THE Sun’s amazing Footie for All campaign has won a prestigious award honouring campaigning journalism.
Our campaign which ran during the last football season in partnership with Tesco handed out grants totalling £300k to hundreds of grassroots kids’ football clubs across Britain.
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Pop star Olly Murs has joined in on The Sun’s amazing Footie for All campaign which has now won a prestigious award honouring campaigning journalism
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West Ham and England footballer Jarrod Bowen visiting Brent Cross football academy as part of The Sun’s Footie For All campaignCredit: Paul Edwards
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Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp is also a huge advocate of the campaignCredit: Chris Balcombe
We launched our ‘Footie for All Fund’ after a Sun investigation found financial pressures triggered by the Cost of Living Crisis were forcing kids to ditch recreational football.
Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp is also a huge advocate of the campaign.
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The Sun has officially won the Making a Difference Award, organised by News Media Association (NMA), for the brilliant scheme.
The award highlights how journalism benefits society.
NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “The Making a Difference shortlist this year has highlighted the exceptional dedication from UK news brands, who have worked tirelessly to inform and engage the public.
“The Sun can take great pride in their achievements.
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“The ‘Footie For All Fund,’ serve as prime examples of how journalism can effectively spotlight critical issues, demonstrating to us all the vital role of trusted, independent journalism.
“My congratulations to you.”
Our Footie for All Fund was voted for by members of the public.
Strictly Star Kai Widdrington goes back to his roots for Sun footie campaign
It came about when local football clubs told how they’d seen a membership drop as parents struggled to find the cash to pay for their kids sport fees.
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Some even said they were tragically forced to stop their child playing sport as they couldn’t find enough money for a bus fare.
Tesco went on to provide us with our grants through its Stronger Starts programme which funds healthy activities for kids.
Celebrities across the country also dropped into regular footballing sessions to see how the funds were being spent.
They noted how good it was to see the difference it has made to the children who could still play.
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It was also supported by singer Olly Murs, 40, who visited Crown and Manor football club in Hackney, London.
He said: “In 2024 the cost of living is so high for so many families.
“For the kids to suffer and not be able to come and play football because their parents cannot afford it would be such a tragedy.
“So the fact The Sun and Tesco did this will help families to get their children playing football.
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“That’s the good thing about this campaign. The grants are there to ensure no kid gets left behind.”
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Redknapp took part in a coaching session earlier this year as part of the schemeCredit: Chris Balcombe
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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel, 37, visited Wapping FC in East London last November as he hailed the scheme as very importantCredit: Paul Edwards
Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel, 37, also visited Wapping FC in East London last November.
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He greeted 20 excited children who were bounding with enthusiasm when the beloved ex-Chelsea ace went to meet them.
Obi Mikel said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
“I chose sport, just like these kids, and it completely changed my life. I don’t know what I would have been without football.
“I remember being this age like it was yesterday.
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“It’s great to still see kids running around and enjoying themselves. That’s the most important bit.”
Founder Nahimul Islam, 25, started Wapping FC, in Mile End, East London, when he was just 17 to give kids a place to play football and stay out of trouble.
Now more than 250 children are on their books – including 50 girls and 16 players with a range of disabilities.
Nahimul said: “We operate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, and this incredible grant will help us give the boys high-class training and facilities without passing that cost on to mum and dad back home.
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“Having someone like Mikel come visit the club is inspirational to our players. It shows them just what is possible.”
One grant recipient Mike Smith, 54, who runs Curzon Ashton FC in Ashton-Under-Lyne promises income is no barrier to playing with the club. They also take children with disabilities.
Mike used the club’s Footie for All grant to start a new girls team.
He said: “Thanks to the funding from The Sun and Tesco we’re able to give girls the opportunity to play and learn new skills.”
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Nicola Mclean visits the Flackwell Heath girls teamCredit: Olivia West
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Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington helped to put young kids through their paces at a training sessionCredit: Simon Jones
The Dodgers’ 8-7 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 for their eighth World Series title and second in five years averaged 18.6 million viewers on FOX, FOX Deportes and streaming, according to Nielsen.
That is the most-watched game in the Fall Classic since Game 7 in 2019 when the Washington Nationals’ victory over the Houston Astros averaged 23.22 million.
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The series averaged 15.81 million, its best performance since 2017 when Houston’s victory over the Dodgers in seven games averaged 18.93 million.
Its also quite a turnaround from last year, when the Texas Rangers’ title over the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games averaged a record-low 9.11 million. The Dodgers-Yankees series was a 67% increase over that mark.
Additionally, the complete 2024 MLB Postseason on FOX and FS1 averaged 7,485,000 viewers, up +42% over last year’s average (5,265,000) and FOX Sports’ best Postseason through Game 5 of the World Series since 2017, per FOX Sports PR. There was also a 101% increase in viewership among adults 18-34.
The audience Wednesday peaked at 21.27 million from 11:15-11:30 p.m. EDT.
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Dodgers vs. Yankees: MINI-MOVIE of 2024 World Series | MLB on FOX 🎥
The game had a 21.1 rating and 55 share in Los Angeles and 14.8 rating and 39 share in New York.
The rating is the percentage of television households tuned in. The share refers to a percentage of the audience viewing it at the time.
The former Exeter scrum-half has been University of Exeter and England U20s on top of his role as a backs and attack coach at Sandy Park.
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He is also part of the England ‘A’ coaching setup.
This season Exeter have conceded the fourth-most points in the Premiership after six matches, at an average of 29 per game.
They were the first side to lose to Newcastle in 15 months when they were beaten at Kingston Park earlier this month, while at times Harlequins cut through Exeter’s defence seemingly at will in their bonus-point win at Sandy Park on Saturday.
“I would like to thank Omar for his hard work in helping us develop a new and transitional young group of players into a competitive Premiership squad,” director of rugby Rob Baxter said.
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“However, I felt we needed to head in a new direction defensively and after some conversations between Omar and I, we agreed now was the right time for a change.”
Joaquin Buckley has never been one to hold his tongue, and he’s making sure his name is in the mix as a potential opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.
Originally, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was to face the undefeated Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the main event on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, a toe injury has forced Muhammad out of the pay-per-view date.
While the promotion has not yet announced a plan to replace the fight, rumors have begun flying, including the thought that an interim title could be created.
Ian Machado Garry has been a popular name in discussion, but Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) believes he has a solid case to be inserted into the potential fight at UFC 310.
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“Hey look, I’ma let you finish, but I got something to say,” Buckley started on an Instagram video, cutting in on a post-fight news conference video of Machado Garry talking about facing Rakhmonov. “Nobody want to see that fight. People want to see knockouts. People want to see finishes, and that’s exactly what we finna bring.
“Me vs. Shavkat. He got 18 finishes, 10 subs, eight knockouts. And your boy, I got 14 knockouts, and I just knocked out my last two ranked opponents. So what you think I’m finna to do to this dude?”
Buckley is currently running hot on a five-fight winning streak, undefeated since moving to welterweight last May. Machado Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is undefeated in his entire pro career, although he has fewer knockout victories than Buckley.
“Hey UFC, this is the fight that y’all got to make,” Buckley said. “Like I told y’all, I’m coming to take the throne, and I ain’t playing.”
In his last outing at UFC 307, “New Mansa” knocked out former title challenger Stephen Thompson in the third round. During his post-fight interview, he called out former champion Kamaru Usman.
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Max Verstappen has fired back at Damon HillCredit: Splash
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Hill described Verstappen as driving like Dick DastardlyCredit: Getty
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Verstappen was not happy at the comparison with the cartoon baddyCredit: The Sun
Seething Verstappen, 27, has hit out at his “biased” and “very annoying” critics after eyebrows were raised over his driving style after a 20-SECOND penalty for forcing title rival Lando Norris off twice in Mexico last weekend.
Hill described the F1 Red Bull driver as “daft and like Dick Dastardly”.
And he questioned whether Verstappen was capable of driving fairly.
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But ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen responded: “I don’t listen to those individuals.
“I just do my thing. I am a three-time world champion. It is my tenth year in Formula One.
“I know what I am doing. Some people are being very annoying, and I don’t pay attention to them.”
Norris trails Verstappen by 47 points in the title race with 120 to race for after the Brit came second and the world champ sixth in Mexico City.
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Verstappen is due to serve a five-place grid drop for Sunday’s race in Sao Paulo for changing engine parts.
Leicester boss Amandine Miquel has confirmed that Noemie Mouchon will miss the rest of the season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Mouchon, who joined Leicester from Reims in July, sustained the injury in training.
The 21-year-old is the fourth player in the Women’s Super League to suffer an ACL injury this season after Everton duo Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro, and Liverpool’s Sofie Lundgaard.
“We weren’t sure straight away, but we have now assessed the injury to Noemie Mouchon. It’s probably the longest injury she could have,” Miquel said on Thursday.
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“We can’t say a time right now but she’ll be out for the season.”
While everyone in the MMA space has had their say about the upcoming UFC heavyweight title fight at UFC 309, Stipe Miocic has laid low, preparing for the biggest fight of his career.
On Nov. 16, Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) will return to the octagon for the first time in 1,330 days. It’s not just any return. It’s the return. The man who many consider to be the greatest MMA fighter ever, Jon Jones, will stand across from Miocic, who is regarded as the greatest heavyweight, inside the cage at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The UFC heavyweight title will be on the line in what could be the last fight for both Miocic and Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC).
“I’m excited, honestly,” Miocic said on “BS w/ Jake Paul.” “It’s finally here. It was supposed to happen last year, unfortunately an injury took it away, but here we are. We’re three weeks away. I’m ready, man. I’ve been pumped. I keep quiet. I focus on task at hand, just worry about my fight. That’s all I worry about.”
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Throughout the discourse about the heavyweight title picture, Miocic has largely kept his head down working. The fight was initially set to occur last November at UFC 295, but Jones tore his pectoral muscle, delaying the fight.
As a replacement for the lost fight, Tom Aspinall was crowned interim champion by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall, who has felt like the odd man out as he’s been denied an opportunity to unify the title, went on to record a rare interim title defense by stopping Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.
Some believe Miocic, who returns from a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou, doesn’t deserve to fight for the title while Aspinall is on such a roll. The UFC decided that a “greatest vs. greatest” fight was the way to go and has stuck with it despite heavy criticism.
Meanwhile, Miocic has remained relatively quiet while preparing to defeat Jones, who became heavyweight champ by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last March.
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With the fight now just around the corner, Miocic is confident he will be able to take control of the fight, and won’t wait around to find out what type of gameplan Jones will bring.
“Jon Jones does a lot of things good, but I have great coaches, great teammates, and they make me prepared for whatever happens,” Miocic said. “I’m not going to wait for what he’s going to do, I’m going to do what I want to do.”
At 42, Miocic knows he doesn’t have many days left in the sport. However, he’s not ready to say UFC 309 will be his last walk to the octagon.
“I don’t know,” Miocic said when asked about retirement. “I say it after every fight, I think about retiring. So, we’ll see. Right now, I’m just worried about the fight, and I can worry about that after it until it happens.”
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Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
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