Retime

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I was a Champions League runner-up with Arsenal, set up a company worth £10billion, and I’m in business with Mesut Ozil

      by

      IN 2010 Mathieu Flamini launched start-up GFBiochemicals as a side-project to his football career.The Paris-based company’s aim was to find a green alternative to petrochemicals, which can be found in plastics, rubber, and even shower gel.
      Mathieu Flamini is now worth £10bn, according to ForbesCredit: Getty
      Flamini starred for Arsenal from 2004-2008Credit: Getty
      Some 13 years on, Flamini has kept a 60 per cent stake in the business – while landing the CEO job.
      According to Forbes, the former Arsenal star – who was a Champions League runner-up with the Premier League club – now has a net worth of £10billion.
      Flamini, now 39, set up the company when he was just 25.
      He has also found time to launch another business called Unity Performance Lab with former team-mate Mesut Ozil.
      read more Arsenal news
      It is a digital health, fitness and lifestyle community that fuses evidence-based performance and wellness advice with expert guidance from elite athletes, coaches and academics.
      However, it’s his first business that aims to save the planet.
      “As a child I had two passions: football and sustainability,” he told Sifted.
      “I grew up in Marseilles near the sea, and was aware of the environmental questions around ocean plastics and chemical pollution from a very young age.”
      Most read in Football
      Flamini and business partner Pasquale Granata met with scientists in Milan with an idea of founding an operation that promoted sustainability.
      He revealed: “We didn’t know if it’d be energy, chemical or urban recycling, and we just ended up meeting with a team of scientists in Milan and started moving in that direction.”
      GFBiochemicals take biomass, which could be manure or household waste, and turn it into levulinic acid.
      Levulinic acid is seen as a potential replacement for petrochemicals, which are found in everyday items such as detergents and skin care.
      According to research by the University of Maastricht, levulinic acid could reduce the CO2 made from manufacturing those products with petrochemicals by up to 80 per cent.
      Top secret
      Flamini, who was starring for Serie A side AC Milan when he set up GFBiochemicals, decided to keep his venture away from his team-mates.
      “I was questioning myself, and I didn’t know which direction the business would go in,” he said.
      The three-cap former France international also said being a footballer didn’t help his cause.
      He said: “When you’re a footballer and you’re in a meeting talking about chemicals or sustainability, there is even more pressure on you.
      “People really want to test you and see if you’re going to be able to deliver — because you’re not a businessman. I had to prove myself more than anyone else in the room.” Was this annoying? “Obviously it can be, but I took it as a challenge.”
      In 2010 Flamini set up GF Biochemicals – with the aim to create green alternatives to petrochemicalsCredit: Instagram @mathieuflamini
      CEO
      Last year, GF Biochemicals received a major cash injection.
      Sofinnova Partners, a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specialising in healthcare and sustainability, and investment company Sparta Capital ploughed $15million (£12.3million) into the group.
      Flamini kept a 60 per cent stake and was made CEO.
      “Now the question is when do I not work,” he explained.
      “When you’re an entrepreneur you have to be dedicated and you don’t count the hours. I’m not working when I sleep, but for the rest of the time I’m available.”
      And he feels just like teen environmentalist, Greta Thunberg.
      As CEO of GFBiochemicals, Flamini has kept a 60 per cent stake in the companyCredit: Instagram @mathieuflamini
      Like Greta Thunberg Flamini feels like he’s doing something important for the environmentCredit: Twitter @MathieuFlamini
      “I feel like I’m part of this effort of the younger generation like Greta Thunberg that’s setting up the future,” he said.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Although at the age of 15 I can guarantee you I was not in the street fighting for my future.” More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      From non-league to international icons, seven players who fought up the football pyramid, including Mings & Moore

      by

      A NUMBER of players have written themselves into international folklore after starring their nation.But how many can say their journey to the top starting in football’s non-league?
      For every superstar tipped for stardom from a young age, there are others whose road to the top is been considerably more gruelling.
      While the likes of Bukayo Saka have burst onto the scene as an Arsenal whizkid to indispensable England ace, others have turned out for Darlington and Yate Town.
      SunSport takes a look at seven of the best non-league to international journeys, including a handful of England stars…
      JORDAN PICKFORD
      Pickford spent time on loan at non-league Darlington during his early days at SunderlandCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Pickford is now England’s No1Credit: Getty
      NOW England’s most-experienced No1, the Everton stopper has been through it all.
      Pickford started his career at Sunderland, but was quickly loaned out to Darlington, then in the Conference Premier – now known as the National League.
      The goalkeeper played 17 times during his half-season loan, before Darlington were relegated to the sixth tier of English football.
      Pickford returned to Sunderland only to be loaned to Conference side Alfreton Town, Burton Albion (League Two), Carlisle United, Bradford (both League One) and Preston (Championship).
      The now-England man quickly established himself as Sunderland No1 before his move to Everton in 2017.
      Most read in Football
      By the time he’d moved to Goodison Park – making the England squad for the first time that same summer – Pickford had already played in every tier of English football from the very top to the fifth.
      Now England’s No1, Pickford was exceptional in the run to the Euros final and World Cup last eight.
      TYRONE MINGS
      Tyrone Mings played for non-league Yate Town and Chippenham earlier in his careerCredit: (C)Richard Chappell
      THE now-Aston Villa defender has been in and out of the England squad in recent international breaks, but is very much in Gareth Southgate’s plans.
      He played three time at Euro 2020 before Harry Maguire took his spot but failed to make the World Cup squad.
      But it should be no surprise to anyone that Mings was unfazed by the snub.
      After all, he’s experienced plenty of setbacks during his career.
      Mings, now 30 and 6ft 5in, was released by Southampton’s youth academy in 2009 after eight years for being too small.
      The defender then spent two years at school before returning to football with then-eighth-tier Yate Town in 2011-12.
      Mings – then working as a barman and mortgage advisor to make ends meet – nearly quit football before joining Southern League Premier Division side Chippenham Town in the seventh tier.
      The centre-back – then playing as a left-back – was signed by Ipswich in a deal worth £10,000 to serve as backup to Aaron Cresswell.
      But a surge in form and a growth spurt saw him quickly become a towering centre-back, joining Bournemouth in 2015 for what would be their first-ever season in the Premier League.
      Four years on the south coast saw him move to Aston Villa in 2019.
      Tyrone Mings partnered John Stones in defence vs Croatia, putting in a strong showingCredit: The Sun
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin came off the bench late on vs Croatia in the EurosCredit: Rex
      DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN
      MUCH like Pickford – team-mate for club and country – Calvert-Lewin’s route to Premier League and international football was a slightly longer journey than most.
      The striker joined Sheffield United’s academy in 2005 aged eight, before spending nine years in the youth squad, then as a box-to-box midfielder.
      Calvert-Lewin broke into the senior set-up in early 2014, with the Blades still in League One at that time.
      With club bosses believing he needed more senior game-time under his belt, the forward was shipped off to sixth-tier Stalybridge Celtic on loan in December of that year.
      However, after scoring six times in just five games for their first team, his loan was cut short and he returned to Bramall Lane in February 2015.
      Calvert-Lewin signed a new long-term contract before being sent on loan to then-League Two side Northampton, with Sheff Utd believing he was ready for the jump in standard.
      Despite never scoring for the Blades at a senior level, Everton saw his potential and brought him to Merseyside in the summer of 2016.
      Fast forward and Calvert-Lewin has four goals in 11 games for England but missed out on last year’s World Cup squad through injury.
      Che Adams played for youth team St Andrews before playing or Oadby Town and Ilkeston Town
      CHE ADAMS
      CAPPED twice by England’s Under-20s in 2015, Adams is now arguably Scotland’s No1 striker after switching allegiances in 2020.
      While Adams has been on the books of Southampton and Birmingham in recent seasons, he didn’t always have it easy.
      Before moving to Sheffield Utd in 2014-15, the striker was on the books of ninth-tier Oadby Town, then in the United Counties League.
      Adams then moved on to another non-league side, Ilkeston Town, making his senior debut against Jamie Vardy’s old club, Stocksbridge Park Steels in October 2013.
      After close to 100 matches in non-league, Adams was snatched up by Sheff Utd, despite competition from Premier League and Championship clubs.
      He played in all three games for Scotland at Euro 2020 and now has five goals in 22 games for his country.
      Che Adams is arguably Scotland’s top centre-forwardCredit: Getty
      Kieffer Moore played in the 14th tier before working his way up the ranks, including a spell at Yeovil Town, picturedCredit: AFP
      KIEFFER MOORE
      MOORE played in all three of Wales’ World Cup games last winter – including against England.
      But he failed to add to his tally of nine international goals, having also played four times in total for his country at the Euros.
      Of all the footballing journeys listed here, none are quite as fascinating – and long – as Moore’s.
      Born in Torquay, Moore kicked off his career in the south-west of England with Paignton Saints in the 14th TIER – the South Devon League Division Two.
      The striker scored 47 times in just 43 games before moving to Truro in the Conference South (sixth tier) for the 2012-13 season.
      Midway through the season, Moore moved to league rivals Dorchester Town.
      He was then snapped up by then-Championship side Yeovil in the summer of 2013.
      In two seasons at Yeovil, the club was relegated TWICE, to slip back down to League Two, with Moore released.
      The forward joined Norwegian top-flight side Viking for one season, before snubbing offers from League Two sides Exeter and Leyton Orient to sign for National League club Forest Green.
      One-cap England C international Moore joined then-Championship side Ipswich for £10,000 a year later before moving to Barnsley and then Wigan – all for one season apiece.
      He joined Cardiff in 2020 and became a key part of both the Bluebirds and Wales set-ups.
      Moore scored 20 times in 42 Championship games for Cardiff in 2020-21 before moving to Bournemouth last summer – where he has eight Premier League goals in 25 games.
      Moore scored Wales’ equaliser against Switzerland in their tournament openerCredit: The Mega Agency
      Danny Ward started his career at non-league Wrexham and is now Wales’ No1Credit: AFP
      DANNY WARD
      WARD played in all four of Wales’ Euro 2020 games, where they were eliminated in the last 16 by Denmark.
      He also played in two World Cup matches, despite missing his nation’s group-stage opener vs the USA.
      Starting from the beginning, the goalkeeper kicked-off his career at then-Conference Premier side Wrexham – also loaned to league rivals Tamworth.
      Ward joined Liverpool in 2012 and was even the club’s second-choice, behind Simon Mignolet, for much of the 2014-15 season.
      But the goalkeeper only ever played three matches – with two of those in the Premier League – and was loaned out to Morecambe, Aberdeen and Huddersfield.
      In 2018, then-fourth-choice at Anfield, Ward was sold to Leicester for £12.5million.
      Ward initially struggled for Premier League game time, as No2 to Kasper Schmeichel.
      But following the Dane’s departure in 2022, Ward has played 26 times in the 2022-23 season.
      Tom Lockyer spent time in non-league after Bristol Rovers briefly fell out of the Football LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      TOM LOCKYER
      The centre-back joined Bristol Rovers’ youth academy from Cardiff in 2011.
      Lockyer quickly broke into the first-team for the then-League Two side, but was part of the squad who dropped out of the Football League in 2013-14.
      The 6ft 1in defender – released by Cardiff for being too short – helped Bristol Rovers to back-to-back promotions as they stormed up to League One.
      Read More on The Sun
      In 2019, Lockyer joined then-Championship side Charlton, where he spent just one year before moving on to Luton TOwn.
      The 14-cap Wales international was handed the No5 jersey for Euro 2020 but did not get a minute at the tournament or in the World Cup.
      Tom Lockyer is now on the books of Luton and had the No5 shirt for Wales at the EurosCredit: Getty More

    • 300 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      I was picked ahead of Lionel Messi for Argentina but now I’m ‘sad’ after my contract was ripped up by a fourth tier side

      by

      AT ONE stage Gustavo Oberman was rated ahead of Lionel Messi.He even kept the now seven-time Ballon d’Or legend and World Cup winner out of Argentina’s line up in the opening match of the U20 World Cup in 2005.
      Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in DecemberCredit: Reuters
      Oberman and Messi lifted the U20 World Cup trophy in 2005Credit: Getty
      The pair together in their youthCredit: https://argentina.as.com/futbol/de-azote-de-messi-al-paro-n/
      A then 18-year-old Messi, now starring for Paris Saint-Germain, broke into the team for the next match, scored in every knockout game and was named Player of the Tournament.
      Oberman also kept Sergio Aguero out of the starting XI as he and Messi guided Argentina to victory, lifting the trophy together.
      But the forward, now 37, went on to be a journeyman whilst his team-mates shone in the most elite competitions in the world.
      He was recently let go by Dock Sud, a team in the fourth tier of the Argentine football league after a stint with Indian side FC Pune City.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Stints in the top division with Argentinos Juniors and River Plate early on is his career showed promise.
      But a period in Spain saw his career falter while at the same time Messi started tearing it up for Barcelona in LaLiga.
      Time in Romania, Chile and India eventually led Oberman back to Buenos Aires with Dock Sud.
      But after four years with the side, the attacking midfielder has seen his contract terminated.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      He told AS after his release: “The decision not to continue was made by the coach, he told me that he was not going to take me into account. 
      “I wanted to continue until the end of the year and finish my time at the Dock on the field, but there was no possibility. 
      “I feel sad, I think that after what we experienced at the club, I deserved another ending. 
      “But the reality is that what we have achieved in these years will remain forever.” More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Former Real Madrid doctor reveals Gareth Bale is best athlete he’s ever seen… even ahead of iconic Cristiano Ronaldo

      by

      GARETH BALE was a better athlete than Cristiano Ronaldo, according to ex-Real Madrid doctor Jesus Olmo.Ronaldo, who moved to Saudi Arabia after his release by Manchester United, is famed for his physique and even maintains it at the age of 38 but Olmo reckons Bale is the best athlete he has ever seen.
      Gareth Bale is a better athlete than Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a former Real Madrid doctor
      Jesus Olmo claimed Bale is the best athlete he has ever seen despite Ronaldo being famed for his impressive physique
      Ronaldo is no stranger to showing off his physiqueCredit: Getty
      Having been team-mates during Olmo’s time at the Bernabeu, Bale and CR7 probably have their own ideas about who keeps in better shape but the Portuguese doc was in no doubt.
      The ex-Los Blancos doctor previously told Ideal in 2020: “Perhaps the best athlete I’ve ever seen is Bale.
      “Gareth Bale is a natural athlete who can excel in practically any sport.
      “He has incredible athletic skills, and I would also say technical skills.
      Most Read In Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “He is the one who impressed me most in all aspects.”
      The medical expert also said Real Madrid fans did not see the best of the Welsh wizard during his time in Spain, because he was suffering from several injuries.
      Bale, 33, hung up his boots in January following a disappointing World Cup with Wales.
      After Ronaldo leapt 8ft 5ins into the air to score a header against Sampdoria in 2019 he revealed his fitness secrets that keep him going and claimed he could play on until he was 41.
      His mum Dolores also backed up his claim last year.
      The Madeira-based mum-of-four told presenter and comedian Guilherme Geirinhas: “I’ve already asked him if he wants to be a coach when he stops playing.
      “He told me he wants to enjoy life. He’ll play until he’s 40.” More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Gareth Bale names his dream Tottenham five-a-side team and picks Cristiano Ronaldo as the best he’s ever played with

      by

      GARETH BALE picked Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in his dream Tottenham five-a-side team.The Welshman opted almost entirely for Spurs players that he starred alongside during the 2020-21 season – but revealed Cristiano Ronaldo stands above them all.
      Bale’s best Spurs five-a-side team
      The Welshman listed Cristiano Ronaldo as the best he’s ever played withCredit: REUTERS
      Following a storied career, Gareth Bale hung up his boots at the age of 33 n January following his World Cup appearance with The Dragons..
      Although Wales boss Rob Page has admitted he’d love to have Bale involved in their international set-up in some capacity.
      The five-time Champions League winner featured alongside the likes of Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart during his first stint at White Hart Lane.
      But Bale, who originally picked himself in his dream team, snubbed both of them when asked for his best Spurs side during a Twitch Q&A in 2021.
      Read more on tottenham
      He said: “I’d go Hugo [Lloris] in goal just because he’s the best I’ve seen in a Tottenham shirt.
      “I would go Ledley King at the back just because he’s the king and he was the best centre-back I’ve ever seen.
      “If it wasn’t for injuries he would have been the best in the world no doubt.
      “I would go up front Harry for the amount of goals he’s scored and he’s an amazing player. Then I’d go me and Sonny beside him. An attacking trio.”
      Joe Rodon picked Tanguy Ndombele which prompted the presenter to quiz Bale about why he didn’t pick the Frenchman or Mousa Dembele.
      I would go up front Harry for the amount of goals he’s scored and he’s an amazing player. Then I’d go me and Sonny beside him…Actually I’d take myself out and put Tanguy inGareth Bale
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      He replied: “I’ve only got five and I feel loyal to Sonny and H. I’ve got to see them tomorrow.
      “Actually I’d take myself out and put Tanguy in. I’ll be manager.”
      Elsewhere in the interview, Bale overlooked all of his old Spurs pals when he named Cristiano Ronaldo as the best he’s ever played with.
      He gushed: “Cristiano Ronaldo. For me, just the amount of goals he scores and the titles that we won together.
      “I think arguably one of the best ever to play football. For me, I will have to say him.”
      Gareth Bale loved playing with Harry Kane and Son Heung-minCredit: Getty More

    • 250 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      I played for Man Utd in the Champions League in 2003, but now I am a builder and trained plumber

      by

      ON March 18, 2003 Lee Roche was thrown in at the deep end – handed his Champions League debut against Deportivo La Coruna in a 2-0 defeat.Some five years later, he was left on the football scrapheap and now works on building sites installing cavity wall insulation, and is a trained plumber.
      Former Man Utd youngster Lee Roche made his Champions League debut in 2003Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Today, Roche is a builder and trained plumber

      Now 42, Roche was given a free transfer two months after his bow in Europe’s premier club competition.
      And when a football career petered out after spells at Wrexham, Burnley and Droylsden, the youngster had to come up with a different plan in life with the help of the PFA.
      COMING TO AN END
      At the age of 27, Roche was admittedly fed up of the game.
      He’d bounced from a loan deal at Wrexham to Burnley, then back to Wrexham again.
      read more on Man Utd
      Injuries began to take their toll, and the former England U21 star lost his hunger for playing.
      “I was coming home and not wanting to even watch football on the TV, he told Planet Football.
      After he was released by the Welsh club, he trained with Royal Antwerp and former United youth Warren Joyce.
      But when a move failed to materialise, he signed for non-league Droylsden in 2007.
      It was there he started to think about a life after the beautiful game.
      Promising youngster Roche was released by Man Utd in 2003 and after bouncing around at different clubs needed to find a different careerCredit: Getty
      Roche, chatting to PFA member Don Goodman, was helped by the organisation to retrain in a new careerCredit: Twitter @PFA
      With the help of the PFA, Roche now has his own cavity wall insulation business
      The PFA supported the lost talent and helped him retrain in another profession.
      Today, Roche is a qualified plumber and has his own cavity wall insulation business.
      “I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here,” he revealed.
      “It can get pretty tiresome so I don’t go shouting about that I played for United. I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world.
      “Most of them probably don’t have a plan to fall back on if they don’t make it as a professional.”
      BAPTISM OF FIRE
      Roche made two starts for United, but it was always in scratch sides.
      His debut came in 2001 in a Worthington Cup tie against Arsenal – a 4-0 thrashing in a team that featured mainly reserve players.
      In 2001 Roche appeared for Man Utd for the very first time against Arsenal in a Worthington Cup tieCredit: PA
      Roche, up against Arsenal striker Kanu, couldn’t believe the size of his opponents feetCredit: PA
      “Sylvain Wiltord scored a hat-trick and I remember Kanu being a massive handful – I couldn’t get over the size of his feet,” Roche joked.
      “At one point, he flicked the ball over my head and volleyed it, but it went just over the bar, thankfully, otherwise it would have been one of those goals which would have been shown forever.
      “There was no hairdryer from Sir Alex afterwards because he knew we had been up against it. I took what I could from that game and tried to learn from it.”
      A year later, Roche came on as a sub against Newcastle United in front of a packed house at Old Trafford in a 5-3 win.
      “It was unbelievable, coming on in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford,” he said.
      “I did okay, but I remember Sir Alex talking to me afterwards because Alan Shearer had beaten me at the far post to win a header, so he told me to get up first and not let the forwards do that to me.”
      THE BIG LEAGUE
      Roche’s third and final performance for United was in the Champions League.
      Roche made his final appearance for United against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      At half-time Roche was hauled off as United lost 2-0 to the LaLiga sideCredit: PA
      He appeared against Deportivo, who at the time were LaLiga challengers to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Playing in a back three with Laurent Blanc and John O’Shea, the Red Devils look disjointed in a different formation.
      Roche, himself, was hauled off at half-time with the Premier League giants trailing 1-0 at the break.
      “I was up against (Albert) Luque and thought I had done alright, but I wasn’t going to come off and start arguing with Sir Alex,” he said.
      “Giggsy told me to keep my chin up and that I had not done anything wrong. Sir Alex didn’t tell me why I had been substituted, but I didn’t want to overthink it.”
      ‘NO REGRETS’
      Despite how his football career turned out, Roche is thankful for his time at Manchester United.
      Although he doesn’t have any regrets, there is one thing perhaps he might’ve done different.
      “I don’t have any regrets,” Roche revealed.
      Despite his career not panning out how he had hoped, Roche was no regretsCredit: Rex
      Most read in Football
      “The only thing I would point out is that I was known at United for being really quiet, so perhaps I should have been more assertive and mingled more with the lads.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’d be straight off home after training to hang out with my own group of friends. I look back now at team-mates like John (O’Shea) and Darren Fletcher and think I should have been more like them and gone out and socialised.
      “I think it would have gone down better with United.” More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Former Man Utd star Chris Eagles says his journey was like David Beckham’s and was a Sir Alex Ferguson favourite

      by

      CHRIS EAGLES has likened his time as a Manchester United prodigy to that of David Beckham.Signed from Watford in 2000, the midfielder would earn several comparisons to the England legend as he emerged at Old Trafford.
      Chris Eagles has opened up on his time at Manchester United as a teenagerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      David Beckham also moved to the United academy from his home in the southCredit: PA:Press Association
      Like Beckham, Eagles was plucked from well outside United’s catchment area and the Hertfordshire-born player recalled how he made the move.
      The 37-year-old told Ladbrokes: “I went up there for a game and just fell in love with the club.
      “I moved into digs at 14 and at first I was obviously excited because it was like a holiday to me. I loved Manchester, I love northerners.
      “School was difficult because I was a southerner, but training-wise we used to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays and play on Saturdays.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “My youth team was frightening; we didn’t lose. In the old days we had myself, Phil Bardsley, Luke Steele, Kieran Richardson, Tom Heaton, Paul McShane, Gerard Pique, Giuseppe Rossi.
      “School helped me a lot; I got much better results because I was away from home and my friends which meant I just concentrated on getting good results.
      “Man United made sure we worked hard and got good grades. The only time I’d have off to come home was in school holidays, but it would never be for a long time.
      “In digs I started off living with a family on my own – I still see them now actually, four times a week, they look after my kids!
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      “Then I was with Fraizer Campbell who stayed for long weekends because he was only from Huddersfield. But I was there more or less on my own.
      “Sir Alex Ferguson had a lot of involvement with me as a kid because he knew I’d moved away from home.
      “I wasn’t too dissimilar to David Beckham in that respect; we’d both moved from London to Manchester as youngsters.”
      Red Devils icon Ferguson gave Eagles his debut in 2003 but he failed to make the cut and left for Burnley after several loan spells.
      But the former prodigy knew that Fergie, 81, held him in high regard as one of his top young stars despite a telling-off for underage driving.
      He continued: “Sir Alex had his certain players like me, Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson who he had soft spots for. If I was ever trouble he’d tell me off, though.
      “I drove a car somewhere when I was 15 and Sir Alex found out about it and called me in his office. I was petrified.
      “It’s the worst experience ever because you don’t know what he’s going to do. I can remember standing outside of his office, sweating, going red.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He used to have a folder where he used to keep his notes. It was a hard-back. Every time he walked past me he used to just slap me on the head with it – all in good humour obviously.
      “He was just a great manager, a great guy, and that’s how he got his respect.”
      Eagles spoke highly of Sir Alex Ferguson’s effort with the young playersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a Leicester title winner turned MMA fighter and am known for strange things like eating WINE GLASSES

      by

      MARCIN WASILEWSKI demonstrated his hunger for Premier League title glory… by chomping on a WINE GLASS in a posh restaurant.The Polish hardman spent four seasons with the Foxes, helping them to famously lift the 2016 crown against all odds.
      Marcin Wasilewski laughed as he bit into a wine glass, a former team-mate has revealedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bearded Wasilewski, a fearsome centre-back, was tipped to switch sports and take up cage fighting.
      The now 42-year-old’s former clubmate Ritchie De Laet has revealed the Pole’s bizarre antics during his King Power career.
      Antwerp captain De Laet told Belgian paper Het Nieuwsblad: “Marcin was truly a very nice person – untypical, but likeable.
      “He was the sort of guy you have a laugh with, but who does some strange things.
      Read More Football Stories
      “I remember going for a meal with him at a very smart restaurant.
      “All of a sudden he picked up his glass and literally bit into it, without turning a hair.
      “There were pieces of glass everywhere. He looked at me and started laughing.
      “I just couldn’t understand what he had done at all.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
      Ritchie De Laet (left) played over 100 games for LeicesterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Wasilewski previously helped Leicester win the Championship in 2014.
      The 60-cap international was not the only member of Claudio Ranieri’s squad to play by his own rules.
      De Laet also revealed how Jamie Vardy would drink entire bottles of port before matches.
      The ex-England striker also regularly asked De Laet’s family and friends to bring him cases of beer from Belgium. More