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      Jamie Vardy will be back in Premier League at 37 as Leicester star agrees new deal despite Saudi transfer links

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      LEICESTER hero Jamie Vardy WILL play in the Prem next season — after agreeing a new one-year deal.The out-of-contract striker, 37, is being rewarded for firing the Foxes to the Championship title with two goals in Monday’s 3-0 win at Preston.Jamie Vardy is set for a new contract at Leicester CityCredit: GettyVardy had been tipped for a career swansong in Saudi Arabia or America.But Foxes boss Enzo Maresca has got his wish to keep the ex-England star.Vardy will now get another Premier League party and the chance to add to his 136 top-flight goals.And the extension will take him into his thirteenth season at the club and beyond his 38th birthday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVardy’s Deepdale double took his season tally to 20 goals — his best return in four years — as fans sang for him to stay for “ten more years”.His last experience of Prem football ended in relegation 12 months ago, but his 24 goals helped Leicester defy all odds and win the title eight years ago.Vardy also won the FA Cup in 2021 and is just ten shy of 200 goals in a Foxes shirt — leaving him third on the club’s all-time list.Maresca has previously hailed the forward and claimed he could score goals well into his forties.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “Jamie Vardy is Leicester. Jamie Vardy has always scored goals in his life and he’s going to score goals even when he’s 40, 45″It’s in his blood to score goals. We are very lucky that he’s our player.Jamie Vardy snubs wild Leicester promotion party for video call to Premier League legend with wife Rebekah”Now we finish (the season), we have a game Saturday, and then we sit.”But my feeling is that he’s going to stay this is my feeling, if I can decide.”The Foxes sealed promotion and when Leeds lost to QPR on Friday.The club now has the chance to claim 100 points in their match against Blackburn this Saturday.Meresca added: “It’s a fantastic feeling. We’ve said many times, it has been a tough season, intense.”The Championship is a long season, many games, but at the end we did it and we are very happy.”The performances were there and I think we completely deserved this target.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Former Championship star who missed £100m penalty wakes up unemployed at 28 after being relegated from EFL

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      A FORMER Championship star has woken up unemployed after being released by Forest Green Rovers.Fankaty Dabo was part of the Coventry City team that were on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League in 2023.Fankaty Dabo missed a vital penalty in the 2023 play off finalCredit: RexThe costly miss stopped Coventry from winning promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: RexHe has now been released by Forest Green RoversCredit: RexDabo, 28, missed the crucial penalty that allowed Dan Potts to fire in the winner and send Luton Town to the promised land.To make matters worse the right back was then released by the Sky Blues.He was then signed by League Two outfit Forest Green Rovers in September 2023 and made 34 appearances for the club this season.However, following the club’s relegation to the National League he is one of 11 players to be released.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDabo was joined on the released list by Nathan Holland, Dom Bernard, Darnell Johnson, Mathew Stevens, Jordon Garrick, Sean Robertson, Alex Gorrin, David Davis, Reece Brown, Richard Keogh and Luke Daniels.Holland and Robertson are both notable players to now be without clubs having come through the academies of West Ham and Crystal Palace.The club added a statement saying: “Forest Green would like to say thank you to all of the players for their hard work.”During his time at the club he was criticised by manager Troy Deeney during his 29 day tenure.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe former Watford star said: “I said to him in front of everyone, six months ago, you had a kick to get to the premier league.”Now you won’t even get a game in the national league.”Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanDabo came through the youth academy of Chelsea and spent 12 years at the club.He had three loan spells away from the Blues at Swindon Town, Vitesse and Sparta Rotterdam.He left permantely in 2019 for Coventry and spent four seasons with the Sky Blues before leaving.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Leicester star heard shouting ‘you’ve done f*** all all season’ to team-mate during dressing room celebrations

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      A LEICESTER star could be heard shouting “you’ve done f*** all all season” to a team-mate during their dressing room title celebrations.The Foxes earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last Friday when Leeds fell 4-0 at Queens Park Rangers.Abdul Fatawu danced in celebrationCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10The exciting winger turned the dressing room into a dance floorCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10Fatawu was joined by fellow wing wizard Stephy MavididiCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10Jamie Vardy also joined in the celebrationsCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10The whole team posed for a dressing room pictureCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side responded by wrapping up the Championship title with a game to spare last night, beating Preston 3-0 at Deepdale.Veteran star Jamie Vardy bagged two on the night, with homegrown local lad Kasey McAteer getting the other.After the game, the Foxes celebrated their amazing triumph in the dressing room.Fans’ favourite Abdul Fatawu, 20, wrapped himself in a Ghanaian flag before turning the changing area into a dance floor.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe winger stuck on Azonto by British-Ghanaian star Fuse ODG before throwing some shapes.He was joined on the dance floor by Stephy Mavididi, who also showed off his moves following what’s been an impressive season for both wingers.During the video, posted by Fatawu, a player can be heard trying to urge young winger Wanya Marcal to get up and dance.They said: “Wanya, come on, give us a dance!”Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhen the 21-year-old didn’t immediately oblige, they went on: “F***ing hell, you’ve done f*** all, all season! Get on there dancing now.”Marcal made his Foxes debut in January 2022, but had not appeared again prior to this season.Fans in stitches as Vardy’s ‘Klinsmann dive’ almost goes badly wrong after his goals earn Leicester Championship titleHe featured in two of Leicester’s first three games, but would only play one more minute in the Championship for the remainder of the campaign.Vardy, meanwhile, is the Foxes’ top scorer with 18 goals – ahead of Mavididi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on 12 apiece and Patson Daka with seven.Leicester will lift the trophy on Saturday, when they host relegation-threatened Blackburn at the King Power Stadium.Leeds and Ipswich, meanwhile, will battle it out for the other automatic promotion spot.The Whites currently occupy second on goal difference, although the Tractor Boys possess a game in hand.Ipswich travel to Coventry this evening in a huge Championship clash that could see them climb three points clear of Leeds going into the final day.Kieran McKenna’s side then host virtually-relegated Huddersfield on Saturday, with Leeds welcoming fourth-placed Southampton.Fatawu, 20, also beamed as he celebrated on the pitchCredit: GettyThe Foxes celebrated on the pitch in front of their travelling fansCredit: Getty More

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      Championship permutations: Promotion, play-off and relegation scenarios explained

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      WE have reached the final week of the Championship season – and it’s still all to play for.Leicester City have already claimed promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after winning the title in the second tier.Leicester won the Championship at Preston on Monday nightCredit: ALAMYTwo more undetermined sides will join the Foxes in the top flight next season from the Championship.But it’s not just the top of the table that is still to be decided with the relegation battle heating up.SunSport has all you need to know about what can happen at the top and bottom of the Championship table on the final week of the season.Who can claim automatic promotion to the Premier League?After Leicester secured the Championship title on Monday night with a 3-0 win away at Preston, just one more automatic promotion place remains.READ MORE IN EFLIf Ipswich can get four points from their remaining two matches, they will finish in the automatics behind Leicester.Leeds must hope that the Tractor Boys lose against Coventry or Huddersfield and then match the other result, as goal difference currently favours the Whites.Who can finish in the Championship play-offs?As previously alluded to, one of Leeds or Ipswich will finish third and have to settle for a play-off place.Southampton can’t move from their current fourth-placed position, while Norwich’s far superior goal difference to Hull City has all but secured their spot in the play-offs.Most read in EFLThe only way the Canaries can drop out of the top-6 is if they lose heavily to Birmingham on the final day, West Brom claim at least a point, and the Tigers beat Plymouth – with a more than seven-goal swing between Norwich and Hull required.Liam Rosenior’s side will have more hope that they can take the Baggies position in the play-offs – should they win and Albion fall to defeat on final day.Who can get relegated from the Championship?Rotherham’s position at the foot of the table can not be changed with their status as a League One club already confirmed for next season.Huddersfield’s relegation from the Championship is all but confirmed, with the Terriers in need of three points at Ipswich and Plymouth to lose to Hull – and they will require at least a 15 goal swing in the afore mentioned matches.Birmingham City ideally need to beat Norwich on the final day to stand any chance of safety – and hope that Plymouth lose to Hull.The Blues could draw and survive, but the Pilgrims would have to lose by five or more goals.Birmingham could stay up on goal difference should they win and Blackburn Rovers suffer defeat to title winners Leicester or if Sheffield Wednesday lose away at Sunderland.When are the Championship play-offs?Semi-final first legs6th vs 3rd (12pm) – Sunday, May 125th vs 4th (2.15pm) – Sunday, May 12Semi-final second legs3rd vs 6th (8pm) – Thursday, May 164th vs 5th (8pm) – Friday, May 17READ MORE SUN STORIESFinalSunday, May 26 (4.30pm) More

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      Fans in stitches as Vardy’s ‘Klinsmann dive’ almost goes badly wrong after his goals earn Leicester Championship title

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      JAMIE VARDY wrote another glorious chapter in his Leicester fairytale – then hilariously produced a Klinsmann slide that went badly wrong amid the celebrations.The striker, 37, scored twice to take his tally in all competitions this season to TWENTY, with Kasey McAteer adding a third as the Foxes clinched the Championship title with a 3-0 win at preston.Jamie Vardy scored twice to secure Leicester City the Championship titleCredit: AlamyHe nearly ended up injured with a slide as the party got underway afterwardsCredit: XHow apt that it was the hero of their incredible 2016 Prem title triumph who last night again  led them to glory.Vardy and Co celebrated in front of 5,500 Foxes fans.And the veteran star, sporting a cut under his eye, said afterwards on Sky: “Scoring in front of our travelling supporters to become champions, it doesn’t get better than that!”The ex-England star produced a running slide in front of the visiting fans amid the party atmosphere after the full-time whistle.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, the wet turf ensured he went flying into the advertising hoardings.At least he saw the funny side as the cameras picked up on him laughing and saying to his colleagues afterwards: “F***ing hell I went flying.”Vardy, out of contract in the summer, may not have started as many games this season but he has been huge for Enzo Maresca.Despite only starting 18 league matches, and coming off the bench 17 times, he has still managed to do what he does best . . . score.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is now 18 in the Championship he has netted.The first was a scuffed 36th-minute effort that dribbled into the net.SunSport expert Martin Lipton reacts to shock new Premier League financial rulesAnd his second was about being in the right place at the right time to cash in on Wout Faes’ skidding strike bouncing back off the left post to hammer home.He was denied a hat-trick by a Freddie Woodman save and got a standing ovation when  taken off with 15 minutes left. It sparked wild scenes in the Leicester end, which had been in party mode long before kick-off at Deepdale.The Championship trophy will be presented to the Foxes fittingly at the King Power on Saturday when they take on Blackburn.Kick-off was slightly delayed last night as ground staff went around bursting loads of blue balloons that had made their way on the pitch.Wilfred Ndidi got in behind Preston’s defence after running on to a McAteer pass but his cross landed on the roof of the net.Vardy then almost put the Foxes in front after racing through from a clever Akgun pass but  Woodman saved as the  striker struck his shot first time.McAteer then hit a feeble effort when space opened up at the edge of the box and missed a sitter after being teed up by a great Abdul Fatawu cross. But finally the deadlock was broken. Abdul Fatawu played a ball into Yunus Akgun in the box and he fed Vardy who, despite scuffing his effort, found the bottom left corner.After the break Vardy netted another when Harry Winks found Faes on the edge of the box, and his 15-yarder bounced back off the post but Vardy blasted home.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Foxes hero fancied another when Preston gave the ball away but his shot was well saved.But the game was all over when McAteer headed home on 67 minutes before party got underway at the final whistle. More

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      West Ham line up Coventry FA Cup hero on free transfer and highly-rated Hull star in huge double-deal

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      WEST HAM are interested in Championship duo Callum O’Hare and Jacob Greaves.The Hammers have a busy summer ahead and need to invest in English talent due to homegrown rules.Callum O’Hare scored against Manchester United in Coventry’s FA Cup semi-finalCredit: RexJacob Greaves has been a rock for Hull in the Championship this seasonCredit: GettyO’Hare, 25, has starred for Coventry, scoring in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, but is out of contract and attracting plenty of interest.As reported by SunSport last month, Aston Villa, Fulham and Championship side Southampton have all shown an interest in a free transfer.With the fourth-worst defensive record in the Premier League this season, West Ham are keen to invest at the back and have held talks over a move for Hull City’s Greaves, 23.Clubs must have eight homegrown players in the squad submitted to the Premier League and a number, including Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings, could be leaving the London Stadium at the end of the season – making English signings a priority.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, the future of manager David Moyes remains up in the air.West Ham are being linked with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as a potential replacement.But Moyes was in fine form following his side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Saturday as he joked about being pleased to see Jurgen Klopp leaving Anfield at the end of the season.He said: “I’ll be glad he’s gone. F****** too big, teeth are too bright. He’s been immense for Liverpool, he really has been.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSO’Hare has registered nine goal contributions for Coventry this seasonGreaves has been ever-present for Hull during the 2023/24 campaign”I think he’s the daddy there, I really do, and he has been able to control a big football club, which is something which is not easy to do at times, he’s controlled it.”And I’m glad to see the back of him, I’ve got to say.West Ham 2-2 Liverpool, David Moyes in bizarre ‘I’ll be glad to see the back of him’ tirade, full press conference”But the Premier League brings in lots of managers from different places. Some come and go very quickly.”Some can last the course — Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex [Ferguson], Pep [Guardiola], Arsene [Wenger], obviously Jurgen — others can’t last that course.”I have to say Jurgen has been really good for Liverpool.”He then added: “Hurry up and get away. I’ll be pleased to see you move on.”To manage a club like Liverpool you have to be very good, and he’s very good at his job.” More

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      Gillingham SACK former Premier League star-turned-manager but fuming fans say ‘we’re turning into Watford’

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      GILLINGHAM announced they have dismissed manager Stephen Clemence.Ex-Tottenham, Birmingham and Leicester ace Clemence, 46, leaves with the Gills 12th in the League Two table.Gillingham have sacked manager Stephen Clemence after just five months in chargeCredit: AlamyA number of Gillingham fans were upset with Clemence’s dismissalCredit: AlamyThe former midfielder took over the Kent-based outfit only last November and lasted for just five months in the dugout.The ex-Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss became the season’s third manager to work at Gillingham, who will now be looking for their fourth.Clemence replaced Keith Millen who managed the team on an interim capacity for a month after Neil Harris’ departure.The news infuriated Gillingham fans with some even claiming that the club has developed a short fuse regarding managers similar to Watford, who have changed a whopping 10 bosses in just four years.Read More on FootballOne supporter tweeted: “We are turning into Watford.”Another responded: “My thoughts we are turning into Watford.”A third wrote: “Absolute joke of a decision.”This one said: “Couldn’t make this up.”Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd that one stated: “Absolutely the wrong call to make. We’ll end up looking like Watford. Awful decision. Deserved the summer at the very least.”VAR ruined Coventry’s iconic FA Cup moment with offside decision in semi-final – but was technically CORRECTClemence oversaw a total of 34 matches across all competitions as Gillingham boss.He led the EFL outfit to a total of 12 wins and 13 losses during his short reign.Gillingham’s last five managersHere’s a full list of Gillingham’s last five managers’ reigns:
      Steve Evans – June 1, 2019-January 9, 2022 – 129 matches
      Steve Lovell (caretaker) – January 10, 2022-January 31, 2022 – 4 matches
      Neil Harris – January 31, 2022-October 5, 2023 – 90 matches
      Keith Millen (caretaker) – October 5, 2023-November 1, 2023 – 4 matches
      Stephen Clemence – November 1, 2023-April 29, 2024 – 34 matches More

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      Leeds United Supporters’ Trust apologise after fans booed dad of QPR youngster who was stabbed to death

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      LEEDS fans were heard booing while a man whose son got stabbed to death was addressing supporters at Loftus Road on Friday.QPR youth player Kiyan Prince was 15 when he was killed outside his school gates in Edgware while trying to peacefully break up a fight between peers in 2006.Kiyan Prince was stabbed at his school gates in EdgwareCredit: PA:Press AssociationDr Mark Prince OBE appealed to end knife and gun crime at Loftus RoadCredit: RexAnd his grieving father Dr Mark Prince OBE, speaking ahead of the 18th anniversary of his son’s death, appealed on the pitch at half-time for an end to knife and gun crime on our streets.And he also spoke about The Kiyan Prince Foundation that works with youths in a bid to reduce violent crime.Yet he was met by loud boos from a section of the travelling supporters.Prince asked them: “Are you booing? Wow! You’ve got family? You have got kids, haven’t you?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLet’s not forget two Leeds fans – Kevin Speight, 40, and Christopher Loftus, 37 – were stabbed to death in Turkey ahead of the Uefa Cup semi-final with Galatasaray in April 2000.Thankfully, Leeds fans turned on the hecklers and their supporters groups have been quick to apologiseLeeds United Supporters’ Trust said: “LUST & LUSC would like to address the booing during Mark Prince’s speech at half time of last night’s game, and would like to offer our sincere apologies.”To provide some context, the fans in the away end were unable to hear the content being spoken due to the quality of the sound system, or see the big screen, which led to a frustrated and unfortunate reaction during Mark’s speech.Most read in Football”Leeds United have spoken to us and said that they weren’t made aware that Mark was going to be speaking at half time, otherwise communications would have been issued to supporters before the game.”The club will also be reaching out to QPR and Mark individually to apologise for the incident.”As a group of fans that know all too well the dangers of knife crime, we would like to assure those connected to Mark and the wider QPR family that had our fans understood the importance and sensitive nature of the speech last night, in no way would Leeds fans have reacted in the way they did.”We also want to acknowledge the great work the Kiyan Prince Foundation does.”We pass on our sincere apologies to Mark, his family, the fans and to QPR.”Mark Prince issued a response on behalf of the Kiyan Prince Foundation.He said: “When I went up to do the speech to the QPR fans a lot of the Leeds fans were booing.”My heart has already been broken into a million pieces, so some booing from Leeds fans is not going to damage me.”I have spent the last 18 years building and working for a great team of people to build the Kiyan Prince Foundation.”We care about everybody’s young people, we care about people in our community and a few Leeds fans do not represent the whole of Leeds United.My heart has already been broken into a million piecesDr Mark Prince OBE”We have nothing against Leeds, the CEO has already messaged and apologised as have fans.”It is silly to take it any further or make it deeper than that.”You are always going to people in life who may not see things in the way we see things.”It is all love.”The QPR Supporters’ Trust also responded to the statement on social media.A statement read: “QPR1st Supporters Trust welcomes today’s statement from @lufctrust and @LUSCExec (Trust and Supporters Club).”The events at half time were unsavoury to say the least, and went some way towards spoiling an otherwise wonderful night for QPR fans in the stadium.”Mark prince OBE is a hugely respected and loved figure for what he has achieved in turning the dreadful untimely death of his son into a positive for the wider community.”We accept that there are mitigating factors behind the negative response of some away fans. We acknowledge that knife crime is also a subject very close to the hearts of the Leeds fanbase.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We thank the Leeds fans groups for their words and efforts to reach out and make amends. Knife crime is a scourge across the country, both north and south.”We look forward to supporting Mark and the Kiyan Prince Foundation (@TheKPF) in the years to come.” More