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      Premier League cult hero’s son, 19, signs for EFL club – and his dad still hasn’t even officially retired

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      THE son of Premier League cult hero Wilfried Bony has signed for Newport County.Geoffroy, 19, has signed a deal until the end of the season with the League Two side.Geoffroy Bony has joined Newport until the end of the seasonHis father Wilfried is a legend at Swansea CityCredit: GettyHe joins the Exiles after impressing in training in recent weeks, having been invited to the club by Newport manager and his former Swansea academy coach Nelson Jardim.Geoffroy is a striker and has a striking resemblance to his father, who is yet officially hang up his boots.Wilfried, 35, has not played since leaving Bolivian club Always Ready last year.His eldest child is following in his footsteps by pulling on a Newport shirt as the former Ivory Coast international trained with the club while he was a free agent in 2019.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGeoffroy’s younger brother Orphee is also hoping to break through at the Welsh club and is with their Under-18s.Their dad is best remembered by his days at Swansea and Manchester City.Bony Snr scored 25 goals in his first season with the Swans in the 2013/14 campaign.Just over 12 months later, he joined City for £25million and lifted the Carabao Cup and Africa Cup of Nations that year.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAfter the arrival of Pep Guardiola, Bony was loaned to Stoke before having a second spell with Swansea.In recent years, he has played for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and NEC Nijmegen in Holland.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersCan you name the famous fathers? More

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      Arsenal legend’s son training with Wrexham as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bid for promotion to Championship

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      THE son of an Arsenal legend is training with League One side Wrexham as they eye a third successive promotion.The Welsh club have enjoyed a sensational few years since being taken over by celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have helped Wrexham to successive promotionsCredit: GettyA young attacker with an ex-Arsenal defender for a father has been training with WrexhamCredit: GettyThey returned to The Football League in 2023 after winning the fifth tier.And last season they claimed the second automatic place behind Stockport to clinch back-to-back promotions.Now they are flying high in League One, sitting in third place and just two points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.According to The Mail, a young right-sided attacker is training with Wrexham’s squad – Yassine Toure.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 18-year-old, who has played for Celtic and Leicester’s academy sides, is yet to feature for the first-team but is hopeful of securing a contract at Wrexham.Along with his talent, he also boasts the pedigree of being the son of ex-Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.Toure Sr, 43, was a part of the Gunners’ Invincibles side from the 2003/04 Premier League campaign.He also won two FA Cups and reached the Champions League final under Arsene Wenger.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKolo Toure, centre, was a part of Arsenal’s Invincibles side from the 2003/04 campaignCredit: GettyThe centre-back went on to join Manchester City in 2009 – where he won a second Premier League title and is now a coach.Toure Sr, who also played for Liverpool, earned 120 caps for Ivory Coast, but his son is still waiting on a first senior call-up.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersYassine was in the Celtic academy but made the switch to Leicester with dad Kolo and manager Brendan Rodgers.When Kolo left Leicester for Wigan, the Ivory Coast youth international stayed put at the King Power Stadium after signing a two-year scholarship contract.Now he has departed the Premier League side and could finally get his chance in Wrexham’s senior team. More

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      A-list celebrities exploring takeover of EFL clubs after watching Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham success

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      A-LIST celebrities are set to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after their success with Wrexham.The Hollywood actors secured back-to-back promotions with the Red Dragons to return the club to the third tier for the first time in 15 years, and are on the right track to repeat that feat this season.Celebrities are looking to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyCredit: AFPTom Brady invested in Birmingham last yearCredit: GettyA figure like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson could have a big impact on an English clubCredit: The Mega AgencyThe pair have acted as a catalyst for celebrity investment in English football, with the likes of Tom Brady, JJ Watt, Will Ferrell and golfers Jordan Spieth and Jordan Thomas all involved at various EFL clubs.Many more high-profile celebrities are set to follow suit according to football investment specialist Adam Sommerfeld, whose work involves connecting clubs with prospective celebrity investors.He told SunSport: “There are some incredibly high profile celebrities that are looking, some of the time it’s with their agent, some of the time it’s with the direct celebrity, but there are certainly some incredibly high profile ones looking at the moment.”Whether they find what they are looking for is another question. Celebrities certainly from the sporting world want to be seen to back a winner.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”If you back a team in the Premier League that then gets relegated three times in a row, you don’t want to be connected to that.”It’s finding a club that could go on a journey but isn’t likely to plummet and negatively impact your brand.”Reynolds and McElhenney are quite unique as they are majority owners of Wrexham, whereas the likes of Brady and Watt only have minor shares in Birmingham and Burnley respectively.But they have already seen a return on their investment in terms of exposure, with League One Blues a regular pick for Sky Sports coverage – David Beckham even attended their match against Wrexham and sat alongside NFL legend Brady.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd it appears the trend of celeb and US involvement in English clubs is only set to rise, with rapper A$AP Rocky tipped to invest in Tranmere.Sommerfeld continued: “Every team has at some point spoken in recent months to US investors. Most teams will listen and listen very seriously, as will most companies. Tom Brady in hilarious reaction after getting X-rated welcome from Wrexham fans for Birmingham clash”For a celebrity it’s a win-win. Ultimately you want to make sure you’re not backing the wrong horse that could have multiple relegations, goes out of business, but that’s very rare.”Otherwise it’s win-win for the celeb because they get to promote their personal brand to that team, they will gain Instagram followers, social media followers, which can be directly related to revenue for them.”There is the fun element, there is the partnership element of other doors that will open up in terms of co-valuing opportunities for both sides.”It’s sort of like how can The Rock’s followers go and follow Watford for example, and now that celebrity is being followed by Watford fans and now they might go and watch his latest film because of the affinity to Watford.”And rarely do celebrities put big capital in, most of it will be brand equity they will be putting in. “So their name is their investment, it’s not like they have to put in a huge amount of capital.” More

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      Controversial Wrexham star James McClean has special permission to break EFL rules for his own safety

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      JAMES McCLEAN has been given special permission to break EFL rules to avoid being abused by rival fans. The Wrexham star, 35, is regularly targeted by opposition supporters when he goes off the pitch.The EFL are giving James McClean special dispensation to break football lawsCredit: RexThe Wrexham winger is regularly targetted by abuse and missiles by rival fansCredit: ReutersFootball laws since 2019-20 state a player being substituted must leave the field by the nearest sideline – rather than trudging over to the dugouts – to speed up play and reduce time wasting.However, that has sparked a series of incidents with McClean clashing with supporters when taken off.That included seeing a cup of Bovril thrown at him against Birmingham and he appeared to blow kisses at Mansfield fans earlier this month. Now the EFL have stepped in to allow McClean and any other players at similar risk an exemption help them avoid further flashpoints.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHaving liaised with Wrexham and the PGMOL – the body of referees – the EFL have circulated a letter advising clubs of the measure put in place for stars – including but not exclusively the former Sunderland, Wigan, West Brom and Stoke winger.As reported by the Daily Mail, the new directive came in an email to club safety officers as the EFL wrote: “You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support.”This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. “Missiles have also been thrown.Most read in EFL”It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel. “This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident.”Chelsea and Wrexham stars Levi Colwill and James McClean fight just two minutes into pre-season friendly McClean has never shied away from controversy during his career and hit the headlines once again in recent weeks over his poppy stance.The 103-cap Ireland international decides not to wear a poppy on his shirt in the fixtures leading up to Remembrance Day each year.That is because his hometown of Derry was the site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre which saw 14 unarmed civilians killed by British soldiers.And he feels wearing a poppy shows disrespect to those who died during the Troubles.However, he has stated he would be willing to join the majority of footballers by having the red flower on his jersey if it was solely to show respect to those who died during the World Wars. McClean stood apart from his Wrexham team-mates for the minute of silence before the 1-0 win over Mansfield. The veteran helped Wrexham win promotion last season and was seen revelling in the Welsh club’s fans’ anti-monarchy song about him – just weeks after future king Prince William visited the Racecourse Ground. McClean is, of course, not the only footballer who has been on the receiving end of abuse from opposition fans.Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri taunted the passionate Leeds faithful in the closing stages of the Clarets’ win at Elland Road in September, leading to a furious reaction. However, the ex-Manchester United man certainly played his part in the animosity on that occasion.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the EFL cited the “racially or religiously-motivated hate crimes” surrounding McClean prompting the unprecedented dispensation.But SunSport understands should other players be at a similar safety risk like McClean, they too would be subject to the relaxed rules for their protection. A cup of Bovril was launched at McClean at St Andrew’s in SeptemberCredit: ReutersHe stood apart from his team-mates during the minute of silence for Remembrance DayCredit: PA More

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      Kim Kardashian and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson tipped for shock EFL club takeovers after Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham revolution

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      KIM KARDASHIAN and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson have been tipped to complete an EFL club takeover.American investment in English football has exploded in recent years, with 14 Premier League clubs majority owned by US firms.The Rock has been tipped to make an investment in an EFL clubCredit: The Mega AgencyKim Kardashian could also be keen to get involvedCredit: GettyRob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have paved the way for celebrity investorsCredit: PAA$AP Rocky has been linked with a purchase of Tranmere RoversCredit: GettyIt is a similar case in the EFL with a third of owners American, while there has also been an increase in celebrity involvement.Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sparked the drive with their takeover of Wrexham and the subsequent release of Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.More recently NFL legend Tom Brady has become involved as an investor in Birmingham City, with another American Football star JJ Watt purchasing a stake in Burnley.Superstar rapper A$AP Rocky was even linked to a takeover of Tranmere, and football investment expert Adam Sommerfeld believes it is only a matter of time before some bigger names get involved.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe told the BBC’s Monday Night Club: “A lot of these guys (celebs) will see them (clubs) as media assets because of the drama they produce.”To try and replicate that in another area, lets say film content, is very difficult.”The shoulder programming that comes with these things, the documentaries, opens them up to sponsors, to investors, to brand collaborators.”There’s an argument it will become saturated quite quickly, perhaps it already has been. [Tom] Brady, JJ Watt at Burnley.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Now it becomes about almost how can you take it up a level. Who’s going to get The Rock, god forbid who’s going to get a KIm Kardashian.”Sommerfeld also predicted all English clubs will be owned or part-owned by American investors in the next five to ten years, with “every team” in the EFL already in talks with US investors.Ryan Reynolds tells Liverpool star Mo Salah to ‘think about’ stunning Wrexham transfer in brilliant video More

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      Ian Holloway fears Swindon’s scary form is down to ‘haunted’ training ground as he asks ‘witch’ wife to ‘cleanse’ it

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      SPOOKED former Premier League boss Ian Holloway claims Swindon Town’s training ground is “haunted”.The 61-year-old jumped at the chance to take over the League Two side last month.Ian Holloway has blamed the club’s latest injury on ghostsCredit: RexSwindon’s supposedly spooky training groundHolloway’s positive spirit has seen Swindon rise from the brink of EFL death, with their ghastly form improving since the arrival of the former QPR, Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager.He has overseen two wins, a draw and a loss amid the Robins rocking in relegation terror as they sit 22nd in the table.A frightened Holloway has blamed their poor start to the season on Swindon’s cursed training ground as “some strange things have been happening”.The veteran boss is now ready to go to drastic lengths to scare off the ghosts after doomed captain Ollie Clarke ruptured an ankle tendon during a session last week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing their 2-2 draw against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Holloway told the BBC: “I’m going to try and cleanse the training ground area because people are telling me it’s haunted.”There’s a graveyard somewhere near. Honestly, I’m not joking.”I think our training ground is very close to an ancient burial site.”I’m going to get my wife to come up and say sorry to all these people and hopefully we’ll have a bit more luck.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Swindon’s first goal had an element of fortune about it as something possessed Accrington’s ‘ghoulie’ to charge off his line and leave an empty net for Harry Smith to head in to.Holloway’s “witch” wife Kim is now set to come to the training ground, or perhaps haunted house, this week with “sage” to end the jinx.’I was a zebra, Shane Duffy was Goldilocks’ – Norwich City star Kellen Fisher on wild Xmas partys, dinner with Delia and team-mates getting eggedHe has previously claimed his dad contacted him from the dead by changing the car dials on his car.Holloway says a ghost turned up while a Mariah Carey song played on the radio and a light came into his vehicle to leave him “shaking”.He explained: “The song was on and ‘shining down on me from Heaven’ got louder and louder and louder until it was completely top notch.“I saw it go from 10 up to about 35 and it was deafening. The minute the song finished that went right back down to normal.”I thought, ‘Has that really happened or what? Or is that me wishing that?’ Do you get what I mean? And I swear he came and showed me that, ‘Don’t worry son, you’ll be fine.’ Right?“Now, I would never have believed that, I wouldn’t have thought for one minute that he would have ever have done that because he said it was all a load of garbage.“So the truth is, I don’t know. And did I feel it? Did I want to feel it? Was it really there? I cannot honestly tell you. But I swear to you, I saw the dial move on its own.”Back in his playing days, he scored in his first game after his dad’s death and he felt him “in his boots” that day.READ MORE SUN STORIESHolloway is not the only manager to tackle a team’s spirit.Ex-Birmingham boss Barry Fry urinated in all four corners of the St Andrews pitch – running from corner to corner mid-flow – to ward off a curse he had heard about.Ian Holloway is trying to save Swindon from relegationCredit: Getty More

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      Wrexham set to spend big on experienced Championship star in January transfer window

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      AMBITIOUS Wrexham plan to spend big in January and carry on rising up the EFL.The Welsh League One club have brought in a new backer and will announce a massive sponsorship deal next summer, so they are cash rich.Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have overseen incredible success at WrexhamCredit: GettyTheir main target is a goalscorer with Championship experience.A big fee and wages are on offer.Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover, Wrexham have climbed from the fifth tier into the third.They are third in the table, having missed an opportunity to go within a point of top spot earlier today.READ MORE WREXHAM NEWSPhil Parkinson’s men fell 1-0 to Stockport, who were also promoted from League Two last season, at Edgeley Park.In front of a watching Cole Palmer in the stands, Louie Barry bagged the winner in the 24th minute.Parkinson handed recent signing Jon Dadi Bodvarsson his first league start since his acquisition last month.Bodvarsson, 32, started as Iceland beat England in Nice at Euro 2016.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe has since played in England for Wolves, Millwall, Reading and Bolton.Upon signing for his new team, the experienced forward said: “It’s great to be at a Club like Wrexham.Wrexham’s James McClean catches beer thrown by Birmingham fans and pretends to drink it as he winds up supporters in huge League One clash”Everyone knows the history by now and it’s just a very exciting club to be a part of. I’m delighted to be here, and hopefully I can help the club achieve further success.”It’s good to be back in the dressing room. I really missed it – I think my wife was going crazy!”I’ve been training and trying to keep myself fit, but it’s good to be back in the environment and to work on getting my sharpness back.”The manager and the coaches have been really good with me, getting straight back into it.”It’s about finding myself again over the next few months. I want to get my confidence back for myself, work hard for the club, and see where it gets me.”Cole Palmer was in the stands as Stockport took on WrexhamCredit: RexJon Dadi Bodvarsson started for WrexhamCredit: PA More

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      England Euros conqueror makes Wrexham debut following under-the-radar transfer to League One club

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      A FORMER England Euros conqueror made his Wrexham debut this afternoon.The forward, 32, haunted the Three Lions during one of their darkest days.Wrexham’s new forward battles with Stockport’s Ethan PyeCredit: PAHe featured at Euro 2016, as Iceland humiliated Roy Hodgson’s side 2-1 in Nice.The devastating loss turned out to be Hodgson’s final game in charge.Wayne Rooney had given England a fourth-minute lead from the penalty spot.But a quickfire double by Ragnar Sigurdsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson left the Three Lions stunned.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSJon Dadi Bodvarsson started up front for Iceland that day.Off the back of the tournament he moved to English football, signing for then-Championship side Wolves from Kaiserslautern.He has since gone on to represent Reading, Millwall and Bolton.At the end of last season he left the Trotters on a free transfer.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBodvarsson consoles Jamie Vardy after helping Iceland knock England outCredit: AP:Associated PressHe remained a free agent throughout the summer before signing for Wrexham towards the end of last month.Upon joining, Bodvarsson said: “It’s great to be at a club like Wrexham. Tom Brady in hilarious reaction after getting X-rated welcome from Wrexham fans for Birmingham clash”Everyone knows the history by now and it’s just a very exciting Club to be a part of. I’m delighted to be here, and hopefully I can help the club achieve further success.”It’s good to be back in the dressing room. I really missed it – I think my wife was going crazy!”I’ve been training and trying to keep myself fit, but it’s good to be back in the environment and to work on getting my sharpness back.”The manager and the coaches have been really good with me, getting straight back into it.”It’s about finding myself again over the next few months. I want to get my confidence back for myself, work hard for the club, and see where it gets me.”BACK IN ACTIONBodvarsson made his Wrexham debut as a substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Harrogate, before making a 15-minute cameo in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Mansfield.After making his first start in the mid-week EFL trophy clash with Port Vale, Bodvarsson kept his place for today’s League One match-up with Stockport.Unfortunately for boss Phil Parkinson, Bodvarsson was unable to stop his side from falling to a 1-0 defeat, Louie Barry’s 24th minute effort proving to be winner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe match was watched by Chelsea star Cole Palmer.Born in nearby Wythenshawe, Palmer used his free time, having withdrawn from the England squad, to take in some League One action.Cole Palmer watched the match from the standsCredit: Rex More