Exclusives

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Shocked US tourist planning gentle Thames sight-seeing trip ends up on boat full of 150 boozed up UK football fans

      by

      A TOURIST planning a gentle sight-seeing trip on the River Thames boarded a party boat full of boozy football fans by mistake. American Evan Johnston got on the vessel with 150 Southend United supporters heading to a match. US tourist Evan Johnston, in check shirt, thought he was on a Thames sightseeing trip, but he’d accidentally joined 150 football fans heading to a match – who took him alongCredit: Andy WardEvan had got on a City Cruises craft – but did not realise it had been chartered by Southend United fans heading for a match against fellow National League side SuttonCredit: GettyAmerican student Evan with fans of the Shrimpers on board the cruise boatCredit: Andy WardThe student, 21, thought they were all going to see London’s landmarks. But the Shrimpers fans welcomed Evan — taking him to his first ever match, buying all his drinks and chanting: “Evan is a Shrimper, la la la la.” Essex side Southend were playing Sutton in South London in a National League clash on Saturday. The fans hired a party boat from Tower Millennium Pier to Blackfriars Pier to catch a train to the ground. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEvan, from Arizona, said: “I had some suspicions when I was in line behind all of the fans. “I figured if they checked tickets they’d turn me off. But they didn’t.” He said he was “rooting for them” after Southend’s 1-1 draw, leaving them a point outside the promotion play-offs with five games left. The club will make Evan guest of honour at this Saturday’s home fixture against Solihull Moors. Most read in FootballFan Andy Ward told The Sun: “The next day I messaged Evan. He’d gone on the sightseeing tour he’d planned, and said our boat was a lot better — and his tour was a little quieter.” The club said: “Full credit to our brilliant supporters.” Crisis club Southend SAVED from extinction after consortium completes takeoverThe friendly fans made Evan welcome and bought him pints as they made their way to the matchCredit: Andy WardEvan with Shrimpers fan, and new pal, Andy WardCredit: Chris PhillipsUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      WAG Taylor Ward ‘feels safer’ living in Saudi Arabia after quitting UK with ex-Man City star Riyad Mahrez

      by

      WAG Taylor Ward says she feels safer living in Saudi Arabia with husband Riyad Mahrez after escaping the threat of burglary gangs targeting Premier League stars’ homes.The reality star, 27, told The Sun on Sunday she “can now sleep at night” after making the move to Jeddah, where the ex-Manchester City star, 34, now plys his trade for Al-Ahli following his £30million switch from the Premier League champions.Taylor Ward says she feels safer in Saudi Arabia after moving abroad with footballer Riyad MahrezCredit: Amazon MGM StudiosTaylor says her house in Saudi Arabia is ten times bigger than her home in EnglandCredit: InstagramGangs have targeted several footballers’ multi million pound homes in what’s been dubbed the “Cheshire Golden Triangle” – comprising the prestigious towns of Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, and Prestbury.Some of those houses have been decked out by Taylor’s mum Dawn Ward, an interior designer to the stars, but now she feels secure in the Middle East, so much so she’s allowing her £850,000-a-week husband to splash out on expensive gifts.Taylor said: “I feel way safer in Saudi – I can actually sleep at night now.“My house in Saudi is ten times bigger than my house in England, and if I had to stay on my own somewhere, I would choose Saudi every day of the week.READ MORE TAYLOR WARD“I’ve never stayed on my own in England, ever. We live in an apartment. I’ve never stayed there by myself. I’m just really conscious.“There’s so many burglaries and bad things going on especially in Cheshire. It’s a massive problem.“Living abroad now is great because I don’t bring anything home. It’s not worth it because we’ve been burgled in the past and it puts you off having nice things.“I used to say to Riyad, ‘please don’t buy me a watch for my birthday, please don’t buy me these because I don’t want to be a target.’Most read in Football“Now that we live in Saudi, you actually get the opportunity to enjoy and wear nice things.”Manchester City winger Jack Grealish had his £5.6m house raided on Boxing Day, while he was playing, by a gang who fled with £1m worth of luxury goods including watches and jewellery.Glamorous Premier League Wags to star on new Prime Video reality TV show Married To The Game including Jorginho and Mahrez’s other halves His terrified girlfriend Sasha Attwood was inside the property when the raid took place.Former Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, ex-Everton defender Phil Jagielka have also been previously targeted.Taylor, who shares a 20-month-old daughter with Mahrez and is stepmum to his other two daughters, is one of the five WAGS starring in Prime Video series Married to the Game, which follows the glamorous lives of partners of renowned footballers.The second series, which starts on Monday, sees Taylor joined by Cat Harding, fiancée of Arsenal star Jorginho, Gabrielle Figueiredo, the wife of his Gunners’ teammate Gabriel Magalhães, Chelsea WAG Claudia Rodríguez and boyfriend Marc Cucurella, plus Aston Villa star Leon Bailey and his girlfriend Stephanie Hope.In the debut series streamed last year, Taylor went viral after sobbing when five-times Premier League winner Mahrez told her they were moving to Saudi Arabia following his transfer from Manchester City.But having taken months to finally settle in the Middle East, Taylor now feels at home – although there are some stark differences, especially when it comes to the WAGS out there.She explained: “There’s no champagne. When we used to go to the Etihad it was like a day out and I had a really good relationship with them all at Man City.“We traveled so much, because they were in all the finals, like the Champions League and all that kind of stuff.“We did a lot of trips together and we had a really close bond, which is really nice.Read More on The Sun“That’s slightly different in Saudi. I don’t know the players and the partners as well.“People keep themselves to themselves more out here.”Taylor moved abroad to Saudi Arabia after Manchester City winger Mahrez was transferred to Al-AhliMahrez earns a staggering £850,000 per week at Al-Ahli after leaving Manchester CityCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England football legend and wife plot move to relocate to Dubai as they eye properties and school for kids

      by

      FORMER England football star Rio Ferdinand and wife Kate are considering relocating to the Middle East, we can reveal.Rio, 46, and Kate, 33, are looking at big-money properties and schools for their younger children in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.Kate is married to former Manchester United legend Rio FerdinandCredit: InstagramFriends say the entrepreneurial pair, who live in Bromley, South East London, are keen to find a home in the Gulf.A source said: “Rio and Kate are seriously considering being based out in the Gulf and are looking for a sprawling home with plenty of bedrooms. “They love the lifestyle and sunny ­weather and have lots of friends out there. It’s a very safe place for families and offers a healthy lifestyle, which suits them well.”The pair met in Dubai in 2016 after being introduced out there by mutual friends.READ MORE ON RIO FERDINANDRio proposed to Kate in Abu Dhabi two years later and the couple tied the knot one year on. He has five kids — Lorenz, 18, Tate, 15, and Tia, 12, with first wife Rebecca Ellison who died in 2015; and Cree, four, and Shae, 21 months, with Kate.The source said: “It holds a special place in their hearts as that’s where they met and both could easily travel back and forth for their work commitments in the UK.“As well as his sporting success Rio has a huge business portfolio now and there is lots of potential in the Middle East.”Most read in FootballInsiders at TNT Sports are concerned that pundit Rio, who also has homes in Portugal and Barbados, will leave at the end of the season.Rio Ferdinand fears that Man Utd might not win again in the Premier League this season The former Manchester United captain has worked for the broadcaster for more than a decade and is seen as integral to their coverage.His management firm New Era has signed a partnership with US talent agency WME.A spokesman for Rio and Kate declined to comment.The couple are looking at homes in the sunny GulfCredit: Getty More

    • 188 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Roy Keane hailed as an ‘absolute gentleman’ after visiting a superfan with dementia in hospital

      by

      FOOTIE great Roy Keane has been hailed an “absolute gentleman” after visiting a superfan with dementia in hospital.The former Manchester United captain agreed to meet ailing Pat O’Sullivan, 77, after a radio plea from his family.Roy Keane has been hailed an ‘absolute gentleman’ after visiting a superfan with dementia in hospitalCredit: GettyRoy spent 35 minutes at Mercy hospital in his home city of Cork with PatCredit: corksredfm / InstagramPat, who regards Roy as a “total legend”, wept as the two embraced.Irishman Roy, 53, spent 35 minutes at Mercy hospital in his home city of Cork with Pat, his wife Catherine, and sons Derek, 44, and Rob, 41.Rob said: “What an amazing thing for Roy to do. “My dad was absolutely delighted.”Read More on FootballThe footballer grew up close to the family home in Cork and he once shared a pint with Pat in the Temple Acre pub.Rob added: “My dad always talks about his friend Roy Keane. “He was so happy to meet him that he cried twice.“Roy put his arm around him and shared a joke with him. Most read in Football”He loved it.”‘As a player yeah but…’ – Luke Littler forces Roy Keane to agree on Bruno Fernandes but Man Utd legend still makes digRoy and Pat pose for a photoCredit: corksredfm / Instagram More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Two Manchester United stars share secret love of fishing after being spotted in angling shop dressed in training gear

      by

      MANCHESTER United stars Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui have struck up a reel friendship — by going fishing together.The pair unexpectedly popped into an angling shop last week while still dressed in their training gear.How Man Utd aces Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui might look on a fishing tripDutch striker Zirkzee, 23, spent around an hour inside the angling shopCredit: AlamyZirkzee was spotted alongside Moroccan defender Mazraoui, 27Credit: AlamyDutch striker Zirkzee, 23, and Moroccan defender Mazraoui, 27, spent around an hour inside Trafford Tackle & Bait in Stretford, a couple of miles from Old Trafford.Owner Jeff Smith said he initially did not know who they were, but they were spotted by kids buying sweets next door.Jeff, 48, told The Sun: “They were great. They had tracksuits on but I don’t know United players so I thought they were from the academy.“They asked me lots of questions about fishing around the area and what kind of tackle they should use.Read more on Man Utd”They were interested in buying rods and reels and got some live maggots as bait.”The two Red Devils also happily posed for pictures to the delight of the schoolkids.A mum said: “They were both lovely. Some of the children asked for pictures and they were really happy and friendly towards them.”Mazraoui previously told how he fished to help him relax while at Bayern Munich.Most read in FootballOther rod-loving footballers include Manchester City ace Phil Foden, who bought a home with its own lake so he could teach his son Ronnie.Former England goalkeeper David Seaman was told to “calm down” Paul Gascoigne by taking him fishing at Euro 96. Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham have also had a dangle.Paul Scholes says ‘it’s about time Manchester United caught up’ More

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Paul Scholes honoured with mural in his hometown after gaining surprise backing

      by

      MAN United icon Paul Scholes has been honoured with a mural in his hometown — backed by rival City fans.A 15ft painting of the midfielder’s face can be seen in Middleton, Gtr Manchester, after he won a public poll to decide which local to celebrate.Paul Scholes has been honoured with a mural in his hometown of MiddletonCredit: STEVE ALLENScholes won a public poll to decide which local to celebrateCredit: GettyScholes retired from football in 2013Credit: GettyStreet artist Akse  P19, behind the work, noted that Scholesy won it by a “significant margin”.He added: “What’s even more remarkable is that some Man City fans participated in the vote, choosing Scholes, which speaks volumes about the impact he’s had.”Scholes, 50, won 11 Premier League titles with United, and played for England 66 times before retiring in 2013.Akse added: “This mural serves as a lasting tribute to his incredible career and the pride he brings to Middleton.”read more on Paul Scholes Scholes was born in Salford and moved to the Langley Estate in Middleton with his family when he was about 18 months old.He previously said: “As far as I’m concerned I’m Middleton through and through.“I had some great times growing up and miss the place a lot.“I still try to get back to see my family whenever I can.Most read in Football“I have a lot of fond memories of growing up and going out.”Paul Scholes feels like Man Utd are ‘begging’ for money to build new stadium Street artist Akse  P19 was behind the muralCredit: STEVE ALLENScholes won the poll by a significant marginCredit: STEVE ALLENUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

    • 175 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations including MONTH of lavish parties with huge guests

      by

      DAVID Beckham has kicked off his 50th birthday celebrations — which include a month of partying.The former England skipper, who owns US club Inter Miami, got the ball rolling with a posh bash at his favourite restaurant in the city.David Beckham, pictured with wife Victoria, has kicked off his 50th birthday celebrations — which include a month of partyingCredit: instagramGuests included 6ft 4in quarterback legend Tom Brady and 7ft 1in basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal and Jamie SlaterCredit: instagramGuests included 6ft 4in quarterback legend Tom Brady and 7ft 1in basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal.The sporting giants towered over 5ft 11in Becks and his shorter pal, Authentic Brands founder Jamie Salter.Also attending the do at swanky Italian diner Cipriani was Becks’ wife Victoria, and their children Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13.Eldest son Brooklyn, 26, had work commitments.Read More on FootballBecks’ big day is not until May 2, but a source explained: “This party took place so early because of the Inter Miami schedule. “They played the night before and a lot of people flew in to watch that too, including Jack Whitehall.“They hired out Cipriani, which is an old favourite of the Beckhams. There was a free bar, and they all partied late into the night.“David is planning other events and will be turning 50 in style. Most read in Football”He will do a big dinner for his family and friends closer to his birthday and then will spend the day itself doing something with just Victoria, their parents and the kids.“They like to keep their actual birthdays more private and Victoria will be planning something very special.”Watch as David Beckham gives fans rare look inside Cotswolds homeWhen the former Spice Girl hit 50 last year, Becks hired out Mayfair private members club and whisked her off for a remote romantic break.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Major blow to shamed ex-footballer Joey Barton as thug’s business faces being struck off

      by

      DISGRACED footballer Joey Barton’s personal company faces being struck off for failing to file accounts on time.A business run by ex Manchester City star Barton, who was convicted of kicking his wife in a drunken row this week, has been served with an order to close.Joey Barton’s personal company faces being struck off for failing to file accounts on timeJoey Barton Promotions has not published legally required accounts and is now facing being struck off by Companies House.The firm faces a fine of £375 for failing to submit the documents which were supposed to have been published by Christmas Eve. If they are not filed by April 1, the fine will double to £750.The business’s last financial details for 2022 were published in June 2023 and revealed it was £58,539 in the red.The firm had just £2,301 in cash at the bank and the only other assets are computer equipment worth £1,958 and a debt of £148 owed to the business.READ MORE ON JOEY BARTONBut it was plunged into the red as it owed creditors £60,988, the accounts showed.This week Barton avoided jail for pushing his wife over and kicking her in the head after an incident at their home in southwest London in June 2021.Barton, 42, was convicted of assault and given a 12-week sentence, suspended for two years – meaning he will not go to prison unless he commits another offence.Wife Georgia Barton, 38, was left with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose after the attack in Kew.Most read in FootballBarton was arrested in his bedroom – still drunk – on the night of the attack, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told.He has a chequered history of violence which included burning team mate Jamie Tandy’s eye with a cigar, punching teammate Ousmane Dabo until he blacked out, and a six month prison sentence for punching a man 20 times before turning his anger on a 16-year-old in a Liverpool City Centre bust up caught on CCTV.Barton also owns between 25%-50% of a management consultancy Resolve Energy which employs 26 people and has nearly £670,000 in assets.Joey Barton ‘shoved wife & kicked her in head as their kids slept upstairs’ More