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      Laura Woods shares bizarre fan request while hosting ITV’s FA Cup coverage but admits ‘I liked it’

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      LAURA WOODS was asked to sign a fan’s tattoo while on presenting duty last night.The popular host was at Sheppey United for their FA Cup first round clash with Walsall.
      Laura Woods was asked to sign a fan’s calf tattooCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      The 36-year-old has had an amazing weekCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura picked up a gong for her presenting skills on Thursday nightCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Woods presents coverage of huge Champions League matches for TNT Sports, but also seems to enjoy mixing it with lower league clubs.
      While at the game, Woods was presented with an Arsenal tattoo on a fan’s calf to sign.
      She willingly did so, and even stopped for a selfie in front of it.
      The 36-year-old posted the snap to her Instagram account, writing: “Never signed an Arsenal tattoo before, but I liked it.”
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      Woods then added a laughing emoji.
      She witnessed an amazing FA Cup moment, when James Bessey-Saldanha’s stunning 21st minute strike gave Sheppey the lead.
      The eighth-tier side’s joy was short lived, however, with League Two Walsall hitting back to win 4-1.
      It’s been another amazing week for Woods.
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      On Thursday she was named Sports Presenter of the Year for her brilliant work on ITV over the last 12 months.
      After winning the prestigious gong, she posted a series of snaps from the glamorous evening to her Instagram account.
      She wrote: “Oh wow. Broadcast Sports Presenter of the Year 23’ for my work with @itvfootball – it couldn’t feel more special to me.
      “Thank you to my whole family at ITV, both in front and behind the camera for having all the faith in the world in me and for making this job so incredibly fun and rewarding!
      “You can’t win anything without the hard work of an entire team and I adore you.
      “Special note to my fellow nominees too, who are both my friends and my role models and who I feel incredibly lucky to be alongside in this industry.
      “And thank you to @broadcast_sport for this amazing recognition and my first award. It means the world to me.”
      Woods poses with her Sports Presenter of the Year awardCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      The popular host has gathered a huge fanbaseCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Woods has been working on the Champions League for TNT Sports this yearCredit: Reuters
      She has also worked on boxing for DAZN throughout 2023Credit: X @laurawoods
      Woods has over 700,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram More

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      Laura Woods wows in stylish black outfit for FA Cup action at minnows Sheppey as fans say ‘best signing ITV ever made’

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      FANS feel the magic of the FA Cup extends beyond the pitch as Laura Woods was called “the best signing ITV ever made” on a trip to tiny Sheppey.Viewers reckon the new Sports Presenter of the Year was a first-round knock-out in a black coat – a day after wowing at her award ceremony in a cut-out dress of the same colour.
      Laura Woods stayed stylish on a windy night for an FA Cup thrillerCredit: PA
      Laura was a household name for supporters of eighth-tier SheppeyCredit: PA
      Viewers called Laura ‘beyond beautiful’ at her awards-doCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
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      Defying the cold, Laura oversaw coverage of the Isthmian League South East Division club’s tie with League Two Walsall – four levels higher.
      But one supporter had mixed emotions when seeing happy images of the Arsenal fan smiling at the Total Power Stadium in Kent.
      He posted: “Missed out on a chance to woo Laura Woods tonight at my local team’s FA Cup match because I’m nights. Ain’t it fair.”
      But another dubbed her “the best signing ITV ever made”.
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      The 36-year-old broadcaster is better known for her Champions League coverage with TNT Sports.
      And last month she went public via Instagram on her relationship with Love Island star Adam Collard.
      But she is also in touch with the romance of the world’s most-famous domestic cup competition.
      She saw winger James Bessey-Saldanha cut in to swerve what she labelled a “wonder goal” for Sheppey midway through the first half.
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      And although the contest hotted up as Walsall roared back to win 4-1, fans loved Laura staying cool.
      She’s on a high after her presenter gong from Broadcast Sport.
      And she used that occasion to show her toned midriff, with online admirers saying: “Beyond beautiful” and “Look at those abs”.
      The award adds to a golden year for LauraCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura stunned in her dress to pick up her presenting gongCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      The Londoner works for ITV, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime VideoCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Inside Laura Woods’ glamorous life as football, boxing and NFL presenter…
      Laura is the new face of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage
      Laura regularly hosts DAZN’s boxing coverage as wellCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She has gathered a huge social media following in recent yearsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura presented coverage of Anthony Joshua’s bout with Jermaine FranklinCredit: Rex
      She has become TNT Sports’ main Champions League anchor this seasonCredit: Getty
      Laura also likes to let her hair down when not workingCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura went Instagram official with her romance with Adam CollardCredit: Instagram
      Laura is dating former Love Island star Adam CollardCredit: Instagram
      The presenter is ITV’s host for Lionesses coverageCredit: Getty
      She also works for ITV on their coverage of the NFLCredit: Instagram
      Woods previously hosted the talkSPORT Breakfast alongside great pal Ally McCoistCredit: Instagram
      She loves a day at the races during the summerCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura has an enviable lifestyle and fans regularly go wild for her outfitsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy More

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      My dad’s an ex-Premier League star who scored one of the greatest FA Cup goals ever, now I’m making my way in non-league

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      ISAAC SINCLAIR hopes to go head over heels to become an FA Cup hero — just like his dad Trevor.The Curzon Ashton star does not have to look far for guidance after his old man made it to the Premier League and played for England.
      Isaac Sinclair is making his own way in footballCredit: Getty
      Hs is the son of Premier League hero Trevor SinclairCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Sinclair scored one of the greatest FA Cup goals
      And as he looks to help the National League North outfit to the second round proper for only the third time in its history by beating high-flying Barnet, he needs little reminding of what can happen in the competition.
      Watching ‘that’ goal countless times and hearing about it to the point of being bored rammed that home.
      Little wonder, though, when Trevor’s overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area for QPR against Barnsley in 1997’s fourth round is one of the greatest of all time.
      Sinclair said when asked if Dad has taught him how to score them: “Oh my God, a few times. I’ve watched it a few times as well. It was an unbelievable goal. You never get bored of watching it but I have seen it plenty of times.
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      “I never get bored of watching it but maybe I sometimes get bored of hearing about it!
      “He inspires me to be like him, I try and take as many tips as possible off him. He picks out little bits in my game that others and maybe even myself don’t.
      “I don’t think I could have anyone better to go to for advice on how to progress in the game.
      “He’s an amazing dad for everything else but definitely football as well. He always wanted me to play but it was never forced. It’s always something I’ve wanted to do.”
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      Sinclair does not just have Dad to look up to as he aims to make it in the game.
      Outside the Tameside Stadium — less than six miles east of Manchester City’s Etihad — is a statue of the three World Cup winners whose births are registered in the town of Ashton-under-Lyne, Sir Geoff Hurst, Jimmy Armfield and Simone Perrotta.
      The Nash Bar — about half a mile from where he went to school and the inspiration for a fine chant — is adorned with Italy 2006 world champion Perrotta’s shirt with the inscription, ‘To the boys and girls of Tameside, with affection’.
      And Sinclair, 22, who plays in a similar right-wing position to his dad, hopes to create another big day for both his club and the town as it punches above its weight once more — even if being the first name out of the hat proved a bit of a dampener.
      Sinclair, who designs clothes and sportswear and also helps at his brother’s scaffolding company, added: “We didn’t have long to wait.
      “It was exciting but I wish it was a few later. Being at Curzon, I think we should be doing well but looking from the outside, maybe we do punch above our weight.
      “Barnet is a massive test but I’ve faith in the players. I definitely think we can win it. We’re definitely ready to go.”
      Sinclair will certainly not be the busiest man on the pitch, that honour goes to interim player-manager Craig Mahon.
      And there is definitely no seniority complex when the  Irishman, 34, is on the pitch.
      He said: “I told the lads that when I’m on the pitch, l don’t want to be seen as the manager, I’m a player.
      “So if I’m making mistakes or doing things I shouldn’t be, you can tell me. I’m not proud enough to have a go back.
      “If they think I should have done something better, I’ll be more than happy to hold my hands up and admit it.
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      “It’s a team effort and we all treat each other with loads of respect.
      “That’s what will do us well in the future and this is what you relish, you’ve got to get yourself ready for this type of game. The lads will embrace it.” More

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      I was paralysed in shock car crash but saved local club with payout… now I must decide between FA Cup & birth of child

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      GEORGE DOWELL must choose between two dreams.The Worthing owner saved the club with a payout from a crash that paralysed him – but they face an historic FA Cup trip on the day his girlfriend gives birth to their first child.
      Worthing owner George Dowell says, with girlfriend Jessica expecting a baby, choosing where to be is an easy decisionCredit: Instagram @gdowell
      The young supremo of the National League South club saved them in 2015 but also reckons they rescued himCredit: Instagram @gdowell
      George was 17 when he suffered terrible injuries in a crashCredit: Instagram @gdowell
      The part-timers travel 205 miles to fellow fifth-tier side Alfreton this Saturday after reaching the first round for the first time in 24 years.
      At the same time George’s partner Jessica is due to give birth in Worthing.
      The ex-footballer, 31, was 17 and close to making the Sussex club’s first team when, as a front-seat passenger in a car accident, he suffered spinal injuries that paralysed him from the neck down.
      Five years later he bought the club as they were £200,000 in debt and fearing extinction, as explained by SunSport.
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      Now he’s not only one of the youngest club owners in the land, he’s that equally rare thing – one who is loved by the fans.
      Dowell, who has used a wheelchair since his crash in 2010, told the BBC: “As much as I saved the club, the club saved me.”
      And what of his choice between what should be two joyous occasions.
      He said: “I can’t miss the birth.
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      “I’ve arranged for a live stream so I can watch it on my laptop back in Worthing.”
      His club are eighth in National League South, while Alfreton are fifth in NL North.
      So whatever the result of what should be a tight contest on Saturday, Dowell could yet take Worthing up this season – to within just one level of from the EFL.
      And as he approaches a momentous weekend, he said of his life in general: “There are plenty of opportunities out there. You’ve just got to look for them and have a crack at it.”
      Dowell enjoys getting around watching football but believes owning ambitious Worthing has helped give him purposeCredit: Instagram @gdowell
      The young Dowell was an enthusiastic footballer who was later close to breaking into the first-team picture at Worthing before his accidentCredit: Instagram @gdowell More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson paid £1million to sign me for Man Utd – now I’m out to cause major FA Cup upset

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      FORMER Manchester United ace Lee Martin was signed for £1million by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003.Now the midfielder is at his 17th club – Ramsgate FC – and is set to play in the biggest game in the club’s history in the FA Cup on Saturday.
      Lee Martin was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for £1millionCredit: Getty
      Martin is now at his 17th club eighth-division Ramsgate FCCredit: Louis McLaren
      The Devon-born ace made three first-team appearances for the Red Devils after coming through their famous academy.
      Legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson scouted the youngster while he was at Wimbledon and made a move to Old Trafford at 16-year-old for £1million.
      In addition to the Red Devils, he had also attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
      Martin had an unsuccessful breakthrough into the Red Devils’ first team after several loan spells to clubs including Rangers, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.
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      The 36-year-old then spent the best part of 15 years at numerous clubs including Milwall and Gillingham and most recently he signed for division eight side Ramsgate during the summer.
      He has made over 500 professional appearances and scored 40 goals during his nearly two-decade professional career.
      And Martin and his South East Division side are set to face National League team Woking in the FA Cup First Round on Saturday.
      The Kent-based team hope to cause a major upset after an impressive start to the term.
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      Ramsgate have only been defeated once in their first six league fixtures and currently sit fifth in the table.
      Meanwhile, ex-Red Devil Martin not only plays but also works at his former club Gillingham with their U14 squad.
      The winger also revealed he has started his own coaching company in an interview with Ramsgate during the summer. More

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      FA speak to Man Utd star Garnacho after he posts then deletes ‘controversial’ message about Onana

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      MANCHESTER Utd star Alejandro Garnacho is being spoken to by the FA over deleted social media messages about team-mate Andre Onana, it’s understood.Onana had spared United’s blushes with a match-winning penalty save against FC Copenhagen in their Champions League group stage match on Wednesday night.
      Alejandro Garnacho could be in hot water after posting a now-deleted social media postCredit: Getty
      Garnacho posted a snap of his teammates celebrating with keeper Andre OnanaCredit: Alamy
      A post uploaded by Garnacho with two gorilla emojis was swiftly deletedCredit: Instagram
      And the young Argentine posted a snap of himself and other United players celebrating Onana’s heroics on Twitter – including two gorilla emojis.
      Despite swiftly editing then deleting the post, the FA were alerted to it and have since liaised with the 19-year-old winger to investigate the matter.
      And while there is no suggestion of racism behind the message, it is likely the athlete will be hit with a suspension if the Football Association adopt the same approach they have in the past.
      Previously, the FA has punished footballers over other controversial social media postings that were viewed as offensive – even if the meaning was unintended.
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      But Onana has since taken to social media to defend his young teammate.
      Over two Instagram stories, he wrote: “People cannot choose what I should be offended by.
      “I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power and strength.
      “This matter should go no further.”
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      Garnacho has also shared Onana’s defence of him on his own Instagram.
      In 2020, then-United striker Edinson Cavani was suspended for three games for writing “Gracias Negrito” to a friend – with an FA commission finding it a racial term.
      The Uruguay striker asserted that the message “was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend” following an apology.
      Cavani was slapped with a £100,000 fine and made to complete face-to-face education.
      The previous year, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva picked up a one-match ban and £50,000 fine for posting the image of the popular Conguitos chocolate bar, which has long been accused of racist undertones.
      And while the swiftness of the post’s deletion and Garnacho’s youth will be factors taken into account, he may yet be made to pay for a moment’s unintentional foolishness.

      The FA are aware of the post in question and have sought Garnacho’s observations on it.
      The Sun has approached Manchester United for comment.
      Onana took to Instagram to defend his teammateCredit: Instagram
      The stalwart keeper urged the FA not to punish GarnachoCredit: Instagram
      Garnacho shared the goalkeeper’s defence of his postCredit: Instagram
      The winger is expected to receive the same treatment other players haveCredit: Reuters More

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      Micah Richards reveals moment security guard ‘s*** himself’ when he squared up to him over brutal dig that got him fired

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      MICAH RICHARDS claims a security guard “s*** himself” when the pundit squared up to the burly man amid an amazing confrontation at a cup tie.The former Manchester City defender revealed he was ready for anything when the guard – who has since been sacked – verbally abused him.
      Micah Richards says he had to ‘protect’ himself when confrontedCredit: Youtube – The Rest is Football
      Richards went into detail on The Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer over his clash with a security guardCredit: The Rest Is Football
      The clash came as Richards worked as a BBC pundit but he’s also been harassed with Sky Sports, leading to the broadcaster considering hiring bodyguards.
      Ironically, however, it was a man supposed to be looking after the ex-England ace who sparked the trouble as the BBC covered an FA Cup game involving Kidderminster Harriers.
      Richards explained he was left bemused by the angry exchange – sparked by a reference to his four years as a player at Aston Villa.
      But in the end it was the guard who came off worst.
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      Richards, 35, told The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer: “I’m dressed to the nines, I’ve got a suit carrier. This bag is nice, it’s a Lamborghini bag.
      “I kid you not, the security guard, who’s supposed to be protecting me, said, ‘where’d you get that bag from, for all the money that stole at Aston Villa?’
      “I’m thinking to myself, ‘has he really just said that to me?’ He’s supposed to be taking me to the trucks so I can do my analysis and he’s giving me abuse.
      “So I’ve said, ‘what did you say?’ He only doubles down and says it again.
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      “So I said to him, ‘go on, say that again if you’re hard’. And he says it again!
      “He’s walking to me and I’m walking closer to him. And I’m thinking to myself, ‘he’s a big lad, he’s security, but I’ve got to protect myself’.
      “So he comes up to my face. He doesn’t try to hit me but he’s seen how big I was and he’s absolutely s*** himself. I’m f-ing and jeffing.
      “I’m saying ‘you ‘f-ing this, you s***bag, you thought I wasn’t going to come back to you, now look at you’.
      “In the end, he apologised but apparently he got sacked. I didn’t want him sacked. If we’re going to have a scrap as men, let’s have a scrap and move on.” More

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      FA call for ROBOT REFEREES to be introduced after series of Premier League blunders

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      THE Football Association have called on Robot Referees to be part of English football.Semi-automated offside technology was used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals and is deployed by the top officials in the Champions League.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious at refereeing and VAR decisions when his nine-man Liverpool side lost 2-1 at Spurs on September 30Credit: Rex
      Instead of robot payers like these at the 17th International Iran Open Robocup 2023, English football could get mechanical refsCredit: EPA
      Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb has come under fire after several cock-ups involving the use of VAR in high-profile matches.
      Mark Bullingham – the chief executive of the FA – has now waded into the debate and asked for more technology to be considered by officiating teams.
      Bullingham told a Leaders Week conference in London: “You should never have a scenario where you take away from the experience in the stadium or at home.
      “We’ve got to be really, really careful for that.
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      “Of course people used to complain about decisions being made wrong and it’s important to get decisions right, so that’s the starting point.
      “In terms of technology, the question is: Are there ways you can make the decisions quicker?
      “Because I think everyone hates that long pause in the stadium or at home.
      “You’re seeing technological innovations in terms of, for example, semi-autonomous offsides. Can it eventually go autonomous?
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      “And is that going to be a step where you get completely accurate decisions but made very, very quickly?
      “So if you could do that, well that would be better for the fans. That’s an area absolutely to keep exploring.
      “Of course, we’d look at any idea that comes through but really you’ve got to be quite careful not to interrupt the flow of the game any further than that.”
      One the biggest screw-ups this season involved Luis Diaz having a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on September 30.
      The audio of the bungling VAR discussion which led to that by error was eventually released by the PGMOL.
      Usually punters are kept in the dark about conversations that happen with the on-field referee.
      Speaking in general terms, Bullingham is in favour of more transparency for those in the stadiums and watching on TV.
      Bullingham said: “My personal point of view is that I’d love to get to the point where the fans have more access to the conversation that takes place between the VAR and the referee.
      “I also understand the referees’ perspective on that, they’ve got an incredibly hard job already.

      “Sometimes there are language issues and so particularly in international tournaments, they don’t want anything taken out of context.
      “So I understand the pressure they’re under. I think what we’ve done already is make a step forwards by having decisions that are made now explained.
      “That’s the trial going on at Fifa tournaments and I’m confident that that will then be rolled out more broadly.
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      “I think that’s a step in the direction of giving more transparency to fans on decisions. It’s a complicated area but I do think that’s the direction of travel.”

      The FA are considering ways of changing the format of the women’s FA Cup, which is a traditional knockout competition like the men’s event. Chelsea are the current holders after beating Manchester United in the final in front of 77,000 fans in May. More