Counting the pennies: No Las Vegas party for AFC Wimbledon chief Erik Samuelson as focus turns to plotting path to Championship May 31, 2016 While AFC Wimbledon’s promotion-winning players were on a plane to Las Vegas for a celebratory jaunt paid for by a mystery supporter, chief executive Erik Samuelson was today back at his desk putting the finishing touches to next season’s budget. The champagne had barely stopped bubbling but thoughts within the club’s hierarchy had already turned to [...]
England Euro 2016 squad: Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford makes the cut as Andros Townsend, Danny Drinkwater and Fabian Delph all miss out May 31, 2016 Marcus Rashford's sensational rise to prominence has continued after Roy Hodgson named the teenage striker in his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016 at the expense of Danny Drinkwater, Fabian Delph and Andros Townsend. Hodgson has named five strikers for the summer tournament with Rashford joining teammates Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, Leicester's Jamie Vardy, [...]
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin selected for Spain Euro 2016 squad after Barcelona target impresses on debut May 31, 2016 Arsenal Hector Bellerin has been selected for Spain's Euro 2016 squad after impressing in his first international appearance last weekend. The 21-year-old will cancel a planned family holiday in June after an injury to Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal thrust him into the reckoning for Vicente del Bosque's final 23-man squad. Bellerin received his first cap [...]
AFC Wimbledon continue fairytale rise up football pyramid with victory in League Two play-off final, paving way for third-tier clashes with MK Dons next season May 30, 2016 Delirious AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley revelled in his side’s promotion as their fairytale rise up the football pyramid continued with victory over Plymouth Argyle in the League Two play-off final at Wembley. Leading scorer Lyle Taylor notched his 23rd goal of the season before robust frontman Adebayo Akinfenwa, who revealed post-match he is to [...]
David Haye accepts invitation to fight newly-crowned WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew May 30, 2016 Former world heavyweight king David Haye has opened the door to a showdown with newly-crowned WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, promising the Merseyside fighter he would be “smashed to bits”. Bellew claimed the vacant WBC title with a brutal third-round knockout of Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park on Sunday to become the United Kingdom’s 13th [...]
History-maker Alastair Cook relieved as burden of reaching 10,000 Test runs is removed in England’s crushing nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka May 30, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook welcomed the burden being removed from his shoulders after becoming the youngest player to pass 10,000 Test runs in his side’s series-clinching nine-wicket demolition of Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street yesterday. Cook needed a total of five runs and reached the milestone with a leg-side clip for four as England comfortably chased down [...]
Striker Daniel Sturridge returns to England training as Roy Hodgson prepares to finalise his Euro 2016 squad May 30, 2016 England manager Roy Hodgson will tomorrow confirm the 23 players which he will entrust to deliver success for the Three Lions in this summer’s European Championship in France, which starts on 10 June. Striker Daniel Sturridge boosted his chances of proving his fitness by returning to training today after missing Friday’s 2-1 victory over Australia, having reported [...]
England boss Eddie Jones points to sacrifices made by Luther Burrell as Northampton centre called-up for tour of Australia May 30, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones admits that Northampton Saints centre Luther Burrell’s abject refusal to accept his place in the international wilderness was key to his call-up for this summer’s three-Test tour of Australia. Burrell was today announced as the replacement for Manu Tuilagi, who was last week ruled out with a torn hamstring, in [...]
I’ve seen PGA Championship winner Chris Wood up close and he is a perfect fit for Ryder Cup stardom May 30, 2016 While victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth does not guarantee Chris Wood a debut Ryder Cup place, it virtually secures a spot in the Europe side for Hazeltine in September and what a wonderful addition he will be. I was fortunate to captain Great Britain and Ireland, and therefore Chris, in the 2013 Seve [...]
What next for Premiership champions Saracens after their domestic and European double? All eyes on another double according to veteran scrum-half Neil de Kock May 30, 2016 There will no be relaxation in all-conquering Saracens’ quest for a vice-like grip on a golden era of success, according to the north London club’s veteran scrum-half Neil de Kock. Former South Africa international De Kock played the final 11 minutes as Sarries dispatched Exeter Chiefs 28-20 at Twickenham on Saturday to retain their Premiership [...]