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      Man Utd legend wrote three murder mysteries that have become cult classics, but he says they’re a ‘laughing stock’

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      STEVE BRUCE was known as a dominating defender during his playing days. Having won three Premier League titles at Manchester United, Bruce made a name for himself as the Red Devils’ hard-nosed but brilliant captain.
      Steve Bruce wrote three murder mystery booksCredit: Rex
      Bruce won three Premier League titles at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      A trait which carried over into his managerial career.
      However, underneath his outer shell, there was a surprising twist to the tale.
      That is thanks to the former Newcastle and Aston Villa manager dabbling in the art of literacy with an epic trio of crime novels.
      Bruce published three little-read football crime books suitably named: Striker!, Sweeper! and Defender!
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      Originally published between 1999 and 2000, the books have become increasingly sought-after over the years after they re-emerged thanks to the work of Northern Irish writer Seamas O’Reilly.
      A self-professed expert on Bruce’s career, O’Reilly was inspired to find the books thanks to his interest in “really terrible books”, as quoted by the BBC.
      Not that Bruce is particularly proud of his work on the novels, with the man himself labelling them “a laughing stock”.
      Bruce said: “It was a long time ago, and I’m not sure I want to be reminded of how bad they were.
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      “Just because I got a GCSE in English, I thought I was going to be the next Dick Francis. It didn’t make any contribution at all to anyone’s income.
      “It became a laughing stock, to be honest. I think they’re probably still on the shelves somewhere, and I bet you could probably pick one up for 99p.”
      Indeed, when asked why he hasn’t written any more books in a 2019 interview with Sky Sports, Bruce replied: “Have you read them? Go and read them and you’ll understand why.”
      Regardless, they have grown into cult classics, with a used paperback copy of his first book Striker! fetching as much as £249 on Amazon.
      And that is some increase from the £12 the book was originally sold for.
      The books themselves are written in the first person from the point of view of protagonist Steve Barnes.
      O’Reilly loved his dive into the 127-page story told in Striker!, detailing the “mad stuff” that goes on.
      Bruce’s first book Striker! was published in 1999Credit: Paragon Press Publishing
      Striker! opens with Pat Duffy, the young Irish striker of Leddersford Town FC – a small but historic club aiming for promotion to the top flight – having been found stabbed to death in the dressing room.
      Barnes, who is the manager of Town, is naturally among the suspects and launches his own investigation to get to the bottom of the mystery, all the while juggling his management of the team.
      “The book is filled with kidnappings, betrayal and suspense,” O’Reilly explains.
      The front cover of the book depicts the aftermath of the crime, with a player in a blue and white striped shirt lying on the floor next to the murder weapon.
      Although Duffy does appear to be a giant based on his blown-up proportions while lying on a football pitch.
      Barnes faces off with Irish mobsters and even finds himself in the sights of a sniper during a match.
      ‘Kidnappings, betrayal and suspense’
      In the final four pages, Barnes has a ball shot from underneath his foot while standing in the technical area in a top-of-the-table clash with Fulham.
      There is also a running gag throughout the book where Bruce writes in detail about the car Barnes is driving, even in the middle of an espionage mission.
      At one point he writes: “I drive a Jaguar XJ8, 3.2, the sports version. It’s a very nice motor; 3.2 litre AJ-V8 all alloy engine.
      “Classic colour interior theme, fluted leather seats, contrast colour keyed facia, figured walnut veneer. As good a motor as you can hope to drive.
      “But not a car you’d choose when trying to follow a Ford saloon in a discreet manner…my registration, license and all other statutory details are fully up to date.”
      The second book, Sweeper!, does not tone down on the drama levels either, with the plot centring around the kidnapping of the club’s janitor.
      Sweeper! was described as the ‘magnum opus’ of Bruce’s novel collectionCredit: Paragon Press Publishing
      O’Reilly goes so far as to declare Sweeper! the “magnum opus” of Bruce’s written work in the so-called “Bruniverse”.
      The plot of Sweeper! sees Barnes take on Yugoslavian warlords, lesbian prostitutes, Nazi-hunting spies and more.
      A particular highlight of O’Reilly’s is when Bruce makes a reference to his lack of international recognition – having never received an England cap – in one of the four kidnappings throughout the series.
      After Barnes is kidnapped by British Secret Service agents, who then ask him to go undercover, O’Reilly explains that Barnes refuses to help, saying: “He tells them, ‘My country never wanted me’.”
      “His reasoning for not helping counter-terrorism is not that he lacks training or expertise or that he’s a middle-aged football manager, it’s that he never got an international cap.”
      One book in the series even sees Barnes take out a bad guy with a slide tackle.
      ‘Magnum opus of the Bruniverse’
      But that isn’t to say the books don’t have criticism from the Derry-born Bruce superfan.
      He explained: “There are so many strange decisions made in the writing of these books, such as the way the world is constructed.
      “So, for instance, there’s fake names that stand in for real places, like Leddersford for Huddersfield and Mulcaster for Manchester.
      “But, he also talks about Manchester United and mentions Alex Ferguson. It’s like reading a Batman comic where he takes a train from Gotham to New York.”
      The third book is described as “incident-free” and “disappointing” by O’Reilly.
      And one brutal comment on the Amazon review section for the book seems to agree, saying: “Does for the English language what the Luftwaffe did to Coventry.”
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      Amazon reviews for the earlier books are far more positive.
      One user commented on Striker!: “Ahead of its time, ahead of anyone’s time. So bad it’s great.”
      A second remarked: “There is something about this book that makes it absolutely brilliant… even though it’s, err, awful!
      “Hours that I will never have again, but I’m glad that I spent them reading this.”
      One, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, review of Sweeper! says: “One cannot do justice to how effective and gripping Bruce’s writing style is. He is truly a modern-day Arthur Conan Doyle.”
      While it seems likely that Bruce will not be adding to his library with any new works, O’Reilly believes he has read through the reviews.
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      He added: “I do certainly like to think Steve Bruce has read the reviews.
      “There’s just this image in my head of Bruce at home, rushing in from training, tapping away incessantly on his Remington in an oak-panelled study.”
      Defender! rounded out the series when published in 2000Credit: Paragon Press Publishing More

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      Inside David De Gea’s incredible car collection including £160k British classic and a luxury people carrier

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      DAVID DE GEA may be a goalkeeper renowned for being stuck between the sticks, but away from the pitch he can go anyway he likes in style.This is thanks to his fleet of stunning motors.
      David de Gea was with Man Utd for 12 yearsCredit: Getty
      He amassed a stunning car collection during his time at the clubCredit: Getty
      The Spaniard left Manchester United behind after appearing in 545 games.
      During this time he won eight trophies with the Red Devils.

      From a stunning British classic to a striking red sports car, De Gea boasts an impressive collection.
      SunSport has taken a look at the various set of wheels the Spaniard owns.
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      BRITISH CLASSIC
      David de Gea can get anywhere he wants in styleCredit: Zenpix
      His Aston Martin Vantage is a British classicCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      After spending 12 years in England with Man Utd, it would make sense for De Gea to buy into some of Britain’s culture.
      And that is exactly what petrol head De Gea did.
      He took up the cream of the crop by getting himself an Aston Martin Vantage.
      Back in 2019, De Gea brought himself the two-door sports car and was spotted in town with it alongside partner Edurne Gacria Almagro.
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      The sleek car can reach top speeds between 195mph to 200mph – not far off Aston Martin’s Formula One car.
      The motor will set you back a cool £125,000.
      Benz Your Ear
      De Gea was often seen with his £76,000 Mercedes GLE when at Man UtdCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Standing at 6ft 4in, De Gea needs to ensure he has plenty of leg room in his cars.
      This means he often takes an SUV on his outings.
      His SUV of choice is the Mercedes GLE, which starts at around £76,000.
      De Gea was spotted giving a lift to Juan Mata when the pair played at the club.
      The Vito is able able to go from 0-60mph in just 6.6 seconds.
      So you would have good money on him getting wherever he wants to on time.
      American dream
      De Gea leapt at the chance to add a Chevrolet to his collectionCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      He later added a Chevrolet Camarao to his car garageCredit: Handout
      When Manchester United were sponsored by American car manufacturer Chevrolet, United reportedly told their players to drive cars made by them to keep their shirt sponsor happy.
      De Gea did not need a second invitation and jumped at the chance to add to his car collection.
      He was soon seen driving around in two Chevrolet cars.
      The first saw him add another SUV in the form of a Captiva, which can reach up to £24,000.
      However, De Gea was not done there, and soon added a second Chevrolet sponsored ride.
      The second time he opted for a Camaro, a two-door sports car which can fetch between £27,000 and £31,000 depending on whether it is a Coupe or Convertible variant.
      Although with United’s sponsorship with Chevrolet long gone, it is likely that De Gea no longer owns these cars.
      Red Devil
      A red Audi RS5 completes De Geas impressive car collectionCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Throughout his Old Trafford career, De Gea was persistently linked with a transfer away from the club.
      However, one dodgy fax machine completely changed this trajectory.
      And his Real Madrid transfer links came with a spice of irony when he was seen leaving Hale village’s La Vina Spanish Restaurant with a Ausi RS5 in 2015.
      De Gea went for a bright red with the car to spruce up his options, matching the colours of Man Utd.
      The car can fetch a cool £73,000 on the market.
      But when the car – said to be a favourite of Real Madrid and Barcelona stars – is capable of reaching a top speed of 155.3mph, you would be expected to pay a pretty penny.
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      Man with a van
      De Gea’s missus Edurne Gacria Almagro was seen driving the goalkeeper around in a Mercedes Vito in 2018Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      De Gea did not round of his car collection with just one piece of Mercedes engineering prowess.
      Instead, the shot-stopper added a Mercedes-Benz Vito to his garage.
      In 2018 he was seen in the passenger seat of the SUV as missus Edurne drove around.
      The minivan has been owned by a number of footballers, including Raheem Sterling, Alvaro Morata and Jake Livermore.
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      Prices for the van start from a retail price of £36,000 and can climb all the way to £62,000 depending on the configuration of the vehicle.
      Some stars have even managed to pimp out their vans with game consoles and TVs in the back. More

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      in Soccer

      Where every Golden Boy winner is now, including Mario Balotelli, Man Utd flop and ex-Swansea ace who passed to an advert

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      MANY of football’s Golden Boy winners have gone on to achieve great things.However, winning the gong provides no guarantee of having a stellar career.
      Erling Haaland won the award in 2020
      Football maverick Mario Balotelli is Italy’s one and only winnerCredit: AP:Associated Press
      From future Ballon d’Or and World Cup winners to bad-boys and stars whose careers were curtailed by injuries, the winners of the award represent both the good and bad side of professional football.
      England star Jude Bellingham is among the front-runners for the 2023 award.
      Despite sensational backing by Taylor Swift’s army of superfans, the award is no shoe-in for Real Madrid’s latest superstar.
      There will stiff competition from the likes of Jamal Musiala, Alejandro Balde and Gavi – who won the 2022 award.
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      But how have their predecessors got on after winning the award.
      SunSport has taken a look at each winner of the award since its inception in 2003.
      2003 – RAFAEL VAN DER VAART
      FORMER Tottenham ace Rafael van der Vaart won the first-ever Golden Boy award all the way back in 2003.
      The then 20-year-old had already established himself in Holland with Ajax, having already won the double with the club in 2002.
      Most read in Football
      Van der Vaart would go on to play for the likes of Real Madrid, Spurs and Real Betis, Midtjylland and Esbjerg throughout his career.
      Having won 109-caps for the Netherlands, since retiring in 2019 he has dabbled in pro darts and is a regular pundit on Dutch TV.
      2004 – WAYNE ROONEY
      WAYNE ROONEY exploded onto the footballing scene with a screamer against Arsenal and continued to haunt opposition defences for another decade.
      Rooney won the Golden Boy award in the same season as his transfer from Everton to Manchester United at the age of 20.
      With the Red Devils he became the face of English football, becoming United’s and England’s all-time leading goalscorer while completing a clean sweep of trophies before returning to the Toffees in 2017.
      After hanging up his boots Rooney went into management, taking over a cash-strapped Derby before joining D.C. United in Major League Soccer.
      2005 – LIONEL MESSI
      It is perhaps safe to say Lionel Messi more than lived up to his Golden Boy billingCredit: AFP
      AT just 18 years old it was clear to see Lionel Messi had something different to his peers. And he has gone to have a career like no other footballer.
      The Argentine carved his legacy into European football after 18 trophy-laden years with Barcelona, a time which saw score 672 goals and win 35 trophies.
      After leaving the Spanish giants Messi headed to Paris Saint-Germain where he continued to excel despite falling out with the club’s hierarchy, which eventually led to him joining MLS side Inter Miami.
      Messi also enjoyed spearheaded Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022. He already has a record seven Ballon d’Or’s to his name and could add to it when the 2023 ceremony rolls around.
      2006 – CESC FABREGAS
      ARSENAL star Cesc Fabregas had the world at his feet at the age of 19.
      The Spanish maestro already had a number of fans in Spain from his time in Barcelona’s Academy before he headed to London to join Arsenal.
      Fabregas went on to become the club’s captain before re-signing for Barcelona in 2011. But things did not go all according to plan, leading to him joining Chelsea where he finally got his hands on the Prem title.
      He later joined Monaco before hanging up his boots at Italian side Como, where he is an investor with fellow Gunners and Barca legend Thierry Henry.
      2007 – SERGIO AGUERO
      MANCHESTER CITY legend Sergio Aguero was terrorising defences in Argentina and Spain long before he was scoring the most dramatic goal in Premier League history to win City the title in 2012.
      In 2007 the Argentine ace won the Golden Boy award aged just 19 when he was at Atletico Madrid.
      Aguero joined Man City in 2011 and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, become England’s all-time leading scorer from overseas and claim the record for most Prem hat-tricks with 12.
      After 260 goals in a City shirt, he joined Barcelona in 2021. But just four games into his career at the Camp Nou he was forced to retire aged 33 due to a heart condition.
      2008 – ANDERSON
      Anderson was the first player to disappoint after winning the awardCredit: Getty
      THE ex-Man Utd midfielder is the first player who really failed to establish himself at the top of the game after winning the Golden Boy award in 2008.
      Having joined Man Utd in 2007, the exciting Brazilian was never able to truly make his mark.
      He eventually left Old Trafford permanently in 2015, heading home to play for Internacional and later Coritiba and Turkish side Adana Demirspor.
      Anderson retired in 2020 and now works as an assistant manager of Demirspor.
      2009 – ALEXANDRE PATO
      IF you asked a football fan what player had a “what if” career, a large number of them would point to Alexandre Pato.
      Pato, then at AC Milan, had the world on the edge of their seats when he won the Golden Boy award in 2009 aged just 20.
      However, injuries curtailed the Brazilian forward’s career, and he soon found himself back home after seeing his European fairytale collapse.
      He had a brief loan spell with Chelsea in 2016, but now plays for Sao Paulo following stints in China and the USA.
      2010 – MARIO BALOTELLI
      BAD-BOY Mario Balotelli never seemed to disappoint at the start of his career which had seen him obliterate opposition defences for Inter Milan and Man City.
      The Italian maverick won the Golden Boy award in 2010 and remains his nations one and only winner.
      However, his off-field antics and a lack of form on it saw his career nosedive.
      “Super Mario” now plays his football in Switzerland with Sion, but has had spells with seven clubs across in France, Italy and Turkey before landing at his current destination.
      2011 – MARIO GOTZE
      THE football gods seemed to be smiling on Mario Gotze throughout the early 2010s.
      Gotze was the shining bright of German football at Borussia Dortmund when he lifted the 2011 Golden Boy award aged 19.
      In 2014 Gotze netted the most important goal of his career as he scored the winner in the World Cup final.
      But a lack of fitness for one reason or another derailed his career, with Gotze now a reserve with Eintracht Frankfurt.
      2012 – ISCO
      Isco was Spain’s first winner since 2006Credit: AFP
      ISCO brought the Golden Boy winner back to Spain for the first time since 2006 when he lifted the award while turning out for Malaga aged 20.
      He went on to join Real Madrid in 2013, where he stayed for nine years.
      His spell there saw him become a key part of Zinedine Zidane’s unprecedented three-peat Champions League victors.
      However, he fell out of favour at the Bernabeu by 2022. He then joined Sevilla and now plays for Real Betis after a deal to join Union Berlin collapsed at the last minute.
      2013 – PAUL POGBA
      HAVING quit Man Utd for Juventus in 2012, Red Devils fans were kicking themselves when he won the Golden Boy award in 2013.
      But in 2016 he returned to Old Trafford for a then club-record £89million transfer.
      However, inconsistent form and the volatile state Man Utd have experienced since Alex Ferguson’s departure turned a dream return into nightmare fuel by the time he headed back to Juventus in 2022.
      Pogba has been beset by injuries since returning and is facing a four-year ban after being provisionally suspended for failing a drug test after allegedly testing positive for testosterone.
      2014 – RAHEEM STERLING
      RAHEEM STERLING became the first Englishman for over a decade to win the Golden Boy award in 2014.
      Sterling has terrified Premier League defences for over a decade at Liverpool, Man City and now Chelsea.
      He has also been a star on the International scene, being named England’s player of the tournament at Euro 2020.
      Once an exciting but raw talent, Sterling has now transformed to be the star to spearhead and guide Chelsea’s fledgling new attack brimming with young talent.
      2015 – ANTHONY MARTIAL
      Anthony Martial struggled to consolidate his bright career startCredit: Getty – Contributor
      FRENCHMAN Anthony Martial started his career brightly.
      His exploits at Monaco convinced Man Utd to splash a huge fee on him as he won the Golden Boy award in 2015.
      Martial instantly endeared himself at Old Trafford with a stunning debut goal against Liverpool.
      But injuries and poor form have long-since seen the novelty wear off, and he seems destined to leave United in the not-so distant future.
      2016 – RENATO SANCHES
      Renato Sanches with the Golden Boy award 2016Credit: instagram
      Sanches inexplicably passed to an advertising board during his Swansea loanCredit: YouTube/Sky Sports Retro
      RENATO SANCHES had world football stunned after delivering a brilliant performance in Portugal’s winning Euro 2016 run.
      But things soon turned sour after a move to Bayern Munich and a horror loan to Swansea, which saw him left red-faced after passing to an advertising board.
      He managed to revitalise his career at Lille before being poached by PSG.
      Sanches now finds himself on loan at Roma under Jose Mourinho.
      2017 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Kylian Mbappe has had a meteoric rise since winning the Golden Boy awardCredit: AP:Associated Press
      ARGUABLY the most exciting Golden Boy winner since Messi, Kylian Mbappe has forged a non-stop path to the top of world football.
      The Frenchman has already netted 248 club career goals and is spearheading a golden generation of French football talent.
      Having already won the World Cup in 2018, Mbappe then became the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final in Qatar, but ultimately saw his nation beaten by Argentina.
      Mbappe has been at loggerheads with PSG’s hierarchy and appears destined to be a free agent next summer, with the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea all eyeing a mega-transfer for him.
      2018 – MATTHIJS DE LIGT
      ONE of the star’s of Erik ten Hag’s 2018/19 Ajax team, Matthijs de Ligt became the first defender ever to win the Golden Boy award in 2018.
      Before leaving Dutch football behind he was seemingly being headhunted by every top team in world football.
      He would eventually join Juventus, but things didn’t go according to plan and he was flogged to Bayern Munich after just three years.
      Following a promising start under Julian Nagelsmann, the arrival of Thomas Tuchel saw De Ligt dropped to the bench.
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      2019 – JOAO FELIX
      ANOTHER star from Benfica, Joao Felix landed the gong in 2019.
      This helped to convince Atletico Madrid to splash a club-record fee of £108m on Joao Felix.
      However, a fallout with manager Diego Simeone saw Felix loaned to Chelsea in the second half of the 2022/23 season.
      He now turns out for Barcelona after sealing another loan transfer.
      2020 – ERLING HAALAND
      THE first Golden Boy winner to be born in the new millennium, Erling Haaland looks set to challenge Kylian Mbappe for the title of the best footballer of the 2020s.
      The Norwegian bagged the award while still with Borussia Dortmund after scoring 86 goals in 89 games.
      He then joined Man City and obliterated any notion of being flop by breaking the Premier League goalscoring record in his first season.
      He also helped City to win an English team’s first continental treble since Man Utd in 1999.
      2021 – PEDRI
      Pedri lifted the award in 2021Credit: Getty
      BARCELONA midfielder Pedri represents the future of the Spanish giants.
      After losing Messi thanks to their crippling financial woes, Pedri has stepped into the void under the wing of club legend Xavi.
      He has already appeared 111 times for Barca.
      Pedri is has also established himself as a regular in the Spanish national team set-up.
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      2022 – GAVI
      THE latest winner of the award, Gavi has followed in Pedri footsteps in establishing himself both at Barcelona and with Spain.
      He signed a new contract in June 2023 with a stunning €1billion (£860m) release clause. More

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      Inside Harry Kane’s British car collection, from £212,000 Continental GT Supersports to £99,000 Land Rover

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      HARRY KANE left these shores last month to try to plunder some trophies in Germany.But the England captain remains as proud to be British as ever.
      Harry Kane poses with his Jaguar F-PaceCredit: The Sun
      The England captain treated himself to a Bentley Continental SupersportsCredit: James Lipman
      Kane also has the Range Rover seemingly obligatory for top Prem footballersCredit: Getty
      Kane, 30, left boyhood club Tottenham with one year remaining on his contract, feeling the need for a new challenge abroad.
      In his car collection, however, he’ll be bringing a bit of Blighty to Munich – even if he won’t be allowed to drive all of them to training.
      Bayern have had a lucrative sponsorship deal with German manufacturer Audi dating back to 2002.
      Players and staff even receive a plush Audi model of their choice upon joining.
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      Kane plumped for a practical £58k black Q8 e-tron upon joining from Spurs last month.
      He will be expected to drive it to training at Sabener Strasse and matches at Allianz Arena.
      Failure to do so could land him in hot water – just ask Kingsley Coman.
      The French winger got himself in trouble back in 2020 for driving his £174k McLaren into training – and wasn’t even allowed into the complex, instead having to park on the street.
      Most read in Football
      The former Tottenham star loves his £35k JagCredit: Instagram @HarryKane
      The Tottenham star has been getting used to driving around GermanyCredit: The Sun
      He was then reportedly slapped with a hefty £43,500 fine for his misstep.
      Other car brands within the Volkwagon group are deemed acceptable, however, so Kane would be okay in a Bentley, Bugatti or Porsche.
      On why he chose the e-tron, he explained: “I decided on a family car. Now that I have four children, I just need the space.”
      He quickly took one of his own motors out for a whirl after arriving in Germany, adding: “I’ve already tried, but of course not with the new car.”
      TREATING HIMSELF
      Kane does own a Bentley, which he will be allowed to whizz into training in, should he wish.
      He bought a Continental GT Supersports back in 2020, and was amazed to see that then-team-mate Dele Alli had just bought the same model.
      The striker said of the £212k motor at the time: “I’ve just bought a Bentley Supersports.
      “I thought I’d treat myself to a sports car. I was looking at most of them really, but because I play golf I wanted something with a bit of room, nothing too low, something a bit different.
      “They are only making 710 of them. I’ve gone for white with black wheels. It’s a beautiful, beautiful car. It’s my first real sports car.”
      He also admitted that if he’s feeling frivolous after a big triumph, he may even dabble with something even fancier in future.
      Kane added: “Down the line, maybe if I win a few trophies, I can treat myself to a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.”
      BEST OF BRITISH
      As Three Lions skipper, few things make Kane prouder than being British.
      And in the spirit of this, he owns a £99k Land Rover and £35k Jaguar F-Pace.
      He beamed: “Just to be associated with that British stamp is something that I’m proud of.”
      “I pretty much love that Jag. It’s not too big, not too small, it fits our little daughter and the dogs.
      “It’s a family car with a sporty edge. It’s not like you’re embarrassed to drive it as a dad. You’re happy to drive it. It looks nice and it’s not too expensive. It’s been great for me so far.”
      He went on to continue: “After a game or training, you just want to get in a nice car and chill.
      “I had a Range Rover Sport before that. Loved that. I just wanted the bigger version.”
      COMPANY CARS
      While Kane went for the comfort of the £58k Audi Q8 e-tron upon joining Bayern, many of his new team-mates opted for something more expensive.
      Twelve stars selected the £120k Audi RS e-tron GT, including the likes of Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Joshua Kimmich.
      Leon Goretzka also went for the £120k model, but opted for a silky purple rather than black.
      On getting the hang of driving in Germany, Kane joked: “‘I’ll slowly get used to the fact that the steering wheel is on the other side.
      “So far I haven’t had a crash, that’s a positive thing.”
      READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
      SON STILL SHINES
      Kane wasn’t the only Spurs player last season with a stunning car collection.
      His old pal and Ange Postecoglou’s new skipper Son Heung-min also has an enviable fleet.
      The South Korean superstar owns an ultra-rare Ferrari LaFerrari worth an eye-watering £1,150,000 – with only 499 of them having been made.
      While he also has an Audi R8 Coupe, Maserati Levante, Range Rover and Bentley Continental.
      Son, 31, drove an Audi R8 during his Bundesliga days – and would have looked right at home at Sabener Strasse doing so.
      While he was gifted Maserati’s first ever SUV, worth £60,000.
      Korea’s official Maserati importer wrote in a statement that their new car: “Might be the most matching vehicle to Son, who can play with delicacy and unstoppable power.”
      As has become customary for Prem footballers, Son also has a £31k Range Rover that he has been seen cruising into Spurs training in.
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      And like his former striker partner and pal Kane, Son also has a £160k Bentley Continental GT in his collection.
      The duo may not be together at Spurs anymore, but they can still surely bond over their shared love of fast cars and people carriers.
      Kane poses with his new Audi club carCredit: Reuters
      Kane and Son Heung-min are no longer team-mates… but both have great car collectionsCredit: Getty More

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      I’m a former top footballer who was compared to George Best but I quit at 23 to become a Jehovah’s Witness

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      NOBODY expected Peter Knowles to actually go through with his decision to retire from football aged just 23 in 1969.His club Wolves, for whom he was something of a rising star, kept laying out his kit each day – ready for his return.
      Peter Knowles starred for Wolves in the 1960sCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Knowles gave up football to become a Jehovah’s WitnessCredit: Alamy
      But he never came back.
      Knowles had played four times for England’s Under-23s and had even drawn comparisons with Manchester United legend George Best.
      A trip to the United States to play games on loan at Kansas Spurs would change everything for Knowles, however, when two local Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked on his door.
      “At the time, I was an atheist. I didn’t believe in a God. I was happy to be a professional footballer, to play for Wolves,” Knowles said in 2018.

      “I am not bragging here. But I loved it and I was good at it. One day, two Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked on my door. I said to them: ‘Why did my dad and my two sisters, who’d done nowt wrong, die?’
      “They came in and answered that question. They answered another question and then another I had never got an answer to.
      “That’s how I became a Jehovah’s Witness. If I hadn’t met them I’d have carried on playing football.”
      Upon his return to the UK Knowles went back to Wolves, but his heart was no longer in the beautiful game.
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      Knowles waves goodbye to the Molineux faithfulCredit: Alamy
      The forward had scored more than 60 goals for Wolves by the age of 23Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      He banged in three goals in his side’s opening four games of the 1969-70 season and even had a chance at making Sir Alf Ramsey’s Three Lions squad for the following summer’s World Cup.
      But he abruptly called it quits, giving up football for good.
      Everyone at Wolves thought he’d be back, and even kept contracts for him until he turned 36.
      His brother Cyril, then a star of Bill Nicholson’s Tottenham side, also felt it was only a matter of time – but Knowles held firm.
      NO GOING BACK
      When his former striker partners Derek Dougan and Frank Munro were suspended later that season, Knowles popped into Molineux to grab his old football boots as he prepared to coach local kids.
      Boss Bill McGarry made an impassioned plea for Knowles to return in his old team’s hour of need, and Wolves’ former star was tempted.
      But feeling that he wouldn’t be able to give it all up a second time, Knowles turned his old boss down.
      Rather than return to football, he performed a variety of odd jobs; a milkman, a window cleaner, a tile salesman, an M&S warehouseman.
      While it may seem an extreme career change for most, Knowles has no regrets.
      He continued: “Everybody – the manager, the players, my family, all the Wolves supporters – they all said, ‘He’ll be back in six months.’
      “My family couldn’t cope. My mum was upset, so angry. My brother Cyril (who played for Spurs) said: ‘Give him six months.’ They couldn’t cope.
      “Wolves put my strip out for about a year. Contracts were sent to me for ten years. They thought I’d sign it.
      “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. I’ve never regretted it. Not once.”
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      ‘I’VE DONE ALL THAT’
      Knowles subsequently spent over 50 years preaching the word of God with wife Jean – and he has enjoyed every second.
      “When I was younger I used to do all that, the nightlife, the cars. Well, I’ve done all that,” he added.
      “Basically I work, preach, read the Bible and go to meetings – that’s my life. And I am dead chuffed with it.”
      NOT A LONE WOLF
      Knowles isn’t the only former Wolves player to give up football for the church.
      Striker Richard Leadbeater, who came through the Molineux side’s academy in the 1990s, retired at 26 to become a reverend after studying theology at the University of Brimingham.
      Asked about Knowles by Wolves Heroes, the 42-year-old said: “I think you can be a Christian footballer, just as you can be a Christian lawyer or a Christian professor. But it should change the way you think.
      “You see things through Christian lenses. To get to the top, you have to sacrifice a lot, make it the most important thing.
      “But being Christian is a case of putting others before self, doing things to the honour of Jesus and not yourself.
      I can understand how Peter Knowles feltRichard Leadbeater
      “The amount of time, dedication, energy and ambition to get to the top is very difficult for a serious Christian. You see life as about not being for your own pleasure but about proclaiming a different message.
      “It is possible – and needed – to be a Christian footballer. We need Christians in the football world. We need Christians everywhere. But I can understand how Peter Knowles felt.
      “I had a professional footballer friend in Scotland who stopped because when he played, he could not do it in a Godly way. Of course it may be possible for some.”
      ‘THEY IDOLISED ME’
      Juggling the adulation that came with fame with his faith was something that Knowles struggled to reconcile with.
      He said: “The Bible says ‘All men are created equal’.
      “But when I put a football shirt on, there was a difference. People began to worship me. They idolised me.
      “They treated me differently to an ordinary person. So, I thought: ‘What am I going to do?’
      “The biggest problem as well was becoming a Jehovah’s Witness.
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      “People would say: ‘Why don’t you mix the two?’ I said to them: ‘I can’t. I’ve got to give one up or the other.’ And I decided to give up football.”
      He scored 61 goals in 174 games in total for Wolves – before becoming one of English football’s great “What if?” stories.
      Knowles married wife Jean in 1967Credit: Rex Features More

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      I was the ‘new Maradona’, had a boot deal as a kid & starred on TV shows but it all got too much – now I’m a cab driver

      by

      SONNY PIKE was once dubbed the “new Diego Maradona” but now works as a taxi driver.Pike, 40, was once Britain’s biggest football prodigy, but things all got too much and he quit the game having never made a professional appearance.
      Sonny Pike was set for stardom but never made it as a professionalCredit: YouTube
      He is now a taxi driver and football coachCredit: Sonny Pike
      His story began when he was a schoolboy, first playing at local side Enfield FC with a dream of emulating his idol Paul Gascoigne.
      It wasn’t long before he started competing against older children for at school and for his Sunday League team, catching the attention of the press having netted over 100 goals in one season.
      Pike’s first television appearance came on 1990s news show London Tonight before he was then interviewed on hit programmes like Fantasy Football League and The Big Breakfast.
      He had the world’s media in a frenzy as they hyped him up as the “next Maradona or George Best”.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      It alerted the likes of Ajax, who had developed a reputation for nurturing some of the best talents in the game.
      The Dutch side invited him to a trial in Amsterdam with the then 12-year-old being followed by Blue Peter cameras while in Holland.
      He set about dazzling coaches with his technique and skill despite Pike focusing his future on becoming a Premier League hero one day.
      The fanfare grew on his return from Ajax with his new-found celebrity status.
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      Pike was a guest on Fantasy Football LeagueCredit: YouTube
      He was soon being snapped up by huge companies in sponsorship deals with the likes of McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Mizuno as all tried to get a piece of the action.
      Pike explained to Flashscore: “I was on the pitch for Coca Cola Cup finals doing kick-ups before the games, I was doing McDonald’s adverts, I was getting Paul Smith making me suits.
      “I started to get awards from Sky Sports at this point in time obviously the Premier League and Sky Sports were just kicking off.
      “I was sponsored by Mizuno and was doing things with [Gianfranco] Zola and all these guys but in the early to mid-90s.
      “Only one or two players out of a Premier League team would have their own boot deal. People were saying, ‘Who’s this Sonny kid, he’s everywhere. He’s a little kid, he’s got deals, he’s going in Hello magazine.’
      “It was rubbing some professionals up the wrong way – but I was just a kid getting all this attention.”
      As quickly as fame arrived, it soon began to disappear and Pike’s life began to spiral downwards.
      Aged 14, the pressure got too much and it was reported that his legs were insured for £1million.
      It led to Pike being on the receiving end of disgusting abuse from jealous parents that wanted their kids to injure him.
      He told SunSport: “Because I had long hair they used to say, ‘he’s only a girl, break his legs.’
      “Not just that, off the pitch and at school I got different treatment that didn’t help me either.
      “Once I remember a guy came up to me on the street to tell me he put a bet on me to play for England. It was scary.”
      Pike is reluctant to blame his father for his downfall but one huge moment led to his career stalling.
      He was signed as a youth player by Leyton Orient and his dad Mickey pushed his son to appear in a documentary called ‘Coaching and Poaching’ presented by Greg Dyke.
      Pike was stunned to hear the documentary, instead of looking at his life as a youngster, actually exposed that Chelsea were tapping him up, with the young star unaware he had broken any rules.
      Pike fell out of love with the beautiful game as a teenagerCredit: Sonny Pike
      The FA banned him and his relationship with his father became further strained when he began to believe Mickey was making money off his name.
      His parents also divorced and Pike was left without a club due to his ban.
      Opened up on the dark time, he said: “After watching that documentary, I came out of the pub and I stood in the middle of the main road in Edmonton, actually on a roundabout.
      “There’s cars just whizzing around me and I just felt that’s what my head was getting like. ‘This is too much, enough of this now.’
      “Then a month later my dad turns up, I’d not seen him for a few weeks. As soon as he comes up towards me, the first thing I’m gonna say to him is, for the very first time, ‘I don’t want to do this no more.’
      “He told me that he had some more work for me, some more TV stuff and I’m literally about to walk up to and say the complete opposite.
      “He said, ‘If you don’t do it, you ain’t got a dad.’”
      Eventually, Pike was handed a chance by Crystal Palace but made the news again when his father did an interview with a newspaper claiming how big offers had ripped the family apart.
      On the pitch, he could no longer cope, revealing: “I pretty-much had a mental breakdown on the pitch. I came on for 15 minutes, I was given the opportunity and I just walked off.
      “The pressure of me going on, it was just too much. I looked at the coach and just walked off.
      “I broke down and I knew it was all over from then.”
      Pike then spent two years at non-league Stevenage until he was 18-years-old on a YTS scheme but his heart was no longer in football.
      Battles with depression continued but the wonderkid managed to turn his life around with the pressures of expectation and media attention gone.
      Pike started a new career working as a cab driver in London while he also helps young and upcoming footballers not fall into the trap of stardom.
      He does coaching sessions but offers support for off-field matters as he delivers talks to parents and players about protecting mental health and the dangers that lie ahead for future pros.
      Pike also wrote a book called “The Greatest Footballer That Never Was” further explaining his story.
      On his life within football now, he says: “I’m talking to their parents and then trying to get the player through that process because obviously I can relate to it a lot – the attention and the pressure they get – I’ve been there. 
      “I get a lot of other kids come in… a boy was sent down from up north and had a professional contract given to him but he didn’t want to sign it.
      Read More on The Sun
      “His mum and dad sent him down to me, just to talk to me. I get a lot of that.”
      Pike adds: “Instead of grabbing all the sponsorship deals and this sort of stuff, getting excited over a few pairs of boots or an advert or whatever else, think long-term and concentrate on and promote the love of football more.”
      Sonny Pike is now a football coachCredit: GettyYou’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm More

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      Inside Eddie Nketiah’s incredible rise from Chelsea heartache to Arsenal and England star via brutal cage football

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      EDDIE NKETIAH has gone through a lot to make sure he succeeded in having a career at the top of football.The striker has become a regular for Arsenal despite enduring some tricky periods earlier in his career.
      Eddie Nketiah has become a star at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      He has managed to make it to the England senior teamCredit: Getty
      Nketiah was one of many young stars in the Chelsea academy
      Nketiah, 24, started his career at Chelsea but was rejected by the club when he was 14.
      A decade later, he had become a regular member of the Arsenal first team under manager Mikel Arteta.
      The forward’s form and impressive start to the 2022/23 Premier League season saw him earn his first call-up to the senior England team by boss Gareth Southgate.
      Nketiah had featured regularly for the Three Lions youth sides and even managed to net 16 goals in 17 appearances for the U21s.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Chelsea heartache
      Nketiah was one of a number of promising players in the club’s academy in 1999.
      The striker joined the likes of Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher and Reece James.
      He joined the club when he was nine and was prolific in the youth sides.
      During this time when he would play away from club training, Nketiah would play football in a small caged pitch near his family home in South East London.
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      He told Gaffer Magazine: “It was really hard playing in the cage.
      “There’s a lot of pride there and everyone wants to show how good they are and what they can do.
      “There’s a lot of trash talk going on in the cage and you’ve just got to have thick skin to get through it and show how good you are.”
      However, despite being a prolific goalscorer, Nketiah was released when he was 14 due to concerns over his height as the club preferred team-mate Tammy Abraham.
      Arsenal beginnings
      Nketiah scored his first goal for Arsenal against Norwich in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Nketiah was given a lifeline as he was picked up by Arsenal after being spotted by youth scout Ian Gilmour.
      Gilmour had spotted the striker while scouting watching his son Charlie play against him for the Gunners’ academy.
      Nketiah was approached by Arsenal just two days after his release from Chelsea and quickly got the move sorted out.
      Gilmour was not concerned over Nketiah’s height however as he told The Athletic: “He had the power, he had the pace.
      “Size doesn’t matter if you’ve got the power and the pace. And technically, he was so good.”
      After rising through the ranks in Arsenal’s academy he eventually became a squad player in the first team in 2017 under legendary manager Arsen Wenger.
      He made his debut for the club that year at just 18 in the Europa League win over BATE Borisov and he followed that with his second appearance coming against Norwich in the League Cup the following month.
      Nketiah netted an equaliser within 15 seconds of coming on, endearing him to the Arsenal faithful.
      He continued to make the occasional appearance and was eventually loaned to Leeds in 2019.
      However, his loan was cut short in January 2020 due to a lack of game time and then saw a swap to Benudesliga outfit Augsburg canceled due to an injury to Danny Welbeck.
      Arsenal struggles
      Nketiah struggled to hold down a starting spot at ArsenalCredit: AFP or licensors
      Nketiah continued his career at the Gunners with managers Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta opting to keep hold of him after he impressed in training.
      However, Nketiah was never given the starting role as he would continue to star in the cup competitions but fail to be prolific in the Premier League.
      Nketiah had continually found himself behind more established strikers such as Olivier Giroud, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
      In January 2022, Crystal Palace were very keen on signing Nketiah as his contract only had six months left to run at Arsenal.
      Nketiah had hardly played that season and it seemed that his time at the Emirates was coming to an end.
      However, a move never materialised and he stayed at the club he was expected to leave the club in the summer window on a free transfer.
      That was until he agreed on a new five-year contract to stay at the club till at least 2027.
      But it seemed that his problems would persist as Arteta signed Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus that summer and made him the first-choice striker for the 2022/23 season.
      Arsenal breakthrough
      He made a breakthrough during the 2022/23 seasonCredit: EPA
      Despite the arrival of the Brazilian international, Nketiah stayed put and fought for his spot.
      The Englishman managed to get his chance in the Europa League as he started all six group games, scoring twice.
      During this run, he made his 100th appearance for the club and was then buoyed as Jesus picked up a lengthy knee injury.
      Nketiah made sure not to let the chance slip through his fingers as he would lead the attack for an extended period.
      He would finish the season with nine goals and three assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.
      While not the most impressive of numbers his attitude and contribution was enough to maintain Arsenal’s title challenge against Manchester City.
      Nketiah then started the 2023/24 season in an improved manner as he netted twice in the club’s first four games.
      The striker was in turn described as a “role model” by Arteta as he cemented his spot as an Arsenal player.
      England call-up
      Nektiah’s good form earned him a call-up to the England teamCredit: Getty
      Nketiah had opted to represent England despite being born to Ghanaian parents.
      His improvement for Arsenal saw him earn national recognition in August 2023 as he was called up to the senior England team for the first time in his career.
      Southgate hailed Nketiah’s pedigree after giving him the call for the fixtures against Ukraine in the Euro qualifier and Scotland in a friendly.
      Read More on The Sun
      He said: “With Eddie coming in, it is an area where we want to have a look at him.
      “Young player with a lot of pedigree, really good finisher, and the record goalscorer in the Under-21s.” More

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      Inside world’s biggest abandoned stadiums from decaying Olympics venues to iconic Beatles arena turned into a CAR PARK

      by

      SPORTS stadiums always look at their best when packed to the rafters but many become devoid of life when failing to move with the times.Whether it be football matches, the Olympics or concerts, stadiums are most special for bringing thousands of people together.
      There are abandoned stadiums all across the world which have been neglected and left to rotCredit: AFP
      But unfortunately, for every brand-spanking new arena, there is an old, decrepit abandoned one.
      Crowd levels, economic issues or unplanned and tragic events are just some of the reasons for stadiums being forgotten about or unused as many fail to stand the test of time.
      Here are some of the world’s largest and iconic stadiums that have been lost in time and left to crumble and rot away.
      Guangzhou FC Stadium
      The unfinished remains of the abandoned Guangzhou Stadium in ChinaCredit: Getty
      Former Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande began working on a fresh 100,000-seater stadium in April 2020.
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      However, The Evergrande Group, one of China’s largest property developers and owners of the club, has since racked up debts of around £220billion.
      As a result, the half-built stadium was seized by the Chinese government in November 2021, before the project was ultimately cancelled in mid-2022.
      Stands with part-filled seats and abandoned cranes are all that’s left on the site of the half-built stadium.
      Donbass Arena
      The Donbass Arena in Donetsk hasn’t been used since 2014Credit: AFP
      The former home of Ukrainian Premier League champions Shakhtar Donetsk has remain unused for almost 10 years since being abandoned in 2014.
      Most read in Football
      The Donbass Arena, with a capacity of 52,187, once hosted four games at the European Championships in 2012 – including England’s 1-1 draw with France.
      But due to the Donbas war, it has been left in a sorry state after being shelled on the outside.
      Heavy damage was sustained to the turnstiles and entrances to the arena as an result of two explosions and it is unknown if the stadium will ever be used again.

      Houston Astrodome
      Parts of the Hopuston Astrodome have been demolished since it was declared non-compliant in 2008Credit: AP
      The world’s first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium was deemed the “Eight Wonder of the World” after opening in 1965.
      It quickly became the third most visited man-made attraction in the United States, until the new modern NRG Stadium opened next door in 2002.
      It sheltered 25,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but was then declared non-compliant with fire codes in 2008.
      Parts of the dome were demolished as a result of several years of disuse, although others still stand to this day.
      Great Strahov Stadium
      This famous stadium could hold 250,000 spectators when it was in useCredit: Alamy
      Based in the Czech Republic capital of Prague, the Strahov Stadium hasn’t hosted a competitive sport event since 2019.
      The sheer size of this venue, however, made it the fourth largest sports stadium to ever be built anywhere in the world – holding 250,000 spectators (56,000 seated).
      Nowadays, it serves as the training ground of Czech giants Sparta Prague, but remains frail and crumbling from the oustide.
      Pictures offer a post-apocalyptic feel about the place, with its neglected exterior serving it no justice for what it used to be.#
      Shea Stadium
      The Shea Stadium was demolished in order to provide extra parking for a new venueCredit: Getty
      Once home to the New York Mets baseball team and NFL giants the New York Jets, the Shea Stadium welcomed tens of thousands of spectators.
      After opening in 1964, it served as one of New York’s most iconic sports venues and hosted a famous Beatles concert in 1965.
      But all was lost when it was demolished in October 2008, when the 60,372-capacity stadium became a victim of the need for a bigger venue.
      Despite its legacy, the Shea Stadium was demolished to create additional parking for the adjacent Citi Field. A far from fitting end for a much loved venue.
      Washington Coliseum
      The Washington Coliseum once hosted the Beatles’ first stateside show before it became an indoor parking lotCredit: AFP
      Formerly known as the Uline Arena, this venue only held 9,000 spectators as it was primarily used as the home of the Washington Lions hockey team.
      Like the Shea Stadium, it hosted a Beatles’ concert, as the Liverpudlian band played their first ever United States show in front of a crowd of 8,092 in 1964.
      But when the Capital Centre opened in 1973, the Uline Arena could no longer compete. Between 1994-2003, it was used as a Waste Management trash transfer station.
      In 2013, it was converted into an indoor parking lot, before outdoor retailer REI turned it into their latest flagship store in 2015.
      Olympic venues
      The bobsleigh track in Bosnia now runs through a woods and into a bombed-out spectator areaCredit: Getty
      Olympic stadium are some of the mot common venues to be abandoned across the world due to the lack of interest in their use once the games are over.
      This includes the Sarajevo bobsleigh run in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1984, which runs through a woods and into a bombed-out spectator area.
      Read More on The Sun
      Elsewhere, one of the swimming venues for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, which accommodated more than 4,000 spectators, has been left to rot.
      Similarly, a the former Olympic Village in Athens, Greece from 2004 is now a major eyesore after being littered with graffiti and rubbish. More