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    English club agrees to sell TWO plots of land on site of iconic stadium with 100 houses set to be built

    LAND next to the iconic home of a Premier League club is up for sale.Two corner plots on Shoreham Street, which runs alongside Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium, have been given approval for 100 homes to be built on them.
    Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane is set for some major changes around it
    Sheffield United are selling two plots of land on their Bramall Lane site which will become houses
    The green light has been given for a four-storey block of 52 studio apartments to be built on an area known as Cutler’s Corner.
    Another 45 apartments are set to go above a new Sheffield United shop on the 0.4 acre Boundary Corner site, where Shoreham Street meets Cherry Street.
    Hilco Global estate agency are marketing it and say that the price is available on application.
    Cutlers Corner is currently used for by Blades supporters leaving the stadium while Boundary Corner is used as additional car parking for the stadium.
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    The plans for 52 studio apartments on Cutlers Corner were approved in 2013 with the sales brochure saying that, in 2017, Sheffield Council had confirmed that sufficient work was done on the site to implement the permission.
    That meant that development had officially commenced.
    And the plans for a four-storey building with the 45 apartments above a new shop at the Boundary Corner site also got the go-ahead in 2017.
    However, The Star says that work there is “yet to begin it is understood planning permission for that site has elapsed”.
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    A press release in March 2020 from the Scarborough Group, whose chairman is ex-Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe, said that “discussions are ongoing with Sheffield City Council to increase the density of both these sites” on Boundary Corner and Cutlers Corner.
    And then it also stated that McCabe, who lost his ownership battle of the club with Prince Abdullah, had an agreement in principle for Sheffield United to acquire from Scarborough Group the freehold of Bramall Lane Stadium and the adjoining Copthorne Hotel.
    Sheff Utd captain Anel Ahmedhodzic slams ‘clearly biased’ TNT Sports and claims coverage against West Ham was ‘edited’
    On the pitch, Sheffield United secured an impressive 3-1 win at Luton on Saturday to bolster their faint Premier League survival hopes.
    But Chris Wilder’s men are still seven points from safety with just 14 games left to go. More

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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

    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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    Ex-Premier League star in row with neighbours over ‘overbearing’ £1.2m home that’s been construction site for four years

    AN EX-PREMIER League football star is in a row with neighbours over a new security wall.Canadian footballer Junior Hoilett is building a new home in the small village of Englefield Green in Surrey.
    Junior Hoilett playing for Reading in an FA Cup match against Manchester United in 2023Credit: Getty
    Englefield Green is a picturesque Surrey village where the footballer has made his homeCredit: Kevin Dunnett
    Hoilett is in a planning dispute with neighbours over his new security wall at his homeCredit: Kevin Dunnett
    Hoilett is a left winger who made 61 caps for Reading as well as 173 for Cardiff CityCredit: Reuters
    Hoilett, who last played for Vancouver Whitecaps, demolished the original £1.2million house and has been building a five-bedroom pad which boasts a gym, games room, playroom, and nursery.
    As part of the new build, the ex-Blackburn, Reading and QPR winger wants a wall and security gate to boost security at his home.
    But in a letter of objection, one neighbour wrote: “It hardly falls into the requirements of the village plan for soft, i.e, green frontages to property within the village.”
    “I would hope that some guidance could be given to the applicants in this respect an I object to the current proposal.”
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    The dispute follows the burglaries of the homes of high-profile football stars, including Jack Grealish, Kurt Zouma, and Raheem Sterling.
    There has also been a recent string of burglaries in the Englefield Green area, neighbours say.
    Amanda Willis, the chair of the Englefield Green Village Residents Association, said the group wanted to see more greenery in the village in general.
    Willis said the group didn’t particularly like the wall and would have preferred something more “open” which would show the house off.
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    But, the group had seen the plans and said the wall didn’t breach the neighbour plan and there was nothing they could do about it.
    One neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said there had been a wall there beforehand.
    Is this the moment Jack Grealish is told of his family’s terror at £1m jewellery break-in raid at his mansion?
    “You don’t have to have greenery, you could have a picket fence, it just has to be within those parameters [of the village plan].”
    But, she said Hoilett’s new home was “out of keeping” with the area, in which most homes had a similar style.
    “It is what it is”.
    Another neighbour who didn’t want to be named said she didn’t like the new home either.
    “I would prefer to see what was there before. A nice detached house.
    “I have nothing against modern design, but something that is appropriate for the plot.”
    The new home features a basement with neighbours saying they could hear the piles being driven into the ground.
    The area is full of high hedges and walls which neighbours said muffled a lot of the construction noise over the past few years.
    Hoilett was granted permission to demolish and build the new home in 2019 and received further building permissions in 2020.
    In planning consultations, neighbours were worried that the three-story home would become “overbearing” to their homes.
    But, close neighbours said Hoilett had communicated well with them and informed them over his plans.
    They said the construction had been delayed because of Covid and Hoilett having to find a new contractor.
    Hoilett joined Blackburn in 2003 and came through their academy with former Man Utd star Phil Jones.
    He also played for QPR, Cardiff and Reading but quit The Royals last summer to join MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in his homeland.
    Land Registry records show that he bought his Surrey pad for £1.2million in May, 2019.
    But it is now believed to be worth at least £3million after he knocked it down to make way for a two-storey new build, flanked by two single-storey wings.
    Officials at Runnymede Council are expected to make a decision on the plans next month.
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    Hoilett made 81 appearances for the Blackburn Rovers, 112 for QPR, and 173 for Cardiff.
    Junior Hoilett did not want to comment.
    Hoilett, a Canadian, has played for his national side 62 timesCredit: Getty
    Hoilett paid for £1.2million in 2019 and received permission to demolish the house in the same yearCredit: Kevin Dunnett More

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    Inside Sir Alex Ferguson’s £3.5m home he shared with his ‘rock’ wife – as it’s still up for sale months after her death

    SIR Alex Ferguson’s £3.5million home is still up for sale months after the death of his wife Cathy.The footie legend put his five-bedroom, 7,000 square foot property in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on the market after Lady Cathy Ferguson passed away in October aged 84.
    Sir Alex Ferguson’s luxurious 7.000 square foot property in Wilmslow, CheshireCredit: Andy Kelvin
    Sir Alex will sell the property following the death of his wife CathyCredit: Reuters
    The eye-catching home has a chandelier dangling in the hallwayCredit: LY Property, Cheshire
    The legend’s games roomCredit: LY Property, Cheshire
    But three months later the home, which comes complete with a stylish open plan kitchen and games room, is still up for sale. 
    Photos of the property also reveal a dazzling hallway chandelier, en-suite bathrooms and perfectly manicured lawns.
    The former Manchester United gaffer likely let off steam in his charming game room – decorated with art work, oak bookcases and a snooker table.
    The property also has a unique “Ferguson clan” tartan carpet adorned on the staircase.
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    Sir Alex decided to sell the property following the death of his wife, the Mirror reported.
    He previously had said his wife, who he met in 1964, was a “bedrock” in his life.
    Fergie’s time living at the luxurious home wasn’t without its share of controversy.
    In 2020, Sir Alex lost a planning battle after he objected strongly to next door’s application to demolish a two-storey house and build a three-storey mansion.
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    Fergie’s lawyers sent a five-page opposition letter to planners.
    He claimed his privacy would be affected by removal of trees which would also impact the character of the area.
    Sir Alex Ferguson SMASHES record for most expensive jumps horse ever as he spends £633,000 on Caldwell Potter
    He said the removal of trees was “likely to have a significant impact on the character of the area and the existing privacy standards afforded”.
    60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
    Cathy first met Sir Alex, 81, in 1964 when he was just 23 years old and they married shortly after in 1966.
    In his autobiography, Sir Alex wrote: “I had the good fortune to meet a wonderful girl who has been my rock for almost 50 years.”
    The pair have three sons together – Mark, born in 1968, and twin boys football manager Darren and Jason, born in 1972 – and 12 grandchildren.
    Commenting on their home life, Alex once said: “Cathy is fantastic with the kids.
    “It’s a military operation with her. If any of them misbehave, they’re in the doghouse.”
    Cathy stood by Sir Alex throughout his playing career and journey to management.
    There were claims that Ferguson suffered discrimination at Rangers between 1967 to 1969 due to his wife’s Catholicism.
    However he made it clear in his autobiography that the club knew of her religion.
    She was by Sir Alex’s side as he rose to become one of the world’s best managers, starting at St Mirren in the 1970s, then to Aberdeen in the 1980s, where he won the Cup Winners’ Cup, and then to his legendary reign as manager of Manchester united from 1986 to 2013.
    When Sir Alex initially wanted to retire in 2002, Cathy famously convinced him to remain in charge of the Red Devils.
    “One, your health is good,” Sir Alex claimed Cathy said.
    “Two, I’m not having you in the house. And three, you’re too young anyway.”
    But she was unable persuade her husband to recommit to Old Trafford in 2011, before he finally retired in 2013.
    “I won’t be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that,” Ferguson said at the time.
    “You have to think about time for yourself. I think my wife deserves a bit of my time, too. The older you get, the more you feel guilty about it.
    “My wife, Cathy, was the one who talked me out of retiring last time but she wouldn’t do that now.”
    Ferguson went on to retire two years later saying his wife needed his support after her sister died.
    During his tenure, he won 38 major trophies, including 13 league titles and the Champions League twice.

    But planners decided to allow the scheme to ahead.
    It comes as Sir Alex’s world-record £633,000 jumps horse could miss Cheltenham Festival.

    He was part of a syndicate that splashed the eye-watering sum of cash on Caldwell Potter last month.
    A Grade 1-winning novice hurdler for former owners Caldwell Construction, the six-year-old is now on his way to Paul Nicholls.
    The Ditcheat trainer has been rocked by the death of 25-year-old yard worker and amateur jockey Keagan Kirkby at a Kent racecourse last Sunday.
    Sir Alex’s ensuite bedroomCredit: LY Property, Cheshire
    The ‘Ferguson clan’ tartan carpet staircaseCredit: LY Property, Cheshire
    The property boasts a plush bathroomCredit: LY Property, Cheshire
    The former Manchester United manager has decided to sell the propertyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    ‘We hear goals before we see them,’ cry locals living next to Emirates Stadium as influx of fans block TV & phone signal

    RESIDENTS who live next to a Premier League ground say they hear goals before seeing them as the influx of fans blocks their TV and phone signals.Arsenal moved to their 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium home in Holloway, London, from Highbury back in 2006.
    Arsenal superfan Dean Embley has lived opposite the Emirates Stadium for ten yearsCredit: Darren Fletcher
    The Gunners moved to their 60,000-seater home from Highbury back in 2006Credit: Darren Fletcher
    Jigar Tharkkar is a Liverpool fan who has lived with a view of the ground for two yearsCredit: Darren Fletcher
    And many locals say they’re having a ball – especially those who support the Gunners.
    But there are several drawbacks living next to the stadium including rowdy supporters, parking problems and terrible internet connection.
    Arsenal superfan Dean Embley, 47, has lived opposite the fifth-largest football stadium in England for ten years.
    He told The Sun: “On matchday we love it. There is a good sense of community and we get to meet loads of people coming through.
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    “I’m a huge Arsenal fan which helps. It’s just a coincidence that we live here though.
    “We used to live down the road at the away end. Sometimes there was fighting and we once had some problems with Chelsea fans.
    “The kids used to stick their heads out the window and gesticulate at the away fans. It’s all banter though I guess.”
    The builder, originally from Hackney, continued: “However there seems to be a signal block on matchday.
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    “I don’t know whether it’s an Arsenal thing or all the fans using their phones.
    “It really slows everything in the area, especially if you are trying to watch the telly.
    “That’s a disappointing thing because we hear the goals before they appear on the TV.”
    George Salisbury, 26, from St Andrews, said: “You kind of have to plan your life around match days because it just gets unbelievably busy.
    “It’s quite entertaining to see all the fans streaming past. However a couple of weeks ago we had a guy who managed to get in and urinate on the premises.
    “You often get drunk people at 3am singing Arsenal chants as well.”
    Nisha Kaddy, 41, who has lived opposite the stadium for three months, said: “My husband and two children are Arsenal fans, but parking in this area is tricky.
    “If we have visitors we have to be really cautious because you can’t park anywhere on matchday. It’s quite loud when a team scores too!”
    Jigar Tharkkar, 29, is a Liverpool fan who has lived with a view of the ground for two years.
    The Google system engineer, originally from India, said: “The views of the stadium are great and I love the vibe here on match days.
    “Plus I got to see the Liverpool v Arsenal match last year. Even when I’m not watching the match I know when there is a goal.
    “There is an issue with light pollution because they have them on all night but we just keep the blinds down.”
    Manchester United supporter Alan Cooper, 65, from Islington, said: “I’m not an Arsenal supporter but I like the match day buzz.
    “If there’s a concert on it’s a bit of a***hole because I’ve got to move the cars or you get a ticket.
    “Sometimes people chuck rubbish onto my balcony. The only time I’ve ever seen any real trouble is with Tottenham fans.
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    “A couple of Spurs supporters were picking up bricks and chucking them.”
    It comes as Premier League challengers Arsenal and Liverpool renew hostilities at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
    George Salisbury, 26, from St Andrews, has a view of the ground from his kitchenCredit: Darren Fletcher
    Manchester United supporter Alan Cooper, 65, from IslingtonCredit: Darren Fletcher
    Dean, 47, is builder and originally from HackneyCredit: Darren Fletcher
    There are several drawbacks living next to the stadiumCredit: Alamy More

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    Raging John Fury threatens to kick ‘first-class s***house’ ex-boxer ‘up the a***’ for what he said about son Tyson

    JOHN FURY has threatened to kick “first-class s***house” Carl Froch “up the a***” following criticism of his son Tyson. Froch, who retired in 2014 after knocking out George Groves in front of 80,000 at Wembley, has been outspoken since hanging up the gloves.
    John Fury furiously hit out at Carl FrochCredit: Getty
    Carl Froch questioned Tyson Fury’s careerCredit: Pinnacle
    Conor McGregor, Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua have all been on the receiving end of verbal onslaughts from Froch.
    And more recently so too has Fury, who had his whole career completely questioned by Froch.
    So it has left the Gypsy King’s father John furious as he blasted the former super-middleweight champion.
    He told Boxing Social: “He’s a first class s***house, wants a kick up the a***, and he’ll get it off me if he ever comes round me.
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    “They’re jealous because people are only interested in current champions. No-one wants to know about has-beens.
    “That’s why when you see the Furys out of boxing you’ll never see us again, we don’t hang around as has-beens.
    “You’re a bum Carl Froch, keep my son’s name out of your mouth because you ain’t good enough to kiss his f***ing a***.”
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    Fury, 35, faces Oleksandr Usyk, 37, on February 17 in Saudi Arabia in what is the first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
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    It comes four months after he faced ex-UFC champion and boxing debutant Francis Ngannou, 37, in October.
    Fury was astonishingly floored but managed to escape with a controversial split-decision win.
    The aftermath of the fight caused Froch to questions Fury’s legacy and his famous wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder.
    He told Luckyblock: “It leaves a lot of question marks.
    “How good is Tyson Fury? What’s he ever done? Who’s he actually beaten? He obviously beat Klitschko in a bit of a stinker.
    “That was just an awkward, horrible performance where he just got inside Klitschko’s head and messed him up with that jab.
    “After the Klitschko fight, Fury had those three big standout fights with Deontay Wilder.
    “But how good is Deontay Wilder now? He looked awful against Joseph Parker. So now you start questioning him.
    “Is Tyson Fury actually what we thought he was or has he been flattered by the lack of opposition. We’ll find out when he fights Usyk.”
    Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk nextCredit: Reuters More

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    I’m an unbeaten boxer looking to become the GOAT – and I’ve already bought an actual goat and called him Tootsie

    BOXER Adam Azim is striving to one day be considered the GOAT – and he has laid the foundations by first getting an actual pet goat. Super-lightweight Azim is one of the hottest prospects in Britain right now, with a 10-0 record consisting of seven knockouts.
    Adam Azim has bought himself a pet goatCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    The unbeaten 21-year-old returns on the weekend, defending his Enock Poulsen at Wembley Arena.
    And he does so with a new face in his family – pet goat Tootsie.
    Azim told Boxing News: “Actually when you know where to look, you can buy goats from loads of places.
    “Once you know, you see them for sale everywhere. I was in the car and saw a sign saying ‘goats for sale’ so I thought ‘yeah’.
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    “There were seven or eight goats and you can just go there and choose one. I gave them £150 and then it’s mine.”
    Azim paid cash but quickly realised he would not be able to take Tootsie home to live with just yet.
    He revealed: “I realised that I couldn’t really take him home straight away because my house is getting an extension put on it right now.
    “But I didn’t just leave. I stuck him in the car and took him for a drive around the block first and then I took him back to the farm.
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    “Actually my dad only found out about the new goat because he saw loads of mud in the car.
    “I’ve called it Tootsie and I go and see it at the weekend. I can’t wait to get it home, I think I will have the right set-up for it in the garden.”
    Azim stopped Franck Petitjean in round ten of his last fight in Wolverhampton, where he won the European title in only his tenth fight. More

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    Skint ex-Prem ace Jermaine Pennant will be kicked out of his home in days after splitting from TV star Jess Impiazzi

    REALITY star Jess Impiazzi is kicking skint ex-Premier League star Jermaine Pennant out of her home this week.Jess, 34, had given the love rat time to find a new place following their split last month, revealed by The Sun on Sunday.
    Ex-footballer Jermaine Pennant split from Jess Impiazzi last monthCredit: Simon Jones
    Former Arsenal and Liverpool star Pennant was declared bankrupt a year agoCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Former Arsenal and Liverpool star Pennant, 41, has been struggling to get a rental tenancy after being declared bankrupt a year ago owing creditors £1million.
    He faced the prospect of “sofa-surfing” with friends — but last night was said to have found a new place and was looking to move in soon.
    A source said: “Jess has been left heartbroken by Jermaine’s actions during their relationship, but she wanted to give him time to find his feet.
    “He was hoping he’d be able to win her back while they were still living under the same roof. But she’s done with him and wants to start moving on with her life.”
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    Actress and Ex on the Beach star Jess ended their two-year relationship after friends told her Pennant had spent the night with a flame-haired dominatrix in Ibiza on holiday last May.
    Jess was undergoing IVF treatment at the time in the hope of starting a family with Pennant.
    She later found he had been sending racy messages to other women.
    But Pennant — now a talkSPORT pundit — has denied any wrongdoing.
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    He was once worth £10million — and was so loaded he forgot he left a Porsche at a railway station when playing in Spain for Zaragoza.
    He also could not remember he owned a £1.2million Cheshire mansion.
    He hung up his boots in 2017.
    The Sun on Sunday approached Pennant’s agent for comment.
    Jess ended their relationship after pals told her Pennant had spent the night with a dominatrix in IbizaCredit: Rex More