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'Aberdeen talk to exiting Portsmouth striker Yengi'

'Aberdeen talk to exiting Portsmouth striker Yengi'

BBC News5 hours ago

Aberdeen are in talks to sign Australia striker Kusini Yengi and the 26-year-old is keen on the move with his Portsmouth contract expiring this summer. (Sky Sports), externalRead Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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I was jailed for robbery aged 15 before becoming a drug dealer and rapper – but now I'm an academy scout for Arsenal
I was jailed for robbery aged 15 before becoming a drug dealer and rapper – but now I'm an academy scout for Arsenal

The Sun

time10 minutes ago

  • The Sun

I was jailed for robbery aged 15 before becoming a drug dealer and rapper – but now I'm an academy scout for Arsenal

JOSEPH BOL has gone from dealing drugs, getting stabbed by rival gangs and spending three separate stints in prison, to helping Arsenal uncover new talent as an academy scout. Bol, 39, has turned his life around, putting crime in his rear-view mirror and excelling as a football scout. 7 7 Bol works as Arsenal 's grassroots academy coordinator for East London, helping the Gunners identify the best talent across U9s to U14s level. It's far cry from what he was doing at a similar age to the youngsters, with Bol being sent to prison for three years at just 15 years old for robbery. He also found himself wrapped up in dealing Class A drugs and ultimately being convicted for that too. Speaking to The Times, he recalled: "I wanted things my mum didn't deem necessary, like designer clothes, trainers, and that led me down a slippery slope. "I stopped playing football and I started selling and smoking weed, and then it went on to be more Class A drugs. I was just in a bubble thinking this is going to be my career path." After being let out of prison for the first time, Bol turned his attention to rap music - amassing millions of YouTube views for his songs about crime. He added: "I came out and got adulation from my peers, it boosts your ego, and I just started rapping about what I was going through. "It was more about selling drugs. We didn't really have postcode wars at the time.' 7 Bol, who recalled taking Maths and English GCSEs in a young offenders' institute, was still wrapped up in the world of crime for some time. And was even stabbed in the arm and leg while sitting in the front seat of his car by four members of rival gang at one point. But after turning 21 and finisng himself in an adult prison, Bol's life changed thanks an officer who encouraged him to complete FA Level One and Community Sports Leader coaching courses. He recalled that decision helped him "break the cycle" and he started to volunteer at a local football club when he was released from prison. In 2012 he set up his own grassroots team, AC United, which snowballed into an eight-team club with performances catching the attention of top scouts. Bol continued rapping about his old life at the same time, earning a reputation under his stage name "Joe Black", and even performed as a support act for hip-hop superstar Rick Ross. 7 Unexpectedly, it was his rap career that helped Bol land his first proper job in football. A standout player at AC United, Clinton Mola, was invited for a trial at Chelsea - with Bol accompanying him to the training ground. Upon his arrival at Cobham, Bol was mobbed by a group of U14 players - including a young Reece James - who recognised him from his music videos. Recognising the sway and impact that Bol had in the local community, Chelsea decided to hire him as a member of their coaching staff. They also signed Mola, who now plays for Bristol Rovers in League One and represented England from U16 to U21 levels. Bol recalled being concerned that Chelsea would turn him away after a DBS check of his criminal history. He said to The Times: "Rightfully so, because there were obviously reservations after what showed up [on the DBS check]. 'I did a risk assessment and they asked me how I ended up in these situations and what I'd done to change my behaviour to ensure I wouldn't fall back into those old patterns. "Long story short, I think the years I put in coaching unpaid went a long way to overpower the past. 7 "They could see I was making a big effort to make a change. I got the role and I was there for just over five years.' From there Bol's career in football scouting has taken over and he made the switch to Arsenal's academy in 2020 - where he has been ever since. Working alongside academy manager Per Mertesacker, Bol's role is to manage a group of scouts and make sure they are always covering all parts of East London. Along his way he has helped unearth and develop some of of the Premier League's most exciting young talents. Zain Silcott-Duberry, who made his Prem debut for Bournemouth this season, is just one of the youngsters he has had a hand in developing. While 14-year-old Trey Faromo, another Bol has helped identify, is thought to be one of the country's brightest talents and recently made his debut for Chelsea Under-18. Now Bol is targeting a spot as the head of recruitment at a Premier League club, but still recognises how far he has come. He said: "I feel proud of where I'm going. It's good to reflect every once in a while to remember how far I've come" 7 7

Dundee need 'more experience' & 'back-up for Murray'
Dundee need 'more experience' & 'back-up for Murray'

BBC News

time14 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Dundee need 'more experience' & 'back-up for Murray'

We asked for your views on what business you would like to see Dundee do in the transfer window this what some of you had to say:Iain: We need a midfield. A lot of the blame last season was given out to our defence, but they had nothing in front of them to actually give them a chance! We also need back-up for Simon Murray, he's brilliant and runs through brick walls for this club - but he can't do it alone!Keneil: Club needs to sort out all the out-of-contract players. We will need plenty midfielders, especially with experience to cover the loss of Lyall Cameron. Also Murray has to have a decent partner, he was left doing too much himself last season. Lastly I'm hoping as Steven Pressley was a good defender, I hope he can sort out our lot. Would like to see young Luke Graham get a game, he did really well at I think a new manager with a proven track record of success would be a good Josh Mulligan, Mo Sylla and Scott Tiffoney will go. Signing Ronan Hale from Ross County would go a long way to getting the fans onside again. We have one signed striker and virtually no midfield at present. I would like to see Jamie Brandon and Stephen Kelly signed from Livingston, plus Kyle Vassell who has left KilmarnockIain: A top defence coach would be a good start - 139 goals shipped in the past two campaigns. That's simply shocking. Murray performed miracles last season, but he's now our only recognised striker and is 33? Having lost Luke McCowan and Cameron we badly need some creative flair too. It's a total rebuild for Balance. This was Tony Docherty's undoing. Too many times last season the team was top heavy in rookies making rookie mistakes and no leaders on the pitch. We need a balance between seasoned pros and youth, this will help development more than anything Noah Chilvers and big Jordan White from Ross County. One is a classy midfielder and White is an experienced centre-forward for Murray to play off. Get centre defence sorted from players already there, but we need full-backs.

Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction just moments after Fabio Wardley's comeback KO
Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction just moments after Fabio Wardley's comeback KO

The Sun

time25 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction just moments after Fabio Wardley's comeback KO

JUSTIS HUNI was praised for his incredible reaction just moments after being knocked out by Fabio Wardley. The Aussie took the bout on just five weeks notice after controversial American Jarrell Miller pulled out injured. And Huni was on the way to well and truly ruining Wardley's Ipswich homecoming after racking up a lead ten rounds into the bout. But just as all hope looked to be lost for the hometown hero - Wardley produced a Hail Mary right hand to turn the fight on its head. Huni was gracious in defeat - as revealed by amazing backstage dressing room footage captured by Matchroom Boxing. Hugging a family member, the beaten heavyweight said: "S*** happens, you know. I will come back, just bounce back. "We just keep our head up and bounce back. It is what it is. Head up team, head up! We bounce back, it's boxing." Fans hailed humble Huni in the comments as one said: "Class act this chap very respectful throughout." Another added: "Gained a lot of supporters - not just by the way be boxed, but also the way he conducted himself afterward. Big respect." A third said: "Lovely guy, he'll be back." 3 Huni, 26, was ahead on all the scorecards having thrown and landed more shots throughout. But the punch that mattered the most was the massive right hand from Wardley, 30, that closed the show in dramatic fashion. Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped eight seconds into fight The former recruitment consultant-turned-white collar boxer remained unbeaten and won himself the WBA interim title. Wardley said: "I don't profess to be any kind of Usyk or Justis Huni - someone with all the skills. "But one thing I do know is how to win fights, dig deep, find a bit of heart, bite down on the gumshield, find a way to win. "That's one thing I had to do tonight. I should have performed better in some of the rounds. "It's not always the way it goes. Sometimes you just need to find a different way to win. So look, we pulled something out of the bag." 3

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