Sport Features

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England’s Euro 2020 aces as kids from pals Mason Mount and Declan Rice to Arsenal trainee Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham

      by

      ALL eyes will be on Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount this summer as England aim to win their first ever Euros.Of course, many fans will remember how close the Three Lions got at Euro ’96 – only to lose in the semi-final to the Germans in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out.
      All eyes will be on England stars Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Declan RiceCredit: Getty
      But plenty of our stars wouldn’t have been born when boss Gareth Southgate became the fall guy at Wembley that summer.
      However, they would have definitely dreamed of going a few steps further than their current manager and leading their country to glory as they were growing up.
      But what did they look like when they were kids? Join SunSport for a flick through the family albums….
      HARRY KANE
      Captain Kane will, probably, forever be haunted by this photo.
      Dressed in an Arsenal kit, rivals to his beloved Tottenham, the England hotshot trained with the Gunners’ U8 team as a youngster before switching allegiances to Spurs.
      Such was allegiance to the red side of North London, he even dyed his hair the same colour.
      Kane famously played for Arsenal’s U8 team
      When Harry Kane was a youngster he could only have dreamed of playing for his country
      Kane is now England’s captainCredit: Getty
      JACK GREALISH
      England’s poster-boy for this year’s Euros, Grealish grew up in Birmingham.
      And he’s always been as a cute as a button, wearing his boyhood Aston Villa shirt with pride as a five-year-old.
      However, his hair wasn’t the flowing locks we’re used to seeing, and he preferred a more closed crop cut.
      Jack Grealish, aged five here, was cute as a button as a kid in his Aston Villa kit
      Grealish played for Highgate United as a kid while training for Aston Villa
      Grealish could be England’s breakthrough star at the EurosCredit: PA
      JORDAN PICKFORD
      No1 Pickford was Sunderland through and through.
      He climbed through the ranks of the youth team to eventually play for the club before signing for Everton in a £25million deal in 2017.
      But before that he was just a fan of the Mackems – posing for a snap with former captain Kevin Ball.
      Jordan Pickford sported gorgeous curly blonde hair when he was a toddler
      Pickford would later be seen posing for a snap with ex-Sunderland captain Kevin Ball
      Pickford will be tasked with keeping the opposition at bay at the EurosCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
      RAHEEM STERLING
      Before he became a superstar at Manchester City, and before that Liverpool, the London-born winger was another hopeful at QPR.
      In 2010, he moved to the Reds from the Hoops for a fee of just £500,000.
      At 15, we saw Sterling showing off his talent on Sky Sports show Soccer AM for their infamous Skill School segment.
      Raheem Sterling grew up in London
      Sterling famously appeared on Soccer AM as a 15-year-old
      Sterling has established himself as England regularCredit: PA

      MASON MOUNT
      Cheeky kid Mount has been with Chelsea since he was six. And in 2019, he shared a brilliant video of himself in his pre-adolescent years whipping a free-kick into the top corner.
      “I try to base my free-kick on Ronaldo, hit the ball by the valve, and it moves,” he says in the video.
      “That’s all you do. Top corner – top bins.”
      Mason Mount has been with Chelsea since he was sixCredit: Tony Mount
      A cheeky Mount poses for a snap with Chelsea legends Ashley Cole and John TerryCredit: Supplied

      Playmaker Mount will want to follow his Champions League success with Chelsea and win the Euros with EnglandCredit: PA
      DECLAN RICE
      Growing up through the Chelsea ranks alongside Mount was best-mate Declan Rice.
      Now a West Ham star, the pair were said to be heartbroken when Rice was released in 2014.
      Still, with Jordan Henderson still struggling for match-fitness Mount and Rice could be starring in England’s midfield in the opener against Croatia together.
      Declan Rice, left, and Mason Mount were best pals in their Chelsea youth daysCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice, first from the right, meets football legend Jimmy HillCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice in action against Austria in pre-Euros friendlyCredit: Getty
      MARCUS RASHFORD
      Young Rashford would never have imagined he would have an MBE at 23, nevermind be a regular for Manchester United and England.
      But for the former skinny kid growing up in Wythenshawe has achieved wonders already in his short career.
      Will he add a Euros to his glittering CV?
      Skinny Marcus Rashford grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester
      Standing in the middle of the back row, Rashford played youth football at the Fletcher Moss Academy when he was sixCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Rashford celebrates his goal against RomaniaCredit: Getty
      PHIL FODEN
      As he says, he’s been City since he can remember.
      Phil Foden, 20, is coming off an excellent season with his club and will hope to transform that on the international stage.
      And he hasn’t changed one bit from when he was a nipper.
      Credit: Instagram

      Foden could be England’s jewel at the EurosCredit: AFP
      KALVIN PHILLIPS
      Leeds-born midfielder was told as a schoolboy to forget about football and concentrate on his studies.
      Luckily, he didn’t listen to his teachers and has blossomed into the one of the country’s best defensive midfielders – nicknamed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ by Leeds United fans.
      And, it seems, he was a very happy kid – always smiling for the cameras.
      Kalvin Phillips was always a happy kid
      Phillips’ school teachers told him to forget a life in football and concentrate on his studies
      Phillips could see plenty of playing time at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      JUDE BELLINGHAM
      England’s potential wildcard, in truth Bellingham is still a kid – astonishingly he’s still only 17.

      But the Borussia Dortmund star began his football journey at Birmingham City.
      There, he was spotted by Trevor Francis as a star of the future during one youth game the former Blues star was watching.
      Did the former Sheffield Wednesday manager also discover a future England Euros winner?
      Jude Bellingham, aged six here, could be England’s wildcard at this year’s EurosCredit: Twitter @bellinghamjude
      Bellingham poses with football legend Trevor FrancisCredit: Refer to Caption
      17-year-old Bellingham could be England’s wildcard at Euro 2020Credit: AP
      “I was a wreck” – Tony Adams on his secret battle with alcoholism as captain of England’s 1996 Euros side More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Inside Mayweather’s amazing lifestyle, from homes in LA, Miami and Las Vegas, to a £20m car collection and £14m watch

      by

      HE’S in the money.Floyd Mayweather, 44, has reportedly earned a mint for his exhibition bout against YouTuber Logan Paul.
      Floyd Mayweather is reportedly £72m richer after his fight with Logan Paul
      Through the years, Mayweather hasn’t been afraid of flaunting his wealthCredit: Refer to Caption
      And even though he didn’t achieve the knockout he wanted in their eight-round contest in Miami, Floyd has claimed he could be as much as £72million richer for stepping back into the ring.
      His paydays over the years have afforded him an amazing lifestyle, sharing video and photos inside his incredible homes, showing off his latest rides, as well as his expensive jewellery.
      It’s a life he’s built all himself – being one of only a handful of sportsman in the world ever to earn over $1billion (£760million) in his career – with reports saying it might be as much as £2.4billion.
      Here’s where some of that money went…
      THREE AMAZING HOMES
      Mayweather doesn’t skimp when it comes to property.
      That’s why he’s got THREE incredible mansions dotted around the country – in LA, Las Vegas, and Miami.
      His most recent purchase is his Nevada compound that cost a whopping £7.8million.
      The undefeated boxing champ’s Vegas mansion features 11 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a gym.
      There’s also a wine cellar and his own vineyard, as well as two detached underground garages that house his mega car collection – more to come on that later.
      His LA abode in Beverly Hills set him back an eye-watering £19million.

      Mayweather splashed £19m on this incredible Beverly Hills mansionCredit: Jim Bartsch
      The property features six lavish bedroomsCredit: Jim Bartsch
      Mayweather’s fight against Conor McGregor is celebrated with artwork on the wallsCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      The wine rack stores up to 225 bottlesCredit: Jim Bartsch
      Mayweather can relax in his 12-seat cinemaCredit: Jim Bartsch
      Snacks are always on hand at his sweet shopCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Mayweather built his Las Vegas compound in 2018 for £7.8m
      The property boasts 11 bedrooms
      Mayweather spends the majority of his time in his Las Vegas home
      This Miami holiday home is also part of Mayweather’s property portfolioCredit: Prestige Lifestyle Co.
      A waterfront property, it cost Mayweather £5.3m in 2015Credit: Prestige Lifestyle Co.
      Mayweather is hardly seen at his Miami abodeCredit: Prestige Lifestyle Co.
      The six-bed, 10-bathroom property has everything a sports superstar could want, and his love of wine continues with a 225 wine rack he’s showed off before on social media fixed on the kitchen wall.
      There’s also a 12-seat cinema room, complete with its very own sweet shop loaded with popcorn, chocolate and liquorice.
      While his Miami beachfront five-bedroom house is the perfect holiday home.
      Mayweather bought the 5,200-square-foot £5.3million digs in 2015, but is rarely seen there.
      It features a sleek design, with an open-plan layout and floor-to-ceiling windows in place of walls.
      Outside, there’s a ‘zero-edge’ swimming pool and spa, and the mansion also comes with a private dock as part of its boatload of features.
      SO MANY CARS
      It’s no secret that Mayweather loves his motors.
      But he often only gets them in two colours – white or black. Either way, he has to have two of each stored in LA and Las Vegas.
      And it’s reckoned that his car collection is worth around £20million.
      Mayweather loves fast cars, including expensive BugattisCredit: Refer to Caption
      Floyd Mayweather likes his cars in white in Las Vegas
      But the motors in Mayweather’s LA garage are blackCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Mayweather also owns several Rolls-RoycesCredit: Refer to Caption
      One of Mayweather’s most recent purchases is a £155,000 Mercedes G63 AMGCredit: Refer to Caption
      Mayweather travels in his motors with wads of cashCredit: Refer to Caption
      The Money Team logo is emblazoned on his vanCredit: Insight News and Features
      Mayweather is believed to own three private jets, including ‘Air Mayweather’Credit: Instagram @tmtpilot
      The £50million Gulfstream G650 jet can seat around 14 peopleCredit: Instagram @tmtpilot
      Mayweather bought the private plane in 2018 as a birthday presentCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Mayweather likes to play high-stakes poker on his placeCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      He has a series of Rolls-Royces worth over a staggering £3million, as well as four Bugatti Veyron supercars that cost £1.7million.
      Other notable rides include a Lamborghini Aventador (£275,000), as well as a Ferrari 488 worth around £238,000.
      Recent additions to Mayweather’s LA fleet are his Mercedes G63 AMG (£155,000), and he even has his own branded van.
      And if it’s not wheels he’s after, wings work too.
      Mayweather is believed to own three private jets, including one he calls ‘Air Mayweather.’
      He bought a £50million Gulfstream G650 jet as a birthday present for himself in 2018.
      Often, he shares snaps online playing high-stakes poker with mates on board.
      The plane is, of course, emblazoned with his TMT ‘The Money Team’ logo and his undefeated 50-0 professional boxing record.
      AND THE JEWELLERY
      When you live the lifestyle Mayweather leads, you’ve got to look the part.
      Over the years Mayweather has built up an extensive jewellery collection Credit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      Mayweather revealed he owns 41 expensive watchesCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      The most impressive watch in his collection is Jacob & Co’s ‘The Billionaire Watch’Credit: Jacob & Co.
      Mayweather paid somewhere in the region of £14million for this amazing timepieceCredit: Refer to Caption
      Mayweather is often courtside watching an NBA game covered in jewelleryCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Diamonds are Mayweather’s best friendCredit: Instagram
      These gold and platinum chains aren’t too heavy for MayweatherCredit: Refer to Caption
      ‘Money’ Mayweather lives a lifestyle many sports stars will envyCredit: Instagram
      How ‘broke’ Floyd Mayweather won and lost $1bn career earnings from lavish parties to love for jewellery
      And the Michigan-born ringmaster loves jewellery, including having a penchant for watches… expensive ones, at that.
      It is believed he has up to 41 in his collection – but nothing beats his “One and Only” worth a staggering £14million bought from Japanese jeweller Tadashi Fukushima.
      Made by Jacob & Co, it’s actually called ‘The Billionaire Watch’ and was made in 2015.

      It features 239 emerald-cut baguette diamond stones, each weighing up to 3 carats and looks bedazzling.
      While, when Mayweather is courtside catching an NBA game he’s often seen draped in pure gold necklaces weighing up to 11kg.
      Diamonds are certainly this man’s best friend. More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Inside Logan Paul’s amazing mansions, owning drug guru Timothy Leary’s former desert ranch to a stunning £5m LA mansion

      by

      LOGAN PAUL is king of the YouTubers when it comes to his property portfolio.The internet personality, who put on a brave display against Floyd Mayweather in their eight-round exhibition fight, has earned millions from posting content on his channel that has 26 million subscribers.
      YouTuber Logan Paul with Ginger, his pet Tibet Mastiff dogCredit: Instagram @LoganPaul
      And it is reported that he may earn up to £14million for his efforts – evading a knockout by ‘Money Mayweather’.
      Paul, 26, has generated enough wealth to buy houses you and I could only dream of.
      The Maverick loves living in the Valley in Los Angeles, and has a stunning mansion in Encino.
      And he also added a desert ranch formally owned by LSD-advocate Timothy Leary for around £800,000.
      Take a peek inside his digs below.
      HIS FIRST HOME
      Sure, he rented an apartment in Hollywood.
      But in 2017 Logan dropped £4.8m on a 9,000 square foot home in the heart of Encino – for his first home.
      The gated estate was built in the 1970s and sits within a sought-after neighbourhood in the San Fernando Valley region of LA.
      In 2017 Logan spent around £4.8m on a lavish LA homeCredit: John Aaroe Group
      The Encino home has five bedrooms and seven bathroomsCredit: John Aaroe Group
      The kitchen has an island through the middle of itCredit: John Aaroe Group
      There are several wine cellars in Paul’s Californian propertyCredit: John Aaroe Group
      The Encino pad was built in the 1970sCredit: John Aaroe Group
      Comedian Ryan Stiles was listed as a former owner of the homeCredit: John Aaroe Group
      The garden offers the perfect opportunity to throw a pool partyCredit: Instagram @LoganPaul
      The farmhouse look can be seen throughout Logan Paul’s homeCredit: John Aaroe Group
      Looking like a modern farmhouse, it has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, wine cellars, four fireplaces, a movie theatre room, and a kitchen with a large island.
      It was believed to have been previously owned by Whose Line Is It Anyway? comedian Ryan Stiles.
      It’s often nicknamed the Maverick House, which is the name of his merchandise brand – that also features a clothing label.
      Sidenote, Maverick is also the name of his pet parrot.
      THE DESERT RANCH
      Given that Paul is a man who clearly likes to party, his new house is the perfect setting for that kind of lifestyle.
      Recently he splashed around £800,000 on a desert ranch that used to be owned by drugs guru Timothy Leary in the 1960s.
      Leary lived in the home with around 30 ‘Hippie Mafia’ pals and it’s where it’s believed he manufactured LSD.
      Surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains in California, the property is spread across 80 acres.
      ‘The Brotherhood of Eternal Love’, as they were known, lived in the outhouses, which includes a guesthouse and bunkhouse, while Leary and his wife stayed in the ranch house.
      Paul recently bought a desert ranch for around £800k
      The desert ranch was formerly owned by 60s drugs guru Timothy Leary
      It was famously believed that LSD was made at the ranch
      The studio boasts huge windows
      The main house has two bedrooms
      The expansive living room can be warmed up by a freestanding fireplace
      The kitchen is perfect for entertaining guests
      The dining room has ample space to throw a dinner party
      The massive garden contains a very makeshift pool
      The main home has two bedrooms, an expansive living room, as well as a freestanding fireplace.
      In the master bedroom, you will find wood beams, and another custom fireplace
      The property also features a barn, two-car garage and two solar panel systems for power.

      Water comes naturally through a pair of springs that feed a 70,000-gallon water tank.
      And there’s a 500-square-foot studio that’s fitted with angled skylights and is surrounded by walls of glass that’ll be perfect for Paul to record videos for his YouTube channel in.
      One question, Logan; when can we come round?
      Logan Paul happy with Floyd Mayweather performance and asks who’s next? More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Where are England’s 2010 Under-17 European Championship winning team now, from an ex-Man Utd ace to Chelsea reject

      by

      ENGLAND fans might remember 2010 as they year the Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup in the last-16 to Germany on the back of a highly contentious no-goal decision.But that same summer, the Young Lions were victorious at the Under-17 European Championships in Liechtenstein.

      England’s youth team fought back from a goal down to beat a Spain team featuring the likes of Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu 2-1 in the final.
      Many of the players in the squad from that day were tipped for big things in the future.
      However, despite their early promise, the starting XI have mostly flopped at senior level.
      Take a look back at the starters from that May day in 2010 and where they are now.
      JACK BUTLAND
      Heralded as a potential goalie legend, Butland started off his career at Birmingham before moving to Stoke City in a £3.5million deal.
      He made his full debut for England in a 2012 defeat to Italy – and is still to this day the youngest goalie to ever play for the Three Lions.
      In 2015, he was handed the No1 jersey by Mark Hughes when Asmir Begovic left for Chelsea.
      However, a series of injuries to a bothersome ankle hampered his progress.
      Still only 28, Butland is currently down the pecking order at Crystal Palace.
      Jack Butland is currently No2 at Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
      BRUNO PILATOS
      Originally a promising Middlesbrough full-back, Pilatos signed for Swedish side Ytterhogdal in 2016 after failing to secure first-team football.
      He was released again in 2017, and in 2018 spent two months in Scotland with Livingston FC, according to his LinkedIn page.
      Currently Pilatos is a free agent.

      LUKE GARBUTT
      Predicted to be the heir to Leighton Baines, Garbutt was an attacking left-back in a similar mould to the Everton legend.
      But he failed to establish himself with the Toffees, and was sold to Blackpool in 2020.
      He also had several loans with Ipswich Town – and has enjoyed loan spells at Fulham, Wigan and Oxford United in the past.
      Luke Garbutt failed to make the grade at EvertonCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      NATHANIEL CHALOBAH
      When Chalobah was starring at centre half for England’s U17 team he was a promising Chelsea starlet, alongside brother Trevoh.
      In 2012 he enjoyed a loan at Watford, impressed at Middlesbrough and Reading, which saw a move to Napoli.
      Five years later, upon his return to the Blues, he was sold to Watford, where he has enjoyed some success but has suffered with injuries.
      Nathaniel Chalobah has struggled with injuries at WatfordCredit: PA:Press Association
      ANDRE WISDOM
      The central defender managed to make 22 appearances with Liverpool, often at right-back.
      But it was always going to be a big ask to break into a Reds side brimming with talent.
      He has been playing in the Championship with Derby since 2017 after impressing on loan there during the 2013-14 season.
      Andre Wisdom has been playing in the Championship with Derby since 2017Credit: JOHN CLIFTON
      CONOR COADY
      Coady failed to make the grade at Liverpool.
      However, at Wolves he has proven to be a steady Premier League player – and is captain of the side.
      In August he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, and has been included in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad.
      Conor Coady is now captain at WolvesCredit: PA:Press Association
      WILL KEANE
      The Manchester United starlet played three times at Old Trafford, but was never good enough to make the grade.
      Most of his career has been spent plying his trade in the Championship with QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, before he signed for Hull and Ipswich.
      He now plays for Wigan. He has also made himself available for the Republic of Ireland.
      Former Man Utd starlet Will Keane reps Ireland nowCredit: Rex Features
      ROSS BARKLEY
      The cream of the crop after breaking into the Everton side as a teen, Barkley showed flashes of brilliance that saw him compared to Paul Gascoigne.
      Sadly, he never managed to sustain his form with the Toffees, and a move to Stamford Bridge in 2018 for £15million was seen as a chance for him to start afresh.
      He hasn’t quite lived up to expectation at Chelsea, which is why he was shipped off to Aston Villa on loan.
      But with Dean Smith’s side, the 27-year-old did show glimpses of the old magic.
      Ross Barkley moved to Chelsea in 2018 for £15millionCredit: Alamy Live News
      JOSH McEACHRAN
      Chelsea product McEachran was dubbed a class outfit at youth level for the Blues because of his brilliance on the ball.
      The tidy midfielder managed to play 11 times for the West Londoners, before he was sold to Brentford in 2017 for £750,000.
      In 2019, he moved to Birmingham for a free transfer. He was released at the end of the January transfer window in 2021 and is now with Milton Keynes Dons.
      Josh McEachran played 11 times for the BluesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      BENIK AFOBE
      The former Arsenal starlet was once targeted by Barcelona before committing a deal as a youngster with the Gunners.
      Following a series of loans, most successfully at Wolves when they were in the Championship, Premier League Bournemouth paid £10million for Afobe’s services.
      He failed to live up to standards of the top division, and was loaned out to Turkish club Trabzonspor the season just gone.
      He has since gone on to play for DR Congo.
      Ex-Arsenal starlet Afobe has found goals hard to come by at the top levelCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      CONNOR WICKHAM
      After showing promise with Ipswich in the Championship, the powerful centre forward signed for Premier League Sunderland in a deal worth £12million in 2011.
      In his four years with the Black Cats he struggled for goals – scoring just 15 times in 91 games.
      In 2015, Crystal Palace signed Wickham for £9million – but a serious knee injury put pay to his progress in South London.
      He just finished  a loan with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, but couldn’t save them from relegation to League One.
      Connor Wickham celebrates scoring for Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst backs Boris Johnson’s offer to host Euros in the UK More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      England star Phil Foden became dad at 18 with childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke and bought parents a £2million mansion

      by

      ALL eyes will be on Phil Foden as a potential England star after an incredible campaign for Manchester City.The outrageously talented midfielder could be set for a starting berth in Gareth Southgate’s first eleven in the Euro 2021 opener, and he has done a lot of growing up since he made his City debut aged just 17.
      Man City hero Phil Foden became a dad at 18 to son RonnieCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden came of age in the Carabao Cup final win over Aston VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On a fishing holiday in Spain Foden caught a a 130lb catfishCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden, now 21, became a dad a year after he made his bow for his boyhood club.
      The wonderkid welcomed a son, Ronnie, with long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke, and he dedicated his MOTM display in the Carabao Cup final in 2020.
      And just a few months before he penned a £30,000-per-week deal that ties him to the Etihad till 2024 in 2018, he splashed £2MILLION on a home for his parents.
      There was only one snag to him becoming a dad so young… Foden had to sacrifice his love of fishing, for now.
      FAMILY COMES FIRST
      In January 2019, the birth of his first child changed Foden’s life.
      He had already been dating Wag Rebecca for some time but they kept their romance under wraps.
      Foden – who made his England debut in the 1-0 win over Iceland in 2020 – admitted he shed a tear when his son arrived.
      “I was there for the birth,” he told Manchester City’s official website.
      “I walked out of the room, gave it a little tear and then went back in like nothing happened.
      In January 2019 Foden and long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke became teenage parents
      Son Ronnie changed Foden’s life completelyCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      “I’m not one for crying in front of people. I like to be on my own, but I was there in the room, watched it happen and it was a special moment.”
      And fatherhood certainly must agree with him, because back in April Foden revealed he and Rebecca are expecting their second child together.

      GETTING SOME PERSPECTIVE
      His team-mates told Foden that it would be the best thing that ever happened to him, but being a dad wasn’t going to be easy.
      But, if he has a bad game or training session, having Ronnie at home does make things better and puts things into perspective.
      Away matches, however, mean he doesn’t get to spend as much time with his son as he would like.
      Foden revealed: “If you have a bad game or a bad session, you’re disappointed, but now I think about the bigger picture.
      “I go home and see him smiling, so there’s more important things than worrying about one bad session.
      “You look at things in a different way when you’ve got a kid.
      “Honestly, I’m really enjoying it, but I find it quite difficult, always having away games and being away from him. He’s one now, so he’s missing me a bit.
      “There are things you miss when you’re not there because you’ve got an away game.
      “I was there when he started crawling, but I think I was in London when he started to walk.
      “Now he’s getting about and walking everywhere, so you have to have eyes in the back of your head or he starts running off.
      Phil Foden scores amazing free kick for England U21 against Albania
      Fatherhood hasn’t been easy for FodenCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden revealed he misses Ronnie whenever Manchester City are playing awayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “It’s unfortunate to miss things like that but it’s a sacrifice that he’ll appreciate when he’s older.”
      HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
      Foden was raised by dad Phil and mum Claire in Edgeley, a modest Stockport suburb – far removed from the affluent towns and villages of Cheshire, nicknamed the Golden Triangle, where his team-mates now live.
      But as soon as Foden had established himself in Pep Guardiola’s squad, he set out to repay his parents for helping him achieve his dreams of becoming a footballer.
      The starlet spent £2m on a luxury home in Bramhall, near Stockport, where the family all live together.
      Often, he’s seen walking around the neighbourhood with Rebecca, pushing Ronnie in a pram, while dribbling a ball at his feet on the streets.
      Like any Premier League footballer, he loves gaming and has always preferred nights in playing FIFA over clubbing at one of Manchester’s famous nightspots.
      Foden treated his parents to a £2m home in Manchester months before singing a new dealCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden (left) grew up in modest surroundings in StockportCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      As a boy Foden grew up supporting Manchester CityCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      It was Foden’s dream to play for CityCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      FAST CARS? NO, HE LOVES FISHING
      Modest for a man expected to be England’s next big thing, ‘Pep’s Lad’ also christened the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ by City fans has an unexpected hobby.
      Although he’s had to put his love of fishing on the back-burner, with his time dedicated to Ronnie, he loves nothing more than catching carp with his pals.
      Foden would even trek to Spain, where he once hooked a 130lb catfish.
      “I was probably about six or seven and my dad had a fishing rod of his dad’s and said we should go and try it out,” he recalled.
      “I fell in love with it and we ended up going every weekend. I still remember my first catch.
      “It wasn’t very big, I was just learning, but it’s the excitement of when you get one for the first time.
      “I think that’s the buzz that makes you want to go again, but it’s also a chance to chill and relax and to spend time with my dad.
      “I think it’s really good after games when you have to rest your legs and I just find it really enjoyable.
      Instead of collecting cars, Foden loves fishingCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      When he was six, Foden’s father introduced him to anglingCredit: Instagram @philfoden

      “There’s tactics. Knowing in which spots to fish, knowing where the fish are, fishing at different lengths…
      “There’s a lot behind it but when I get the odd day off, I fish simple. I’m not a specialist at it but I still manage to catch.
      “I generally love all types of sport, but I don’t do any others apart from fishing.”
      Phil Foden sprints to the touchline to celebrate with Pep Guardiola as Man City march on to Champions League semi-final More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Why Alan Shearer and Michael Owen went from England friends to bitter rivals after disastrous Newcastle spell

      by

      ALAN SHEARER and Michael Owen were an England strike-force that breathed fear into the opposition.Built upon a budding friendship, their play was often telepathic as target-man Shearer offered a buffer for the live-wire Owen to pick up the pieces.
      Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were mates who struck fear into the oppositionCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      In 2005, Owen and Shearer became club teammates at NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
      But today, the pair don’t see eye-to-eye – as has been highlighted by their Twitter spat following the serialisation of Owen’s book, ‘Michael Owen: Reboot – My Life, My Time’.
      The pair traded insults on Twitter – bringing their simmering differences into the public domain.
      A feud ignited over 10-years ago because of Shearer’s belief that Owen let him down during his ill-fated spell as manager of Newcastle in 2009, when the Magpies were relegated.
      So where did it all go wrong for these two Three Lions legends?
      TEAM-MATES AND ROOM-MATES
      In 2005-06, then-Newcastle manager Graeme Souness splashed £17m on Owen – breaking their £15m transfer record originally set by Shearer.
      It was no-brainer given their partnership for England, and Owen signed a deal for £120k-per-week.
      Shearer, who is now 50, moved Owen into his pad, before Owen then found his own property in Darras Hall, an upland estate in Ponteland, where his strike-partner also lived.
      But after a successful start to his season, scoring seven times in his first 11 games, he broke his foot and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

      When Owen signed for Newcastle, Shearer moved his pal into his homeCredit: Reuters
      Owen then found his own pad in Darras Hall near Shearer’s mansionCredit: Rex Features
      A Twitter spat between Shearer and Owen has highlighted their 10-year feudCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Writing in the book serialised by The Mirror, Owen said: “I’d lived with him in the early days and we saw each other socially when we both lived at Darras Hall.
      “In my eyes, he was not only a strike partner on the pitch from a playing perspective; he was also a good mate.
      “At no time did I get the impression that he saw things any differently. To put it simply, there has been a lot of lies, bulls*** and general mis-information surrounding the end of my time at Newcastle.”
      MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
      Owen and Shearer’s friendship turned sour when the former Newcastle No.9 was brought in to save the Premier League giants from relegation in the 2008-09 season.
      In his eight games in charge – Shearer’s Newcastle recorded just one win and two draws.
      The final nail in the coffin came on the final day of the season against Aston Villa at Villa Park when his side failed to get the point that would’ve saved them from the drop.
      Owen was made the fall guy, with his own fans often chanting, ‘what a waste of money’ when he was on the pitch in his time there – despite scoring 30 goals in 79 appearances for the club.
      It all turned sour for the pair when Shearer became Newcastle bossCredit: Rex Features
      Shearer believes that Owen had one eye on a move away from Newcastle with his contract running down during their relegation run-inCredit: Rex Features
      He failed to score in those games, missing the penultimate game of the season, a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham.
      Interestingly, in the 2017 autobiography ‘The Boy on the Shed’, former Newcastle physiotherapist Paul Ferris wrote that Owen missed that match because he “didn’t want to risk his groin because he was out of contract in the summer and was saying, ‘I’ll not get a contract at another club if I’m injured’.”
      The forward for that book was by… Alan Shearer.
      OWEN’S TOUGH WORDS
      In an extract from his book, Owen writes: “He [Shearer] was brought in at St. James’ Park as the saviour, the local boy. It could have been a great story.
      “But he failed. Newcastle United were relegated. Perhaps rather than examine his own shortcomings, it felt easier to blame Michael Owen.
      “I was a week away from fitness for the final game of the season that saw Newcastle needing a point at Aston Villa to avoid relegation.
      “I told him that I wasn’t fully fit but was prepared to play. As I left his office that day, he made an insinuation that led me to believe he thought I had half an eye on my next contract.
      Owen feels he was blamed by Shearer for their 2009 relegationCredit: PA:Press Association
      In his autobiography, Owen also says Shearer has not spoken to him since he was sacked by NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
      Once his mentor, Shearer and Owen are no longer matesCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “I’m not stupid – we both knew I was out of contract in a few weeks.
      “It wasn’t until three months later, I discovered that Alan Shearer was apparently seething with me.
      “Not only that, it transpired that he was telling anyone who’d listen what he thought of me.

      “When you analyse it, it all makes sense. Shearer’s record as manager in the last eight games of that 2008/2009 season was dire: lost 5, drew 2, won 1. These are hardly God-like stats.
      “The truth is, the damage was done long before we went to Villa Park needing to draw. I feel a little sorry for him.
      “I’m gutted for him that it never worked out at Newcastle, Alan Shearer and I still haven’t talked this out face to face and that’s a shame because, as I’ve said many, many times, we were very good friends.”
      Troy Deeney says he and Watford will walk off the pitch if booed by Millwall fans More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Robert Lewandowski became Poland’s all-time leading goalscorer, but before his debut his sports-fan father passed away

      by

      HE’S Poland’s greatest ever footballer and is gearing up to lead their charge at Euro 2020.But behind Robert Lewandowski’s remarkable success story for both club and country is a heartbreaking story.
      Behind Robert Lewandowski’s success is a heartbreaking story
      The Bayern Munich striker, who is his nation’s all-time leading scorer with 66 goals, will have one regret when he steps onto the Krestovsky Stadium pitch in in Saint Petersburg against Slovakia.
      A year before Robert, 32, made his professional debut, his hero and sports-obsessed father passed away, missing the opportunity to see his son play professionally.
      Krzysztof Lewandowski was well recognised for his sporting achievements in his homeland.
      Aside from being a judo champion in the 1970s, Krzysztof played second division football for Hutnik Warszawa.

      And sport was very much the main focus for the Lewandowski family, with mother Iwona a former pro volleyball player too.
      With such a heritage, it seemed inevitable that Robert would follow in his parents’ footsteps.

      He caught the football bug at a young age, so Krzysztof happily accompanied his boy to Partyzant Leszno training sessions, spotting young Robert’s talent with a ball early on.
      By the age of nine, Lewandowski was training with local team Varsovia Warszawa, honing the skills that would serve him well in the future.
      Robert Lewandowski as a baby with his mother, IwonaCredit: Facebook @rl9official
      Playing on hard, sandy, grassless pitches, the close control he’s now known for began to develop in the poor footballing conditions he was first introduced to.
      And if the quality of the turf was lacking, the changing rooms weren’t much better either.
      Unheated old barracks with broken windows while playing during the cold, winter months didn’t deter Robert’s drive and determination to make it to the top.
      Within seven years, he signed for Delta Warsaw – a fifth tier Polish side known to be a direct supplier of players to one of the country’s biggest teams, Legia Warsaw.
      As a boy, Robert Lewandowski, right, was a gifted footballerCredit: Instagram @_rl9
      It was then that a 16-year-old “Lewy”, as he was known to his teammates, started to realise his potential.
      Legia’s scouts were impressed. His attitude and appetite for the game resulted in rapid progress.
      He scored goals for fun, stood out from the crowd and whispers were reverberating around the club that Legia were interested in signing him up.
      However, Robert’s world came crashing down at a critical time when football was starting to become his chosen career path.
      Family man Robert Lewandowski with his grandmaCredit: Instagram @_rl9
      In 2005, his dad Krzysztof underwent a potentially life-saving operation,  bu the long-time cancer sufferer died just a few days after when he suffered a stroke.
      Lewandowski told Bild: “His death was the toughest time for me. 
      “Suddenly, I was the man of the house and had to be a grown-up. The memory of my father still drives me on.”To lessen the financial burden on his mum, brave Robert left his family home and moved into a small flat with his sister Milena in Warsaw.
      Gradually, Robert Lewandowski earned himself a move to Lech PoznanCredit: AFP – Getty
      Whatever he earned with Delta, he shared with his mum and sister, who later achieved her dream in becoming a professional volleyball player.
      Legia decided to give Lewandowski a one-year deal with their reserves, and he often trained with the first team.
      But an increase in training levels, coupled with his then-slight frame, saw him struggle with injuries.
      After a year, Legia decided to cut their losses. Lewandowski was released, without making his senior bow and his football ambitions seemed in tatters.
      As a success at Lech Poznan, Robert Lewandowski attracted interest from other European clubsCredit: AFP – Getty
      Desperate for a goalscorer, third division Znicz Pruszków gave Lewandowski another shot.
      It was a decision that both parties will forever be thankful for.
      In his first season, he put aside his injury problems to fire his new team into the second division – scoring 16 goals in 29 games in all competitions, aged just 17.
      A year later, he was the leading goalscorer in Poland’s second division – finding the net 21 times in 32 league games.
      He was snapped up by Lech Poznań for 1.5 million złotys in 2008, the equivalent today of around £300,000.
      Robert Lewandowski’s skills were honed in the blistering cold of Poland’s wintry conditionsCredit: AFP – Getty
      Sadly for Robert Lewandowski his father never saw him play professionallyCredit: AFP – Getty

      Lewandowski was soon on his way, playing in Poland’s top league, the Ekstraklasa.
      The sad thing was, his proud dad Krzysztof wasn’t around to see his son’s rise to becoming one of the most feared forwards in the world.
      “After his death I quickly had to become an adult,” Robert said in a candid interview on a Polish TV chat show hosted by Magda Molek in 2015.
      In a candid interview, Robert Lewandowski opened up about his father to Polish TV presenter Magda MolekCredit: Facebook
      At Lech Poznan, Robert Lewandowski scored 41 goals in 82 gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Robert Lewandowski has gone to become one of the world’s best strikersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “He always knew that I would be playing abroad. He said that was why he gave me the name Robert so that no one would mistake my name.
      “I regretted many times that I did not talk to him about something, that I did not say something to him.
      “I regret the most that he did not see my first match in seniors and that he cannot be at my matches live.
      “I hope, however, that he looks down on me and helps me in all this. I believe it.”
      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Rise of Scotland star Andy Robertson, from ‘rubbish’ life as Celtic reject with ‘no money’ to Liverpool title-winner

      by

      SCOTLAND and Liverpool hero Andy Robertson has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top.A hero of the Reds’ famous title win in 2020, as well as a Champions League winner, the rampaging left-back is gearing up the Euros with his national team.
      Champions League and Premier League winner Andy Robertson has enjoyed an epic riseCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Robertson, left, dreamed of footballing success as a boyCredit: Instagram@andyrobertson94
      When Robertson, 27, was beginning his career in the game with Queen’s Park he moaned that life was “rubbish” and he was skint living off an apprentice wage in his homeland.
      But after moving to Dundee United and winning the SPFA Young Player of the Year, he broke into the international set-up in his first season and showed his hunger and desire.
      Now, he’s one of the first names on the Liverpool team-sheet, as well as Scotland captain, and is famed for his swashbuckling runs and pinpoint crosses, as much as he is for keeping wingers at bay.
      And few could’ve predicted Robertson would become one of the best left backs in the world after his first day training with the new Premier League champions back in 2017.
      MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH
      Born in Glasgow as a Celtic fan, Robertson was introduced to football by his dad Brian, who played at amateur level, but was held back by a spinal injury that meant he had to wear a back brace.
      Former footballers including Charlie Nicholas and Jim Duffy were family friends, and he would hear tales of their own football legacies that spurred him on to create his own.
      However, that seemed a long way away after he was released by Celtic when he was jut 15 because he was deemed too small.
      He concentrated on his studies and left St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire with decent enough grades to be accepted to an undergraduate degree at university.
      At 15 Robertson, wearing the goalie gloves, was released by Celtic because of his sizeCredit: Instagram@andyrobertson94
      Robertson, right, soon found himself thrust into Queen’s Park’s first teamCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      In his first full season he played 43 timesCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      Robertson was on the books at Queen’s Park, and just as he thought he should follow a more academic route he was handed his debut in the first team.
      In a remarkable first season with the Scottish Third Division side he racked up 43 appearances in all competitions, but despite that life wasn’t all rosy.’NEED A JOB’
      Despite the upturn in his football career, Robertson was still adamant he needed to find a job.
      Now earning £2.6million annually at Anfield, back in 2012 he was struggling financially.
      And at 18, when you have youth on your side and you want to do everything and anything, he couldn’t help but moan about a lack of funds to fritter away.
      He took to Twitter and wrote: “Life at this age is rubbish with no money #needajob.”
      The Scot only had his travel expenses paid for by Queen’s Park. 
      He would later have to take a job on the tills at Marks and Spencer in Glasgow and also worked at Hampden Park for the Scottish FA.
      He once showed former Man City skipper Vincent Kompany where he should sit.
      “I once showed Vincent Kompany to his seat,” Robertson told the Guardian. 
      “Scotland played Belgium and I was told to show [the injured] Kompany to his seat and give him a programme.”
      Robertson even worked on the lingerie department of M&S.
      He said: “I was on the checkouts at M&S. My mates got discounts on Percy Pigs so they were delighted. I was only 17, 18.
      “I actually worked a couple of shifts on women’s lingerie. They were short on staff and I got flung up there. You just talk s**t and hopefully they buy it.”
      An impressive season later in Scotland’s third tier, Scottish Premiership side Dundee United signed him.
      There was no need for a job anymore, this was his calling.

      A move to Dundee United followedCredit: Peter Kelly – The Sun Glasgow
      ONE SEASON WONDER
      Under the watchful eye of manager Jackie McNamara, a steady full back in his day with Robertson’s boyhood club Celtic, the young prospect began to prosper.
      Immediately, he was thrust into the first team by his boss, who trusted him implicitly.
      And he rewarded that belief with a stunning goal against Motherwell within months of his arrival – running from his own half, before sending a 20-yard drive into the bottom with his magical left foot.
      Again a first team regular, Robertson played 44 games in all competitions, scoring five times and became a firm fans’ favourite.
      He was awarded the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 2014, and was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
      Robertson was also handed an International debut in a friendly against Poland by manager Gordon Strachan.
      Afterwards, Strachan purred:  “Andy came on there and the first time he picked it up he drove about 30 yards.
      “I thought ‘that’s fantastic’. Absolutely no grey area, I’m going to do what I do. I loved seeing that first touch.”
      Robertson won the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 2014Credit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      In 2014 Robertson also made his first appearance for ScotlandCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      TO ENGLAND AND A MILLIONAIRE’S EXISTENCE
      In the summer of 2014, Dundee United accepted a £2.85million bid from Premier League side Hull City for their star defender.
      Ironically, as fate would have it, Hull’s chief scout Stan Ternent was checking on another player before being wowed by Robertson.
      Ternent revealed: “I’d been looking at Stuart Armstrong (now at Southampton) but (Robertson) was the no brainer … he’d a history with Celtic and he was always a determined lad given how he’d recovered from his setbacks.
      “You could see straight away he had ability and he can only get better.”
      Robertson quickly settled in East Riding, winning the club’s Player of the Month award in his first month.
      He made 24 appearances in his first season, but was unable to save them from relegation.
      Other players jumped ship, but feeling a sense of loyalty to his employers Robertson stayed with Hull in the Championship, and he helped them bounce back to the Premier League in 2016.
      Robertson is unveiled opposite Harry Maguire after signing for Hull City for £2.85mCredit: Instagram@andyrobertson94
      Robertson became a firm fans favourite in East RidingCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      ‘SICK BOY’
      Looking for cover for Alberto Moreno, Liverpool signed Robertson for an initial fee of £8million in 2017.
      Moving to a team with such international pedigree, the new arrival could’ve been forgiven for feeling overawed and nervous.
      And unfortunately for Robertson, it didn’t help that he vomited on his first training session in front of his new team-mates – earning himself a unflattering nickname with Klopp.
      “I remember the first day there were only six or seven of us in because the lads were still on pre-season,” Robertson said.
      “We had to do that lactate test, which the Germans love, where you have to run to your maximum.
      “They set up poles all around the pitch and you have to make each pole on the whistle.
      “It gets faster and faster and faster. It’s similar to the bleep test but it’s a lot harder and faster.
      Robertson has established himself as one of the world’s best left backs at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
      Jurgen Klopp calls him Sick Boy after he threw up on his first day at trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Robertson won the Premier League with the RedsCredit: BBC

      “I remember running alongside Danny Ings and I was just sick everywhere. I tried to hold it in but I had to let it go and it was terrible. Day one.
      “Luckily the gaffer wasn’t there and I thought I got away with it.
      “They were back three days later and he called me Mr Sick Boy. I was gutted.”
      Liverpool fans continue their celebrations as they party through the night after Premier League victory More