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      Sir Alex Ferguson’s reaction to Man Utd job axe revealed as club stop paying legendary manager millions

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON amicably accepted the decision to axe his multi-million pound role at Manchester United.Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has cut costs by removing the legendary boss from his lucrative ambassadorial position.Manchester United will no longer pay Sir Alex Ferguson his £2million per yearIt is understood that Fergie received the decision well during a meeting with Sir Jim RatcliffeFerguson will still act as a non-executive member of the board and be welcome at matches.Just five months after leaving in 2013, the Scot signed a £2.16m-per-year deal to become a global ambassador and club director.But that arrangement will cease at the end of the season as Fergie, 82, steps away from a number of time-consuming duties.SunSport understands that it was an amicable decision between both parties.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFergie accepted the termination of his paid role with no rancour.Ratcliffe met with the Scot in person to tell him that cost-cutting measures will include no longer paying him his seven-figure salary.The Ineos CEO and his team have embarked upon a root-and-branch financial review after taking a 27.7 per cent stake in the club in February.Last month, it was revealed he is letting go of 250 employees at the club.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSUnited have been making losses for some time and have been forced to exercise cost saving measures across the board to strengthen their position.The Red Devils’ latest figures take total losses over the past five years to more than £370m, according to BBC Sport.Man Utd board’s EIGHT-HOUR London crunch talks and what it means for Erik ten HagIneos’ cost cutting methods have also seen private chauffeurs and company credit cards axed.Staff and the players’ Wags had to pay for their own transport to the FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester City in May.And other perks like lunch, accommodation, extra tickets and a post-match party were scrapped.Fergie, who turns 83 in January, regularly attends games home and away, most recently a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on October 6.The ex-Aberdeen boss won 38 trophies including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during his 27 years as Man Utd manager.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

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      Former Brighton Premier League wonderkid Aaron Connolly bravely reveals all about alcohol addiction and treatment

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE wonderkid Aaron Connolly has bravely revealed his alcohol addiction fight.The Irish international forward, 24, completed a free transfer to Championship promotion chasers Sunderland last month as he looks to resurrect his career.Sunderland’s new signing Aaron Connolly has bravely revealed all about his alcohol addictionCredit: AlamyConnolly famously burst on the scene in the top-flight aged 19 at Brighton with a brace against Tottenham.He left the Amex – following disappointing loan spells at Luton, Middlesbrough and Italian side Venezia – four years later having featured more on the gossip pages than sport ones.Connolly did score eight times for Hull City last term but that was not enough to stop him from getting released.Now he has decided to tell his story to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Sunderland’s website.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLConnolly had left home for the South Coast aged 16 but he says everything changed after that day against Spurs.He said: “I remember it – 5th of October, 2019, it was a 12.30 kick-off. I’m never going to forget that day. It was one of the best days of my life, but also one of the worst because the following five years was from that.“I just stopped working, stopped doing the things I should have kept doing. I started to believe the hype, and I just didn’t turn into a good person after that. I was tough to be around.“I didn’t know how to deal with it, if I’m being honest. My parents tried, but they weren’t living with me. I was living with my ex-girlfriend at the time, and it’s hard because I didn’t ever feel like I had that authoritative figure to keep me grounded.Most read in ChampionshipIf you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.“My parents did try, but I just let myself believe everything people were saying online and it just took over. I always say to my parents, I started to live the life of a footballer without the football side of it.“That was the hardest thing to admit at the time, that I wasn’t doing all the things that had got me to the position where I could go and get my house and treat my family, and do all that sort of stuff.Brits are more likely to open up at the pub or on a walk than on the phone or over text, study finds“It hurts to look back and speak about it because I know if I had done everything right, maybe I would still be in the Premier League. Maybe I wouldn’t, but at least I’d know I’d given it all I could to try to stay at that level.”Connolly explained how both his on and off-field life began to spiral as alcohol became a bigger and bigger problem.He said: “It was obvious I had a problem with alcohol for a good few years.“I had my parents, who never drank before and were always telling me when I was younger to stay away from alcohol. That was always their thing because of addiction to alcohol in my family.“I didn’t listen, clearly. It got me into a lot of trouble and a lot of problems, and it just became something that I relied on.”It felt like my buzz used to come from football, and winning games and scoring goals, and it got to a point where the buzz was more from drinking alcohol than going out on a football pitch.“I used to look forward to the games finishing so I could have time to go and have a drink and socialise.”I say socialise, but it was just an excuse to go and get drunk, to go straight to alcohol, and that was where I got my buzz from, whereas before, it was always the buzz of football and being around an environment like I am now.”For three or four years, that just wasn’t there.”The star burst on the scene with two goals against Tottenham in 2019Credit: ReutersConnolly managed to rediscover some form at Hull despite his “life being a mess” but he finally realised he needed to take drastic action after he was released in June by the Tigers.He explained: “I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t live the way I was living. It was killing people round me, to be honest. My family, my friends. Mainly, it was killing me, really.“I had one of my best seasons last year at Hull, but off the pitch, my life was a mess. The manager at Hull, to be fair, always looked after me, and always tried to help.”But it just got to a point where, it wasn’t like life wasn’t worth living, it wasn’t a big dramatic thing, but it was just that my life was so unmanageable and I couldn’t control what I could do and couldn’t control my alcohol.“It just got to a point where I had to make a decision where I needed to go to a treatment clinic, and I spent a month there in the summer.”I just said to my agent, ‘I don’t want you to contact any clubs. I’m not doing this for football, I’m doing this so I can get my life back, and if stuff in football comes with that, then that’s a bonus’.“It wasn’t even the football that was taking the biggest battering in the end, it was my life, my relationships, my friends. Everything was just failing and falling apart.”When your parents are calling you and you’re not answering calls because you know you’re breaking their hearts, it’s time to realise that you’ve got a problem.”Now after sealing himself an opportunity at Sunderland, Connolly wants to tell his story in the hope that it might help at least one other person struggling.He added: “It’s an addiction, and the toughest thing I ever had to do was go in there. The PFA helped me pay for my treatment, and I know some people might not be able to afford it, but it’s important to know it’s not just park bench, vodka bottle. Anybody can get affected by it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There’s no price tag or no amount of money in the world that can cure it. It’s a disease, an illness. But going to the clinic was the best and worst month of my life.“I just hope this might help people. I had everything every young boy would dream, but I couldn’t get hold of my addiction without that help.”The Irish ace was released by Hull City in the summer and decided to check into rehabCredit: PA More

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      Ex-Rangers star Duncan Ferguson reveals he’s working for FREE at Inverness and says ‘I’ll try to put food on the table’

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      DUNCAN FERGUSON is to work for free at crisis club Caley Thistle after volunteering to give up his wage to help save the club.The Everton legend made the remarkable gesture just over a month after accepting a 40 per cent salary cut.Duncan Ferguson is working for free at InvernessCredit: Kenny RamsayHis remaining £1200-a-week wages, originally £3000-a-week when he was lured north, will go towards the £200,000 Caley Jags say they must raise this month to stave off the immediate threat of administration.Ferguson was talking while the Inverness board was meeting upstairs to discuss the scale of the latest financial threat to the 2015 Scottish Cup winners and former Premiership outfit’s future.The 52-year-old former Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle striker, appointed late last September, said: “I’ve given up my wage to try and help the club. I’m now working for nothing.“That’s by the by, it’s my own decision to try and help the club get through all this.“The players are worried, yes. They have contracts to fall upon, but it is the people around about the stadium, the staff, everyone’s jobs are on the line.“I think you know since I’ve been here I’ve taken cuts and reductions.“Now, when I realised the position the club is in, in needing to raise £200,000 this month, I decided I don’t need to get paid my wage.“I’ll work for nothing just now to try and help them through this. The plight of the staff was in my mind. It always is.Most read in FootballCeltic legend Scott Brown as you’ve never seen him before as he opens up on his management career, Rodgers, Lennon.. and Walter Smith“I like to think I’m a caring person and I like to look after my staff and people around about me.“At the moment, I’ll get through as best I can and try to keep putting petrol in my car and food on the table.”Ferguson was offered £3k a week by past CEO Scot Gardiner after the sacking of predecessor Billy Dodds.He revealed just over a month ago that the wage was quickly reduced to £2k a week, before taking another 40 per cent cut in late August.Caley Thistle highlighted the renewed threat of administration in a letter to shareholders made public on Wednesday.Ferguson added: “It was a decision I took last night when we got the message coming through about the £200,000 the club needed.“I felt it would be appropriate for myself to offer my wage into that pot. They can look for a bit less than £200,000 now.“That will continue. I’ll give my wage to try and help the club.“Hopefully that helps.“I’m not going to ask anyone else to do what I’ve done. It is each to their own.“I’ve done my bit and I’ll continue to do my bit for the football club. Everyone who knows me knows that.“I’ll do it as long as is needed before the people at the club come up with some money to save the club.“Obviously, I can’t go without a wage forever and ever, because I need to put food on the table myself.“But at the moment it is needs must – I’m making sacrifices.“I think the club were happy with the decision, but I just think it is the right thing to do. It’s a personal choice.“It’s not an easy time for the club and I’ve made the decision.“Everyone knows I’ve enjoyed my time here, enjoyed the city.“I keep telling people that. I like Inverness and rarely go back down the road, down south.“It is a great club, a great fan-base and they’ve always been good to me, but I care about my players and the staff around about me.“I’ll always fight for them and that’s why I do this.”New Inverness chairman Alan SavageCredit: KEN MACPHERSONCaley Thistle have struggled to hit the back of the net this season, netting just six goals in eight league games.Six draws and a solitary win in that sequence has cast doubt on their initial status as title favourites, but Ferguson remains confident a challenge can be mounted.Administration would see the club docked 15 points, and that is also in his mind as he strives to turn draws into wins.The arrival of Charlie Reilly on loan from Dundee has added to his confidence that can be done.Ferguson said: “Charlie, we believe, can be a great signing. He is very direct and can score goals.“We have good players here and we’ll keep working hard to get those victoriers that will lift the whole place.“Am I a fighter? I think my past record proves that – on and off the field!“I’ll soldier on and keep doing it for the club.“We’ve just got to get results, haven’t we? We have a very young squad and with the financial implications you’re concerned for the staff.“I’m just going to go on, keep fighting and try to support the staff and players, everyone at the club.“If administration comes, every point counts.“We need to get more points on the board and should have more.“If it does go into administration, hopefully we can survive (in League One) as we have good players through there.”READ MORE SUN STORIESOur New YouTube ChannelSubscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…MONDAYGo Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.WEDNESDAYRobert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.FRIDAYGo Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      in Boxing

      ‘That’s cost me £150m, silly c**t’, rants Tyson Fury who says Anthony Joshua is now ‘f***ed’ following KO to Dubois

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      TYSON FURY fears that Anthony Joshua’s fifth round knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois has “cost him £150million”.The Gypsy King’s X-rated outburst hinted that his planned mega fight against Watford boxer Joshua could be off the table.Tyson Fury ranted over lost fortunes after AJ was stopped by DuboisThe Gypsy King wasn’t happy after Joshua lost as he joked around with pals ringsideSunSport exclusively revealed that Joshua was one win away from a potential HALF-A-BILLION-POUND two-fight mega deal with Fury.But now that he’s missed out on the chance to become a three-time world champ – at the savage hands of Dubois – that plan is up in smoke.And Fury is not happy about potentially missing out on all that money.Turning to his entourage immediately after the fight, Fury said: “Listen that’s cost me £150million, the silly c***.”READ MORE ON AJ v DUBOISBut his pal tried to boost his confidence by saying: “You can still fight him.”A passionate Fury then jumped in: “Of course it has, he’s f*****. Turki you better pay me now!”MMA star Conor McGregor could be seen laughing in the back of the TNT Sports clip.Had Joshua won, Fury would have needed to overcome Oleksandr Usyk in their December 21 rematch, to immediately set up a spring showdown.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut fans think they’ll never see Fury face Joshua, despite it’s promise to bring in the numbers.The British pair have been tipped to clash for years in what would have been a big payday for both.Anthony Joshua breaks down where it all went wrong in shock Daniel Dubois defeat as he calls Wembley brawl a ‘shootout’Fury, who sat ringside near Usyk, did not look happy with Joshua’s defeat, as Dubois retained his heavyweight IBF title.Joshua was sensationally KO’d by Dubois in the fifth round after being dominated throughout the Wembley contest.The former two-time champ had been downed by his British rival three times in the four rounds prior, and later praised his “sharp opponent” and lamented his own “mistakes” during the bout.The 34-year-old also revealed he has no plans to retire, but his blockbuster fights could be a thing of the past.Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has now announced what is most-likely next for Joshua.He said there was a rematch clause in his contract to fight 27-year-old Dubois that was likely to be activated, lining up a potential second run at the IBF heavyweight title in the future.Round by round: How Dubois demolished JoshuaANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up from the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he could no more.AJ was floored four times in five rounds by Dubois before a thudding counter right closed the show in dramatic fashion.Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg takes you round-by-round from the Wembley war.ROUND 1Dubois comes out sharp with the jab as Joshua bounces around struggling to deal with the piston-like left.Huge right hand from Dubois has AJ staggering backwards with his hands far too low from the opening bell.Joshua made to pay for the mistake as he circles out with his hands down and gets dropped by an overhand right.ROUND 2Joshua – saved only by the bell after being floored – struggles to get going as he takes shots to the face.AJ is tottering and teetering around the ring with his guard again dangerously low and inviting pressure on.Joshua is attempting to get back into the bout but his jab looks far too lazy – he doesn’t look to have recovered from the knockdown.ROUND 3AJ comes out with more intent but swings wildly with a right and connects with only thin air.Dubois pours on the pressure and hammers Joshua into the corner scoring another knockdown.The bell sounds but Dubois lands one or two afterwards – again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks on the wall.ROUND 4Disaster strikes again with Joshua floored once more – losing his balance as he touches the canvas.The referee gives AJ another fighting chance and Dubois lands a low blow – giving the challenger some valuable respite.Dubois slows down as four rounds come to a close with Joshua showing sensational resilience to hang in there.ROUND 5Joshua lands a huge right hand and Dubois legs buckle – an astonishing turnaround looks to be on the cards.AJ pins Dubois onto the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts but the countering right hand gets there first.Joshua is caught flush on the chin, dropped once more and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win. More

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      David de Gea’s wife Edurne opens up on long distance relationship as she denies that couple are in crisis

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      DAVID DE GEA’S wife has opened up about their long distance marriage as she revealed the couple live in different countries again.Edurne De Gea revealed that the pair are “more in love” than ever and denied any notion of a crisis as she explained their busy work schedules.Edurne Garcia has opened up on her distance relationship with David De GeaThe Spanish beauty hushed rumours of a crisisCredit: SplashSince the former Man Utd keeper moved to Italy to join FiorentinaCredit: GettyThe couple have rarely been able to live together since they met in 2010.The former Old Trafford keeper lived in Greater Manchester between 2010 and 2023, while his partner mostly stayed in Madrid for work commitments.Edurne is a Spanish singer, actress, TV presenter and judge on Spain’s Got Talent since 2015 – after she finished 21st on Eurovision.While the former Premier League star has lived with his wife since his £375,000-per-week contract expired last July, he has since moved to Italy after signing with Fiorentina this summer.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSBut Edurne has shut down any suggestions of a plight in their marriage.She told Spanish news outlet Vanitatis: “We are doing very well, we are very happy and we have not separated and there is no crisis.”I have already said that because every time we do something there is a revolution.”We are happier and more in love than the first day we met. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”We have been like this for fourteen years. Distance is not a problem, we live our life at a distance because our work has required it”It has happened that his work is outside of Spain and mine is in Madrid.”Inside Angel Gomes’ rise from Man Utd wonderkid to England starEx- Manchester United keeper De Gea, 33, tied the knot with Edurne, 38, in July 2023, the same day he formally left Old Trafford.He turned down a move to Saudi Arabia because it was too far for his family, before signing a one-year deal as a free agent with Fiorentina.De Gea endured a nightmare start to life at Fiorentina after conceding two goals in the opening 12 minutes against Puskas Akademia in their Uefa Conference League first leg play-off.But he produced a man-of-the-match performance and saved a penalty to help nine-man Fiorentina dramatically win the second leg play-off tie via penalties and advance to the main group stage.Fiorentina fans have taken too De Gea since he joined this sumerCredit: GettyThe couple first met in December 2010 during a recording of a Christmas Carol to raise money for children with cancer.Seven months after their first date, David De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid for £18 million.Garcia continued to live in Spain and made regular visits to Manchester, and briefly lived in the North West for year in 2018.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2021 the pair had their first child, a daughter called Yanay.The name origins from the Quechua language and translates into English as My Beloved.The pair met in 2010 and began dating shortly afterCredit: Instagram @edurnityEdurne supported the goalkeeper throughout his 12-year Man Utd careerCredit: Instagram @edurnity More

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      Fans say ‘this is gonna save boxing’ as new price for PPV fights is proposed

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      SAUDI supremo Turki Alalshikh wants to overhaul boxing’s pay-per-view structure and LOWER prices – and fight fans are over the moon.Prices for the premier fights in the sport have shot up in recent years, much to the frustration of fans worldwide.Pay-per-view prices for big boxing fights have shot up in recent yearsCredit: GETTYSaudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh wants to LOWER the prices fight fans payCredit: GettyBoxing fans in the UK once paid a cool £19.95 to watch fights from the comfort of their homes, but broadcasters bumped up the price to £24.95 in December 2019 for Anthony Joshua rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.American fans have it even worse, regularly paying between $69.99 (£53.31) and $84.99 (£64.72) to watch the elite throw down, fees which have led to an increase in illegal streaming.But Alalshikh plans to combat the rise in dodgy streaming by working with broadcasters to lower their prices to a less than £20 in the UK and $20 in the USA.During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “You mention the PPV, I think this is my next big fight and I want your advice also.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”I dream of a PPV with a good price to make the fans happy and subscribe and get them to watch it legally.”Usually when I see a high PPV, a lot of people go and watch the fight illegally and this is not healthy for boxing and the platform.”What I will try to push is to have our Riyadh Season shows at less than £20 in England and less than $20 around the world…”I would prefer to have one million fans subscribe and buy the PPV for £20 than less than 500,000 [for £40].Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The people go around it illegally because the price is high. In the future, this will not build boxing.”If I give the fans good fights at a good price then I will increase the fanbase.”Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois on track to break Tyson Fury’s stunning record at world title fight Alalshikh’s plans were well received by fight fans, one of whom said: “Salute!!”Another said: “Man of the people.”And another said: “This man might be the saviour.”One remarked: “This is gonna save boxing.”Another chimed in: “There goes my hero!”Brit boxing fans had to pay £24.99 in May to watch the historic undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, while Americans forked out $69.99.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey will, however, pay considerably less for this month’s IBF heavyweight title fight between defending champion Daniel Dubois and former titleholder Anthony Joshua.TNT Sports have slapped a £19.95 price tag on the domestic dust-up, which will take place in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. More

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      Shock surge in price of replica Premier League shirts revealed including club whose top now costs £27 more than in 2019

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      PREMIER League sides have hiked the cost of new season shirts – with some rocketing 56 per cent in five years, we can reveal.Half the 20 top-flight clubs charge £80 or more for a standard adult replica jersey.Premier League replica shirts are soaring in priceCredit: RexMany fans are being expected to fork out £70-£80 for a jerseyCredit: GettyForest shirts have gone up a whopping 56%West Ham shirts have gone up 36%Another four want at least £70.The worst are Nottingham Forest who, in 2019, put a £48 price tag on an adult top.It now costs £75.Dr Peter Rohlmann, who is a German sports marketing expert, told The Sun on Sunday: “Ten years ago the price of Premier League replica shirts was the lowest in Europe, but demand from football fans has grown extraordinarily.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Clubs’ expectations on kit suppliers have also increased, so the battle between manufacturers is becoming stronger and more expansive. Replica shirts are now the most popular merchandise for each football club.”Consumer expert Jane Hawkes insisted the prices are “not remotely justifiable”.She said: “This is another own goal by mega-rich football clubs.“Shirt prices seem to have been soaring since the pandemic and, with no big rise in production costs, it is hard to see any justification.Most read in Football“Pricing merchandise out of reach for loyal fans in a cost-of-living crisis is unfair and could, in the long term, backfire on clubs.”Ahead of the Euros, the England shirt was being sold for £125.Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelSome clubs, including Brentford, have tried to help fans by only bringing out a new top every two years.Their 2023/25 home shirt remains one of the cheapest at £60.Tottenham charges £85.Every club was contacted for comment.Tottenham put price increases down to a rise in general manufacturing, materials and shipping costs, and vowed to give fans “the most innovative and high-quality product possible”.A Brentford spokesman said: “We believe in football being affordable for our fans. The two-year cycle not only ensures affordability, but aligns with our commitment to reducing waste and promoting a greener future.”Palace shirts have increased by 20%I spent £338 on gearNEWCASTLE fan Michael Bramley forked out £338 on kit.That included home and away adult shirts, a child’s top, shorts, socks and a kid’s jacket.He says all clubs should have two-year shirt cycles, like Brentford, to help families.Michael, 37, who makes hospital equipment, said: “Last year, we managed to buy our son, Jake, seven, a full kit for £55. But now that’s the price of the shirt.“I’ve seen the prices increasing over the years. Two-year kit cycles should be mandatory to help the fans.“There’s a pressure to buy new shirts every year and Jake wouldn’t go without the new kit.“I hope that working-class families don’t get priced out of going to games and getting the shirts if prices continue to go up.”Model and social media manager Michele Ortiz-McGhee, 36, had to get her nine-year-old son Tom to buy his own Fulham kit.The mum of two said: “He used pocket money because we can’t afford it. We are about to fork out for new school uniform.“My husband and I can’t afford new tops ourselves. The clubs are laughing all the way to the bank. It is so unfair.“There should be a limit put on the price of these tops.” More

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      Premier League cult hero quits as manager of crisis club after takeover talks with Liverpool owners collapse

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      FORMER Liverpool winger Albert Riera has terminated his managerial contract at Bordeaux – who have declared themselves bankrupt.This comes after takeover talks between the French side and Anfield’s Fenway Sports Group owners collapsed this week.Albert Riera has left Bordeaux, along with the entire squadCredit: GettyRiera previously played for LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSix-time French champions Bordeaux have officially renounced their professional status after being relegated to the third tier.The former Champions League side, who last won Ligue 1 in 2009, have been plagued by financial issues in recent years and took the decision to drop down to try and ease their woes.They were in takeover talks with Liverpool’s owners FSG – but the Americans have since withdrawn their interest after extensive discussions with the club’s stakeholders.It leaves Bordeaux on the brink of liquidation, with a date set at the Commerical Court in France.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThey finished 12th in the French second tier last season, finishing nine points outside the play-offs, having narrowly missed a crucial promotion to Ligue 1 the year before.And now their first-team boss Riera, 42, has quit in the latest blow to club chiefs.A former player at the club, he had only returned to the French side in October after taking over from David Guion in the hotseat.The Prem cult hero has returned to his former squad at Celje in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBordeaux’s club statementFollowing the confirmation of the DNCG’s decision to relegate FC Girondins de Bordeaux to National 1, the Club filed for bankruptcy with the Bordeaux Commercial Court on Tuesday, in order to begin the necessary restructuring. Consequently, the Commercial Court will very soon pronounce the opening of collective proceedings which will automatically result in the loss of the Club’s professional status. Therefore, given the very short deadlines before the start of the National 1 season, the Club had to give up requesting the maintenance of its professional status, otherwise it would have had to appear again before the DNCG with a budget that did not correspond not to the future reality of the Club, which could have led to heavy additional sanctions. It is a difficult decision which anticipates an inevitable consequence of the ongoing restructuring process. Although the training center will close as a result, the Club will continue to promote youth teams. The effort of transparency vis-à-vis the French football authorities of what the real situation of the Club will be in the days and weeks to come must in particular make it possible to limit the sporting consequences of this situation, the Club having the objective of evolve in National 1 next season, to allow, as quickly as possible, the return of the Club, with cleaned-up finances and renewed ambition, at the highest level.Riera joined Liverpool in 2008 and spent two years at Anfield, scoring five goals and providing nine assists in 56 appearances.However, his time at the club was cut short after he was suspended by then-manager Rafa Benitez.Ryan Reynolds tells Liverpool star Mo Salah to ‘think about’ stunning Wrexham transfer in brilliant videoRiera made comments to the Spanish press regarding his first-team opportunities and was subsequently exiled and transfer listed.Meanwhile, Bordeaux also closed its renowned training academy and released the entire squad.Clubs in France’s third tier can apply for an exemption to remain professional for two-years before renouncing that status.Bordeaux have been a professional club since 1937.They made a net loss of around £34million last season and had a wage bill of £21m.Riera played alongside Liverpool legend Steven GerrardCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More