Phillips represented nine clubs during his 20-year playing career, including Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham.

He scored a total of 287 goals, won eight caps for England and in 2000 became the first English player to win Europe’s Golden Shoe award. Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane became the second English winner last season.

Since retiring in 2014, he has held coaching roles with Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City before a 15-month stint at South Shields, who he led to promotion into the National League North in his second season in charge in 2022-23.

Phillips had expected to remain at Hartlepool this season but claimed the club had withdrawn a contract offer in order to appoint former Woking boss Darren Sarll instead.

Phillips will be assisted by Wess Brown, who he worked with at South Shields.

LEVI COLWILL turned his back on one of England’s most exclusive neighbourhoods to move back with his family.

The Three Lions defender had been living next to Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey — a magnet for stars at London’s Premier League clubs.

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While some of the nation’s richest people who work in the capital also have multi-million-pound pads in the area.

Yet for Chelsea centre-back Colwill, there is no place like home.

Hoping to earn his fourth England cap against Greece at Wembley on Thursday, the 21-year-old has moved back down the M3 to Eastleigh to be near his family as well as his close pals, who all have normal jobs.

Colwill, who played for Southampton’s City Central Youth while also featuring throughout the age groups at Chelsea, has played every minute in the Premier League this season.

He said: “I’ve moved back into my family home and I travel every day.

“No matter how long a day I’ve had, when I get back and see my dog, my mum, dad and little brother, it means the world.

“Being connected with them again is what life is about. Growing up as a player at Southampton City Central, with my mates, was the best time of my life.

“I’m happy I’ve gone back, seeing my friends and family so much more. That’s been reflected with my performances.

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“Being in the bubble when you’re at your club is great — but when you come home it’s more of a peaceful, normal life.

“I’m with people who work 9-5 every day. To be around them shows you their side of life and makes you appreciate yours so much more.”

Asked about his pals, Colwill said: “All my mates do different things. They do different trades which helps me a lot with the house!”

Colwill featured in both of Lee Carsley’s opening wins as interim boss against Ireland and Finland last month.

And he enjoys a close relationship with Carsley as he led the Blues defender to Under-21s Euros glory last year.

Colwill said: “He’s a calm person and he brings that to the team. He’s an amazing person and a strong-minded manager.

“He has a bit of arrogance about the team and himself, he says ‘We’ve got the best players in the world’ and we all believe that we can take that next step to win a huge competition.

“I’ve not got a bad word to say about him because he’s won me an U21 Euros. The lads really like him.”

Lee Carsley praise

Colwill has played for Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and now Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge and he believes Carsley has the same outlook.

He added: “They all like to think more about how their teams are going to play.

“Cars is exactly the same, focusing on how we are going to hurt teams.

“When you’ve got amazing players, you can believe you are going to have most of the possession and you’re going to create most of the chances.

“We are a huge nation, with amazing players so it’s good to have that mindset.”

Alex Pereira’s nemesis is now in the UFC, with a little help from the champ himself.

On Tuesday night, the eighth episode of season eight of Contender Series took place in Las Vegas at the UFC APEX, and after five fights, UFC CEO Dana White handed out contracts to four of the five winners.

But the biggest story of the night was the main event bout between Artem Vakhitov and Islem Masraf — and the audience it garnered.

Vakhitov is a former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion and best known for a pair of bouts with current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. In fact, Vakhitov is the last man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, so with a potential UFC contract on the line, Pereira flew out to Las Vegas to sit cageside for his fight.

That turned out to be a good decision for both men as Vakhitov overcame a slow start to knock out Masraf in the first round. Despite the finish, it was still and up-and-down performance from Vakhitov that left Dana White on the fence. Ultimately, White said he brought Pereira back to speak with him and it was “Poatan” who vouched for his former Glory foe, leading White to offer him a UFC contract.

Steele breaks Blair

In the penultimate fight of the evening, Kody Steele finally got his shot on Contender Series and he made the most of it with a brutal body shot knockout of Chasen Blair.

Steele was supposed to compete earlier this season on Contender Series until his opponent withdrew from the fight moments before their bout. No such thing happened tonight though as Blair not only made the walk, but made Steele work for it, stuffing takedowns and landing good combinations on the feet. In the second round though, Steele landed a short hook to the body that leveled Blair and earned him a shot in the UFC.

Pinto demolishes Camacho

In the third bout of the evening, undefeated prospect Mario Pinto obliterated Luis Camacho in under two minutes to punch his ticket to the UFC.

Just 26 years old and 8-0 in his career, Pinto was a heavy favorite over Camacho and he showed the composure of a fighter with many more years of experience, taking his time to find the range before flooring Camacho with a short left hook. Some follow-up punches finished the job and Pinto moved to 9-0 and into the UFC.

Dulatov ices Antunes

In the second bout of the evening, Islam Dulatov destroyed Vanilto Antunes with a brutal first-round knockout.

Dulatov entered Contender Series as a big-time prospect and the part-time male model delivered, putting it on Antunes right from the opening bell. Antunes did his best to hand tough but ultimately Dulatov found a home for a nasty right elbow behind the ear that floored Antunes instantly and earned Dulatov a UFC contract.

Gauci outworks Drilich

In the opening bout of the evening, Sean Gauci defeated fellow Australian Anthony Drilich with a workmanlike performance.

Both Gauci and Drilich showed advanced skills in a nip-and-tuck battle that lasted the full 15 minutes. Gauci was unable to score takedowns early and Drilich made him pay with combinations, but as the HEX Fight Series champion began to settle in, he started landing good strikes of his own and mixing in enough takedowns to outlast his fellow Australian fighter.

At the end of the evening, White praised both Gauci and Drilich for their skills saying they have a bright future but that he will not offer either of them a contract right now.

Check out the DWCS week 9 results below.

Artem Vakhitov def. Islem Masraf via TKO (punches) — R1, 4:23

Kody Steele def. Chasen Blair via TKO (punches) — R2, 4:07

Mario Pinto def. Luis Camacho via TKO (punches) — R1, 1:43

Islam Dulatov def. Vanilto Antunes via knockout (elbow) — R1, 2:44

Sean Gauci def. Anthony Drilich via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

American player Frances Tiafoe has apologised for a furious outburst in which he repeatedly swore at the chair umpire following his defeat in the Shanghai Masters.

Tiafoe, 26, reacted angrily towards chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote after losing 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) to Russia’s Roman Safiullin.

Tiafoe could face a fine of up to $60,000 (£46,000) with the tirade classified as a verbal abuse offence under ATP rules.

“I really apologise for the way I acted,” the world number 17 wrote on Instagram.

“That is not who I am and not how I want to treat people.”

Tiafoe’s outburst came at the end of a match that turned on the American being given a time violation at 5-5 in the tie-break.

The two-time US Open semi-finalist claimed he tossed the ball up to serve, but Pinoargote disagreed it was a legitimate throw intended to start the point and penalised him.

Forced to start with a second serve, Tiafoe lost the point after an exciting all-court exchange for 6-5 to Safiullin, who clinched victory at the first attempt.

As Tiafoe walked towards the umpire’s chair, he launched a flurry of expletives at Pinoargote in a prolonged outburst.

“I let my frustration in the heat of the moment get the best of me and I’m extremely disappointed with how I handled the situation,” Tiafoe added.

“That’s not acceptable behaviour and I want to apologise to the umpire, the tournament and the fans.”

The incident may be escalated if tournament officials feel it was ‘flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or singularly egregious’.

If Tiafoe’s actions are considered an ‘offence of aggravated behaviour’ or ‘conduct contrary to the integrity of the game’, he could face a larger fine.

Kody Steele finally got his opportunity to fight in front of the UFC brass and he made the most of it.

At Dana White’s Contender Series 75, Steele (7-0) finished Chasen Blair (6-3) with a body shot to end the fight at 4:07 of Round 2. The lightweight bout took place Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight was somewhat competitive while it lasted. Blair landed some strikes, but Steele’s seemed to go a lot further in the damage department. That proved to be the case when a short left punch caused a delayed shutdown on Blair, who crumpled to the canvas. Steele then landed a big bomb of a punch that Dan Henderson would be proud of, and pummeled away until the referee dove in.

The liver shot was enough to seal the victory for Kody Steele 👊 #DWCS pic.twitter.com/CWmyebiTjY

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 9, 2024

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Steele, 29, was supposed to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series on Sept. 24. However, opponent Quemuel Ottoni decided he no longer wanted to fight Steele, and during much confusion, withdrew from the bout (twice). Steele was then rebooked for Tuesday’s bout.

Steele is a decorated grappler, but has four knockouts in his pro MMA career.

A Cage Warriors staple, Blair stepped into the opening after a Sept. 20 win over Florin Pirtea.

Up-to-the-minute DWCS 75 results include:

REAL MADRID have released a club statement paying tribute to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.

The former midfielder, 40, broke down in tears as he confirmed his emotional retirement on Monday.

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Iniesta is widely regarded as one of Barcelona‘s greatest ever players, appearing 674 times for his boyhood team before leaving in 2018.

Following his Barca exit, he spent five years with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

When his game time began to dwindle in Japan, Iniesta spent one final season with UAE side Emirates before hanging up his boots.

The former Spain star was part of an all-conquering Barcelona side in his pomp – winning nine LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues, six Copa del Reys and three Club World Cups.

Despite his incredible contribution to their biggest rivals, Real Madrid took the unusual move to pay tribute to him in a somewhat formal club statement.

It read: “Following Andres Iniesta’s announcement that he will retire from professional football, Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors wish to express their recognition, admiration and affection for one of the great legends of Spanish and world football.

“Andres Iniesta has contributed to the greatness of the sport with his football and his values, beyond the numerous titles he has won during his career.

“His iconic goal in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will remain forever in the memory of all Spanish fans.

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“Real Madrid wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage of his life.”

The statement points to Iniesta’s dramatic winner against Germany in the 2010 World Cup final.

In total he played 131 times for his country, winning two European Championships in addition to the World Cup.

While the bulk of Iniesta’s success came in Europe, he also won a J.League title, Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup with Vissel Kobe.

In an incredible retirement video, Iniesta received praise from his former coaches including Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Luis Enrique.

Guardiola even revealed that during his early days at Barcelona, Iniesta gave him the “boost of energy to keep going” and that he will “always be grateful” to the midfielder.

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