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      Sadio Mane wed teen, 18, in ‘arranged marriage’ but pair never dated because she was ‘too young’, dad-in-law reveals

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      FORMER Liverpool star Sadio Mane appeared to have a traditional arranged marriage to his teenage wife but the pair never dated, his father-in-law has revealed.Mane, 31, tied the knot with Aissata Tamba, 18,  in a secret ceremony in Keur Massar, in Dakar, just days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
      Aisha’s dad said the couple never dated before getting marriedCredit: Magvision Evens
      Mane is said to have met Aisha when she was 16 years oldCredit: Magvision Evens
      Aisha posing before her wedding that took place in Keur Massar on SundayCredit: Magvision Evens
      Aisha’s dad confirmed his daughter is 18 years oldCredit: Univers info TV
      The happy couple were pictured smiling following the low-key ceremony in Senegal which was attended by close friends and family.
      The pair met through Mane’s agent who was friends with Aisha’s construction boss dad when she was 16, it has emerged.
      Aisha’s dad Amadou Tamba said the pair was introduced “more than two years ago” but clarified his daughter is now 18 years old amid conflicting reports she is 19 years old.
      The couple is thought to have kept their relationship secret before their wedding but Mr Tamba also said they never dated before getting married.
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      He told local Univers Info: “My wife and Aisha visited their (Mane’s) family one day, and this is where he met her for the first time.
      “He probably saw something special in her and his parents appreciated her as well. They came to see me.
      “We discussed as per the tradition, agreed on everything and waited for this day to happen.
      “They were not dating because Aisha was still young.”
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      The marriage was reportedly agreed when Aisha was still at school but both families decided to wait until she reached 18 – with Mane taking care of her bills.
      Mr Tamba, a constructor, added: “With the values and all that she heard about him, she accepted voluntarily. But as parents we also guided and advised her to freely make up her mind. God did what’s best for her.”
      And friends of the family said Aisha’s dad is good friends with Mane’s uncle, who acted as a go-between between the two families for a formal marriage proposal to be made.
      The couple were introduced after her constructor dad Madou Tamba met with Sadio’s agent Bacary Cisse for a project.
      The ex-Bayern Munich footballer has funded a number of charitable construction projects in his hometown Bambali, including a school, a health centre, a post office and most recently a small football stadium.
      He has also provided laptops for the school, a 4G network for the entire community and £60 (70 euros) a month for every family in his old neighbourhood.
      The pair, who are from the same area in Senegal are seen grinning in photos surrounded by friends and family during the ceremony in Dakar.
      Snaps of the wedding were shared on Instagram and received more than 85,000 likes in less than 24 hours.
      Unlike her sports star spouse, Aisha appears to remain out of the spotlight and has no presence on social media.
      Speaking to local media following the wedding, Sadio admitted he was overjoyed after receiving so many congratulations.
      “Honestly, I am happy [with] the fact the president has congratulated me just as much as, well, I would say not just my team-mates,” he said.
      “I think that all the people have congratulated me and wished me [luck] so I am happy and I hope that it’ll be okay.”
      Mane also made light of jokes surrounding his marriage to his 18-year-old bride as Senegal’s president Macky Sall received the national squad ahead of AFCON.
      “First of all, I would like to warmly congratulate our national Nianthi, Sadio Mane, who has just got married,” Sall said.
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      “I called him up so that we could applaud him and wish him a happy marriage.
      “May God bless your home and your descendants. From now on you have another job apart from scoring goals.”
      The former Liverpool star is said to have been paying Aisha’s bills while she was at schoolCredit: Instagram / @magvision_evens_official
      The pair got married in a secret ceremony in SenegalCredit: Bayo News Network
      The footballer speaking for the first time after tying the knotCredit: DATV More

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      I’m godfather to Neil Ruddock’s kids but still tried to throttle him on the pitch – anything goes in the Premier League

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      ALAN SHEARER is a godparent to the kids of his long-time pal Neil Ruddock – but that didn’t stop the duo from trying to kick lumps out of one another.Shearer and Ruddock struck up a friendship when they played at Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool respectively, with the duo being neighbours.
      Alan Shearer is a godparent to the children of his good pal Neil RuddockCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPER LTD
      The pair were neighbours when they played for Liverpool and BlackburnCredit: NES GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
      But their friendship didn’t stop them from trying to kick lumps out of one another when they were on the pitchCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
      That led to the pair – who lived a stone’s throw away from each other – naming one another as the godparents of their kids.
      One would think being close pals would stop them from going at it when they were on the pitch.
      That, however, couldn’t have been any further from the case.
      After being asked by Gabby Logan if it was “weird” playing against someone he knows following a joint pre-match interview between former Italy team-mates Jorginho and Angelo Ogbonna ahead of Arsenal’s clash with West Ham, Shearer said: “When you go through different clubs, you make friends at those different clubs.”
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      “And inevitably, at some stage, you’re going to come back and you’re gonna play against them.
      “I’m godparent to Neil Ruddock’s kids and vice-versa.
      “And when I was at Blackburn and he was at Liverpool, we used to live about 100 yards from each other.
      “But then you get on to the pitch, and we all know Neil, he couldn’t wait to stand on me.
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      “He’s (Thierry Henry) right. We got up and there is a picture of us virtually trying to throttle each other.”
      The hostilities with Ruddock, however, would end after the final whistle – which was followed up by a few drinks at the pub.
      Amazon Primepundit Shearer continued: “But then two hours later, we’re at the bar having a pint and having a laugh and a joke about it.”
      Some international or former team-mates opt not to speak to their pals ahead of matches to remain focused on getting the three points.
      That wasn’t the case for Shearer, who said: “I had no problem speaking to friends before the game.
      “Whether you text them, whether you see them in the tunnel.
      “But once you get on to that green grass, anything goes.”
      Alan Shearer had no problem speaking to his pals on opposition teamsCredit: Getty More

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      Harry Kane uses AI app to help read his kids bedtime stories in German after move to Bayern Munich

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      HARRY Kane is reading his children bedtime stories in German — with the help of an AI chatbot.The England captain has been using Google Bard to help his family adjust to life at Bayern Munich.
      Harry Kane is reading his children bedtime stories in German — with the help of an AI chatbotCredit: Getty
      Harry has scored 21 times in his first 16 games since moving from SpursCredit: PA
      The £100million goal ace, who has four children with wife Kate, also turns to the app for translation tips for post-match ­interviews and to cook local delicacies.
      Last night he said: “I recognise how the potential of AI can help me in all sorts of ways with my move to Germany and to get my kids settled in.
      “Bard even suggested some new goal celebrations.
      “We’ll have to see if I use them on the pitch…!”
      read more on harry kane
      Harry, 30, has already scored 21 times in his first 16 games since moving from Spurs.
      He has filmed a video as part of his partnership with the app.
      And a press release explained: “Bard uncovers Harry’s most commonly used post-match interview phrases and translates them into German to use after his next matches.”
      A source added: “Harry was already using tech to help him adjust to a new culture, so the team-up is perfect.
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      “He has really thrown himself into the German way of life.” More

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      I don’t know what I’d have done without football – The Sun’s Footie For All fund is vital for kids, says John Obi Mikel

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      BOUNDING about a pitch, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel greeted the 20 kids from Wapping FC one by one with a high five or handshake at a special training session.While Mikel, 36, has retired from elite football, the former midfielder has kept his foot in youth teams with his own foundation in Nigeria.
      Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel bounding about the pitch with 20 kids from Wapping FCCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      He believes it is vital to support clubs for kids in the cost of living crisisCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      He said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
      “I chose sport just like these kids and it completely changed my life.
      “I don’t know what I would have been without football.
      “I remember being this age like it was yesterday.”
      READ MORE FOOTIE FOR ALL
      Founder Nahimul Islam, 25, started Wapping FC, in Mile End, East London, when he was just 17 to give kids a place to play football and keep out of trouble.
      Now more than 250 children are on their books, including 50 girls and 16 players with a range of disabilities.
      Parents are charged £5 a week for their children to join in training, and if they can’t afford it the club will do what it can to subsidise or waive fees.
      Nahimul said: “We operate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, and this incredible grant will help us give the boys high-class training and facilities without passing that cost on to mum and dad back home.
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      “Having someone like Mikel come visit the club is inspirational to our players.
      “It shows them just what is possible.”
      Mikel met 20 kids aged between 11 and 13.
      When he was growing up in Nigeria, the former Chelsea ace played in any open area of grass with his friends and a beat-up ball, rather than being coached by professionals.
      But he reckons the joy he found in football is the same for the kids he saw training.
      Mikel, who has launched his second series of The Obi One Podcast, added: “What I tell kids at this age is don’t look at the money or fame that comes with football now.
      “Just enjoy the time you have with your friends because that’ll go by really quickly.
      “If you’re focused on the Ferrari or the fancy watches, you’re not playing football for the right reasons.
      “Money comes and goes, but this kind of joy doesn’t last for ever.”
      Mikel reckons the youths he saw training have found the same joy for footie that he has doneCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      NET WIN
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has declared herself a “proud supporter” of The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.
      She praised our initiative to inject £150,000 into the grassroots game with the help of Tesco after the cost-of-living crisis led to many kids dropping out of local sports clubs.
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is a ‘proud supporter’ of Footie For AllCredit: Roland Leon – Commissioned by The Sun
      Meanwhile, we sent Towie football fan Joey Essex and former Chelsea ace John Obi Mikel to surprise teams awarded one of our Footie For All Fund grants.
      Talking to The Sun today at the FA’s national centre at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent, Staffs, the Culture Secretary said: “It’s really important that we have football access for everyone.
      “I’m a proud supporter of The Sun’s campaign.
      “We are combining with the sporting bodies, the Department for Education and the Department of Health to achieve our aims, so Footie For All is complementary to that.”
      The minister was speaking at the announcement of a £30million plan funded by the Government and the FA to build around 30 state-of-the-art pitches across the country.
      Inspired by the Lionesses making it to the final of this year’s women’s World Cup, the new sites will have dedicated female changing rooms, shower facilities and accessible toilets, as well as priority booking for women and girls’ teams.
      Elsewhere, TV favourite Joey enjoyed a training session with Broomfield FC in Essex, which caters for children with disabilities.
      The club was awarded one of our 1,500 £1,000 grants to help with the cost of pitch hire and specialist staff to keep the sessions free for kids.
      Joey, who grew up watching Millwall with his dad, said: “Seeing how much these kids love to play and the difference it makes to their confidence is amazing. I’m so proud to support Footie For All.”
      Chelsea’s John Obi was mobbed by enthusiastic young players when he dropped in on Wapping FC in East London after they too were also awarded a grant.
      He said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
      “I chose sport, just like these kids, and it completely changed my life. I don’t know what I would have been without football.
      “I remember being this age like it was yesterday.
      “It’s great to still see kids running around and enjoying themselves. That’s the most important bit.”
      The Sun launched Footie For All this year after statistics revealed how the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of local sports clubs.
      We invited grassroots football clubs which work with kids under 18 to apply for one of 150 grants worth £1,000 each.
      The fund was generously provided by Tesco as part of its Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.
      Since September, in partnership with the supermarket giant, we have been funding essentials including kits, free places and the cost of pitch hire for kids’ footie clubs up and down the UK — including dozens of girls’ teams.
      England team captain Millie Bright has already backed our Footie For All campaign.
      She said: “It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams.
      “It will help a lot of children keep playing. And who knows, maybe some of the kids they help could become lionesses.
      “As a kid, my parents had a hard time getting me away from a football pitch.
      “But it wasn’t something I knew I loved until some friends took me to a local club, Killamarsh Dynamos, then it became my focus.
      “It opened up a whole new world to me aged nine and without playing when I was little, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
      “It’s heartbreaking to hear that some kids won’t get the same opportunities because their parents can’t afford it.”
      Lionesses training at FA’s national football centre todayCredit: Roland Leon – Commissioned by The Sun
      HAMILTON IN ESSEX LEAGUE
      LITTLE Hamilton Hunt put Joey Essex through his paces — five months after he could barely walk.
      The six-year-old, who has developmental difficulties in his legs, got his confidence back thanks to volunteers at Broomfield Football Club in Chelmsford, Essex.
      Tyreece knocks a ball past Joey Essex at Broomfield FC’s training groundCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      His mum Skye said: “Coming here has been life-changing for Hamilton and me.”
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      The Sun’s grant is being used to help cover pitch hire and training costs for staff.
      Joey also handed out a new team strip paid for by art business Quantus Gallery, owned by James Ryan.
      The Towie star lines up with Hamilton, in blue hat, and his palsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      Joey continues to join in with Essex club’s kidsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun More

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      Man Utd star Diogo Dalot becomes dad for first time after fiancee gives birth to baby girl

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      MANCHESTER United’s Diogo Dalot and his fiancée have welcomed a baby daughter.The Portugal defender, 24, had withdrawn from this week’s Euro qualifiers for personal reasons.
      Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot and his fiancée have welcomed a baby daughterCredit: Alamy
      The defender posted a picture of the couple clasping the tot’s hand on InstagramCredit: Instagram/@diogodalot
      Players were quick to congratulate the new family online
      He told boss Roberto Martinez that partner Claudia Pinto was due to give birth imminently.
      On Wednesday the defender posted: “Welcome to the world Clara. 15.11.2023” — with a picture of the couple clasping the tot’s hand.
      United’s official Instagram and players Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat congratulated the new family — as did ex-Red Devils David de Gea and Juan Mata, plus Portugal and Man City defender Ruben Dias.
      Dalot and Pinto started dating in 2020 and got engaged in March.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      They announced they were expecting in July.
      Dalot was widely expected to start both Euro 2024 qualifiers off the back of a strong start to the season at club level, having played 16 times in all competitions to date.
      But after quitting his country’s training camp, a Portugal statement said: “Joao Mario will make his debut in a national team call-up after being called up this afternoon to replace Diogo Dalot.
      “The Manchester United defender was released from the national team’s work for personal reasons and after communication with national coach Roberto Martinez.”
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      Dalot withdrew from this week’s Euro qualifiers More

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      Jake Humphrey reveals why he left BT Sport and opens up on awful bullying he ‘would not wish on worst enemy’

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      JAKE HUMPHREY has revealed he quit BT Sport for his family – as he launched an attack on social media abuse and recalled childhood bullying he “would not wish on my worst enemy”.The presenter says he “struggles with the modern world” and gets a stomach-wrenching feeling when he drops his kids off at school – due to the “nasty” treatment he received in the same setting.
      Jake Humphrey is glad to have stepped back from TV presentingCredit: Getty
      The broadcaster says his school dealt badly with his bullyingCredit: Getty
      The former Champions League broadcaster, 45, is now more focused on his High Performance podcast and also wrote How to Change Your Life.
      And he explained how he was “not always that comfortable” as a TV frontman, partly as “the lads-y banter thing is not for me”.
      The ex-BBC Formula One presenter admitted being ill at ease dealing with “firm opinions” on BT Sport, rather than more subtle debate.
      Humphrey told The Telegraph:  “I often felt I was doing High Performance all week, and empathy and understanding and leaning into people. Then, on Saturday, I was having conversations about sacking managers and dropping players, criticising decisions made by referees.
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      “I’d been dreaming for a long time, but not brave enough to take a leap.”
      He is also aghast at how toxic life online can be, having spoken out against “chauvinistic and nasty bullying” received by presenter Karen Carney.
      Humphrey said of trolling: “I think you would be a sociopath or something if it didn’t get through the armour sometimes.
      “I’ve always thought that if you just let this stuff go you are as complicit as anybody.
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      “The only place that reaction happens is on Twitter. No one has ever stopped me in the street and said it… I just feel exactly like I felt when I got bullied at school.”
      The former children’s game show presenter then relived some of the abuse he got at secondary school.
      He said: “When we drop the kids off, I still get the feeling in the pit of my stomach when I see them walking off with the bag over their shoulder.
      “It still triggers me to this day… God, the feeling of having to do that day after day after day, knowing what awaited. 
      “There were these two buses in the school car park and I’d go and sit in there on my own and just have my lunch.”
      Humphrey also believes his school’s handling of the matter only made him feel worse.
      He added: “At that age, particularly at that time, people didn’t really know how to deal with it. 
      “I was asked to stand up in assembly and the teacher said, ‘Can people stop bullying this guy?’ That just brings more heat.” More

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      Aaron Ramsdale and Harry Maguire need to deal with their cringey parents – Roy Keane wouldn’t have been molly-coddled

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      A MESSAGE to Aaron Ramsdale and Harry Maguire should they be reading this in the England team hotel before turning out to face Malta tonight.BBC Bitesize has a dedicated webpage on ‘how to deal with embarrassing parents’.
      England team-mates Aaron Ramsdale and Harry Maguire have been ‘defended’ by their parents in recent monthsCredit: The Times
      Ramsdale with his dad, who launched a scathing attack on Mikel ArtetaCredit: Instagram
      Roy Keane (left) wouldn’t have got his dad to fight his battles for himCredit: Getty
      YouTuber Raylee, aged 13, gives the inside track on how to deal with your cringey mum and dad when you are making the move to secondary school.
      It’s claimed most professional footballers have skipped that part of education but that is beside the point.
      What is important is the realisation that your folks can turn you red as a beetroot at any age – but there is help out there.
      Back in September, Maguire’s mum basically went to war with the rest of the country over the stick her son was getting because he wasn’t playing very well.

      Admittedly, a lot of it was over the top, unjustified and personal. And in the former Manchester United captain’s defence he stood ready to face his critics in public.
      Which must have made it even more excruciating when Mrs M went full rolling pin and declared the level of abuse her son was receiving as ‘totally unacceptable in any walk of life’ and ‘seeing him go through this is not OK’.
      Then this week, Aaron Ramsdale’s dad has picked up the baton of sour grapes and let rip at Mikel Arteta for not putting his little boy in the Arsenal team.
      Talking to ‘The Highbury Squad’ podcast, father Nick moaned: “The way it’s been done in my eyes, it’s wrong. But it’s the decision.”
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      Raging Ramsdale Sr adds that that nasty Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta did not give his lad advance warning that he was going to sign another keeper: David Raya from Brentford – and that competition for places was being racked up significantly.
      In today’s media-savvy world, elite footballers tend to have a team of advisers keeping them abreast of anything that is written or posted about them, often pre-empting debates by carefully placing stories.
      So are we to assume Messrs Maguire and Ramsdale knew full well that their parents were getting out the soap boxes? Or are they just as surprised as the rest of us?
      Either way, it’s hard to picture the brutes of yesteryear recruiting their nearest and dearest to fight their battles for them like today’s namby-pambies.
      Roy Keane and Duncan Ferguson were too busy breaking bones or spending time at Her Majesty’s pleasure in a Scottish prison to go running to mum and dad because things were a bit rough at work.
      The modern phrase for what was once casually labelled molly-coddling is ‘helicopter parenting’.
      Where every aspect of a child’s life is monitored to the ‘nth degree by paranoid parents who can’t bear to see their offspring suffer even the slightest setback.
      It’s generally restricted to the Home Counties where enraged tiger mums or apoplectic pushy dads tear up the driveway to their offspring’s public school in a monster 4×4 because he or she HASN’T been awarded a gold medal, OBE or Nobel Peace Prize that week.
      It’s hard to picture the brutes of yesteryear recruiting their nearest and dearest to fight their battles for them like today’s namby-pambiesAndrew Dillon
      Professional football is a rough, ruthless business. The clue might be in the fact that the players at the top level where it’s most cut-throat are paid an extortionate amount of money compared to Joe Public.
      Managers make unfair decisions because they are selfish – they have to be because it’s their neck on the line if things go t**s up.
      An old mate who coached at the highest level once told me: “When you are a manager, 11 players think you are brilliant. The rest think you are a c**t – and so do their wives, girlfriends, children, parents, aunts and uncles’.
      Fans are horrible. They will seize on the slightest weakness or dip in form and use it as fuel for the most unpalatable banter and for dishing out stick.
      That’s how it is and if you don’t like what I’m saying I’ll get my mum on to you.
      PROFESSIONAL FOWL
      ANYONE eating their lunch when reading about Andros Townsend’s brainwave to extend his career may struggle to keep their food down.
      The Luton winger, now 32, reckons eating chicken feet is a marvellous source of Collagen that could provide him with the ‘marginal gains’ needed to keep him viable as a footballer at the top level.
      It reminds me of that fad some years back whereby footballers paid a fortune to rub horse placentas on injuries at a weird clinic in Serbia.
      Apparently, the stench alone made them jump back up on their feet and scarper to get out of the room thereby curing any knocks.
      Andros Townsend has started eating chicken feet in a bid to extend his careerCredit: Rex
      Collagen is also a must-have for many thousands of menopausal women struggling with ‘the change’ just as Townsend is – although his are very different to those poor Mrs D is experiencing.
      So while it may help Townsend run a bit faster or cross a ball a bit better, he may also experience massive mood swings, tendency to gorge on chocolate and a lack of interest in sex.
      But at least he could become the only player at struggling Luton to get a sweat on.
      GREEN LIONS
      AS ENGLAND draw up logistical plans for their trip to the Euros in Germany next year, here’s an idea.
      With so much sports greenwashing around, why not Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate and the Football Association take a brave step and travel to the finals next summer by train?
      International tournaments, the Champions and Premier Leagues are directly and indirectly responsible for so much climate-changing CO2 that it would be great to see a major football nation buck the trend of making excuses for flying and go by greener-rail.
      Gareth Southgate and England could become green pioneers and take the train to next summer’s European Championship in GermanyCredit: PA
      MINNOW SORROW
      SAD to see Cray Valley Paper Mills succumb in their FA Cup first round replay to Charlton.
      It means that the oldest and still most tantalising cup competition in world football is running worryingly low on genuine non-League minnows.
      The only two games that really capture the imagination in the second round are Alfreton v Walsall and AFC Wimbledon v Ramsgate.
      There’s a serious chance that there won’t be any Davids left to face a Goliath in the third round come January. Boo.
      WIMBLEDON ON ANOTHER LEVEL
      THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB suffered a big setback this week with plans to expand its vast complex into neighbouring Wimbledon Park.
      Having seen their application for more courts and a new stand approved by the London Borough of Merton, next-door Wandsworth has served up a flat refusal to see 73 acres of land given over to the poshest sports tournament in the world.
      The wrangling is now set to drag on and from reports this week, the case is heading all the way up the political food chain to Michael Gove – the UK’s Levelling Up secretary.
      Levelling up? Isn’t that about providing the entire North of England with the odd train or finally getting electricity to Cleethorpes?
      Not sure Wimbledon, where it cost a whopping £11.20 for a pint of Pimms last summer, really falls into that category. More

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      I wouldn’t be a Prem star without grassroots footie – The Sun’s campaign is vital, says Jarrod Bowen

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      ENGLAND footballer Jarrod Bowen is used to fearsome opponents, but he faced his toughest challenge yet when he had to charm Spurs fans at a local grassroots club.The West Ham United ace, 26, joined Brent Cross Football Academy at a training session to celebrate the youth club bagging one of our incredible £1,000 grants.
      England footballer Jarrod Bowen faced his biggest challenge yet when he had to charm Spurs fans at a local grassroots clubCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      The Prem star is supporting The Sun’s Footie For All campaign to support kids in the cost of living crisisCredit: Getty
      The forward showed off his keepie-uppie skills and then took a go in goal to see if he could fend off the ferocious kicks of the North London youngsters.
      Jarrod, 26, said: “I’ve had a couple of Tottenham Hotspur fans try to get in my way or sneak a kick, but it’s all good fun.
      “Being here has brought back really good memories for me of being their age and having a chance to play with my friends.
      “I remember the chaos on the pitch with everyone running for the ball and wanting to score, just like these guys.
      READ MORE FOOTIE FOR ALL
      “It’s amazing to see the smiles on their faces and how much they just love to be here.”
      It took just a few minutes for the seven to ten-year-olds to combat their shyness and bombard the ace with questions about his career.
      Jarrod revealed he would love West Ham to buy Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé, if money was no object, and Lucas Paquetá is his favourite teammate.
      Growing up in Herefordshire, Jarrod played for Leominster Town FC on its minors team before being scouted for professional football.
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      But the striker hasn’t forgotten his roots and regularly donates kit, equipment and more to his childhood club.
      Jarrod was one of the first players to back our Footie For All campaign, launched earlier this year following shocking statistics that the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of sports clubs.
      We then launched our groundbreaking Footie For All Fund in partnership with Tesco Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.
      We invited grassroots football clubs that work with kids under the age of 18 to apply for one of the 150 £1,000 grants.
      Jarrod, who has six-month-old twin daughters with his reality star girlfriend Dani Dyer, 27, said: “Without grassroots, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
      “We can’t let kids see that dream die simply because Mum or Dad can’t afford to pay for the subs, kit, and travel.
      “Football is for everyone, it’s massively important it stays that way.
      “It’s more than just kicking a ball about, it’s building lifelong friendships, getting to do something you love and a chance to learn about healthy competition.”
      Brent Cross Football Academy has put its £1,000 grant straight to work.
      The team will fund free places to kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure they don’t miss out on top-flight football training.
      Head coach Jamie Kavanagh, 27, had noticed more parents were struggling to afford the cost of their child’s football fees.
      He put out a call and other parents with spare cash donated to the academy.
      He said: “The parents of the kids who get to play for free are hugely grateful.
      “It allows them to focus on other things without the worry of their kids missing out on activities they enjoy and keep them active.
      “In North London, there is a divide between the families when it comes to money.
      “Having kids from different backgrounds is one of the biggest strengths of our club.
      “The grant that The Sun and Tesco have given us means we can keep making sure there are free places available and give them kits to train in, so they don’t miss out.”
      Nineteen children were picked by the club to have a special session with the England striker — and they wasted no time in showing him what they could do.
      Korede Adewale, 9, showed off his goal scoring abilities with his rock-solid left foot and later joked that Jarrod looked 32 — six years older — leaving the striker in hysterics.
      ‘Fun and exciting’
      With the other youths also desperate to show off their skills, Jarrod bravely offered to go in goal.
      As multiple balls whizzed past his head and around his legs, he joked: “Well I regret this.”
      When the ace, who played for Hull City for six years until 2020, was relieved of goalie duties, he added: “They are all good at striking the ball and hitting it hard. They’re all top at this.”
      Tottenham Hotspurs fan Hugo Russell was impressed by Jarrod, admitting it was “fun and exciting” to play with a West Ham star.
      The seven-year-old says the best part about the Brent Cross Football Academy is “seeing my friends”.
      Nine-year-old twins Esra and Edie Parkinson reckon Jarrod toned down his skills on the pitch to give them an advantage.
      Esra said: “I think he wanted it to be fun for us and didn’t want to show us up with his skills.
      Edie contended: “I’d love to play Jarrod again. We would still win.”
      While observing the girls hold their own against the boys on the pitch, Jarrod complimented Esra for her fancy footwork.
      He could have a future career as a scout as the twins are currently at Arsenal’s Emerging Talent Centre, thanks in part to the encouragement from the academy’s head coaches Jamie and Antony Wardrop.
      Read More on The Sun
      At the end of the training session, Jarrod signed a football for each of the kids to keep as a memento.
      But one cheeky child couldn’t resist asking if he would “sign my bum” — which the ace politely declined.
      The kids picked by the club wasted no time showing the England striker what they could doCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      Several of the young footballers left him in hystericsCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      And here’s how you can get involved with our campaignCredit: SuppliedHOW TO APPLY

      WE want to hear the story of YOUR club and the big difference you are making to kids and your community.
      If you are a not-for-profit grassroots football club in England, Wales or Scotland working with youngsters under the age of 18, you could be eligible for one of our 150 grants.
      Funds can be used for anything that encourages more children to take part in the sport – such as pitch fees or to sponsor funded places for children who can’t afford membership.
      Applications must be made by October 29.
      To apply and for full T&Cs, see the website below . . . 
      www.tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund More