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      in Soccer

      The rise of Newcastle target Eddie Howe, who credits his mum as his biggest inspiration and once signed his brother

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      FORMER Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is being linked with Newcastle and Southampton.The boss, 43, is rumoured to be on the shortlist to take over from Steve Bruce at St James’ Park following their £300million takeover.
      Eddie Howe masterminded a miracle at Bournemouth and is now linked with the Newcastle jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But it’s believed Howe will hold out to return to the South Coast, with Southampton.
      The tactician performed miracles with the Cherries, taking them from near-League Two oblivion to the Premier League in two spells with the club on a limited budget.
      The modest manager credits his mum Anne for being his biggest inspiration as she supported him through his dream of making it in the professional game.
      She even played in goal while her two sons fired shots at her and practiced in the park.
      Anne passed away in March, 2012 following a short illness, which Eddie admitted made him take stock of his life and return to Dean Court after a short stint at Burnley.
      The calm and assured gaffer is very loyal to his family, having once signed his now-retired half-brother Steve for Bournemouth in 2010.

      He also had to conquer the bitter disappointment of his playing days being cut short by a serious knee injury when he was just 29-years-old.
      However, that didn’t stop the grounded Amersham-born coach from rising to the top, sometimes against all the odds, to be touted as a future England manager.
      PLAYING CAREER
      Eddie began his footballing career with Bournemouth, making his debut for the South Coast side at the age of just 18.
      Three years later and he was surprisingly called up into the England set-up for the Toulon Tournament alongside the likes of Frank Lampard, Jamie Carragher and Emile Heskey.
      Over the years, Eddie Howe earned the respect of peers like legendary manager Arsene WengerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      As a promising player, Eddie Howe was picked to play for England’s under-21sCredit: PA:Press Association
      What was most surprising about his selection was he was the only League One player selected in the squad.
      In 2002, Harry Redknapp signed the ball-playing centre-half for £400k and he seemed destined for the big stage.
      But in only his second game for the club against Nottingham Forest, Eddie suffered an injury that was going to affect his life forever.
      After jumping to head a ball clear, he heard a click in his left knee. It turned out that he dislocated his knee cap and chipped a bone under the knee.
      It meant that the joint was never the same.
      He had two two operations, but doctors failed to discover he had a micro-fracture and he still felt pain when trying to run.
      Howe visited knee-specialist Dr. Richard Steadman, the man who rebuilt the knees of Alan Shearer and Ronaldo, who told him he would be able to play again but not at the same level.
      Howe told the Telegraph: “At the end, I was a shadow of the player I had been.
      “I was very keen to finish while people remembered me for the player I was rather than the player I had become.
      Eddie Howe suffered a serious knee injury when he was just 24-years-oldCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Eddie Howe knew he would never be the same player again after his knee injuryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “It was really tough, because the biggest challenge I found when I came back was that I wasn’t as effective.
      “I had lost a lot of my attributes that made me the player I was: my pace, my turning ability, my jump.
      “I wasn’t very big for a centre-half so I had to jump well and that was one of my strengths.
      “When I came back I was jumping about two feet lower. I struggled with my identity and I lost what I was.
      “Everyone forgets very quickly what you were and judges you on what you are – and I wasn’t very good. I found that period of my career very, very difficult.”
      He went to Swindon on loan in 2004, but didn’t get a game. Then a successful loan spell at Bournemouth the same year gave him renewed hope.
      In what became known as the ‘Eddieshare’ scheme, Bournemouth’s fans pulled together to raise money to pay the £21,000 transfer fee needed to sign him.
      Eddie repaid their faith by playing for a further three seasons, before he decided it was time to call it a day at 29 – no longer able to play through the pain barrier.
      Eddie Howe was re-signed by Bournemouth after the fans donated money to the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Eddie Howe knew his playing days were over and he went into coachingCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      CATCHING THE COACHING BUG
      During this time Eddie was cutting his teeth coaching the reserve squad, but in September 2008 he was let go when first team manager Kevin Bond lost his job.
      Weeks later, Eddie was back at the club he loved and working with the youth set-up thanks to Jimmy Quinn, who reintroduced the aspiring manager to the fold when he was appointed boss.
      Then, Quinn was fired from the top job in December and Howe became caretaker manager during the interim.
      Despite losing his first two games, Howe was hired permanently in early 2009 and became an overnight success.
      The club managed to overturn a 17-point deficit and survived relegation from League Two.
      The following season Howe inspired his charges to promotion to League One, guiding them to eight wins from their first nine games.
      It was no surprise that mother Anne was there on the terraces, cheering Eddie and his team on.
      After all, she divided her time between Dean Court and Scotland, where Eddie’s half-brother Steve made his name at Dundee, Aberdeen, Falkirk and Partick Thistle.
      Eddie Howe was appointed Bournemouth boss when Jimmy Quinn was fired in 2008Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Steve Lovell played under half-brother Eddie Howe at BournemouthCredit: PA:Press Association
      Eddie Howe managed to overturn a 17-point deficit to save Bournemouth from League Two relegationCredit: PA:Press Association
      BOUGHT HIS HALF-BRO
      It did become easier for her though when Howe bought his brother to Bournemouth on a free transfer in 2010.
      In 2011, Eddie’s future was subject to speculation with plenty of clubs coveting the promising coach.
      He joined Burnley, but his world was rocked a year later when his beloved mum Anne passed away.
      Howe was living over 250 miles away in Manchester at the time, and he couldn’t carry on at the Clarets.
      He returned back to Bournemouth in 2012. Three years later he got them promoted to the Premier League.
      He told Bournemouth’s Daily Echo:  “My mum’s death certainly changed my perspective on a lot of things – on life, my career and everything.
      “When something like that happens, it makes you re-evaluate and realise what’s really important.
      “It was incredibly difficult to deal with and still is. When you lose someone you love so suddenly, it is very hard to take.
      Eddie Howe had a brief spell at Burnley from 2011-2012Credit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      Eddie Howe quit Burnley after his mum Anne Howe passed away in 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “But when you can’t grieve properly because you are so far away and detached, it is even harder to deal with.
      “That is why coming back to this area and to this football club was a real comfort to me.
      “It certainly had a big impact in my personal life and made me a lot happier off the pitch. I was closer to people who had been affected and could also help them.
      “There were two totally different sides to coming back – the football part and the family side. They are totally different and there were more reasons to me coming back than I could ever talk about publicly.”
      Eddie Howe returned back to Bournemouth and led them to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DEDICATES IT ALL TO MUM
      Eddie realises that he is where he is today because of how he was brought up by his mum, who he’s incredibly thankful for.
      He told The Telegraph: “I do think the way I was brought up by my mum and the foundations she set me played a big part.
      “Most people will say that your parents and your childhood experiences are so important.
      “I certainly believe that to be the case for me. I was given some very good advice. I was brought up in a loving family and it has made me very focused on my work.
      Eddie Howe believes he is where he is because of his upbringingCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Her passing away has fired me to try to achieve more in memory of her.
      “She lived for her kids, really … growing up in a house full of boys with football always around.
      “Steve and I were football mad and certainly inspired each other to play.
      “It’s usually the dads who are out in the park kicking ball around until late but it was really me with my brothers.
      “It was very much us with our mum, walking the dog or watching or sometimes acting as a goalkeeper!
      “She would support us in whatever we wanted to do and sometimes that was making the numbers up.
      “She is a big inspiration in my life because I want to carry on the good start she gave me. I want to make sure I don’t put that to waste.”
      It’s fair to say that Eddie has done far from that, which is why Newcastle, Southampton and Co could do far wrong but appoint this Mr Nice Guy.
      Eddie Howe’s half brother was a striker who played on the South CoastCredit: PA:Press Association
      Eddie Howe’s success saw him linked with both the Arsenal and England jobs in the pastCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Neymar feels strain of Pele’s legacy, it’s no wonder he says Qatar 2022 will be his final World Cup

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      NEYMAR has said that Qatar 2022 will probably be his last World Cup. He will only be 34 when 2026 comes round, but the mental strain is proving too much.
      There is an eerie echo of Pele in all of this. After falling to injury in the early stages of 1962 and being kicked out of 1966, Pele was adamant that he would not play Mexico 70.
      Neymar seems to be feeling the strain of Pele’s legacyCredit: AP
      He relented, of course, and left the global stage on a high. He would have been approaching 34 at the time of the 1974 World Cup. But nothing, not musical pleas or government campaigns, would change his mind.
      Pele remains Brazil’s all time top scorer – a remarkable achievement. South American sides have had many more games since the current marathon World Cup qualification format was introduced in 1996.
      With the lone exception of Brazil, all of the South American top scorers are current or recently retired players.
      And Pele, too, will almost certainly be overtaken by Neymar – perhaps in the course of the Qatar World Cup. This will seem like sacrilege to some.
      But it will be much easier to swallow if Neymar can lead Brazil to their first World Cup triumph in twenty years.
      The air of permanent adolescent makes it hard to believe, but the Paris Saint Germain star will be approaching 31 at Qatar 2022 – almost to the day the age that Pele was when he bowed out of international football with a pair of friendlies in 1971.
      It is an uncanny statistic that highlights the difference in the two careers – and the difficulties of trying to follow in Pele’s footsteps.
      Pele at almost 31 had done it all. He had won the World Cup three times. A brilliant teenager in 1958 and as a mature genius in 1970.
      Before he hit 31, Pele had already won three World Cups with BrazilCredit: Getty
      Neymar has had a torrid time at World Cups with injuriesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      True, injury prevented him doing much in 1962, which is a massive shame.  Back then he was at the peak of his powers – demonstrated clearly while playing for Santos in the second leg of the Club World Cup at the end of that year.
      The competition, still in its early years, was taken extremely seriously.
      And after only losing 3-2 in Brazil, Benfica of Portugal considered themselves as favourites back in Lisbon.
      Pele ran riot, scoring and making the goals that put Santos five nil up.
      In contrast, the World Cup has been cruel to Neymar. Just too young for 2010, he was forced out of 2014 by injury and, antics aside, did as well in 2018 as could have been expected on his recovery from a lengthy lay-off.
      He was also injured for the 2019 Copa America and missed Brazil’s triumph.
      The 2013 Confederations Cup and Olympic gold three years later are scant consolation.
      Qatar 2022 will define his international career. And the problem is that the bar set by Pele’s generation is so high.
      Pele set the bar high for Brazilians to follow in his footstepsCredit: Rex
      Neymar has said Qatar 2022 could be his last World CupCredit: EPA

      As far as the Brazilian public are concerned, there are only two possible outcomes in a World Cup; either Brazil win, or they lose.
      It is a harsh perspective on a 32-team competition, but that is how it is. And, to go into the gallery of genuine greats, Neymar will have to win.
      It is hardly a surprise, then, that he is feeling the strain.
      Neymar shows off incredible £10m personalised Mercedes helicopter More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea legend Eidur Gudjohnsen’s legacy continues with THREE sons playing football, with two starring at Real Madrid

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      EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN enjoyed a tremendous footballing career, beloved by fans around the globe.As well as Premier League champions Chelsea, the Icelandic forward had fruitful spells at PSV, Bolton, Barcelona, Monaco, Tottenham, Stoke and Fulham to name a few.
      Eidur Gudjohnsen is loved by hoards of fans all across the globe, including ChelseaCredit: Empics
      On top of all that, Gudjohnsen was part of Iceland’s heroic Euro 2016 squad who toppled England to reach the quarter-finals, losing to finalists France.
      The Gudjohnsen name had always carried weight on the Nordic island as Eidur’s father Arnor represented the nation for nearly two decades, earning 73 caps.
      And now, he family has no reason to be concerned their legacy will come to an end as Eidur retires… as his three sons are ALL making waves in the footballing world already.
      Gudjohnsen has three boys – Sveinn Aron, 23, Andri Lucas, 19, and Daniel Tristan, 15, all of whom clearly take after their old man with a football.
      On Monday night, Andri grabbed his second international goal for Iceland against Liechtenstein in just his fourth game, as he continues his rapid ascent in the game.
      🇮🇸 A second goal in four international appearances for Andri Gudjohnsen (2002).This one was particularly special for the Real Madrid youngster, with the assist coming from his brother, Sveinn.Eidur’s boys keeping up the family name!#NXGNpic.twitter.com/mvPFeO9q3K— Tom Maston (@TomMaston) October 11, 2021

      Daniel, left, and Andri are following in their father’s and grandfather’s, footstepsCredit: Instagram
      Eidur Gudjohnsen was part of Iceland’s heroic Euro 2016 outfitCredit: EPA
      Eidur Gudjohnsen’s dad Arnor was also a hugely successful footballerCredit: Getty Images
      The three sons of Eidur Gudjohnsen, middle son Andri pictured (left), are all vying to keep the family name alive in the world of football
      Eldest sibling Aron – a centre-forward – started things rolling when he got on the books of Barcelona as a youth star.
      He now plays for Swedish side IF Elfsborg and has been capped six times by his country, although he is yet to score.
      However, for the Allsvenskan outfit Aron has one goal in his four starts for the club so far this campaign, after failing to hit the heights at Italian club Spezia.
      The Gudjohnsen family clearly have footballing skill running in their veins
      Eidur Gudjohnsen’s sons were regularly spotted at Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Press Association
      Eidur Gudjohnsen remains a firm fan favourite at Premier League champions ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      Iceland’s recent international hero Andri is also a centre forward like his father and older brother.
      He began his football education at La Masia, before moving to Espanyol where his potential was unleashed.
      After scoring 20 goals in a youth season, Andri was scouted by Real Madrid, where he still is today.
      And he’s representing their reserve side this season, Real Madrid Castilla – who he has netted for once in four games.
      Last but not least, there’s youngest son Daniel Tristan, who is believed to have even more potential than his siblings.
      Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen cheers on Iceland during their run in Euro 2016Credit: Getty Images
      Daniel Gudjohnsen with Lionel MessiCredit: instagram

      Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen exploded on the youth scene with EspanyolCredit: Facebook
      Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen was spotted cheering on IcelandCredit: Getty Images
      Eidur Gudjohnsen enjoyed a hugely successful stint at Chelsea
      The 15-year-old also began his career at Barcelona, where dad Eidur played between 2006-2009.
      Back in 2017, he was the star of the Cordial Cup tournament – won by Barca – and was voted player of the tournament.
      The competition was split into three age-ranges – Under-15s, Under-13s and Under-11s.
      Young Gudjohnsen was named the best player of his Under-11 age-group throughout the entire competition.
      Daniel Gudjohnsen is now on the books at Real Madrid
      The Gudjohnsen name is set to grace football for a third consecutive generationCredit: PA:Press Association
      The Gudjohnsen youngsters have always had a knack for winning trophiesCredit: Instagram

      But in 2018, Barça lost their future talent to fierce rivals Real Madrid, which means two of Eidur’s sons are with Los Blancos.
      The family name certainly looks in good hands as it heads into an incredible third generation.
      Can they be as successful as their dad though? We’ll soon see. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd wonderkid John Cofie cost the Red Devils £1m aged 14, retired at 27, and now mentors kids at school

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      IN 2007, promising striker John Cofie seemingly had the world at his feet.Then 14, the teenager had the world at his feet and was rated as one of the top talents in England playing for Burnley.
      Sean McGinty, Paul Pogba, Sam Johnstone, John Cofie and Jesse Lingard celebrate winning the FA Youth Cup for Man Utd in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United soon swooped for the wonderkid in an astonishing £1million deal – making him the youngest ever million pound footballer.
      However, he failed to make a single appearance for the Red Devils and left the club in 2013.
      Spells at clubs including Barnsley, Crawley Town and Wrexham failed to reignite his career.
      At 27, the former England U17 star hung up his boots – having played just 77 times for 13 different clubs.
      Today, Ghanaian-born Cofie works at a school in Lancashire, where he mentors kids in their football programme he was once a part of.
      WANTED BOY
      Cofie was brought over to the UK by Burnley after impressing at a football camp in Germany, where his father served in the army.
      He enrolled at Moorland School and was taken under the wing by their Head of Football Development, Charlie Jackson.
      Cofie starred at youth level for The Clarets and was soon called the best player of his generation.
      Astonishingly, managers from the country’s top clubs would try to visit Cofie at school to convince him to sign for them.
      Cofie was one of the leading players of his generation when he signed for United in 2007Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      While Cofie was an aspiring star at United, he was mentored by Moorland School coach Charlie JacksonCredit: Instagram
       “It was ridiculous. To name Chelsea and Liverpool doesn’t even begin to tell the story,” Jackson told the Burnley Express.
      “There were so many clubs and we had to turn certain managers from big clubs back down the drive.
      “They all wanted to speak to him face to face. He was a Liverpool fan as a kid so we thought he was going to go there and then United came in.”
      £1MILLION AT 14
      In 2007, it was Fergie who won the race to sign the prodigy.
      The £1million deal made him the youngest ever million pound footballer and world news.
      He continued his development in their youth team, where he would team up with a French boy wonder by the name of Paul Pogba, who he is still pals with today.
      And Cofie was an integral part of the club’s FA Youth Cup winning side in 2011.
      Jackson believes he was a better player as a kid than World Cup winner Pogba.
      Cofie was a member of United’s 2011 FA Youth Cup winning sideCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard are still pals with CofieCredit: Instagram
      “I think at 14 he was the best player,” Jackson said.
      “He was better than Pogba. The only player that ran him close was Ravel Morrison, who was an unbelievable talent, but the ups and downs in his world have changed him.”
      WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
      But it was the pressure of the price tag that would take its toll on young Cofie.
      His prolific streak in front of goal in his formative years began to desert him with the burden of expectation weighing upon him.
      Jackson said: “The price tag was the scary thing and that’s something that I wanted to protect him from.
      “The £1.25m price tag at the time was ridiculous for such a young boy and the press got hold of that pretty quickly. I wouldn’t have released that if I was Burnley or Manchester United.
      “I think that was probably the beginning of the downfall of how that was going to go in my opinion. That’s the sad thing about football when you’re putting price tags on academy players.
      In 2013, Manchester United released CofieCredit: Pacemaker Press
      Jackson believes the price tag put too much pressure on CofieCredit: Instagram
      “It’s just madness. He went there, he was doing well but that price tag, later on, played its part. It’s a lot of pressure.”
      END OF THE ROAD
      By 2013, Cofie ended up on football’s scrapheap.
      He was released by United after several loans away at Royal Antwerp, Sheffield United and Notts County.
      During that period, he admittedly “fell out of love” with the game.
      “It was no shock to me because as I was growing up I was picking up what happened behind the scenes, going on loan I was getting an idea of what the industry was like,” Cofie told the Manchester Evening News.
      After he left United, Cofie became a journeyman footballerCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      Southport FC was one of the many clubs who Cofie tried to resurrect his career atCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      “Nothing in football surprises me, if you’re good enough they will keep you, if not then it’s bye.
      “It wasn’t an issue for me when it came. I sat down with Fergie, he was holding meetings with players anyway but I wanted to see him a few weeks earlier, he said what he had to say, I said what I had to say and that was that.
      “I left with my head held high.”
      THE AFTER LIFE
      Once he left United, Cofie became somewhat of a journeyman.
      Uninspired spells in Norway, Wales and even Northern Ireland failed to inspire him and game-time and injuries didn’t help his cause.
      So, in 2020 – at the age of just 27 – it was no surprise that he decided to hang up his boots.
      Now, he has joined his old mentor Jackson again at Moorland School, where he helps coach young kids who aspire to be the next football superstar.
      “Because John has played at a good level and played with some of the best players in the world, there’s ready-made advice for the kids,” Jackson explained.
      In 2020, at the age of just 27, Cofie hung up his bootsCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      Cofie is now back at Moorland School alongside Jackson as a mentor and coach for the kidsCredit: Instagram

      “It’s great to have him back, his enthusiasm hasn’t changed, he’s still got the same attitude to life, which is good. He’s not allowed football to define him, which is a big thing. Football can do that, good, bad or indifferent.
      “It’s been good to bring him back because he’s been able to speak to the kids about his past, present and what could potentially be their future.”
      Man Utd show off ‘Dr Rashford MBE’ jersey after hero forward awarded honorary doctorate from University of Manchester More

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      in Boxing

      Kind-hearted side of Tyson Fury, from charity donations and giving shoes to homeless man to releasing lobsters into sea

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      TYSON Fury might be aggressive in the ring, but outside of it he’s just Mr Nice Guy.The Gypsy King, 33, was at his brutal best in the destruction of fierce rival Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas.
      Tyson Fury floors Deontay Wilder in their epic fightCredit: Getty
      And since knocking out the American, he’s been enjoying the fruits of his success by clubbing in Las Vegas.
      However, the modest fighter DOES have a soft side, as these examples show.
      From paying £170 for two lobsters at a fancy restaurant to then release them into the sea, from giving his shoes to the homeless, Fury has a heart of gold.
      SEAFOOD LOVER
      While lobster is a lavish dinner for the jet-set, for Tyson it’s a defence-less animal.
      Which is why the Wythenshawe boxer saved some from their death at a posh eaterie.
      In an episode of ITV documentary Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King, he was filmed eating at a Marbella restaurant.
      A waiter approached his table with two lobsters, amusingly called Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and offered them to Fury.
      “No chance, I don’t like seafood,” Tyson responded before enquiring about the price.
      “Take the elastic bands off their flippers and I’m going to set them free in the sea. I’ll give you the €200,” he continued.
      Fury has a soft side, once buying lobster from a restaurant only to release it into the seaCredit: Eroteme
      Fury frees the lobster by throwing it into the sea
      The waiter agreed to the offer, before the pair were then filmed releasing them into the Mediterranean Sea.
      “It was alive and it was going to get burned alive and I didn’t want to burn them,” Tyson said after the incident.
      “I don’t like killing animals. It’s not often you can do something good in life and today, that was a good deed and it only cost me €200.”
      HELPING THE HOMELESS
      It’s not only animals Fury has time for, his love also extends to the homeless too.
      Like the time he was in Los Angeles and spotted a man begging on Hollywood Boulevard.
      Instead of giving him money, Tyson donated his Nike trainers to him instead.
      Tyson revealed: “What happened was, we were in Starbucks having a coffee minding our own business just looking out the window and there was this old fella outside no shoes on him – one shoe off, one foot bleeding.
      “Everyone was looking at him like ‘get rid of him,’ he walked off and I thought that’s somebody’s child, that’s a human being.
      “As he walked off through the crowd I heard somebody say to me, ‘give him your shoes, go and give him them shoes on your feet,’ I was like ‘yeah’.”
      Tyson revealed his cousin and fellow fighter Hughie Fury called him an “idiot” at first after seeing him leave the coffee shop.
      He added: “I ran after him, me and Hughie [Fury] and he’s gone, ‘where you going,’ I said ‘I’m giving this man me shoes.’
      Whenever Fury sees a homeless person, he’s happy to give them some moneyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      A homeless man shows off a fiver given to him by Tyson FuryCredit: Zenpix
      “He [Hughie] said, ‘what you doing, idiot, you’ve got no shoes on down Hollywood Boulevard you’ll get something in your feet.’
      “I said ‘there’s a fella that needs them more than I do’.
      “So I chased him down and said, ‘hey sir, excuse me’, and he [the homeless man] said, ‘what have I done – I haven’t done anything,’ he thought I was going to hit him or something, he must be used to getting punched or whatever.
      “So I said I want you to have these shoes, they’re a brand new pair of these bad boys.
      “I just walked down the street. He probably sold them later on for five dollars.”
      LOOKING AFTER THE CUTS MAN
      During his 2019 fight against Otto Wallin, Fury suffered a critical cut that could’ve seen the WBC champion lose for the first time.
      But, thanks to Mexican cut-man Jorge Capetillo who was in Fury’s corner for the fight, he was able to continue and win the fight.
      However, when Capetillo fell on hard times during the coronavirus pandemic, Fury was there to help him out.
      As Capetillo explained to Sky Sports: “When he knew we were locked down because of Covid-19 and my gym was closed, he texted me and said: ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’
      Mexican cut-man Jorge Capetillo treats Fury’s cut during his fight with Otto WallinCredit: Getty – Contributor
      When Capetillo fell on tough times Fury sent him money for his familyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “He is still taking care of me. He sent me money.
      “I was supposed to be with Jessie Vargas in New York on March 14 but the fight was cancelled and I came home with empty pockets. I was scared, I didn’t know what to do.
      “He knew Jessie’s fight was cancelled. He asked about my family and what he could do. He said: ‘I’ll sort out some money for your family so you can be good’.
      “Such generosity for me and my family.
      “He is a great man, so humble. He had the time to ask how I was doing with my family during this crisis.”
      SUPPORTS CHARITIES
      In 2018, Fury claimed he was “skint” and on benefits because he’s given away his money to charities.
      He told the Daily Record: “To be honest, I’m skint. I don’t have any money in the bank. I’m on the dole.
      Fury once claimed he was skint, on Jobseeker’s Allowance, and gave all his money awayCredit: Reuters
      “I’m on Jobseeker’s Allowance at the moment. I’m not winding you up – I’m being truthful. Seriously, I didn’t make any money out of boxing at all. Don’t feel sorry for me – it’s not a bad thing.
      “I give my promotional team half of the money and I donate the other half to charity or give it to people in need because I don’t think people should make money out of punching other people in the face. I fight because I love to fight.
      “I’ll continue boxing until I’m 50 – until I can’t box any more.
      “I help a lot of people with my money from boxing. I create homes, take homeless people off the streets, I give it to children’s charities . You can’t take money with you.”
      DOING IT FOR THE KIDS
      After the complicated birth of his sixth child Athena in early August, Fury set up a GoFundMe page for Alder Hey Family House Trust in Liverpool.
      The children’s charity supported the Fury family, when Athena was in intensive care battling for her life.
      Incredibly, he has managed raise nearly £50,000 already.

      When Fury’s baby Athena was born in difficult, he set up a GoFundMe charity page for Alder Hey Family House Trust in LiverpoolCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101

      He tweeted: “When the power of social media is utilised for good it’s beautiful to witness.
      In addition to the GoFundMe page, Fury will auction off two signed WBC belts to raise more funds for the Trust.
      Regardless of his day job, you can’t help but respect Tyson’s kind-hearted side.
      Tyson Fury parties by pool with wife Paris, brother Tommy and friends as he shows off scars of war with Deontay Wilder More

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      in Boxing

      Meet John Fury, heavyweight champ Tyson’s bare-knuckle fighter dad who was once sent to jail for eye-gouging

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      TYSON FURY’S rise to heavyweight boxing glory is largely down to one man – his father John.The 33-year-old WBC champ, who brilliantly defended his title against Deontay Wilder on Saturday, featured in ITV’s warts-and-all documentary Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King.
      Tyson’s dad John Fury was a boxer, going pro in bare-knuckle fighting
      John went to prison in 2011 after gouging another man’s eye outCredit: PA:Press Association
      His Irish-born dad was a boxer too, fighting 13 professional bouts.
      He also fought in bare-knuckle brawls and claims he won £100,000 in one bout.
      John Fury, 55, also served four years of an 11-year sentence for gouging a man’s eye out in a sickening attack.
      And such is John’s influence on his son, it is believed he is the reason why Tyson parted ways with long-term trainer Ben Davison.
      Just like Tyson, life began in the ring for John.
      He had very little choice. Born in Galway, it was a family tradition to enter the fight game.

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      And he was good at it too.
      Standing at 6ft 3in, John fought 13 times as a pro boxer in the 1980s and 90s for a record of 8-4-1 at heavyweight.
      His one title fight ended up being a defeat against Yorkshire-born Neil Malpass in 1989.
      Journeyman Malpass pummelled John and won on points in a ten-round contest.
      John fought four more times after that, retiring after losing his final fight against Steve Garber at the G-Mex Centre in Manchester in 1995.
      STREET FIGHTING MAN
      But he was also more than handy at bare-knuckle fighting.
      John, who later coached Tyson and his brother, Love Island star Tommy, told the Daily Star: “In 1992, I fought the ­so-called ­champion at the time, an Irishman whose name I can’t even remember, over in Ireland.
      John Fury fought 13 times, winning eight fights during his boxing careerCredit: Rex Features
      John Fury was ringside to see Tyson Fury become heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      John believes he can be a mentor to son Tyson Fury now after his prison reformationCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “With stakes and everything, I came up over a hundred grand.
      “The fights I had were usually over within seconds.
      “I weren’t an especially big puncher, but, once I got going, I’d not stop swinging until they were out cold.
      “I’d not come up for air. I just wanted to kill. I’d hit them with fists, elbows, head, teeth and feet until they dropped and give best [surrendered].
      “If they didn’t, I’d kick their face off, it was up to them. Afterwards, shake hands and on to the next one.
      “In my twenties I was a really ­formidable force.”
      When he quit fighting he became Tyson’s trainer, steering him to the British title after just eight contests.
      Born in Galway, Ireland, John’s family were travellers who foughtCredit: Rex Features
      Tommy Fury returned to the boxing ring after becoming a huge reality TV starCredit: Getty Images
      NAMED HIS SON AFTER MIKE TYSON
      When Tyson Fury was born back in 1988, Mike Tyson ruled supreme as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
      But the baby was three months premature and weighed just 1lb.
      Fury was given slim chances of survival by doctors, but proved he was a fighter from birth.
      Father John Fury explained on ITV’s documentary Tyson Fury – The Gypsy King: “He was just a pound in weight.
      “The doctor said he probably won’t make it, he’s very weak.
      “I said to all them doctors, he won’t be small, I said he’ll be nearly 7ft tall, 20 stone, the next heavyweight champion of the world.
      “I thought, ‘There’s only one name fitting for him, he’s fought hard to become a person living in this world.’
      “Mike Tyson was the best in the world at that time.
      “Tyson Luke Fury – that’s his name.”
      A TIME FOR REFLECTION
      Fighting got John in serious trouble in 2011.
      A 12-year grudge with Oathie Sykes boiled over and John tried to gouge his foe’s eye out in a fight at a car auction.
      John, the self-confessed ‘hardest man in Britain’, broke down in court as he pleaded for a lenient sentence.
      He told the court: “I’m worried about my son. His boxing career is on the line.
      “If I could give my own eye to him to get back to my children I would do – I’m begging you for my life.”
      But Skyes offered a different testimony, saying: “It was like he was trying to pull his finger into my brains through my socket.”
      John Fury got in a row with Oathie Sykes, blinding his foeCredit: Rex Features
      Fury once called himself the hardest man in BritainCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      RELEASED WHEN HIS SON WAS CHAMP
      In 2015, John was released from prison after serving four years of his sentence.
      Two months later, his family were celebrating Tyson becoming heavyweight champion of the world after his epic victory against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.
      John was ringside, and he couldn’t have been prouder of his boy.
      Reformed John was also ready to be a calming influence on his son’s life.
      John told the BBC: “Sometimes his mental state can carry him away but I can understand and help with that.
      “I’ve been very unlucky, but very lucky as well because my son has remained undefeated [during my time in prison] and come on in leaps and bounds.
      “But when I think he is going down the wrong way I can pull him up and tell him ‘we don’t need that’.”
      The Fury clan were happy to be reunited after John’s prison releaseCredit: Instagram @tommytntfury
      NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK HIS MIND
      Since his release, John has become a media pundit for his son’s fights, primarily those taking place in the US because he can’t get a visa to travel to the States due to his criminal record.
      Fury admitted: “I’ve been a naughty boy and there is no point hiding it. I’m not allowed in the country.”
      He’s appeared on BT Sport, and was critical of Tyson’s trainer Ben Davison after his son struggled to overcome Otto Wallin, surviving a nasty gash on his eye that required plastic surgery to fix.
      It was no coincidence that Davison was relieved of his duties after that fight.
      He told BT Sport: “I’ve never seen him as bad.
      “He looked weight-drained, he looked like he’d left it all in the gym to be honest with you.”
      Not mincing his words, he added: “I’m being honest about it, he’s my son, I’m a straight talker, that’s the worst I’ve seen my son.
      John Fury often appears on BT Sport to talk about his son’s fights
      It is believed John Fury is the reason Tyson split with long-term trainer Ben DavisonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “But what I can say? I’m very proud of the way he mauled his way through it, he showed world class heart and he will come again.
      “He needs to go back to the drawing board and see what’s gone wrong here. And be honest to look in the mirror and say, ‘Things ain’t gone right.’
      “He needs to look where he’s gone wrong. I’ve half an idea, but that’s for my own.”
      Tyson Fury parties by pool with wife Paris, brother Tommy and friends as he shows off scars of war with Deontay Wilder More

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      in Soccer

      Meet Amanda Staveley, the Newcastle takeover leader and former model, who turned down Prince Andrew’s marriage proposal

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      AMANDA STAVELEY has led the Saudi Arabia-backed consortium trying to take over Newcastle United since 2017.Finally, the mega-connected businesswoman has been successful – with the £300m Toon takeover now announced.
      Businesswoman and former model Amanda Staveley led the Saudi-based takeover of NewcastleCredit: Camera Press
      Staveley met Prince Andrew in 2001 and they dated for two yearsCredit: Rex Features
      Staveley, herself, and her PCP Capital Partners firm are set to take a 10 per cent stake in the club as part of the deal, and she will take her seat on the board.
      But behind-the-scenes, the Yorkshire-born financier, 48, is battling a crippling brain disease that can lead to dementia.
      She was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2013, for which there is no cure.
      And before she made her foray into the football world, Amanda was courted by ‘Randy Andy’ Prince Andrew.
      However, two years later the former blonde model, who stands 6ft tall in heels, turned down his hand in marriage because she didn’t want to become a Royal.
      THE MEETING PLACE
      In 2000, Staveley launched Q.ton – a health club, gym, restaurant and conference centre in the Cambridge Science Park for £10million.
      A year later, Andrew, then a UK trade ambassador, went to the science park with King Abdullah of Jordan, one of its many investors, and met Staveley for the first time.
      Immediately besotted by her beauty and intelligence, Andrew took her number and they began dating.
      The relationship was beneficial for both parties – Amanda was introduced to Andrew’s contacts book, while he reportedly enjoyed inaugurating her into his inner circle.
      According to reports, she called him “Babe”, while he sent her racy jokes in text messages and emails.
      Andrew soon became entranced by Staveley reportedly sending her racy text messagesCredit: Camera Press
      Andrew loved introducing Staveley to his high-society friendsCredit: Rex Features
      Andrew was so entranced by his new love, Staveley was invited to Buckingham Palace and Sandringham, while she also helped decorate his home in Windsor Great Park.
      The Queen and Prince Philip were believed to be delighted for Andrew, and gave Staveley their seal of approval.
      However, he couldn’t get her down the aisle. In 2003, she politely declined his marriage proposal.
      “Andrew’s a lovely man and I still care for him a great deal,” she told the Daily Mail.
      “But if I’d married him, my independence would have disappeared.”
      HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
      In 2013, Amanda was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease – a degenerative disorder that affects people later in life.
      When the cruel illness takes effect, sufferers’ brain functions begin to slowly decline and mood swings, memory loss, as well as involuntary body movements are just some of the symptoms she could face.
      She was told by doctors that the disease is dormant, but could be triggered through stress and pressure at work.
      Amanda discovered she had inherited the Huntington’s gene from her mum Lyne – a former champion show-jumper – when she was tested before starting her own family at 37.
      In 2011, Staveley married Iranian businessman Mehrdad GhodoussiCredit: Robert Shack Photography
      Staveley suffers from Huntington’s diseaseCredit: Rex Features
      She credits husband Ghodoussi for being patient with herCredit: Avalon.red. All rights reserved.
      “The stress brings on the onset of the disease, and the disease is fatal,” she revealed to the Mail on Sunday.
      And she is the first to admit it has made her difficult for her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, who she married in 2011.
      “I have the most incredibly patient and loving husband. I didn’t want to get married when I found out about the disease – but he said he didn’t care, and that we would find the best medical care available.”
      Although, rather strangely, Huntington’s made Amanda better with numbers when she was a City dealmaker with Barclays bank.

      “It’s actually very useful because I’ve never needed a calculator,” she said.
      “The Barclays guys were always shocked that I could do complicated financial models in my head. I thought I was just good with numbers – it turns out I was sick.”OVERCOMING ADVERSITIES
      Before she could count the likes of Simon Cowell and Sir Philip Green as mates, and was whisked around in a chauffeur-driven £250,000 Rolls Royce Phantom, Staveley had to overcome adversity as a teenager.
      Incredibly, she was accepted at Cambridge University aged just 16 – after completing her A-Levels in one year.
      But Amanda had to drop out after suffering a number of setbacks.
      Staveley has accrued a wealth of £120m and can count on mates including Sir Philip Green and Simon CowellCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Aged 16 Staveley was accepted to Cambridge UniversityCredit: Rex Features
      Her dad Robert Staveley, a north Yorkshire landowner who founded the Lightwater Valley theme park, suffered a heart attack.
      And her mum’s Huntington’s illness reared its ugly head, and she had her own personal issues to deal with too.
      “When I got to university my dad had a heart attack, my mum was very ill with Huntington’s, and I also had an eating disorder,” she said.
      “I was educated at a girls private school – Queen Margaret’s in York – and I found being educated with men at university very tough. I had a psychologist, I was sectioned, my weight dropped and I didn’t know how to cope.”
      MAKING CONTACTS
      At the age of 23, Staveley managed to convince a bank to lend her £180,000 to set up her own restaurant.
      Stocks was launched in the village of Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, where Amanda took on the role of chef and waitress – often working till 4am to make sure she was prepped for the next day.
      But, despite her long hours, it didn’t deter her from studying for her City exams with ambitions to become a financial adviser, as well as fulfilling modelling duties for extra cash.
      With its proximity to the Newmarket Racecourse, Stocks became a haunt for the flat-racing fraternity.
      Members of the Dubai-ruling family, the Maktoums, who own the Godolphin Stables, were regulars.
      Arab princes and dotcom tycoons from ‘Silicon Fen’ – a nickname given to a region of Cambridgeshire which is home to a cluster of high-tech businesses, were also customers.
      Staveley’s first business venture was Stocks restaurantCredit: 2008 AFP
      Over the years Staveley built up an enviable contacts bookCredit: PA:Press Association

      And with such high-prestige clientele, Staveley was well-placed to pick up an enviable contacts book when she finished her studies.
      Since her Stocks days, she has amassed a personal fortune worth around £120million, has a home in Dubai and a luxury apartment on Park Lane.
      Soon, she may just add a Quayside penthouse overlooking the Tyne to her property portfolio.
      Newcastle United Supporters Trust welcome proposed Saudi takeover More

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      in Soccer

      Inside the amazing yacht of the Reuben brothers, who are worth £21.5bn, and part of the Newcastle United takeover

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      STEP inside the amazing £63MILLION superyacht owned by billionaire businessmen the Reuben brothers.Savvy David and Simon Reuben are worth a stunning £21.465billion, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.
      This is the amazing £63m yacht owned by racing tycoons the Reuben brothersCredit: Nobiskrug
      The incredible palace on water features a Jacuzzi outside with breathtaking ocean viewsCredit: Nobiskrug
      Simon Reuben, left, and brother David are worth more than £21bn
      And they are heavily involved in the £300million Saudi takeover bid by Crown Prince Bin Salman of Newcastle United, which is on the verge of being announced.
      One big source of their wealth – which has increased by more than £5bn in the past year – is their ownership of Arena Racing Company.
      The group owns and operates 16 turf and all-weather racecoures in the UK, accounting for almost half of all fixtures and more than 500 meetings a year.
      Notable courses under their ownership include Royal Windsor and Lingfield, as well as Doncaster.
      That is site of the world’s oldest classic race, the St Leger, which is held every year in September.
      And what better place to watch the action than on their jaw-dropping yacht named Siren?
      This 241ft palace on water can accommodate 12 guests in six cabins – and the master bedroom has an amazing fold-out balcony.
      There is reported to be a lift onboard to get between the four storeys and one of the most impressive features is the Jacuzzi on the deck.
      That is situated near to the helicopter landing pad, from where guests can hop off and go to the onboard gym or watch a movie in the indoor or outdoor cinema.
      The yacht – once voted the best in the world – features this awesome fold-out balconyCredit: Nobiskrug
      The stunning megayacht is 241ft in length and has room for 12 guestsCredit: Nobiskrug
      The billionaire brothers can land on their yacht by helicopterCredit: Nobiskrug
      The view from the master bedroom with fold-out balcony is simply jaw-droppingCredit: Nobiskrug
      The sun deck is perfect for catching raysCredit: Nobiskrug

      No wonder Siren won best yacht for its size at the 2009 World Superyachts Awards.
      David, believed to be 79, and Simon, thought to be 76, are self-made billionaires.
      David started out in scrap metal while Simon made his early money in the carpet business.
      After joining forces they struck big in Russia and became known as the ‘metal tsars’, controlling some 5 per cent of the world’s aluminium output through their company Trans-World Metals.
      However, a rumoured run-in with the Russian mafia prompted them to sell up and move on.
      There is believed to be a fully equipped gym plus indoor and outdoor cinema onboardCredit: Nobiskrug
      The yacht looks absolutely majestic when out at seaCredit: Alamy
      On their official website, a story detailing the Reuben brothers’ rise to riches says: “They sold the business in 2000 for more than £500m when the Russian mafia became more powerful and as their former business partner Lev Chernoy was being investigated.
      “They then set their sights on joining the big players in the British property market – and did it.
      “While they’re not willing to open their books or face the media, it is no secret the Reuben brothers are a powerful force.”
      There is no denying that, and the Mumbai-born brothers educated in North London make the most of their vast wealth.
      The brothers own Doncaster racecourse among a plethora of othersCredit: PA:Press Association
      They own a £19m private jet, a Capri nightclub enjoyed by the likes of Beyonce and George Clooney and the £120m Millbank Tower in central London.
      The duo have also been linked with the Newcastle takeover.
      They are willing to finance part of Amanda Staveley’s bid for control of the Premier League giants.
      How Newcastle could line-up under new Saudi owners – the richest in world More