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      Tom Brady applauds enthusiastically as mass brawl erupts after Wrexham ace almost BITES Birmingham star

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      TOM BRADY applauded encouragingly after a brawl erupted following a Wrexham star almost BITING a Birmingham player.The Blues came from behind to beat the Red Dragons before tempers boiled over towards the end of the match.The incident was sparked as Paul Mullin almost bit Birmingham’s Alex CochraneThe striker then had a coming together with Krystian Bielik who was bookedCredit: RexThe vast majority of players on the pitch would become embroiled in the scrapCredit: AlamyTom Brady clapped enthusiastically as the brawl broke outThe incident was sparked after Wrexham striker Paul Mullin was fouled by Alex Cochrane near the halfway line.Mullin ended up on top of Cochrane and looked as if he was about to bite the defender after opening his mouth on top of his leg.However, at the last minute he refrained from sinking his teeth into the opponent.Another Birmingham star Krystian Bielik also got involved as Mullin got to his feet, and he began pushing the forward.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe pair grabbed one another by the shirt as Bielik continued to inflame the situation by pushing Andy Cannon.Soon almost every player on the pitch was involved including Wrexham’s James McClean, who was booked for his involvement.Bielik was shown a second yellow card four minutes later and sent for an early bath after mistiming a lunge on Cannon.But Birmingham fans appeared to love the fracas and Brady, who is a minority owner of the club, was seen applauding in response.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowever, one fan crossed the line by throwing what appeared to be a cup of Bovril towards former Premier League bad boy James McClean.The ex-West Brom star then responded in surprising fashion by taking a sip from the cup.And as he was subbed off, he added fuel to the fire by making an X-rated gesture towards the home fans.However it was the Blues supporters who had the last laugh as their side came from behind to win 3-1 with record-breaking signing Jay Stansfield scoring twice.Bielik later picked up a second yellow card for a bad tackleCredit: GettyFormer Premier League bad boy James McClean grabbed a drink that was thrown at him from the crowdCredit: ReutersMcClean then took a sip from the cup of BovrilCredit: GettyHe then appeared to perform an X-rated gesture towards the Birmingham fans after being subbed offFormer England captain David Beckham took in the match next to BradyCredit: GettyWatch moment Ryan Reynolds is surprised by Wrexham star live on BBC Radio 1 More

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      I made 110 appearances for Man Utd but I got more joy out of playing for Wrexham and earning £14

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      IT IS the A-list showdown they are calling the League One Clasico — an all-star clash between big spenders with even bigger dreams.A pair of Hollywood giants in Wrexham red against the seven-time Super Bowl champion and NFL legend bedecked in Birmingham blue.Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have transformed WrexhamCredit: GettyThe Red Dragons take on Birmingham in League One, co-owned by NFL icon Tom BradyCredit: AlamyTonight’s third-tier meeting with top-tier interest across America — never mind North Wales and the Midlands — between sides whose recent fight was for survival, not silverware.That was before the silver screen duo of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney rode into Wrexham like the 7th Cavalry — and suddenly the road to oblivion became a path to the Premier League.And then gridiron great Tom Brady became a minority owner in the Brum takeover, as last season’s Championship drop-outs began their own money-no-object march to the top.It has been an astonishing transformation for both clubs and Mickey Thomas, a Red Dragons hero from the days they bloodied noses as cup giantkillers, is loving it.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former winger is known to many for the free-kick which helped dump top-flight champs Arsenal from the FA Cup in 1992.Yet before that stunning swansong, there were many more in his first spell at Wrexham.Not least his double in a League Cup triumph at Spurs and a fairytale run to the last eight of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1976, before he headed for the big time at Manchester United.And Thomas, 70, was not the only one to move on.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBoyhood pal Joey Jones, a double European Cup winner at Liverpool, is the best known.But plenty more headed to brighter lights. Back then, pre-season tours were to the Isle of Man, not the USA, and the current average weekly wage of £4,000 was more than Thomas earned a year, before his 1978 United move. Inside ‘Little Wales’ some 8,000 MILES from the UK where all the signs are in Welsh & people LOVE WrexhamThat League Cup win over a Spurs side containing Glenn Hoddle was worth £14, plus a crowd bonus of £80.Even at today’s valuation of £620, it is hardly life-changing.But while the rewards for Wrexham’s current unbeaten table-toppers are jaw-dropping, there is no jealousy from Thomas — only delight at progress he hopes will continue.The Welshman said: “I don’t begrudge current players a thing, believe me.“I’m just so happy to see things change for the better.“You’ve got to realise it wasn’t about the money for me.“The dream was to be a player. It was about winning, not wages.“I turned down Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland — all in the top division — because I wanted to play every week. But United were just too big to say ‘No’ to!Now I’m a fan and no one will be happier than me if the current Wrexham team ends up as their greatest everMickey Thomas“But to be honest, although I played 110 games for them, I always felt intimidated as the pressure was awful.“There was no mental health awareness like now and I really struggled to handle it.“That said, of course, there were some really great times as well. But I had more joy at Wrexham than anywhere.“Coming through the ranks with Joey, getting my chance off the manager John Neal, the cup runs, the wins, the laughs…“And although the goal against Arsenal at the end of my career is always mentioned, the best one I ever scored was when we won at Spurs.“I got two in that game that night and one was a half-volley which flew past Pat Jennings and into the top corner.“And when we went down the tunnel at half-time, Big Pat was waiting for me and I’m thinking, ‘Aye aye, what’s going on?’“He had huge hands and he put out his right one to shake mine and said, ‘I’d never heard of you but I think I’ll do so a lot in the future — that was a great goal, well done’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had nine great years at Wrexham but my time has gone.“Now I’m a fan and no one will be happier than me if the current team ends up as their greatest ever.”Mickey Thomas scored a memorable FA Cup goal against Arsenal in 1992Credit: AlamyThe Red Dragons stars celebrate their FA Cup shotCredit: GettyThomas struggled to enjoy his spell at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Empics SportThomas is happy now to watch his former side Wrexham as a fanCredit: Getty More

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      EFL minnows ‘to pocket FOUR TIMES more money if they LOSE to Chelsea’ as integrity of Carabao Cup called into question

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      EFL minnows Barrow are reportedly offering their players FOUR times more money to LOSE to Chelsea than if they record a shock Carabao Cup win.And the stunning revelation has called into question the integrity of the competition.Barrow are reportedly offering players £1,000 in a bonus to lose to Chelsea – or £250 to winCredit: GettyThe Premier League giants are the heavy favourites against their League Two opponentsCredit: EPALeague Two Barrow were handed a dream draw away at Stamford Bridge in round three of the domestic cup after beating Derby on penalties in their previous tie. But now according to The Telegraph, the match has raised concerns. The newspaper claims Barrow’s bonus schedule shows the players would receive £250 if they somehow secured a victory in West London on September 24.However, they are set to bank a whopping £1,000 each if they lose the match.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis therefore could imply a significant additional reward for defeat – and the possibility of incentivising underperformance, even if last season’s runners-up Chelsea are the heavy favourites. The EFL declined to comment but it is thought the organisation spoke to the Bluebirds to clarify an explanation – even though the bizarre bonuses do not appear to break any specific regulations. SunSport also understands the bonus sheet contained errors and has since been rectified – with the club wanting to reward their players for playing a top-tier team with an appearance fee, rather than offering a ‘bonus’ for losing. Bonuses must be agreed between the club and its players before being submitted to the EFL before the start of the season – but the EFL do not have jurisdiction over them. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt is reported that Barrow’s players will receive £250 each for any wins in rounds one to five of the Carabao Cup.Even winning the final at Wembley would only bank the players an extra £1,000. National League boss ‘loses plot’ in outrageous rant at OWN FANS as supporters call it ‘best post-match interview ever’However, the deal also offers £1,000 if they lose to a Premier League club from round three onwards – and £750 for defeat to a Championship side. In the FA Cup, things are far simpler.Barrow have agreed to pay out £400 for a round-one win, then £800 for round two.By round three and beyond, that figure increases to £2,625 per win per player.Again, defeat to a Premier League team would ensure a £1,000 bonus – and £750 if a Championship club knock them out.Barrow are currently third in League Two after an impressive start to the campaign.READ MORE SUN STORIESTheir three wins and a draw from five matches has Stephen Clemence’s side on ten points – two behind leaders Doncaster. SunSport has contacted Barrow for comment. Barrow beat Derby on penalties in the previous roundCredit: Getty More

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      Sky Sports make subtle broadcast change to avoid rude word in League Two clash as fans blast ‘utter woke nonsense’

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      FOOTBALL fans have slammed Sky Sports’ “woke nonsense” after they made a subtle change in their League Two broadcast on Thursday.Harrogate Town caused a shock by beating league leaders Doncaster Rovers 2-0 to kick off the weekend’s football early.Fans were not happy with the scoreline graphicCredit: XTwo first-half goals from Ellis Taylor and Josh March wrapped up the three points to send Harrogate 13th.But fans poked fun at Sky Sports and accused the broadcaster of “woke nonsense” over their scoreline graphic.Sky Sports traditionally cut Doncaster down to ‘Don’ for the graphic.But against Harrogate they changed the team name to ‘DR’ – the club’s initials.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in doing so they prevented EFL fans from being able to laugh at a graphic which would have read ‘HAR – DON’.Fans were up in arms and complained about the change, with some upset they have ruined the “HAR-DON derby”.One reacted saying: “Sky changing Doncaster from DON to DR to prevent the HAR-DON derby. Utter woke nonsense.”Another added: “Wait all year for Harrogate vs Doncaster on Sky for the inevitable HARDON scoreboard only for the Sky Woke Brigade to ruin our fun.”Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSUltimate sports presenters rich listTV sports presenters make a mint.The biggest and best are signed up on yearly deals with the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky for your viewing pleasure.Laura Woods is dominating the media landscape at the moment, leading TNT Sports’ coverage and ITV’s.Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas are two of the fresher faces for the BBC’s sporting output.Then, it’s the old guard of Gary Lineker and Mark Chapman who also command hefty fees for their Match of the Day programmes.SunSport has taken a look at how those big names rank and compiled a list of the top 10 highest earning stars that grace our TV screens.With number one worth a whopping £29.4million more than number 10!Read the story and see the full list here.A third wrote: “Can’t believe Sky Sports have changed Doncaster’s abbreviation from ‘DON’ to ‘DR’ 🙄”Spoiling our annual bit of immature fun!”Steve Bruce dealt huge blow just days after being named Blackpool boss as striker banned for appearing to SLAP opponent More

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      Former Premier League club share bizarre list of items BANNED from stadium as fans joke ‘FFS can’t take my xylophone’

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      BRADFORD have left fans in hysterics after a list of items banned from their stadium was revealed.The League Two side have started the new season in good form, losing just one of their opening five games in the fourth tier.Bradford’s list of items prohibited from being taken into their stadiumCredit: X @officialbantamsFootball fans have mocked some of the items listed by the League Two clubCredit: GettyGraham Alexander’s men sit fifth in the table as they look to return to League One for the first time since 2019.But it is not their on-field performances that have seen them ridiculed by the footballing community.A picture of a sign from outside the University of Bradford stadium shows exactly what is prohibited.It includes the usual things such as big bags, flares, knives and alcohol.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut there are also a number of bizarre items named by Bradford.They include large umbrellas, musical instruments, drones, push chairs, hip flasks, and hammers.Reacting on social media, one person said: “Can’t even take a hip flask in now… the world has gone mad.”Another joked: “Shame, I’ll have to take my guitar home now.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWho are these famous footballers?And a third added: “Oh ffs not gonna be able to take my xylophone to Bradford away now.”Another took umbrage with the 500ml restriction on liquids, replying: “I do think the older generations should get A BIT of a pass bringing 1L flasks of tea or coffee, as people have mentioned below, they aren’t the problem.”XI amazing players worth £78m available for free More

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      Roy Keane hilariously trolled by EFL side over ‘who do you think you are’ comments with brilliant response

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      ROY KEANE was trolled by League Two side MK Dons following his rant about the club.The pundit tore into sides lower down the pyramid that insist on playing the ball out from the back.Roy Keane was trolled by a club he slammed for their style of playCredit: PACallum Hendry scored a brilliant team goal for MK Dons against WalsallCredit: RexHe blasted MK Dons for their lack of urgency in a recent match he watched against Salford, suggesting their goalkeeper took too long on the ball as they searched for an equaliser in a match they lost 1-0.Keane said: “You mentioned Salford and MK Dons, you know about the arrogance of people playing out.“The craziness I find when players are coming out and playing out the back when they’re losing.“The goalkeeper’s coming out and he’s taking seven or eight touches.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I was at Salford vs MK Dons. I was going to hang around the dressing room after the match and just see the MK Dons goalkeeper and ask him, you know when you’re losing with 15 minutes [to go] you’re f***ing losing.“MK Dons. Who do you think you are? Get it forward. It’s as if they don’t know what the score is.”But MK Dons have had the last laugh after scoring a brilliant goal from a free-flowing passing move that started with keeper Tom McGill against Walsall on Saturday.The club shared a clip of the goal on X with Keane’s quotes added as voiceover as Callum Hendry found the back of the net.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMK Dons captioned the post: “Playing out from the back 😮‍💨”MK Dons won the match 1-0 and their fans were delighted to get one over on Keane. Roy Keane slams ‘arrogant’ England as ‘awful’ despite interim boss Lee Carsley winning on debut against IrelandOne fan said: “A very bad day for Mr Keane.”Another added: “We’re so back, no better f*** you than how we played today.” More

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      Premier League clubs don’t give a s**t about little clubs… I’m frightened to death about the future, says EFL legend

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      PETERBOROUGH chief Barry Fry has slammed the Premier League for “not giving a s**t” about the little clubs.League One Posh pocketed a £4million sell-on fee from Ivan Toney’s £40m move from Brentford to Saudi club Al-Ahli last week.Barry Fry claims the Prem does ‘not giving a s**t’ about the little clubsCredit: GettyPeterborough chief Fry is ‘frightened to death’ about the future of EFL clubsCredit: GettyBut Fry, 79, Posh’s outspoken director of football, says EFL teams have just experienced the worst transfer window he has ever known.Premier League clubs splashed out a staggering £2billion in the summer, with Chelsea the biggest spenders at a whopping £208m.And that is £1bn more than Italy’s Serie A clubs, the next-highest spenders in Europe’s major leagues.But what irritates Fry the most is the way the top-flight outfits are holding back on a new funding deal for the 72 EFL clubs.Read More on FootballFry, one of the best transfer operators in the lower divisions, hit out: “I am frightened to death about the future of EFL clubs.“I’m a lover of football and unless Financial Fair Play gets sorted out, clubs are going to go under in the lower leagues.“Premier League clubs don’t give a s**t about anybody but themselves — they forget where they’ve come from half of them.”West Ham’s vice-chairman Karren Brady argued in her SunSport column last week that the “lower leagues are earning and generating more cash than ever before”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShe pointed out that Championship clubs enjoyed £300m in player sales business, with Sky paying out £935m to EFL football across five years.Brady also noted that under chief executive Richard Masters, the Premier League were adding £1.6bn over three years to “help the game flourish right down to park  leagues”.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsBut Fry, who managed Birmingham City when Brady was managing director of the Blues, believes the EFL are getting a raw deal from the top-flight clubs.He added: “We have, going through the EFL right down the pyramid, the best system in the world, and it’s going to be destroyed by the Premier League.“We do not have a distribution which is fair or getting the Government to put a regulator in there to determine what  they do.“I feel that there is no way the Premier League will allow the Government to dictate to them and they are leaving it as late as possible to come up with a deal.“But it doesn’t help the clubs in the EFL, who are under enormous pressure, as this is the worst window ever in dealing with transfers for the lower leagues.“Look at the money being spent? F*** all! It’s frightening and we needed it sorted out, like yesterday!’Like a pack of cards’“It’s like a pack of cards. Once one or two clubs go to the wall, a load of them will fold.”And Fry believes the business climate is not helping club owners to cope with all the financial pressures of running a football team either.He said: “It is very, very difficult for owners because all these people are  struggling in their own businesses now.“They haven’t got the spare cash to help out their football clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have the greatest pyramid system, ever, ever in the whole world, and we should be bending over backwards to keep it and help every club up and down the country.“That’s because every club is so, so important to their community and they should be treasured.”Can you name the famous fathers? More

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      Steve Bruce dealt huge blow days after becoming Blackpool boss as ex-Man Utd ace banned for appearing to SLAP opponent

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      BLACKPOOL ace Ashley Fletcher has been hit with a three-game ban for misconduct after appearing to SLAP an opponent.Steve Bruce returned to management to take over at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday – but he will be without the services of his frontman.Steve Bruce has suffered a blow just days after taking over as Blackpool bossCredit: GettyBlackpool ace Ashley Fletcher has been given a three-game banFletcher appeared to slap Wycome Wanderers ace Daniel HarvieFletcher admitted that his behaviour constituted violent conductFletcher will miss the games against Exeter City, Sheffield Wednesday and CharltonBut Bruce, 63, will be without Fletcher, 28, in his first three matches in charge of the Tangerines.The striker, who was once on the books at Man Utd, was penalised following a clash with Wycombe Wanderers’ Daniel Harvie during Saturday’s 2-2 League One draw at Blackpool.The former England Under-20 international appeared to slap Harvie before Kyle Joseph equalised for the hosts in the 32nd minute.According to the BBC, Fletcher admitted that his behaviour constituted violent conduct.Read More on FootballBruce will now be deprived of the centre-forward’s services after the international break.Fletcher will miss the games against Exeter City, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic.Bruce returned to management two years after his dismissal from West Brom.The Manchester United legend joined Blackpool on a two-year deal and brought along his long-term assistant Steve Agnew.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBruce said: “I’m delighted to be back in football and to take charge of this fantastic football club.”I’d like to thank Simon, Julian and David for giving me this great opportunity.Steve Bruce gives excited first interview after being named Blackpool boss”I look forward to meeting all of the staff and players in the coming days as we prepare for what we all hope will be an exciting season at Bloomfield Road.” More