Utd exit as three clubs target Robbie’s son in summer transfer

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      CHARLIE SAVAGE is being eyed up by Championship duo Cardiff and Rotherham.And the Manchester United starlet, 20, has also attracted interest from League One outfit Portsmouth.
      Cardiff, Portsmouth and Rotherham want to sign SavageCredit: Getty
      Savage, son of ex-Wales and Leicester midfielder Robbie, is wanted by clubs on loan or possibly a permanent move.
      The Wales Under-21 international spent last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers.
      Despite relegation for Forest Green to League Two, highly-rated Savage impressed on his first spell away from the Red Devils.
      He returned to Old Trafford this summer and was made captain for the second half of United’s pre-season 2-0 win over Leeds in Oslo last Wednesday.
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      But Savage is not in Erik ten Hag’s squad for today’s friendly against Lyon in Edinburgh and is unlikely to go on tour to the United States as clubs circle.
      United have also welcomed back seasoned internationals and fellow midfielders Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay for the tour which will leave limited space for younger players.
      Cardiff, who recently signed Wales captain Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer, cannot pay fees for players until January so a loan would suit the Welsh club’s needs.
      Savage joined Man Utd’s academy as a youngster before rising through the ranks to sign his first professional contract in April 2021.
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      He made his first-team debut eight months later, but he is yet to establish himself as a regular name in Ten Hag’s squad.
      The 20-year-old scored one goal in 15 appearances during his six-month loan at Forest Green Rovers last season. More

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      Leeds takeover completed as 49ers team up with Olympic legend and Masters winner to take leaf out of Wrexham’s book

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      LEEDS have announced their takeover by the 49ers Enterprises and sporting legends is complete – as they take a leaf out of Wrexham’s book.Swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 23 Olympic golds, and golf superstar Jordan Spieth are among the names joining in the buy-out.
      Leeds say they have been taken over with ‘immediate effect’Credit: Rex
      49ers president Paraag Marathe is promoted from Leeds vice-chairman to chairman and is eyeing an instant Premier League return.
      The American group – the business arm of NFL team the San Francisco 49ers – have gradually increased investment in the Elland Road club since 2018.
      Marathe said: “This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work.
      “This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the Club.
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      “We have already appointed a highly-respected First Team Manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season.
      “It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this Club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud.”
      Marathe takes over from Andrea Radrizzani, who had been Leeds’ majority owner since 2017.
      Club CEO Angus Kinnear is staying put, leading day-to-day operations. 
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      Minority Leeds owner Michael Schwimer tweeted he was “thrilled” to reveal the “athletes partnering with @BigLeagueAdv to invest in @LUFC”.
      He named Phelps, golfers Spieth and Justin Thomas, basketball’s Larry Nance and TJ McConnell and gridiron free agent Myles Jack, plus ice hockey pair Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog.
      It follows Wrexham’s transformation – and return to the EFL – after Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in February 2021. More

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      Fans ‘pack their bags’ after discovering amazing city where streets are named after football teams – is yours included?

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      FOOTBALL fans have unearthed an incredible place where the streets are named after English football teams.This amazing area can be found in the city of McKinney, located in Collin County, TX, USA – roughly 32 miles north of Texas capital Dallas.
      The city in America has an uncanny amount of names belonging to football clubs
      Mckinney in Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA.
      After the astonishing find, fans have been declaring their intention to cross the pond and live on a road named after their team.
      Exactly why the streets have been named after the English clubs is unclear – but more importantly – has your side been included?
      Kicking things off in the Premier League, Fulham are one team to get a mention with the street name Fulham Lane.
      Newly-promoted Sheffield United and local rivals Sheffield Wednesday get a feature with their own Sheffield Drive, while Burnley Drive can also be found right off Fulham.
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      Another set of local rivals, Bristol City and Rovers also have a place in the City with Bristol Drive.
      Championship sides Southampton, Millwall and Preston are named too, with Southampton Drive, Millwall Drive and Preston Lane respectively.
      Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are there too, though a misspelling of the road – Middlesborough Drive – being spelt like the location rather than the club left a couple of fans fuming.
      One fan wrote: “And OBVIOUSLY they spelled Middlesbrough incorrectly.”
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      The city has names from all across the English football pyramid
      As of 2020 it had a population just shy of 200,000
      While a second typed: “Aaaand they f***ed up and spelt Middlesbrough wrong 😬.”
      Relegated Championship sides Reading and Blackpool are in the City too with Reading Drive and Blackpool Parkway.
      From League One, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Port Vale, Leyton Orient and Shrewsbury can also be found.
      There is even a property currently for sale on Port Vale Drive, with houses in the area selling for around £400,000.
      League Two sides also have some resident street names, namely Crawley and Gillingham.
      In Non-League there is even a mention of Dagenham and Redbridge with Redbridge Lane.
      One fan added on Twitter: “All I want in life is to live on Port Vale Drive.”
      While another wrote: “Packing my bags.”
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      In 2017 McKinney was named the third fastest-growing city in the States, and as of 2020 has a population of 195,308.
      That number may swell even more with a flood of football fans now plotting a move over. More

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      Three Championship clubs queuing up to sign Sunderland star Ross Stewart with former boss ready to make hefty bid

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      THREE Championship clubs head the queue to sign Sunderland striker Ross Stewart — Middlesbrough, Southampton and Stoke City.Boro are ready to raid their neighbours for the Scottish hitman, 27, who is out of contract at the end of next season and may have to be sold.
      Ross Stewart is wanted by three Championship clubsCredit: Getty
      But Saints will move for him if they sell any of their own forwards.
      And Stewart’s former boss Alex Neil at Stoke has been waiting for him to get fit — with a big cheque in his pocket to bid for him.
      Stewart is still recovering from a serious Achilles  injury and may not be ready for the start of the new campaign.
      The Scottish forward previously made 23 appearances for the Black Cats under Neil, scoring 11 goals in those matches.
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      Since joining from Ross County in January 2021, Stewart has become a key man for Sunderland.
      Overall, he has scored 40 goals in 80 appearances as well as chipping in with eight assists.
      He has also won the EFL Trophy and secured promotion to the Championship with Sunderland in 2022.
      Fans will be hoping the 26-year-old stays this summer as the club look to build on last season’s sixth place finish.
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      However, Boro, Stoke and Southampton are all keen to bolster their own promotion bids with the addition of Stewart.
      As for incomings at the Stadium of Light, though, Tony Mowbray has signed several promising youngsters including Jobe Bellingham. More

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      Fans have conspiracy theory over James Ward-Prowse’s horror penalty miss as fans joke they’re ‘getting John Terry vibes’

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      JAMES WARD-PROWSE endured a horror moment from the penalty spot yesterday.The Southampton skipper was back in action as the Saints continued their pre-season campaign.

      James Ward-Prowse stepped up to take a penaltyCredit: a Spor Canli
      The England international slipped at the crucial momentCredit: a Spor Canli
      Ward-Prowse’s penalty sailed high and wideCredit: a Spor Canli
      Russell Martin’s team travelled to Turkey to take on local side Goztepe.
      Having gone 1-0 down, Saints were awarded a 58th minute penalty.
      Set piece specialist Ward-Prowse stepped up… but it wasn’t to be the usual result.
      The England international suffered an unfortunate slip, sending the ball high and wide.
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      Ward-Prowse was clearly a victim of the dodgy turf giving way.
      But fans on social media had a more cruel assessment.
      One joked: “Trying to drive his price down. He wants that move.”
      While a second tweeted: “He wants to leave sooo bad.”
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      A third commented: “I’m very surprised he is still there.”
      And another, pointing to the 2008 Champions League final, added: “John Terry vibes.”
      Southampton went on to level just six minutes later, via highly-rated young forward Carlos Alcaraz, with the match finishing 1-1.
      Ward-Prowse, 28, has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club following their relegation.
      West Ham are believed to be keen on signing the midfield ace.
      Hammers chiefs are willing to bid £20million, although Saints bosses are reportedly demanding double.
      Despite his set piece prowess, Ward-Prowse has missed more penalties than you might think.
      He has scored 18 spot kicks during his career, while missing six.
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      His free-kick record is remarkable, having bagged 17 in the Premier League.
      This tally is only one behind the competition’s record holder David Beckham.
      Ward-Prowse’s left leg gave way as he struck the ballCredit: Getty
      The Saints skipper tumbled to the turfCredit: Getty
      Ward-Prowse lamented the dodgy pitchCredit: Getty More