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      in Motorsport

      Inside Brit F1 ace Lando Norris’ £80m life from stunning model girlfriend to the unlikely source of his need for speed

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      LANDO NORRIS has had a need for speed from a very young age – but his first Formula One win came after  109 previous attempts to take the chequered flag.Britain’s new race ace, who roared to victory in the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, made his F1 debut five years ago — whereas fellow British track star Lewis Hamilton took his first win in only his sixth Grand Prix, in Canada in 2007.Lando Norris is Britain’s latest F1 superstarCredit: GettyNorris celebrates after winning the Miami Grand Prix on SundayCredit: RexLando, 24, began racing aged seven and was competing in kart racing by the age of 13.He won the karting world championship the following year, 2014 — taking the title from Lewis — before he shifted to car racing the same year.In 2015 he started racing in the F4 championship, the usual route via F3 and F2 to F1, signing as a junior driver for McLaren in 2017.Lando, who dedicated Sunday’s superb win to his grandma, already made history as the youngest-ever British driver in F1 in 2019 aged 19.READ MORE F1 NEWSPublic schoolHe is now understood to have a four-year deal with McLaren worth £80million.Only Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are paid more.Not that Lando was short of money before.He is the second child of businessman Adam Norris, who has a £205million fortune, and Belgian mum Cisca.Most read in MotorsportHe grew up in Glastonbury, Somerset, with his older brother Oliver and younger sisters Flo and Cisca, and went to nearby Millfield public school, where boarding fees are more than £40,000 a year.But he left before taking his GCSEs as his star began to rise — slowly but surely — in the motorsport world.Lando Norris spotted with Portugese supermodel who dated former Chelsea striker at Monte Carlo Masters finalAfter Sunday’s triumph his dad told Sky Sports: “It’s been a long time coming, I think everyone is saying it.“It’s been amazing, you’ve seen 110 [Grands Prix] but I was working it out, it’s probably about 900 races I’ve been to over the last 16 years. It’s been a long time, but it’s there — we got there.“I counted out 350 weekends away, and then all the other races on those weekends, but it’s brilliant, I love it. I’m so happy for him.”Lando’s parents were not in Miami for the race, but saw it on TV at home, like countless fans worldwide.But Adam was sent a text by Lewis’s dad acknowledging the win and the sacrifices the family had made to get Lando into the top spot.He had previously come second eight times, making Sunday’s victory seem even longer in coming after years of striving to make it.After growing up in Somerset he moved to a mansion near the McLaren headquarters in Woking, Surrey, but last year he moved to tax haven Monaco — like many of his fellow racing drivers.He said the move was so he could ensure he could “look after my things for my future”, and so that many of his friends and family can visit.However, it is believed he still owns a £20million pad in Surrey, should he ever need to be in the UK.He also owns a fleet of road-going supercars, including a £300,000 McLaren 765LT Spider and a £1million McLaren Senna, and he is understood to have a £350,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith and a £28,000 classic 1950s open-top Fiat Jolly.It seems Lando is having the last laugh on childhood bullies, who targeted him over his stature — he is 5ft 6in — which also led to mockery on the karting track as a youngster.Now he is one of the most loved stars on the F1 circuit for his down-to-earth attitude — such as his willingness to get his hands dirty.After the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix he was spotted sitting cross-legged, in his own world, unscrewing bolts from his car.McLaren boss Zak Brown has watched him bloom since he first signed with the company in 2017, and said: “He used to be extremely shy, and he still is to a certain extent. Now his manner is more extroverted, but not in a loud way. Although he was uber-fast from day one, his race craft and maturity is now at another level.”Despite all the privilege and adoring crowds that come with being a professional sportsman, Lando has not let it go to his head.The favourite thing about his job, ahead of the cars and money, is his young fan base.‘Lucky charm’He said: “For me, the coolest thing is always seeing the kids, that I can relate to the most.“I remember being there with my dad. We waited just outside the gates.“The world of F1 was so big and I was tiny. I didn’t even know what the gates were, we were waiting for Jenson Button to come out. I can relate to being a kid and seeing someone — me, Lewis or George [Russell] or any driver. Seeing them and thinking, ‘Wow, I want to be like that one day’.“It is weird that they think that of me. It’s a bit surreal but I can relate to that and I want to give back.”According to rumour, The F1 ace is currently dating model Margarida CorceiroCredit: instagramNorris previously dated Luisinha Oliveira, pictured in 2022Credit: GettyOne unlikely member of the Lando fan club appears to be Donald Trump, who congratulated him after his Miami win on Sunday.Lando said: “He said he was my lucky charm because it was my win, so I don’t know if he’s going to come to more races now.“But yeah, there’s a lot of special people, cool people, that have been here this weekend.”Lando dated Portuguese model Luisa Oliveira from August 2021 to September 2022, leading to abuse from trolls who took offence at the relationship.Luisa even suffered death threats, and Lando said: “Whether it’s about my personal life, me and my girlfriend, especially the amount of hate pages dedicated to Luisa now, it is pretty horrific.“They are on Instagram and Twitter, they are the main ones.”I don’t mind when people ask for a selfie. Of course, it’s maybe not the nicest thing when you’re in the middle of dinner. But I feel like I can’t say noLandoLando also got targeted for any driving mistakes on the track and for being part of a British racing team.He has called on social media to do more to tackle the trolls, but insists he does not let it bother him.He said: “What I find the funniest in a way is people are actually spending their one life on Earth just sat behind a computer trying to ruin and bully someone.“When people are creating fake pages and fake chats, and fake Whats-App messages, then I am like, ‘You’re actually spending your life doing that?’ They’re wasting their life.“Not enough gets done. I report the things I see but there are so many, I don’t have time to go through them all.”Despite the abuse, Lando appreciates his fans and is happy to meet them when they approach him.He once said: “I don’t mind when people come and do it. Of course, it’s maybe not the nicest thing when you’re in the middle of dinner and people come and say, ‘Can I get a quick picture please?’READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I feel like I can’t say no. I feel like they’d hate me and they wouldn’t be my fan any more.“Maybe I need to start saying no a bit more often. But I struggle to.”Norris had a need for speed from a very young age, pictured Lando at 8Lando steers his McLaren to victory in the Miami Grand PrixCredit: RexLando with his parentsCredit: Instagram More

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      in Soccer

      I fled in horror as merciless hooligans stormed Wembley Stadium like ‘zombies’ & hurled glass at my terrified daughter

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      ENGLAND’s outing in the Euro 2020 final was a day that went down in sporting history – but for many, it was for all the wrong reasons. Instead of the nail-biting match – where England lost in a 3-2 penalty shootout to Italy – it was the anarchy and carnage that unfolded at Wembley Stadium that remains in the minds of many.The 2020 Euro final was dominated by scenes of inebriated Brits outside Wembley StadiumCredit: RexScores of ticketless fans ‘punched’ their way through security barriers and guardsCredit: NetflixSome England supporters clashed inside the stadium with the ticketless mobsCredit: NetflixIt followed more than 2,000 ticketless fans storming the ground and thousands more outside – many of whom were drunk and drugged up – causing danger and destruction.Footage from the day, July 11, showed people with injuries from fights and glass bottles being wantonly lobbed into the air, as well as broken traffic lights, lamposts and trees. Baroness Louise Casey’s review into violence at the 2021 final found a “series of near misses” could have led to “significant injuries or even death” and that Wembley’s security had been breached 17 times. Now the Netflix documentary The Final: Attack On Wembley, which airs on May 8, reveals the “carnage and chaos” that unfolded on the day that was compared to “a warzone”. READ MORE ON SPORTThe terrifying scenes, which resulted in 19 police officers suffering injuries and 86 arrests, left many fearing for their safety as they tried to navigate through the inebriated masses.Among them was Gianluca Santoro, an Italian who lives in South London, who was forced to shield his daughter Maya, then 10, from projectiles lobbed at them by England fans.The tennis coach, 51, told The Sun: “I remember walking towards the stadium and the floor was full of broken glass. It was like a bomb had gone off.“I had to stop bottles and cans hitting us with my hands, which was painful, and some were open so the beer was spraying all over us.Most read in Football“I was really scared for my daughter’s safety because the bottles were flying at us from all over the place and people were yelling abuse and swearing at me right to my face.“We found a group of Italians and we all surrounded Maya to create a protective barrier. I took off my rucksack to cover her face and they put jackets and hoodies around her.The Final: Attack on Wembley Netflix Trailer“I felt silly, naive and guilty that I took her but I imagined a different atmosphere, I thought people would be happy to be at Wembley and in the final. I wasn’t expecting so much abuse.” ‘Like a warzone’On the day of the final, there were 67,000 ticketed fans but more than 6,000 others showed up at Wembley Stadium – some arriving as early as 8am, 12 hours before kick-off, to bask in England’s glory. But soon, amid drunkenness and reported cocaine use, “scenes of carnage and chaos” unfolded according to Chris Whyte, Director of Operations at Brent Council.He told the documentary that drinking levels were “very, very high” early on and “bad behaviour… had taken hold” due to a low police presence and security and stewards being vastly outnumbered. Gianluca Santoro had to shield his daughter Maya, then 10, from glass bottles lobbed by England fansCredit: Netflix /Gianluca SantoroInebriated fans climbed on top of traffic lights, buses and lampostsCredit: NetflixCharlie Perry, 25, from Sunbury-on-Thames, became known as ‘a*** flare man’ after this stuntCredit: 2021 Elliott FranksGianluca recalls being ‘really scared’ for his daughter’s safetyCredit: Netflix /Gianluca SantoroMetropolitan Police, who later apologised for the “unacceptable scenes of disorder”, had sent the majority of officers to Central London, where previous antisocial behaviour had taken place.The force’s main deployment was due to arrive at Wembley by 3pm – five hours before kick-off – but were called in early due to the danger presented by fans. It was a scene of devastation. There were broken traffic lights, lamposts, trees. It was just like a bomb had gone off and there was debris everywhere.Carolyn Downs, then Chief Executive of Brent CouncilSocial media footage from the day showed some fans climbing onto traffic lights, lamposts and a bus, others lit flares and several scuffles broke out. “Bottles and cans are sort of crashing down all around, full bottles of beer, empty bottles…” Whyte recalled. “People [were] clearly unaware of and uncaring about where these bottles might land and what damage they might cause…“I’ve got very vivid memories of seeing glass injuries, there was blood and bandages… it did resemble a bit of a warzone.”Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive at Brent Council, added: “[It] was a scene of devastation. There were broken traffic lights, lamposts, trees. It was just like a bomb had gone off and there was debris everywhere.”Onlookers described how security and stewards “didn’t really have a chance” of clamping down on the dangerous behaviour due to the sheer number of people around the stadium. Shameless invadersTo prevent ticketless fans getting in, a security perimeter around the stadium had been set up but it didn’t prove enough. Chris Bryant, Director of Tournaments and Events at The FA, says many of the “thugs” were “putting their own and others’ lives in danger” during their attempts to break in.Among them was England fan Dan, who joined a mob that stampeded their way through security and managed to bypass the turnstiles by hiding behind a ticketed fan.Nearly 90 people were arrested on the day of the finalCredit: NetflixThose without tickets charged through turnstilesCredit: NetflixMobs raced up stairs to get closer to the stadium after evading securityCredit: NetflixDespite the damage caused and the risk to life, the Manchester United fan, from Shropshire, told the documentary: “I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done.”He had taken “what I earn in a month” – around £2,000 – hoping to buy a ticket from a fan, believing “it would be difficult for them to say no” to such a large sum. But when Dan’s offer “fell on deaf ears” and he realised he could end up “not even having anywhere to watch it at all,” he made a drastic decision.We’ve never locked down the turnstiles there’s never been a need to… but I’ve just witnessed something I’ve never seen before.Liam Boylan, Director of Wembley StadiumHaving spotted that Wayne Rooney had entered without having to battle through the crowds, he started to scope out the ground for weak spots.Dan noticed a large crowd gathered at the Spanish Steps and after hearing them yell “Are we ready? Are we ready?” joined the masses who forced their way through security guards and barriers.Liam Boylan, Director of Wembley Stadium, who was watching from the control room, described seeing the crowd “punch their way through” as “antisocial, reckless behaviour turned to violence”.Recalling a steward was knocked down to the ground, he said: “It catches your breath when you’re watching that… [and] thinking, ‘What the hell is going on.’”Dan, who had to do a “roly-poly over the bodies” on the ground, added: “I wasn’t really aware of what was going on around me, violence-wise. “I was so focused on my own little mission, that’s all it was for me, it was just complete desperation to not miss this event.” Later, Dan managed to bypass stewards for a second time by jigging – where someone walks closely behind a ticketed fan to squeeze through a turnstile without paying.One man was kicked multiple times in the head after entering the stadiumCredit: NetflixInside the stadium several fans clashedCredit: NetflixMetal gates were piled up by irate, drunk and drugged up fansCredit: NetflixEuro 2020 final: a timeline of the chaotic events

      8.00AM – Fans begin to arrive at Wembley, 12 hours before kick off. Some head to pubs, others surround the stadium. Many do not have tickets. 
      10.00AM – One London Underground official claims to have “never seen drunkenness like this so early on in the day”. Stewards and security staff report high levels of drug use.
      11.30AM – Met Police Service (MPS) Silver Commander requests officers are sent to the stadium earlier than their deployment time. One officer has been punched in the face. Crowds gather at the Olympic steps, near Olympic Way.
      12.00PM – Fans climb onto the roof of a bus on Fulton Road, near the stadium. It’s considered the first “red flag” for those on the ground. Officers, requested at 11.30am, arrive and rescue the stranded bus.
      1.00PM – Flares are set off, fans climb traffic lights, lamposts and trees, and bottles are “getting chucked into the air”. Half an hour later British Transport Police deploys officers from Central London.
      2.30PM – 175 Met Police Service officers are deployed. Fireworks, smoke bombs and glass bottles are being thrown on Olympic Way. 
      3.00PM – Volunteers and council workers are withdrawn for their safety. An additional, 50 public order officers and 100 specialist officers from the MPS Territorial Support Group arrive.
      4.00PM – Police stop barriers being kicked down at Bobby Moore Bridge, near Olympic Way. Police advise ticketless fans not to travel to Wembley. Every 15minutes, an extra 3,000 fans arrive at Wembley Park Underground Station.
      4.30PM – The Outer Security Perimeter (OSP) entrances open. Police fear swathes of unticketed fans “will try to push onto the concourse”. It’s feared the OSP fence will not hold.
      5.00PM – Doors and gates are open. Within minutes a first person has been detained for ‘jigging’ – closely following behind a ticketed fan to gain entry – at Gate A.
      5.30PM – One group has breached the Spanish steps. The Safety Officer has locked all turnstiles. “Loutish” behaviour and “hand-to-hand combat” with “groups of 40-50 men at a time” occurs. MPS sends more reserves to Wembley, making a total of 553 officers.
      5.45PM – Violence erupts outside a Co-op on Olympic Way. One police officer is attacked. The crowd fails to smash the shop’s windows. Soon, turnstiles are unlocked due to concerns over crowd density. 
      6.30PM – A fence line has been knocked down, allowing crowds to breach Club Wembley’s outer security perimeter. Police and stewards battle to stop a group entering through a disabled pass gate at Gate M. Several more gate invasions follow including 90 people storming an emergency fire door. Police are deployed to all turnstiles. 
      7.30PM – Crowds attempt to breach more gates. During one, multiple fans are trampled amid a stampede of 100 unticketed fans. Police are dispatched to the bottom of the Olympic Steps when a fence collapses. 
      7.55PM – A large group charges at the Olympic Steps Outer Security Perimeter as England’s national anthem plays. Police wield batons and ‘fast walk’ to force them back. By 8.02pm, when Luke Shaw scores for England, crowds charge an outer gate near the South West Ramp.
      9.15PM – Urgent repairs have been called for on emergency exit doors at Turnstile G due to breaches.
      10.00PM – Fans continue to look for points where they can break in as extra time begins. 
      10.50PM – Fire doors at Gate G are breached for a third time – around 30 people enter. Two minutes later, exit doors are opened for fans to leave the stadium. By 10.54pm, Italy has beaten England on penalties. Fans outside the stadium start to leave the area.
      12.30AM – Portable toilets have been pushed over on Olympic Way. Railway officials report having protected Italian fans. The beginning of a five-day clean-up operation begins, as 31 tonnes of rubbish – 10 times the normal amount – is removed. 

      ‘Massive crush’Near the Club Wembley entrance, groups of ‘30 to 40 people’ were collectively barging into metal railings and tipping them over in a bid to get closer to the stadium. Former rugby union star Ugo Monye, who observed the chaos, recalled: “There was an avalanche of people coming through.” He said observers were “terrified” and had to shield themselves from projectiles, adding: “The chaos and carnage was happening all around us.”Meanwhile, Bryant and his colleagues reconstructed the metal barriers only for others to be knocked down further away.  He said: “It did feel like whack-a-mole for the best part of 45 minutes.”Amid the chaos, Boylan says the decision was made to “lock down the turnstiles” – preventing fans with tickets, as well as those without, from entering the ground. I’ve never seen anything of that sort in my life. This horde of zombies come running in, falling over, people trampling over them. It was madness.Taz, Wembley Security GuardHe said: “We’ve never locked down the turnstiles, there’s never been a need to… but I’ve just witnessed something I’ve never seen before.”Security guard Taz says he knew “something bad must have happened” for them to take such drastic action and while waiting for the turnstiles to reopen received a barrage of abuse.He recalled being told: “When I get in I’m going to f*** you up,” along with racist abuse.Soon after, the turnstiles were reopened for “the safety of the majority” after concerns there could be a “massive crush”.Downs, who was at the south side of the stadium, said: “It felt really scary. This could really end up being quite serious. I just kept thinking, ‘Please don’t let anyone get hurt.’” After the turnstiles opened, more ticketless fans began forcing their way in. Some broke in through fire escape doors, which had been deliberately opened from the inside, and others forced their way through gates.Large barriers were knocked down by ticketless mobs trying to get into the stadiumCredit: NetflixWembley security guards were praised for their braveryCredit: NetflixMakeshift medic stations had to be erected to treat spectators with glass injuries from thrown bottlesCredit: NetflixSecurity guard Taz said: “I’ve never seen anything of that sort in my life. This horde of zombies come running in, falling over, people trampling over them. It was madness.“If I had thrown myself in front of all those people I probably would not be sitting here today.”While Taz focused on trying to close the fire escape doors, ticketed and unticketed fans clashed.  Boylan added: “There was a conflict between those people that have got in legitimately and those people that have got in illegally… there are scuffles, fights and all sorts of stuff breaking out.” Social media footage revealed brutal scenes including one fan being kicked multiple times in the face and several others being punched. Seat thief laughedHaving an extra 2,000 people illegally in the stadium meant many fans, some of whom had paid thousands to watch the game, struggled to get to their seats.Kevin, from East London, who forked out £1,000 for two tickets, recalled being laughed at after confronting someone who had nicked his seat.You look at what could happen if England win and the safest outcome is England losing.Liam Boylan“He turned to his mate and goes, ‘Oi, these two paid for their tickets!’ and he started laughing,” Kevin said.“He and his friend described how they had a minibus of 10 or 12 of them who had come down with the intention of breaking in and they all managed to.” Shortly before kick off, the turnstiles were locked down again and police dressed in riot gear lifted their batons and “walked with purpose” at revellers outside the stadium.They created a perimeter around Wembley, which prevented further ground invasions but didn’t help to disperse the crowds, as hoped. Officials compared scenes to ‘like a warzone’ due to the amount of debris and broken glass around the stadiumCredit: ReutersSome fans arrived at Wembley Stadium at 8am – 12 hours before the match was due to beginCredit: GettyFor Boylan, his focus was on the 67,000 fans inside the stadium and he admits hoping that England would lose in order to keep fans safe. He feared more of the unruly mob outside would try to break in, especially when exit doors opened before the end of the match.Recalling his fear, he said: “I’ve got this blue line with 6,000 people out there, if they see that doors are opening and then they hear the roar going up because England have won, are they coming inside?“This lot are not England fans, this lot are not football fans, I don’t know what they are. They’re just a bunch of people that are going to punch their way through.“You look at what could happen if England win and the safest outcome is England losing.” Boylan admits he was overwhelmed with “relief” after England lost 3-2 on penalties and those outside the stadium finally started to walk away from the ground. ‘Perfect storm’Reflecting on the day, he said: “I never ever want to go through what I faced on that day again… I’m not still fully over it because it hurt, it really, really hurt. We saw things that we’d never ever seen before.” Baroness Casey’s review would later conclude there was “a perfect storm of lawlessness” on the day of the final – caused in part by it being a major event after coronavirus lockdown restrictions had been relaxed. It praised the bravery of stewards and police officers as well as staff from Brent Council, the FA and Wembley in what was described as “extraordinary aggression”. Metropolitan Police later apologised for the ‘unacceptable scenes of disorder’Credit: NetflixIn addition to 67,000 ticketed fans, thousands gathered around Wembley StadiumCredit: NetflixFA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “No event is set up to deal with such disgraceful behaviour from thousands of ticketless fans. Collectively we must never allow this to happen again.”Some of the ticketless fans were prosecuted. But it’s likely many do not regret their actions – including Dan.He told the doc: “I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done. In 2020, we were all locked away in our homes couldn’t go anywhere, could only go outside for a little bit of exercise and the whole time we’re doing that, the leaders of our country were partying.“How can I feel like I’ve done something wrong? To witness England [potentially] winning their first trophy since 1966, I wasn’t missing that for nobody.” As for Gianluca, while the finals were far from the day he envisaged with his daughter, he says it made her appreciate her Italian heritage more. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe says: “I often think they did me a favour. Maya, whenever she talks about something related to Italy, she says, ‘But daddy, we Italians, us Italians’. For me it was more than football.”The Final: Attack On Wembley, which was filmed by Rogan Productions, is available to watch on Netflix from May 8. More

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      in Soccer

      Football wonderkids who went off the rails – from Prem ace’s month-long burglary spree to star’s £64m cocaine bust

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      THEY were once the bright-eyed youngsters tipped for greatness – but even with all the talent and potential in the world, the football industry can be a fickle place. With so much fame and fortune so young comes a dangerous downside, and whether it’s a result of injury or by going off the rails, football careers can easily come to an abrupt end.Former teen sensation Jamie Cassidy was jailed for his involvement in a cocaine drugs operationCredit: PAJamie Cassidy played alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen as a youngsterCredit: AlamyWhich means sadly not all top league ‘wonderkids’ are going to be able to carve out the illustrious careers they’d once hoped for, and some encounter a spectacular fall from grace. Here are the teen football prodigy whose lives went off the rails to varying degrees after being tipped for big things, and how it impacted their career.Jamie Cassidy Jamie Cassidy, 46, was once a hugely popular youth player who starred in Liverpool’s star-studded youth side in his heyday, alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen.During his teenage years he became one of the top goal scorers in youth football country, and he won the FA Youth Cup in 1996.READ MORE FEATURESHowever, sadly it all went downhill after his career was hampered by injury, and without his football career, Cassidy spiralled into a life of crime.Last month he was jailed for 13 years for his role in a huge drug conspiracy alongside his brother, which involved using encrypted phones to import cocaine into the UK from South America.Cassidy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert or transfer criminal property.Ciaran Dickson Ciaran Dickson played for Celtic and Rangers and had been tipped for first team footballCredit: GettyThe young footballer pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to death by dangerous drivingCredit: SpindriftFormer Celtic and Rangers starlet Ciaran Dickson, 22, was once tipped for first team football and scored two goals in his first two appearances for Celtic’s B team.Most read in FootballHowever, Dickson consistently flouted the law over the years and this ultimately led to tragedy as he went on to kill a teenage pedestrian in a drunken hit and run while still signed to the top team.Forensic scientists calculated that Dickson was approximately more than three times over the drink drive limit.Thomas Ross KC, defending, said: “Nothing said by Ciaran Dickson can offer comfort to Aidan’s family and friends… He recognises that he is fully deserving of a sentence of imprisonment.”Dickson’s previous convictions also include careless driving from December 2020.He was also convicted of punching his ex following their split in April 2023, and was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.Callum Flanagan Callum Flanagan had shown real promiseCredit: EmpicsFlanagan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was handed an eight-month sentence at a young offenders’ institutionCredit: PA:Press AssociationAt Man United in the Nineties, Callum Flanagan was a highly regarded youth player who’d shown real promise.However, shortly after scoring in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Man City in the FA Youth Cup, everything changed in 2004 when the then-19-year-old was driving team-mate Phil Marsh home after a training session. In what he later described as one of the “most harrowing days of [his] life”, he raced fellow United youth player Mads Timm, crashing and flipping his Honda Civic. He was released from the club shortly after, and after pleading guilty to dangerous driving was handed an eight-month sentence at a young offenders’ institution.He has since turned his life around, and reportedly now lives in Australia where he’s carved out a career as a personal trainer and firefighter. Speaking to an Australian paper, Flanagan said: “If I could give any advice it would be to focus fully on football and don’t let outside things get in the way.” Ismail H’MaidatIsmail H’Maidat was jailed for his role in a spree of armed robberiesCredit: AlamyFormer Arsenal trialist and Crystal Palace wonderkid Ismail H’Maidat cost Roma £3.5million back in 2016 and seemed destined for great things.But just two years later in 2018 he was jailed for 46 months for his role in a month-long spree of armed robberies – despite earning at the time a reported £9,000 a month.The Dutch-born star, who trialled with the Gunners in 2012 and joined Crystal Palace the following year, robbed betting shops, a supermarket and a petrol station.Quincy PromesQuincy Promes’ career was blighted by injuryCredit: GettyQuincy Promes lived the high life before being sentenced to six years in prisonCredit: Instagram @qpromesFormer Holland star Quincy Promes, 32, stood out when he played for the likes of Sevilla and Ajax, but his career became blighted by his recent serious run-ins with the law.Last month the winger was sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in the smuggling of 1,363kg of cocaine into Antwerp, estimated to be worth around £65million.That wasn’t the first time the ex-Netherlands international has been in trouble, having received an 18-month sentence just last year for stabbing his cousin in the knee at a family party.Now the Dutchman is serving time in the infamous Al Aweer prison in the UAE – a far cry from the high life famous footballers usually enjoy.Andy van der MeydeAndy van der Meyde’s personal life went off the rails after a turbulent spell at EvertonCredit: Getty Images – GettyAndy Van Der Meyde came out of the famed Ajax academy in the Nineties, and helped Holland reach the Euro 2004 semi-finals.He managed to avoid getting in trouble with the law, but he saw his personal life spiral after he encountered a turbulent spell at Everton that led to problems with gambling, sex, drugs and depression.He struggled in his first season with injuries and quickly fell into an alcohol and prescription drug-fuelled spiral, eventually quitting football at just 32.READ MORE SUN STORIES”You can quickly go off the rails because there is no limit and you could do what you wanted,” he previously said. “It was going out and drinking, and not thinking of reality.”Andy van der Meyde pictured during a photo shoot in January 2015 at his house in The NetherlandsCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      in Motorsport

      Five haunting questions behind Formula One’s greatest riddle – what caused Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash 30 years ago?

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      HEADING into a curve that the Formula One genius Ayrton Senna knew very well at the San Marino Grand Prix, there was no sign it would be the Brazilian’s final moment.But rather than his blue Williams racing car turning into the Tamburello left corner, it sped at 190mph straight into a concrete barrier.Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash 30 years agoCredit: GettyThe Brazilian was a three-time Formula One world championCredit: AP:Associated PressSenna’s girlfriend Adriana Galisteu mourns in front of his coffinCredit: AFPThirty years on from the three-time world champion’s death, serious questions still remain about how a man revered as the motorsport’s greatest talent could have lost control of his hi-tech vehicle.Was it really a driver error? Or were ill-judged modifications to Senna’s car to blame?Investigators in Italy believed members of the British-based Williams team were at fault.Conspiracy theorists have asked why it took the company a month to hand over the black boxes to the authorities and why they arrived so badly damaged.Read More In The SunBut fingers were also pointed at bumps in the historic Imola circuit.On top of that, there were questions as to whether debris had properly been removed from the track following an earlier collision. Could a shard of metal have interfered with Senna’s racing car?The risk of racing was clear because the day before, 33-year-old Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger suffered a fatal crash.Jordan’s Rubens Barrichello had been lucky to get out alive following a high speed smash on the Friday.Most read in MotorsportCritical issues about the car’s safety were largely skirted over in the Bafta-winning 2010 documentary Senna.And today no one knows why his life ended at the age of 34.Video shows Ayrton Senna racing in the San Marino Grand prix in 1994 before tragic death of driverThankfully, improvements introduced following his death has meant Ayrton was the last F1 driver to die during a race.That has only added to his legacy.Ben Hunt, The Sun’s F1 correspondent, says: “There is no other sporting icon who is celebrated in such a way. “The livery of his iconic crash helmet, featuring the colours of the Brazilian flag, are seen at every race on the calendar.”Here we look at the possible causesCar trouble?Senna in his Williams car on the day of the crashCredit: AFPThere were plenty of problems facing Williams and its reported £16million-salary star signing Senna in the weeks running up to the crash.Williams drivers had won the previous two Formula One championships, but new rules had cut into their reliance on electronic devices.Ayrton struggled with the latest vehicle, admitting at the start of the season: “The cars are very fast and difficult to drive. We’ll be lucky if something really serious doesn’t happen.”As is common in motorsport, he liaised with the team’s engineers to change the set-up, including adjusting the steering column.Senna did not appear to turn the wheel on the seventh lap as he approached the bend and instead went into the wall.During the crash part of the suspension had penetrated his helmet, causing a fatal head injury.The steering wheel was found to be broken.Italian prosecutors alleged that it had snapped prior to impact, leaving Senna unable to control his speeding vehicle.They charged the team’s founder Sir Frank Williams, technical director Sir Patrick Head and chief designer Adrian Newey with manslaughter.At the trial the prosecution said: “The steering column had been cut and a new element – which was not of the same quality of metal or of the same diameter, being 18mm instead of 22mm – was welded in.A complete stranger came up to me and said ‘Your dad is a murderer’Claire Williams”And it was where the new element had been welded that the column broke.”The Williams team analysis showed the steering column was not to blame and all three men were acquitted. In 2003 the Italian courts reopened the case and in 2007 determined that the steering column was responsible, but by that point it was too late to rearrest anyone for manslaughter.Newey admitted in his 2017 autobiography: “Regardless of whether that steering column caused the accident or not, there is no escaping the fact that it was a bad piece of design that should never have been allowed to get on the car.”While people in the sport do not blame the legendary Sir Frank, who died in 2021, some members of the public did.Sir Frank’s daughter Claire Williams remembered a year after Senna’s death “being in a pub, a complete stranger came up to me and said ‘Your dad is a murderer’.”Unsafe track?Roland Ratzenberger died on the same track the day before SennaCredit: AFPThere were concerns about the Tamburello corner on which Senna’ fate was sealed.A number of drivers had come off at that corner, including Gerhard Berger who’d gone up in flames in 1989.But all of the incidents were linked to car trouble rather than the track design.Senna, though, had noticed ripples on that bend during practice.There is no other sporting icon who is celebrated in such a wayBen HuntJust before the San Marino race he said about the track: “My car reacts a bit nervously on this kind of surface. “It stems from the special aerodynamics but it’s also got to do with a difficulty in the suspension.”The Italians charged three senior men connected to the track, Federico Bendinelli, Giorgio Poggi and Roland Bruynseraede, with manslaughter.State prosecutor Maurizio Passarini claimed that a raised edge at the Tamburello corner launched the Williams car into trouble.The three men were found not guilty by a judge in 1997.’Modern F1 misses a Senna’ By Bent Hunt, The Sun’s F1 Correspondent
      SENNA still has global appeal with new fans attracted by the ‘Drive to Survive’ boom.
      So why is he so popular?
      One simple explanation is that he was a brilliant driver, which of course we know and there is simply not enough room to pick out the evidence of this.
      Another aspect was the dark arts. The ability to mix sport with politics to achieve what he wanted or perhaps what he felt he deserved.
      He coupled this with his attitude on track, taking matters into his own hands and stepping over the line, such as deliberately ramming Alain Prost in Japan 1990, influencing the outcome of the title.
      Questionable morals perhaps, but taking it to the limit and going beyond is now almost celebrated.
      Senna offered a new level of professionalism but with it a complexity within his own personality.
      Magnetic charm and a level of charisma that is unthinkable among today’s drivers on the grid.
      Senna was intelligent, opened up with honesty and discussed the dangers he faced, putting his life on the line each time he went out to race.
      He appealed to and intrigued the public in equal measure. He had a personality.
      And that’s something that F1 desperately misses right now.

      Race debris?The wreck of Senna’s car following his fatal crashCredit: AllsportAt the start of the race Bennetton’s JJ Lehto stalled and an unsighted Pedro Lamy in a Lotus piled into his car, sending pieces of their vehicles into the crowd and on to the grid.A safety car was brought out so that the debris could be collected and then the race restarted.But a photograph in Autosport magazine suggested that Ayrton’s car passed over one piece. Could that have caused a slow puncture?Williams’s Adrian Newey said in 2017: “His right front and right rear tyres were destroyed in the accident, so it was impossible to examine them, but debris that size could have caused a slow puncture. “The puncture would have caused the bottoming we saw, and that in turn would have caused the rear to step out as it lost grip.”Driver error?Senna, pictured during a race in 1989, pushed his cars to their limitsCredit: GettyAlain Prost was knocked out a crucial championship race by SennaCredit: GettyAyrton Senna is regarded as one of the greatest ever racing drivers – with his fearlessness putting him on the podium.He had a reputation for pushing his machines to their absolute limits.On top of that the Brazilian hated losing, admitting: “Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. “Winning is like a drug. I can’t settle for second or third in no circumstances whatsoever.”In 1990 he knew he would become world champion if his great rival Alain Prost did not finish the Japanese Grand Prix.At the first turn he ran into the back of Prost’s Ferrari taking them both out of the race.Some observers believed it was deliberate and Senna later admitted: “I didn’t care if we crashed.”Is it possible that Senna was simply racing too hard at San Marino in 1994 in order to keep ahead of Michael Schumacher who was not far behind him in second place?Black Box controversyA jury were shown the black box recorder from Senna’s carCredit: EPASenna’s Williams car was fitted with two black box recorders designed to keep data safe if there was a crash.They were similar to the devices on aeroplanes, but not as robust.A senior member of staff at the San Marino track told the 1997 trial that two members of the Williams team removed the recorders shortly after the crash.After giving evidence Fabrizio Nosco told journalists: “I have seen thousands of these devices and removed thousands for checks.“The two boxes were intact, even though they had some scratches. The Williams device looked to have survived the crash.”It took the Williams team over a month to hand over the black boxes to the crash investigators.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen they arrived they were too badly damaged to yield the information needed to determine the exact cause of the accident. Other witnesses told the court they were wrecked by the high speed impact of the Williams vehicle hitting the wall.Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger died on the same weekend as SennaCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Love rat Ryan Giggs was slammed as a ‘liar, womaniser & cheat’ by OWN lawyer – has he finally settled with Zara Charles?

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      HE is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his generation but Ryan Giggs has never been far from controversy.His name conjures up pictures of two distinctly different men – the pitch legend who dazzled at Manchester United and the love cheat accused of abusive behaviour.Ryan Giggs, 50, and lingerie model Zara Charles, 36, are having a baby togetherCredit: ZenpixGiggs and his ex-wife Stacey Cooke in the Royal Box of Wimbledon in 2012Credit: AFPThe Man United legend was a quiet maestro on the pitch, but his personal life has been far less sanguineCredit: Getty – ContributorEarlier this year, Giggs’ brother, Rhodri – left deeply wounded after Ryan’s infamous affair with his wife – told the legendary player to “grow the f*** up” after “banging everything in sight.”As The Sun reveals Giggs is about to become a dad again aged 50, could it be that he has finally taken on his brother’s advice?A source said Ryan – who already has two kids – and lingerie model Zara Charles, who has a child from a previous relationship, were “thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents again”.The source added: “They have a solid, loving relationship and are building a long-term future together.”Read More in SportIt follows a tumultuous few years after Giggs was arrested in November 2020 on allegations of assaulting ex-partner Kate Greville as well as being a coercive and controlling partner. He was also charged with assaulting Kate’s sister, Emma.Giggs stepped back from his role as Wales manager as scandal engulfed him for a second time – the first being the notorious affair with his sister-in-law, Natasha.While the case against him collapsed at court, his reputation had been yet again tarnished, with his own barrister called him a “cheat, a womaniser, a liar and an adulterer”.Most read in FootballRyan has a notorious affair with Natasha Giggs, the wife of his brother RhodriCredit: CollectNineties star Dani Behr and Ryan Giggs were a famous power coupleCredit: Rex FeaturesGiggs’ controversial love life has dominated front pages over the yearsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdGirlfriend Zara Charles, 36, stood by him throughout the case.But, as they look forward to a new life together, the question will be whether Giggs can rebuild the image he once had as a clean-living family man. Roy Keane opens up on Ryan Giggs feud which saw Man Utd legend stop speaking to team-mate for six monthsRollercoaster childhood Giggs made his name playing for the most famous football club in the world after he was scouted at the age of 14 by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1987.Ferguson pulled up outside Giggs’ family home in Salford in a gold-coloured Mercedes and signed the young player after watching him perform at Manchester City’s School of Excellence.The Giggs family moved to the Manchester suburb when Ryan was just six and he said his first memories were making friends with kids in the street and playing football.His dad, Danny Wilson, is a former rugby union and Wales international rugby player, while mum Lynne worked as a children’s nurse.But their marriage was not an entirely happy one, according to Giggs.He wrote in his 2006 autobiography: “It was a fiery relationship which would occasionally spill over into real unpleasantness. There were many arguments, and too many of them became physical.”His parents finally split when he was 16 and Giggs said it may have “contributed to that inner steel where I can block things out”.He said: “When I was playing football, I never thought about the arguments between my mum and dad. Everyone’s childhood shapes who they are and what they do.”String of flingsGiggs’ grit and determination on the field made him one of the most decorated players of all time.He made his first-team debut aged 17 and went on to become the first player to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.As his star rose on the pitch, his boyish looks – along with fancy cars, a luxury house and designer gear-  bought inevitable adulation from women.Soap star Patsy Kensit has a fling with the footballerCredit: Dave HoganCaroline Stanbury was another former flameCredit: Rex FeaturesRyan and then-wife Stacey Cooke in 2007Credit: GettyGemma Atkinson and Giggs were rumoured to be together, but insisted they were just palsCredit: Flynet Pictures His first high-profile relationship was with TV presenter Dani Behr.One of the first big showbiz-footballer couples, they split after a year and Dani later said: “It was difficult because of manager Alex Ferguson.“I lived in London and Ryan was in Manchester and he didn’t like his team travelling a long way to that was difficult. He controlled Ryan.”Dani went on to date Les Ferdinand before marrying restauranter Carl Harwin in 2005.There were three people in my marriage and one of them was Ryan GiggsDamian BurkeIt girl Davinia Taylor, the daughter of a multi-millionaire, was his next regular girlfriend in 1995 but Giggs said it never got to the moving-in together stage because she was only 17 to his 22.The pair were seen arguing in a nightclub, which allegedly ended in Giggs throwing a glass in Davinia’s direction that smashed on a nearby pillar.When the couple split, brief flings with models Paula Hamilton and actress Patsy Kensit followed, but it wasn’t long before he and Davinia were back on with talk of wedding bells.But it all came to nothing when the heiress told the papers that Ryan didn’t give her enough attention and spent too much time with his pals.Giggs’ legendary football career
      During his glittering career with Manchester United, Ryan Giggs became known as one of the best players Britain has ever produced. His career in stats:
      1986 – The year Sir Alex Ferguson watches Giggs score a hat during a match for Salford Boys.
      1987 – Ferguson turns up at Giggs house and signs him u,p promising to turn him professional within three years. 
      1989 – Giggs captains England at schoolboy level, playing at Wembley against Germany.
      1991 – He makes his Manchester United debut aged 17.
      963 – Times played for Manchester United between 1991 and 2014
      632 – Number of appearances in the Premier League
      109 – Goals scored in the PL
      162 – Number of goal assists in the PL
      13 – Number of Premier League medals
      4 – FA Cup medals
      9 – FA Community Shields medals
      64 – Number of times Giggs played for the Wales national team between 1991-2007
      2007 – given an OBE for services to football

      Their final split came as Manchester United stablemate David Beckham started dating ‘Posh Spice’ Victoria Beckham and they became the couple of the moment.In 1998 Ryan and new sweetheart Emma Gardner suffered heartbreak when they lost a much-wanted baby.Ryan said the miscarriage taught him there is more to life than football but, again, long-lasting love was not to be.Giggs finally met the woman he was to marry, Stacey Cooke, in 2002 at a music festival. By the time they wed in a low-key ceremony in 2007, they already had four-year-old daughter Liberty and baby son Zachary.The marriage was rocked by Giggs’ infidelity as an exasperated Stacey stuck by him.Ryan Giggs leaves the Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester in 2022Credit: AFPGiggs at Manchester Crown Court watching ex-girlfriend Kate Greville giving evidence on police videoCredit: PAGiggs and Kate Greville before their splitCredit: BackGridThree years after son Zachary was born, Giggs had a six-month fling with Welsh model and Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas. He took out a super injunction to stop The Sun revealing their affair, which led to weeks of speculation until MP John Hemming used parliamentary privilege to name the footballer in a Commons debate in 2011.Giggs lost £150,000 in legal fees in the process.It soon emerged the Premier League star had also been sleeping with sister-in-law Natasha Lever, who was married to his younger brother Rhodri, also a footballer.The affair started when Stacey was pregnant with the couple’s first child.Natasha revealed that she aborted Ryan’s baby weeks before marrying his brother Rhodri, who is three years younger. She said the cheating footballer gave her £500 toward the costs of the procedure. Stacey was devastated but the pair stayed together.His relationship with brother Rhodri has never recovered.’Grow the f*** up’In January Rhodri laid into his brother on The Central Club podcast, saying he could have done serious damage to his brother had he sold stories about the affair.Rhodri said: “I’m not that bitter and not that twisted, but he needs to be careful, because I could have. Giggs’ love life under the microscopeBy Jo Hemmings, relationship expert
      To say Ryan Giggs has had a chequered relationship history would be an understatement.
      Being catapulted into fame at a young age – Giggs was only 14 – followed by his parents splitting up two years later after a fiery and abusive relationship, it’s perhaps no wonder that he ended up in a series of poor relationships alongside reckless and controlling behaviour.
      Without the anchors of a stable parental relationship, nor the usual hanging out with friends and growing up in a typical teenage environment, it seems that Giggs took a long time to understand the maturity, compromise and effort that having an enduring relationship takes.
      It’s almost as if he has lived his life in reverse – stardom when just a teen and all the adulation that goes with that, robbed him of the opportunity to grow up in a healthy, grounded environment, looking to the future for his ambitions rather than living them out at young and impressionable age.
      Now he’s 50, a moment when a lot of men take stock of their lives for personal and professional reasons, wondering if they have achieved enough, Giggs – with the blessing of his former wife Stacey – seems to have found the emotional security and balance missing from his youth and can focus on his personal life and fulfilment moving forward.

      “A lot of people could have, but they didn’t, and it’s all from him making the choices he’s made, no one else. You can’t go through life and this nice, innocent family man when you’re banging everything in sight. How old is he, 48, 49? He needs to grow the f*** up.’”Giggs’ long-suffering wife Stacey finally walked away from the marriage in 2016 after tiring of her husband’s womanising ways.The Sun reported how the final straw came when Stacey heard the footie hero had flirted with waitresses at a restaurant he owns close to their £6million mansion in Worsley, near Manchester.You can’t go through life and this nice, innocent family man when you’re banging everything in sightRhodri Giggs on his brotherTheir divorce was a costly affair.He fought over giving his wife a chunk of his extensive fortune but they came to an agreement out of court.A year later Giggs was pictured with PR expert Kate Greville on holiday in Italy. They met when she was tasked with helping to plan the launch of Giggs and Gary Neville’s Hotel Football business.It was the start of yet another stormy relationship.Kate’s ex husband Damian Burke claims she dumped him by text and told a pal: “There were three people in my marriage and one of them was Ryan Giggs.”His words echoed that of late Princess Diana who famously said there were three people in her marriage.In August 2022 Giggs appeared in court charged with causing Kate, 37, actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020. He also denied assaulting Kate’s sister, Emma.The United ace celebrates with his children, Zach and Libby, after winning the league in 2011Credit: AFPSir Alex Ferguson scouted the future star when he was just a teenagerCredit: Getty – ContributorGiggs was accused of headbutting Kate during a row as well as trying to control her.She told Manchester Crown Court how she “became a slave to his every need and every demand” and alleged that Giggs once told her she ‘did not deserve to be a parent’ during a blazing row.Giggs was also accused of having ‘full-on’ relationships with eight other women during the ‘toxic’ six-year relationshipDuring the case an  email emerged in which Giggs accused Kate of making him look stupid over a trip to Scotland with his friends.He wrote: ‘’Only an evil, horrible c*** does that. Utterly astonishing. Now I look like a t*** telling my three of my friends I am going to Scotland at the weekend. I simply cannot believe you f****** did that. I am so f****** mad right now and I am scaring myself because I could do anything.’”Giggs’ own barrister told the court that being a cheat, a womaniser, a liar and an adulterer isn’t a crime.Chris Daw QC told jurors his client was not on trial for “being flirtatious”, being a “compulsive womaniser”, an “adulterer” or a “liar” or a “cheat”.The QC said. “If they were crimes, just think how many prisons we would need.”After a highly-charged four-week trial a jury was discharged after failing to reach verdicts on any of the charges.A retrial was planned for July 2023 but the CPS dropped the charges shortly before.Prosecutor Peter Wright KC said Kate had “indicated an unwillingness” to give evidence in a re-trial as giving evidence in the first trial had “taken its toll” on her and her sister, Emma.New chapterGiggs, who has won 64 caps for his country, stepped down as manager of the Wales international team in the wake of the allegations.He is now a director at Salford City, which he part owns.Giggs has had a glittering career,  winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.Nobody can doubt his prowess on the field and he has been compared to the late, great George Best.Whether he can now deliver off the field and finally commit long-term to a loving relationship remains to be seen, but friends are confident.READ MORE SUN STORIESA source said: “Ryan was nervous about what his kids would think but they’ve got to know Zara over the last few years and really like her.“They’re happy because they know he’s happy.” More

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      Savvy Ryan Reynolds turning Wrexham stars into ‘money machines’ OFF the pitch with power of £273m Hollywood fortune

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      FEW football clubs have seen their fortunes change quite as dramatically as Wrexham AFC. But it’s not just the fans who are benefiting from Hollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with the players punching way above their lower league status too – on and off the pitch.Ryan Renolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham for £2million in November 2020Credit: AlamyFans believed they spotted Wrexham star Ollie Palmer (right) in the background of the new Deadpool trailerThe striker, 32, joined the football club back in 2022Credit: AlamyThis week, Reynolds appeared to confirm Wrexham star Ollie Palmer has a cameo in the star’s new Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine. The actor, who is worth £273million, wrote “keen eyesight” in response to a fan’s social media post asking whether the striker, 32, was in the background of the movie trailer.   Brand and culture expert Nick Ede claims the A-list owners, as well as the popularity of doc series Welcome To Wrexham, could open “a golden door” for the club’s best players, who could become famous ‘money machines’ in their own right.Nick told The Sun: ““Ryan and Rob have made a massive impact, all eyeballs have been on the club because of them and their huge TV show. READ MORE ON SPORT“It’s enabled them to give a voice to the players but also gifted them a bigger following, meaning players can get other big opportunities.“We have seen Ollie get a cameo or an extra role in the new Marvel film but that’s just the beginning. Some of the standout stars will make a lot of money from endorsements and deals.”Here Nick takes us through some of the potential ways Wrexham stars could benefit – from striking “Beckham-style” modelling deals to landing £100,000 pay cheques.Building the brandIt proved a game changer for Wrexham when Ryan and Rob bought the Welsh club for a reported £2million back in November 2020.Most read in FootballThe team has since achieved two back-to-back promotions, meaning next year they will play in League One – two below the Premier League.  Many of the players, who would previously have only been known by lower league fans, are now famous and have supporters across the world thanks to the Disney+ show Welcome To Wrexham.Ryan Reynolds all but confirms Wrexham star’s cameo in new Deadpool movie as striker ‘spotted in bar scene’Ryan and Rob lifting the Vanarama National League trophy last year after Wrexham were promotedCredit: GettyOllie launched WXM Clothing in November 2022Credit: Instagram/olliep9_His business has been supported by Ryan and Rob who have posted snaps wearing his clothes onlineCredit: Facebook/VancityReynoldsIt’s enabled some of the players incredible opportunities, including Ollie Palmer bagging a part in the third Deadpool film.Away from his footballing career, the striker has also launched the brand WXM Clothing in November 2022, which could prove to be another wise money-spinner.Crucially, the business venture has been supported by Ryan and Rob, who have regularly worn his gear in pictures on social media, where they collectively have nearly 54million followers.Nick says: “Having the guys wearing Ollie’s actual brand is a great way of endorsing what he does and will definitely help him to build his brand.“He is one of the players who ticks every box and is a star in the making, whether he carries on in Hollywood, who knows, but I suspect he will be endorsing lots of different things.“I can see him doing modeling and it could lead to him becoming a bit like David Beckham.”All eyes are on him. He’s a really good player and there may be a bidding war for him in the next for years.Nick Ede, brand and culture expertNick also believes coming from “an underdog football team” could bag Ollie more fans and describes the footballer’s future as “very exciting”.  He adds: “Ollie is someone brands are going to want to jump on now while his star is on the rise because he will make money for them and will be loyal to them. But also he will make a lot of money for himself.“I could see someone like Ollie, who is a rugged, sexy man, doing an aftershave or a fragrance launch, which could demand good fees of around £100,000 up to £250,000 as he becomes a bigger star.” Incredible bond with players and city
      FANS have been won over by Wrexham AFC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – and it’s no wonder after a series of generous and thoughtful acts to help others.
      Ryan helped the wife of Wrexham defender Anthony Forde get a second opinion after she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given months to live. He arranged for Laura, who was planning her own funeral, to speak with one of the leading neurosurgeons in the US. They later confirmed the mass in her brain was benign and the initial diagnosis was wrong last year.
      Wrexham legend Martyn Chalk, who played for the club between 1996 and 2002, received money from the club owners to cover for his medical bills. They donated £1,000 each to a fundraiser after he broke his femur and fractured his legs in Thailand, in December 2023.
      The family of Louis Perrin, four, received a £10,000 donation to help convert their home to meet the disabled child’s needs. Parents Aaron and Charlotte were “blown away” by the sum, in February. They said it would help make life easier for their son who has TUBA1A, which causes leg spasms, limited mobility, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
      Charity football match organisers were “overwhelmed with happiness” last year when Ryan and Rob donated £5,000. The money was being raised for the children’s ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. 
      Last year, it was revealed that Ryan visited a terminally ill fan in hospital and gifted them one of his original gloves from the film Deadpool. The other was gifted to the club’s goalkeeper Ben Foster.
      Former Wrexham footballer and Dementia sufferer Gareth Davies was invited to be a “guest of honour” at Wembley Stadium in 2022. Ryan and Rob personally reached out after spotting a post on Twitter. In response, Rob wrote: “He showed up for Wrexham AFC and we’ll show up for him.” 
      When footballer Jordan Davies and his partner Kelsey Edward’s’ son was stillborn, the Wrexham duo donated £10,000 to their fundraising page. They were raising money for the charity Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) in 2022.

      ‘Stand-out star’While there’s much intrigue about Ollie’s future after his apparent Marvel debut, Nick believes there’s an even bigger “stand-out star”.Paul Mullin was listed as a GQ Men of the Year Honouree after a superb season with Wrexham last year when he netted an impressive 38 goals. Nick says some of the players could carve out David Beckham-style modelling careersNick tips Wrexham striker Paul Mullin as one of the ‘stand-out stars’ to watchCredit: PAIt’s led to the footballer writing his autobiography, Paul Mullin: My Wrexham Story, and a mural of him being painted on the side of a local pub.Nick suspects Paul will be a popular choice for brands in the next few years as he continues to prove himself at the club. “All eyes are on him,” Nick says. “He’s a really good player and there may be a bidding war for him in the next for years. We could even see a musical next, who knows? We’ve seen Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical and a play about The Three Lions so it could happen. Nick“I can see him landing great endorsements, commentary roles and various TV opportunities, as footballers are very popular on these shows.“Paul is an inspiration to a lot of people so he could earn good money from public speaking and while working with brands, whether that is alcohol or apparel.” Giant sponsorsThe club’s exposure has enabled them to land impressive sponsorship deals too, including a deal with US giant Gatorade earlier this month. Since buying Wrexham, the club went from having one shirt sponsor to three – and has pulled in huge names including TikTok, Expedia, United Airlines and Vistaprint. Nick explains that landing such big brands, who hope to take advantage of the club’s TV deal and international following, not only benefits the club’s finances but the players too.“Most of these clubs wouldn’t receive this kind of endorsement, they may get sponsored by a local business or business associated with the counties they are in.Wrexham AFC managed to land United Airlines as one of its sponsorsCredit: GettyThe clubs fanbase has grown since Welcome To Wrexham first aired in 2022He said: “To have huge brands associate with a minor club is brilliant and all down to the star power of Ryan and Rob. “Having a TV show, which is potentially watched around the world, is a good way for advertisers and sponsors to get good bang for your buck. “It’s a win-win for anyone who wants to be associated with Wrexham but also offers big opportunities for the club’s stars.”Movie spin-off?Nick says Ryan and Rob have delivered “absolutely genius PR” since taking over the club and believes part of the success is they are “credible and authentic”.He notes the multiple charitable donations made by the duo and investment in community projects to help the locals of Wrexham too. Nick says: “Who would have thought that this small Welsh town would suddenly become one of the biggest TV hits in the world and have all eyes on them.“I can compare it to what Taylor Swift has done when she’s gone to different countries and her concerts have helped to grow mini economies thanks to fans buying food and drink and celebrating.”He believes the Wrexham owners should continue “carrying on doing what they are doing” to draw attention to the club, which will in turn benefit the players.But Nick suggests other ventures that could increase the club’s popularity, spread their story to more fans and expand the interest around the area as a whole. “I can imagine they might make a movie about Wrexham’s rise, it’s such an interesting and compelling story,” he says. “It could focus on the regeneration around Wrexham, showing how the football club helped to rebuild the community, which would create even more of a buzz.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We could even see a musical next, who knows? We’ve seen Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical and a play about The Three Lions so it could happen. “Especially with Ryan Reynolds, he loves a good old singsong so it could next on the cards and they get an Oscar for it.”  More

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      in Soccer

      Biggest footballer broods – from Arsenal striker with 8 kids to four different mums to Brazil legend’s FOURTEEN heirs

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      NOT content with being part of a team on the pitch, many football players have chosen to create their own squad at home as well.Manchester City star Phil Foden is expecting his third child with girlfriend Rebecca Cooke at just 23 years old – meaning there’s plenty of time to build up to a full 11.Phil Foden is expecting his third child at the age of 23Credit: Sophie Eleanor Photography / Go PR & EventsKyle Walker has six kids – four with ex-wife Annie and two with Lauryn GoodmanCredit: AFPThe midfielder and his childhood sweetheart celebrated the exciting announcement with a lavish baby shower this week as they prepare for their new arrival.Foden and Rebecca, 22, posed for a cute snap with their two kids Ronnie, four, and True, one, in hand.At this rate, Foden is likely to be following in the footsteps of Man City teammate Kyle Walker – who recently welcomed his sixth child.And it’s not unusual for footie stars to have a lot of children, as we reveal the players with the biggest broods…READ MORE SPORTS FEATURESKyle Walker – six kidsKyle Walker welcomed his fourth child with estranged wife Annie Kilner earlier this month – and was said to be over the moon about becoming a father again.The couple, who also share three sons Roman, 11, Riaan, seven, and Reign, five, split in January after two years of marriage.It came after influencer Lauryn Goodman revealed her son Kairo, four, and eight-month-old daughter are both Walker’s children.Earlier this month, we revealed Lauryn is taking their two kids to the Euros — where the England ace’s ex-wife and four boys will also support him.Most read in FootballLauryn told a pal: “I am determined my children will get to see their daddy playing for the Three Lions this summer.”She told pals he invited them to Germany in June and she is determined to go.Kyle Walker risks explosive showdown between wife Annie and Lauryn Goodman after ‘inviting’ ex and two kids to EurosA source says Walker told Lauryn: “I want you there. And I want Kairo there to see me play.”But a source close to Walker insisted he had not invited her.Cristiano Ronaldo – six kidsCristiano Ronaldo – who named his CR7 fashion brand after his initials and his football shirt number – also confessed he wanted to have seven children because it is his “magic number” To date, the former Manchester United star has had six children – although, in April 2022, he tragically lost one of his sons shortly after he was born.Cristiano Ronaldo is father to six children – although one son tragically died after birthCredit: instagram/Cristiano RonaldoHis eldest son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 13, was born in the United States and brought up by Ronaldo.His mother has never been named.In June 2017, not long after he’d begun dating model Georgina Rodriguez,  it was revealed that Ronaldo had fathered twins, Eva and Matteo, now six, via a surrogate mother in the United States.The following month, Ronaldo confirmed he and Georgina were expecting a baby, who was born in November 2017, named Alana Martina.On April 18 2022, the couple sadly announced Georgina had given birth to twins but one had died, while daughter Bella survived.They said in a statement: “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away.”It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel.”Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.”Baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”Ian Wright – eight kidsIan Wright and Nancy Hallam with daughters Lola and RoxanneCredit: GettyIan Wright has eight kids by four different women, and was just 19 when he first became a dad,  adopting girlfriend Sharon Phillips’ son Shaun, 42, who went on to play football for Chelsea and Man City.”I didn’t have a job, and no means, but I took him on because it was the right thing to do,” he told The Mirror.Ian went on to have two more children with Sharon – Bradley, 39, and Brett, 38 – making Ian a father of three by the time he was 21.A year after welcoming Brett, Ian and Sharon broke up, as he reconnected with a childhood friend named Debbie, who grew up down the road from him.They had a luxury wedding in Mauritius in 1993, before welcoming their first son together, Stacey, the following year.Three years later, Debbie kicked Ian out of the house when she learned he’d been having an affair – but took him back soon after, and they had daughter Bobbi-Lee.But in 2008, Debbie revealed Ian had been unfaithful again, and had fathered another child during a fling, a daughter named Coco, born in 2006.“I support her but play no other part in her or her mother’s life,” Ian confessed in his autobiography, A Life In Football.Ian went on to marry his second wife Nancy Hallam – who he met in a pub – in 2011, and has called her his “perfect woman”.They have two daughters together, Lola and Roxanne, who he says he “can’t stand to be apart from”.In his book, Ian says: “I didn’t set out for it to be like that. I wanted to get married just once and never planned to have so many children in so many different circumstances.”Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha – 11 kidsRoberto Carlos has 11 children with seven different women, and is a grandfatherCredit: Getty Images – GettyFormer Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos, 51, has 11 children with seven different women – and has one grandchild, Pedro, seven, who’s older than some of his aunts and uncles.Pedro is the child of the former Real Madrid player’s second daughter, Giovanna, 27.Including Giovanna, Carlos has three children with his first wife Alexandra Pinheiro – the other two are Roberta and Roberto Carlos Jr, who’s adopted. He also has four children with his current wife, Mariana Luccon – Manuela, 14, Marina, seven, and two younger ones.He also has four sons – Carlos Eduardo, Christopher, Junior and Luca – all from other relationships. In 2018, Carlos told a Brazilian radio station he  was suffering because he was unable to see some of his children.According to BeSoccer, three of his former partners took legal action against him after this, accusing him of lying and not attending to the needs of their children.Brazilian Barbara Thurler filed for neglect after not receiving alimony for his two children.She even alleged he had attempted to put his two children on the streets despite their young age, adding: ”My son asks me if his father has died.” Barbara’s pleas encouraged Hungarian Alexandra Phaedra to come forward too.Then Dora Robles, from Mexico, also claimed not to have received the child support stipulated by the judge. The three claimed that Carlos neglected his children on more than one occasion.Carlos denied the accusations and reiterated that the lack of contact with his kids was due to the distance between countries and a bad relationship with their mothers.However he agreed to meet financial deadlines eventually. Pele – seven kidsBrazil’s soccer legend Pele had seven childrenCredit: ReutersPele’s family gathered at hospital to be beside Brazilian World Cup legendCredit: InstagramHe died at the end of 2022, at the age of 82, but Brazilian legend Pele had a lot of children in his lifetime.In his Netflix documentary,  the football icon – who was married three times – even confessed to not knowing how many children he fathered due to the number of affairs he had.Pele married his first wife, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, in February 1996 and the pair had three children – Kelly, Edinho and Jennifer.However, after splitting up with Rosemeri, the goal-scoring machine had a fling with his housekeeper Anizia Machado which led to the birth of his daughter Sandra Machado in 1993.He refused to take a DNA test, leaving Sandra no choice but to file a lawsuit to be recognised as his daughter as well as publishing a book entitled The Daughter Pele Never Wanted.Pele lost the lawsuit as DNA evidence showed that Sandra was his biological daughter.Four years later, Pele had another daughter, Flavia Kurtz with journalist Lenita Kurtz.In 1994, Pele married his second wife, psychologist and gospel singer, Assaria Lemos Seixas and the couple had twins Joshua and Celeste.Pele never had children with his third wife, Marcia Cibele Aoki, who he married in 2016.Diego Maradona – Between five and 11 kidsDiego Maradona accepted five of his children as his but may have had up to 11Credit: EPANot long before Diego Maradona died in 2020, one of his daughters, Giannina, joked the Argentine could make up a full starting eleven with his brood.The football star accepted two sons and three daughters were his, but is alleged to have at least six other children from various flings and some have previously appealed for their dad’s love.Maradona accepted his two daughters with ex-wife Claudia Villafane – Dalma and Gianinna – along with his son Diego Fernando who he had with girlfriend Veronica Ojeda.He also had flings with bar worker Valeria Sablalin, who gave birth to daughter Jana Maradona, and Italian Cristinia Sinagra, with whom he had son Diego Sinagra.But Santiago Lara and Magali Gil also made appeals in the media to the football legend and both were said to have been trying to get a DNA test before he died.The star is also alleged to have fathered up to four children while he was living in Cuba, three of whom have been named as Joana, Lu and Javielito.Garrincha – At least 14 kidsGarrincha is believed to have fathered at least 14 children during his colourful lifeCredit: Getty – ContributorGarrincha was regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, before he tragically drank himself into an early grave in 1983, at the age of 49.But he had a very scandalous lifestyle off the pitch, and is believed to have fathered at least 14 children.He had eight daughters with his first wife Nair Marques who he was married to from 1952 to 1965.Garrincha then married samba singer Elza Soares, after a scandalous affair but they separated in 1977, after he hit her during an argument.With his colourful lifestyle, Garrincha had many more affairs, including one with showgirl Angelita Martinez and it’s thought he fathered at least six more children on top of his eight legitimate daughters.Antoine Greizman – three kids born on same dayAntoine Griezmann has three children all born on the same day over five yearsCredit: INSTAGRAM/EriKA ChoperenaWhile it’s not unusual to have three children, Barcelona football star Antoine Greizmann welcomed all of his on exactly the same date over five years.The World Cup winning striker’s daughter Alba was born on April 8, 2021.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, his daughter Mia was born on the same date in 2016, and son Amaro, was born on April 8 2019.Now THAT’S a hat trick! 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      I’ll take Kyle Walker’s kids to Euros, says Lauryn Goodman raising risk of explosive Annie Kilner showdown

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      KYLE Walker’s ex Lauryn Goodman is taking their two kids to the Euros — where the England ace’s wife and four boys will also support him.Lauryn, 33, told a pal: “I am determined my children will get to see their daddy playing for the Three Lions this summer.”Kyle Walker could be at the centre of a showdown between the mothers of his chikdren at the Euros this summerCredit: GettyLauryn Goodman is determined her kids should be able to see their dad represent his countryCredit: PAKyle’s wife Annie has given birth to her fourth child with the international footballerCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeThe Influencer, mum to the England star’s son Kairo, four, and a daughter, eight months, told pals he invited them to Germany in June, and is determined to go.A source says Kyle told Lauryn: “I want you there. And I want Kairo there to see me play.”But a source close to Kyle, 33, insisted he had not invited her.His wife Annie, 30, intends to be in Germany with their children.READ MORE KYLE WALKERLast week it emerged Annie had given birth to their fourth son.His arrival was revealed on the day Kairo turned four.Kyle was at his wife’s side for the birth — despite them splitting in January when she found out he was the dad of Lauryn’s baby daughter.A source said: “Lauryn won’t let Kairo down. She told friends Kyle said he wanted her to take the children to the Euros when they were still close, before Annie found out they had a daughter.Most read in Football“Kairo has been excited. Lauryn is a good mum. She won’t let her son be disappointed.“It felt calculated that the baby news came out on Kairo’s birthday last week. Kyle Walker had ‘no feelings’ for Lauryn Goodman in ‘fleeting’ romance – despite fathering her two children, pal claim”Kyle did not even send a message through solicitors or a card. It’s heartbreaking. “Lauryn feels he once had such a wonderful relationship with his son.”Now she will do everything she can to ensure her children aren’t affected by his actions.”Lauryn has told pals Kyle made the promise to Kairo because the youngster didn’t go to the 2022 World Cup. The source said: “During the World Cup Kyle would message Lauryn saying, ‘That win, that celebration . . . was for Kairo’.“He even brought Kairo a World Cup ball and a shirt back.“Kyle apparently said he was sorry Kairo wasn’t there and wanted him at the Euros.“What boy doesn’t want to see their daddy at work? It just so happens for Kairo that his daddy is a footballer.“Kairo idolises the ground Kyle walks on. They had built up a wonderful relationship, they loved playing football together and hanging out. They adore each other.“Kairo goes to his wardrobe and picks out the football tops he wants to wear. He has Liverpool, Chelsea but all he wants is Manchester City.“He knows that is the one Kyle bought him and had Dad printed on the back. He is proud of that.”Lauryn, 33, who is about to star in a TV documentary about Wag life, has not seen Kyle since Annie found out in December he is the dad to both Lauryn’s children.By going to the Euros she isn’t trying to be confrontational towards Annie. All Lauryn cares about is being a good mumSourceThe source said: “Those children have done nothing wrong. “Lauryn will not let her son be crushed because of his father’s actions.“Annie took her children to see Kyle play for England in March. Lauryn is just doing the same. You can’t let kids down.“Kairo has no idea that his dad isn’t making an effort and she doesn’t want him to feel left out, she has to protect him.“When she takes him to Germany she will come up with an excuse as to why they can’t see him after the game to protect Kairo. “But there is no way she will break that promise.“When he is old enough he will know the truth, but not now.“By going to the Euros she isn’t trying to be confrontational towards Annie. All Lauryn cares about is being a good mum.“She thinks Kyle and Annie are clearly back together and has no malice. “She doesn’t want to see Kyle or Annie. Going to the Euros is about her children, simple as that. “Lauryn won’t be mingling with the Wags.“All she will do is let Kairo cheer on his daddy, and feel proud.”Lauryn, 33, is about to star in a TV documentary about Wag lifeCredit: SplashInfluencer Lauryn has two children with star footballer Kyle and wants him to be there for themCredit: Click News and MediaLauryn fell pregnant with Kairo while Kyle was on a break from Annie in 2019. But Annie took him back and they wed in 2021.Kyle and Lauryn’s daughter was conceived in October 2022 when Kyle travelled to London for an op.The source added: “Kairo is too little to understand. He just asks when he is going to see his daddy.“Lauryn tries to give him answers to soften the blow without lying to him. “She was sobbing on Wednesday but hides that from the kids.“Kyle spoke out in January and said his children were the innocent ones in all this mess but he seems to have forgotten that now.”Set for showdownBy Lizzie Cundy, TV personality & ex-Wag
      WHEN Annie Kilner and Lauryn Goodman both attend the Euros this summer it could be the most awkward run-in in Wag history.
      Forget the game, this has the potential to be far more interesting.
      It’s shaping up to be the most raucous event since the 2006 Wags were dancing on the tables of Baden-Baden.
      There is only one person to blame for this drama and that is Kyle himself.
      I sympathise with Annie as she’s just given birth.
      And Lauryn has every right to go to the Euros because she has children with Kyle.
      If he was to score a goal or be man of the match you would want your child to be there to say they saw that.
      But I can only see this unravelling further.
      This very sorry affair will surely go global. I can imagine a documentary or even a movie being made.
      Whatever you think about footballers and their wives, people are gripped.
      This could get bigger than handbags at dawn or, dare I say, Wagatha Christie.

      A spokesperson for Kyle said: “Lauryn continues to pursue wild and untrue stories whilst Kyle and Annie attempt to move forward away from any drama.“All comments are being dealt with privately and through the proper legal channels as the couple do not wish to engage in further public dispute, particularly where children are involved.” Yesterday Kyle captained Manchester City in their 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.Prem stars won’t know what’s hit them’, as wronged pair Lauryn Goodman & Rita Johal set for TV show about life of WAGSSources close to the player said: “Kyle categorically did not invite Lauryn, or any member of her family, to the Euros. “He is fully focused on taking his country all the way to picking up the trophy. He is grateful for all the support.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSources say Annie has sought legal advice over some of Lauryn’s posts, with a view that they could be harassment. We approached Lauryn’s people for comment. More