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      Peter Crouch would lie about ‘important’ footie work to skip baby duties with wife Abbey Clancy and go boozing

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      PETER Crouch confessed to pulling the wool over wife Abbey Clancy’s eyes to escape baby duties and family time to go boozing – by blaming “important” football work.The former Spurs star said he had even got club secretaries to send fake emails making attendance for evening events compulsory when he was just going out on the town with team mates.
      Peter Crouch would lie about ‘important’ footie work to wife Abbey ClancyCredit: Getty
      And he admitted that now that he is a pundit and podcaster he pretends he has to miss out on time with model Abbey for “vital” work-related watching of football and having fun drinking with pod colleagues Tom Fordyce and Chris Stark.
      Talking about social bashes during his career at clubs including Liverpool, he said: “There’s been a couple of occasions where there’s a bit of a team bonding session or something like that and Ab will say ‘you don’t have to go that, do you?’ And I would be like ‘I do’.
      “There has been one or two occasions where I’ve gone to the secretary and gone ‘can you just fire an email just saying that it’s compulsory and it’s important for the team’. And we would just go and have a night out.”
      Peter, 40, said when his first child Sophia, now ten, was a baby he would avoid dealing with her, telling Abbey he had a game the next day.
      He said: “There was a few cards that I used to play. Like on a Friday, it’s like the magical time to get out of anything because Saturday’s the most important thing.
      Crouch admitted he would fib to Abbey to get out of baby dutiesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The former England star got club secretaries to send fake emails making attendance for evening events compulsoryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “You train all week to play on a Saturday.
      “Certainly when you’re at home and I remember when my first baby was born, Friday night if she’s crying, I’m like ‘that’s not for me, I’ve got a game tomorrow’.”
      Asked by pal Stark, if when he fancies just watching football, he tries the excuse that he needs to do it just to keep abreast for work, Crouchie admitted: “That card has been played on many an occasion.”
      And he said he even lies that it’s a bit of a chore having to record the podcast.
      Crouch agreed with Stark that he sometimes fibs that he’s not in the mood for it and it’s a “massive pain”.
      He confessed: “Coming in here talking to you boys, let’s be honest, I’m chatting to you about football and telling her it’s work – it’s really not.
      Crouch admitted he pretends he has to miss out on time with model Abbey for ‘vital’ work-related watching of footballCredit: Getty

      “She’s feeling sorry for me, I’ve got it to the stage where I’ve gone ‘got to go down there and do the podcast’, and I’m carrying eight beers in there.”
      Meanwhile Crouch said a top football club put mirrors on the back of the away team’s toilet cubicle doors to try and ensure opponents’ performances went down the pan.
      He wasn’t flushed with pride when he had to watch himself using the facilities before a game.
      The former football star is now a pundit and podcasterCredit: Getty
      Peter Crouch has BT Sport pundits in stitches as he forgets his own Champions League heroics More

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      World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst hails fans for stopping hated European Super League

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      THREE Lions legend Sir Geoff Hurst last night hailed fans for their role in stopping the hated Super League, saying: “They saved football.”But the 1966 World Cup hat-trick hero warned the “Big Six” had tarnished English football around the globe.
      World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst hails fans for stopping the hated European Super LeagueCredit: Rex
      Sir Geoff told The Sun: “What these clubs tried to do was an absolute disgrace and thank God it’s been stopped.
      “The Mickey Mouse league they were trying to set up was diabolical and disgusting.
      “I haven’t spoken to a single fan, young or old, this week who backed it.
      “If it wasn’t for the fans coming out and making it clear what they thought the game would have died.
      “We had Manchester United fans standing shoulder to shoulder with Liverpool supporters. Arsenal and Spurs fans were agreeing.
      “I’ve never seen anything like it!
      “But God bless every one of them – they’ve saved football and showed they are the best fans in the world.”
      Sir Geoff, 79, said his 1966 pals would be “turning their graves” over greedy foreign owners trying to hijack our national game.
      He added: “One of the greatest things about that team back then was how we all came from different clubs, some near the top of the League, others nowhere near it.
      Chelsea fans celebrate after the club announced it would be withdrawing from the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      Sir Geoff said the owners of the Big Six now needed to grovel to the fans they tried to betrayCredit: Splash
      Sir Geoff said his 1966 pals would be ‘turning in their graves’ over greedy foreign owners trying to hijack our national gameCredit: AFP

      “But we still combined to become a team, create history and do something truly amazing. That’s what makes football so special.
      “I know Bobby Moore for one would be turning in his grave.
      “That League went against everything he stood for and everything believed in as a man and a footballer.
      “And I suspect the likes of Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles, who were never afraid to voice their opinions, would be saying the same as I am today.”
      Sir Geoff said the owners of the Big Six now needed to grovel to the fans they tried to betray.
      He said: “They need to apologise to the fans and to the players who were dragged into this. I was pleased to see so many of the footballers speaking out about it.
      “Players have a lot more influence now than back in my day.
      A statement released by the European Super League claimed the tournament will ‘reshape’ and go ahead

      “They are on social media and have millions of followers.
      “Kids around the world look up to these guys and when they were coming and saying, ‘We’re not standing for this’ the owners must have realised the game was up.
      “Now they need to say sorry and start trying to put right the damage they have done to our game.
      “If they’re not willing to do that they should clear off.”
      What happens now the European Super League has collapsed More

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      Ex-England ace John Barnes resurrects his iconic World in Motion rap to raise awareness for guide dogs

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      FORMER England ace John Barnes has resurrected his iconic World in Motion rap — but changed it to raise awareness for guide dogs. The pundit, 57, says “you’ve got to walk, take steps, it can be in your own time” instead of “you’ve got to hold and give, but do it at the right time”. 
      John Barnes, 57, has re-recorded his World in Motion rap for charity
      He also advises people with sight loss to “wear your favourite socks” as part of a new charity campaign.
      Barnes famously rapped on England’s classic New Order song for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
      And he showed he still has the skill for the Guide Dogs charity’s Walk Your Socks Off campaign.
      He raps: “You can be slow or fast, or dance about to a rhyme. 
      “Walk round your house, your garden, go there, come back. Wear your favourite socks, this will keep you on track. Support me if you can, ’cause I’m your Guide Dogs man. And what you’re looking at is the master plan. We support sight loss, this is our sock. I’m walking my socks off, I know I can’t go wrong.”
      In 1990 Barnes improvised the original rap and was sozzled while recording the video for it.
      He said: “I was p***ed. We were all drunk and just did it. It’s not a hard thing to do, is it?”

      The England legend is raising awareness for guide dogsCredit: Paul Tonge – The Sun
      John Barnes raps: ‘You’ve got to walk, take steps, it can be in your own time’
      In the 1990 clip he rapped: ‘You’ve got to hold and give, but do it at the right time’
      In the new campaign he also advises people with sight loss to ‘wear your favourite socks’
      In 1990 Barnes improvised the original rap and was sozzled while recording the video
      Barnes in action at the 1990 World Cup in ItalyCredit: Alamy

      It was only decided he would rap on the day it was made in the studio. 
      He recalled: “There was Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley, all these Geordies, so there was just no chance of them three doing it.
      “So it was between me and Des Walker. Des and I had a rap-off. Des was rubbish. I’ve been rapping since I was 17 years old.”
      John Barnes rap More

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      Wayne Rooney building luxury whisky and cigar room in his £20million mansion

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      WAYNE Rooney is having a luxury whisky and cigar room built into his £20million mansion.The England legend, 35, is modelling it on an exclusive jazz venue he frequents.
      How Wayne Rooney may look in his luxury whisky and cigar room
      Wayne and wife Coleen, 34, are usually regulars at Puffin’ Rooms in Liverpool, which has an array of wines, champagnes, cocktails and more than 200 rare whiskies.
      A vast selection of Havana or New World cigars is also available.
      A source said: “The Puffin Rooms is one of those cosy intimate places where Wayne can relax in the lap of luxury.
      “He’s been going there for years with Coleen.
      Wayne and Coleen are usually regulars at Puffin’ Rooms in LiverpoolCredit: PA
      Wayne Rooney is building the whisky and cigar room in his £20million mansionCredit: The Mega Agency
      “They love it there and always go back when they’re in Liverpool.
      “They wanted the house to feature everything they’ve ever wanted — and this was at the top of Wayne’s list.”
      The Derby County boss is converting old farm buildings into a three-storey home after buying the 40-acre plot for £4.3million in July 2018.
      All the living spaces at the house in Knutsford, Cheshire, will be fitted with bespoke furniture.
      Wayne and Coleen’s mansion will boast a cinema, gym, swimming pool and underground escape routeCredit: Instagram

      It will also boast a cinema, gym, swimming pool, snooker room, bar, wine store and lifts — plus an underground escape route to the garage block in case of intruders.
      The source added: “Money is no object. They’ve spent a long time working on this house and have made sure it delivers every luxury.”
      Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney could not handle his booze and he was powerless to stop the player having affairs More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury sparring with convicted killer ahead of Anthony Joshua showdown

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      BOXER Tyson Fury is sparring with a convicted killer ahead of his summer showdown with Anthony Joshua.The Gypsy King, 32, is being put through his paces by disgraced fellow boxer Ty Mitchell.
      Tyson Fury is sparring with a convicted killer ahead of Anthony Joshua showdownCredit: The Sun
      Ty Michell was jailed after he killed student Jagdip Randhawa with a single punch
      Mitchell, 30, was jailed for seven years for manslaughter after he killed uni student Jagdip Randhawa, 19, with a single punch in October 2011.
      He was freed in 2016 and is on licence until December.
      But last week he posted footage of him and Fury sparring in Morecambe, Lancs, with the caption: “We love a tear up.”
      His boxing coach dad, Clifton Mitchell, has previously said his son’s fatal punch was a “freak accident” – adding: “He is not a hooligan, he was just a kid when it happened…boxing is his only trade.
      “My son will fight again.”
      Ty Mitchell killed uni student Jagdip in October 2011Credit: SWNS
      The Randhawa family previously slammed Mitchell’s return to the ring

      He will remain on licence until December this year.
      The family of his victim, of Hounslow, West London, declined to comment.
      But they have previously slammed Mitchell’s return to boxing and want him permanently banned.
      Tyson Fury is preparing for his showdown against Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA
      Anthony Joshua doesn’t care about Tyson Fury’s deadlines and vows to ‘kick his a***’ whenever they fight More

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      Colin the Caterpillar cake loved by Aston Villa so much they create 2ft version for players’ birthdays

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      ASTON Villa loves Colin the Caterpillar cakes so much they create a 2ft version to celebrate players’ birthdays.The Premier League club’s chef combines two Marks & Spencer £7 chocolate sponges for a “Double Colin”.
      We imagined Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish as a Colin the Caterpillar cake
      The player and his teammates are treated to 2ft versions of the cake on their birthdaysCredit: PA
      A source says ‘the Double Colin has become legend, not a birthday passes by when a player isn’t handed one’Credit: AP
      It is then wheeled out for stars such as Jack Grealish, 25.
      A club source said: “The Double Colin has become legend.
      “Not a birthday passes by when a player isn’t handed one.
      “They need more cake to go round the whole team, and the training staff of course.”
      M&S launched the popular Colin cake around 30 years agoCredit: PA
      They have now launched a High Court bid against Aldi over its ‘Cuthbert’ versionCredit: Aldi

      The news comes after The Sun told yesterday how M&S — which launched Colin around 30 years ago and now charges £7 — is in a High Court battle with Aldi over its £4.99 “Cuthbert” version.
      M&S has three trademarks relating to Colin and believes it has a distinctive character and reputation.
      It wants Aldi to remove its version and agree not to sell anything similar.
      Jack Grealish looks on top form back in Aston Villa training More

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      Daniel Dubois to fight Bogdan Dinu in first bout back after breaking eye socket in Joe Joyce defeat last year

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      DANIEL DUBOIS will face Bogdan Dinu in his first fight back since his crushing 10th-round TKO loss to Joe Joyce last year. The 23-year-old was heavily criticised and accused of quitting in his loss to Joyce back in November.
      Credit: The Sun
      Dubois suffered a broken eye socket in the British, Commonwealth and European title fight with Joyce, who looks set to fight Oleksandr Usyk later this year.
      But having recovered from his injury, Dubois is back as SunSport can reveal the London-born heavyweight will face Romanian Dinu on June 5.
      Dinu, 34, has a record of 20-2, and is best known for his losses to ex-Anthony Joshua foes Kubrat Pulev and Jarrell Miller.
      Pulev knocked Dinu out in the seventh round of their clash back in November 2019, while Miller destroyed him in four rounds on a Matchroom card in 2018.
      The heavyweight veteran last fought in October, knocking out Frank Bluemle in two rounds, and is an experienced operator.
      Dubois was hopeful of becoming a world champion in 2021, but his loss to Joyce set his plans for heavyweight domination back longer than he’d have liked.

      After the Joyce defeat, Dubois shook his team up by switching trainers from Peacock Gym’s Martin Bowers to Mark Tibbs, who used to train Dillian Whyte.
      Bowers remains as Dubois’ manager and advisor, but the No 10 ranked fighter with the WBO opted for a fresh face in the corner ahead of his return to action.
      “I believe I can bring something to Daniel’s game,” said Tibbs told Boxing Scene earlier this year.
      “I can add some seasoning to his game and make him a different fighter. I’m confident in that, and it won’t take too long.”
      Dubois’ clash with Dinu will likely take place in London and DDD is confident of getting back to winnings ways.
      Dubois will return on June 5Credit: The Sun
      He said: “I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight.
      “This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion.
      “I don’t need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.”
      “Time is on my side but I don’t intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.”
      “I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection.”
      Dillian Whyte blasts ‘coward’ Daniel Dubois for ‘quitting’ as he stops fighting in shock defeat to Joe Joyce More

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      Man City ace Phil Foden reveals he and childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke have a second baby on the way

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      FOOTIE wonderkid Phil Foden is celebrating again after revealing he is to become a dad for the second time.The Manchester City and England star became a father for the first time at age 18.
      Phil Foden and Rebecca Cooke are having another childCredit: instagram
      Foden became a father for the first time at age 18Credit: Instagram @philfoden
      The Man City ace has told friends they are expecting a baby girlCredit: Rex
      He and childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke, both now 20, had little Ronnie — named after Foden’s boyhood nickname — in January 2019.
      Now the midfield ace has told friends they are having a baby girl to join them in their £3.25million mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire.
      The new arrival is expected in late summer or early autumn, The Sun understands.
      A source said of Foden and his table-topping Sky Blues: “City can’t stop scoring at the moment — both on and off the pitch.
      “They’ve hit the back of the net more times than any of the teams and are now celebrating another kid.
      Rebecca gave birth to little Ronnie in January 2019
      A source says ‘City can’t stop scoring at the moment — both on and off the pitch’Credit: Getty

      “It couldn’t be a better way to cap off such a great season.”
      Foden scored again on Wednesday night in his team’s 2-1 away win in a crunch European clash with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund.
      It saw City get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, while they sit 11 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
      Man City star Phil Foden nearly falls into BT Sport pundits as he shows off his skills ahead of Porto match More