Connect with us

Sport

I won Sky Sports competition and ended up playing for Chelsea – I’ll never forget my first day sat in the canteen

Published

on

I won Sky Sports competition and ended up playing for Chelsea - I'll never forget my first day sat in the canteen

CARL MAGNAY lived a young footballer’s dream when he won a competition to sign for Chelsea.

Out of thousands of applicants between the ages of 16 and 18, he claimed a six-month contract at Stamford Bridge after starring on Sky Sports‘ Football Icon 2 show.

Carl Magnay spent four years at Chelsea after winning a Sky Sports competition

1

Carl Magnay spent four years at Chelsea after winning a Sky Sports competitionCredit: Getty

He jumped from playing for Birtley Town U17s as a regular sixth form student, to rubbing shoulders with Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry on a daily basis.

Advertisement

During the final stages of Football Icon 2, he was invited to train alongside Jose Mourinho‘s first-team squad.

And the centre-back, 35, admits it was an incredible experience to see Chelsea‘s superstars at work.

Speaking to Football London, he said: “It was surreal. You’ve got no option but to take it in your stride. Like I said, looking back now I didn’t know it at the time, I had a strong mentality and I was quite level headed.

“Chelsea’s first-team players were really respectful. They were just going about their daily jobs and their routines. I remember sitting in the canteen and I’m sharing an area where we’re all eating.

Advertisement

“It took me about an hour to eat my food because I was just looking round the room staring at people.

“Lampard going up to get food and get a plate of second and I’m looking at his physical stature thinking ‘look at the size of his quads’ and I was just in awe of everything that was going on around me.

“It was really surreal but I knew I was there and had to prove myself and when you got on the pitch you had to push all that to one side and just focus on the session.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Advertisement

“I think I did that really well to be fair.”

Magnay ended up spending four years at Chelsea and played under a number of high-profile managers including Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti.

How Liverpool outsmarted Chelsea with Slot’s genius ‘traffic jam’ trick and Curtis Jones masterclass

However, he failed to secure a single first-team appearance and left in 2011 to join non-league side Gateshead.

He went on to feature for Grimsby, Hartlepool, Spennymoor Town, before he returned to Gateshead in 2022.

Advertisement

The defender, who earned one cap for Northern Ireland’s U21s, retired last year and is now Gateshead manager.

Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sport

Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier wants to ‘cement spot’ in England squad

Published

on

Manchester United's Maya Le Tissier wants to 'cement spot' in England squad

Le Tissier became the youngest player to make 100 Women’s Super League appearances in United’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

She hopes to go on to achieve a century of caps with England – but her priority is sealing a place in the squad for the defence of their European crown in 2025.

“It would mean everything. It would be an absolute dream. Playing in a major tournament with England – that’s what we all dream of,” said Le Tissier.

“I’ve been so close but still so far away, and I definitely need to improve my game. I will do everything I can this season to put myself there. It would be super special.”

Advertisement

England’s preparations for Euro 2025 start this Friday when they face Germany (kick-off 19:30 BST) at Wembley Stadium – a repeat of the final two years ago.

Le Tissier watched the Lionesses squad in 2022 from the stands as future United team-mate Ella Toone scored on the way to England’s victory.

This season, Le Tissier was named captain of Manchester United while Toone was named vice-captain.

“I wasn’t even close to being part of the England team back then. I just got called up to a few camps after that,” said Le Tissier.

Advertisement

“I was signing for United that summer. When Tooney scored that goal, I was like, ‘she’s going to be my team-mate!’

“Toone always comes up in the big moments, you can always trust her. I was just watching from the stands and it was really special.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

MMA

Mike Perry addresses recent DUI arrest, apologizes for berating police officers

Published

on

Mike Perry addresses recent DUI arrest, apologizes for berating police officers

Mike Perry is ready to make amends.

The BKFC superstar and former UFC fighter addressed his recent DUI arrest publicly for the first time on his podcast after he was taken into custody on Oct. 12 after being stopped by police in Florida. Perry was detained and later released on $1,500 bail but body cam footage showed the 33-year-old bare-knuckle veteran berating the officers and calling them homophobic slurs as he was being arrested.

“I want to say I’m sorry for talking to those guys like that,” Perry said. “I was a little pissed off at the moment. They were hurting my wrists and my shoulders. I’m not going to fight no cops. I’m definitely not. Go ahead and take me away.

“I’m not doing your sobriety test because I can’t stand on one foot anyway. I have no balance. I’m not going to play your games. I cussed them out but I apologize for that. I guess I was just driving a little too fast.”

Advertisement

After he was stopped by police for allegedly driving “approximately” 20 miles-per-hour over the speed limit, Perry denied that he was drinking alcohol and then declined to take the sobriety test offered by the arresting officers.

The original police report stated that Perry also refused to take the breath test and he wouldn’t sign the DUI citation, which earned him a second misdemeanor charge in addition to driving under the influence.

Perry was eventually released on bail and his next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30 in Florida.

While he’s dealt with legal issues in the past, Perry had largely avoided any trouble in recent years but his arrest landed him back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Advertisement

“I do want to do better,” Perry said. “I do want to be an influence to the younger generation. Someone my children can look up to but I also want to be fun. That doesn’t mean you have to break the law. I wasn’t trying to do that. I just want to be a good yin and yang.”

Despite his recent arrest, Perry is still targeted to return to action later this year with BKFC expecting the “King of Violence” to compete on the promotion’s first ever card in Philadelphia in December.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sport

‘You’ll know more when my Netflix doc comes out,’ says Jose Mourinho as he opens up on Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson

Published

on

'You'll know more when my Netflix doc comes out,’ says Jose Mourinho as he opens up on Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson

JOSE MOURINHO has opened up on legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson following his Old Trafford exit.

The former Red Devils boss also hinted at more details being revealed in his upcoming Netflix documentary.

Jose Mourinho has opened up on Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson

3

Jose Mourinho has opened up on Manchester United legend Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
Fergie was axed from his ambassadorial role by the Red Devils earlier this month

3

Advertisement
Fergie was axed from his ambassadorial role by the Red Devils earlier this monthCredit: PA

Fans will be given a never-before-seen look at his two-and-a-half-year stint when the film releases on the streaming platform.

Before that, though, Mourinho’s current side Fenerbahce host United in the Europa League on Thursday.

Ahead of the match, he was asked about Ferguson being relieved of his ambassadorial status by the club this month.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mourinho told reporters: “My relation with Sir Alex was amazing, incredible, when my Netflix documentary comes out you will know more about the reason why I have so much respect for him.

Advertisement

“The ambassadorial role, I really don’t know that situation. But doesn’t matter why, doesn’t matter what.

“Sir Alex has the most important thing: which is the love and respect of every Man United fan around the world. And that is more important than an ambassadorial role, is more important than a few pounds that he can make that he doesn’t need.

“The most important thing is the love and respect that every Man United fan has for him.”

Ferguson served as United boss for almost 27 years between 1986 and 2013.

Advertisement

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

During that time, he won 38 trophies including two Champions Leagues and 13 Premier League titles.

However, the 82-year-old has been axed from his £2million-a-year role as a club ambassador by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Sir Alex Ferguson steps away from ambassador duties at Manchester United

Mourinho, meanwhile, remains the most successful United boss in the post-Ferguson era.

Advertisement

Across his time at Old Trafford, the former Chelsea boss won the Europa League and Carabao Cup.

He also guided the Red Devils to a second place finish in the league in his final full season in charge.

Mourinho is United's most successful manager of the post-Ferguson era

3

Mourinho is United’s most successful manager of the post-Ferguson eraCredit: Instagram / josemourinho

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

MMA

Diego Lopes welcomes potential bout vs. Alexander Volkanovski

Published

on

Diego Lopes welcomes potential bout vs. Alexander Volkanovski

ABU DHABI – Diego Lopes traveled across the world because of maybe.

Maybe, he’ll fight. Maybe, he won’t.

Four days out from UFC 308, Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) doesn’t know. He’s the emergency backup for the featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

“I’m training for both guys,” Lopes told MMA Junkie at UAE Warriors 55 on Tuesday “… I’m ready for everything, bro.”

Advertisement

In usual classy fashion (though unusually fluent English explanation), Lopes explained that he hopes his services are not needed. He wishes both main event competitors the best and is as excited as the fans to see the fight.

“I’m so excited too, to watch the fight,” Lopes said. “I hope Friday morning that everything is OK and the guys stay healthy for the fight this Saturday. I’m so excited for this Saturday night. … But if the UFC needs me, I’m ready.”

Should he not fight, it’s possible the stars will align for a UFC 312 battle vs. Alexander Volkanovski in Sydney. The event is scheduled for Feb. 8 (Feb. 9 local). At a recent press conference announcing the event, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) name-dropped Lopes as a potential opponent.

Lopes loves that idea and said if his services aren’t needed at UFC 308, he’s ready and hopeful a fight vs. Volkanovski comes to fruition.

Advertisement

“If UFC has this plan, yeah,” Lopes said. “I’m ready for the fight vs. Volkanovski in Australia. I think it’s the biggest deal for the division for the next title fight. If the UFC me as the fighter to fight Volkanovski in Australia, I’m ready. … Title or no title, I’m excited for the fight vs. Volk.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

 

Advertisement

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Ferguson leaves Inverness CT after administration

Published

on

Ferguson leaves Inverness CT after administration


Speaking outside the Caledonian Stadium on Wednesday, former Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle forward Ferguson said he and two of his coaches had been let go.

Earlier, Ferguson said he had “always been against administration”.

Players and other staff are expected to hear if they still have jobs on Thursday.

Advertisement

Administrators BDO said they were working to “secure the long term future” of the Highland club by attempting to find new owners.

If that fails, assets could be sold and the money raised distributed to creditors.

Investor Alan Savage, a former club chairman, told BBC Scotland News he would give it his “best shot” to help save the club.

Asked if he was confident it could be saved, he replied: “Of course I am, yeah.”

Advertisement

Savage pledged to help anyone who lost their job to find a new one.

Asked about his own role if the club survives, he said: “It’s a step-by-step process and until we’ve gone through those steps it’s a bit early to say.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sport

'War, sadness and stagnation' – the fans following a homeless team

Published

on

'War, sadness and stagnation' - the fans following a homeless team

Shakhtar Donetsk fans congregate in London for their Champions League game against Arsenal, the first away sell-out they have had in 10 years of exile.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com