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      in Soccer

      How Curtis Jones has blossomed into one of England’s best midfielders under Liverpool boss Arne Slot

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      IT’S been a breakout season for Liverpool star Curtis Jones in more ways than one.On the pitch, he has excelled for the Reds – leading the Arne Slot revolution to put them firmly at the top of the Premier League.In-form Curtis Jones has been one of Europe’s most impressive midfielders this seasonCredit: PAJones’ brilliant form has coincided with the Reds star becoming a dadCredit: InstagramIn the Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Jones, 23, earned rave reviews for his all-action performance.Not only did he help his side to a 2-0 win, he kept Jude Bellingham in his pocket for 90 minutes.And now, an incredible stat has come to light that shows perhaps his greatest characteristic.The England prospect is his country’s leading passer of the ball – having completed a higher percentage of passes than his rivals.Read more football newsInterim England boss Lee Carsley said: “Curtis Jones would be up there with the most talented players I’ve worked with.””He’s got everything you need as a midfielder. He can run, very fast, powerful, can score, can assist, he can defend, he can take the ball. All he needs is opportunity.”New Liverpool boss Slot has also purred about Jones’ ability this campaign.The Dutchman told the BBC: “He has a lot of qualities on the ball.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”He is never afraid to do something special with it, but sometimes he touches the ball a bit too much in my opinion because he is so confident.”But confidence is an important tool. He has an incredibly hard work rate and we trust him in defence. He is complete.”For him now, it is all about consistency. The best players turn up every three days and that is what he has got to show.”How Liverpool outsmarted Chelsea with Slot’s genius ‘traffic jam’ trick and Curtis Jones masterclassJones’ upturn in form has coincided with a personal milestone – becoming a father for the first time, in what is turning out to be a memorable campaign.Class distributorIn November, Jones made his England debut under Lee Carsley – soon after he welcomed daughter Giselle with partner Saffie Khan.He made his bow against Greece a night to remember, scoring with an audacious backheel flick.A few weeks before that he dominated Chelsea – scoring the opener and winning a penalty in a man-of-the-match display.However, despite that swashbuckling display – it’s his passing that has been highlighted.According to WhoScored.com, he is flying high when it comes to pass success rate data.Astonishingly, Jones has completed 94.8 per cent of his passes this season – and ranks sixth out of all players in Europe’s top five leagues.Compared to established stars Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, whose pass success rate is at 90.1 per cent and 89 per cent respectively, Jones is out on top among his Three Lions competitors.Even the likes of pass masters Martin Odegaard (85.9 per cent) and Bruno Fernandes (81.5 per cent) are trailing in his wake in the Premier League.Jones scored on his England debut against Greece and was a standout performerCredit: GettyBut it’s his passing that is proving to be Jones’ best weaponCredit: AlamyJones has a higher passing completion rate than any other England midfieldersCredit: GettyLiverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes there’s still more to come from Jones, who has found a new lease of life under Slot.”Rafa [Benitez] had to grab me to take me to another level, and the exciting thing for me looking in is that Arne seems the man who can really get Curtis to the next level,” Gerrard said.”If he [Slot] can get him there we will have a top, top international player on our hands. I am really excited to see his next 18 months and beyond.”Before he burst onto the sceneJones’ recent success is no surprise to those who tipped him for the top as he came through Liverpool’s youth ranks.He joined the club with the Under-9s and progressed quickly, making his U18s debut as an U16 player in the 2016-17 season, and went on to captain both the U19s and U23s.Jones was born in the city centre, and honed his skills on the street. He’s a local boy and received as one of their own.“At the top of my street, there’s a primary school,” he told The Independent.”In the evenings, we’d climb over the fence and play on their pitch or take one of the goals and just play in the street all night – we’d always put it back afterwards though.“I grew up the way a lot of Scousers do, just being a street kid, not having the best facilities, and making the most out of everything you can.”Man City’s Phil Foden battles for the ball with Jones during a 2017 FA Youth Cup gameCredit: PAUnder Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Jones’ game has continued to blossomCredit: APIn 2017, Jones became one of the most talked about youngsters in English football, when he led Liverpool to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Youth League with four goals.They went out to Manchester City, with Jones being one of the Liverpool players to have their penalties saved in the 3-2 shootout.Despite that upset, it helped cement his reputation as one of the most promising players of his generation.Stevie G influenceFormer Under-23s manager Michael Beale described Jones as a player “who can outplay you one-on-one, can play centre midfield, play wide and as a deep midfielder”.However, it was icon Gerrard who had a huge influence on the youngster when he was aspiring to make the grade at Anfield.Before the now Al-Ettifaq gaffer took up a post as Rangers manager, he enjoyed a stint with Liverpool’s U18 team in 2017.There, he got to work with Jones who admitted he wouldn’t be where he is today without Gerrard’s help.Steven Gerrard has a huge influence on Jones when the Reds legend coached the U18sCredit: Getty – ContributorSince breaking into the team in 2019, Jones has made himself a mainstayCredit: PA“A lot of people didn’t see the work both of us put in to push me on to get into the first team,” Jones said.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Things weren’t always easy, but he was the perfect person at the perfect time to help me.”He was the main coach who really told me what I had to work on. It was my all-round game, but also my all-round person. He knew the talent I had and put the fine details to me.” More

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      in Soccer

      How Gary Lineker’s podcast empire’s taking over the world as Goalhanger tops the charts with four most popular UK shows

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      GARY Lineker may be giving up Match of the Day – but he is more than sorted with his podcast empire.Earlier this month, the England legend, 63, announced he was quitting the show after 25 years as host.Gary Lineker is conquering the podcast world on and off airCredit: The Rest is football podcastGary Lineker will step down from his Match of The Day job at the end of the seasonCredit: BBCA new four-year deal with the BBC to show Premier League highlights begins from next season.”I feel this is now the right time,” Lineker revealed.”I think [with] the next [highlights] contract, they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”He later said on his The Rest Is Football podcast: “I always thought my next thing would be the end. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’ve done Match of Day for 25 years. It’s been an absolute joy and a privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC.read. more football news”But all things have to come to an end.”Lineker is far from done, though.Despite walking away from a £1.35million-per-year pay day with the Beeb, he will still rake it in – thanks to his company, Goalhanger Podcasts.They produce 13 podcasts in total, encompassing the worlds of politics, history, entertainment, and football.Most read in FootballAstonishingly, they collectively achieve more than 40million downloads a month.Watch Alan Shearer’s cheeky pitch to be new Match of the Day host in first show since Gary Lineker exit confirmedBetter still, a look at the British podcast charts – via Podwatch, who get their data from iTunes and Spotify – reveals that Goalhanger Podcasts occupy the top four spots in the UK.Their latest hit, spy story The Rest Is Classified, has jumped straight to the top of the charts.While, the Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is Entertainment, in that order, make up the top four.Incredibly, The Rest Is Football props up the No8 spot – making Goalhanger Podcasts the biggest independent podcast group and the largest outside the United States.Thinking aheadIn 2014, Lineker and business partner Tony Pastor set up Goalhanger Films Ltd.Originally, they set it up to produce documentaries, and they did it well.Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health was taken by the BBC, while Keane & Vieira – Best of Enemies appeared on ITV.However, earlier this month Pastor revealed that they focusing their attentions on podcasts.Therefore, Goalhanger Films Ltd was closing.“We effectively mothballed Films and set up a bespoke company concentrating on podcasts,” he told Deadline.Jack Davenport, Gary Lineker and Tony Pastor set up Goalhanger Podcasts in 2018Credit: GoalhangerBeforehand, Pastor and Lineker had a film company that produced documentaries, including a film on Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane’s rivalryCredit: ITVread more sport features“There was a period in which I ran them in tandem, but the growth of podcasts was so explosive and television is challenged, so we’ve now done some housekeeping.”He added: “We’ve gone from a production company being entirely beholden to commissioners and the budgets of broadcasters to having a degree of self-control, whereby we are self-commissioning.”Stellar cast listGoalhanger’s podcasts, which began to take shape in 2018 with former radio exec Jack Davenport joining the party, bring together stellar hosts.Although sports readers will be familiar with Lineker, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer on The Rest Is Football, it’s The Rest Is History that draws Hollywood movie stars in as guests.Hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, both popular historians and bestselling authors, the subjects of their podcasts are varied.One six-part series was produced to debunk Hollywood’s story-telling of the sinking of The Titanic.While another saw Oscar-winner Tom Hanks offer his views on NASA’s lunar missions.The Rest Is Politics features ex-New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell and former Conservative minister Rory Stewart.Last year, The Rest Is Entertainment was launched, featuring Pointless star Richard Osman and journalist Marina Hyde, where they discuss contemporary entertainment stories, in the world of film, television, stage, books and more.Goalhanger produced The Rest Is History is the most popular podcast in the UKCredit: The Rest Is HistoryThe Rest is Entertainment, launched in 2023, features Richard Osman and Marina HydeCredit: The Rest is EntertainmentTom Holland, left, and Dominic Sandbrook, right, had Tom Hanks on an episode of The Rest Is HistoryIt’s a formula that works, and can keep Lineker earning well after he’s left the MOTD hotseat.Nice pay dayDue to the astronomical figures of downloads that Goalhanger podcasts receive, they will certainly generate a lot of cash.While the podcasts also appear on YouTube, where the content has been viewed more than 80million times so far.According to reports, Goalhanger are paid £45 by advertisers for every 1,000 listens to an advert.It is believed that during the Euros this summer, Lineker made an additional £125,000, alongside his BBC duties at the tournament.Incredibly, one episode of The Rest Is Football was viewed over 530,000 times on YouTube.The Rest Is History, their regular best seller, generates 11 million downloads per month, alongside 1.2 million YouTube views, and 45,000 subscribers – paying up to £25-per-month.It has been estimated that show makes as much as £500,000-per-month for spoken ads from its presenters.Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?MARK CHAPMANChapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.ALEX SCOTTScott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.GABBY LOGANLike Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.MICAH RICHARDSLineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”JASON MOHAMMADMohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.JEFF STELLINGHe couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.Gary Lineker and Micah Richards appear on The Rest Is FootballCredit: The Rest Is FootbalDuring election years in the UK and US, The Rest is Politics thrived with hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory StewartCredit: The Rest is PoliticsThis year, The Rest Is Politics podcast has become the most popular on our shores, drawing 700,000 downloads per episode during election years in both the UK and US.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile Lineker is not a director of Goalhanger Podcasts, he is its largest shareholder – owning 50 of its 150 shares.Forget TV, the ex-Three Lions ace has found a new lease of life – and it should be lucrative for years to come. More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League star became a viral sensation at 12 at Arsenal then was signed by Charlton after playing in a car park

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      OMARI HUTCHINSON was an internet sensation at the age of 12 — but only now is he on the stage he really craved.Hutchinson, 21, has been on a high since scoring his first Premier League goal as Ipswich drew 1-1 with Manchester United last week.More than 4million viewers saw Omari Hutchinson’s special skillsCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelFootball fans went head over heels for his exhibition stuffCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelHutchinson’s career took many twists on the way to facing Man UtdCredit: RexNow Nottingham Forest are in his sights as the Tractor Boys battle to prove they are good enough to mix it with game’s established stars.And that is a feeling Hutchinson knows only too well despite having his super skills praised by Pele when he was a schoolboy.Chelsea released Hutchinson twice and gave him just two first-team outings before Ipswich paid a club-record £22.5million fee for the youngster in the summer.Inbetween was a spell at Arsenal that made him famous — but not on the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThen there were the unsuccessful trials at Tottenham and Brentford.Plus a couple of seasons at Charlton, who only signed the Londoner because they saw him playing in their car park.It has not been a conventional route to the top by any means for Hutchinson, even though his talent was always there to see.A collaboration with the F2 Freestylers when he was 12 saw more than four million viewers log on to watch his skills.Most read in FootballAdvice from Arsenal and Chelsea aces kept Hutchinson on the upCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “It had its pros and cons.“I got quite popular at a young age but at the time I wasn’t really playing much football.Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting“I wasn’t really a starter at Arsenal at that time and you want to be playing every minute of every game at a young age.“I would play football with my dad after a game and do extras.”One constant, however, was the refusal to give up on his dream.Hutchinson added: “One hundred per cent. As a young player you need that self-confidence and self-belief that you are going to make it and be one of the best in the league — or the world. That’s what I have been doing.“I have been at two of the best clubs in the world and trained with the first team in both of them.“I have seen what it takes to get to that stage and a lot of senior players have spoken to me saying, ‘You’re a very talented player, make sure you focus on this and that and you will make it’.“They also told me not to get distracted and I have taken it on board. I have gone a different route and shown myself from there.”Hutchinson is far too young to remember Pele, the world’s greatest player in the 1960s, but the Brazil legend still had a part to play on his journey. The three-time World Cup winner — who died in December 2022 — witnessed Hutchinson’s skills on a visit to London and let the youngster know he was impressed.Hutchinson said: “It was at a Brentford tournament when I was with the Under-12s at Arsenal.“He was there, he came towards the end, and we did some freestyling skills.“All the teams gathered round in a circle and a player from each team had to show some skills — I got forced to go up!“He saw it and he liked it. When we took a picture of him he told me to come up and rest on his knee.I saw that the Lottery is easier to win than becoming a professional footballer in the Premier League.Omari Hutchinson“I was doing kick-ups-round-the-world and putting the ball on my neck.“When I was young my grandma always used to say, ‘You’re going to be like Pele when you’re older’. She gave me a lot of books and cards and stuff like that.”It was no surprise that Hutchinson joined Ipswich on their return to the top tier after 22 years away, although there were other offers.The attacking midfielder, who can play wide or No 10, had helped them to promotion when on loan from Chelsea last season.And Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna promised Hutchinson the chance of the regular football he craved.He said: “I spoke to Kieran in the summer and it was a no-brainer to come here.“I knew I was going to play in the Premier League, which is a rare occasion.“I saw that the Lottery is easier to win than becoming a professional footballer in the Premier League.”Hutchinson still has one big decision to make however — to choose England, where he is in the Under-21s, or go back to Jamaica, for whom he has played a couple of friendlies and qualifies through his dad.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo Town player has represented the Three Lions at senior level since Richard Wright in 2001 — and only 12 have in total.That might change soon but Hutchinson insisted: “I have very high ambition but I’m not focused on that right now.”Hutchinson has gone on to play for England U-21s and JamaicaCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelNine years on from this, he’s up to his young tricks again – but in the PremCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills Channel More

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      in Soccer

      I won Gladiators and faced Gareth Southgate as a player – now I’m looking to cause FA Cup upset with minnows

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      HARBOROUGH TOWN’S contender is ready . . . Dave Staff, assistant boss of the seventh-tier club, is a former winner of the TV show Gladiators.Dave Staff pulled off a red win on Gladiators, now he’s hoping to sink ReadingHarborough assistant boss Staff is ‘proud’ of his 2009 Gladiators titlesStaff was in action when Nuneaton Borough famously took then-Prem side Middlesbrough to an FA Cup replay replay 18 years agoCredit: Getty Images – GettyStaff will now be looking to cause an upset in BerkshireCredit: HarboroughBut being part of his home-town club’s journey to a second-round tie at League One Reading feels bigger even than reaching the top of the Travelator first.Staff was a non-league player when he became the 2009 male champion — and then champion of champions — in the Sky One reboot of Gladiators.Staff, 45, said: “About 10,000 people applied for the series. I’m really proud of it.“My best event was probably Powerball. I could carry my own bodyweight well and move pretty quick. I also remember coming up against a Gladiator called Doom in a thing called Earthquake.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“You’re on a Perspex plate 50ft in the air or something. You have a wrestle and try to push each other off — and he broke my nose. But the video referee said I won.“I got £25,000 for winning the main series.“The missus spent most of it on a kitchen in a house that we ended up moving out of about six months later.”Gladiators is not Staff’s only brush with fame.Most read in FA CupEx-Gladiators winner Staff has an unusual claim to fameFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe was in the Nuneaton Borough side that faced Premier League Middlesbrough and their team of stars in the FA Cup third round in 2006.Gaizka Mendieta put Boro ahead with a wonderful free-kick. But Gareth Southgate’s handball led to a penalty — that Gez Murphy scored to earn a replay.Top 10 highest paid footballersStaff said: “There’s a picture of Mendieta curling the free-kick over my head and in.“Unfortunately, I came off injured after 18 minutes so I missed the replay.“After the 90 minutes in the game at Nuneaton, Mark Viduka said to one of our lads, ‘What happens now?’.“‘We’re going back to your place!’“‘OK, cheers, fella’. He didn’t even know!“We went out in Nuneaton that night. I hobbled around the pubs and watched Match of the Day — Lee Dixon called me ‘Davy’ Staff for some reason! “We got the papers in the morning after staying in a hotel and the lad I shared a room with, Matty Collins, was on the back pages. It was a great experience.”As a coach, Staff was part of Brackley Town’s FA Trophy triumph at Wembley in 2018.But nothing matches the feeling of success with the club from the Leicestershire town where he was born and bred.I’m walking around town with my dog and there is such a buzz. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history by far.Dave StaffStaff joined Harborough 18 months ago as assistant to boss Mitch Austin and last season they won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division Central — the highest level in the club’s history.In this campaign, Harborough beat Tonbridge Angels in their first-ever FA Cup first-round tie to earn the clash with Reading.Staff said: “I’ve always lived in the town.“I knew so many people behind the goal when we scored those goals at Tonbridge, I kinda wished I was there instead of the dugout.“I’m walking around town with my dog and there is such a buzz. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history by far.READ MORE SUN STORIES“As a local boy, it’s a bit of a dream and we’re all hoping it can go on as long as possible.”And if you have already defeated Doom, why not Reading?Gareth Southgate conceded a penalty when Staff played for NuneatonCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      I went from the Prem to prison ‘hell’ filled with shower stabbings and cockroaches but now I’m eyeing an FA Cup shock

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      NILE RANGER sat in prison with his gut churning after eating half-cooked chicken and watching cockroaches crawling through cracks in the walls of his cell.The ex-Newcastle striker, 33, was banged up at Pentonville in north London in 2017 after pleading guilty of committing online banking fraud.Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: Jon BondHe was a promising Premier League starCredit: GettyHe helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPBut things spiralled out of control and saw Nile end up in prisonCredit: Jon BondHe had conspired to swindle more than £2,000 from a woman two years earlier.It completed a fall from grace for a highly-promising player who made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before nose diving down the leagues.Ranger swapped training and playing alongside stars such as Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll for mixing with criminals who boasted about such things as tossing an unfortunate soul into a car boot after cutting their fingers off!But on Sunday he will be back on a football field with Southern Premier Kettering hoping to create some FA Cup magic as they host League Two Doncaster — having scored the winner in the previous round to topple League One Northampton.READ MORE FOOTBALLTo say Ranger is the ultimate model for any young professional NOT to follow is an understatement.He told SunSport: “It was bad in prison, full of wrong ’uns, and no place to be if you’ve got your head screwed on.“I had mine on compared to those people. I had just been silly, unruly and lacked discipline.“There was this guy who told me he had put someone in a car boot and chopped off their fingers.Most read in FA Cup“I heard people planning murders and armed robberies when they got out.“There were prisoners getting stabbed in the showers and drones flying in drugs and mobile phones. It was hell.”Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashAlthough sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to serve eight months inside one of Britain’s most notorious jails, Ranger was released after 10 weeks for good behaviour — although he had to wear an electronic tag to make sure he was not up to no good.Ranger said: “There were cockroaches coming through the gaps of the cell walls and door.“We had to block those with towels and if you killed a cockroach others would appear from eggs they laid. There were mice running about as well. It was disgusting.“The food was appalling. The chicken I’m certain wasn’t properly cooked.“I was locked up 23 hours a day — using the hour outside my cell to exercise and shower.“Some of the guards were arrogant — trying to make me feel small. They were jealous because I was a footballer. But I didn’t rise to it.”I focused on getting out and thought, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months and playing football again.’“I was at Southend and they were still paying my wages while in prison so that was always on my mind when the guards were belittling me.“I felt the sentence was unfair. People have done far-worse and only got suspended sentences.“I reckon the judge had already decided while having dinner with his wife the previous evening he was going to lock me up.”Kept messing upRanger concedes he screwed up and wasted his incredible talent. Had he applied himself he could have had a good Premier League career.But he kept messing up — despite countless chances.Just shortly after signing for Southampton from Crystal Palace as a kid, he was banged up for 11 weeks in a young offenders institute for being involved in an armed robbery.The Saints stuck by him then but lost patience after he stole his entire academy team’s kit and a box of chocolates from the kit lady.He explained: “I don’t know why I took the chocolates but we had been told we could have some of the kit. The season had finished and Southampton were getting us new ones.“I had friends at home in North London who loved football so I took everything, all the kit and boots. I was caught on camera and Southampton terminated my contract.”Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second roundCredit: PAYet Ranger landed on his feet when Newcastle snapped him up and despite breaking into the first team and helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and going on to play in the Premier League, he pressed the self-destruct button with a series of disciplinary problems.He also had such a gambling addiction that the club got him banned from every casino in Newcastle. He was constantly late for training or did not show at all.Kevin Keegan got so fed up with him when he started training with the first team, he told Ranger: “I’m going to pull out and sell your gold tooth if you’re late again because your wages will not be enough to cover the fine.”Chris Hughton, who had a summit meeting with Ranger and his mum, and Alan Pardew, who banished him to train with the academy team until he sorted out his time-keeping, both tried in vain to save his career before the latter decided to let him go.Swindon, Blackpool and Southend (twice) all took punts but to no avail — and after a spell with National League club Boreham Wood he crashed out of the game for 20 months before joining Kettering in September.When he was a promising 18-year-old at Newcastle he was earning almost £10,000-a-week — and admits he would be penniless today if it was not for his beloved mum Karen.He said: “When I was making the money I was, I didn’t appreciate it and was spunking it.“My mum sorted out some property investments. I should’ve done way more. Had she not done that, I’d have nothing now.“I’ve a bit of money to live on but cannot live a lavish lifestyle.”Mum has always looked out for me and out of everyone I’ve upset with my actions she’s the one I regret hurting the most — along with all my family.”Celebration promiseRanger believes he has matured since becoming a dad. He has a three-year-old son Aziel and while he has since split from the mother, insists he prioritises being a good dad.And while the striker knows seventh-tier Kettering is a world away from the level he reached, he still believes he can play in League One or Two.But right now he wants to help the Poppies win promotion this season and help youngsters not make the same mistakes he has as well as inspire criminals serving time to mend their ways.He said: “Prison is supposed to be a place where they rehabilitate you. I didn’t see any of that happening. In fact, jail can make people worse.“I accept I’m not a good football role model — but I am a role model, one who made lots of mistakes, but who can teach people what NOT to do.“I’ve already done a talk to some youngsters at an academy. I’ve been invited to schools and prisons. I’d like to use my experience to help others.“But right now my focus is on enjoying the last part of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup shock.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Ranger has promised to do one thing on live TV if he scores against Doncaster.He said: “I have a tattoo on my lower lip of a smiley emoji. I am going to run to a TV camera and show my happy lip!”He’s vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekendCredit: Jon BondTV viewers will get a close up view of his ‘happy’ lip tattooCredit: Jon Bond More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury receives ominous body transformation warning from ex-world champ as do-or-die Usyk rematch nears

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      TYSON FURY has been warned his drastic body transformation for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk could work against him.Photos emerging from Fury’s training camp appear to suggest he’s carrying more weight for next month’s do-or-die Saudi showdown.Tyson Fury renews his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: PAThe Gypsy King looks to be carrying more weight for the boutCredit: INSTAGRAM@KEVINLERENABut former Brit world champ Duke McKenzie has warned Fury carrying too much size could work against himCredit: GETTYThe Gypsy King may have decided to come in heavier in order to rough Usyk up in their Riyadh rumble.But former Brit world champion Duke McKenzie reckons the added size could end up working against the Wythenshawe warrior.He told GiveMeSport: “If he puts on more weight and thinks to himself ‘I’m going to bully Usyk this time, I’m going to go in and walk him down, I’ll be able to take his shots because I’m that much bigger’, it’s not going to work for him.”He’s going to be slower, he’s going to be more predictable, he’s going to get hit more and a lot sooner…READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK 2″Usyk wins the rematch all day long, I can’t see how Tyson Fury beats him.”Fury’s lifestyle outside of the ring is also a concern for former three-weight world champ McKenzie: “He [Fury] doesn’t live, eat, walk and talk the sport.”But you’re supposed to, in-between fights is where fights are won and lost.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We know Fury blows up, puts on a load of weight between fights and then he has got to get rid of all that weight again.Most read in Boxing”Now, they’re trying to tell us that Fury is going to be bigger and better. Bigger and better isn’t going to beat Usyk. It’s really not.”Usyk Vs Fury 2 Launch Event entrancesMcKenzie reckons Fury doesn’t stand a chance of knocking slick southpaw Usyk out, adding: “This guy is unbeaten, so you have to look for chinks in his armour.”Has this guy got a bad engine? Does he get cut? Does he go down?”Does he have to get up off the floor to win fights? “Usyk doesn’t have to do any of them, he’s never shown any vulnerability.”Fury, 36, suffered a split decision defeat to Usyk in their first desert dust-up in May, in which he was knocked down in the ninth round.And he’s adamant he won’t let the Ukrainian hear the final bell, saying: “I’m going to roll the dice and it’s going to be you or me.Tyson Fury has vowed to be killed or be killed in his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY”Best foot forward and swing away.”I’ve never been afraid to get knocked spark out. I’ve always put it on the line every time.”He continued: “There’s no secret! I’m going in there to knock you out. Because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do.”I don’t think I’m going to get a boxing decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So I’m going to have to take it out of the judges’ hands like I did in America that time [against Deontay Wilder].”And I’ve got to get him out of there. Hand on heart, I have to get him out of there to see victory.” More

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      I’m a Ballon d’Or winner who had the world at my feet but I lost control of my career after bold transfer

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      MICHAEL OWEN believes he “lost control” of his career the moment he left Liverpool for Real Madrid.The former England international swapped Merseyside for Madrid in the summer of 2004 after eight goal-filled seasons with the Reds.Michael Owen joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2004 after eight seasons with LiverpoolCredit: PA:Empics SportSome of the Anfield faithful turned on the former academy star after his departureCredit: GETTYOwen believes his departure from the club was the moment he ‘lost control’ of his careerCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDThe stunning move to the Bernabeu, however, didn’t go to plan as he failed to win a trophy in his sole season with the Galacticos, in which he scored 16 goals in 45 appearances.He returned to England the following summer for a four-season stint with Newcastle before a shock move to Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester United in July 2009.Some of the Kop faithful still resent Owen for joining the Red Devils, although the 44-year-old believes their resentment originally stemmed from him leaving Anfield in the first place.He told The Telegraph: “The moment I chose to go to Real Madrid I lost control of my career and what the perceptions of it are.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I don’t love going to Anfield now because I know I am not loved back.”I tend to only go when I am working. It’s not that I dread going, but for a long time I used to bury my head when driving back to the academy to see friends.”I have told myself since, ‘I should not have been feeling like that.'”People say now, ‘It was because he signed for Manchester United.’ Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMichael Owen’s career statsLiverpool: 297 appearances – 158 goals & 49 assistsReal Madrid: 45 appearances – 16 goals & four assistsNewcastle United: 79 appearances – 30 goals & 2 assistsManchester United: 52 appearances – 17 goals & three assistsStoke City: Nine appearances – One goalClub Total: 483 appearances – 223 goals & 58 assistsEngland: 89 appearances: 40 goals & 12 assists”But the whole world knows there has been some history rewritten there.”There was resentment directed at me before then when I played for Newcastle, even though I had a clause in my Newcastle contract that I could re-sign for Liverpool every summer.Michael Owen heartbreakingly admits he prays every single night for cure for rare disease that has blinded his son James“The Manchester United aspect is now an easier stick to beat me with.”But when I came back to Anfield for the first time as a Newcastle player, there were a few hundred, possibly a thousand supporters, booing me.”I can’t forget how I, my parents, and my former Liverpool team-mates felt.”Everyone who understood and appreciated the reality of the situation was disappointed on my behalf.”Owen never had any ambitions of leaving Liverpool, let alone playing abroad, when he was at the peak of his powers.But he would have kicked himself had he not taken the opportunity to play for the European giants.The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner admitted: “I never had big ambitions to play abroad. “Really, but I fit the bill as the type of player they pursued.”If you are scoring goals, are a creative midfielder, or an amazing, unique type of right-back like Trent, you are seen as a marquee signing.“They wanted me with [Luís] Figo, [Zinedine] Zidane, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I looked at that and thought it would have been harder not to score.”I thought long and hard about leaving Liverpool, but in the end something inside told me I would regret it if I didn’t give it a go.”Michael Owen doesn’t ‘love going to Anfield’ any moreCredit: GETTY More

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      Gainsborough’s own Jamie Vardy swapped Hollywood for non-league and hopes to land dream FA Cup tie with DONCASTER ROVERS

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      GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY’S very own Jamie Vardy may have swapped Hollywood for non-league but is still desperate to see his name up in lights on the big screen tonight.Only it is Doncaster Rovers rather than Manchester United or Arsenal that striker Declan Howe, 26, is dreaming about facing in the FA Cup third round.Dec Howe is hoping to shine on the big screen against HarrogateCredit: Heather King PhotographyPitchingIn Northern Premier League Trinity, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, are into the second round for the first time in 72 years and head to Harrogate Town.And they go into their clash with the League Two outfit full of confidence – particularly hotshot Howe.The ace, a sales consultant by day, moved to the Kal Group Stadium last September with the club down the bottom.However, his 21 goals helped them to finish eighth and secured him the golden boot and he is already on 18 this term.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut his scoring exploits are a far cry from his days swanning about alongside movie stars after moving to live with his brother, who is now a manager of team operations at LA Galaxy II, in California to coach football.He told SunSport: “I went over there just as I was turning 21 and spent a couple of years in California coaching.“You’d see a few famous people about and if you went over to Hollywood then you’d see some faces.“I remember seeing Adam Sandler at an LA Lakers basketball game, which was a bit surreal.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I had to come back every year to renew my visa, but in 2020 the embassy was shut because of Covid when I came home and that was the main reason I never went back out.“Then I got back into football and rediscovered my love for it again, started scoring goals and it’s taken off from there.”Ex-PE teacher deemed ‘too small’ eyeing legendary third promotion at Harrogate Town after help from former England bossHowe was on the books of both Scunthorpe United and Doncaster, where he grew up, as a YTS before being released and dipping his toe into non-league and then heading Stateside.Despite leaving the glitz and glamour of Tinsel Town, Howe has now become a star in his own right at Trinity following spells at Staveley MW, Darlington, Cleethorpes Town, Alfreton and Ilkeston.And while he knows not even Hollywood’s boldest writers could get away with a story that ended in Trinity going all the way to Wembley, he still could.Eliminated Ashford United’s Gary Lockyer, on ten, tops the race for the Mitre Golden Ball as top scorer in the FA Cup.But Howe, currently on eight, knows a hat-trick on Friday would see him surpass that tally and put him in pole position to collect his award and land a VIP day out at the final in May.He said: “That would be lovely. I’ve spoken to a couple of people related to the Mitre Golden Ball award and they mentioned how last year a trip to Wembley was involved. So it’s definitely an aim for me to try and be at the top of those goalscoring charts.“We all wanted the TV fixture for the great exposure. There’ll be a lot of people watching with it being on a Friday night and family and friends who weren’t able to get a ticket will be able to tune in.“We can’t let any of that get to us, it’s just got to be a normal day at the office and go out to try and get out there.The hotshot is dreaming of a Doncaster FA Cup tie in the third roundCredit: Heather King Photography“It’s been a long time since we reached the third round and it’s a great opportunity to put our names in the history books of the club.”However, rather than one of the giants, Howe would be just as happy to land Doncaster, the team he used to watch from the stands, in the next round if they get past Harrogate. He said: “I was surprised we didn’t get them in this round with both names still being in the hat. All my friends are Doncaster supporters and they were convinced that it was destined to happen.“Obviously if you get through you want a Premier League team, but if it isn’t then Doncaster would be a nice one.”And it is not just his goals that have made him a huge hit with supporters. His tireless running and work-rate has also seen him being compared by fans to Vardy.The Leicester legend, 37, went from non-league to Premier League and FA Cup winner in his own fairytale story.And Howe admits he has still not given up on his dream of turning pro – and he knows there is no better stage than to show what he’s capable of than in front of the cameras later.He added: “At the start of the season I said to my girlfriend that promotion was obviously the target but the one thing I’d always wanted to have was a nice FA Cup run and here we are.“Growing up it was every kid’s dream to be pro and I think that it is maybe getting a bit more reachable to myself now.I’ve definitely been thinking over the past couple of years that is where I want to end up and you never know.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Jamie Vardy himself didn’t breakthrough as a pro until late and he’s had an incredible career since and that is still a huge ambition of mine.“The Hollywood script ending for me and the club would be a dream. You just never know what’s in store.”Who are these famous footballers? More