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Premiership: Newcastle Falcons 24-18 Exeter Chiefs – Jamie Blamire double seals win

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Premiership: Newcastle Falcons 24-18 Exeter Chiefs - Jamie Blamire double seals win

Something had to give between two struggling sides, with Exeter coming into the game on the back of their worst Premiership start and the Falcons winless for 581 days, a run stretching back to March 2023.

Initially it looked like it was the hosts who would wilt with the Chiefs making a flying start, Feyi-Waboso finishing off a sweeping left to right move in the corner after just four minutes.

Far from letting their shoulders slump, Newcastle dug in and after Josh Hodge had missed a difficult conversion from the right touchline, they soon got their noses in front.

Exeter, forced backwards not by fast line breaks but by their own mistakes, ended up defending desperately as the Falcons probed close to the line.

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Van der Walt finally found a way through on 18 minutes, with Grayson adding the extras to give them the lead.

Chiefs briefly regained the initiative with two penalties from Hodge to make it 11-7 in their favour but indiscipline saw them give up 13 penalties in the first hour of the game.

On the half-hour mark Blamire’s first try, a tap-and-drive with the hooker breaking through two tacklers five metres out, saw Falcons edge in front.

Exeter were their own worst enemies throughout.

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Richard Capstick saw yellow for entering the maul from an offside position just before half-time and although Exeter managed to shut out Newcastle while he was off, the effort seemed to tell as the Falcons came on strong in the second period.

Blamire bullied his way over for a second and when Grayson added a drop goal from 30 metres to make it 24-11, the home fans started to believe.

Exeter made them sweat right to the end though, with Hodge finishing off a pitch-length move and slotting a brilliant conversion tight against the left touchline.

But with six points the difference, a knock-on as Exeter tried to start one final push from their own 22 brought the final whistle.

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Ipswich Town striker Natasha Thomas receives Jamaican call up

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Ipswich Town striker Natasha Thomas receives Jamaican call up


Ipswich Town Football Club Natasha Thomas is pictured close up following a football game. She is smiling widely and facing away from the camera. Her dark hair is tied up behind her head. She is wearing a blue Ipswich Town shirt while a team mate hugs her from the side.Ipswich Town Football Club

Natasha Thomas will travel over to France to play for the Jamaican squad

An Ipswich Town footballer could become the first from her club to win a cap for a senior national team.

Striker Natasha Thomas has been selected to join the Jamaican women’s senior squad, nicknamed the “Reggae Girlz”.

The 28-year-old forward was eligible for the team due to her Jamaican grandparents.

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Thomas, who has a portrait of her grandparents on her shin pads, said: “They would be proud looking down on me.”

Getty Images Natasha Thomas is pictured in the midst of a football game. She is celebrating with her right arm punching out. She is shout while jumping in the air. Supporters can be seen in the background watching on.Getty Images

Thomas is Ipswich Town Women’s first player to be called up to a senior international team

Town keeper Nina Meollo, currently on loan at AFC Sudbury, has previously been called up to the Philippines squad, but has yet to play a game for them.

Despite several Town players representing national youth teams, Thomas is the only outfield player to be selected at a senior level while wearing an Ipswich Town shirt.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in,” she said.

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“I’m sure it will when I’m on the flight to go and play and go into the camp.

“I always dreamt it when I was younger. People always say if you don’t dream these things, then they can’t come true.

“So make sure you are making those dreams.

“It has all just come at the right time for me and myself and my family.”

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She added: “Of course I’m nervous, but at the same time, it is a massive opportunity for me and I can’t wait to grab it with both hands.”

Contributed A picture of Thomas' shin pads with pictures of her grandparents on each. Each shin pad has the words, 'Forever with me...' included with the pictures.Contributed

Thomas plays with pictures of her grandparents on her shin pads
Ipswich Town Football Club Natasha Thomas is pictured during a football game. She is attempting to tackle a ball away from a player on the opposing team. She is looking down while attempting to avoid the other player. She is wearing the pink Ipswich Town away kit. Another player can be seen in the background as well as the stands of the football ground.Ipswich Town Football Club

Thomas said she wanted to inspire the next generation of footballers in Suffolk

Jamaica travel to international giants France for a friendly on 25 October, with Thomas flying out after the Tractor Girls league cup game against Hashtag United on Sunday.

In an unconventional route into professional football, Thomas came through grassroots level at Waveney from the age of nine before joining Lowestoft Town.

The striker has recently been named the club’s all time record appearance maker.

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After signing with Town from Lowestoft in November 2015, she marked 217 appearances following a 0-0 draw against Watford.

The club recently marked the occasion by presenting her with an anniversary kit.

She picked out FA Cup runs against WSL sides West Ham and Manchester City, as well as scoring at Portman Road amongst the highlights.

Thomas has since boosted her appearances to 218 following Sunday’s game against Plymouth.

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Ipswich Town Football Club The Ipswich Town Women's team are pictured standing together in a group. Natasha Thomas is stood in the middle holding her anniversary kit. The top has her name on the back as well as the number 217 marking her number of appearances. Ipswich Town Football Club

Thomas was presented with an anniversary kit after becoming the club’s all time record appearance maker

Ipswich Town boss for the men’s side, Kieran McKenna, told BBC Radio Suffolk Sport the whole team was “proud” of Thomas for her achievements.

“Any interactions I’ve had with her around the club or the work she does with the foundation, she’s a fantastic role model on and off the pitch,” he said.

Thomas said she had seen huge growth in the women’s set up at the club since joining.

She added: “I’ve been here for quite a while now and seen the development within the players, coaches and behind the scenes. Even the amount of fans we are getting now.

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“One of my goals is to inspire the next generation in Suffolk, in Ipswich and help push the women’s game forward.

“I’m trying to push myself and still trying to develop as a player. So I just hope I can carry that on here at Ipswich Town and see where that takes me further.”

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Steve Bruce’s four-month old grandson Madison tragically passes away as Blackpool release heartfelt statement

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Steve Bruce's four-month old grandson Madison tragically passes away as Blackpool release heartfelt statement

STEVE BRUCE’s fourth-month old grandson Madison has tragically passed away.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by the manager’s club, Blackpool, on social media.

Steve Bruce's four-month old grandson has died

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Steve Bruce’s four-month old grandson has diedCredit: Getty
Steve Bruce's son and Madison's uncle, Alex Bruce, will miss Salford's clash against Crewe

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Steve Bruce’s son and Madison’s uncle, Alex Bruce, will miss Salford’s clash against CreweCredit: Getty

The club announced that Bruce will miss the clash against Barnsley following Madison’s passing.

A statement read: “The club can announce that Head Coach Steve Bruce will not be in attendance at tomorrow’s fixture against Barnsley due to the tragic passing of his four-month old grandson, Madison.

“Everyone at the football club send their love to Steve and his family.

“We ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this sudden and unexpected loss in their family.”

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Bruce’s son Alex, who is currently working as the assistant manager at Salford City, will also miss his game against Crewe.

Salford released their own statement sending support to the family.

A statement read: “Salford City announces that Assistant Manager Alex Bruce will not be in attendance at tomorrow’s fixture away at Crewe Alexandra due to the tragic passing of his four-month old nephew, Madison.

“All at the football club send our love and full support to Alex, Matt Smith and the family.

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What tributes clubs have made

Clubs up and down the country have sent their condolences…

Preston North End

“Devastating news. Sending our thoughts and condolences to Steve and his family at this incredibly difficult time.”

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West Bromwich Albion

“Everybody at West Bromwich Albion sends their condolences, thoughts and love to Steve Bruce’s family at this desperately sad time.”

Norwich City

“Heartbreaking news. We’re sending our love and support to Steve and his family at this difficult time”

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Birmingham City

“Everyone at Blues sends their love and support to our former boss and his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Bristol City

“Everybody at Bristol City sends their condolences, thoughts and love to the family at this tragic time.”

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Lincoln City

“Deepest condolences from everyone at the Imps to Steve and his family.”

Northampton Town

“Sending the condolences of everyone at Sixfields to Steve and his family.”

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Leeds United

“Everybody at Leeds United sends their condolences and thoughts to Steve’s family at this tragic time.”

Bristol Rovers

“Everyone at Bristol Rovers sends our condolences, thoughts and love to Steve and the Bruce family.”

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Barnsley

“Incredibly sad news. The thoughts and prayers of everyone connected to Barnsley Football Club are with Steve and his family.”

“We request that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this sudden and unexpected loss in their family.”

Tributes have flooded in for Maddison, with the footballing world in mourning.

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One person posted: “Horrible. We’re all with you Steve.”

A second wrote: “Jesus, prayers with Steve Bruce and his family.”

A third commented: “Thoughts are with Brucey and his family.”

A fourth said: “Many many heartfelt condolences Steve our thoughts are with you and the family.”

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Another added: “Absolutely tragic, thoughts with everyone in the family.”

Bruce was named Blackpool manager in September but has had a long career in management.

He has taken charge of the likes of West Brom, Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Hull City, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.

As a player, he made 309 league appearances for Manchester United and won the Premier League three times between 1993 and 1996.

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Ferrari Challenge | Imola, Shell AM Europe, Race 2: Cheung wins again, Skrimpias champion

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Race 1 winner Eric Cheung dominated proceedings once again at Imola to take another win in the second and final encounter of the 2024 Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell AM season. The Canadian, at the wheel of a Ferrari 296 of the Formula Racing team, got off to a perfect start from pole position and powered his way towards victory right from the early laps.

Cheung immediately pulled out a gap over his rivals and took the chequered flag at the end of the 30-minute race with a comfortable advantage of almost 10 seconds on the first of his opponents.

The racing was a lot more exciting behind Cheung as there was a three-way battle between the 2024 Coppa Shell AM champion, Zois Skrimpias from Greece and the Italians Paolo Scudieri and Andrea Levy.
Skrimpias did well to climb from sixth to second place in the early stages of the race, with Paolo Scudieri doing the same thing, latching himself onto the tail of the 296 of the Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM team.

Exactly halfway through the race, Scudieri made the decisive overtake to move up to second, and then a few moments later, on lap 15, Skrimpias went off the track due to a contact with Andrea Levy’s Ferrari.
Rossocorsa team’s Italian thus moved up to third place, with Skrimpias slipping back to sixth once again, more than 15 seconds behind the race leader.

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In this way, the Greek missed an opportunity to get on the podium, although he had already looked to be in clear difficulty for several laps against both Scudieri and Levy.

A few minutes after the contact, Race Direction began to assess Levy’s move on Skrimpias, and an inevitable 10-second penalty for the Rossocorsa driver would be added to his final time.
Skrimpias, once he got back into the swing of things, managed to make a comeback on Guy Fawe and Henrik Kamstrup, who were battling for fourth, but without having any real opportunity to get into the fight.

With just moments to go, Andreas Koenig and Norikazu Shibata made contact, with the latter coming off worse and slipping to ninth while battling for seventh. Sandmann finished the race between the two, while Shintaro Akatsu completed the Top 10.

Ferrari Challenge – Shell AM Europe – Race 2 classification

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GB's Roberts wins women's omnium silver medal

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GB's Roberts wins women's omnium silver medal

Watch Great Britain’s Jess Roberts win silver in the women’s omnium at the Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen.

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Julian Thomas interviews Marie Sarah Sertang, discussing being a Corse Clienti Ferrari driver

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Thomas Tuchel getting the England job was no betrayal by the FA – he gives us the best chance of winning World Cup 2026

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Thomas Tuchel getting the England job was no betrayal by the FA - he gives us the best chance of winning World Cup 2026

ON the day Thomas Tuchel was unveiled as England manager, I was on an LMA course with 20 people who all aspire to be elite football bosses.

Some were currently in charge of league clubs, some out of work, some who recently retired as footballers and others who are coming towards the end of their playing careers.

Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager after signing an 18-month deal

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Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager after signing an 18-month dealCredit: Getty
The German has been tasked with guiding England to World Cup glory in 2026

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The German has been tasked with guiding England to World Cup glory in 2026Credit: Getty

Most of us were English and all of us were in a classroom at St. George’s Park, the national football centre, on the ‘pathway’ which might ultimately lead to the job Tuchel has just accepted.

You might imagine that there’d be plenty in that room on Wednesday who were upset or angry that the FA had decided to give their top job to a foreigner.

But that was not the case.

The majority, including me, believed the FA have made a good decision in appointing the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain manager to lead the Three Lions into the 2026 World Cup.

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Football is a very cosmopolitan world and so those involved in the modern game don’t think too much about nationality.

To rail against a German getting the England job is outdated thinking.

While there were some differences of opinion among those of us on the LMA course, I don’t think any of us felt that the English coaching community had been snubbed or betrayed by Tuchel’s appointment.

Many of us felt it was encouraging that Tuchel had got the England job having failed to win a trophy at Bayern Munich last season.

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The idea that football managers can suffer a downturn in fortunes in one job, then rise again, is a positive.

Of course, in an ideal world, the England manager would be English.

But we are not living in an ideal world.

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Thomas Tuchel England Press Conference

The FA were right to be pragmatic and not obsessed by the idea of an English boss.

Gareth Southgate did a fine job as England manager. He did everything but win a trophy.

Now, with an excellent squad of players, who have a genuine chance of success at the World Cup in America, what the FA need is a proven trophy-winning manager.

And at the moment there simply aren’t any English managers who have won a major trophy.

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Eddie Howe is a very good Premier League boss and I suspect the FA would have gone for him if they could have easily afforded to pay compensation to lure him away from Newcastle.

But even Howe has never won a major trophy.

Inside FA’s thrilling chase for Tuchel

THE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel’s signature was not a straightforward one.

They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.

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They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.

The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.

But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.

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Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.

Read the full story on England’s thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.

So to give England the best chance of winning the World Cup, they had to go for an available, world-class manager ­— and so Tuchel looks like the best realistic candidate.

One English coach I met at St George’s Park this week said that while he didn’t believe the FA were wrong, he hoped that Tuchel failed, so that the FA didn’t go for a foreign boss again.

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I’d never want England to fail but I understand his point.

For me, the fact that Tuchel has been given just an 18-month contract is good thinking too.

This contract is just for the World Cup and if England win it, or if the working relationship is an obvious success but the team comes up just short at the tournament, then Tuchel might sign a new deal.

If not, he goes and the next England boss will probably be English.
I’m not a massive fan of the FA but I think they have got this right.

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Tuchel is the first foreign manager to lead the Three Lions since Fabio Capello

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Tuchel is the first foreign manager to lead the Three Lions since Fabio CapelloCredit: Getty
Eddie Howe was amongst the potential English candidates for the role

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Eddie Howe was amongst the potential English candidates for the roleCredit: Getty

Now Tuchel, who officially starts work in January, has five months before his first match in charge and he must use that time to observe and to speak to all the major figures in the English game – the club managers and the players themselves – and formulate a firm plan.

One crucial thing is that Tuchel does not pick on reputation.

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That he picks the best team, rather than trying to fit in all of the best individuals.

He can be a hardline boss who knows his own mind and so he mustn’t be afraid to drop the biggest names if he decides that is the best thing for the team.

I’m a massive fan of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane but that includes them too.

I wrote about my personal admiration of Lee Carsley after his first couple of games as the national team’s interim boss — and I still believe that he is an  excellent coach.

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But I don’t think the FA have treated him well — especially during this last international break when Tuchel had already signed a contract but Carsley was having to keep schtum about his own future.

Gareth Southgate took England to back-to-back Euros finals during his tenure

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Gareth Southgate took England to back-to-back Euros finals during his tenureCredit: Getty
Interim manager Lee Carsley is set to return to his role as under-21s manager

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Interim manager Lee Carsley is set to return to his role as under-21s managerCredit: PA

Carsley is too honest a bloke to deal with those sorts of questions. He isn’t comfortable being vague or telling lies.

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His experience as interim boss shows you there is so much more to elite management than merely being a good coach.

Personally, I’ve completed my Uefa A licence and will be doing my Pro Licence next year.

But the LMA course I mentioned is about the rest of a manager’s job,  essentially it’s about ‘managing up’.

It’s about dealing with directors of football and club owners — which, given my own brief experience as manager of Forest Green Rovers last season — is proving invaluable.

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I may or may not end up getting anywhere close to the job Tuchel has taken on.

But please don’t think that those of us who might ultimately aspire to the England job are frothing at the mouth and raging about the appointment of a German.

Southgate vs Tuchel records compared

THOMAS TUCHEL

Augsburg II 2007-2008

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P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%

Mainz 05 2009-2014

P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%

Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017

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P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%

Honours: DFB Pokal

Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020

P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%

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Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2

Chelsea 2021-2022

P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%

Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup

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Bayern Munich 2023-2024

P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%

Honours: Bundesliga

GARETH SOUTHGATE

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Middlesbrough 2006-2009

P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%

England U21 2013-2016

P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%

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Honours: Toulon tournament

England 2016-2024

P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%

Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024

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