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      We live in the shadow of massive football stadium – fans dump litter in our gardens and smash our windows…we hate it

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      LOCALS living in the shadow of a Premier League ground claim their lives are a “nightmare” on match days and fear things will only get worse. Residents living next to Villa Park have told of rowdy fans urinating in gardens, smashing windows, vandalising cars and blocking driveways.
      Andrea Sawyers has lived on Trinity Road since 2012 and said she often had to clean up huge piles of litter left behind by fansCredit: SWNS
      Osman Mohammed, 30 has to plan ahead of match daysCredit: SWNS
      Abu Zaman, 26, has had his car vandalised on several occasionsCredit: SWNS
      Locals have taken to picking up strewn kebab wrappers and beer cans after match days at the club supported by Prince William and Tom Hanks.
      Some have started studying fixture lists in attempt to avoid match days, when they know their driveways will be blocked by ignorant fans.
      Aston Villa are set for European football next season after a remarkable turnaround in form under new gaffer Unai Emery.
      And the famous club have had a near 10,000 seat new stand approved in the past few months, which locals fear is just going to make the problems worse.
      Abu Zaman, 26, is a Villa fan but says living near the team he supports is no fun as his car has been damaged on multiple occasions.
      Business owner Abu, who has lived on Trinity Road all of his life, said: “The parking and the traffic are really bad.
      “We get people who scratch our cars and previously had people smash our windows.
      “Our road is shut on the day. On a match day you have to wait for the game to start at which point your whole day is wasted.
      Most read in Football
      “Then there’s the parking, the litter and the vandalism. The roads are open but the supporters are walking on the road and blocking them.
      “In the 26 years Villa have only approached us for once for planning permission for the ground extension, they don’t care about the local community.
      “As long as their pockets are lined, they don’t care. It’s all about tickets and season tickets for them.
      “The roads are covered in alcohol bottles, burger wrappers, pretty much everything.”
      Dad-of-one James Payne, 35, who lives on nearby Endicott Road, added: “This is a built up area, the infrastructure can’t support even more fans.
      “It’s bad enough as it is – having to wade through a sea of beer bottles and takeaway wrappers just to get to your front door.
      “We’ve had people urinating in our front garden, I’m sure people act like they wouldn’t usually do when they go the football. They turn into yobs.
      “Someone once ripped our fence post up and began attacking a rival fan with it. It’s just bonkers.
      A woman navigates her way down Nelson Road near the Villa groundCredit: SWNS
      Beer cans and bottles left behind by fans near the Villa groundCredit: SWNS
      “They get famous fans like Prince William and Tom Hanks seeing all the glamour of Premier League football – but just a stone’s throw away for us it’s a nightmare.”
      Andrea Sawyers has lived on Trinity Road since 2012 and said she and her mum have to clean up huge piles of litter left behind by fans themselves.
      Mum-of-two Andrea said: “I’m a bit of a Villa fan, I’m not a massive one but a fan.
      “The garbage after is the problem, no one cleans up. My mum and I have to do it. All the beer glasses and bottle all over the bins.
      “They throw in my garden, all the chip wrappers too.
      “There’s also nowhere to park your car, it’s always a busy time.
      “They’ve smashed my neighbour’s car windows a couple of times. It’s crazy. I don’t get why they have to go so crazy.
      “It’s mainly the rubbish, it’s left to locals, you have to clean it up yourselves.”
      Osman Mohammed, 30, is a council worker and has lived on Endicott Road all of his life.
      He says he has to plan over a week in advance before he goes out on match days before a fan blocks his drive with their car.
      He added: “It gets quite busy. Our issue is we have residential parking nearby, supporters can’t park there, but some try anyway.
      “I sometimes look when Villa are playing and plan ahead.
      “I don’t leave the house at game time as I can be stuck in traffic for around an hour just to get around the corner.”
      Shop owner Md Gias Uddin, 58, admitted there is a litter problem on matchdays but the increased footfall was good for local businesses.
      Mr Uddin, who owns a shop on Endicott Road, said: “All of the supporters like my shop mostly, most of them say it’s neat and clean. My experiences is very nice.
      “The litter is problem is when the most of the people come to see the football match.
      “The litter bin is full and there needs to be more bins. There are a few bins around. People will put their rubbish in the bin if there were more.”
      Fellow shop owner Ash Mahmood, 59, has worked in the area for 40 years and says matchday traffic means it can take over an hour to travel a couple of miles.
      Ash, who owns Ash Food Fair on Witton Road, said: “The worst part I think at the moment is the parking for the customers. Residents move their cars and park them near me.
      “When you finally get out of here, it takes a while to get out. It took me an hour to get out of Aston.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Years ago there used to be fights around here all the time but now it’s all controlled by the police.”
      The Sun approached Aston Villa for comment.
      Shop owner Md Gias Uddin, 58, admitted there is a litter problem on matchdaysCredit: SWNS
      Mr Uddin said more bins in the area would help with litter on match daysCredit: SWNS More

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      Man who lived in FOOTBALL STADIUM reveals favourite thing about home – and impact it had on his relationship

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      A MAN who lived in a football stadium has revealed his favourite things about his unusual home.Ben was one of a group of lucky tenants who could walk just a few yards from his sofa to watch the live action from the director’s box-style balcony of his stunning flat.
      One flat in the stadium went up for sale this year for just £350,000Credit: Triangle News
      Ben, who lived in another of the property’s, was one of a group of lucky tenants to enjoy this stunning pitchside viewCredit: Andrew Butler
      The apartments are within Leyton Orient’s home groundCredit: Andrew Butler
      They are tastefully furnished and open-planCredit: Triangle News
      That’s because he lived in one of the blocks situated at each of the four corners of the Matchroom Stadium in Leyton, Greater London, home to League Two table-toppers Leyton Orient.
      Perks include top-quality matchday seats from the comfort of your own home and the ability to drink alcohol in view of the pitch, which is banned in the stands due to English ground regulations.
      Speaking to The Sun in 2017, Ben explained the best bits of living in such a unique home.
      He said: “The idea of living in a football stadium was hard to ignore – I’d invited half my mates round before we’d signed the contract and God knows how I convinced my girlfriend to say yes to the idea.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      “We stumbled upon the flat when we were looking for somewhere to live. The pictures stood out.
      “Once I saw the balcony I’m not sure I even bothered to look at the kitchen or bathroom.”
      He added that he was “really surprised” that the flat cost no more than the others in the area despite its view.
      Ben beamed: “Living in what’s essentially a director’s box, you see all the behind the scenes stuff you wouldn’t as a typical fan.
      Most read in Football
      “Like the groundsman doing his rounds, players letting their kids on the pitch post-match, the warm downs, briefings of the stewards and press activity.
      “It is really nice. You can sit out on a Tuesday evening with your dinner and a cuppa watching a professional football match while your other half is watching Bake Off on the sofa within shouting range.
      “And we don’t even need to buy a second telly.”
      There aren’t really any drawbacks to the apartments for footie fanatics, with no need to queue up, buy tickets or pay stadium prices for food and drink.
      Even when away fans have been known to chant “We can see you washing up” it has only served to lighten the matchday mood even more.
      It comes after one of the other flats in the stadium went up for sale earlier this year.
      Even though it boasts the same birdseye view of the soon-to-be League One side’s pitch, it went on the market for a cool £350,000 – more than reasonable for London prices.
      And they come with a stunning view of the pitchCredit: Triangle News
      Even the bedrooms provide a bird’s eye viewCredit: Triangle News
      It means Ben can hop up off the sofa and catch the live action from his director’s box-style balconyCredit: Andrew Butler
      He’s even allowed to drink while in view of the pitch, unlike fans in the standsCredit: Andrew Butler More

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      We live INSIDE football ground… we can watch games from our attic – but it has a downside

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      RESIDENTS living inside a major football ground say they can watch games from their attics – but life in the stadium has a downside.The unique entrance to Championship side Luton Town FC’s Kenilworth Road ground has been cut into a road of terraced houses.
      A row of terraced houses has been cut in half by an entrance to Luton Town FC’s stadiumCredit: Reuters
      Ali Abdul lives next to the unique entranceCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Visiting fans climb bright blue metal staircases over residents’ gardens to enter the away stand, while patios from adjacent homes back onto the stadium.
      Mum-of-four Anu, 52, said: “My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
      She added that families on the Luton street used to get complimentary passes to games – before the pandemic put an end to the free tickets.
      Anu said: “We used to get a family ticket to go in the summer which was nice.
      Read More Football
      “We’d go and see a match against one of the smaller teams. It was good to get in the ground.
      Neighbour LeeLee said that she loves the buzz of Luton Town’s match days.
      Most read in The Sun
      She said: “It makes me feel alive. I love it.
      “It keeps things interesting around here. I rarely have any problems with the fans.”
      But Anu said life inside Kenilworth Road comes with a downside – claiming she’s fed up of hooligans chucking rubbish from the steps into her garden.
      She said: “Last week my house was egged by fans, they leave cans and bottles in front of my house.

      “They spray alcohol on to mine and my neighbour’s windows and drop litter from the stairs as they go into the stands.”
      The Hatters are on the verge of returning to the top flight for the first time since 1992, and the first time since the creation of the Premier League.
      If successful, the club will be handed an estimated £10million bill to upgrade its long-standing ground.
      SAD HATTERS
      For locals who live on Oak Road, the thought of the team moving to a new ground throws up mixed feelings.
      Many families on the street have grown up in the area and are lifelong fans of the club.
      Joumna, 49, said: “The stadium is alright with me. I was born on this road and I’ll probably never leave.
      “It was fine when I lived overlooking it. We never had any issues.”
      Abdul Ali’s family home is metres away from the entrance and backs onto the ground.
      “I’ve lived here my whole life,” he tells The Sun. “Until about seven years ago it was really easy to see into the stadium.
      “We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score.
      “It was kind of annoying at the time, it used to drive my dad mad.
      “We complained and complained and the club finally put up netting and some corrugated iron to stop it.
      “It means that my view of the pitch is gone unless I jump up and down on my bed. Then I can see a little bit of the grass, but not enough to watch the game.”
      On match days, Abdul says there is always a sea of police on the street – which, he adds, comes with an unusual perk.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I went out during Sunday’s game to get some food and then police escorted me back to my house,” he says.
      “It’s kind of cool being escorted home.”
      Luton Town are on the verge of returning to top-flight footballCredit: Getty
      Local Amanpreet said parking is a nightmare on match daysCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The stairs to the away end loom over residents’ back gardensCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Luton Town will have to upgrade the ground if the club is promoted to the Premier LeagueCredit: GOOGLE EARTH More

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      I live at entrance to major football stadium – fans queue up outside my front door but not for the reason you’d expect

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      WANDERING along Ellerslie Road, the attractive Victorian terrace homes are typical for this affluent area of west London.But halfway down the street, sandwiched between grand entrances to end-of-terrace properties, lies the entrance to Championship side Queens Park Rangers’ football ground.
      The stadium is sat behind a row of Victorian terrace houses in West LondonCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Donna’s dog Misty is loved by fans who like to stop and take pictures of her on match dayCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The bright blue gates provide access to the Stanley Bowles Stand within the Loftus Road Stadium, with a huge sign reading “Welcome to the Loft”.
      While it might be a football fan’s dream to live a stone’s throw from a major ground, locals have mixed feelings about the 18,000 fans who descend on their street every week.
      But one resident who loves match days is two-year-old German Shepherd Misty – who has become the club’s unofficial mascot.
      Owner Donna Fitzgerald, whose garden backs onto the stadium, says her pooch enjoys watching the crowds of fans from the window or the front garden.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL STADIUMS

      She tells us when we visit: “Everybody stops to say hello to Misty. She loves a match day.
      “She’s famous among the fans, they all stop to take photographs of her in the doorway.”
      There is one issue that drives residents who live next door to the football ground mad – literally.
      “It’s s*** living here sometimes,” Donna admits. “I often can’t take my car out on match days, which is a joke because I pay for a parking permit and council tax, so I should be able to come and go as I please.
      Most read in Football
      Houses on the street can sell for up to £1millionCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The main entrance to the Loftus Road stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      “The fans can be awful. I’ve had fellas wee outside my door, and they all drop rubbish.
      “That said, I’m a Chelsea supporter, so I’m not QPR’s biggest fan.”
      The parking issue is a gripe shared by many Ellerslie Road residents – especially given they have to fork out £119 a year to park their car on the road. If they have two vehicles, that shoots up to £497.
      Council tax for the properties starts from £870 and can go up to £2,612 according to the Hammersmith and Fulham local authority’s website.
      On match days the road is closed to traffic to allow fans to be corralled into the stadium – which holds up to 18,439 supporters – by police.
      Residents at one end are not allowed to leave their cars on the road outside their homes, as it’s needed for a control marquee to manage fans.
      Fines
      Greg has been fined several times for leaving his car on the road by his houseCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Greg lives close to one of the stadium entrances which fans use to access the standCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      It’s left a sour taste in local resident Greg’s mouth, as he has been hit with fines for not moving his motor.
      The 41-year-old, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “The stadium is not fit for purpose any more, and [the council] know that.
      “If I leave my car outside my house on match day, I get fined up to £130 a time.
      “I pay council tax and for my permit, so I don’t see why I have to move it. It’s ridiculous.
      If I leave my car outside my house on match day, I get fined up to £130 a time. I pay council tax and for my permit, so I don’t see why I have to move it. It’s ridiculousGreg, Ellerslie Road resident
      “They set up a chicken coop style thing in the bays outside my house to control the fans, but I don’t think they do it that well.
      “Once upon a time we used to get a free ticket through the letterbox to a game, but that’s not happened in years. It would be nice to get it back.”
      The stadium was built in 1904 and later The Stanley Bowles stand, accessed from Ellerslie Road, was opened in 1972 to replace the old tin-roof grandstand.
      It is said to be the loudest stand, as it has 237 rail seats that allow club supporters to stand up during the game.
      ‘Nice atmosphere’
      Not all residents resent the football ground; Judith, who has lived on the street for 40 years, likes the bustling atmosphere it creates.
      She says: “I think the club manage it all pretty well. They clean the street after any home games, and I’ve never had a problem with any of the fans wandering down the road.
      “It’s quite a nice atmosphere, and I don’t mind hearing them shout when their team score.”
      It’s quite a nice atmosphere, and I don’t mind hearing them shout when their team scoreJudith, Ellerslie Road resident
      Houses on the normally quiet road sell for upwards of £1million and flats regularly go for £500,000 – despite being next to the roaring stadium.
      New homeowner Cleo admitted the stadium was a concern for her and her boyfriend when they purchased their, flat but say they’ve not had many issues.
      The social worker, 31, says: “We’ve been here for eight months and have never really had an issue living next to the stadium.
      “We did have reservations about buying the flat knowing where it was, but the flat is just so lovely.
      “It’s a bit annoying that we have to move the car sometimes, but when we’ve left it on the street there hasn’t been any damage done to it or anything.
      “We’ve also been very kindly let out the barrier on match day by the police, which was really nice of them.”
      Cleo adds that when the trees are bare in winter, they can see a section of the pitch, but not enough to watch a full game.
      ‘Bring back free tickets’
      Anin is a big fan of football and wishes the club would start giving out free tickets againCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The stadium is surrounded by houses in West LondonCredit: Google Earth
      At the other end of the road Anin, 72, is a big fan of living by the stadium.
      He says: “Parking used to be a problem, but now they’ve put in restrictions it isn’t.
      “We used to get free tickets, but they stopped about 15 years ago, which is a shame. I’d like them to start again.
      “The fans are alright, and it’s only about two and a half hours, and then it’s quiet again.
      “It’s a really nice family friendly atmosphere around a home match.”
      Another fan of the stadium being just behind their home is student Fahim, 26.
      He and his flatmates live on the end of a row, right next to an entrance for the stand.
      He says: “My flatmates and I try to support QPR, as they’re right behind us.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Living next to the stadium, it doesn’t really make that much of a difference to us generally.
      “The road gets closed twice a week during the season, but it doesn’t bother me much as I don’t drive, and we can get in and out on foot.”
      Fahim tries to support his local teamCredit: JOHN McLELLAN More

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      Ex-England star makes £20m as he sells mega-mansion to downsize his family home

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      EX-England ace John Terry sold his mansion — netting almost £20million profit.The former Chelsea defender bought the 18th-century seven-bed property in 2019 for £4.1million before doing it up with wife Toni.
      John Terry and wife Toni have sold their mega-mansion for a massive £20mCredit: Getty
      The couple bought the home in Surrey for £4.1m in 2019Credit: Savills
      Dad of two Terry, now a coach at Leicester City, has flogged it for a massive £23million.
      A source said: “John and Toni have a real eye for interior design.
      “They built a huge outdoor swimming area – with a bar – which is perfect for parties, and modernised other rooms.
      “They put in a gym, and rebuilt the garages to host a fleet of luxury sports cars.”
      Staff quarters were also added to the seven-acre Surrey estate.
      The couple, both 42, have snapped up an £8m property a few miles away.
      They have also been involved with four homes on the Crown Estate in Oxshott, one of Britain’s most exclusive areas.
      The source added: “They have made a huge profit which they can now use to invest in other homes.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s a pretty tidy sideline.”
      Terry, a former Chelsea and England captain, is moving his family to a smaller £8m property a few miles awayCredit: EPA More

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      Jermain Defoe is moving into £3m mansion with new love — months after marriage split

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      FOOTIE’S Jermain Defoe is moving into this £3million pad with new love Alisha LeMay — months after his marriage collapsed.The five-bedroom home in Herts is near Spurs’ training ground where Jermain, 40, coaches at the academy.
      Jermain Defoe is moving into this £3million pad with new love Alisha LeMayCredit: UniquePictures.co.uk
      The five-bedroom home in Herts is near Spurs’ training ground where Jermain coaches at the academyCredit: UniquePictures.co.uk
      He married Donna Tierney, 40, last June but they separated early this year.
      He has yet to go public about his relationship with influencer Alisha.
      She told in a video on Thursday how she was “conducting about 400 people”, adding: “Why is moving so stressful?”
      “I’ve literally not had a minute to myself.
      Read More on Jermain Defoe
      “But all for a good cause.”
      A source said: “Jermain isn’t one to take things slowly so this move won’t come as a surprise.”
      The source added: “Jermain and Alisha are loving life together.”
      A source said: ‘Jermain isn’t one to take things slowly so this move won’t come as a surprise’Credit: UniquePictures.co.uk More

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      We live in former Premier League stadium converted into flats – we love it but there’s a catch

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      RESIDENTS living in an old football stadium say they’re having a ball – apart from one major drawback.Arsenal moved out of Highbury in 2006 after 93 years and headed three roads over to the 60,700 seater Emirates.
      Residents living in Arsenal’s old stadium say they’re having a ball – apart from one major drawbackCredit: Alamy
      Half the flats incorporate the skeletal remains of the old East and West standsCredit: Getty
      Two bed flats in the development can command up to £850,000Credit: Getty
      Highbury Square apartments was built in its place and now boasts 650 posh apartments.
      Completed in 2010, modern two bed flats in the development can command up to £850,000.

      Cheryl Cavelli, 47, has lived in the development for the last two years. 
      The former HR worker, originally from the USA, told The Sun: “I don’t know anything about soccer but it’s sort of like being pitch side.
      Read More Arsenal stories
      “It’s a nice place to live in a quiet corner of London. I love it.”
      Half the flats incorporate the skeletal remains of the old East and West stands.
      Residents in these flats get a dose of nostalgia as they use the old turn style entrances to access their homes.
      A vast glass façade covers these two blocks, and behind it sit flats and interior balconies.
      Most read in Football
      Meanwhile new stadium-style brise soleil coverings loom over both stands to stop residents getting frazzled in hot sun.   
      The preserved stands also mean the frontages of the old 1923 stadium are still in place on Avenell Road and Highbury Hill. 
      And that means a lot to Arsenal mad Ken who was off to the pub to watch the Newcastle away game.
      Although he doesn’t live in the development, he wishes he did. 
      “These are my roots, Highbury is Arsenal to me”, he told The Sun.  
      He added: “It’s nice they’ve kept a bit of it. It means a lot to people like me. 
      “Just loads of memories of me and my dad bless him.”
      Sadly the North Bank and Clock End [south] stands were demolished during the development.
      In their place are two new apartment blocks which boast balconies overlooking the old pitch. 
      The outdoor complex give residents the chance to wander around a central open air recreation area. 
      It was here where resident Mr Galloway pointed out to The Sun how over 500 Arsenal fans had their ashes buried under the old pitch.
      He explained: “They could’ve just bulldozed them when this got thrown up but there are memorials like a bench and flowerbeds for them now.”
      But another resident who did not want to be named said there is one major catch to living in the former stadium: you can’t even play football.
      They said: “The old pitch is really fenced off and mainly concrete.
      “You have to tap in and out. 
      “Bit ironic there’s no space to kick a ball around on what used to be ‘The Home of Football’.”
      Nicola, 37, a mum of two, is another resident of 5 years in the development. 
      She added: “I’ve always liked unusual places, like barn conversions and old factories, so it’s sort of unsurprising I ended up here.”
      Chris Hall was carrying shopping back when he spoke to The Sun. 
      He said: “It’s quite cool to live here.
      “But for me personally it doesn’t feel that much like a stadium anymore.
      “There’s not loads left to make you think it’s an old stadium.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Carla Short, added: “The bits left of the stadium are interesting. The only thing that annoys me is a lot of tourists taking pictures.
      “People also come up to me asking questions about it.”
      Arsenal moved out of Highbury in 2006 and moved to the 60,700 seater EmiratesCredit: Alamy
      The preserved stands also mean the frontages of the old 1923 stadium are still in place on Avenell Road and Highbury HillCredit: Getty
      Posh flats offer views over the former pitchCredit: Getty
      The only catch is there is no space to play footballCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Residents living in the flats get a dose of nostalgia as they use the old turn style entrances to access their homesCredit: Getty
      The development retains the Arsenal identity but offers a new space for residents to liveCredit: Alamy
      Arsenal were based at Highbury Stadium for 93 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Terrifying details emerge of raid at Rio Ferdinand and pregnant Kate’s house in front of shaken family

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      BRAVE Rio Ferdinand nabbed an intruder in his back garden and held him until cops arrived.The ex-England ace, 44, saw the man at his South East London home while pregnant wife Kate, 31, and their kids were inside.
      Rio Ferdinand, pictured with pregnant wife Kate, nabbed an intruder at his homeCredit: Getty
      Rio has three children with late first wife Rebecca, one boy with ex-Towie star Kate, and a little girl on the wayCredit: Instagram
      Rio’s heavily-pregnant wife Kate was inside the house with the childrenCredit: Social media – Refer to source
      A source said: “This was a frightening incident.”
      Ferdinand bravely tackled the prowler to protect his pregnant wife, kids and property.
      CCTV footage from cameras at his £4million home revealed the suspect tried to open the rear patio doors to get inside the  previous evening.
      The man then spent the night in the garden and was confronted by Rio the next morning.
      Read More on Rio Ferdinand
      The ex-England and Manchester United star detained the prowler until the arrival of security guards on the private estate in Bromley, South East London.
      Police were then called.
      Rio was horrified to find the man outside his home on Friday.
      A source said last night: “This was a frightening incident which has left Rio and Kate pretty shaken up.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s worrying that someone got into the grounds but Rio dealt with it  — and they both know it could have been a lot worse. But it caused a lot of concern.”
      Another source said: “Rio was alarmed to see an intruder   and  was naturally concerned for the safety of his family.
      “He acted promptly and decisively and went outside to deal with any potential threat.
      “Rio alerted the estate’s security team and then went outside to confront the intruder and demand what he was doing there.
      “He kept him there until a security guard arrived soon afterwards and the  man was led outside and detained until the police got there.”
      Rio’s heavily-pregnant wife, former Towie star Kate was inside the house with her son Cree, two, and stepchildren Lorenz, 16, Tate, 14, and Tia, 12, from Rio’s first marriage.
      Police took the intruder to ­hospital after he complained of feeling unwell.
      Despite the apparent attempt to get inside the Ferdinands’ home, the man was not arrested.
      Ex-Met Police detective chief inspector Mick Neville said: “It’s good to see a TV celebrity and famous footballer taking action to defend his home and family.
      Rio spotted the prowler in his garden in Kent while pregnant wife Kate and their kids were indoorsCredit: Instagram
      A source said: ‘This was a frightening incident’
      “There have been some horrendous stories  about the homes of footballers being broken into.
      “Rio couldn’t be sure what he was dealing with when he went outside to deal with the suspect.
      “He should be commended for dealing with it courageously.”
      The intruder turned out to be a  homeless man who is suspected to have got on to the estate — patrolled by guards — via a public bridleway.
      The matter was later dealt with by a community resolution with Rio and Kate’s consent.
      The Met said: “Police were called to a 70-year-old man detained by a private security guard having been found in the garden of a residential property.
      “He was dealt with by a community resolution for ‘Being on Enclosed Premises for an Unlawful Purpose’, an offence under the Vagrancy Act.”
      Kate made no mention of the drama when she posted stylish photos of herself and growing baby bump on Instagram later on Friday.
      She wrote: “A very busy but exciting week. Now get me home on the sofa in my pjs to my babies & hubby.”
      That night Kate made a surprise appearance on Mo Gilligan’s The Lateish Show, where Rio was a guest.
      On the Channel 4 programme, Rio — whose first wife Rebecca Ellison died of breast cancer aged 34 — spoke of the night he first met Kate in Dubai.
      Read More on The Sun
      He relayed a story of how he awkwardly tripped over as he escorted her to the loo.
      It led to her nicknaming him The Peckham Crawler.
      LATEST ACE TO BE HITBy Thomas Godfrey
      RIO Ferdinand is the latest in a spate of Premier League stars to be targeted by a robbery gang.
      Raheem Sterling returned from the World Cup in Qatar last year when masked thugs stole £300,000 of jewellery from his home.
      The dad of three, 28, missed England’s quarter-final to comfort fiancée Paige Milian and his kids.
      Ex-Man United midfielder Paul Pogba’s mansion was raided while his kids slept last year as he played in a Europa League game.
      The French ace, 29, called the ordeal his “worst nightmare”.
      The homes of his ex-teammates Victor Lindelof, 28, Jesse Lingard, 30, and Hannibal Mejbri, 20, were also targeted during 2022.
      Former England left-back Ashley Cole, 42, and partner Sharon Canu were tied up in their kitchen during an armed raid in January 2020.
      Supt Carl Williams, ex-head of a UK intelligence unit focused on serious organised crime, said raiders scoured players’ social media for clues to their movements.

      KATE WORRYBy Sophie King, of Tommy’s charity
      FOR many, pregnancy can be an emotional and anxious time.
      As midwives, we do our best to make sure women have the support they need to reduce stress so they can have the most positive experience possible and ultimately take home a healthy baby.
      We at Tommy’s pregnancy charity are so sad to hear about this incident and can only imagine the worry and anxiety this created.
      Everyone at Tommy’s sends the family our best wishes at this ­difficult time. More