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      I was sacked as a factory worker, the next day I was playing along Mesut Ozil at Arsenal – I was gobsmacked

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      COHEN BRAMALL was training with Arsenal’s first team including World Cup winner Mesut Ozil – just days after being sacked by car giant Bentley.The current Rotherham’s left-back was “gobsmacked” when he was shoved straight into Arsenal’s senior practice under Arsene Wenger in 2017.Cohen Bramall impressed at an Arsenal trial, the day after he was made redundant from a factoryBramall now plays at League One side RotherhamBramall played for Hednesford in the Northern League Premier Division on a part-time basis, while working full-time at a car factory.He told BBC Sport: “I got made redundant by Bentley on the Tuesday [20 December], which was crazy because I didn’t know what I was going to do.”My agent Lee Payne rings me on the Wednesday saying you’ve got a trial at Arsenal. I was like ‘what?’ – I was gobsmacked.”He said pack your stuff and get to this postcode, so I packed all my stuff in about an hour, got there as fast as I could, slept for a bit, then the next minute I’m in training with the first team.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”It was crazy how quick everything happened, how I met everyone and they just took me straight in. I had to take the opportunity with both hands.”A trial match with Sheffield Wednesday U23s had been watched by Arsenal scout Brian McDermott, who called Bramall’s agent.The following morning, he was training with Arsenal’s first team after expecting to meet up with the reserves.He said: “I got chucked into a 5-vs-5 with some of the best players in the world, like Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech. It was crazy.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”The tempo and movement was outstanding. It was a special moment for me.”He’d also played in a reserve game at Crystal Palace.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundBramall’s four Arsenal appearances all came in friendliesAfter two days, Arsenal submitted a bid to Hednesford Town and signed the then 20-year-old left-back.The Gunners agreed terms on a reported £40,000 deal in January.At the time, Wenger said: “Bramall is a young, promising left-back who has a lack of experience at the top level but who has fantastic ingredients.”He has tremendous pace, a good left foot, a great desire to do well. Overall, he’s a very exciting prospect.”But the Crewe-born player spent the remainder of the season with the U23s.Bramall made his senior debut in a friendly against A-League side Sydney FC in July 2017.But he and Arsenal team-mate Carl Jenkinson were loaned to Championship club Birmingham City in August.On Bramall’s return to Arsenal, he played three times for their under-21 team in the 2018–19 EFL Trophy.But the club confirmed he would be released when his contract expired in the 2019 summer window.Bramall later played against Mason Greenwood at Old Trafford for ColchesterHe has since worked his way up the EFL pyramid and boasts 58,000 followers on InstagramUp the EFL ladder After his time with Arsenal was up, Bramall signed a two-year contract with League Two club Colchester United in 2019.He was sent off for the first time in his professional career that August for violent conduct during Colchester’s 3–0 win against Swindon Town in the EFL Cup.And he scored his first professional goal with a well taken free kick in a 3–0 win over Carlisle United in December.Next up was a multi-year contract at League One side Lincoln City in February 2021. Bramall made 46 appearances for Lincoln City before RotherhamBramall then climbed the football pyramid again after Championship side Rotherham matched his Lincoln release clause.The now 28-year-old became a first XI staple, racking up 75 Championship appearances, before Rotherham were relegated in May.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has since found himself playing second fiddle to former Man Utd youth player Reece James under manager Steve Evans.He told the Rotherham Advertisier: “This is a challenge and it’s good for my character. If I know I’ve not been doing great, I’ll definitely tell myself that.”Bramall enjoyed a trip to New York during an October international breakHe signed for Rotherham in 2022 More

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      EFL club’s former stadium now housing estate with tiny strip of grass remaining from where old centre-circle once stood

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      A FOOTBALL stadium site that once played host to one of the EFL’s longest-reigning clubs is now a housing estate.But council developers ensured to keep a small strip of grass where the centre-circle once stood to remember the old ground by.A current EFL club was forced to leave their home in 2008The stadium was called Layer RoadThe site is now occupied by a council housing estate, with a strip of grass left roughly where the old centre circle was once foundCredit: Google EarthThe grass in the middle of the estate contains a fitting tribute to an EFL club’s former homeFrom the highs of promotions to the agony of relegation, the ground witnessed plenty of ups and downs.Built in 1907, Layer Road stood for 101 years before it was closed in 2008 and pulled down in 2012.In its pomp it was even able to house 19,000 passionate supporters.But capacity had dropped to just 6,320 by the time of its July 2008 closure for safety reasons, following closure of parts of the ground.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt was current League Two strugglers Colchester United’s home for 71 years.In it’s early days, the ground was first used by the British Army and Colchester Town, an amateur side until 1937.But Colchester United moved in two years before the Second World War began.In 1948, 19,072 fans packed into a record capacity at Layer Road for an FA Cup tie against Reading, with the match later abandoned due to fog.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe following decades saw Colchester United float between Division Three and Four, with club debt mounting.As early as 1981, the club’s chairman Maurice Cadman announced that Layer Road was in need of £280,000 of basic safety improvements to meet legislation.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundWith the club struggling financially, sections of the ground were closed off, reducing the capacity to 4,500.And in 1990-91, Colchester United was forced to sell Layer Road back to the Borough Council for £1.2m to help clear club debts. The council began started to identify potential sites for a new stadium, with Colchester briefly relegated from the Football League between 1989 and 1991.But anyone visiting the spot where it once stood these days will be greeted by a much-different sight – a cosy housing estate. The last first team match at Layer Road took place on 26 April 2008, when Colchester lost 1–0 to promotion chasers Stoke City.Richard Cresswell scored the last professional goal at the stadium.Colchester fans made their way to the last ever match at Layer Road in 2008The square and approach road from Layer Road is known as Turnstile Square and a statue commemorates the old stadiumThe U’s had made it all the way to the Championship by 2008, but suffered relegation in their final season at Layer Road.In 2011, Colchester Borough Council sold the 3.63 acre stadium site to developer Abbey New Homes in a deal worth around £1.5 million.Planning permission was subsequently granted to build 58 homes on the site, a mixture of flats and houses, with a central open grassed space to be left to reflect its history as a football ground.And as a mark of respect to supporters who had their ashes scattered on the pitch as an expression of their love for the club.In mid-2012, Layer Road was demolished with the construction of houses commencing immediately.In 2015 a bronze statue of Colchester United’s ‘Player of the Century’, Peter Wright was unveiled.Wright joined the club in 1951, making over 400 appearances and scoring 93 goals over a 13 year spell.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe inscription below the statue reads: “ON THIS SITE Football was played 1907-2008. This was the home of Colchester United FC from its birth in 1937 until 26th April 2008.”The square and approach road from Layer Road is known as Turnstile Square.General view of Layer Road ahead of the last ever match at the ground.Colchester Borough Council bought the land in 1991Colchester United now play at the JobServe Community Stadium More

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      Former England international eyed by Hollywood-owned Wrexham for sensational January transfer

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      WREXHAM are planning a January swoop for Patrick Bamford, SunSport can reveal.The Welsh club believe the former England international – who earned his only cap in 2021 – could help propel them to the Championship.Patrick Bamford has not scored in nine games for Leeds this seasonCredit: GettyHe could be looking for a way out of the Championship club in the January windowAnd with the forward out of favour at Leeds, Wrexham are confident they will be able to get a deal over the line.The League One high-fliers are thought to be pushing for a loan deal which would include a clause to sign Bamford permanently in the summer.But owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will have to dig deep to bring the club.Bamford’s wages will impact the structure at the club so the celebrity owners will have to help out to land the striker.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWrexham certainly need a new striker with recent draws coming because of their failure to take chances.Phil Parkinson would have once called upon Paul Mullin to kill games off, but he has scored just once in League One.Wrexham think a striker who can make a big impact in League One and potentially score goals at Championship level will take them to the next level and Bamford fits that bill when at his best.The only snag could be concerns about his injury record and his lack of game time, and Wrexham will want assurances he is able to play straight away.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFor Leeds, offloading Bamford from their wage bill is a priority due to his high salary and limited playing time.His current wages represent a significant financial burden, particularly since he has only played in eight of Leeds’ league matches, contributing no goals or assists.Wrexham clash descends into huge brawl at full-time as tempers flare after fiery League One clashGiven his injury record and the team’s depth in forward positions, moving him out could free up funds for other squad investments or financial stability. More

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      EFL club’s former stadium now a Morrisons supermarket after ground saw disastrous back-to-back relegations

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      IT’S been a tale of hope to despair and back again.In 1990, a West Midlands club, that once played host to Liverpool great Alan Hansen, left their stadium after 94 years following back-to-back relegations down the footie pyramid.A current EFL club was forced to leave their iconic ground in 1990The stadium was called Fellows ParkThe site is now occupied by a Morrisons supermarketBut anyone visiting the spot where it once stood these days will be greeted by a much-different sight – a Morrisons supermarket.Relocation plans were put in place after a perimeter wall collapsed during a League Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool in 1984.In fact, Liverpool captain Graeme Souness joined in the rescue by memorably carrying an injured child to safety before the Reds won 2-0.In truth, by 1989 Fellows Park had seen better days before it was demolished in 1991.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEven by that decade’s standards, the toilets were the stuff of legend.The Hillary Street roof flapped in high winds and showered fans with rusty water during matches on wet days.The ground was home to Walsall – who currently sit top of League Two and are odds on to go up.But in 1990, Walsall had dropped from the second to the fourth tier, in fact finishing bottom of the table each time.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Saddlers are one of only seven clubs to have suffered relegation in both of their final two seasons before moving home.By the time the last game at Fellows Park came around it was certain that Walsall would start life at Bescot in Division Four.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundThe site was situated next to a railway line but now hosts one of the four big supermarketsIn their final campaign at Fellows Park they sacked John Barnwell as manager in March and brought former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw for the last three months, but it was too late to save them.Despite its shortcomings, however, for Walsall’s 6,000 or so regular fans Fellows Park was home.Walsall’s record home attendance was when 25,453 fans flocked in to watch them play Newcastle in the Second Division on 29 August 1961.And the new ground at the Bescot Stadium was anything but a high-end product in 1989.Walsall fans were sorry to leave Fellows Park – but in truth, it was falling apart by 1983In fact, owner Terry Ramsden was effectively shifting them to a brownfield site underneath the M6.Walsall’s current digs were built in 1989–90 by GMI Construction, with a reported build cost of £4.5m.It was opened on 18 August 1990, by Sir Stanley Matthews, prior to a friendly against rivals Aston Villa in front of 9,551 spectators. Matthews was the inaugural winner, and first English player, to win the Ballon d’Or in 1956.But the arrival at the Bescot Stadium saw some stability brought back to the club as it was taken over by Jeff Bonser in 1991.Kenny Hibbitt managed the Saddlers for four years, setting the groundwork for a golden era that would follow soon after his dismissal in September 1994.New manager Chris Nicholl led the club to promotion back to the third tier in his first season.And Bonser only left Walsall in 2019, as current owner Leigh Pomlett acquired his 76 per cent majority stake.Ironically, in 2024, the ground was renamed the ‘Poundland Bescot Stadium’ for sponsorship reasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESA reminder of Fellows Park remains in the Bescot ground, in the name of the H.L. Fellows Stand.Harry Leslie Fellows was a club director during the 1930s.Liverpool legend Alan Hansen played at Fellows Park in 1984 when a wall collapsedIts record attendance was 25,453 spectators in 1961 More

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      Tottenham ‘given green light to sign goalkeeper’ and could turn to £20million England star in January transfer

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      TOTTENHAM have given Ange Postecoglou the green light to sign a goalkeeper from the EFL, according to reports.Spurs have been without No1 Guglielmo Vicario since November when he was ruled out with an ankle injury.Ange Postecoglou has been given the green light to sign a goalkeeperCredit: APJames Trafford is Spurs’ No1 targetCredit: GettyGuglielmo Vicario is out with a broken ankleCredit: ReutersFraser Forster came into the side as his replacement but has made mistakes, including passing the ball to a Manchester United attacker in his own box in the Carabao Cup.Tottenham are ready to bring in another keeper and have identified Burnley stoppe James Trafford as their first choice target, report The Mirror.Postecoglou has reportedly been given the green light to make a move for Trafford, who could cost £20million.Trafford received his first call-up to the England senior squad last month and boasts 19 Under-21 caps.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe joined Burnley in the summer of 2023 and made 28 Premier League appearances last season.His performances attracted the attention of Newcastle but they were unable to agree a deal with Liverpool.Vicario is expected to be out injured for a few more months, so Fraser will deputies unless a replacement is found.Spurs have also looked at Sunderland’s young keeper Anthony Patterson as well as Sheffield Wednesday rookie Pierce Charles.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPostecoglou is happy enough with Forster in the mean time, despite his mistake against United.He said: “He’s disappointed as well, because he was outstanding for us. He didn’t have a lot to do before then. And even the first half, I thought he was really good with his feet.Under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says being a football manager is a harder job than prime minister“The first one probably affected his confidence a little bit. He lost a bit of belief, and that second one just compounded it. But he’s a big boy and is another one that’s stood up for us big-time in this period. I can’t speak highly enough of him.” More

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      Oli McBurnie lined up for swift transfer return to England as Burnley and Blackburn battle it out for Las Palmas striker

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      LANCASHIRE rivals Burnley and Blackburn are in a battle to bring Oli McBurnie back from Spain.Clarets want a striker and will offer a loan deal for the Scot, 28, who left Sheffield United for Las Palmas in the summer.Burnley and Blackburn are trying to bring Las Palmas ace Oli McBurnie back from SpainCredit: GettyMcBurnie stood out with Sheffield United in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPHowever, Rovers are also keen on a similiar plan involving McBurnie.The striker had spent his entire career in Britain before moving to LaLiga.The ex-Scotland international started out at Leeds’ academy before moving to Bradford.After three years in the Bantams’ youth squad McBurnie earned a senior call-up in 2013, which led to two loan stints at Chester.Read More on FootballAfter two years the forward moved to Swansea, who also loaned him out to Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley.The Scot ultimately settled at Sheffield United in 2019 where he enjoyed five successful years.McBurnie amassed a total of 29 goals and seven assists in 159 appearances with the Blades.The attacker helped Chris Wilder’s side finish ninth in their return to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season.Most read in FootballAfter Sheffield United’s relegation in 2021 he helped them return to the Prem in 2023.McBurnie left in July for Las Palmas where he has registered two goals and three assists in 16 appearances.Moment Rangers-daft frontman Oli McBurnie bags assist against Real Madrid two months after Ibrox side could have signed him for FREEMeanwhile, Burnley have also enquired about ex-West Ham attacker Said Benrahma, 29, who is struggling for game time at Lyon. More

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      Football fan, 36, killed after being hit by car while ‘walking to match with his dad’ as ‘devastated’ family pay tribute

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      A FOOTBALL fan has died after being hit by a car on the way to a game with his dad.Jordan Hattersley, 36, was struck while walking to Bramall Lane with to watch Sheffield United play Sunderland on November 29.The horror collision took place at around 7.25pm and Jordan was rushed to hospital from the scene.But he tragically died in hospital earlier this month.His dad Richard Hattersley today paid an emotional tribute, saying: “Jordan was devoted to Sheffield United. It was his main outlet after his family.”He was following his passion, and at the matches he was an inspiration and role model to his brother and sister. “We are all devastated by his loss.”Jordan and his wife Kirsty, who had a little boy, had been together for 13 years and tied the knot in Cyprus earlier this year.She said: “We thought we had time. We should have had time. “We were at the height of our relationship, on cloud nine and just high on life and it’s all been ripped away in a split second.”Most read in FootballKirsty explained how the couple’s six-year-old son, Freddie, has been traumatised by the tragedy,She added how the family donated Jordan’s organs and said: “He’s given the gift of life this Christmas.”The mum also praised staff on the critical care ward at the Northern General Hospital for the way they battled to save her husband.She said “You bought us precious time with Jordan and a chance to say our goodbyes and, for that, me and his family will be eternally grateful.”A spokesperson for South Yorkshire police said: “Our officers were called at 7.25pm on Friday 29 November to reports that a car had been in collision with a pedestrian on Suffolk Road, at the junction with Granville Road.”It is understood the vehicle, a red Lexus, was travelling on Suffolk Road in the direction of Queens Road when it was in collision with the pedestrian, who has now been named as Jordan Hattersley, as he crossed the street. “He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and sadly died in hospital earlier this month.”Jordan, who lived in Treeton, had been walking to the Sheffield United ground with his father and two younger siblings to watch Sheffield United play Sunderland when the collision occurred.”The force are continuing to appeal for information and urging anyone who could help with their investigation to come forward. READ MORE SUN STORIES”If you think you can help, you can report online here, or call us on 101,” the spokesperson added.”Please quote incident number 828 of 29 November 2024 when you get in touch. Footage can be submmited directly to the investigation team via this link.”Jordan Hattersley, 36, was struck while walking to Bramall Lane with his father and two younger siblingsCredit: PA More

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      Chelsea looking to snap up Sporting Lisbon midfield sensation Dario Essugo on cheap but face Leeds transfer scrap

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      CHELSEA want to land midfield ace Dario Essugo on the cheap.The Sporting Lisbon prospect, 19, is starring for LaLiga side Las Palmas on loan.Chelsea want to land midfield ace Dario Essugo on the cheapCredit: GettyBut long-term admirers Blues must act fast as Leeds are looking at securing a loan-to-buy deal.SunSport this month revealed how Leeds were keeping tabs on the midfield dynamo. They tried for the 19-year-old in the summer and now want to offer a loan-to-buy arrangement.Essugo played 25 times for Sporting as a teen.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn the summer, former boss Ruben Amorim – now at Manchester United – decided to loan him out.He has spent this season in LaLiga with Las Palmas.Essugo has played 10 times for his loan club so far.And he scored his first goal during a match against Mallorca last month.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Leeds are also set to sign Australian keeper Robbie Cook after a trial.Cook, 17, was wanted by Manchester United and Sunderland.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ More