Longtail

Subterms

    Latest story

    213 Shares

    Inside Conor Benn’s glitzy life, from influencer wife to incredible car collection featuring £110k ‘weekend car’ Porsche

    by

    CONOR BENN is on the brink of a career-high payday against Chris Eubank Jr – in a fight sure to boost his already glitzy life. The born rivals renew their family drama at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 35 year after their dads’ first showdown.Chris Eubank Jr facing off with Conor BennCredit: GettyBenn will go to middleweight for the first timeCredit: PABenn with his wife VictoriaThe unbeaten boxer has a love for fast carsThe bruising showdown will be contested at the 160lb middleweight limit – three years after their initial bout was dramatically axed just days before the opening bell.Benn failed two drug tests after testing positive for clomiphene – a substance known to boost levels of testosterone.The son of legendary Nigel Benn vowed to fight his innocence and even headed Stateside – where he racked up two wins at the light-middleweight limit.Benn’s UK Anti-Doping case was later dropped – which allowed him to box in Britain once more while Eubank Jr waited in the wings.READ MORE IN boxing With his own dad being boxing royalty, Benn is no stranger to a luxurious lifestyle,And here, SunSport takes a look at Benn’s charmed life…Living in the fast lane Over the years, he has splashed his cash on an amazing set of motors, including his pride and joy – a Rolls-Royce Wraith worth £260,000.After beating knocking out Chris Algieri in 2021, he was spotted with a £125,000 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG wrapped in gold.Most read in BoxingThe same year, Benn added a stunning £110,000 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S – just like his dad who had a Porsche 911 in the 1990s.It has a personalised licence plate – ‘K013ENN’ – and Benn boasts how it’s his “weekend car.”A gold-wrapped Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG worth £125k is part of Benn’s fleetBenn also splashed the cash on a beautiful Porsche 911Family Guy Benn is married to wife Victoria and they share two children, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna. The pair began dating in 2017, before tying the knot year later in a private ceremony.She is an author, having written the book Feeling It All which helps kids cope with emotions.Victoria also shares big brand deals on her Instagram page – where she has over 27,000 followers and has her own YouTube channel. In her videos, she take viewers behind the scenes of her boxing star husband’s career.Victoria and Conor welcomed their first child together in 2021, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna followed last year. Victoria has been married to Benn since 2018Victoria is an influencer and authorThey share a son and daughter togetherFlying privateNot only does Benn travel in style on the road – he does so in the air too. The son of legend Nigel showed off a private jet that took him and a crew to Philadelphia for a DAZN fight night.They then headed to Miami on the US trip and captioned the snap: “PHILLY nights with the team, now on to MIA.”The snaps of his trip left a sour tase in wife Victoria’s mouth who was left at home with the kids.Read More on The SunAmusingly, she commented on the snap: “Meanwhile, Idony just threw up on me 🤣”.Benn completed his training camp to fight Eubank in Majorca – and travelled back to London in a private jet with his team and family. Benn enjoys the use of a private jet when he’s workingCredit: instagram @conorbennofficialBenn was joined by Eddie Hearn on board flights to Philadelphia and MiamiCredit: instagram @conorbennofficialBenn travelled from Majorca to London via private jetBenn enjoyed a sunny training camp in Majorca More

    More stories

    • 225 Shares17 Views

      in Boxing

      Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr’s lifestyles compared from £4million beachfront villa to growing up in Majorcan mansion

      by

      CHRIS EUBANK JR and Conor Benn might have differing personalties and fight styles – but they’ve walked very similar paths. The born rivals renew their family war at Tottenham’s stadium – 35 year after their dads first fought.Chris Eubank Jr ahead of his fight with Conor BennCredit: GettyBenn fights Eubank Jr up at middleweightCredit: GettyIt will be contested at the 160lb middleweight limit – three years after their initial bout was dramatically axed with just days to go. Benn failed two drug tests after testing positive for clomiphene – a substance known to boost testosterone. He vowed to fight his innocence and took his career to America for two wins up at the light-middleweight limit. Benn’s UK Anti-Doping case was later dropped – allowing him to box in Britain again as Eubank Jr waited patiently.READ MORE IN BOXINGBoth are stars in their own rights but growing up the sons of British boxing royalty afforded them quite the luxurious lifestyles. And here, SunSport takes a look at the lives Saturday night’s headliners lead. Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor BennTHE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st CenturyFamilial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person.SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard.Latest NewsAll the infoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRich kids Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn’s classic two-fight series was just chapter in a their career of big-money bouts.So their children were raised rich. Most read in BoxingEubank Jr and his three siblings, sister Emily and brothers Sebastian and Joseph, lived in a mansion in Brighton worth £4million. Benn meanwhile grew up in an eight-bedroom property in Majorca with a pool and even a jacuzzi in his room. But he still had to earn his own money as a painter and decorator in Spain making just €20 a day.The Benns later moved to Sydney – where Conor would first start boxing as an amateur – before he returned to the UK to turn professional. Eubank’s dad meanwhile filed for bankruptcy in 2009 – selling his mansion with the family instead relocating to a flat above a nursery. At 16, Eubank Jr and his late brother Sebastian, who sadly passed away in 2021, moved to Las Vegas to further their training. He returned to turn professional in 2011 – with Benn following five years later.Benn likes to wear designer clothesCredit: InstagramAs does Eubank, posing in a similar Gucci jacketCredit: InstagramTravelling in style While Eubank Jr and Benn may not see eye to eye – one thing they do share in common is a love for fancy cars.Eubank Jr’s prized possession has long been his custom McLaren 720S – worth around £210,000. Modified by German brand Mansory, it’s the ultimate petrol head’s car and better still he custom-plated it ‘EU13ANK’.Eubank Jr has also been known to drive a black £215,000 Lamborghini Huracan, reaching a top speed of over 200mph and 0-60mph in just 2.3 seconds.Others previously on the driveway include a £116,000 BMWi8, a £178,000 red Ferrari 458, a £164,000 Mercedes-Benz G63, a £115,000 Range Rover Urban SVR and a £240,000 Bentley Mansory GT Race.Eubank Jr poses with his Mclaren 720s on Brighton Palace PierCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CifO8Z9rQ3r/?hl=enEubank Jr shows off a stunning Ferrari 458 worth £178,000 on InstagramCredit: InstagramThe Mercedes G Wagon is Eubank Jr’s dream carCredit: InstagramOne of Eubank Jr’s early cars was a top-of-the range Range RoverCredit: InstagramIn 2018, Eubank Jr shared a stunning Bentley to his followersCredit: InstagramBut, it’s not clear whether Eubank Jr rented or bought the motors outright and how many he still keeps to this day. Benn meanwhile has driven a Rolls-Royce Wraith worth £260,000 and a £125,000 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG wrapped in gold.Also in 2022, Benn added a stunning £110,000 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S – copying his dad who bought a Porsche 911 in the 1990s.It has a personalised licence plate – ‘K013ENN’ – and Benn calls it his “weekend car.”And both boxers are also known to jet set in style, often flying private when they go abroad. Both also enjoy luxury designer clothes – posing in similar Gucci jackets – and showing off their fancy watches. Eubank posing next to a private jetCredit: InstagramBenn is also known to fly privateCredit: InstagramBenn sits on the bonnet of his stunning £258k Rolls-RoyceCredit: InstagramAfter beating Chris Algieri, Benn treated himself to a S63 AMGCredit: InstagramLike his dad, Benn owns a stunning Porsche 911 CarreraCredit: InstagramLiving in luxury Both men grew up in mansions – and they’re keeping it that way. Eubank Jr has a stunning four-bed mansion in Hove – with a pool outside – that is currently on the market for just under £2m.But his home away from home is in Dubai, where his nephew Raheem lives. Eubank Jr has taken on a father role since the tragic passing of younger brother Seb – who welcomed Raheem into the world in 2021.He bought a stunning five-bedroom Indigo Ocean Villa on Dubai’s Palm Jebel Ali Island worth £4m.Eubank Jr put this stunning Hove home up for saleCredit: FINEANDCOUNRTY.CO.UKHe lives in an incredible detached four-bedroom houseCredit: FINEANDCOUNRTY.CO.UKThe pool is undoubtedly the main selling point of the houseCredit: FINEANDCOUNRTY.CO.UKAs well as five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the 7,882 square-foot home has multiple private balconies and a spacious roof terrace.The bedrooms and bathrooms are spaced out over three floors, the top of which features a stunning terrace.Benn meanwhile has a beautiful Essex home which he shares with his wife Victoria and their two children, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna. The couple are also believed to have an apartment in Spain. Eubank Jr purchased a stunning new home in DubaiCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIHe dropped a cool £4million on the stunning abodeCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIEubank Jr’s new UAE pad has five bedrooms and four bathroomsCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIFamily affair Benn is very close with his dad Nigel, who spent the whole training camp in Majorca besides his son. The unbeaten welterweight also had a surprise visit from his wife and two children. Partner Victoria has a following of her own as a social media influencer and author.She wrote the book Feeling It All which helps kids cope with their emotions and also shares big brand deals on her Instagram page, where she has over 26,000 followers.Conor Benn with wife VictoriaCredit: INSTAGRAM/CONOR BENNVictoria is a social media influencer and authorThe couple share a son and a daughter togetherNigel Benn with his son ConorCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe pair began dating in 2017, before walking down the aisle a year later in a private ceremony.They welcomed son Eli into the world in 2021 and daughter Idony Susanna in 2024. Eubank Jr meanwhile keeps a more private life, not giving away whether he is in a relationship or not. But he has opened the door to having children of his own after taking on the role of carer alongside nephew Raheem’s mum. Read More on The SunEubank Jr has also sadly fallen out with his dad over the past few years – leading to public back and forths between them. And interestingly, Eubank Jr’s sister Emily is in a long-term relationship with Frank Smith, who promotes Benn alongside Eddie Hearn.Chris Eubank Jr is sadly estranged from his dadCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEubank Jr with his nephew RaheemCredit: X/ ChrisEubankJrRaheem’s dad Sebastian sadly passed away in 2021Credit: X/ ChrisEubankJrEddie Hearn and Frank Smith promote BennBut Smith is with Eubank’s sister EmilyCredit: Instagram @franksmithEmily pictured with brother ChrisCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

    • 263 Shares20 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham are just famous for being famous, like Gemma Collins – they should not be part of Premier League’s Big Six

      by

      SHOULD Son Heung-min end up lifting the Europa League trophy for Tottenham, it will only start the argument —  not finish it.Win their first silverware since 2008 and some will claim Spurs are back among the Big Six, others may say English football’s ultimate fancy Dans never went away.Tottenham’s place in the Big Six comes with question marks that won’t go even if they win the Europa LeagueTottenham are famous for being famous — like Gemma CollinsAll while it’s a reasonable shout to suggest they should never have been in it in the first place.Spurs did well to overcome Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight. A cracking achievement, given how hopeless they are on the home front this season.Monday night’s soulless surrender to Nottingham Forest came just four days after a stirring victory in Germany.The European quest is impressive of late and hopefully they’ll go all the way and bring the trophy back next month.Read More on FootballIf they do, it will finally end an agonising wait for glory stretching back 17 years — about the same time as it takes to walk from the ground to Seven Sisters Tube.The 2008 League Cup final success over Chelsea is a fast-fading and flimsy claim to historical fame.Because that came almost a decade after they had bagged the same trophy. North London’s original football club have never been serial winners.Tottenham try to play aesthetically. They have employed a few skilful  players — David Ginola, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne. But, ultimately, they are famous for being famous — like Gemma Collins.Most read in FootballSo what exactly is it that makes so many people within the game class them as members of the so-called Big Six?And in an age of fluid wealth, when clubs can be transformed overnight with foreign investment, maybe it’s time to dismiss the  idea of an elite enclave.How Enzo Maresca can transform Chelsea to challenge for Premier League titleDefining the size of a football club has no universal measure.It’s genuinely surprising that as football lurches towards total automation, some smart-arse has not conjured up a Stephen Hawking-style algorithm to calculate it to ten decimal places.Capacity of ground multiplied by number of honours, then dividing that by length of time between trophies is one possibility.Money in the bank, times international players, minus number of losses squared, all over position in the league table?Football today bears no resemblance to the 1980s. Back then it was easier to work it out as money didn’t muddy the equation so much. Life was simpler.Along with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, Tottenham were in a league of their own. It’s not so clear-cut now.Behind the competitionThey have a lovely, big ground.  Stamford Bridge is tiny by comparison — but Chelsea are now by far the most successful club in London.Newcastle are awash with Saudi cash and winning this season’s Carabao Cup means they have won as much as Tottenham since 2008. Aston Villa are waking up from a decades-long coma.They entertained us in the Champions League this season and are fighting hard to get back in it.Manchester City were poor neighbours of United for donkey’s years. Eddie Large was their most famous fan.Yet this season is a write-off, even though they may yet win the FA Cup and qualify for a 14th successive campaign in the Champions League.They have billions locked away in their Arab owners’ vaults  and have amassed four Premier League titles on the trot. The Etihad isn’t the biggest mind.ResentmentThere’s been just two seasons since 2010 when Spurs finished outside the top six. Yet they are 16th and every match at their enviable new ground is tainted by resentment towards the ownership.They will lose more league games this season than they will win.Even if Son does get his hands on that Europa League trophy, three cups in 26 years is hardly massive. Relegated Leicester have won bigger things — the title and FA Cup — in the past decade.It’s mind-bogglingly complex working out  who is the biggest and the best.Maybe it’s easier switching the sums around and instead of going mad deciding who is in the Big Six, work out who isn’t. The Tottenham conundrum is much simpler then.MARESCA CAN’T WINENZO MARESCA copped it from some fans for not joining in the post-match celebrations of Chelsea’s win at Fulham.Even though he had just been booked for overdoing it on the touchline when Pedro Neto smashed home the winner moments earlier.There is a palpable distance between the Chelsea supporters and the reserved Italian.I’ve yet to hear them sing his name and there is a feeling that whatever he does, they will never completely warm to him.With Chelsea trailing at half-time on Sunday, Maresca was forced to take the long walk past the away end at Craven Cottage and was roundly labelled a “w*****” by a noisy minority.I don’t blame him for not wanting to attend the post-match party and salute those who, 45 minutes earlier, were giving him such stick. It seems he cannot win, despite having just won.Meanwhile, over at all-but-relegated Ipswich, boss Kieran McKenna’s name was lustily cheered when read out before they were thumped 4-0 by Arsenal. It seems he cannot lose, despite losing a lot.ROCKET’S LAUNCHEDLEAST surprising result of the week is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s demolition of arch-adversary Ali Carter at snooker’s World Championship.The Rocket rocked up to the Crucible, typically out of form and playing the wounded animal, claiming he would be lucky to  pot even one red ball.A crushing 10-4 triumph later — having won five frames in   succession — and O’Sullivan is in the balls, as they say. And into the last 16.He is someone who changes his mind on a daily basis whether or not he wants to pick up a cue. But he has seven world titles dating back to 2001.O’Sullivan  turns 50 in December — and  there is a serious belief that he will be enjoying his eighth world crown, having surpassed the haul of his other great baize nemesis, Stephen Hendry.ENI’S WRIGHT JIBE IS JUST WRONGTHE BEST broadcasters choose their words carefully.Eni Aluko has not with her surprising attack on Ian Wright for “dominating” punditry in women’s football.Ex-Chelsea star Aluko says:  “If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game  but that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game.”No, she can’t but maybe that’s for individual reasons rather than sexism. Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will be sharing the biggest presenting gig in football with Mark Chapman on Match of the Day from next season.Read More on The SunThat’s two women and one man hosting the country’s flagship highlights show  covering the biggest men’s league in the world, with a vast audience.Genuine question . . . am I missing something here? More

    • 238 Shares20 Views

      in Soccer

      Jamie Vardy’s incredible career saw him win Golden Boot in non-league AND Prem as magical 13-year Leicester spell ends

      by

      JAMIE VARDY is the glittering success story of the English football pyramid, a star that went from non-league to Premier League and captured fans’ hearts along the way.Vardy, 38, has announced that he is calling it quits on his 13-year spell with Leicester City in an emotional video following the Foxes’ relegation from the top flight.Jamie Vardy has announced he is leaving Leicester CityCredit: GettyThe venomous bagsman has graced the Champions League, won the Premier League, lifted the FA Cup and played 26 times for the England national team.But even he wouldn’t have expected to hit those heights when he was kicking about with Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood in his early days.OWL ASPIRATIONSSome kids grow up wanting to be Lionel Messi, David Beckham or Thierry Henry – playing at the top level and winning trophies and individual accolades.But Vardy’s idol growing up was someone much closer to home, Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVardy, a boyhood Owls fan, revealed in his autobiography: “I didn’t want to be anybody else. Once I had a ball at my feet, which was every spare moment of the day, I became the legend that played upfront for the club I loved.”I idolised David Hirst because he did exactly what I wanted to do – score goals for Sheffield Wednesday.”Vardy was a huge Sheffield Wednesday fan as a kidFOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPSVardy’s dream to be a Wednesday star almost came true when he signed for the club as a youngster.The striker impressed former Owls academy director Clive Baker in a trial at Middlewood, the club’s training ground in Hillsborough, and earned himself a place in their youth set-up.Most read in FootballBut those dreams were then snatched away from him at age 15, when the academy coaches at Wednesday axed him – a decision that almost saw him hang up his boots.He revealed: “It was 2002 when I was fired from the Sheffield Wednesday Academy at the age of 15.”At a meeting at the end of the season with my coaches, I was told that I was not kept because I was too small… it was terrible.“From there, I stopped playing football for almost a year. At the weekend, I did everything and anything but not football. I said to myself: ‘There’s no point in continuing, I’m not made for that.”Vardy during his days with the Sheffield Wednesday academy Jamie Vardy reveals best XI he’s played with at Leicester with huge snub to England stars and entire current squadA NON-LEAGUE RETURNAfter a year away from the game, Vardy returned to the pitch with his ambition reinstated and his eyes on achieving something.This time he joined local team Stocksbridge Park Steels, where he played U18s football before making the step up to the first team in 2006.At 19 years old – the age most future stars are making their Premier League debuts – Vardy was playing in the eighth tier of English football.And he was doing it while balancing a job at a carbon fibre factory, supplementing his £30-per-week wages with the football club.His time with Stocksbridge was a far cry from the top flight, and Vardy even found his career being hampered by police intervention following an altercation outside a nightclub in 2007.Despite pleading his innocence claiming he was defending a friend who was deaf, he was found guilty and was forced to play in an ankle tag.In some games he could only play 60 minutes as he had to get home to ensure he didn’t miss his 6pm curfew.A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONVardy spent four years in the Steels first team, scoring 66 times in 107 games.Naturally, he was attracting the interest of teams in the leagues above him as a result.Crewe Alexandra took him on trial, but turned him down after just one week.Closer to home, Rotherham presented a contract to him but Vardy chose not to accept it.Finally he landed on a switch to Halifax Town, who signed him for just £15,000 in 2010.Vardy spent just one year with Halifax, netting 26 goals in 37 games and winning the club’s Player of the Year.He helped fire the Shaymen to the title, earning himself a switch to Conference Premier club Fleetwood Town for the following campaign.Jamie Vardy scoring a goal for Halifax TownCredit: Halifax CourierWHO VAR YA?It was the biggest step in Vardy’s career so far, he was climbing up the divisions and earning a reputation as an establishes goalscorer.But just because some people were starting to talk about him, didn’t mean everyone knew his name – including his team-mates.Vardy’s former Fleetwood strike partner Gareth Seddon told The Guardian: “I’d never heard of him. At first some of the lads were like: ‘Why have we signed this lad? From a few leagues below?’”Then, in his first game, he was unbelievable. And we were just: ‘That’s the reason he signed!’”I’ve never played with anyone as quick, I’ve been a professional for 18 years – he kind of glides across the pitch.”He’s got nothing to him, yet he was aggressive, and has energy. We did the bleep test and he just went and went and went. We were like: ‘Frigging hell!’”It was at Fleetwood where Vardy earned his first Golden Boot award, scoring 31 goals in 36 matches in his first season for The Fishermen.After playing Blackpool in the FA Cup, Tangerines manager Ian Holloway offered Fleetwood Town £750,000 for his services, which they turned down because they wanted £1million.Vardy was signed for Fleetwood Town after his success with HalifaxCredit: AlamyHis immediately impressive form had bigger clubs knockingCredit: GettyFOR FOX SAKEFleetwood finally got that £1m when a Championship Leicester City came knocking to try to freshen up their front line in 2012.But even after his sensational form in the lower leagues, fans still weren’t convinced.One supporter took to social media to write: “Leicester have signed non-league striker Jamie Vardy for £1m. What has football come to. Jesus Christ!!” How silly he would be made to look.Although, the angry fan did appear correct for a brief period as Vardy struggled to adapt to life in England’s second tier, scoring just five goals in 29 games in his first season.He revealed: “When you step up the leagues, the defenders are better at reading the game, better positioned, not as slow as everyone thinks a centre-half should be and that’s when I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.“I was realising that certain stuff I was doing the year before at Fleetwood wasn’t working. For myself and probably for people that were watching as well, it wasn’t good enough.”Vardy struggled in his first season as a Leicester playerCredit: Getty Images – GettyTHE 5000/1 SEASONVardy was determined to succeed despite a shaky start to life with the Foxes.His second campaign at Leicester saw him score 16 league goals as the club were promoted into the Prem, sealing Vardy’s gritty rise from the depths of the football pyramid to the top.Leicester narrowly avoided relegation during their first season back in the big-time, 2014/15, as Vardy managed just five league goals.Little did he know that he and his team-mates were about to embark on one of the greatest achievements in English football history when Leicester overcame 5000/1 odds to lift the Premier League the following season.Vardy scored an astonishing 24 league goals in the 2015/16 season as Leicester pulled off a miracle to become champions – while he set the record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games.That title meant Vardy would play Champions League football less than ten years after he had been balancing a factory job with his £30-per-week non-league contract.In the seasons that followed Vardy turned down an offer to sign for Arsenal in order to stay with Leicester after building a legacy with the club that had taken a risk on him all those years ago.Staying put also saw him win the Premier League golden boot in the 2019/20 season after scoring 23 goals as Leicester finished in the European places again.As well as winning the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021.Vardy helped Leicester win the Premier League in 2016Credit: PA:Press AssociationHe won the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021 tooCredit: APThe striker was the Premier League top goalscorer during the 2019/20 seasonCredit: GettyCAUGHT LION?It was no surprise that England would come knocking at some point and Vardy was just as impressive on the international stage as he was at club level. Aged 28, Vardy wore the Three Lions on his chest during a friendly against Ireland.He would go on to earn 26 caps and score seven goals, representing England at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.However, there was trouble in paradise when his involvement in the national team sparked the ‘Wagatha Chrstie’ drama between his wife Rebekah and England team-mate Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen.Rebekah Vardy was accused of leaking stories about Coleen Rooney’s life to the media, something that ultimately ended in a high-profile libel trial.The trial swept the nation with Vardy and Rooney both supporting their wives at court.Vardy’s time with England led to drama involving teammate Wayne RooneyCredit: Getty Images – GettyRebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney were entangled in a libel trial at High CourtCredit: PAVardy supported his wife during the trialCredit: PAEND OF AN ERAVardy never turned away from Leicester as he cemented his legacy as a club legend.That included sticking with them after their relegation from the Premier League in 2023, helping them bounce straight back up from the Championship with 18 goals during the 2023/24 season.But after the Foxes fell back down to Championship this season – in a dire record-breaking relegation campaign – Vardy has finally decided to call it quits on his 13-year spell with Leicester.The striker is on the brink of 500 appearances for the club, scoring 198 times and registering 69 assists.In an emotional video Vardy announced that he will be leaving Leicester at the end of the season.He said: “It’s something that I’ve thought about and spoken about with my family. I think it’s time.”I’ll be devastated on the day when it is the last [game], but good things, they come to an end.”It’s going to be one of those emotional days. Who knows which way that can go.”If you ask anyone, I’m not really an emotional guy.”Nothing like that ever comes across with me, but when you’ve been somewhere for so long, and it is time to say goodbye, you just never know what your personal reaction is going to be.Read More on The Sun”I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs.”It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about it, but I think the timing it right.”Vardy leaves Leicester with a stunning haul of achievementsCredit: GettyThe striker will go down as a club legendCredit: AP More

    • 213 Shares25 Views

      in Soccer

      Ian Wright’s touching £1,700 gesture to injured women’s football star revealed after Eni Aluko criticised Arsenal legend

      by

      FORMER Arsenal striker Ian Wright continues to prove that he is just as much of a legend off the pitch as he was on it.The 61-year-old has been a huge advocate for women’s football over the years.Ian Wright is paying £1,700 out of his own pocket for a player’s ACL injury rehabCredit: GettyKayleigh McDonald has thanked Wright for his generosityCredit: GettyAnd last April, he showed just how much he cared with an incredible gesture to a player who had suffered a potentially career-jeopardising injury.After Stoke City defender Kayleigh McDonald suffered a ruptured ACL during a match against Burnley, she was forced to set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds when the club refused to pay for surgery.Stoke eventually backtracked – largely thanks to Wright, it has been revealed.The Telegraph has revealed that he paid for a sports lawyer to advocate for McDonald. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd when the club pulled funding for her rehab at the end of last year, Wright started paying for it out of his own pocket.The defender has revealed that her rehab costs around £1,700-a-month.McDonald has insisted that Wright deserves more recognition for his kind gesture.She told Telegraph Sport: “I wouldn’t be in a great place mentally if it wasn’t for Ian Wright.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEni Aluko has criticised Wright for ‘blocking’ opportunities for women in football broadcastingCredit: Getty”I would probably still be waiting for my surgery if it wasn’t for him.”For him to do this for me, someone he didn’t know, I think there should be more of a spotlight shone on him.”Emotional Man Utd icon Roy Keane is visibly moved by Ian Wright interview News of the Arsenal legend’s incredible generosity comes after he was criticised by former England Lioness Eni Aluko for “blocking” opportunities for women in football broadcasting.Speaking on Radio 4 Woman’s Hour earlier this week, she said: “I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that.”The fact of the matter is, there is a limited amount of spaces available.”If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men’s game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, it’s a free for all.”But that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.”When asked to clarify if she thought it was wrong for Wright to be at the forefront of women’s football coverage, Aluko added: “I don’t know about wrong, but I think we need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.”It’s still new, it’s still growing. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.”Men need to be aware that, you know, you’re in a growing sport, a growing sport for women, and we haven’t always had these opportunities, and so it’s about the awareness and supporting other women through that pathway.”Wright has continued to back the growth of women’s football in recent years.In 2023, he teamed up with Barclays to help create the Ian Wright Coaching Fund – an initiative created to increase the number of female coaches at grass-roots level.He made a £15,000 donation and paid for 664 female coaches to attend their Level One training course.And in 2022, following England’s European Championship semi-final win over Sweden, he insisted that all girls should have the opportunity to play football at school.Wright said: “Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like the boys can, what are we doing?Read More on The Sun”We have to make sure they are able to play and get the opportunity to do so.”The former Arsenal striker started a women’s football podcast with Manchester City legend Steph Houghton last year and regularly features on ITV’s coverage of the Lionesses.McDonald was forced to set up a GoFundMe page when Stoke initially refused to pay for surgeryCredit: X @Kayleigh_McxWright is now paying £1,700 a month for her rehabCredit: X @Kayleigh_McxWOMEN’S FOOTBALL needs more people like Ian Wright.In a world where the “nobody cares” narrative is still all too common, the Arsenal legend remains a huge advocate for the sport both on and off our TV screens.So I was quite surprised to see that former England Lioness Eni Aluko had criticised him earlier this week for “dominating” punditry in women’s football.When it comes to women in football, it would be difficult to find anyone more supportive than Ian Wright.The much-loved former England star has invested both time and money in building up the game.And he is not just doing the bare minimum.From supporting a semi-pro player throughout her recovery from a severe ACL injury to helping hundreds of women earn their Level One coaching qualification, he cares.The question is – why would someone who cares so much be “blocking” opportunities for others?Having followed the game for so long, Wright clearly knows what he is talking about.If you ask me, that’s surely the No1 priority when it comes to hiring a pundit.What does it matter if he’s not a woman?Last year, the ITV pundit started a new women’s football podcast called ‘Crossways’ with Manchester City legend Steph Houghton.The insight that he and Houghton give is fascinating and fresh, a unique perspective on the WSL and international football.Speaking of England’s top tier, it would be fair to say that coverage is dominated by women as it is.The likes of Houghton, Ellen White, Anita Asante, Izzy Christiansen, Karen Carney, Jen Beattie and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk feature on coverage across the BBC and Sky Sports.Meanwhile, Wright only covers England games as a pundit for ITV Sport.His involvement is certainly not “blocking” opportunities for women.It’s a great thing that one of the most universally beloved figures in English football is an advocate for the sport.We’re lucky to have him. More

    • 213 Shares14 Views

      in Boxing

      Meet Chris Eubank Jr’s family including sister who dates Conor Benn’s promoter and fellow boxing star cousin

      by

      CHRIS EUBANK JR and Conor Benn will finally end their long-standing feud on Saturday night.The boxing superstars will go toe-to-toe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in one of the most-eagerly-anticipated fights in recent history, following in their dads’ footsteps.Chris Eubank Jr is set to go toe-to-toe with Conor Benn in the ring on SaturdayCredit: GettyEubank Jr is part of a huge boxing familyCredit: RexThe fight is not without its controversy though, with Eubank Jr’s own family concerned about his weight cutting to reach the 11st 6lb middleweight cap.Boxing legend dad Chris Eubank Sr lost his own brother, Simon, in 2023 and claimed boxing “killed him”.Eubank Jr’s cousin Harlem – son of Stephen and Chris Sr’s nephew – is also a boxer.SunSport takes a look at the Eubank family tree… including his sister who dates Benn’s promoter in a test of loyalties come Saturday.READ MORE SPORT STORIESChris Eubank Sr – DadOne of the most recognisable people in boxing, Eubank, 58, enjoyed a 13-year professional career in which he held the world middleweight and super-middleweight titles between 1990 and 1995.BoxRec even rank him as the third-best British super-middleweight boxer of all time, retiring with a record of 45-5-2 after three straight defeats to end his career.Eubank fought Nigel Benn – Conor’s dad – twice, winning the first and drawing the second.The controversial former pugilist has a strained relationship with son, with Jr splitting from his dad to take control of his own career.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEubank Jr recently spoke on Piers Morgan Uncensored, revealing: “It got to a stage where I needed to step out of the shadow completely. It’s a big shadow.“I realised I have to separate myself from this huge character that’s always next to me.’My brother lost his life from boxing’ – Chris Eubank Sr’s emotional fight vs Conor Benn brawl fuelled by tragic deathChris Eubank Sr famously fought Nigel Benn twice in their pompCredit: GettyEubank Sr won their first fight in 1990, with the second match drawnCredit: Getty“He’s different. His father kind of let him do his own thing; jump in and sink or swim.“My old man was always next to me. I got to a stage where I decided that I needed to walk my own path.“He was not happy with that decision. He needs to be able to get over whatever demons he’s fighting.“I still hope he’s there on the night, just like [Benn’s] old man will be.”I hope and I pray that he is [at the Benn fight], and I will do things to try and get him there.”Eubank Sr has endured some other controversial moments in his life, including being involved in a fatal collision after losing control of his car in 1992.He was convicted of driving without due care and attention and fined, while handed six penalty points.In 2005, he was convicted of driving a beer lorry without consent after claiming it was an obstruction.And in 2021, he was prosecuted after being filmed driving through a red light.Eubank Sr was married to Karron, Chris Jr’s mum, between 1990 and 2005, before marrying his manager Claire Geary in 2014.The pair divorced in 2017.Eubank Jr and his dad have endured a strained relationship in recent yearsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEubank Sr married his manager Claire Geary, his second wifeCredit: Getty – ContributorEubank Sr was previously married to Karron, Jr’s motherCredit: PA:Press AssociationSebastian Eubank – BrotherFollowing in his father’s footsteps, Sebastian also took up boxing, but tragically passed away in 2021 aged just 29.His widow, Salma Abdelati, later revealed he suffered a “massive heart attack”, caused by a pre-existing condition the family were unaware of.At the time, Jr shared a touching message on Instagram – complete with pics of of him with his younger sibling – saying: “My brother was a special man… a righteous man… who always put others before himself.”A man of many talents, boxing, MMA, poetry, music, coaching, cooking the list goes on but the most important thing to him was helping others less fortunate than himself & that’s what I admired most about him.”I haven’t cried since I was 12 years old… yesterday I cried the whole day. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to watch your back like a big brother’s supposed to.”Can’t believe you’re really gone man but you’ll always be in my heart, mind & spirit & now your legacy will live on through your beautiful new born son & I will treat him like my own.”Sebastian’s death hit the Eubank family hard and Jr admitted it had only further pushed him and his dad apart.Jr claimed: “With my brother passing away, that affected him in a deep way — affected all of us — mental health is a real thing.“That incident, coupled with the fact that we were already not seeing eye to eye, destroyed a large part of the relationship and it still hasn’t recovered.”Eubank Jr’s brother Sebastian tragically passed away in 2021Credit: Instagram @chriseubankjrEubank Jr admitted his brother’s death only added to the strain on his relationship with his dadCredit: Instagram @chriseubankjrEubank Jr paid tribute to his late brother following his deathCredit: Instagram @chriseubankjrEmily Eubank – SisterThe 31 year old is somewhat controversially in a relationship with Frank Smith – CEO of Matchroom and, therefore, Benn’s promoter.The couple have officially been together since November 2016 having met a year earlier at Chris Jr’s fight with Tony Jeter.So, ahead of this fight, Emily will certainly have split loyalties.Smith even admitted she once called him an “a**hole” and revealed he has to be careful what he says on the phone.He told The George Groves Boxing Club podcast: “‘I know the Eubank character from Emily so I know the way they are and I’ve spent a lot of time with Conor since he’s turned pro.”And trying to get the fight over the line was the point where I probably got in the most trouble.”I had to say things I’d say any other time, but obviously my missus is next door listening to me calling me an a**hole.”Sometimes I have to say ‘wait a minute I’ve just got to leave the room’ or be like ‘right, Emily’s in the car so I can’t talk yet.'”This is a fight that obviously means so much because of the history, but for me I’m probably a bit too close to it to be honest.”Emily Eubank is in a relationship with Conor Benn’s promoter, Frank SmithCredit: Instagram @franksmithThe couple have been together since 2016 with Smith admitting he has to be careful what he saysCredit: Instagram @franksmithSimon Eubank – UncleChris Sr’s brother, Simon, was also a professional boxer – although managed just seven wins and 20 defeats in his career.He was a super-welterweight who enjoyed a good start to his time in the ring, winning four of his first five fights, before going on a run of just one win in 13 across three years.He tragically passed away aged 61 in September 2023.Ahead of Saturday’s fight, Chris Sr told SunSport: “I don’t want my son getting down to 160lbs. And that is why I have spoken about people trying to murder my boy by boiling him down to 157lbs.“Trying to boil my son down to 157lbs a few years ago, would have killed him.“You might think the word ‘killed’ is a bit strong but my brother is dead from boxing. “He lost his life from boxing, with frontal lobe dementia.”Simon Eubank was Chris Sr’s borther, and tragically passed away in 2023Credit: Instagram @harlemeubankEubank Sr blames boxing for his brother’s deathCredit: InstagramAt the time of his death, Chris Sr told SunSport: “Simon had been living locked in his own body for the last two years. To see someone spasming all the time they’re awake for a year and a half is soul-destroying.“He was in a specialist care home. There was a tremendous pressure for his family and I just think of what he would have had to manage, going through that and not being able to move in his own body.“My brother always showed me love, he always protected me.“Simon saved my life once. He is the one who truly loved me and that is why I recited Corinthians 1:13 at his funeral.“It talks about how love is the most powerful of all things, and I recited that for him and for what he did for me.“In many respects, it is mercy that he has left us. He is truly at rest now.Harlem Eubank – CousinCompeting in the welterweight division, Chris Jr’s cousin Harlem, 31, is the latest in an ever-growing line from the famous boxing family.Harlem was a Brighton & Hove Albion FC academy prospect and a karate world champion, who avoided boxing for the first 18 years of his life because of the burden that comes with following in famous footsteps.But now the deep-thinking fighter concedes it was probably a pre-written path for him.In 2017, he told the Brighton Argus: “Having the name has always put more pressure on from the beginning.”Everyone wants to fight the hardest against you and everyone wants to beat you which just makes every fight tougher.”That is a good thing, though, because you get the best of every opponent so it is improving your game.”Harlem Eubank is a pro boxer in his own right with a stunning 21-0 recordCredit: GettyHarlem is unbeaten in the welterweight division and currently holds the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight titleCredit: RexHarlem now boasts an impressive, unbeaten 21-0 record – most-recently beating Tyrone McKenna in Brighton to win the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title.And he’s backing his cousin to beat Benn on Saturday, telling SunSport: “[Benn] comes out with a ferocious mentality to the early rounds but gets caught as well.“I don’t think he has looked the same, or shown the same ferocity or intention, that he showed in the fights before.Read More on The Sun“Whoever is looking is going to see that.“And I am sure Chris has taken the same view as everyone looking on.”Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor BennTHE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st CenturyFamilial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person.SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard.Latest NewsAll the info More

    • 263 Shares26 Views

      in Soccer

      Scots footballer, 35, tragically dies as tributes pour in for local hero who came out of retirement to help beloved club

      by

      TRIBUTES have been paid to a Scots footballer who has tragically died at the age of just 35.Brian Morgan passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest last week and being rushed to hospital for treatment.Brian Morgan was a local legend at Sauchie JuniorsHe scored the winning goal in their East of Scotland League Cup triumph last yearA local hero with Sauchie, Morgan came out of retirement to help the East of Scotland club this season after initially hanging up his boots in May last year.His return came just a few months after scoring the winner in a cup final that was supposed to be his last match.Morgan was brought up in Sauchie and first signed for the Reds as a 20-year-old and had been both vice-captain and captain of the club.He spent two years away from Beechwood Park at Bo’ness United, leaving in 2018 and coming back in 2020.Sauchie sent their condolences to his wife, Zoe, and daughter, Poppy as they confirmed the news on social media.They posted a tribute to the midfielder and described him as ‘one of their own’.A statement read: “Sauchie Juniors were saddened to learn of the passing of midfielder Brian Morgan, aged 35.”Brian passed away on Wednesday morning, following being admitted to hospital after a cardiac arrest. Most read in Football”Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his wife Zoe and daughter Poppy, as well as his close family, friends and all who knew him.”Being a local boy to Sauchie, Brian’s affiliation with the club started when he watched the team as a youngster before he signed for the club in 2010 as a 20-year-old under former manager and his brother-in-law, Fraser Duncan.The Coffee Club assess who could be Rangers’ next manager as doubts emerge over Daniel Farke’s future at Leeds”He contributed a fair share to the club’s success and lifting of silverware, including scoring two free kicks to ensure promotion to the East Superleague in 2012. “After an initial spell of eight-and-a-half years at the club, he moved on to a new challenge at Bo’ness United.”A notable moment in Brian’s second spell came in the final of the East of Scotland League Cup against Haddington Athletic. This game in particular was set to be his final game for the club, announcing he would retire following the game’s conclusion.”Looking to sign off in style, he would score the winner in extra time with a leaping header to ensure victory. “Brian would take his seat in the stand for the start of the 2024/25 season, but the itch of playing would become too much and he pulled the boots back on last November. “It wasn’t long before he reaffirmed himself as a regular in the starting XI and scoring goals.”His last game for the club would come on 12th April in a 3-2 home victory over Glenrothes, scoring our first goal to help us on our way to three points.”Unfortunately, we do not have the exact figures for Brian’s appearances and goals for the club over his three spells; both like his contributions are countless. “Rest in Peace, Morgy. One of our own.”Other clubs from across Scotland paid their respects to Morgan.League Two side Stirling Albion said: “Everyone at Stirling Albion sends our deepest condolences to everyone at Sauchie along with Brian’s family and friends.”West of Scotland Premier Division outfit Clydebank said: “Desperately sad news, our thoughts are with you all.”East of Scotland Premier Division rivals Penicuik Athletic posted: “Everyone at Penicuik Athletic offers our sincerest condolences to everyone at Sauchie, his family and friends following this tragic news.”Dunbar United said: “Absolutely heartbreaking to read this, all our thoughts go out to Brian’s family and friends and everyone one at Sauchie. RIP Brian.”Team mate Chris Donnelly posted a photo of the pair and said: “This was taken at training on the Tuesday night, we both scored at the weekend and in usual Morgy style he was trying to say his goal was better from our win, an absolutely amazing player and even better off the park, boy was a legend, devastated, thoughts with his family.”Berwick Rangers midfielder Scott Taylor-MacKenzie, who played against Morgan, said: “We had some battles on the pitch but always a laugh and a hand shake after. Anytime playing Sauchie you knew you have to work hard and if Morgy was up against you then you knew you where in for a f hard day. What a player. Love to Brian’s family and to you all at Sauchie.”Fans were quick to share messages of condolence too, with one describing him as a “gentleman”.Another said: “Desperately sad news. Sending condolences to Brian’s family and to the club. A real competitor on the pitch.”A third commented: “Horrible news, so sorry to hear this. Brilliant obituary, great to read about his contributions to Sauchie Juniors over the years.”Read More on The SunAnd a Sauchie supporter said: “RIP my friend, Sauchie legend.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

    • 275 Shares20 Views

      in Boxing

      ‘My brother lost his life from boxing’ – Chris Eubank Sr’s fury over son’s fight v Conor Benn fuelled by tragic death

      by

      CHRIS EUBANK SR’s emotional fight against his son’s Conor Benn brawl is fuelled by the tragic death of his brother Simon.In September 2023, the 61-year-old former fighter passed away, with his 31-year-old undefeated welterweight son Harlem announcing the loss and vowing to do his old man proud.Chris Eubank Sr fears for his son having lost his brother to boxingHarlem Eubank with dad SimonSimon Eubank passed away following a battle with frontal lobe dementia after his boxing careerCredit: Instagram @harlemeubankHarlem and his British boxing legend of an uncle were united in their grief and are now in agreement that Saturday’s Tottenham fight is unnecessarily dangerous, in an already deadly sport.Eubank Jr’s best performances, at world title-level, have come in the 12st super-middleweight division, so when he tried to boil down to a 157lbs catchweight limit for the original 2022 clash, he looked emaciated and seriously vulnerable.Following Benn’s doping scandal that got that original clash kyboshed, Jr must weigh the 11st 6lbs middleweight cap on Friday but he will be fined if he rehydrates more than 10lbs the following morning.Two-weight world champ Eubank Sr, 58, is not concerned about bolshy former welterweight Benn, son of his two-fight 1990s rival Nigel, packing muscle on for the beltless cash-grab.READ MORE SPORT STORIESBut he fears for his 35-year-old boy boiling down to 160lb and risking the sort of damage that left his older brother in such an horrific state.Choking back tears, with nephew Harlem alongside him, Sr told SunSport: “My son probably walks around at around 180lb and he has to boil himself down to 160lb.“People don’t understand what it means for Junior to get down to 160lb, at his age. They don’t understand the drying out.“Junior is now 35 and trying to get down to 160lb and I know what that feels like. I know about the dehydration and the damage it does to fighters.Most read in Boxing“I am more concerned about that than anything else. I don’t want my son getting down to 160lb. And that is why I have spoken about people trying to murder my boy by boiling him down to 157lb.“Trying to boil my son down to 157lb a few years ago, would have killed him.It is disgraceful! Eubank Sr | Eubank Jr V Benn: No Glove Lost fight preview“You might think the word ‘killed’ is a bit strong but my brother is dead from boxing. “He lost his life from boxing, with frontal lobe dementia.“In the end, Harlem was feeding him with a baby bottle, he had to feed his own father.”However, the original fight was due to be at 157lb, with a healthier 160lb eventually agreed by the promoters.Eubank Jr’s promoter Ben Shalom told SunSport: “It should have never been at 157. It was irresponsible for everyone involved that we asked Chris Eubank Jr to get 157.”I almost can’t believe it now, knowing, working with Chris and seeing what his weight’s like, 160 is a push.”Yeah, absolutely crazy that that was ever agreed to but we’re here now. He’ll make the weight and he’ll be ready to go.”Former middle and super-middle king Eubank Sr is one of the toughest men this country has ever produced, he had to go all the way up to cruiserweight to suffer his only stoppage loss in the 52nd and final fight of the iconic career that earned him millions.Simon’s fate was far more cruel, he lost 20 tough fights, 11 of them by stoppage, in backwaters like Wisbech, Battersea and Brentford, and he paid the ultimate price.So when Eubank Sr – who walked a charity mile with his stricken former opponent Michael Watson on April 16 – rallies against anything in boxing, having suffered so much heartache, people should listen.He told SunSport: “I didn’t have the strength to go and see my brother in the last six months of his life because he was locked in spasm all of the time he was awake.“That is boxing and 20 losses at the hands of the promoters. “It’s a business and a racket and when you keep bringing the same guy in to lose, he ends up being killed.“He was my brother. It is real for us.”Simon was the brother of former super-middleweight and middleweight world champion Eubank SrCredit: InstagramChris Sr and Jr have also had to deal with the shock 2021 death of 29-year-old son and brother Sebastian, who suffered a heart attack just weeks after becoming a father.When SunSport suggests the end of this toxic three-year saga – and the shared responsibility of helping to raise little Raheem – will help heal their rift, Sr doubles down on his intentions.“I would be in my son’s corner if he was fighting at the right weight,” he said. “But it mocks everything I stand for and fought for.“I am a dad. I am a protector, I am trying to steer him in the right direction.“I am not giving him any bad or wrong advice.“I am giving him the truth and what works and what will age well.“I am his dad and the fact he has chosen not to listen means all I can do is step back and watch the car crash – because it will be a car crash.“He doesn’t understand that this is boxing and you lose your faculties, this is dangerous.“I warned him three years ago not to do this and now it’s the same again.”One saving grace for the concerned parent is his lack of faith in Conor Benn’s snarling threats to damage his boy.It has been three years since Benn’s last knockout win and his last two wins at the super-welterweight limit of 11st were dull decisions.He explained: “When you want to hurt someone, your energy is halved, you should look to score points and strike with technique.“If he has all of this spite then it’s hot air.“When a fighter goes into the ring with dislike, it’s useless.Read More on The Sun“He’s had three fights in three years, I used to fight five times a year as a world champion.“The more you fight the better you are, these are not dangerous men, it’s all built on hype.”Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor BennTHE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st CenturyFamilial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person.SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard.Latest NewsAll the info More

    • 238 Shares28 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Prem side’s sister club where fan attacked player with CORNER FLAG with Solskjaer a victim of amazing rise

      by

      FROM a fan hitting an opposition goalkeeper with a corner flag to beating Istanbul giants Besiktas – Southampton’s sister club in Turkey have come a long way.It will be no consolation to fans of the managerless, already-relegated Saints, but owners Sport Republic have overseen an impressive return to the top flight for their Turkish outfit, Goztepe.A Goztepe fan whacked a rival goalkeeper with a corner flag in a fit of rage in 2022Credit: Twitter / @cicibilgiliGoztepe fans are renowned for being some of the most passionate in the worldCredit: GettyAnd Southampton loanees Juan, a striker from Brazil, and Kuryu Matsuki, a Japan Under-23 midfielder, have been part of Goztepe’s success this season.Both played in this month’s 3-1 win at Besiktas – now managed by former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – which earned Goztepe a place in the semi finals of the Turkish Cup for the first time in nearly half a century.The game brought back memories of their 1960s and early 1970s heyday when the leading club in Turkey’s third biggest city, Izmir, regularly gave the big boys from Istanbul a bloody nose.And the Goztepe fans’ passion is making it a thrilling ride.READ MORE SPORT STORIESRasmus Ankersen, Sport Republic co-founder and Goztepe chairman, said: “The intensity is something you just don’t see in modern football.“The fanbase is very emotional and very aggressive.“The volatility of it – It’s like playing with rocket fuel.“When everything goes in the same direction, as it has for big parts of this year, it’s unbelievable.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“But when it’s not, the pressure the fans can put on their own players from the stands is huge.”Sport Republic bought 70 per cent of Goztepe from oil tycoon Mehmet Sepil in August 2022, seven months after their takeover at Southampton.Inside Prem side’s sister club where fan attacked player with CORNER FLAG and ultras boot off over pre-season resultsThe London-based firm, co-founded by former Saints chairman Henrik Kraft and backed by Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak, became the first foreign investors ever to take control of a Turkish club.Goztepe, who sank as low as the fifth tier in the 2000’s, had just been relegated after a five-year stay in the Super Lig.Things did not start well for the new regime.Manager Ahmet Balci was sacked after a handful of games. Successor Ekrem Dag oversaw an upturn in results but in late November 2022 came the day of shame that went viral on social media.Goztepe’s home clash against Izmir rivals Altay had already been halted in the first half so that ambulance crews could attend to fans injured during clashes in the stands.But then a Goztepe fan invaded the pitch, plucked out one of the corner flags and started thrashing Altay goalkeeper Ozan Evrim Ozenc with it.Players and stewards restrained the attacker and the game was abandoned.Goztepe have risen from the fifth tier in 2008 to pushing for a Champions League spotCredit: GettySouthampton have endured an historically poor Premier League season while sister club Goztepe have been thrivingCredit: GettyGoztepe recovered from the embarrassment to finish sixth and reach the promotion play-offs.But they fell at the first hurdle and Dag left the club in the summer, with Radomir Kokovic promoted from within to take charge.The Serb lasted less than four months and Sport Republic turned to Stanimir Stoilov in November 2023.Former Bulgaria international Stoilov had an impressive coaching pedigree, especially for someone managing a second-tier side in Turkey.He had enjoyed historic success in the first of two spells at Levski Sofia that came at either end of a long career that included taking charge of the Bulgaria and Kazakhstan national teams.After Stoilov’s arrival, Goztepe lost only two more league games for the rest of the season and their second-place finish earned them a return to the top flight.TURNING OF THE TIDEBefore the home games at the 20,000-capacity Gursel Aksel that were crucial to promotion, Turkish pop star Levent Yuksel led the crowd in spine-tingling renditions of his famous song Med Cezir (“Tide”).It has become Goztepe’s version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, a love song about loyalty to a partner repurposed to express devotion to a football team.The supporters sing about the highs and lows and after admitting “There’s no way to give up on these tides”, they raise the volume.“My storm, my disaster, my longing,” they yell, “it’s not enough – making love is not enough, how pretty your violence is, oh how sweet your kindness, I want to love you more and more, I’ll follow you until I die and never let you go”.But it’s not just the Altay goalkeeper who has tasted the other side of Goztepe fans’ passion.The joy of promotion was quickly forgotten after a minor setback last summer.Ankersen said: “We lost our first friendly game to Charlton during our training camp in Slovenia.“There were big protests against us for not doing more transfers… I had to do a press conference to calm everyone down.”There was more unrest when Goztepe had to play their first home game back in the top flight on a neutral ground because their own pitch was not in good enough condition.Ankersen said: “We did not have a CEO at the time so the Chief Financial Officer was the leading executive.We lost our first friendly game to CharltonRasmus Ankersen“Our fans still travelled in huge numbers and there were 10,000 people all jumping up and down, calling for him to leave the club.”But confidence was pretty high that Goztepe would make a good fist of the Super Lig, with a top-10 finish as the target.The gap between the top two tiers in Turkey in terms of quality and financial might is not nearly as big as in England and other countries.”A REVELATION”Sport Republic and Stoilov have built the second youngest squad in the league and made them play with a kind of English-style intensity and physicality that is unusual in Turkish football.They have also focused on set-pieces and become one of the most potent teams in the world from dead-ball situations.In Goztepe’s second game back in the Super Lig, an equaliser in the 95th minute by on-loan Brazilian striker Romulo earned a morale-boosting 2-2 draw from 2-0 down at home to Fenerbahce, managed by Jose Mourinho.Then in late November, Stoilov’s side won 4-2 at Besiktas and a good spell took them as high as fourth in the table.Observers feel Goztepe have been unlucky in the current run of 11 league games without a win which has ended their bid for a top-four place.But there was nothing fortunate about their 3-1 win at Besiktas.Solskjaer’s side, which included former Arsenal, Liverpool and England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, took a first-half lead.Before a recent lull, Goztepe had been as high as fourth in the Super LigCredit: GettyBut the game turned on a professional foul on Goztepe’s Juan by Besiktas centre back Tayyip Sanuc, which earned him a red card in the 36th minute.Romulo – described as “a revelation” by Ankersen – scored direct from the resulting free kick,With less than 15 minutes to go, ex-West Ham full back Arthur Masuaku handled the ball in the penalty area and Romulo converted the penalty.Soon afterwards Romulo, on loan from Athletico Paranaense, completed his hat-trick with a deft lob.On Thursday, Goztepe will travel to Trabzonspor for the semi final as they aim to win the Cup for the first time since back-to-back successes in 1969 and 1970.If the club went on to win the trophy, they would have the chance to relive another exploit of their glorious past.In 1968-69, Goztepe became the first Turkish club to reach the  last four of a European competition when they went all the way to the semi finals of the Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the Uefa Cup that was in turn rebranded as the Europa League.A cup triumph would earn them a place in the play-off for Uefa’s second-tier tournament.Southampton fans, whose FA Cup win of 1976 put them on the map, will hope that Sport Republic can bring the good times back to St Mary’s, too.Read More on The SunAnd that the Saints avoid the fate of Sport Republic’s other club, French side Valenciennes, who are currently in the third tier after relegation last season.As Goztepe’s anthem says, fans have no choice but to ride the waves of football’s ebb and flow. More