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      Sheffield Wednesday owner Chansiri ready to spend big on striker loan transfer as he U-turns on Scrouge-like pledge

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      SHEFFIELD  WEDNESDAY  owner Dejphon Chansiri seems eager to throw big money on a striker loan next month.The controversial supremo reckons paying top dollar for a marksman could save rock-bottom Owls from the drop.
      Dejphon Chansiri will spend some dosh on a striker in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      With the hunt now on, the Championship side may even pay around £30,000 a week for the right man.
      A remarkable turnaround for Chansiri, who recently asked fans to help subsidise the club.
      Last month SunSport revealed the Thai owner would not sell the up even if they were relegated back to League One.
      In a shock statement in September, the 55-year-old refused to commit more money to the club.
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      He said: “Hello to all Sheffield Wednesday fans.
      “I have thought about making this statement for some time and it is extremely difficult for me to do something that I never thought I would have to do.
      “But in the end, I think it is the time to say some things that I feel I have to say before it is too late.
      “First of all, I would like to thank all the fans who have supported the club so well over the past nine years or so since I came to Sheffield Wednesday.
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      “There has been joy and sorrow, the joy we have shared together and in times of sorrow we have supported each other.
      “Right now, we are not in a good situation in the table and I believe that supporters have every right to voice opinions, speak from the heart and say anything you wish about the football.
      “That is the nature of the game, which I always respect. But I also believe there are limits to balance for the benefits of the club and all other stakeholders as a whole.”
      He added: “We all love Sheffield Wednesday and I am a supporter as well as the owner who must love and care for the club more than anyone else because of the position I am in as chairman.
      “I must take responsibility for everything at the club, including the financial support which is something I always do. But from now, I will not put additional money into the club.
      “If you say you are the owner and I am the custodian, then show me how to be the good owner and help save your club. You want me to leave but you want me to spend money?
      “If you want me to leave, then show me how to run the club and invest the money before I do that.
      “You have no right to ask me to leave. I am the one who saved the club and spent the money for the club, I am the one who needs to pay around £2m on average every month.
      “Some fans need to have more respect for owners of clubs and not be so selfish, thinking of their own benefit without doing anything good to the club.
      “This is not acceptable and as a result I am not willing to inject more money while I am being treated unfairly by those fans.
      “The club needs support from everyone during difficult times. In football, there are good times and not so good times.
      “It is easy to celebrate good times but we must support each other in difficult times.”
      Chansiri bought the Owls from Milan Mandaric in 2015 but has come under fire over recent months.
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      Fed-up supporters have launched a number of protests against the Thai businessman ever since he axed Darren Moore in June just days after securing promotion back to the Championship.
      They then blasted the season ticket pricing and a huge banner at Hillsborough which read ‘Thank You Dejphon Chansiri’ was defaced and removed ahead of their game with Ipswich. More

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      Controversial VAR decisions causing friend and family rows, study finds

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      CONTROVERSIAL VAR decisions are causing friend and family rows, a survey has revealed.One in eight footie fans said they have led to ­friction and fallings-out.
      VAR decisions are causing rows within families and friend groupsCredit: Getty
      In contrast, only one in 12 said decisions by Premier League on-pitch referees led to serious anger.
      The survey found Arsenal fans argue with loved ones the most, with 20 per cent of the Gunners’ supporters bickering about Video Assistant Referee decisions.
      Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester United and Tottenham followed on the list.
      Aston Villa fans had the least rows, with only six per cent having a bust-up after the game.
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      Betting site freebets.com asked 2,000 Premier League fans and found arguments are most often caused by disallowed goals for off side and penalty decisions.
      Spokesman Tim Agnew said: “The positive news is it’s making referees more popular, or at least the ref is no longer getting the brunt of fans’ fury.”
      It comes after the International FA Board last week said it was considering extending existing checks for goals, penalties and red cards to corners, free kicks and yellow cards. More

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      Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick lines up Premier League star transfer as Man Utd legend looks to fix leaky defence

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      MIDDLESBROUGH manager Michael Carrick is seeking a centre-half in the winter window. Carrick has lost Darragh Lenihan following his ankle operation.
      Michael Carrick is eyeing a defender in the January transfer windowCredit: Alamy
      Darragh Lenihan has been sidelined following an ankle operationCredit: Alamy
      But he will get funds for a top replacement, ideally on loan, for the promotion push.
      Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall and Leeds’ Charlie Cresswell are in their sights.
      Worrall, 26, is currently out of favour at Forest and a loan may work for both him and the club.
      Cresswell, 21, is on the fringe of the Leeds side but they may be unwilling to help a promotion rival.
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      Middlesbrough endured a sticky start to the season after their strong finish under Carrick last year.
      Losing the likes of top scorer Chuba Akpom over the summer hit the club hard.
      And it took Carrick’s side until September 23 to pick up its first win in the Championship this season.
      Since then they have stormed to eight wins in all which currently has them in 12th in the table.
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      However, this position is deceiving with just three points separating them from the play-off spots.
      Former Man Utd assistant Carrick is up against ex-colleague Kieran McKenna who is at the helm of high-flyers Ipswich next week.
      Joe Worrall is one target for Boro in the next transfer windowCredit: Alamy
      Charlie Cresswell is an alternative solution in the marketCredit: Getty More

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      Phil Foden’s son, 4, signs major modelling deal with fashion brand after gaining four million Instagram followers

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      FOOTIE ace Phil Foden’s four-year-old son is already modelling clothes for a fashion store.Little Ronnie, who has four million Instagram followers, has been pictured posing in clobber for the Flannels designer labels retailer.
      Phil Foden’s four-year-old son has started his modelling careerCredit: Instagram
      Ronnie went viral following his celebrations during the 2023 Champions League FinalCredit: Getty
      Ronnie was nicknamed “The Dude” by fans after he played up to the camera while celebrating Man City’s Champions League triumph in June with dad Phil and other stars such as Jack Grealish.
      He has since become the unofficial mascot for the team.
      England international Phil, 23, and his partner Rebecca Cooke, 22, created an Instagram profile for Ronnie for fans charmed by their cheeky little chappie.
      And the boy is now working with Propel Talent Group, a company that claims to manage “the careers of some of the UK’s most sought-after talent”.
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      Celebrities with more than a million Instagram followers can earn up to £10,000 for each brand plug.
      Speaking about his son’s celebrations, Phil said: “His personality has made him who he is. I think he went quite viral after [we] won the Champions League.”
      Ronnie is not the only son of a Premier League ace to bag a modelling contract.
      Wayne Rooney’s son Kai 14, has fronted a campaign for Puma while Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham have also been used in fashion campaigns.
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      Pubs could stay open till 1am if any home nations make it up to Euros semis

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      PUBS could be allowed to stay open until 1am if any of the home nations make it to the semis or final of next summer’s Euros.Ministers will consult on extending licensing hours for boozers in England and Wales if UK teams get through.
      Ministers are looking at extending licensing hours for pubs to make sure footie fans can come together to cheer their nation on in the EurosCredit: AP
      The Scottish government will make its own decision.
      But with host nation Germany one hour ahead of UK time, it will mean fans can watch evening kick-offs over a pint without the fear of having to exit the pub if a game goes to extra-time or penalties.
      England — runners-up to Italy two years ago at Covid-delayed Euro 2020 — will be at next summer’s finals after topping their group with captain Harry Kane banging in eight goals.
      Scotland also qualified, while Wales are in the play-offs.
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      Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “There are few things that bring a country together more than the prospect of winning an international tournament.
      “That is why we are looking at helping pubs and bars stay open longer if we reach the semi-finals or final, and ensure families, friends and communities can come together to cheer their nation on.”
      England are one of the favourites to win the competition.
      If Gareth Southgate’s squad manage to storm to victory it will be England’s first major trophy since 1966.
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      Marcus Rashford sparks rumours he’s back with ex-fiancée after booking out entire posh restaurant for romantic date

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      FOOTIE ace Marcus Rashford may get a replay with his ex-fiancée after booking out an posh restaurant for a date last week.The Man United and England striker, 26, sparked rumours that he is back with his childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, 26.
      Marcus Rashford booked out a posh restaurant for a date with his ex-fiancéeCredit: Splash
      Lucia Loi, 26, was still not wearing her engagement ringCredit: Splash
      Rashford hired the cellar of a French wine bar in Manchester for the occasionCredit: Splash
      He hired the cellar of a French wine bar in Manchester that seats 18.
      The bar sells bottles of champagne for £950 a pop.
      A source said: “They were there for hours laughing and joking.
      “It’s a very nice place and he booked the whole of it for just the two of them.
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      “He couldn’t stop smiling.”
      But Lucia, above with Marcus after the date, is still not wearing her diamond engagement ring.
      The Sun on Sunday told in June how the couple had broken-up two months before as Marcus holidayed in Miami.
      He was seen returning to his hotel with personal trainer Courtney Caldwell after partying at an exclusive nightclub until 5am.
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      Speculation has swirled about the star’s love life following his break-up with Lucia, who he had dated since he was 15.
      The pair fell for each other at Ashton on Mersey School, in Sale, Greater Manchester.
      After nine years together, the split in May 2021, blaming the pandemic and lockdown pressures.
      A source revealed: ‘They were there for hours laughing and joking’Credit: Splash
      The pair, pictured above enjoying a jetski ride in Barbados, split just months earlierCredit: Mega
      The ace had dated Lucia since he was 15Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke More

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      Jack Grealish has enough sexy ‘swagger’ to be character in next book, says saucy author Jilly Cooper

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      SAUCY author Jilly Cooper says footie star Jack Grealish has enough sexy “swagger” to be a character in her next book.The 86-year-old best-selling writer — dubbed the Queen of the Bonkbuster — admitted she is mesmerised by the £100million England star.
      Jilly Cooper says Jack Grealish has enough sexy ‘swagger’ to be in her next book
      The saucy author says she’s mesmerised by the England starCredit: Getty
      Jilly said: ‘I love Manchester City. Jack Grealish is like a character from my books’Credit: PA:Press Association/PA Images
      Manchester City’s Jack has adoring fans in a spin with his tight-fitting shorts and rolled down socks, showing off his stocky calves.
      Paired with his long, slicked-backed hair and ­permanent tan, the 28-year-old regularly tops the league for fans when asked to rank the hottest footballers.
      Jilly said: “I love Manchester City. Jack Grealish is like a character from my books. He’s got swagger. I think football is riveting.”
      And she confessed she found the business fascinating while researching for her latest novel, Tackle!
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      The book — tagline “If you want to score, you’ve got to be a player” — sees character Rupert Campbell-Black buy failing club Searston Rovers, attracting the attention of the Wags.
      Jilly said of pro footballers: “They are rich slaves, aren’t they? Footballers are bought and sold.
      “You can be in a team and your contract can be stopped just like that. They might get huge wages, but are under constant scrutiny. Careers are brief.”
      Grealish, who is featured topless on the front cover of the latest Arena Homme Plus magazine, has amassed a £100million personal fortune thanks to his success on the field and a string of lucrative modelling contracts.
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      The author’s latest novel, Tackle!Credit: Bantam More

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      Jermain Defoe takes two different women home just days apart months after splitting from wife

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      FORMER England striker Jermain Defoe looks equally at home with two women just days apart.The retired star, 41, enjoyed a pub dinner with wedding planner Paige Mallabourn-Edmondson, 29.
      Jermain Defoe enjoyed a pub dinner date with Paige Mallabourn-Edmondson, 29Credit: Splash
      They then went back to his Essex mansion, where he lived earlier this year with wife Donna Tierney, 40, before they split.
      Paige, who met the ex-Spurs ace when he was on a coaching course in Burnley, is said to have recently moved to London to spend more time with him.
      But days after their Essex date, Defoe was pictured with influencer Alisha LeMay, 31, who he started seeing this year.
      Online snaps show the pair taking selfies at another of his homes, in Hertfordshire.
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      A source said: “Jermain likes to keep busy now he’s retired but it must be exhausting going from one mansion to another to spend time with Paige and then Alisha.
      “Maybe he’s having a hard time trying to choose which one he wants to be with.
      “Both must know about each other and seem to be very understanding towards Jermain.
      “But it’s a very unusual arrangement.”
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      In October, we told how Defoe visited Paige at a £1,200-a-night hotel in London just days before being pictured with Alisha.
      Defoe married beautician Donna in 2022.
      But we revealed a month later he pestered a nurse for sex.
      The ex-England striker posed for a selfie at his home in HertfordshireCredit: Instagram
      And influencer Alisha LeMay, 31, also posted a photo online at Defoe’s homeCredit: Instagram More