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    Man Utd fans only just realising Mark Goldbridge’s REAL name with YouTuber once enjoying very different job with police

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans are just discovering YouTuber Mark Goldbridge’s real name – and a back story equally as intriguing.The presenter on The United Stand and talkSPORT watched Nottingham Forest as a kid and was a policeman who became a detective.
    Mark Goldbridge doesn’t hold back on fan channel ‘The United Stand’Credit: Instagram @markgoldbridge
    He’s outspoken now but went out of his way to avoid trouble on the beatCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
    Mark also has his own show on national radioCredit: TALKSPORT
    But many Red Devils’ supporters have only now realised his true moniker is  Brent Di Cesare.
    The married dad of three, 44, who lives in Solihull, is of Italian descent.
    But that Azzurri association is the only thing supporters might be able to guess from his real name.
    Fans were amazed to discover his alternative details as they reflected on the Red Devils’ early exit from the Champions League.
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    One posted: “Wait y’all know who Brent Di Cesare is?”
    And others revealed they had dashed off to Wikipedia to check it out.
    But his marvellous moniker, which he changed at his police bosses’ request when he launched his YouTube career, is just one fascinating fact about the outspoken broadcaster.
    Goldbridge has gone from investigating crimes to laying down the law on United performances. 
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    He’s amassed around 3million followers across his four YouTube channels, regularly going viral with his rants
    But his football journey began watching Forest – as he was born in Nottingham and his dad would take him to the City Ground.
    However, his parents split when he was six and his mum’s dad got him into following United.
    After working in insurance in Ireland, he returned to England in his mid-20s – joining the police because he couldn’t find any other employment.
    Goldbridge told JackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast in December 2020: “When I came back from Dublin, I had no qualifications.
    “I had a C in Maths and English and that was it. And although I had quite a good job in Ireland, I couldn’t get a job anywhere. 
    “My wife said ‘why don’t you go in the police?’.
    “I wanted to do the fire service but I’m not very good with heat, I’m really irritable in the heat so I went in the police. 
    Mark Goldbridge was a detective with a far more exotic nameCredit: Instagram @markgoldbridge
    “Uniform about a year-and-a-half then a detective for 10 years.”
    And his reason for switching from the beat might surprise fans who know him best for his hard-hitting outbursts.
    He would “just walk about and try and stay out of trouble” as “I haven’t got the physique for it, have I?” – so he moved into detection.
    Goldbridge also revealed his trauma at seeing dead bodies on the job – with the “horrible smell” of the first occasion still remaining with him.
    His online persona kicked off when he set up Soccer Box TV after England exited the 2014 World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 1958.
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    Now he’s speaking out on another team also departing a major competition without reaching the KO stages – United.
    Tuesday’s’s 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich condemned the Red Devils to a bottom-place finish in their Champions League group. More

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    We played together before working alongside each other under Solskjaer – now we’re rivals battling for promotion

    MICHAEL CARRICK knows he has his work  cut out trying to spring a surprise on Manchester United pal Kieran McKenna.Firstly, Middlesbrough could be without TEN players for the visit of high-flying Ipswich this afternoon.
    Carrick will be taking on his old pal this afternoonCredit: Shutterstock
    McKenna was a rising star in Utd’s backroom team under OleCredit: Leila Coker/Shutterstock
    Solskjaer is still to return to management after his time at United
    And even at full strength, Boro chief Carrick knows how hard it will be to get one over “one of the best coaches you could ever hope for”.
    The good mates met as Tottenham players before being reunited at United when McKenna, 37, took over as Under-18s coach while Carrick, 42, was nearing the end as a player.
    They then worked under both Jose  Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
    Ahead of  locking horns as bosses for the first time, Carrick said: “Of course, there is a temptation to try to catch him off guard.
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    “We worked in each other’s pockets  for so long at United — we emptied our football brains on to each other.
    “We helped prepare a team along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a number of years so we saw a lot of similar things to be able to work together.
    “You unload all of your knowledge on  to each other and feed off it, developing some sort of understanding. We certainly think in similar ways.
    “I picked his brains a lot and we ended up learning a bit from each other, though  I probably learned more from him than  he did from me!”
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    McKenna began his coaching path  when a hip injury forced him to retire, aged 22.
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    Fast forward 15 years and he is the envy of the Championship and attracting admiring glances from Prem clubs having propelled the Tractor Boys to second after going  up from League One last summer.
    Carrick said: “He has done an incredible job, which I am not surprised about one bit. He is one of the best coaches that  I have ever come across.
    “He’s got a very good football brain and eye for detail. His knowledge is just incredible in terms of what he  can store and remember.
    “On the grass he’s fantastic in how he structures his sessions. He’s just  an all-round top coach.
    “I knew from the start, when I first saw him working, how good he was with the youth teams and Under-18s at United when I was playing.
    “Then I got to work with him with  the first team — and I knew from that stage that he would go on to have a  terrific managerial career.
    “We speak a lot and are good friends. Who knows what is going to happen  with Kieran? I just know how good he is and what he is capable of.”
    Equally, McKenna sees Carrick as a pal and inspiration.
    He said: “Of course, the opposition manager is a good friend and someone I hold in the highest regard as a player, coach and, more importantly, as a person.
    “The full focus and respect has gone into preparing for a really good opponent.
    “I think we have very similar views on things, very similar views on football.
    “How we like the game to be played and quite a lot of things that we enjoy from a tactical point of view in terms of how we want our teams to go about things.
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    “So I think we share quite a lot of  viewpoints and a relationship in football that I feel like I’ve learnt and benefited from such a lot.”
    Carrick believes both  were given a great grounding at Old Trafford.He added: “I had some good and some more challenging times — and you learn from that as a player and coach.”  More

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    I was a security guard for Anthony Joshua’s legendary fight with Wladimir Klitschko… it helped inspire my MMA career

    WHEN Simeon Powell rocked up to Anthony Joshua’s fight with Wladimir Klitschko, little did he know the effect it would have on his life. The then-teenager – who had just started training in Muay Thai – arrived at the 90,000-seater to work a security shift.
    Wladimir Klitschko was beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    MMA star Simeon Powell was inspired by Joshua’s win over KlitschkoCredit: PFL
    What Powell did not know is that he would have a front row seat – for free – to watch one of the most dramatic and thrilling fights of recent years.
    He told SunSport: “It was crazy! Definitely didn’t do my job properly that day.”
    Joshua climbed up from the canvas to sensationally knock Klitschko into retirement after 11 classic rounds.
    Powell – an MMA hopeful at the time – watched in amazement with the inspiration to one day follow in AJ’s heavyweight heroics.
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    He said: “It gave me chills, I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.
    “It was crazy, the production, the atmosphere, I was like, ‘This is what I want.’” 
    Light-heavyweight Powell, now 24, made his professional MMA debut in 2021 and has since raced to an unbeaten 9-0 record.
    He was last year signed to the Professional Fighters League, a rivalling promotion to the UFC.
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    And this year, he entered the three-stage knockout PFL Europe tournament and returns in the final this Friday in Dublin.
    A win will bag him $100,000 and a spot in the PFL’s global season next year, where he can times his earnings by TEN in the $1m season.
    Powell takes on Jakob Nedoh at Dublin’s 3Arena and does so with more than just money and a title awaiting him.
    He said: “I feel like this is the fight which is going to elevate me. How I’m gonna get the job done, I feel like it’s my, ‘I’m him moment.’ 
    “This fight will be what gives me that global respect in a sense.”
    Impa Kasanganay, 29, took this year’s PFL light-heavyweight crown by winning his two qualifying bouts and the subseuqent semi and finale fights.
    And Powell was a keen viewer with his eyes on the $1m world championship prize.
    He said: “It was a great performance, Impa is a nice guy, nice story but I’m a competitor at the end of the day and I definitely feel like I can compete with them boys. 
    “I feel like I definitely could have won it this year as well. It’s always been the dream since day one to be world champion.”
    Simeon Powell now has his eyes on the $1m PFL prizeCredit: PFL More

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    Ebanie Bridges already planning for retirement after going into business with Conor McGregor for ‘rest of her career’

    EBANIE BRIDGES already has a plan in place for retirement after going into business with Conor McGregor. The IBF bantamweight champion returns on Saturday in San Francisco, defending her belt against Miyo Yoshida.
    Conor McGregor pictured with Ebanie BridgesCredit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
    Bridges is sponsored by McGregor’s Forged Irish StoutCredit: Twitter
    The boxing champ is friends with UFC legend McGregorCredit: Twitter
    And she will do so sponsored by McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout.
    Bridges has formed a partnership with the brand and the UFC legend himself.
    She told Lucky Block: “Obviously, mine and his collaboration is a little bit deeper.
    “I’m a face for Forged Stout now. I can learn a lot from him as well for when I finish boxing – and what he’s doing in business, I think is really inspiring.
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    ‌“It was natural and we’ll be working together for the remainder of my career. We work really well together.
    “I’m great for his brand and he’s great for my brand, and we get along really well.”
    Bridges, 37, was due to face Avril Mathie, 36, in what she dubbed the “Battle of the Boobs” but her Aussie rival pulled out.
    Meanwhile McGregor, 35, has been out since July 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier, 34, in the first round.
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    But he is now set to return next year against Michael Chandler, 37, with the Irishman preparing for the bout.
    Bridges revealed: “I don’t know who it will be but I know he’s training. I’ve seen clips of him training and he’s busy in the gym.
    “I don’t know if he puts it on his socials. I don’t really look at his social pages to be fair, but I’ve obviously seen some of his training stuff that he’s done.”
    Bridges is the bantamweight world championCredit: Alamy
    Bridges returns in San FranciscoCredit: PA
    McGregor poses with pal BridgesCredit: Sportsfile More

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    I’m a pro boxer fighting on Katie Taylor’s undercard but I’m set to take on a way more dangerous day job fighting fires

    LUCY WILDHEART might be the toughest boxer in Britain for chasing fights with world champions and fires.In the build-up to her Saturday night clash with 8-0 Australian ace Skye Nicolson, the Sweden-born Essex girl has taken her physical and mental tests and interviews to join the Chelmsford fire brigade.
    Lucy Wildheart wants to fight the world’s best women and Essex blazesCredit: PA
    Wildheart’s day job is as a firefighterCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    She is off the back of a brutal cut to a featherweight nine stoneCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    The boxer also trains crossfitCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    The fearless 30-year-old featherweight has spent the last week tapering down to 9st, sorting out her team’s fight-night kit, renovating her new home and waiting by the phone for news on her dream job.
    And she hopes a hectic week is turned into a perfect one with a win on the Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron undercard and a call from the Brigade to start her new post.
    “I always wanted a job serving the community and helping people,” she told SunSport. 
    “And I have now passed the seven physical tests, had my interviews and am waiting for that phone call.
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    “It was a little bit embarrassing at the physical – where he did a bleep test and strength, speed and stamina tests all in the full uniform and kit – because somebody there recognised me and told the instructor that I was a professional boxer.
    “But it went well, it was tough, I can fight as low as 9st but I might have to rescue someone who weighs 16st so the tests have to be hard and I liked that and was proud to be one of the few people who passed.
    “Hopefully the call doesn’t come when I am over in Ireland, training or at a media event. But I can always call back hopefully with another big win.”
    It’s a massive month for Swedish boxing as Otto Wallin has been named as Anthony Joshua’s December 23 Saudi Arabia opponent.
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    Wildheart at the weigh-in with Skye NiolsonCredit: Sportsfile
    The firefighter will be gunning for Nicolson’s beltCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
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    Like Wildheart, Wallin left behind his home to move to a more boxing-friendly country and set up camp in New York.
    And she reckons AJ and Nicolson’s shared promoter Matchroom have made a massive mistake cherry picking two compatriots who could become the biggest exports since Abba and Ikea.
    She explained: “I met Otto many years ago at a training camp in Sweden, he told me that if I ever needed anything I could contact him straight away.
    “I have never taken him up on his offer but I have never forgotten how nice he was to me so I have always followed his career.
    “I think he can beat Joshua, it seems such a risky opponent on only six-weeks’ notice. But I think the same about them picking me for Skye.
    Essex-based Swede Lucy Wildheart is a seriously tough womanCredit: Getty
    “Otto is a southpaw, he is big, strong and a clever boxer who is in a great run of form.
    “I lost my last fight on points but I took it on 24hrs notice, two divisions above my usual weight, against a former world champion, so my confidence has never been higher.
    “I think me and Otto have both been overlooked as easy opponents, AJ and Skye are both being backed to go on to bigger fights straight after us.
    “But I really believe we can both spring big upsets and spark a massive party back in Sweden.”
    Wildheart is hoping to spark a party in SwedenCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    She is backing Otto Wallin to spring a surprise against JoshuaCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    Wildheart has shared her travels on her InstagramCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    And often trains while on the moveCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    She is hoping her multidisciplinary sports background will give her an edgeCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart
    And no doubt has the mental fortitude given her day jobCredit: Instagram @lucywildheart

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    Steve Bruce reveals he has turned down several jobs in English football as Man Utd legend ponders move abroad

    STEVE BRUCE has revealed that he has turned down several offers to return to management in England.The Manchester United legend has been out of work since leaving West Brom in 2022.
    Steve Bruce is open to working abroadCredit: Getty
    Bruce, 62, was at Newcastle before joining the Baggies but was sacked in 2021 following the takeover by the Public Investment Fund.
    He has now admitted that he is keen on returning to work but has remained coy about working in Saudi Arabia.
    He told Gambling Zone: “I’ve had many people ask me if I’d go to Saudi Arabia and the simple answer is, I’m not going to reveal anything.
    “I’ve turned down a number of clubs recently as I didn’t think they were quite right.
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    “I’d be open to a job abroad if it comes up. I’m very open-minded.
    “I think revealing the clubs who were interested in me would be very disrespectful, so I won’t.”
    Bruce has also suggested that he would like to avoid speculating about management jobs while there is a person in place.
    He added: “I’ve stated before that I’d like to get back into management but I find speculation when there’s a manager in place to be very disrespectful.”
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    Bruce has also admitted that he is open to working that may not necessarily see him return to the dugout and could work behind the scenes.
    He said: “I’m looking to get back into football, whether that’s an international job, a director of football, an assistant to an up-and-coming manager, or a consultation role.
    “I’m open to anything as I miss the game.
    “International management would appeal to me at my age, but I find speculation disrespectful while a manager is in place.
    “Once the manager position is free, then they can give me a call.”
    Bruce has plenty of experience as a football manager having coached the likes of Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Wigan, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Birmingham City. More

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    Ex-Tottenham and West Ham star Matthew Etherington lands new job after managing just THREE games as Crawley boss

    MATTHEW ETHERINGTON has been named the new manager of Colchester.Etherington took over the U’s Under-21 side during the summer but stepped up to replace Ben Garner at the senior squad last month.
    Matthew Etherington has been named the new manager of ColchesterCredit: Rex
    This comes after Etherington left Crawley Town following three gamesCredit: PA
    The ex-Tottenham ace then led the League Two side to two wins and one draw in his first three matches in the third tier as caretaker boss.
    That convinced Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling and sporting director Dmitri Halajko to make the former West Ham ace’s appointment permanent.
    Etherington said: “I’m extremely pleased, and obviously grateful to the chairman and Dmitri for giving me this opportunity, and I’ll give everything I can to make sure this club is successful.
    “It’s been a decent start in terms of the league form, but we need to make sure we maintain that going forwards.
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    “I’m a big believer in ‘what will be will be’ and here we are. I’m really looking forward to it and I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
    Etherington hit the headlines last year in December when he was sacked by Crawley Town after just three games in his first managerial job.
    However, the 42-year-old tactician’s fortunes completely changed at Colchester Community Stadium.
    Halajko said: “Matty has had a good response from the players and his league points’ return has been excellent as interim head coach.
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    “He’s a Pro Licence coach who has had experiences of first team coaching at other clubs, along with a playing career at the highest level.
    “These experiences will put Matty in a great position to be a successful at Colchester United.
    “He will now have the opportunity on a full-time basis and will have the full support at everybody at the club as we look to continue climbing up the league table.” More

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    My dad’s a world-famous ex footballer but I was useless and quit at 16 – now I have a normal job

    GARY Lineker is one of the greatest footballers ever to play the game – but his son freely admits he’s not anywhere near his level.In fact, he quit aged 16 and now has a much more normal job running a tech company.
    Gary Lineker’s son says he’s useless at footballCredit: Instagram
    The 32-year-old spoke candidly on The Online Disrupter podcast with Liam Chick about living up to his father’s fame.
    He said, “I was always useless at football. I played for a bit with the school team and then at 16, I sort of thought, ‘This isn’t working, I’m useless at this, I’ve got to move on.’
    “But every kid wants to be a footballer, so obviously I wanted to be.”
    George recently launched the app, YourBusinessNumber, which allows users to set up a second mobile phone number without the hassle of getting another phone.
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    Alongside his business partner, entrepreneur Sebastian Lewis, the pair have politely declined any funding from Gary, determined to forge their own path.
    The app is being targeted at the self-employed, and those working from home post-pandemic.
    George previously told The Sun, “We need financial help but I don’t want to just go running to my dad.
    “I want people to invest in me because they believe in the product – not because of who my dad is.” 
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    He’s the eldest of four boys, the others being Harry, 29, Tobias, 27, and Angus, 25, from Gary’s marriage to first wife Michelle Cockayne.
    And, unsurprisingly, George has been asked to go on “almost every reality show out there” — including Love Island.
    “That was something I was tempted by,” he said.
    “But then I have to look at it and think I’m only getting asked because of my dad. And if he’s not keen on it, then I wouldn’t do it.
    “The thought of him seeing me snog someone on telly is a bit sketchy too. You’ve got to be a big personality, and be in silly shape — and I’m neither of those things. I’m quite chilled and laid back.”
    The pair are pictured at last night’s GQ Men of the Year AwardsCredit: Rex
    Gary is one of the greatest footballers ever to play the gameCredit: Getty
    George now runs a tech companyCredit: Twitter/@LiamChickCEO More