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      Alan Ball’s 1966 England World Cup winner’s medal sells for record sum at auction

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      ALAN Ball’s 1966 England World Cup winner’s medal sold for a record £252,000 at auction yesterday.The red No 7 shirt he wore in the 4-2 triumph over West Germany fetched another £164,000.
      Alan Ball’s 1966 England World Cup winner’s medal has sold for a record £252,000 at auctionCredit: M and Y Portsmouth
      And his blue England cap presented for playing in the tournament went for £145,000.
      Ball was the youngest member of the World Cup winning team, aged 21.
      The former Everton and Arsenal midfield ace died of a heart attack in 2007 aged 61.
      His mementoes were sold in 2005 to businessman Edwin Davies, former owner of Ball’s hometown club Bolton Wanderers, who died in 2018.
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      The sum paid for the medal by the successful bidder beat the previous record of £188,000 for Nobby Styles’s World Cup winner’s gong in 2010.
      The three historic items went under the hammer at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.
      Keegan Harrison, a sporting specialist at Tennants, said: “It has been a privilege to handle such an important piece of English sporting history.
      “It has been 56 years since that incredible match, but it is still very close to the hearts of all football fans.”
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      Brazil great Pele’s shirt from the first half against England at the 1970 World Cup went for £33,000 at the same auction. More

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      Rishi Sunak could fly to Qatar for World Cup final to watch England make history

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      RISHI Sunak could fly to Qatar for the World Cup final if England make it through to the final.The PM is cheering on our boys from the UK for now as they face France today.
      Rishi Sunak could fly to Qatar for the World Cup final if England make it through to the finalCredit: Alamy
      He will host a number of Tory MPs with him to watch the match at his countryside retreat, Chequers.
      And he wished the boys the “best of luck” ahead of the clash.
      No10 said: “He obviously wishes Gareth and the team the best of luck.
      He knows that the team will give everything they can to try and win the match.
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      And he may choose to jet off at the last minute to watch them play in person – if the team makes it all the way through to the end of the tournament.
      But Qatar has been hit with claims of human rights abuses of workers who put together the stadium – and ministers have warned LGBT fans to take care when they visit.
      Mr Sunak has confessed he’s a “massive football fan” and has been keenly cheering England along.
      Prince William previously said he won’t be attending any World Cup matches, despite his role as President of the FA.
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      Three Lions mascot Dave the Cat is coming home – after being adopted by Stones and Walker

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      THREE LIONS mascot Dave the Cat is coming home – after being adopted by England heroes John Stones and Kyle Walker.England heroes Stones and Walker initially pledged to rehome him if the Three Lions won the World Cup in Qatar.
      John Stones posted a pic of himself giving a thumbs up with Dave the Cat and wrote: ‘Dave’s joined us for dinner #mascot’
      The Three Lions mascot is coming home after being adopted by Stones and Kyle WalkerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But the duo, who will line up against France in tomorrow’s quarter-final, have now vowed to take him home regardless.
      An FA source said: “We’ve been working with the Qatar Animal Welfare Society.
      “They’ve treated him for a leg injury sustained during a fight with another cat.”
      They added the mog, who strolled into the team’s base in Qatar, would live with either John, 28, or Kyle, 32.
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      Stones, 28, fell for the cat when he strolled into the team’s five-star training base on their first day.
      He later posted a pic of himself giving a thumbs up as the cat relaxed under his chair with the message: “Dave’s joined us for dinner #mascot.” More

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      England Wag Annie Kilner kits herself out in plunging swimsuit – but hopes partner Kyle Walker will make a splash

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      ENGLAND Wag Annie Kilner kits herself out in a plunging swimsuit — but hopes it’s her partner Kyle Walker who makes a splash tonight.The model, 30, will cheer from the stands as defender Kyle, 32, aims to stop superfast Kylian Mbappe in his tracks when the Three Lions take on France.
      Annie Kilner was all kitted out in a plunging white swimsuit
      No doubt Annie will be relying on Kylian Mbappe’s form to take a dip, with her husband given the tough job of tackling the French forwardCredit: WCNP
      Kyle and Annie tied the knot at the beginning of 2022Credit: Getty
      No doubt she’ll be relying on Kylian’s form to take a dip . . . 
      Kyle will be given the tough job of tackling the flying French forward in the World Cup quarter-final.
      Annie Kilner and Kyle Walker started dating in their teens.
      They were together for over nine years before splitting in May 2019.
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      Walker was dumped by Annie after reality star Laura Brown opened up about romps in the England ace’s £200k Bentley.
      However, the couple got married at the beginning of 2022, putting their troubles behind them.
      The England star proposed last year with a £250,000 engagement ring.
      Annie and Kyle have three sons together: Roman, Riaan and Reign.
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      I’m an England superfan and I’m so sure we’ll win the World Cup I’ve had a tattoo done

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      SUPERFAN Dennis Pope is so sure England will win the World Cup he has updated his ill-fated 2018 tattoo.Dennis, 25, paid £40 four years ago to have “England World Cup Winners 2018” inked on to his right calf.
      Dennis has updated the tattoo he got four years ago when he was sure England would win the 2018 World Cup
      He’s now sure that England will beat 3-1 in tomorrow night’s quarter-final, and go on to become this year’s champions
      But his hopes were dashed when they were beaten by Croatia in the semi-finals in Russia.
      Plasterer Dennis is now backing England to beat France 3-1 in tomorrow night’s quarter-final in Qatar — and has updated his inking to prove it.
      His original tattoo remains, but with a red cross through 2018 and 2022 inked below it.
      New dad Dennis said: “We’ve waited for a moment like this.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP 202
      “This is it. If there was a time, it’s right now. Kane to score twice and Rashford to add a third. I would even settle for a Harry Maguire header. We can beat anyone.”
      Dennis, of Blackpool, said of his original tattoo: “It wasn’t meant to be and we lost to Croatia in the semis but I didn’t regret getting the tattoo in the slightest.
      “It’s a reminder of wonderful memories and how close we came. This time though, it feels different.” More

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      England fans are heralded by a Sun mascot parade through the capital’s souk market

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      THOUSANDS of England fans poured into Qatar for the World Cup clash with France last night – heralded by a sensational Sun mascot parade through the capital’s historic souk market.Gamechanger Chesney Hawkes, Sun lion Harry Mane and the England Supporters Band were mobbed as they danced through the bustling Arab throng.
      Chesney Hawkes led on guitar as England Band trumpeter John Hemmingham, 59, drummer Steve Holmes, 51, and Sun lion Harry Mane were mobbedCredit: Dan Charity
      And fans sang along to the lucky charm star’s One and Only to boost our chances of defeating superstar Kylian Mbappe and the world champions.
      Locals in traditional robes and fans of all nations – including English, French, Argentines, Brazillians and Moroccans joined the wacky procession snaking through the marketplace.
      Chesney, 51, led on guitar strumming his hit backed by band trumpeter John Hemmingham, 59, and the booming big bass drum of pal Steve Holmes, 51.
      The clamour for pictures and selfies from the cheering crowds at one point completely blocked the narrow souk thoroughfare.
      READ MORE ON ENGLAND VS FRANCE
      Locals posed for pictures and cuddled up to furry lion Harry with their kids until the fun was halted to respect the Muslim call to prayer at sunset.
      Trumpeter John from Sheffield – who has been to every England game – said: “That’s the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here – what a reception!
      “I’ve learned the notes of Chesney’s One and Only song and will be playing it in the crowd tomorrow to get the fans going.
      “Our fans are arriving and the atmosphere is building – it’s going to be a fantastic game and I’m sure we can win.”
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      Steve, also from Sheffield, said: “Fans of all nations love Harry Mane and Chesney’s song is catching on among the England supporters. The parade was a great laugh and we really shook the place up – we were mobbed!
      “I’ve been to seven World Cups and can honestly say we can win it this time. Gareth Southgate’s team has matured since Russia and they’re now the real deal.”
      Chesney laughed after being rescued from the crowds: “That was unreal – absolutely brilliant. It’s great to be having fun among England fans ahead of one of the biggest games in our history – now all we have to do is go out and win it!”
      Estate agent Paul Dubberley, 63, from Walsall, West Mids said after a singalong with The Sun team: “I’m convinced we can beat the French and win the World Cup.
      “And I’ve put my money where my mouth is by getting tickets all the way to the final to watch us lift the trophy. It’s been great meeting Chesney – he’s a great guy and we all love his lucky song.”
      Retired teacher Norman Bartlam, 64, also from Walsall said: “The atmosphere here has been terrific – and made even better by the fun we’ve had with Chesney and The Sun team.
      “We’re heading for the game full of hope and praying that we can play well enough to beat French and go on to finally bring it home.”
      Back home an estimated 45 million pints will be downed on pubs’ busiest day for three years today – as 23 million roar on England on Super Saturday.
      A £350 million big match party with almost half England’s population tuned in will see beer sales rocket 50 per cent. Around 25 million pints will be drunk today in 30,000 pubs, plus 20m at home, British Beer and Pub Association consumption trends showed.
      Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “At home and at the bar, the beer is flowing.”
      December is pubs’ busiest month of the year, and the 7pm prime time France game is England’s first Saturday match of the first winter World Cup.
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      Tickets for England’s quarter final game being offered by touts for up to £9,000 each last night. There were 679 tickets being offered on the resale website Ticombo. Some were being sold for £2,500 and each came with a hefty booking fee of £750.
      That totalled £3,250 each for tickets with a face value of £350. Hospitality packages were being offered for £7,000 per person plus a £2,000 booking fee, taking the total price to an eye-watering £9,000. More

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      Harry Kane says confident England believe they can beat France and go all the way to glory ahead of quarter-final clash

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      HARRY Kane says England are brimming with belief — as the nation hopes they can beat France in tomorrow’s crunch quarter-final.Skipper Harry told fans confidence is surging that the Three Lions can go all the way to glory.
      Harry Kane says England are brimming with belief and is confident his team can knock France out of the World Cup
      ‘We’re not just here to reach a quarter-final,’ said Kane in a rallying cry ahead of tomorrow’s crunch matchCredit: AFP
      More than 20million will watch tomorrow’s showdown with the reigning champions — with England aiming to erase 56 years of hurt, including semi- final disappointment in 2018 and penalty agony at Euro 2020.
      Spurs ace Harry used the word “believe” repeatedly in his rallying cry, saying: “We’re not here just to reach a quarter-final.
      “Looking back in 2018 we didn’t really know what to expect — whether we had the full belief to win the tournament I’m not quite sure.
      “We backed that up in the Euros getting to another final and lost by a couple of kicks of the ball and I believe the belief has been building over the past four or five years.
      READ MORE ON ENGLAND VS FRANCE
      “We entered this tournament hoping and believing we can win it and we have got to the stage now where we expected to be — but now it’s time to push on.
      “We face a very tough game tomorrow and I know everyone is ready. We are prepared and we go into that game with more belief than we had in 2018.”
      Harry won the Golden Boot as top scorer in Russia 2018 and got off the mark in Qatar with a thunderbolt in the 3-0 last 16 thrashing of Senegal.
      And he stressed that beating France at the Al Bayt stadium will not be enough.
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      ‘Belief’
      He said: “Between us, the players and staff have a real belief and a real determination to be successful as an England team. You can only prove that by winning games. But tomorrow isn’t the World Cup Final, it’s another step towards winning the World Cup and we must be focused on that.”
      His message was echoed by boss Gareth Southgate, who also said his young team have matured and genuinely feel they could lift the Cup.
      He admitted the players “could have talked a good game” in previous years but now have the experience of big nights as a group.
      Gareth Southgate says his young team has matured and genuinely believes they could lift the World CupCredit: Getty
      It comes as England are boosted by the return of Raheem Sterling – pictured here with John StonesCredit: PA
      Southgate urged England to give their all in a match that brings “millions together”, adding: “We want to give them another night to be proud of.”
      Asked what quality England would need most to beat superstar Kylian Mbappe and France, he responded: “Belief.”
      England are boosted by the return of Raheem Sterling after he flew to the UK following a break-in at his family home.
      Southgate revealed he would not need to say a single word to his players before they march out in front of 69,000 fans.
      Asked what his final words would be in the dressing room, he said: “Nothing at all.
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      “Harry does it. By that point the messages and work are done and it’s up to the players.
      “There are lots of times when I played when managers spoke and I thought, ‘Look, I’m ready. all you can do is mess it up for me now’. So I’ve taken that on board.” More

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      Sun man Joe Hadden poses in England kit in front of Kylian Mbappe’s old apartment block in Paris

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      THE SUN gave the French an Eiffel ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final clash – draping a St George’s flag over their most famous landmark.Sun man and agent provocateur Joe Hadden went up the Eiffel Tower to unfurl the flag, prompting furious heckles from onlookers down below.
      Sun reporter Joe Hadden flies the England flag in front of an apartment block in the neighbourhood of Bondy, Paris suburb where Kylian Mbappe grew up
      And later on Joe posed up outside Kylian Mbappe’s old apartment block in an England kit.
      A giant mural of the star forward, 23, is plastered across the side of the building in the Parisian suburb of Bondy.
      Motorists in the neighbourhood were full of fighting spirit – beeping their horns and shouting “Allez La France”.
      Idris Mohamed, 22, who works at Harry’s Cafe across the road from the mural, said: “Mbappe is a hero round here. The Sun’s stunt only makes us want to win even more.”
      READ MORE ON ENGLAND VS FRANCE
      Tensions have been building in the French capital as the do-or-die quarter-final nears.
      On Tuesday we evaded security at the historic Grevin Museum to kit out Mbappe’s iconic waxwork in full England gear.
      England vs France takes place THIS SATURDAY – December 10. The match kicks off at 7pm UK time.
      The Al-Bayt Stadium plays host.
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      England vs France will be broadcast live on ITV 1. More