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      in Soccer

      Inside David Beckham’s amazing US life…from A-list pals to convincing Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami

      by

      WHEN Lionel Messi lined up for David Beckham’s Inter Miami football team, it was the biggest coup in the history of the sport.In a remarkable piece of wheeler dealing, the former England captain persuaded the world’s greatest player to sign for a team at the bottom of their United States league.
      David Beckham persuaded the world’s greatest player to sign for a team at the bottom of their United States leagueCredit: Getty
      Beckham with new Inter Miami signing Lionel MessiCredit: instagram
      David, Victoria and Harper with the Kardashians at Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debutCredit: Instagram
      Not only that, 36-year-old Messi, who captained Argentina to victory in last summer’s World Cup, turned down a reported billion-pound offer from Saudi Arabia’s top team.
      Business-savvy Becks has cleverly harnessed the power of his celebrity pals to entice Messi with the kind of glamour that can’t be matched in the Middle East.
      A-listers such as reality TV queen Kim Kardashian, basketball superstar Lebron James and tennis legend Serena Williams were there to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Inter Miami debut on Friday night.
      When Beckham announced the creation of the Florida football side five years ago, music mogul Jay-Z, superstar singer J-Lo, A-list actor Will Smith and Olympic athlete Usain Bolt were by his side.
      Read More on David Beckham
      The 48-year-old appeared to be close to tears after Messi scored an injury time winner in a cup match at the club’s temporary home ground.
      That is understandable, given the setbacks he has endured in setting up a football team from scratch.
      A promised state-of-the-art stadium is yet to be built following legal challenges, residents’ protests and the discovery of arsenic in the soil.
      ‘It’s a dream’
      David’s wife Victoria, 49, has been his rock throughout, uprooting the family to spend a lot of the year in Miami.
      Most read in Football
      A source close to the family told us: “Signing Messi has put the team on the global map.
      “It’s not just players backing the team, however. David and Victoria’s famous friends have all put weight behind it. Kim Kardashian’s son Saint is a huge football fan and Messi is his idol.
      “The same can be said of the Beckhams’ pals like singer Marc Anthony, American football star Tom Brady and Lebron James, who can often be seen at games.
      “It’s not just a club, it’s being seen as more of a brand which is hugely commercially viable.”
      They added: “From the beginning of the venture over five years ago Victoria said she would support David at every step and that couldn’t be more true.
      “Miami is fast becoming a second home for the family and they loved the relaxed pace of life there.”
      Two years ago the Beckhams bought a £18.5million Miami penthouse in a 707ft tower designed by star architect Zaha Hadid, boasting a helipad and views of the Atlantic ocean.
      The couple’s four children now have close ties to the area, too.
      Eldest son Brooklyn, 24, married actress Nicola Peltz, 28, at the home of her billionaire father just down the road in Palm Beach, while footballer Romeo, 20, was on the books of Inter Miami’s reserve team.
      Daughter Harper, 12, spends most of her summer holidays in Miami and musician Cruz, 18, has enjoyed hanging out on the £5million family yacht on the city’s sun-soaked waters. 
      Becks is often seen out on the town himself with celebrity pals, including Tom Brady. 
      Another close pal is nightlife impresario David Grutman, known as the “King of Miami” due to his restaurant and nightclub empire.
      David was best man when Marc Anthony, ex-husband of Jennifer Lopez, wed model Nadia Ferreira at Miami’s Pérez Art Museum in January.
      Goldenballs created a huge buzz when he appeared at the Miami Grand Prix last year, while Victoria has been spotted out locally with her pal, Desperate Housewives’ actress Eva Longoria.
      The Beckhams have eaten at hotspots including Makoto, where the Kardashians have been seen, and Zuma Miami, a favourite of rap star Drake and Will Smith.
      But David also enjoys more humble food and regularly stops by Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop, a Cuban eatery where the most expensive dishes are £9.
      Leidys Pla, whose family own the restaurant, told us: “He — has a little coffee — he likes Costa Rican coffee and loves the pork or a Cubano sandwich.
      He’s always very nice and takes pictures with anyone who wants them.Leidys Pla
      “He’s always very nice and takes pictures with anyone who wants them.”
      Her mother Lucia Pla added with a smile: “David Beckham is my friend.”
      But even Becks’ A-list pals have been overshadowed by the arrival of Messi, who is being treated like a deity in the majority Latino city.
      Everyone wanted to be at the game to see the South American maestro, with touts charging as much as £85,000 for tickets.
      Murals celebrating the Argentinian striker have sprung up in countless places, while enterprising businesses are offering Messi-themed sandwiches and even a Messi beer.
      Inter fan Maximiliano Infantino, 46, told The Sun: “It’s a dream to have Messi here. Beckham can really make things happen.
      “Miami doesn’t know what’s going to hit it.
      “You look at the bus stops and all you see are pictures of Messi. It’s going to change everything.” 
      One mural covers an entire side of a seven-floor building and shows two images of Messi painted by a local graffiti artist and touched up by Beckham, who stopped by to paint Messi’s teeth.
      Axel Montano, 30, who was selling T-shirts by the mural, said: “I want to thank David Beckham for bringing Lionel Messi to this city.
      ‘Cocktail for success’
      “They are equals and they understand each other.”
      Convincing the sublime soccer superstar to join the club clearly meant a huge deal to Beckham.
      The ex-England captain, who co-owns the club with Miami businessman Jorge Mas, said: “The moment that Leo went on TV and announced that he was coming to Miami, that was an emotional moment.” 
      He has been pursuing Messi for at least two years. 
      The former Barcelona star is rumoured to be on a basic annual wage of £15million, plus £30million in bonuses, and is also due to get a stake in the team when his contract ends in 2025.
      Messi arrived on a free transfer from Paris St Germain and his earnings will be partly funded by a streaming deal with Apple Plus.
      For us it’s a dream to have Messi here. Beckham can really make things happen.Maximiliano Infantino
      Landing his signature has impressed fellow bosses in the game, including The Apprentice star and West Ham vice-chairman Baroness Karren Brady.
      She told The Sun: “With his boots on, Becks proved that unique technical ability and a tireless work ethic — aided by no shortage of charm and a sharp understanding of his own marketability — was a surefire cocktail for success.
      “In the boardroom he is proving just the same as a football club owner.”
      Anyone who dismissed Beckhams as a footballer-turned-underwear model couldn’t be more wrong.
      He earned £657,000 per week last year, with most of the money coming from his brand, which is licensed to Adidas, Electronic Arts video games, Haig Club whisky, Maserati cars and Tudor watches.
      Those sums could be overshadowed by Inter Miami in the future.
      The club is Beckham’s personal project, after he cut a canny deal when he signed to play football for LA Galaxy 16 years ago.
      With his boots on, Becks proved that unique technical ability and a tireless work ethic — aided by no shortage of charm and a sharp understanding of his own marketability — was a surefire cocktail for success.Karren Brady
      As part of the agreement, Major League Soccer promised Beckham could set up his own football team in the US for less than a quarter of the normal fee demanded by the competition.
      But he has had to overcome objections from locals to various plans for a permanent stadium in the Florida city.
      At the moment, the team plays 30 miles away in Fort Lauderdale’s 21,000-capacity DRV PNK Stadium, which used to be the home of another football team.
      The first Inter Miami home match in 2020 had to be postponed due to Covid restrictions — and Beckham has gone through four managers in four years.
      He displayed a ruthless streak by sacking old England and Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville last month, with the club currently languishing bottom at 15th in the Eastern Conference league. 
      The success of the Apple TV football comedy Ted Lasso and the Disney Plus Welcome To Wrexham documentary — about Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking over other Welsh non-league side — proves there is an appetite for the sport in the US.
      That interest will only increase when the United States, Mexico and Canada co-host the World Cup in three years.

      Baroness Brady adds: “We can all look on with pride as we see one of our greatest national treasures now helping to inspire another generation by sprinkling more stardust in the US.
      “It can only be positive for the future welfare of our beautiful game as the love of it continues to spread across the world.”
      Messi captained Argentina to victory in last summer’s World CupCredit: Reuters
      Beckham goes grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s in MiamiCredit: BackGrid
      Posh and Becks with Marc Anthony and Serena Williams
      The Man United legend with Tom Brady and their respective daughtersCredit: Instagram / @davidbeckham
      Becks with LeBron James at Messi’s Inter Miami debutCredit: Instagram
      David with Leidys Pla at Cuban eatery Enriqueta’s Sandwich ShopCredit: Instagram
      Miami goes mad for Messi with murals appearing on walls
      Another mural of the Argentinian World Cup winner
      Beckham’s luxury liner named Seven after his shirt numberCredit: Mega
      Beckham’s Miami apartment buiding was designed by star architect Zaha Hadid
      Inside the posh pad with stunning viewsCredit: Mega More

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      in Soccer

      My home overlooks my team’s football ground but I’ve shunned club after row with owner got me arrested & banned for LIFE

      by

      FORMER Gillingham FC fan Malcolm Scott thought he had found his dream home when he purchased a terraced house overlooking Priestfield Stadium.It allowed him to watch every match from the comfort of his loft conversion.
      Gillingham fan Malcolm Scott enjoyed watching games from his loft window when he first bought his house by the stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The Medway Stand, which replaced the old Main Stand, is the largest and northernmost of the fourCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      But years later he was not only banned from attending games, he was also arrested following a bitter falling out with the club’s owner Paul Scally.
      At the centre of the dispute was the decision to erect the huge new Medway stand that blocked his view of the pitch, and led to a long-running battle over planning permission.
      For Malcolm, the conflict got so ugly that he stopped supporting his beloved Gills and has taken up gardening instead.
      Pensioner Malcolm, 90, told The Sun – who visited as part of our summer series, Life’s a Pitch, which looks at life next to Britain’s weirdest and most wonderful stadiums: “I moved here 54 years ago because I wanted to go to the games.
      READ MORE LIFE’S A PITCH
      “My wife was less keen and kept asking to move, but I refused because I fell in love with the area.
      “One of the best things was that we could see the pitch from the top room in the loft conversion.
      “My grandson would come round and sit on the roof to watch the games on the weekends.
      “The view was fantastic and you could see everything – until they built the new stand.
      Most read in Football
      Priestfield Stadium is surrounded by Victorian housingCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Locals say the temporary stand is an eyesore as people dump rubbish next to it all the timeCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      “Residents including myself objected because we did not like the way they were doing it.
      “We raised a number of issues with the council and it was the way the club treated us that got us so upset.
      “There was no respect and Scally even put a new nightclub in there. He claimed it was a social club, but people were coming out of there at 1am.
      “One day there was a meeting about the new stand and Scally threw me out after I said a few things.
      I didn’t know anything about his car being scratched but someone accused me and about a year later the police arrested me. There was no evidence so they had to let me go, but it was horrendousMalcolm Scott
      “Later that night, someone scratched his car while it was parked on double yellow lines.
      “I didn’t know anything about it but someone accused me and about a year later the police arrested me.
      “There was no evidence so they had to let me go, but it was horrendous.
      “I was also given a lifetime ban by the club and I stopped supporting them after that.
      “My son-in-law still goes to games, but I’ve lost interest.”
      Malcolm’s wife Margaret raised their four children in the same house, which is a 10-minute walk from Gillingham train station in Kent.
      Local resident Ted Turner has also clashed with former Millwall fan ScallyCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Fans walk past residential homes to access the stadium entranceCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      She has a different take on the decision to demolish the old main stand in 1999, which included a section housing away fans.
      She grimaces when she recalls how the previous low-rise structure would provide an unobstructed view of their garden.
      Margaret, 86, said: “The away fans used to call to me when I was outside, singing ‘We can see you!’
      “They would wolf-whistle at my daughters when they were in the garden.
      The away fans used to call to me when I was outside, singing ‘We can see you!’ They would wolf-whistle at my daughters when they were in the gardenMargaret Scott
      “We didn’t think anything of it as it was just banter and I don’t have any problems now.
      “I have double glazed windows, so I don’t hear all the noise during games.”
      Father-of-seven Scally, 66, has become a controversial figure since taking over the club in 1995.
      For some he is the saviour that rescued Gillingham FC from bankruptcy and kick-started an era of unprecedented success.
      For others he is a bully who threw his weight around and threatened the identity of the club.
      Paul Scally has become a controversial figure since taking over the club in 1995Credit: Rex
      The Brian Moore stand became an embarrassment for locals and a sore point for away fansCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The London-born businessman, who made his fortune through the Metronote photocopier company, took on debts of up to £2million when he snapped up Gillingham FC for just £1.
      The club was about to be expelled from the Football League but he saved it from being liquidated and closed down.
      Scally’s shrewd managerial appointments – bringing in first Tony Pulis before he was sacked and then Peter Taylor, who went on to manage Leicester City – paved the way for glory on the pitch.
      His tenure has overseen three promotions, three Wembley play-off finals and four FA Cup victories over top division opponents.
      The Gills also achieved their highest league finish of 11th in the Championship during the 2002/03 season.
      Three stands including the Medway were demolished and rebuilt between 1995 and 2000, while a fourth called Town End was knocked down as part of a redevelopment in 2003.
      Malcolm says the social club turned into a night clubCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Clay Bell, 61, also lives near the stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      A temporary stand named after legendary footie commentator Brian Moore was erected the same year.
      However, the scaffolding-like structure remains in place today despite the fact it has reportedly been damaged by years of exposure to the elements.
      Rebuilding was supposed to take place in 2004 but financial issues and Scally’s fiercely contested proposal to move the club to a different part of Kent put the plans on hold.
      Reporters with the Kent Messenger Group and Alan Liptrott, chairman of the Gills Independent Supporters Club, were all banned from attending games for a time after criticising the chairman.
      In the meantime, the Brian Moore stand became an embarrassment for locals and a sore point for away fans forced to stand out in the pouring rain.
      Retired BP refinery worker Ted Towner, 78, is another resident that has clashed with former Millwall fan Scally.
      He said: “No one likes him because he doesn’t listen.
      Gillingham FC was relegated from League One in 2022Credit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Gills fan Rick Turner is much more upbeat about the clubCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      “I fought him as part of the residents association and he doesn’t like people criticising him. 
      “I only met him at the meetings and I can tell you, he always has to get his own way.
      “The temporary stand is an embarrassment for us and it is also an eyesore as people dump rubbish next to it all the time. I don’t know how they’ve gotten away with it for so many years.”
      Gills fan Rick Turner is much more upbeat about the club, despite the fact they were relegated from League One in 2022.
      He has been a supporter since the 1960s and continued watching games even after a new £2m Gordon Road Stand was erected opposite his house in 1997.
      Father-of-three Rick, 69, said: “I’ve lived here for 30 years and at one point, for about two seasons, you could see the entire pitch from my top bedroom.
      I’ve lived here for 30 years and at one point, for about two seasons, you could see the entire pitch from my top bedroomRick Turner, local resident
      “It was fantastic and saved me about £150 a year on a season ticket.
      “The atmosphere wasn’t as good at home, but the kids would have their friends over and my eldest became a big Gills fan.
      “Supporting this club has its ups and downs but I absolutely love it.
      “I used to follow the Premier League. I lost interest as it’s all about money now, while players at my club actually care about the fans.”
      Gillingham FC is now owned by American property tycoon Brad Galinson and his wife Shannon.
      They are promising to revive the club just like Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have turned things around at Wrexham FC in Wales.
      Last year the couple purchased a majority share from Scally, who is now based in Dubai and retains a minority share.
      Liz Shearer welcomes the new investorsCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Last year it was reported that Scally was subjected to intense harassment following the club’s relegation. He took an enforced break from club duty after some fans trespassed on his property, damaged his car and intimidated his family.
      He said the group of fans in question had “crossed a line” with their “relentless and personal” abuse.
      Scally told talkSPORT’s Jim White in an interview: “I’ve fallen out of love with Gillingham and I’ve fallen out of love with football and that’s why I’ve decided that I need to take this break and step away to try and get my life back a bit and try to get some normality back in my life for me and my family.”
      Liz Shearer’s home backs on to the Rainham End stand and she is excited by the prospect of the Gills playing Wrexham in League Two this season.
      Mum-of-one Liz, 50, said: “I think Scally did well for us until the money ran out – and the future is bright now we’ve got new investors.  
      “The Galinsons have worked wonders already and every match is going to be a sell-out next season, especially the one against Wrexham.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I want to say to Ryan Reynolds, if he is reading this, that he is very welcome to pop over for a cup of tea.”
      The Sun reached out to Paul Scally for comment.
      Gillingham FC is now owned by American property tycoon Brad Galinson and his wife ShannonCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The £2m Gordon Road Stand was erected in 1997Credit: JOHN McLELLAN More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside F1’s most outrageous driver Daniel Ricciardo’s lavish life with stunning girlfriend ahead of Hungarian GP return

      by

      DANIEL Ricciardo is Formula 1’s most entertaining star – and his rollercoaster career hasn’t been short of drama either.While the Aussie racer has won eight Grand Prixs, last August he hit a career low, getting ditched by McLaren and failing to secure a seat for the 2023 season.
      Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has joined AlphaTauri for the remainder of the 2023 season and is set to make his comeback at the Hungarian GPCredit: Getty
      Away from the race track, Ricciardo lives a very luxurious lifestyle with glam girlfriend Heidi BergerCredit: danielricciardo/instagram
      However, this weekend the 34-year-old is set to make a sensational F1 return with AlphaTauri at this weekend’s Hungarian GP, having filled Nyck de Vries’ spot for the remainder of the season.
      Away from the grid he’s one of the most popular professionals in the sport – regularly pictured larking about with the likes of former team mates Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, and new team mate Yuki Tsunoda.
      No doubt fans will be thrilled to see Daniel – nicknamed the Honey Badger – back, especially with glamorous girlfriend Heidi Berger in tow.
      And despite his dip in form, some reports suggest Ricciardo is still worth an impressive £38million – which means he’s been able to maintain a very luxurious lifestyle while away.
      READ MORE F1
      Here, we take a closer look inside Daniel’s lavish life away from the grid, including a £15million property portfolio and a very, very impressive multi-million pound private car collection.
      Love in the fast lane
      When Daniel was dropped by his team last year, at least he could rely on the support of his super stunning girlfriend, Heidi, 26.
      She already knows a thing or two about the F1 life too, as her Austrian father Gerhard Berger is a retired driver, who competed for 14 seasons.
      Speaking last year on the Fitzy & Wippa podcast when asked if he was in love, Daniel said: “Yeah mate, I’m in love, I got a good thing going, so yeah. I’ve got a good balance in life right now.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “I think love eliminates stress, yeah absolutely.”
      Actress Heidi, who studied at New York University, has posted plenty of photos from the track presumably supporting her beau, and while the couple are incredibly private, they went public with their romance last August.
      They were spotted enjoying a getaway to Venice in May, and also shared a special intimate moment from the romantic holiday on social media last month, showing they’re still very much loved-up.
      Heidi is an aspiring actress, and the daughter of former F1 driver Gerhard BergerCredit: instagram.com/heidiberger
      Heidi has been a huge support for her beauCredit: heidiberger_/instagram
      Daniel Ricciardo and his girlfriend Heidi Berger have been able to spend more time together latelyCredit: BackGrid
      £15m property empire
      Regardless of form, a career in F1 can be short-lived, so Ricciardo has already made the sensible move into property investment, and boasts a staggering £15million portfolio already.
      He owns a one-bedroom pied-à-terre in Monte Carlo, which is home to plenty of other drivers including Max Verstappen and Charles LeClerc.
      Speaking about the Monaco Grand Prix, Ricciardo said: “It feels like a real racetrack, and I’m not thinking ‘there’s a cafe I eat at’ or ‘there’s a street I ride my Vespa down’ or whatever.
      “You wake up in your own bed, kick around your apartment and then start the journey to work.” 
      Not forgetting his roots, Daniel also has an impressive abode in his native Perth, Australia, which is said to have an underground garage (of course) and pool.
      Even more impressively, he also snapped up a stunning five-bed, five bath mansion in Los Angeles in 2018.
      Daniel Ricciardo’s LA home is where he enjoys spending time during summer breaks in particularCredit: Realtor.com
      The driver loves the US, and owns a home in LACredit: Realtor.com
      His mansion boasts an outdoor pool, five bedrooms and five bathroomsCredit: Realtor.com
      As a result he is said to enjoy spending most of the summer in LA, telling the West Australian: “The weather, having the beaches close by, I feel like you can escape the madness of it all.” 
      He paid a whopping £10million for the modernised 1960s Beverly Hills home, which also has an outdoor pool and a two-door garage for his luxury cars.
      Multi-million pound private car collection
      Unsurprisingly given their need to impress on the race track, F1 drivers are also known to boast very impressive private car collections – and Ricciardo is no exception.
      Speaking about his passion for motors to Top Gear, he said: “I am fascinated by some modern cars and how close they can be to a race car.
      “If I accelerate away from a set of traffic lights in a quick car, sure it feels fast, but I’m not exactly high-fiving my mate in the passenger seat.
      “That’s why I’m starting to warm towards the older stuff. It’s completely different. The H-pattern gearboxes, the vibrations and all that – I appreciate that.”
      Unsurprisingly, Ricciardo boasts a very impressive private car collectionCredit: gopro
      The racing pro’s motors are thought to be worth millionsCredit: danielricciardo/instagram
      He often drives a McLaren 720S, said to be worth around £215,000, and when he’s back in Australia, he cruises around his hometown in a Toyota HiLux – his first car and a gift from his parents.
      He also owns an Aston Martin Valkyrie, reportedly worth a whopping £2.5million, a Porsche 918 Spyder and a Porsche GT3 RS.
      Luxury holidays
      For work Daniel obviously has to travel the world, but when he’s not racing he also enjoys the finer things in life and visiting exotic locations.
      Last year he went Instagram official with Heidi while holidaying in the US, where they enjoyed hiking in the mountains and horse riding, and earlier this year they were pictured looking loved up in Venice.
      Previously he’s been seen living it up onboard a yacht in the Mediterranean, and earlier this year he was spotted partying in Las Vegas.
      And it seems Ricciardo made the most of his break away from the track, recently writing in a LinkedIn post: “This is the first year in as long as I can remember that my goals aren’t going to be 100 per cent about racing and competing.”
      Either way, it seems he was always destined for this career, saying: “Two, three years old, I’ve got faint memories of being at the track, putting the earmuffs on and that was like the first kind of attraction where I was kind of like scared by the noise.
      Read More on The Sun
      “But I also loved it, because I knew that represented like the speed and there was excitement that was with that.”
      Daniel and girlfriend Heidi recently enjoyed a loved-up getaway to Venice togetherCredit: heidiberger_/instagram
      In between racing, Ricciardo makes the most of the breaksCredit: danielricciardo/instagram More

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      in Soccer

      Ultimate Women’s World Cup rich list – highest-paid Lionesses star to Chelsea striker who bagged FIFA video game deal

      by

      ENGLAND’S roaring Lionesses captured the heart of the nation on their way to victory at the Euros last year.But while they will be hoping to go one better at the Women’s World Cup this summer, they face stiff competition from the likes of the USA, Spain, Germany and France.
      Chloe Kelly and the team pulled in huge crowds to their games in the UK for the Women’s EurosCredit: Getty
      Marta is often considered the greatest female footballer of all timeCredit: Getty
      In the money leagues, top stars like Marta and Megan Rapinoe may earn just a fraction of their equivalents in the men’s game.
      However, the best players can still earn hundreds of thousands a year – boosted by sponsorship deals and lucrative side projects.
      Here, we reveal some of the highest earners who will be dazzling in Australia and New Zealand over the coming weeks.
      Marta
      Brazilian Marta, 37, is often regarded as the best female footballer ever, so it’s no surprise she can command one of the highest salaries.
      READ MORE ON RICH LISTS
      The forward reportedly earns £311,000 a year at Orlando Pride, topped up by sponsorship deals with the likes of LATAM Airlines, Avon Brasil, shampoo brand Clear and pharmaceutical company Neo Quimica.
      In some of her campaigns for Clear, she has appeared with Cristiano Ronaldo. She has also had deals with Coca-Cola and Puma.
      Marta is Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer, with a record 17 World Cup goals, and has been named FIFA’s World Player of the Year five consecutive times.
      Wendie Renard
      Wendie has captained the French national team for ten yearsCredit: Getty
      French centre back Wendie, 33, has been the captain of the French women’s team for ten years.
      Most read in Football
      As the skipper of Lyon at club level, she is one of the most decorated players in modern times, with an astonishing 15 French league titles and eight European Cups to her name.
      It’s no surprise then that she’s on a reported £298,000-a-year salary.
      One of her sponsors is Adidas and she was previously an ambassador for MasterCard alongside England’s Alex Scott, too.
      Earlier this year, she told fans she was pulling out of what will be her third World Cup.
      She said in a statement: “It is a sad day, but necessary to preserve my mental health. It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step back from the French team.”
      However, after returning to the French team for friendlies against Colombia and Canada in April, she will be wearing the armband once more this tournament.
      Megan Rapinoe
      Megan has gained a huge profile for her footwork on the pitch and activism off itCredit: Getty
      Megan’s famous celebration against France at the last World CupCredit: AFP
      With her signature bleached hair and even more dazzling footwork, USA winger Megan is one of the most instantly recognisable female footballers in the world.
      At the last World Cup in 2019, her celebration against France – in which she saluted the crowd with outstretched arms – became an instant meme and even went on to be added into the FIFA video game.
      The athlete, 38, is thought to take home a salary of £348,000 from OL Reign and, according to Celebrity Net Worth, has a fortune of £3.9million.
      She tops this up with sponsorship deals and cover interviews, having appeared on the front page of Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire, and InStyle.
      Her brands deals include luxury fashion brand Loewe, Nike and Samsung.
      Alex Morgan
      Alex Morgan has topped up her earnings by writing a children’s book seriesCredit: Getty
      Her tea-sipping celebration has gone down in World Cup folkloreCredit: Rex Features
      England fans will remember USA striker Alex for her now infamous tea-drinking celebration, after scoring the winner against the Lionesses at the last World Cup.
      The San Diego Wave FC captain – who CNW estimates has a fortune of £2.3million – has played in 217 international matches and made a short-lived move to Tottenham back in 2020.
      Away from the pitch, the 34-year-old has published The Kicks, a four-book series for school children and even appeared in a music video for Maroon 5’s song “Girls Like You”, which features Cardi B.
      Her long list of sponsorship deals include Nike, Panasonic, AT&T, Chobani, McDonald’s, P&G, Mondelez International, and Coca-Cola.
      She is married to Servando Carrasco, also a football player, and they have one child together, three-year-old Charlie.
      Lucy Bronze
      Lucy is thought to be one of the UK’s wealthiest female footballersCredit: Getty
      British Lucy, 31, is one of the wealthiest Lionesses and is thought to take home around £200,000 a year for FC Barcelona.
      The right-back has played for the England team since 2013 and has also represented the country in the Olympics. She tops up her earnings with deals from Pepsi, EE, Klarna, and Visa.
      Lucy is believed to be the top-earning England player, but along with other Lionesses has slammed the FA’s decision not to pay players extra money on top of the funds dished out by FIFA this tournament.
      Speaking about it, she said: “We want to keep pushing our own standards, but also our federations’ standards, the FIFA and UEFA standards. It isn’t just about the numbers. It is the principle of what we want to improve in women’s football.
      “There is always another step the game can take. Whether that is commercial, on the pitch or off the pitch, whether it is performance based or not. It is about being rewarded for what we have done – we are the European Champions.”
      Sam Kerr
      Sam has a $1million deal with Nike among other lucrative dealsCredit: Getty
      Goal-machine Sam, 29, is believed to take home a salary of £400,000 a year at Chelsea, who she has just helped to another Women’s Super League title.
      The Australian captains her national team and will be hoping to take them all the way as the hosts.
      Her 13-year deal with Nike is thought to be worth $1million. She was also the first female player to appear on the cover of the FIFA video game.
      Sam also has sponsorship deals with luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen, Australian bank CommBank, and EA Sports.
      Chloe Kelly
      Chloe won legions of fans for her last minute goal at the EurosCredit: Getty
      England’s super-sub Chloe, 25, secured her place in the history books at last year’s Euros with her winning goal against Germany.
      It is not known how much her Man City contract is worth, but the club’s average salary for female players is thought to be around £75,000 a year.
      However, off the back of her legendary goal – and celebration – last year, Chloe remains one of England’s most marketable stars.
      The Mail on Sunday reported that she was set to sign a deal with Land Rover worth up to £2 million.
      A spokesperson for Chloe told the paper: “I can’t comment on her business dealings but… she is in demand.”
      Read More on The Sun
      She has also worked with Nike, KFC and last month appeared in a Calvin Klein ad alongside Alex Morgan. More

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      Meet the ‘BAPs’ cheering on England’s Lionesses as World Cup kicks off – including German keeper who beat cancer twice

      by

      ENGLAND’S Lionesses kick off their World Cup bid on Saturday with an opening match against Haiti.The European champions will be looking to do the double and take home football’s biggest prize.
      England players Hannah Hampton, Georgia Stanway, Katie Zelem, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Bethany England, Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hem pose for a photo during a training session in Brisbane this weekCredit: Getty
      Some big names are missing from the team – notably captain Leah Williamson, who was ruled out of the tournament in April after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
      Her Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead has the same injury, while Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby underwent knee surgery.
      But it’s paved the way for some new faces – and their loved ones will be spurring them on along with the rest of the nation.
      Here we take a look at the BAPs – that’s boyfriends and partners – cheering on Sarina Wiegman’s squad as the competition in Brisbane, Australia gets underway.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      Chloe Kelly
      Chloe Kelly is dating Scott MooreCredit: Instagram/@chloekelly
      Chloe, 25, from Hanwell, west London was hailed a hero when she scored the winning goal in the 110th minute in the Euros final against Germany, after coming off the bench.
      The Manchester City forward – who recently posed in her underwear for a stunning Calvin Klein ad – is dating Scott Moore, a greenkeeper at a golf club.
      The couple – often seen in loved-up snaps on Instagram – have been together for four years and share a cute cockapoo called Otis.
      After England’s Euros victory Scott was seen wearing an England shirt with his girlfriend’s name emblazoned on the back.
      Most read in Football
      Ella Toone
      Ella and her boyfriend Joe Bunney are both footballersCredit: Instagram/@joebunney
      Awkwardly for Man Utd player Ella, 23, her proud boyfriend Joe Bunney, 29, is a devoted City fan.
      But he’s his girlfriend’s “biggest cheerleader”, with a source previously telling The Sun: “Ella and Joe are very much in love and have been together for a while now.
      “They are both from Manchester and have mutual friends who introduced them. Those who know them think they are the perfect pairing.”
      Joe, who has two children from a previous relationship, is also a footballer, having played for EFL clubs including Bolton, Northampton Town and then-League side Rochdale. He currently plays for Stalybridge Celtic.
      Millie Bright
      Millie and Levi have been together for over three yearsCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea defender and England captain Millie, 29, is currently dating American performance-enhancing coach Levi Crew.
      The couple went ‘Instagram official’ with their relationship in October 2020, with Millie calling Levi her “rock and best buddy”.
      She upgraded him to her “king” in a message marking his 30th birthday in 2021.
      It’s not known how they met, but Millie often shares romantic snaps of them holidaying together – and recently posted an Instagram tribute praising his coaching skills.
      Alex Greenwood
      Alex is dating childhood sweetheart Jack O’ConnellCredit: @jackoconnell22
      Man City fullback Alex, 29, is known as the glamour puss of the Lionesses, who’s “very big into her heels, her dresses and her eyelashes” according to teammate Jordan Nobbs.
      She is dating fellow footballer Jack O’Connell, 32, who plays for Sheffield united.  
      The couple both grew up in Merseyside and are childhood sweethearts, having met at Savio Salesian College in Bootle.
      Bethany England
      Beth England and girlfriend Stephanie Williams, with their poochesCredit: Instagram/@bethanyengland4
      As classic example of nominative determinism, Beth England, 29, worked night shifts in a chippy while playing semi-pro before hitting the big time with Chelsea and getting a call up to the national squad.
      She now plays as a forward for Tottenham Hotspur and is in a relationship with footballer Stephanie Williams, 30.
      The pair are believed to have met through the beautiful game and recently enjoyed a luxurious cruise holiday together.
      Though Stephanie does have to share Beth with their beloved pair of Golden Retrievers – Buddy and Dilys.
      Jess Carter
      Jess Carter is dating German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin BergerCredit: Getty
      Chelsea player Jess, 25, has been in a relationship with her teammate Ann-Katrin Berger since 2017, after meeting when she joined Birmingham City in 2016.
      When they met for the first time, Ann-Katrin, 32 – the national goalkeeper for Germany – admitted: “I thought she was arrogant, but as I got to know her, I became drawn into her character.”
      The glam pair, who live together in London, recently posed on the green carpet together at the FIFA Football Awards.
      Ann-Katrin – who beat cancer twice – is also heading to the World Cup, meaning the two women could face each other.
      But it’s likely to cause no drama between them, with Jess telling The Guardian last year: “There wasn’t really any direct competition [during the Euros] because we are both really chilled people.”
      Georgia Stanway
      Georgia is believed to be dating a rugby player, Olly Ashall-BottCredit: Instagram
      Georgia, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, is believed to be in a long-term relationship with rugby league player Olly Ashall-Bott.
      With Olly, 25, playing in France for Toulouse Olympique, the couple are used to long-distance – but he was there to cheer her on at Wembley when England lifted the Euros trophy.
      He wore an England shirt with her name on the back and said afterwards: “I’m just so glad that I got the chance to go see her.
      “I hadn’t caught an England game before because our fixtures didn’t align… I was buzzing and so happy for her and the team.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It sounds weird but it feels like I played in it myself. Because we’re so close, I think I got the same feeling as her – maybe not quite as much but I still feel like I won as well. And sharing moments like that with her is just incredible for me.”
      The couple, who have a house in Widnes, Cheshire, both enjoy fishing in their spare time and share a chocolate brown cockapoo. More

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      Kalvin Phillips reveals why having a dad in and out of prison drove him on to Premier League glory with Man City

      by

      FOOTBALLER KALVIN Phillips has just had the most important year of his career, with a £46million move to Manchester City, playing for England in the World Cup and a treble-winning season.But he knows the odds were stacked against him becoming a superstar due to a poverty-stricken childhood with his dad in prison.
      Kalvin Phillips tells how his upbringing has driven him to strive for successCredit: Getty
      Kalvin’s dad Mark has been in and out of prison throughout his life and is currently serving a 12-year sentenceCredit: Prime Video / NEO Studios
      A new Amazon Prime documentary will see Kalvin talk about growing up on a deprived council estateCredit: Instagram
      Mark Phillips, who has been in and out of jail throughout Kalvin’s life for offences involving violence and drugs, is currently serving a 12-year sentence.
      He has missed his son’s meteoric rise from teen academy player to Premier League and England glory.
      Now the former Leeds midfielder has revealed in new Amazon Prime documentary Kalvin Phillips: The Road To City how life on a deprived estate as the eldest of four kids made him determined to succeed.
      Kalvin, 27, says: “My drive is probably from not having a father figure there.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      “I’ve always wanted to make my mum proud.
      “Dad was in and out of prison.
      “It affected our relationship because we didn’t see him all the time.
      ‘I want to have a better relationship with him’
      “When he went away we knew he wasn’t coming back for a while, which was the worst thing.”
      Most read in Football
      Kalvin was born a triplet, although one of the two girls died.
      A 40ft mural of Kalvin appeared in Leeds city centre in 2020Credit: PA
      After his transfer to Man City, Kalvin moved into a plush penthouse apartment with childhood sweetheart Ashleigh BehanCredit: Instagram
      Kalvin speaks about how his dad missed his meteoric rise to Premier League and England gloryCredit: Getty
      Mum Lindsay Crosby, who went on to have another daughter and a younger son, held down two jobs to make ends meet.
      She worked in a cash-and-carry from 9am to 3pm, going home to cook dinner for the four children, then putting in a shift at a pizza takeaway from 7pm to midnight.
      Lindsay also did her best to protect the children from the truth about their dad.
      In the documentary, she explains: “I tried to hide a lot of things from the kids because I didn’t want them to think that this was OK.
      “I used to say he’d gone to work because I didn’t want them to think it was normal to behave like that.”
      The footballer visits the house in Armley, Leeds, where he lived until he was 21, and the pitch where he played for his first team, Wortley, from the age of eight until he was signed to Leeds Academy at 14.
      Best pal Liam Duggan recalls Kalvin’s dad supporting his team between stretches inside.
      He says: “He’d be on the touchline, smoking weed and shouting different things.
      “Kalvin respected his dad a lot.
      “He was the alpha figure and when he wasn’t there, Kalvin took that kind of role.”
      Kalvin rose through the academy ranks and was signed to Leeds United at 19, making his professional debut in 2015 and going on to become one of the club’s most accomplished players.
      In 2020, a 40ft mural of the player, painted by street artist Akse P19, appeared in Leeds city centre.
      “It’s emotional seeing that big mural of his face as you drive through town,” says sister Jade Charlton.
      “It’s crazy. It fills me with pride.”
      While in jail, Mark followed his son’s career with pride and the pair spoke over the phone every couple of weeks.
      Kalvin recalled in an interview with The Times in 2020: “He rang me a couple of weeks after we’d been promoted and said, ‘Listen to this’.
      “All the people who were waiting for a phone call in prison were there, all singing (Leeds anthem) Marching On Together, banging on the walls. It was mad.”
      But as Kalvin honed his footballing skills, he did not reveal to his team-mates that his dad was locked up in Wealstun Prison, just yards from the Leeds training ground.
      Revealing he hasn’t seen his father for seven years, he said: “It was strange, because every time I drove past it I would think about him.
      “When I was young I didn’t want to talk about it but now it’s like, ‘Yeah, my dad’s in prison’. It’s not that big a deal.”
      After his transfer to Manchester City, Kalvin moved in to a plush penthouse apartment overlooking the club’s Etihad Stadium with childhood sweetheart Ashleigh Behan.
      He says in the documentary: “I never thought I’d be so lucky as to live in a house like this, especially if you compare them to where I lived when I was younger.”
      But the programme shows how he dislocates his shoulder 30 minutes into his first game for City — and during his seven-week recovery, thoughts turn to his dad.
      He says: “He’s been in for so long.
      “I don’t want him to think he’s got nowt when he comes out, when obviously we’ve done so well and I’ve done so well.
      “When my dad comes out I just want to try and have a better relationship with him so he doesn’t feel like he’s missed out.”
      Kalvin reveals his guilt at not visiting Mark in prison for seven years.
      He says: “I could have done more to see my dad but I’m very busy and, to be fair, he has said he doesn’t like us to visit him because he doesn’t like us to see him in prison and he doesn’t want us to be in the environment.
      ‘My nan is the only reason why I’m here’
      “Obviously he’s made some wrong decisions but I don’t judge him for them because I’ve heard about the upbringing he had, and it was tough.
      “When he was younger my dad was racially abused all the time — he’s told me that himself.”
      Kalvin also talks about his beloved ‘Granny Val’ who helped raise him and his three siblingsCredit: Instagram
      The £8million-a-year Manchester City star also visits the grave of his beloved “Granny Val”, who helped raise him and his three siblings.
      She died two years ago from Covid and the family were not allowed to visit her in hospital in person because of lockdown, though they made video calls.
      Kalvin says: “I miss my nan every day.
      “I owe Granny Val probably everything that I’ve got right now.
      “I remember her being in hospital and struggling to breathe and we were saying, ‘we love you’.
      “Everyone was very emotional on that call.
      “We knew that was the last time we’d see our gran’s face.
      “If I could give away all my money to spend another hour with her, I would do that.
      “She’s the only reason why I’m here.”
      Throughout the hour-long special, filmed over a year, Kalvin comes across as down-to-earth as he chats to fans and poses with them for selfies outside the Etihad Stadium.
      He says: “I was a very shy kid but if I asked anyone for an autograph, even if they said no, I was starstruck.
      “So if anyone asks me I will go out of my way to sign an autograph or pose for a photo because I remember what it was like to be that kid.”
      In a telling moment, Kalvin returns to his home turf of Elland Road in Leeds, shortly after being labelled “overweight” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and left out of December’s Carabao Cup game against Liverpool.
      He is taunted by fans chanting: “You’re too fat to play for Leeds.”
      But while many Premier League players might have reacted badly to the slur, cheeky Kalvin smiles and applauds the crowd for their jibes.
      Childhood friend Liam insists fame and fortune have not turned his head.
      He says: “Kalvin’s got amazing talent and he’s come from nothing.
      “He’s worked for what he’s got and he’s never changed.
      “That’s a great example for kids that are wanting to follow in his footsteps.”
      After a rocky start at City, rumours are rife that he could be moving on again before next season, possibly to replace Declan Rice following his move from West Ham to Arsenal.
      Yet wherever he is playing in two years’ time, he’ll be looking out for a very special spectator in the crowd.
      The documentary culminates with Kalvin visiting his dad in prison for the first time in seven years — and he is keen to make up for lost time when Mark is released.
      Kalvin says: “He’s only got two more years in the prison and he’s told me exactly what he wants to do when he gets out, which is to come and watch football, and that’s one thing I can help him do.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It will be nice because I’ve not had him there for such a long time.”

      Kalvin Phillips: The Road To City is available on Amazon Prime from tomorrow More

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      in Soccer

      Lionesses winning Euros last summer was wonderful – here’s three reasons why we should roar them on again at World Cup

      by

      IF I tell you I have a hunch about a sporting event, then have a hunch of your own that the opposite will happen. I have a terrible track record with these things.But last year I got something right.
      Alessia Russo’s stunning surprise backheel against Sweden in the semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Ace Chloe Kelly celebrates her winnerCredit: PA
      The Lionesses gatecrash the press conference and partyCredit: Getty
      I wrote in The Sun that England’s women would win the Euros.
      And they did. Thrillingly, miraculously, brilliantly, inspiringly . . . they only went and did it.
      There were a trio of Three Lionesses moments which are right up there with anything our men have done. Moments which changed everything.
      Oh the joy of Russo’s backheel in the semi-final.
      Read More on Football
      Very occasionally a player will do something which no one sees coming. They sell a dummy which everyone buys.
      Their teammates, their opponents, the commentators, the cameras, the crowd and the TV audience all look for the ball to go one way, but it goes ­somewhere else.
      No matter how many times you watch it back, Alessia Russo’s backheel takes you by surprise.
      This was the moment even the most cynical, not-for-me women’s football refusenik went “Oof! Wow! OK.”
      Most read in Football
      Then there was Chloe Kelly’s winner in the final. By then we were so into it.
      Earlier, as we became true believers, it dawned on us that while everything was different, it could all yet turn out the same.
      Same old England, sure to lose in the end, to Germany, inevitably.
      But no! Into the net went the ball and over her head came Chloe’s shirt. Iconic.
      This was the moment we knew the Lionesses were different.
      They were winners. And we all felt like winners too.
      And then there was the invasion of the press ­conference.
      The all-singing, all-dancing, conga of ­mischief and joy.
      This was the moment we were reminded that, at its great beating heart, football is actually about, you know, having fun.
      Total ­uninhibited happiness.
      Great, great times.
      And this week we go again.
      Conga of ­mischief and joy
      It’s going to be harder this time.
      Not just because it’s the World Cup, nor because it’s happening a world away in a land down under.
      No, it’s because now England expects.
      Success creates its own pressure.
      And this means they need us to get behind them more than ever before.
      They gave us something wonderful last summer and now, in a sense, we need to give them something back.
      Someone once said that success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.
      True that. We need to demonstrate that we’ve not been fairweather friends to our Lionesses.
      We need to be with them all the way.
      We can’t bide our time and wait for a moment of glory to be within our grasp.
      They need us right behind them from the off. They need us now.
      Shirt-shedding
      And it’s not just about the World Cup either.
      Last week Karen Carney, former Lioness midfielder and chair of a major review into the women’s game, published her report.
      It’s not a back-patting, look-how-far-we’ve-come exercise.
      It’s much more important than that.
      Her call is for the top two tiers of women’s football to be made fully professional; for a new regular broadcast slot on television; for better investment, better facilities, higher standards all around.
      This isn’t romantic stuff about backheels, shirt-shedding or crazy congas.
      This is the gritty, tricky, challenging stuff needing to be done to get more girls playing, and more women winning, in the environments they’ve earned the right to enjoy.
      There’s 126 pages to this report, and it’s well worth a read, but Karen sums it up rather neatly for us in just a few words.
      “Nothing can take away from our great achievements,” she says.
      “But it is like Instagram vs reality, and the latter is worrying and we need to address it.”
      She’s right. The Instagram posts tell a story of shiny new success with money to match.
      The reality is huge areas of the women’s game underfunded and underloved. The poor relation.
      The seeds of failure are often sown in times of success.
      Power is in our hands
      It would be all too easy for us to say, “Oh yeah, women’s football. Love it! I get it! We’re brilliant! Job done!”
      Never mind the facilities, let’s just admire that backheel again.
      Even if the Lionesses win the World Cup and conga all the way home with the trophy, the gap between Instagram and reality won’t be closed.
      If anything, it will be wider. The ­Instagrams will look even glossier, and the reality will change barely a jot.
      A massive opportunity could go ­begging, and that would be a dreadful thing.
      So what, you might ask, can we, the fans, do to close Karen’s Instagram vs reality gap?
      Well, much of it, to do with finance and administration and business planning, we have no direct control of.
      But the power is still in our hands.
      Because if we carry on seeing the power and potential of the women’s game, and stick with it, and demand ­better, all the good stuff will follow.
      Read More on The Sun
      More than ever before, at this World Cup and way beyond, everyone from the Lionesses to the little girl in the park wanting a kickabout, need our backing.
      Let’s do this. More

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      in Soccer

      I live next to world’s oldest football stadium – there are crazy benefits but I often get soaked when I sit in my garden

      by

      IT is thought to be the oldest professional football ground in the world.And residents living next to Mansfield Town’s One Call Stadium are having a ball – even if it means one occasionally lands in their garden.
      Mandy Colley, 49, whose house is next to the away supporters stand of Mansfield Town’s football groundCredit: Raymonds Press
      One Call Stadium – known by fans as the Field Mill – is thought to be the oldest professional football ground in the world
      In the heart of the Nottinghamshire town’s former mining community, the historic ground – formerly known as the Field Mill and dating back as far as 1850 – is slapped bang in the middle of tightly-packed Victorian housing.
      It means that on match days, locals can hear 6,000 fans celebrating a goal from their back yard – and face the double threat of rogue balls and water from the pitch sprinklers ruining sunbathing sessions.

      But there are also unique benefits, including free match tickets in seasons past and the annual spectacle of a dazzling fireworks display.
      As part of our summer series, Life’s a Pitch, which looks at life next to Britain’s weirdest and most wonderful stadiums, we took a trip down to the League Two side’s home turf.
      Read More in Sport
      Tracey Anne Pepper, 56, lives on Lord Street, where houses back on to one side of the One Call.
      The resident of 30 years says: “I absolutely love living here. We are quite lucky because although we are right next to the ground, we don’t get big crowds of people walking up here.
      “But on most match days you will get a handful of away fans wandering around looking a bit lost as they think they will be able to get in.
      “It’s also fun when balls come over during a match. They bounce down the road and people have been known to grab them before anyone comes around to collect them then pretend they didn’t see anything.
      Most read in Football
      Tracey Anne Pepper, 56, says you used to get a free match ticket if a ball landed in your gardenCredit: Raymonds Press
      The 6,000 seater ground overlooks Victorian terracesCredit: Raymonds Press
      “In the past you used to get a free match ticket if you handed back a match ball, but that ended a while ago.
      “But the best thing is probably the atmosphere. If you are a Mansfield fan like me it’s great when you hear a goal go in. The roar is so loud and it really lifts you. You don’t even need to check on your phone or the radio if there has been a goal.”
      Last season Mansfield Town finished eighth in League Two, narrowly missing the play-offs, which would have given them the chance of getting promoted.
      The Stags’ only cup win came when they lifted the English Football League trophy back in 1987, but their loyal fanbase has stuck with them through thick and thin, with a record 5,000 season tickets sold ahead of the upcoming season.
      ‘Like it’s raining’
      Mandy Connolly, 49, lives right next to the ground, and her back garden is just 30 yards from the away stand, with just a fence separating them.
      She’s so close that the pitch sprinklers reach her garden – ruining sunbathing sessions.
      Mandy said: “If you’re not into football, I can see that it might be a bit annoying. But I like it – although I am a Leicester City fan, not Mansfield – so I find living here really interesting.
      “There are loads of funny little things you get when your house is next to a football ground. I can sit in my garden and see the fans in the away end leaping up and down if they score.
      “I have been here six years and had four balls in my garden in that time. Any that aren’t collected I give to local kids, which absolutely delights them.
      “When they water the pitch with the sprinklers it comes into my garden – sometimes it’s like it’s raining, and I have to get my washing in off the line.
      “The pitch is also used as a helipad at times, which must be the owner flying in and out. It’s fascinating to watch the helicopters as they land and take off.
      “And we get a free firework display every bonfire night as the club always hosts a really spectacular one.”
      The cul-de-sac means fans don’t crowd the roads on match days, although you still see the floodlightsCredit: Raymonds Press
      An annual fireworks display divides residentsCredit: mansfieldtownfc/twitter
      While parking can be an issue for those living close to other stadiums on match days, Mansfield locals insist it’s not a problem.
      Lord Street is a cul-de-sac, meaning there is no entrance to the stadium, and since it is so close to the town centre, the council has imposed a residents-only permit system.
      Hotel worker Lesleigh Butler, 36, said: “I’ve been here seven years and have never had a problem.
      When they water the pitch with the sprinklers it comes into my garden – sometimes it’s like it’s raining, and I have to get my washing in off the lineMandy Connolly, local resident
      “The only thing I actually don’t like is the firework display, because the street is left covered in firework casings.
      “Other than that the atmosphere is good and if Mansfield are doing well in the league or cup there is a good feeling on the street because you all feel part of it, living so close.
      “So really we have a lot of the benefits of living next to a stadium, without the negatives like traffic, crowds or litter.
      “A few years ago they were talking about buying up all the houses at the top end of the street so they could redevelop the Bishop Street Stand – but that seems to have gone quiet.
      “A lot of them are owned by people who have been here for years though – which shows it is a nice place to live.”
      Mandy Tolley, 52, works in the Sandy Pate sports bar at the ground.
      Read More on The Sun
      She said: “It’s perfect for me because I can roll out of bed and get straight to work.
      “I’m not a Mansfield fan – you have supporters of all different teams living on this street. But everyone gets on, and overall it’s a pretty happy place.” More