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      Former EFL star who won trophy at Wembley now runs £10MILLION business after breakdown prompted him to quit football

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      LEE BROWN enjoyed one hell of a career in the Football League.Two Wembley wins, more than 400 EFL appearances and a reputation as one of football’s nice guys.Lee Brown during AFC Wimbledon’s match with Salford City, one of the last games of his careerCredit: RexBrown celebrates securing Bristol Rovers’ promotion back to League One with a 92nd minute winnerCredit: PA:Press AssociationBrown, left, celebrates winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley in 2019Credit: ReutersStarting out at QPR, he really made a name for himself at Bristol Rovers, scoring a dramatic 92nd minute winner on the final day of the 2015-16 season to secure back-to-back promotions for The Gas.He moved across to Portsmouth in June 2018, winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley the following season in front of 80,000 fans, before returning to his London roots and finishing his career at AFC Wimbledon.At 33, Brown rejected a new deal at Plough Lane, instead opting to pursue “other business interests”.Dubbed ‘Lee from football’ wherever he went for his bubbly personality and jokey antics on the pitch, Brown has now lifted the lid on the man behind the mask in a candid new interview.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSpeaking to the Portsmouth News’ chief reporter Neil Allen, the former Pompey man revealed football “had to go” as two worlds collided.He admits he could have easily carried on playing, and was still a regular in the AFC Wimbledon defence, but behind the scenes all was not well.He said: “I had to quit for my own sake. I was in a dark place, I’d had a mental breakdown, something had to give.‘I could no longer juggle football full-time and run a full-time business.”Most read in FootballNow 34, Brown runs a thriving property business called B3 Homes. He employs 20 staff, and boasts an impressive portfolio of luxury pads, with many selling for well in excess of £1million.B3 Homes “develop niche, high-end residential homes across London and the South East”Credit: Instagram b3.homesInside one of the properties Brown’s property portfolio has builtCredit: www.b3homes.co.ukJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAmong the current projects are a £1.3million house in Purley, a plot of three more houses in the same area and an ultra-modern detached family home in Warlingham.It all started when, at 26, he used his £25,000 savings pot to buy a house in the Filton area of Bristol, and built another house in its garden.Harry Redknapp phoned me up out of the blue to sign for ‘f***ing s****’ team – it was one of best moves of my careerHe had no money left to pay people to help build the house for him, so ended up doing it in his spare time while still playing League One football!Brown continued: “I’d never held a tool in my life, but I have this obsessive nature where I need to learn about everything.” If I was doing the plumbing, I would research how to be a plumber and, all of a sudden, knew how to run pipes. I would sit there until 3am until it sunk in.”Lee Brown wheels away in celebration after scoring for PortsmouthCredit: RexThe business grew and grew, but eventually Brown reached breaking point.He recalled former working from as soon as training finished until extremely late at night, and working again before hitting the training pitches the following morning.But it all became too much for him, and football had to go.”I was building six houses over in Purley, two in Cobham, while training every day and playing matches on a Saturday.”I lived in a pressure cooker, rocking in the chair at points because of so much stress.”I could not cope, physically or mentally. I had to give up football – or I would have been a goner.”Brown admits he shut off those around him, and the tipping point was when he broke down in tears in AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson’s office.Lee Brown lifts the Vanarama Conference Playoff Final trophy as Bristol Rovers secured their return to the Football LeagueCredit: Getty Images – GettyEx-Spurs and Charlton man Jackson gave Brown a fortnight off, regularly checking in on the veteran defender.He returned to the Wombles team in November 2024, making a further 22 appearances before bidding football farewell at the end of the season.Now almost a year into his post-football life, Brown is back to his bubbly self and is reaping the rewards of his hard work.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe finished: “I had to sacrifice my football career after biting off more than I could chew. But, sitting here now, I am good.Actually, I’m more than good. I’m happy.” More

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      Harry Kane can return to Premier League to make history, so could Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs or ARSENAL move be on cards?

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      ALL English eyes were on Harry Kane this week as he bagged a brace in Bayern Munich’s Champions League grudge match against Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.Xabi Alonso’s side were the latest ones to make Kane wait for that elusive first major title of his career when they ended Munich’s decade of domestic supremacy last term.Harry Kane scored a brace as Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clashCredit: GettyKane’s double on Wednesday night inspired Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win in the Champions League last 16, putting them in good stead for advancing past their German counterparts in Europe’s elite competition. But irrespective of what happens in next week’s second leg, there seems nothing that can prevent that German title medal going round his neck within a few weeks.Bayern are eight points – effectively nine given their hugely better goal difference – clear of Leverkusen with ten games to play.And their remaining opponents including six of the bottom eight and only Mainz and Leipzig in the top six.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt means Kane is on course to lay that bogey to rest – and think about the OTHER main club goal of his career.That would be for him to overhaul Alan Shearer’s Prem record tally of 260 goals – and potentially set a mark that might NEVER be broken.Kane scored 213 goals in 320 top flight games for Spurs before his £100m move to Bavaria in 2023, meaning he is just 47 goals behind Shearer’s tally – set in 441 appearances for Blackburn and Newcastle.Despite his impressive stats at Bayern, with 57 goals in 58 Bundesliga appearances and 73 in 78 matches in all competitions, Kane is not universally popular, being questioned over his contribution outside the 18-yard box and in the “big” games.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLast month, claims that he might be available this summer if a club matched his £67m release clause were not denied.That looked to open the door to a Prem return. So where could Kane, who turns 32 in July, go?Harry Kane’s ‘fugly’ £7,200 statue branded ‘stuff of nightmares’ finally unveiled after sitting in storage for almost five years TOTTENHAMA return to N17 would be the dream of Spurs fans – even if the club splashed out £65m to land Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth last summer.Kane became Tottenham’s all-time record scorer in his final season at the Lane, ending on 280 goals from 435 games as he went past Jimmy Greaves’ mark.Many Spurs fans remain convinced they would have been playing Champions League football this season if the club had put faith in Ange Postecoglou working his magic with Kane in the side – even if that would have risked him leaving for nothing last summer.Kane was desperate to land silverware with Tottenham – he spent nearly two decades at the club and will always be “one of our own”.But Kane also felt let down by Daniel Levy when his proposed move to Manchester City fell through in 2021 and it is unclear if he would consider a return to the club while the current hierarchy are in place.Or if Spurs would be willing to meet that asking price.Kane is Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorerCredit: GettyHe never managed to lift a trophy in North LondonCredit: GettyARSENALUnthinkable, surely.Kane knows how Sol Campbell is remembered by Tottenham fans after he walked out on the club to join the Gunners in 2001 – and even if it was not a direct swap he would risk destroying his reputation.But one of the most famous pictures of the young Kane was him wearing an Arsenal shirt and celebrating the “Invincibles” and their 2004 triumph – when the Prem was won at White Hart Lane.He was also on Arsenal’s books as a youngster, released after a year in their academy at the age of nine and who was then picked up by Watford before joining Spurs in 2004. Despite that, Kane has always insisted he grew up as a Spurs fan in a Spurs-supporting family.And Arsenal supporters loathed him with a passion when he scored goal after goal against them – accusing him of all sorts of nefarious activities because he was so streetwise on top.Yet Arsenal’s need for a proper No 9 has become a running joke in the game – even more than previously this season.There is no better authentic line leader than Kane, even into his early 30s. Can you imagine how much delight there would be from the Gooners if that happened?No player has scored more North London Derby goals than Harry KaneCredit: AFP or licensorsKane (left) celebrated Arsenal’s invincible season dressed in full kitKane (front row, far left) also spent a year on the books at Arsenal as a kidCHELSEAWhen Mauricio Pochettino was unveiled as Chelsea boss in 2023, the spectre of Kane following him into Stamford Bridge left many Spurs fans suffering nightmares.Barely 18 months on and Pochettino is long gone.But Chelsea’s need for a totemic central striker who can also be a creator supreme has not gone away.The new Chelsea transfer approach under Todd Boehly has been focused on young players, long-term deals and potential future sales value.That would not be a situation with Kane, who has maybe four seasons at the top level left in his locker, with little or no sell-on value even after a couple of campaigns.While it is hard to envisage Kane wearing Arsenal’s red shirt, the animosity towards Chelsea from Spurs fans is nowhere near as strong – even if it is arguably even deeper the other way, with many Blues supporters viewing Tottenham as their REAL rival.Todd Boehly would have to switch up his transfer strategy to sign KaneCredit: GettyMANCHESTER UNITEDUnited wheeled out the big guns to try to lure Kane on at least two occasions in the past.Gary Neville’s infamous golf course video interview caused major issues at boardroom level in N17, with anger through the roof. Both times, despite the opportunities, Kane refused the invitation – making it clear that he was committed to Tottenham first time round and then effectively choosing City on the next occasion.That Kane would consider going to a United in a state of utter flux now, if he does want to leave Germany, is even harder to imagine.But United’s need for someone who really could make a difference is unquestioned, with fans looking at Rasmus Hojlund’s statistics and shaking their heads at the Dane.Likewise for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, landing Kane would be a game-changer.READ MORE SUN STORIESRemember how Robin van Persie was signed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season “present” to fire United to the title.They have not won it since but if Kane has got the silverware monkey off his back at Bayern, he might be able to work a miracle at Old Trafford.Man Utd are in dire need for a new striker given the form of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyKane’s interview with Gary Neville in 2021 caused issues in the Spurs boardroomCredit: Sky Sports More

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      Footballer, 24, charged with string of sex offences including imprisoning and raping woman

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      A FOOTBALLER has been charged with a string of sex offences including rape.Harry Butters allegedly imprisoned and sexually assaulted the woman, who is aged over 16, in March.Harry Butters has been charged with raping a womanCredit: NNPThe 24-year-old appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court for a hearing.Butters is accused of two counts of sexual assault, one of rape and a count of false imprisonment.All the offences allegedly took place on March 2 in the Darlington area.Butters, who plays for Darlington FC’s under 23s, was released on conditional bail to appear at Teesside Crown Court next month.Read more newsHe has been made subject to a n electronically monitored tagged curfew between 7pm and 7am.Butters has been suspended by the club pending the outcome of court proceedings.He has so far played 21 times this season – including in Darlington’s 5-0 win over Crook Town Youth on March 1.The team said in a statement: “The player is suspended until further notice.”Most read in FootballButters plays for Darlington’s youth teamCredit: NNP More

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      Premier League club to open £300million new stand within months and will be bigger than Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium

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      MANCHESTER CITY officials are aiming to open the expanded Etihad Stadium North Stand next January, according to reports.The reigning Premier League champions previously revealed that the new-look stand would open at some point during the 2025-26 season.Man City are currently in the process of expanding the North StandCredit: APCity have invested £300m in the developmentCredit: APBut, as per the Forever Blue podcast, City’s managing director of operations, Danny Wilson, has earmarked January 2026 as the main target should everything go as planned.Man City’s £300million development is set to turn the Etihad Stadium into a 61,470-seater venue.The Prem giants aim to deliver one of the best matchday experiences in world sport.Club officials also want to create an elite entertainment destination for supporters and visitors.Read More in FootballThe renovation of the North Stand will see a Sky Bar introduced, which is set to have premium seating for 450 fans.As well as development inside the ground, there’s a host of new areas being created in the renovations.The Cityzens are building a new fanzone, club museum, City Store, and a huge 400-bed hotel.However, those developments are not expected to be completed until late 2026.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCity’s Director of Infrastructure and Development, Ed Dalton, said: “Work is progressing at pace.”The project is split into four different sections.Premier League club reach new milestone in £300m stadium expansion with special ‘bolt-on’ project set to boost capacity “We have the North Stand development, the hotel, a commercial wing, and the covered fan zone from City Square.”Over the summer and winter months, we’ve completed all ground works.”We did as much work as we could during the close season to minimise disruption to fans.” More

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      England star spotted at darts in Luke Littler shirt holding up bizarre message to his Premier League manager

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      ENGLAND star Lewis Dunk was spotted holding up a bizarre sign as he cheered on Luke Littler last night.The 18-year-old sensation beat Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall en route to Premier League Darts victory yesterday.Lewis Dunk was seen holding up a sign about his manager Fabian HurzelerCredit: XThe defender was also spotted by a fan holding beerCredit: XLuke Littler won last night’s event at the Brighton CentreCredit: PAThe action on night five of the competition came from Brighton and their club captain Dunk was pictured in the crowd.Dunk was seen holding a pint of beer while wearing a replica of Littler’s trademark purple shirt.Sky Sports cameras cut to him in the stands and the defender was seen holding up a hand-written sign.It had Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler’s name scribbled on it with the words “in” and “out” crossed out several times.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found it hilarious, with one saying: “Dunk with this sign cracked me up.”Another added: “Having a great time by the looks of it.”A third reacted: “Why is Lewis Dunk at the darts with a Hurzeler Out/in sign?????”Dunk is currently out injured and has not featured in the Seagulls’ last four games.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 33-year-old has been capped six times by England and was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros last summer.Brighton face Fulham tomorrow and Dunk will reportedly miss out again due to injury.Luke Littler reveals ‘pint was thrown at Nathan Aspinall’ as Premier League Darts is marred by ‘crazy’ crowd incident He is not the only Premier League player to have been spotted at the darts after Tottenham pair James Maddison and Brennan Johnson were seen at Ally Pally for the World Championships just hours after drawing 2-2 to Wolves in December.Dunk’s sign was aimed at manager Fabian HurzelerCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-West Ham star’s Wag breaks down in tears after ‘scum’ burglars ransack home while they were out for son’s birthday

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      EX-WEST HAM star Nicky Maynard and his family fell victim to a burglary while out celebrating their son’s birthday.His wife Tara Maynard was left in tears as she returned home to find it ransacked.Tara Maynard broke down in tears as she revealed her home had been burgledShe spoke of an eerie feeling the morning after the incidentHandbags and watches were stolen from the propertyCredit: INSTAGRAM @taramays25Tara revealed her heartbreak as she put out an appealThe family were out celebrating son Trey’s 12th birthday at the time of the incidentCredit: INSTAGRAM @taramays25Tara, a fashion designer, revealed to her 675,000 Instagram followers that her house had been broken into.She fought back the tears as she described the extent of the burglary, with countless watches and designer handbags taken from the property.Even her antibiotics were stolen and her two boys’ safes broken into – stealing the money they had been saving up.Tara, 35, said in an Instagram video: “Well I tell you what working hard gets you girls, and going out for a meal for your son’s 12th birthday – to come home to be absolutely everything has been taken, like everything.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We’ve been out for an hour for Trey’s birthday and they’ve literally ransacked the whole place.”Like even the little kids’ safes with the cash in that they’ve been saving for Christmas and birthdays, they’ve literally taken the lot.'”Addressing her followers, she said: ‘”If anybody hears or they’re selling any of my bags girls, everybody knows what I’ve got.”You all know what jewellery I’ve got. Then please, please tell me.’Most read in FootballShowing how the burglars even broke into their sons’ money boxes, she added: ‘Like, what scum on earth?’The family had been out celebrating their son Trey’s 12th birthday at the time of the incident.Nicky and Tara Maynard both put out appealsCredit: INSTAGRAM @taramays25Police suspect a £1million raid on Jack Grealish’s mansion may have been an inside job as devastated Man City breaks silence Maynard, 38, said he heard footsteps in the gravel as they returned home – but their neighbours were not aware of the burglary taking place.A camera was later found in the bushes outside their home which is believed to have been used to spy on them.In another video taken in the morning after the burglary, Tara again broke down in tears as she described the “eerie feeling” she has been left with.Police are investigating the incident as Tara spoke about needing her mum with her to re-enter the property.Both Maynard and Tara have put out appeals to the public to keep an eye out for the belongings, with at least 30 handbags, as well as Cartier and Rolex watches and three Van Cleef bracelets all gone.Tara believes a “highly professional” gang targeted their home following a spate of burglaries in the Cheshire area.Jack Grealish fell victim to a burglary nearby on December 27 when he was playing for Manchester City. More

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      ‘Dock them a week’s wages, now’ – Fans fume as Tottenham waste dangerous free-kick with routine that ‘sums season up’

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      TOTTENHAM fans were left raging after a free-kick routine from the training ground failed in disastrous fashion.Spurs suffered a shocking 18th defeat of the season last night, losing to AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in their Europa League last-16 first leg tie.Spurs messed up a free-kick routineCredit: TNT SPORTSJames Maddison and Son Heung-min’s short passes did not workCredit: TNT SPORTSKevin Danso then chipped the ball to nobodyCredit: TNT SPORTSThe Dutch side went ahead via a comical own goal by Lucas Bergvall and things soon got worse for Ange Postecoglou’s men as they chased an equaliser.Towards the end of a frustrating first-half, Spurs won a free-kick just outside the box.Most expected a shot given James Maddison’s set-piece ability, but he instead passed short to Son Heung-min.But the pre-rehearsed routine went horribly wrong as Son’s lay back to Maddison went behind him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAZ players swarmed the captain and he passed back to Kevin Danso, who then booted the ball out of play to ironic cheers from the home support.It left fans fuming, with one saying: “Dock them a weeks wages. Now.”Another added: “This kind of summed our season up.”TNT Sports commentator Adam Summerton called it “a real waste”.Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPostecoglou slammed last night’s performance, saying: “It was not a great night for us. We were too passive, not aggressive enough and nowhere near the level we should be at.“That’s what we will have to address. It is a disappointing result – but a really disappointing performance.’Horrendous’ – Jamie Carragher reveals moment Postecoglou’s Tottenham reign changed and they’ve been ‘awful’ ever since“We didn’t get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball.“It was a tricky surface but we knew that from yesterday and just didn’t tackle the challenges we had out there.“I don’t think it’s a matter of effort or attitude. I don’t think it is going out there and not trying.“But we didn’t really have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe.”Spurs legend Les Ferdinand said he would not have used the turf as an excuse, telling TNT Sports: “I am not sure I would have blamed the pitch. AZ played alright on it.”Son was also unhappy with the display, saying: “This was nowhere near the level we should be in terms of performance.“This is very disappointing, including from myself, and  a big wake-up call ahead of the biggest game of our season next week.“It is tough playing away from home in the Europa League. We were sloppy and not performing how we should.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Everyone is disappointed and we have to look at ourselves. No excuses and it was nowhere near good enough. But it is just 1-0 and the tie is not finished.“Next week we have to be much better than tonight.” More

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      Bargain Brighton signing Malick Yalcouye dubbed ‘next Kante’ and came through prestigious academy that produced Toure

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      BRIGHTON could have unearthed another hidden gem after the acquisition of 19-year-old Malick Yalcouye on a five-year deal.The midfielder left his home country, Mali, as a teenager to move to the Ivory Coast and chase his football dreams by joining the famed ASEC Mimosas academy which produced the Toure brothers, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou, among others.Malick Yalcouye is tipped to be the next big thing for BrightonCredit: PAMalick Yalcouye was named Man of the Match in the Champions League for Sturm GrazCredit: GettyYalcouye signed for Brighton from IFK Goteborg last summer for £6million, having only joined the Swedish side in the February before for around €400,000. In the Swedish Allsvenskan league, Yalcouye was dubbed the next N’Golo Kante due to his ability to cover ground and hunt the ball like the legendary Chelsea midfielder.Brighton were willing to pay the hefty fee for a player who had been in Europe for less than six months. But they immediately loaned him out to Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he has played 15 league games, helping his side top the Austrian Bundesliga.He’s also played eight times in the Champions League, gaining invaluable experience on his developmental journey.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe rationale behind the decision to loan him out, despite his strong pre-season performance, was to ensure that his young shoulders weren’t burdened with being the record sale for Goteborg, nor tasked with replacing the likes of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister straight away.Brighton had a similar plan for Caicedo when they first signed him from Independiente del Valle in 2021 on a four-year deal.The main midfielder at the time was Yves Bissouma, so to allow Caicedo to develop Brighton chairman Tony Bloom and the sporting directors agreed it was best for him to go out on loan to Belgian side Beerschot.By the time he returned from his loan spell, he was ready for the Premier League and stepped in perfectly under then-manager Graham Potter. Most read in FootballHis success was so evident that both Chelsea and Liverpool were willing to break the Premier League transfer record to sign him.Mac Allister also followed a similar loan development path before returning to explode at the Amex.Sun Sport sources at Brighton say the club is very happy with the midfielder’s development so far in Austria and believe he’s ahead of schedule, possibly being ready for the Premier League squad next season.Brighton players in tunnel post match after beating Bournemouth 2-1Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler also described him as a potential world-class player when he first arrived at the club.He said, “We are really pleased to bring Malick to the club. He is a talented midfielder with lots of potential to develop into a top-class player. “He’s excited about this next stage of his career, and we’re looking forward to helping him progress.” More