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    EFL club’s former stadium now housing estate with tiny strip of grass remaining from where old centre-circle once stood

    A FOOTBALL stadium site that once played host to one of the EFL’s longest-reigning clubs is now a housing estate.But council developers ensured to keep a small strip of grass where the centre-circle once stood to remember the old ground by.A current EFL club was forced to leave their home in 2008The stadium was called Layer RoadThe site is now occupied by a council housing estate, with a strip of grass left roughly where the old centre circle was once foundCredit: Google EarthThe grass in the middle of the estate contains a fitting tribute to an EFL club’s former homeFrom the highs of promotions to the agony of relegation, the ground witnessed plenty of ups and downs.Built in 1907, Layer Road stood for 101 years before it was closed in 2008 and pulled down in 2012.In its pomp it was even able to house 19,000 passionate supporters.But capacity had dropped to just 6,320 by the time of its July 2008 closure for safety reasons, following closure of parts of the ground.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt was current League Two strugglers Colchester United’s home for 71 years.In it’s early days, the ground was first used by the British Army and Colchester Town, an amateur side until 1937.But Colchester United moved in two years before the Second World War began.In 1948, 19,072 fans packed into a record capacity at Layer Road for an FA Cup tie against Reading, with the match later abandoned due to fog.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe following decades saw Colchester United float between Division Three and Four, with club debt mounting.As early as 1981, the club’s chairman Maurice Cadman announced that Layer Road was in need of £280,000 of basic safety improvements to meet legislation.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundWith the club struggling financially, sections of the ground were closed off, reducing the capacity to 4,500.And in 1990-91, Colchester United was forced to sell Layer Road back to the Borough Council for £1.2m to help clear club debts. The council began started to identify potential sites for a new stadium, with Colchester briefly relegated from the Football League between 1989 and 1991.But anyone visiting the spot where it once stood these days will be greeted by a much-different sight – a cosy housing estate. The last first team match at Layer Road took place on 26 April 2008, when Colchester lost 1–0 to promotion chasers Stoke City.Richard Cresswell scored the last professional goal at the stadium.Colchester fans made their way to the last ever match at Layer Road in 2008The square and approach road from Layer Road is known as Turnstile Square and a statue commemorates the old stadiumThe U’s had made it all the way to the Championship by 2008, but suffered relegation in their final season at Layer Road.In 2011, Colchester Borough Council sold the 3.63 acre stadium site to developer Abbey New Homes in a deal worth around £1.5 million.Planning permission was subsequently granted to build 58 homes on the site, a mixture of flats and houses, with a central open grassed space to be left to reflect its history as a football ground.And as a mark of respect to supporters who had their ashes scattered on the pitch as an expression of their love for the club.In mid-2012, Layer Road was demolished with the construction of houses commencing immediately.In 2015 a bronze statue of Colchester United’s ‘Player of the Century’, Peter Wright was unveiled.Wright joined the club in 1951, making over 400 appearances and scoring 93 goals over a 13 year spell.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe inscription below the statue reads: “ON THIS SITE Football was played 1907-2008. This was the home of Colchester United FC from its birth in 1937 until 26th April 2008.”The square and approach road from Layer Road is known as Turnstile Square.General view of Layer Road ahead of the last ever match at the ground.Colchester Borough Council bought the land in 1991Colchester United now play at the JobServe Community Stadium More

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    Spurs star James Maddison slashes price of his £2m mansion after bizarre feature puts buyers off

    ENGLAND star James Maddison has slashed £200k of the asking price for his mansion – after buyers were put off by his initials being printed onto the football pitch.The Spurs midfielder has ‘JM10’ etched into the centre circle at his four-bed luxury home in the Midlands – his initials and shirt number.James Maddison has dropped £200k of the asking price for his modern mansionCredit: Jam Press/ FHP LivingThe house comes with a swimming pool and its own football pitchCredit: Jam Press/ FHP LivingMaddison was told by agents to drop the asking price over concerns that the astroturf eyesore could put buyers offCredit: GettyBut agents have told the maestro to cut his asking price after feedback would-be buyers were unimpressed by the reminder of Madder quitting Leicester in a £40m deal.The multi-million pound house, in Nottinghamshire, features a 5G pitch with goalposts next to the outdoor heated pool and is now on the market.And one local said: “It’s a great property if you’re a football fan and want a kickabout every day – but not everybody is.”The kind of person who has millions to spend on a house probably isn’t going to want a big astroturf pitch, especially a personalised James Maddison one.read more on james maddison”To have that ripped up and replaced would cost an awful lot of money, which is apparently why the house hasn’t sold yet.”It is a large space and would make a really nice lawn, but if you are already spending that much I guess you don’t have to spend thousands more on landscaping.”However, the house is still a stunning place and I don’t think it will be too long before it’s snapped up by someone, particularly if James keeps dropping the price.”Although maybe a Spurs fan will come along and be happy to pay full price and keep it as it is. I suppose it would be pretty good to play on the pitch where he honed his skills.”Most read in FootballThe price-cut is almost the average house price of a property in the region – but just a fraction over Maddison’s £170,000-per-week salary.Described by estate agents as a “beautiful Grand Designs-style home”, the property boasts a gym, bar, and games room – where Maddison displayed an impressive collection of pros’ football shirts.Speaking about the set-up previously, Maddison said: “I think if you look around and you see the garden, it’s everything that I probably would’ve dreamed of having as a young boy.”Maddison, 28, has posted videos of the pitch on his Instagram profile in the past, with girlfriend Alexa Kennedy seen taking a series of penalties.Anyone hoping to buy the 4,000 square foot property via a mortgage would face eye-watering repayments of around £14,000 per month.The football pitch could be a hit with football fans and kids who enjoy a kick aboutCredit: Jam Press/ FHP LivingThe house lets in plenty of natural light and is filled with modern twistsCredit: Jam Press/ FHP LivingThe kitchen diner is lit by decadent chandeliers and has marble flooringCredit: Jam Press/ FHP LivingThe owners of the new home would have their own heated pool and fire pitCredit: Jam Press/ FHP Living More

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    We live by Chelsea training ground – we HATE their ‘obscene’ plan to ‘take over’ our tiny village & ruin our way of life

    RESIDENTS living near Chelsea’s training ground have voiced their strong opposition to “obscene” expansion plans.The club asked for permission to build a boutique housing estate in Stoke D’Abernon, Surrey – but those plans have now been rejected by the council.Chelsea Football Club’s plans to demolish farm buildings (pictured) on a stable yard in Surrey have been terminated by the local councilCredit: Gary StoneCleaning boss Sally Judd was among the local residents to come out against the club’s expansion over recent yearsCredit: Gary StoneChelsea had planned to expand around their training ground in CobhamCredit: GettyLocals feared the development would see their house prices soar, trigger traffic chaos and ruin their leafy suburb.Chelsea have no current official plans to expand the ground – but that hasn’t stopped residents from worrying.Another local amenity is threatened for the benefit of Chelsea Football clubAnonymous resident Local Angela Johnstone, 65, said: “The knock on effect of all of it isn’t good.”They take us as a job lot. Everything in this area goes up accordingly, they all think we are married to Chelsea footballers and we are not.Read more Football News”They think we are being paid megabucks, the ordinary person feels a bit left out. The traffic is already horrendous.”We are trying to keep housing in this area down because the traffic is already horrendous. You need to ask Elmbridge Borough Council what they class as affordable housing, who they think can afford their affordable housing because it is still extortionate.”Neither of my sons would have a hope in buying anywhere around here. The youngsters are moving out because the area is getting too expensive for them.”The application, put forward in November 2022 and terminated by Elmbridge Borough Council, was for six new homes – a one bed, two bed, three three beds and one four bed home on the other side of Stoke Road to the training ground.Most read in FootballFour “unsightly” low-rise stables would need to have been demolished and three Grade II listed Victorian-era barns gutted and “sensitively” turned into homes, a Planning, Design and Access Statement said. Jamie Carragher says ‘players should stop joining Chelsea’ and ‘sign a four-year deal at a proper club’ in stunning rantSome locals were fearful about the lack of affordable housing in the area – with homes in the village averaging a staggering £1,247,917, according to figures from RightMove.Sally Judd, who works at a laundrette on Cobham High Street, said: “The village has gone downhill. People have bought their houses on the council estates but being Cobham, the pricing of the houses have gone up so much.”My daughter is 33 years old and still lives with me, with a child, in a two bed flat. She can’t even get on the council housing list.”The price of everything in Cobham has gone up now. They keep saying about affordable housing but nothing is affordable around here.”Another resident fumed “another local amenity is threatened for the benefit of Chelsea Football club” in one of dozens of objections to the homes.Mr McWaed was concerned about traffic in the area as a result of the expansionCredit: Gary StoneChelsea have no current official plans to expand the ground – but that hasn’t stopped residents from worryingCredit: Gary StoneLocal Angela Johnstone worried about affordable prices and more traffic congestionCredit: Gary StoneElmbridge Borough Council rejected the plans, submitted in November 2022Credit: Gary StoneMaureen Christmas, 75, who lives a street over from the Chelsea training ground, added: “There are so many houses around here now, it’s so built up.”I’ve noticed how crowded the roads are here. If it’s these great big mansions that only millionaires can afford to live in, no, I’m absolutely against it.”The roads are jammed with cars coming too and from, the roads are covered with parked cars.”Mr McWaed, who’s lived in Cobham for decades, was also worried about traffic chaos.Chelsea cleared by Premier League after controversial £76.5m sale of two hotels to sister companyIN September, Chelsea was cleared by the Premier League following an investigation into the sale of two hotels to help them comply with profit and sustainability rules.Company accounts in April showed that the Millennium and Copthorne hotels next to Stamford Bridge had been sold for £76.5million.Clubs are allowed to lose up to £105m over a three-year period under PSR rules.The sales of the hotels helped the Blues avoid a potential loss of £166.4m loss, instead reducing the figure to an allowable £89.9m for the financial year.The hotels changed hands from Chelsea FC Holdings Ltd to BlueCo 22 Properties Ltd, both companies under the control of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership.However, the sales have now been ratified by the Premier League under a “fair market valuation” relating to the league’s associated-party transaction rule.It is unclear whether the £76.5m figure has changed.Chelsea maintained confidence that they were within compliance of PSR rules, with certain costs for infrastructure, academy and women’s football allowed to be deducted.Such transactions are not allowed in Uefa competitions or the English Football League, who closed the loophole in 2021.He explained the area was already struggling with congestion due to a combination of major roadworks on the M25, A3 and more newbuilds across Surrey.’THIS TOWN CENTRE IS THRIVING’Despite backlash over Chelsea’s now rejected plans, not all locals were opposed to the idea of expansion.Russell Benzies, 65, hailed the club and claimed it had a positive impact on Cobham.He added: “Since Chelsea has moved in, I can’t see any damage they have done. Cobham employs 150 people.”Chelsea are developing the area, of course, if you live around the ground, you probably aren’t going to be happy, you’ll be a bit worried.”In the 25 years I have lived here there has been a lot of development and obviously you’re concerned, the build-up of traffic, but this town centre is thriving. “There’s lots of things that impact the house prices here more than Chelsea.”Meanwhile, Chelsea believed the now axed development would “make a valuable contribution of housing” to the area.The west London side, whose last trophy was the Champions League in 2021, was acquired by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022.When contacted by The Sun for comment, a spokesperson for Elmbridge Borough Council reiterated its reasons for terminating the stable yard plans.They said: “It was ‘disposed of’. This means no decision was made and it is taken off the planning register.”This is where an application has been with the council for a long period without being determined and is beyond the period where the application can be appealed for non-determination.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The applicant was given a number of opportunities to address issues with the application with no response.”Chelsea Football Club and Clearlake Capital declined to comment.Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is thought to be at the forefront of the development plansCredit: AlamyThese farm buildings were due to be demolished in order to build a new housing estateCredit: Gary StoneLocals feared traffic chaos if the plans had gone aheadCredit: Gary StoneLife near Chelsea’s Surrey training groundsTHOSE living near Chelsea FC’s Surrey training grounds, dubbed the “Beverly Hills of Britain”, have told how they rub shoulders with Premier League footballers and Hollywood actors.Homeowners in the sleepy villages of Oxshott and Cobham spot stars, flanked by 24/7 security, on the daily.Peter Crouch, Jorginho and Raheem Sterling are just some of the players calling the Surrey area home, along with former Hollywood veterans Stanley Tucci and Antonio Banderas.Tree lined roads and protective gates give privacy to the mansions worth millions of pounds.Oxshott has just a few shops, including a luxury coffee house and a fancy butchers – with owners spotting blacked-out Bentleys and Jaguars cruising past.In nearby Cobham, the high street is filled with pilates studios and juice bars.Local butcher Joe Harrington, 21, who grew up in the area, regularly sees flash cars and recognisable faces from behind the counter.He said: “We see a lot of football players hanging about, and their friends and family.”We get a couple in the shop, but people usually pop in on their behalf, we don’t see them directly every time.”There are a few big names and faces hanging about, someone came in the other day who had seen Raheem Sterling at the petrol station down there.”You see a load of faces pulling out of the training ground over the years, I remember seeing Jorginho pull out in a red Ferrari.”It’s full of them round here, everyone’s got big four by fours, Bentleys, any BMWs, Audis, Jaguars.”I did some landscaping jobs and there are some massive houses.”Many Chelsea players are regulars at Cobham restaurant Grappelli, an Italian in the centre of the village.Manager Eddie Alves, 36, said Jorginho came particularly often, adding: “We even became good friends, we went out together, my kids are friends with his kids, he is an amazing guy.”He even did a charity event here with us, celebrated his birthday here with us, so I love all of them, but I have a special attention for Jorginho.”He is an unbelievable guy, he is number 1 for me.”He said Ashley Cole, John Terry and Robert Sanchez – as well as former players Roberto di Matteo, Jimmy Hasselbank, Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch – also dined there a lot. 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    Liverpool put Jurgen Klopp’s £4m mansion on Merseyside’s Millionaire’s Row up for sale after Arne Slot turned it down

    LIVERPOOL FC have put Jurgen Klopp’s £4million home up for sale — after his successor Arne Slot turned it down.The Dutchman and wife Mirjam were shown around the seven-bed home but are deciding on their next move.Arne Slot turned down Jurgen Klopp’s £4million former homeCredit: GettyIn 2019 Liverpool bought it as an investment and are said to have allowed Klopp to stay on rent-freeCredit: GettyThe club have now put the gated property on the market — ending a 20-year linkCredit: PP.Steven Gerrard bought the home in Formby, Merseyside, in 2005 after it was built by a local developerCredit: Willie VassThe club have now put the gated property on the market — ending a 20-year link.A source said: “It was identified by the club as an ideal base for incoming managers.“Arne was offered it when he took over in the summer but has chosen to live elsewhere.“As a result, the club has decided to cut its losses.”Read More on SportEx-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard bought the home in Formby, Merseyside, in 2005 after it was built by a local developer.The property boasts three living rooms, a games room, swimming pool, two-storey gym, solarium, jacuzzi, sauna and cinema.When Gerrard left for US side LA Galaxy in 2015 he sold the house to incoming Reds boss Brendan Rodgers. He was sacked that October but kept the property and rented it to Klopp.Most read in FootballIn 2019 Liverpool bought it as an investment and are said to have allowed Klopp, 57, to stay on rent-free.The German and wife Ulla were often spotted in a local pub. Removal vans moved in after he revealed he was stepping down.Slot, 46, who impressed at Feyenoord, has enjoyed the best start of any manager at Anfield, winning 11 of his first 12 matches. The club was asked for comment.Fans stunned as Arne Slot ‘cooks’ Man Utd with savage statement after Red Devils’ Tottenham humiliation More

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    Arsenal and Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas ‘faces being EVICTED from luxury apartment in row over £30k unpaid rent’

    CESC FABREGAS faces being EVICTED from his home in a row over unpaid rent, according to reports.The Arsenal and Chelsea legend is now the manager of Italian club Como.Cesc Fabregas is at risk of being kicked out his homeCredit: EPAWorld Cup winner Fabregas, 37 and his family recently moved into a luxury apartment in the Swiss town Bissone.Sited near Lugano, it is just 15 miles across the Italian border from Como.But the property’s owners reportedly lodged an eviction notice via the courts earlier this month.Former Spain international Fabregas is said to owe 34,000 Swiss francs – £30,500 – in unpaid rent and other charges.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis landlords told Italian media: “We tried to contact Fabregas’ lawyers, but without success.”The court could now order police to throw out the ex-midfielder and his family if he does not pay up within a week.Fabregas’ lawyer Roy Bay insisted: “All the rent payments until now have been made in full.”Some were not made on time, as there were numerous faults and problems with the building.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFabregas’ troubles are not confined to his home situation, with Como yet to win a Serie A game in four attempts.The newly-promoted minnows are 18th in the 20-team league.Watch Premier League cult hero you had no idea is still playing perform incredible initiation song They blew a 2-0 lead with 14 minutes left to draw 2-2 at home to Bologna on Saturday.Ex-Premier League stars Pepe Reina, Raphael Varane, Alberto Moreno and Patrick Cutrone are in the Como squad. More

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    Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood star

    KYLIAN Mbappe has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.The French superstar, expected to sign for Real Madrid after confirming his exit from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, is said to have finalised the purchase on Tuesday afternoon.Kylian Mbappe has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in MadridCredit: RexIt’s where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capitalCredit: GettyRichard Gere would become Mbappe’s neighbourCredit: GettyAs would Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and wife Pilar RubioCredit: Alamy Live NewsRespected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.La Razon said Mbappe, who has yet to officially announce where he will play football next season, said the striker had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower on Monday night, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”READ MORE IN football The mansion he is said to have bought reportedly forms a ‘golden triangle’ with the homes of Ramos and Gere.Ramos’ place is close to the property Mbappe has purchased and the home the US actor shares with his wife is also near, according to La Razon.Spanish news website El Confidencial said the French footballer’s property purchase had been sealed following a “war between real estate companies that had lasted months.”La Moraleja has long been one of the favourites of LaLiga’s leading footballers and other household names in Spain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was a private estate belonging to a widowed marchioness until the middle of the 20th century before the construction of the first family homes.Some of its famous residents, including Spanish actress Ana Obregon who was once linked to Beckham during his time in Madrid, live on gated private estates with 27/4 security within the main La Moraleja estate.Watch Kylian Mbappe ‘fall in love in three seconds’ as he is caught out ogling glamorous influencerThe former England captain and his designer wife bought their old home there in June 2005 from a French couple for £3million.They sold it to a wealthy Spanish entrepreneur who headed a plastic waste disposal firm for £4.2million nearly ten years later and eight years after they moved out.Posh and Becks lived in rental properties before finding their dream home, which boasted an outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, a small football pitch and a children’s play area.They spent £350,000 refurbishing the five-bed house, set in two acres of land, after consulting a Feng Shui expert.Police were called twice while they lived there – once after complaints from neighbours about noise when Becks celebrated his 31st birthday with a May 2006 party and six months later when three Japanese journalists mistaken for armed raiders sneaked into the grounds.Victoria and youngest son Cruz, then just 19 months, were inside the mansion at the time.READ MORE SUN STORIESA uniformed security guard pulled his revolver on the three men fearing they were a gang of hardened criminals and six police cars raced to the house before the intruders were released after proving their identities.Beckham offered to rent the property to ex-Real Madrid star Kaka when the Brazilian joined the Spanish club, but the striker and now-estranged wife Caroline Celico eventually decided to move to VIP bunker La Finca.La Moraleja is an affluent residential district of AlcobendasCredit: Alamy More

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    Former Premier League star, 63, once worth millions now has £2 in bank account and lives on benefits

    FORMER Manchester City star Eike Immel is living off benefits in a council flat with just £2 left in his bank account.The German keeper was a millionaire during his successful career with Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart.Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Eike Immel has been declared bankruptCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDThe former West Germany star is now living off benefitsCredit: GETTHe won 19 caps for West Germany and was part of their squad at five major finals.Immel, 63, spent two years in the Premier League and old First Division with City, making 50 appearances before hanging up his gloves in 1997.But he was declared bankrupt in 2008 and his wife and kids left him amid a series of financial concerns.Immel now lives off state benefits in a small flat in his home town of Stadtallendorf.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe told Stat 1: “Money wasn’t a concern for me in the past.  I used to live the life of Riley.”Sometimes my mobile phone bill came to 10,000 euros [£9,000] a month.”One Christmas I spent £25,000 on clothes for my new girlfriend.”I paid £1m for my home, but at one point the bailiffs were at my door.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWho are these famous footballers?
    “The tax office said I owed them £800,000, and I was unable to pay it.”I did things that any normal person would say can’t be true.Pep Guardiola launched an astonishing attack on football bosses after Manchester City stumbled into the FA Cup Final-“I hadn’t given enough thought to the future.  Dealing with money is not one of my strengths.”I now live on £972 a month in benefits.  £491 of that goes on rent, leaving me with just £481 for other expenses.”It is a real battle to make ends meet.  Sometimes I just have £2 left.Immel regrets his excess splurges, which have left him relying on the help of loved ones to get by.He said: “The furnishings in the flat have all been given to me, and a friend who runs a local restaurant lets me eat for free.”I am thankful for the help.  But I wish it didn’t have to be this way.” More

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    Inside Arsenal legend Sol Campbell’s incredible eight-bedroom mansion as ex-England captain slashes £10MILLION off price

    SOL Campbell’s has slashed £10million off the price of his incredible eight-bedroom mansion.The ex-Arsenal and England star, 49, placed the Grade II-listed townhouse in Chelsea, West London, on the market for £25m in 2021.
    Sol Campbell has slashed the price of his Chelsea townhouseCredit: Getty
    The six-storey mansion boasts eight bedroomsCredit: Strutt & Parker (Estate Agents)
    The house also contains its own cinema and libraryCredit: Strutt & Parker (Estate Agents)
    Sol Campbell and Fiona Barratt at the Sporting Equals awards in October last yearCredit: Getty
    He first reduced the price of the six-storey house in September 2022 after reportedly being cheated out of £1.5m in rent.
    Sol was forced to go to court to obtain an eviction notice after a tenant failed to pay rent.
    He is thought to have owned the property since 2004, with then interior designer wife Fiona Barrett later extensively redesigning the home.
    But with the mansion still up for sale three years after it was place on the market, Sol has now reduced the asking price to £15m.
    Read more sport
    The stunning property contains six bedrooms in the main house along with a separate two-bed mews house accessed via an underground passageway.
    It also boasts an incredible drawing room, cinema, library, kitchen, and lift to go along with its views across the River Thames and Albert Bridge.
    On the market with Knight Frank, the property description adds: “A Grade II listed townhouse, overlooking the river, that has been extensively refurbished and excellently interior designed to create an elegant and substantial London home.
    “With secure gated access from the front, a walled garden and further protection provided by the mews house at the rear, this is a private and secure house that offers discretion and a sense of tranquillity throughout.”
    Most read in Football
    The townhouse is located in the exclusive street of Cheyne Walk, previously home to the likes of George Best, Keith Richard and Mick Jagger, The Mirror reports.
    But the footballer, who also played for Tottenham Hotspur and captained Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008, has a mixed history with his former home.
    Sol was left seething following a rent dispute with a tenant two years ago.
    He claimed to have received a deposit and three months’ rent from a businessman who had just sold his insurance company for £1bn, but received no further payments.
    Since his retirement as a player, Sol has embarked on managerial spells at Macclesfield and Southend.
    But he also boasts a stunning property empire worth a whopping £50m, and his own furniture business with wife Fiona.
    Along with the Chelsea townhouse, he is said to own the nine-bedroom Grade II-listed Hallington Hall in Northumberland, as well as a luxury penthouse flat in West London.
    Representatives of the ex-footballer have been approached for comment.
    The townhouse boasts views over the River ThamesCredit: Strutt & Parker (Estate Agents)
    Sol has a mixed history with the propertyCredit: Getty More