Ben Amos, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, has been part of the PFA pre-season programme for the last month after his departure from Port Vale

Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos is still searching for a new club after becoming a free agent. The 36-year-old, who made seven first-team appearances in 14 years at United before his departure in 2015, left Port Vale after his contract expired last month.

He had spent the previous two seasons at The Valiants, helping them win promotion to League One before the club were relegated straight back to League One. In that time, Amos kept 15 clean sheets in 41 matches and played a part in their run to the FA Cup quarter-final last term.

Although some Vale fans wanted to keep Amos, he left at the end of his contract in June and has since become a free agent. While waiting for his next club, Amos has been part of the PFA pre-season squad.

First launched as a pilot programme in 2023 for unsigned players to maintain fitness, the PFA put together a 10-week pre-season camp for the following year and they have been running it ever since. The camp – based in Leicestershire – is designed to help out-of-contract players regain sharpness and inevitably find their next club.

Former Sheffield Wednesday cult hero Fernando Forestieri, ex-Preston forward Will Keane and Ipswich Town’s 2023/24 promotion-winning campaign Samy Morsy are among those with the PFA this summer.

Amos is another involved and he has been at the PFA’s Champneys Springs base for the last four weeks, featuring in pre-season matches against a free agents side from France and non-league Hednesford Town.

“It’s been unbelievable,” Amos said, when asked about his time at PFA pre-season. “I think this is like my fourth week I think I’ve been here. Obviously really hard work, they’ve pushed us every day.

“But just invaluable, like the sessions that they’ve put on, the games, obviously the facilities for recovery, everything has been laid on for us, so even to the food, the food has been unbelievable.

“When you’re away from here, if you’re not on the PFA camp, you just can’t recreate it. You can do all the fitness work you want, all the ball work, but you just can’t compare to this kind of training and service.”

Amos turned 36 in April and is approaching the twilight of his career, but he still feels he can offer something to a club in the Football League ahead of the new season.

“I feel like I’m getting better all the time,” Amos continued. “Yes, I’m without a club in 20-something of July, which I’ve never been in that position before, but I don’t feel like I’ve ever been in a better position in terms of how I feel. It’s just the dynamic at the moment, the market and what have you. Hopefully, I won’t be waiting too much longer.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give. I want to go until I’m 40 and maybe beyond. The market will dictate at the end of the day, it always does. The good thing is I know I’m in a great place, ready for whenever that happens.”

Amos started his professional career at boyhood club United and came through the ranks at the Reds before making his first-team debut, aged 18, during a League Cup tie against Middlesbrough in September 2008.

At the time, Amos was United’s fourth-choice keeper behind Edwin van der Sar, Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak, but Sir Alex Ferguson spotted the talent and gave him a chance to impress.

Although Amos didn’t do much wrong on his debut, he had to wait more than two years for his next competitive match for the Reds, when he featured in the League Cup against Wolves in October 2010.

Amos went on to play seven times in total for United – one of which came in the Premier League – before leaving at the end of his contract in 2015. He moved to Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a permanent deal, having spent the second half of the previous season on loan at the Trotters.

Reflecting on his time at United, Amos felt he should have left the Reds sooner than he did.

Amos said: “I’ve been a United fan since I started watching football. Obviously it was always my dream, Peter Schmeichel was my idol and all that stuff when we went to go and watch them when I was a kid. I just kept punishing, working my hardest in the academy. Then I think there was an injury or something and I obviously got an opportunity to play in the League Cup. I think I was 18, so that was amazing.”

“I think I played seven times, but that was all under Sir Alex. If I was performing well, I’d normally get an opportunity in the Cups, League Cup,” Amos added. “He played me in the Champions League and the Premier League. Just one of those things, really.

“I think [David] De Gea was bought for £20million, which was a big chunk at the time. And obviously a world-class keeper, so it’s pretty hard to get in front of the likes of those guys. I definitely stayed a couple of years too long, with hindsight. I was still hoping for those opportunities, but when Sir Alex left, I didn’t get any more.

“You don’t have regrets if you can help it, but if I could have my time again, I think you’d do that. I’d probably have left when Sir Alex left, and go out and get some more experience.”

Ferguson viewed Amos as “very talented goalkeeper” with a “good future” after promoting him to the senior set-up at Old Trafford. And while his time at United didn’t go as he would have wanted, he has forged out a solid career in the EFL, making more than 350 appearances for some big clubs.

Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wigan Athletic, Millwall, Cardiff City and Bolton count as some of Amos’ former employers and he will be hoping to find his next club in the coming weeks.

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Prince George celebrated his 13th birthday this week, and eagle-eyed royal fans have noticed that it’s not just the teenager who appears in the sweet video shared online by his parents

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Prince George turned 13 on Wednesday (22nd July), and the occasion was marked with a sweet video that was shared by his parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The young royal, who is the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales and is second in line to the throne, was the star of the show in the video posted on social media, which showed him climbing rocks and exploring the beach in footage that was taken when the family visited Cornwall over Easter. But eagle-eyed fans of the Royal Family have spotted that it’s not just George who features in the short video – as his younger sister, Princess Charlotte, also makes a brief appearance.

While the Instagram video heavily focuses on the birthday boy, 11-year-old Charlotte can be seen for a split second in the background of one clip. She can be seen wearing a striped top while playing on the beach, crouching in the sand.

She can only be seen for a moment, so if you blink, you’ll miss her entirely, but that didn’t stop avid royal fans from pointing out her appearance in the comments.

One fan said: “I just realised in one part of the video for Prince George’s birthday, Charlotte is playing in the background. It’s so great to see how much they all get to spend time together.”

Another added: “William and Catherine will know how important it is to build those strong sibling bonds.”

William and Kate’s youngest child, eight-year-old Prince Louis, also appeared in the video. George’s younger brother could be seen following his sibling as they both clambered up some large rocks on the beach, and he held a cricket bat in the background of the same clip where Charlotte was featured.

The couple captioned their video: “Thank you for all the birthday wishes for George today!”

Earlier in the day, the couple also posted a picture of their eldest son to mark his 13th birthday. The image showed George posing against a white wall with a window in the background, while wearing a dark blue suit and white shirt.

That photo was captioned: “Happy 13th Birthday, George!”

Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that George’s sister, Charlotte, plays a crucial role in keeping the future monarch “in line”, as body language expert Judi James said the only daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales “keeps an eye” on both her brothers.

Speaking on the Channel 5 documentary, Prince George at 13: The Next Generation, she said: “We do see Charlotte keeping an eye on both of her brothers. What I found really fascinating isn’t so much that she is doing that, but for me, it is the way that when she does nudge them and tap them, they both fall into line.

“Children of that age, normally if a younger sibling says ‘put your arms down,’ [they’ll reply] ‘who do you think you are?’

“But they absolutely take it, and I think that’s going to be very important when it comes to the dynamic because they will see that as a form of support.”

Fury is expected to produce another comfortable victory against Polish veteran Wach, who previously challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the unified world heavyweight titles but turns 47 later this year and has lost seven of his last 10 bouts – including against the likes of Moses Itauma, Frazer Clarke, Hughie Fury and Dillian Whyte. The fight is unusually not being televised live and is expected to come first on the bill, with footage instead being shown on the third series of Netflix’s hit reality show, ‘At Home with the Furys’.

Stargazers will soon be able to spot a partial solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower within hours of each other

Skywatchers in Greater Manchester are in for a rare treat next month as two of the year’s biggest celestial events are set to take place within hours of each other.

On August 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK before the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight. The eclipse will see the Moon pass between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring around 90 per cent of the Sun from Manchester.

It will be the deepest solar eclipse visible from the UK since the famous 1999 event, when totality crossed parts of Cornwall and Devon.

While those watching from parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain will see a total eclipse, people across the UK will see the Moon appear to take a ‘bite’ out of the Sun, darkening the sky.

In Manchester, the eclipse is expected to begin at around 6.13pm, according to The Royal Observatory Greenwich. It will reach its maximum at around 7.10pm before ending by 8.04pm.

Because the eclipse takes place during the evening, the Sun will sit increasingly low in the western sky as the event unfolds. Anyone hoping to watch the whole spectacle should try to find a spot up high, with a clear view of the western horizon.

Experts warn that anyone planning to watch the eclipse should never look directly at the Sun without certified solar viewing glasses or other suitable equipment, as doing so can cause permanent eye damage.

Spot ‘shooting stars’ hours after the eclipse

Once the Sun has set, attention will turn to the second celestial event of the day. The Perseid meteor shower, widely regarded as one of the year’s most reliable and impressive meteor displays, is expected to peak overnight between August 12 and 13.

The annual shower occurs as the Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Tiny fragments burn up high in the atmosphere, producing the bright streaks of light commonly known as shooting stars.

The Perseids are particularly well known for producing bright ‘fireballs’, which are vivid meteors that can leave glowing trails lingering in the night sky.

This year’s display is set to be especially good because the eclipse coincides with a new Moon. With no bright moonlight washing out the sky, darker conditions should make fainter meteors much easier to spot.

The best chance of seeing the Perseids is after midnight and before dawn, although some meteors may be visible from around 10pm if skies are clear.

For the clearest views, experts recommend heading away from street lighting and built-up areas to somewhere with an open view of the sky. Allowing your eyes around 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness can also improve the chances of spotting more meteors.

Officers were called at about 10.50pm on July 22 at Flint Close in Grangetown.

While two people were inside the property at the time, fortunately no one was harmed.

At 3.15pm yesterday (Thursday, July 23), police received a report of a gun being shot at a property on Bevanlee Road in Grangetown.

Both shootings, which are currently believed to be linked, are under investigation with extensive enquiries ongoing – including house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

In relation to the shooting on Flint Close, a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, and a 40-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Following questioning, the woman and the 42-year-old man were bailed pending further enquiries and the 19-year-old man was charged with possession of a firearm, and with possession of ammunition for a firearm.

He is due to attend Teesside Magistrates’ Court today (July 24).

Later yesterday (July 23), four further arrests were made including a 32-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man and a 23-year-old man.  They are now being questioned in connection with the recent incidents.

Chief Superintendent Louise Galliott-Thornton said: “There will continue to be a strong policing presence in these areas for your reassurance, and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to please speak to our officers.

“I would also urge anyone with information, dash cam or doorbell footage to get in touch either by contacting 101 or visiting our website quoting reference number 145138.

“If reticent to come forward please contact Crimestoppers anonymously either online or by calling 0800 555 111.”

The latest crash on the country road happened in the early hours and has reignited road safety concerns on the West Pennine road.

At around midnight last night on Rivington Road, Belmont, a car landed in the ditch, with the driver suffering injuries.

Although the cause of this accident is not know it has prompted wider concerns about the road and the driving of some motorists.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “Call was 12.31 am, Rivington Road.

“One car left the carriageway and entered a ditch.

“Driver treated at the scene for minor injuries and taken to hospital to be checked over.”

Belmont residents have repeatedly brought up the concerns about the road and the driving of some motorists.

Rivington Road is a through route between Rivington and Belmont, going past attractions such as the Blue Lagoon, and is 60 mph for the majority of the route.

Elaine Brooks, landlady of The Black Dog pub leading up to the road, said: “We saw everyone going on up at about 12 am, we saw the blue flashing lights, but cars could still come up and down with no disruption.”

Speaking more generally about the road, she added:”They just fly up, they rev up just to go up and down the road, with issues near the bottom of the road next to the pub.

“I can hear them revving it past and using it as a race track; they fly up all the time.”

A councillor for the West Pennines of Blackburn with Darwen Council said she receives and hears a lot of complaints from Belmont residents.

She said at almost every community meeting, the road is brought up as a concern, now with more motorbikes driving on the road.

(Image: Google Maps)

Cllr Jean Rigby, who represents Belmont, said: “The trouble is, and it has been for years and years and years, it’s become a racetrack.

“Unfortunately, it’s got worse where particular motorbikes have a race, and they sort of seem to do it in the night as well.

“It’s very, very noisy revving their engines up.”

Discussions of how to sort the problem out, and deter people from repeated incidents on the road has come into discussion with both Lancashire County Council and Blackburn’s council.

Speed humps have come into question, but would only work on certain parts closer to Belmont, and wouldn’t have a significant effect.

Believe Housing is offering grants of up to £1,000 to not-for-profit organisations that work in areas where it has homes.

The funding can be used for a wide range of community-focused projects including volunteer schemes, training programmes, income-boosting activities and wellbeing support.

Blackhall WI tapestry – believe housing awarded a £1,000 community grant to the Blackhall Women’s Institute(WI) to fund a tapestry project (Image: believe housing)

Damian Pearson, community investment team leader at believe housing, said: “We know that small grants can make a big difference to local groups with good ideas for their communities.

“This funding is there to help organisations bring people together, support wellbeing, build skills and respond to the issues residents are facing day to day.

“We encourage any group looking to start or build on a project that could make a positive difference in their community to get in touch and see how this support could help.”

Groups can apply for one grant of £1,000 or two grants of £500 during the financial year.

The funding can cover capital or revenue expenses including equipment, venue hire, activities and training.

To be eligible, projects must support at least one of Believe Housing’s community investment themes.

These include bringing communities together, health and wellbeing, employability and training, increasing household income, a greener, fairer future, and tackling inequalities including challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis.

Applications are open to groups working in central, east or south-west County Durham in areas where believe housing owns homes.

The grants form part of believe housing’s wider commitment to creating healthy homes and sustainable places, supporting community-led projects that help residents build brighter futures and stronger neighbourhoods.

Details of the scheme, including full eligibility criteria and an online application form, are available at https://www.believehousing.co.uk/community-funding.