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    ‘Get them to the Premier League’ – Darts legend Phil Taylor reveals he’d consider buying EFL club with Robbie Williams

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    DARTS legend Phil Taylor has revealed he would consider buying League Two club Port Vale with pop icon Robbie Williams.Taylor, 64, is a lifelong fan of his local club Port Vale and good friends with fellow Valiants fan Williams.Phil Taylor has revealed he is open to buying Port Vale with popstar Robbie WilliamsCredit: GettyTaylor grew up in the local area and is a lifelong Port Vale fanCredit: GettyRobbie Williams is an avid Port Vale supporter tooCredit: GettyThere has been a boom in recent seasons of famous faces from across the globe splashing out to buy football clubs throughout English game.Most notably these include Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ purchase of Wrexham, and also the likes of Tom Brady’s investment in Birmingham City and Michael B Jordan’s involvement with Bournemouth.Now Taylor and Williams could join that list with 16-time world darts champion ‘The Power’ explaining that he’s open to the idea of getting involved with Port Vale and taking them to new heights.Speaking to OLBG, he said: “Well, I was asked that by talkSPORT because me and Robbie are good friends.READ MORE IN SPORT”And his dad is like my second dad, Peter is, and talkSPORT mentioned that Robbie was interested in investing into Port Vale and, if he does would you be interested?”I said well, yeah I think so, but we’d have to see what it is and how much they want and stuff like that.”Although Port Vale fans can’t get too excited just yet, as Taylor explained that, for now, it’s all hypothetical.”But I’ve heard nothing from Robbie. So, no, I think it’s just a rumour”, he added.Most read in FootballBut should that dream become a reality, Taylor has big ambitions for where he could take his boyhood club.He said: “Get them to the Premier League!Amazing moment Stephen Bunting and Adrian Lewis belt out Robbie Williams’ Angels at darts exhibition “I don’t know in all seriousness to be honest with you, I haven’t got a clue. I’d probably give Barry Hearn a ring and ask his advice. “You know, Barry was my ex manager and because he owned Leyton Orient, he knows a lot more about running a football club than I do, so I’d ask him for a bit of advice.”For now, Port Vale might not need Taylor and Williams’ help.The club are currently third in League Two, just two points off top spot under the management of former West Brom and Huddersfield boss Darren Moore.Robbie Williams is actually already involved in the club, being named as the Club President in February last year.While the ‘Rock DJ’ singer also has a bar named after him at Vale Park.Williams was named Club President at Port Vale last yearCredit: TwitterHe even helped design one of their kits More

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      ‘Don’t let Man Utd see this’ – EFL club’s team coach spotted as rail replacement bus in Manchester city centre

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      CARLISLE UNITED’S team coach has been spotted acting as a rail replacement service in Manchester city centre.A coach with the League Two outfit’s team name, badge, and colours was snapped at Manchester Victoria station being used as a rail replacement service.Fans joked Sir Jim Ratcliffe would replicate the move for Man UtdCredit: GettyThe EFL’s bottom club played at home to Bromley on Saturday, winning 2-1.This left the coach free to be used elsewhere, which led to it being deployed for transport as engineering works left a number of lines closed over the weekend.The affected lines included between Manchester Victoria and Bolton (calling at all intermediate stations) and Manchester Victoria and Wigan Wallgate via Atherton.Fans on social media spotted it all over the area, with fans reporting sightings in Wigan, Ardwick, Cheadle Hulme, and even taking the Manchester Storm ice hockey team to an away game.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, football fans on social media saw the funny side relating to one football club, Manchester United.Following the extensive cuts made at the club following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival, fans have often poked fun at the British billionaire’s perceived stinginess.And fans took the opportunity to highlight this when reacting to the photo of Carlisle’s team bus.One fan said: “Don’t let @ManUtd see this. They will be all over it.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKA second said: “Don’t give Sir Jim ideas.”A third said: “Jim Ratcliffe is going to try steal it for United isn’t he?”Andy Goldstein insists Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got everything wrong at Man Utd after drastic cuts Others were astonished by the photo in general, with one commenting: “Brings a tear to your eye. What a nation.”Another said: “Can’t beat this country sometimes.”Carlisle are playing away at Doncaster next weekend, so despite more engineering works scheduled on lines coming out of Manchester Victoria, the coach may be missing in action.Before that, Mark Hughes’ side play MK Dons at home on Tuesday evening.They are currently seven points adrift of safety, sitting level on points with Morecambe but with an inferior goal difference.Tranmere in 22nd place currently represents the team Carlisle need to overtake to stay in the football league.They have not fallen outside of the EFL since 2005, while they were only relegated from League One last season. More

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      Reading FC could become one of the most tragic stories in football history if EFL lose game of chicken with Dai Yongge

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      READING and their fans are being held hostage by a Chinese owner  edging them closer to what would be one of the most tragic stories in English football history.Supporters are genuinely scared they could become Bury The Sequel after the EFL told owner Dai Yongge to sell up by April 4 or else.Reading vs Port Vale was abandoned after home fans invaded the pitchCredit: AlamySupporters vented their fury over club owner Dai YonggeCredit: PAThe Chinese businessman has rightly been disqualified from owning a club in the Football League and ordered to sell his shares by next month.And if he fails to do so the EFL management board will meet in late April to consider the options — which include suspending the club or booting them out altogether.It has worrying echoes of the spring and summer months of 2019 when the EFL were trying to force Bury owner Steve Dale to sell the League One club that he paid only a pound for.Dale was unable to provide proof of funds to finance the club then failed to sell up and the Shakers were expelled from the League after 125 years of continuous membership.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSNow they’re plying their trade in the North West Counties League Premier Division, the ninth tier of English football.Such an Armageddon scenario doesn’t bear thinking about for a club believed to be the  seventh oldest in England.The EFL are clearly trying to force his hand — with league chiefs, Reading fans plus  club players and staff fed up after more than 500 days of Yongge failing to enact a sale.A clear choice is on the table for Yongge: sell up today for somewhere around £25million as a League One club which has potential to climb to the Premier League or get booted out of the EFL and then  pocket only a fraction of that amount.Most read in EFLThe message from Reading fans is clear as they demand actionCredit: RexBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKMost sensible people would at this point know the game is up.But on evidence so far,  applying the law of common sense — or even showing an ounce of business acumen — is something that deserts Yongge.Alan Pardew calls out the EFL amid controversial situation at Reading football clubThe Chinese businessmen — and his sister Dai Xiu Li — incredibly allowed 99-year-old Belgian team KSV Roeselare to go bankrupt with debts of only £17,000!Beijing Chengfeng, another club he owned, tumbled from the Chinese Super League to their third tier before they were dissolved in 2021.Then you only have to look at how he signed players like Liam Moore on wages believed to be around £40,000-£50,000 a week — then failed to sell him to Brighton for a fee of £9MILLION with only a year left on his deal.The defender then got crocked and walked away on a free.Yongge is known to be stubborn, which leads to all common sense going out of the window.And there are genuine fears he could dig his heels in.He has already stripped the club of its main assets — their stadium and training ground.So he could be minded to not give a hoot what happens to the club in the safe knowledge he has a couple of decent chunks of land to sell.Yongge is pictured with former Royals manager Jaap StamCredit: RexA big problem as things stand is the gaping hole between corporate law and competition rules.The EFL regulations say they can disqualify an owner and order him to sell — but cannot take the shares off him like a compulsory purchase order.Yongge could just ignore them — and, in the meantime, hold Reading FC as hostages. You take me down, you take down the club.It has become a dangerous game of chicken.And it brings into sharp focus why there must be changes in the law to protect community assets such as football clubs.So a compulsory purchase can be enacted if an owner is behaving recklessly.The good news is Yongge’s excuse that any progress on selling the club is being held up by a legal dispute with American Rob Couhig has now been  officially rejected by a court.New laws must be passed so teams like Reading cannot be held hostage by an unruly owner.The former Wycombe owner — whose takeover bid fell through last summer — wants the  £5million back he lent the club, with the training ground and stadium being put up as  securities by Yongge.Couhig’s Redwood Holdings is currently suing Yongge’s Renhe Sports Management for allegedly breaking exclusivity rules while negotiating the sale of the club last year.That is now a side issue and Yongge cannot blame that  dispute in holding up any sale.The Royals owner was finally disqualified by the EFL after it was found he had been added to a bad creditors list by the Chinese government.It is something Caroline Parker from fan group Sell Before We Dai has been lobbying the EFL over for some time.Let’s hope that Yongge finally sees sense and releases the  hostage that is Reading FC.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd for crying out loud can Parliament and the football authorities work together to close every single loophole that allows such a person to treat one of our oldest clubs in such a reckless way.New laws must be passed so teams like Reading cannot be held hostage by an unruly owner. More

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      ‘Bunch of robots’ – Ex-Premier League star stopped watching top-flight because big clubs lack mavericks like Gazza

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      DAVID McGOLDRICK has branded Premier League and other elite footballers such as Jude Bellingham a bunch of robots.And the Notts County striker — who played in the top-flight for Sheffield United — says our crown jewels of English football have become so devoid of mavericks that get you off your feet he does not bother watching.David McGoldrick believes many players at the top are ‘robots’Credit: PAThe striker is still delivering the goods and won Goal of the Month for FebruaryThis weekend there is a break in Premier League football because of the international break — and McGoldrick believes more fans are turning to the EFL because it is more exciting and less predictable.McGoldrick, 37, played most of his career outside the top flight playing for the likes of Southampton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Coventry, Port Vale and Ipswich.But he made the big time when the Blades got promoted in 2019 and played 63 games at the top level during two seasons.Asked how the game has changed from when he first made his debut as a teenager for County 21 years ago, he told SunSport: “It’s like a different sport.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Twenty-odd years ago there weren’t all these stats, we weren’t wearing GPS vests and worrying about all the things they do now.“We used to do meetings about oppositions but not as much. A lot of it was 4-4-2, play in their half, win your duels.“That is still in the game now but there are so many patterns of play, it’s so robotic, especially the top teams.“When you watch football in the Premier League or other top divisions, it’s so robotic.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“In my day there was Ronaldinho, Paul Gascoigne and those kinds of players who were great to watch.“I don’t watch as much football as I used to, not because I don’t love it but because some of the top games are not enjoyable to watch anymore because there are no mavericks.”EFL star, 24, ‘REFUSES to show up for game’ over transfer speculation weeks after shocking Premier League sideMcGoldrick believes top football clubs have sanitised the game with the way they educate and bring through their talent — almost programming them like machines.And he fears the days of top stars playing off the cuff and showing their personality both on and off the field will not return.He said: “I wish to see more mavericks playing but I’m not sure if there will be.“The way kids get brought up in the academies these days with the running stats, how hard they’ve got to run and certain things like that, I can’t see it.We’ve got some great English players like Phil Foden and Bellingham, who is a fantastic player but even he is half a robot!David McGoldrick“Back in the day you had the likes of George Best and not too long ago even someone like Abel Taarabt at QPR — these players were mavericks.“We’ve got some great English players like Phil Foden and Bellingham, who is a fantastic player but even he is half a robot!“Bellingham will cover the most distance and score goals — but he won’t get you off your seat and make you go and buy a ticket. And that’s two of our top players right now.“Erling Haaland is a machine but again not a maverick but that’s just how the game has changed while I’ve been playing it.”The break in Premier League football suits McGoldrick fine as he prefers watching EFL games instead because they are more entertaining.The County ace — whose promotion-chasing fifth-place team host Crewe in League Two this weekend — believes more fans are turning away from the Prem.Erling Haaland is a machine but not a maverick, says McGoldrickCredit: GettyHe said: “If you go down the leagues, you see players who are more free spirited and that is probably why they’re in the EFL and not at the top because they have that side to them. It’s a bit more off the cuff.“There are some good players in the EFL and maybe some will get their move to the top and if it doesn’t work out they end up back down again.“We have some good quality players in the lower leagues and a lot of people tell me they would rather watch the EFL than a top game nowadays.”McGoldrick freely admits he has never been a maverick but during his two seasons in the top flight played the best football of his career.And that includes when he went TWENTY-FIVE Prem games without scoring for the Blades but the team finished an expectation-defying ninth in 2019-20 following their promotion from the Championship.He said: “I enjoyed playing in the Premier League. I was at the perfect club at the perfect time. I wasn’t a maverick, I was a link player, but was given the freedom to express myself.If you go down the leagues, you see players who are more free spirited and that is probably why they’re in the EFL and not at the top because they have that side to them. It’s a bit more off the cuff.David McGoldrick“I might have gone 25 games without scoring but the input I was giving to the team and the manager was important. The manager Chris Wilder never dropped me while the fans took to me and kept me going during the time I wasn’t scoring.“I was playing some of the best football I’d ever played and that was because the team and club looked after me. They let me be a free spirit to go out and enjoy myself.”McGoldrick joined his boyhood club County in June 2023 and has scored an impressive 26 league goals from 52 starts.His two recent goals took most people’s breath away. His strike in a 2-1 win at Gillingham in February won him the SkyBet Goal of the Month gong – and his goal at Grimsby in a 2-0 win had boss Stuart Maynard calling him “Superman”.While McGoldrick does not feel he possesses super-hero qualities, he is looking after his body by sometimes ducking out of running during training and working on exercise bikes or doing gym work instead.The striker’s contract expires in the summer but is open to penning a new one and prolonging his career.McGoldrick’s contract at Notts County expires in the summerCredit: PAHe said: “I’m relaxed. It might depend on what league we’re in or finances. I’m not oblivious and deluded.“But the club are happy with me, I’m happy being here and want to carry on playing. I’m thinking with nine games left, the main objective is to secure promotion.”And McGoldrick certainly will not be feeling any pressure during the business end of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “You’ve got to trust yourself and play your normal game. “Pressure is for tyres. It’s just a game of football. Give it your all and be free spirited.” More

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      Former Premier League star sacked by Crawley in 62-word statement with League One side 12 points adrift of safety

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      CRAWLEY TOWN have sacked manager Rob Elliot amid an intense relegation scrap.Elliot, 38, took over as Crawley boss just five months ago.Crawley Town have sacked manager Rob Elliot just five months after he took overCredit: RexElliot leaves with Crawley 12 points away from safety in League OneCredit: RexAnd he leaves with the club a massive 12 points away from safety in League One.The former Premier League ace managed 33 matches but lost 19 and only won six.Crawley released a short statement thanking the ex-Newcastle goalkeeper.The Red Devils also announced that Louis Storey will take over as interim manager, with Anthony Sweeney as an interim assistant.Read More on FootballCrawley released the following statement: “Crawley Town Football Club has today parted company with Manager Rob Elliot.”Louis Storey will take control of the squad as Interim Head Coach, with Anthony Sweeney supporting him as Interim Assistant Head Coach.”The club would like to thank Rob for all of his efforts during his time at the Broadfield Stadium and wish him all the best for the future.”Crawley was the second team Elliot managed as he was also in charge of Gateshead where he also played beforehand.Most read in EFLThis comes after a 20-year playing career for the likes of Charlton, Newcastle and Watford.The former keeper stood out with the Magpies where he spent nine years and amassed 68 appearances.My dad’s a former Premier League star and TV presenter – I’m making my own way after transfer to League One clubThat was after seven years with Charlton where he played 109 times between the sticks.Elliot also registered four caps with the Republic of Ireland before his retirement last year. More

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      Newcastle and England’s Dan Burn’s ex-team mates recall his ‘baptism of fire’ pro debut that ended in 5-0 hammering

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      DAN BURN is still pinching himself after celebrating a shock England call-up by scoring and then lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley.The boyhood Newcastle fan is living his football fairytale at long last – but it’s all a far cry from his first senior professional appearance.Dan Burn’s Wembley heroics against Liverpool were a million miles away from his EFL debutCredit: GettyHis big breakthrough in pro football came with struggling Darlington in League TwoCredit: XBurn’s EFL debut came as a 19th minute substitute aged 17 on December 12, 2009 for bottom of League Two Darlington in a 5-0 thumping at Torquay United.Mark Bower was the man Burn replaced at the back that day and is now the manager of seventh tier Guiseley.The 45-year-old, who was later a team-mate of another future England and Prem star, told SunSport: “I remember him coming on for me but I’d never twigged that it was his debut. I did my ankle and needed an operation after that.“He was a big boy back then but obviously he’s filled out a bit now and has done brilliantly.READ MORE ON DAN BURN“I remember it was December and it was a very long drive down there. We got there quite late on Friday. That was possibly his first experience of an overnight stay.“He managed to get himself on but it was a bit of a baptism of fire for him. We were on a bad run, couldn’t score any goals and conceding plenty.“Then to lose 5-0. But stuff like that builds character. You learn lessons from it and he has learned some lessons and done really well.”Ex-midfielder Nathan Mulligan, now a coach at Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off hopefuls Stockton Town, was on the bench alongside Burn at Plainmoor.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe 38-year-old said: “It was a real bad time for us. I think we’d lost four in a row.“I don’t remember being particularly worried when Dan had to come on. Even though he was a scholar at the time, he had been in and around the first team squad and because of his size you had no worries about him stepping in physically. He was very slim but was tall as he is now. Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-header“He was a quiet lad. Really nice too and kept his head down.”Bower, part of the Bradford side that won promotion to the Premier League in 1999, admits that it was not Burn’s playing abilities that first caught the eye after the then scholar was brought into the first-team.He said: “He just sort of kept himself to himself pretty much and did his job as a young lad and was just trying to make his way in the game and was pretty quiet.“His size was a standout thing for someone so young. He’s obviously a big unit now and has filled out a lot but back then he was very skinny. Really tall and maybe a little bit awkward too, but a really good left foot on him and he could obviously win headers.The star is now hoping to win his first England cap on FridayCredit: Getty“You always feel when young players have got them kind of tools that they’ve got a chance but I don’t think anyone back then would have thought he’d have been playing in major cup finals, playing the Premier League and potentially England.”Burn played three more times that season, losing on each occasion, as Darlington were relegated out of the EFL.But after making more appearances in the National League it appeared his dream had already come true when Premier League Fulham brought him in.Mulligan admitted: “It was a surprise but it just shows you that you never know who could be watching you.“Dan is a good example for anyone to show that you have to give everything you’ve got every single time you go on the pitch.“We’ve seen it a few times in football. Someone could spot you at any time and that one person’s opinion can change everything.”Burns journey has taken him to the likes of Yeovil, Birmingham, Wigan and Brighton before he realised his ultimate ambition when signing for Newcastle three years ago.He would have retired a happy man with just that, let alone helping them to end their 70-year wait for domestic silverware.But Burn now has the opportunity to add the cherry on top to an already magical week by winning his first England cap on Friday.Something that his old team-mates admit they would never have thought possible in a million years.Mulligan said: “No, I’d never have thought that back then. But it’s a great reward for him. He is one of them that gets an eight out of ten every week and doesn’t have a bad game and now he’s got his chance with England due to injuries.“But this isn’t the end. He can still keep this going. He might get this first cap and once he’s in he could be for a long time.“Another year or so of hard graft and he might make the World cup squad. What an extreme that would be to go from the bottom of League Two with Darlo to a World Cup.”Burn’s journey is the second football fairytale that Bower has seen from close quarters.He added: “Just a year after I played with Dan Burn at Darlington I went to Halifax and played with Jamie Vardy. I’ve seen it firsthand twice how you can come from the bottom and work your way up. It is inspirational to young lads who get knockbacks early on.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But in all honesty, I don’t think you’d have predicted him to have done so well and when you listen to him on TV now he’s probably surprised himself a little bit. “Fair play to him. He’s used what he’s got and has become a really good player. And, due to his size, he probably doesn’t get credit for how good of a footballer he is.”How ‘big angel’ Joelinton rescued boss after he fainted in SubwayNEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.”I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?'”He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”Read the full story… More

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      Bradford v Tranmere delayed after medical emergency in crowd with visitors’ keeper raising alarm

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      A LEAGUE TWO game was suspended due to a medical emergency in the crowd.Bradford City’s home clash with Tranmere Rovers was interrupted midway through the second half. Bradford’s game with Tranmere Rovers was suspendedThe visitors led 1-0 when the incident occurred during the second halfCredit: AlamyRovers led 1-0 when the referee called a halt to proceedings after 70 minutes.The pause was preceded by frantic gesturing from visiting keeper Luke McGee in front of the Bradford Kop. Play was halted for 12 minutes as medical personnel rushed to treat the stricken fan behind the goal. The supporter was taken out of the ground by medical staff, with play resuming shortly after. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSome 15 minutes of added injury time were added following the incident.One fan wrote on X: “Massive respect to Tranmere keeper McGee for taking action to alert medics and get the game stopped for a serious medical emergency in the crowd. You’ll always be welcome at VP now.”Another said: “City’s gotta win it for that fan.”While a third added: “We pray that the supporter who is currently receiving treatment at Valley Parade makes a full recovery.”Most read in FootballAnd a fourth commented: “Hope whoever the poor fan is in the Kop is alright. Awful scenes.”Bradford went into the contest looking to reel in top of the table Walsall. The Bantams have enjoyed a superb 2025, with ten league wins since the turn of the year. But they fell to a second-straight defeat, unable to find the net against the struggling visitors.The 1-0 win was just Tranmere’s second in 14 matches.It lifts Rovers away from the bottom two and six points clear of Morecambe. More

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      Former EFL star who won trophy at Wembley now runs £10MILLION business after breakdown prompted him to quit football

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      LEE BROWN enjoyed one hell of a career in the Football League.Two Wembley wins, more than 400 EFL appearances and a reputation as one of football’s nice guys.Lee Brown during AFC Wimbledon’s match with Salford City, one of the last games of his careerCredit: RexBrown celebrates securing Bristol Rovers’ promotion back to League One with a 92nd minute winnerCredit: PA:Press AssociationBrown, left, celebrates winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley in 2019Credit: ReutersStarting out at QPR, he really made a name for himself at Bristol Rovers, scoring a dramatic 92nd minute winner on the final day of the 2015-16 season to secure back-to-back promotions for The Gas.He moved across to Portsmouth in June 2018, winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley the following season in front of 80,000 fans, before returning to his London roots and finishing his career at AFC Wimbledon.At 33, Brown rejected a new deal at Plough Lane, instead opting to pursue “other business interests”.Dubbed ‘Lee from football’ wherever he went for his bubbly personality and jokey antics on the pitch, Brown has now lifted the lid on the man behind the mask in a candid new interview.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSpeaking to the Portsmouth News’ chief reporter Neil Allen, the former Pompey man revealed football “had to go” as two worlds collided.He admits he could have easily carried on playing, and was still a regular in the AFC Wimbledon defence, but behind the scenes all was not well.He said: “I had to quit for my own sake. I was in a dark place, I’d had a mental breakdown, something had to give.‘I could no longer juggle football full-time and run a full-time business.”Most read in FootballNow 34, Brown runs a thriving property business called B3 Homes. He employs 20 staff, and boasts an impressive portfolio of luxury pads, with many selling for well in excess of £1million.B3 Homes “develop niche, high-end residential homes across London and the South East”Credit: Instagram b3.homesInside one of the properties Brown’s property portfolio has builtCredit: www.b3homes.co.ukJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAmong the current projects are a £1.3million house in Purley, a plot of three more houses in the same area and an ultra-modern detached family home in Warlingham.It all started when, at 26, he used his £25,000 savings pot to buy a house in the Filton area of Bristol, and built another house in its garden.Harry Redknapp phoned me up out of the blue to sign for ‘f***ing s****’ team – it was one of best moves of my careerHe had no money left to pay people to help build the house for him, so ended up doing it in his spare time while still playing League One football!Brown continued: “I’d never held a tool in my life, but I have this obsessive nature where I need to learn about everything.” If I was doing the plumbing, I would research how to be a plumber and, all of a sudden, knew how to run pipes. I would sit there until 3am until it sunk in.”Lee Brown wheels away in celebration after scoring for PortsmouthCredit: RexThe business grew and grew, but eventually Brown reached breaking point.He recalled former working from as soon as training finished until extremely late at night, and working again before hitting the training pitches the following morning.But it all became too much for him, and football had to go.”I was building six houses over in Purley, two in Cobham, while training every day and playing matches on a Saturday.”I lived in a pressure cooker, rocking in the chair at points because of so much stress.”I could not cope, physically or mentally. I had to give up football – or I would have been a goner.”Brown admits he shut off those around him, and the tipping point was when he broke down in tears in AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson’s office.Lee Brown lifts the Vanarama Conference Playoff Final trophy as Bristol Rovers secured their return to the Football LeagueCredit: Getty Images – GettyEx-Spurs and Charlton man Jackson gave Brown a fortnight off, regularly checking in on the veteran defender.He returned to the Wombles team in November 2024, making a further 22 appearances before bidding football farewell at the end of the season.Now almost a year into his post-football life, Brown is back to his bubbly self and is reaping the rewards of his hard work.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe finished: “I had to sacrifice my football career after biting off more than I could chew. But, sitting here now, I am good.Actually, I’m more than good. I’m happy.” More

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      Chesterfield announce owner Phil Kirk diagnosed with inoperable cancer as club release heartbreaking statement

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      CHESTERFIELD FC owner Phil Kirk has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, a club statement has revealed.Phil, who co-owns the League Two club with brother Ashley Kirk, is said to be undergoing treatment to prolong his life.Chesterfield owner Phil Kirk has been diagnosed with inoperable cancerCredit: YouTube/Chesterfield FC Official YouTube ChannelA heartbreaking statement from the club read: “Chesterfield FC announces with deep regret that Phil Kirk has been recently diagnosed with inoperable cancer.”Over the next few months, he will be receiving treatment to prolong his life, but this is not expected to deliver a cure.”Work has already started on a robust long term financial and governance plan for the club. “This will be disclosed in due course but includes material financial backing on and off the pitch and does not include a sale.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”In the meantime, please give Phil and his family some time and space. Phil will be at the Fans’ Forum on Friday.”No further comment will be made at this stage.”Chesterfield have confirmed that Phil Kirk will still be present for the club’s Fan Forum on Friday alongside manager Paul Cook and chief executive John Croot.Messages of support have already started pouring in for the club’s co-owner.Most read in FootballChesterfield announced that Phil Kirk will still attend a Fan Forum later this weekCredit: RexDerbyshire FA posted: “Our thoughts are with Phil and the Kirk family.”While the the Chesterfield FC Supporters Group wrote: “Awful news. Our thoughts are with Phil and his family at this time.”Fans also sent their well wishes online.One wrote: “Dreadfully sad news. My heart goes out to Phil, all the Kirk’s and all his friends. Nothing else matters when things like this happens.”One of the mighty Spireites true legends and a guy the supporters of this great club will still be honouring for generations to come.”And another added: “Terrible news, Phil has brought so much positivity to the club and the town”.Local brothers Phil and Ashley Kirk have transformed Chesterfield since they arrived as investors back in 2022, pumping over £1MILLION into the then National League side.Their time, effort, passion and financial support helped the club return to the Football League for the first time in over six years this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe pair have always supported Chesterfield and wanted to invest in the club they grew up fans of.Speaking about why he chose to invest in the club, Phil previously said: “Why would we do it? Because it’s Chesterfield. There is no other club, obviously, that we would have done this for.”The Kirk brothers helped secure Chesterfield’s return to the Football LeagueCredit: PAThe Spireites won the National League last seasonCredit: PA More