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      Chuba Akpom hungry for second shot at big time as he returns to scene of Arsenal debut in Middlesbrough’s promotion push

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      CHUBA AKPOM returns to the stadium where he made his Premier League debut for Arsenal tomorrow.And the Middlesbrough striker — who was 17 when he came off the bench at Sunderland in 2013 — is hungry to get back to English football’s top table.
      Chuba Akpom has been sensational for Middlesbrough this season
      Chuba Akpom in action during his Arsenal days
      Akpom managed four Premier League appearances off the bench as well as one start in the League Cup and seven sub outings in the cups.
      And the now 27-year-old has been on fire this season at Middlesbrough — scoring 13 league goals and is attracting interest from a number of top-flight clubs.
      And Akpom said: “I’d love to get into the Premier League with Boro. Playing in that league has always been a big dream, having had a taste at Arsenal.
      “But to be able to go in there as a mature player with more experience would be amazing.
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      “It was incredible coming through at Arsenal. It taught me so much — all my technical and physical abilities are from Arsenal.
      “I was so lucky because I was in the first-team from the age of 17 so had to turn into a man quite early and I then went into my first loan when I was 18. Things happened quickly for me but I’m grateful for everything they did for me.”
      Akpom is a lifelong Arsenal fan and even played alongside current boss Mikel Arteta.
      And he said: “Mikel was such a leader. He didn’t need to shout on the pitch, it was off the field where he really led. He was always making sure everyone was doing things properly.
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      “It’s no surprise to see him so successful as a manager because you could see he had those qualities as a player. Because I’m an Arsenal fan, it makes it even better.”
      One manager who is also flying right now is Carrick.
      Since the former Manchester United and England international took over after Chris Wilder was sacked, Boro have been racing up the Championship.
      After losing his first game in charge at Preston in October, the team were fourth bottom. But a run of eight wins and a draw from the next nine league games have seen them shoot to fourth top going into tomorrow’s trip to the Stadium of Light.
      And Akpom said: “The best thing about it is having a manager you can relate to. He was a professional player at the highest level and was successful in what he did. 
      “He knows how the players feel and how they deal with things. He knows the best way to communicate and get the best out of us.
      Chuba Akpom enjoyed his football education at Arsenal
      Michael Carrick has been a breath of fresh air for Chuba Akpom
      “The new manager has completely changed things around. He immediately brought in that calmness – everyone talks about it. And it’s not just his calmness, he’s also very determined. You can see why he had such a successful career.
      “We’ve set a standard now with our performances and whenever we go a bit below that the gaffer is on to us.
      “For example we beat Blackburn 2-1 away and we’d always happily take three points at Ewood Park.
      “But when we got into the changing room, the gaffer was frustrated at how we dealt with the game because they were reduced to 10 men.
      “We got the three points, a difficult place, but the gaffer was not happy. That shows how high his standards are and how ambitious he is.”
      It was incredible coming through at Arsenal. It taught me so much — all my technical and physical abilities are from Arsenal.Chuba Akpom
      And Akpom has no doubt Carrick will emerge as a top boss just like Arteta did.
      The forward added: “Definitely, he’ll become a top manager — especially working with young players. They are the future. He is the perfect person for that. He is always positive. When something bad happens, he isn’t dwelling on that.
      “Even when something good happens he doesn’t dwell on that either.
      “He is always thinking how can we get better, how can we improve as a team and individually? I think and hope he’ll have a successful managerial career in the future.”
      One of the most satisfying moments Akpom enjoyed this season was his Boxing Day hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Wigan. It helped him win the SkyBet Championship player-of-the-month award for December.
      It was only his second career hat-trick — and came almost seven years after his previous one in January 2016 for Hull in the FA Cup against Bury.
      And he has revealed how the matchball was immediately commandeered by his two-year-old son Azai.
      Chuba Akpom won the SkyBet player of the month gong for December
      He said: “I cannot believe it’s been so long since I last got one. But to score it on Boxing Day in front of a full stadium was perfect.
      “My son was kicking it around as soon as I got back home. I wanted to nicely frame it but he has already got dirt all over it!”
      With all the interest from Prem clubs, Boro have sensibly taken out their one-year option to extend his contract beyond this season.
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      Akpom said: “I’m happy at the club and cannot complain. Everyone is positive with me and friendly. There are good vibes going round the whole club. 
      “I’ve got my feet on the ground and trying to work hard to continue the form I am in so it’s all smiles from me!” More

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      Football fans get excited that Jose Mourinho was set to become new Portsmouth boss… only for hopes to be dashed

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      FOOTBALL fans were hilariously left confused after believing Jose Mourinho was set to become the new Portsmouth manager.The south-coast side are still searching for a head coach after sacking Danny Cowley earlier this month.
      Fans thought Jose Mourinho was being linked with the Portsmouth jobCredit: Getty
      John Mousinho is leading the race to succeed Danny Cowley at PompeyCredit: Getty
      According to Sky Sports, the League One outfit have made Oxford first-team coach John Mousinho their No1 target.
      But the interest in the 36-year-old, who is also still a player at Oxford AND chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association, has left some football supporters in a muddle.
      At first glance, several fans thought it was former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager Mourinho that was being lined up to take over at third-tier Portsmouth.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “Jose: I see what your parents did there 🧐”.
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      While another added: “Had to read that twice!”
      Specsavers’ official Twitter account then got involved, replying: “Definitely didn’t read this as Jose Mourinho”.
      To which someone else responded: “I did, can I please have a free eye test? 🙃”
      Portsmouth have dropped to 15th place in League One following a run of 10 games without a win.
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      Meanwhile, Mourinho’s Roma currently sit sixth in the Serie A table, three points adrift of the top four.
      And the self-professed Special One recently revealed he rejected the Portugal job following Fernando Santos’ exit – a role Roberto Martinez eventually landed.
      The ex-Real Madrid boss said: “The fact the president of the FPF said that I was not his first choice, but his only choice, makes me proud.
      “But I decided not to go. I’m here and that’s what matters.”
      Mourinho is under contract with Roma until the end of the 2023-24 season. More

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      Fuming FA look to challenge verdict labelling ex-Crawley boss John Yems ‘not consciously racist’ and extend 17-month ban

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      FURIOUS FA chiefs want to challenge the findings that disgraced former Crawley boss John Yems was “not consciously racist” when he verbally abused players.The Wembley high command was stunned at the findings of a three-man independent panel and is now seeking legal advice on whether they can demand a new tribunal sits to consider extending his 17-month ban.
      John Yems has been banned for 17 monthsCredit: Rex
      The commission — including former Sheffield United striker Tony Agana — imposed the ban after Yems admitted one charge and was found guilty of 11 other counts of racist abuse towards his players.
      Yems was found to have used “offensive, racist and Islamophobic” language as “banter”, including joking that a Muslim player was a terrorist.
      The panel agreed that “Mr Yems simply paid no regard to the distress which his misplaced jocularity was causing”.
      But despite that, it “accepted that Mr Yems is not a conscious racist”.
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      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We’ve been clear that we’re unhappy with the sanction and some of the elements of the judgment.
      “We’re looking into our legal options now. I can’t say any more than that.”
      The commission finding caused outrage, with ex- England striker Ian Wright among those voicing anger at the FA and the panel.
      Wright said: “This man’s words and actions forced young players out of his club.
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      “Who cares how he felt about it? He destroyed their dreams. The message this ruling sends is disgraceful.”
      Anti-racism group Kick It Out added the findings were “very hard to understand” and that the sanction was “a slap in the face to the victims of the discriminatory abuse detailed in the report”.
      The FA, which pushed for a two-year ban, confirmed its unhappiness in a statement pointing out it had brought 16 charges against Yems, 12 of which were “upheld or admitted”.
      A spokesperson added: “We had requested a longer ban.
      “Based on the evidence presented to the commission, we don’t agree the panel should have found that this was not a case of conscious racism.”
      But the FA, which believes it legally cannot challenge the language used in the findings, is unsure if it has the right to demand a new hearing over Yems’ sentence.
      Crawley sacked John Yems after amid a racism scandalCredit: AFP More

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      Referee forced off on stretcher after being hit in the head by a ball during Swindon’s clash with Grimsby

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      A League Two referee had to be taken off the pitch by a stretcher after being hit in the head by the ball. The clash between Swindon and Grimsby, saw referee Sam Purkiss struck in the head by the ball in the 11th minute.
      Players rushed to help the ref after he fell to the groundCredit: Rex
      Sam Purkiss was taken off on a stretcher after being hit in the head by the ballCredit: Rex
      Purkiss received treatment on the pitch following the incident.
      He was eventually taken off the field in the 17th minute to a round of applause from fans.
      The match then resumed in the 20th minute as Purkiss was replaced with a new whistler.
      However, he has already had some big calls to make, after sending off Danny Amos.
      But before this Charlie Austin had put the hosts in the lead with a close-ranged header in the 25th minute.
      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Ipswich’s Conor Chaplin loving football more than ever after Barnsley transfer thanks to McKenna, but don’t tell anyone

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      CONOR CHAPLIN left Barnsley where he had almost won promotion to the Premier League to join Ipswich in League One.And it is a decision the forward does not regret as he believes the Tractor Boys are destined for bigger things.
      Conor Chaplin has loved every moment of his time at Ipswich
      On Saturday the third-placed side host leaders Plymouth, who are seven points ahead but have played a game more.
      Chaplin told SunSport: “I didn’t decide to leave Barnsley, I was told I wasn’t going to play much as the club were going in a new direction.
      “They wanted to get the wage bill down. I wasn’t forced to leave but wouldn’t have played as much as I would’ve wanted to.
      “I looked for a different challenge and couldn’t be happier than I am now. In league standing, it was a league lower. But in terms of the stature and ambition of Ipswich, it was 10 fold.

      “My relationship with Barnsley and their fans was good. It’s an unbelievable one-town club. I just felt the fans were let down a lot of the time by the board and hierarchy.
      “It’s a buying and selling club. They don’t have a lot of ambition to be winning football games, challenging and bettering themselves.
      “But that is where I’ve landed now and this club is incredible for that and one of the best in the EFL for ambition and wanting to be better.”
      After the club’s relegation to the third tier for the first time since 1957, Ipswich have been rebuilding themselves and making real progress since boss Kieran McKenna took over in December 2021.
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      The Northern Irishman, 36, is considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game and Chaplin rates him as the best he has ever worked with.
      Conor Chaplin won the SkyBet League One player of the month award
      He said: “I get on with him on a personal level and a professional level. I have so much respect for him and the way he goes about his job.
      “Kieran is incredible as a manager and is the best one I’ve worked for. I don’t want to talk too highly about him otherwise other clubs will want him!
      “He’s great with the lads — whether you start every week or your role is something different.
      “Every single person will tell you he is incredible and so particular in the way he sets up the team. His training is so engaging and replicates how we want to play on a Saturday.
      “It’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed going to training. It’s been the most competitive I’ve encountered too — and I’m talking about tackles flying in and lads really wanting to win. We train in the way we want to play so we do find ourselves in games where it’s easier than training because of the quality we have in the squad. 
      “Our 11 v 11 at the training ground is much harder than it is at the weekend because both 11s have top players for this league.
      “That’s something the manager drives. He told me his expectations at the start of the season and doesn’t have to drive anymore because it comes from the players. 
      “We know if we’re not doing it in training, our team-mates will tell us first and foremost and if you don’t come up to the standards you are not going to get picked at the weekend.”
      Ipswich training sessions have been the best Conor Chaplin has encountered
      Ipswich have produced some fine players over the years and the latest one who has shot to prominence this season is 19-year-old Cameron Humphreys. He has scored two in his last two games.
      Chaplin insists that the midfielder is destined for football stardom.
      He said: “Cameron is going to be a top player. He’s a good footballer but his best asset is him as a person and the way he goes about his work, the way he trains every day, his attitude that he shows. I haven’t seen many young players like him.
      “He is really switched on and knows what he is doing. He has had more minutes than he thought he was going to have this season but because of injuries he has been given his chance, which he fully deserves because he has worked his socks off.
      “Even his gym work is second to none. I couldn’t be happier for him. I look out for him because I want him to do well. 
      “When you are his age, the fact you’re a good player comes second because you’ve got to show you have a great attitude and are dialled in everyday. He does all that. And despite being 19, he is already a leader by setting the example he does off the pitch.”
      Teenager Cameron Humphreys has made a big impact
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      Chaplin — who won the SkyBet player of the month award for December — believes he has improved as a player significantly since joining Ipswich — as he now can play in two different positions.
      He added: “I love scoring goals. I’m much different from the player to when I was at Barnsley, where I was an out-and-out goalscorer.
      “I’m playing in two different No10 roles — a withdrawn forward or an attacking midfielder. It’s not my sole job to just score goals. Earlier I was No9.
      “Ever since the new boss came in, we played that shape and he saw me playing in that slot. He made it clear that was where he wanted me.

      “There’s a lot of responsibility out of possession, lots of pressing and sprinting which you have to do and there is no shying away from that.
      “But on the flip side, you bring your own quality to the position and the team. I’ve been able to do that a few times.” More

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      Portsmouth considering shock swoop for Tottenham and Ireland legend Robbie Keane to replace Danny Cowley as manager

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      PORTSMOUTH are reportedly considering a shock managerial appointment in the form of Spurs and Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane.Pompey sacked head Danny Cowley earlier this week after his side slipped to 12th in the League One table.
      Robbie Keane has been the assistant coach at Ireland and MiddlesbroughCredit: Getty
      He was dismissed with the club having not won a league match since October.
      Keane, 42, was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday as two of his former clubs faced off in the third round of the FA Cup.
      Antonio Conte’s men came out on top thanks to a Harry Kane goal as Portsmouth’s winless run was extended to five matches in all competitions.
      And very little was made of Keane being in the stands.
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      But now Sky Sports are reporting that he is being lined up as a potential replacement for Cowley.
      Other names in the frame include Chris Wilder and Lee Bowyer.
      Former striker Keane started his coaching career in 2018 as a player-manager at Indian side ATK where he was in charge for nearly three months.
      He became assistant to Ireland boss Mick McCarthy In November of the same year.
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      In 2019, he was then appointed as the assistant to Jonathan Woodgate at Middlesbrough, meaning he would juggle his roles at club and international level.
      He stepped down from his role with the Irish national team following the appointment of Stephen Kenny in April 2020.
      And two months later he left Boro when his one-year contract came to an end.
      Keane scored 126 Premier League goals in 349 appearances during a superb playing career.
      He featured for a host of big clubs including Wolves, Leeds, Tottenham, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa.
      He also spent time in Italy with Inter Milan, Scotland with Celtic, and USA with LA Galaxy.
      Robbie Keane was a prolific Premier League goalscorerCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Crawley Town boss John Yems slapped with 18-MONTH ban after being found guilty of 12 racism charges spanning 3 years

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      JOHN YEMS has been hit with an 18-month ban from football after being found guilty of 12 racism charges.An investigation was launched into the former Crawley Town boss last April after he was accused of making 16 discriminatory comments towards his own players, breaching FA Rule E3.2.
      John Yems managed Crawley between 2019 and 2022Credit: Getty
      This rule prohibits language referencing ethnic origin, race, nationality, colour, gender or religion.
      Yems, 63, admitted to one of the charges against him but denied the other 15 during a hearing on Friday.
      The allegations against Yems spanned between 2019 and 2022.
      An independent regulatory commission found him guilty of 11 of the 15 further claims, in addition to the one he admitted.
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      His ban from football related activities will run until June 1, 2024.
      Yems was initially suspended by Crawley on April 23 last year after allegations against him came to light.
      Thirteen days later, with the FA having confirmed that they’d be launching an investigation into their manager, Crawley relieved Yems of his duties.
      Following the FA’s verdict, Crawley released the following statement: “We would like to thank the Football Association for its thorough investigation into these serious allegations and the independent Regulatory Commission for its thoughtful consideration and ruling on the findings.
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      “As we have said many times, Crawley Town Football Club will never tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.
      “We remain eager to partner with our players, staff and supporters as we build a team and community that Red Devils fans can be proud of — both on and off the pitch.”
      Former striker Jason Lee, who now works as the PFA’s senior equalities education executive, commended those that came forward with allegations for their bravery.
      He said: “It takes bravery to come forward to report issues like this.
      “It’s a massive thing for any individual to do, and that’s why it’s so vital that players have confidence that they will be listened to, believed and supported.
      It’s vital that the structures are in place to tackle this kind of behaviour when it’s reportedJason Lee
      “I hope this outcome shows our members that there is a process in place, that it will be followed, and it can result in proper punishment.
      “A person’s behaviour won’t change unless they are held to account. Letting it go unchecked and allowing them to just quietly reappear in other roles at other clubs doesn’t protect the players.”
      He then added: “It’s vital that the structures are in place to tackle this kind of behaviour when it’s reported.
      “But for the process to work everyone needs to be able to recognise discriminatory behaviour when they see it.”
      Jason Lee commended those with allegations for bravely coming forwardCredit: Rex More

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      Watch Bolton fan in away end at Barnsley get a girl’s number from the home end thanks to some help from a steward

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      A Bolton fan managed to get a Barnsley supporter’s phone number with the help of a steward during their League One game on Monday.A clip which emerged on social media showed the Barnsley-supporting woman handing her number to the steward.
      The steward could be seen carrying the girl’s number back to the Bolton endCredit: Twitter
      A Bolton fan in the away end asked the steward to get a Barnsley fan’s number during the game the other day…Who said romance is dead? 🤣 pic.twitter.com/qe6YY2Ycq6— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) January 6, 2023

      The Bolton fan celebrated after getting the Barnsley fan’s numberCredit: Twitter
      He then proceeded to carry it back to the away end and walk up the stand to hand it to the man.
      When it was passed over, the Bolton fan could be seen celebrating in comical fashion.
      And both sets of fans got involved as they cheered the brilliant exchange.
      Posting the clip, Football Away Days said: “A Bolton fan in the away end asked the steward to get a Barnsley fan’s number during the game the other day…
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      “Who said romance is dead? 🤣”
      Reacting to the video, one person replied: “Did he have binoculars at the match to spot her in the crowd?”
      Another added: “Saw this happen from the back of the stand 🤣.”
      And a third said: “So many questions about this we’ll never get the answer to!”
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      The man who received the phone number would have been even happier at full-time as Bolton claimed a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Dion Charles, Jon Daoi Bodvarsson and Kyle Dempsey.
      The result takes Wanderers above Barnsley and up to fifth in the League One table.
      Barnsley sit sixth, below Bolton on goal difference but with a game in hand. More