Latest news with #BramallLane
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
It's never quiet at Ewood Park
"I'm going to have a quiet summer..." The famous last words I uttered whilst wiping away tears as yet another play-off dream came to an end at Bramall Lane back in May. But I've been a Rovers fan long enough to know there isn't such a thing as a quiet day, never mind a quiet days of the season ending came the decision from the club to withdraw the women's team from the Championship and relegate themselves to National League Division One North (tier four).Then came the announcement in a 35-word statement that CEO of seven years, Steve Waggott, had left the club. It's a position that remains had leaked kits (the green third kit is a thing of beauty!) season ticket price debates and rumours aplenty about who is leaving and who is coming through the the XI which started the last game of the season, Danny Batth has been reunited with our old gaffer at Derby and Tyrhys Dolan is now a free agent as he continues the hunt for his big incomings of De Neve, Taveres, Alebiosu and McLoughlin offer reassurance business is being done early for a change and some funds are available. However we definitely need more, a stance on which Valerien Ismael seems to agree. With Andi Weimann also making a move to the Rams, his nine goals last season will be down our key players is something we have historically failed to do and remains at the forefront of many of our minds. With rumours swirling of Callum Brittain going to Middlesbrough, the club must decide whether to cash in if a new deal is not accepted or allow players to run their contracts the pitch, wins against Accrington Stanley and Everton (see photo) in our first two pre-season friendlies have offered us a chance to see the new lads in action. We have also seen the return of Scott Wharton, a fan favourite, after an extensive squad - and many Rovers fans - are now in Spain for some warm weather training. For the boys, it is friendlies against Qatar SC and Elche. For the fans, it is a chance for some sun, sea, and shenanigans. So much for that quiet can find more of Lindsey's Rovers views on X here., external
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sheffield United sign former Everton winger Thomas
Sheffield United have completed the signing of winger Lauren Thomas on a free transfer. WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Blades this morning. The 25-year-old moves to Bramall Lane following the expiry of her contract at former club Everton. Thomas spent last season with The Toffees, making four appearances for the club in all competitions. Thomas made a name for herself in a five-year spell with former Barclays WSL2 club Blackburn Rovers. The winger made 76 appearances for Rovers in all competitions in which she scored four goals. Thomas regularly impressed with her performances for the Lancashire club. After adding Thomas to his squad, Sheffield United boss Ash Thompson said 'Lauren brings a lot of qualities to the attack that we were looking for. She's fast, direct, experienced at this level and has gained experience at the level above last season too. She's joining us at a really good point in her career and I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do with us this season.' Thomas is Sheffield United's seventh signing of the summer transfer window. The South Yorkshire club are expected to announce further arrivals in the coming days.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Blades midfielder Souza departs for Wolfsburg
Sheffield United midfielder Vinicius Souza has left the club for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg on a permanent basis for an undisclosed 26-year-old Brazilian was one of the Blades' standout performers last season as the club narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Premier made 76 appearances in two seasons at Bramall Lane following his move from Belgian club Lommel in August 2023, registering his only goal in a 3-1 Premier League away win at Luton Town in February becomes the first high-profile Blades player to leave the club since their stoppage-time defeat by Sunderland in the Championship play-off final and subsequent departure of former head coach Chris has signed a five-year contract with Wolfsburg until June 2030.
Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
Alessia Russo: from impact sub who wanted quiet life to global brand
No moment better captured the joy, fearlessness and seismic impact of the Lionesses' Euro 2022 run. With England 2-0 up in their semi-final against Sweden at Bramall Lane, Alessia Russo latched on to the rebound of her own shot and sent an impish back-heel through the legs of Hedvig Lindahl, the Sweden goalkeeper. Of course, the final at Wembley is packed with legendary moments, be it Chloe Kelly 's extra-time winner or Jill Scott bellowing 'f*** off' at a German opponent. Yet Russo's audacious moment of skill epitomised the intoxicating, scarcely believable perfection of England's tournament. It was a goal that, even without the context of a Euros semi-final, possessed the raw brilliance to go viral on social media. And it launched Russo's journey to England icon and national celebrity. Plenty has changed in the three years since. When Russo scored the back-heel she was 23, served as an impact substitute for England, played across the front line for Manchester United, and was little-known to all but women's football diehards. She is now 26, among the world's best strikers, the figurehead of Arsenal's attack and one of England's most recognisable athletes. Along the way, Russo had to navigate unprecedented scrutiny and battle through poor form. She will begin England's title defence in fine fettle and is certain to start up front. While Russo was one of many players whose public profile boomed after Euro 2022, she was in a unique position. She had deputised superbly for Ellen White at that tournament, scoring four goals from off the bench, so she was simultaneously an established star and full of untapped potential. White, England's record goalscorer, retired three weeks after the final, clearing the path for Russo to take centre stage. She immediately grasped her opportunity, scoring in each of England's first two games after succeeding White as England's incumbent No9. For United, she was increasingly potent as a striker. In January 2023, Russo was at the epicentre of a landmark transfer saga. Arsenal submitted a world-record bid of about £500,000 for her, sparking a level of speculation and deadline-day drama traditionally restricted to men's football. Russo stayed put, with United unwilling to sell to a title rival despite the huge sum on offer. Arsenal would not be denied, though. After Russo helped United finish second in the Women's Super League (WSL), her contract expired and she signed for Arsenal on a free transfer in July 2023. There were 18 days between Russo confirming she would leave United and Arsenal announcing her arrival. That meant 18 days of rumours, uncertainty and attention, as one of England's superstars hit the open market. The episode reinforced Russo's burgeoning public presence, but she does not remember it fondly. 'The summer was really tough at times,' Russo said in March 2024. 'We're not used to our lives being in the media so much. I'd happily just live a quiet little life, but I also understand that football is not like that any more. It was tough and you have to come back to the people you rely on. I needed my family a lot through those times.' Russo, who has Sicilian heritage, was wise to lean on her football-loving family. Her father, Mario, is the Metropolitan Police's record goalscorer, and one of her elder brothers, Giorgio, also played non-League football. Her other brother, Luca, competed in US college athletics and is now a prominent agent in the women's game. Crucially, Russo sorted out her club future before the 2023 World Cup. Boosted by this certainty, she started every game as England reached the final, scoring three goals, including the winner in the quarter-final against Colombia and the match-clinching strike in the semi-final against Australia in Sydney. Although England lost the final to Spain, Russo returned home with her reputation enhanced. Russo, as is her right, has reaped the benefits of her soaring profile. Since Euro 2022 she has partnered with the likes of Beats By Dre, Oakley, Gucci and Adidas, and been on the covers of magazines such as Elle, Women's Health and Wonderland. Moving to Arsenal, the best-supported WSL team, amplified her image, and Russo lived up to the hype. She scored 12 WSL goals in her debut season in north London, and earned her first piece of club silverware when Arsenal won the League Cup in March 2024. Internationally, her six goals over the 2023-24 campaign earned her the England player-of-the-season award. However, 2024-25 started poorly. Russo scored only once in her first nine games, and her lack of confidence was symptomatic of Arsenal's mediocre form. Fan criticism of the team was fierce and Jonas Eidevall resigned as head coach in October. However, Russo and Arsenal's fortunes were revived by the appointment of Renée Slegers, who won ten of her 11 games in interim charge to earn the permanent head coach job in January. Russo scored ten goals during that run and was a striker transformed, playing with far more conviction. This renewed belief has allowed Russo to complement her fantastic movement and hold-up play with more nuanced finishing. She scores all types of goals — from a sweeping, left-footed finish away to Tottenham Hotspur to a deft header against Aston Villa at the Emirates — and was named the 2024-25 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. To top off her season, Russo was pivotal to Arsenal's astounding Champions League triumph. She scored in the epic second-leg comebacks against Real Madrid and Lyon in the knockout stage, and was part of the immaculate team performance through which Arsenal stunned Barcelona in the final. All the while, her brand has continued to grow. She presented an award at this year's Baftas and The Tooney and Russo Show, a BBC podcast co-hosted with her England team-mate Ella Toone, is into a second series. Meanwhile, Giorgio is a contestant on the TV show Love Island this summer. Having a famous footballer for a sister can't have harmed his application. Russo, then, heads to Switzerland under the brightest spotlight yet. She may want a quiet life, but the on-pitch success and off-field growth of the past three years suggests she can cope with the pressure.
Rhyl Journal
30-06-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Boy to go on trial accused of murdering Harvey Willgoose, 15, at school
Harvey Willgoose, also 15, died after he was stabbed through the heart at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on February 3. A teenager, who cannot be named, has admitted Harvey's manslaughter but denies murdering the Sheffield United fan and will go on trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday. The boy, who cannot be named, has also admitted possession of a bladed article. The incident at the school in February shocked Sheffield and the nation. Harvey was remembered as a 'social butterfly' who 'deserved so much more' and 'had dreams, plans and a future ahead of him' at his funeral in February. The service was broadcast on a big screen outside the building for those who could not fit inside, and some mourners wore T-shirts with pictures of Harvey's face and anti-knife crime slogans. His cousin Lana Swirles told the congregation: 'His laughter was contagious and his kindness knew no bounds. 'His adventurous spirit inspired us to enjoy life and seek out joy in the little things.' The service heard how he loved fishing with his grandfather, was 'never far from a scrape' and his mother Caroline recalled that as a little boy his catchphrase was: 'Isn't it a lovely day?' She told mourners: 'One of Harvey's great gifts was his love of people, his kindness to others and his ability to talk to anyone.' Sheffield United was 'the great love of Harvey's life', the service was told, and his coffin was wrapped with a Bramall Lane design. Harvey's parents have been prominent campaigners against knife crime since their son's death and they met Home Secretary Yvette Cooper about the issue in March.
