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      in Soccer

      Schools allow kids to turn up LATE on Monday if they stay up to watch Euros final – will your youngsters get a lie-in?

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      SCHOOLS across their country are ready to give pupils a lie-in on Monday morning after England’s Euro 2024 final.England take on Spain at 8pm on Sunday, with the titanic clash set to end later than many young football fans’ bedtimes.Some lucky children will be able to start school late on Monday because of the Euro 2024 finalCredit: AlamyThe Three Lions set up the showpiece game against Spain on Sunday after Ollie Watkins scored a sensational 90th-minute winner.Gary Spracklen, who is in his seventh year as head teacher at the Prince of Wales school in Dorchester, Dorset, said the start time was “quite late” for his pupils aged between three and nine years old.He said he “didn’t want the excuse of being tired” to affect their schoolwork on Monday, so the school will start at 11am rather than the usual time of 8.45am.“It just made sense to us, we wanted to join the whole nation in getting behind our national team,” Mr Spracklen added.Read More in FootballThe head teacher said his pupils have been supporting the team during the competition in Germany.He said: “There was universal praise for the idea and we’ve been supporting England right through the tournament, through qualifying, and we made films to support them.“We made a Vindaloo video with the children and the parents at home, we’ve got all the nations’ flags at the front of the school.”He said the “only negative” was that not all parents had been given the same time off by their bosses.Most read in Euro 2024The hopeful head teacher added: “So I think they were going to take my letter into their places of work and see if they could get a lie-in as well.“I think a few schools in the area are doing it, I think it’s spreading and I think as that excitement builds others will probably reflect and hopefully join us in making that offer to their young people”“People are embracing the moment.”Sven-Göran Eriksson’s Rallying Cry for EnglandSam Kaye, head teacher at Wooburn Green Primary School in Buckinghamshire, is also offering children a “soft start” where pupils can come in until around 10.30am instead of the usual 8.30am.“The children were obviously very excited – a lot of the children have been following the Euros,” he said.“We’ve done sweepstakes in some of our classes.”Mr Kaye said the reaction from parents had been “positive all round”.However, students at Digby the Tedder County Primary School in Lincolnshire, who wrote a letter to their head teacher asking for a later start on Monday, were not as lucky.Alison Crawshaw said: “The children wrote amazing letters and their persuasive techniques were wonderful.“However, I did explain to the children that even though it is an incredibly exciting time and we would want to celebrate and be proud, whatever the outcome, I wouldn’t be able to authorise late starts for other sporting events and this wouldn’t be fair and inclusive.”It comes as Three Lions fans are hoping for a bank holiday if England end their trophy drought by winning the Euros on Sunday.However, there has been no official plans by the Government that there will be a national bank holiday.READ MORE SUN STORIESFans across the country have been campaigning that one should be put in place.In one viral video posted online by Georgeana Burkett, a man claimed that ‘not one person in England’ will be going to work the following day if Southgate’s side win Sunday’s final.England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain. 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      in Soccer

      Inside the incredible worlds of teen sensations Kobbie Mainoo and Lamine Yamal, as they go head to head for Euros glory

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      WHEN Cristiano Ronaldo made his Euros debut in 2004 neither Spaniard Lamine Yamal nor Englishman Kobbie Mainoo had been born.Tomorrow the two exciting teenagers will face each other in the final of Euro 2024 in Berlin.Stats show Mainoo has the best pass accuracy for a midfielder in the history of the European Championship, at 96 per cent – making him key to England’s hopesCredit: GettyEven before Lamine Yamal’s wonder goal for Spain in the semi-finals, Barcelona had already set a billion-euro price tag on the talented youngsterCredit: GettyBoth have set the football world alight with a string of dazzling displays for their countries. Here we take a look at the teens playing for kicks . . . KOBBIE MAINOO, 19ALL dressed in replica England shirts bearing the number 26, Kobbie Mainoo’s family beamed with pride after England’s semi-final victory.Just a year ago Mainoo still had not made a league start for his club side Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyAnd so they should — at the beginning of the Euros the 19-year-old central midfielder was not in manager Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.Yet, he is going to be key to England’s hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time tomorrow night having become the team’s most reliable passer.READ MORE ON ENGLAND V SPAINWaiting for debutStats from Opta show Mainoo has the best pass accuracy for a midfielder in the history of the European Championship, at 96 per cent.But just a year ago Mainoo still had not made a league start for his club side Manchester United.At the time, the most famous Mainoo was his half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames, who appeared on the ITV reality show Love Island.But in the past year, Mainoo made a name for himself by winning the FA Cup, scoring a wonder goal against United’s rivals Liverpool and getting called up by Southgate.Most read in Euro 2024After his debut for England in March, the manager said: “You cannot believe he has taken everything in his stride like he has.”Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match But even Mainoo could not contain his excitement on Wednesday after winning in Dortmund against the Dutch, joining his mum and dad in the crowd after the match.Like Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Mainoo’s talents were spotted at an early age.Born in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, in April 2005, he moved to the town’s Cheadle Hulme suburb.There he played for Cheadle and Gatley Junior Football Club aged four, before being scouted by Man United and Man City aged six.Steve Vare, his first coach at Cheadle and Gatley, told The Sun: “He came from a lovely family. I used to have regular chats with his dad.”A lifelong Red, young Kobbie opted for United.Normally, youth players join the scholarship scheme aged 13 or 14, but Mainoo came in at 11 years old.Injuries hampered his progression to the first team, but once Mainoo got over them he starred in manager Erik ten Hag’s starting line-up.His level-headed parents have made sure the youngster does not go off the rails.Mainoo said: “At home with the family I have around me, they very much keep me grounded and nothing changes at home.”Dad Felix, who is divorced from Kobbie’s mum Abena Herold, has guided much of his career.A young Kobbie relaxes in a Manchester United shirtCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kobbie/The star’s family and friends rush to support the talented teenCredit: GettyLives in £370k homeHe could not hide his pride when he saw a young United fan wearing a replica Mainoo shirt at Wembley Stadium before the FA Cup final. Felix asked the boy: “Is that your favourite player? He’s my son.”Mainoo lives with his dad in a £370,000 semi-detached home in Cheadle Hulme, despite earning £20,000 a week.He also spends time with his mum and sisters Ama and Efia. Mainoo is believed to be single and unlike his teammates was not sharing any kisses in the stands in Dortmund after the semi-final. Instead he is focusing on his football and keeping in touch with his old pals.I do know Kobbie is still in contact with his old school friends. He hasn’t lost sight of the fact he is very groundedSteve Vare, Kobbie’s first coach at Cheadle and GatleyCoach Steve added: “I do know Kobbie is still in contact with his old school friends. He hasn’t lost sight of the fact he is very grounded.”Fans will be grateful that Mainoo chose to play for the country of his birth, rather than that of his parents, who are originally from Ghana.The African nation tried to encourage him to join their team, but Mainoo said: “As a kid you always dream of playing for England.” Kobbie’s rise has been so rapid that he has not had time to take in his enormous progress. He said: “It happened quick. But I’ve been taking it day by day, game by game. And now we’re in the final.”That will all change if England defeat Spain in Berlin tomorrow night — after that he will be a hero forever.LAMINE YAMAL, 17EVEN before Lamine Yamal scored a wonder goal for Spain in the semi-finals, his club Barcelona had placed a billion-euro price tag on the youngster.Barcelona have been nurturing Yamal’s talents for more than a decade and he made his senior debut for the club aged just 15Credit: GettyThe winger was still 16 when he curled a shot into the top corner to knock out France on Tuesday.And he is celebrating his 17th birthday today by preparing to play in tomorrow night’s European Championship final against England.It is an incredible rise for the youngster, who was bathed as a baby by Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for a charity calendar.The Spanish giants have been nurturing Yamal’s talents for more than a decade and he made his senior debut for the club aged 15 years, nine months and 16 days.A star is bornHe is so young that he has had to take exams online during the Euros. His dad Mounir Nasraoui is 35 — three years younger than Yamal’s Spanish team-mate Jesus Navas.Mounir’s Instagram account is filled with images of his son, including the one of Messi with the baby Yamal, with the caption: “The beginning of two legends.”But Yamal’s family have not had it easy. His parents used to share his grandmother’s apartment with Yamal, an uncle and four cousins in the city of Mataró on the outskirts of Barcelona.England will be hoping to undermine those Messi comparisons by restricting his goal-scoring opportunities in BerlinDad Mounir split from Yamal’s mum Sheila Ebana, who worked in a fast food outlet, when their son was three.His dad stayed in Mataro and his mum moved to the nearby city of Granollers. Yamal split his time between their homes.With Mounir having been born in Morocco and Sheila in Equatorial Guinea, they had faced hostility in Spain.Standing up to the bigotry got Mounir into trouble when he confronted activists from the anti-immigrant far-right party Vox earlier this year.He was fined £450 in June after allegedly getting into a scuffle with a group who were handing out leaflets in Mataró.But Yamal is a hero in the deprived part of Mataro, called Rocafonda, where he grew up — an area he celebrates when he scores.He draws the number 304 with his hand. They are the final three digits of the suburb’s postcode. Half the population there faces poverty.But for Yamal, it all started on the streets of that suburb.Yamal was bathed as a baby by Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for a charity calendarCredit: APYamal pictured with his proud dad earlier in the Euros tournamentCredit: Instagram/hustle_hard_304In an interview with GQ magazine in Spain, Yamal said: “I was always there, I spent the whole day playing, and without picking up my mobile phone. I didn’t stop.“I arrived home dripping with sweat.” The teenager has become a symbol for diversity and he celebrates his African roots by displaying the flags of both Morocco and Equatorial Guinea on his boots.He said: “I’ve visited both countries. In the end my families are my roots. It’s something very important for me.”The contract he signed with Adidas to promote that footwear bought a new house for his grandmother.But even though Yamal is earning a reported £120,000 a month, he still lives at Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy. The club is trying its best to protect him, restricting interviews and disciplining him if he steps out of line.When he played for the national side’s under-17s, he and some team-mates reportedly made prank calls to the team’s psychologist in March 2023.As a result, Barcelona banned him for four games. But according to the Spanish Press, he has found time for romance and has been linked to Spanish influencer Alex Padilla.In the press one day they put you as the new Messi and the next day they say that you have to stop playingLamine YamalYamal’s skill has led many to call him the “new Messi”. But it is a title the youngster himself is wary of, given how many former prodigies have failed to live up to that lofty billing.Yamal said: “In the Press one day they put you as the new Messi and the next day they say that you have to stop playing.”Clearly, though, Barcelona sees him as Lionel’s heir.Yamal signed a three-year contract with them last year, the longest allowed for minors under Spanish law.There is an agreement that the deal will automatically renew until 2030.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut England will be hoping to undermine those Messi comparisons by restricting his goal-scoring opportunities in Berlin tomorrow night. More

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      in Soccer

      Watch awkward moment Alisha Lehmann’s mum meets YouTuber IShowSpeed and calls his fanbase ‘STUPID’

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      YOUTUBER IShowSpeed’s popularity and huge fanbase had Alisha Lehmann’s mum stunned – so much so that she called it “STUPID.”The American – who shot to fame as a Cristiano Ronaldo super-fan and video game streamer – linked up with Lehmann in Switzerland.IShowSpeed with Alisha Lehmann’s in SwitzerlandCredit: X / iShowSpeedHQAlisha Lehmann’s mum meets SpeedCredit: X / iShowSpeedHQShe was stunned by his fanbaseCredit: X / iShowSpeedHQSpeed has nearly 26MILLION YouTube subscribers and over 19m Instagram followers. But his popularity is not just limited to online and Speed – real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr – is mobbed everywhere he goes. Speed – who like Lehmann is sponsored by KSI and Logan Paul’s Prime drinks company – met up with the football star and live streamed it. An army of fans could be seen watching through the building window – leaving Lehmann’s mum shocked. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe said: “This here, is stupid.” Speed responded: “What? I’m stupid?” Lehmann’s mum replied: “No! Not you, the fans.” Her daughter, recently signed to Juventus, added: “There’s so many people, she doesn’t like, she’s scared.” Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeed, 19, then pretended to cry and joked: “I’m stupid!” Lehmann’s mum then grabbed his cheeks and reassured the social media sensation that he is in fact not stupid. Streamer IShowSpeed ‘injures’ ankle before being mobbed by fans in Norway – he vows never to returnSpeed had been supporting Portugal and Ronaldo until his idol was dumped out of the Euros at the hands of France. So Speed – who rivals his friend KSI – switched his alliance to Switzerland for England’s quarter-final. Speed has been supporting Portugal until their eliminationCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      I needed four stitches after winning brutal boxing war but my real hero dad still called me a p***y

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      DANNY QUARTERMAINE won a bloody and brutal war last Saturday – needing four stitches – but his superhero dad still joked he is a ‘p***y’.The 27-year-old super-featherweight was dropped in the opening round by James Chereji and left with a horribly cut and swollen eye.Danny Quartermaine celebrates victory alongside his dadBut he came through the trenches and rallied to win a unanimous decision – moving him to 12-0 – that impressed almost everyone apart from the main man.After his battle wounds were stitched up, 1st battalion paratrooper Quartermaine Snr took the hilarious chance to remind his fearless lad who the toughest man around the dinner table will always be.The Leamington Spa star laughed to SunSport: “I had two stitches in my eyebrow and two in my head and I looked at him and he looked back at me and said ‘p***y’.“But this is coming from a man who once had 22 stitches right across his forehead, so I have to take it and get on with it.READ MORE BOXING“But that mentality has always been in me. I was never pushed too hard to do anything. “I always understood how important it was to give my all, never give up and fight to win.“My dad never boxed, but he did a lot of martial arts and he was also a doorman for a long time, since the age of 16, going all over the country. “So I think that fighting mentality has always been there for him and it’s there for me now.”Most read in BoxingBoxing is full of some of the world’s toughest blokes but there is still the odd pretender playing the tough guy.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk proved they’re the real deal in their undisputed duel in May – only for attention-grabbing John Fury to blow his boy’s chance at immortality with laughable corner work.Tyson says Paris doesn’t know how much is in their bank accounts Thankfully Quartermaine knows his old man – who also bravely served and protected us in the Pathfinder Platoon – is far too honourable to pull a similar stunt.He told us: “You won’t ever see him jumping up and celebrating, never. For my dad it’s a case of ‘job done’.“He won’t go down the John Fury route, he’s far too quiet. He taught me to stay quiet and take everything in, then react if you have to.“Dad’s definitely not getting up and getting involved in anything, I am pretty sure he’s seen enough p***heads in his lifetime on doors to avoid all that. “I’d never find him in my corner talking over my coach, I’d more likely look over the ropes and see him throwing people out for free!”Role at Aston MartinDespite his father being a real-life James Bond, Quartermaine walked out on 007’s favourite supercar firm Aston Martin when they tried to cut into his training time.A steady 9-5 with one of the most glamorous motor companies on the planet was not enough to stop the proud Midlands lad trying to make himself a local legend and secure his family’s future.The handsome fighter explained: “I have been full time for almost three years now, thanks so much to my sponsors.“Before that I had all sorts of jobs, just to work around my training. People thought I was mad to leave Aston Martin, such a prestigious company, but they moved into shift work and that meant I had to leave because I have always known I want to be a boxer and everything else has to revolve around that.“I want to create a bit of a legacy. I would love in years to come, if someone says ‘Danny Quartermaine’ in a pub or gym, I would love someone to overhear and say ‘I remember him, I remember him being in a great fight and winning that title’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have just started making a living out of it now and I would love to be able to change the lives of the people around me with it too.”Danny Quartermaine is proudly sponsored by Scott Simpson, Jay RSD, Max Biddle, Steve Massey & The Hope, Simon Bennett and Barry Gueney, John Barrett, Ace Scaffolding, Laki, The Bulldog Pub and the K9 Club.  More

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      in Soccer

      Lauryn Goodman shares bikini pic lounging on a yacht as wags rally around Annie Kilner during Kyle Walker’s Euros clash

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      LAURYN Goodman tonight shared a pic of herself lounging on a yacht as the England wags rallied around Annie Kilner during the side’s Euros clash.In a short video clip posted while the match was on, the 33-year-old influencer and reality TV star was seen wearing an orange two-piece while reclining on the deck of a boat with a hat covering her face.Lauryn Goodman posts a bikini snap during the England game against SlovakiaCredit: InstagramKyle Walker’s estranged wife Annie Kilner in the stands for the England match with their newborn son RezonCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP)Annie and Georgina Irwin, wife of Aaron Ramsdale, laugh with their kidsCredit: RexHarry Kane’s winner in extra time means England face Switzerland in the quarter finalsCredit: AFPThe Instagram post says: “Hosting the best day for my friends and family. Making memories with my children, means the world to me and it was perfect.”It comes after England’s wags were seen rallying around Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner as the Three Lions made it through to the quarter finals of the Euros by the skin of their teeth.The mum-of-four was seen beaming from the stands with the couple’s fourth child, two-month-old Rezon.She has seemingly remained estranged from the Three Lions and Manchester City right back ever since he fathered a second child behind her back.Read More on Lauryn GoodmanThe glowing mum, who flew in on a private jet from Manchester, is alongside back-up England goalie Aaron Ramsdale’s wife Georgina Irwin and their baby.Both cute tots are dressed head-to-toe in the full England kit with “Daddy” written on the back.Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins’ girlfriend Ellie Alderson is in a shirt with his number on.Arsenal golden boy Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson and West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend and Lover Island star Dani Dyer are also among the wags.Most read in FootballGareth Southgate’s side were a goal down on 25 minutes thanks to Ivan Schranz’s strike in the crunch match against Slovakia.It was Real Madrid’s 20-year-old ace Jude Bellingham who bagged an injury time equaliser with a superb overhead kick.Lauryn Goodman Joins Celebs Go Dating: Feuds and New BeginningsAnd then captain Harry Kane put England 2-1 up seconds into the first half of extra time – and that’s how things finished.The boys are through to a quarter-final clash against in-form Switzerland next Saturday in Gelsenkirchen.See our live blog of the match along with all the excitement here.It comes after Lauryn revealed the “sad decision” she made to protect Kyle Walker’s son Kairo at England’s game against Denmark last week.Kairo wore a Three Lions shirt with “Daddy” and the number two on the back as the boy waved an England flag as he cheered on the Three Lions.But Lauryn has now revealed to the Daily Mail that she and Kairo left the stadium five minutes before the end of the match to avoid an awkward situation.Lauryn said: “We left five minutes early to avoid Kairo being upset and confused that his daddy went over to his siblings but not him.‘It was a slow death’ says Kyle WalkerIn an exclusive tell-all interview with The Sun’s reporter Paul Sims, the England and Manchester City defender admitted he was ­selfish not to tell his pregnant wife about his second secret child — and says: “It was a slow death for me and for Annie.”Annie’s world imploded just after Christmas when she received a devastating Instagram message out of the blue from Lauryn Goodman, who told her that Kyle had fathered another child with her.Kyle publicly admitted: “I’m sorry that I have had a second child with Lauryn and hurt my best friend.“It’s horrible to say that out loud.“I’ve hurt someone I truly believe is my soulmate.“It’s tough to not have her.“She’s my right-hand man.“I think of her so highly that she probably won’t understand and I probably don’t really tell her.”This isn’t an interview for me to tell the world how much I care about her because that’s down to me and Annie and what we feel.“I’ve let Annie and my boys down, I’ve let my mum and dad down, my nan down.””It would have been so sad for him and I wasn’t going to risk that.”She said the experience had been the “best day ever” but there had been an undercurrent of sadness.Lauryn said: “It made me so emotional because it’s like Kairo doesn’t understand what his dad has done yet.”She claimed earlier this month that Kyle had offered her tickets to the matches, something his team have vehemently denied.Lauryn alleged that Kyle made the promise to Kairo because the youngster missed the 2022 World Cup.READ MORE SUN STORIESA spokeswoman for Kyle previously said: “Kyle categorically denies ever having invited Lauryn, or a member of her family, to the Euros.”But Lauryn said she was determined to take her children to Germany for the Euros so they could support their dad.Kyle Walker of England kisses his child with his wife Annie Kilner after the matchCredit: GettyEngland fans, watching in Manchester, went wild after Kane’s goal in extra timeCredit: PA More

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      in Boxing

      How Maurice Hope MBE overcame racist hate that forced him out of his home to become a legendary boxing world champion

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      MAURICE HOPE — because of his nasty, contemptible, bigoted neighbours — endured far more pain outside the ring than he did from the blows he took in his illustrious career.Antiguan-born Hope, 72 is the son of parents who were part of the Windrush generation that arrived from the West Indies in the 1950s.Maurice Hope MBE overcame racist hate to become boxing world championCredit: Darren FletcherHope’s parents moved with him to the UK from the West Indies in the 1950sCredit: GettyMo went on to achieve boxing success in the UK representing Great Britain at the 1972 OlympicsCredit: GettyMo was nine years old when he left the sunshine and the island’s 365 beaches to join them in the cold, grey streets of Hackney in East London.And like so many Caribbean kids of that era he made a huge and triumphant success of his life thanks to boxing.It began when one of his brothers persuaded a reluctant Mo to join the famous Repton Club, which led him to represent Great Britain at the 1972 Munich Olympics.And it was there for the first time the schoolboy was subjected to personal racism — if only he knew worse was yet to come.READ MORE IN BOXINGReflecting on that shameful experience Mo — now honoured with  an MBE for services to boxing — said: “Of course, it still hurts.“But eventually I learned how to use that hate to my advantage.When he turned pro in seven years from 1973 the fired-up Mo became British, Commonwealth, European and world light-middleweight champ, making history as the first black British immigrant to win a world title.The boy who used to play barefoot in the sugar- cane fields on the island of his birth had, against all the odds, achieved fame and fortune.Most read in BoxingMo moved his wife and children out of Hackney when he bought a £125,000 house (£3million in today’s money) in up-market Winchmore Hill one of North London’s leafy havens for rich celebrities. Rod Stewart lived close by.I went there to write a ‘didn’t he do well’ feature for SunSport and Mo proudly showed me his large stately home with its three-car garage, landscaped gardens and open-air swimming pool.The heartbreaking chance meeting between Muhammad Ali and Colin Hart where boxing legend revealed ‘I’m not scared to die’Mo never mentioned the fear and loathing he and his family were suffering and I assumed that he was enjoying a thoroughly-deserved idyllic lifestyle.It was only this week when I read fellow writer Ron Shillingford’s up-lifting biography — aptly titled Land of Hope and Glory — that I found out the truth.He revealed that the couple Hope were buying the house from told him people in the street had begged them not to sell to black people.Needless to say when the Hopes moved in they were ostracised and then the vile, abusive threatening letters began to arrive.“Go back to Africa”, and “Go back to the jungle or we will burn your house down” are just a couple of the threats that came through their letterbox.When Hope informed the police he was advised to install state-of-the-art security and when he was away training his wife Pat was so scared she walked around with a bleeper all the time.Inevitably to ensure the safety of his family  Mo was forced to move out.It makes the blood boil that Hope, a self-effacing, warm-hearted, generous man was treated so despicably. Britain was a different place 40-plus years ago.Whenever I wrote anything praising a black fighter the repulsive letters from National Front supporters addressed to me — anonymously of course — would descend.It is a fair bet that wherever Anthony Joshua is living today the local community has welcomed him with open arms.One story about Mo that isn’t in the book shows he could be a bit cheeky.At the Commonwealth Games in  1998 he was coaching the Antiguan boxing team.I hadn’t seen him for years so I got a message to him in the athletes’ village and invited him to lunch at my hotel.He turned up with the usual huge grin on his face with three ravenous members of his team who didn’t have to make weight. READ MORE SUN STORIESIt turned out to be a VERY expensive reunion and my sports editor was none too pleased when I presented him with the bill!Land of Hope and Glory by Maurice Hope with Ron Shillingford is published by Pitch Publishing and priced £25. More

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      in Soccer

      Jude Bellingham first showed off footie skills as four year old at nursery

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      ENGLAND ace Jude Bellingham first showed off his footie skills as a four year old – at a nursery called Twinkle Toes.The future star raced around the playground booting a ball about already showing signs of his future star potential.Jude Bellingham first showed off his footie skills as a four year old – at a nursery called Twinkle ToesEngland ace Jude raced around the playground booting a ball about already showing signs of his future star potentialCredit: GettyLuisa Mead-Blandford said: ‘We are all so proud of him and everything he has achieved’Credit: Roland LeonJude was one of the first ever kids to join Twinkle Toes nursery in the town when Luisa started itCredit: Roland LeonProud nursery manager Luisa Mead-Blandford, 54, said: “He will have been one of the better ones but that’s no surprise because his dad was a really good footballer as well.“We are all so proud of him and everything he has achieved.”Bellingham, 20, has gone on to forge a reputation among Three Lions fans as a twinkle-toed midfielder who can dance his way past defenders.But it all started almost two decades ago in Stourbridge, West Midlands.Read More on SportHe was one of the first ever kids to join Twinkle Toes nursery in the town when Luisa started it.She said: “He was one of our very first customers when I opened the nursery and then his brother Jobe joined.“It’s wonderful to see how he has grown and developed.“But it doesn’t surprise us because he had that natural ability and he was brought up so well.Most read in Euro 2024“His family are lovely. I remember his mum and dad well, they were always very friendly when they dropped off Jude and his brother and picked them up.”Dad Mark, 48, was a prolific non-league striker, netting 700 goals by the time he was 40.Why we love Jude BellinghamHe played for 15 different clubs and once described himself as “not very good”.But it was watching his dad that inspired Jude’s passion for the game in the years after he showed his first natural ability as a four year old at nursery.The England midfielder said of his dad: “I used to watch him play all the time, it’s where I started to get that love for football.”As he grew up in Stourbridge Jude developed an outstanding sporting ability not just on the football pitch – he also could have been a star cricketer.Mark Baker, 71, chairman of Hagley Cricket Club, Worcs, said: “His dad brought him along and he had a couple of years playing in our youth sides.“You could tell he was a natural-born cricketer from a really early age.“He was a very good player – especially because he didn’t have a lot of time for cricket because of his football commitments.“I remember he took a fantastic catch in a youth game. Most people wouldn’t have been able to get near it – but he did.“He had incredible coordination, it was just raw natural ability.“If he had focused on cricket, he could have gone far in the game. He’s just a special sporting talent.”Former cop Mark acts as agent for Jude and his younger brother, Sunderland’s Jobe, 18.And their mum is equally supportive – she moved to Germany to live with Jude when he signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2020 for £25million making him the most expensive 17-year-old ever.Instant impactShe did the same when he moved to Real Madrid for £115million last summer.He made an instant impact in La Liga and in November broke a club record after scoring 14 goals in his first 15 games, one more than club legends Alfredo Di Stefano, who played in the Fifties and Sixties, and Cristiano Ronaldo.Luisa is delighted that one of her former charges at the £79-a-day nursery is now one of the most famous footballers on the planet.The nursery has posted a snap of him on their Facebook page holding one of the many awards he has won in recent years with the words: “The Nursery of Champions– We are so proud of you Jude Bellingham.”Luisa said: “I’m not a huge football fan but I do watch Jude play.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When someone you know is playing then you want to watch it and he is on the television a lot now of course.“It’s wonderful to see, he is a lovely young man and deserves all of his success – we love him.” More

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      Lauryn Goodman reveals ‘sad decision’ she made to protect Kyle Walker’s son Kairo after taking him to watch dad at Euros

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      LAURYN Goodman has revealed the “sad decision” she made to protect Kyle Walker’s son Kairo at the England match.The 33-year-old influencer and reality TV star took the four-year-old to Frankfurt to watch his vice-captain father play against Denmark on Thursday.Lauryn took son Kairo to watch his father play in FrankfurtCredit: SplashKyle visited Annie and his children with her following the match, which Lauryn wanted to avoidCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Denmark vs EnglandLauryn and Kai before the match had startedCredit: SplashWalker played in the one all draw after England put in a lacklustre performance against the DanesCredit: GettyKairo wore a Three Lions shirt with “Daddy” and the number two on the back as the boy waved an England flag as he cheered on the Three Lions.But Lauryn has now revealed to the Daily Mail that she and Kairo left the stadium five minutes before the end of the match to avoid an awkward situation.Lauryn said: “We left five minutes early to avoid Kairo being upset and confused that his daddy went over to his siblings but not him,” “It would have been so sad for him and I wasn’t going to risk that.”Read more on Euro 2024She said the experience had been the “best day ever” but there had been an undercurrent of sadness.Lauryn said: “It made me so emotional because it’s like Kairo doesn’t understand what his dad has done yet.”She claimed earlier this month that Kyle had offered her tickets to the matches, something his team have vehemently denied.Lauryn alleged that Kyle made the promise to Kairo because the youngster missed the 2022 World Cup.Most read in Euro 2024A spokeswoman for Kyle previously said: “Kyle categorically denies ever having invited Lauryn, or a member of her family, to the Euros.”But Lauryn said she was determined to take her children to Germany for the Euros so they could support their dad.Lauryn Goodman and Kyle Walker’s son KairoThe tot received lots of attention including a Danish fan who said hello as they walked to the stadium.Lauryn posted messages of support she received from supportive fans which praised her for being a good mother for the act.One read: “The fact you put yourself in that situation to give him that experience shows the mama you are!! Amazing.”Another person wrote: “Kairo should one million percent be at those games. Annie Kilner, who shares four children with the footballer, was also there to show her supportShe later posted messages of support that fans had sent herCredit: Instagram”I hope you know how amazing you are and proud you should be. Shame on the rest of the world for thinking differently.”While a third person said: “You are a wonderful role model to both your children and they know that now but they will truly understand and appreciate it as they get older.”The Three Lions drew one all with the Danes on Thursday after a lacklustre performance.Annie Kilner, Kyle’s wife and mum to four of his boys, sat with other wives and girlfriends while Lauryn sat in a different part of the stadium.One source close to Annie said Lauryn is seen as a bit of a trouble maker, chancer and blagger.The source close to Annie said: “Lauryn is seen as a bit of a troublemaker and Annie’s worst nightmare was running into her.”There was talk of Lauryn’s seats being less than 100 metres away. Annie wants absolutely nothing to do with her.”The security team were aware of Lauryn’s presence and were primed to make sure she couldn’t get anywhere near the Wags’ area.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Lauryn is a blagger and a chancer, and they were worried she might be able to talk her way in.”But given the sensitivities around it, she was kept well away.”‘It was a slow death’ says Kyle Walker as he relives devastated Annie finding out he’d had 2nd secret child with Lauryn
      In an exclusive tell-all interview with The Sun’s reporter Paul Sims, the England and Manchester City defender admitted he was ­selfish not to tell his pregnant wife about his second secret child — and says: “It was a slow death for me and for Annie.”
      Annie’s world imploded just after Christmas when she received a devastating Instagram message out of the blue from Lauryn Goodman, who told her that Kyle had fathered another child with her.
      Kyle publicly admitted: “I’m sorry that I have had a second child with Lauryn and hurt my best friend.
      “It’s horrible to say that out loud.
      “I’ve hurt someone I truly believe is my soulmate.
      “It’s tough to not have her.
      “She’s my right-hand man.
      “I think of her so highly that she probably won’t understand and I probably don’t really tell her.
      “This isn’t an interview for me to tell the world how much I care about her because that’s down to me and Annie and what we feel.
      “I’ve let Annie and my boys down, I’ve let my mum and dad down, my nan down.”

      Lauryn was spotted in the crowd during the matchCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Denmark vs EnglandLauryn claimed earlier this month that Kyle had offered her tickets to the matchesCredit: Splash More