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      Millwall chief issues stark warning on devastating damage to communities if clubs go under

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      MILLWALL chief Steve Kavanagh believes the impact on communities will be devastating if EFL clubs go to the wall.
      The Lions bigwig has called on the Government to act swiftly to save Covid-crippled clubs from going bust.

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      Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh has highlighted the community work done by football clubsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His stark warning is that, if they do, many communities across the country could be ravaged by emotional and economic depression for years.
      Speaking to SunSport as part of the Save Our Clubs drive highlighting the work clubs do on and off the field, Kavanagh said: “We’re not just talking about our national sport, the community work done by clubs in this country is vital. It has been for years.
      “Boris Johnson came  to The Den to see it first hand when he was Mayor of London and was highly impressed.
      “And when you take into consideration lockdown and what clubs, including Millwall, did to support their local communities, society and the vulnerable who were scared and did not have food . . . the work that went on was incredible.

      “We sheltered the homeless, we delivered more than 5,000 free dinners to children and care packages to the vulnerable and needy.
      “We didn’t just deliver food packages, with them we  delivered cooking lessons to ensure people could sustain themselves with good food, not just ready meals.
      “We also stored PPE for the NHS, while other clubs allowed stadiums to be used as testing centres.
      “Despite having absolutely no income, Millwall, through our chairman John Berylson, pledged £300,000 to our community trust during this period when we were on our knees.

      “Our community work is valued at more than £10million to Lewisham and the local area. And that is replicated all over the country.
      “If clubs are lost, that will be lost — and that would result in real damage to society.
      “And that’s before you get into job losses in and around football clubs.
      “The Government has to start recognising what football actually does — and not just continue taking from it all the time.
      “It needs to understand what we do for communities outside of actually playing, which is extremely important in itself for wellbeing. And it needs to help.”
      Millwall, who have spent more than £100,000 reconfiguring The Den to make it safe to host matches, have been hit hard by the ban on fans attending matches.
      American Berylson is having to pump in £1m a MONTH to keep them afloat.
      And Kavanagh admitted: “Unfortunately, we have had to make some staff redundant. It’s been really, really sad.
      “But I’m having to try to run a business which is haemorrhaging money and have no idea when its income streams will be returning.”
      The PM plus Culture, Media and Sports Secretary Oliver Dowden have announced rescue packages for the arts — but not our national sport.
      Kavanagh added: “The Government is not treating football fairly and in line with other entertainment businesses.
      “I can’t believe we haven’t lost more clubs in the EFL. That’s a testament to the club owners and chairmen.

      “They’re all putting their hands in their pockets to keep clubs and their community assets alive by feeding the vulnerable and schoolkids, sheltering the homeless and helping the NHS.
      “What worries me is I don’t know where the breaking points for these owners and chairmen are. Even with John.
      “I don’t want to over- dramatise that but when does he say enough is enough? I hope to God I never find out.”

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      Steve Kavanagh, right, is worried that entire areas could be hung out to dryCredit: PA:Empics Sport

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      Hope Powell expects Brighton to face fully-firing Arsenal despite talk of Gunners form dip

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      HOPE POWELL brushed off suggestions of a dip in form for Arsenal ahead of Brighton’s WSL clash with the North London side today.
      And the Seagulls boss warned her players are in for a “tough game” against the Gunners, who were clobbered 4-1 by Chelsea in a league cup match on Wednesday.

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      Hope Powell reckons Brighton will be up against a lethal Arsenal side Credit: Rex Features

      Arsenal and Brighton face off for the first time this term with the North London club having won three previous league encounters with the Seagulls by 4-0 margins.
      And Powell, 53, wants her players switched on to their opponents’ “lethal” tactics as they hunt for their first WSL win against them.
      The Brighton coach said: “They move the ball very, very quickly and it’s in those minutes when you switch off that they are lethal.

      “From minute one to minute 90 we have to make sure the players are focused and working for each other.
      “I think the result against Man City proved that if everybody does their job and they’re equal to the challenge, it gives us a real chance.”
      Powell, whose players snatched a point from Manchester City earlier this season was named September’s Barclays WSL Manager of the Month with Arsenal’s Jill Roord collecting the player’s prize.
      And the Seagulls gaffer – who picked up four points from her first three fixtures this term – praised her staff and players for her accolade.

      Powell added: “I think it highlights the progression we’ve made. The fact that we are starting to compete against those so-called bigger clubs is a bit of a confidence booster for everybody.”
      Meanwhile, Gunners chief Joe Montemurro expects his team to face “a difficult game” this afternoon.

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      The Gunners will be without the services of in-form striker Jill Roord who is currently injured Credit: Rex Features

      His side dropped to second in the women’s top-flight following Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Tottenham on Saturday.
      The Arsenal boss said: “Brighton have always been very well organised and have some moments that can unlock you.
      “We hope to be ready for them in the best way possible.”

      Mesut Ozil continues incredible charity work as Arsenal star launches own footwear range and donates profits to kids More

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      Man Utd’s Edinson Cavani transfer seems like desperation… a £200k-a-week deal is a massive gamble

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      I THINK you all know I like a gamble now and again… but nothing like the one Manchester United have taken in signing Edinson Cavani.
      It was obvious they needed something even before last week’s shocker against Spurs.

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      Edinson Cavani is working himself into shape ahead of his debutCredit: Instagram @cavaniofficial21

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      Edinson Cavani is pocketing a staggering £200,000-a-week at UnitedCredit: AFP or licensors

      The worrying thing was a few of them seemed to throw in the towel.
      But signing Cavani, 33, on over £200,000 a week on the final day of the transfer window did smack of desperation to me.
      I had people telling me eight weeks ago he was keen to come to England.
      When I heard the wages I just wished them good luck.

      So if he was someone United were that keen on signing, why did they leave it so late?
      Cavani has been a great player over the years and if he’s still got the hunger and the talent, then he’ll do a good job for them.
      I hope for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sake he is because they certainly cannot afford any more displays like that one against Spurs.

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      Harry Redknapp believes Cavani’s arrival smacks as desperationCredit: Louis Wood – The SunI’VE come in for a bit of stick for suggesting Spurs can be serious title challengers this season, but what’s so daft about that?

      It is pretty obvious no one is going to run away with it like Liverpool last time — and some of the results have been real  coupon busters.
      And I know Tottenham have been a bit of a mixed bag  themselves, even if how well they played at Old Trafford was almost ignored as most people focused on how bad United were.
      But  they will be there or thereabouts this season, even though I do think the eventual champions will once again be either  Liverpool or Manchester City.

      You cannot knock the squad Jose Mourinho’s built, though, and there is genuine competition for every single position.
      It’s packed with internationals and the depth means that they’re far better placed to handle the  inevitable injuries.
      OK, they might still fall short, but it would hardly be the strangest of outcomes in these strangest of times.

      Edinson Cavani spotted in Man Utd kit for first time as new signing works up sweat while training for debut in lockdown More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s £40m-a-year Mercedes contract expires in under THREE MONTHS with Brit no closer to new deal

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      LEWIS HAMILTON and Toto Wolff are no closer to committing  to Mercedes — despite having just 2½ months to run on their deals.
      Hamilton, who earns around £40million a year, said in August  he was uncomfortable about agreeing terms in a pandemic.

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      Lewis Hamilton is no closer to a new Mercedes deal with less than three months to run on his current contractCredit: Splash News

      And during the same month, Wolff, who has a 30 per cent share in the F1 team, said he was considering his own future “in a moment of reflection”.
      But with seven races still to go this season, time is running out for them.
      Wolff said: “We  don’t have time to sit down and have a chat. And it is the same for my own contract.

      “We want to continue in the partnership we have and for Lewis, he wants to be in the quickest car and for Mercedes, we want the quickest driver.

      “It seems pretty obvious but we need to find the time to sit down.”
      Hamilton can equal Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 F1 victories today  in the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.
      But he will have to fight it out with his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, who took pole position.
      Hamilton cooled talk of becoming a joint record holder, saying he was not bothered if it came at a track that was synonymous with Schumacher’s success.

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      Hamilton is looking to match Michael Schumacher’s 91 wins with victory at the Eifel GPCredit: AFP

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      He said: “It wouldn’t make any difference. It’s not something I particularly think about. If and when it happens, it’ll be great.
      “I’m solely focused on trying to do the best job I can. If that gets me to that win then great but I’m not looking short term, I’m looking further ahead.” 
      Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg was recalled by Racing Point to fill in for Lance Stroll who complained of feeling unwell.
      The Canadian — who was not displaying Covid  symptoms — has been replaced by the German, who had earlier filled in for Sergio Perez following his positive Covid-19 test earlier in the season.
      Hulkenberg, who will start last after no practice laps, said: “It was even  crazier than last time.
      “I was in Cologne, which is an hour from here.
      “I was sat with a friend having a coffee at 11am when Racing point boss Otmar Szafnauer rings me and says, ‘Hulkenberg hurry, we need you here’. “So I stepped in the car and came here.”

      Sir Jackie Stewart claims ‘it’s hard to justify’ calling Lewis Hamilton F1’s greatest ever and blasts Mercedes dominance More

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      New England heroes Conor Coady and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Three Lions party boys to shame

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      WE should be looking at a ray of sunshine — instead we are talking about a complete shower.
      The beaming grin on Conor Coady’s face when he scored his first international goal was a shining example of what playing for your country is all about.

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      Conor Coady’s delight scoring for England was plain to seeCredit: EPA

      Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny Ings were not far behind him against Wales on Thursday, either, and SunSport were spot on with the headline, “This is what it means to play for England”.
      But sadly that hasn’t been the story of the week, because once again it was overshadowed by the shocking behaviour of people who showed no respect or responsibility.
      When the news came out that 20-year-old Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham and Ben Chilwell — both 23 — had been to a surprise party, the punishment was a no-brainer for me.
      They shouldn’t have been anywhere near the England squad for this entire set of three games. No debate, no excuse, no argument.

      Just as Mason Greenwood, 19, and Phil Foden, 20, were rightly left out, these three should have been chucked out, because it was unacceptable for all five.
      I have heard people trying to come up with a defence, arguing we should cut them some slack because they are only young lads.
      Claiming these are different times, how they’d been locked up throughout the summer, but I’m not having it for one minute. All five knew the rules and they broke them.
      It goes beyond discipline, it’s about people not giving a toss and having no respect for Gareth Southgate, England, or the fans.

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      Dominic Calvert-Lewin also scored his first goal for EnglandCredit: Alamy Live News

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      Foden and Greenwood have been left out the squad following their hotel shameCredit: Reuters
      But sadly that seems to be the way with a lot of players now.
      Getting an international call should be a highlight, but so many are blase about it.
      Not all, I must point out, and the contrast between their actions and what it clearly meant to the lads who scored against Wales couldn’t have been greater.
      That’s the attitude which should be a given, yet sadly for so many these days it just isn’t. And it’s been that way for years now.
      I remember getting slaughtered when I was Spurs manager and said that some players just don’t want to play for England any more — but I was right then and I’m right now.
      I had lads coming up to me and saying things like, “We’ve got a friendly against Holland in two weeks, can you get me out of it?”
      I also had ones saying, “My missus is due to have a baby in six weeks and I really don’t fancy going away with England”.
      You’d have people pulling out claiming they weren’t fit, but come the following Saturday they’d have made a miraculous recovery.

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      Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham broke lockdown rules at a party

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      Harry Redknapp believes certain players don’t want to play for EnglandCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

      It was fact then and it is now. Representing your country — for some, because it’s far from everyone by the way — really isn’t the honour it should be.
      The lads I played with at West Ham, Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters . . . they’d never dream of missing a game through choice and never try to get out of a squad.
      It was the same with the likes of Peter Shilton, Stevie Gerrard, David Beckham, Frank Lampard. It is why they won so many caps.
      Fortunately, there are still far more to whom it means the world, because Gareth has a hell of a job at the best of times, without having to deal with this sort of rubbish.
      It doesn’t surprise me, though — these are young men earning stupid money in some cases. I’m talking some bang average players getting more than £100,000 a week.
      But it’s so annoying because after the World Cup, the whole country was starting to feel good about England again.
      Now there’s a serious risk of all that being lost because of the thoughtless, stupid actions of this lot.
      Gareth has done a good job and is a decent, honest, nice guy who will always try and protect his players — but there really can be no protection over this.
      In my book, if you misbehave and show no respect to the shirt then fine. You won’t have to worry about pulling it on again.
      Playing for England should be about seeing players puffing their chest out with pride… not ones who treat it with a shrug and a so what.

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      England stars lavish praise on ‘fantastic role model’ Marcus Rashford after Man Utd striker’s MBE

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      MARCUS RASHFORD MBE was praised by England team-mates and staff after being honoured by The Queen.
      Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate led the plaudits the morning after it was announced he would get the gong.

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      Marcus Rashford was awarded an MBE

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      Rashford has been lauded by his England colleaguesCredit: Rex Features

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      Rashford is determined to use his platform for goodCredit: Rex Features

      It is for his campaign to secure free meals for disadvantaged children in the school holidays.
      England centre-back Eric Dier said: “We had a team meeting before training as we normally do.
      “The manager gave a speech on everything that Marcus has done, congratulated him and we gave him a round of applause.
      “For him to put everything into a cause that is so close to his heart, and for him to effect change in the way he has, he is a fantastic role model for not only kids — but us as players as well.

      “What Marcus has done will show players that we can all have in effecting change in a positive way in a subjects that matter dearly to us.”

      He is a fantastic role model for not only kids — but us as players as well.
      Eric Dieron Marcus Rashford

      Southgate said: “It’s wonderful for him and the family,  but he didn’t start this project to get the recognition.
      “He started it because it was something he was affected by and cared passionately about.
      “For someone his age to make the difference he has is a phenomenal achievement.

      “We have watched him grow up — I say that but he’s still only 22!
      “You can only marvel at what he has achieved.”

      Rashford revealed he will take his mum Melanie to meet the Queen.
      The Manchester-born star told BBC Breakfast: “I know I’ve got to take my mum, she doesn’t give me a choice.
      “Then I’ve got to pick between my brothers and sisters – wish me luck.”
      Rashford took to social media to express his thoughts and future plans after being bestowed the honour for his work off the field.

      He said: “I’m incredibly honoured and humbled.
      “As a young black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22.
      “This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.
      “The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over.
      “I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn’t use this opportunity to respectfully urge the Prime Minister, who recommended me for this honour, to support our children during the October half-term with an extension of the voucher scheme, as the furlough scheme comes to an end and we face increased unemployment.
      “Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about.
      “Let’s stand together in saying that no children in the UK should be going to bed hungry.
      “As I have said many times before, no matter your feeling or opinion, not having access to food is NEVER the child’s fault.”

      Marcus Rashford reveals he’s ‘proud’ to take mum Melanie to meet the Queen after being awarded MBE More

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      Harry Kane injured in England training with Tottenham star to MISS Nations League clash with Belgium

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      HARRY KANE is set to miss tonight’s Nations League clash with Belgium.
      The Three Lions skipper has strained a muscle in training and faces being sidelined for the Wembley match as a precaution.

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      Gareth Southgate is set to be without injured Harry Kane for the Belgium gameCredit: Rex Features

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      Dominic Calvert-Lewin could replace Kane after scoring on his debut against WalesCredit: AFP or licensors

      Kane, who has been in good form this season for Spurs, has been careful with his schedule due to a number of injuries.
      The latest one came after he ruptured his hamstring against Southampton on January 1 and he only returned against Manchester United on June 19.
      Manager Gareth Southgate will field a strong team against Belgium after putting out an experimental side in the 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday.
      But the loss of Kane, 27, is a massive blow.

      He was set to spearhead a front three with Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford playing either side.
      One option would be to give another start to Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin who scored on his debut against the Welsh. Equally, Rashford could move into the centre.
      England also have another Nations League game against Denmark on Wednesday and Kane could stay with the squad for that match.
      Ironically, Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho had asked Southgate to “respect” Kane’s workload by not playing him in each and every match of England’s triple header.

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      Another option would be to move Marcus Rashford from the wing to Kane’s central roleCredit: Rex Features

      The striker missed the 3-0 win over Wales and is a doubt for the home game against the Danes.
      However, Mourinho will be hoping to have his talisman available for Sunday’s big Premier League game with fellow London side West Ham.
      The Special One said after a run of games including Chelsea and Man United: “You know, I believe that Gareth and [assistant] Steve [Holland], they care about the players.

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      Mason Mount is set to complete England’s front lineCredit: Getty – Pool
      “Hopefully, Gareth and Steve understand what happened with Tottenham this week and they respect the players.
      “That’s just my hope but I’m not going to call, or ask, or beg. I’m not going to press. 
      “I think they deserve their freedom and I have the utmost respect for them.”

      England vs Belgium – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick off time More

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      Crystal Palace ready to make club-record £30m transfer bid for Man Utd target Ismaila Sarr from Watford

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      CRYSTAL PALACE will make one final record-breaking bid for  Watford’s Ismaila Sarr.
      Manchester United were rumoured to have made a deadline day loan move for the winger after missing out on Jadon Sancho.

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      Crystal Palace are ready to make a final club-record bid for Watford’s Ismaila SarrCredit: Alamy Live News

      But relegated Hornets insisted they would only sell… and not for a penny less than £40million.
      And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side now look out of the race for the Senegalese star, 22.
      The Eagles have money to spend but, with big-earners Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke  staying, they only have enough for ONE major swoop.

      Despite that, they could go as high as a club record £30m for Sarr — but that may still not be enough.
      If they fail, Palace will try again for Brentford’s Said Benrahma.
      And they may try going in low if they are the only bidders.
      But reports claim the Algeria international, linked with Chelsea and Arsenal earlier this summer, has plenty of other Premier League suitors.

      90min claim West Ham have offered an initial £17m for the playmaker.

      That’s despite the Hammers selling Grady Diangana to West Brom after claiming they had too many wingers.
      Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is another Benrahma fan after spending big on Brentford teammate Ollie Watkins.
      And Leeds continue to be linked after coming up against Benrahma in the Championship.

      Watford’s Ismaila Sarr shows off his skills on the training pitch More