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      in Boxing

      Frank Bruno admits losing FOUR pals to coronavirus pushed him ‘to the brink’ in fight with bipolar and depression

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      IT was the greatest moment in his life — and one that thrilled millions of Brits.
      Standing in the middle of the ring at Wembley Stadium, Frank Bruno raised his clenched fists to the sky as fireworks exploded.

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      Frank Bruno is facing another heavyweight challengeCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun
      Finally, at the fourth attempt, he had risen from pantomime dame, famous for his ‘Know What I Mean’ catchphrase’, to the world heavyweight champion.
      Yet 25 years on from that iconic night, yesterday’s anniversary was bittersweet for Frank.
      That’s because the 58-year-old, who has been suffering mental health problems for two decades, is trying to cope with a relapse in his battle with bipolar disorder.
      In an emotional interview dad-of-four Frank says lockdown has brought about his new torment. 

      The ordeal has been brought on by the heartbreaking loss of four friends from suspected Covid-19.
      They have been crushing blows which, Frank says, have been tougher than any punches he felt in the ring.
      Among those he has lost are Rupert Doaries, a former member of Frank’s coaching team, Milton Marks, his former accountant, and lifelong pal Mickey Crow.
      In an exclusive interview Frank said: “Today I will be taking some time to think about all of them.

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      It was 25 years ago this week since the legend became heavyweight champion at WembleyCredit: Getty Images

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      The anniversary of his win over Oliver McCall has been bittersweet for Frank BrunoCredit: Getty Images
      “The hardest thing about losing so many friends during lockdown was not being able to go to the funerals and say goodbye properly.
      “The friends I have lost are guys who have been friends for most of my life — and long before I became famous.
      “It’s made me realise just how precious life is and how horrendous this virus has been for many.
      “I can’t lie mentally, the last few months have been really, really tough.
      “There have been some really dark days which have pushed me right to the brink. But I am still here and still fighting and that’s what I will always try to do.”
      Frank remains one of the country’s most loved sporting icons, and he agreed to speak out because he fears many, like him, have struggled with the fallout of the pandemic.
      The ex-WBC king, who has been  previously sectioned, battled through by getting medical advice, leaning on friends . . . and exercising.

      You’re Not Alone

      EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember,www.uk.movember.com

      Frank added: “I have learned to live with my illness a lot better now.
      “It will always be there. It’s not like boxing. At the end of the fight you and your opponent shake hands and go your separate ways.
      “But bipolar and depression is there all the time. It’s like the devil on your shoulder. And it can creep up on you — sometimes when you least expect it.
      “I think that’s what has happened in the last few months.
      “I had pneumonia last year which meant I was at high risk when lockdown kicked in so I knew I needed to keep my head down and stay indoors.
      “A few years ago I’d have been too afraid to tell anyone how I was feeling because I’d worry what they’d think.
      “There was such a stigma attached to mental health. But talking openly is something that really helps me and it has been so important during lockdown.”

      Fifty eight year old Frank Bruno shares his daily workout tips to stay happy and healthy during lockdown

      I have learned to live with my illness a lot better now… But bipolar and depression is there all the time. It’s like the devil on your shoulder. And it can creep up on you — sometimes when you least expect it.
      Frank Bruno

      Frank, who has spent years lobbying for mental health reform, warned: “So many people have lost loved ones, people have lost their jobs, so many people have seen their lives completely changed.
      “There was already a big problem before Covid but it is going to be ten times as bad now.
      “Anyone can be affected. It doesn’t matter if you are a dustman or a billionaire. Everyone has mental health.
      “And all too often someone who is stressed, depressed or worse is packed off with a load of pills and not given the right support.
      “It’s important that people know there is another way.
      “I am not very good sitting indoors all day watching Phil and Holly on TV if you know what I mean . . . 
      “I have really missed being able to go out, attending events and just being around people. Being indoors all the time started to have a knock on with my bipolar big time.
      “So I did what I have always done best. I spent a lot of time getting my head down and training really hard.

      “I love the gym so when they started closing them I set one up at home. And I put a punchbag in the garden and just hit my way through it.
      “Training, staying active has been my way of trying to get through all this and defending myself against my bipolar disorder.”
      But one thing Frank has missed desperately is being able to see his fans.
      Before lockdown he had been planning a series of events across the country to celebrate his iconic unanimous points victory over American Oliver McCall at Wembley on September 2, 1995.
      In a poll of most popular Brits that year he only came second to Princess Diana.

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      Now, 25 years on, Frank still gets stopped in the street and asked about that night.
      It was his fourth attempt to win a world title and he said: “It was the best night of my life. I still watch the fight and get goosebumps when I am announced as the winner.
      “I always dreamed of becoming a world champion but you never know with boxing. So to finally do it was the just most amazing feeling.”
      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 16123. More

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      in Soccer

      Dean Henderson expects to be Man Utd No1 next season as he fights for England place

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      DEAN HENDERSON expects to be the No 1 keeper at Manchester United this season.
      The 23-year-old signed a new six-year deal last month worth £120,000-a-week.

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      Dean Henderson is on England duty ahead of a shot at the Old Trafford No1 jerseyCredit: Rex Features

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      David De Gea will have the 23-year-old for company next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And he made it clear he should be replacing David De Gea.
      England new-boy Henderson is back at Old Trafford after two impressive seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
      And asked if he could again look to go out on loan this season if he fails to dislodge DDG, Henderson said: “Yes — but that won’t be the situation.
      “Look, 100 per cent, the aim is for me to play next season and – I don’t think I want to not be playing after last season.”

      Henderson admits his England chances also rest on playing every week at United.
      He added: “Coming off a good season with momentum, it wouldn’t be clever for me to sit around and not play football.
      “David De Gea has been a great goalkeeper for many years, he’s been phenomenal and that’s something I aspire to be and to have a career like him at the club.
      “So I’ll be going back on the first day working my socks off to get in that starting line-up, because it’s something I’ve always wanted. I’m so close, so I’m not going to give up, I’m going to put the pressure on.

      “I respect David but it’s down to me. I’m well up for the challenges ahead.”

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      Henderson, 23, is in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Saturday’s trip to Iceland and the game in Denmark on Tuesday.
      The Three Lions gaffer has concerns over previous No 1 Jordan Pickford and is set to play Burnley’s Nick Pope in one game.
      But Southgate has no worries over selecting Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in the same team.
      The pair have not played together since Sterling got Gomez in a headlock ahead of the previous meet-up in November. More

    • 163 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Aston Villa agree £16m Matty Cash transfer as Dean Smith plans £60m-plus splurge

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      ASTON VILLA are ready to kickstart another spending spree — after agreeing a £16million deal for Nottingham Forest full-back Matty Cash.
      And Villa’s outlay could soon pass the £60m mark if boss Dean Smith can beat Newcastle to Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford.

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      Aston Villa are on the verge of a £16m deal for Nottingham Forest right-back Matty CashCredit: Alamy Live News
      Cash’s move from the City Ground — with £14m to be paid up front — is expected to be sealed within 24 hours when he passes a medical.
      Cash, 23, was wanted by AC Milan in the January window after converting from a winger at Forest.
      Villa had made an ambitious attempt to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid before beating Fulham and Sheffield United to sign Cash.

      Smith also has strike duo Wilson, 28, and Watkins, 24, in his sights.

      But Smith faces competition for Wilson from ex-Villa boss Steve Bruce who is prepared to offer Toon winger Matt Ritchie in exchange.
      Villa intend to make a straight cash offer.
      Brentford are also playing hardball over Watkins and will want around £28m for the 24-year-old unless Villa can talk the price down.
      Landing all three Englishmen would mean parting with around £60m — having splashed out £130m last summer and then survived in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth.

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      Villa are keen on raiding relegated Bournemouth for Callum WilsonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Villa replaced Jesus Garcia Pitarch as their sporting director with Danish talent spotter Johan Lange, with Smith given more influence on recruitment.
      The Villa boss is also looking for goalkeeper, midfielder and a winger before Villa’s season gets under way on September 19.
      But any interest in Manchester United stopper Sergio Romero is likely to stumble over the Argentinian’s wages.

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      Brentford ace Ollie Watkins is also wanted by Smith this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd could use Sergio Romero to seal Jack Grealish transfer as Aston Villa line up move for £10m keeper More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd stopper Dean Henderson feels ‘tougher’ after five years on loan as he targets David De Gea’s No1 jersey

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      DEAN HENDERSON feels like a new signing for Manchester United.
      And it is hardly surprising when you consider that since his last trip to their Carrington HQ, the keeper has been on loan at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United.

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      Dean Henderson admits he feels like a new signing at Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex Features
      But when he returns from international duty with England, this remarkably confident individual is hunting down United No 1 David De Gea for his place when Crystal Palace come to town a fortnight on Saturday.
      Henderson, 23, impressed in his two years under Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane and accepts it will be strange when he finally returns to their training complex.
      He said: “I haven’t been in the building for five years. I’ve had a lot of time away. So I’m not too sure what the atmosphere is like — I feel like a new signing at Man United.
      “You can get many things from training and obviously can learn off someone like David and the other goalkeepers, the coaches. But I don’t think there’s any substitute for game time.

      “I went out from Man United five years ago and started at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and then Sheffield United. It shows how much I’ve learned, out on my own, picking up experiences that happen in games because they’re situations you don’t really get in training.
      “I’m not going to improve sat on the bench. I need that game time. For any young goalkeeper, it’s 80 per cent mental.
      “I know it sounds weird but by going out and having to prove yourself, going the long way round and going up through the leagues, you’ve got to have a bit of an edge.
      “I believe I’ve got that edge. It sets me in good stead and works for me.

      “It doesn’t work for everyone but I’m happy with who I am and I’ve got to keep going.”

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      The star is hoping to dislodge David De Gea in goal for the Red DevilsCredit: AFP
      Henderson made his senior football debut aged 18 for Stockport in January 2016 and will never forget the 1-1 draw with Nuneaton — but for the wrong reasons.
      He said: “Stockport was the hardest loan spell of my life. I remember there was a big guy, in the first  minute of my debut, and he said ‘Put it on the keeper, he’s pooing himself’ and I thought ‘Oh God!’.
      “I’ve gone for the cross, I’ve completely missed it and it went in. I wanted to be swallowed up but I had to dust myself down and get on with it. But I came back and then I just kept learning from there.
      “I am thankful I had that at a very young age and, hopefully, I’ve got them out of my system.
      “I had a fantastic two years with Chris Wilder. He was a great  manager — rough and ready and just what I needed.
      “He put me in line when I needed to be put into line but really strongly believed in me, which is something I loved about him.
      “Chris made me feel 10ft tall. I can’t thank Chris enough for what he’s done for me. And you have to stand up for yourself.
      “There were many times in the changing rooms after games it got heated between the boys but it’s just because we have a passionate group of lads and everyone wanted to win.
      “So I’ve been there, I feel like I can deal with it. I’m ready for any challenge thrown my way.”
      Henderson’s emergence is also good news for England manager Gareth Southgate, who is preparing for  Saturday’s trip to Iceland in the Nations League and the visit to Denmark three days later.

      With Jordan Pickford having been unconvincing for Everton, Southgate now has competition for places with Burnley’s Nick Pope and Henderson ready to take the spot.
      Henderson added: “I know what I’ve got to do. I’ve got two very good goalkeepers here with me and we’re all challenging for the No 1 shirt. I’m working hard every day to do what I can to be Gareth’s No 1.
      “I’m just here to do my job.  Obviously I want to play for England and I want to play for Manchester United.
      “I’m just going to keep working hard, overcoming my little challenges, my little goals and I’m sure one day I’ll get to where I want to be.
      “You’ve just got to come in and be the best goalkeeper in training — that’s all you can do really.
      “I haven’t had any caps for the national team, I’m still fighting for my first, so people have got advantages in many ways as they played.
      “For me it’s just come in, hold my head high, going there confident as ever, train as hard as ever and then one day it’s going to pay off.”
      If Henderson falls short, it certainly will not be through a lack of belief. More

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      in Soccer

      Jude Bellingham tipped to handle growing pressure like Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden by England Under-21s boss

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM will handle sky-rocketing expectations about his blossoming talent — just like Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden.
      Bellingham only turned 17 in June but has been fast-tracked to the England Under-21s following his stunning season with Birmingham and subsequent move to Borussia Dortmund.

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      Jude Bellingham is in line for his England U21s debut this weekCredit: Rex Features

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      The midfielder could follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden (centre) and Mason Greenwood (right)Credit: Rex Features
      Many will be wondering just how long it will be until the midfielder is promoted to Three Lions senior squad — as Foden, 20, and Greenwood, 18, have this month.
      No matter how long the wait, Young Lions boss Aidy Boothroyd is sure Bellingham will not let his meteoric rise go to his head.
      Asked if there is a danger in building the whizkid up, Boothroyd said: “I don’t think he’ll worry about that.
      “I think he’s very level-headed, as Phil and Mason are. That’s why they are where they are.

      “They know what they’ve got to do to be better, they’re very grateful for the support they get from everybody, from family, team-mates, clubs, international managers.
      “I do think a trait of successful people is humility. He’s got it in abundance, I would say.”

      Jude has got a long way to go before the senior team. I think he’s in exactly the right place right now.
      Aidy Boothroyd

      Should Bellingham feature in Kosovo on Friday night or Austria on Tuesday, he will become the youngest player to represent England’s Under-21s.
      Theo Walcott was 17 years, five months and 21 days old, followed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who was three days older when he made his debut.

      Bellingham would beat that record by more than three months.
      Boothroyd added: “He’s a really open, polite, genuine person. He opened up very quickly.

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      Aidy Boothroyd is casting his eye over England’s latest teen talentCredit: PA:Press Association

      “When we got on the pitch, you couldn’t tell he wasn’t an Under-21 player.
       “The age of the senior team has got lower and to the point where we’re talking about a 17-year-old for the senior team.
      “Jude has got a long way to go before that. I think he’s in exactly the right place right now.”

      Borussia Dortmund players in tears laughing at Jude Bellingham’s awful singing for initiation to new club More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd will NOT give up on £110m Jadon Sancho transfer until winger publicly reveals he wants Borussia Dortmund stay

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will not give up on Jadon Sancho until the England star publicly admits he wants to stay at Borussia Dortmund.
      Sancho, 20, has remained tight-lipped about his future while Dortmund chiefs have insisted he will spend this season in Germany.

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      United are not giving up on their chase to land Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      United had put all their efforts into landing Sancho this summer with an offer of £70million up front rising to £110m.
      Personal wage demands had been sorted and the player was ready to make the move back to Manchester where he started his career at The Etihad with City.
      But the Bundesliga side wanted more money up front and United were not prepared to pay it.
      Now the only way a deal will go through is if Sancho pushes for it.

      Otherwise United and Dortmund want him to make a statement about his future.
      United have since turned their attentions to Donny van de Beek who is signing this week in a £40m move from Ajax.
      They are also close to signing a centre-half and looking at a left-back.

      Four Premier League teams crack the top ten highest wage bills in Europe

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      While they want Sancho they know they have a strong front four of Bruno Fernandes in behind Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

      The club still has trust in former Swansea winger Daniel James coming good as well while striker Odion Ighalo remains on loan at the club until the New Year.
      Still manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to boost his squad still further with the increased demands of the Champions League on top of a determined challenge for the title.

      Watch Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes perfect his penalties against Boavista teen keeper in surprise visit to old club More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Maguire insulted Greece in foul-mouthed rant and attacked officers, court statements claim

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      MAN United skipper Harry Maguire insulted Greece in a foul-mouthed rant, according to newly released statements. Maguire, 27, his brother and a pal also allegedly attacked police officers.  He is appealing after being given a 21-month suspended sentence for charges including assault. But in the court statements, officials say the trio “insulted Greece, the Greek […] More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Marcus Rashford ‘haunted’ by sound of his mum crying herself to sleep as she struggled to provide for her family

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      FOOTBALL star Marcus Rashford has told how he is haunted by the sound of his hard-up mum crying herself to sleep as she struggled to provide for her family. The England and Manchester United striker recalled mother Mel’s torment in an emotional letter to MPs as he launched his campaign against child poverty. The 22-year-old, […] More