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      I will do everything I can to give the ludicrous European Super League a straight red

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      ANYONE who has watched me play football or played with me in the same match will know that I am far from an expert on the beautiful game.But you don’t need to be an expert to horrified at the prospect of the so-called “Super League” being cooked up by a small number of clubs.
      Leeds United players wore ‘Football Is For The Fans’ shirts ahead of their match against LiverpoolCredit: PA
      A Tottenham Hotspurs fan protests against the proposed European Super LeagueCredit: The Sun
      You only need a pulse to know that football is not a brand or a product. In fact it’s so much more than even a sport.
      Football clubs in every town and city and at every tier of the pyramid have a unique place at the heart of their communities, and are an unrivalled source of passionate local pride.
      And the joy of the game’s current structure, one that has kept people coming back year after year, generation after generation, is that even the most seemingly endless period of frustration is made bearable by the possibility, however remote, that one day you could see them rise up.
      After all if Leicester City can win the Premier League, if Nottingham Forest can be champions of Europe not once but twice then maybe, just maybe, your team can do the same.
      But that can only happen if the playing field is even vaguely level and the ability to progress is universal.

      The European Super League guarantees neither, which is why it has been roundly rejected by the people who matter most: the fans.
      A year of empty stadiums has reminded us all that football without fans is an altogether more anaemic spectacle.
      It is your game – and you can rest assured that I’m going to do everything I can to give this ludicrous plan a straight red.
      An Arsenal fan protests against the new plans outside the Emirates stadiumCredit: Rex
      If Leicester City can win the Premier League then maybe, just maybe, your team can do the sameCredit: AFP or licensors
      Nottingham Forest were champions of Europe not once but twiceCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fumes at Leeds warm-up T-shirts mocking them for joining European Super League More

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      John Terry ready to help England’s Rugby League World Cup victory bid after striking friendship with England boss Wane

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      SHAUN WANE will team up with a captain, leader, legend as England look to win rugby league’s World Cup – John Terry.
      And he is in no doubt that Super League this year is stronger than ever, thanks to the likes of John Bateman coming back and Greg Inglis joining.

      John Terry will be asked to help England ahead of their bid to win the Rugby League World CupCredit: PA:Press Association

      National boss Wane has been taking part in a sporting directorship course to fill his days while the 13-a-side code is out of action.
      Now Aston Villa assistant boss Terry is also studying and he will be asked to tell England’s players what it takes to succeed at the highest level, as will golfer Lee Westwood.
      Wane said: “I’ve had quite a few chats with John and he’s very knowledgeable. I did a chat for Uefa coaching badge attendees and he was one of them.
      “All I talked about was standards and what we did at Wigan. He loved it and we’ve kept in touch. I learn from him and him from me.

      “He’ll be going up to training. He’s really keen, very smart and loves our way of thinking in rugby league.

      England boss Shaun Wane is eager for his players to learn from as many people as possible ahead of the World Cup
      “He’s got a real understanding about rugby league and he loves the game – and he’s a very proud Englishman.
      “Lee Westwood is another one and he’ll be getting involved with us.
      “It’s important for the players to get a perspective from another sport. Lee is very individual in terms of the sport he plays while John has played for England.

      “I love speaking to people like that about how they train, what they do, what their thought process is and what their standards are.
      “I’m assuming that our players will have a thirst for that too and if they don’t, I want them to have an open mind about things like that.”

      Golfer Lee Westwood will also give Wane’s men the benefit of his expertiseCredit: Paul Edwards – The Sun
      Wane has effectively been kicking his heels after the Covid-19 pandemic saw England’s Ashes series with Australia cancelled.
      But as far as he is concerned, his side will be facing the Exiles, a team made up of Super League’s best ex-NRL players, on June 27 and hopes to face Fiji about 10 days before the World Cup’s opening game against Samoa on October 23.
      And he believes the pool is getting stronger after Bateman returned to Wigan after a stellar NRL stint, while Super League dropping matches from its schedule would not be a bad thing.
      He added: “John is going to be a great addition and Greg is obviously a fantastic player, it won’t take him long to get back into shape.
      “But the competition is going to be stronger with John in, no question. We just need more great games of the intensity of Wigan-St Helens or Wigan-Warrington. I hope we’ll see that.”

      Shaun Wane would be happy for Great Britain international Blake Austin to line up for the Exiles against EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      England taking on the Exiles could see Wane’s men face the likes of Inglis, Israel Folau, James Maloney and Bevan French.
      But he also hopes one-time Great Britain internationals Jackson Hastings and Blake Austin face the country they qualify for
      He said: “Absolutely I would. I want that Exiles team to be as strong as possible and they’d be a lot stronger with Blake Austin in, no question.
      “I want that game to be like a Test match.” More