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Gascoigne just 'a ridiculously good player'

Gascoigne just 'a ridiculously good player'

BBC Newsa day ago

Throughout Thursday, we are revealing who Newcastle legend Steve Howey believes are the club's most skilful players of all time and in second place, it is Paul Gascoigne.Another to come through the ranks at St James' Park, Gascoigne only spent three years in the north east but Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle how his physical traits made him unstoppable."He went past players as though they weren't there," Howey said. "Used his arms really well, basically as weapons. He used to properly get across players and whack them across their face. So strong, so difficult to get off the ball and he could go left or right. "People forget - he ran with the ball under control just as much as he ran without it. And that is something which is very difficult to do. "Just a ridiculously good player - so so talented." Have you worked out who is number one on Howey's list? All will be revealed later on WednesdayListen on BBC Sounds

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Tell us about your football match friends
Tell us about your football match friends

The Guardian

time31 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Tell us about your football match friends

We'd like to hear from people who have become football match friends. Watching the ups and downs of your team next to the same person at the ground can lead to strong bonds. Has the perfect stranger you meet only at the football become a close friend or an important person in your life just from your time in the stands? If so, we'd like to hear all about it. Tell us about an important friendship forged at the football ground in the form below. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. If you're having trouble using the form, click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.

Finn Russell and Bath face day of destiny in throwback Premiership final
Finn Russell and Bath face day of destiny in throwback Premiership final

The Independent

time32 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Finn Russell and Bath face day of destiny in throwback Premiership final

There is an old school feel to this weekend's Premiership final, a famous fixture of yesteryear stirring the nostalgic senses. Bucket hats once more decorate the domes of the nation's youth, wide-leg jeans have usurped their skinny-fit siblings and the established powers of the 1990s are back in fashion in English rugby, too. Between the inception of the Courage League in 1987 and the introduction of this showpiece affair in 2003, Bath and Leicester Tigers won 12 of the 15 top-flight titles on offer; six trophy tilts apiece in an extended duopoly over the game. While Tigers have roared repeatedly since, Bath have had to be patient. The last of that run of six titles in eight years is their most recent overall; 29 years coming and going with just three final defeats mustered, foggy memories of silverware long since losing their lustre. A restoration is overdue. There has been a sense of destiny surrounding this season at Bath. The intent was set by their star fly half in the immediacy of the final defeat to Northampton. 'We'll just have to do it next year, now,' Finn Russell remarked to head coach Johann van Graan on the Twickenham touchline in an aside caught by the TNT Sports microphones and made moments after Saints' victory had been secured. In truth, Bath had come closer than they should have done on the day both in the wider context of a campaign in which they had lagged behind their opponents and given Beno Obano 's early sending off. This year has been different. The head coach is highly process-driven, never getting too high or too low, but he and his squad have embraced their place as front-runners, making a statement on the opening night by powering past the defending champions and seldom looking back. Minor prizes have already arrived in cups domestic and continental but this is the trophy they truly desire. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone," said Russell this week as he chases an elusive second title of his career. 'After getting to that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. "But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. "At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year." Van Graan arrived with the club at rock bottom, relegation avoided in 2022 only due to a moratorium during the pandemic. The South African has been a transformative figure, immediately establishing himself through the force of a somewhat quiet, but authoritative, personality. 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In retrospect, the hiring of Michael Cheika was not the right solution for a club in need of firm foundations but the Australian deserves immense credit for his architecture nonetheless. In his sole season, Cheika has brought back Leicester's snarl, no-nonsense on and off the pitch yet encouraging the more expressive members of the squad to strut their stuff. Julian Montoya, his old Argentina captain, has been key and will be much missed by the Premiership when he departs for Pau after this game. Completing the list of leavers of note is double World Cup-winner Handre Pollard, a figure fit for a day like this. A horror show from the tee in the semi-final is unlikely to be repeated with the pressure on; as one figure connected with Leicester remarked this week, the South African fly half may not be the ideal player to get you to a final but he will most certainly win you one. The ever-improving Emeka Ilione – a likely tourist to Argentina with England – could also have a key role to play in defusing Bath's own bench bomb squad. In the maelstrom and madness of any final, cool heads and calm decisions are required by both players and officials. Bath overcame the odds to stay in the fight after Obano's early dismissal last year yet a capacity crowd will fear something similar to dramatically change the contest. Van Graan's men would be a sixth different champion in as many years, underscoring the competitive balance that Premiership insiders have sought to underline as they prepare to unveil a fresh identity on their day in the rugby spotlight. A new era for the league approaches but this throwback final should provide plenty of old-school charm.

Watch awkward moment Louis Tomlinson admits feeling nervous ahead of Soccer Aid as Zara's ex Sam Thompson hovers behind
Watch awkward moment Louis Tomlinson admits feeling nervous ahead of Soccer Aid as Zara's ex Sam Thompson hovers behind

The Sun

time34 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Watch awkward moment Louis Tomlinson admits feeling nervous ahead of Soccer Aid as Zara's ex Sam Thompson hovers behind

LOUIS Tomlinson was being marked by rival Sam Thompson at Soccer Aid during a live talkSport interview. One Direction star Louis is now dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott and Sam was spotted hovering behind the singer as he appeared on TV. 5 5 5 The lads first crossed paths on Thursday at training for this year's charity match for Unicef. The pair are playing for England in Soccer Aid, and Sam was never too far from Louis on the pitch. But then things got awkward when the former Made In Chelsea star was also hanging out behind Louis as he gave a radio interview to talkSport. Louis said playing in Soccer Aid was an "an incredible opportunity to play with some amazing players and do it all for an amazing cause." He also admitted that despite his years playing live concerts in front of millions of people during his years in One Direction and playing at other football charity games, he was still nervous for today's match. "I used to play in charity games a little bit more often when I was a bit younger and there's no comparison," he began. "Don't get me wrong I get really nervous doing a gig but that's my job, so to speak, but every football fan... you want to be decent, so you put that pressure on yourself." While chatting to the radio hosts, Sam could be seen behind Louis smiling and laughing on the pitch. While Sam might not have realised he was in the shot behind Louis' interview, the pair did have a jovial exchange the day before while training. Sam, 32, was spotted smiling as he looked over at Louis, 33, as they got to work on the pitch. Pete Wicks takes massive swipe at Sam Thompson's ex Zara McDermott amid Love Island star's romance with Louis Tomlinson Standing close by, the lads appeared to share a few words as they donned their kit for the first time. The pair are both on the same England team and were in good spirits as they arrived at Old Trafford in Manchester. Louis, who has been dating Zara since April, had a huge grin on his face as he made his way to the football ground. Last month, Sam was left squirming as he was grilled about playing football with Louis by his best mate, Pete Wicks. Speaking on their podcast Staying Relevant, Pete said: "How are you feeling? You're playing again. Must be really exciting.' He then added with a grin: 'How do you feel about the line-up? Do you think you've got a strong team?' Sam awkwardly laughed and replied: 'Got a really strong team.' Last week, Sam - who split with Zara after five years in December - completed a gruelling 260-mile endurance challenge for Soccer Aid. He ran and cycled from Stamford Bridge in London to Old Trafford to deliver the Soccer Aid football. Despite his obvious heartbreak over his split with former Love Island star Zara, Sam has reportedly said there are "no hard feelings" between him and singer Louis. 5

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