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      Manchester United ace Ella Toone pays tribute to late father and reflects on grieving his passing

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      ELLA TOONE has opened up on her grief following the death of her father Nick who passed away in September last year. The Manchester United midfielder, 25, paid an emotional tribute to her dad in a candid piece written for the Players Tribune. On the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast Ella Toone revealed she returned to training the day after her father Nick passed awayCredit: ReutersThe Man Utd midfielder hopes that by opening up on her grief, she can help others going through a similar experienceCredit: PAToone has been in clinical form for the Red Devils netting four goals in their last two WSL gamesCredit: AlamyNick Toone had been a huge influence on the Women’s Super League ace on and off the pitch. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer the day after watching the Lioness star score in the 2022 Euros final with England defeating Germany 2-1 at Wembley And Toone wrote of her Dad informing her in May last year that the cancer had returned.This was soon after the midfielder helped Man United make history scoring her team’s 4-0 triumph over Tottenham in their first Women’s FA Cup final appearance. Read More Football Stories Last September her father passed away three days before his 60th birthday.Toone wrote: “We win the FA Cup, last May. Dad texted after the game. “When I went to the house, everyone sat down in the living room, and Dad said, ‘I’m doing some tests. And I’m not well.'”I just remember thinking: ‘Tests? What tests? What?Most read in Football”It’s come back. I’ve got cancer.” “I said, ‘What do you mean it’s come back?’ “And he said the day after we won the Euros, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “He’d fought it for a whole year without telling us, and it had gone. And then it came back.”But he didn’t let on how bad it was. I tried to ask questions, but he’d just palm it off.”In a way, I totally get it because I’m exactly like that. “I’ll sit in a room, and someone will be talking to me, and I’ll just shut down. “And when it came to talking about the diagnosis, that was Dad.”He didn’t want anything to be different. He didn’t want people to mither about him, none of that. “So he went about it the way he wanted, and that was that. “I feel like he kissed me and hugged me more. He became a bit softer, which was sweet. “But other than that, he was just the same really.”Toone, who like her father, is a lifelong Man United started her football journey at Astley and Tyldesley Girls’ team at age five.Two years later she joined Manchester United’s Centre of Excellence at seven. Following senior club career stints at Blackburn Rovers and Man City from 2015 to 2018, the midfielder returned to the Red Devils.On the international stage Toone helped England win the Euros for the first time in 2022 and started for the Lionesses in the 2023 World Cup final which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain.The midfielder, who hopes to help England retain their Euros crown this summer, has fond memories of her father taking her to watch their local team Hindsford FC during her childhood. In July 2022, Toone told England.com: “I just used to play all day with the lads. “I have loads of cousins and me and my brother would play with them all day on the sidelines while the club were playing. “Those were my first footballing memories when I was really young.”Toone, who has been in fine form for second–placed Man United this month, described her father as the person who always kept her “grounded”. She admits writing about the feelings that followed his passing was also about helping “anyone grieving and feeling alone”. The 53-capped England midfielder wrote: “When he passed, it was a big shock, even to some of the people closest to him, because no one hardly knew he was ill. “I’m still processing. This is my first try at really talking about it. Like Dad said, The Toones are not great at feelings. “But I wanted to write this, for anyone grieving and feeling alone.“Friends who also have experienced the uniquely awful feeling of losing a parent have helped me massively in the worst part of my life. “Now, when people ask, “Who do you look up to?” I say it’s people like Beth Mead and Rach Daly, who’ve continued to play football and be an inspiration after losing someone they love.”They’ve helped me, massively. I hope that in the future I can do the same for people in my life who might be going through the same thing. Toone and her Man United team-mates are currently second in the WSL and seven points behind leaders ChelseaCredit: Alamy“Grief takes a different shape for everyone. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But maybe if someone sees me sharing a small piece of my own grief, it might make it a tiny bit easier for them to know that I know what they’re going through is brutal. “It’s messy. And that’s alright. Trust me, it’s alright.” More

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      Football should trial return of pints in the stands… but can minority of fans be trusted to show we’re past dark days?

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      AS ladies say ‘cheers’ to drinking alcohol in the stands at Women’s Championship matches, the chance of a return to a beer or two on all the men’s terraces are about as high as Accrington Stanley winning League Two.Actually, Accrington’s average attendance of 2,509 would be a very good ground at which to start serving alcohol as policing any noisy drunks would be a simple process.There isn’t a measurable risk of violent drunks at Women’s Championship matchesCredit: GettyKarren Brady is happy to let responsible drinkers drink, it’s the rest of them she worries about . . .Credit: PABut it isn’t going to happen at Wham Stadium which, incidentally, is not named after (the late and great) George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s pop pairing.Nor anywhere else, at least not in the near future.Drinking alcohol within view of the playing field was stopped in 1985 after a sequence of events involving noisy, sometimes violent, spectators.There are no moves to change the law although there are many ways of buying alcohol beyond a pitch view, and a recent study showed Chelsea fans top the beer table, drinking on average six pints a game.Read More on FootballAt that rate, they might need a half-time substitution for their liver more than their team.The police and stewards are on the look-out for drunks or people bringing alcohol into grounds although some still try. A Leeds supporter succeeded in 2012 and, should anyone need convincing that the ban should end, the facts were he assaulted Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after running on to the pitch.It transpired that the offender drank countless cans of lager and a bottle of vodka on the journey to the ground. In Sheffield he then drank at least seven pints of cider.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesI feel woozy even writing that. He was jailed for 16 weeks and banned from football grounds for six years.There isn’t a measurable risk of violent drunks at Women’s Championship matches and it made sense supporters should be able to drink wisely during this trial.Watch Ireland captain Katie McCabe star in hilarious Adidas ad ahead of new WSL season with ArsenalIt’s a different crowd, reflected in the fact government data revealed there had been no arrests recorded at women’s football matches.The end of restrictions is positive for several reasons — extra revenue, another attraction for people to attend, and even a tot to cheer fans of the losing side.Supporters of a return to drinks during play can point to rugby and cricket for freedom from limitations.At the Ireland v Scotland match a record 137,000 pints of beer were sold at Stade de France.There was a mass brawl, but that was on the pitch between the players. Drinkers at cricket are often asleep anyway.Women tend to follow the rules rather than consider them a nuisance. We despise violence and bad behaviour, both of which are much more prevalent among men and it is unlikely many will see pie-eyed woman causing trouble at matches.Maybe solution lies in compromiseI would love to make a bonfire of all restrictions but I don’t think it would be possible or responsible.Ultimately, the question isn’t just about alcohol — it’s about trust. Have fans moved on from the dark days of the 80s? Can clubs strike the right balance between modernisation and maintaining order?In football, intensity and passion run high. Add alcohol to this and it can be a problem.The last thing clubs or fans want is a descent into chaos because of a few irresponsible drinkers.The landscape of football has been transformed in those 40 years. Stadiums are safer, crowds are more diverse, and family-friendly atmospheres have replaced toxic environments of the past.Perhaps the solution lies in compromise. Limited trials at selected matches could provide data on whether ending the ban works.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuidelines would have to be stringent and include steps such as alcohol-free zones, stricter ID checks, and time-limited drinking.I am happy to let responsible drinkers drink, it’s the rest of them I worry about . . . More

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      Football stars are ‘super-clever’, study claims…putting old sterotype to bed

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      FOOTIE stars are “super-clever”, according to a study — putting an end to stereotypes of stupidity.They have “exceptional cognitive abilities” and are better at mental planning, focus, memory and decision-making.Football players are ‘super-clever’, a study claimsCredit: GettyThis is honed by working out when to pass, dribble or shoot while quickly predicting what other players will do.Teams from Oxford University and Sweden’s Karolinska Institute compared 204 top-flight male and female players from Sweden and Brazil to 124 regular people.Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr Petrovic said: “Our study demonstrates that elite soccer players significantly outperformed others in memory, problem-solving and planning tasks.“The ability to plan several steps ahead in a quickly changing environment may be one of the most crucial processes.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Being an elite player may not solely depend on athletic capacities and instead, it may be crucial to have a deep understanding of the game, process information quickly, and make decisions faster than others.”Dr Petrovic added: “They might have a superior ability to perform under pressure.”Similar studies have found above-average intelligence in other athletes including volleyball, basketball, chess and ice hockey players, as well as in elite musicians.Study co-author Professor Leonardo Bonetti, from Oxford University, said footballers might keep their unintelligent reputation because many are not book-smart.Most read in FootballHe added: “Even if they are clever, they are not educated – most stop at high school, possibly before.“This might be related to lower knowledge, not lower intelligence.”Ben Doak gives hilarious answers at Middlesbrough Q&A More

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      Chelsea set to seal Naomi Girma transfer with USA star due to sign for WSL leaders for world-record fee

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      NAOMI GIRMA is set to join Chelsea for a world-record transfer fee from NWSL side San Diego Wave.The deal for the USA international is thought to be around £900,000 ($1.1m), surpassing the £685,000 fee Bay FC paid for Zambia ace Racheal Kundananji.Naomi Girma is set to become Sonia Bompastor’s first January signing for ChelseaCredit: GettyThe USA ace helped San Diego Wave to win the NWSL Shield in 2023 and was named the division’s Defender of the YearCredit: GettyGirma also helped the USA win gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024 following their triumph in the women’s football tournament at the gamesCredit: GettyChelsea’s swoop for the player, who is 24, comes two months after their centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during their defeat of Liverpool. It will also see them beat Lyon to Girma’s signature with the eight-time Champions League winners believed to be keen on the defender. According to ESPN Chelsea are thought to have agreed terms with Girma, who is a key figure in the USA team managed by former Blues boss Emma Hayes. The California-born ace is one of the sport’s most highly-rated defenders and a player ex-San Diego Wave boss Casey Stoney believes will be a “massive gain” for the club. Read More Football Stories The centre-back played a significant role in helping her national side to win a gold medal in the women’s football tournament at last year’s Olympics in Paris. Hayes, who guided Chelsea to seven WSL title wins during her 12-year reign, described her as a player who is “unbelievable” on the pitch.Last August, the USA Women’s boss said: “She’s got everything, poise, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. She’s unbelievable.”Girma performances led to her being included in Fifa’s 2024 Best Women’s 11 side. Most read in SportThis line-up, which is dominated by Barcelona stars, also includes England and Blues right-back Lucy Bronze. Chelsea’s move for Girma follows the club breaking the British transfer record to sign Mayra Ramirez last January. The Colombia striker joined the WSL leaders from leaders from Spanish side Levante for a fee of £384,000 along with add-ous of up to £42,600. Chelsea will host Durham in the Women’s FA Cup ahead of their WSL game against ArsenalCredit: GettyChelsea, who host title rivals Arsenal in a WSL clash this Sunday, are currently top of the league after 10 wins and one draw so far this term. So far this season, under Sonia Bompastor, the Blues are currently unbeaten across all competitions. The Stamford Bridge duel will be Arsenal’s first away trip to the league leaders since Renee Slegers became the Gunners’ permanent head coach.  More

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      Daphne van Domselaar says Arsenal ‘are on a roll’ under Renee Slegers as they aim to extend unbeaten run 

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      DAPHNE VAN DOMSELAAR relishes putting her goalkeeping talents to the test. The upbeat Arsenal star, 24, and her club pals have come through some testing moments in the WSL and Champions League this season. So far this season Daphne van Domselaar currently has the second highest number of clean sheets (six) in the WSLCredit: GettyManuela Zinsberger, Van Domselaar and their team-mates hope Arsenal’s form will lead to trophy wins under Renee SlegersCredit: GettyVan Domselaar and her Gunners pals have conceded just five goals in their past 11 games across competitionsCredit: GettySome mixed results — which included three winless matches at the Emirates — were followed by ex-Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall departing last October. Those early-season hurdles have since been overcome by the resurgent Gunners, who are third and seven points off leaders Chelsea. Following their clash with Crystal Palace this afternoon an away duel with the Blues awaits them next Sunday. In the past three months under their now permanent head coach Renee Slegers, the WSL giants have been on an unbeaten run of ten wins and one draw in the top flight and Europe. Read More Football StoriesMatches in which Van Domselaar, who this term has made 12 WSL and Women’s Champions League appearances, has started in goal. The Dutch international, who began her senior career at FC Twente in 2017, said: “Earlier this season we didn’t feel we were playing as well as we can. “After the change in October, we have a common goal. We’re on a roll. “We kept on winning and have grown in every single game as a team and as individuals. Most read in Football”That’s been great and everyone is on the same page. “Especially from our home win against Valerenga (in the Champions League). “In that moment we got that extra percentage and fire that brought through this streak of winning.” That togetherness and clearness Renee provides gives us more confidence individually as players but also as a team.Daphne van Domselaar A breath of fresh air is how Arsenal’s England forward Beth Mead described Slegers, who has been in charge since that win against Valerenga and earned the respect of fans.It’s a view shared by Van Domselaar who also sees similarities between the Arsenal boss and her Dutch compatriot the Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman.Van Domselaar adds: “Renee is a really calm coach to have on the sidelines. “That togetherness and that clearness she provides gives us more confidence individually as players but also as a team. “When I speak to the girls here at Arsenal who play for England, they’re really happy with Sarina and her approach in being direct, straightforward and providing clarity. “That’s also what Renee does. She’s really clear and gives us good guidance around things to work on. “That’s something they have in common.”Renee has good staff around her who support her and they are really doing it together.”With four trophies including the WSL title up for grabs, Arsenal hope to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions when they host Palace at 2pm today. And then at Stamford Bridge next Sunday against title holders Chelsea. A match that could see Van Domselaar face her friend and national team-mate Wieke Kaptein.The midfielder, 19, has impressed for the Blues this term in her seven WSL appearances following a one-season loan spell at her former club Twente. The Gunners stopper, who is an avid photographer in her spare time, added: “It’s hard to see Wieke as a Chelsea player. “She’s new to the club and there’s a rivalry but we’ve been friends for longer — I played with her for about four years at Twente. “I just see Wieke as Wieke and it’s great to see her get minutes — but I also want to win against her.Victory against Palace at Meadow Park today would push Arsenal up to second above Manchester City before the Cityzens’ clash with Man United at the Etihad tonight. The matches are two of three derby duels taking place today with West Ham hosting Chelsea. Of course you want to win every cup and competition. Let’s see what the next few months will bringDaphne van DomselaarOf the Gunners derby clash today, Van Domselaar said: “Crystal Palace will be a hard team to play against. “We need to win that and every game.”We’ll give our best against them and from there we’ll go and see what will be at Chelsea. “We’ll do everything to be our best in that moment.”With Arsenal unbeaten under Slegers, Gunners fans will be dreaming of a first title win since 2019.Van Domselaar adds: “Hopefully we can win prizes. That’s what we want to do and what we work for every day”We want to win the Women’s Super League but we’ll go game-by-game and from there we’ll see. “We’d love to win the Champions League one day. “Of course you want to win every cup and competition. Let’s see what the next few months will bring.”Van Domselaar’s first coach at Twente, Tommy Stroot, described the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominee as a pure, natural talent. Her journey to becoming one of the most talented goalkeepers in Europe began at 11 with Dutch club LSVV before joining Telstar’s Academy ahead of a Twente move.And standout performances at the 2022 Euros paved the way for a June 2023 move to Aston Villa before Arsenal triggered a release clause to sign her last July. Reflecting on her Euros performance and move to England, Van Domselaar said: “You have these tournaments where you’re on a roll, you’re in the moment and everything goes well. “I was in that place where I felt like the best version of myself. “After that moment I chose to stay in the Netherlands for an extra year at Twente to see if I could continue having that form. “I’m really happy that I did that and had a year to think about what I wanted to do after”I still had to grow a lot especially coming from the Eredivisie to the WSL. “But I’ve grown a lot in the past season and the past two years. You can only test yourself if you’re put in a harder environment. “The league here is the most competitive in Europe so that was a big step. I said to myself, ‘Let’s see how good I actually am’.Along with club team-mate Victoria Pelova Van Domselaar, is one of 13 Dutch aces currently playing in the Women’s Super League.Her national team are one of England’s group stage rivals at this year’s Women’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July.Both sides were steered to glory in the contest by Wiegman who led the Netherlands to the title in 2017 before lifting the trophy with the Lionesses five years later. Van Domselaar is looking forward the Netherlands’ battle with England in this year’s EurosCredit: GettyThe Gunners star added: “It’s always good to play against England because you know it will be a hard game but also an exciting one especially after the last Euros. READ MORE SUN STORIES”It will be a good check of where we are as a team. “It’s good we’ve had players coming back from injury like Jill Roord. Hopefully Victoria (Pelova) will be back as well and we’ll be full force.” More

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      Renee Slegers ready to guide Arsenal to trophies after landing permanent Gunners Women’s boss role

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      RENEE SLEGERS hopes to “deliver something beautiful” with Arsenal following her appointment as their permanent women’s team boss. The Netherlands-born head coah helped the WSL side turn their season around whilst serving as stand-in gaffer following Jonas Eidevall’s departure. Renee Slegers’ team will take on Crystal Palace at Meadow Park on Sunday in their first game following the WSL’s winter breakCredit: GettySlegers had a sitdown chat with Arsenal legend Ian Wright following her appointment as the club’s women’s team permanent head coachCredit: GettyThe Gunners boss wants to continue to nurture a collective sense of responsibility amongst her players and staffCredit: GettySlegers, who was Eidevall’s number two, has guided a team on an 11-game unbeaten run which includes them qualifying for the Women’s Champions League knockout stage. The Gunners finished top of their group after beating German outfit Bayern Munich 3-2 last December in their final group stage match. This follows them enduring a difficult start to their season with mixed results that include three winless home games in a row at the Emirates and a 5-2 loss away to Bayern in Europe. Since Slegers has taken charge the team have registered 10 wins and one draw across all competitions conceding just five goals. Read More Football StoriesAnd the Arsenal boss has put this down to collective ownership amongst players and staffOf her appointment Slegers, whose team host Crystal Palace on Sunday, said: “I’m so excited to be continuing our journey together.“It’s a wonderful honour to represent this club as head coach and I have so much belief in what we can all achieve together.  “Over the past few months, I’ve felt such a powerful sense of collective ownership and responsibility across our players and staff. Most read in Football”That has been our strength and I know we will make sure we drive and nurture this feeling as we all move forward.   “It has meant the world to me to feel the closeness and passion of our supporters during this process, and I want to thank you all for that. “We want to deliver something beautiful that’s inspiring and leads to winning trophies.  We all have a big part to play in achieving that.” Prior to coaching, Slegers represented Arsenal as a player following a stint in the club’s youth academy between 2006 and 2007. Her playing career also includes stints with Dutch side Willem II before a 2011 move to Sweden where she played for Djurgardens IF before joining Linkopings two years later. Russo’s form in front of goal has improved this term with the Arsenal striker scoring six times in her last four gamesCredit: GettyOn the international stage Slegers won 55 caps for the Netherlands before retiring in 2016 a year before their first European Championship win. As coach she guided FC Rosengard to back-to-back top-flight title wins in Sweden in 2021 and 2022 before leaving to become Arsenal’s assistant manager. Gunners director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said: “Renée has excelled during her time as interim head coach, bringing our team, club and supporters together and leading us to a hugely impressive run of results and performances. “We have undertaken a thorough recruitment process aimed at identifying the best candidate to lead our women’s first team at this exciting time. “Renée was the stand-out candidate throughout the process and we’re thrilled to be continuing our journey with her as our permanent head coach.”Under Slegers Arsenal have scored 31 goals in the WSL and Champions League this term.This includes Alessia Russo taking her goal tally to 11 this term READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the striker’s performances and her manager’s efforts led to both winning the Barclays WSL player and manager awards for December. Arsenal are currently seven points behind league leaders and London rivals Chelsea who they will face at Stamford Bridge on January 26. More

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      Footballer rushed to hospital and opponent arrested as shock ‘out of the blue’ attack sees match abandoned

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      AN amateur player was taken to hospital and an opponent arrested after an alleged attack during a women’s football match.The 24-year-old was injured as she played for Goytre Women’s FC last Sunday afternoon against home team Tonyrefail Welfare Ladies.An amateur player was taken to hospital and an opponent arrested after an alleged attackCredit: WNSThe footballer was injured as she played for Goytre Women’s FC against home team Tonyrefail Welfare LadiesCredit: Google MapsOfficials abandoned the game after the incident.South Wales Police confirmed a 25-year-old woman from Tonyrefail was arrested on suspicion of assault and is on bail pending further inquiries.The injured woman is from Newport. Goytre Women’s FC tweeted: “Everyone at the club is appalled at the violent assault inflicted on one of our players yesterday which saw the game abandoned, our player hospitalised and the attacker arrested.Read More on Football”If anyone is able to provide a witness statement or video footage to help with the police investigation please get in contact with us. “Our thoughts and well wishes are with our player and her family & friends as she begins her recovery.”We’d also like to thank the paramedics and staff at the @CwmTafMorgannwg Royal Glamorgan Hospital for taking care and treating our player for her injuries and @swpolice for responding so quickly to events yesterday and we await the results of their investigation.”Goytre FC club secretary Simon Ritter said the player was attacked suddenly about an hour into the game when the team was winning 6-0.Most read in FootballRitter added that she is now recovering at home after getting a scan at the hospital.He said: “I’ve been involved in football for 20 years and never heard of anything like this before. “The assault came out of the blue.” More

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      Chelsea star arrives at court accused of racially abusing police officer in row over taxi fare

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      CHELSEA star Sam Kerr has arrived at court accused of racially abusing a police officer in a row over a taxi fare.The 31-year-old allegedly lashed out at the cop in Twickenham, South West London, in January 2023.Sam Kerr has arrived at court accused of a racially aggravated offenceCredit: Twitter/@hansinclair9The Chelsea star allegedly abused a police officerCredit: AlamyKerr, who is currently sidelined from Chelsea with an ACL injury, was seen arriving at Kingston Crown Court today for a hearing.The Australia international has pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment and is due to stand trial next month.Scotland Yard previously said: “Samantha Kerr, 30 (10.09.93) of Richmond was charged via postal charge requisition on 21 January with a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986.“The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham.”Kerr has scored 99 goals in 128 matches since joining Chelsea in 2019.During her time there, the team has won four Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups and the Women’s Community Shield.But the striker was crocked in January last year at the club’s warm weather training camp in Morocco.Kerr is her country’s all-time record goalscorer with 64 goals in 125 games for the Matildas.Most read in FootballShe has also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the top prize in women’s football – every year since its inception in 2018.Kerr is in a relationship with fellow footballer Kristie Mewis with the couple getting engaged last year.They announced in November they are expecting a baby together.The Australia captain is currently sidelined due to injuryCredit: GettyKerr is engaged to fellow footballer Kristie MewisThe couple announced they are expecting a baby More