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      Man Utd crisis is just around the corner, Ten Hag’s scattergun reign is like Unai Emery’s final days at Arsenal

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      SAVED in Fergie time, Erik ten Hag is now limping into Unai time as Manchester United get ready for the inevitable.Bruno Fernandes’ 91st-minute winner means the Old Trafford crisis talks are on hold.
      Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be on his way outCredit: Rex
      But no one should be fooled into believing that this unconvincing victory means that a corner has been turned.
      They remain just one poor performance away from a crisis which could arrive as early as Wednesday night, when defeat in Copenhagen would leave their Champions League hopes seriously in the balance.
      And the longer the uncertainty drags on, the more it feels like Unai Emery’s ill-starred 18 months in charge at Arsenal.
      It was back in November 2019 when Arsenal reluctantly accepted that Emery had to go after he had lost the support of the players and  the fans.
      Read More on Man Utd
      The Spaniard had made a dozen new signings at vast expense but there was no sense of direction or purpose about what he was trying to achieve.
      He alienated the dressing room when he tried to play the disciplinarian hard man and it soon became apparent his players  stopped believing in him.
      Sound familiar?
      Ten Hag has been backed to the tune of £400million in the transfer market but it has been a scattergun spending spree and none of the new signings have had a significant impact.
      Most read in Football
      And as much as the players spoke of fighting spirit and backing the manager after Saturday’s mid-table victory at Fulham, they were fooling no one.
      The starting line-up was the weakest United team many of the away fans could remember.
      Antony, Ten Hag’s £85.5m biggest signing, was a liability once again, constantly surrendering cheap possession and showing a complete lack of discipline before being hauled off midway through the second half.
      Christian Eriksen looked like a player whose legs have gone and was totally unsuited to a holding midfield role.
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      Ten Hag’s is starting to look like Unai Emery in his last days at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      And Rasmus Hojlund cut an isolated and frustrated figure all alone up front as he battled in vain for his first Prem goal.
      Even Fernandes’ stoppage-time winner owed more to luck and Fulham’s defensive deficiencies than any scintillating attacking play by United, with the ball ricocheting three times off Facundo Pellistri before dropping into the United captain’s path.
      And that would have been academic but for Andre Onana’s double save from Harry Wilson and Joao Palhinha.
      The jury is still out on United’s £43.8m keeper but  he is putting himself on the line in his manager’s hour of need.
      Onana said: “Maybe those saves were important but what mattered most was the goal from Bruno, because that is what gave us this victory.
      “The clean sheet gives us a lot of confidence but sometimes you don’t concede a goal and still only draw. The result was all that mattered.
      Ten Hag still has support but could suffer another major setbackCredit: Rex
      “But the clean sheet showed how hard we are working because we had to defend and suffer together and I am very happy with the way we fought for this win.”
      It brought some much-needed breathing space for Ten Hag.
      His supporters — and there are still plenty of those — claim he just needs time.
      They point to the job Mikel Arteta is doing for Arsenal after being given the benefit of the doubt when initial results were not great.
      But Arteta survived because it was clear to see what he was trying to achieve and his signings were a significant improvement on what had gone before.
      None of that is currently the case with Ten Hag. No one can argue with the Dutchman’s record at Ajax.
      But it is  not happening for him at United and after 18 months  it is difficult to see how he turns things around.
      So sooner or later someone has to grasp the nettle and call time on a talented coach in the wrong place at the wrong time.
      HOW THEY LINED UP
      Read More on The Sun
       FULHAM: Leno, Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson, Iwobi (Jimenez 89), Palhinha, Wilson (Cairney 90), Pereira (Decordova-Reid 81), Willian (Lukic 76), Muniz (Vinicius 76).
       MAN UTD: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Evans, Dalot, McTominay, Eriksen (Mount 79), Antony (Pellistri 63), Fernandes, Garnacho (Varane 90), Hojlund (Martial 79). More

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      These kids football clubs have all been handed £1k with the Sun’s grant – and you could too

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      THESE kids’ football clubs scored a win by getting their hands on cash from our fab Footie For All Fund.They are the first delighted recipients of £1,000 grants to help keep their squads going.
      Our Footie For All Fund has given out £150,000 in grants to deserving clubsCredit: NNP
      We teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme
      Former England star John Terry backed our campaignCredit: Getty
      Last month we teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to give out £150,000 in grants to deserving clubs.
      And we have been inundated with stories of teams making a difference in their communities.
      From buying new boots and kit to allowing more kids to play for free, grants will help them make more of an impact.
      And there is still time for you to enter as the new deadline for applications is now noon on November 13.
      read more on football
      Former England star John Terry backed our campaign to keep kids playing despite the cost-of-living crisis making it difficult for parents to fund their children’s training.
      John said: “I’ve seen first-hand how football can change someone’s life.
      “It doesn’t matter if it becomes a career or just something you continue playing for fun.
      “For anyone to lose the chance to play footie would be a tragedy, but we all know times are tough for everyone thanks to rising prices.
      Most read in Football
      “I loved my time playing at grassroots level when I was little, and I want everyone to have that feeling of joy.
      “It’s great that The Sun’s Footie For All Fund is helping clubs out, thanks to Tesco’s generous donation.”
      Christine Heffernan, Tesco Group communications director, said: “From the range of applications that have come in so far and the stories we have heard, it’s clear to see that football clubs up and down the country need the support more than ever and that we’re reaching hundreds more children as a result of this funding.
      “It’s encouraging to know that the Tesco Stronger Starts and Footie for All partnership will be getting children into doing what they love, playing more footie more often.”
      Here we show how our deserving recipients are putting the money to work so far.
      BEAMISH FC, STANLEY, COUNTY DURHAM
      THIS grassroots team near Gateshead gives more than 450 kids a chance to play football in a safe space throughout the week.
      The club is using its £1,000 grant to purchase full kits for its new reception-aged group to ensure no child feels out of place.
      It means the tots, aged four to five, will get a Beamish FC shirt, shorts and jumper as well as a pair of sports socks.
      Team fundraising manager, Deborah Maddison, told The Sun: “We operate in quite a deprived area which means that the cost of living is hitting families hard.
      “As a club, we work really hard to make sure it is as accessible as possible for parents to send their kids here.
      “Everything we do costs, which means we rely on grants like this to keep the club up and running.”
      HEMINGTON HAMMERS FC, DERBY
      THE Derbyshire club used to only have adult teams but decided last year to open up an under-tens squad aimed at deprived kids.
      The move came after they heard from parents that many children in inner-city Derby weren’t able to play the beautiful game due to financial barriers.
      Hemington Hammers opened up last year to give deprived kids a chance to play footieCredit: Paul Tonge
      Club vice chairman Andrew Bennett said: “We’ve seen their confidence grow as they’ve got better and better.
      “They started the season losing most of their games and now they’re starting to win some.”
      Hemington Hammers is using the £1,000 grant to accelerate their plans to take more kids on, purchase kit, pay for the training of new coaches for additional teams and cover admin costs such as first aid kits.
      Andrew added: “We have seen that there is a demand for low-cost football, as we filled the first team in a matter of weeks.
      “Now we hope to get more kids involved.
      “The simple thing is, the more funding we get to put on the sessions, the cheaper we will make it for the kids, so they always have somewhere to play.”
      PELICAN PARK COMMUNITY TRUST, HULL
      PELICAN Park Community Trust in Hull does more than helping kids stay fit – it provides a chance for them to socialise and get away from potentially tough situations at home.
      Now, thanks to The Sun and Tesco’s Footie For All grants, 50 more children are able to attend.
      Pelican Park Community Trust in Hull provides a chance for kids to socialise and get away from potentially tough situations at homeCredit: Glen Minikin
      Jannette Hornby, charity manager, said: “We don’t want anyone to miss out on proper football training because of personal circumstances.
      For many, it is a chance to run around and play in a safe environment, and that is vital for kids of all ages.”
      Hull is one of the most underprivileged areas in the country, and a quarter of children in the city live with low income families.
      The charity has been subsidising households who can no longer afford the training fees due to financial struggles.
      They also offer a boot swap and provide kit free of charge, so no one is left out.
      Read More on The Sun
      Within just a few sessions, coaches and staff see a huge difference in the children who come.
      Jannette added: “It’s a gateway for everyone into feeling better.”
      THERE’S STILL TIME TO NET £1,000 FOR YOUR CLUBDOES your child’s football club need a cash injection to keep it on the pitch?
      Our Footie For All Fund is offering £1,000 grants to under-18s sides who are struggling in the financial crisis.
      We have teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to give out £150,000 in grants and want to hear about your local club and what it does for the community.
      We launched our fund after teams across the country told us how some kids are dropping out as families struggle financially.
      Perhaps your side wants to offer parents help with fees, or needs new kit or space to play on.
      See tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund to apply.
      Applications close on November 13.
      Grants are given on a rolling basis so it could start helping your club within weeks. 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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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      Man Utd fans say ‘we are finished’ as Ten Hag names ‘stinking line-up’ for Burnley clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a further defensive blow with Lisandro Martinez ruled OUT of their trip to Burnley. Manager Erik ten Hag is already without Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire.
      Erik ten Hag arriving at Turf MoorCredit: Alamy
      And now Martinez adds to the list of woes in United’s backline with Jonny Evans coming in as a replacement.
      It had fans fearing ahead of their trip to Turf Moor and the season ahead as one said: “Just give Burnley the 3 points.”
      Another added: “We can as well start the tears now.”
      One fumed: “”This lineup stinks!! What is Erik Teg hag doing?”

      Sergio Reguilon slotted in at left-back with Diogo Dalot on the right with Victor Lindelof pairing Evans.
      Casemiro, Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri made up a three-man midfield allowing Bruno Fernandes to push further afield.
      It comes with summer signings Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat both out injured but Raphael Varane did return to the bench.
      Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund were partnered up front in a strike duo.
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      Speaking before the game about his injury crisis, Ten Hag said: “Maybe, as you say, Harry Maguire – We will see better after training.
      “But Varane will train and we will see. Amrabat, he will train and we will see. Mount, as well, but they all didn’t play for a short or longer term.
      “Varane, obviously, was the shortest [time] out.”
      Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes arrive at BurnleyCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Shock Premier League club sells the most expensive season ticket for 23/24 campaign… over £1000 MORE than next highest

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      SEASON TICKET prices in the Premier League have soared in recent years.Several clubs have continued to up their charges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
      Fulham have the most expensive season ticket in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      And some supporters have been priced out of the game as a result.
      Ahead of the 2023-24 season, 17 out of the 20 Premier League clubs have announced an increase in season ticket sales, despite the current cost of living crisis.
      The remaining three clubs – Brentford, Chelsea and Tottenham – have all frozen their respective season ticket costs.
      While several clubs have upped their prices, one has suddenly risen above and beyond the others.
      Read More on the Premier League
      Shockingly, The Athletic have found that Fulham’s most expensive adult season ticket costs an eye-watering £3,000.
      That is for a seat in the club’s rebuilt Riverside Stand.
      The second most expensive adult season ticket – costing £2025 – comes at Tottenham, with the third at Arsenal.
      Four other clubs – Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham – all charge above the £1,000 mark.
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      Alternatively, the cheapest Premier League season tickets on the market are charged by the three recently-promoted clubs.
      Burnley and Luton both charge £500, while Sheffield United charge £528.
      Brentford are the only other Prem club among the 20 where the most expensive ticket is less than £600. More

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      Inside the football clubs making sure EVERY child can play as Harry Maguire and Phil Foden back our grassroots scheme

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      AFTER years of desperately wanting to be picked first for the football team, Eddie finally found somewhere that let him play every match.The nine-year-old, who is affected by autism and skull birth defect craniosynostosis, has found confidence with a group of friends.
      Ashford United’s under-11 disability team offers a way into football for youngsters and transforms their lives for the betterCredit: Louis Wood
      And it’s all thanks to Ashford United –– one of the football clubs that The Sun wants to benefit from our Footie For All campaign to help grassroots sport.
      Eddie’s grandmother, Linda Burrows, credits the Kent club’s under-11 disability team, run by Dan Ambler, with giving her grandson new confidence.
      She said: “When Eddie first went along he was hiding behind his mum, but now he is straight out of the car and playing with the other kids.
      “It’s amazing what it has done for his confidence. He believes in himself now.
      “He’s always smiling when he’s playing — even if he doesn’t always get a chance to touch the ball.
      “It’s really nice seeing Eddie do ­normal things that he wasn’t comfortable doing just a few months ago.
      “Dan and the team have made a world of difference. Eddie was never going to be able to play in a traditional team, but this club has made sure he doesn’t miss out.”
      Figures show the cost-of-living crisis is forcing kids away from football, with 94 per cent of grassroots clubs voicing concern about the impact of soaring prices on their membership, according to the charity Sported.
      Most read in Football
      Clubs across the country have told The Sun how parents are struggling to afford to keep their children playing sports as the cost of everyday essentials continues to spiral.
      England stars John Stones, ­Raheem Sterling, Jarrod Bowen and Eric Dier, who all started out in local football, have already lent their support to our campaign.
      Ashford United ace Dan, 37, set up the disability team when he realised his autistic son Jack could not keep up when playing alongside mainstream kids.
      He said: “I saw him being left out, and I wanted to do something about it. I thought other parents might see their children in the same position so I asked around — and within a few days I had 17 other parents whose kids wanted to play.
      “It’s been amazing seeing the kids coming out of their shells. They’ve formed close friendships and the confidence they’ve developed is incredible.
      “Eddie went from being very shy to doing the “worm” celebration in front of everyone at our last match.
      “It’s incredible. It doesn’t matter if you have the skills of Ronaldo or can’t kick a ball — all are welcome.”
      Kids who play on one of the two Ashford under-11 teams have a mix of disabilities, from neurodivergent conditions to physical disabilities such as a missing limb.
      Ashford Town United has been heavily involved in keeping the team going and it provides a lot of ­support to Dan, a podiatrist by day, to get everything right.
      But he has to raise around £800 to keep things afloat, on top of the £25-a-month payment from parents.
      Thanks to huge interest, he is opening up three new teams for this season, bringing the total to six, all of which will need sponsorship.Dan added: “I never turn anyone away.
      “They are welcome whatever disability they have, and I don’t want that to change.
      “It’s going to be quite a challenge, but I’m always up for it and we are used to overcoming difficulties. Hopefully, we’ll make it all work.”
      Today, England footballers Harry Maguire and Phil Foden back our campaign to keep kids playing.
      Two teams also reveal how they are dedicated to making sure all children have access to the sport amid the cost-of-living crisis.
      Phil Foden
      Premier League winner Phil Foden started out with Reddish VulcansCredit: PROVIDED
      Phil Foden now stars for Manchester City and EnglandCredit: Getty
      GRASSROOTS football is where it began for all of us. Whether you play in the Premier League, for your country or on your local park, we all started out playing for our grassroot teams.
      For those of us lucky enough, it goes on to become our jobs. But the grassroots game is for everyone, and it’s important that we continue to support it so that boys and girls across the country can benefit from everything it has to offer.
      For me, playing for my local team gave me the chance to make new friends and learn new skills.
      I loved football then as much as I love football now.
      Knowing you could go and train with your mates during the week and play at the weekend was such an important part of growing up.
      It brings happiness for so many people across the country and it’s so important nothing gets in the way of everyone having that opportunity.
      Harry Maguire
      World Cup ace Harry Maguire began his career with Brunsmeer AthleticCredit: PROVIDED
      He has gone onto play for Sheffield United, Hull City, Leicester City and Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      I SPENT my childhood with a football at my feet whenever I had the chance.
      My first memory is having a kickabout with my brother.
      Playing in youth teams for Brunsmeer Athletic, then later Barnsley and ­Sheffield United, gave me a chance to make football into a career, not just a ­passion.
      Kids these days should have that same option, no matter what else is going on around them.
      There is nothing better than playing with a team, winning and learning how to lose.
      It also gives them an outlet and a chance to learn discipline, teamwork and friendship with people they might otherwise not have met.
      I loved my time in grassroots football. Those memories never leave you.
      Beacons FC, Kidbrooke, South East London
      Beacons FC are trying to help make football more afforable for parents and have launched a boots swap schemeCredit: Olivia West
      BEACONS FC has recently launched a boot swap shop to help families keep their kids in footie ­footwear without breaking the bank.
      Club secretary Adam Gillham said: “They are a necessary item parents have to shell out for each season but they can be so ­expensive – especially when kids outgrow them so quickly.
      “At the swap shop, they can donate a pair of boots their child has outgrown and swap them for a pair that fits. Anything we can do to help them save a few quid helps.”
      The club started in Kidbrooke, South East London, in 2001, and now fields eight teams of boys aged seven to 17.
      To play for the season, each player pays a one-off £50 registration fee and £245 in subs which parents are able to pay off in monthly instalments.
      Praising the Sun’s Footie For All drive, Adam said: “We are well aware of the impact of the cost of living on our players’ families in the past year, so any campaign like this will certainly help the grass- roots game.
      “We deliberately kept the fees as low as we could this season, for that reason.
      “We have not increased them since before the pandemic because we know times are hard for so many families – even though we have seen our own costs going up year on year. Football should be for all – not just for those who can afford it.
      “As a club, we do everything we can to help mums and dads who may be struggling financially.
      “If a parent comes to us and says they cannot afford the subs any longer, then of course we would not stop their child playing.
      “Each child deserves a chance to play football – no matter their ability or background. It’s the people’s game.
      “I would like to see more money filter down from the Premier League to real grassroots football – youth football in parks and recreation grounds around the UK – where it is truly needed.”
      Blackburn Eagles FC, Lancs
      Blackburn Eagles vow never to turn away anybody despite parent money strugglesCredit: BLACKBURN EAGLES
      BLACKBURN Eagles has seen more kids struggling to afford to play – but it never turns anyone away.
      The Lancashire academy’s vice chairman Chris Hughes says prices haven’t been raised in around eight years, in a bid to maintain access for all children.
      Kids as young as two take part in the Little Eagles under-six mini-kicker sessions, which cost £15 a month for weekly training.
      As the kids progress through to teams, parents pay £25 a month for a one-weekend game, and £30 a month if kids play Saturdays and Sundays every weekend.
      The club’s team keeps on growing and now has 650 players on its books, making it the biggest in the area.
      Chris, 39, said: “We don’t turn anyone away. We just take on more children, create new groups, create new training sessions and create new teams.”
      The Eagles has a hardship fund to help out families who start to struggle with the costs of subs and kits.
      The club has also recently taken teams out of the Junior Premier League due to the cost of the regular four-hour round trips to play against other teams across the North West.
      Chris said: “There have been conversations about the cost of living and cost of petrol.
      “Stuff is getting expensive, so we’ve brought some of our teams back a little bit more local to help with that.”
      To give even more kids the opportunity to play, Blackburn Eagles is currently looking to link up with local schools and charities to potentially start providing free after-school sessions in poorer communities and deprived areas.
      And Chris believes every child should have the opportunity to play football, due to its benefits for physical and mental wellbeing.
      He added: “It gives kids a good focus and we find that football can be a ­massive part of certain children’s lives.
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      “That might be the one thing they’ll look forward to all week, and sometimes it gets them out of situations where they don’t want to be at home all the time.”

      The Sun’s Footie For All campaign aims to support families through the cost of living crisis More

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      Tottenham freeze season ticket prices for 2023-24 after fan backlash and anti-Levy chants

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      TOTTENHAM have allayed fears they were set to increase season ticket prices by freezing them for next season.There had been suggestions Spurs were considering raising the cost, which would have gone down like a lead balloon among the fanbase.
      Tottenham supporters will not be charged more for their season tickets in 2023/24Credit: AP
      Spurs chief Daniel Levy has faced criticism from supporters in recent monthsCredit: PA
      But after consulting with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, the amount being charged will remain the same.
      Yet a club statement read: “Due to global economic events we, like all other sectors, are not immune to rising costs and disruption to supply chains, along with higher energy prices.
      “We are, however, acutely aware that everyone is also currently impacted by the rising cost of living.
      “With this in mind, and following consultation with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, we can confirm that season ticket prices for the 2023/24 season will be frozen.
      READ MORE ON SPURS
      “We recognise and greatly appreciate the ongoing commitment our fans continue to make in showing support for the team.”
      Had season tickets gone up, chairman Daniel Levy would no doubt have received even more flak than he has already had this season.
      Fans have chanted for him to “get out of our club” at multiple games this season, angry at the perceived lack of success during his time at the helm.
      The club are currently without permanent managers for the men’s and women’s first team.
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      While managing director of football Fabio Paratici is currently taking a leave of absence after his 30-month ban for his alleged part in the Juventus malpractice scandal was extended worldwide.
      Spurs sit fourth in the Premier League table, but are in danger of missing out on a Champions League place.
      They only sit above Manchester United by virtue of goal difference and have played two games more than Erik ten Hag’s side. More