'Maybe the most heart-warming story in English football this season'
The fans might expect blood, sweat and tears every time a player adorns the Three Lions shirt but in truth they have to manage their situations. Another two cruise-controlled performances at Wembley, with players not wanting to risk injury, was always going to be very likely.It is different for some players and while a random single England cap might mean less to someone like Jude Bellingham in years to come, for Dan Burn it was nothing short of a dream. It is rare in the modern era for such an unorthodox player, so late in developing and so generally loved to get this fabulous moment at Wembley.This wasn't a sympathy cap either, he absolutely deserved that first call up against Albania at the age of 32. When you add the cup final for Newcastle, his local hero, and iconic-in-an-instant goal, it may well be the best, most heart-warming story in the whole of English football this season. It makes you believe that this corporate controlled, money driven game actually might have a soul after all.Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Liverpool target £45m Newcastle United star after agreeing Florian Wirtz deal
Liverpool are considering a move for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, according to reports. The Premier League champions are finally set to complete their deal to sign Florian Wirtz after agreeing a £116 million deal with Bayer Leverkusen this week. However, The Sun reports that Liverpool are planning for further signings and are weighing up whether to revive a move for Gordon. Arne Slot's side attempted to sign the England international from Newcastle last summer but were unable to reach an agreement. Gordon, who joined Newcastle in a £45m deal from Everton in January 2023, scored six goals and registered five assists in the Premier League this season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The 24-year-old could be viewed as a possible replacement for Luis Diaz, who is Barcelona's top target to strengthen their attack. When asked about his links with a move to Liverpool last summer, Gordon made it clear that he was happy at Newcastle. More Trending 'There's been a lot of talk this year about my future, where I'm going, where I want to go, without anyone actually asking me,' Gordon said in December. 'Just leave me to play football. I just want to be happy, play football and I love it here. I've said it plenty of times. 'I think with the speculation, people assume that it's correct, but you've never heard from me once that I'm unhappy at his place. I love everyone here, I love playing football here, and that was all that was. 'It took me away from enjoying my football this year and I think that is where the inconsistency has come from because I've got caught in that a little bit. But I just want to play football, especially for Newcastle.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal urged to sign Man City star after £36m Rayan Cherki transfer MORE: Jack Grealish posts update after being axed from Man City Club World Cup squad MORE: Emiliano Martinez responds to Manchester United transfer approach
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Police charge man for sending alleged death threats to Knights player James Schiller
A 20-year-old man has been charged by NSW police for allegedly sending death threats and abusive messages to Newcastle star James Schiller after last week's match. Schiller, just 23 years old with only 27 first-grade appearances to his name, was targeted with a string of vile messages following his team's dramatic comeback win over Manly. The abuse came despite Newcastle pulling off their biggest turnaround in 18 years, recovering from a 16-0 halftime deficit to claim a 26-22 golden point victory in front of their home fans. Schiller, who played out of position at left centre, was targeted both on the field and online after a tough first half defending against the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, Reuben Garrick and Haumole Olakau'atu. Forced into unfamiliar territory, Schiller was heavily tested on his edge and finished the half with five errors, two penalties conceded and four missed tackles - leading some fans to harshly single him out for criticism. On social media, several accounts piled on, labelling him 'one of the worst NRL players I've ever seen,' and claiming he 'wouldn't stand out for Taree Turtles reserve grade.' But one message crossed well beyond the line of fair criticism, and Schiller decided to share it publicly. 'Count your days c*** I will end your f***ing life,' the message read, sent to his Instagram inbox early in the second half. Even after the Knights sealed victory, the same account continued to abuse him and add some shocking homophobic comments involving former Origin star Dane Gagai as well. 'Doesn't make up for it even though you won. 5 errors, 2 penalties, 1 six again and partridge in a pear tree I hope Dane [Gagai] jams his c*** down your throat and you choke and die.' Schiller posted screenshots of the messages to his Instagram story, drawing attention to the darker side of fan behaviour at a time when mental health support for young men and athletes is being heavily promoted across the country. Lake Macquarie police arrested and charged a man over the matter on Friday. He was charged with use of carriage service to menace, harass or offend. The man was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, July 30. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien was clearly frustrated by the jeering on the night and didn't hold back in his post-match press conference. 'It's disappointing, it's really disappointing,' O'Brien said. 'I know the scoreline is not what they want, but to boo the effort that went into that first half from a really young team, the people that booed don't know anything about rugby league.' 'They're probably the ones that cheered at the end too and that really disappoints me because a lot of the first half we defended our hearts out.' 'I know people are disappointed with us, but they're trying their backsides off,' he added. He said the threats against his player were a concern. 'That is worrying,' O'Brien said. 'I want to protect them … and for him to go through that over a couple of errors … it's a game of footy. 'He's got a family. That's partly the reason why you do want to protect them. 'I think it's a societal problem, isn't it? It's not just football players who are getting that sort of stuff. 'I understand there is some legislation, and I think at the moment it's in the hands of authorities to try and help in this situation with James. 'We need to be able to stop people doing it, change their thought process before doing it.'
Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Powys County Times
World Cup misery for England as Littler and Humphries are knocked out in Germany
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries suffered World Cup misery as England's hopes of retaining the World Cup were torn apart by Germany. The world's top two players slipped to an 8-4 second round defeat at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, where Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko made the most of the backing of a partisan home crowd to seal a comprehensive victory. Littler and Humphries, who both received MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours, were made to pay for missed doubles with the 18-year-old in particular turning in an off-colour display in a country where he has endured previous disappointments. GERMANY DUMP OUT ENGLAND! 🇩🇪 What. A. Story! Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko produce a spectacular performance to topple England's titans Luke Humphries and Luke Littler! 📺 #WCOD25 | Last 16 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 14, 2025 A delighted Schindler, who had insisted in advance that the English duo were 'beatable', told Sky Sports: 'I was right because we believed in ourselves. 'We have been putting in a solid performance, and obviously the double 16s from Ricardo just went in, so we are very happy to go through. 'Today was one step and tomorrow is the other. That's it.' Booed by the home crowd, Littler started nervously and the Germans took the first two legs, but his 123 check-out got England on the board before a 64 finish levelled it up at 2-2. BACK-TO-BACK LEGS FOR ENGLAND! It's not over just yet… Humphries and Littler are battling valiantly here, and they register back-to-back legs to reduce the deficit to 7-4… 📺 #WCOD25 | Last 16 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 14, 2025 However, the the teenager missed three darts at a double in the fifth leg to allow Pietreczko to win it with a 106 out-shot and another in the sixth as the Germans restored their advantage, and after Humphries had hit 25 rather than bull going for 122, they went in at the break 5-2 ahead. Pietreczko took out 101 after the resumption before Germany went 7-2 up and although Littler and Humphries took the next two, they eventually succumbed as a return of just four doubles from the 11 chances they created ultimately proved costly. Germany's reward is a quarter-final tie against Australia, who routed Argentina 8-1 with Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock proving too strong for Jesus Salate and Victor Guillin despite missing 21 of their 29 attempts at doubles. Twice-winners Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton secured Wales' passage with a resounding 8-2 win over the Philippines. Here's the moment Netherlands wrapped up a stunning whitewash win over Scotland! 🇳🇱 SIXTEEN legs without reply for Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen in this tournament! 🤯 #WCOD25 | Last 16 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 14, 2025 The Welsh pair, who claimed the crown in 2020 and 2023, powered their way through to a last eight clash with Hong Kong with the minimum of fuss despite the first three legs going against the darts. However, Scotland's Peter Wright and Gary Anderson found themselves on the wrong end of a demolition job as they went down 8-0 to the Netherlands in just 15 minutes. Danny Noppert and world youth champion Gian Van Veen, who took out 130 to claim the fourth leg on Scotland's throw, were in inspired form, averaging 100.2 and converting eight of the 12 darts they had at doubles to breeze through to a meeting with the Czech Republic. William O'Connor and Keane Barry eased the Republic of Ireland to a showdown with neighbours Northern Ireland after an 8-3 victory over Switzerland in which they were always in control. Wales, Netherlands, Germany and Australia go through as Day Three comes to a close ✅ Some big shocks in Frankfurt! — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 14, 2025 Northern Ireland were comfortable winners over South Africa as Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney eased them to an 8-2 success.
