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      in Soccer

      Tottenham Hotspur players had secret recipe for winning start under new boss Antonio Conte

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      TOTTENHAM Hotspur had a recipe for their winning start under new boss Antonio Conte — feeding the players weeds.The Premier League side grows fruit and veg at their training base for the canteen which feeds up to 70 players including Harry Kane and staff.
      Tottenham grow plants used for food in their canteen at their training groundCredit: Reuters
      Head kitchen gardener Kuda Chimbudzi, 42, said all weeds are allowed to grow in the half-acre garden’s 70 plant beds at Hotspur Way, North London.
      Inedible ones are easier to remove when fully grown and others go on the menu.
      Kuda said: “We try to use six or seven different kinds of leaf to make salads more exciting.
      “An example is chickweed, tree spinach, cut-and-come-again chard, mizuna, mustard, pea shoots, kale and nasturtium flowers for colour.
      “We have lost our knowledge of edible indigenous plants — some are of greater value than many of the crops we eat day in, day out.”
      Kuda added in an interview with the Royal Horticultural Society: “Elite athletes need to be properly fed for their bodies to perform at the highest level.”
      Conte, 52, managed Spurs for the first time as they beat Vitesse Arnhem 3-2 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
      Conte gets off to a winning start as Tottenham beat Vitesse 3-2 More

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      in Soccer

      I feel like I’ve done marriage…I genuinely can’t be arsed, says Gary Lineker

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      ON the pitch, Gary Lineker was one of the country’s most prolific scorers.Off it, the 60-year-old former striker is, well, anything but.
      Gary Lineker was one of the country’s most prolific scorers on the pitch, but today he reveals he has given up on marriageCredit: Eyevine
      The Match of the Day host reckons he will only marry again, ‘when I need my nappies changing’, here with ex-wife Danielle Bux in 2010
      The smooth-talking England legend — and Heat magazine’s 22nd ranking in its Secret Crush poll — reckons he has given up on sex, and love, and will only marry again, “when I need my nappies changing”.
      He says: “I last went on a date a few months ago. Every now and again you might meet someone — but obviously not over the past couple of years because of the pandemic — but I’ve always found it quite difficult.
      “Occasionally I have a date, but then I’ll go and make it clear I’m not interested. So I feel bad. I don’t want to lead anyone up the garden path. It sounds selfish, but I’m really happy on my own.
      “I’ve got good friends, I’ve got my kids, I like cooking, and I just don’t want any more sleeping with someone again. When you get a bit older, that urge fades, your testosterone levels drop. It’s just not that important.
      “I like the fun of flirting, going on dates, kissing and cooking for someone, but that’s about as far as I want to take it. I’m not sure I’m asexual as such — no matter how old you are, a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman — but I just genuinely can’t be arsed now.”
      Twice-married Gary has four grown-up sons — George, Harry, Tobias and Angus — from his first marriage to Michelle Cockayne, 55.

      ‘I may get lonely and feel I need company’
      Three years after they split in 2006, he married actress Danielle Bux, 42, in 2009. They divorced in 2016. The pair remain “best mates” — she even bought him the plaid shirt he is wearing for our interview — and speak most days.
      So will he make it third time lucky? “I’ve spent most of my adult life married, I feel like I’ve done it,” he says. “But you never know, in a few years’ time I might get lonely and feel like I need company. I don’t think I will get married again, but maybe in five, ten years’ time, when I’m old and need my nappies changing, I will change my mind. Never say never.”
      Netting 48 goals for his country — England’s all-time third-highest scorer behind Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton — Gary not only played a good game, he now talks one. As the BBC’s lead football presenter, he has been the face of Match Of The Day for the past 22 years — and has become one of the country’s most accomplished broadcasters. He is now flexing a new presenting muscle, hosting game show Sitting On A Fortune.
      The big-budget ITV1 series kicks off tomorrow night and is loosely based on the concept of penalty shoot-outs, with the winner in line for up to £100,000. Contestants position them-selves in a row of seats, one behind the other, with the player in the “golden chair” at the front answering questions. Wrong answers see the player booted to the back of the line.
      Created by the man behind smash shows including Deal Or No Deal and Pointless, it looks set to become a family staple this winter. And Gary is genuinely excited about it.
      Smiling and sipping on some Chablis, he says: “I’m really proud of it, and just hope people like it as much as I do. I’ve watched hundreds of game shows over the years and not many finish on a high. Even the greatest game shows, like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, only have a winner getting £1million every five years or so.
      I don’t think I will get married again, but maybe in five, ten years’ time, when I’m old and need my nappies changing, I will change my mind. Never say never.Gary Lineker
      “Whereas with our show, the chances are pretty much always the show finishes with this amazing moment. And that’s beautiful.” He prepped for his new role by bingeing on programmes hosted by Bradley Walsh and Jeremy Clarkson, and briefly chatted to the latter for advice ahead of filming.
      Earlier this year, former Barcelona striker Gary announced he was quitting as the anchor of BT Sport’s Champions League coverage. He recently landed a new role on the Spanish La Liga’s English-language channel.
      Next year he will join the rest of the BBC sport team in Qatar to cover the World Cup. Much has been written about the decision to give the tournament to the Middle Eastern country with an appalling human rights record and barbaric anti-gay laws. Gary, who has previously spoken out against the host country, has been accused of hypocrisy for covering the event.
      Something which, understandably, he finds hugely frustrating. Chatting over a lobster thermidor jacket potato (no idea, either), he explains: “I get this all the time. ‘So you’re not going to go then?’ I’ve got to go because it’s my job. News reporters go, so why am I not allowed to?
      “You don’t have to agree — and I vehemently disagree with the regime — and I’m not going there to cheer it on. I’m not a supporter. We know it was a corrupt bid. We shouldn’t be there, but it is there, and I’ll go and report on it from there. Will I support the Qatar World Cup in a sense of all that?
      “No, because they’ve got too many fundamental human rights wrong. I’m aware of all that. Will I do stuff for Qatar in the World Cup? Absolutely not. Whatever they wanted to pay me the answer would be no. But I will go there and report the World Cup for the BBC.”
      ‘Piers is obviously deliberately provocative’
      So what does he make of David Beckham’s decision to become a cultural ambassador for Qatar, landing himself a staggering £150million deal in the process?
      Diplomatically, Gary replies: “It’s not something I would have done but it’s his business. I’m not a judgmental person. How many people would turn down £150million? The figure would be very, very few. I wouldn’t do it, and I mean that. But he’s a business person. He’s done really well, he’s a nice guy, and he’s been very successful.”
      Gary may be just a few years off a free bus pass, but he remains as determinedly ambitious as ever — and has no intention of retiring any time soon. Which is bad news for former Spurs and Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who has been tipped to replace the big man on Match Of The Day when he does eventually hang up his mic.
      But Gary backs Jermaine, who hosts BBC1’s The One Show, to take the reins one day. He says: “Jermaine is my natural successor. I think he’s doing well presenting. He’s got calmness, he’s got likeability and he’s smart. I think he’ll do really well. But I might make him wait a little while yet!”
      Despite the BBC’s attempts to clamp down on impartiality — effectively trying to keep their big- name stars from saying anything remotely controversial — Gary is not for being muted. The planet’s most famous crisp eater is notoriously vocal over Twitter — earning him plaudits and critics in equal measure.
      In reality, he is very kind, softly spoken and unassuming — a very different beast to one of his best mates, Piers Morgan, who pipped Gaz in Heat magazine’s aforementioned Celebrity Crush poll, coming in at sixth (the less said of that, the better).
      Jermaine is my natural successor. I think he’s doing well presenting. He’s got calmness, he’s got likeability and he’s smart.Gary Lineker
      The pair regularly spar on Twitter, and often take it over to text messages to “thrash it out”. Gary says: “Sometimes, I’ll be like, ‘Well that was fun’, and he’ll say, ‘Yes, keep it going — keep them happy’. He is obviously deliberately provocative. But we’ve never had a row. I don’t row.
      “I enjoy Piers’ company. We disagree with things and we agree with things. We do it in a kind-hearted manner.” By his own admission Gary is perceived as a “big leftie” when the reality is, he says, “I am very in the middle”.
      He is also famously passionate about the cause of refugees, and last year put his money where his mouth is, taking in a Pakistani refugee for a few weeks.
      Fifteen months on, the pair remain close, and Gary is currently in the process of going through a charity to take in another.
      He says: “The refugee thing, I will never be able to comprehend being attacked for wanting to help people who are being bombed, who are risking their lives jumping on dinghies because they’re so desperate.
      “How can anyone have a total lack of empathy for people in the most dire circumstances?
      I enjoy Piers’ company. We disagree with things and we agree with things. We do it in a kind-hearted manner.Gary Lineker
      “I was actually supposed to take another one a couple of weeks ago, but am just waiting on the paperwork. It wasn’t just a one-off like the public perception was.
      “It’s genuine. I got a lot out of it, and it was just a wonderful experience.”

      Sitting On A Fortune starts on ITV tomorrow at 7pm.

      Gary says ‘It sounds selfish, but I’m really happy on my own’, here with Clemmie Moodie
      On David Beckham’s decision to become a cultural ambassador for Qatar, he says ‘ I wouldn’t do it, and I mean that. But he’s a business person’Credit: Rex
      The footie star remains as determinedly ambitious as ever — and has no intention of retiring any time soonCredit: BBC
      While former Spurs and Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas was tipped to replace him on Match Of The Day, Gary reveals ‘Jermaine is my natural successor’Credit: Flicker Productions
      Twice-married Gary has four sons, including Angus, Tobias and George pictured, from his marriage to Michelle CockayneCredit: Getty
      The star on set of new game show Sitting On A FortuneCredit: ITV
      Gary after scoring for England in 1986 World CupCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Gary Lineker backs Poppy Appeal and encourages football fans to buy shirts worn by Kane and Ronaldo More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal legend Martin Keown on no boozing, bonding with Adams and the Gunners’ latest defensive duo White and Gabriel

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      MARTIN KEOWN was unlike any of his team-mates in his Arsenal playing days.He confessed: “I never went out drinking. I must have been quite different but I was brought up with the attitude that I wasn’t going to waste money or energy doing that.”
      Tony Adams and Martin Keown winning the 2002 Premier League titleCredit: Getty
      Gabriel and Ben White are forming a new partnership at ArsenalCredit: AFP
      Keown, 55, was a part of the famous Gunners side of the 90s where alcohol consumption was not just the culture, but the law, headed up by his centre back partner Tony Adams.
      Off the pitch then, Keown and Adams weren’t arm-in-arm sinking pints until dawn before and after games, but on it they were one of the Premier League’s most formidable duos.
      Together they won Prem title and FA Cup Doubles in 1998 and 2002, taking on Manchester United in their pomp.
      And since Sol Campbell partnered Kolo Toure in the 2004 Invincibles campaign, no Arsenal centre back combination has come close to leading the club back to the title.
      William Gallas and Philippe Senderos. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi.
      So, Keown’s message to Arsenal’s latest defensive double act hoping to reach new heights in Ben White and Gabriel: Forget about bonding off the pitch. On it is where it counts.

      Speaking to SunSport, Keown said: “You don’t need to be best mates, especially as a lot of the time you are in competition with the guy next to you to keep your own place.
      “I was very lucky to be part of some very successful partnerships and back fours at Arsenal.
      “And as much as I enjoyed the banter and teamwork, I didn’t really drink when I played, yet on the pitch we had an understanding.
      “Tony and I were in the same youth team at the club so the bond went back many years, but you have got to have a skill set that compliments each other.
      “The likes of Adams, Campbell, Steve Bould and David O’Leary were all a few inches taller than me so I preferred to be with someone who was better in the air.
      “I then prided myself in being there for them when they messed up. That’s what you need to have.
      “And with White and Gabriel there is that real bond and togetherness blending now. They seem quite proud of their clean sheets. That develops over time on the pitch.”
      Injuries meant that White and Gabriel had to wait until the fourth game of the season to start a Prem game side-by-side – their first win against Norwich.
      Since then, they have been inseparable with the Gunners now on a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
      They are yet to taste defeat together in the Prem and, alongside keeper Aaron Ramsdale, have kept four clean sheets from their last seven league games.
      Keown has spoken in the past of the best defensive partnerships having a Yin and Yang feel to them. He now believes Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has changed that.
      The ex-Arsenal defender explained: “Van Dijk is rapid, a great striker of the ball, comfortable in possession and a giant in the air. That’s the benchmark.
      “You need to have all of these skill sets, not just some of them otherwise you will be found out. Overall, I like seeing these two Arsenal defenders defend.
      “But there will be times when White comes out with the ball and he does that exceptionally well, and Gabriel will need to protect him.”
      Keown’s only concern with White and Gabriel are their ages.
      Virgil van Dijk is the benchmark. You need his skill set otherwise you will be found outMartin KeownOn White and Gabriel’s level
      The Englishman is 24 and the Brazilian just 23, yet Keown and Adams were 32 when they won the title in 1998, and 36 in 2002.
      Keown added: “It helps if you’ve got plenty of football under the bonnet. If you’ve had a good experience of playing against certain opponents it starts to repeat itself.
      “I lost count of the number of times I played against Mark Hughes or Rudd van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer. You start to work out ways of stopping them.
      “They say goalkeepers are better when they get older. The same can be said for central defenders.”
      White and Gabriel are among a number of new signings introduced by Mikel Arteta since he took charge back in December 2019, all with the same characteristics.
      Young, hungry, technically gifted but also physically impressive and highly competitive.
      They are finally coming good, and after losing their opening three matches this campaign, Arsenal could jump into the top four with victory over Watford.
      Keown said: “It is a return to the early years of Arsene Wenger. Technical players but more athletic, more physical. That’s what the Premier League requires.
      “The team now is in the process of rebuilding its reputation, just like under Wenger. We had to chisel out a reputation with the new players like Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira.
      “It didn’t come easy, but the fixtures became much simpler to win because everyone knew we were not a soft touch.
      “Now for Arteta’s side it is about consistency. They seem like spirited young men. This is just the start.”
      Speaking at St George’s Park promoting the McDonald’s Fun Football Hub, he added: “Children who are inspired watching players like Bukayo Saka can now access the hub and try out their new skills in their living room.”
      Bukayo Saka is an inspiring young player after his Arsenal breakthroughCredit: Getty
      ***Martin Keown is an ambassador for McDonald’s Fun Football programme. Go to mcdonalds.co.uk/football for fun video challenges you can recreate at home to keep your kids active*** More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing legend Tyson Fury took two women on a wild eight-hour booze bender after they asked him for a selfie

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      WORLD boxing champion Tyson Fury took two fans on an eight-hour booze bender — after the women asked the heavyweight for a selfie.Stella Kabelis, 21, and Kailah Downie, 24, knocked back shots and danced with Tyson at a bar.
      Stella Kabelis, 21, (left) and Kailah Downie, 24, knocked back shots and danced with Tyson at a bar
      Tyson went back to their Manchester flat
      A pal said: “The girls couldn’t believe their luck.”
      The 33-year-old fighter then went back to their Manchester flat while wife Paris was at home.
      A source said: “Stella and Kailah were really starstruck and enjoyed a taste of the high life with him. He was a perfect gentleman and they have been telling their friends what an amazing time they had. They think Tyson is great.
      “Stella and Kailah are normal hard-working girls who went out for a midweek drink and ended up doing shots and dancing with one of the world’s most famous sporting stars. They felt very lucky to be out with him and he was very complimentary to them and they loved his fun-loving personality.
      “He’s a beast of a boxer, but out of the ring he’s a gentle, fun-loving guy.”
      The dad of six, who has been partying hard since his epic world title win over Deontay Wilder last month, was out in Manchester on Wednesday afternoon while wife Paris was at home with their newborn baby.
      Stella and Kailah spotted him and coach Andy Lee in a swanky restaurant. They filmed him before posting on Snapchat: “Not Tyson Fury being sat right behind us.”
      Outside they approached the two-times world champ for a selfie and Tyson happily obliged.

      A picture posted on Stella’s Facebook page shows Tyson – wearing a navy blue blazer, jeans and a white shirt – smiling with his arms around both girls.
      It racked up over 150 likes after she captioned it: “Us and the Gypsy King.” Kailah later shared a selfie with the boxer on Instagram, posting: “Trust me to have no make-up on the day I meet Tyson Fury.”
      The group exchanged numbers before the girls headed to the city’s Hatch pop-up complex where they downed £8.50 Pornstar cocktails from the Miami Ice bar.
      But they were floored when they got a WhatsApp message from Tyson’s pal Andy asking them to join them for something to eat.
      Stella replied: “I’m just having a drink in a bar. I’m not looking my best right now to be joining for dinner as I’m in my comfies. I’m heading home but I can get ready.”
      Do you and your girlfriend want to come and meet me and Tyson?Andy LeeTyson’s coach
      Andy replied: “You look good to me.”
      He then asked: “Do you and your girlfriend want to come and meet me and Tyson?”
      The delighted girls were only too happy to have a round or two with the boxer, who has a personal fortune estimated at £40million.
      A photo posted on Stella’s Snapchat account later shows her cosying up to Tyson at a cocktail bar.
      He can be seen knocking back shots, while pretending to throw some of his famous jabs.
      Kailah then posted footage of the boxer busting some moves on the dancefloor alongside two laughing emojis, saying: “As if I’m on a night out with Tyson Fury.”
      As the night wore on, there was no sign of any imminent stoppages, and another picture on Stella’s Snapchat account showed Tyson standing in the street, captioned: “Back with the boy x.”
      The group then travelled to Stella and Kailah’s £1,000-a-month flat in Salford to continue partying.
      The boxer FaceTimed his reality TV star brother Tommy, with a pic showing Stella and Tyson holding up his phone, captioned: “On FaceTime to Tommy Fury.”
      ‘ON FACETIME TO TOMMY FURY’
      Tyson eventually called it a night at around 11.30pm — more than eight hours after he met the girls.
      Stella and Kailah are understood to work for Covid testing firm Randox. Stella has a criminal justice degree from the University of Plymouth and posts saucy snaps on her social media.
      Last night a pal said: “The girls couldn’t believe their luck. They love a night out but never expected to party with Tyson Fury.
      “They were off work on Wednesday so they went shopping before heading for drinks. But in the afternoon they saw Tyson with his pal and started chatting with him.
      “Stella swapped numbers with Andy and he messaged soon after inviting them out for dinner.
      “They had a few cocktails together and were asking Tyson about his boxing career and he really enjoyed being in the company of some down-to-earth girls.
      SAUCY SNAPS
      “He might be heavyweight champion, but he’s a man of the people and likes to live as normal a life as possible. They thought Tyson was very charming and he was very complimentary to them.
      “They had some drinks and did some shots. Tyson is really enjoying partying at the moment following his last fight. The four of them carried on the party at the apartment for another couple of hours until Tyson left at around 11.20pm.
      “The girls assume he left so that he could go home to his wife Paris and his children.”
      The day before, Tyson had a game of bingo in his home town of Morecambe with TV stars Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp.
      Tyson’s gruelling third fight against Wilder last month saw him get up from the canvas twice to win in the 11th round — cementing his place in heavyweight boxing folklore.
      He, Paris and their family then spent two days partying in Las Vegas, enjoying champagne and vodka-fulled binges.
      ‘GOOD FUN’
      Paris and Tyson met when they were teenagers and married in 2008.
      She gave birth to their sixth child Athena in August, and the pair previously told how they want 11 children.
      Stella remained tight-lipped when contacted by The Sun but acknowledged the night was “good fun”.
      She added: “I’m not willing to make any further comment.”
      Tyson’s spokeswoman was contacted for comment.
      Kailah’s jokey selfie with the heavyweight champ
      Dancer Tyson shows off his nifty footwork
      Tyson at bar downing shots with the girls
      The 33-year-old fighter then went back to the girls’ Manchester flat while wife Paris was at homeCredit: BackGrid
      Tyson has had much to celebrate after his win over Deontay Wilder last month More

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      in Soccer

      England legend Sir Geoff Hurst, 79, fitted with pacemaker after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat

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      ENGLAND football legend Sir Geoff Hurst has told how a heart scare during a stroll in the park led to him being fitted with a pacemaker.Hurst, 79, turned to doctors after his pulse rocketed to 200 beats per minute.
      Sir Geoff said: ‘I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, which is not life threatening’Credit: The Sun
      After being assessed by specialists he was given emergency surgery to have the pacemaker fitted two weeks ago.
      Last night Sir Geoff — who scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 1966 World Cup Final victory over West Germany at Wembley — said: “Life is a lottery.
      “Look at my colleagues from the World Cup team. Sadly, some of them have had one issue or another and have passed away during this awful time.
      “I have just had a pacemaker fitted. I had a mild stroke a couple of years ago and had tests after that. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, which is not life threatening.
      “When you tell people you have a pacemaker they think ‘oh Christ’, but for me it is not quite like that.
      “I wasn’t feeling bad beforehand but it prevents the irregularities and possibly falling over and damaging myself or driving a car and running somebody over.

      “I have got to see a specialist in four to six weeks just to recap.
      “But I’m doing OK with it.”
      Sir Geoff is now one of only three of the original World Cup squad still alive.
      The recent deaths of 1966 team-mates Jimmy Greaves and Roger Hunt have made the former West Ham striker take stock of life.
      And since having the pacemaker fitted he has been focussed on getting back to full fitness.
      He said: “I did exercise every day — walking and twenty minutes of Joe Wicks. And I have stuck with that routine.
      “It was enough and kept my weight slightly lower than it was beforehand.
      “I have a watch and a chest strap which monitors your heart rate.
      “Walking up a normal slope in the park it is between 90 and 95. But my watch occasionally showed 200. I had to stop going to the gym because of Covid.
      HEART MONITOR
      “When they re-opened, you got all the stories about having to wipe down equipment after use and I thought ‘I am not doing that’.
      “I quite enjoy the different Joe Wicks programmes. I have stopped doing it while I am bedding the pacemaker in.
      “I can then decide with the specialist if I can go back to normal. I’ve spoken to people who’ve had them. They say their lives went back to normal, although my life wasn’t anywhere near abnormal.
      “But the biggest issue is the driving. If you have a blackout when you are driving that can be very serious.
      “That in itself persuaded me, without really feeling bad at all apart from the watch issue, to decide to have one fitted, and I did a couple of weeks ago.”
      Hurst has written a book called Eighty At Eighty in which he names his top 80 inspirational sports stars to mark his landmark birthday on December 8.
      Apart from Sir Geoff, the only other members of the 1966 World Cup squad still alive are Sir Bobby Charlton, 84, and George Cohen, 82.
      Midfielder Nobby Stiles, 78, and defender Jack Charlton 85, both died last year after long battles with dementia.
      Goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who was 81, died in 2019 — as did England’s other World Cup Final goalscorer Martin Peters, who was 76.
      Sir Geoff said: ‘When you tell people you have a pacemaker they think ‘oh Christ’, but for me it is not quite like that’ – pictured with the Duchess of CornwallCredit: PA
      Geoff Hurst makes history netting England’s fourth goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final
      World Cup winners Geoff Hurst with captain Bobby Moore
      Hurst has written a book called Eighty At Eighty in which he names his top 80 inspirational sports stars to mark his landmark birthday on December 8
      West Ham unveil statue of Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst and intern Peters’ ashes at London Stadium More

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      in Soccer

      Soccer Saturday legend Jeff Stelling’s shock live-on-air decision to quit Sky Sports sparked by axing of old co-hosts

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      JEFF Stelling’s shock live-on-air decision to quit Sky Sports was sparked by the axing of his old co-hosts.He was said to be furious when Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier were given the boot last year.
      Jeff Stelling’s shock live-on-air decision to quit Sky Sports was sparked by the axing of his old co-hostsCredit: Sky Sports
      The popular presenter believed he had not been consulted properly and felt a sense of loyalty to the trio.
      The reason for their departure has never been confirmed by Sky but many think it was because they were three white men in their 50s and 60s.
      Jeff, 66, revealed this weekend on Soccer Saturday — the show he joined in 1994 — that this would be his last ­season on the programme.
      But he was not intending to retire.
      An insider said: “Phil, Charlie and Matt were not just colleagues they were mates, and that means a huge amount to him. Jeff is believed to have thought of little else other than of leaving since then.
      “He has just been waiting for the right opportunity. If the three hadn’t been axed the way they were, Jeff would have stayed on.”

      Jeff, who got a standing ovation from studio pundits when he made his announcement, said: “I’ve loved every moment but the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle.
      “It is time to let somebody else have a go at what is the best job in the world.”
      One fan tweeted: “Can’t really blame Jeff. The show went woke a few years ago and has been a pale imitation of what made it great.” Another said: “Jeff is Soccer Saturday.”
      Representatives for Stelling, who fronted Channel 4 show Countdown from 2008 to 2011, were contacted to comment.

      Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson, and Charlie Nicholas (pictured L-R)
      Ben Shepherd interrupts Jeff Stelling introduction on Tipping Point: Lucky Stars More

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      in Soccer

      I met Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford playing Fortnite – now they both give me thousands to buy them designer gear

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      HIS knack for finding limited edition and sold-out clothing for top footie stars has seen him nicknamed the Garms Dealer.At just 20 years of age Sam Morgan has more than 1,500 big names in his phone including England midfielder Jack Grealish.
      Personal shopper Sam Morgan and regular customer Pogba show off Paul’s haulCredit: sammorgan/Instagram
      Sam with Man City ace Jack GrealishCredit: sammorgan/Instagram
      The young entrepreneur’s business is so successful that he now has his own Channel 4 show, Garms Dealer, where Premier League players chat all things fashion and challenge him to deliver designer outfits in less than 24 hours.
      Among his finds are a £7,300 Prada jacket for Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha, a £1,600 Saint Laurent jacket for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, and £1,500 vintage 1993 Chanel sunglasses for Grealish.
      Man City’s record British signing reveals on the show how he likes to spend some of his £300,000-a-week wages on eccentric clothing.
      Grealish, who just signed a six-figure deal with online retailer boohooMAN, says: “People say I am confident on the pitch, I’d say I’m the same off it. I like wearing ‘out there’ clothes.”
      The 26-year-old footie ace is on his way to becoming the new David Beckham thanks to his changing haircuts and quirky fashion sense.
      The Birmingham-born ace’s wardrobe staples include flowery tracksuits, colourful bucket hats and ultra-bright label hoodies all thrown together.

      And Grealish relies on Sam to make sure his purchases are “legit” and that he nabs exclusive lines before anyone else.
      Other big names to hire Sam to fill their wardrobes include Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Man United midfielder Paul Pogba, Man City ace Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      Personal shopper Sam doesn’t stop at clothes either — he can get hold of luxury bags and watches and organise private jets and last-minute bookings at top-end restaurants.
      His talents have even seen him become friends with some of his famous clients, who have invited him to their multi-million pads to play table football and pool.
      Sam says his ability to hustle goes back to his school days.
      He said: “I’ve always been selling. When I was in year seven, I’d come home with three or four pounds and it is the same now — but on a much bigger scale.”
      His clothes-selling business started when he bought a batch of Kanye West’s sought-after Yeezy trainers and sold them on for a profit of £5,000 via Instagram.
      The wheeler dealer’s contact book then expanded through word of mouth.
      After Arsenal reserve player Cohen Brammall, now at Lincoln City in division one, followed Sam on the social media site, he offered to find him clothing.
      He soon found more senior players and stars from Premier League teams were lining up to use Sam’s services.
      I’ve played with Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford. All these players have become clients from playing Fortnite.Sam Morgan
      He has known one of his clients, Rice, since the West Ham player was in the under-18 squad and went to watch him at this summer’s Euro championship with the midfielder’s brother.
      But it was Spurs ace Dele Alli that really drew in the A-listers.
      Sam said: “Dele introduced me to multiple England players. It just went from one to player to another player, and as long as you provide a good service you’re set.”
      Another way he managed to secure Everton goalie Jordan Pickford as a client and fill up his contacts is the online video game, Fortnite, where players can talk to one another.
      Sam said: “I’ve played with Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford. All these players have become clients from playing Fortnite.”
      The middle man is also the aces’ lucky charm, claiming strikers tend to score on the weekend he sells them clothes.
      One such star was Pogba, who is known for his garish haircuts and clothes.
      Two days before France beat Croatia at the 2018 World Cup final, Sam told the player to pay on the day of the match and Pogba went on to score the team’s third goal.
      Sam later hand-delivered several Gucci jackets and vintage glasses to the legend’s hotel room in Paris where they posed for a celebratory selfie.
      He also has clients outside of sports, including rappers and a sheikh who ordered a hard-to-get Rolex.
      Sam agreed to find the watch as long as he could deliver it in person so the billionaire promptly lined up a private jet to fly him in style.
      On The Garms Dealer, Grealish is super-excited about the designer items Sam has sourced for him, especially some sunglasses. He describes the pair as “rascal” and a Chrome Hearts cap as “ledge”.
      Aces’ £33,700 haul . . .
      JACK GREALISH ordered a £1,100 Louis Vuitton jumper, two Gallery Dept hats for £800 and four pairs of vintage glasses worth £2,320.
      Total: £4,220.
      DECLAN RICE bought a Saint Laurent jacket for £1,600, two Dior hoodies together priced at £2,350, Dior trainers for £810 and Givenchy sneakers for £495.
      Total: £5,255.
      WILFRIED ZAHA purchased a £1,100 Amiri tracksuit “for chilling”, Prada tracksuit £2,020, Palm Angels tracksuit £700, Yeezy foams £1,760 and Prada jacket, of which there were only two in the UK, at £7,300.
      Total: £12,880.
      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has ordered a £4,200 Louis Vuitton Prism backpack and Amiri hoodie and shorts for £1,700.
      Total: £5,900.
      PAUL POGBA once ordered Korean brand 99%IS trousers at £1,000, £400 Rhude T-shirts, and another time a pink Amiri leather jacket worth £2,000, Dior B22 trainers worth £980 and Amiri ripped jeans that retail around £1,000.
      Total: £5,380.
      Man City ace Jack models for boohooMANCredit: BOOHOO
      Sam with World Cup winner and former Arsenal ace Mesut OzilCredit: sammorgan/Instagram
      Wheeler dealer Sam with Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick AubameyangCredit: Refer to Caption
      Dior B22 trainers worth £980, Gallery Dept hat £380, Louis Vuitton Prism Backpack £4,200, Amiri tie dye hoodie
      Trevor Sinclair says that there is no desire within the Man Utd team More

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      in Soccer

      I met Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford playing Fortnite – now they give me thousands to buy them designer gear

      by

      HIS knack for finding limited edition and sold-out clothing for top footie stars has seen him nicknamed the Garms Dealer.At just 20 years old Sam Morgan has more than 1,500 big names in his phone including England midfielder Jack Grealish.
      Personal shopper Sam Morgan and regular customer Pogba show off Paul’s haulCredit: sammorgan/Instagram
      Sam with Man City ace Jack GrealishCredit: sammorgan/Instagram
      The young entrepreneur’s business is so successful that he now has his own Channel 4 show, Garms Dealer, where Premier League players chat all things fashion and challenge him to deliver designer outfits in less than 24 hours.
      Among his finds are a £7,300 Prada jacket for Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha, a £1,600 Saint Laurent jacket for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, and £1,500 vintage 1993 Chanel sunglasses for Grealish.
      Man City’s record British signing reveals on the show how he likes to spend some of his £300,000-a-week wages on eccentric clothing.
      Grealish, who just signed a six- figure deal with online retailer boohooMAN, says: “People say I am confident on the pitch, I’d say I’m the same off it. I like wearing ‘out there’ clothes.”
      The 26-year-old footie ace is on his way to becoming the new David Beckham thanks to his changing haircuts and quirky fashion sense.
      The Birmingham-born ace’s wardrobe staples include flowery tracksuits, colourful bucket hats and ultra-bright label hoodies all thrown together.

      And Grealish relies on Sam to make sure his purchases are “legit” and that he nabs exclusive lines before anyone else.
      Other big names to hire Sam to fill their wardrobes include Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Man United midfielder Paul Pogba, Man City ace Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      Personal shopper Sam doesn’t stop at clothes either — he can get hold of luxury bags and watches and organise private jets and last-minute bookings at top-end restaurants.
      His talents have even seen him become friends with some of his famous clients, who have invited him to their multi-million pads to play table football and pool.
      Sam says his ability to hustle goes back to his school days.
      He said: “I’ve always been selling. When I was in year seven, I’d come home with three or four pounds and it is the same now — but on a much bigger scale.”
      His clothes-selling business started when he bought a batch of Kanye West’s sought-after Yeezy trainers and sold them on for a profit of £5,000 via Instagram.
      The wheeler dealer’s contact book then expanded through word of mouth.
      After Arsenal reserve player Cohen Brammall, now at Lincoln City in division one, followed Sam on the social media site, he offered to find him clothing.
      He soon found more senior players and stars from Premier League teams were lining up to use Sam’s services.
      I’ve played with Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford. All these players have become clients from playing Fortnite.Sam Morgan
      He has known one of his clients, Rice, since the West Ham player was in the under-18 squad and went to watch him at this summer’s Euro championship with the midfielder’s brother.
      But it was Spurs ace Dele Alli that really drew in the A-listers.
      Sam said: “Dele introduced me to multiple England players. It just went from one to player to another player, and as long as you provide a good service you’re set.”
      Another way he managed to secure Everton goalie Jordan Pickford as a client and fill up his contacts is the online video game, Fortnite, where players can talk to one another.
      Sam said: “I’ve played with Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford. All these players have become clients from playing Fortnite.”
      The middle man is also the aces’ lucky charm, claiming strikers tend to score on the weekend he sells them clothes.
      One such star was Pogba, who is known for his garish haircuts and clothes.
      Two days before France beat Croatia at the 2018 World Cup final, Sam told the player to pay on the day of the match and Pogba went on to score the team’s third goal.
      Sam later hand-delivered several Gucci jackets and vintage glasses to the legend’s hotel room in Paris where they posed for a celebratory selfie.
      He also has clients outside of sports, including rappers and a sheikh who ordered a hard-to-get Rolex.
      Sam agreed to find the watch as long as he could deliver it in person so the billionaire promptly lined up a private jet to fly him in style.
      On The Garms Dealer, Grealish is super-excited about the designer items Sam has sourced for him, especially some sunglasses. He describes the pair as “rascal” and a Chrome Hearts cap as “ledge”.
      Aces’ £33,700 haul . . .
      JACK GREALISH ordered a £1,100 Louis Vuitton jumper, two Gallery Dept hats for £800 and four pairs of vintage glasses worth £2,320.
      Total: £4,220.
      DECLAN RICE bought a Saint Laurent jacket for £1,600, two Dior hoodies together priced at £2,350, Dior trainers for £810 and Givenchy sneakers for £495.
      Total: £5,255.
      WILFRIED ZAHA purchased a £1,100 Amiri tracksuit “for chilling”, Prada tracksuit £2,020, Palm Angels tracksuit £700, Yeezy foams £1,760 and Prada jacket, of which there were only two in the UK, at £7,300.
      Total: £12,880.
      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has ordered a £4,200 Louis Vuitton Prism backpack and Amiri hoodie and shorts for £1,700.
      Total: £5,900.
      PAUL POGBA once ordered Korean brand 99%IS trousers at £1,000, £400 Rhude T-shirts, and another time a pink Amiri leather jacket worth £2,000, Dior B22 trainers worth £980 and Amiri ripped jeans that retail around £1,000.
      Total: £5,380.
      Man City ace Jack models for boohooMANCredit: BOOHOO
      Sam with World Cup winner and former Arsenal ace Mesut OzilCredit: sammorgan/Instagram
      Wheeler dealer Sam with Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick AubameyangCredit: Refer to Caption
      Dior B22 trainers worth £980, Gallery Dept hat £380, Louis Vuitton Prism Backpack £4,200, Amiri tie dye hoodie
      Trevor Sinclair says that there is no desire within the Man Utd team More