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      How Channel 4 star helped non-league Chesham United to 3900 per cent increase in shirt sales in ‘first serious job’

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      CHANNEL 4 star Alex Horne has turned non-league Chesham United from minnows into potential FA Cup giant killers while also boosting shirt sales by 3900 per cent.The Taskmaster star joined Chesham’s board in 2022 in his “first serious job”, with his show becoming their sponsor.Channel 4 star Alex Horne has helped transform Chesham United over the past few yearsThe comedian stars alongside Greg Davies on Channel 4 show TaskmasterCredit: PAAnd the sixth-tier club have since gone from strength to strength on and off the pitch.They achieved promotion to the National League South last season.And their average attendance has increased from a few hundred to over 1,000 fans.Shirt sales continue to rise too, with last term seeing 1,200 jerseys flogged compared to just THIRTY the previous campaign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAround 4,000 fans are now set to descend on The Meadow for tonight’s FA Cup first round tie against League One Lincoln City, with a second round trip to Crawley Town the reward.The match will be shown live on ITV, with Chesham having to quickly install TV gantries and even extra toilets.And Horne is hoping to find a way to see the action unfold as he will be performing a comedy gig in Edinburgh at the same time.He told The Guardian: “Elton John apparently watched Watford’s FA Cup final on an iPad on his piano during a gig in Copenhagen.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“But it’s mainly about the occasion, so it’s gutting I’m not there.”Chesham will be paid £50,000 in broadcast fees, a huge sum of money for the club.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAnd it will immediately be spent on a new toilet block.Horne explained; “I haven’t chucked millions of pounds at Chesham because I can’t, and my wife would not let me.“Before, the chairman and owner had to dip into their own pockets a lot.“Now we’re doing repairs that we’ve needed to do for years. No one’s making money in non-league football.”In terms of the game, Horne also predicts Chesham will give Lincoln a run for their money.He added: “I actually think Lincoln won’t be miles ahead. They’ll be ahead in fitness but not in skills.“I speak with the players and they’ve said this is the biggest game of their lives. For our lot, this is possibly a one-off.” More

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      Mo Salah casts fresh doubt over Liverpool future as striker, 32, posts ‘no matter what happens I will never forget’

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      MO SALAH cast fresh doubt over his  future  —  sparking  panic  among Liverpool fans.The Kop talisman fired the Reds top of the table with Saturday’s winner against Brighton.Mo Salah scored the winner for Liverpool against Brighton on SaturdayCredit: PAHis future at the club remains up in the air with his contract expiring in the summerCredit: APBut Salah, who is out of contract next summer, and can speak to foreign clubs in January, once again hinted he may quit Anfield.The Egyptian star, 32, cryptically posted on social media: “No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.”Salah revealed in September there had been no talks over a new deal.And he suggested yesterday there had been no progress at resolving his situation after seven-and-a-half trophy-laden years as a Red.READ MORE ON LIVERPOOLFellow Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also have uncertain futures with their contracts up at the end of the campaign.Salah’s seventh goal of the season moved him into eighth in the Premier League all-time scoring charts.His 164th strike — one above Kop icon Robbie Fowler — saw the Reds go two points clear of title rivals Manchester City.However, it is unclear how many more Salah will net with just over six months left on his deal.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less.”Liverpool face a reunion with ex-midfielder Xabi Alonso when he brings his Bayer Leverkusen side to Anfield on Tuesday in the Champions League.Steven Gerrard mercilessly BOOED by Al-Ettifaq fans after losing local derby with Liverpool legend on brink of sackSlot’s side then host Aston Villa on Saturday. More

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      Watch astonishing FA Cup ghost goal as linesman appears to fall victim to ‘surreal’ optical illusion

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      PETERBOROUGH United were left miffed when they were denied a clear goal in their game against Newport County.The Posh travelled to South Wales to face off against the League Two side.Peterborough were denied a clear when the ball went in at the near post from a cornerThe officials had a bizarre theory as to why it wasn’t a goal despite the ball nestling in the back of the netAfter consulting his linesman, ref Stephen Martin ruled out the goalAt 2-1 down, they were awarded a corner which was swung in by Jack Sparkes.The ball appeared to loop all the way into the net, although some Peterborough players did not celebrate.However, some seemed to think it was in – and ran to the corner flag to congratulate Sparkes.But referee Stephen Martin wasn’t convinced and consulted his linesman.Read more football news Incredibly, the officials deemed that the ball was headed out of play before it made its way into the net through a hole in the netting.Later, Peterborough United’s social media shared video of the ghost goal that showed the ball clearly crossing the line.They amusingly captioned the video: “Well…”Peterborough chief Darragh MacAnthony was fuming with officials for missing the goal.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe wrote on social media: “Multiple officials missed this clear goal yesterday. That nonsense cant happen in our game in 2024 anytime ever.”Manager Darren Ferguson was equally as miffed and said it was a “surreal” moment when the goal wasn’t given.Abandoned ‘ghost stadium’ of EFL club given new lease of life with fans given once-in-a-lifetime chance to play on pitch“It’s a goal. The footage has showed that clearly. There’s good coverage of it to show it’s a goal,” he said.”I think I was the same as everyone in the stadium as it was a bit surreal and everyone sort of stopped like someone had pressed the pause button. Then we started celebrating.”The goal was the reverse of a phantom goal at Watford back in 2008.Back then, the ball went towards the touchline wide of the Hornets’ goal before now-Premier League ref Stuart Attwell consulted his assistant Nigel Bannister.Attwell then awarded a goal to visitors Reading despite the ball going nowhere near the goal, in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw.Luckily for Peterborough, the mistake on this occasion didn’t change the outcome of the match.They ran out 4-2 winners, and will play in the FA Cup second round against Notts County. More

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      Bruno Fernandes apologises to Erik ten Hag as Man Utd captain says ‘it’s easier to sack the manager than 15 players’

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      BRUNO FERNANDES believes Manchester United’s players must take the blame for ex-boss Erik ten Hag getting the sack.The Red Devils captain apologised to the Dutchman in a phone call following his dismissal on Monday because he felt responsible due to his own poor form.Bruno Fernandes called Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s dismissalCredit: GettyTen Hag was sacked on Monday after two years in charge at Old TraffordCredit: GettyFernandes, 30, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, reckons United’s flops — including himself — let Ten Hag down.The Portugal midfielder said: “We know Erik has gone and it is not good for anyone when the manager goes. The team is not the best, results are not the best and he is the one who pays.“Whenever you see a manager go, you have to take some of the blame on yourself — it is because the team is not doing so well.“It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“I spoke to Ten Hag and apologised to him, I was disappointed he has gone and I tried to help him.“I wasn’t scoring goals, we are not scoring goals and I feel responsible. I normally score a lot of goals but I always gave 100 per cent. He is aware of that.”Ironically, Fernandes has scored three goals in the two games since Ten Hag, who will be replaced by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim from November 11, was axed.TV pundit and United icon Roy Keane replied with a scathing attack on Fernandes and said the playmaker had failed as captain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe ex-Red Devils skipper, 53, fumed: “I wouldn’t have much time and patience for a player to say, ‘listen, sorry we’ve let you down’. Too little, too late.“You’re judged by what you do on the football pitch. I don’t think Bruno’s done enough as a captain of Man United over the last year to help the manager out. Far from it.Chelsea ratings vs Man Utd“The proof’s there with all the results. It’s not just on Bruno, of course. I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with these players. My eyes don’t lie to me. A lot of them don’t have the DNA of a Manchester United player.“When the going gets tough, you roll your sleeves up. You become a team and you win an ugly game, but this United team doesn’t do it.”United face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and Leicester in the Premier League next Sunday, both at Old Trafford, before Amorim takes charge in the international break.Yet the Sporting boss will have a big task, with United currently on the club’s worst tally of points at this stage in almost 40 years after Moises Caicedo’s leveller on Sunday.Amorim’s countryman Fernandes said: “I am a big fan of Sporting and watch a lot of their games.“Ruben brought the excitement back to the club — it was a little bit split when he came to Sporting. He transformed everything.”Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted it has been a tricky few days for the club but he has masterminded a Carabao Cup win and now a point against Chelsea.The ex-United striker will focus on getting through the two games before the break before seeking talks with Amorim over the future.READ MORE SUN STORIESRVN said: “It has been very difficult from last Monday to today, six days, a rollercoaster of emotions“I look forward to getting to know the new manager better.” More

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      Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez endangered Cole Palmer’s safety and was extremely lucky not to be given red card

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      LISANDRO MARTINEZ was extremely lucky not to receive a red card for serious foul play on Cole Palmer.The Manchester United defender’s studs caught the Chelsea playmaker high on his left knee.Lisandro Martinez escaped a red card for a knee-high challenge on Cole PalmerCredit: PAVAR reviewed it and decided to stick with the on-field decision of a yellow cardCredit: PAFormer Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes Martinez was luckyCredit: AFPReferee Rob Jones deemed it was a yellow card for a reckless challenge — but VAR Michael Salisbury should have intervened to upgrade the punishment to a red.Martinez endangered the safety of Palmer and knew what he was doing by stopping the attack at all costs.The challenge occurred in stoppage time at the end of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted during his post-match interview that it was an obvious red card offence.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe said: “I think there is not intention to take the ball and the foul is quite dangerous.”In his press conference he then added: “They show me before the press conference, I think it is quite clear for all of us.”The referee is there to make a decision, he took a different decision.”For me, when there is no intention to go for the ball and just the player, is a red.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMan Utd legend Gary Neville agreed Martinez was fortunate to avoid being dismissed.On commentary, the former England right-back said: “When you go that high I think you’re asking for a red card. I think he’s lucky.Manchester United vs Chelsea: Player Ratings Breakdown (2)”When you go knee-high and the ball’s gone, I think it’s a red.” More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson steps down from another job as legendary ex-Man Utd boss resigns from £24.3m company

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON has stepped down from another job just weeks after leaving his ambassadorial role at Manchester United.Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe continued his cost-cutting measures last month as he stopped paying Fergie’s £2million-a-year salary.Sir Alex Ferguson hasCredit: GettyThe move was widely condemned by a number of ex-Man Utd players – while it was also reported the iconic head coach had been banned from the dressing room.Now Ferguson has reportedly relinquished another of his duties – though this time it was solely his decision.According to The Mirror, he has resigned as director of his company ACF Sports Promotions Ltd. The business is understood to have made £24.3million in assets and investments.READ MORE ON SIR ALEX FERGUSONThey include a £2m collection of sporting memorabilia, a £19m investment portfolio, and a cash reserve of £5.1m.Fergie began the company during his time at Aberdeen, before he had started his 27-year stint as Man Utd boss.He stepped down as director on October 29, with sons Jason and Darren having resigned one day earlier.Another of Fergie’s children, Mark, is still a director of the company and is continuing in the role he has held for 12 years.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFerguson’s late wife, Lady Cathy, was also a director up until she passed away last year.Just a fortnight after Man Utd relieved Fergie of his ambassadorial role, they also sacked manager Erik ten Hag.Sir Alex Ferguson phoned and tried to convince me to join Man Utd – but their transfer plan made me say noFormer striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently in interim charge of the side.But Ruben Amorim will take over as the new permanent coach on November 11 after Man Utd agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon. More

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      Inside Champions League club’s ‘awful’ 30,000-seater new stadium plan as ‘unique’ arena becomes ‘futuristic toilet bowl’

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      FANS have reacted with horror to a new stadium renovation in Italy – claiming it will turn an iconic arena into a “toilet bowl”.Social media erupted after plans for the new 30,000-seater stadium were released on Saturday.The Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is set to undergo huge renovationsCredit: GettyThe iconic arena will be completely revamped with a £167m makeoverCredit: GettyBut fans are not taken with the futuristic look of the new groundCredit: X / @IFTVofficialThe Renato Dall’Ara Stadium has stood since 1927 and is one of Italy’s more picturesque grounds.With uncovered sections and sloping terraces, it remains one of Serie A’s most recognisable stadiums and incorporates nearby architecture into the stands. The £167million renovations include building a huge domed roof, as well as removing metal structures put in place for the 1990 World Cup.But one fan raged on X: “This is awful, destroying a very good arena for modern football. So bad tbh.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALL NEWSAnother said: “Unfortunately another impersonal concrete statement. This ruins our football culture.”While a third fumed: “Another traditional stadium with character turned into a futuristic toilet bowl.”Bologna are keen to renovate the stadium to get it ready for Euro 2032.They will play at a temporary venue east of the city while the work is completed.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAreas to the north of the ground on Via Andrea Costa are also set to be upgraded.Following the dramatic changes, the stadium – which is hosting Champions League football this season – will be upgraded to Uefa Category 4, the highest level. Furious former Champions League finalists’ fans protest against club owner The club plans to reduce the capacity to slightly over 30,000, down from the current 36,000.Announcing a partnership with Webuild until 2027, Bologna want to make the stadium “in line with the best in the world.”In a statement, the club wrote: “All the seats will have an excellent view of the action due to the proximity of the stands to the pitch, at around 7 metres from the field of play. “Given the Webuild group’s world-class expertise in stadium design, the aim of the project — which involves a total investment of €200 million — is to renovate and increase the value of the ground, founded in 1927, while maintaining its public ownership. “The Dall’Ara will become a high-class facility used seven days a week, in line with the best stadiums in the world.”New Champions League format is a snorefestBy Dan KingUEFA sold the idea of expanding the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each playing eight games instead of six in the opening phase, as a way of creating more competitiveness and excitement.The biggest clubs would have two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stage to meet.The smaller clubs would meet teams of a similar level twice and have a chance of tasting victory that was so hard to achieve if you were the bottom seed in a group of four.Ignoring for a moment the fact that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself already looks flawed.None of the matches between European giants has delivered a compelling contest yet.And why would they? At the start of the long season with more matches in it, why would any team with ambitions to win things in the spring, go out all guns blazing in the autumn?Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big sides to make sure they accrue enough points to qualify at least for the play-off round (and even more games).There is even less jeopardy than before.Read the full column on the Champions League format fail and why everyone – including YOU – needs a rethink.Bologna enjoyed a superb Serie A season in 2023-24, finishing 5th and qualifying for the Champions League.It was their highest-placed finish since 1971. READ MORE SUN STORIESSo far this campaign, a series of frustrating draws have kept the club away from the European spots.They currently sit 9th in the league, despite losing just one of their opening 10 games. More

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      FA Cup draw LIVE: Lower league sides one win away from dream Prem tie as second round fixtures are REVEALED – updates

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      The FA Cup second round draw has concluded – and there are some blockbuster ties!Steve Bruce’s Blackpool side face his former employer Birmingham, while Charlton battle Walsall. But all eyes will be on the lowly-ranked Kettering Town who host Doncaster Roberts.The Premier League clubs don’t join the party until the third round.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow ALL the action from the FA Cup second round draw with our live blog below…When will the second round happenYou’ve asked, so we’ll tell you.The FA Cup second round will be played between the 29th November and 2nd December.Dreams will be created or shattered.Copy linkCopiedSeventh heavenAnother seventh tier side who have made it this far at Harborough Town.They thrashed Tonbridge 4-1 in the first round.Next up for them is League One Reading.That’s a banana skin for the Royals they won’t want to slip on.Copy linkCopiedGo on KetteringKettering Town saw off League One Northampton.Ex-Newcastle bad boy Nile Ranger was the hero this weekend.Their reward – a tie against Doncaster Rovers at home.Amazingly, they’re a seventh tier side, Kettering. They’ll be dreaming of facing the big boys if they get past this one.Copy linkCopiedIt’s getting interestingBirmingham City are currently the highest ranked team in the FA Cup.They didn’t suffer the same fate as Wrexham, seeing off non league Sutton.It’ll be a test for them, an all League One clash with Blackpool away.It certainly won’t be a day on the beach.Copy linkCopiedFA Cup Second Round DrawSalford City vs Cheltenham TownWalsall vs Charlton AthleticExeter City vs ChesterfieldLeyton Orient vs Oldham AthleticBarnsley vs Bristol RoversAFC Wimbledon vs Dagenham and RedbridgeAccrington Stanley vs Swindon TownCrawley Town vs Chesham United/Lincoln CityBurton Albion vs TamworthBlackpool vs Birmingham CityStevenage vs Mansfield TownPeterborough United vs Notts CountyStockport County vs Brackley TownWealdstone vs Wycombe WanderersMorecambe vs Bradford CitySolihull Moors vs BromleyKettering Town vs Doncaster RoversReading vs Harborough TownHarrogate Town vs Gainsborough TrinityCambridge United vs Wigan AthleticCopy linkCopiedCup drawThe full draw is coming up shortly.Hold my beer.Copy linkCopiedAnd that’s itThat concludes the draw.The ties will be played 29th November and 2nd December.Copy linkCopiedCup drawCambridge Utd v WiganCopy linkCopiedCup drawHarrogate Town v Gainsborough TrinityCopy linkCopiedCup drawReading v Harborough TownCopy linkCopiedCup drawKettering Town v Doncaster RoversCopy linkCopiedCup drawSolihull Moors v Bromley Copy linkCopiedCup drawMorecambe v Bradford CityCopy linkCopiedCup drawWealdstone v Wycombe WanderersCopy linkCopiedCup drawStockport County v Brackley TownCopy linkCopiedCup drawPeterborough United v Notts CountyCopy linkCopiedCup drawStevenage v Mansfield TownCopy linkCopiedCup drawBlackpool v Birmingham CityCopy linkCopiedCup drawBurton Albion v Tamworth Copy linkCopiedCup drawCrawley Town v Chesham or LincolnCopy linkCopiedCup drawAccrington Stanley v Swindon TownCopy linkCopiedCup drawAFC Wimbledon v DagenhamCopy linkCopiedCup drawBarnsley v Bristol RoversCopy linkCopiedCup drawLeyton Orient v Oldham AthleticCopy linkCopiedCup drawExeter City v Chesterfield Copy linkCopied More