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      Derby at centre of takeover bid from Easdale brothers who have links with Mike Ashley and a business empire worth £750m

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      Scottish brothers James and Sandy Easdale are launching a bid for Wayne Rooney’s Derby County – backed by Malaysian money.The pair, who have made their £750million empire in the construction business, used to be shareholders at Rangers and have been looking for a club in England.
      The Easdale brothers are interested in taking over DerbyCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Derby boss Rooney has been trying to navigate his side through this difficult periodCredit: Alamy
      And now they have come in to rival American Steve Kirchner who was the first to make a significant bid to buy the struggling outfit who are in administration.
      The Easdales had been looking for a team in the Premier League, along with their Far Eastern partners, but Derby is appealing at around £50m.
      Even the prospect of a likely relegation to League One does not put them off, especially if they can win the race before the January transfer window.
      The publicity-shy pair are big football fans, coming from Greenock but followers of Rangers.
      Their shrewd moves in the transport and properly sectors have seen them amass an impressive financial capital.
      Those acquisitions came after they began their venture into business by purchasing a number of pubs and hospitality hotspots.

      They also have close links with Mike Ashley, the former Newcastle United owner.
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      Ashley has denied any involvement in a bid for Derby, but the Easdales move may raise eyebrows because of their past links.
      Kirchner seemed to have a clear run after addressing supporters and flew in to see Derby last weekend on his private plane.
      The Rams are currently bottom of the Championship table following their 12-point deduction. More

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      Chris Wilder set to be named new Barnsley boss after Championship strugglers sacked Markus Schopp

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      CHRIS WILDER is set to be named Barnsley boss.Wilder, 54, has been out of work since leaving Sheffield United in March — a month before the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.
      Former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is set to be named Barnsley managerCredit: Rex
      But he is now favourite to replace Markus Schopp, who was axed by Oakwell chiefs yesterday.
      Wilder tops a Tykes wanted list that  includes former Barnsley defender Mick McCarthy, sacked as Cardiff boss ten days ago, plus ex-Norwich and Preston chief Alex Neil. 
      Austrian Schopp, 47, got the bullet after just 15 Championship games — having won only once and with the team 23rd.
      Schopp, appointed in June on a three-year deal, said:  “I would like to thank all those who have accompanied me in this short but very intense time.
      “It is a pity that our hard work was not reflected in the results. I wish the club all the best for the future and that they will achieve all their goals.”
      Barnsley chief executive Khaled El-Ahmad said: “On behalf of everyone at Oakwell, I would like to thank Markus for the last few months and wish him well for the next step in his career.
      “I would like supporters to know that the process for finding a suitable replacement is under way and we will announce a new appointment in due course.”

      Wilder took charge of the Blades in 2016 and led them from League One to the Premier League in just three years.
      He enjoyed his greatest season in charge during the 2019-2020 season when they finished ninth, but had been in the race to qualify for Europe.
      Unfortunately for Wilder, his fortunes drastically changed the following campaign and in March 2021, Wilder left the club by mutual consent.
      Sheffield United were bottom of the league and failed to beat the drop, currently sitting 17th in the Championship.
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      Refs Michael Salisbury and Andy Davies make great cases for VAR being used in Championship after QPR and Fulham shockers

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      REFEREES Michael Salisbury and Andy Davies made great cases for VAR to be introduced into the Championship after their shockers.But the emphasis should not be on bringing in the technology to the EFL.I love the fact the Championship, League One and Two are VAR-free zones.
      Referee Michael Salisbury showed West Brom’s Kyle Bartley the red card at Fulham
      Ref Andy Davies had a bad night in charge of QPR vs Nottingham Forest on Friday night
      And, in any case, there are not enough officials to have two of them dedicated to video-assisting each game.
      In the Championship alone, you would lose 24 referees out on the park every series of games and 72 if you did it across the entire EFL.
      What would be good, however, is to up the ante by training good officials.
      There is a lot written and spoken about skills shortages in this country. We don’t have enough nurses, doctors, teachers, plumbers, and so on.
      There is also a shortage in quality referees.
      I was at Loftus Road on Friday as Davies waved away two stonewall Nottingham Forest penalties at QPR.
      Fortunately, for Forest, Jack Colback managed to snatch an injury-time point because defeat would have been harsh on Steve Cooper’s men.

      And I was also at Craven Cottage as Salisbury produced one of the most inept refereeing displays I’ve witnessed at elite level.
      First he awarded Fulham a penalty when West Brom’s Kyle Bartley fairly TACKLED Aleksandar Mitrovic.
      And then he sent off Baggies defender Darnell Furlong after he managed to make contact with the ball as Harry Wilson was sent sprawling.
      He had clear intent to play the ball – and you can argue if it was a foul or not. Yet, at worst, it’s a yellow card, at best a foul.
      Salisbury correctly sent off Tosin Adarabioyo – so at least he got one out of three right.
      But last time I checked 33 per cent is a fail in any worthwhile exam – so he failed miserably.
      In just seven games he has officiated this season, Salisbury has produced FIVE red cards and 20 bookings.
      The one thing that riles a lot of people is the lack of accountability referees are under.
      Managers and players are expected to talk to the media and answer questions after a heavy defeat, yet referees are not put under that scrutiny at all.
      Why can Salisbury not be allowed to explain to the public why he has made a particular decision?
      First, of all, even if you agree or disagree with his judgement, he immediately will win respect for fronting up questions.
      And, dare I say, if referees are allowed to speak, they might actually change people’s minds that they got the wrong call.
      Certainly they will educate the public about the challenges referees face and maybe inspire more a better generation of officials.
      ADDICKS CHRISTMAS PRESENT
      THOMAS SANDGAARD will wait until Christmas time to appoint a new manager at Charlton.
      But the way caretaker Johnnie Jackson is going at the moment, he might already have the man he needs.
      Charlton boss Johnnie Jackson has won both his games in caretaker charge
      The League One Addicks owner revealed he has received more than 100 applicants to replace sacked Nigel Adkins – but rather than rush into recruiting someone he wants time to find the right man.
      Jackson has, in two games, seen Charlton become the first team to win at Sunderland this season, destroying their 100 per cent home record, and smashed Doncaster on Saturday 4-0.
      The American-based Danish businessman told me: “I’m not in a hurry and have told Johnnie that. So it’ll be 60 days before I make a decision.
      “He gets a chance to stake a claim and it gives me a chance to see what is out there. And then we’ll see what’s right.
      Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard is in no rush to make his next managerial appointment
      “Johnnie has had two great results. The team has been well prepared and the lads have certainly fought more than they had done in previous games, pressing high and working hard.”
      Sandgaard revealed he has been inundated with applications and explained exactly the sort of person he is looking for.
      He said: “It’s over 100 applicants now. We’ve had some good ones and hopefuls that wish the spotlight to fall upon them.
      “We’ve had high-quality managers in touch who have been successful at different levels.
      “The person who gets the job must be someone who knows how to play modern-day football and what a high press means.
      “You can play a high press but if you don’t do it in a co-ordinated manner, you’re going to get into trouble.
      “It has to be someone who understands League One and the level above.
      “A manager must understand what may seem really good in games, like mixing it up, isn’t necessarily a good thing because we should be consistent in what we’re trying to do.
      “It has to be someone who is a good people’s man too. We have a lot of players who need development so it must be someone who is good at managing that side of things too.”
      BEER WE GO
      IT was a case of roll out the barrel for Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper at QPR on Friday.
      As he started to answer a question in the post-match press conference, he was rudely interrupted by an army of Loftus Road staff loudly entering the room rolling across the floor beer barrels!
      After asking them, “Is this some sort of wind up?”, half-expecting a Jeremy Beadle character to pop up with a camera and microphone, he laughed: “I want a beer now!”
      Sorry, Steve, the almost 3,000-strong Forest away support had drunk the bar dry.
      Steve Cooper swigs water at Loftus Road but by the end of the night he was craving beer
      ‘WE HAVE A BIG DICKIE’
      CHANT of the week has to be QPR fans on Friday.
      They were heard yelling, “We have a big Dickie” in homage to defender Robert Dickie.
      REMEMBRANCE DAY MORONS
      THIS is a special time of year when clubs remember those who have fallen in conflicts during their last home games before Remembrance Day.
      I was at Loftus Road on Friday and Craven Cottage on Saturday and at both stadiums 99 per cent of the crowd impeccably observed the minute while the buglar played.
      But what is it about the small minority of morons who decide to chant out stuff.
      These people are as bad as the racist lowlifes who abuse black footballers and should be banned.
      Show some respect, you utter imbeciles.
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      Football star swaps racing thoroughbreds like Rooney and Aguero to saddling up for first horse race

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      JAY TABB ran alongside thoroughbreds Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero in his footballing heyday.But on Sunday the pint-sized footballer turned stable lad is saddling-up for his first ever race ON a horse.
      Jay Tabb has gone from running with thoroughbreds like Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero in the Premier League being a stable lad
      Jay Tabb, on his horse Mister Miyagi, saddles up for his first horse race on Sunday after swapping goals for foals
      At 5ft 6ins, ex Reading, Brentford, Coventry City and Ipswich Town midfielder Tabb is actually four inches shorter than legendary rider McCoy.
      However, he’s had to spend this week out of the Somerset pubs after work to make the 12 stone weight for Sunday’s charity race at Wincanton.
      The Racing Welfare fundraiser marks the pinnacle of the 37-year-old’s second job in sport – having achieved promotion to the Premier League with Brian McDermott’s Royals in 2012.
      After switching to the sport of kings and landing a job at Phillip Hobbs’ Sandhill Racing Stables, Tabb said: “As soon as I’ve done this race, that’s it!
      “Jockeys are so tough. In football, if we had the tiniest little strain we wouldn’t play.
      “I’ve seen jockeys after falls, limping into work and getting back on the horses. They are tough boys and girls.
      “I might be the height of a jockey – but I’m not the size of one. I was probably 12-and-half-stone playing football and I have had to lose a few pounds this week.
      “If it goes okay, I might do a point-to-point in a few years, but that’s as far as it goes. I’m really happy working in racing and having this job as a stable lad.
      “But I’m definitely not a wannabe jockey – I’m too old, too heavy and definitely not good enough!
      “It has never been about being a jockey, though, it’s about getting the experience.
      Midfielder Tabb was promoted with Reading after winning the Championship in 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Reading’s Jay Tabb in action during their playing daysCredit: PA:Press Association
      “So this charity race is a great thing for me to tick off to say I have ridden a race horse, in a race.
      “I get to ride the horses up the gallops every day, but it is nice to have that experience on a race track and ride on a racecourse. I feel very lucky.
      “So I’m excited – but the nerves will be more over the fact I’ll be sitting on a half tonne animal.
      “I just hope we all get to the start okay, jump off and then it’ll be over in the blink of an eye.
      “And I don’t think I’ll be nervous like I would be before a big Premier League or Championship match.
      “Because when I was a footballer you were expected to win and you didn’t want to let people down.”

      Tabb left London for Doncaster in 2019 where he completed a three-month crash-course at the National Horseracing College.
      He then found a job with Cheltenham and Aintree-winning trainer Hobbs in the West Country – and has never looked back having developed a love of horses in his footballing days alongside ex Cov City defender Ben Turner.
      “It’s been two years and counting in Somerset and it’s been an amazing experience,” he told SunSport.
      “I’ve been in every morning at 6am, mucking-out, then riding four or five times a day.
      “Quick break for lunch then back at 3pm until 5pm. It’s a full-on, hard-working day.
      “But I’ve got to go racing too and led up at Cheltenham and Newbury, so I have loved every minute of it.
      “Riding the horses is the high point of the job and I’ve been so lucky to sit on these great horses that Mr Hobbs has.
      “You get on those good horses and wow, they do it all so easily and that is a great feeling.
      “We had a lot of good horses for J. P. McManus, too, so that was a great experience.
      “You have to pinch yourself sometimes, having been racing lots and watching it all the time. To then sit on those horses you see on TV, it is really special.”
      Just like in his football days, Tabb has had to make sacrifices to get his dream ride this weekend.
      He admitted: “There have been a few days when I wish I could have gone to the pub and had a pint!
      “I love it when we have a hard day at work and go to the pub at the end of the day for a few pints and a chat.
      “I have met some amazing people and a lot of friends who will be friends for life.”
      Tabb is now a stable lad at Phillip Hobbs’ Sandhill Racing Stables
      As well as the day job Tabb also looks after his old race horse, Mister Miyagi, who he bought with Turner during their playing days.
      And even though he has been around the sport for almost a decade now in one way or another, becoming the next Willie Mullins or Paul Nicholls isn’t for him either.
      He said: “If you’re a trainer, the hours you work are non stop.
      “You’re like a football manager. I don’t really want to do that, I am happy being a stable lad.
      “You need to know a lot, too. I have come into the industry very late and it’s hard to know everything in your mid 30s.
      “There is horse racing all over the world and when you start off you realise people always know someone somewhere.
      “So, in time, when travel is easier, I wouldn’t mind seeing the world and riding out in different countries.”
      First, Tabb will soon move back towards Ascot and also has plans to play more rugby, having turned to egg-chasing after his football days as a goal-kicking scrum-half.
      The sports-mad star added: “I am missing rugby and my brother is still playing for our old team – I will try and start playing again.
      “I go watch the boys at Old Wimbledonians after riding out on a Saturday morning and I just want to play as I’m rubbish at watching.”
      To support Tabb’s race click here
      Jay Tabb, right, riding out on the gallops
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      Everton ‘monitoring 17-year-old Morecambe wonderkid Connor Pye with view to transfer after impressing scouts’

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      EVERTON are rumoured to be eyeing Morecambe starlet Connor Pye with the player being touted as the next Andy Robertson.Football Insider claims Toffees scouts have been highly impressed by the 17-year-old’s efforts at left-back for the League One side. 
      Rafa Benitez’s Everton scouts are thought to admire Connor Pye’s performances for MorecambeCredit: Craig Thomas/News Images
      The teenager, who joined the Shrimps from Wigan as an Under-16 prospect in 2020, is reported to have won plaudits for his performances in the EFL trophy contest. 
      And the defender was named Man of the Match in Morecambe’s clash with Hartlepool in the contest although his side lost 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 finish in normal time. 
      Pye’s rampaging and energetic playing style has seen him likened to Liverpool ace Robertson.
      And the player, regarded as a leading figure within the Shrimps youth team, is claimed to regularly be training with the club’s first team as well as featuring on the bench for league games. 
      It is claimed a host of Premier League and Championship sides are interested in the full-back. 
      The Toffees, who host Watford in the top-flight next, are thought to be keen to line up a new left-back following the summer departure of Thierry Small.

      The highly sought after Solihull-born defender ended his two-year scholarship deal with Everton to agree to a three-year deal with Southampton. 
      Football Insider reports the Toffees had turned down a £1.5million offer from the Saints for Small in October. 
      It is thought the Goodison Park giants were after £5million in compensation for the starlet. 
      Reports claim the Toffees are only likely to have around £9million to splash in the January transfer window. 
      And it is suggested transfer chiefs are looking to focus on temporary deals and bargain buys in the market. 
      It is believed Pye, whose team face Cheltenham away in the third tier, fits this criteria. 

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      Thierry Small’s departure for Southampton has led the Toffees to scour the market for a new left-backCredit: Getty
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      Robbie Brady joins fifth club of his career after Burnley release as Bournemouth snap-up winger on free transfer

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      BOURNEMOUTH have signed former Burnley winger Robbie Brady on a free transfer.The Republic of Ireland star, 29, has been without a club since leaving the Clarets in May.
      We’re delighted to confirm the signing of Republic of Ireland international, Robbie Brady 📝— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 18, 2021

      Brady has 57 caps for the Republic of IrelandCredit: PA
      The Cherries club website says he has now joined up with their squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke.
      The club has signed Brady until the end of the season with an option to extend his contract.
      Brady told Bournemouth TV he turned down other offers from British-based clubs and abroad to join Scott Parker’s Championship leaders.
      He said: “I think for where I am at now and wanting to get back to playing football this is a better opportunity than most to come and play.
      “And from watching the manager and seeing the style of football he plays I think that will suit me and I hope I can help the club going forward.”
      Brady joined Burnley from Norwich in February 2017 for a then club-record fee of £13million.

      But his Clarets career was limited to 21 starts after he suffered a serious knee injury in a match against Leicester ten months later.
      Brady, who can also play at left-back, cut his teeth in Manchester United’s Academy before a move to Hull in 2013.
      He scored a memorable winner for his country against Italy in the group stages of Euro 2016.
      Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “To be able to sign a player of Robbie’s experience and calibre on a free transfer is a coup.”
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      Bournemouth stars pay emotional tribute to David Brooks after his cancer diagnosis during win at Bristol City

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      BOURNEMOUTH’S stars paid an emotional tribute to David Brooks during Saturday’s win at Bristol City.The Welsh midfielder, 24, announced on Wednesday he had been diagnosed with cancer.
      Jamal Lowe held up a ‘Brooks 7′ shirt after scoring at Bristol CityCredit: Getty
      Bournemouth and Wales star David Brooks was diagnosed with cancer this weekCredit: Rex
      And in their first game since the shock news, the Cherries players remembered their stricken team-mate.
      Scott Parker’s men came out for the warm-up at Ashton Gate wearing black t-shirts with a message printed on the front and Brooks’ No7 on the back.
      The tops said: “Together as one, stay strong Brooksy.”
      Then when Jamal Lowe opened the scoring on 21 minutes, the team celebrated by gathering together and holding up a ‘Brooks 7’ green away shirt.
      Bournemouth tweeted a picture of the moment, which Brooks shared with love heart and cherry emojis.
      All four stands at the home of the Robins applauded the touching gesture.

      And fans from both teams continued to show their support with chants and banners having previously risen as one on the seventh minute to honour the 21-cap Dragon.
      Jordan Zemura added a second on the stroke of half-time as it finished 2-0 with the Cherries top of the Championship table.
      Goalscorer Lowe, who initially could not find the shirt, said: “That was arranged before the game, it was just trying to find it. It took me a while to find the shirt!
      “But we found it and obviously everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with Brooksy now.
      “Obviously everyone is in contact with him wishing him well, but at the same time we have got to respect his privacy, he’s obviously going through a tough time but he knows he’s got people around him.
      “It has been a tough week but to bring some positivity to the club at the minute is great, all the fans that turned up today were very vocal, outsung the home support.
      “To be fair I think on the seventh minute as well so fair play to the Bristol City fans.
      That performance was for BrooksyScott Parker
      “I think Brooksy deserves that to be fair and the Bristol fans did it well so good shout to them.
      “Ordinarily they might have booed celebrating in front of them but you can’t boo that can you?”
      Parker added: “No matter what team you support or colours you wear football has a knack of uniting people in difficult moments.
      “Big respect to Brooksy from the Bristol City fans and that was nice, that performance was for him and I know it’s cliché but he’s a loved and liked boy in this team and in that performance today the boys showed exactly what he means to us as a team.
      “Again, like I say, you score against an opposition team and that was touching really to clap and cheer that. We’re right behind Brooksy.”
      Brooks was told he had stage two Hodgkin Lymphoma but vowed to make a full recovery.
      The former Manchester City youngster underwent tests after complaining of fatigue while training with his country last Tuesday before pulling out of the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia.
      And he praised the Wales medical team’s swift action which led to the quick detection of the illness.
      Players warmed up for the match in special t-shirtsCredit: Getty
      The Cherries supporters made their love for Brooks knownCredit: Getty
      Both sets of fans applauded the Welshman in the seventh minuteCredit: Getty
      One fan made a special placard for BrooksCredit: Getty
      Bournemouth star David Brooks diagnosed with cancer and wants to ‘make a full recovery and be back playing’ More

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      ‘Our community and Millwall have lots in common’ – meet Lions’ LGBT team breaking down barriers in English football

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      THERE are some new men at the New Den.And Millwall’s first LGBT team became so popular they have had to set up a second.
      Striker John Goodyear and general manager Paul Loding have opened up about Millwall Romans’ positive impactCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Millwall Romans, the club’s LGBT side, turn out in the London Unity LeagueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Millwall Romans play in the London Unity League and striker John Goodyear said: “There are similarities between the LGBT community and Millwall. We are both often persecuted unfairly by outsiders.
      “And while the club’s fans sing No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care, we are more Some People Don’t Like Us, They Don’t Understand.
      “But we are hoping, with Millwall’s help, we can break down barriers and more people from the LGBT community can enjoy football.”
      The Romans were formed as the London Romans in 2006 and played in north London before being incorporated by Millwall’s Community Trust and moving south of the river last year.
      General manager Paul Loding said: “When I spoke with Sean Daly of the Millwall Community Trust, he told us he wanted the Romans to feel part of the Millwall family — and we really do.
      “Before we came here we were flatlining, just an average Sunday league team playing on crappy pitches which cost a lot of money.

      “Within a year we have now two teams playing on a Sunday, on a better home pitch with better facilities.
      “One of our players even took part in Millwall’s official kit launch in the summer.”
      The Lions have kitted out the Romans in official club kit and tracksuits.
      Bisexual Goodyear said: “It’s strange walking to training and matches and having people driving past shout out at us ‘Millwall’.
      “Builders and workmen who possibly wouldn’t back an LGBT team are now shouting out their support to us, even if they might not know it.”
      Romans drew 1-1 with neighbours Charlton in a league clash two weeks ago.
      Loding said: “I think if you came along to our matches you wouldn’t  necessarily be able to see they were two LGBT teams.
      We don’t give out any homophobic abuse — although you will still hear plenty of people being called ‘w*****s’, ‘p****s’ and ‘d***headsPaul Loding
      “The football is as aggressive as you will see in any park in the country on a Sunday morning and so is the language.
      “We just don’t give out any homophobic abuse — although you will still hear plenty of people being called ‘w*****s’, ‘p****s’ and ‘d***heads’.”
      While the Unity League is thriving, the English professional game is still awaiting its first openly gay player.
      Sadly, Loding, 38, believes that is something which is still a decade off happening — after the torment he went through when coming out to his family and friends.
      He said: “I met my now-husband Gareth when I was 21 but I grew up in a very straight world.
      “It took me three years to come out to friends individually and I hid him from my parents until I was 28. I told them he was a girl named Gemma.
      “The players all take the mick now because my mum, bless her, kept asking when she was going to meet her and at Christmas she would send Gareth gifts of bras and knickers sets.
      Millwall Romans were incorporated by the Lions’ Community trust last yearCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “We are laughing about it now. At the time it was enormous pressure.
      “Coming out is a very personal thing. While I am old enough now to ignore any homophobic abuse, a negative remark when you are younger could set you back years.
      “A player coming out in the Premier League or EFL would be good for the LGBT community and for football but I don’t think the game is ready for it yet.
      “It would be too big a thing for a gay player to run out on an away team and take stick from home fans because he would get so much abuse.
      “There are gay players in the game but they haven’t come out because they know it would be so much to take on. Probably too much at this moment in time.
      “It will be the natural progression but I don’t see it happening for another ten years.”
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