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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

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      MK Dons SACK manager Scott Lindsey after less than six months in charge as they release 56-word statement

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      MK DONS have sacked their manager Scott Lindsey following a horror run of results.The League Two side have won just one of their last 11 games.Scott Lindsey has been axed as MK Dons bossCredit: RexThe poor form has seen them slump to 17th in the table after initially being hopeful of promotion.They sat third in the table in early December but are now 13 points off the relegation zone.In a short statement, the club confirmed the sacking, saying: “Milton Keynes Dons have parted company with head coach Scott Lindsey.”Everyone at MK Dons would like to sincerely thank Scott for his efforts during his time in Milton Keynes and wish him every success in the future. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The club will be making no further comment at this time and will update supporters in due course.”Lindsey left Crawley Town to become MK Dons boss in September – just months after guiding the club to promotion to League One.They went up via the play-offs, beating The Dons 8-1 on aggregate in the semi-final.Former Rotherham and Wigan boss Leam Richardson has been tipped to take over at Stadium MK.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSEx-Barrow and Gillingham gaffer Stephen Clemence is another linked with the job.Paul Hurst, who previously took charge of Ipswich and Shrewsbury is also a contender.Roy Keane brutally trolled by MK Dons after he blasted them for playing out from the back More

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      ‘Stick that in the documentary’ – Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham mercilessly trolled by Peterborough stars after Cup heartache

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      PETERBOROUGH stars trolled Wrexham’s Hollywood owners after their EFL Trophy penalty shootout win over Ryan Reynolds’ side.The Posh booked their place in the final at Wembley with a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Wrexham at the Stok Racecourse.Peterborough beat Wrexham 4-2 on pens to reach the EFL Trophy finalSuper-sub Bradley Ihionvien wasted little time in mocking Wrexham through his now-deleted post-match celebrationsPosh team-mates danced around to the tune of American boyband NSYNC’s 2000 hit ‘Bye Bye Bye’Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee had their penalties saved to ensure Peterborough sealed a trip to WembleyWrexham were 2-0 up after 38 minutes following Mo Faal’s looping strike and George Dobson’s first goal for the Welsh club.But Peterborough gave themselves hope when Malik Mothersille fired home the rebound after having his penalty saved by Arthur Okonkwo in the 72nd minute.Wrexham fans were cheering ‘Que Sera’ before substitute Bradley Ihionvien scored from close range, after a long ball, in the first minute of added time to send the tie to a shootout.Ihionvien, Ryan de Havilland, Harley Mills and captain Hector Kyprianou all scored from the spot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile keeper Jed Steer saved efforts from veterans Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee to ensure Peterborough play Birmingham at Wembley.And Ihionvien wasted little time in mocking Wrexham through his now-deleted post-match celebrations.The 21-year-old forward sung to the tune of American boyband NSYNC’s 2000 hit ‘Bye Bye Bye’.He and a team-mate were dancing along to the pop anthem before Ihionvien sang along: “Bye bye bye, bye Wrexham, bye Wrexham, sorry not sorry. Bye Wrexham, sorry not sorry. Have fun, watch us in Wembley!”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe added insult to injury by posting a sticker of Deadpool, the Marvel character played by Wrexham owner Reynolds, to his Instagram story.And fans loved the merciless trolling, with one Birmingham City fan writing on X: “LOL! Stick that in your f***ing documentary”.Wrexham stars get raunchy dance lesson from Channing Tatum in brilliant Super Bowl advertDarren Ferguson couldn’t believe the pandemonium when Peterborough equalisedReynolds and co-owner actor Rob McElhenney documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is well into it’s third season.It follows the-behind-the scenes turmoil of bringing a club up the football ladder and the relationships within the local community.The TV series has been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, largely thanks to Wrexham’s Hollywood owners.Wrexham missed on a chance to go toe-to-toe again with fellow League One heavyweights Birmingham, co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady.Birmingham beat Bradford City 2-1 in the first Vertu Trophy semi-final on Tuesday.Instead Peterborough, who are in the midst of a relegation battle at the other end of the table, will go into the match as underdogs again.Last year, they beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 in the final at Wembley. More

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      English manager axed by EFL club just minutes after insisting he’s ‘never going to walk away’

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      TRANMERE ROVERS have sacked manager Nigel Adkins after he declared he had no plans to go anywhere.Rovers fell to a 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley last night, leaving them winless since January 4 and third bottom in League Two.Nigel Adkins has been sacked by TranmereCredit: RexIt came hours after he insisted he was not going to walk awayCredit: RexSpeaking after the game – a fifth defeat in seven – Adkins insisted he still believed they could get their season back on track and added he would never walk away from his hometown club.He told reporters: “You’ve got to have belief and you’ve got to have hope, there are still games to play and you can’t throw the towel in yet.“You’ve got to keep working and you’ve got to keep going. It was a very poor defeat tonight, we’ve got to change it and we’ve got to change it quick.“It’s my hometown club and I’m never going to walk away at any point. I’m under contract to the football club and if the owner wants me to stay then I’ll do everything I can, that’s all I can do.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I’ll continue to do that until asked differently.”However, just two hours after the defeat to Accrington was confirmed a club announcement revealed Adkins had been axed by the club.It read: “Tranmere Rovers can confirm that Nigel Adkins has today stepped down as manager, by mutual agreement. “An announcement will be made about arrangements for his replacement in due course.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAdkins, 59, had been in charge of Tranmere since September 2023, having initially joined the club in May of that year as a technical director.He stepped into an interim manager role following the sacking of Ian Dawes, which became permanent in November 2023.EFL club owner gives update on new £2bn ‘spaceship’ stadium included in mega plans for state-of-the-art complex He had played for Tranmere professionally between 1983 and 1986.Chairman Mark Palios said: “Nigel is a hugely experienced manager with a long and distinguished career, who came back as Technical Director of his hometown club, where he had also been a player.“He helped the club by acting as interim manager before taking the role as Manager when needed last season and improved results, stabilising the season. “No-one can doubt his commitment, effort or passion for Tranmere Rovers but this season has been hampered by a litany of injuries to, and suspensions of, key players which have all contributed to the current league position.“Compared to the optimism at the start of the season we both acknowledge our league position is disappointing and that football is a results business. “As a consequence, we have sadly both come to the conclusion that a change of manager will give the team the best chance of making the most of the remaining 13 games.“I don’t need to tell you that Nigel is a thoroughly decent man whose work ethic, commitment and professionalism through a very difficult period has been clear to see. “He leaves with the club’s best wishes for the future.”Englishman Adkins’ managerial highlights include winning League One with Scunthorpe United and, two years later, the League One play-offs.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe also earned promotion to the Premier League with Southampton by finishing as runner-up in the Championship.Other managerial jobs for Adkins have included a player-manager role at Bangor City and time spent as manager of Reading, Sheffield United, Hull and Charlton. More

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      MK Dons to change badge as supporters make ‘unanimous decision’ following two-decade backlash to move from Wimbledon

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      MK DONS are set to change their crest – and fans were given the chance to vote for the club’s new badge.The club were formed in 2004 after Wimbledon FC sensationally upped sticks to Milton Keynes in an unprecedented move.MK Dons are set to change their badge next seasonCredit: GettyDons supporters have been given a choice of three new crests for the teamCredit: WWW.FOOTYHEADLINES.COMThe first season for the club was the 2004-05 League One campaign, in which they were relegated.And over 20 years later, the Dons brass have allowed fans to choose the team’s new crest.An excerpt of a club statement: “After 20 years of football in Milton Keynes, MK Dons are pleased to reveal three new crest designs for supporter consultation as we look to evolve our club identity ahead of the 25/26 season.”Following initial consultation with the MK Dons Supporters’ Board, it became apparent there was a clear desire for an evolution of the club’s identity.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”From the crest on our kits to the branding around Stadium MK and branding across all digital platforms.”After extensive work behind the scenes, we’re now delighted to be able to offer all season ticket holders (including Club Red, Club Gold, Club Platinum, and Club Black hospitality seasonal members) and business stakeholders the chance to have your say in helping to choose our new club crest.”Supporters had up until midnight on February 20 to choose from three new crests.Dons CEO Neil Hart said of the revamping of the badge: “When the new ownership group acquired the club last summer, one of the many things we wanted to learn more about was the club’s identity and branding.Most read in SportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMK Dons are currently toiling in 16th place in the League Two tableCredit: Alamy”This started with informal conversations among staff before the possibility of a brand evolution was brought to the MK Dons Supporters’ Board last month.”Their reaction was one of unanimous enthusiasm, as we look to celebrate the past 20 years of football in Milton Keynes while also paving the way for a new era at the football club.Roy Keane brutally trolled by MK Dons after he blasted them for playing out from the back”This feels like an important milestone in the club’s history and an opportunity for us all to review our brand identity.”As we continue to be focused on improving every aspect of our football club we want our supporters to be at the heart of any important decision-making affecting the club.”So, take your time, review the designs and let us have your feedback.”We can assure supporters we will only evolve the club’s brand and identity with the full support of our loyal fan base and key partners.”The Dons are currently 16th in the League Two table and will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to Valley Parade to take on Bradford. More