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      in Soccer

      Eric Gates has gone from UEFA battle to herding cattle – as Ipswich legend reflects on 1981 European glory

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      FORTY YEARS on and Eric Gates is in no doubt  — he would give up the Uefa Cup in a heartbeat.Sir Bobby Robson’s Ipswich side were chasing an unprecedented Treble, so to end up with just the one trophy was a crushing blow.
      Ipswich legend Eric Gates lives the quiet life without email or a mobile on a farm near DurhamCredit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd
      FA Cup semi-final heartbreak against Manchester City was  followed by four defeats in their last five league games to hand the 1980-81 title to Aston Villa.
      But this was far from a bottle job, rather a season and team remembered as the greatest in the Suffolk club’s history.
      Sir Alf Ramsey won the league in 1962 while Robson lifted the Cup in 1978, so the completion of the holy trinity was far from a shabby  consolation.
      But for Gates, a vital cog in behind forwards Alan Brazil and Paul Mariner, the pain still lingers. He said: “I look back and I’ve still got disappointment but, 40 years later, what an achievement.
      “The one I wanted to win was the FA Cup though.”
      Does it still eat away now?
      Gates snapped back: “Paul Power bending a free-kick in and losing 1-0 to City in the semi, you’re f*****g right it does!
      Over 50,000 jubilant Ipswich fans lined the streets of the Suffolk town to salute their Euro-conquering heroesCredit: Getty
      Gates and Ipswich were left crestfallen after Paul Power’s extra-time goal in the 1981 FA Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty
      “If we were to lose one it would have been the Uefa Cup, without a shadow of  a doubt.
      “But you then win the Uefa Cup so you think: ‘Thank f**k for that’.
      “You’re happy, but I wish I’d won the other two. At the time you don’t think about it, but looking back, so many games caught up with us.
      “Were we the best side in the country? The best team was Villa because they won the league.
      “But we beat them three times, so make your own mind up. We were certainly the most entertaining.”
      Paul Mariner, Gates, Terry Butcher and Mick Mills all played for England during the Tractor Boys’ glory yearsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Duth maestro Frans Thijssen and skipper Mick Mills get the party going after beating AZ Alkmaar in the final.Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Living back in home town County Durham, Gates, 65, enjoys the quiet life without a mobile or email, but get him talking about Ipswich and he does not stop.
      SunSport tracked him down to a farm just outside Durham and spent two hours reminiscing.
      A core of 12  shouldered the majority of the marathon 66-game season which, in the end, proved too much. To fans of a certain  vintage, the names roll off the tongue — Paul Cooper, George  Burley, Mick Mills, Steve McCall, Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, John Wark, Arnold Muhren, Frans Thijssen, Gates, Brazil, Mariner.
      Back then the Uefa Cup, a knockout competition, was a big deal, with only the champions making it to the European Cup.

      It began against Aris Salonika in a feisty first-round affair that saw Town, who are today facing a third season in League One, take a 5-1 lead to Greece.
      Gates recalled: “I detest flying — the cup run was a nightmare. I was scared stiff on every journey and used to come out in sweats.
      “Going out to Greece for the  second leg, we were passing through passport control and the fella looked at my passport and then gestured with his hand that I was going to get my throat cut.
      “There were 40,000 there and it was hostile to say the least. We went 3-0 down but I made it 3-1.
      “The final whistle went, we were through, and I stuck two fingers up at the crowd and ran down the tunnel.
      Gates and wife Dorothy have Highland Cattle, chickens and Welsh mountain ponies on their farm in County DurhamCredit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd
      SunSport spent two hours reminiscing on the farm with bubbly Gates about the greatest season in Ipswich’s historyCredit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd
      “One of the armed guards then tripped me up and stuck his rifle straight into my head.
      “The bus was pelted with bricks, windows were broken and we were just glad to get out of there.
      Antonin Panenka’s Bohemians Prague were seen off in the second round before a third round 5-1 aggregate win over Widzew Lodz.
      After thrashing them 5-0 in the first leg at home, some sub-zero Polish conditions made life difficult.
      Gates explained: “There must have been 2ft of snow on the pitch.
      “They got a digger to take some off before a roller flattened it and they painted the lines red — it was a carpet of snow.
      “It could have been cancelled but, being 5-0 up, Robson thought it best to play.
      “It was stupid . . . Alan Brazil would be throwing snowballs  at me.
      “You’d be taking it seriously  and all of a sudden you’d get a snowball in your face!”
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      Popular talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil strutting his stuff in the 1981 UEFA Cup final second-leg against AZ AlkmaarCredit: Getty
      Then came arguably that side’s greatest performance, a quarter- final first-leg 4-1 hammering of Saint-Etienne, who went on to land the French title and boasted a prime Michel Platini.
      Gates, Brazil, Paul Cooper and Kevin O’Callaghan found an English pub in the afternoon pre-match for an impromptu session.
      Gates said: “The French locals started coming in and realised who we were when we got louder. They were shouting ‘We’ll beat you tomorrow’ and we were giving it ‘F**k off, we’ll batter your lot’.
      “They must have thought we were world beaters, seeing us pissed the night before and then winning 4-1.
      “We were in there all afternoon but had a team meeting after dinner.  We had a rule, just keep quiet and whatever happens don’t start talking.
      “I’m sure Robson knew but that is where he was so good.
      “If we’d lost they would have been on us like a ton of bricks, and we knew we had to  perform.”
      Sir Bobby Robson landed the England job a year after conquering Europe with the Suffolk clubCredit: PA:Press Association
      Ipswich backed it up with a comfortable 3-1 home win at home  before seeing off Rinus Michels’ FC Cologne 1-0 in the semi-final first leg at Portman Road.
      Defeat against City three days later in the FA Cup was followed by a 2-1 league win at Villa  before costly defeats against Arsenal and Norwich.  
      The second leg came just two days after that Carrow Road loss, leading Robson to think outside the box. Training the day before facing the Germans was binned for a  trip to the local amusement park, with big dippers preferred to set-piece practice.
      And it worked a treat, with Terry Butcher’s towering header making it 1-0 to set up the final against Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar.
      A  3-0 first-leg win was followed by a nervy 4-2 loss in Amsterdam’s Olympic stadium to clinch the Uefa Cup 5-4 on aggregate.
      Ipswich’s greatest ever side, Gates sits on the far right of the bottom rowCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978 but they were taken to a new level by Dutch midfield duo Frans Thijssen and Arnold MuhrenCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Afterwards, Robson reflected: “The season has been worth it  after all and our football will be remembered.”
      More than 50,000 fans crammed into the town centre to salute their conquering heroes.
      Gates left for Sunderland in 1985 and has been on the farm for 20-odd years with wife Dorothy.
      With a cheeky grin he describes himself as the ‘general manager’.
      He said: “I walk around and feed the animals — we’ve got Highland cattle, chickens and Welsh  mountain ponies.
      “But I’m a footballer, not a  f*****g farmer.
      “For a daft sod from the North East who left for Ipswich at 16, I’m a lucky lad.”
      Ed Sheeran unveiled as new Ipswich Town shirt sponsor More

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      in Soccer

      Phil Foden’s mum caught in alcohol-fuelled brawl which left woman with black eyes and bite marks

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      ENGLAND wonderkid Phil Foden’s mum was caught in an alcohol-fuelled brawl which left a woman with two black eyes and bite marks.Claire Foden, 41 — who has guided the young Manchester City star’s career ­— also suffered injuries in the clash with Katie Skitt at a get-together.
      Phil Foden’s mum Claire was caught in an alcohol-fuelled brawlCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Katie Skitt was left with two black eyes and bite marks following the brawl
      A source said: “Claire was at a party for a female pal’s birthday and was having a great time.
      “It all kicked off just after the male stripper had done a turn.
      “Claire asked Katie for a cigarette, but what happened next is unclear as the Prosecco had been flowing.”
      The row spilled out into the street in front of horrified neighbours and a bottle of vodka was hurled and smashed.
      The source added: “Lots of people got involved. It was like something from an episode of Shameless. There was hair pulling, scratching and punching.”
      Midfielder Phil has emerged this season as one of the world’s best young playersCredit: Getty
      Mum-of-one Katie, 32, was left covered in blood and was later given a tetanus jab after discovering that she had suffered bite marks to her stomach and face.
      The 30-minute melee took place at a house in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, close to the £3million home Claire shares with Phil and partner Rebecca Cooke, both 20. The pair are expecting their second child.
      A friend of Katie said: “She was covered in blood. Katie is a mum with a young son and she doesn’t want him to see her injuries.
      “She is very scared after what happened.”
      Midfielder Phil has emerged this season as one of the world’s best young players and is now valued at around £100million.
      His side were last week crowned Premier League champions and he has appeared for England six times so far.
      Phil and partner Rebecca Cooke are expecting their second child

      Claire and husband Phil, 41, have been praised for keeping Phil Jnr’s feet on the ground as his career took off.
      Claire said of her son: “He was the cheapest kid ever. Just get him a ball and he’d be happy.
      “He didn’t care about anything else, games, toys, nothing, just a football.”
      The Manchester City player is now valued at around £100millionCredit: Getty
      Man City ace Phil Foden reveals he and childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke have a second baby on the way More

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      in Soccer

      Marcus Rashford splits from childhood sweetheart of eight years after lockdown strain

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      MARCUS Rashford has split from school sweetheart Lucia Loi after eight years together.She was with him as he made his name with Manchester United and England.
      Marcus Rashford has split from his childhood sweetheart girlfriend after eight yearsCredit: Getty
      Marcus is said to be devastated following his split from PR executive Lucia Loi
      Sources say the pair, both 23, broke up amid lockdown pressures but still have a “mutual love and respect”.
      Anti-child poverty campaigner Marcus is said to be devastated following his split from PR executive Lucia.
      Lucia has moved out of the Manchester United forward’s plush pad.
      But pals say the split — which did not involve anyone else — was amicable.
      The pair are still keeping in touch and there are even hopes they might get back together if they can work through their issues.
      Friends blamed the breakdown on the pandemic forcing Marcus and Lucia, both 23, to spend too much time together.
      Marcus and Lucia, pictured in 2018, are said to have split due to the strain of being cooped up during lockdownCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The couple jetted to Barbados and were pictured on a jet-ski together after the 2018 World Cup in RussiaCredit: Mega
      Lucia has moved out of the Manchester United forward’s plush padCredit: Getty
      A source close to the football hero said last night: “After eight years together, Marcus and Lucia have made the mutual decision to part ways.
      “It is a result of the pressures and strains of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns, and the confinement that has brought with it over the last 12 months.
      “There is a strong mutual love and respect for one another, having met at school, and there is a continued dialogue with the hope of a reconciliation in the future.”
      They first fell for each other at Ashton on Mersey School in Sale, Greater Manchester.
      Marcus — made an MBE in the Queen’s Honours list last year — has recently devoted much of his time to charity work on behalf of underprivileged children.
      Last year, he helped raise £20million for kids to receive free school meals during the pandemic.
      TOUGH UPBRINGING
      His campaign resulted in the Government providing summer vouchers for 1.3million children eligible for free school meals.
      Then he prompted Boris Johnson to agree to provide £400million of support to poor children and their families in a winter grant scheme.
      Marcus — who relied on free school meals during his tough upbringing in Wythenshawe, Manchester — said it would improve the lives of 1.7million.
      He has spoken to the PM about child poverty issues on several occasions.
      And in February he led attacks on a company providing measly school meal parcels.
      The source said: “Marcus has had so much going on, with his football and campaigning and people wonder whether that contributed to the situation with Lucia.
      Pals say the split — which did not involve anyone else — was amicable
      The pair are still keeping in touch and there are even hopes they might get back together
      “She has supported everything he has done on child poverty but it has added to his workload.
      “Maybe, after a break, they will be able to work things out and get back together.”
      Marcus broke into Manchester United’s first team in 2016 when he was just 18.
      He celebrated scoring two goals on his debut by playing pool in the common room of his and Lucia’s former school.
      Two years later, Lucia was seen supporting Marcus and his England teammates at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
      Sporting a Three Lions shirt with Rashford printed the back, she watched from the stands as England beat Sweden in the quarter-finals, in a match where Marcus came on as a sub.
      Last July Lucia graduated in Advertising and Brand Management with first-class honoursCredit: Refer to Caption
      And she posted a selfie — again in an England shirt — from the stands as the team lost to Croatia in the semis, with Marcus again coming on from the bench.
      After the tournament, the couple jetted to Barbados and were pictured on a jet-ski together off the west coast of the Caribbean island.
      Last July Lucia, who worked for Manchester-based PR company Sugar, graduated in Advertising and Brand Management with first-class honours.
      She has also carried out charity work in Zambia, helping to host educational and sports classes for impoverished children. And she has previously done charity work in Sri Lanka.
      Lucia and Marcus did not talk about their relationship publicly. And she removed an Instagram snap of Marcus taken to celebrate his birthday in 2016.
      In online biographies, Lucia says she loves “fitness, art and cooking” and also enjoys travelling.
      ‘MASSIVE DIFFERENCE’
      Marcus has scored 19 times for United this season, including in their 4-2 defeat to Liverpool on Thursday.
      He has helped the Red Devils qualify for next season’s Champions League and reach the final of the Europa League in Poland on May 26.
      He is also likely to play for England in this summer’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament, which will see some games — including the final — played in the UK.
      The pair are said to have split three months ago.
      Speaking about his food campaigning last month, Marcus said help during the summer holidays would have made a “massive difference” to his family.
      He added: “Is it fair if people go hungry? No, it’s not.”
      Marcus has recently devoted much of his time to charity work on behalf of underprivileged childrenCredit: marcusrashford
      Last year, Marcus helped raise £20million for kids to receive free school meals during the pandemic
      Marcus has scored 19 times for United this seasonCredit: Getty
      Marcus — the youngest of five siblings brought up by single mum Melanie — then received a special award at last December’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his tireless campaigning.
      He has also set up his own book club, with publisher Macmillan Children’s Books.
      In an interview with The Sun, he said: “I wasn’t to know that it was a normal thing for somebody to be read a bedtime story.
      “I only started reading books when I was 17 and it completely changed my outlook and mentality.”
      Friends say that Lucia loves travelling and is passionate about helping others.
      A source added: “She’s very good at her PR job because she’s got a great personality so things like networking and events organising come naturally to her.
      “She gets on really well with all of her colleagues.”
      Marcus received a special award at last December’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his tireless campaigningCredit: PA

      She is said to have been “very supportive” of Marcus’s school meals campaigning but has kept out of the spotlight and tried to keep their relationship private over the years.
      A separate source said: “Marcus may want to get back with Lucia.
      “But if that does not happen, I am sure neither will stay on the shelf for long.”
      Marcus Rashford to teach kids how to cook cheap dinners as part of food poverty campaign More

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      in Boxing

      Josh Taylor buzzing for Manny Pacquiao clash after getting tattoo of beloved late dog PacMan

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      JOSH TAYLOR cannot stop th-INKING about his dream Manny Pacquiao fight – after having a touching tattoo tribute to his late dog ‘PacMan’.Scotland’s IBF and WBA super-lightweight king named his childhood Staffordshire Bull Terrier after his fellow southpaw and boxing idol.
      Josh Taylor, 30, was forced to say bye to his beloved dog last year
      The light-welterweight champ recently got his late pooch inked on his thigh
      And, when his beloved dog passed away last year, he had an inking of him etched on a thigh.
      Now, in a brilliant twist of fate, if he can become the undisputed 10st king by beating Jose Ramirez on Saturday night then a battle with a 42-year-old Filipino legend could become a reality.
      Ahead of his Las Vegas showdown, Taylor spoke of his sadness at losing his dog and why he named him after one of his heroes, known as PacMan.
      He said: “He was my wee best pal so to lose him the way we did was gutting so I had the tattoo done.
      “People say ‘dogs are man’s best friend’ I think that is definitely true.
      “What I really loved doing when I was home was taking the dog out for long walks.
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      “We would do miles and miles, sometimes five hours of just walking and chilling out together.
      “Manny is a hero of mine so when we named the dog it came about naturally, I could never have dreamed back then of fighting him but I would still love to now, 100 per cent.
      “As soon as that bell rang it would be down to business, even though he is an idol of mine and he isn’t as young as he used to be, he is still a dangerous top-level fighter so I would have to be ruthless.”
      Modest Taylor crept quietly on to the respected Ring magazine’s list of top-ten best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet after his 17th pro win last year.
      Victory over the 26-0 WBC and WBO American champ Ramirez will catapult him even higher.
      The Scot is yet to lose a professional boutCredit: The Sun

      The Scot said: “It is good but I am not bothered about being touted as the greatest this or that. I am not bothered about being recognised.
      “But I do see it as a little sense of achievement that a little guy from Prestonpans can force his way into that list.
      “I try not to but I do sometimes look at those lists and think ‘wow’ just because of how far I have come in a short space of time.
      “One day when I am safely retired I can say ‘Jesus Christ, I was one of the top-ten best fighters on the planet’.
      “But right now I’m just in the zone, I’m going to become the undisputed super-lightweight champion and then I’m going to go up in weight and win a world title there.”
      Tyson Fury takes barrage of body shots from world champ Josh Taylor as he prepares for Anthony Joshua More

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      in Soccer

      Spurs star Dele Alli spotted snogging Man City manager Pep Guardiola’s daughter

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      DELE ALLI has been spotted snogging the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.The Spurs and England midfielder — who has not scored in the Premier League all season — cosied up with Maria, 20, at a rooftop bar.
      Dele Alli was spotted snogging Maria Guardiola
      Maria and Dele enjoyed a cosy night together at a rooftop bar in London
      The Spurs star recently became single after splitting with his long-term girlfriendCredit: Getty
      Dele, 25, was closely marking her as dozens of other drinkers looked on in London.
      Fittingly for a player who has spent most of the season as a sub, he made his move on Maria as they sat together on a bench.
      It appeared that he had put his bitter split from model Ruby Mae, 23, behind him.
      He leaned in for a smooch after he and Maria chatted for hours at the capital’s trendy Cloud 9 bar.
      Dele, in a white T-shirt and green baseball cap over his newly dreadlocked hair, hugged and kissed Maria, who was wearing a white hoodie.
      It is understood that Dele first met Maria last month.
      An onlooker told The Sun: “Dele and Maria didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
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      Maria, 20, is the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
      It’s understood Dele first met Maria last monthCredit: Getty
      “They didn’t mind who saw them as they smooched in front of the DJ booth.
      “It was packed with hundreds of revellers watching on. All the tables had been booked and were completely full.
      “Strangers were wandering past and Dele and Maria didn’t blink an eye.
      “They were in a group together and it was very cosy. They looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.”
      Dele and Maria’s public smooch came last Sunday — a day after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leeds United.
      It was very cosy. Dele and Maria looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.
      Maria’s Spanish dad’s Man City side had also suffered a defeat a day earlier against Chelsea — but went on to be declared this season’s Premier League champions.
      A friend told The Sun: “Dele looked smitten and finally over being dumped by his long-term lover Ruby Mae.
      “Dele and Maria are young, free and single. Who knows where it will go from here?”
      Maria has become something of a style icon thanks to her impressive online following
      The student is the eldest of Pep’s three children with Cristine Serra
      Pep and his children have repeatedly posed together at his end-of-season trophy celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Maria has told pals about the rooftop encounter with Dele but says they are “just friends”.
      The Sun told how Ruby ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of his behaviour — including spending hours playing online game Fortnite.
      She has shared repeated public posts with her followers alluding to her joy at finally being free from the footballer.
      Dele has struggled for form this season — prompting speculation that he could be sold to a rival team, possibly Manchester City.
      Meanwhile student Maria, who lives in London, has won an army of online fans. She is a Spanish style icon with snaps of her jetset lifestyle shared on social media.
      She is the eldest of Pep’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra.
      The couple met in a shop and dated for 20 years before marrying in 2014 in Matadepera — after their children were born.
      Model Ruby Mae ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of him spending so much time on FortniteCredit: Getty

      Maria is close to her brother Marius, 18, and sister Valentina, 13, and the family have repeatedly posed together publicly at Pep’s end-of-season trophy celebrations.
      The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has proudly beamed in front of cameras with his arm around Maria.
      Last night, a spokesman for Dele declined to comment.
      Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’ More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury quits booze for good after admitting drinking up to 12 pints a DAY

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      TYSON Fury has gone teetotal as he bids to keep his mental health demons at bay.The boxing champ, 32 — who confessed to drinking 12 pints a day — has vowed to family and friends he will stay off booze.
      Boxer Tyson Fury has gone teetotal in a bid to keep his mental health demons at bayCredit: Getty
      Champ Tyson confessed to drinking 12 pints a day but has vowed to family and friends he will stay off boozeCredit: Xposure
      “Gypsy King” Fury has spoken openly about his drink, drugs, and mental health issues in the past.
      He was spotted this week with his boxer half-brother Tommy, 22, relaxing by a pool in Miami — with Fury sipping from a bottle of alcohol-free lager.
      A source said: “Tyson has kicked the booze on the head for good.
      “It is not because of the boxing, because he can always get in shape for fights and obviously doesn’t drink during training camps.
      “Tyson is doing this for himself and his family — especially his wife Paris.
      “And he reckons it is the best way to be a great dad and stay in shape physically and mentally.”
      Undefeated heavyweight Fury said in March he was drinking up to a dozen beers a day and had quit training as he was fed up with fights collapsing.
      The 6ft 9in star said: “I have stopped training at the moment, I am on holiday.
      “I am drinking between eight, ten, 12 pints of lager a day.”
      Sources said he could have been joking in a bid to speed up big-fight negotiations.
      And he is set to fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, in August, in a unification bout worth up to £100million each.
      ‘Gypsy King’ Fury has spoken openly about his drink, drugs, and mental health issues in the pastCredit: Getty
      A source said: ‘Tyson has kicked the booze on the head for good’Credit: Getty

      Paris, 31, is pregnant with the couple’s sixth child.
      She sparked fears by posing without her wedding ring on Instagram.
      But our source insisted: “They are rock-solid.”
      Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua likely to start at 9pm UK time More

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      in Soccer

      Brendan Rodgers says Leicester are the ‘people’s club’ in FA Cup final against Big Six money-grabbers Chelsea

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      BRENDAN RODGERS claims Leicester have the backing of every neutral in the land for Saturday’s FA Cup final with Chelsea.The Foxes boss believes he is in charge of the ‘people’s club’, as the Foxes aim to lift the trophy for the first time in their 137-year history.
      Rodgers feels neutral fans will be cheering his side on to lift the FA CupCredit: PA
      Leicester are looking to lift the FA Cup for the first time in their historyCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are members of the Big Six whose failed money-grabbing Super League project last month saw more supporters turn on the plotters.
      Rodgers, whose club also won the nation’s hearts and captured the imagination worldwide with their 2015-16 Prem title triumph, said: “We would love to continue growing and be the people’s club.
      “We want to be the club other supporters around the country look at and hope that their club can ‘do a Leicester.’
      “People will look at Chelsea versus Leicester and they will see us as the underdog and, in most walks of life, everyone likes to see the underdog to do well.
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      “It has been pretty clear with the talk around the Super League and Super Clubs and how they have been defined.
      “The story here since winning the title has been one that has gone round the world. What we have tried to do here is build our own map and make the club sustainable.
      “I sense there is a lot of good will for a club like us challenging the elite of the game. We are the pioneers for the clubs outside the top six, as such.”
      Leicester are playing in their first FA Cup final since 1969, having lost all four of their previous finals.
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      Chelsea beat Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: PA
      Claudio Ranieri was manager when they lifted the Prem title five years ago and Rodgers has taken them back into the top four of the Prem again this season.
      And he believes the whole city is riding high.
      Rodgers, 48, added: “I’m looking at Leicester as a city this year and you’ve got the Leicester Riders basketball team who are in the play-offs and have won their first play-off game.
      “Then you’ve got Mark Selby winning the World Snooker Championship and he’s a Leicester boy.
      “We’ve also got the Leicester City women’s team who have got promoted to the first level.
      “Hopefully we can match all of their achievements at Wembley and go on to achieve something special for the city as well.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Take a look at the key numbers ahead Chelsea v Leicester’s FA Cup final More

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      in Soccer

      Footballer Charlie Austin’s wife snubs Wag lifestyle to become children’s nurse

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      FOOTIE star Charlie Austin’s wife is snubbing the Wag lifestyle by training to become a children’s nurse.Bianca, 31, has been offered a University of West London place.
      Charlie Austin’s wife is snubbing the Wag lifestyle by training to become a children’s nurseCredit: Social Media refer to Source
      Striker Charlie, 31, on loan at QPR from West Brom, tweeted a heart and “Well done Mrs”.
      Bianca tweeted: “Working my absolute ass off all year, struggling to work whilst home schooling and studying from home has finally paid off!
      “Offer officially accepted — UWL — Paediatric Nursing.”

      She will start her course in September.
      Bianca spoke four years ago about the “extremely traumatic” loss of their unborn baby Tayton-Grace in 2010 after she suffered brain damage in the womb.
      They have since had two other children.
      21-year-old student fulfils her dream of becoming a nurse as strangers raise nearly 40k after her plea went viral More