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    Wales set to have lowest home crowd in four years for friendly against South Korea

    WALES fans are set to deliver under-fire boss Robert Page a vote of no confidence with their lowest home crowd in FOUR years for Thursday’s friendly against South Korea.Page’s side have won just one of their 12 internationals – a 1-0 home win over Latvia in March – and lie in fourth spot of their Euro 2024 qualification group.
    Son Heung-min arrives in Cardiff fresh from his hat-trick for Tottenham in the 5-2 Premier League win at Burnley on SaturdayCredit: AFP
    Wales fans are unhappy with recent form after just one win in 12 internationalsCredit: Reuters
    The previous lowest crowd in recent times – Covid matches aside – was the sparse 7,666 attendance for a 1-0 friendly win over Belarus in September 2019 when Ryan Giggs was manager.
    SunSport understands a similar level of support is expected in Cardiff.
    Tottenham captain Son Heung-min leads South Korea for the friendly clash in the Welsh capital.
    The Football Association of Wales had only sold 7,000 tickets last week.
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    And that means the 33,280-capacity Cardiff City Stadium is likely to be less than a third full at best with empty seats across the ground.
    A section of Wales fans want Page to be sacked following a dismal set of results which included a humiliating 4-2 home qualifying loss to Armenia in front of a sell-out crowd in June.
    That was followed up by a 2-0 defeat in Group D leaders Turkey.
    They are already five points clear of the Welsh with Armenia and Croatia also above them in the race for Germany although they have played fewer games.
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    But, despite the horror run of form, Page, 48, has received the backing from FAW chief executive Noel Mooney.
    Wales must-win against bottom side Latvia when they travel to Riga next Monday if they want to keep their slim hopes of automatic qualification for next summer’s finals alive.
    Only the top two qualify from the group.
    However, Page’s men could be handed a route through the back door via the play-offs next year because of their previous Nations League success.
    But a failure to collect those all-important three points against the Latvians will only increase the mounting pressure on Page, who signed a four-year deal 12 months ago before the World Cup. More

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    We live by a major Premier League stadium – we used to love it here but it’s so run down we’re being forced out

    LOCALS who live next to a famous Premier League stadium say they used to love the area but now want to leave because its a s*** tip.The collection of maisonettes, flats and older houses near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium is known as the Grey Mare estate.
    One home features a mural depicting Manchester City manager Pep GuardiolaCredit: STEVE ALLEN
    Some properties have been renovated but other work has been abandonedCredit: STEVE ALLEN
    Homeowners living close by Manchester City’s ground are threatening to leaveCredit: STEVE ALLEN
    Many locals have witnessed the transformation of the area thanks to the construction of the 55,000 seater stadium and nearby sports campus over recent decades.
    But after Manchester City Council recently approved plans for a £300m expansion of Manchester City’s stadium, locals on the Grey Mare estate claim they are being left behind.
    Plans to refurbish and improve the old Grey Mere estates have been hit by a series of snags and financial set backs.
    Now locals are saying they have had enough and want out.One resident who has lived on the estate for 50 years told the Manchester Evening News: “I used to feel really good about living here.”But since all this, it’s just a s*** tip – and it’s right by the stadium where thousands of people come.”I’ve lived here since I was five – this is the first time I’ve thought I’d like to move.”
    A masterplan drawn up in 2021 suggested demolishing 124 maisonettes, flats and houses and building 290 new homes but this too has been put on hold – with many properties now remaining boarded up.
    Glenda O’Hanlon said the paused redevelopment plans left the estate looking like an unfinished “jigsaw puzzle”.
    Manchester Central’s Labour MP Lucy Powell said she was “very concerned and disappointed” by a lack of progress redeveloping the estate.
    She said: “I feel that the current leadership of One Manchester aren’t up to that task of delivering a big scheme like that.
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    “They’ve let residents down in the process and some of the work that’s been carried out has not been carried out to the standard we’d expect.”
    One Manchester manages the social housing on the estate and planned to retrofit properties to improve their energy efficiency, but the scheme has stalled.
    One Manchester admitted residents had “understandable frustrations” but blamed an absence of “appropriate government-backed funding”.
    The firm said they were working with the city council “to make improvements for both our customers and the wider estate over the coming months”.
    A spokesperson added: “We will also look to collaborate on further investment proposals with MCC in the future.”
    Manchester council’s executive member for housing and development Gavin White said: “The proposals to invest in and regenerate the Grey Mare Lane estate remain a priority for the council.
    “We reassured local people at a meeting last week that the planned works would continue as promised.
    “This includes delivering new homes which will complement the previous investment in this community, including new schools and leisure centre.”
    The £300m scheme to expand city’s stadium received the green light from town planners in July.
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    The proposal would see an extra 7,900 seats added to the north stand, increasing the stadium capacity to 61,958, as well as a a nine storey, 391-bedroom hotel and a new eight storey building constructed.
    Building work is set to start later this year. The scheme is expected to be delivered by late 2026.
    Locals are leading an exodus from a neglected estate next to reigning Premier League and European champions Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium More

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    We live by a major UK stadium – here’s why it’s the best place in the city to have a home

    FOOTBALL fans who live in the shadow of one of Britain’s best-known stadiums say it’s the best place in the city to have a home.The homes on Wesley Street, which leads down to Leeds United’s Elland Road ground, are pretty much all owned by fans of the club and there’s hardly ever a for sale sign outside any of them.
    Wesley Street lies in the shadow of the famous Elland Road stadiumCredit: NB PRESS LTD
    Gran Joyce Brown has lived in the street since 1963 when the properties were first builtCredit: NB PRESS LTD
    Simon Dyson has lived on the road since he was three and loves itCredit: NB PRESS LTD
    Even the telephone junction boxes in the street are daubed with Leeds United badges, celebrations of by-gone players and famous chants.
    Joyce Brown, an 85-year-old grandmother, has been a season ticket holder at Elland Road for 65 years and moved into her red-brick semi in 1963 when the houses were built so she could be close to her club.
    Joyce even admitted that she and her now late husband Alan cut their honeymoon short so they could watch a game.
    She said: “Me and Alan even cut our honeymoon to Blackpool short so that we could watch a game. This is the best place to live in Leeds.”
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    Alan, who died I 1995, has his ashes interned in the Elland Road pitch.
    “Our love of Leeds United was the reason we bought this house,” said Joyce.
    “I have seen some ups and downs at the club since I watched my first game as a 12-year-old girl.”
    Joyce used to go to Leeds United games with her grandad. “But their situation, now, is upsetting me more than ever.”
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    She is not happy with the players who want to leave since relegation.
    “Alan is at the ground behind the goalposts now. We are there together at the home games still,” she said.
    Joyce can barely remember missing a game at Elland Road, other than the Covid gap, when no spectators were allowed in the ground.
    “I find it hard to think of a home game that I’ve missed. I have missed some, but not many,” she said.
    “It’s awful to say, but I have lived my life around Leeds United.”
    Joyce gave birth to her youngest son Simon at home in 1966.
    She said: “I was here and gave birth over the Friday and Saturday night to Simon. I wanted to go and watch the game against Arsenal on the Saturday afternoon, but the midwife wouldn’t let me go. We won 2-1.”
    Simon Dyson, 31, has lived on the street since he was three years old and loves it.
    The aluminium fabricator said: “I was near enough born and bred here and I’m a massive Leeds fan – you’ve got to be really.
    “It’s a beautiful view waking up to the sight of the stadium.
    “Supporting Leeds has its ups and down and it is a hard task sometimes, but I’ll never get tired of living here.
    “There is never any trouble. You can hear the crowd and can tell when they’ve scored when I’m at home. I wouldn’t move.
    “Parking isn’t a problem either because I have my permit. It’s all good.”
    Dawn Oates, 55, lives right at the bottom of Wesley Street and her house boasts a Leeds United mural on the gable end facing the ground.
    Dawn was born within a stone’s throw of the stadium in a back-to-back terrace house, which has since been demolished to make way for one of the club’s car parks.
    She has also worked as the bar supervision of the unofficial club pub The Old Peacock – which stands opposite the ground – for the last 36 years.
    Dawn said: “I have lived in the shadow of the Elland Road stadium for all of my life. I was born here.
    “I’m a season ticket holder. I work, then go and see the match – it’s great.
    “There’s no trouble now. Years ago, there would be away coaches turning up around here, but not now.
    “I’m very proud to live around here. I leave for work and it takes me just five minutes and then I can pop to the game.”
    Next door neighbour Julie Ridings, 62, doesn’t care for football, but her husband Tony is a season ticket holder.
    “I’m not a Leeds fan, but my husband is. He’s a season ticket holder,” said Julie.
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    “The crowds don’t bother me. We’ve lived here for that long that it is just part and parcel of it.
    “We moved here 39 years ago. It keeps him happy and quiet and so I don’t mind it. I don’t like football, but I like living here.”
    Another superfan who lives in the road, Julie Ridings has a mural painted on her home dedicated to the clubCredit: NB PRESS LTD
    Leeds United’s Elland Road and the famous statue of footballing legend Billy BremnerCredit: NB PRESS LTD
    Dawn Oates lives at the bottom of Wesley StreetCredit: NB PRESS LTD More

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

    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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    Man, 23, charged over Raheem Sterling burglary after England star’s home broken into while he was at World Cup

    A MAN has been charged with burglary after Raheem Sterling’s home was broken into while he was on England duty at the World Cup.The Chelsea star, 28, had his property in Oxshott, Surrey, raided in December 2022.
    The England star had his property in Oxshott, Surrey, raided in December 2022Credit: Getty
    Sterling raced back from Qatar to be with fiancee Paige Milian and his kids
    Sterling was forced to race back from Qatar to be with his family following the horror.
    Watches worth £300,000 and jewellery pieces were taken.
    Cops have now charged Emiliano Krosi, 23, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with 33 offences of conspiracy to commit burglary.
    He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Guildford Crown Court on September 21.
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    Sterling’s terrified fiancée Paige Milian, 27, was looking after their two kids when she raised the alarm.
    It’s understood no one was home at the time but police were alerted to missing items as soon as the occupants returned.
    Surrey Police believe the gang thought Paige and the kids were still in the Middle East supporting the footballer – but they had actually returned shortly before. More

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

    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.
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    “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

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    I live next to Emirates Stadium – I have 60,000 people outside my bedroom window every match but here’s why I love it

    AN avid Arsenal fan has revealed what life is like living next to the Emirates Stadium.The Gunners supporter has 60,000 people passing by his bedroom window in North London every match day but he loves living there.
    Denis lives in a flat in the shadow of the Emirates stadiumCredit: Tiktok – @denisattheemirates
    He gets a birds eye view of the fans pouring into the stadium on match daysCredit: Tiktok – @denisattheemirates
    Known online as “Denis at the Emirates” who has made a name for himself on TikTok took to the social media site to reveal all to his 168,000 followers.
    In a short video titled “Things that just make sense living next to the Emirates stadium” he starts off my showing himself in his flat with the massive stadium clearly visible out of a window.
    The footage then cuts to a sea of people walking towards the famous ground with the caption saying: “60,000 people outside your bedroom every weekend”.
    It cuts again to show a railway line with the caption reading: “Foxes randomly chilling on the rail track.”
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    After another cut, it shows someone filming outside the stadium with the caption saying: “Arsenal Fan TV recording videos right outside your living room.”
    Lastly, Denis is shown standing on his balcony as the caption says: “Starting football chants with every person that passes by.”
    The pinned clip has been viewed a massive 5.9million times, gaining 539,000 likes as well as nearly 1,500 comments.
    One person wrote: “I’ve seen you on your balcony so many times when I walk past. Always thought to myself what a place to live.”
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    Another said: “This guy living my dream.”
    While a third jokingly asked: “Do you have any room left for rent?”
    Many residents who live in the shadow of the stadium say it’s great there as it has brought investment and gentrification to the area.
    But for some businesses it has been both a blessing and a curse.
    Carl Nelson, 54, runs the Arsenal Mini Mart which is on the street which takes fans from Holloway Road tube station to the stadium but he says he loses out on match days because he can’t sell alcohol.
    He has estimated he loses between £3,000-£4,000 on match days.
    However, many pubs and cafes making a killing from the surge in business.
    Brothers Murat Eric, 37, and Ferhat, 41, run the Little Wonder café and they say match days “help the whole community.”
    They add that business is also boosted if Arsenal do well as the fans spend more money.
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    Emily Grant, 32, has lived near the stadium for three years and while she’s not a fan of the Premier League side, she really enjoys the atmosphere when the fans arrive.
    She added she likes that the stadium brings in new investment into the area and “means a lot of the pubs and shops can keep going”.
    Denis also gets to watch Arsenal Fan TV recording from his living roomCredit: Tiktok – @denisattheemirates
    He loves trying to start a football chant with the people passing byCredit: Tiktok – @denisattheemirates More

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    Inside Christian Horner’s country mansion that Red Bull’s F1 boss shares with Geri Halliwell and three miniature donkeys

    RED BULL chief Christian Horner is used to living life in the fast lane working in F1.But when it comes to his personal life, the team principal of the motorsport giants prefers a more quiet and slower existence away from the race track.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner lives a life of luxury in the countryCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
    Horner poses on the grounds of their Oxfordshire farmhouse with son MontagueCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    He shares TWO stunning country homes with wife, Spice Girl Geri in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire and their brood.
    The former property is, perhaps, the most lavish and most shared online – boasting its very own duck pond, which they use for boating.
    Their farm also houses three miniature donkeys, horses and goats in the estate’s stables.
    For Horner, living on a farm offers the ideal existence away from the stresses of the F1 circuit.
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    Back in 2019, he told Luxury London that the sprawling country abode was the “perfect home to relax in.”
    “Restoring the farm has been my hobby – the way I put racing out of my mind,” he added.
    “The main house is finished but now the barns are being converted. We’re currently putting the finishing touches to an indoor swimming pool.”
    Certainly, it’s the property in Oxfordshire that gets the most love from Geri on Instagram, who regularly shares candid snaps of her family life.
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    Horner, who last year celebrated Max Verstappen regaining the F1 Championship, is stepdad to Geri’s daughter Bluebell Madonna, 17, and the couple share a son, Montague, who is 6.
    He also has another daughter, Olivia, 10, from a previous relationship with ex-partner Beverley Allen.
    Christian has been spied alongside his boy riding matching John Deere tractors.
    He’s also been seen standing with his vintage Aston Martin DB5, which was Sean Connery’s car of choice as James Bond in Goldfinger.
    F1’s Horner poses on the steps of the home with daughter Olivia from his previous relationshipCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
    Son Montague and dad have matching John Deere tractorsCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
    An Aston Martin DB5 sits proudly in Horner’s garage
    Horner is married to Spice Girl GeriCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    Geri shows off the home’s swimming poolCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    Geri appears happy to play the role of housewife, often sharing photos in the kitchen rustling up treats.
    A budding chef, she has shown off her baking skills by crafting cakes using a customised Ginger Spice KitchenAid mixer, which Christian had specially designed for her.
    And with four separate ovens to choose from with the AGA range the kitchen boasts, she has plenty of space for her other favourite pastime – making bread.
    You can bet, Christian, who also loves using the outdoor barbecue, and the kids are well fed in the Horner household with Geri’s production line of cakes and bread.
    Geri is often spied in the kitchen and loves bakingCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    Christian shows off his grilling skills with the outdoor barbecueCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
    Christian and Geri have a number of reception rooms to entertain from.
    However, the most popular one appears to be where a £16,000 original Wurlitzer can be found.
    When she celebrated her 45th birthday, Geri posted a video online singing along to Michael Jackson hit Billie Jean while thanking Christian for the music, which suggested it was a gift for her.
    Another living room shows off a stunning chandelier, as well as a marble fireplace.
    A £16,000 vintage Wurlitzer can be seen in a reception room, which was a gift from Christian for Geri’s 45th birthdayCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    The Oxfordshire property boasts several reception roomsCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    A spacious dining room was seen when Montague celebrated his birthdayCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    The glam couple also have a bar space in their propertyCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    The family love taking advantage of the huge grounds on offer at their farmhouse.
    And why not when you’ve got an incredible duck pond so big you can go boating on it.
    Horner and Geri can even take their dogs for a walk around the expansive gardens.
    The pair have even been seen zooming around on a quad bike, as well as picking raspberries in the garden with Montague.
    Miniature donkeys live in the stables
    The grounds are vast on the Horner’s Oxfordshire plot
    The Horners show off their horses and have their own stableCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    Geri picks raspberries with Montague in their lush gardenCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    The duck pond on the property has its own boat
    Christian and Geri live the country life away from the racing circuitCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
    Of course, no farm would be complete without animals either.
    And Christian and Geri boast three miniature donkeys that are housed in the stables, as well as some goats.
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    The singer often shares videos online when it’s feeding time.
    Clearly, you can forget the fancy racing circuit of heading to places like Dubai or Monte Carlo. A farmhouse is where it’s at. More