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      Brave dementia sufferer and Harrogate legend Jim Hague is lost without football while wife fears for his mental health

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      JIM HAGUE loves Harrogate Town and this lockdown is affecting his mental health far worse than most fans.
      For the 78-year-old suffers from dementia and being segregated from the club due to the government restrictions has had a detrimental effect on his life.

      Dementia sufferer Jim Hague is a legend on and off the pitch at Harrogate

      Jim is a club legend both on and off the pitch.
      The former striker – who started as a defender – remains their youngest first-team debutant at 14 and made a record 402 appearances, topping the Yorkshire club’s all-time scoring charts with 135 goals.
      He also served on the club’s committee and, six years ago, won an FA award as groundsman of the year.
      Yet – despite his condition – he is still involved with the Sulpherites and, right up to this second lockdown, was working at their Wetherby Road stadium with a team of maintenance volunteers every Monday and Friday.And that interaction with fellow Harrogate lovers gave him something to look forward to twice a week – especially with fans not allowed into the ground to watch games.

      Club record appearance holder and scorer Jim Hague helps tidy up ground
      Jenny – Jim’s wife for 54 years – told me: “He was sweeping leaves and cleaning the terraces out.“He had only just gone back after the first lockdown and they were doing so much work but now they’re not allowed in.“It’s been bad enough that he hasn’t been able to watch them play since March – although our son Jason has been able to stream the games for Jim.“But it’s been a hard time. Being able to watch games and go to the ground to meet old friends and lovers of Harrogate gave him a reason to get out of bed.“Harrogate has been his life and, for people with dementia, taking away something from them that they love and are used to is not good. It has a seriously negative impact. It’s the worst thing that could’ve happened to his life.“People with dementia need stability and anything out of the ordinary throws them into a downward spiral.“For Jim, his life revolved around watching Harrogate Town and being able to go down there to help.”

      People with dementia need stability and anything out of the ordinary throws them into a downward spiral.’
      Jenny Hague, Jim’s wife

      Jim left Harrogate when he was 16 to join Bolton Wanderers as a youth player. And he was such a promising talent, the legendary Nat Lofthouse spent a lot of time with him on the training pitch.Jenny, 76, said: “Nat would teach him how to head the ball – which is probably why he has dementia.”

      Bolton and England legend Nat Lofthouse taught Jim how to head the ball
      After around 18 months with Bolton, he joined Leeds but failed to make the grade there and returned to his beloved Harrogate to play in the Yorkshire League.Jim has a great story about his favourite Town manager – former pre-war Chelsea and England star John Townrow – that would send a modern-day HR department into meltdown.
      He said: “If we did something wrong in a game he used to punch us! It certainly taught us a lesson.”

      Jim loved playing for Harrogate “because the team was close-knit and had a real camaraderie.”

      Jim, far left, with Harrogate team after winning the West Riding Cup in 1973

      Jim, front row, far left, poses for Harrogate team photo in the 1967-68 season

      Harrogate Town celebrate winning promotion to League TwoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jim had to call time on his playing career with Harrogate in 1973 at the age of 32 after he passed out while with his wife on a visit to the Yorkshire coastal village of Sandsend, near Whitby.Jenny explained: “He had a heart problem and that finished his playing days there.”But, incredibly, he made a comeback and went on to play into his early 40s for Collingham – a local village team.However, he was serving on Harrogate’s committee and later became the groundsman.And there is a great tale from December 2012 ahead of a crunch FA Cup second-round match with Hastings United.The club were struggling with a newly-laid pitch because Harrogate got 340 per cent more rain that winter compared to the previous year – and had five home games called off in a row.Ten minutes before what was then Town’s biggest match in their history, the referee threatened to postpone the match unless there was more sand treatment to the pitch.

      Jim had been given the day off to enjoy the occasion with his grandson Alfie but, as soon as he heard, he rushed out of the stand and, along with the under-17 squad that he had taught how to replace turf and repair diverts, got to work.And they got the pitch playable with one minute spare.Jim’s grand-daughter Olivia, 17, has also proudly represented the club in the girls’ section.

      Jim and Jenny Hague have been married to each other for 54 years
      Despite having dementia, Jim still was able to talk to me about his love of the club that is playing in the EFL for the first time in their history.He said: “I’m delighted and proud we’re in the Football League and playing well too.“Going way back to when I was playing in the old Yorkshire League, I wanted the club to go further and they certainly have done that.“When fans are allowed back, we will have a big crowd for the first game there for sure.“The club will always have a special place in my heart.”And Harrogate will always have a special place in their hearts for Jim Hague too.

      Elliott has a cheek claiming he owns Charlton

      WHAT a cheek of Paul Elliott to demand Thomas Sandgaard leaves Charlton Athletic – claiming he does not own the club.It’s almost as mad as Donald Trump claiming he won the US election.Elliott – along with lawyer sidekick Chris Farnell – are hated by the vast majority of the Addicks’ fan-base.I ran a poll on my Twitter page the other day and asked supporters what they would do if these two gentlemen somehow regained control – and 75 per cent said they would “boycott all matches”.Both of them enjoyed driving around in flashy £90,000 Range Rovers at Charlton’s expense while the club was on its knees.In fact, when Sandgaard took over they were days from going into administration.East Street Investments – the previous owners – took almost £1million out of the club on a fleet of cars for their executives. Meanwhile former chairman Matt Southall enjoyed a luxury £12,000-a-month Thames-riverside apartment, paid for by the club.It is clear to any reasonable person that the aim of Elliott and Farnell serving “sealed court orders” to Sandgaard’s legal team is to try to scare him into paying more money to them.Sandgaard, who says he is paying £1m a month at the moment to fund the club without fans, in the coming weeks wants to lobby the EFL in a bid to rid the game of dodgy owners.And, if they are not able to achieve that, then he will start a parliamentary petition with the aim of the government bringing in legislation.We should not allow another club to suffer the same fate as Bury.If football cannot self-regulate itself effectively, then the government most certainly can do it for them. More

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      Football fans could be allowed back in to stadiums soon with Government ‘desperate to get crowds back’

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      FOOTBALL fans could be allowed back in stadiums soon with the Government reportedly ‘desperate’ to get crowds back.
      Ministers are said to be having ‘detailed’ discussions over letting supporters back into open-air arenas.

      Football fans could soon be back in stadiums with the Government ‘desperate’ to see crowds backCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The main concern is said to be around getting people to and from events while avoiding increased infection risk on public transport, according to the Mail.
      But giving people the ‘morale boosting’ option to go and watch live sport again is one ministers are said to be ‘desperately’ pursuing.
      A source is quoted as saying: “That is an important element to consider.”
      PM Boris Johnson said yesterday: “My first message is ‘thank you’ for what you have done over the last very difficult eight months, my second is that there is hope on the horizon.”

      And a No 10 spokesman added: “Everyone’s efforts during the current national restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS.
      “But the Prime Minister and his scientific advisers are clear the virus is still present – and without regional restrictions it could quickly run out of control again before vaccines and mass testing have had an effect.”
      Brighton fans were allowed in to watch their team’s friendly against Chelsea at the end of August.
      But no other Premier League team has allowed supporters in since that test event.

      Only last week it emerged fans could be allowed back before CHRISTMAS despite the national lockdown.
      The Department of Culture, Media and Sport were said to have submitted proposals which would allow fans in areas where coronavirus infection rates are low to attend games.
      The Government are yet to officially agree but the DCMS’s involvement is encouraging.
      Football fans have long bemoaned not being allowed to re-enter stadiums, while other sports and activities have welcomed back crowds, albeit in limited numbers.
      Last month, West Ham boss David Moyes vented his frustration.
      The Scot was left baffled after West Ham’s clash with Manchester City was played behind closed doors, but the match was screened in an indoor cinema just a ten-minute walk away.
      Moyes said: “People are going watch a game in a cinema, close to here, why can we not be sitting outside in the open air doing it?
      “Please come out and give us an explanation as to why we can’t do it.”

      Rishi Sunak says government doing their best to get families together for Christmas — but warns it won’t be ‘normal’ More

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      Ivan Toney vows to shoot Brentford into the Prem like Zlatan Ibrahimovic… then sing like Neil Diamond in dressing room

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      IVAN TONEY claims to have the confidence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the singing voice of Neil Diamond.
      And while no-one at Brentford has yet heard him belt out Sweet Caroline or Forever In Blue Jeans, they have certainly seen his self-assurance in front of goal.

      Ivan Toney has got off to a storming start to life at Brentford with 10 goals

      The striker – yet to do his initiation song which he promises to be a Diamond classic – believes he has Ibrahimovic qualities that will help shoot him and the Bees into the Premier League.
      Toney, 24, signed for £5m from Peterborough in the summer, was the man tasked with filling Ollie Watkins’ shoes after his £28m switch to Aston Villa.
      And while Watkins thumped 28 goals last season, his replacement has already fired 10 goals in his first 11 games and has just won the SkyBet Championship player of the month award.
      And he told SunSport: “I’ve always liked Zlatan. I just love his confidence.  Some people see it as arrogance but you must be like that to succeed. 

      “I’m similar to Zlatan in both my confidence and the way I play. When he wants to do something, he just does it. I have some of that in my game and personality. And I believe I’ll be a Premier League striker.”
      Brentford’s famous BMW frontline of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins plundered a staggering 61 goals between them last season but they lost in the play-off final against Fulham after blowing automatic promotion by losing their last two games of the season against Stoke and Barnsley.
      Only Mbeumo remains with Benrahma on loan at West Ham – which means there is pressure on Toney to fill the void.

      Brentford’s BMW frontline fired 61 Championship goals last season
      But Brentford have a great track record of continually refreshing themselves. After Neil Maupay moved to Brighton, Watkins stepped up to the plate – and now it is the turn of Toney.

      And he said: “There’s always pressure but I don’t feel it. That’s why Brentford brought me in. They believed I could fill the shoes of all the strikers that had been in there before.
      “Do I think I can get 25 goals? Yes. If you set targets, they must be sky high because if you finish just under it’s still going to be a good achievement.
      “Brentford keep producing 25-goal strikers – so why can I not be the next one? I believe it, the manager believes it, my team-mates believe it – so why not go for it?
      “When you’re a striker, confidence is key. The only person who can do it – and sometimes the only person who believes you can – is yourself. If you believe, anything is possible.”
      Toney was a late bloomer in football and was spotted aged 13 by Leicester. But he was told he had something special when he played in front of his mum’s house at Eastfield Park in Northampton.

      Ivan Toney won SkyBet’s Championship player of the month for October
      He said: “My cousin Nathan Hicks used to be on the books at Leicester and I played with him, my other cousins and friends, at the front of the house.
      “They were all 18 to 20 and I was handling it well and they all thought I could play – and in the end Leicester scouted me and I was with them from 13 until they released me at 16.”
      He joined home-town club Northampton – and made his first-team debut, aged still 16, against Bradford in the FA Cup in November 2012.
      First he played under Aidy Boothroyd and then Chris Wilder. And it was under the current Sheffield United boss where he made his mark – scoring twice at Dagenham in a 3-0 win that helped to maintain the Cobblers’ EFL status.

      Ivan Toney is loving life at Brentford and wants to take them into the Prem
      Toney said: “Chris taught me about positional awareness so I could score more goals and had faith in starting me in that must-win game. I repaid him.”
      Wolves pulled out of signing him in 2015 after putting him through a medical: “They cited I had scoliosis in the back but I think that was just an excuse – I’ve never had any issues with my back.”
      But that just opened the door for Newcastle, who snapped him up instead. Toney spent three years at St James’ Park and made two cameo Premier League appearances off the bench against Chelsea and Manchester United as well as two others in the League Cup against Northampton and Sheffield Wednesday.
      He said: “I moved to Newcastle as a young boy aged 18 and went straight into the Premier League. It was crazy.
      “The players I was playing and training with I was more used to playing them in the FIFA game!
      “But I took it in my stride and was grateful to be there because I learned so much.
      “I felt the tempo was a lot faster to anything I’d ever been used to. I’d go onto the field and think I have time to take a touch – but you often don’t have the luxury at that level.
      “It has helped me for the rest of my career and given me a great sniff of where I could be playing.” 
      But most of his time at the club was spent on loan – two spells with Barnsley, two with Scunthorpe and stints with Wigan and Shrewsbury.Toney found that tough and admitted: “It wasn’t the best situation for me because you’re on your own constantly moving around every six months. Also when a club keeps loaning you out, it makes you feel unwanted by your parent club.”
      But it was at Peterborough where his career took off – scoring 23 goals in his first season and then last term was on 26 when the League One campaign was ended by the coronavirus in March.
      And he said: “I found my feet there. The manager Darren Ferguson, when he came in, was great to me and said, ‘You can be as good as you want to be as long as you work hard for it.’ My game really kicked on under him.”Peterborough and Brentford have similar models in the way they keep recruiting and selling up-and-coming talent – and that is why Toney signed for both clubs.

      He said: “Peterborough have a good record with their strikers. If you don’t get promoted with them, they let you move on. “It’s exactly the same with Brentford but it’s not just that here though. I feel they’re a club able to play in the Premier League.
      “Also I like manager Thomas Frank a lot. He’s someone who I want to work hard for. What I like about him is he literally will do anything to help anyone – not just players, but the staff and anyone around the club. He’s genuine and everything you want from a manager.”

      Ivan Toney vowed to belt out some Neil Diamond classics to his team-mates
      Toney has not done his initiation song yet but has been told he will have to do it.And he is promising to sing a Diamond classic and said: “With a deep voice like mine, I try to hit the high notes. I don’t mind singing.
      “I’ll go for Neil Diamond because you have to know your dressing room. I get the feeling there are quite a few of his fans in there. I just hope they all join in so I’ll be let off lightly.” More

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      Ben Amos was oblivious to real world in Man Utd bubble… but has found his feet ELEVEN clubs later at Charlton

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      BEN AMOS has learned so much since leaving the cosy surroundings of Old Trafford.
      And the keeper says the biggest of the lot has been: “There is a big world outside Manchester United.”

      Ben Amos won the SkyBet League One player-of-the-month for his top form

      Ben Amos during his early professional playing days at Manchester United

      Sir Alex Ferguson gave him his debut at the age of 18.The keeper played seven times for United – once in the Premier League, five in the League Cup and once in the Champions League.But after the legendary former manager retired in 2013, Amos never got a look-in under either David Moyes or Louis van Gaal.Amos, now 30, is making his mark at Charlton – having played for ELEVEN different clubs.And he said: “The big thing I’ve learned since leaving is there’s a world outside Man United.“I was going into proper men’s football week in, week out. At United I had been getting a little taste of first-team football and then I’d be out.“I’d sit and wait and wouldn’t be allowed out on loan. It was difficult to get a flow of first-team games.“So what I learned was the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday grind of men’s football.”Amos admits he was inside a Manchester United bubble – oblivious to the sometimes harsh realities of the game outside of it.He said: “I wasn’t aware of it at the time. You expect everywhere to be held to the same standards of the Ferguson reign.“But you learn there is life outside of that. It’s not necessarily better or worse. Places are just run differently. It’s part and parcel of growing up.”Ferguson clearly rated Amos to have given him chances. The then rookie keeper held his own too.
      In those seven outings, he kept three clean sheets and conceded five goals and the team won five, drew one and lost one.

      Sir Alex Ferguson gave Amos seven first-team starts at Manchester United

      Ben Amos working with David De Gea in training at Manchester United
      And Amos said: “Sir Alex had faith in me and gave me opportunities at 18. I’ll be eternally grateful for that.“He kept a distance from his players. He worked on that fear factor – including with the senior players.“But, at the same time, he could crack a joke with you.
      “Sir Alex kept everyone guessing and you were always on your toes – even if you were a world-elite footballer.”

      Ben Amos has been in inspired form for Charlton in League One this season
      Amos is in his second spell with the Addicks having had a season on loan in League One from then parent club Bolton three years ago – and the team reached the play-offs.He signed permanently last year after a loan at Millwall but had a frustrating first season on his return – finding himself second-choice to Dillon Phillips and picking up an finger injury that kept him out for four months.So he had to watch from the sidelines as the Addicks were relegated from the Championship.
      Amos said: “It’s part and parcel of being a keeper. I was expecting to play. but joined just 10 days before the season so Dillon started and to his credit he did well. I didn’t get a look-in.“I then had an operation on my finger and that was the best part of four months out.“That is your season done at that point. I did get back at the end of the January. But by that time Dillon was in his groove.“That was great for him – but, thinking selfishly, it was frustrating for me.“But, first and foremost, Dillon and I are friends – we’ve been away on holiday together. We had healthy competition.“I didn’t overthink it. I couldn’t control what Dilon was doing on a matchday so just did my bit every day and was ready if called upon.”Phillips left the club in the summer to join Cardiff, which has enabled Amos to claim the No1 position.And he has had a superb start to the season – and went 575 minutes without conceding before Che Evans beat him twice in two minutes in Charlton’s 3-2 win at Fleetwood before the international break.That has coincided with Lee Bowyer’s men winning six matches on the spin and unbeaten in seven.Amos rates the clean sheet in the 0-0 draw against promotion rivals Sunderland before the six-match winning run as his most satisfying.He said: “We’d just lost back-to-back games against Doncaster and Lincoln – and that result against Sunderland put us back on the right track. Hopefully we can continue that form.”
      Thomas Sandgaard’s takeover of the club has been pivotal to Charlton’s change in fortunes – after an entire season of unrest off the field.

      New owner Thomas Sandgaard has brought a feelgood factor back
      The American-based Danish businessman has given the club some calming stability – and crucially backed Bowyer in the transfer market.In total, he has sanctioned TEN signings – defender Ryan Inniss, Chris Gunter, Ian Maatsen, Akin Famewo, midfielders Ben Watson, Andrew Shinnie, Marcus Maddison, Adam Matthews and strikers Paul Smyth and Omar Bogle.

      Amos said: “Everything he promised he has delivered on so far – and all the things I’m hearing and seeing has been good – long may it continue.“He even has been sending us special medical equipment that his company distributes – so is going over and beyond to help us be successful, which is welcome after what happened in previous months.“The feel-good factor is ultimately driven by results but the stability is need as a springboard to be successful.“We have strength in depth all across the pitch and I don’t think we’ve got going yet. We have loads more in us to kick on, really gel and put in better performances.”

      BEN AMOS FANS’ Q&A

      BEN AMOS answers questions sent to SunSport by Charlton fans.

      MICK McCORMACK: What aspects of your game do you feel you have improved over the last 12 months?BEN AMOS: My distribution definitely. I’ve been working non-stop on that. I try to make gains every day with coach Andy Marshall, he pushes me with tiny little details that we can polish and work on. There isn’t one thing. It’s fine tuning.
      BEN CHURCH: How did you manage the backwards hand save in the play-offs against Shrewsbury? I still can’t get over how you did that.BEN AMOS: Just instinct. I’ve always got that desire to keep the ball out of the net and at that time I found myself with my back to the player and the shot came in. I kept my eyes on it and with pure desperation to keep the ball out I managed to make the save.
      RAY STOWER: Being in goal in empty stadiums at the moment, does that take the pressure off you as a keeper?BEN AMOS: Not for me personally. The pressure is trying to win the game, keep clean sheets and do your best. I focus on myself. If I do that I sleep easier than if I hadn’t.THOMAS SANDGAARD: The back four have a lot of trust in you – how much have the experienced defenders helped you?BEN AMOS: They’re good lads first and foremost. We’re always speaking to each other about the game where they are enthusiastic to learn and have the desire to keep the ball out of the net.That is the first thing I want as a goalkeeper. They have helped me in that respect because there becomes a trust with more games we play. We speak so much how to keep the ball out of the net. More

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      Premier League under pressure again by MPs over why £50m Football League bailout not agreed amid coronavirus pandemic

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      PREM boss Richard Masters has again been asked by MPs to explain why the £50million lower division bail out has not been agreed.
      Masters and EFL chairman Rick Parry were both grilled by the DCMS all-party select committee last week over the continued stand-off.

      Richard Masters has come under pressure to solve the financial crisis that’s hit the football pyramidCredit: PA:Press Association

      Committee head and Tory MP Julian Knight said he would send out public letters to both men on a weekly basis until the situation was resolved.
      And now Knight has published the first batch of correspondence, telling both the Prem and EFL MPs are “disappointed that you have not yet come to an agreement that will ensure the survival of football clubs through the current pandemic.”
      Knight added: “There is enough money in the game to save football clubs but we are beginning to doubt whether there is enough leadership to make that happen. 
      “We urge you to stop squabbling and come to an agreement. 

      “Fans have been waiting too long. 
      “We expect, and the fans deserve, better.”
      SunSport revealed that Championship clubs gave the green light for the League One and Two sides to take advantage of the bail out after the Prem made a £200m loan offer for the EFL top flight.
      But Parry and his clubs are demanding the entire £50m is in the form of a grant, rather than just the first £20m with the rest on a loan, as the Prem proposed.

      EFL chairman Rick Parry was grilled by the digital, culture, media and sport committee Credit: PA:Press Association
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston both put extra pressure on Masters and Parry yesterday, insisting it was an obligation on football to sort out its Covid-19 problems.
      The Government is ready to green light a “fan-led review” of the game, and intends to use the Covid crisis stand-off as the starting point and justification for the process.
      Prem chiefs point out that by making 40 per cent of the money a grant, with the other 60 per cent a no-interest loan, they are actually offering Leagues One and Two better terms than the Government has in its new £300m sports “winter survival package”, which is demanding repayment of £250m at “low commercial rates”.
      But Knight warned: “We are losing patience. 
      “Fans have waited a long time for a solution that would safeguard their clubs but all they can see is squabbling at the top of the game. Football and its followers deserve better.
      “The current fiasco in reaching an agreement isn’t about the lack of money, but lack of leadership.

      “We’re putting the current leaders of the Premier League and the EFL on notice. We want to be kept in the loop about every discussion, every meeting, every call, every email, to save clubs at risk. 
      “Nothing should be withheld from the Committee, and so that fans can see what’s going on, we’ll make these updates public.
      “The predecessor DCMS Committee called for legislation to bring in an independent system of football licensing and regulation if the game wasn’t able to reform itself. That time may be fast approaching.” More

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      Wayne Rooney confirms he’s chasing full-time Derby job as ‘ambitious’ Man Utd legend moves into coaching

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      WAYNE ROONEY has confirmed he wants to become Derby’s next boss.
      The England and Manchester United legend, 35, claims he would lack ambition if he did not want to take over the rock-bottom Championship club.

      Wayne Rooney has stated his intentions to become the full-time Derby boss

      We revealed on October 15 that Rooney was in line to replace Phillip Cocu, who was axed on Saturday.
      Rooney, one of four interim Rams bosses, said: “I wouldn’t be an ambitious person if I didn’t want the job.
      “My ambition is to go into management, especially when you see the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker all getting good jobs and doing really well.
      “We have to get the next two or three games out the way first.

      “But if they go well it puts us all in a better position to put our names forward for that role.”
      Rooney has addressed ways of how he can help Derby climb up the table with the club winning just once in 11 games this term.
      He added: “The big thing we need to bring back to the players and into our game is simplicity.
      “You can over-complicate things and that’s not always great for players in this position.

      “Different messages, different line-ups, different ways of playing.
      “When you’re struggling and not winning games of football you are always thinking of different ideas of how you get out of that run of bad form. But often the best way out of that is simplicity.
      “As a player you learn, as your career goes on, that if you give the ball away two or three times, the next time the ball comes to you, keep it simple and naturally your confidence grows.
      “Then you can start making more difficult passes again. I think it’s the same with players.
      “Make things simple, don’t overcomplicate by feeding them information which will frazzle their heads.
      “Just do the simple things right and everything will fall into place.”

      Eddie Hearn wants to stage Wayne Rooney vs Rio Ferdinand charity BOXING match at Man Utd’s Old Trafford More

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      Government’s £300m sport bailout revealed with £135m to rugby union, £40m to horse racing and £9m to Championship clubs

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      THE Government has announced the full details of its £300m sports bail out.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston outlined the ‘winter survival package’ in a Commons statement that provides much-needed security for sports peering into the financial abyss as a result of the Covid crisis.

      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has outlined his ‘winter survival package’Credit: PA:Press Association

      As expected, rugby union was granted the biggest share of the loans made available, with a £135m fund.
      Of that, £44m will go straight to the RFU, facing a £120m shortfall with no fans allowed inside Twickenham since March.
      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59m, with £9m available to clubs in the Championship and a further £23m to those clubs further down the pyramid.
      Horse racing gets the next biggest share, with courses splitting £40m between them.

      Football’s lowest reaches will receive £28m, including the pre-announced £10m Lottery funding for the National League.
      Steps 3-6 of the pyramid, from the tier below National Leagues North and South to regional leagues, will be able to claim part of the £14m on offer, with £3m available to the upper two levels of the women’s game.
      Other money will go to rugby league (£12m), motorsport – with Silverstone, Goodwood, the British Automobile Racing Club, and MotorSport Vision sharing £6 million – while the Lawn Tennis Association has been offered £5m.
      Netball, basketball and elite ice hockey will each get £4m, badminton £2m and greyhound racing £1m.

      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59mCredit: Reuters

      Huddleston said: “Over the past few weeks we have worked tirelessly with sport governing bodies and clubs across the country to fully assess what support is needed, as a result of the decision to postpone the return of fans. 
      “We know the vast majority of sports – many of which operate on tight financial margins – have been making serious cost reductions, such as locking down grounds, taking up the furlough scheme for many staff and halting excess payments. 

      Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period
      Oliver Dowden

      “It is absolutely right that we now intervene to protect entire sports, and the communities they support, as we navigate this pandemic.”
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: “Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period.”
      And Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “These are unprecedented times for our sector, and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic. 
      “The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from Government will be hugely welcomed.”

      Nico Yennaris scores his first goal for Chinese team Beijing Sinobo Guoan More

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      Danny Drinkwater makes first competitive start for Chelsea since 2018 but loses to Bristol Rovers in Papa John’s Trophy

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      CHELSEA outcast Danny Drinkwater made his first competitive start for Chelsea since March 2018 in the Papa John’s Trophy.
      A tumultuous spell at the West London club has seen the midfielder’s career nosedive.

      Danny Drinkwater turned out for Chelsea’s Under-21 team against Bristol Rovers on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But he is hoping to pick up the pieces and regain match fitness in the Blues’ reserve side.
      On Wednesday night, he played 90 minutes against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy.
      It was his first competitive encounter against senior pros for Chelsea since the 2018 Community Shield, and first start since March of that year.
      Unfortunately for Drinkwater, 30, Rovers stole a late win to knock Chelsea out of the competition in a 4-3 thriller.

      Tino Anjorin scored twice in reply to strikes from Brandon Hanlan, Sam Nicholson and Zain Westbrooke for the League One side.
      Marcel Lewis also netted as the Blues kids looked to have taken the game to penalties, before Rovers defender Josh Hare won the game at the death.
      Under Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, Drinkwater was exiled following the 2018 Community Shield defeat and did not play again that season.
      Last season saw the former Leicester title winner banned from drink driving in May 2019 before being involved in a nightclub brawl that September.

      Personal problems wrecked his loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa, the latter including a fine of two weeks’ wages for headbutting team-mate Jota in training.
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      Drinkwater told the Telegraph in September: “I know my Chelsea move hasn’t worked out how anybody would have wanted and I’ve made mistakes.
      “But it’s not as simple as me just not playing football or picking up a wage.
      “Money doesn’t solve anything. The pay cheque doesn’t really help at all, you don’t even think about money.
      “There have been things that come above football that have not been as simple as I’d like.”

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