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    Wolves lining up £20million transfer for Watford Euro 2024 star to help rescue them from Prem relegation

    WOLVES will make Watford’s Georgian star Giorgi Chakvetadze a top target in January as they seek a Premier League saviour.Gary O’Neil’s men need new attacking inspiration and lively Chakvetadze, 25, has been on top form this season.Wolves are eyeing a January move for Watford midfielder Giorgi ChakvetadzeCredit: RexScouts watched the midfielder against Leeds on Tuesday and he is short-listed as a buy if the Molineux club can wheel and deal in the window.Wolves have been sellers recently but a purchase may save their top-flight skins.Watford would want up to £20million for a player who signed a fresh five-year deal only a month ago, however, and other Prem clubs have an eye on Chakvetadze.The Georgian international initially joined the Hornets on loan from Gent last summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis loan move was then made permanent in February for around £2million.As well as penning a new deal, he has scored once and provided two assists in 12 Championship appearances this term.Meanwhile, the midfield ace also has nine goals in 33 caps for Georgia.He made his international debut in 2018 aged just 18 and was part of the Crusaders’ Euro 2024 squad.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWilly Sagnol’s side were one of the surprise packages of the tournament in Germany during the summer.Chakvetadze played in all four of their matches as they reached the last 16, losing to eventual winners Spain.I watched Cristiano Ronaldo play for Al-Nassr, the atmosphere and standard had me shocked… but he didn’t seem botheredHis arrival would boost Wolves’ survival hopes after a difficult start to the season.O’Neil’s side are currently 19th following Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Brighton.However, they have yet to win any of their opening nine Premier League fixtures. More

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    Championship stars get early shower as sprinklers turned on mid-match leaving players fuming

    SUNDERLAND and Oxford players were caught off guard as sprinklers turned on mid-match.The incident happened quickly after kick-off with sprinklers going off all over the pitch in the first minute.Sprinklers going off caused a break in play at Sunderland vs OxfordCredit: GettyOxford players were not happy as it incident happened as they were on the attackCredit: GettyOxford were not too pleased as they were on the attack at the time, with the referee calling a halt to play.Players were seen with their arms up in the air – Oxford striker Mark Harris was seen gesturing towards the dugout area.Their frustrations were made worse 15 minutes later as Jobe Bellingham headed in the opener for the hosts.The Black Cats then doubled their lead after half-time through Wilson Isidor.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found the incident amusing with one saying: “Turning the sprinklers on while Oxford are on the attack is prime s***housery.”Another added: “Seems like Sunderland playing dark arts with sprinklers now.”It was a dramatic day in the Championship as Coventry’s clash with Luton was also stopped for a bizarre reason.The game was halted because somebody was seen paragliding over the Coventry stadium.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn the 81st minute of the game, cameras stopped filming the match action to watch the peculiar flight path above them.Coventry made use of the break in play as they scored moments later to win 3-2, having trailed 2-0 at half-time.’My pro football team-mate thought he was Spiderman after being spiked on night out’ | What the EFL?! More

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    Karren Brady: Football isn’t broken and Keir Starmer’s plan to fix it will create many more problems than it solves

    TO change, and to change for the better, are two different things.And the Government’s plan to change football is more likely to create many more problems than it solves.Keir Starmer’s Government will introduce the Football Governance Bill this weekCredit: GettySunSport columnist, and West Ham vice chairman, Karren Brady thinks the bill will only cause more problemsCredit: PAI remain wholly unconvinced about the role of regulators, both in and out of football.Just look at some of our leading industries and the way regulators have worked. Or not.Water is the obvious one as our beaches and rivers have been transformed into a toxic dumping ground while the companies rake in millions in wages, bonuses and shareholder dividends — almost always of little or no benefit to the UK.And don’t get me started on the trains. We have the most expensive railway network in the Western world, and best-paid train drivers, yet actually getting trains to run on time has been well-nigh impossible.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSo, please, when politicians preach about how the Football Governance Bill introduced in the House of Lords this week will make everything rosy in football’s garden, don’t believe the hype.There is no need for another layer of administration and regulation. And I’ll tell you why…The Premier League has been one of this country’s major success stories of the past three decades.It has taken a game which was crumbling and collapsing around our feet to the best and most-watched football league in the world. It is the global Big One.Most read in FootballThere are critics who say the Premier League just looks after the hotshots, the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals. Rubbish.In the last three years the Premier League has given a world-leading £1.6billion to the EFL, National Leagues, grass-roots football and the women’s game. Nowhere else in the world can even get close to matching that.Jose Mourinho makes cheeky dig at the referee after being sent off against old club Manchester UnitedThe PL give nearly £8m on average to every EFL Championship club, £1.4m to each League One club and £900,000 to each League Two club.Politicians tell you the regulator will make clubs more fan-friendly but it is already being done.The Premier League instigated a Fan Engagement Standard, meaning there has to be a Fan Advisory Board at every single club.An away ticket price cap was introduced years ago, which ensures supporters pay a maximum of £30 when they travel.At the rate we’re going you’ll get about half a bathtub for that from our regulated water companies.What happened to Bury and others like them was terribly sad but you cannot blame the Premier League for their financial mess.Karren BradyI’ll give you some other numbers. The Premier League annually hands over £4.2bn in tax to the Treasury and directly employs 90,000 people, a third of whom are in the North West, an area which sadly has pockets of high deprivation.A total of 51 clubs have reached the Premier League, which surely underlines the fact that the financial distributions do broadly work.And while going into administration is a worrying time for fans, the likes of Crystal Palace, Luton, Bournemouth, Southampton and Leeds all reset and got to the Premier League — with three of them still in it.What happened to Bury and others like them was terribly sad but you cannot blame the Premier League for their financial mess.I’ve heard it said, mainly by ill-informed politicians, that parachute payments are fundamentally wrong. Not so. They allow clubs to remain financially sustainable should they suffer relegation from the top flight.The regulator will have to consider INCREASING parachute payments as that is the only way established relegated clubs can be more sustainable.There are critics who say the Premier League just looks after the hotshots, the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals. Rubbish.Karren BradyThey give clubs the security to be able to invest in competitive squads, sign players and coaches on multi-year contracts and invest in world-class stadia and fan experience, with the knowledge that there will be some financial protection in the event of relegation.When you are relegated you still have to pay all the staff, including the players, and have all the same overheads, so if you don’t have the parachute payment you are effectively bust.The numbers are what makes the Premier League the world’s leading domestic club competition.Over 15million fans go to games every year and internationally OUR Premier League is watched annually by 1.5bn supporters from 189 countries.In every sense of the word it is a success, with not a regulator in sight.The Bill will change the way football operates, impacting supporters and clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIESA regulator that delivers stronger oversight of fan engagement and club heritage — and prevents breakaway leagues — is welcome.But one that significantly impacts the competitive balance of the league is not. More

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    I went from non-league to FA Cup Final with Sunderland and won promotion at Oxford… now I’m helping kids with autism

    MARTIN GRAY went from naughty schoolboy to a promotion winner at both Sunderland and Oxford – now he is helping other youngsters in need.The 53-year-old was a self-confessed bad boy as a kid and he never dreamed that he would make it as a footballer when he was released by Middlesbrough aged 15.Martin Gray is now making a big impact off the pitch by helping kids in the North EastCredit: GettyThe former midfielder went from non-league to being a Sunderland heroCredit: PAThree years later he was handed a lifeline by Denis Smith and Malcolm Crosby at Sunderland, and that led to him working under the pair for the best part of ten years.“I remember leaving the Northern League, where I was playing for Ferryhill, and Denis Smith signed me for Sunderland,” Gray told Sun Sport. “Seven years later he and Malcolm Crosby signed me for Oxford United. I probably had ten years playing under them.“Malcolm was an inspiration and like a father figure to me if I’m honest. I was a late developer and wasn’t at the level of the other players when I first went to Sunderland but I don’t think they signed me based just on my skills.“I think they got me for my work ethic, hunger and toughness etc. I found it really difficult at first as I knew I didn’t have the qualities of the lads that were there but Dennis and Malcolm, mainly, what they did to try and help me as a person and player was amazing.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Malcolm was the best person that I worked with in football and had the biggest impact. He’s a great person.”Smith was sacked by Sunderland in December 1991 with assistant Crosby taking over, and Gray would go on to make his debut and was even part of the travelling squad that went to Wembley in the 1992 FA Cup Final where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.He said: “That was special. I played against Blackburn the week before as he had rested Paul Bracewell and a few others. I was involved in the last couple of matches leading up to the final and managed to get in the travelling squad.“I never, and didn’t deserve to, make the bench but that whole occasion of wearing the suits and being part of it was unbelievable.”Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGray was part of Peter Reid’s squad that won promotion to the Premier League – and that was a campaign he enjoyed double joy after departing the North East for a reunion with his mentors at Oxford.He said: “I signed on deadline day and we were celebrating promotion a few weeks later. That was amazing.Sunderland fans in hysterics as captain Luke O’Nien ‘auditions for WWE’ in post-match brawl at Luton “I played the last ten or 12 games of that season and it was good to contribute to help get over the line and reach the Championship.“I was eventually made club captain down there and I had an amazing time there. I had four special years at Oxford.“We were the small club in the big league going up against the likes of Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Man City, Sunderland, many thought that we would just be the whipping boys.“We had Joey Beauchamp and some other really good players that went on to become Premier League regulars like Matty Elliott, Phil Gilchrist, Darren Purse and Dean Windass, who I still speak with almost every day.“Dennis created a great working ethic within the club and we were a very close team with no superstars and if anybody got above themselves then they were soon brought back into line.”Oxford, whose draws with West Brom and Derby over the past week have left them 11th, are now back in the Championship and travel to the Stadium of Light to face table-topping Sunderland tomorrow.Gray, who moved to Darlington in 1999 before hanging up his boots, said: “It’s great to see them back after coming close a few times.Martin Gray pictured in action for Oxford United against Man CityCredit: PA“They are still a small fish in a big pond but they are holding their own. It goes to show that by putting trust in young managers and allowing people to develop can really pay off.“They are in the top half and got a good result last weekend against a tough opponent. “They’ve done great and then you look at Sunderland and wonder where all this has come from.“I didn’t know much about Regis Le Bris but I heard after pre-season some really good feedback about what he was doing. And what he is doing is working and they’ve got off to a start that most of us never expected.“I’ve been to the Derby and Leeds matches recently and from where they were two or three years ago to now is something I didn’t foresee to be honest.”Gray is set to attend the clash between his two former teams, but unlike his tigerish displays on the pitch, he is holding back when it comes to making a prediction.“I’m sitting on the fence and going for a draw aren’t I,” he says with a huge grin when pressed for a prediction.“Both clubs have had a great start to the season and I want them to each do well. So I’ll be supporting both teams massively as they both played a massive part in my career.”The midfielder enjoyed promotion with Oxford in 1996Credit: PAAway from the pro game and his coaching career, including leading Darlington to numerous promotions, Gray has also made a huge impact in the North East with his work in education – especially in providing alternative provision for children and young people.In 2018 Future Pathways began in Darlington, a provision which set out to offer support and education to young people. The young people accessing the service have a range of complex needs, and felt mainstream schooling was unable to meet them, but are now thriving in the small bespoke environment.Gray added: “Whether you are dealing with a young child that has difficulties due to trauma that they have unfortunately come across to a footballer that is not getting a new contract or being released, then you have to deal with people in a caring way.“It’s amazing. It used to be kids just getting kicked out of school and being labelled as naughty, and I’ll be honest, that was me.“But there was no alternative education around then, you were just labelled and got excluded.“Our provision is based around a sporting theme from boxing, biking, football… They do their education around the sport and the education is built around that and developing life skills, it feels so rewarding and it’s just great to help the kids we have.”Still keen to stick to his sporting roots, Gray still runs a sporting academy in partnership with a local college, where he hopes to inspire the next generation of players and offer high quality coaching. Staff from Gray’s Future Pathways Alternative Provision company are about to embark on a sponsored 30-mile walk from Sunderland Royal Hospital to Darlington Memorial Hospital.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe money earned from this fundraiser will go towards delivering Christmas Presents to children in both of these hospitals in December.If you would like to sponsor them please visit: Fundraiser for Anthony Verity by Tyler Hutchinson : Future Pathways Staff Walk from Sunderland to DarlingtonWho are these famous footballers? 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    Premier League could be forced to slash parachute payments – but new regulator will not abolish them

    PARACHUTE payments will NOT be abolished by the new football regulator.But the Premier League could be forced to slash them if a report into the game finds evidence that the huge sums paid to clubs relegated from the top flight undermine the financial stability of EFL clubs.The Premier League’s parachute payments scheme could be altered under the new governmentCredit: ReutersSport Minister Stephanie Peacock says the payments will not be abolished by a new regulatorCredit: GettyThe EFL has long campaigned for the payments to be scrapped, while the PL insists they are essential and did not want the regulator to have any powers over them.The previous Tory administration proposed legislation that excluded parachute payments from a regulator’s influence.But the new Labour Government has reversed that in the Football Governance Bill that went before the House of Lords on Thursday.Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said: “In terms of parachute payments, we completely understand the importance of them.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I’ve met the Premier League on a number of occasions and heard their concerns.”The whole point of the Bill is around financial sustainability. “If the State of the Game report identifies that parachute payments are an issue, then it seems to be an odd situation that the regulator can’t look at them.”It will also be for a panel of experts to assess the situation.Most read in Football”But we have added some wording that makes it clear that they cannot be abolished.”‘If Arsenal lose to Liverpool, they are out of the Premier League title race… the gulf is massive’Peacock – Independent regulator will address imbalance in English footballBy Stephanie Peacock, Sports MinisterSun readers know exactly what it means to don the team scarf on match day. It’s a rite of passage for millions of us every week, our club colours tying us proudly to places close to our heart. For me, it’s the highs and lows that come with being a lifelong Birmingham City supporter.But for far too long, we have seen the hurt and agony when a cherished community football club goes to the wall as a result of a rogue owner running a club into the ground, or a reckless one spending well beyond their means. The impact on local people is devastating. Just ask fans from Bury or Macclesfield when their clubs hit the wall.As Sports Minister, it is my job to help ensure that sport in this country is run well and supported to be fair, competitive and sustainable, so I am delighted that we have been able to deliver on our manifesto commitment to introduce a beefed up Football Governance Bill in Parliament.The new Bill will deliver an Independent Football Regulator that puts fans at the heart of the game. It will make sure football fans are genuinely consulted on things like ticket prices, or proposed stadium moves. This is something our Football Governance Bill will address properly. It will give fans a strong voice on the things they hold dear such as home shirt colours, or club badges.The Regulator will seek to redress the imbalance and strengthen financial sustainability throughout the football pyramid – from the Premier League to the National League. To make this happen, the Bill will give the Regulator the power to assess the impact of parachute payments paid to clubs relegated from the top flight. To be effective, the Regulator needs teeth and it will have the power to see the whole picture of a club’s finances and that is why the Labour government has strengthened the Bill.To ensure the Regulator can truly carry the confidence of the public, clubs and leagues, we have dropped the last government’s requirement for the Regulator to consider government trade and foreign policy when assessing club takeovers.The Regulator will also operate an improved owners and directors test that will be better equipped to weed out unscrupulous and unwanted directors of fans’ beloved clubs.The regulator will not be able to take any action on parachute payments for at least two years in any case.The Government is readvertising the position of chair of the new body in a bid to attract a wider range of candidates.The person who gets the job will be able to shape the State of the Game report, which will be compiled over an 18-month period. More

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    Delia Smith steps down as Norwich City director after 28 YEARS and legendary cook given new role within club

    DELIA SMITH has stepped down as Norwich City director and will take up a new role at the club.The TV chef agreed to hand over her majority stake to American consortium Norfolk Holdings in the summer.Delia Smith has stepped down from her role as Norwich chiefCredit: GettyThe TV chef and husband Michael Wynn-Jones are now honorary life presidentsCredit: GettySmith has not received a penny for passing on the reigns and gives up control to secure the “long-term financial security of the club”.The 85-year-old and her husband Michael Wynn Jones will reportedly still own ten per cent of the Canaries.And the duo will still attend games in their new role as “honorary life presidents”.Smith has been on Norwich’s board for 28 years after buying the team she supports in November 1996.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe was invited to invest in the club amid their financial struggles following relegation from the Premier League.The cook pumped in £2million before becoming the majority shareholder a couple of years later.Smith also revamped the catering at Carrow Road and famously tried to rally supporters in 2005 with a passionate half-time speech, saying: “Where are you? Where are you? Let’s be ‘avin’ you Come on.”With her at the helm, the Norfolk-based side have been promoted to the Prem six times and relegated six times.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut with Norwich’s debt thought to be around £59million, she has decided to step down from her role on the board.The club released a statement that confirmed the news and said: “It’s not goodbye, it’s just thank you.”Inside Grant Holt’s life after footballFans added: “They saved the club and were a couple of goldfish who were swimming with sharks in the Prem when, with the limited resources behind them, they had no right to be. Forever grateful.”Another commented: “Thank you Delia and Michael for everything you have done for this great football club and this fine city. We have been extremely lucky to have such passionate, lovely and down to earth owners.”Norfolk Holdings are led by businessman Mark Attanasio and they joined the board two years ago.He is the owner of baseball team the Milwaukee Brewers and he co-founded the Californian investment firm Crescent Capital Group.A general meeting was held at Carrow Road this week for shareholders to vote on Norfolk Holdings, with them expected to get the green light.Norwich currently sit seventh in the Championship. More

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    Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe at centre of heated brawl as tempers flare after Luton clash with Sunderland

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’s brother was at the centre of a heated brawl after Sunderland beat Luton Town.Jobe Bellingham clashed with the Hatters’ goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski at full-time.Jobe Bellingham was involved in a clash with Luton’s Thomas KaminskiCredit: GettyPlenty of players joined in on the brawlCredit: GettyJobe is the brother of Jude BellinghamCredit: PAMany more players joined in as the tensions escalated at Kenilworth Road.Bellingham and his Sunderland team-mate Luke O’Nien, as well as Luton’s Carlton Morris and Tom Holmes, ended the night in the book.But it was Sunderland’s night after they survived a gruelling first-half examination at the hands of the Hatters, who should have been ahead at the break.The Town’s failure to cash in rebounded as Chris Rigg, 17, fired the visitors ahead ten minutes into the second half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLuton made things difficult again when Elijah Adebayo headed his first of the season eight minutes later but the Black Cats got the cream when Mundle shot home in the 66th minute.Sunderland, chasing their second away win in four days after Sunday’s victory at Hull, were first into the attack with just a minute on the clock with a shot from Dan Neil.Seconds later, Belgian stopper Thomas Kaminski saved Alan Browne’s close-range goalbound back-heel with a leg.Luton, tails up after Saturday’s 3-0 win over derby rivals Watford, survived that nervy spell and went close with a shot by striker Morris.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis was breathless, all- action stuff, and Sunderland came under severe pressure midway through the half.First, Mackems keeper Anthony Patterson intervened to stop a header from home centre-back Mark McGuiness squeezing in under the bar.World Cup stadium lies half demolished next to rubble as it hosts second tier matches with no away end Chirs Rigg fired in the opener at Kenilworth RoadCredit: GettyCarlton Morris had a goal controvserially ruled offsideCredit: PAThat was from Alfie Doughty’s left-wing corner. Within seconds, Doughty’s next corner set up McGuinness for another header — and this time the ball hit the bar.Luton thought they had found a way through deep into first-half added time when Morris swept home yet another Doughty corner — but Town midfielder Jordan Clark was standing well offside.Two minutes into the second half, Patterson kept the score level with a save from Adebayo’s close-range header out after Clark’s cross from the right found the big striker.But Sunderland took the lead on 55 minutes.For once, Luton slackened their grip in midfield as Tahith Chong lost possession and Browne’s header sent Rigg on a run.As he headed towards the left of the area, the teenager swivelled and fired home a low left-foot shot.But Luton levelled eight minutes later. That man Doughty was at the root of things again, firing in a free-kick from the rightREAD MORE SUN STORIESMorris met it just past the far post and volleyed across goal for Adebayo to head home.Sunderland grabbed back the lead six minutes later. Chong claimed he had been fouled, ref Tom Nield disagreed, and Neil set up Mundle for a run across the box that ended with a low finish. More

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    Man Utd ‘set to appoint former EFL boss and academy product, 48, to surprise role’ in major backroom rethink

    MANCHESTER UNITED look geared up to bring old boy Michael Appleton into their new-look backroom staff.The 48-year-old has been linked with a return to his childhood club after he was sacked by League One side Charlton in January.Manchester United look ready to bring Michael Appleton into their backroom staffErik ten Hag has already added Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to his staffNow Old Trafford’s sporting supremo Dan Ashworth is poised to appoint him to the transfer team with responsibility for loans.Former Tranmere physio and manager Les Parry holds the position but he is set to be replaced, according to The Mail.Appleton was spotted sitting alongside Ashworth and Old Trafford technical director Jason Wilcox at the start of October.The trio watched the Under-21s fight out a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin in the Premier League International Cup in Salford three weeks ago.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAppleton’s appearance has re-ignited talk that he could be appointed in the near future to oversee United’s young players who go out on loan to other clubs.The Mail initially reported that Appleton wouldn’t take the job last month, but it appears the lifelong United fan could make a stunning U-turn.Appleton was appointed as Charlton gaffer last September, eight months after being sacked by Blackpool. However, he didn’t last very long at The Valley as he was shown the exit door in January.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 48-year-old has also previously taken charge of Portsmouth, Preston, Blackburn, Oxford and Lincoln.Appleton worked with Ashworth at West Brom and is among his proteges.Sir Alex Ferguson phoned and tried to convince me to join Man Utd – but their transfer plan made me say noHe was given a chance to come through as a coach at the Hawthorns under his mentor and they have a very close relationship.It would be his first administrative job but he has a good knowledge of United’s rising stars and the right contacts to find them homes.Appleton joined the Red Devils as a teenager and earned his first professional contract in 1994 after impressing academy coaches.He was loaned to Wimbledon and Lincoln the following season to get first-team experience and eventually returned to Old Trafford in 1996 to make his senior debut.After playing just 90 minutes in total for Man Utd, Appleton moved to Preston North End in 1997.He then joined West Brom, where he spent the final two years of his career before retiring in 2003 after losing his two-year battle with the injury. Michael Appleton spent three years in the United set up More