Football

ONE of the Premier League’s most iconic stadiums looks unrecognisable in a re-surfaced throwback picture.Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge looks completely different these days as a 40,000-seat arena that has hosted some of the biggest teams in world football – but it hasn’t always been that way.Stamford Bridge looked completely different back in the dayCredit: Hulton Archive – GettyThe ground has been home to Chelsea since 1905 and started hosting sports in 1877Credit: PAThe ‘Shed End’ has grown more and more over the yearsCredit: ColorsportAn old photo circulating on social media showed the SW6 ground looking like it belonged to non-league minnows – with a tiny stand sitting right behind the goal.But it’s that terrace, which was originally built in 1930, that has given its name to a Chelsea stand that is still in the stadium today.The rickety old structure beard a remarkable resemblance to A SHED due to its partial covering and rustic look.The original stand had been built to house punters and bookmakers for dog racing, which used to take place on a track enclosed within Stamford Bridge in the 1930s.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans began to affectionately call the unusual stand the ‘Shed End’ – a name that ultimately stuck.So much so that when Chelsea renovated the stadium and added a new stand on that south side, they ensured that it was officially named the Shed End.In fact, the stands itself actually bears the words on it.The incredible history behind the 148-year-old stadium could be about to come to an end.Most read in FootballChelsea’s South stand still bears the name ‘Shed End’Credit: GettyStamford Bridge looks completely different nowCredit: GettyThe Blues could be leaving soonCredit: AlamyJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeChelsea owner Todd Boehly has insisted that the West London club WILL move out of their historic digs – which has been home to the club since 1905.Boehly told Bloomberg: “I think we have to think about long term, what we are trying to accomplish.Inside Chelsea’s new £1.6BILLION stadium plans with Stamford Bridge project set to rival Tottenham’s”We have a big stadium development opportunity that we have to flesh out.”Adding: “Stadium development is a theme [around the world].”Sporting infrastructure, we’re very much on the front end of the sporting wave. We have 16-20 years to figure this out.”Obviously, inside of London it’s really complex. It’s not as if we’re building something in the middle of a rural environment.”We have a lot of constituencies to make sure that we care about.”Certainly the Chelsea fanbase is one. But long term, I think we’re going to be building something new. And we’ll figure that out.”READ MORE SUN STORIESPlans for a £500million, 60,000-capacity redevelopment were initially confirmed in 2015 when Roman Abramovich was still owner, only to be scrapped three years later.While SunSport revealed last month that ambitious chief Boehly has sounded out a new site in Earls Court.Chelsea owner Todd Boehly said that the club will leave Stamford BridgeCredit: AP More

MANCHESTER UNITED struggler Antony has revealed why he doesn’t feel the weight of his failed £86million transfer to Old Trafford – despite being shipped out on loan.Antony, 25, joined Spanish side Real Betis on loan in January after months of poor form with Man Utd.Antony has got a spring back in his step at Real BetisCredit: GettyThe star struggled at Manchester United following his £86m transferCredit: PAThe Brazilian winger, who joined United from Ajax in 2022, was never able to live up to his mega price tag while playing for the Red Devils.And he managed just 12 goals in his 96 appearances for the Premier League giants.But he has since sparked into life following his six-month loan deal with Betis in LaLiga – registering eight goal contributions in 11 games so far.And the 16-time Brazil international thinks that playing barefoot against drug dealers in his youth helps him to ignore the pressure of performing again.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDiscussing his incredible past, Antony told DAZN: “When I’m asked about pressure, I say ‘what pressure?’“I faced pressure in the favela when I didn’t have shoes to play, I played against drug traffickers and everything. That was real pressure.“When I left in the morning to go to school I often didn’t eat.“So when I go through difficult moments I always think about the challenges that I overcame in the past.”Most read in FootballAntony had very little growing up in BrazilCredit: InstagramHe claims he used to run rings around gang members in his local areaCredit: InstagramHe grew up in a favela nicknamed “little hell”Credit: InstagramJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordAntony grew up in a Brazilian favela nicknamed Inferninho, or ‘Little Hell’ in English.He previously opened up about how his traumatic upbringing left him “numb” to things that others would find harrowing.Antony shows his excitement as he joins Real Betis Speaking to The Players’ Tribune, he said: “On my walk to school one morning, when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, I came across a man laying in the alley. He was not moving. When I got closer, I realized he was dead.”In the favela, you become kind of numb to these things. There was no other way to go, and I had to get to school. So I just closed my eyes and jumped over the dead body.”I am not saying this to sound tough. It was just my reality. In fact, I always say that I was very lucky as a child, because despite all of our struggles, I was given a gift from heaven.”The ball was my saviour. My love from the cradle. In Inferninho, we don’t care about toys for Christmas. Any ball that rolls is perfect to us.”Adding: “I refused to bow my head to anyone. I would elastico the drug dealers. Rainbow the bus drivers. Nutmeg the thieves. I really did not give a f***. With a ball at my feet, I had no fear.”Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim put Antony’s struggles in the Premier League down to his physicality.Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot.’Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it’s physicality.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Antony, the move to Spain has been a revelation.He claimed: “Every day that passes I see that it was the best decision I could have made.”Ruben Amorim thinks a lack of physicality prevented Antony from shining in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More