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      Inside the VERY glamorous life of Premier League’s hottest WAG who is building ‘Instagram empire’ with sizzling snaps

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      FOR years the likes of Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney ruled the roost as the ultimate footballer WAGs. But a fresh crop of glamorous wives and girlfriends are now emerging to steal their limelight.
      Maja was crowned hottest WAG in a survey by BettingSites.co.ukCredit: Refer to Caption
      She is the wife of Manchester United defender Victor LindelöfCredit: Getty
      Leading the pack is Maja Nilsson Lindelöf, who’s married to Manchester United defender Victor Lindelöf and was crowned the Premier League’s hottest WAG in a recent survey.
      The entrepreneurial Swedish beauty, 29, is founder of the fashion brand Lis Bonne Atelier, and writes blogs for a glossy magazine.
      She’s also teamed up with Victor to become a human rights ambassador for UNICEF, using their platform to highlight the work being done to protect children around the world.
      Influencer Maja is hot property on Instagram, with nearly 250K followers and each post totting up thousands of likes.
      READ MORE ABOUT WAGS
      She regularly shares glam shots of exotic holidays in places like Provence and Greece, as well as sweet snaps of her husband and their two children.
      Brand and culture expert Nick Ede reckons Maja has the potential to become the most sought-after WAG in the world – and rake in thousands in the process.
      He tells The Sun: “Maja is stunning, stylish, sophisticated, and compassionate.
      “She stands out as she is a savvy businesswoman who has used her modelling experience and popularity to make her mark as both an influencer and charity ambassador.
      Most read in Football
      Nick Ede believes she could be well on her way to become the ultimate WAG
      Maja thrills her 250k followers on Instagram with sexy snapsCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      Maja often shares sizzling snaps of herself on holidayCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
      “She embodies a new breed of WAG who doesn’t rely on their famous husband and has carved a successful career on her own.”
      According to Inzpire’s influencer earning calculator, Maja is already able to rake in between £1,330 and £1,664 per post on Instagram.
      Nick says: ” She’s doing all the right things by creating beautifully shot content and building a strong following.
      “With beauty and lifestyle, she can really start to develop her own brand to create a ready-to-wear collection and develop a beauty lifestyle range.
      Maja embodies a new breed of WAG who doesn’t rely on their famous husband and has carved a successful career on her ownNick Ede, branding expert
      “As a mother she can also maximise on the fact that parenting, childrenswear and lifestyle is huge and she could follow in the successful footsteps of Emma Bunton and her brand Kit and Kin.”
      Nick believes Maja can take her influencer status a step further by securing lucrative endorsement deals with international brands.
      He says: “She already has her own fashion brand but I can see other brands partnering with her in the fashion and beauty arenas.
      “She has worked mainly with Swedish brands but I can see the big players like L’Oreal, Charlotte Tilbury and perhaps even Victoria Beckham Beauty using her as a model and brand ambassador.
      “Fashion brands like Good American or Skims would surely jump at the chance to have her model for them.”
      ‘Stand out’
      Maja is incredibly business savvy and has her own fashion brandCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      She is also a charity ambassador and has paired with UNICEFCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
      She is also known for expressing her opinions, unlike many other WAGsCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
      Maja is no wallflower and isn’t afraid to speak her mind – a quality Nick thinks will help her go far.
      She went so far as criticising her husband’s team, just like Cristiano Ronaldo’s fiancee Georgina Rodriguez has done in the past.
      In 2017 Maja slammed the eye-watering cost Manchester United players must cough up to hire a private box for their friends and family on match days – said to be between £24,000 and £81,600 a season.
      On the podcast Life on the Stand, she said: “The players have the option to rent a box and I’m not even going to tell you for how much but a disgusting amount of money.
      “And if you don’t buy one you’re considered to be a loser. But having a box is wonderful because you have your own waiter.”
      That same year the couple auctioned off their private box for charity, with all proceeds going to a children’s charity in Sweden.
      Maja is a great believer in female empowerment and family, so it’s important to her to stand up for what she believes inNick Ede
      Nick says he believes Maja will be “applauded” for speaking out, adding: “She’s got a voice and is using it.
      “She is a great believer in female empowerment and family, so it’s important to her to stand up for what she believes in.”
      Nick believes it’s only a matter of time before Maja becomes a “major player” in the fashion and beauty world.
      “I think Georgina Rodríguez is in an incredibly unique position, but I can see Maja up there, rivalling the likes of Victoria Beckham even,” he says.
      “I think she can start to engage more followers in the UK. Perhaps speak on her reels and give more of a glimpse into her lifestyle.
      “Perhaps too she needs to get a cover interview in a glossy magazine. But for now, she’s doing all the right things.”
      Love story
      The couple are said to have met during a festival in their home countryCredit: Instagram @victorlindelof
      They wed in 2018 in a lavish ceremony in SwedenCredit: Instagram @majaenilsson
      The couple have two kids, born in 2019 and 2021 respectivelyCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      Although little is known about Maja’s upbringing, we know she was born in Sweden and studied a marketing degree at university.
      According to Soccer Souls, she met future husband Victor, 28, back in 2013, during the early stages of his career at an annual festival held in their home country.
      She reportedly sent him a message on Facebook after their initial meeting and agreed to go on a date.
      Maja has been extremely supportive of Victor’s career and has been by his side during his transfer from Benifica to United.
      The defender is said to have popped the question during a romantic holiday to the Maldives. They married one year later in a lavish ceremony in Sweden.
      In March 2019 the couple announced the birth of their first child, and the second arrived in October 2021.
      In January last year the family experienced a frightening encounter when their home was broken into while Victor was away playing a match against Brentford.

      Maja and their children were home at the time. She released a statement saying: “I was home alone with both the kids but we managed to hide and lock ourselves in a room before they entered our house.
      “We are okay under the circumstances but it was obviously a very traumatic and scary moment for both me and my little kids.” 
      Maja is often praised for her down-to-earth demeanour on InstagramCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      She has supported Victor throughout the highs and lows of his careerCredit: Getty More

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      Ultimate England footballer rich list reveals Harry Kane’s shocking net worth & he’s NOT the wealthiest Three Lions star

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      THEY are the beloved sporting icons who hold the nation’s hopes in their hands – along with a handsome pay cheque.Tonight the Three Lions will be hoping to seal a win against North Macedonia in the latest Euro qualifier – having beaten Malta 4-0 on Friday.
      Harry and Kate Kane on a luscious holiday abroadCredit: Kate Kane Instagram
      While England’s national footballers undoubtedly make a fair wedge, not all of them are sitting on as big a fortune as you might believe.
      Last month skipper Harry Kane was revealed to have a whopping net worth of £51million, up from £42m in 2022, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.
      The Tottenham striker – who is England’s all-time top scorer –  earns about £200,000 a week at his club, plus cash from lucrative endorsement deals.
      But Harry’s not the England player with the highest fortune, as our rich list reveals…
      READ MORE RICH LISTS
      Marcus Rashford – £65m
      Marcus Rashford is the youngest footballer to be made an MBECredit: Instagram/@marcusrashford
      Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford has transcended football after campaigning to end child hunger and racism.
      His charitable work also has made him an extremely in-demand figure for big companies, which has contributed to his reported £65m net worth. 
      Marcus, who became the youngest footballer to be made an MBE at 22, has landed deals with McDonald’s, EA Sports and Nike. 
      It tops up his £200,000 per week wages with the Red Devils, which totals £10.4m per year and makes him the seventh highest-paid star at the club.
      Most read in Football
      Raheem Sterling – £61m
      Raheem Sterling has money in property as well as sponsorship deals and high wagesCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea star Raheem Sterling comes second in our rich list with a reported net worth of £61m.
      He also placed 23rd in the Top 35 richest people under the age of 35 on The Sunday Times Rich List.
      Raheem’s paid a whopping £325,000-a-week by Chelsea FC and makes even more from sponsorship deals including one with New Balance.
      The 28-year-old also co-owns a Stockport-based property company with his fiancee Paige Milian.
      Harry Kane – £51m
      England skipper Harry Kane isn’t the team’s highest-paid player
      As well as his £10.4m-a-year wage, Kane, 29, makes a fortune from endorsement deals, most notably Nike.
      Away from the beautiful game, the Spurs star is sitting on a £13m property portfolio including rentals.
      He’s currently let one home for £800,000 a year and has also invested in a low-calorie doughnut start-up.
      His earnings could be topped up substantially if speculation is correct that Harry may leave Tottenham during this summer’s transfer window. 
      It’s reported a move to Bayern Munich or Manchester United could be on the cards, with big bucks at stake.
      Last year Manchester City tabled a £135million bid for the star.
      Jordan Pickford – £36m
      Megan and Jordan Pickford in their stunning mansionCredit: Instagram
      Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has a reported net worth of £36m – and much of it came from a lucrative deal with his Premier League club.
      In September 2018 he signed a six-year contract with The Toffees that nets him £5m per year.
      And as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, he’s made a fortune from sponsorship deals including with Puma and Nike. 
      On top of his earnings, Jordan, 29, and wife Megan share a £2.1m mansion in Knutsford, Cheshire – an area beloved by footballers including John Stones and Jordan Henderson.
      Luke Shaw – £32m
      Luke Shaw with girlfriend Anouska SantosCredit: Instagram / @anouskasantos
      Man Utd star Luke Shaw is reportedly worth £32m and caused a storm when he transferred to the club in 2014 from Southampton.
      Aged 18, he was the most expensive teenager in football when the Red Devils paid a record-breaking £30m for him.
      He’s twice been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and won Players’ Player of the Year too, making him an attractive prospect as a brand ambassador.
      Luke, now 27, earns £150,000 a week at Man Utd – £7.8m per year – not including bonuses.
      In 2019 he sold his Cheshire mansion for £2.6m and now lives in a stunning London pad with girlfriend Anouska Santos and their son Reign. 
      Kyle Walker – £27m
      Kyle Walker earns £8.32m a year from Man City (pictured with wife Annie)Credit: Refer to Caption
      Manchester City star Kyle Walker, who is supposedly worth £27million, transferred to the club from Tottenham for £50m back in 2017.
      He’s one of the most well-paid fullbacks in the world with a £160,000-a-week salary – totalling £8.32m per year.
      Kyle has had a paid partnership with Nike since 2012 and endorses their football boots including the Nike T90 Laser IV, also worn by Wayne Rooney. 
      The footballer, 33, who is married to childhood sweetheart Annie Kilner, has a £3.5m six-bedroom mansion in Cheshire that boasts an indoor swimming pool.
      Jordan Henderson – £23m 
      Jordan Henderson rakes in £140,000 per weekCredit: Instagram
      Liverpool FC star Jordan Henderson, 33, earns a reported £23m per year, which predominantly stems from his footballing wages. 
      He’s been paid £140,000 per week, or £7.3m per year, since signing a new contract with the club back in 2018. 
      It followed Jordan originally signing for Liverpool for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £18m, back in 2010.
      He was believed to have earned £65,000 a week in wages, or £3.3m per year, back then. 
      Jordan’s also believed to make at least £1m a year off-pitch from sponsorship deals including arrangements with sports drinks company MaxiNutrition and Nivea. 
      Last year Jordan caused a star with plans to extend his multi-million-pound mansion to fit a trophy corridor and make the seven-bed home into a “hotel complex”.
      Mason Mount – £20m
      Mason Mount – pictured at the Spanish GP in BarcelonaCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea star Mason Mount is currently embroiled in a fierce transfer window battle – after Man Utd were informed they would need to pay £70m plus add-ons to sign him. 
      In May it was claimed he was “significantly unpaid” currently after his weekly earnings were reportedly less than £100,000 – roughly £5.2m per year.
      Mason, 24, who’s reportedly worth £20m, tops up his income with sponsorship deals including with Nike, and promoting companies via his social media. He has 5.7m Instagram followers. 
      Jack Grealish – £20m
      Jack Grealish, pictured with Sasha Attwood, will have reportedly made £100m by the time he’s 30Credit: Instagram @sashaattwood_tiktoks
      Man City star Jack Grealish became the most expensive player in football history when he moved from Aston Villa for a £100m fee and £300,000-a-week wages – £15.6m per year.
      The 27-year-old, who’s reportedly worth £20m, is tipped to make a staggering £100m before turning 30 from commercial deals alone after becoming a target for big fashion brands and sports companies.
      He’s already signed large sum contracts including with Puma for a reported £10m, Gucci for a reported £10m and BooHooMan for a reported £1m.
      Birmingham-born Jack, whose income is set to increase in the coming years, was jokingly referred to as “the million dollar man” because of his earning potential by pals.
      Harry Maguire – £20m
      Harry Maguire, pictured with wife Fern HawkinsCredit: Instagram
      Man Utd defender Harry Maguire, 30, who is reportedly worth £20m, makes his main earnings from his £189,904 per week wages – which works out as £9,875,000 per year.
      In 2019 he signed an impressive £700,000 yearly contract with Puma – which included £18,000 per game for wearing £180 Puma One boots.
      Harry, who’s married to Fern Hawkins, also has a fair amount of money in property.
      In January he bought a Cheshire mansion for £4m, and is trying to sell another in the same area for £1.8m.
      Rising stars
      Jude Bellingham is a play on our ‘ones to watch’ listCredit: Instagram
      There are a number of rising England stars who are likely to feature on the rich list going forward. 
      They include Declan Rice, reportedly worth £13m, who makes £3.2m per year from West Ham.
      He earns a £62,000 per week salary at the club and has topped up his earnings with Adidas deals.
      Jude Bellingham is reportedly worth £3.6m but his earnings are set to soar after his recent record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid. 
      He will reportedly earn £11.4m a year as part of his new £220,000 per week contract, and became the most expensive Brit after leaving Borussia Dortmund for a whopping £115m.  

      Youngster Bukayo Saka, who’s reportedly worth £3.3m, is currently earning £70,000-per-week – £3.6m per year – wages at Arsenal.
      The 21-year-old fan favourite has topped it up with commercial deals with New Balance, Amazon Prime, Fiverr, Beats and Call Of Duty.
      Fan favourite Bukayo Saka chilling on a boat while on holidayCredit: Instagram
      Declan Rice is a rising star who could feature on future rich lists More

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      My flat looks into a former Premier League football stadium – you don’t need a ticket but have to put up with big issue

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      LIVING next to a high-rise building overlooking a football stadium can go two ways – you’d either love watching free games or get driven mad by the noise on match days. That’s the case for residents in the Valiant House apartment building, just a few metres from The Valley, the home of League One side Charlton Athletic F.C.
      The Valley with Valiant House, where residents are able to watch football matches from their flats, in the distanceCredit: Getty
      The stadium has been home to Charlton Athletic F.C. for the past 104 yearsCredit: Stewart Williams
      Those on the top floors of the building get an incredible view of the pitch and are able to watch games live from the comfort of their living rooms and balconies.
      Just five minutes away from Charlton rail station, the 27,111-capacity stadium in south-east London, which has been the club’s home since the 1920s, is surrounded by several houses and apartments.
      Some of the most memorable and iconic matches at The Valley include the team’s 4-2 victory against Chelsea in 2003, the first season since the Premier League club had been taken over by Roman Abramovich.
      The Sun headed down to the south-east London club for our summer series, Life’s a Pitch, which celebrates the weird and wonderful stadiums across Britain… and the communities built around them.
      MORE FOOTBALL FEATURES
      Philippa Banse says she gets a good view of the pitch and is able to watch games from her balconyCredit: Stewart Williams
      Philipa’s high-rise block is just a few metres away from the stadiumCredit: Stewart Williams
      Full-time mum Philipa Banse, 31, who has lived in the building for the past two years, enjoys match days standing on her balcony.
      She told The Sun: “Living so close to the stadium is actually good because you don’t have to pay for a ticket.
      “From where I live, I can see the whole pitch – I just can’t see the goal. Apart from that, I can watch the whole game.
      “Some of the games I watch, but not all of them. If I hear shouting, or I hear “goal”, I may have a look to see who’s scored.
      Most read in Football
      “At first, the noise was a problem for me but I’m now used to it. The issue now is parking. When they’re playing, it’s not fair to the residents, especially when we want to get out.
      “One time we got told we’ve got to wait two hours before we can go out. But other than that, there’s no problem living near the stadium.”
      Not so lucky
      The 16-storey building was built in the 1970s and has two sections. Some living on the top three floors have a near-perfect view of the pitch – but others aren’t so lucky.
      One of the unfortunate ones is hospital worker Sophia Crowl – the only thing she can see are the fans in the stand.
      Sophia, who doesn’t have a view of the pitch, insists fans who attend games are normally ‘polite’Credit: Stewart Williams
      Some residents living on the top three floors of the 16-storey building have a near-perfect view of the pitchCredit: Getty
      “I can’t see the pitch itself but to be honest the fans can tell you what is going on. If they are quiet, it means the team is not doing well but if they are loud, and out of their seats, it means they’re playing well,” she says.
      The 34-year-old mother adds: “It makes me feel happy [living here]. I like hearing the fans chant and my daughter, she’s like ‘look Mummy, they’re screaming.’
      “On matchdays, there are police that come and make sure that everyone is behaving themselves. You don’t really see people hanging around here and misbehaving. They’re really just trying to get in and get to their seats.”
      While other stadiums may have an issue with rowdy supporters causing havoc on their streets, Sophia insists that has never been a problem here.
      She explains: “In terms of safety, it’s absolutely fine. The people that come to watch the games are polite. No one is ever rude and if anything should ever happen, there are enough police staff to help with that. It’s not a nuisance or anything like that – not to me anyway.”
      But another resident – who lives on Floyd Road, the same as the stadium, and wanted to remain anonymous – didn’t share Sophia’s positive outlook.
      She told us: “Let’s just say it’s very chaotic and extremely difficult.”
      ‘Busy and loud’
      Despite some people’s complaints, houses on the street are still well above the average house price in the UK at £550,000, according to Rightmove.
      Although circus performer Lilly Carrolle, 18, who lives nearby agrees that the street can be rowdy during match days, she insists she enjoys living in the area.
      “When there’s a game, it gets very busy and loud around here, she says. “Sometimes the roads are closed and you have people walking from all areas. When you’re driving it’s really hard coming in and out. It’s okay if you’re walking.
      Although it can get chaotic, Lilly Carolle says she enjoys living just a stone’s throw away from the stadiumCredit: Stewart Williams
      The stadium is surrounded by numerous houses and apartment buildingsCredit: Getty
      “I like living close to the stadium because I think it’s quite fun to see what’s going on and you can hear the cheering in the stadium.
      “But I suppose other people who aren’t fans of football may not like that kind of vibe. But I enjoy it.”
      Sean Hanley, who lives in Valiant House, appears nonchalant about the stadium being so close.
      Read more on The Sun
      He says: “I’m a bit of a Charlton fan but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve watched the games from my apartment a few times.
      “[The noise] doesn’t bother me too much either. I turn the TV up if I need to. I don’t mind living here.”
      Sean Hanley says if ever the noise gets too much, he drowns it out by turning up the volume of his TVCredit: Stewart Williams
      While some residents were pleased to be in close proximity to the stadium, others were not so enthusedCredit: Stewart Williams
      From the ground floor of the building, residents are able to see the fans in the standCredit: Stewart Williams
      Most residents we spoke to at Valiant House said they enjoy living so close to the stadiumCredit: Stewart Williams More

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      How Marcus Rashford’s romance with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi came to sad end just a year after iconic proposal

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      IT was a fairytale romance that spanned from the school yard to Wembley stadium, but now Marcus Rashford and Lucia Loi have sadly split.The Man United striker, 25, has known his childhood sweetheart since they were 15 and famously popped the question a year ago in LA amongst a stunning floral backdrop.
      Marcus and Lucia during the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty
      Marcus was spotted returning to a hotel with influencer Courtney Caldwell
      As recently as Valentine’s Day this year, he went all out with candles and flowers at the couple’s Manchester home and in April hired a Boeing 737 to whisk Lucia to New York.
      But it appears the holiday could have been a last hurrah for the almost 10-year relationship after it emerged the couple parted shortly after.
      A source insisted: “It’s nothing complicated. The relationship ran its course and they remain very close friends.”
      Over the weekend, newly-single Rashford was seen enjoying the attention of gangs of giggling girls on holiday in Miami before partying with a party fitness influencer who runs a ‘Big Booty University’ to help people get a ‘bum like Kim Kardashian’.
      Read more Marcus Rashford
      Courtney Caldwell was seen returning to the player’s luxury hotel at 5am after attending an exclusive nightclub.  She sells workout and meal plans online and enjoys lucrative deals with brands like Gymshark.
      Psychologists say it looks like Marcus, who was awarded an MBE for his work to provide free school meals during lockdown, is enjoying his new-found freedom, possibly for the first time in his life, after being in a relationship with Lucia since the age of 15.
      Psychologist Emma Kenny said: “It’s quite a sad split as Marcus and Lucia looked like a sure thing.
      “If they had negotiated this relationship, it would have been quite beautiful. You are more likely to have a successful relationship and marriage if you get together early on because you’ve grown together.
      Most read in Football
      “When you come out of a long-term relationship, there’s definitely a pressure to feel like you’re not going to get stuck in that past situation and, if you’ve been together for a long time, in your head you try to make up for those lost years.
      “He’s been with Lucia so long he’s not had the chance to really experience everything that comes with being a famous person.
      Rashford and Lucia packed on a PDA at the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty
      Lucia has supported her man in his meteoric rise to star footballerCredit: Getty
      “He’s watched his contemporaries and peers go through various experiences while he’s been stuck behind glass being a loyal partner and that glass is now shattered.
      “Women will be throwing themselves at Marcus and, if he wants to, he could be like a boy in a candy shop.  But this split won’t be without its wounds.”
      Lucia, who has a degree in advertising and brand management, has been beside Rashford throughout his meteoric rise to footballing stardom and travelled with him to various tournaments with him, including the World Cup.
      The pair got engaged in May last year after Rashford proposed on a holiday to California and the couple posted Instagram pics kissing next to a white floral heart, standing on a bed of flowers.
      Marcus and Lucia got engaged last year and experts say they might get back togetherCredit: Instagram
      The adorable couple enjoyed travelling all over the world togetherCredit: Instagram
      They have been together since they were 15Credit: Social Media
      He popped the question at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA and later celebrated with a close group of pals including United teammate Jesse Lingard.
      The proposal came just four months after they got back together following an eight month break-up.
      The high school loves first parted in May 2021 and blamed the pressure of the pandemic lockdown for their split.
      A source said at the time: “It is as a result of the pressures and strains of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns and the confinement that has brought with it over the last 12 months.
      “There is a strong mutual love and respect for one another, having met at school, and there is a continued dialogue with the hope of reconciliation in the future.”
      When they reunited in January last year sources said the break had been good for the couple and gave them “breathing space.”  Their engagement soon followed.
      Emma Kenny believes the couple might yet get back together saying: “It’s happened before and their bond is obviously very strong.”
      Psychologist Dr Arthur Cassidy agrees saying: “If you get together at a young age, you grow and develop your identities together in a love fusion. There’s also social bonding and family ties.
      “There’s a chance Marcus and Lucia could get back together because there’s not only longevity but they have also traded emotional bonds.
      “When people get engaged, fear can sometimes set in and it could cause a split.. Questions such as ‘Am I worthy? What kind of wife or husband will I make?’ emerge.  It’s a fear of the unknown, the realisation that ‘things are getting serious now’.
      Read more on The Sun
      “A temporary break  can cause people to re-evaluate their relationship before is moves into serious mode again, which is what probably happened the first time Marcus and Lucia broke up. 
      “It might be that they reevaluate a second time and get back together.”
      Influencer Coutney promises to help people get a ‘big bum like Kim Kardashian’Credit: Courtney Caldwell
      The Miami beauty has a knockout figureCredit: Courtney Caldwell More

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      We live at famous entrance to iconic football stadium – you can see pitch from our garden but there’s even crazier perks

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      ITS iconic mock Tudor facade is one of the most recognisable stadium entrances in British football.And for residents near Fratton Park, the home of Portsmouth F.C., living next to the historic ground has thrown up plenty of famous moments over the years.
      Wendy Waltho lives by Fratton Park Stadium, home of Portsmouth Football ClubCredit: Solent
      Local Diana Hill says she can watch the game from her daughter’s roomCredit: Solent
      Some homeowners say their home shakes when the team scores, or claim there’s no need to buy match tickets as they can hear – and even see – all the action from their garden.
      Our new summer series, Life’s a Pitch, celebrates the weird and wonderful stadiums across Britain… and the communities built around them.
      Kicking it off, die-hard Pompey fans who reside a stone’s throw from Fratton Park tell us of their joy at feeling the ‘electric’ atmosphere created by fans every week.
      They recall seeing the 1980s squad being put through their paces by manager Alan Ball in fitness runs to the old training ground – and even boast of being able to enjoy free music concerts from their back yard.
      READ MORE FEATURES
      Garden party
      Some claim Fratton Park is unique as it is the only professional English football ground not found on the mainland of Great Britain – due to its location on Portsea Island.
      Built in 1899, it has been Portsmouth’s home ever since and seen the highs and lows throughout the club’s 125-year history.
      During that time the club has won two first division titles and two FA Cups – most recently under Harry Redknapp in 2008 – but Pompey are currently enduring a more difficult period in League One.
      Kieran Hogan, a resident living by Fratton Park, says he loves it and can hear the cheers when a goal is scoredCredit: Solent
      Lifelong Pompey fan Kieran Hogan has lived for nine years on Frogmore Road, which leads up to the South Stand entrance.
      Most read in Football
      “We love living this close to the stadium,” the 40-year-old said.
      “I don’t have a season ticket but I like to go whenever I can, round some mates up, or sometimes go by myself.
      “If I don’t go, I can hear the stadium announcer say who scores the goal when I’m sat in my living room – no need to check BBC Sport.
      “You can hear the cheer sometimes seconds before the goal goes in on the telly.”
      I can hear the stadium announcer say who scores the goal when I’m sat in my living room – no need to check BBC SportKieran Hogan, lifelong Pompey fan
      Recounting his experience of the Covid-hit play-off semi final, Kieran says he was disturbed by controversial Portsmouth super-fan John Westwood trying to get as close to the action as he could.
      “I was sat in the garden watching it, as I’d taken the TV out,” the father-of-one said.
      “And I could hear this bell ringing and I looked down the gardens and John Westwood was there at the neighbours’.”
      Kieran’s next wish is to get his newborn eight-week-old son to a game “as soon as I can”.
      Training day
      Derek Stevens, 65, who has lived on a road that runs parallel to the south stand of the stadium for 39 years, said the ‘only issue’ is matchday parking – when parking is only permitted on one side of the street, meaning cars have to be moved.
      The civil servant recounts seeing England’s World Cup winner Alan Ball whipping the the Portsmouth squad into shape during his five-year tenure in the 1980s, which saw them earn promotion back to the First Division.
      Derek Stevens admits the parking can be an issue on match daysCredit: Solent
      “Alan Ball used to make them run to the training ground which was at Moneyfields then, about 1.5 miles,” he said.
      “He got them into shape – it was funny to see the players on our road being put through the paces, but he did well here.
      “They were out of shape when he got here but he made them fit.”
      Kenneth Clarke, who lives on the same road, loves being a part of the club he played for as a boy in the 1960s.
      The retired milkman, 78, said: “We’ve been here 35 years and love it.
      “I go to about half the games. The parking is fine, it’s for emergency vehicles to get through, don’t moan about the club. If you don’t like it – move.”
      Family affair
      For Wendy Waltho, attending the matches at Portsmouth is a family affair, with husband Paul, son Harvey and grandson Franklyn all season ticket holders.
      “It’s manic on a matchday,” the 56-year-old said. “Sometimes I do go if it’s an exciting game, but I can hear it from the garden where it’s free. Why would I go?
      “It’s great, my husband and son love going – they’d never stop.
      “The front wall of my garden is used as a meeting spot by fans every week. Every Saturday or Tuesday there are the usual suspects who lean up against the wall as they wait for their mates to come.”
      The front wall of my garden is used as a meeting spot by fans every week. Every Saturday or Tuesday there are the usual suspects who lean up against the wall as they wait for their mates to comeWendy Waltho, local resident
      Wendy, who has lived in her property just 50ft from the South Stand entrance for 19 years, added: “For a 3pm kick off, they leave at about midday.
      “It doesn’t take three hours to get there – I think the pub might be involved.
      “But, when it’s not matchday, it’s dead quiet.”
      The street’s quietness on days other than when Portsmouth play is the main reason David Young bought his home home 20 years ago.
      The 39-year-old said: “During matchday it can be a bit hectic, but on days off, kids play in the street.
      “You can’t get that anywhere else in Fratton, we love it here.”
      The restaurant manager admitted he ‘hated’ football, but used to enjoy going to games when tickets were reduced for residents in close proximity to the stadium – a perk which stopped about eight years ago.
      “In a derby game against Southampton, I had a brick thrown my front window during a riot – that made them separate the fans in the future,” he added.
      Pitch view
      Diana heard a Madness concert taking place at the stadium from her gardenCredit: Solent
      Diana Hill moved into the neighbouring road in 2015 and can even see a portion of the pitch from her son’s bedroom.
      The 41-year-old said: “The atmosphere is absolutely electric on game day.
      “You can feel the electricity amongst the fans and when Pompey score, the house literally shakes.
      “We love it, we can see a little section of goalpost, but they’re redeveloping it at the minute.”
      The mother-of-three admitted she and her family received the perfect welcome when Madness played a gig at the stadium in the summer of 2015.
      Read more on The Sun
      “We didn’t have to go, we just sat in the garden and got a free Madness concert,” she said.
      “The club have been great recently as well in providing equipment for street parties over the Jubilee and Coronation.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen & Dani Dyer’s fairytale romance as ‘proposal expected any day now’… with Danny’s blessing

      by

      FINDING a partner your parents approve of is hard enough – but it’s almost impossible when you’re the daughter of TV’s most famous hardman.Dani Dyer appears to have finally managed it, however, after settling down with West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen, who last night steered her dad Danny’s favourite team to their first trophy in over 40 years.
      Dani and Jarrod have enjoyed dates together at Ascot race course dressed to the ninesCredit: danidyer/Instagram
      Danny and Jarrod are firm friends and the actor is hoping the pair will get marriedCredit: Instagram
      Danny jokes he’s fallen even more in love with Jarrod, 26, than his daughter since the new parents met in 2021 and hilariously has even joined in with fans’ X-rated terrace chant: “Bowen’s on fire and he’s sh***ing Dani Dyer.”
      The EastEnders actor, 45, and footballer were pictured together with babes in arms two weeks ago after Dani, 26, gave birth to twins.
      And when Jarrod scored the winning goal to clinch the Europa Conference League title for West Ham this week, a delighted Danny shared a snap of his daughter’s man holding the trophy, captioned: “F****** perfect”.
      Now, insiders claim that Danny and his family are desperate for the winger to get down on one knee and make Dani – who also has a son, Santiago, with her ex Sammy Kimmence – a bride.
      Read More in Football
      Engagement ‘any day now’
      A source close to the couple said: “Everyone’s saying they’ll be engaged any day now. They’re a proper family – they’ve just moved into a new house together and both sides of the family love them as a couple.
      “It’s Dani’s dream to be married now she’s a mum of three – Jarrod has really stepped up as a dad to Santi and they’re so happy together.

      “All their friends are expecting an engagement announcement any day soon – she’d say yes in a flash. It’s something they’ve talked about a lot.”
      The couple met not long after Dani’s former long-term boyfriend Kimmence was jailed for swindling pensioners out of thousands of pounds – leaving her to cope as a single mum.
      Most read in Football
      Previously, the TV star shot to fame thanks to her Love Island romance with Jack Fincham, but the pair split just months after leaving the villa.
      When her romance with Jarrod was first revealed, Dani said: “Everything is so early days. Jarrod is a lovely guy, and we’re enjoying getting to know each other.
      “But Santi will always be my main priority, he will always come first.
      “I am concentrating on being a mum and, beyond that, whatever happens, happens.”
      Stepdad duties
      Jarrod is regularly seen carrying little Santiago and taking him to his gamesCredit: danidyerxx/Instagram
      Within months Jarrod had become a firm fixture in Dani’s life and appears to be loved by Santi, two, who calls him JayJay.
      The couple welcomed twin girls Summer and Star in May, and their relationship appears to be going from strength to strength.
      While Dani was pregnant, Jarrod helped Santiago do an ultrasound to see how his little sisters were developing.
      Shortly after their birth, Dani wrote on social media: “Our first week together and enjoying every moment of the newborn bubble.
      “It’s been amazing watching Santi be a big brother he has melted my heart in ways I couldn’t imagine and he just feels like such a big boy all of a sudden.
      “My heart feels so so full and so excited for our journey together as a family of 5.”
      The West Ham ace slotted quickly into family life as a stepdad and is often photographed by Dani bonding with his stepson – even taking the tot in full West Ham kit on the pitch after games.
      Danny smitten
      Actor Danny is a big fan of his daughter’s boyfriend and jokes he loves Jarrod moreCredit: Instagram
      It’s not just the toddler who is a fan. Dani’s dad is a lifelong Hammers fan and has joked about how smitten he is with his daughter’s other half.
      “I’m probably more in love with your boyfriend than you are,” the EastEnders actor joked on his podcast with Dani, Sorted with the Dyers.
      The family have been keen for things to become official between the pair since last November.
      A source said: “Dani definitely thinks he’s The One, and she’d love a ring on her finger.
      “They’re in a really happy place, and she knows there’s no need to rush things, but she would love or him to propose and friends think it could be on the cards.
      “A Christmas engagement would be lovely. She’s had a tough time in past relationships, but she’s finally got her fairy tale.”
      Sadly, no ring materialised over Christmas and now the family are hoping this summer could see the footballer get down on one knee.
      Even after being with Jarrod for a few months, Dani already had his seal of approval.
      She said: “My dad thinks Jarrod’s a lovely guy. He’s invested in all of the West Ham players – because he supports the team and follows some of them, he’s like: ‘They’re all my friends.’ I’m like: ‘Right, OK, Dad.’
      “But he’s always been such a big football fan. As soon as Santi was born, the West Ham babygros were coming in from Grandad.”
      Footie banter
      Dani is vocal in her support of Jarrod’s careerCredit: Instagram
      Former Islander Dani certainly appears to be taking her duties as a WAG seriously and is regularly snapped at Jarrod’s games – even when heavily pregnant.
      However, ahead of the Europa Conference League final, the star couldn’t rely on his family life to give him a break from the pressures of the day job.
      Ahead of the clash, he joked: “The missus’ old man is obviously on me every week.”
      Following the win over Fiorentina, Dani shared a story with a photo of Jarrod saying: “So proud”.
      Their romance has infamously inspired an X-rated song by Hammers fans, and Jarrod was left unimpressed last night when a fan stormed on to the pitch singing it during an interview with BT Sport.
      But at least Danny has at least been able to see the funny side.
      After the Hammers beat Lyon to reach the semi finals of the competition back in April, he joked on Instagram: “Jarrod Bowen is on fire…and he’s… cuddling me daughter or something. So proud. What a f***ing night.”
      New family home
      The couple moved into a new family home before Dani gave birth to their twinsCredit: Instagram
      Over the course of their relationship, Dani has not been shysharing her love for the footballer in a flood of gushing Instagram tributes.
      On their first anniversary, she wrote: “One year of loving you… Happy Anniversary baby… your the boyfriend I’ve always dreamed of having… grateful for someone as kind and special as you.”
      The couple have been away on several luxury holidays and even visited Disneyland with Santiago. They’ve also enjoyed dates at spa The Cave Hotel, Ascot races and the Bulgari Hotel Milano.
      In March, they moved into a gorgeous new home ahead of welcoming their twins and celebrated with booze-free prosecco.
      Read more on The Sun
      Dani decorated the pad in classic white and greys with large mirrors to make the most of natural light.
      Now, she’s just waiting for the ultimate accessory… that long-awaited sparkler! More

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      in Motorsport

      Why daredevil riders still flock to Isle of Man TT despite ‘world’s deadliest race’ claiming lives of 267 motorcyclists

      by

      WITH another rider perishing at the Isle of Man TT, the age-old question is being asked once again.Why do so many motorcyclists risk their lives every year in what has been dubbed the deadliest race in the world?
      The Isle of Man TT is known as the world’s deadliest raceCredit: Pacemaker
      Raul Torras Martinez, 40, became the latest victim this weekCredit: Facebook
      The answer from many of the competitors is that the danger is what makes the annual test of nerves so thrilling.
      This week Spanish motorcyclist Raul Torras Martinez, 40, became the 267th person to lose their life on the notorious 37.73-mile track since the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy began in 1907.
      Raul was clocking average speeds of 125 mph as he did the final lap this week, having taken part in 21 races over the past six years.
      Even though the TT is a time-trial, which means competitors are racing against the clock rather than overtaking each other on tight bends, it is incredibly perilous.
      READ MORE FEATURES
      TV presenter Guy Martin was lucky to escape a fireball crash in 2010Credit: Documentaires Auto/Moto
      He returned to racing despite fracturing his spine and bruising both lungsCredit: Alamy
      The main hazards are the trees, lamp posts, stone walls and steep banks on the edge of the 200 bends.
      The late motorcycle champ Barry Sheene called it “a suicide mission” and the track requires great skill to get around in one piece.
      Thousands apply, but only 60 solo competitors and 30 sidecar pairings get to take on the most dangerous race in motorsport.
      Dicing with death
      Peter Hickman, 36, who holds the lap record, says: “The danger is what makes it exciting.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      The two men tussling to have the record for the most Isle of Man TT wins know the risk of the sport.
      Former bricklayer John McGuinness, 51, who shares 23 wins with Michael Dunlop, said:  “During my first race in ’96, I lost my best mate in practice. A lad named Micky Lofthouse.
      “I wanted to go home, but I decided to do the race and see what it was like.”
      It’s an adrenaline rush like no other that kept tempting him back.
      John said: “You race through villages, woodland, over a mountain, big open areas, tight twisty bits, unbelievably fast bits. 
      “I’ve done extreme sports but I cannot find anything that comes even close.”
      Robert Dunlop in 2006 with sons Michael and WilliamCredit: Pacemaker Press
      Flowers are laid at the spot where Robert Dunlop was killed during a practice race in Northern Ireland in 2008Credit: PA:Press Association
      Dunlop, 34, who equalled John’s record this week, had even more reason to quit the sport.
      His dad Robert, legendary uncle Joey and brother William all died racing motorcycles – although none in the Isle of Man TT.
      I’ve done extreme sports but I cannot find anything that comes even closeJohn McGuinness
      Michael said: “Nobody in my mind would have went through what I’ve been through and come back to do this if they didn’t love motorbikes.
      “I personally love motorbikes, it’s been my life. I’ve had a fantastic lifestyle out of it.
      Four years prior to his death in 2018 aged 32, William told The Sun, “I don’t care if I die racing” because it will be over in “an instant”.
      Backlash over ban calls
      There have been calls for the Isle of Man TT to be banned.
      But that is unlikely because the island in the middle of the Irish Sea has its own independent-minded government.
      There are no speed limits for the population of 85,000 people and the event brings in close to an estimated £30 million a year.
      The spots for deadly accidents, not including the latest fatal smash this week
      Even the relatives of those riders who have died do not wish to see brakes put on the TT.
      Leanne Harper, whose partner Dan Kneen died instantly after colliding with a tree in 2018, said: “With the experiences he had and the euphoria he felt, that feeling of being on the edge, Dan lived way more than the average 30-year-old. 
      “They know the risks, but the passion and joy overcomes that. 
      “If he was to have the same experiences again, knowing the outcome, he would probably have still raced the TT.”
      Last year six riders did not make it off the island alive, which equalled the previous worst year for fatalities.
      Tragically, they included Roger Stockton, 56, and son Bradley Stockton, 21, from Crewe in Cheshire, who died when their motorcycle and sidecar hit a wall.
      Mark Purslow,  29, from Llanon in west Wales, died during qualifying.
      His sister Hana said: “He always said that if he was going to go, that was the way he was going to go.”
      Mark perished on the notorious Ballagarey corner – which is nicknamed Ballascarey.
      There is no place more dangerous than the TTGuy Martin
      TV presenter Guy Martin lost control of his bike there at 170mph in 2010, escaping the fireball that engulfed his vehicle.
      Despite fracturing his spine and bruising both lungs Guy went back the next year.
      He said in 2012: “The reason I ride a motorbike is because of the danger and there is no place more dangerous than the TT. I like pushing myself.
      “I don’t like routines, I like to be challenged and nothing beats the buzz of going round there.”
      Safety measures
      This year extra safety measures have been introduced in the hope that less families will be deprived of loved ones.
      It includes GPS monitoring and a digital red flag system, so officials can react quickly to any problems.
      There is also a huge emergency team on hand, for the inevitable crashes.
      Isle of Man TT medical chief Dr Gareth Davies said: “We have a system whereby there are trackside medics that will be at the rider’s side within a matter of seconds.
      “And then we have three different helicopters to support the racing, three response cars, and then about five or six different ambulances.”
      There’s no way they’re not thinking about what can go wrong or happenJohn McGuinness
      But there is always a huge risk when a rider travelling at 180 mph can hit a wall at any time.
      Even a veteran like McGuinness admits to feeling nervous before heading out to face the demon track.

      He said: “We cross each other’s paths and it’s like ‘how are you doing’ but I know they’ll all be s***ing themselves.
      “We just cover it up a bit more. There’s no way they’re not thinking about what can go wrong or happen.”
      Only 60 solo competitors and 30 sidecar pairings get to take on the most dangerous race in motorsportCredit: Alamy
      Riders have to navigate a treacherous mountain course More

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      in Soccer

      My flat overlooks major football stadium – we can watch every game but there’s an unexpected problem about living here

      by

      FOR die-hard fans, the thought of owning a flat overlooking your team’s football pitch is a dream come true.That was the case for lifelong AFC Wimbledon supporters David Kenwery and Liam Nolan when property adjoining the club’s brand new stadium became available.
      Blocks of flats adjoin the AFC Wimbledon stadium in south west LondonCredit: Rex
      The development was supposed to provide ‘affordable’ homes for people struggling to get on the housing ladder – with the added perk that some flats overlook a football pitchCredit: Olivia West
      The friends bought a fourth floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat off-plan built within the grounds of the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Plough Lane – despite the fact neither of them live anywhere near it.
      Offshore wind farm site manager David is based in Hull, while IT consultant Liam, who grew up in the area, now works in Adelaide, Australia. 
      But both men regularly make the trip to south west London to watch the EFL League Two team they have supported for 40 years.
      Flats like David and Liam’s now go for a hefty £570,000 – however David, 60, tells The Sun: “For a football fan, homes built into a ground is about as good as it gets. 
      READ MORE FOOTBALL STORIES
      “How could I resist having a home next to the ground for match days?”
      But living above AFC Wimbledon’s pitch can come with some strange quirks – including one particular rule.
      On a residents forum for the flats, tenants claim they’re forbidden from hanging washing out on their balconies.
      Some of the flats offer a fantastic view of the pitchCredit: Getty
      Residents of the flashy Stadia apartments say the ground rent has rocketedCredit: Cascade News
      And when we visit, some tell us their ground rent – a maintenance fee for house buyers – has DOUBLED since they moved in, making their monthly costs now the same as a typical mortgage.
      Most read in Football
      Some tenants living in the flashy Stadia apartments run by Galliard Homes claim that as well as coughing up £500 a month in fees, they are being asked to pay a whopping £25,000 to use one of the spaces in the underground car park.
      Meanwhile people living nearby the new stadium claim their weekends can be fraught with hassle, with regular traffic jams and fans blocking drives and using their front gardens as a toilet.

      One young couple said they had paid £750,000 for a three-bedroom flat in the new development, where the shared ownership deals on offer meant some buyers only had to pay a portion of their home’s full value.
      The woman, 27, who declined to give her name, said: “Moving here allowed us to buy our first home so we were happy and grateful for that.
      “But they doubled the ground rent after we moved in, from £350 to £700, which was not what we were expecting.
      “We complained and it has now come down to about £500. But that’s still the same amount that some people will spend on their entire mortgage!”
      Like David and Liam’s, the couple’s apartment has a direct view of AFC Wimbledon’s pitch, which means they get a free view of the team’s games when they play – but they “don’t see it as a perk”.
      Some flat owners have moaned they can’t hang washing on their balconiesCredit: Olivia West
      Traffic can be grid-locked on match daysCredit: Olivia West
      The woman’s partner, also in his 20s, adds: “We can see the pitch from our window but – let’s be honest – they’re not the best football team.
      “Another issue is that they’re demanding £25,000 to buy a parking space in the flats, which is completely unaffordable.
      “And it seems that no-one here wants to pay that as the car park is always empty. It’s ridiculous.”
      Before they were unveiled a few years ago, developers Galliard Homes boasted that around a third of the 604 homes would be available through shared ownership, which would provide “luxury living to all levels of buyers”.
      The fact that a number of the apartments overlooked the football ground was also a key selling point – with AFC Wimbledon fans in particular keen to snap up the homes.
      Emotional return
      The Plough Lane stadium’s completion marked an emotional return for a football club that had been torn away from its natural home since 2002.
      That was the year the Football Association agreed the old Wimbledon F.C. could relocate 60 miles north to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire to prevent it from going bankrupt.
      The players were dubbed the ‘crazy gang’ in the 1980s because of their FA Cup winning heroics – upsetting Liverpool in the 1988 final – and the antics of club heroes like midfield hardman Vinnie Jones.
      So morphing into a new team called the MK Dons was never going to be accepted by the majority of supporters.
      Those that boycotted the move created AFC Wimbledon in its place and a window of opportunity emerged when Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium closed in 2017.
      The new AFC Wimbledon stadium is built on the site of an old dog trackCredit: Olivia West
      Planning permission was won for a stadium to be built on the 12-acre site just 250 yards from the club’s original ground that closed down 30 years ago.
      Galliard Homes agreed to stump up £14million for the new 9,300 capacity ground on the proviso that a number of apartment buildings would be erected alongside it.
      The company claimed that with one-bedroom flats on offer from £425,000, it would be affordable for both first time buyers and local parents looking for buy-to-let opportunities.
      But the romantic vision of a small club finally finding a home isn’t shared by some who live in the area.
      Adam Pfeiffer, 52, lives on a small private road opposite the new ground and reminisces about the peaceful weekends he used to enjoy before the club returned.
      Mechanic Adam says: “It’s a nightmare living here now and I don’t even like football.
      “The fans take the p***. They park wherever they want and litter all over the street. I regularly spot people using my front garden as a toilet on weekends.”
      On ‘event days’ you have to pay £3.20 for one hourCredit: Olivia West
      Business owners like Andrew Yeates are getting cheesed off with the new stadiumCredit: Olivia West
      Kris McKnight runs BB Plumbers close to the stadium. He says: “The dogs stadium was falling to bits so I guess they needed to do something, but it’s a shame that they got rid of it.
      “It was the last dog track in England and it was a great night out when you won.”
      Business owners are also getting cheesed off with the new stadium because they are now being made to pay £3.20 an hour for parking on match days.
      Andrew Yeates – director of the local Balloon and Kite Company – says: “The only real impact is the parking restrictions.
      “On ‘event days’ you have to pay and display for one hour and that makes parking more difficult. 
      “We have to pay for the hour when we are working and then move it around, or we have to park a long way away.
      “The biggest complaint I have is that you don’t always know when it’s an event day so you can get caught out. If you don’t know, you get a ticket, it’s that simple.”
      ‘Traffic is gridlocked’
      Roldan Aquino says the new development is a nightmare for traffic in the area, which was already congestedCredit: Olivia West
      Roldan Aquino, 50, helps run a food truck opposite the stadium where gourmet burgers cost £9. 
      He says traffic is frequently gridlocked around the new stadium.  
      “It can be a nightmare some days,” he says. “When there are temporary traffic lights here for whatever reason, it completely kills the business – people can’t get through and a 10 minute drive takes about three hours.”
      But not every business owner is downcast about the new development. Ania Ridley, 40, is landlady at the The Corner Pin pub where a pint of lager costs £5.10.
      She says: “I’ve worked here for 21 years and when the stadium was first built, I was worried because we all know what football fans can be like. 
      “But the ones that come here are really nice and polite – they even apologise if they spill their drinks.
      “And the development has brought in new people and younger people into the area, which is great for the pub.
      “It used to be mainly old people popping in for a drink but we have a younger crowd now and they are more likely to spend money.  
      “I think the new flats have given the whole area a boost.”
      The landlady of The Corner Pin pub, Ania Ridley, has welcomed the new developmentCredit: Olivia West
      A spokesperson for Galliard Homes said: “The Wimbledon Grounds development has been a resounding success, offering significant benefits to the local community.
      “One of the notable achievements of this project was the successful return of AFC Wimbledon to Plough Lane, made possible through our financial support and the generous gifting of land to the football club.
      “The Wimbledon Grounds development was undertaken as a joint venture partnership with The Peabody Trust, previously known as Catalyst Housing Association. Due to this partnership, we were able to achieve a significant increase in the number of affordable housing units, rising from an initial 60 to an impressive 181. These units were subsequently transferred to Catalyst Housing Association, who oversaw the sales and management of them as shared equity properties.

      “Parking was offered as an additional cost, due to the limited number of parking spaces available for the private units. Most spaces were held by Catalyst Housing Association for use of the affordable units.
      “The ground rents for the properties were determined in the traditional manner, based on the size of each flat. The initial rate was set at 0.1% of the property price, followed by a nominal peppercorn amount in subsequent years.” More