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      in Motorsport

      Ex-F1 engineer Rob Smedley launches new karting series for kids, with supporting cast that includes Idris Elba.

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      EX-F1 engineer Rob Smedley is trying to change the future of motorsport – with a little bit of help from Hollywood star Idris Elba.Smedley, who worked at Ferrari and Williams, has launched the Global Karting League, an electric go-kart series targeted at youngsters – whose parents don’t have deep pockets.
      Rob Smedley wants to do something ‘more purpose driven’ after leaving F1
      The Wire and Luther actor Idris Elba, seen here at the wheel of a Formula E racing car, is helping out the karting scheme via his academyCredit: Getty
      A junior karter gets to grips with the electric kart
      The series, which kicks off in the UK, will offer kids the chance to turn up and race electric go-karts for a fraction of the price of traditional petrol karts.
      Smedley, who is also working with the Idris Elba Speed Academy, hopes Global Karting League will give young racers the opportunity to reach F1 from different demographics.
      He said: “I’ve spent all my life in Formula One and when I stopped with the teams I wanted to do something more purpose driven.
      “One of the things that really interested me was how the majority of the drivers in F1 come from privileged backgrounds.
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      “And that only seemed to be getting more and more prevalent. I spent a lot of time looking at why and it comes down to grassroots level.
      “If you want to participate and be successful, you’ve got to have a huge budget and that’s just prohibitive. A huge barrier.
      “If you want to race at national level, you are getting into £100,000 and the next level and race in Europe, that’s £250,000 a year and it’s not open to anyone but ultra high net worth families.
      “We started with a blank sheet of paper and wanted to massively reduce the cost and complexity and that’s how the Global Karting League was born.
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      “It is about nurturing talent, creating a credible pathway through karting from the very grassroots and kids who’ve never done it before, to eventual world champions.”
      Smedley says that unlike football, many potential star drivers have never had the opportunity to try their hand at racing.
      He added: “If football was costing tens of thousands of pounds, we wouldn’t have found the immense talent across the years from different corners of the Earth.
      “You wouldn’t have found Leo Messi, you wouldn’t have found David Beckham, Paul Gascoigne or George Best.
      “We also have the Idris Elba Speed Academy. He’s somebody like myself who wants to give back.
      “He wants to represent those underrepresented communities. We had 400 kids try out and we filtered that down to 12 kids with the highest potential and put them into the Global Karting League, and they are all fully-funded.”
      One junior karter on the series is Sienna Greene, 15, from Coulsdon, who has the ambition of reaching F1.
      She said: “I first tried karting at a birthday party when I was about nine and I won and a little later I joined a cadet programme at my local track.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Working with Idris has been fun. He’s a lovely person, and he’s really down to earth.
      “I prefer racing the electric karts to the petrol ones because if I do make a mistake, I find it easier to fix, compared to a petrol kart which takes longer to get back up to speed.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Benjamin Mendy’s £5m mansion as he is forced to slash price as it languishes on the market

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      BENJAMIN Mendy has slashed a whopping £750,000 off the asking price of his £5million mansion as he battles bankruptcy following his rape trial. The former Manchester City footballer, 29, must sell the sprawling Cheshire property to avoid financial ruin. 
      Benjamin Mendy’s mansion has now been put up for saleCredit: Savills
      The ex-City defender now plays for Lorient in FranceCredit: Getty
      As he chases up to £10m of back pay from his old club and while rebuilding his career at French Ligue 1 club Lorient, Mendy has now reduced the asking price to £4.25million.
      It comes as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is seeking a bankruptcy order against the footballer over a nearly £800,000 tax debt. 
      The house is described by estate agents as “one of the finest contemporary homes in Cheshire”. 
      The 11,000sq-ft residence is set in over 1.75 acres of grounds and boasts six bedroom suites, an open plan living area, games room, home cinema, swimming pool, steam room, gym and spa. 
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      It was bought by Mendy from cricketing legend Andrew Flintoff in 2018 for £4.8million. 
      Flintoff, who never lived at the house, bought it for £1.8million in 2008 and spent two years rebuilding the property – before renting it out. 
      His tenants included former footballer Peter Crouch and wife Abbey Clancy. 
      The former Man City star was already a millionaire when he joined from Monaco in 2017 on a six-year contract.
      Most read in Football
      His deal guaranteed him a basic £100,000-a-week salary and up to £170,000 with bonuses.
      But instead of pocketing £31.2million, he ended up fighting bankruptcy after his 2020 arrest for rape.
      He was cleared of raping a woman following a retrial in July.
      Jurors unanimously cleared him of both charges after three hours of deliberation.
      But despite going free, he was forced to close his image rights company after being chased for unpaid tax.
      The footballer took a huge financial hit after being charged in 2021, with City stopping his salary the following month.
      The sprawling property boasts a luxurious interiorCredit: Savills
      Peter Crouch was a former tenant at the mansionCredit: Savills
      The property is worth millionsCredit: Savills
      There is even a home cinema at the swanky padCredit: Savills More

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      in Soccer

      Jordan Henderson admits he DID go to Saudi Arabia for the money as Liverpool legend opens up on controversial transfer

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      JORDAN HENDERSON admits money WAS one reason for his controversial switch to Al-Ettifaq.The Liverpool legend, 32, says it “hurt” to be booed by England fans unhappy with his move to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is banned.
      Jordan Henderson came on as victory vs Italy sealed England’s place in the Euro finals, having been booed when coming off against Australia four days earlierCredit: Getty
      But he claims there has been confusion over the motives for his £700,000-A-WEEK transfer – having previously appearing to deny he had forgotten his morals for a mega pay day.
      The midfielder told Channel 4 ahead of England’s 3-1 defeat of Italy: “I did an interview a couple of months ago and maybe some of the stuff that came out didn’t come out in the way that I thought I said it.
      “An example of that would be when I said I didn’t go out there solely for the money. 
      “I think that’s a big difference – it’s not a sole reason going out there for the money.” 
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      But Henderson, who has been a vocal backer of LGBTQ+ rights, insists he has come under no pressure to change his views since joining the Saudi Pro League over the summer.
      He apologised last month for any upset caused by moving to a country with a notorious record for human rights.
      And now the 80-cap star claims: “I think having someone like myself, with the values that I have, in Saudi Arabia is only a good thing. 
      “Before I went to Saudi, people knew the groups I supported and helped in the past.
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      “My values haven’t changed as a person just because I’m going to a different country to play football.”
      And he added: “Not once since I’ve been there have they said I can’t do this or I can’t say that.”
      Henderson has “no regrets” over a transfer that in July left him earning THREE TIMES more than Three Lions skipper Harry Kane.
      But he revealed his mixed feelings over the hostile reaction from Wembley supporters when he was taken off in last Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia.
      The workhorse explained: “Of course it hurts because every time you pull on that shirt it’s a proud moment and I’m playing for my team-mates, for my country and for the fans.
      “But at the end of the day that’s part and parcel – I’ve had enough criticism over my career so far to be able to deal with stuff like that.” More

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      in Soccer

      The Sun launches Footie For All Fund to help protect kids’ clubs hit by the cost-of-living crisis

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      THE Sun is today launching a landmark Footie For All Fund to help protect kids’ clubs hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis.We have teamed up with Tesco’s Stronger Starts programme to hand out £150,000 worth of grants to grass roots youth football clubs struggling with funds.
      The Sun is launching our landmark Footie For All Fund to help protect kids’ clubs hit hard by the cost-of-living crisisCredit: Oliver Dixon
      Harry Redknapp has backed The Sun’s Footie For All FundCredit: Louis Wood
      Gary Lineker has backed The Sun’s Footie For All FundCredit: Doug Seeburg
      The cash can be used in any way that encourages more children to take up the sport or improves access to the game.
      Perhaps you are a local team that wants to offer parents help with membership fees.
      Maybe you need new kits or more pitch space to play on.
      Grants can also be used to help with transport or general running costs.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Earlier this year we launched our Footie For All campaign to shine a light on how financial struggles were forcing kids to give up football.
      Figures showed that 94 per cent of grass roots clubs were concerned about the impact soaring costs were having on their membership, according to charity Sported.
      In the wake of our probe we have been inundated with stories of local youth sides — who make a huge difference to their communities — struggling to cover their costs.
      Clubs across the country also told us how some kids are being forced to drop out altogether as families can not pay their membership subs or for kit and transport.
      Most read in Football
      So today we urge grass roots clubs to apply for one of our fantastic £1,000 Footie For All support grants.
      Launched in conjunction with Tesco’s Stronger Starts campaign — which funds healthy food and activities for children — we will dish out 150 grants in total to clubs across the country.
      Christine Heffernan, Tesco group communications director, said: “The Tesco Stronger Starts grant programme provides £5million of funding to get more children and their families access to healthy and nutritious food and physical activities.
      “We thought that The Footie For All programme would be a great extension to that to help kids to thrive.
      “Any child should be able to do physical activity they enjoy if they wish, taking away the worry about paying for subs or kit for example.”
      Our campaign is being backed by big names in the game.
      Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker said: “I think grass roots is vital.
      “That’s where everyone starts. Some of us finish at the top, some don’t, but we all enjoy it.”
      Sun columnist Harry Redknapp added: “Grass roots football is important, and we need to ensure there are facilities for kids.”
      Reality star Joey Essex is also keen to see kids keep playing.
      He said: “Football provides an escape for so many kids from whatever else is going on. The Sun is offering families a lifeline.”
      To apply for one of our grants, see tescostrongerstarts. org.uk/footiefund.
      Grants will be awarded by The Sun with charity Groundwork, which runs Tesco’s grant-giving programmes, on a rolling basis.
      Applications must be made by October 29.
      SOMERTON TOWN
      YOUTH football club Somerton Town, Somerset, kept its membership subs frozen for three years to help families cope through Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.
      But organisers had to raise them from £95 to £120 this season after rises of up to 30 per cent in costs.
      Somerton Town kept its membership subs frozen for three years to help families cope through Covid and the cost-of-living crisisCredit: Chris Balcombe
      Since it was founded in 2001, Somerton have played a unique social role for its 187 players, across 11 teams.
      Chairman Justin Davies, 40, says: “We have a huge catchment area that contains areas with large-scale social and economic deprivation.
      “Playing football teaches young people about teamwork, respect and fair play.
      “Little things like shaking hands before and after a match to show respect to the other team is important.
      “When we put the prices up, 21 players left, with 20 not going on to join another club. It was a financial decision.”
      Justin Davis said: ‘Playing football teaches young people about teamwork, respect and fair play’Credit: Chris Balcombe
      HACKNEY WICK FC
      AFTER leaving prison in 2019, Bobby Kasanga started Hackney Wick FC, in East London, to stop other children falling into a life of crime.
      It now has more than 180 children on its books and a waiting list of even more who want to be part of its teams.
      For many families, the club is a way to keep their children on the right path – and Bobby, 37, who spent eight years inside for armed robbery, never turns anyone away.
      He says: “We try to do as much as we can to alleviate financial stress and often let kids play without paying or offer discounts if a family has multiple kids with us.
      “We’ve seen it getting worse recently, but we know turning anyone away could see them get taken in by gangs.
      “If we can’t have them, the gangs certainly will.”
      To play a year at Hackney costs around £250.
      But Bobby and his team are writing off around £5,000 of unpaid subs because they know families can’t afford it.
      He says: “We rely on our sponsors and they’ve been amazing.
      Last year, one covered the cost of 20 kids for a year. But it’s hard to keep our heads above water.”
      The club’s relationships with local businesses provide more than just financial help.
      Bobby says: “We’ve had four of our players taken on by one of our sponsors.
      “It means they have a stable income and a potential career for life.
      “That’s so important for helping them stay out of danger.
      “But even if they end up going down a bad path, the club relationships across the whole of East London may help diffuse violent situations.
      “They may stop an attack because they know the other gang member from football.”
      Bobby adds: “I never want anyone to go through what I went through growing up.
      “We are a family and I won’t take football away from them over money.”
      BLACKBURN EAGLES
      LIKE other clubs, Blackburn Eagles have also seen more kids struggling to pay – but it never turns anyone away.
      The club, which is the biggest in its area with 650 players on its books, feels it is vital for all kids to have access to the beautiful game and tries to keep its fees low.
      Blackburn Eagles feels it is vital for all kids to have access to football and tries to keep its fees lowCredit: BLACKBURN EAGLES
      In fact, the academy’s vice-chairman, Chris Hughes, 39, says prices have not been put up in around eight years.
      He adds: “We don’t turn anyone away.
      “We just take more children, create new groups, create new training sessions and create new teams.”
      But the club has recently had to take teams out of the Junior Premier League due to the cost of the four-hour round trips to play other teams across the North West.
      Chris says: “Football gives kids a good focus and can be a massive part of certain children’s lives.
      “It might be the one thing they’ll look forward to all week, and sometimes it gets them out of situations where maybe they don’t want to be at home all the time.”
      HOW TO APPLY
      WE want to hear the story of your club and the huge difference you are making to kids and your community.
      If you are a not-for-profit grassroots football club in England, Wales or Scotland working with youngsters under the age of 18 you could be eligible for one of our 150 grants.
      Funds can be used for anything that encourages more children to take part in the sport.
      Perhaps your club needs help with pitch fees or wants to sponsor funded places for children who can not afford membership.
      To apply and for full T&Cs, see tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund.

      WHAT THE STARS SAY

      A young Phil FodenCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Phil says football ‘brings happiness for so many people’Credit: Getty
      “GRASSROOTS football is where it began for all of us.
      “It brings happiness for so many people and it’s so important nothing gets in the way of everyone having that opportunity.”

      A young Harry MaguireCredit: Instagram
      Harry says ‘playing with a team gives kids an outlet and a chance to learn discipline’Credit: Getty
      “I SPENT my childhood with a ball at my feet.
      “Playing with a team gives kids an outlet and a chance to learn discipline and to make friends with people they might not have met.”

      A young Raheem Sterling
      Raheem said that as a kid he ‘fell in love’ with football and ‘made friends for life’Credit: Getty
      “MY mentor got me in to football to correct my behaviour.
      “I found something I wanted to put my energy in to.
      “I fell in love with it – and I made friends for life.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES

      A young Jarrod Bowen
      Jarrod said ‘football is for everyone and it’s massively important it stays that way’Credit: Getty
      “WE can’t let kids see their dream die simply because Mum or Dad can’t afford to pay for the subs, kit and travel.
      “Football is for everyone and it’s massively important it stays that way.” More

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      in Soccer

      We want to turn iconic World Cup venue and world’s third most expensive football stadium into a block of flats

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      ARCHITECTS are hoping to turn derelict stadiums once used to host World Cup matches into a network of social housing for destitute Brazilians.The Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in capital Brasilia once hosted deafening capacity crowds during the most anticipated competition in the country’s history.
      The Mané Garrincha in Brasilia is now a spine-chilling shadow of its former selfCredit: Alamy
      The ground was packed to the rafters when Argentina and Belgium faced off in the World Cup group stageCredit: AFP
      The arena is a ghost town these daysCredit: Alamy
      But today, the 72,000 seat arena stands eerily quiet, sparsely filled for tattoo conventions and culinary events and rarely, if ever, used for football matches.
      Re-inaugurated and renovated for $900million in preparation for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup, the complex also deputises as a bus depot.
      And it is still draining funds to this day, costing £132,000 per month to maintain.
      However, for the last few years, two architects have rallied to propose the stadium be repurposed to accommodate Brazilians enduring squalid living conditions.
      read more in football
      The ‘Casa Futebol‘ project has suggested turning the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha and other vacant domestic arenas into affordable housing.
      The project, however, has been met with significant resistance since its inception, a crying shame in a country currently working its way out of a housing deficit.
      “The stadiums are so absurdly big, and the housing issues in Brazil are so real,” architect Sylvain Macaux told NBC News.
      “This is just a concept and an example of what people could do with these stadiums after the World Cup.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s not the only answer, but we think it has real potential.”
      In the run up to his polarised presidential victory, Lula da Silva prioritised lifting millions of Brazilians out of poverty before he snatched the keys away from populist Jair Bolsonaro.
      “We have to make inequality a priority and not the spending cap,” he told reporters of independent websites.
      “Brazil has to put the poor back in the budget and tax the rich,” he said, referring to his Workers Party support for taxing corporate profit and dividends.
      Lula, 76, governed Brazil from 2003-2010 and his government’s social programs pulled millions of Brazilians from squalor.
      Elsewhere, the once impressive Pontiac Silverdome stadium was left to sit abandoned for years after playing host to some iconic events.
      The 82,000 seat venue hosted some legendary sporting events over the years, including the 1987 WrestleMania, the Super Bowl XVI and part of the 1994 Fifa World Cup.
      The arena was abuzz with activity during the 2014 World CupCredit: Alamy
      The ground is mostly used for conventions and eventsCredit: Alamy More

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      in Soccer

      Hard-up Wales force players to SHARE ROOMS on international duty as Dragons face financial black hole if they miss Euros

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      WALES are in financial crisis and the cost-cutting means stars have to share hotel rooms.Robert Page’s Dragons clinched a vital 2-0 Euro 2024 win in Latvia on Monday night to keep alive their qualification dreams for Germany.
      The Welsh FA are strapped for cashCredit: PA
      Wales players are having to share rooms in order to keep costs lowCredit: REUTERS
      But SunSport understands Wales are battling major money woes with chief executive Noel Mooney taking a series of cash-saving measures.
      The return to room-sharing in this international window was one of those, with purse strings also tightened on opposition analysis.
      Wales only took 21 players for the must-win Group D trip to Latvia and did not fill the bench — unheard of in recent times.
      Boss Page initially named a 25-man party but Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell, who played the second half of last Thursday’s 0-0 friendly with South Korea, were suspended for the Riga follow-up.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Then Wayne Hennessey and Wes Burns pulled out ahead of Latvia and NONE of the four were replaced.
      The Football Association of Wales made a financial loss of £100,659 for the year ending June 2022.
      And sources at the FAW have indicated Wales now bank on reaching major tournaments rather than the hope of following on from the success of two Euro qualifications in 2016 and 2020 as well as last year’s World Cup.
      The budget for this year is showing a potential seven-figure loss and the pressure on the FAW has even led to an attempt to increase ticket prices.
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      Welsh FA chief Noel Mooney is counting pennies amid a financial crisisCredit: PA
      The FAW’s HQ at Hensol near Cardiff was also due to an expansion but it is understood to be on hold.
      Mooney was slammed by fans after charging adults £25 plus a £3 booking fee for the Korea stalemate at Cardiff City Stadium.
      Wales attracted just 13,668 which was their worst home attendance — Covid matches aside — in four years.
      Angry Dragons fans vented their fury at Mooney on social media for his greedy ticket policy.
      In the summer, the Irishman also tried to increase prices for future qualifiers. But his proposal was rejected at a Wales supporters’ meeting and delayed until 2024.
      Mooney, appointed in August 2021, has made a string of financial promises to Wales’ grassroots game and pledged millions to the Cymru Premier.
      He said last month: “We’re going to invest a few million pounds into this league.”
      The FAW chief issued a public vote of confidence to under-pressure boss Page in July.
      But SunSport understands he privately prefers a bigger name in the hot seat.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Even before Latvia, it was believed Mooney was preparing for a switch. But Page signed a new four-year deal a year ago and any change would cost compensation.
      Welsh players and staff are behind the manager.
      Wales kept their Euro 2024 hopes alive with a win over LativaCredit: EPA More

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      in Athletics

      Stadium with bigger capacity than Premier League teams ‘left to rot’ with weeds & graffiti as locals blast £70M ‘waste’

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      A STADIUM that can hold a larger capacity crowd than some Premier League sides has been left to rot as locals say it was a huge waste of money.Residents living in the shadow of Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games stadium say the area has been left “to rot and go to waste” amid the council’s bankruptcy woes.
      Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium used for the Commonwealth Games has now been left to rotCredit: SWNS
      The flats which were built for the athletes are now left emptyCredit: SWNS
      The stadium has been daubed with graffitiCredit: SWNS
      Locals in Perry Barr, in the north of the city, claim the costly bid to host last summer’s games has had little benefit to their community despite a staggering £184m investment.
      Alexander Stadium was revamped ahead of the multi-million pound sporting event – but the surrounding area has since been left in disrepair and “like a building site”.
      The stadium could hold a capacity crowd of 18,000, making it larger than Luton Town’s ground which can hold 11,500 while Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium can accommodate 11,379.
      Apart from seeing “no legacy whatsoever” following the games people say the area is now a complete mess with much of it still fenced off with graffiti-clad boards.
      Read More on Stadiums
      Parts of Perry Park have remained inaccessible since last summer with a Birmingham 2022 tarmac car park still in place.
      Families also say there is no equipment for children to use following the removal of the play area and little green space for them to enjoy.
      Angry residents have now called for the works on the park to be completed but fear they may never happen following the council effectively declaring itself bankrupt.
      They accused the local authority of making “empty promises” and say they should have known the cost of hosting the games would be the “final nail in the coffin.”
      Most read in Athletics
      Birmingham City Council boasted it would regenerate the inner city area including new homes, a shipping container park and the revamped stadium.
      New flats were also built nearby for the athletes’ village but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and spiralling costs meant they were not ready on time.
      A whopping £16m was spent moving the Perry Barr bus depot 300 metres to make way for the flat development.
      Residents say the benefits of hosting the event was difficult to see 13 months on from welcoming people from across the globe to the city.
      Mum-of-two Sandra Wilde, 45, of Perry Barr, said: “It’s no wonder the council has gone bankrupt – we should never have hosted the games. It was just a vanity project.
      “It was all unveiled to great fanfare when behind the scenes they were struggling to balance the books even back then.
      “The area has been left a real mess with people unable to use our local park. You’ve got fences and big boards up everywhere which are strewn with graffiti.
      “It’s attracting anti-social behaviour. If anything the area has got worse not better.
      “They have made empty promises the whole way through – from an athletes’ village which wasn’t even used to a train station design that changed from a state-of-the art place to what looks like a copper garden shed.
      “The council also spent stupid amounts of money on moving a bus depot a few yards down the road – it’s just baffling this has been allowed to happen.”
      Jon Pritchard, 31, an IT worker, from Perry Barr, added: “We’ve been constantly fobbed off with false promises and the place has been left to rot.
      “It’s been a complete waste of money and now the council has gone bust I fear the work will never get finished.
      “It’s still like a building site a more than a year on. The stadium lies derelict most of the time. The place is dead. Nobody lives in the athletes’ village flats yet either.
      “The atmosphere during the games was magical and it felt like Birmingham was finally on the map – now we’re just back to being a laughing stock again.
      “It’s scandalous what they have done. How can a big city likes this, the Second City, be allowed to go bankrupt. It’s sheer incompetence.”
      Amdadur Rahman moved to Perry Barr from Stratford, East London, a few weeks ago and said the Birmingham games legacy was nothing compared to the 2012 Olympics.
      He said: “They should have put on more activities and sorted the park for the children. You go to the Olympic Stadium and there’s lots of stuff for kids.
      “Compared to the London stadium which is open to people, this stadium is dead. So they should be doing something.
      “This place should be busy, but it’s not, they should be working with schools to advertise it for community use. It could be really nice.
      “Now the council going bankrupt makes me very concerned they won’t finish the work off in the park and surrounding area.”
      Full-time mum Khameela Bukhari, 35, added: “It’s just horrible, you can’t take the kids to do anything. It’s one of those places you don’t want to go anywhere near now.
      “We were promised the park would be finished for residents to go back there and there’s nothing. It’s heartbreaking. It’s not a nice place to be anymore.
      “It’s like a junk place, people would dump things. It was horrible. We were told it would go back to normal. We didn’t think we would be stuck like this.
      “It’s like one big hole. At the stadium nothing is happening, it’s all fenced off, what’s the point? It’s all false promises.
      “We were told everything would be better for residents and there would be this games legacy and there’s been nothing. Nothing has been done.
      “it’s not fair on us, we all pay our taxes. The facilities were there and they’ve not been given back. It’s dead money. They’ve invested but what’s happening after? Nothing.”
      Kath Sandra, 70, who lives near the stadium, said: “It was only yesterday we said it was looking a right mess. We don’t know what’s going on.
      “They took a play area away and haven’t given it back. There’s a lot of gripe there with parents. They built some flats but nobody uses them.
      “The Commonwealth Games was amazing and it must have bought money in. But now they are bankrupt through their own fault and it us that will have to pay for it.”
      The largest local authority in Europe this week issued a Section 114 notice preventing all but essential spending and still has a budget gap of £87m to plug.
      The total cost of the games was estimated at about £778m, with the city council and local partners contributing around £184m.
      Months before the games, the council reported a £25m hole in its funding for the event and said the shortfall would be made up from a contingency fund.
      A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “Since the Alexander Stadium was handed back by Games organisers to the council in November 2022, a programme of reinstatement works has started in parallel with the development of plans to deliver a wide range of further legacy enhancements to the surrounding park area.
      “This has resulted in various parts of the site being re-opened to the public as soon as possible since then.
      “Local residents, site users and community groups have been kept updated throughout – and we are preparing for a period of public engagement on the legacy proposals that will be starting soon.
      “We fully understand the desire for the park to be reinstated and appreciate the patience that has been shown in recent months.
      “We are determined to work with those who have an interest in the park to shape plans for a significantly enhanced site for everyone to enjoy.”
      Regarding the Games, the spokesperson added: “The Commonwealth Games was a fantastic achievement and a great showcase for the city on a global stage.
      “These immediate challenges will not diminish the council’s ambition in supporting the upward trajectory that the City of Birmingham is currently experiencing following the successful delivery of the Games.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Record levels of investment continue to flow into the city, and the council will work with key strategic partners to ensure that this remains the case.
      “Birmingham is very much open for business.”
      Locals say the area has been left ‘to rot and go to waste’ as Birmingham City Council struggle with its financesCredit: SWNS
      Alexander Stadium, which remains incomplete and inaccessible to the public, has left a bad feeling among localsCredit: SWNS More

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      in Soccer

      Cash strapped? 5 bargain strikers to balance your Dream Team after splashing out on Erling Haaland

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      ERLING Haaland (£8.5m) dominated Dream Team last season.It’s therefore understandable that, at the time of writing, the Norwegian poacher features in 85.5% of teams created ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
      But Manchester City’s No9 comes at a cost, at £8.5m he’s a full £1.5m more expensive than the next-most costly player.
      Backing Haaland means budgetary concessions have to be made elsewhere and so we’ve assembled five bargain strikers for your consideration.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!

      One of Chelsea’s new recruitsCredit: DREAM TEAM
      Nicolas Jackson (£2.5m)
      This suggestion hinges on whether or not Chelsea get another centre-forward through the door before the transfer window closes.
      However, given that you are free to make as many changes to your XI as you like before Gameweek 1 gets underway, why not see how the Blues’ new signing looks up top at just £2.5m?
      Jackson averaged a goal or assist every 99.9 minutes in La Liga for Villarreal last season.
      The 22-year-old Senegal international predominantly plays through the middle, a position Chelsea have struggled with for a while now, but he can play wide on either flank as well.
      Christopher Nkunku (£4m) is the most high-profile attacking arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer and while the Frenchman can lead the line, he’s often more comfortable playing off a more traditional striker.
      Essentially, there’s a chance Jackson could get plenty of minutes up front and if Mauricio Pochettino can get Chelsea purring again then £2.5m will look a very generous starting price indeed.
      Brennan Johnson (£3m)
      The Forest forward should flourish in the new scoring systemCredit: GETTY
      Ten goals and three assists may seem like nothing more than a respectable 2022/23 tally but those figures don’t do justice to the Welshman’s overall performances.
      For a long time, Johnson’s partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White (£3m) was the be all and end all of Nottingham Forest’s attack but, such was the effectiveness of their dovetail, Steve Cooper’s side staved off relegation through some gutsy performances at home.
      The 22-year-old’s dynamic play style should see him benefit from Dream Team’s new scoring system.
      He would have plundered 176 points in 2022/23 had the new process been implemented – serious value for money.
      Evan Ferguson (£3m)
      If you’re good enough, you’re old enoughCredit: GETTY
      Brighton’s teenage talent is a rotation risk as he recently admitted that he’ll probably have to share playing time with the other strikers but he’s got all the attributes to establish himself at the top of Roberto De Zerbi’s pecking order.
      Ferguson averaged a goal every 134.4 minutes in all competitions last season, aided by the fact he’s more physically developed than your average 18-year-old.
      The Seagulls play enterprising, attacking football which ensures plenty of chances for the centre-forward.
      With European fixtures to bolster his schedule, the Irish starlet should have ample opportunities to show his abilities in the coming months.
      Carlton Morris (£2.5m)
      The Hatters’ magicianCredit: Getty
      Having paid his dues in the lower leagues, Luton’s No9 found another gear last season, scoring 20 Championship goals to help his side to the promised land of the top flight.
      Only three players scored more goals than Morris in the second tier last term.
      In recent years, several forwards have successfully transferred their Championship form to the Premier League – Patrick Bamford scored 17 league goals upon Leeds’ promotion, Ivan Toney thrived prior to his lengthy suspension, and Aleksandar Mitrovic was almost a must-have in Dream Team at times in 2022/23, particularly during the first few Gameweeks.
      Gaffers may be hesitant of backing of newly-promoted striker but there’s value to be had if done wisely and Morris may well fit the bill – keep an eye on his early returns.
      Joao Pedro (£2m)
      New kid on the blockCredit: GETTY
      Much of what applied to Ferguson is relevant here too but with the added bonus that Brighton’s new signing costs just £2m!
      Dream Team bosses will know Pedro from his exploits with Watford, though in truth he was hampered by the Hornets’ chaotic nature.
      Now 21 years old, the Brazilian will get the chance to strut his stuff amid better team-mates, in a cohesive, exciting set-up.
      Minutes are a concern but his price tag makes him an enticing option for those in need of a genuine bargain.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE! More