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      Who is Rebecca Loos’ husband Sven Christjar Skaiaa and do they have any children?

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      REBECCA Loos is now happily married to a man who she says is “nothing like” England football legend David Beckham.Dutch-born model Loos worked as the Beckham family’s PA during his time in Spanish football playing for La Liga giants Real Madrid.
      Rebecca Loos claimed in 2004 to have had an affair with David BeckhamCredit: Instagram
      Former England captain David Beckham has always denied affair allegationsCredit: BackGrid
      She hit the headlines almost two decades ago when claiming an affair with the former England captain – allegations Beckham has always denied.
      After finding fame through the Beckham controversy before eye-opening appearances on reality TV shows, she stepped back from the limelight in recent years.
      But she broke her silence about the new Netflix documentary about the ex-Manchester United, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and LA Galaxy midfielder.
      She now has a family she is bringing up in new homeland Norway, the native country of her husband Sven Christjar Skaiaa.
      Read More On Rebecca Loos
      Who is Rebecca Loos’ husband Sven Christjar Skaiaa?
      Rebecca met Norwegian doctor Sven when she appeared on Scandinavian TV programme 71 Degrees North.
      He was working on it as a behind-the-scenes medic.
      He has served as a physician with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, spending time in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and since 2016 as a Search and Rescue specialist.
      She left London in 2008 moving to Norway with him after becoming pregnant with their first child.
      Most read in Football
      Rebecca told The Sun in 2018: “Sven is an outdoor man and mountain lover and was not prepared to move to London – so it was I who moved to Norway so we could bring our son up together.
      “I thought to myself that if it doesn’t work out in Norway I can always move back to London – that was 10 years ago.”
      She has highlighted their relationship as a reason to be grateful for the fame she found amid the Beckham scandal.
      She said: “I like the way my life has taken me.
      “If I hadn’t been famous, I would not have been invited on the TV show where I met my husband Sven and had my lovely boys – I would not have had the life I have now.”
      When did Rebecca Loos marry Sven Christjar Skaiaa and how long have they been together?
      Rebecca has insisted she knew Sven was “the one” but was initially in no rush to get wed.
      Yet she later changed her mind and couple married in a low-key ceremony in 2012.
      They have now been together for 14 years.
      Rebecca says of Sven: “He’d never have an affair in a million years.
      “He’s different to David.
      “I would never cheat or lie to Sven because I love him so much.”
      Do Rebecca Loos and Sven Christjar Skaiaa have any children?
      Sven and 46-year-old Rebecca bought and settled in an old farmhouse in southern Norwegian mountains, in the tiny hamlet of Hemsedal.
      They have two sons – 14-year-old Magnus and Liam, 10.
      She told The Sun of her new lifestyle as a yoga teacher enjoying topless hiking, foraging for food and moon worship in the Norwegian wilderness.
      Rebecca said: “Now I spend my time practising yoga, running, biking and hiking and foraging for wild food for my two young sons.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Life is very different.”
      David and Victoria Beckham addressed the controversy in their Netflix docCredit: BackGrid
      Rebecca has said she’s grateful her time in the spotlight helped her meet SvenCredit: Getty More

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      Lionesses Millie Bright & Rachel Daly back The Sun’s Footie For All Fund

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      LIONESSES Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have backed The Sun’s Footie For All Fund.We have teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to give away £150,000 of grants to grassroots youth football clubs in crisis.
      Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have backed The Sun’s Footie For All FundCredit: Getty
      Millie said: ‘It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams and it will help a lot of kids keep playing’Credit: Instagram
      Rachel with her ball and medal as a footie-mad kidCredit: Instagram
      England’s World Cup captain Millie, 30, said: “It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams and it will help a lot of kids keep playing.
      “Maybe it can help some of them become Lionesses.”
      The Chelsea defender added: “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, and then it became my focus.
      Read More on Football
      “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 some kids won’t get the same opportunities because their parents can’t afford it.”
      Funded by Tesco’s Stronger Starts campaign — which provides healthy food and activities for children across the country — we will dish out 150 grants (each worth £1,000) to clubs across the country.
      We launched our Footie For All campaign this year to shine a light on how financial struggles were forcing kids to give up the national game.
      Most read in Football
      According to the charity Sported, around 94 per cent of grassroots clubs were concerned about the impact soaring costs were having on their membership.
      In the wake of our probe we have been inundated with the stories of local youth sides making a huge difference to their communities, while struggling to cover costs.
      Millie’s team-mate Rachel Daly, 31, added: “Growing up, I have some of my happiest memories playing with Killinghall Nomads.
      “I can’t imagine my childhood without football and I don’t want anyone else to go without because of rising prices.
      “It’s so important to keep the game accessible — that’s why I’m backing The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.”
      HOW 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

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      Bradley Lowery’s mum speaks out as football yob Dale Houghton admits mocking her son’s death at Sunderland game

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      BRADLEY Lowery’s mum has spoken out after a shameless footie yob admitted to mocking her son’s tragic death.Heartbroken mother Gemma said the sickening behaviour of Dale Houghton was like a “dagger to the heart”.
      Bradley Lowery’s mum Gemma hit out at a sick troll who mocked her son’s deathCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Dale Houghton sparked fury over the vile act
      Houghton will be sentenced next monthCredit: Facebook
      Houghton, 31, was snapped using a picture of the youngster to mock Sunderland fans during Friday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday.
      The thug today admitted causing harassment, alarm and distress.
      And Gemma slammed him for showing no “remorse” after his shameful act.
      Speaking to The Mirror the 40-year-old said: “To be honest when I first saw it I was upset and a little bit angry, using my child in a negative light.
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      “However as the day went on and I saw the impact and the backlash the men got.
      “I’m the sort of person who tries to see the good in people, so I started trying to justify their actions, they’ve just been beaten 3-0.
      “But then I got sent some messages from a group chat they’d been in which you can clearly see there was no remorse.
      She continued: “They said that Bradley shouldn’t have got special treatment and that’s when it really, really hit us.
      Most read in Football
      “It was like a dagger to my heart and I got really really upset about that. What they did was intentional and they had no remorse for doing it.
      “That’s when I thought ‘actually you are not very nice people and you deserve to be punished’.”
      Houghton now faces a maximum of six months in prison for the Public Order offence when he sentenced on November 17.
      And he will be made to attend a drug intervention programme after testing positive for cocaine, the court heard.
      Football fans were left horrified after the pictures from the game were circulated on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.
      Prosecutor Jade Short said Houghton’s antics caused a “huge public revulsion”.
      She also told the court the shamed football fan found it “enjoyable banter” as he was smiling throughout.
      Sunderland fan Bradley captured the nation’s heart during his battle with neuroblastoma, but succumbed to the illness in 2017. 
      He was a mascot for his beloved club and, in the months before his death, led England out at Wembley alongside former Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe.
      Ex-prem star Defoe also blasted the heartless fan for his disgraceful act on Friday.
      The former Sunderland striker struck up a close friendship with Bradley, six, before his death from cancer in 2017.
      He told MailOnline: “My thoughts at this time go out to Gemma and Carl [Bradley’s parents], who shouldn’t have to deal with incidents like this, but rather be praised for the amazing work they are doing with the Bradley Lowery Foundation in their son’s memory.
      “I urge the public to stand behind the family and continue support the Foundation and its projects.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Bradley was one of the most inspirational children this world has ever seen, and he will never stop inspiring us.
      “We love and miss you Brad. Love, your best friend forever.”
      Ex-prem star Defoe blasted the heartless fan for his disgraceful act on FridayCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      How a scheme to support local football clubs is benefiting whole communities

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      BECAUSE of a developmental disorder, 11-year-old Sean had been rejected by every local football club. Until, that is, his parents took him to Bangor Saints FC, where he was welcomed with open arms.“At Bangor it doesn’t matter who you are or what level you’re at, because we see our job as supporting young people,” says Daf Roberts, 46, a postman whose roles at the club include coaching coordinator, safeguarding officer and equality champion.
      Daf Roberts (right) with one of his many hats at Bangor Saints FC
      Daf tried Sean in various positions, then one week he gave him the goalkeeper’s gloves. Sean was outstanding, and that season he won the club’s Golden Gloves award.
      “When we announced it at the presentation, his joy was overwhelming,” Daf recalls.
      “His parents cried. They told me Sean’s dream was to be accepted and be part of a team, and he is – he’s a fantastic lad.
      “People join the club thinking it’s about scoring goals, but in fact they learn to mix regardless of background.
      “They learn respect, teamwork and life skills, and their fitness improves,” adds Daf, who was named 2023 FAW (Football Association of Wales) Grassroots Spirit of Football Award winner.
      Founded in 2014, Bangor Saints has expanded from two to seven teams; these range from under-sevens to under-17s, and the club numbers around 100 players.
      The value of a local sports club to a community is enormous, but it’s not cheap to run.
      There are league and FA affiliation fees, pitch hire, kit, referees… the list goes on, especially for those with clubhouses and changing rooms to heat and maintain.
      When Bangor was expanding in 2018, it needed funds and applied for a grant through the Tesco Bags of Help scheme (now called Tesco Stronger Starts).
      Working in partnership with the charity Groundwork, the supermarket has awarded over £100million to more than 50,000 local projects through its funding programmes.
      These include 6,000 schools, over 2,000 sports teams and 2,300 other youth organisations.
      Customers can participate by voting in their local stores to support projects, or even nominate them.
      “Community is the central pillar of our purpose at Tesco,” says Christine Heffernan, the company’s director of group communications.
      “We’re proud that together we can help make a difference in our customers’ communities and to their friends and families.
      “We’ll provide information about the projects so they can vote for them in every store and support their favourite cause.”

      An allocation of £1,000 to Bangor Saints meant the club could buy new portable goalposts and enough kit to run new teams.
      “Schemes like Tesco’s are a massive bonus for clubs like ours in an area where the cost of living crisis is biting,” says Daf.
      “Parents can’t really afford much. Fundraising and awards like this take the pressure off parents and enable the club to flourish.”
      Tesco recently launched its new grant programme, Stronger Starts, which is committing £5.3million to schools and children’s groups, funding healthy food and activities.
      It has already received over 5,000 applications for the first round, showing the scale of support needed.
      For help reaching local clubs and causes that could benefit from support, the supermarket chain has teamed up with The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.
      The newspaper launched Footie For All after it was revealed that 94 per cent of clubs nationwide were struggling and that many young players were dropping out because their parents could not cover costs.
      “It’s clubs like Bangor who see first hand the difference these opportunities can make to young people’s lives when they’re moving, motivated and mentally energised,” says Christine.
      “That’s why it felt right to extend the reach of our Stronger Starts funding to grants to ensure any child can play football, and take away the worry about paying for subs or kit.
      “Ensuring children thrive means we’re also ensuring our communities thrive. By encouraging mental, physical and social skills in an environment where there is a sense of enjoyment, participation and teamwork, we’re benefiting the wider future population and locality too.”

      Apply for a Tesco Stronger Starts grant now
      Tesco Stronger Starts is open to any local club or charitable scheme. Add your support by voting for local groups using the blue tokens in your Tesco branch
      To find out more head to tescoplc.com/strongerstarts
      Hear all about The Sun’s Footie For All opportunities here. More

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      The Sun launches Footie For All Fund to help protect kids’ clubs hit by the cost-of-living crisis

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      THE Sun is today launching a landmark Footie For All Fund to help protect kids’ clubs hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis.We have teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to hand out £150,000 worth of grants to grass roots youth football clubs struggling with funds.
      The Sun is launching our landmark Footie For All Fund to help protect kids’ clubs hit hard by the cost-of-living crisisCredit: Oliver Dixon
      Harry Redknapp has backed The Sun’s Footie For All FundCredit: Louis Wood
      Gary Lineker has backed The Sun’s Footie For All FundCredit: Doug Seeburg
      The cash can be used in any way that encourages more children to take up the sport or improves access to the game.
      Perhaps you are a local team that wants to offer parents help with membership fees.
      Maybe you need new kits or more pitch space to play on.
      Grants can also be used to help with transport or general running costs.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Earlier this year we launched our Footie For All campaign to shine a light on how financial struggles were forcing kids to give up football.
      Figures showed that 94 per cent of grass roots clubs were concerned about the impact soaring costs were having on their membership, according to charity Sported.
      In the wake of our probe we have been inundated with stories of local youth sides — who make a huge difference to their communities — struggling to cover their costs.
      Clubs across the country also told us how some kids are being forced to drop out altogether as families can not pay their membership subs or for kit and transport.
      Most read in Football
      So today we urge grass roots clubs to apply for one of our fantastic £1,000 Footie For All support grants.
      Launched in conjunction with Tesco’s Stronger Starts campaign — which funds healthy food and activities for children — we will dish out 150 grants in total to clubs across the country.
      Christine Heffernan, Tesco group communications director, said: “The Tesco Stronger Starts grant programme provides £5million of funding to get more children and their families access to healthy and nutritious food and physical activities.
      “We thought that The Footie For All programme would be a great extension to that to help kids to thrive.
      “Any child should be able to do physical activity they enjoy if they wish, taking away the worry about paying for subs or kit for example.”
      Our campaign is being backed by big names in the game.
      Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker said: “I think grass roots is vital.
      “That’s where everyone starts. Some of us finish at the top, some don’t, but we all enjoy it.”
      Sun columnist Harry Redknapp added: “Grass roots football is important, and we need to ensure there are facilities for kids.”
      Reality star Joey Essex is also keen to see kids keep playing.
      He said: “Football provides an escape for so many kids from whatever else is going on. The Sun is offering families a lifeline.”
      To apply for one of our grants, see tescostrongerstarts. org.uk/footiefund.
      Grants will be awarded by The Sun with charity Groundwork, which runs Tesco’s grant-giving programmes, on a rolling basis.
      Applications must be made by October 29.
      SOMERTON TOWN
      YOUTH football club Somerton Town, Somerset, kept its membership subs frozen for three years to help families cope through Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.
      But organisers had to raise them from £95 to £120 this season after rises of up to 30 per cent in costs.
      Somerton Town kept its membership subs frozen for three years to help families cope through Covid and the cost-of-living crisisCredit: Chris Balcombe
      Since it was founded in 2001, Somerton have played a unique social role for its 187 players, across 11 teams.
      Chairman Justin Davies, 40, says: “We have a huge catchment area that contains areas with large-scale social and economic deprivation.
      “Playing football teaches young people about teamwork, respect and fair play.
      “Little things like shaking hands before and after a match to show respect to the other team is important.
      “When we put the prices up, 21 players left, with 20 not going on to join another club. It was a financial decision.”
      Justin Davis said: ‘Playing football teaches young people about teamwork, respect and fair play’Credit: Chris Balcombe
      HACKNEY WICK FC
      AFTER leaving prison in 2019, Bobby Kasanga started Hackney Wick FC, in East London, to stop other children falling into a life of crime.
      It now has more than 180 children on its books and a waiting list of even more who want to be part of its teams.
      For many families, the club is a way to keep their children on the right path – and Bobby, 37, who spent eight years inside for armed robbery, never turns anyone away.
      He says: “We try to do as much as we can to alleviate financial stress and often let kids play without paying or offer discounts if a family has multiple kids with us.
      “We’ve seen it getting worse recently, but we know turning anyone away could see them get taken in by gangs.
      “If we can’t have them, the gangs certainly will.”
      To play a year at Hackney costs around £250.
      But Bobby and his team are writing off around £5,000 of unpaid subs because they know families can’t afford it.
      He says: “We rely on our sponsors and they’ve been amazing.
      Last year, one covered the cost of 20 kids for a year. But it’s hard to keep our heads above water.”
      The club’s relationships with local businesses provide more than just financial help.
      Bobby says: “We’ve had four of our players taken on by one of our sponsors.
      “It means they have a stable income and a potential career for life.
      “That’s so important for helping them stay out of danger.
      “But even if they end up going down a bad path, the club relationships across the whole of East London may help diffuse violent situations.
      “They may stop an attack because they know the other gang member from football.”
      Bobby adds: “I never want anyone to go through what I went through growing up.
      “We are a family and I won’t take football away from them over money.”
      BLACKBURN EAGLES
      LIKE other clubs, Blackburn Eagles have also seen more kids struggling to pay – but it never turns anyone away.
      The club, which is the biggest in its area with 650 players on its books, feels it is vital for all kids to have access to the beautiful game and tries to keep its fees low.
      Blackburn Eagles feels it is vital for all kids to have access to football and tries to keep its fees lowCredit: BLACKBURN EAGLES
      In fact, the academy’s vice-chairman, Chris Hughes, 39, says prices have not been put up in around eight years.
      He adds: “We don’t turn anyone away.
      “We just take more children, create new groups, create new training sessions and create new teams.”
      But the club has recently had to take teams out of the Junior Premier League due to the cost of the four-hour round trips to play other teams across the North West.
      Chris says: “Football gives kids a good focus and can be a massive part of certain children’s lives.
      “It might be the one thing they’ll look forward to all week, and sometimes it gets them out of situations where maybe they don’t want to be at home all the time.”
      HOW TO APPLY
      WE want to hear the story of your club and the huge 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.
      Perhaps your club needs help with pitch fees or wants to sponsor funded places for children who can not afford membership.
      To apply and for full T&Cs, see tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund.

      WHAT THE STARS SAY

      A young Phil FodenCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Phil says football ‘brings happiness for so many people’Credit: Getty
      “GRASSROOTS football is where it began for all of us.
      “It brings happiness for so many people and it’s so important nothing gets in the way of everyone having that opportunity.”

      A young Harry MaguireCredit: Instagram
      Harry says ‘playing with a team gives kids an outlet and a chance to learn discipline’Credit: Getty
      “I SPENT my childhood with a ball at my feet.
      “Playing with a team gives kids an outlet and a chance to learn discipline and to make friends with people they might not have met.”

      A young Raheem Sterling
      Raheem said that as a kid he ‘fell in love’ with football and ‘made friends for life’Credit: Getty
      “MY mentor got me in to football to correct my behaviour.
      “I found something I wanted to put my energy in to.
      “I fell in love with it – and I made friends for life.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES

      A young Jarrod Bowen
      Jarrod said ‘football is for everyone and it’s massively important it stays that way’Credit: Getty
      “WE can’t let kids see their dream die simply because Mum or Dad can’t afford to pay for the subs, kit and travel.
      “Football is for everyone and it’s massively important it stays that way.” More

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      Man City ace Kyle Walker buys his ex Lauryn Goodman ‘massive’ £2.5m seaside mansion to live in with her two kids

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      ENGLAND star Kyle Walker has bought a £2.5million seaside mansion for ex Lauryn Goodman to live in with her two children.The luxury five-bedroom house is situated in an exclusive area on the coast.
      Kyle Walker has bought a £2.5million seaside mansion for ex Lauryn Goodman to live in with her two childrenCredit: instagram/@lauryngoodman91
      The 4,000 sq ft detached four-floor home in East Sussex boasts sea views
      Lauryn gave birth to a little girl last month but has refused to name the father — although friends believe he is a footballer.
      She already has a three-year-old son, Kairo, with the £160,000-a-week Three Lions and Manchester City defender.
      The 4,000 sq ft detached four-floor home in East Sussex boasts sea views.
      A source close to the 33-year-old ace said Lauryn is thrilled about the new pad.
      READ MORE KYLE WALKER
      Ex-Towie star Lauryn, 32, first got pregnant during a brief relationship in 2019 while the footballer was on a break from wife Annie, mother to his three older children.
      Since then the two women have had very public spats.
      The source said: “Kyle has spent so much on this house. It cost a fortune.
      “Lauryn is obviously pleased Kyle has finally done the right thing. She wants the kids to feel happy and secure.
      Most read in Football
      “Lauryn has been living with her mum for ages — with both kids cramped in one room — and it hasn’t been easy.
      “It is an amazing house, she is thrilled. It’s like something out of Footballers’ Wives. It’s massive.
      “Lauryn isn’t living there yet. First she is spending an absolute fortune on doing it up exactly how she wants it.
      “She’s working with a fancy interior designer and plans on filling the huge garden and terrace with high-end furniture and a fire pit.
      “She is splurging on bespoke curtains and blinds alone worth £40,000.”
      The source added: “Lauryn says she is single. She won’t even say who the dad of her daughter is.
      “Her friends think it is a footballer and they have asked her outright but she just won’t tell anybody and refuses to say who it is, saying only that it will be known when the time is right.
      “The baby is adorable and Lauryn is loving every second of being a mum again. She says it is so much easier the second time around.
      “The baby has a huge amount of hair, a full head just like Kairo had when he was born. But Lauryn still hasn’t said what she is called.”
      Lauryn got pregnant while the footballer was on a break from wife Annie, mother to his three older childrenCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Lauryn has three-year-old son, Kairo, with the £160,000-a-week Three Lions and Manchester City defenderCredit: PA More

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      I was the ‘new Maradona’, had a boot deal as a kid & starred on TV shows but it all got too much – now I’m a cab driver

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      SONNY PIKE was once dubbed the “new Diego Maradona” but now works as a taxi driver.Pike, 40, was once Britain’s biggest football prodigy, but things all got too much and he quit the game having never made a professional appearance.
      Sonny Pike was set for stardom but never made it as a professionalCredit: YouTube
      He is now a taxi driver and football coachCredit: Sonny Pike
      His story began when he was a schoolboy, first playing at local side Enfield FC with a dream of emulating his idol Paul Gascoigne.
      It wasn’t long before he started competing against older children for at school and for his Sunday League team, catching the attention of the press having netted over 100 goals in one season.
      Pike’s first television appearance came on 1990s news show London Tonight before he was then interviewed on hit programmes like Fantasy Football League and The Big Breakfast.
      He had the world’s media in a frenzy as they hyped him up as the “next Maradona or George Best”.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      It alerted the likes of Ajax, who had developed a reputation for nurturing some of the best talents in the game.
      The Dutch side invited him to a trial in Amsterdam with the then 12-year-old being followed by Blue Peter cameras while in Holland.
      He set about dazzling coaches with his technique and skill despite Pike focusing his future on becoming a Premier League hero one day.
      The fanfare grew on his return from Ajax with his new-found celebrity status.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Pike was a guest on Fantasy Football LeagueCredit: YouTube
      He was soon being snapped up by huge companies in sponsorship deals with the likes of McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Mizuno as all tried to get a piece of the action.
      Pike explained to Flashscore: “I was on the pitch for Coca Cola Cup finals doing kick-ups before the games, I was doing McDonald’s adverts, I was getting Paul Smith making me suits.
      “I started to get awards from Sky Sports at this point in time obviously the Premier League and Sky Sports were just kicking off.
      “I was sponsored by Mizuno and was doing things with [Gianfranco] Zola and all these guys but in the early to mid-90s.
      “Only one or two players out of a Premier League team would have their own boot deal. People were saying, ‘Who’s this Sonny kid, he’s everywhere. He’s a little kid, he’s got deals, he’s going in Hello magazine.’
      “It was rubbing some professionals up the wrong way – but I was just a kid getting all this attention.”
      As quickly as fame arrived, it soon began to disappear and Pike’s life began to spiral downwards.
      Aged 14, the pressure got too much and it was reported that his legs were insured for £1million.
      It led to Pike being on the receiving end of disgusting abuse from jealous parents that wanted their kids to injure him.
      He told SunSport: “Because I had long hair they used to say, ‘he’s only a girl, break his legs.’
      “Not just that, off the pitch and at school I got different treatment that didn’t help me either.
      “Once I remember a guy came up to me on the street to tell me he put a bet on me to play for England. It was scary.”
      Pike is reluctant to blame his father for his downfall but one huge moment led to his career stalling.
      He was signed as a youth player by Leyton Orient and his dad Mickey pushed his son to appear in a documentary called ‘Coaching and Poaching’ presented by Greg Dyke.
      Pike was stunned to hear the documentary, instead of looking at his life as a youngster, actually exposed that Chelsea were tapping him up, with the young star unaware he had broken any rules.
      Pike fell out of love with the beautiful game as a teenagerCredit: Sonny Pike
      The FA banned him and his relationship with his father became further strained when he began to believe Mickey was making money off his name.
      His parents also divorced and Pike was left without a club due to his ban.
      Opened up on the dark time, he said: “After watching that documentary, I came out of the pub and I stood in the middle of the main road in Edmonton, actually on a roundabout.
      “There’s cars just whizzing around me and I just felt that’s what my head was getting like. ‘This is too much, enough of this now.’
      “Then a month later my dad turns up, I’d not seen him for a few weeks. As soon as he comes up towards me, the first thing I’m gonna say to him is, for the very first time, ‘I don’t want to do this no more.’
      “He told me that he had some more work for me, some more TV stuff and I’m literally about to walk up to and say the complete opposite.
      “He said, ‘If you don’t do it, you ain’t got a dad.’”
      Eventually, Pike was handed a chance by Crystal Palace but made the news again when his father did an interview with a newspaper claiming how big offers had ripped the family apart.
      On the pitch, he could no longer cope, revealing: “I pretty-much had a mental breakdown on the pitch. I came on for 15 minutes, I was given the opportunity and I just walked off.
      “The pressure of me going on, it was just too much. I looked at the coach and just walked off.
      “I broke down and I knew it was all over from then.”
      Pike then spent two years at non-league Stevenage until he was 18-years-old on a YTS scheme but his heart was no longer in football.
      Battles with depression continued but the wonderkid managed to turn his life around with the pressures of expectation and media attention gone.
      Pike started a new career working as a cab driver in London while he also helps young and upcoming footballers not fall into the trap of stardom.
      He does coaching sessions but offers support for off-field matters as he delivers talks to parents and players about protecting mental health and the dangers that lie ahead for future pros.
      Pike also wrote a book called “The Greatest Footballer That Never Was” further explaining his story.
      On his life within football now, he says: “I’m talking to their parents and then trying to get the player through that process because obviously I can relate to it a lot – the attention and the pressure they get – I’ve been there. 
      “I get a lot of other kids come in… a boy was sent down from up north and had a professional contract given to him but he didn’t want to sign it.
      Read More on The Sun
      “His mum and dad sent him down to me, just to talk to me. I get a lot of that.”
      Pike adds: “Instead of grabbing all the sponsorship deals and this sort of stuff, getting excited over a few pairs of boots or an advert or whatever else, think long-term and concentrate on and promote the love of football more.”
      Sonny Pike is now a football coachCredit: GettyYou’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm More

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      in Soccer

      Harry Kane’s wife Kate gives birth to couple’s fourth child – and reveals baby’s adorable name

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      HARRY Kane’s wife Kate has given birth to the couple’s fourth child.Bayern’s £104m striker, 30, celebrated the announcement of his fourth tot in a heartfelt Instagram post – and revealed the little one’s adorable name.
      Harry Kane and his wife Kate have revealed their latest totCredit: Instagram
      Henry Edward Kane is the family’s fourth childCredit: Instagram
      Harry Kane and Kate had recently moved to Munich with their familyCredit: Instagram @katekanex
      The star striker said that the latest addition to the Kane family would be named Henry Edward Kane.
      England’s captain wrote: “Welcome to the world Henry Edward Kane. 20/8/2023.
      “Love you baby boy!”
      Thousands of congratulatory messages flooded the comments section on Kane’s social media post just minutes after the happy news.
      Read More in Football
      A second cute snap showed the adorable tot laying down which his head turned to the side.
      The couple are parents to three other children – daughters, Ivy, six, and Vivienne, five, and son Louis, two.
      Representatives for Kane confirmed the star’s tot was born in England – after fans feared a potential future star could play for Germany after Kane’s move to Bayern Munich earlier this month.
      Sources previously said Kate scouted homes – and hospitals – in a secret visit to Munich at the end of July.
      Most read in Football
      England captain Harry previously said: “We’ll do whatever works best for us as a family.”
      A source said two weeks ago that the birth taking place in Germany was a “real possibility”
      The source commented: “Kate flew out to Munich to do a recce at the end of last month as the deal got closer.
      “They knew that if it got over the line they’d need to be able to ­relocate very quickly.
      “Kate looked at homes but also visited a couple of private hospitals.”
      And the little one’s adorable name may well have been chosen based on Kane’s family history which features some footballing heritage.
      Kane’s mother’s father, Eric Edward Hogg, was quite the footballer, according to findmypast.
      Hogg played at a semi-pro level for Blundell Rovers in the 1960s and later for Brentwood and Warley – now known as Brentwood Town F.C.
      Kane is quickly settling into life in Germany on the pitch as he set up Leroy Sane’s first and scored the second in Bayern’s 4-0 win over Werder Bremen last Friday.
      The former Tottenham star could have had a hat-trick with Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka pulling off several saves before Kane found the net.
      Kane’s debut ended prematurely as he pulled up with cramp, but he left the pitch to a standing ovation from the travelling Bayern support.
      Read More on The Sun
      The deadly striker hopes to lead England to victory in the Euros in Germany next summer, and revealed he had received a congratulatory text from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
      He said they will speak “when things have calmed down”.
      Kane recently signed for Bayern Munich in a blockbuster dealCredit: EPA More