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      in Soccer

      Joey Barton and Ched Evans clashed at Fleetwood over striker’s comedy skit – now Bristol Rovers boss looks to future

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      NIGEL PEARSON has never been a man to suffer fools.
      So when he pays someone like Joey Barton warm compliments, as he did this week, they should be taken very seriously.

      Joey Barton took charge of Bristol Rovers this week just a month after leaving FleetwoodCredit: Rex Features

      The new Pirates boss had a dressing room bust–up with Ched EvansCredit: Rex Features

      The pair arrived in Bristol on the same day, Pearson taking over his eighth club at City, Barton moving into his second job as a manager with Rovers.
      Once the ink was dry on their contracts Pearson found he had been messaged by Barton,  who he worked with at Newcastle.
      He said: “Me and Joey exchanged a few messages. I have a lot of time and respect for him. He’s a very intelligent man. I think he’s got a bright future.
      “People have preconceived ideas but the reality can be different.”

      Those pre-conceived ideas that the 57-year-old talks about are created by the baggage Barton carries around with him.
      In keeping with a life of controversy he headed out of Fleetwood under a cloud.
      Cod Army chairman Andy Pilley who, on appointing him two-and-a-half years earlier described him as a potential great in management, dumped him.
      The decision came after a dressing room bust–up with Ched Evans and clashes with other senior players.

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      The pair are understood to have come to blows over a comedy skit created by the striker that Barton did not find funny and he was dispatched to Preston.
      After he left, Barton revealed he   had fallen out with the man who gave him his first chance as a boss, the day after a ban for betting on matches ended.
      Their relationship, like that between him and some of the players, had soured while some members of staff also left during Barton’s reign.
      The 38-year-old is currently awaiting trial over an alleged clash with former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel following a match at Oakwell in April 2019.
      Barton previously pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and proceedings are due to begin in June.
      Yet for all of the controversy, Barton’s first job suggested many of those who believe him to be one of the brightest young bosses in the game could just be right.
      Having taken control of Rovers, he now has to prove the hype has not all been just hot air.

      Nigel Pearson was appointed Bristol City boss this weekCredit: Rex Features

      Evans and Barton both left Fleetwood within days of each otherCredit: Rex Features
      As a music lover — he has even appeared in a Morrissey video — he will know all about one–hit wonders.
      And if he does not get it right and fast at the Memorial Stadium, a career in management might never make the top of the charts.
      For while club president Wael al-Qadi joined in the welcoming praise, he has already sacked two managers this season in Ben Garner and Paul Tisdale.
      Barton lost his first game, 2–1  at home to Wigan, 24 hours after his appointment.
      He hosts Shrewsbury today with the club only above the League One relegation zone on goal difference.
      His team have lost eight of their last 11 games, winning only once.
      Barton, on a contract until 2023, is determined to prove he is the real deal and certainly talks a good game.
      He did, after all, take Fleetwood into last season’s play-offs.

      Luke McCormick, SkyBet’s Goal of the Month winner, is delighted to have Barton as bossCredit: Instagram / @official_brfc
      He said: “Somebody, at some point, is going to get Rovers right. Mobilise that passionate fan base and get the supporters travelling across the country, pushing their team onto bigger and better things.
      “I think I’m the man for it. I’m absolutely convinced it’s going to be this group of players we’ve got here and this group of coaches.”
      One of those players, Luke McCormick, is delighted to have Barton as his new boss.
      The 22-year-old won SkyBet’s Goal of the Month trophy for his superb January strike against Crewe.
      The box–to-box midfielder, on loan from Chelsea, insisted: “I’m sure to benefit from having someone of Joey’s experience as my manager.
      “He was a Premier League midfielder, that’s where I am aiming for and he can help me get there.”
      Barton might get there himself one day in his new career and prove that life is a gas as a    manager. Instead of it all blowing up in his face.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Joey Barton says QPR were the least favourite of his ex-clubs More

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      in Soccer

      Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’

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      FOOTIE ace Dele Alli has split from his pin-up lover Ruby Mae — with mates blaming the amount of time he spent playing online video game Fortnite.
      The pair, both 24, have separated after a series of heated rows and she has moved out of their £2million pad.

      Model Ruby Mae has split up with her footballer boyfriend Dele AlliCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Pals said Ruby got fed up with video game fan Dele’s lifestyleCredit: Instagram

      Friends said model Ruby was “incensed” over the Spurs and England star’s recent behaviour — including “spending too much time playing Fortnite.”
      One friend told The Sun: “Dele and Ruby Mae are finished.
      “Their relationship has been turbulent, but it now feels very much like the end. Ruby is sad but looking out for herself now.
      “She had enough of Dele’s good-time nature, and packed up her things.

      “She’s looking after number one from here.”

      Ruby is sad about the split ‘but looking out for herself now’Credit: Instagram

      Dele live streams himself playing Fortnite online to thousands of followers
      They broke up just before Valentine’s Day and have unfollowed each other on social media.
      Ruby, who has modelled for Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel, began dating Dele in 2016. They briefly split in 2018.
      Last year, masked robbers with knives raided their home as £150,000-a-week Dele was playing pool with his 24-year-old brother Harry Hickford and a friend.

      The midfielder — who last month reportedly wanted a move to Paris Saint-Germain after a lack of game time at Spurs — was punched in the face.

      Ruby has tens of thousands of followers on InstagramCredit: instagram.com/rube_mae

      Dele and Ruby have unfollowed each other on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @ruby_mae

      Dele and Ruby on holiday in Mykonos together last yearCredit: Instagram / @ruby_mae

      Ruby and Dele became victims of a violent robbery at his homeCredit: Instagram
      The crooks escaped with watches and jewellery and Dele beefed up security by buying a Dobermann guard dog.
      Ruby first hit the headlines after being spotted consoling him after England lost 2-1 to Iceland and were knocked out of Euro 2016.
      As they hugged, their relationship became public. And they have since been spotted together looking loved-up on various holidays, including in Mykonos and Ibiza.
      Ruby has established herself as a high-profile model with a host of big-name brands.
      She is an avid Instagrammer and constantly updates her profile with new snaps of her life.

      Ruby is signed to a number of leading fashion brands as a model

      Ruby has finally had enough of her relationship with Dele Alli and called it quitsCredit: Instagram

      Ruby has always shown support for Dele Alli at England tournamentsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Last week, she was blasted by road safety chiefs for sharing a video with her 96,000 Instagram fans which she shot while over-taking on a motorway.
      It is illegal to use a phone while driving and campaigners have urged cops to investigate.
      Offenders can be fined up to £1,000 and potentially be banned.

      Ruby is saying goodbye to her life as a WAGCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Dele’s relationship with Rub went public in 2016Credit: Rex Features

      Dele has been a Tottenham player since 2015Credit: PA:Press Association

      Dele Alli’s girlfriend Ruby Mae slammed after filming video while overtaking on a motorway
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      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno seem to have found peace at last and there’s genuine warmth between pair

      by

      FRANK BRUNO and Mike Tyson’s army of fans will be delighted that, despite their traumatic lives, they seem to have found peace of mind as they approach old age.
      The ex-heavyweight champions, who had two ferocious fights, met up for the first time in 25 years in Miami a couple of months ago.

      Former title rivals Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno met for the first time in 25 yearsCredit: Sky

      Their equivalent of a friendly fireside chat took place in the palatial surroundings at Tyson’s holiday home and is the basis of an absorbing 90-minute Sky documentary.
      Having covered their careers from the beginning to the end and spending a considerable amount of time reporting on their out-of-the-ring problems it did my heart good to see them both looking so well.
      They are now in their fifties and what comes across as they shared a sofa is that — not only were they comfortable in each other’s company — but also there is a genuine warmth and respect between them.
      There are exceptions but that is usually the case between fighters who have spilt blood together in brutal battles.

      Mike, who used to revel in being known as the Baddest Man on the Planet, has clearly mellowed and is now more like a cuddly bear. Frank certainly hasn’t changed. He is a laidback and endearing gentle giant outside of business hours.
      Anyone who knows nothing about boxing and tunes would never guess they used to ruthlessly beat men up for a living.
      During their light-hearted conversation, I expected them to suddenly proudly start showing pictures of their children and grandchildren.
      They hardly talked about boxing — more interested in touching on the hardships and adversity they had overcome.

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      The pair seem to have found peace and have a genuine warmth for each other

      Tyson and Bruno fought two heavyweight wars back in their heydayCredit: AFP – Getty
      As Tyson pointed out, Frank may have been to one mental facility but he has been around ten of them.
      They were reunited at Bruno’s request. Ben Hirsch, the talented director of the documentary, said: “Frank was keen to do it not just for entertainment purposes — but because there was unfinished business.
      “They hadn’t had a proper chat since their second fight which ended Frank’s career.”
      Most of Hirsch’s film is taken up with the background and build-up to to the fights in Las Vegas, seven years apart.

      When Bruno, who was the challenger, arrived in Vegas from his Arizona training camp for the first one in 1989, he was dreadfully homesick and extremely tense.
      Terry Lawless, his worried and desperate manager, knew he somehow had to get Bruno to get rid of his tension.
      Secretly, he got Dr David Silverman, the famous Vegas psychiatrist who treated the showbusiness stars of the Strip, to help Frank relax.
      I got to hear of it and broke the story in SunSport that Bruno was having hypnosis.
      Dr Silverman even put Bruno under in the dressing room before he went out to challenge Tyson for his title.
      Not that it did any good. Frank was out on his feet after Tyson’s fifth-round barrage.

      In 1996, Bruno was the defending champion. Knowing what he was about to face, he crossed himself so many times during the ringwalk that I remarked that he looked like a man walking to the gallows.
      He was battered to defeat in the third round.
      Tyson will go down in history as one of the great world heavyweight champions.
      Bruno, as popular in Britain today as in his heyday, will always be the most lovable.

      Frank Warren says that Daniel Dubois has been given all-clear to return to boxing More

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      in Motorsport

      Racing icon Sir Stirling Moss left £20million in his will and told pals ‘enjoy a few nights out’

      by

      FUN-LOVING motor racing icon Sir Stirling Moss left £20million in his will and told pals: “Enjoy a few nights out.”
      The Formula One legend, who died last April aged 90, gave the order among a string of big-hearted legacies to 18 of his nearest and dearest.

      Sir Stirling Moss left £20million in his willCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty

      The gifts included £1,000 handed to a couple to spend on dinner at Miami, Florida, restaurant Joe’s Stone Crab.
      And he dished out his favourite paintings, model cars and even a lucky silver rabbit’s foot to others.
      He left the bulk of his fortune to his wife since 1980 Lady Susie, 66, plus daughter Allison, 53, and son Elliot, 40.
      Probate office figures showed the star, who lived in Mayfair, central London, left £22.08million in his will but this did not include US assets.

      The daring racing style of Sir Stirling, who won 16 of 66 F1 races from 1951 to 1961, led speeding motorists when stopped by police to be asked: “Who do you think you are, Stirling Moss?”

      Sir Stirling died after a long illness last yearCredit: AFP or licensors

      Sir Stirling died after a long illness last year with Lady Susie at his bedside.She paid tribute, saying: “It was one lap too many.
      “He died as he lived, looking wonderful.
      “He simply tired in the end and closed his beautiful eyes and that was that.”

      Sterling has been married to Lady Susie since 1980Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      List of Sir Sterling’s legacies

      £1,000 to a pal (now dead) for him and his wife “to enjoy a few of our usual nights out” and two trophies
      £10,000 and a Marcel Lebrun painting to his former secretary
      A hand-carved Birdcage Maserati sculpture by artist Dennis Hoyt to a male pal
      A John Brierley model train to another male friend
      £2,000 and his Mercedes Benz boxed edition Silver Arrows, given to him by Mercedes Benz in 1998, to a male pal
      A Talbot model to a male friend
      £1,000 to a married London couple to “enjoy at Joe’s Stone Crab” restaurant in Miami, US
      £1,000 to a female friend
      A Cooper model to a male pal
      £5,000 to a married couple
      Another £5,000 to a US friend
      His silver rabbit’s foot – given to Sir Stirling in 1954 by friends – to his ex-psychotherapist for “giving me more than luck”
      £1,000 to a female friend “to help towards her telephone bills”
      £1,000 to another female friend
      £10,000 to his niece to “put towards buying another horse”
      £5,000 to a married couple as “my thanks for their loyalty”
      A painting of Hyde Park by artist Dexter Brown to “remind her of her many numbered bottles enjoyed after walks through that park”.
      £10,000 to his rally driver sister, Pat, who sadly died in 2008
      £20,000 to his god-daughter

      Stirling Moss wins Grand Prix d’Europe in 1957
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      in Soccer

      Eric Dier hits back at Jose Mourinho’s claims he is suffering ‘crisis of confidence’ in new headache for Spurs boss

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      ERIC DIER has denied Jose Mourinho’s claims he was suffering from a “crisis of confidence”.
      Tottenham boss Mourinho made the comments earlier this month after axing the England star from his first team line-up following a dip in form.

      Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho comforts Eric Dier but the defender claims the Portuguese was wrong to say he has been lacking beliefCredit: Reuters

      Eric Dier says he has been ‘happy with my level for the majority of the season’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the defender rubbished the accusations, to give his under-pressure manager another headache.
      Dier insisted: “Confidence-wise, I don’t feel like I’ve been in a bad place all season.
      “I’ve gone through periods where I’ve had low confidence in the past so I know what it feels like and I haven’t felt that this season.
      “The most important thing is the reality and people’s perception versus reality can be different sometimes.”

      Dier was dropped for the recent 2-0 win over West Brom after giving away a penalty in a poor performance in the home defeat by Chelsea.
      That victory over the Baggies is Spurs only victory in their last six Premier League matches – although they have beaten Austrians no-hopers Wolfsberger twice in the Europa League to go through from their last 32 tie 8-1 on aggregate.
      Dier added: “We’ve gone through a difficult moment, but it’s important to keep things in context.
      “I feel like I’ve been happy with my level for the majority of the season.

      “There’s been obviously a dip in it, which correlates with the dip with the team in general and our performances in general.
      “But I don’t think my confidence has ever been in a negative place where it’s been in previous times. That’s all.”
      Dier is not the only Tottenham star to have been axed by Mourinho.
      But the centre-back said: “I’m a big boy, this is a ruthless profession and I focus on trying to do the best that I can every time I get an opportunity.
      “I always try to be the best version of myself, every day in training I try to improve constantly and then in games I know I can have good games and bad games, But I’m always relaxed because I know that I give everything I do have.
      “So everything on the outside doesn’t affect me so much because I’m confident in myself and I’m confident that I always try to give the best of myself.

      We’ve been going through a difficult time and now’s the time that as a group we’ve got to all step up and work together to push through this moment.
      Eric Dier

      “Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it goes badly but my effort never changes.”
      Dier helped Tottenham beat Wolfsberger 4-0 in their second leg on Wednesday.
      Spurs will find out their opponents in the last 16 of the Europa League when the draw is made today (FRI).
      The North Londoners, currently ninth in the Prem table, then host Burnley in the League on Sunday.
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      Dier said: “Obviously, it’s no secret we’ve been going through a difficult time and now’s the time that as a group we’ve got to all step up and work together to push through this moment, starting with the result on Wednesday night and taking that into the weekend.
      “The result on Wednesday was nice, but we know it’s just a small step.
      “We need to find our consistency again, find our level again and everyone has to push in the right direction to achieve that.”

      Jose Mourinho compares 16-year-old Tottenham wonderkid Dane Scarlett to Marcus Rashford and promotes him to first-team More

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      in Boxing

      Ex-boxing champ Junior Witter fuming after cops find cannabis factory in house he rented out

      by

      EX-boxing champ Junior Witter was fuming after cops raided a house he rented out — and found a cannabis factory.
      The former WBC super lightweight title holder, 46, has owned the three-bed house since 2005.

      Boxer Junior Witter pictured at Brendan Ingle’s Sheffield gymCredit: Simon Wilkinson

      Neighbours called the police when they noticed the patio doors had been kicked in.
      Officers went in and found the remnants of a weed farm.
      It is thought a rival dealer may have tried to steal the plants from the house, in Sheffield.
      Angry Junior, who retired six years ago, said: “I own the property and rented it out.

      “There was a break-in and now I’m just left with a lot of mess to clean up.

      “I’m not happy with it at all.
      “I don’t have anything to do with cannabis, so it’s right annoying.”
      Police said they are investigating the drugs farm and the break-in.

      The Sun joins Home Secretary Priti Patel and Met Police on county lines dawn drugs raids
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      in Soccer

      Marcelo Bielsa WANTS Jack Grealish to be fit to play Leeds… even though he makes Aston Villa ‘scarier’

      by

      MARCELO BIELSA hopes Jack Grealish CAN play against Leeds on Saturday – even if it makes Aston Villa “scarier”. 
      Euro 2021 hopeful Grealish was injured for Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester and is struggling for the trip to Elland Road. 

      Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish has been hailed by Marcelo Bielsa as a ‘great player’Credit: PA:Press Association

      Elland Road boss Marcelo Bielsa says facing Jack Grealish would be a ‘stimulus’Credit: Reuters

      But the Leeds boss said: “He is a great player who can unbalance you.
      “I always prefer that opponents have their best players available. 
      “Even if that fortifies a team, and makes them more scary to face, they’re also a stimulus for us to face such players, to try to neutralise them.”
      Villa boss Dean Smith has been cautious about Grealish’s situation.

      But he said: “It’s not a recurrence of an outstanding injury or an old injury and it’s not going to be a long-term injury.
      “But I’m guided by the medical staff about how long he will be out, and Jack himself, so I can’t tell you any more than that really.
      “It’s pretty much on a game by game basis – if not maybe Leeds, then perhaps he’ll be back for Sheffield United.”
      Meanwhile, Smith’s Leeds counterpart Bielsa will not rush back talisman Kalvin Phillips in case he breaks down again. 

      Grealish’s fellow England midfielder Phillips, 25, has missed the last three with a calf injury. 
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      And the Argentine added: “When he got injured he had an option of having a quicker return. 
      “But his injury is in his calf and it’s in a place where we have to avoid a recurrence because that would make the situation worse. 
      “We’re being very cautious so that when he returns he returns for definite.”

      Maddison and Barnes keep Foxes on course for Champions League with Villa Park victory More

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      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno seem to have found peace at last and there’s genuine warmth between the pair

      by

      FRANK BRUNO and Mike Tyson’s army of fans will be delighted that, despite their traumatic lives, they seem to have found peace of mind as they approach old age.
      The ex-heavyweight champions, who had two ferocious fights, met up for the first time in 25 years in Miami a couple of months ago.

      Former title rivals Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno met for the first time in 25 yearsCredit: Sky

      Their equivalent of a friendly fireside chat took place in the palatial surroundings at Tyson’s holiday home and is the basis of an absorbing 90-minute Sky documentary.
      Having covered their careers from the beginning to the end and spending a considerable amount of time reporting on their out-of-the-ring problems it did my heart good to see them both looking so well.
      They are now in their fifties and what comes across as they shared a sofa is that — not only were they comfortable in each other’s company — but also there is a genuine warmth and respect between them.
      There are exceptions but that is usually the case between fighters who have spilt blood together in brutal battles.

      Mike, who used to revel in being known as the Baddest Man on the Planet, has clearly mellowed and is now more like a cuddly bear. Frank certainly hasn’t changed. He is a laidback and endearing gentle giant outside of business hours.
      Anyone who knows nothing about boxing and tunes would never guess they used to ruthlessly beat men up for a living.
      During their light-hearted conversation, I expected them to suddenly proudly start showing pictures of their children and grandchildren.
      They hardly talked about boxing — more interested in touching on the hardships and adversity they had overcome.

      NEW CUSTOMER OFFER: GET £20 IN FREE BETS WITH BETFAIR

      The pair seem to have found peace and have a genuine warmth for each other

      Tyson and Bruno fought two heavyweight wars back in their heydayCredit: AFP – Getty
      As Tyson pointed out, Frank may have been to one mental facility but he has been around ten of them.
      They were reunited at Bruno’s request. Ben Hirsch, the talented director of the documentary, said: “Frank was keen to do it not just for entertainment purposes — but because there was unfinished business.
      “They hadn’t had a proper chat since their second fight which ended Frank’s career.”
      Most of Hirsch’s film is taken up with the background and build-up to to the fights in Las Vegas, seven years apart.

      When Bruno, who was the challenger, arrived in Vegas from his Arizona training camp for the first one in 1989, he was dreadfully homesick and extremely tense.
      Terry Lawless, his worried and desperate manager, knew he somehow had to get Bruno to get rid of his tension.
      Secretly, he got Dr David Silverman, the famous Vegas psychiatrist who treated the showbusiness stars of the Strip, to help Frank relax.
      I got to hear of it and broke the story in SunSport that Bruno was having hypnosis.
      Dr Silverman even put Bruno under in the dressing room before he went out to challenge Tyson for his title.
      Not that it did any good. Frank was out on his feet after Tyson’s fifth-round barrage.

      In 1996, Bruno was the defending champion. Knowing what he was about to face, he crossed himself so many times during the ringwalk that I remarked that he looked like a man walking to the gallows.
      He was battered to defeat in the third round.
      Tyson will go down in history as one of the great world heavyweight champions.
      Bruno, as popular in Britain today as in his heyday, will always be the most lovable.

      Frank Warren says that Daniel Dubois has been given all-clear to return to boxing More