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      in Soccer

      Inside Gareth Bale’s family turmoil from arson to drugs feud and porn ahead of star’s sensational return to Tottenham

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      FEW superstars match footie ace Gareth Bale. The Welsh captain’s left leg is insured for £100million, he earns £650,000 a week and has won four Champions League medals.
      After seven years in Spain with Real Madrid, his scintillating pace, match-winning free-kicks and thumping headers are going to thrill British fans once more.

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      Gareth Bale and his wife, Emma Rhys-Jones, at the London premiere of Bond film Spectre in 2015Credit: Rex Features

      But when he landed in London today to sign a loan deal with his old side Tottenham Hotspur, the 31-year-old dad of three young children had to haul a huge amount of personal baggage off the carousel.
      For the past few years the quiet family life he craves has been thrown into turmoil by troublesome relatives.
      His in-laws have found themselves caught up in everything from a drugs feud, to arson, to soft-porn and international fraud.
      It’s not something the multi-millionaire can easily ignore.

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      The pair with their girls, Alba, seven, and Nava, four
      Gareth had to employ round-the-clock security due to the very real threat posed by the violent enemies of his extended family.
      And when he married his childhood sweetheart Emma Rhys-Jones, 29, just over a year ago, some of the bride’s closest relatives were uninvited.
      They included her jailbird dad Martin Rhys-Jones and her elderly grandparents, John and Eva McMurray, who looked after Emma when her father was banged up.
      Now, though, The Sun can reveal that painful rift is over.

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      Emma’s jailbird dad Martin Rhys-Jones has dangerous enemiesCredit: Wales News Service
      Bale isn’t just returning to these shores to be reunited with Spurs, he will be healing the wounds with Emma’s family.
      Tonight her grandfather John, whose car was firebombed four years ago, said hostilities were a thing of the past.
      He told The Sun: “I think the world of Gareth.
      “I love him and Emma, and my three beautiful great grandchildren.

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      Emma’s cousin Epiphany Dring – pictured – was believed to have got on the wrong side of a Middle Eastern drug cartel
      “Yes, there were some difficulties for us as a family, but that’s all in the past now. We’ve talked things through and we’re all good now.”
      It is Gareth’s devotion to his childhood sweetheart, who he met at Whitchurch secondary school, that has led him to make up with her relatives.
      John, 83, and Eva, 88 — Emma’s grandparents on her mother’s side — got caught up in a mysterious drugs war in 2016 when a suitcase containing more than £750,000 worth of cocaine and cash went missing from their home.
      In apparent revenge, their car was set ablaze, as were two motors belonging to Emma’s aunt, Annabella Williams, 58.

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      Emma’s grandparents got caught up in a mysterious drugs war and their car was firebombed in 2016Credit: Collect
      Annabella’s son Peter Williams, 26, then poured petrol through the letterbox of Emma’s aunt, Jane Burns, whose topless model daughter Epiphany Dring faced claims that she had taken the suitcase. Williams got a four-month suspended jail sentence. 
      Police believed 31-year-old Epiphany had got on the wrong side of a Middle Eastern drug cartel.
      Epiphany, who has starred on several soft-porn websites, left Wales for a while, but has now returned.
      Also, in trouble with the law was Emma’s uncle Graham McMurray, 53, who was spared jail for theft in 2017 after £65,000 was found hidden up the chimney of his home.

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      Bale gives baby daughter Nava a cuddle at the Champions League final in 2016Credit: EPA
      There were genuine fears that Gareth and his children — daughters Alba, seven, and Nava, four, and two-year-old son Axel — could be targeted by the shadowy gangs involved.
      Now that threat has subsided.
      John, who had been upset about not attending Emma’s glitzy wedding in Spain, invited The Sun into his Cardiff home and motioned us to­wards his most prized wall-hanging – a framed white No11 Real Madrid shirt worn and signed for him by Gareth.
      He said: “I’ve no doubt he’ll be a huge success at Spurs and me and Eva can’t wait to see him and Emma as soon as the Covid rules permit it.

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       Gareth Bale arrives at Tottenham training ground this morningCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun
      “They’ve still got their house down the road in the Vale of Glamorgan, so I’m sure they’ll come back to Wales regularly.”
      Also absent from Gareth and Emma’s wedding was her dad Martin Rhys-Jones.
      She had put off getting hitched until Martin had finished prison for his part in a £2.2million fraud. Having served four years of his six-year sentence, her dad was all set to attend the couple’s big day. 
      But Emma was said to have fallen out with Martin, 56, because he wanted to bring along his girlfriend, Russian florist Alina Baranova, 31.

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      Tottenham Hotspur’s Bale scores against Liverpool in 2012Credit: AP:Associated Press
      The couple were also upset when he tweeted an image of newborn Axel, which they wanted to keep private. So instead of her father by her side, it was her brother Robert by her side last June.
      The ceremony was an intimate affair at a 17th century fortress in Majorca, La Fortaleza, which was used during filming of BBC spy drama The Night Manager.
      None of Gareth’s Madrid teammates were invited.
      Brought up by school caretaker dad Frank, 64, and operations manager mum Debbie, 63, in the Cardiff suburb of Whitchurch, Gareth enjoys riches beyond the imagination.

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      The footie ace has a collection of supercars including a £165k Mercedes SLS AMG
      He is leaving behind a £6.5million modernist pad with a pool in Madrid and is now on the hunt for a luxury home to rent in London.
      Moving back to Britain means he can spend more time at his £4million Welsh country pile, which has a three-hole golf course.
      The golf-mad sportsman spent a fortune replicating world-famous tricky holes — Royal Troon’s Postage Stamp in Scotland, the 12th at Augusta and the 17th at Sawgrass, both in the US.
      Gareth also invested in his own trendy sports bar in Cardiff called Elevens, named after his shirt number. And his supercars have included a £230k Ferrari GTC4Lusso, £165k Mercedes SLS AMG and £156k Lamborghini Huracán.

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      Gareth Bale is now hunting for a luxury home to rent in London
      Spending seven years as one of Real’s Galacticos means his image is known across the globe.
      His distinctive man-bun haircut and loveheart goal celebration are part of the Bale brand.
      That high profile persuades global companies such as Adidas, EA Sports and Lucozade to pay for his endorsements, earning him another £10million annually.
      But Gareth is not the type of footballer to be hanging around in nightclubs with celebrities and doesn’t use social media to talk about himself.

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      Aerial view of the 17th hole at Sawgrass, which is recreated in Bale’s back garden at his Welsh country pileCredit: 2014 Chris Condon/PGA TOUR
      Teetotal, he is much more likely to spend his free evenings enjoying a meal in a local restaurant with his wife.
      What he would like more than anything is to be able to focus on football, Emma and their three children.
      There have been reports he struggled to gel on a personal level with other players at Spanish giant Real Madrid. What is in little doubt is that Gareth did not get on well with Real’s manager Zinedine Zidane, who preferred to keep the Wales winger on the bench.
      Despite scoring two amazing goals in the 2018 Champions League final to help Zidane’s side beat Liverpool, and 100 goals in total for Real, the player was being frozen out.

      Bale by numbers

      £10m a year from sponsors
      £4m country home in Wales
      £650K a week from Real Madrid
      17th hole at Sawgrass recreated in his back garden
      £750K in drugs and cash went missing from home of wife’sgrandparents

      Last year Zidane wanted to sell the star man to a Chinese side, where he would have earned £1million a week, but Real called off the transfer at the last minute.
      It was the forward’s shortage of recent game time that resulted in his move to Spurs.
      At the North London side, he will be managed by long-time admirer Jose Mourinho, who had tried to sign him in the past.

      Tonight Spurs fans cheered as the striker drove through the gates of their training ground.
      This is Gareth’s big chance to lay some ghosts to rest.
      Not only can he prove that Real were wrong to let him go, he can also help reset strained relations with his wife’s family.

      Gareth Bale arrives at Tottenham training centre for transfer talks
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd finally have players with personality in Van de Beek, Fernandes and Maguire, says legend Bryan Robson

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      DONNY VAN DE BEEK has a reputation for boasting the same box-to-box drive that made Bryan Robson a legend.
      But it is the midfielder’s personality which has convinced Captain Marvel he will become a crucial member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s culture club at Manchester United.

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      Bryan Robson believes Donny van de Beek is a perfect fit for Man Utd’s vision

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      United legend Robson has hailed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s business in the transfer market

      Robson reckons boss Solskjaer is putting together a squad that reminds him of the team that first won the Prem under Sir Alex Ferguson 27 years ago.
      He said: “It means so much when you have players with personality who also want to communicate and step up to the plate. These are qualities Ole has brought in with signing the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire — and now Van de Beek.
      “From what I’m being told he is a great lad, everybody inside the club is saying this. He’s chatty,  personable. You can see that he’s a really nice guy.
      “Everybody talked about how friendly and chatty he was when he came in. And I’ve been talking to Edwin van der Sar who is chief executive at Ajax, he says the same thing.

      “He comes across like Bruno, who I have met several times, and who is a brilliant lad. He harmed everyone when he arrived, so he’s got great communication skills but he matches that to being a winner — the same as Van de Beek.
      “I love how feisty Bruno is. Can you remember the Sevilla game in the Europa League? Lindelof switches off and they score.
      “Well, Fernandes dug him out — and I would have done exactly the same thing. I love that,  Bruno saw it and  had a go —  you should do — to improve people. And if Ole now has another one like Bruno in the form of Donny van de Beek, then I’m all for it.
      “The most successful United team I played in was the one that won that first title, then the Double next year. We had unbelievable characters — Schmeichel, Brucey, Irwin, Incey,  Keane, McClair, Hughes, Cantona, myself.

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      “Giggs was a kid but he was tough–minded. The success was because they were great players  but they also demanded from each other — and that makes you a great team.”
      Club ambassador Robbo added: “For success, it’s got to be  about personality and ability.
      “You look at the impact Bruno has had on Pogba. He is helping Paul to become a better player and express himself.
      “Since he has been at the club, Paul has started to play the way we know he can. And if they’ve now got another one in Van de Beek, then they have a real chance.

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      Robson says Bruno Fernandes is helping players around him to get better

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      Robson has praised Harry Maguire’s leadership skills and determination
      “Maybe not this season, maybe not just yet, but Ole’s buys have been  good. You can’t knock Wan–Bissaka, who may not be the greatest on the ball, but what a good defender.
      “I’m not having it that Maguire isn’t absolutely top class. Yes, he’s made the odd mistake, but what centre-half doesn’t? What is most important is that he has personality, that drive.
      “He’s a leader but there is a whole team of leaders beginning to develop in there, just like we had. Van de Beek, with the personality many within Old Trafford have told me he has, will fit right in.
      “Ole talked about creating the right culture within his squad and he is doing it — last  season you saw the start. Now he has another  in there who will add to the team spirit.”

      Ray Parlour says the Mason Greenwood mistake has been dealt with at Man Utd More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham transfer move for Southampton’s Danny Ings has ‘absolutely zero’ chance, says boss Ralph Hasenhuttl

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      RALPH HASENHUTTL has no fears of Danny Ings’ head being turned following Tottenham’s failed approach to sign him.
      Spurs, who travel to St Mary’s on Sunday, were this week told in no uncertain terms by Southampton that the striker is not for sale.

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      Danny Ings scored 22 times in the Premier League last season – and he’s not going anywhereCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It is the sort of situation which can unsettle some players.
      But Saints boss Hasenhuttl does not think that will be the case given Ings already knows that the grass is not always greener at a big club from his three years at Liverpool.
      The Austrian said: “He knows what he has with us.

      “He was at one time at a big club. He knows how good it feels to play every week, every game and to be in a team where everybody loves him.
      “This crowd is loving him. It’s something you don’t have very often.
      “He made also from here the step to the international squad, so what else do you want?
      “It’s also possible from Southampton to play internationals for England, to come maybe to the next Euros.

      “It’s up to him to show up again and we will do everything we can to bring him in the right position.”

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      Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham side have been linked to Danny IngsCredit: Rex Features

      Ings hit 22 Premier League goals last season – finishing just one behind top-scorer Jamie Vardy.
      He picked up his second England cap five years after his first by coming on as a second-half sub in the 1-0 win in Iceland earlier this month.
      Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to sign a new centre-forward, despite Gareth Bale’s impending move back from Real Madrid.
      Yet Hasenhuttl said: “The only thing I want to say for these rumours is there is absolutely zero interest from Danny to go anywhere.
      “He is 100 per cent happy to be here. For us it is 100 per cent not discussable that we leave (let go) one of the best players in Europe.
      “Any rumours about that are absolutely nonsense and hopefully this is the last time we speak about this.
      “He’s the most important striker in our team, one of our own, if you want.
      “He loves what we do here. He loves to play for us and the team loves to play with him.”

      Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho will not confirm if Dele Alli is in future plans More

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      in Soccer

      A Premier League stadium is safer than your living room right now so it’s hard to understand delay in bringing back fans

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      IT IS becoming increasingly difficult to see what the delay in bringing back spectators to football is all about — except optics.
      At a time when the Government is promoting the “Rule of Six” and the country is subject to various local lockdowns, people will be scratching their heads, asking: “How can I not be allowed to meet with more than five other people I know but can go to a football match with thousands of people I don’t know?”

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      Karren Brady believes a Premier League football stadium is one of the safest places you can be

      I can see what a difficult and conflicting message that might send out, which the Government might like to avoid.
      Except that a Premier League football stadium is the safest place you can be. Safer than your own living room.
      Our highly supervised environment means supporters are safer in there than if they were mixing informally in their own homes.
      Yes, of course there are sound reasons why numbers have to be phased in, like the access to public transport (despite the fact that millions of people are being urged to go back to work).

      Then there is the congregation of supporters before and after the games.
      But we are not talking about late-night ravers here, we are talking about sensible football supporters who can to go to an activity in a safe way.
      My plea for the return of sizeable crowds is by no means all about the loss of revenue although the sums are eye-wateringly large.
      Lost match revenue for the Premier League stands all in at about £80million a MONTH.

      It also rests on the loss of watching the best of football from where millions of people derive the greatest pleasure — right there in the stadium.
      Reacting to the good and even the not-so-good.
      Your team belongs to you and you to the team. Is there anything more stirring?
      The history of Covid-19 and spectator sport began in March when the number of cases arising from the last Cheltenham Festival was never published.
      But crowds of 60,000 or so a day over five days must have accelerated the rate the disease spread.
      That, the Twickenham rugby international the previous Saturday and a serious infection striking Prime Minister Boris Johnson are seen as key events in transmission that led to lockdown.
      Once so permissive, it is hardly surprising the Government is now very cautious.

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      Fans watch a match while social distancing
      Several times it has tentatively agreed to allow small attendances at snooker, rugby, cricket and football only for it to pull out the day before on several occasions.
      This week it put its foot in the water again, giving permission to some English League clubs to open the gates to 1,000 fans each.
      So, while it is possible that from October 3 small crowds are to be allowed at some or all matches — after all, it is working in Germany as their clubs’ stadiums can now operate at 20 per cent capacity — it seems unlikely.
      Even with an agreed Premier League common standards approach to getting the supporters in, which includes those attending wearing face coverings, screening measures (health questionnaires and temperature checks), contactless tickets and payments, agreed transport strategies, test-and-trace arrangements and sanction regimes for individual fans and clubs who don’t follow the rules.
      The bottom line is the clubs of the Premier League and EFL are run by responsible people.
      We know how easily the virus can be passed from person to person and we are well aware of ways to prevent this happening.

      A Premier League football stadium is the safest place you can be. Safer than your own living room. Our highly supervised environment means supporters are safer in there than if they were mixing informally in their own homes.
      Karren Brady

      The precautions taken against players catching it have been exhaustive and highly successful.
      Staff have become expert testers and players, with very few exceptions, have not strayed.
      The Government trusted us to restart last season and we should by now have earned its support in staging matches in front of crowds.
      Frankly, 1,000 spectators in, say, West Ham’s London Stadium — which has 66,000 seats — is so wide of that objective it rivals me in high heels shooting for goal from 25 yards. It is both laughable and irrelevant.
      We could raise that number by 20 times and deal with the problem of social distancing both inside and outside the stadium.
      It could, of course, all happen a lot quicker if we had even a dependable testing system, never mind world-beating.
      Over to you, Boris.

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      in Soccer

      Warnock to be in contact with Middlesbrough staff and players from home for Bournemouth clash after positive Covid test

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      NEIL WARNOCK will get his tech head on to try and inspire Middlesbrough to victory over Bournemouth.
      The 71-year-old tested positive for Covid-19 this week and will be forced to watch today’s Championship clash from his North East home while self-isolating.

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      Neil Warnock will miss Boro’s clash with Bournemouth after testing positive for Covid-19Credit: Getty

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      Kevin Blackwell will step up on the touchline after the boss self-isolatesCredit: Rex Features

      Trusted lieutenants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson will take charge of the side as 1,000 fans return to the Riverside for the first time since March.
      And despite his health scare, which also forced him to watch the Carabao Cup game with Barnsley from a private box, Warnock will still be in the ears of his squad and assistants before and during the game.
      Blackwell said: “He’s fine – that’s the frustrating thing for everybody. We just him all the best and get well as quick as he can.

      “He is in his house up and here and he will be watching from there. 
      He’s got everything technologically wise set-up to watch the game and communicate directly to the ground.
      “It’s marvelous what technology is now and gone are the days when if he was sent home no-one would have seen him for 14 days.
      “We can see him everyday and the company is running very well as it is. 

      “Neil will certainly speak to one or two platers by phone over the next 24 hours over what we are expecting from them.
      “There is an opportunity, hopefully, that he will speak to them before the game. Quite when that will be, I’m not sure yet.
      “With this new Zoom technology and everything else we have got it, and the IT guys we have here, we can rig up something and will certainly use that.
      Boro lost 1-0 at Watford on the opening day before Barnsley dumped them out of the cup on Tuesday.
      However, the Teessiders will have the extra lift of having supporters cheering them on against the Cherries, who beat Blackburn 3-2 last weekend, after the game was given the green light to be part of the EFL’s Covid-19 programme.

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      This will be the first time Boro’s fans will have a chance to welcome Warnock’s management team in person, and given the awful run of one home win since Boxing Day, Blackwell cannot wait to have supporters back.
      He added: “We want to win games and it’s as simple as that… they are the demands we set.
      “Having fans there behind you can make such a difference. There is no doubt it will help.
      “When it was closed down and we were fighting relegation, it actually helped us not to have fans here as myself, Neil and Ronnie were able to get information across live in the game, equally across to the players on the other side of the pitch, so that actually helped us.
      “No we think we look a little bit more structured and getting better performances, the added bit of the crowd is what we now need to add that little extra edge that could win the games for us.
      “So we are absolutely delighted they are coming back and we can’t wait until we can get many more back.”

      Neil Warnock tests positive for coronavirus and will self-isolate More

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      in Boxing

      Josh Warrington savouring Leeds’ first home Prem game in 16 years after being on Cooper’s shoulders at promotion party

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      I’VE waited 16 years for this moment — Leeds back at Elland Road in the Premier League.
      The fans would just love to see the players come out with the Prem badge on their shoulder.

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      Josh Warrington celebrated Leeds’ promotion on the shoulders of captain Liam Cooper

      It’s a massive shame we cannot be there but when allowed back I know we will revel in every little bit.
      I’ve had relatives saying they didn’t think they’d see Leeds back in the Premier League in their lifetime.
      The people have been starved of success for so long, and that’s why the celebrations went on in the city for a few weeks.
      Back in July, my wife and I were going out for a bite to eat.

      We arrived to park at 7.20pm but she said: “Because you’re always late I’ve booked it for later, so we’re not meant to go in until 7.45pm.”
      If West Brom didn’t beat Huddersfield then the wait was over, so I listened on the radio.
      We went into the restaurant after and I was just numb. I sat there and enjoyed it, but I was just numb.
      I needed to soak in what had just happened so said to my wife that we needed to drive past Elland Road.

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      Josh Warrington pictured with Leeds captain Liam Cooper, left, and Stuart Dallas

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      The boxing world champion joins the the jubilant celebrations

      We got there and it was absolutely jam-packed.
      One of the directors called and said: “Josh, you need to be part of this as well. If you’re near Elland Road, get yourself in and come and celebrate.”
      I told him it’s funny you say that as I’m just around the corner. I pulled into the ground and the next minute I’m on Liam Cooper’s shoulders celebrating with the players.
      Nearly two decades earlier, as a ten-year-old, I went to my first-ever match to watch us play Tottenham.
      David Batty, Lucas Radebe, and Mark Viduka were my favourites growing up.
      And I loved Alan Smith, even though he ended up at Manchester United.
      Leeds were flying high, so it was just the done thing to be a Leeds fan.
      Kids wore Leeds shirts in the playgrounds, they had Leeds backpacks and pencil cases — you didn’t come to school with a Chelsea or Man United shirt.

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      Warrington won the IBF featherweight title at Elland Road

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      Premier League newbies were narrowly beaten 4-3 by champions Liverpool
      You supported Leeds because you were from Leeds, and that’s that.
      I won my first-ever shirt in a raffle and it was three times too big. My second was the Nike Strongbow one and I wore it until the letters fell off.
      I think I was spoiled in my first season and I’ve been paying for it ever since!
      You think it’s going to be like that every week and then, as you get older and football starts to affect your emotions, things started to go Pete Tong.
      I clearly remember relegation in 2004. We were listening on the radio in the garden and I said to dad: “Bloody hell, what happens now?”
      He replied: “Don’t worry son, we’ve been here before and we’ll be back before you know it.”
      I don’t think even he anticipated it taking 16 years!
      While I’ve had a season ticket for a while now, for a lot of years it was a case of whether I could extend the overdraft to afford to go.

      7

      Warrington pictured with former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford and dad Sean O’Hagan Credit: @j_warrington

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      Warrington with the Championship trophy Leeds won last season Credit: @j_warrington
      Today I’ll be watching from home, but normally I go with my brothers and am the designated driver.
      I’d love to go out for a pint and a pie beforehand, but more often than not I’m in the gym sparring on a Saturday morning.
      Unfortunately, while I’d have given anything to be scoring goals at the old Kop End, I’ve got banana feet.
      So the next best thing was winning a world title at Elland Road, as I did in 2018 to become Leeds’ first boxing world champion.
      The nerves are different but you do get butterflies as a fan.
      I’ve met Marcelo Bielsa. He’s not the most sociable character in the world but he has played a massive role as the whole make up of Leeds United has taken a full-on rejuvenation.
      We really took it to Liverpool last week, showing them no respect whatsoever.
      I said before the season that we will finish in the top half.
      And after watching us stick three in at Anfield, there is no reason why we can’t.

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd new boy Donny van de Beek will bring a fluidity to their midfield and shake up Solskjaer’s predictable line-up

      by

      DONNY VAN DE BEEK’S arrival at Manchester United will bring one thing to their midfield – fluidity.
      After the restart, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line up was predictable and his lack of options off the bench was telling.

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      Donny van de Beek will bring fluidity to Manchester United’s midfield

      In their last 14 Premier League fixtures he made only TWO attacking substitutions before the 77th minute.
      But now with Van De Beek, Ole will have options to unpick defences because when he is partnered with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes it may look like a 4-2-3-1 on the team sheet but in reality it will be different.
      The beauty of the current United squad is that many of them can play a variety of positions and Van De Beek is exactly the same.
      At Ajax he proved he can play higher up the pitch but when Frenkie De Jong left for Barcelona he also showed he can play the deeper role.

      So what you may find is the midfield trio of De Beek, Pogba and Fernandes will interchange into the number 10 slot as all of them have the intelligence and are capable of sitting back when needed.
      Without Nemanja Matic they will be a bit open defensively but we will then potentially see only one of the fullbacks going forward to ensure they always have at least four men behind the ball as the other one will tuck inside.
      It certainly won’t be the case of any of the front four missing out, as some are expecting.
      When you look at other teams – Manchester City with their midfield, Chelsea with the signings they have made and Liverpool bringing Thiago in – it is not about leaving players out.

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      It is about adding strength in depth, something which United lacked last season.
      Against Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League in 2018/19, Van De Beek showed he is a big game player.
      And it means Ole now has another option in United’s armoury which he can mould to the demands of the game.

      Man Utd boss Solskjaer tells his thoughts on new signing Donny van de Beek More

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      in Soccer

      Female football pundit sparks sexism row by calling Fulham manager Scott Parker ‘a total fox’

      by

      A FEMALE football pundit has sparked a sexism row by calling Fulham manager Scott Parker “a total fox”.
      Former US international midfielder Heather O’Reilly, 35, gushed over the 39-year-old dad of four on social media.

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      Former US international midfielder Heather O’Reilly, 35, gushed over the 39-year-old dad of four on social mediaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2

      Heather called Fulham manager Scott Parker ‘a total fox’Credit: Rex Features

      Many agreed with the Fox Sports analyst, a married mum of one.
      Linda Gancitano wrote: “You are not kidding! Handsome!”

      Christine Diana added: “Very much yes.”
      But others branded the ex-Arsenal Ladies star’s tweet “inappropriate”.

      Arsenal fan Graham Williams said: “If Alan Shearer commented on how fit a woman footballer was, you’d have feminists storming the Match of the Day studio calling for his head.”

      Mike Milbury makes derogatory comment regarding women at Hockey games
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