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      in Soccer

      England’s lucky charm Chesney Hawkes in race against time to make it to World Cup round of 16 match

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      ENGLAND’S lucky charm Chesney Hawkes is in a race against time to get to the World Cup round of 16 match today — but he has The Sun on his side.The singer, 51, inspired the Three Lions into walloping three second-half goals against Wales by performing his 1991 hit The One and Only at half-time.
      Chesney Hawkes is in a race against time to get to the World Cup round of 16 matchCredit: Doug Seeburg
      Even England ace Declan Rice said he hoped England could “get him singing at every half-time”.
      He also paid a visit on Friday to The Sun’s HQ to sing a duet of One and Only with boxer Tyson Fury.
      The first stage of Operation Sun and Only to get Chesney to Qatar swept into action last night — as he jumped in our cab to Heathrow following a gig at Butlin’s in Skegness, Lincs.
      West Ham fan Chesney said: “The whole thing has just been a whirlwind — hearing one of my heroes Declan name-checking me in the England press conference was just amazing.
      Most read in World Cup 2022
      “I never claimed to bring England good luck but anything I can do as a fan, to get the crowd going and help the side, I’ll do it.”
      He has 19 hours to get from his gig to the match as England take on Senegal.
      Sing Along tonight
      I am the one and only, oh yeah
      Call me, call me by my name or call me by number
      You put me through it
      I’ll still be doing it the way I do it
      And yet, you try to make me forget
      Who I really am, don’t tell me I know best
      I’m not the same as all the rest
      I am the one and only
      Nobody I’d rather be
      I am the one and only
      You can’t take that away from me
      I’ve been a player in the crowd scene
      A flicker on the big screen
      My soul embraces one more in a million faces
      High hopes and aspirations, and years above my station
      Maybe but all this time I’ve tried to walk with dignity and pride
      I am the one and only
      Nobody I’d rather be
      I am the one and only
      You can’t take that away from me
      I can’t wear this uniform without some compromises
      Because you’ll find out that we come
      In different shapes and sizes
      No one can be myself like I can
      For this job I’m the best man
      And while this may be true
      You are the one and only you
      I am the one and only
      Nobody I’d rather be
      I am the one and only
      You can’t take that away from me
      I am the one and only
      Nobody I’d rather be
      I am the one and only
      You can’t take that away from me More

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      in Boxing

      I’m going to get messy with England fans after I beat Derek Chisora – I’m a devil for the drink, says Tyson Fury

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      HEAVYWEIGHT champ Tyson Fury has told The Sun he will knock out Derek Chisora — then watch England knock Senegal out of the World Cup.The Gypsy King, 34, is so confident the Three Lions will win their last 16 clash that he’s planning to fly to Qatar for the quarter final.
      Tyson Fury says he’ll buy fans beers on the way to World Cup gloryCredit: Simon Jones
      Boxer Tyson backed The Sun’s Jabs Army vaccine campaignCredit: Simon Jones
      Tyson said: ‘I’m 100 per cent going to get messy with the fans. I’m known for that’Credit: PA
      And he said of his fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: “I’m looking forward to putting on a show. I’m feeling fantastic. I always win and so will England.”
      Tyson vowed to defy the World Cup booze ban and bring beer into the stadium for a potential England quarter final.
      The boxing champ has laid off the alcohol ahead of tonight’s big fight with Brit rival Derek Chisora.
      But he said he’ll “get messy again” in Qatar when rather than if Gareth Southgate’s team beat Senegal in tomorrow’s last-16 clash.
      Read More on Tyson Fury
      On a visit to the Sun HQ, heavyweight legend Tyson joked the alcohol ban at the stadiums was “no bother” for him.
      He said: “I’ll put it up my top. Who’s going to stop me?
      “I’m not an alcoholic, I’m just a devil for the drink.”
      He plans a “wild lads’ holiday” at the football without wife Paris, 32, or their six children.
      Most read in Boxing
      Tyson, who bought £1,000-a-time rounds for England fans at Euro 2016 in France, vowed: “I’m 100 per cent going to get messy with the fans. I’m known for that.
      “I’m going to sneak a few cases in my suitcase.
      “They can have anything they want — whatever gets them going.
      “Think of Euro 2016 when I went to Nice and bought 200 fans Jägerbombs.”
      Tyson also wants to meet skipper Harry Kane and the Three Lions players for a pep talk to spur them on in a potential quarter final against France or Poland.
      He said: “I would tell them forget about what you’re thinking, just go and f***ing win.”
      And his message to them before tomorrow’s Senegal game would be: “You’ve done all the hard work to get into this position so just go out there and enjoy the game.”
      Grinning Tyson also pledged to stay “indefinitely” if England win.
      Singer Chesney Hawkes also visited The Sun yesterday after England dubbed him their lucky mascot following his half-time performance during their Group B win over Wales.
      Tyson duetted with Chesney at our HQ and said of our plan to fly the singer back to Qatar to play his hit The One and Only: “Fantastic stuff. Get him back out there. He can take me.”
      Despite his planned boozy antics at the World Cup, Tyson has revealed he will stay sober for Christmas, saying: “I’m going to try and stay away from the alcohol and eat sensible and eat clean.
      “It’s only a four week period. If I can get through that then January we will be here and back to work.
      “I intend to just stay on the straight and narrow and spend time with the family.”
      I would tell them forget about what you’re thinking, just go and f***ing win.Tyson Fury
      Tyson claimed to be retired after beating Dillian Whyte in April.
      But he returns to fight Chisora — who he has beaten twice before — at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.
      Tyson admitted: “I was very bored. It was a short retirement.
      “Paris wanted me out of the house. She’s happy I’m back.”
      But he says he will retire in a year and will become a used-car salesman in Morecambe Bay, Lancs, where he owns a £1.7million house.
      Tyson, married for 14 years, wasn’t able to spend his anniversary with Paris as he was training.
      He said: “I sent her flowers but you have to make sacrifices for success. There are no secrets to getting it to work.
      “From my side just say ‘yes’. A happy wife is a happy life.”
      On his ring return, he added: “My real reason is I need to keep myself well in my mind.
      Tyson with Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate cut-outsCredit: Simon Jones
      Tyson poses at The Sun HQCredit: Simon Jones
      Tyson will fight Derek Chisora tonight at the Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: Getty
      “When you come across someone in their early or mid-20s who is fighting because they need to get off the streets and it’s do or die, then you have a problem.
      “There’s nothing that I can achieve, I’ve won every belt there is to win.
      “I’ve not got any thoughts. I’ve fought for a lot of things in my life.
      “I suppose fighting for sanity is every bit as good as fighting for all that s**t.”
      Revving up for his big fight, he remembered his epic 2015 battle with Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko, saying: “Klitschko said to me while I was on stage, ‘You really want my belts, you really want my belts’.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I said, ‘Do I f*** want your belts? I want to smash your teeth in. That’s what I want. I just want to beat you up.”

      Watch Fury v Chisora tonight on BT Sport Box Office from 6pm (£26.95) or listen on talkSPORT.

      FAVOURITE post-fight cheat meal?
      Fish fingers, chips and beans.
      Very simple, I’ve even ordered it in five-star restaurants.
      Dinner with three guests dead or alive?
      Jesus Christ, Tom Jones and Elvis Presley!
      Which of the England squad would you most want to go on a night out with?
      Jordan Pickford. He seems like a laugh to go on a drink with.
      Drink of choice?
      Anything cold and wet!
      Last song you listened to?
      Chesney Hawkes singing!
      If you could time travel where would you go?
      This is a very complex topic. I used to always be obsessed with time.
      I always thought whoever controlled the element of time could control the world.
      When asked what superpower I wanted as a kid I always said I’d want the ability to control time.
      However I’ve learnt to be very comfortable living in today’s world.
      I wouldn’t want to go back or forward.
      I’m very happy living as who I am today. So I’d stay put.
      Raid any celebrity’s wardrobe?
      Michael Jackson hands down.
      Ultimate walk-on track?
      One of my happy songs is Biggie Smalls’ Juicy because the lyrics go ‘it was all a dream.’
      For me it was all a dream that is now a reality.
      Role model outside of boxing?
      God.
      Fondest memory as a Manchester United fan?
      Winning the treble in 1999.
      I think that is the highlight of any Manchester United fan’s life.
      Top five fighters in the world, excluding yourself?
      They’re all pretty good.
      Anyone who gets in the boxing ring, I’ll leave it to the fans to decide.
      How would you describe the feeling of being punched by Tyson Fury?
      To the normal person on the street it would probably feel like getting run over by a Landrover Defender but to a boxer it’s no biggie.
      We get punched in the face daily in training camp. Big hits. More

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      in Soccer

      England fans can buy hallowed turf where Geoff Hurst scored controversial second goal in 1966 World Cup

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      ENGLAND fans can buy the hallowed turf where Geoff Hurst scored his controversial second goal in 1966 — in a sign football’s coming mown.A piece where the goal line was is in the back garden of a house that’s come on the market.
      Football fans may want to snap up this house which has gone up for sale – because it has the famous goal line from the 1966 World Cup final in its back gardenCredit: Solent News
      The strip of grass is the most precious piece of turf in English football historyCredit: Solent News
      The goal proved crucial in the 4-2 win and England’s only World Cup triumphCredit: AP
      Three Lions supporters now hope Chesney Hawkes is not the current team’s One And Only lucky charm, after the singer’s half-time rendition of his 1991 chart-topper helped inspire them to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Wales.
      The strip of grass, the most precious in English football history, has been the subject of decades of debate since hat-trick hero Hurst’s shot famously hit the crossbar then came crashing down.
      German players protested it didn’t cross the line, but the goal was given and proved crucial in the 4-2 win and England’s only World Cup triumph.
      For over 50 years, that Wembley goal line’s turf has secretly been part of the lawn at the detached five-bedroom home in Potters Bar, Herts.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP 2022
      Now, with the latest World Cup in Qatar under way, the property has been listed on the market — although it is expected to fetch at least £1.25million.
      Its current owner said the children in his family have even used it as their own goal line while playing footie.
      It was laid there after then-owner and TV director Bob Gardam had a kickabout at Wembley with colleagues in 1969.
      Mr Gardam, director of London Weekend Television’s Big Match show, was told by groundsman George Stanton that the pitch was due to be re-turfed for the first time since England’s historic win three years earlier.
      Most read in Football
      The grass was in a terrible state due to that year’s Horse of the Year Show and Mr Stanton told Mr Gardam he could take home Hurst’s goal line.
      Mr Gardam drove his car through the Wembley tunnel onto the pitch to load his car with the turf after digging it up.
      He then laid it in his garden in the shape of a ‘V’ for victory.
      He remained at the house with his family until 1982, when it was sold.
      Mr Gardam, a father of six, died aged 81 in 2013 but his grandson Steve Walter, 32, yesterday spoke about his exploits.
      Mr Walter, a media consultant of Stewkley, Bucks, said: “Grandad was not actually a massive football fan. He loved sport and more than anything I think he did it for a bit of a giggle.
      “But he absolutely knew the significance of it and wanted to preserve it for generations.”
      The house was sold to a father with a young family. The dad passed away two years ago and now his 46-year-old son, who has asked not to be identified, is selling the house.
      He said: “We were told about it when we bought the house and we thought it was pretty special.
      “It was a secret that we had to keep and we’ve kept it a secret for years.
      “To us, it’s just been part of the garden. We’ve all played football on it.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It was pretty much a goal line for us playing football, even though it was a V. We used one of the lines of the V.”
      The property is being sold by estate agent Strike at a guide price of £1.25million to £1.5million. More

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      in Soccer

      Man United fans will still see Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023 – but there’s a catch

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      MAN United fans will still see Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023 — in the official club calendar.The Portugal hitman’s exit last month was too late for him to be replaced as Mr January in the merchandise.
      Ronaldo left the red side of Manchester late last monthCredit: Reuters
      United fans opening their new 2023 official calendar will be greeted with Ronaldo on New Year’s Day
      The Portugal star’s lightning exit left marketing chiefs with a monster headache
      It has left the £10.99 product — “perfect for any Manchester United fan with images of players from the current squad” — badly out of date.
      Ronaldo, 37, and United settled on a “mutually agreed” split after he slammed the club in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
      During it he had said he had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag.
      The club is now trying to cash in on what is left of their Ronaldo stock at knockdown prices.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      T-shirts costing £20 are now a fiver, as are £10 mugs.
      A keyring that cost £5 is now £2 in the club shop and also online.
      Ronaldo, currently starring for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar, is tipped to sign with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in a £173million deal including wages and other endorsements. More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Neville in the clear after his online comment delayed pal Ryan Giggs’ trial

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      FOOTIE pundit Gary Neville is in the clear after his online comment delayed pal Ryan Giggs’ trial.The former Man United defender, 47, was referred to the Attorney General for possible contempt of court.
      Gary Neville posted on social media just before business partner Ryan Giggs’ domestic abuse trial was due to start in August
      Neville — who is Giggs’ business partner — posted on social media just before the domestic abuse trial was due to start in August.
      Judge Hilary Manley was informed of the potentially prejudicial post and proceedings were delayed by almost an hour.
      Now a spokeswoman for the Attorney General has confirmed no further action will be taken. The post has been removed.
      Contempt of court carries a fine or up to two years in prison.
      READ MORE ON RYAN GIGGS
      Neville did not make specific reference to Kate Greville — the ex-girlfriend and accuser of his former Man United teammate.
      He denied wrongdoing and maintains his remark was about United’s owners, the Glazers.
      Giggs, 48, was on trial for four weeks accused of coercively controlling Kate, 37, over a three-year period and head-butting her in a drunken row.
      The jury failed to reach any verdicts and he faces a retrial next July.
      Most read in Football More

    • 200 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      England fans in stitches after photo of grumpy cat that looks like Phil Foden goes viral

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      FOOTIE fans are purring with delight over a feline Phil Foden.A picture of the miserable moggie looking like the Man City star has gone viral.
      The black and white moggie has the same stare, while its fur is similar to Foden’s cropped hair
      Football fans are in stitches over a feline Phil FodenCredit: Getty
      The black and white cat has the same stare, while its fur is similar to Foden’s cropped hair.
      Fans began sharing the image online after Foden, 22, scored in England’s 3-0 win over Wales in the World Cup on Tuesday.
      One dubbed the puss “Phil Fur-den of Manchester Kitty”.
      Another quipped “felines on the shirt”, while a third asked if it was playing in “Catar”.
      Read More on Phil Foden
      But Graeme Fisher joked: “That cat has a better haircut than Phil Foden.”
      Film director Glenn Kitson, 46, originally posted the pic on Instagram where he deliberately mis-captions lookalike pictures. More

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      in Soccer

      Chesney Hawkes claims he was reason England won World Cup game against Wales and reveals what players said to him after

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      POP star Chesney Hawkes revealed England adopted him as their World Cup mascot after they walloped Wales following his half-time show.They banged in three goals, including one from Phil Foden, after he sang his hit The One and Only.
      Chesney Hawkes revealed England adopted him as their World Cup mascot – pictured with Phil FodenCredit: Dan Charity
      Chesney performs at half-time during the match between Wales and England at the World Cup in QatarCredit: Getty
      Chesney, pictured with Declan Rice, said: ‘The team want me back’
      Chesney, 51, wants to play again when they meet Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday — then hopefully serenade them to the final.
      He said: “The team want me back.”
      Chesney Hawkes revealed last night how he was mobbed by England stars after the 3-0 win over Wales — who told him his show turned the game.
      The Three Lions were sluggish during a goalless first-half in Qatar before Chesney performed his 1991 hit The One and Only on the pitch during the interval.
      Most Read in World Cup
      When they came back out, the Three Lions were a team transformed, with Marcus Rashford opening the scoring from a brilliant free-kick on 50 minutes.
      Just over a minute later, Phil Foden swept in a second, with Rashford later banging in a third, sending the English fans — and football-mad Chesney — into dreamland.
      Berkshire-born Chesney, 51 — who became a household name with his debut single — celebrated with his heroes after the game, and revealed they want to make him their One and Only mascot.
      He told The Sun: “I spent five weeks at number one and topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic – but this was undoubtedly my career highlight.
      Most read in Football
      “I got to perform for the England team and the fans I love — then got to celebrate with the players after the game.
      “I came here as a football fan above all else and this was the best night any fan could ever imagine.”
      The dad of three now lives in Los Angeles with model wife Kristina, 47, and children Casey, 21, Jesse, 19 and 17-year-old Indiana.
      But he remains a massive West Ham fan — and told how he got a hug from Hammers midfielder Declan Rice, plus a host of other stars including the two goalscorers.
      He said: “I’m a Hammers nut through-and-through so made a beeline for my hero Declan who gave me a wonderful cuddle.
      “Then I was mobbed by Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and double goalscorer Marcus Rashford gave me a high five.
      “And it was a weird but wonderful feeling when Jude Bellingham gave me a hand slap near the team tunnel — he’s two years younger than my eldest kid!

      “Every one of them said they wanted to adopt me as their mascot after England’s fortunes changed so quickly after I performed.
      “They joked that I had turned the game — and even asked me to perform at the team hotel.
      “It was honestly one of the best moments of my entire life.”
      Chesney, who never repeated his initial chart success, is desperate to return for England’s last-16 clash with Senegal on Sunday night.
      But he must first convince Fifa bosses that he will not give the Three Lions an unfair advantage.
      The one-song slot on Tuesday night was his first stadium gig since he supported Canadian ballad master Bryan Adams in 1993.
      And Chesney was delighted with the reception he got from the Three Lions contingent at the Al Rayyan Stadium.
      He said last night: “Nothing can match the feeling of performing in front of thousands of England supporters.
      “I was nervous about how they’d react but England fans clapped along during the bit where I stopped playing guitar and gave me a fantastic reception at the end. It was a dream night.”
      He said England stars capped it off by handing him signed shirts.
      New pal Rice gave him the one off his back on which he wrote for Chesney’s football-mad youngest son: “Indi Top Boy! – Declan Rice.”
      Chesney also recorded a video of himself posing as a substitute and leaping off the bench in the dugout — and he told how he would love to help the team get to the final.
      The star is negotiating to book a slot during the last-16 game — and will even perform a sing-off with a Senegalese counterpart if necessary.
      He said: “The team want me back, I think England want me back — and I just hope Fifa allow me to make it happen again. I’m England’s One and Only mascot.
      Read More on The Sun
      “There’s been talk about favouritism if one team gets a fan to perform at half time and I’m happy to go head-to-head with a Senegalese singer during the break.
      “I just want to come back and give the team the best boost I possibly can.”    
      Chesney, pictured with Jack Grealish, was told by the team his show turned the gameCredit: Dan Charity
      Chesney rocks out at the Ahmad Bin Ali StadiumCredit: Getty
      Chesney, pictured with Mason Mount, said: ‘Nothing can match the feeling of performing in front of thousands of England supporters’Credit: Dan Charity
      Chesney pictured exclusively for The Sun with his England shirt signed by the whole teamCredit: Dan Charity
      Chesney relaxes in the England Dug outCredit: Dan Charity
      Chesney with The Sun’s Harry ManeCredit: Dan Charity
      The Sun reported on England’s win against Wales More

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      in Soccer

      Mason Greenwood probed by cops for ‘second bail breach after he paid for designer clothing for alleged sex victim’

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      POLICE are looking into claims Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood breached bail conditions by paying for designer clothing for his alleged sex victim.It is claimed the woman had access to his bank account — despite being due to give evidence at the player’s trial.
      Mason Greenwood was said to be pictured with his alleged victim in a car last month
      It comes as the Manchester United player is being probed for a potential second bail breachCredit: Reuters
      Greenwood is said to have ‘paid for designer clothing for his alleged sex victim’
      The clothes were purchased online and sent to her address last weekOne of the charges against the footballer, previously accused of flouting bail rules last month is coercive and controlling behaviour.
      At his trial in November next year, he will also face charges of attempted rape and assault causing actual bodily harm.
      Greenwood, 21, who has also played for England, appeared before a judge on Monday at crown court in Manchester.
      Judge Maurice Greene reminded the £75,000-a-week striker that his bail conditions remain in place.
      READ MORE ON MASON GREENWOOD
      They are understood to ban him from having any direct or indirect contact with his alleged victim.
      But it is claimed on Friday a bank account belonging to Greenwood was used to purchase £86 worth of women’s clothes from online fashion brand Luxe To Kill.
      The company was allegedly instructed online to deliver the items to the home address of the alleged victim.
      Greater Manchester Police is aware of the alleged purchase and is looking into claims it might constitute a breach of Greenwood’s bail.
      Most read in The Sun
      A source told the Sun on Sunday Greenwood had not placed the order.
      Greenwood, of Bowdon, Gtr Manchester, was first held by police in January this year over allegations relating to a woman after images and videos were posted online.
      He was bailed but was re-arrested last month after he was pictured with his alleged victim in a breach of his conditions.
      He was remanded in custody after appearing at Manchester magistrates court on October 17 but was released from prison two days later following a private bail hearing.
      The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021.
      The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October this year, where he is alleged to have made threatening and derogatory comments towards the complainant, as well as accessing and monitoring her social media accounts.
      The charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.
      Greenwood was suspended by United bosses after his arrest.
      England manager Gareth Southgate gave him his Three Lions debut aged just 18 in September 2020 for a Nations League clash against Iceland.
      Read More on The Sun
      Before his arrest, Greenwood was valued at around £50million and regarded as one of the hottest young talents in European football.
      The defendant is set to enter a plea to the charges when he next appears in court on February 10. More