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      Iconic Wrexham pub recreated in Los Angeles… but Stella Artois costs eye-watering 20 dollars a PINT

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      SEEING a recreation of Wrexham’s local pub The Turf built outside California’s Levi Stadium is a sight few ever expected.But this is the reality for the little Welsh club in their new star-studded era.The Turf Pub in Wrexham has been remained outside the Levi StadiumCredit: ReutersThe local in North Vales is vastly differentCredit: Peter Dench – Commissioned by The Sunday Times MagazineIt has hosted A-list celebrities including the Red Dragons’ ownersCredit: PAThe Red Dragons are preparing for their return to League One – a stage they are not familiar with following promotion last season.But what is becoming normal are Stateside clashes against the game’s greats.Last year it was Manchester United and Chelsea, while this time around they faced the Blues once more in The Golden State.While some are adjusting – for most it will never be normal to see them walking out at enormous NFL stadiums, an almost incomprehensible clash of cultures.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYou certainly do not see Stella Artois on sale for an eye-watering $20 dollars in the real Turf boozer.The players still all stand on the pitch and snap selfies before the games, amazed by their surroundings and opponents.There was improvement on last year, as Hollywood owner Rob McElhenney watched them grab a deserved 2-2 draw with Enzo Maresca’s men.McElhenney is happy to stop for pictures and chats with those who come to watch and get a look at the club made famous by his ownership alongside Ryan Reynolds and the Welcome to Wrexham documentary.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in styleRyan Reynolds often has to watch his beloved Red Dragons from afar as he manages his business and performs in movies.But while on set earlier this year he came up with a genius method to watch their games.He hooked up a laptop to a giant green screen and broadcasted a Wrexham game over the projector.Reynolds shared a photo of his set-up along with the caption: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.” Fans are not quite flocking in extraordinary numbers – the 68,000-seater stadium was not even half full – but there is more than enough interest to ensure they will be back.They also boast an A-list fan in Hugh Jackman, who discussed the prospect of Mo Salah joining Wrexham alongside Reynolds.Chelsea ratings vs Wrexham More

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      Man Utd’s iconic Class of ’92 snap up Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer as wonderkid looks to revitalise his career

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      FORMER Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn, the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, has joined League Two club Salford.Woodburn scored on his second Reds appearance against Leeds aged 17 years and 45 days in 2016 but left Anfield in 2022.Ben Woodburn was the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s historyCredit: GettyHe has has now joined Salford – a team owned by stars from Liverpool’s fiercest rivalsCredit: GettyWoodburn celebrates making history with his former Liverpool team-matesCredit: PA:Press AssociationHe was unable to earn consistent first-team football and went out on four loans before being let go.And now the 24-year-old has joined Salford – a team jointly-owned by Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92.Woodburn signed a two-year deal with Salford after being released from Preston North End following 63 appearances this summer.He will be reunited with Salford boss Karl Robinson – who managed him during his loan spell at Oxford.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWoodburn said: “Obviously, I have a bit of a connection as I played under the gaffer at Oxford, me and him got on really well.”It was a bit of a pull to come here. I really enjoyed my time under Karl, it was a shame it got cut short with an injury that I had.”But, I am just really excited to get back playing under him.”“Most teams that I have been at, we’ve been pushing for the top end of the table, so hopefully we can do that here and get Salford back where they should be, near the top of the table.”Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Ammies, co-owned by Gary Neville and other members of United’s famed Class of ’92, appointed Robinson in January.Woodburn has managed 11 caps for Wales though the last of those came in 2021. Manchester United’s top transfer targetsIt has been a busy summer for Salford, who have already added to their ranks the likes of James Chester – a former United star – and Cole Stockton. Woodburn’s Liverpool careerHe joined Liverpool’s under-7s where he steadily progressed through the youth ranks.When he was 15 years old, Woodburn left his school, and was fast-tracked from Liverpool’s under-16s to the under-18s where his rapid development saw him included in Liverpool’s “Futures Group”.Having impressed first-team manager Jurgen Klopp, Woodburn was handed his non-competitive debut during the 2016–17 pre-season in a 1–0 win over Tranmere Rovers.He came off the bench in Liverpool’s next match to score one and assist another for Roberto Firmino in a 5–0 friendly win over Fleetwood Town.Woodburn then, along with Kevin Stewart and fellow academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold, signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in November 2016.He became Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer when he came off the bench to score in an EFL Cup quarter-final win over Leeds United, bettering Michael Owen’s record by 98 days.Woodburn joined Sheffield United, Oxford, and Blackpool on loan after leaving Anfield two years agoCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Former Premier League stadium to become a SCHOOL with kids to have ‘cutting edge’ sporting facilities

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      MIDDLESBROUGH’S Riverside Stadium is set to be used as a makeshift school from September.Boro played at the ground in the Premier League between 1998-2009, and again in the 2016-17 season.Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium will host classes for a schoolCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe Riverside has a capacity of 34,742 and boasts state-of-the-art facilities which pupils will have access to.Middlesbrough have opened the doors to students of Outwood Riverside Academy, who will be taught in temporary classrooms.The bizarre move has come about because the building of a new school, which was scheduled for completion in 2023, has been delayed.And another temporary site that was supposed to host pupils in Easton is also not ready.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHeadteacher Melissa Brant-Smith said pupils will attend classes at the Riverside for a “short time” and she confirmed students would be taught the full curriculum.Year 7s starting the school in September will use the stadium, while older kids will be taught in temporary premises at Russell Street.A new building for 900 pupils at Lower East Street in Middlehaven was approved by Middlesbrough Council in 2018.But issues with a building contractor combined with the pandemic meant the site missed its original 2023 opening and the completion date was pushed back to 2026.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn March, a DfE spokesperson said it was working with Middlesbrough Council and Outwood Grange Academies Trust to “urgently progress” its delivery.MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Andy McDonald previously questioned whether it would be built quicker than “some of civilisation’s greatest constructions”.Former Premier League stadium to become a school with kids to have ‘cutting edge’ sporting facilities More

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      Premier League clubs sniffing around 15-year-old EFL wonderkid who’s set to bag first-team role this season

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      STEVENAGE are fighting off Premier League interest in rising star Ryan Doherty — who is in their first team at just 15.The League One outfit gave the midfielder 45 minutes against Luton in a behind-closed-doors game last week.Ryan Doherty has drawn interest from a host of Premier League academiesCredit: Stevenage FCBoro do not want to lose the smooth-passing talent but may have to if a major offer comes in.Doherty, who plays primarily as a midfielder has progressed quickly and his development has alerted Premier League sides to his ability.The Prem clubs interested remain unnamed, but it is thought that a host of top flight outfits are keen to acquire his services for their academies.Doherty is set to feature regularly in the first team squad next season under new boss Alex Revell.read more football newsThe schoolboy also impressed in his 30 minutes against Watford on Saturday.Stevenage held Championship side Watford to a 2-2 draw at the Lamex Stadium.Stevenage often give opportunities to youngsters after playing 15-year-old goalkeeper Max Woodford against Crystal Palace U21s in the EFL trophy last season. And fans took to social media to praise the talented teenager.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne wrote: “Doherty is incredibly impressive. Hope he gets a chance to play in League One before the elites swoop in.”Another said: “Cracking little player – won’t be around for much longer, I wouldn’t have thought.”England’s Billion Pound Players: The Clash with SpainA third declared: “Great stuff, always fresh to see a young prodigy break through.”While another added: “Someone born in 2009 now playing for the Boro, seems like it was only yesterday!”Inside humble Ollie Watkins’ remarkable rise from non-league to England’s Euro 2024 heroNINE summers ago Ollie Watkins went on a lads’ holiday after helping to save Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare from relegation, writes Dan King.Now he’s just fired England into the Euro 2024 final with a sensational 90th-minute winner.And even helped Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League last season.Watkins arrived on the Somerset coast as a teenaged striker on loan from League Two Exeter in December 2014.His 10 goals in 24 league games were a big factor in stopping Weston from slipping into the sixth tier for the first time in their history – and in giving them something to celebrate on a post-season trip to Spain.But it was also his workrate and attitude that earned him the respect of the dressing room, and helped him take the first significant steps on the road to stardom.Ryan Northmore, boss of Weston at the time, said: “His goals saved the club from relegation. But he contributed much more than his goals, which is really important when you’re scrapping away for your lives.“He wasn’t just sat at the top of the pitch waiting for the ball to come. He would roll his sleeves up and get involved in all aspects of the game.”Days after joining, Watkins made an instant impact with an equaliser against Farnborough.Team-mate Tom Jordan said: “He always struck me as the kind of lad who had his eyes wide open to different aspects of the game.“Sometimes you would have loan lads come in from a League club to non-League and they would be looking at you like they were doing you a favour.“His attitude was very different. He was coming in thinking, ‘I’m going to learn from this experience’.”It was during Watkins’ spell at Weston that the then Walsall boss Dean Smith spotted him.Smith would later take the striker to Brentford and bring him to Villa, where he has reached new levels under current boss Unai Emery.But Watkins has never forgotten the part that Weston played in his rise to the top.One of his Villa shirts is on display there, he has spoken to young players coming through and happily tells the local press how important and enjoyable his time at the club was.And he even helped fund an end-of-season boys’ trip to Spain due to his fines for being late – although he was allowed to join the rest of the squad.Read all about Ollie Watkins’ incredible rise in full… More

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      League One club brutally trolled by fans for treating stars to Ryanair flight in pre-season

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      CHARLTON were ruthlessly trolled by football fans for putting their players on a Ryanair flight for a pre-season trip.The Addicks will face Turkish side Goztepe in Slovenia on Saturday as they prepare for the 2024/25 campaign.Charlton’s players were seen boarding and getting off the Ryanair flightCredit: instagram @cafcofficialFans ridiculed the club for making their players get on a budget airlineCredit: instagram @cafcofficialAnd Charlton’s official social media channels shared footage of them boarding their flight after a quick stop off at food outlet Leon.But fans were less than impressed by the fact they were made to use budget airline Ryanair.And they quickly ripped into the third-tier club after Charlton shared the video and caption: “Touchdown 🛬 #cafc.”One user replied: “Ryanair, what you couldn’t get the boys anything better? 😂”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile another added: “Glad you all made it safely, flying with Ryanair 🤣😂.”A third said: “Ryanair? Are you sure you’ve got everyone?”And a fourth responded: “Hope CAFC got the boys priority boarding 😆.”After their trip to Slovenia, Charlton have other pre-season friendlies against Millwall, Wimbledon and Portsmouth.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThey then begin their League One campaign away at Wigan on August 10.On Sunday, Charlton announced the signing of Scottish midfielder Greg Docherty.Man Utd fans in meltdown over moment Kobbie Mainoo ‘sends Joe Gomez back to Charlton Athletic’ in England training The 27-year-old was released by Championship side Hull at the end of the season and has now dropped down to League One. More

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      Sheff Utd facing disciplinary probe after rivals complain that investors trying to buy club have already broken rules

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED are facing a disciplinary probe after rivals complained to the EFL over their proposed takeover.A group of US investors are trying to buy the Blades and have been accused of breaking rules by conducting transfer business before completing their takeover.Manager Chris Wilder is unable to make signings until the takeover is completeCredit: ReutersSunSport has learned the EFL have received reports that representatives of Sheffield United’s incoming owners, a mystery group based in California, have become involved in transfer negotiations.The EFL are believed to be looking into the matter which could result in disciplinary action.Birmingham are also being investigated over alleged breaches of EFL regulation 86, as a group seeking to buy the club last year are accused of running operations despite not receiving formal approval or passing the owners and directors test. The proposed £35m takeover by Maxco subsequently collapsed, but the EFL still charged the individuals involved, with former Charlton chief executive Matt Southall, former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez and local businessman Paul Richardson all given bans from acting as directors.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe EFL have subsequently reminded all their members that incoming owners cannot act on behalf of the club they are seeking to buy, which has led to several querying Sheffield United’s recent transfer activity.With the Blades in limbo while the takeover drags on the club are in a difficult position, with the Championship season starting in less than a month. Chris Wilder’s squad is in desperate need of reinforcements after 10 players were released following relegation from the Premier League last season, with four loan players also leaving Bramall Lane.Sheffiled United have been on the market for some time, with owner Prince Abdullah last year agreeing a £100milllion-plus deal to sell to Dozy Mmobuosi.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut the Nigerian businessman failed to satisfy the EFL’s owners and directors test and was later charged with fraud in the United States. The club remain hopeful that the two unnamed Americans fronting the consortium will complete a deal before the start of the season.Fans ask ‘did the Year 8s have the gym booked out’ as EFL star forced to do fitness induction in CANTEENThe bidders have not been named, but are understood to be the founders of a capital investment fund based in California. Although the pair are eager to maintain a low profile they are believed to have attended Blades games last season.Sheffield United and the EFL declined to comment. More

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      Carabao Cup first round draw in full as Leeds, Wrexham and Co learn opponents for new campaign

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      THE Carabao Cup first round draw has been completed.And it has thrown up some tasty ties despite no Premier League clubs being involved.The Carabao Cup first round draw has been madeCredit: GettyThe draw took place live on Sky Sports NewsThe two sides were divided into Northern and Southern sections, with the eevnt taking place on Sky Sports News.And it was the latter that went first, with Portsmouth drawing Millwall and Charlton landing Birmingham.Other big clashes saw Cambridge Utd host QPR.While MK Dons will travel to local rivals Watford.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNext up it was the turn of the Northern sides.The highlight of the draw was a fearsome battle between Leeds and Middlesbrough.Hollywood-owned Wrexham will travel to Sheffield United.And Preston North End will welcome Sunderland.Most read in EFLEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSSouthern drawCambridge Utd vs QPRWalsall vs ExeterCrawley Town vs Swindon TownOxford Utd vs PeterboroughNorwich vs StevenageBromley vs AFC WimbledonPortsmouth vs MillwallNorthampton Town vs Wycombe WanderersBristol City vs CoventryCardiff vs Bristol RoversCharlton vs BirminghamWatford vs MK DonsSwansea vs GillinghamPlymouth Argyle vs CheltenhamLeyton Orient vs NewportColchester Utd vs ReadingAll games will be played on the week commencing August 12.And fans will be eager to see their favourite EFL stars back in action after the summer break.LIVERPOOL stars danced the night away to Dua Lipa as they celebrated their Carabao Cup win over Chelsea The Carabao Cup is currently held by Liverpool, who beat Chelsea 1-0 in extra time at Wembley.The last time a non-Premier League club appeared in the final was 2013, when League Two Bradford were beaten 5-0 by Swansea.And the only time a team outside the top flight won it – or any major trophy – was in 1991 when Sheffield Wednesday of the Second Division beat Manchester United 1-0.Northern drawSalford vs DoncasterRotherham vs Crewe AlexandraCarlisle vs Stoke CityLeeds vs MiddlesbroughBarrow vs Port ValeBurton Albion vs BlackpoolTranmere Rovers vs Accrington StanleyFleetwood vs West BromShrewsbury Town vs Notts CountyLincoln vs HarrogateDerby vs ChesterfieldBolton vs Mansfield TownPreston vs SunderlandSheffield Utd vs WrexhamHuddersfield vs MorecambeWigan vs BarnsleyHull City vs Sheffield WedsStockport County vs Blackburn RoversGrimsby Town vs Bradford City More

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      League One announce never-before-seen opening day fixtures but supporters say ‘already not a fan of this’

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      THE EFL have announced that League One games will start at 5:30pm on the opening weekend in a broadcasting first – and fans are not happy.All EFL fixtures are set for live broadcast on Sky Sports during the first weekend – including matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.The Sky fixtures for the Championship, League One and League Two were all announced on WednesdayCredit: GettyBut League One fans have been left reeling with the late kick-offs on the opening weekendCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe 2024/2025 season will see the launch of a brand new five-year broadcast deal between the EFL and Sky Sports – with talkSPORT holding national radio rights for the next four years.This will replace the current iFollow service for UK based supporters.The new deal will allow League One fans to watch their teams on the telly over 20 times a season for the first time.In most cases, 3pm kick-offs on Saturday are not allowed to be shown by domestic broadcasters under Article 48 of Uefa’s statutes.read more football newsBut the new-look opening weekend will NOT be subjected to the 3pm blackout for the first time ever.Yet all League One first day fixtures will start at 5:30pm on August 10, with League Two being offered all 3pm slots.However blackout restrictions will remain in place for the rest of the season, meaning more games will be played outside the traditional time slot.Footie fans have a deep love for Saturday 3pm kick offs – there is a notion that something about football is lost if a game doesn’t kick off at that time.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe blackout idea came about to ensure football matches still attract large attendances despite some games beginning to be televised.And League One fans – particularly those with long away trips – are not impressed with the change to more evening kick-offs.Fans ask ‘did the Year 8s have the gym booked out’ as EFL star forced to do fitness induction in CANTEENOne fuming Leyton Orient fan wrote: “5:30 kick off on the first day? already not a massive fan of this new broadcast deal.”Another wrote: “Opening day kicks off at 5:30pm. Which is annoying!”A third commented: “Pardon? Oh no I don’t like this.”While another said: “Wow only League 2 have been given Saturday 3pm games – Sky Sports are well and truly ruining football!”A fourth chimed in: “Those EFL kick-off times across on the opening day are hideous, 11 games kicking off at 5.30 in the third division.”Another user wrote: “RIP traditional 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday.”The regular EFL season will begin on the weekend of 10-11 August and run until 3 May 2025.Who are these famous footballers?BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS More