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      Burnley winger Manuel Benson knows what it takes to beat Championship bullies as he has already done it in BASKETBALL

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      MANUEL BENSON knows what it takes to beat the Championship bullies because he has already done it in BASKETBALL.Burnley’s new Belgian winger was given a warm welcome to English football by Watford’s Hassane Kamara hacking him down three times in the opening 10 minutes of his debut at Vicarage Road.
      Manuel Benson is working on beating the Championship bully boys
      Burnley ace Manuel Benson has been a target for some meaty challenges
      And ever since he has been a constant target for opponents who keep trying to take lumps out of him in a bid to stop his attacking prowess.
      But Benson, 25, signed from Royal Antwerp, knows it comes with the territory of playing in the second tier — where defenders are safe from VAR scrutiny and referees let a lot more tackles go than they do in the Premier League or Europe.
      However the Belgian insists he must be smart like he is with the brown ball.
      He said: “I love basketball and enjoy playing with friends. I’m not the tallest or most powerful on court and, just like here in the Championship, they keep fouling me.
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      “I learned to be smarter and get some distance because they’re all so tall. I found ways around it — and will do exactly the same in football.”
      Benson is lucky to have two fantastic tutors in how to beat the bully boys.
      His Clarets boss Vincent Kompany was of course a world-class centre-half at Manchester City who would lick his lips at the prospect of giving a player of Benson’s size some rough-house treatment.
      And assistant-manager Craig Bellamy was also an attacking player that was not the biggest but certainly made a living out of out-foxing centre-halves.
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      The pair have even put on training games where they have instructed defenders to mete out some tough treatment to the Belgian.
      Benson said: “We’ve been working on it because it’s something I must adapt to.
      “It’s tough because there is no VAR so everything is based on the referee’s decision. It’s something that comes with football and I must learn to be smarter.
      “Craig Bellamy has been giving me a lot of help. He has told me to be one step ahead of the defenders and don’t let them get even close to making the tackle.
      “You can leave space between you and the defender but, because of the way I play, I sometimes like to be close to the defender so you just have to accept this is part of football.
      “We’ve been working hard on it in training and some of the guys have been fouling me. With lots of practice, I can implement what I learn in both training and games.
      “In that first game at Watford I thought surely it’ll ease off but it didn’t happen. I got distracted a little because of it but each week and game that passes, I’m getting smarter.”
      Benson admits that some of the tackles he sees are “scary” and “dangerous”.
      He said: “Most times defenders don’t want to go for a foul. They’re just going for the ball and trying to be smart. But as an attacking player, you always feel more at a disadvantage because you move a little bit faster and when the challenge comes in, it can be quite scary sometimes. It can be dangerous. 
      “Because we tend to be quicker on balls and move to situations when the challenge comes in, we must think sometimes to hold a bit in.
      [embedded content]
      Manuel Benson is enjoying life at Burnley since moving from Royal Antwerp
      Manuel Benson with our man Justin Allen at Burnley’s training ground
      “Maybe, because there is no VAR, defenders can afford to be a bit more ruthless.
      “I don’t want to complain though. I’ll keep working on being smarter and hopefully the referees will eventually see the clear fouls.”
      But the fact that having no VAR in the Championship is not to Benson’s advantage, he is glad that the EFL have not introduced it.
      He said: “For me, it’s not necessary because I like the atmosphere it brings to the stadium. It’s better for the game that decisions can be made in a split second. 
      “I’m more old-school and like how football used to be. I’m not waving my hands about complaining. I must adapt.”
      Benson revealed he religiously watched Match of the Day back home and Burnley were a team he tuned into because  ex-Belgium international Steve Defour used to strut his stuff at Turf Moor.
      Although, the winger concedes, he probably would not have joined the club under former boss Sean Dyche — must preferring the dominant possession-based game that Kompany has implemented at the club.
      He said: “There were too many long balls and for me that’s not really football. It’s not something I’d enjoy. 
      “When I was at Antwerp, it was all about going deep and playing the long ball. I had to adapt to that but couldn’t reach my best level.”
      The winger caught Kompany’s eye when they played against each other in 2019. The City legend was in the last season of his playing career for Anderlecht and Benson came on as a 55th-minute sub for Antwerp in a 0-0 draw.
      And when Kompany was managing Antwerp last season, Benson caught his eye again with two good performances.
      The Burnley ace said: “I hurt him a few times but they also did beat us in one of the games. It’s great when someone like him remembers you and when he called me to come here my mind was made up.
      “First, Vincent was someone I would watch play for the national team and City. Everyone knows he was a world-class defender. Also he is Belgian and I’ve admired his transition to a coach.
      “He’s a young manager who, because he hasn’t been out of playing for so long, still has a strong feeling for the game. Although he is the manager, he communicates calmly and it never feels as though when he speaks that it’s coming from so high up. It all feels like he is level with us and that’s really nice.
      “This is an important time in my career. I want to progress. I want to play in the Premier League and still have ambitions to play for Belgium, even if it takes until I am 32 to get there!”
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      Benson has revealed that apart from Turf Moor, the only place he has visited so far in Burnley is Tesco.
      He said: “I’ve been to Manchester, which is nice, and in Burnley only Tesco. I haven’t got a car at the moment so that has made travelling around a bit more difficult but I am just about to move into a place and my mum and fiancee will be joining me soon. So hopefully I can see more soon.” More

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      Steve Evans wants regular Monday chats with referees when emotions have cooled after career of scrapes with officials

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      STEVE EVANS wants referees to speak to managers every Monday.You’ll be hard pressed to find an EFL boss who has had more scrapes with officials in a career spanning Leeds, Rotherham, Peterborough, Gillingham, Mansfield, Crawley, Boston and currently Stevenage.
      Colourful EFL boss Steve Evans wants refs to speak to managers every Monday
      The experienced boss has had a long list of scrapes with officials down the years
      But Evans, 59, believes weekly phone chats between managers and officials after emotions have died down will prove constructive, educational and build mutual respect.
      The Scottish boss told me: “The referee would always ring you or take your call on Monday if there was anything contentious but now it’s the head of referees you must speak to instead. 
      “When you’re in the heat of battle on Saturday by Monday that has cooled down but the issue remains. So to get a call from the ref himself, and be able to discuss the situation man-to-man, was a great thing.
      “The ref would say for example, ‘I’ve had a look at the video and got another angle on it and my decision was spot on so what are your thoughts on it now?’ 
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      “Or he would apologise by saying, ‘I’ve had a look again, it’s not a penalty. I’ve let myself and you down.’
      “I would then say to the ref, ‘Don’t worry, I make mistakes every week. I got my tactics and selections wrong or made bad substitutions.’ 
      “By the end of those conversations, you’ve built huge respect for one another.”
      The PGMOL, the governing referees’ body, officially does not allow managers an option to hold a telephone call with the matchday official.
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      Although they are allowed to speak face-to-face after a 30-minute “cooling down period” following the final whistle.
      Teams can supply feedback and seek clarification on matters via a formal process.
      Clubs and managers are also able to contact the head of referees for the relevant league.
      In the EFL’s case, ex-Premier League refs Kevin Friend (Championship) and Mike Jones (League One & Two) field calls from clubs and managers and liaise directly with the officials.
      But Evans says it’s better hearing from the horse’s mouth and thinks it is sensible to let the dust settle on a match to guarantee constructive engagement.
      Kevin Friend is now in charge of Championship referees
      Steve Evans regretted his bust-up with David Coote at Luton so much that it inspired him to mend his attitude towards referees
      Steve Evans with our man Justin Allen at Stevenage’s training ground
      The Scottish manager knows full well what can happen when emotions are running high and points to an incident three years ago while he was managing Peterborough, which he deeply regrets and has led to him moderating his behaviour.
      Evans had a post-match bust-up with ref David Coote for sending off Ryan Tafazolli at Luton.
      He said: “I felt David brandished the red card because the crowd were on his back. I shouted very loudly at him in the tunnel and then in his dressing room afterwards.
      “As I left Kenilworth Road, I thought this is a guy who I knew well, had gone for a beer with and even driven 70 miles to Newark to take part in a Q&A session for him at his local referees’ association, which was a cracking night.
       “I was so disappointed with my behaviour because David is an honest guy. His decision was made in good faith. That’s probably the only time I knew myself I’d gone over the top.
      “It’s right to question decisions and officials welcome that but how you do it is so important. That’s where I’ve changed. I’ve accepted you can’t win every game. 
      “It took a long time to get into my head that maybe my centre-back or keeper was at fault for the goal we conceded rather than the ref or assistants.
      “Do I maintain my passion? Yes. Do I still appeal for decisions? Yes. Am I going to question them? Yes. But the way I’ve gone about it for the last few years has been different.”
      Some top officials have been accused of being “arrogant” but Evans believes they require to have that airs about them to deal with the egos of top footballers.
      However, the Scottish boss says it’s important to draw a distinction between being arrogant and strong.
      MY PANEL OF EFL BOSSES GIVE THEIR VERDICT …
      PAUL INCE (Reading)
      IF I lose I must speak to the media and make myself and the players accountable.
      When refs make mistakes that affect our results they’re not making themselves accountable. They hide behind their union.
      Sometimes you can’t even talk to refs. You’re not allowed to ask why they didn’t give this or that.
      I met Kevin Friend at a Luton game and he gave me his number. He’s looking after refs now and he told me, ‘Any issues you see, give me a call and we’ll talk about it and I’ll explain the reason why, or where we got it wrong or why a ref made a certain decision.’
      I make my players accountable. Refs should be no different.  
      WE don’t have VAR in the Championship so you just have to accept referees make honest mistakes.
      MARK ROBINS (Coventry)
      There’s no point having a go at the ref in the heat of the battle because he’s only got a split second to make a decision. I don’t think we should make it more difficult for them.
      The 48-hour consultation isn’t there anymore but in fairness I’ve only picked the phone up on a couple occasions. There’s no point because there’s no recourse. They just apologise. 
      DEAN SMITH (Norwich)
      I’VE never spoken to a referee on a Monday but there would be no point in doing so anyway.
      DANNY COWLEY (Portsmouth)
      WHERE would be without refs? I’m a qualified ref and I moan about them all the time.
      EFL officials should be full-time so they can have the right training, the necessary fitness levels and attract the right quality person to do the job well.
      GARETH AINSWORTH (Wycombe)
      WE’VE had gripes with refs but nothing major. But if you’re not allowed to ring a ref then it sounds like they’re protecting themselves even more from dodgy decisions.

      He recalls an incident while managing Rotherham that cost an official a Premier League gig.
      He said: “We were at home and the ref gave the opposition a goal. It was an awful decision but he wouldn’t engage with me, threatening to send me off. In the corner of my eye I saw Mike Riley, head of the PGMOL. 
      “Afterwards Mike asked if he could have a beer with me. He told me that the ref’s decision was spot on. 
      “But as he was assessing the referee for a promotion to the Premier League, his conclusion was, ‘If he couldn’t handle dealing with Steve Evans then what chance did he have with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho?’ 
      “A good ref will never shy away from going through an incident with you.”
      Evans is impressed with much of the work the PGMOL are engaging in. 
      In the summer, former referees Jon Moss and Adam Gale-Watts visited Premier League and Championship clubs to talk through various issues.
      And he enjoys when local referees, who do not take charge of Stevenage games, visit and will officiate training games.
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      Evans said: “They’ll talk the players and coaches through all the various things that come up in games.
      “They’ll then come and have lunch with the lads and build up a great rapport. That is what you want from referees — actively engaging, building relationships and showing they’re human.” More

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      Grimsby fans fume as League Two match against Crewe postponed due to clash with Man City U21s

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      GRIMSBY fans have been left raging after their League Two clash with Crewe Alexander was postponed due to Manchester City’s U21s being away on international duty.Man City’s youth side had their EFL Trophy clash with Derby – scheduled for September 20 – postponed.
      Grimsby fans have been left furious after the postponement of their league matchCredit: Rex
      They made this request due to 18 of their squad being called up for international duty.
      This had a knock-on effect as the fixture was re-arranged for October 18.
      And with three of the four remaining Tuesdays in October being taken up by the UEFA Youth League, it means Man City’s game with Grimsby will be pushed into November.
      And that has led to the EFL postponing Grimsby’s home league game with Crewe.
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      The Football Supporters’ Association tweeted: “Grimsby’s upcoming League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra has been postponed because, in a bizarre set of events, Man City’s U21 side has too many internationals in it – the first time we know of a senior men’s game in the EFL being called off because of an U21 side.”
      This is the first time ever that a senior men’s league game in the EFL has been postponed due to a Premier League’s U21s side.
      And the Mariners Trust – a supporters group for Grimsby – slammed the decision, insisting the game should instead be re-arranged for Tuesday, November 15.
      They said: “Grimsby Town fans are rightly angry that a fixture has been allowed to be rescheduled and then postponed a matter of weeks later when it could all have been avoided if, as it seems, rules of the competition were adhered to.
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      “What consultation was taken with either Club and was more weight given to Manchester City in this scenario, as fans seem to feel is the case?”
      They then went on to add: “The integrity of this competition further declines.
      “It seems apparent to fans, unless you can state otherwise, that the wishes of an invited team have been held in higher regard than an EFL league game and indeed the actual rules of the competition.
      “Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra fans have been impacted by other teams’ unavailability and that doesn’t seem right.”
      Both the FSA and Mariners Trust say they have approached the EFL for an explanation regarding the fixture rearrangement. More

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      Watch former Charlton boss Guy Luzon furiously SLAP player in face in incredible Israel U21 footage

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      GUY LUZON, the former Charlton manager, incredibly slapped one of his players in a furious exchange. The ex-Addicks boss was involved in a heated exchange with Israel U21 star Ziv Morgan during which he struck the defender across the face.

      Ex-Charlton boss Guy Luzon was involved in a heated altercation with Israel U21 star Ziv MorganCredit: Twitter / @odaskal
      Luzon slaps Morgan across the faceCredit: Twitter / @odaskal
      Morgan flinches slightly following the slapCredit: Twitter / @odaskal
      The game itself was a European Championship play-off game against the Republic of Ireland.
      Israel managed to qualify via a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time.
      Luzon, who was appointed as Israel U21 boss earlier this year, was pictured slapping Morgan just before extra-time commenced, seemingly incensed that his instructions were not being carried out.
      Morgan flinched somewhat as he was hit, but the pair carried on with their heated discussion.
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      While the Israeli players and technical staff seemed to miss what happened, fans online were far from impressed.
      One user on Twitter wrote: “Guy Luzon is a disgrace to Israeli football.”
      A second user said: “What a joke of a person, shameful, and I’m not even talking about how bad of a coach Guy Luzon is (he’s horrible).”
      Luzon took charge of Israel’s Under 21 side for the second time earlier this year having had a previous stint from 2010 that saw him manage them for three years.
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      Luzon was in charge of Charlton for nine months from January to October in 2015.
      He took charge of 36 games and won 12 of them. More

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      Derby AXE interim boss Liam Rosenior just three months after Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney quit with Paul Warne approached

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      LIAM ROSENIOR has been axed as Derby interim boss just three months after replacing Wayne Rooney as the Rams eye Rotherham’s Paul Warne.Rosenior is tipped to stay at Pride Park in another role as he continues talks with club chiefs.
      Liam Rosenior has lost his job as interim boss but is expected to stay at DerbyCredit: Getty
      Rotherham chief Paul Warne is the early favourite to succeed Liam RoseniorCredit: PA
      The Rams’ decision has surprised a few people as they sit only one place outside the League One play-off spots following relegation.
      But the Derby Telegraph say the club have already approached surprise Championship high-fliers Rotherham over manager Warne.

      The Millers have been anxious to tie down Warne to a long deal after he took them back up last term and won the EFL Trophy.
      And just days ago the 49-year-old denied being approached by second-tier rivals Huddersfield about their vacancy.
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      But this time the talk seems more serious, with suggestions he is Derby’s favoured choice.
      Rosenior, 38, might feel a bit bemused to be eased out of the top position so quickly, even though his appointment was only temporary.
      With only five contracted players in the summer, he helped recruit 14 newcomers over the summer and guided the Rams to eighth.
      Derby have lost just three of his 12 games in all competitions, but all three defeats have come in League One.
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      And local businessman David Clowes, who completed his takeover just after Manchester United legend Rooney quit, was always clear he planned an overhaul.
      Warne is tipped to come in, despite being linked to Cardiff as well as Huddersfield. More

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      EFL sides look at lunchtime kick-offs during the winter to save on energy bills with teams desperate to cut costs

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      EFL CHIEFS are considering the possibility of increasing the amount of lunchtime kick-offs to help lower-league clubs amid the cost of living crisis.A new survey from football reform group Fair Game has found that midday kick-offs for weekend league and FA Cup games would be considered by the majority of clubs in the EFL and the wider football pyramid as a way of cutting costs.
      Many clubs are considering lunchtime kick-offs in a bid to aid with the cost of living crisisCredit: Arron Gent/News Images
      Many believe that staging earlier games would help to reduce energy bills as the use of floodlights would not be necessary.
      Although the government has pledged to support businesses with rising energy costs, it is currently unclear whether or not this will benefit football clubs for a sufficient period of time.
      Overall, 63 per-cent of 40 clubs – including 12 EFL teams – have revealed that they will consider utilising earlier kick-offs if given permission.
      Clubs rated their concern about the cost of living crisis at seven out of 10, with League Two clubs considering it an eight out of 10.
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      This has prompted many to re-evaluate budgets for ground improvements as well as non-playing staff.
      Amid the financial crisis, Premier League clubs are currently preparing to hold further talks over a new financial distribution model to support the rest of the football pyramid.
      The plan is expected to include changes to parachute payments and a new merit-based payment system to Championship clubs.
      Changes to the domestic calendar from 2024 are also expected to be considered with many clubs pushing to axe FA Cup third and fourth round replays despite the fact that many lower-league clubs have benefitted from them over the years.
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      Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper has now demanded that action be taken to financially aid clubs in need.
      He said: “The results paint a very bleak future for football outside the top echelons of the game.
      “Having survived the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis could well be the death knell for the hard-working community clubs lower down the pyramid.
      “Lower-league football clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but right now they are in intensive care.
      “The Premier League are at best going to offer a sticking plaster. They have had decades to address the problem and they should stand aside.
      “It is now up to the Government to intervene. The recent fan-led review set up by the Conservative Party revealed the financial flow within the game, and the governance that sits behind it, is broken.
      “Fair Game are calling for action now. We were promised levelling up, instead we could see the levelling of football stadia across the country with decades of history and tradition wiped off the map.
      “The Government needs to deliver on its promise of an independent regulator now. A regulator that can oversee football’s financial flow. Without it the pyramid of our national game will crumble.”
      Plans for an independent regulator for football have stalled following the appointment of new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
      But, clubs have been handed a boost as the government have proposed to cut energy bills for UK businesses by around half their expected level.
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      The new scheme will fix gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1, protecting businesses from rapidly rising costs.
      This would shield many clubs – especially non-league – from entering a cost crisis. More

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      Seeing my dad Stanley Matthews get his FA Cup winner’s medal from the Queen was so emotional – my grandma nearly fainted

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      JEAN GOUGH was a proud 14-year-old who watched her beloved dad Sir Stanley Matthews receive his FA Cup winners medal from the Queen at Wembley in 1953.The legendary winger inspired Blackpool to come back from 3-1 down to beat Bolton 4-3 in a match famously known as “The Matthews Final”.
      Stanley Matthews receives his FA Cup winners medal from the Queen in 1953
      Stanley Matthews (right) is held aloft alongside captain Harry Johnston
      It was the first match Queen Elizabeth II attended and came exactly one month before her coronation — the game played on May 4 and her official crowning on June 4.
      Matthews mesmerised the 100,000 crowd — including Her Majesty — packed into Wembley with his incredible trickery on the right wing.
      He set up Stan Mortensen’s second goal of his hat-trick as well as Bill Perry’s winner three minutes into stoppage time.
      It was third time lucky for Blackpool and Matthews, who lost to Manchester United (1948) and Newcastle (1951).
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      Jean, 83, told me: “It was so emotional for us as a family. Each time I see clips from the game, it brings back wonderful, emotional memories.
      “I was there with my mother and two grandmothers. We were all sat with the rest of the spectators as this was before the days they sat players’ families together. 
      “We had all given up and thought this was going to be a third final of heartache — but what unfolded was terrific.
      “It was so emotional my mother’s mum almost fainted and someone had to give her brandy!”
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      The Queen had been on the throne for 15 months and was only 27.
      But, already, she had captured the hearts of the nation and Jean remembers how thrilled her father was to receive his medal from Her Majesty.
      She said: “He was so proud to get his medal from the Queen, who congratulated him on his achievement.”
      The 1953 final was famously the first to be televised live in its entirety and was a TV dress rehearsal for The Queen’s coronation that followed.
      Back then, there were only three millions television sets in the country — yet the match drew a TV audience of 10MILLION.
      Jean told me: “Because not so many people had TVs, they would cram into someone’s house who did to watch the final, as they did in even greater numbers for the coronation.”
      Indeed, the FA Cup final was eclipsed by the coronation which drew an incredible UK TV audience of 27MILLION.
      Matthews went on to meet the Queen on a number of occasions with the proudest moment coming when he was knighted at Buckingham Palace in 1965 — having already picked up the CBE in 1957.
      Jean (left) with her dad Stanley Matthews and mum Betty after he picked up the CBE from the Queen in 1957
      Jean Gough with her brother Stanley Jnr and parents Stanley and Betty Matthews
      To this day, he is the only ever footballer to be knighted while still playing..
      And Jean — pregnant at the time — recalls the historic moment.
      She said: “We travelled from Blackpool the day before. We stayed in a hotel and I remember buying an outfit to wear for the occasion — a suit and hat.
      “I was pregnant with my first child. My dad always used to tell my husband, ‘Don’t make me a grandfather while I’m still playing.’ We saved him by a couple of months!
      “But the day itself was wonderful. We were in a dream state.
      “The carpets were up. Lots of people were waving outside the gates. My father was in a top hat and tails.
      It was so emotional my mother’s mum almost fainted and someone had to give her brandy!”JEAN GOUGH
      “We went into the Palace and were taken into the throning room where we waited.
      “The ceremony started. We watched the Queen put the sword over Pops’ shoulder. It was incredible. Unlike today, the number of people getting honoured was limited.
      “The Queen was well informed. She remembered giving him his FA Cup winners medal and once again congratulated him on his achievements.
      “My dad was a man of few words but he did say afterwards, ‘Oh my goodness, that was great.’ You could tell by his face, he was honoured — but at the same time embarrassed to become a ‘Sir.’.
      “If anyone called him, ‘Sir Stanley’, he’d always insist, ‘Please, just call me Stan’.”
      Jean Gough’s proud dad Stanley Matthews kisses his daughter on her wedding day
      As part of the trip to meet the Queen, Matthews and his family were introduced to then Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
      And Jean recalled: “We were given a guided tour of the House of Commons and met by Harold Wilson, who was puffing away on his pipe.”
      Jean says her dad admired The Queen and believes she modernised the Royal Family.
      She told me: “Pops was honoured to have known her. She was such a wonderful woman. I’ve been watching throughout the years and seen how she has modernised things.
      “The Royals, back in the day, didn’t have much to do with everyone else but she changed that.
      Jean Gough proudly shows off her dad’s 1953 FA Cup winners’ medal
      “Anybody in the streets she would talk to. That is her legacy. She had the knack of making anyone she met that they were the only person in the world, whether they were a top celebrity or your regular man or woman in the street.
      “And that is being carried on by King Charles and his family. It was wonderful to see the King stop his car the other day outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and, with the Queen Consort, shake hands with everyone there. I thought that was amazing because he must have been devastated to have lost his mum. 
      “That is something she instilled into him.”
      Jean herself picked up an MBE in the 2015 New Years Honours list from the then Prince Charles for services to children and sport through the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation.
      If anyone called him, ‘Sir Stanley’, he’d always insist, ‘Please, just call me Stan’.”JEAN GOUGH
      Like her father, Jean is also humble and said: “It was another great day. I remember, Charles asking me, ‘Were you surprised?’ And I told him, ‘I was shocked.’ ‘Shocked?’ he said. “Yes, shocked, because I don’t deserve this sort of thing,’ I replied.
      “He was so charming and very nice. He’s going to be a great king.”
      DELIA DELIGHT AT MEETING QUEEN
      NORWICH joint-owners — celebrity cook Delia Smith and her husband Michael Wynn-Jones — were hosted by Her Majesty at Windsor Castle five years ago.
      Delia, 81, had a host of honours bestowed on her — OBE, CBE and OCH — by the late Queen.
      But her fondest memory of Elizabeth II was her overnight stay at Windsor.
      She recalled: “We were privileged to be invited, with about eight others and their partners, to a private dinner and an overnight stay, hosted by Her Majesty.
      “It was an evening of warm relaxed hospitality from both Her Majesty and her wonderful staff. One of the highlights of the evening was that after dinner the Queen herself escorted us all for a tour of the castle. 
      Delia Smith is made a Companion of Honour by the Queen in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      “On reaching the very splendid library we saw not just books, but family mementoes and each guest was directed to items pertaining to their own lives.
      “For me a letter describing the type of chef Queen Victoria was looking for, a collection of old cookbooks and some intricate kitchen utensils from a doll’s house. 
      “But in the centre on a lectern with a very splendid hand illustrated book of birds opened at a page containing guess what, a very splendid canary!
      “What this is really all about though, is that we were so fortunate to have the opportunity to see and experience first-hand what we had only read about before — the warmth, the sparkle and the humour of a genuine and beautiful person who was also a queen.”
      MAJESTIC OPENING
      MK DONS owner Pete Winkleman likened The Queen’s arrival to open the club’s stadium in 2007 to an aircraft taking off.
      Her Majesty was expected to make an entrance by walking through the players’ tunnel but instead rolled out into the stadium in a beautiful Bentley to a cheering crowd of 20,000 school kids.
      Winkelman told me: “It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
      “It is something I”ll always remember. That’s what the Queen did — made everyone feel special.
      “It wasn’t just me but everyone in Milton Keynes. We had 20,000 school kids there that day.
      “And it was like an aircraft taking off as she was driven through the service tunnel out on to the pitch in her Bentley. 
      “Our manager at the time Paul Ince’s daughter gave her a red balloon and she said to me, ‘What do I do with this?’ And I said, ‘You let it go, your majesty’ and she did. You can see the smile on her face as she let the balloon go. It was just symbolic of course.”
      Ince introduced Queen Elizabeth II to the players and Winkelman added: “The Queen already knew Paul because he had met her as the England captain. The moment was special to him because his daughter was involved in the ceremony.
      “When Paul became our manager that really was our entrance on to the football stage — and although we haven’t got the club into the Premier League yet I’m going to keep trying my hardest for the people of Milton Keynes.
      “For all those who are working today, we are putting big screens around the stadium so they don’t miss the funeral. She was a wonderful woman and will forever be remembered by the people of this city.”
      ROYAL PARADE
      THE QUEEN and Prince Philip visited Valley Parade in March 1997 to open the new Allied Colloids Stand as part of a visit to mark the centenary of Bradford’s royal charter as a city.
      It was Elizabeth II’s third visit to the city but first to Valley Parade.
      Having arrived on the royal train, she visited the cathedral before unveiling a plaque at Centenary Square and paying respect at the Bradford City Fire Memorial.
      After lunch she arrived at the stadium accompanied by chairman Geoffrey Richmond and entered the pitch after going through the banqueting hall.
      But, in best Yorkshire traditions, it was belting down with rain and blowing a gale. 
      Yet the Queen did not batter an eyelid and out came the brollies as she strolled across the red carpet where she met then Bradford boss Chris Kamara and was introduced to the players.
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      She was then taken to her seat in the stand to watch performances on the pitch from youngsters at theatre school Stage 84 and dancers from Kala Sangam.
      The Queen must have been freezing in the open stand where she was sitting but simply smiled throughout. More

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      in Soccer

      Barnsley star Brad Collins covered in blood after suffering horrific head gash which caused 14 MINUTES of added time

      by

      BARNSLEY goalkeeper Brad Collins suffered a horror head injury in the Tykes’ 3-0 win against Cambridge United.The 25-year-old was helped from the pitch with blood pouring down his face.
      Brad Collins was helped off the field covered in bloodCredit: Jim Steele
      Collins was sent clattering to the floor by Cambridge ace Sam Smith five minutes into the second half as he came out of his box to head the ball away.
      Smith also required treatment after the sickening collision, but it was Collins who came off worse.
      The game was brought to a halt for more than 10 minutes to allow for the Barnsley stopper to be tended to by paramedics.
      A stretcher was brought on but Collins was eventually able to clamber back to his feet.
      Read More In Football
      He left the field to a huge ovation as the blood continued to pour down his face.
      Barnsley are yet to provide an update on his condition.
      There were 14 minutes of added time at the end of the League One clash following the injury to Collins.
      Fans were left concerned for Collins’ wellbeing after seeing the nasty collision.
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      One wrote on Twitter: “Hope Brad Collins is ok. Looked like a nasty one. Wishing him a speedy recovery!”
      While another said: “Get well soon Brad Collins.”
      Barnsley were 1-0 up thanks to a Devante Cole goal at the time of his injury, before being reduced to 10 men when Liam Kitching was sent off for two bookable offences.
      But goals from Robbie Cundy and James Norwood helped the 10-man Tykes to a valuable three points.
      The result helped Michael Duff’s side climb to sixth in the League One table.
      Meanwhile the U’s are ninth after back-to-back defeats. More