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      in Boxing

      Ultimate boxing rich list including star worth $400m thanks to a strip club and Brit paid $76m for one fight alone

      by

      BOXING pros might take a few knocks in the ring but there’s one area in their life which never takes a blow – their finances. With some commanding a $76million pay packet for just one bout, boxing can be a lucrative profession. 
      Retiree Floyd Mayweather Jr. has made a mint from his Las Vegas strip clubCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Anthony Joshua has become one of the highest paid Brit boxers of all timeCredit: Getty
      And that’s not factoring in the countless sponsorship and endorsement deals each fighter can snag outside the ring. 
      From seven-figure streaming deals to strip clubs and documentaries, we reveal the deals behind top earners’ estimated net worths. 
      Deontay Wilder, $30m
      Deontay Wilder made $20million for defeating Luiz Ortiz in a 2020 rematchCredit: AP:Associated Press
      As one of the top heavyweights in the world, Wilder’s purses are in the millions. 
      He was paid $28million for his Tyson Fury rematch, and $20million for his Luiz Ortiz rematch in 2020.
      READ MORE BOXING
      But the boxer is no stranger to an endorsement deal – it is thought he had made $500,000 from brand work.
      He’s put his name to Everlast Boxing, fast food restaurant Raising Cane’s and PureKana CBD. 
      Gennady Golovkin, $35m 
      Gennady Golovkin could be in for earning megabucks after a $100m streaming dealCredit: Getty
      The Kazakh star may not be a big personality but he’s certainly unleashed his earning potential. 
      Last year, Golovkin was thought to pocket $20million from his bout with Mexican fighter Canelo Alvarez. 
      Most read in Boxing
      And he could rival Alvarez’s earning potential too – he signed a three-year six-fight agreement for $100million with streaming site DAZN. 
      He has also had sponsorship deals with Nike, Hublot watches and Tecate beer during his career.

      Amir Khan, $40m 
      Bolton’s Amir Khan isn’t afraid to show off his $40m fortune on reality TVCredit: AFP
      The catchweight was handed a two-year ban for unintentionally doping but is in no danger of going broke. 
      Khan reckons he’s made over $80million over the course of his boxing career. 
      But in his reality show Meet the Khans, his wife Faryal Makhdoom took control of his finances after Khan admitted he had “no idea” where $6.25million of his own cash had gone. 
      He and his wife have been building a luxury wedding venue in his hometown Bolton. 
      Oleksandr Usyk, $56m 
      Ukranian Usyk has made over £1million of his fortune from endorsement dealsCredit: EPA
      Before his two fights with Anthony Joshua in the last two years, the Ukrainian had only received two purses over £1million. 
      Without the two Joshua fights, Usyk’s career earnings would be around an estimated £6million but the profile boost has landed him in good stead.
      The low key fighter’s endorsement deals are thought to be worth around $1.2million with clothing maker Jaxet, BoxRaw and WePlay Esports.
      Wladimir Klitschko, $90m
      Klitschko could bolster his fortune with a promised upcoming bout against Tyson FuryCredit: Rex Features
      For Klitschko’s last two fights he earned a staggering $36million in total, sweetening his defeats against Fury and Joshua. 
      Although he retired in 2017, he earned an estimated pre-tax $200million during the entirety of his boxing career. 
      Hunky Klitschko – who once dated actress Hayden Panettiere – also earned a fair whack from sponsorship deals with Hugo Boss, gym McFit and Mercedes Benz. 
      Last year, he joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Brigade in the war against Russia but has been plotting a return to the ring to fight Fury. 
      Canelo Alvarez, $180m  
      Canelo is on a path to become one of the richest sportsmenCredit: Reuters
      The Mexican super middleweight signed a $365million fight contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s promotion company and DAZN. 
      The deal has set Canelo on a path to become one of the richest sportsmen. 
      Between June 2018 and June 2019, Canelo earned $95million from his fights and deals, according to Marca.
      He’s sponsored by Mexican beer company Tecate, cognac Hennessy and Cleto Reyes boxing gloves. 
      Tyson Fury, $162m 
      Tyson Fury has earned his millions both in and out of the ring with a Netflix series and book dealsCredit: Reuters
      The Gypsy King signed a $99million contract for five fights from ESPN in 2021. 
      Fury picked up $27.5million for his third fight with Deontay Wilder, $31million against Dillian Whyte and $26million in his most recent clash with Derek Chisora. 
      And the Morecambe-based boxer’s cheeky personality leaves him in demand for personal appearances too. 
      He was paid $15million for a single appearance at WWE’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia where he wrestled Braun Strowman. 
      His Netflix 10-part docuseries and his four autobiographies will no doubt have paid a pretty penny too. 
      Anthony Joshua, $211m 
      Anthony Joshua’s endorsement deal with Under Armour has put the sports brand on the mapCredit: @anthonyjoshua
      The Watford-born powerhouse reportedly earned a staggering $76million for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last year.
      Recently he left Sky Sports to sign an exclusive contract with DAZN that will see him rake in another $125million in exchange for two fights every 12 months until he retires.
      But outside the ring Joshua is expected to have raked in at least $122million through coveted sponsorship deals.  
      Sports clothing Under Armour, Hugo Boss, Land Rover and Jaguar are all worth millions to Joshua and saw him earn a total of $11million in 2021.
      Manny Pacquiao, $220m 
      Manny Pacquiao was the second richest athlete in the world in 2015Credit: AFP – Getty
      During his career, Pac-man has earned at least $500million from fights and endorsements including a $35million from a fight against Miguel Cotto.
      In 2015, Forbes named the Filipino the second richest athlete in the world. 
      He retired from his fighting career in 2021 and has since had cameos in mainly Filipino movies.
      He also served as a senator in the Philippine government from 2016 to 2022 and was a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.
      But he’s put his good fortune to use too – in 2015 he built 1,000 homes for the poor in the Philippines. 
      Floyd Mayweather Jr, $450m 
      Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been plotting a return to the ring against mafia grandson John Gotti IIICredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The exhibition fighter has made his millions through his pay-per-view bouts – with him featuring in four of the most watched fights. 
      He’s also invested in some savvy business ideas in his downtime. 
      He runs his own promotions company who represent 12 boxers and will take a cut from their earnings.
      Read More on The Sun
      Watch company Hublot, Burger King and gambling company Fanduel all reportedly have paid Mayweather to be the face of their brands.
      He also owns Vegas strip club Girl Collection which has takings of up to $250,000 on fight nights.  More

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      in Soccer

      We live INSIDE famous entrance to Luton Town stadium – footballs smash our windows but there are surprising perks

      by

      STROLLING along Oak Road in Luton, the row of Victorian red brick terraced houses feel just like any other street.But halfway down the road, homes have effectively been cut in half to make way for two entrances to the town’s football ground, Kenilworth Road.
      The entrance to Luton Town FC’s ground, Kenilworth Road, is cut into a row of terraced housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Abdul Ali lives right next to the entrance for home fans at the groundCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Home to Luton Town FC – which is on the cusp of entering the Premier League next season – the ground was built in 1905 and is one of the most unique in the football league.
      Visiting fans climb bright blue metal staircases perched above resident’s gardens to access the away stand, while patios from adjacent houses back onto the stadium.
      Currently third in the Championship, Luton Town stands a strong chance of making it to the play-offs for promotion.
      If successful, the club will be handed an estimated £10million bill to upgrade its long-standing ground.

      For locals who live on the street, the thought of the team moving to a new ground throws up mixed feelings.
      Abdul Ali’s family home is metres away from the entrance and backs onto the ground.

      “I’ve lived here my whole life,” he tells The Sun. “Until about seven years ago it was really easy to see into the stadium.
      “We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score.
      Most read in Football
      The stand entrance has been cut into a row of Victorian terrace housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Stairs lead up to the Oak Stand, running above residents’ gardensCredit: Getty
      “It was kind of annoying at the time, it used to drive my dad mad.
      “We complained and complained and the club finally put up netting and some corrugated iron to stop it.
      “It means that my view of the pitch is gone unless I jump up and down on my bed. Then I can see a little bit of the grass, but not enough to watch the game.”
      On match days, Abdul says there is always a sea of police on the street – which, he adds, comes with an unusual perk.
      We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score… it drove my dad madAbdul Ali, Oak Road resident
      “I went out during Sunday’s game to get some food and then police escorted me back to my house,” he says.
      “It’s kind of cool being escorted home.”
      One of the unique entrances on Oak Road provides access to The Bobbers’ Club – part of the Luton Town football ground for 89 years.
      On leaving the street – where house prices cost an average of £222,500 – fans are led down a small alleyway before they clamber the iron stairs to a terrace leading onto the Oak Stand.
      Stray balls
      Anu’s garden is directly next to the stairs leading the seats for away fansCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Rear gardens back onto the stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Mum-of-four Anu’s garden runs beneath the terrace, and she tells us stray footballs often end up landing in it.
      “They’ve only ever asked for the ball back once,” she admits. “We’ve kept the others.”
      Anu, 52, says local families in the area used to get complimentary passes to matches from the club, but that’s not happened since Covid.
      “We used to get a family ticket to go in the summer which was nice,” she says.
      “We’d go and see a match against one of the smaller teams. It was good to get in the ground.
      “My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
      My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the gamesAnu, local mum-of-four
      Anu’s neighbour LeeLee says she loves the buzz of match days, adding: “It makes me feel alive. I love it.
      “It keeps things interesting around here. I rarely have any problems with the fans.”
      Sadly Anu doesn’t share her enthusiasm.
      She claims she’s fed up of hooligans chucking rubbish from the steps into her garden as they come and go.
      “Last week my house was egged by fans, they leave cans and bottles in front of my house,” she tells us.
      “They spray alcohol on to mine and my neighbour’s windows and drop litter from the stairs as they go into the stands.”
      ‘I’ll never leave’
      Residents say some fans can be disruptive and cause problems on game daysCredit: Getty
      Many families living on Oak Road have grown up in the area and are lifelong fans of the club.
      Joumna’s childhood home backed on to the stadium and she’s since moved into her own property across the road.
      The 49-year-old admits she’s noticed fan behaviour has changed over the years, adding: “I remember as a child we didn’t have as many problems.
      “Now, whichever team loses, the fans are shouting and swearing. It’s a shame.”
      She adds: “The stadium is alright with me. I was born on this road and I’ll probably never leave.
      “It was fine when I lived overlooking it. We never had any issues.”
      Driven to despair
      Resident Amanpreet is fed up of having to move her car to accommodate match goersCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Residents are required to move their cars on match daysCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      But there is one issue that drives all residents up the wall – parking.
      Everyone who keeps a car on the street – a permit for which costs £60 a year – has to move it off Oak Road on game days or it will be seized.
      “Parking is such a problem around here,” resident Amanpreet, 34, tells us.
      “The stadium is a problem now because it attracts so many people. We have to move our car on match days but finding a space can be hard.”
      Fellow resident Malik, a 37-year-old customer services worker, shares her frustration.
      He claims he wouldn’t have bought a house if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would be.
      Malik says he wouldn’t have bought a house on the road if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would beCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      “I’m not happy because I pay to park my car on this road and I have to move it regularly,” he says.
      “If the game is at 5pm we have to move the car at around 10am. It’s really difficult with two young kids – it’s frustrating.”
      Another local, Khuram, 38, adds: “The parking issue is a struggle.
      “I have two young kids and walking them several streets over to the car on match days between fans is stressful.
      Read More on The Sun
      “There are lots of police on match days which is good, but we often have to show that we live here to get through at the end of the road.
      “The only time I have an issue with the stadium is match days because it’s disruptive.”
      Luton Town are on the cusp of moving up into the Premier League, which would mean all changeCredit: GOOGLE EARTH More

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      in Motorsport

      How Fernando Alonso became ultimate Formula One playboy as supermodel-loving star fuels rumours of Taylor Swift romance

      by

      FERNANDO Alonso lives life in the fast lane – on and off the track.The Formula One ace, 41, is back to his best this season racing for Aston Martin, and his love life must be keeping him busy when he’s not chasing podium finishes.
      Fernando Alonso is one of F1’s biggest starsCredit: Instagram
      The star has been a legend of the sport for two decades and has raised eyebrows with his cheeky antics. Pictured, with model Michelle Marsh at Silverstone in 2005Credit: EPA
      Fans were sent into a frenzy last week when Spanish magazines began linking Alonso to newly-single pop star Taylor Swift.
      The two-time world champion fuelled the flames last night when he posted a video of himself winking as he listened to one of the 33-year-old’s hit songs, Karma.
      It came just weeks after Alonso announced his split from long-term partner Andrea Schlager, explaining in a statement: “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.”
      Here, we steer a path through the flamboyant star’s long relationship history, from supermodels to a romance with one of his Formula One rival’s pals.
      Read More in F1
      The rockstar wife
      Alonso and Raquel Del Rosario married secretly in 2006Credit: Reuters
      The singer performed in the Spanish rock band El Sueno de MorfeoCredit: Eyevine
      Alonso and singer Raquel Del Rosario – who was lead singer for Spanish rock band El Sueno de Morfeo – met in 2005 after she performed at a concert to mark his first F1 title.
      He told her on-stage in front of thousands of adoring fans that he was “single and romantic” – and it clearly did the trick.
      Spending their time living first in Oxford and then Switzerland, they married secretly in 2006 but only confirmed it publically two years later.
      In 2011, however, the couple confirmed their break-up in a jointed statement, saying: “This has been a very thought about and mutual decision.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “We are separating from marriage, but never as friends, and there is still a very strong affection and mutual admiration to ensure the happiness of the other.”

      The banker
      Alonso moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia TchoumitchevaCredit: BackGrid
      After his split from Raquel, Alonso quickly moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia Tchoumitcheva.
      The talented Russian model, who has a degree in economics, has had an even more colourful career than her ex.
      After bagging an internship at JP Morgan, she was offered roles at Merrill Lynch and Duet Group, but decided to swap the stock market for the pop charts – releasing a rap single.
      A JP Morgan worker told the Mail that Xenia ‘brightened up the office’ when she worked there, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Neither was her romance with Alonso, which ended in late 2011.
      The model
      His next relationship was with Russian model Dasha KapustinaCredit: Alpha Press
      The following year, Alonso found another Russian model, stepping out at the German Grand Prix with Dasha Kapustina.
      The besotted pair were snapped on a holiday in Majorca as they relaxed on board a private yacht and were frequently seen together around the paddock.
      In 2013, Alonso whisked Dasha off to Las Vegas ahead of the British Grand Prix, taking selfies along the strip and even enjoying a David Copperfield show.
      After two years together, though, their romance quietly fizzled out.
      The journalist
      Alonso was engaged to Lara Alvarez but the relationship didn’t lastCredit: Reuters
      Alonso quickly fell head over heels after meeting journalist Lara Alvarez in December 2014.
      The star popped the question to his fellow Spaniard, who was previously linked to Real Madrid footballer Sergio Ramos.
      But by 2016, the 16-month relationship had come to a sad end, as pictures emerged of Lara stepping out without her silver ring.
      A source told a Barcelona-based newspaper that there was no bad blood between them, citing “the distance and demands of their jobs” as the reason behind the split.
      The rival romance
      Viki Odintcova was linked with Alonso in 2016Credit: INSTAGRAM
      She previously told how she ignored Cristiano Ronaldo’s DMsCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Alonso’s next flame, Viki Odintcova, has no shortage of admirers in the sports world – even claiming she ignored Instagram DMs from Cristiano Ronaldo.
      She said: “That happened… He (Ronaldo) even wrote to me. It was a long time ago. He wrote, ‘Hi, how are you?’
      “I deleted the message and didn’t reply.”
      The Russian model was rumoured to be dating Alonso in April 2016, but he would have risked the ire of her “most famous” pal.
      Viki previously told Russian TV: “The most famous person in my phonebook is Lewis Hamilton. The last time he messaged me was November 15, to congratulate me on my birthday.
      “I go to his races occasionally, the last time was in Sochi (at the Russian Grand Prix). We’ve been friends for three years. When I met him, I could barely speak English, I could only understand it.”
      The lingerie star
      Linda Morselli stuck by Alonso after his horror car accident in 2021Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Italian lingerie model Linda Morselli has a truly racy relationship history, having previously dated MotoGP rider and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi.
      After being snapped supporting Alonso at races in 2016, the pair confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post the following year.
      Linda – who was once crowned Miss Elegance at the Miss Italy beauty pageant – was there for her partner in 2021 when he was hit by a car on a roundabout while cycling in Switzerland.
      Alonso, who was training on a £5,500 road racer ahead of his return to F1 after a two-year absence, was rushed to a nearby hospital for X-rays and underwent surgery on his jaw.
      After half a decade together, the couple went their separate ways last year.
      The newest ex
      Alonso and Andrea Schlager announced they had broken up earlier this monthCredit: Instagram
      He met the journalist while she was working in the paddockCredit: Instagram / @andrea.m.schlager
      Alonso’s latest relationship was with Andrea Schlager, a sports commentator known for her work in F1 and MotoGP.
      The pair first met in the paddock while she was working as a sports presenter for ServusTV, dropping a series of cryptic clues on social media before going official.
      Just hours after Alonso secured a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month, he released an Instagram statement announcing their break-up.
      In a statement, he wrote: “We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended. 
      “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.
      “As you have probably seen, we have continued working on and off track on various projects together also during this time, and we will keep doing so with deep love and respect for each other.
      “We thought it is appropriate to share this as you have all been very supportive. Thanks for that. Love Fer & Andrea.”
      Alonso’s cheeky video this week sent Taylor Swift fans into meltdown, with one TikTok user commenting: “Oh my god Taylor X Fernando confirmed????”

      If the superstar is spotted in the paddock at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, they will truly go into overdrive. More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney’s £10m Wrexham spending spree – stadium overhaul to Paul Mullin’s staggering wages

      by

      WHEN it comes to football club owners, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in a league of their own.The pair are the toast of Wales after Wrexham FC won a long-awaited promotion back into the football league with a 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood on Saturday.
      Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the Vanarama National League trophy over the weekendCredit: Getty
      It marked the latest chapter of a fairy-tale story after Deadpool star Ryan and Rob, both 46, bought the ailing non-league club back in 2020.
      Just a decade ago, Wrexham were on the brink of bankruptcy, but in the space of a few years its superstar owners have now invested over £10million, as documented in the Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham.
      From a bold plan to buy back the stadium to busting the wage bills and buying 365 gin and tonics for locals, turning around Wrexham’s fortunes hasn’t come cheap for the pair.
      But while they have had to write off millions of pounds in the quest for promotion, Wrexham’s newfound popularity around the world – and the hefty pay check from Disney – has meant they’re not totally in the red.
      Read More on Wrexham
      Stadium overhaul
      Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground was bought back by the clubCredit: AP
      Rob and Ryan unveiled plans for extensive redevelopments of the stadiumCredit: WNS
      After snapping up Wrexham FC for £2million, Rob and Ryan’s first big mission was to buy back the famous Racecourse Ground stadium.
      Previously, it was owned by Wrexham Glyndwr University, who bought it in 2011 as the club battled a financial crisis.
      Wrexham’s latest accounts to the end of June 2022 show that £3.67million was paid to repurchase the freehold of the stadium, according to the Mail on Sunday.
      Rob and Ryan – who have a combined net worth of over £400million – then announced plans to develop the Racecourse’s Kop stand for an estimated cost of around £80-90 million.
      Most read in Football
      When finished, the state of the art new stand will house 5,500 fans, while also boasting impressive hospitality and office facilities.
      The pitch has had its fair share of problems over recent yearsCredit: gemmathomasphotography/Wrexham AFC
      Rob and Ryan aren’t just focused on Wrexham’s men’s team, with the duo intent on making their women’s team the best in Wales.
      They previously said: “The commitment of the club’s owners in their mission statement was clear, in that their ambition was to grow all areas of Wrexham AFC, not just the first team.”
      They pledged to make the women’s team fully semi-professional, should they win promotion this season – a feat they achieved earlier this month.
      It’s Always Sunny star Rob tweeted: “ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. CONGRATULATIONS @WrexhamAFCWomen!!!!!!”

      But the investment isn’t always quite so rewarding. In the documentary, Rob is seen baulking at the cost of installing a new £100,000 pitch at the start of the 2021/2022 season.
      But after learning the surface is defective, the owners are then forced to spend £200,000 to returf it yet again.
      Player power
      The players celebrate after securing promotion with a 3-1 victory over Boreham WoodCredit: AFP
      Paul Mullin is paid a reported £4,500-a-week salaryCredit: Getty
      Key to Wrexham’s title bid has been their squad of expensively assembled stars, who are expected to have the highest wage bill in Non-League history.
      Star striker Paul Mullinshad set a new goalscoring record for League Two before his move to Wales and it took a hefty sum to convince him to drop down the divisions.
      While the average Non-League player is said to earn between £1,000 and £1,500 a week, Mullin – who has scored 38 league goals this season – signed a deal worth £4,500 per week in 2021.
      Close behind him are Ben Tozer and Aaron Hayden, from Cheltenham Town and Carlisle United respectively, who are on an estimated £3,000 per week.
      Since taking over, Ryan and Rob have largely snapped up players at the end of their contract and the only transfer fee they have paid is the £375,000 sum for Ollie Palmer.
      Perhaps the biggest name in the current squad is former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster, who was convinced to come out of retirement on a short-term deal.
      “’I don’t need much (money) – to be honest,” Foster said. “The negotiations took about five minutes. Wages wise, it’s literally peanuts… the part for me is getting the team over the line and getting them promoted.”
      The club’s total wage bill for the 2021/22 season was revealed in the show to be around £2.3million – around the cost of an average League Two team’s.
      It is likely this season will surpass Salford City’s £2.68million bill in 2018/19, which remains the Non-League record.
      But the payday doesn’t stop there for the Wrexham FC players. Executive director Humphrey Ker previously revealed they would receive £250,000 each if they finished top of the National League.
      Kind gestures
      The town has been won over by the Hollywood pair’s generosityCredit: Getty
      Aside from ploughing millions of gratefully-received pounds into the club, Rob and Ryan have won over the community with a series of more personal investments.
      To celebrate one year as owners, the duo paid for 365 gin and tonics at The Turf Hotel near the stadium.
      Explaining the gesture, they wrote: “Just a quick note to thank each and every one of you on our 1-year anniversary with the club.
      “The love and adoration for Wrexham FC – it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen. That’s why we’ve put up 365 Aviation Gin and Tonics behind the bar. Have one on us.”
      Whenever their fans have been in need, they have been quick to open their wallets.
      Weeks after they bought the club, Wrexham supporter Aiden Stott, who has cerebral palsy, set up a campaign to try and raise £6,000 towards buying a new bath and mechanical hoist.
      After Rob donated the life-changing donation in full, Aiden said: “I am absolutely amazed, I just can’t believe it.
      “I thought that friends would share it and support me, but I never thought that someone famous would donate. It’s brilliant and I’m just in shock.”
      When Kayleigh Burton set up a GoFundMe page to help kit out her son’s futsal team, Ryan donated £1,600 to kit out FC United of Wrexham.
      Kayleigh and her boy, Keegen, had been through a difficult year after the death of his father, Adam.
      Upon receiving the donation, she said: “I’m lost for words, and over the moon. Thank you Ryan for putting a smile on the team’s face, if thank you is even enough.
      “Keegen is Wrexham’s number one fan. His dad would be made up for him and bursting with pride.”
      It’s not just the fans, either. Rob and Ryan have been there for their players through thick and thin.
      In December 2021, midfielder Jordan Davies went through the most difficult of tragedies, when he and his partner Kelsey lost baby boy Arthur to a stillbirth.
      Following their loss, Jordan and Kelsey sought to raise money for stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands UK by setting up a funding page.
      Rob and Ryan, together with partners Kaitlin Olson and Blake Lively, donated £10,000 towards the cause.
      Money makers
      Welcome to Wrexham has been a huge hit on Disney+Credit: Disney
      Last season, Ryan and Rob’s ambitious investments meant that the club made an overall loss of £2.9million – but it could pay off in the long run.
      That same season, the club’s income soared by 304 per cent to £6million as the Hollywood fairy-tale sparked interest around the world.
      Season ticket sales have also gone through the roof. In 2019 Wrexham sold just 2,609, but for this season, that figure has more than doubled to 6,820.
      Being in League Two next season will also significantly offset that pricey wage bill.
      Just for competing in the division alone, the club will receive £1.1million from the EFL, while Sky Sports will pay between £10,000 to £20,000 for showing any game on TV.
      And, of course, being the subject of a hugely popular Disney documentary doesn’t hurt either.
      Read More on The Sun
      The streaming giant has made a £430,000 profit on each episode of Welcome to Wrexham since it debuted last year, according to The Mirror.
      However little Ryan and Rob may know about football, it’s clear they know how to make a hit. More

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      in Soccer

      How Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively built incredible £370m fortune – from gin to Gucci and Gossip Girl

      by

      RYAN Reynolds has more than one reason for fist-pumping celebrations following Wrexham’s dramatic Easter Monday win.The owner of the Welsh football side and his wife Blake Lively have almost doubled their fortune to £372 million in the past year.
      Blake Lively cheering on Wrexham AFC with her husband Ryan ReynoldsCredit: Getty
      The couple have racked up a business empire worth a combined £372mCredit: Getty
      The star of Deadpool and the Gossip Girl actress have proven to be astute tacticians in the business world.
      They have their fingers in countless pies, including gin, mobile phones, non-alcoholic drinks, fashion, cosmetics, movies and, of course, football.
      Wrexham, which is co-owned by Ryan and fellow actor Rob McElhenney, lost almost £3 million last year.
      But the North Wales side’s 3-2 victory over nearest promotion rivals Notts County this week means they are odds on favourites to climb out of the non-league and into the more financially lucrative English Football League.
      Read More on The Sun
      Canadian Reynolds, 46, bought Wrexham with the aim of getting them into the £6 billion Premier League.
      Their battle for success, which was documented in a Disney Plus TV series, is proving to be blockbuster viewing.
      Reynolds said that the tussle between Wrexham and Notts County had “created drama unlike anything you’d ever see in a damn movie.”
      He has converted his wife Blake into a fan of football and the couple are buying a £1.5million home in the village of Marford not far from his club’s Racecourse ground.
      Most read in Football
      Here we look at Hollywood power couple’s biggest deals and estimated net worth.
      Ryan Reynolds – net worth £348m
      Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars – earning £57million in 2020 and netting around £16 million per movie.
      He struck a very savvy deal when he agreed to star in and produce the Marvel comic book movie Deadpool in 2016.
      While he was paid “just” £1.5million upfront, Reynolds took a share of the box office profits which earned him up to £30million. 
      But he’s not just an actor. He’s made his fair share of savvy investments.
      Drama unlike anything you’d ever see in a damn movieRyan Reynolds
      Communications giant T Mobile have agreed to pay up to £1billion for Mint Mobile which Reynolds bought a quarter share of just three years ago.
      He is going to remain in a creative role following the takeover, which is said to have earned him £245million.
      The film star has done much to promote Aviation gin, which he’s believed to have between a 20 and 25 per cent share in.
      The company was sold back in 2020 for half a billion pounds to British drinks firm Diageo. 
      Reynolds bought the fifth division club in 2020 for £2millionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ryan is involved with Aviation Gin which was sold for £500 millionCredit: PA:Press Association
      Comic actor Reynolds co-founded Maximum Effort Productions and Maximum Effort Marketing, which was responsible for a jokey viral post about character Big’s Peloton heart attack in Sex and the City.
      The actor has proven to be adept at using social media to promote his products.
      His biggest gamble to date has been buying fifth division team Wrexham.
      Actor Rob McElhenney convinced Reynolds to buy the non-league side for £2million even though the pair had never met and neither knew that much about football.
      But the duo are now addicted to the beautiful game and made good their promise to invest in the team.
      Reynolds has invested in the sports streaming platform Fubo and helped with its marketing campaign.
      The actor is on board of Match Group Inc which owns dating sites  Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge and PlentyOfFish.
      Over the years, Reynolds has worked with Armani, Hugo Boss, Nissan and Hyundai. His car collection, though, includes a £300,000  Lamborghini Aventador and £150,000 Audi R8.
      Blake Lively – net worth £24m
      Blake was paid £50,000 for every episode of the teen drama Gossip Girl, which meant she made over £6million for the 121 she was in. 
      Last week Lively posted an image of herself in a bikini top showing off her toned midriff just months after giving birth to her fourth child.
      It’s no wonder that so many brands have paid to be associated with the 35-year-old actress over the years, including a “multimillion” deal to be the face of the cosmetics giant L’Oreal in 2014.
      The stylish star is rumoured to have earned over £3million for a deal with high end fashion firm Gucci in 2012. 
      Blake was the face of L’Oreal Paris from 2014 in a ‘multimillion’ dollar dealCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Blake made £6million from playing troubled teen Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip GirlCredit: Handout
      In 2011 she was chosen to be the face of Chanel’s Mademoiselle handbag line, which is sure to have attracted a seven-figure fee.
      Recently, she’s tried her hand at starting her own side hustle from acting.
      Her latest venture is a line of non-alcoholic mixer drinks called Betty Buzz which makes sense for the teetotaller.
      Blake, who has 39 million followers on Instagram, has been posting images of herself with the drink, named after her grandmother Betty, which she launched in 2021.
      Blake and Ryan’s growing brood share a seven bedroom £4million mansion in Bedford, which is about one hour’s drive from New York. Their neighbours include Matt Damon, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
      Read More on The Sun
      They are both believed to have invested in plenty of real estate.
      But not everything Blake touched turned to gold, with the actress ditching a digital magazine and hand-made items sales site called Preserve a year after its 2014 launch. More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside Formula 1 drivers’ luxury car collections – including Max Verstappen’s James Bond car and Hamilton’s £13m garage

      by

      FORMULA 1 drivers definitely live life in the fast lane – on and off the track.As some of the highest-paid sports stars in the world, they have huge mansions, designer outfits, and an impressive supercar collection to show for it.
      Lewis Hamilton shows off his Mercedes-Benz GLC SUVCredit: LewisHamilton/twitter
      Carlos Sainz with his Ferrari 600 LT SpyderCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      And as many of them have shown, driving for some of the world’s biggest carmakers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz comes with incredible perks.
      Just ask Lewis Hamilton, whose partnership with Mercedes has netted him some of the manufacturers’ most amazing vehicles.
      Here, we take a peek into the garage of some of Formula 1’s biggest stars to see what they drive when they are not competing on the grid.
      Sergio Perez
      Sergio’s private car collection is said to be worth £4.3millionCredit: Rex
      His Bugatti Chiron cost a mind-blowing £2.5millionCredit: bugatti
      Although Sergio is yet to win a major championship, he’s still one of the most recognisable Formula 1 stars and is the fourth highest-paid driver on the grid right now.
      READ MORE ON F1
      The Mexican reportedly has five luxury cars to his name including a Bugatti Chiron, which retails from a mind-blowing £2.5million.
      Other cars in his collection include a McLaren 720S, a Mercedes Benz AMG, a Porsche Panamera, and a BMW X7.
      In total, the Red Bull racer’s cars are said to be worth over £4.3million.
      Charles Leclerc
      Charles Leclerc is one of the richest stars on the grid todayCredit: AP
      His vast collection includes a Rolls Royce WraithCredit: AFP
      Monte Carlo-born Charles is one of the grid’s most talented stars, with an estimated net worth of £42.5million after signing a deal with Ferrari in 2019.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He has one of the most impressive collections of private vehicles said to be worth £5.6million, including the powerful Bugatti Chiron and a Rolls Royce Wraith, worth £811,180.
      He also has a Ferrari GTC4 in his garage, which reportedly set him back £689,000, and a McLaren GT, which retails at £649,000.
      But that’s not all – the 25-year-old owns a Ferrari F8, a Land Rover Discovery, and a Jaguar XF.
      Max Verstappen
      Max’s collection is inspired by James BondCredit: Max33Verstappen/twitter
      Max also owns an Aston Martin Valkyrie, said to give drivers an F1 experienceCredit: Reuters
      The Red Bull driver is one of the highest-paid stars in Formula 1 and has a private car collection inspired by James Bond.
      Max owns a 007-type DB11, a follow-up to the DB10, driven by the fictional secret agent in Spectre.
      The Dutchman is reported to have added an Aston Martin Valkyrie to his collection. According to reports, the vehicle is priced at a whopping £2.1million.
      The manufacturer’s website describes the car as the closest anyone will get to having the Formula 1 experience on the road.
      Lewis Hamilton
      The Mercedes-Benz driver has several cars made by his teamCredit: MercedesAMGF1/twitter
      He says he no longer drives many of his supercars for environmental reasonsCredit: Xposure
      As a seven-time champion, it is no surprise that Lewis Hamilton likes to travel in style with a collection of some of the most luxurious vehicles.
      He has owned a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and a Ferrari LaFerrari.
      But these days, he prefers to be a bit more low-key as he takes the environment into consideration.
      In 2020, he told Reuters: “I don’t drive any of the cars that I own anymore. I only drive my [electric Mercedes] EQC.”
      It’s been reported that he also has a Mercedes-Benz G63, a GLC SUV, a McLaren P1, and a Pagani Zonda 760. According to reports, his private car collection is worth over £13.8million.
      Carlos Sainz
      Carlos Sainz has proudly shared snaps of his McLaren 720S on social mediaCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      The star also has a McLaren 600 LT SpyderCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      Carlos’ net worth is estimated to be £6.4million, meaning he has the means of securing himself an enviable car collection.
      It includes a Ferrari 812 Competizione, worth nearly £488,000.
      The Ferrari driver also has two McLarens – a 720S and a 600 LT Spyder – and has proudly shared snaps of them on social media.
      At £177,310, his Ferrari Roma is the least expensive vehicle in his possession.
      Fernando Alonso
      Fernando has several supercars including a McLaren
      Before switching teams from Alpine to Aston Martin, Fernando, 41, used to travel around in an Alpine A110 but has since upgraded.
      He now drives an Aston Martin DBX luxury SUV, which Fernando says is his dream car – the car doesn’t come cheap either, with the 2022 version boasting a starting price of £158,000.
      According to Slash Gear, the Spaniard’s garage includes a La Ferrari, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and a McLaren P1, which costs a staggering £895,000.
      Other cars in his collection are a Maserati GranCabrio, and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fernando Alonso Edition, which only had 40 units and typically sells for £244,000.
      Lance Stroll
      Lance Stroll is worth £41.6million and and owns a range of supercarsCredit: Splash
      His Ferrari California set him back a staggering £290,000Credit: Alamy
      Although Lance Stroll is worth £41.6million, his father Lawrence, who is a part owner and executive chairman of Aston Martin has a £2.4billion wealth.
      Lance’s car collection is one of the most incredible and is said to include a Ferrari California, which set him back £290,000.
      The Canadian also owns a Lamborghini Huracan, a Mercedes Benz AMG GT-R, and an Aston Martin Vantage, which is sold for about £131,000.
      His father, on the other hand, has a £50million Ferrari 250 GTO – the world’s most expensive car, and a £200million superyacht.
      Lando Norris
      Lando Norris has been living a glam life ever since swapping the UK for MonacoCredit: Getty
      Lando drives a powerful McLaren 720S, with a £248,800 price tagCredit: Getty
      He was seen driving a Fiat 500 Jolly in MonacoCredit: Norrislandofans/twitter
      He left the UK for Monaco when he got an extension to his McLaren deal last year and has been living the glam life ever since.
      Lando’s supercars includes a £248,800 McLaren 720S, which has the capability to go from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.
      Staying loyal to his team, he also owns a McLaren 570 GT, which comes with a £169,000 price tag.
      He isn’t all about the big cars, however – he has been spotted driving around Monaco in a cute Fiat 500 Jolly, which has sparked a ton of memes and TikTok videos.
      Valtteri Bottas
      Valtteri Bottas has a £25million fortune and a number of carsCredit: EPA
      Valtteri owns a McLaren 765LT, which sells for £310,000
      Vatlterri, 33, who spent most of his career at Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, has a £25million fortune in his own right and takes home £8.6million a year driving for Alfa Romeo.
      It’s no surprise then that he can afford a car collection that includes a McLaren 765LT Spyder, which goes for £310,000.
      There’s also a Mercedes Benz AMG GT Black Series for nearly £286,000, and an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifogilo for £74,736
      The least expensive car in the Finnish racer’s collection is a Mercedes AMG C63 for £69,000.
      George Russell
      George Russell with his Mercedes AMG GT that cost £97,000Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      He also owns a Mercedes C63 S Coupe and posted a picture on social media of him washing itCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      As a driver for Mercedes, George, 25, has an array of supercars he could choose from, including his Mercedes AMG GT, which costs £97,000.
      Powered by a 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, it can go from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 and has a top speed of 190 mph.
      Read More on The Sun
      The British racer also owns a Mercedes C63 S Coupe which is on the market for £63,482.
      He has even shared pictures of himself on social media washing the car himself by hand. More

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      in Soccer

      Where Soccer AM’s Soccerettes are now, from glamour models and talkSPORT host to Hollyoaks star and Big Brother winner

      by

      WITH cult classic football show Soccer AM set to be axed, SunSport takes a look back at one of its most iconic features – Soccerettes. The skit was scrapped in 2015 but saw a wide variety of future stars throughout its runtime.
      Soccer AM is set to be axedCredit: Sky
      From TV presenters to glamour models and actresses to Big Brother winners, the section etched its place into British TV history.
      But where are some of the most memorable Soccer AM Soccerettes now?
      Natalie Sawyer
      Natalie Sawyer appeared on Soccer AM in a Brentford shirt and now works at TalkSport
      Starting off, Natalie Sawyer made more than one appearance on Soccer AM during her 18 years working at Sky Sports.
      The now talkSPORT radio presenter and podcast host represented Brentford on the show, but back then promotion to the Premier League was a dream for any Bees fan.
      READ MORE ON SOCCER AM
      Natalie had been married to ITV commentator Sam Matterface until 2014. However, since 2015 she has been in a relationship with former Leeds and Brentford midfielder Jonathan Douglas.

      Gemma Atkinson
      Actress and former glamour model Gemma Atkinson appeared on Soccer AM in a Bury shirt in 2007
      Former TV Soap star Gemma Atkinson has forged a multi-faceted career which includes a 2007 appearance on Soccer AM, in which she donned a Bury shirt.
      Gemma appeared on both Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and has worked as a glamour model, before also adding Strictly Come Dancing to her CV.
      While on Strictly she met current partner Gorka Márquez, and she is now expecting her second child in the summer.
      Most read in Football
      Jennifer Metcalfe
      Jennifer Metcalfe is still one of the biggest stars on Hollyoaks now
      Jennifer Metcalfe made her Soccer AM debut while adorning a Bradford shirt.
      The Soap star is best known for roles as Mercedes McQueen and Jade Nicholls in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale respectively.
      She is mother to five-year-old Daye, but has admitted she would love to give him a sibling.
      Lucy Pinder
      Lucy Pinder wore a Southampton shirt. She later appeared on lad mags including FHM and Loaded
      Former glamour model Lucy Pinder was an instant hit on Soccerettes as she represented Southampton during her appearance.
      Lucy appeared in lad mags such as Nuts, FHM and Loaded, and also made an appearance on Big Brother in 2009.
      She has also dabbled in acting, with appearances in movies such as Sharknado 5.
      Chantelle Houghton
      Chantelle Houghton wore a yellow Arsenal shirt when on the SoccerettesCredit: Soccer AM
      She shot to fame after winning Big Brother in 2006Credit: Olivia West – The Sun
      Chantelle Houghton shot to fame after winning Big Brother in 2006 as a non-celeb.
      But before this she had been on Soccer AM with a yellow Arsenal shirt. She would later appear on Come Dine With Me.
      Chantelle has a daughter, ten-year-old Dolly, with ex-partner Alex Reid.
      Tamsin Greenway
      Tamsin Greenway appeared on Soccer AM with a shirt reading ‘unbelievable tekkers’Credit: Sky
      Greenway won bronze in the 2010 Commonwealth gamesCredit: Empics Sport
      Tamsmin Greenway appeared on Soccer AM in a Leicester City shirt, before it was removed to reveal a shirt which said “unbelievable tekkers”.
      The former England Netball star won bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. She is now the head coach of Scotland.
      Greenway has two children, Jeane and Casey, born in 2013 and 2019 respectively.
      Kelly Kelly
      Wrestler Kelly Kelly made a special appearance in 2007Credit: Sky
      After retiring from WWE in 2012 she became an influencerCredit: Twitter @TheBarbieBlank
      Wrestler Kelly Kelly, real name Barbie Blank, also made an appearance on Soccer AM.
      The former WWE star made an appearance on the show back in 2007.
      The blonde bombshell left WWE in 2012 and became an influencer.
      Louise Cliffe
      Former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe went on to appear on Big Brother
      Former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe appeared on Soccer AM as a Manchester United Soccerette in 2011.
      The 36-year-old model went on to appear on Big Brother that same year.
      She got together with Jay McKray in the house, who she married and split up with a year later.
      Later, in 2016, she announced she was dating another one of her Big Brother housemates, Stuart Pilkington, and expecting a baby with him.
      The couple are still together and have two children, Eli, six, and Ezra, four. Louise now works as a body piercer.
      Peta Todd
      Peta Todd was just 21 when she was on Soccer AM
      Former Page 3 girl Peta Todd was just 21 when she first appeared on Soccer Am, supporting West Ham – and it wasn’t her last.
      She’d just come back from Afghanistan where she was supporting the troops with charity Help For Heroes.
      Over the years Peta has raised thousands for the charity, through endeavours like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, skydiving and running the London Marathon in 2010.
      In 2010, she received an award for outstanding contribution to the charity, which included a personal meeting with Prince William.
      Read More on The Sun
      Peta has been married to cyclist Mark Cavendish since 2013. They have four children together, Delilah, 10, Casper, four, seven-month-old Astrid, and Frey, seven, who has special educational needs after he developed sepsis as a baby.
      She also has a son, Finnbar, 16, from a previous relationship. More

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      in Soccer

      I’m UK’s oldest football fan – if Grimsby Town reach FA Cup final on my 101th birthday it’ll be the best present ever

      by

      MOST pensioners look forward to a telegram from the King and a birthday cake when they turn 100.But Jack Hinchliffe had bigger fish to fry.
      Jack with son Graham and his honorary Grimsby Town shirt from the clubCredit: Richard Walker
      Come rain or shine, Jack has seen around 2,000 Grimsby Town matchesCredit: Richard Walker
      He got the “best present” ever when his beloved Grimsby Town were promoted on the same day.
      Now Jack is hoping his 101st will be just as lucky if the second division Lincolnshire underdogs can overcome Premier League high-flyers Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday in the quarter finals of the FA Cup.
      Two more wins by Town on their remarkable run and it would be a Wembley FA Cup final on June 3 – the same weekend as Jack’s big day.
      Jack joked: “I’ll be living in hope or dying in despair!
      Read More on FA Cup
      “I don’t drink but I might even open a bottle if we win.”
      Oldest footie fan
      The loyal Mariners’ supporter is Grimsby’s – and possibly Britain’s oldest – footie fan and his passion for his club knows no bounds.
      He has watched around 2,000 matches since he started following Grimsby in 1948 when he left the army after the Second World War.
      Come rain or shine Jack has waved his scarf at every game until he finally quit travelling the country to go to away matches at the age of 93.
      Most read in FA Cup
      He’s too frail to travel to Brighton for Sunday’s cup clash where Town take on a team 76 places above them in the leagues, and will watch on TV instead.
      The former fish salesman said: “I think we can do it.  Why not? We’ve come this far.
      “If we make it to Wembley the whole town will empty – and I’ll definitely want to go.”
      Jack at Wembley with grandson Jayden in 2016Credit: Richard Walker
      Grimsby only regained their full league status last year by winning the national playoffs after a potentially disastrous drop into the semi-professional National League.
      But this season the bounceback has continued with a remarkable and record-breaking run of five FA Cup games when they have defeated teams higher up the leagues. 
      The last time they flew so high was in the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1939 when they were a First Division side, losing 5-0 to Wolves in the semi-finals.
      Thousands of fans will be taking their iconic Harry the Haddock inflatable fish to Brighton’s American Express Community Stadium.
      The Mariners fans include comedian Lloyd Griffith, ex-kids entertainer Timmy Mallett and, occasionally, ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson whose Grimsby Town bobble hat often makes an appearance.
      And the current PM Rishi Sunak has even thrown his weight behind the team after a fifth round victory over his team Southampton.
      He said: “I now have a new team to support in the cup.”
      But local celeb Jack is by far the fan’s favourite and he was last year guest of honour at a ‘legends’ night where he was thrilled to meet ex-goalie Nigel Batch, who played for Grimsby between 1976 and 1787.
      The team also made Jack an honorary player with his own ‘Hinchliffe 100’ shift which he keeps on a peg in his living room.
      Jack’s most exciting game yet was at Wembley in 2016 when his team beat Forest Green Rovers to return to the EFL.
      A picture of him at the match with grandson Jayden, now 17, hangs proudly on his wall.
      Even Boris has been spotted in a Grimsby hat while out running with his dogCredit: Splash
      Jack, aged around 50, when he worked as a fish salesman in GrimsbyCredit: Richard Walker
      He said: “That was a great day. 
      “There was nobody left on the streets of Grimsby because everyone was at the match.”
      The father-of-two, grandfather of nine and great-grandad of eleven became obsessed with Grimsby when he went to see them at Blundell Park, the 124-year-old stadium in Cleethorpes where Town still play. 
      Sprightly Jack makes sure he goes for a short walk on the crescent outside his house every day to make sure he’s fit enough to watch his team on the weekends.
      “I don’t go to the mid-week games because you have to pay extra and I already pay between £300 and £400 for my season ticket,” he says.
      And on the subject of money, he reckons today’s footballers earn far too much.
      “They are greedy,” he says. “You used to get paid by the match and that was fair enough.
      “But I guess as Greavsie once said ‘it’s a funny old game’”
      Jack’s obsession with Grimsby started in 1939 when he left the Royal Engineers at the end of the war after taking part in tough campaigns in France, Norway, Egypt and the Middle East.
      He said: “I started going because it was somewhere to go. There wasn’t much to do after the war – it was job done.
      “I was quite sociable so a group of us started going.”
      Jack, who had played football growing up in Filey, was in Grimsby to lay cables for the post office and ended up staying after falling in love with first wife Joyce.
      He said: “Joyce used to visit the landlady me and another lad were staying with.
      “I  went to the Ritz cinema in Cleethorpes with a group of five, including Joyce, and when we got to the door there was only four allowed in.
      Jack with first wife Joyce, left, and second wife Kathleen
      Jack, far left, took his own team Haven Hotspurs to victory in 1953Credit: Richard Walker
      “We tossed for it and I took Joyce in. Afterwards we walked all the way back to Grimsby fish market, about three miles, and talked all the way.
      “When I walked her home her mum answered the door and said ‘bring the lad in then’. I thought ‘ey, what’s going on here then,’ but she came out with a washing up bowl full of beetroot from her garden for me. I still love a beetroot sandwich.”
      When Jack, then 19, and 18-year-old Joyce tied the knot they started going to games together and when baby Robert, now 71, came along, he went too.
      Sadly, Joyce died of liver failure aged 58.
      He went on to marry Kathleen, who died in 2004 aged 81, and had two children, taxi driver Graham, 57, and Sandra, 62, who were also ‘persuaded’ to support the Mariners.
      Sandra said: “To be honest I don’t really like football but it keeps dad going and gives him something to talk about with other people.”
      Granddaughter Seren Lucas, nine, has followed in her granddad’s footsteps and joined a junior team.
      Jack once ran his own football team Haven Hotspur FC who won the third division championship in 1953
      Despite being a massive Grimsby fan, Jack isn’t that interested in other clubs.
      And he is charmingly blunt when talking about the world’s most famous players.
      His favourites were Brazil sticker Pele, who died in December last year, and Hungarian Ferenc Puskas.
      He says: “I liked George Best but then he took to the drink and ruined the girls.”
      He saves a special mention for Raich Carter, a Hull City player, who he helped watch defeat Grimsby in 1949.
      Granddaughter Seren has made granddad proud playing for GrimsbyCredit: Richard Walker
      Pele and Puskas are Jack’s all-time favourite players
      Carter, who had captained his home town team Sunderland to a League Championship in 1936, was, says Jack, “the best player I’d ever seen at that time.”
      Jack, who has lived through five monarchs, has four carers to help but is still sharp for his age and with a twinkle in his eye says: “The oldest person in Britain is 108 and I’m going to beat them.”
      Son Graham puts his dad’s longevity down to his attitude.
      Read More on The Sun
      “You can come in and tell dad the worst news and he just goes ‘ah, well’. He’s always been that way.”
      While Jack might not make tomorrow’s match Grimsby Town knows their lucky mascot is right behind them. More