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      Man Utd have no need to demolish Old Trafford, my house had a leaky roof but that didn’t make it unfit for purpose

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      IT TOOK four companies and several thousand pounds before the leak in the roof of my front bedroom finally got fixed.In the end I was pointed in the direction of Moggsy — who I only  recognised previously from drinking bitter in the Royal Oak — as the answer to all my problems.
      Man Utd must focus on helping Erik ten Hag strengthen his squadCredit: Reuters
      No way should revamping or replacing Old Trafford top United’s prioritiesCredit: Rex
      And he was and it hasn’t leaked since. But at no point during this time did I feel the house wasn’t fit for purpose or that it was time  to move to a new-build.
      You know, one of those that looks like the rest of the houses in the street and has a kitchen island.
      “Oh a kitchen island, we’ll be so happy here.”
      My house is more than 100 years old and it’s quirky —  it has a few doors that hang not in the way they were designed to and it can get very cold in the winter.
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      I completely misjudged the size of the new sofa, so it no longer looks as “open plan” as it did.
      But it’s my home, where my two children grew up and it holds a lot of memories.
      There was much the same feeling among Manchester United fans last week when it was revealed that minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe (below) planned to move them to a brand new stadium.
      A “Wembley of the North”.
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      If you asked most United fans 99 per cent would, given the chance, rather see that money spent on another striker and midfielder than another  stadium. They don’t want to leave Old Trafford.
      It is still a great,  atmospheric football ground full of passion and most importantly full of memories.
      Fuming fan screams at Rasmus Hojlund after Man Utd star ‘rattles’ Villa and is confronted by Douglas Luiz
      Where “Dad used to go”, “where Grandad used to stand”, “where mum went to her first game” — where people fell in love with  football,  fell in love with Manchester United and want to take their kids to do the same thing.
      There is understandably a fear that on the field the club is in  danger of becoming just like any other club in the Premier League.
      If it moves to a new stadium it very much could.
      A distant relative from Spain was visiting a year ago and guess what was top of his list?
      He wanted to see Old Trafford and, while there was no match on, he was bowled over to get his wish.
      My son’s friend Matzua from Mexico City is a Chivas fan — Javier Hernandez’s old club to which he has just returned — and came to stay with us.
      Guess what his dream was? You would have thought he just found out he had won the EuroMillions as we approached the back of the Stretford End to park up.
      Off my son took him to see the Munich Tunnel — and the various statues around the ground —  before seeing United win. He was floating.
      Frontman Rasmus Hojlund and midfielder Scott McTominay sunk Aston Villa on Sunday but the Red Devils need to strengthen both those positionsCredit: Getty
      It was much the same when I went to Benfica’s original Stadium of Light — not the new one that looks like the Emirates. Like when I went to Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon, not their  new ground that looks like Benfica’s Stadium of Light as well as the Emirates.
      Walking up from below ground out of the tunnel at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana in its original guise is something I’ll not forget.
      Now of course nostalgia should never rank higher than safety and, as we sadly know, some stadiums were death traps.
      Some needed seats bringing in, modernising or bulldozing altogether.
      But Old Trafford? There is much for Sir Jim to do but building a new stadium or training ground should not be top of the list.
      Believe me, there is nothing wrong with Carrington.
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      I sit in a great spot in the press box at Old Trafford and — while there will be exceptions — mates elsewhere around the ground say it is fine, it just needs a bit of TLC here and there.
      Yes, there is a leaking roof but I can put United in touch with Moggsy. More

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      Joelinton seen for first time as he arrives home after terrifying alert warned three thieves were lurking in mansion

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      JOELINTON has arrived home after his mansion was last night targeted by thieves.The injured Brazilian had been watching his team take on Man City from the sideline when he got an alert that three thugs had entered his house.
      Joelinton arrived back at his home this morningCredit: Terry Blackburn
      Cops rushed to his home while he was at St James’ Park
      Joelinton met police on his driveway today after forensic officers visitedCredit: NNP
      While at St James’ Park he immediately contacted the police who raced to the address in Northumberland, shortly after 7.30pm.
      By the time officers arrived at the multi-million pound home the attackers had fled.
      No one is understood to have been inside the property when the home invaders struck.
      No arrests have been made and enquiries into the raid at the 27-year-old’s home are ongoing.
      Photos show Joelinton arriving home this morning to find forensic teams dusting his home.
      As he pulled up to his gates he looked shocked through the tinted windows of his car.
      The burglary is one of a string of attacks on the homes of footballers.
      The Sun revealed last month that Jack Grealish’s terrified family hit panic buttons as a gang of burglars looted his new home.
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      Around ten relatives were cheering on the Manchester City star in his televised match at Everton when they heard noises upstairs and dogs barking frantically.
      Despite extensive security and perimeter fencing around Jack’s   lavish home, the crooks got in and fled with £1million of watches and jewellery.
      Just weeks before, West Ham star Kurt Zouma’s family home in Essex was targeted while he was inside.
      The robbers also stole jewellery and high-end watches worth £1million – with Zouma forced to miss his team’s game against Crystal Palace.
      A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 7.30pm yesterday police received a call from a concerned homeowner who reported that three men were inside their home in Darras Hall.
      “Thankfully the homeowner was not home but had received a security alert on their phone and immediately reported concerns to police.
      “Police were deployed to the scene however, those alleged to be involved had fled the scene.
      “Enquires remain ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us via 101, or the ‘Report’ pages of our website.”
      The Newcastle midfielder is currently injuredCredit: Getty More

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      I have a perfect view of the pitch at a top stadium from my SOFA – it’s like living in my very own corporate box

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      A MAN who lives next to a stadium has a perfect view of the pitch – and he doesn’t even need to get off his sofa.Writer and stand-up comedian Richard Cobb has the best seat in the house every time AFC Wimbledon play at home.
      Richard Cobb has the best seat in the house every time AFC Wimbledon playCredit: TikTok /@therichardcobb
      His flat overlooks the club’s brand new Cherry Red Records StadiumCredit: TikTok /@therichardcobb
      Although a Hearts supporter, his flat overlooks the club’s brand new Cherry Red Records Stadium on Plough Lane.
      Richard took to TikTok to share a video of the near-perfect view of the south west London stadium.
      The footage shows the ground ahead of the League Two outfit’s clash with eighth-tier Ramsgate in the second round of the FA Cup.
      Richard films pre-match coverage on ITV4 on his TV before swivelling the camera to reveal his front room window overlooks the football pitch.
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      The video, captioned “ITV are in my garden”, has received 30,000 likes and nearly a million views.
      And fans were quick to comment on the viral post, with one saying: “Do you pay window license to watch live match?”
      Another suggested: “I’d be tempted to make money on the side, advertising the room as a hospitality box during games.”
      Richard replied: “Not sure a quarter bottle of Lidl blackcurrant juice and a leftover Mini Eggs Easter Egg will be adequate half-time cuisine.”
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      A third person wrote: “Class that like you’ve got yourself self a free season ticket.”
      The Plough Lane stadium’s completion marked an emotional return for a football club that had been torn away from its natural home since 2002.
      That was the year the Football Association agreed the old Wimbledon F.C. could relocate 60 miles north to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire to prevent it from going bankrupt.
      The players were dubbed the ‘crazy gang’ in the 1980s because of their FA Cup winning heroics – upsetting Liverpool in the 1988 final – and the antics of club heroes like midfield hardman Vinnie Jones.
      It comes after lifelong supporters David Kenwery and Liam Nolan bought a fourth floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat off-plan built within the grounds.
      Meanwhile neighbours fear their lives will be made even worse by boozy fans after AFC Wimbledon was given permission to serve alcohol all day.
      Richard took to TikTok to share a video of the near-perfect viewCredit: TikTok /@therichardcobb
      Blocks of flats adjoin the AFC Wimbledon stadium in south west LondonCredit: Getty More

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      Inside horror ‘pro hit’ on Kurt Zouma’s home by ‘organised gang’ who blindsided security to steal £100k in jewels & cash

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      NEIGHBOURS of Kurt Zouma have told of their horror after his home was broken into by an “organised gang” who escaped with £100,000 in cash and jewellery.The “highly professional” masked gang ransacked the held the West Ham captain’s home after striking just before midnight on Saturday while he was at home with his young family.
      Kurt Zouma was dramatically robbed
      Zouma had been home with wife Sandra and their kidsCredit: Instagram
      The break-in led to Zouma missing his team’s 1-1 Prem draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday – and saw cops warning neighbours about the organised gang.
      And yesterday, West Ham revealed the club was offering a £25,000 reward for information leading to the gang’s capture.
      Zouma, 29 – who is married to wife Sandra, Mum to his four young children – and his family had items of “significant value” and “sentimental importance” stolen from their £3million Essex home, the club said.
      And yesterday, neighbours on Zouma’s plush road told The Sun cops warned them the raiders were “no amateurs”.
      MORE ON ZOUMA
      One neighbour – who was visited by officers on Sunday – said: “We don’t know much about what happened, apart from the fact there was a break-in on Saturday night.
      “We heard it was a burglary and the family were home at the time.
      “There was one police car outside afterwards but they stayed there with the family for a few hours.
      “I think the burglars were quite experienced.
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      “Officers came round on Sunday and told us that the burglars were professionals. They said we want to tell you that they were not amateurs.
      “They said the break-in had been on the ground floor and to watch out for that. We think that they came in through the back garden.
      “We have security on this road – a guard that patrols here day and night and he was only parked a few driveways away when the break-in happened.
      “He can only see the front so if he didn’t see anything they must have got in through the back.”
      In a statement, Zouma’s Club said: “West Ham United has offered a £25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of burglars who broke into defender Kurt Zouma’s home on the eve of the Club’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace this weekend.
      “Kurt’s home was broken into on Saturday while all his family were in the house, leaving everyone present extremely distressed. While thankfully no one was harmed, it was a traumatic experience for the West Ham United defender, his wife and their young family.
      “The burglars took items of significant value and of huge personal and sentimental importance to the family.
      “The West Ham United family continue to offer Kurt’s family their full support.”
      Police raced to the detached £3million home– on an exclusive street where well-heeled neighbours hire private security – and stayed with the family for hours after Saturday night’s raid.
      Last February, The Sun revealed how Zouma has been caught on video slapping and kicking his cat last February – leading to a prosecution.
      Ex-Chelsea star issued a grovelling apology for actions after he was handed community service and fined.
      In the run-up to the club’s London derby against Palace on Sunday, West Ham said Zouma was unavailable for “personal reasons”.
      They did not elaborate on why he was missing from the match – as he stayed away to comfort his family.
      One resident on his street said they were not home at the time – but were aware of the break-in and had been warned to “stay vigilant”.
      The robbers are understood to have escaped with jewellery including high-end watches.
      Zouma – who has 11 caps for France – is married to wife Sandra, who he first met when they were teenagers in Lyon.
      They revealed in July they had welcomed their fourth child together.
      The £30 million star is the latest in a long line of footballers – including Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and Joao Cancelo – to be targeted by professional robbery gangs.
      A source said: “This was an extremely worrying attack and left Kurt and his family traumatised.
      “They were an aggressive and organised gang – and the house was completely ransacked.
      “Kurt and the family were put through a horrific ordeal, and are still struggling to speak about what happened.
      “Everyone at the club immediately knew it was incredibly serious – as he would not have missed a game otherwise.
      “But the raid is why he was not available on Sunday.
      How Zouma joins other football stars targeted by robbers
      December, 2021: Man City defender Joao Cancelo shares a picture of his battered and bruised face after he confronted four raiders who targeted his home in Hale while he was there with his family
      March 2022: Then-Man Utd star Paul Pogba’s home in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester is raided as he plays for the Red Devils in their home Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
      January 2022: Swedish defender Victor Lindelof’s home in Hale is targeted as he is in action for Man Utd away at Brentford. His terrified wife Maja locked herself and two young sons in a bathroom as intruders raided their house.
      January 2022: Ex -Man Utd star Jesse Lingard falls prey to ‘away day’ robbers who steal more than £100,000 of clothes and jewellery from his home in Bowdon, Greater Manchester as he plays for the club at Aston Villa.
      September 2022 – Then- Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was at his Cheshire home with Little Mix fiancée Perrie Edwards and their young son when burglars broke in
      December 2022 – Chelsea ace Raheem Sterling jets home from the Qatar World Cup after raiders struck at his Surrey home.

      “It is a terrible thing to have happened – and everyone at the club is offering him their full support.
      “The player’s family are too scared to stay at the house – and have already talked of needing to move.
      “Kurt is a family man and in shock. He is worried about protecting his family.”
      West Ham’s Joint Chairman David Sullivan previously put up a £250,000 reward when a burglar broke into his £7.5 million Essex mansion while he was on holiday in In June 2017.
      The raider – believed to be the ‘Essex Spiderman’ who had targeted around 50 other properties – is believed to have been scared off by a high-tech alarm system and fled empty-handed.
      Last night, Mr Sullivan, 74, urged anyone with information about the burglars who targeted Zouma’s family to come forward.
      He said: “First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone connected to West Ham United are with Kurt and his family. To have someone break into your home is a terrifying experience and I hope this reward will help bring the individuals to justice and prevent others from going through a similar ordeal.”
      Essex Police told The Sun: “We were called shortly after 11.50pm on Saturday 2 December to reports of a burglary in west Essex.
      “It was reported suspects had gained entry to an address, before taking items including jewellery and watches.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Our investigation into this incident is continuing.”
      •Anyone who has any relevant information should email confidential@westhamunited.co.uk with as much detail as possible, which will then be shared with the police.
      The horror comes just weeks after wife Sandra gave birth to their fourth childCredit: Instagram
      She recently shared a picture of their newest child at West HamCredit: Instagram More

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      Inside Benjamin Mendy’s £5m mansion as he is forced to slash price as it languishes on the market

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      BENJAMIN Mendy has slashed a whopping £750,000 off the asking price of his £5million mansion as he battles bankruptcy following his rape trial. The former Manchester City footballer, 29, must sell the sprawling Cheshire property to avoid financial ruin. 
      Benjamin Mendy’s mansion has now been put up for saleCredit: Savills
      The ex-City defender now plays for Lorient in FranceCredit: Getty
      As he chases up to £10m of back pay from his old club and while rebuilding his career at French Ligue 1 club Lorient, Mendy has now reduced the asking price to £4.25million.
      It comes as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is seeking a bankruptcy order against the footballer over a nearly £800,000 tax debt. 
      The house is described by estate agents as “one of the finest contemporary homes in Cheshire”. 
      The 11,000sq-ft residence is set in over 1.75 acres of grounds and boasts six bedroom suites, an open plan living area, games room, home cinema, swimming pool, steam room, gym and spa. 
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      It was bought by Mendy from cricketing legend Andrew Flintoff in 2018 for £4.8million. 
      Flintoff, who never lived at the house, bought it for £1.8million in 2008 and spent two years rebuilding the property – before renting it out. 
      His tenants included former footballer Peter Crouch and wife Abbey Clancy. 
      The former Man City star was already a millionaire when he joined from Monaco in 2017 on a six-year contract.
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      His deal guaranteed him a basic £100,000-a-week salary and up to £170,000 with bonuses.
      But instead of pocketing £31.2million, he ended up fighting bankruptcy after his 2020 arrest for rape.
      He was cleared of raping a woman following a retrial in July.
      Jurors unanimously cleared him of both charges after three hours of deliberation.
      But despite going free, he was forced to close his image rights company after being chased for unpaid tax.
      The footballer took a huge financial hit after being charged in 2021, with City stopping his salary the following month.
      The sprawling property boasts a luxurious interiorCredit: Savills
      Peter Crouch was a former tenant at the mansionCredit: Savills
      The property is worth millionsCredit: Savills
      There is even a home cinema at the swanky padCredit: Savills More

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      I’m a Newcastle United superfan – so I transformed my toilet into a mini St James Park

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      A NEWCASTLE United fan is so potty about the Toon he turned his loo into a mini St James’ Park.James Longworth, 40, created his very own bog on the Tyne while his wife Tarin was away on a spa weekend.
      Newcastle United fanatic James Longworth has decorated his downstairs toilet like St James ParkCredit: Glen Minikin
      The dad of three has kitted the room out with a Lego copy of the Newcastle United badge above his toilet rollCredit: Glen Minikin
      The dad of three said: “She asked if I could paint the bathroom while she was away so I said ‘sure, how do you want it?’
      “She replied, ‘It’s up to you — just nothing too loud’. I then had this spur-of-the-moment idea.”
      Touches include a £200 mural of stadium St James’ Park, black and white stripes on the other walls and artificial grass on the floor.
      And whenever the door opens, Local Hero plays — the music the team walks out to at home games.
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      Delivery driver James, who lives in Burnley, added: “We used to go to a lot of matches but it’s hard to get tickets now. So if I can’t go to St James’ Park I thought I would bring St James’ Park to me.”
      Tarin, 33, was shocked at first — especially at the artificial grass.
      She said: “We all know that boys don’t always hit the target. So how am I supposed to mop the floor when he has turned it into a football pitch with artificial grass?
      “I do like it now — it’s quirky and a real talking point.”
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      James decorated the bathroom while his wife Tarin was awayCredit: Glen Minikin
      Despite his love for The Toon, James lives in Burnley and can’t get to many gamesCredit: Glen Minikin
      The bathroom features artificial turfCredit: Glen Minikin
      This is what James bathroom looked like before More

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      Inside Harry Redknapp’s plans for new incredible seaside villa after tearing down his £7million home

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      FOOTBALL legend Harry Redknapp is set to build a new incredible seaside villa after tearing down his £7million home.The plans for his new home have already caused a stir with neighbours – and he is yet to be given planning permission.
      Harry and Sandra Redknapp are battling for new home improvements approval
      The ex-Spurs manager wants to redevelop his newly-bought Sandbanks property. Pictured left, as it is now
      Harry Redknapp’s new home plansCredit: boppa.poole.gov.uk
      His application for changes has led to wranglings with council planners. Pictured, an artists impression of what the new home would look like
      Redknapp’s old waterfront home on the Millionaire’s Row has already been knocked down to make way for the new villa.
      But the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is at war with his local council as he hopes to transform the Italianate mansion in Sandbanks, Dorset.
      Plans for the home show it echoes properties around Lake Como in Italy. 
      The colossal house will have four balconies, a grand entrance hall, an open-plan living/kitchen/dining room, two receptions, a study and five ensuite bedrooms.
      There will also be a new boat house and a jetty with access to Poole Harbour.
      But Planning chiefs have reportedly criticised an application for the six-bedroom detached house.
      They say proposals for the property overlooking Poole Harbour and promising “a traditional Italianate architectural style” are “overwhelming” and “disjointed”.
      Documents suggest Redknapp has been offering compromises, such as removing bedroom windows, lowering the roof and redesigning the front door and boat house.
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      Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said the preferred material for windows and doors should be timber.
      But Redknapp’s architects Anders Roberts Cheer hit back to say this would be “inappropriate in this exposed location”.
      A design and access statement for the new property calls it “sensitively designed” and “a carefully balanced and attractive infill development which respects the character of the area”.
      Meanwhile, neighbours have already began to complain about the plans.
      One local, Alison Wheeler said: “The proposed building is overpowering. I fear it would feel oppressive. The quiet enjoyment of our garden would be seriously impacted by the windows in the new south-west wing. 
      “The addition of several ground and first-floor windows… would have a major impact on our privacy.
      “It would create shadow in the morning and significantly reduce the light on the south-eastern aspect of our house.”
      Another resident Nicola Bailey added: “The proposed development… does not seem to respect the ‘spacing between plots’.”
      Chris Shipperley, of ARC Architects, acting for the Redknapps, said the couple had already revised the plans to appease locals.
      Sandbanks is said to be Britain’s most expensive seaside town More

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      Ex-footballer Glenn Murray launches Grand Designs-style home renovation as he builds mega-mansion

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      FOOTBALLER Glenn Murray has been given the go-ahead for a £3million new build with a sheltered walkway between his garage and front door – to stop him getting wet.The former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker, 39, has kicked off plans to bulldoze a 1970s bungalow and turn it into a luxury four-bedroom pad.
      Glenn Murray is building a mega-mansionCredit: Getty
      How his new home will look after works are carried outCredit: John Pardey Architects (JPA)
      The black timber clad farmstead-style house will boast a heated outdoor swimming pool, gym, snug, chicken coop, wildflower garden and fruit tree orchard.
      It will also have a glazed entrance hall, guest suite, study, paved dining terrace and timber loggia to protect Murray from the rain in the short walk from his car.
      The proposed development was ruled ‘on-side’ by planners at the local council after there were no objections from neighbours.
      In a design statement, Murray’s planning agent said: “A freestanding outbuilding (cars, plant, gym) sits to the west following the site boundary.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALLERS
      “This is fronted by a timber loggia that unites the three volumes (and allows travel from garage to front door without getting wet).
      “A loggia at the front unites all three forms and provides sheltered access from the garage to the front door.’
      Murray, now a football pundit, paid £1million for the corner plot with a purpose-built kennel and koi carp pond.
      Conservationists were initially concerned about the “industrial” design of the new build with a “seemingly over-large” chimney, and harm to nearby listed buildings.
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      But Murray has now scaled down his plans and was given the green light by officials at his local District Council.
      Murray played for Watford and Nottingham Forest in 2021 but retired that year aged 37.
      He began his career in the USL Pro Soccer League playing for Wilmington Hammerheads before a Conference North switch to Barrow.
      From there he worked his way up the leagues with a number of clubs, including Carlisle United and Rochdale.
      He then moved to Brighton for the first of two spells which saw him score a total of 111 goals for the club.
      Glenn has been given the go-ahead for a sheltered walkway between his garage and front door – to stop him getting wetCredit: John Pardey Architects (JPA)
      Glenn retired from the game in 2021 and works as a punditCredit: Getty More