Latest news with #EastMidlanders
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Suzie Liverseidge believes Wembley clash a symbol of progress
For Suzie Liverseidge, a clash at OVO Arena Wembley on 14th June is a symbol of progress for netball since the professionalisation of the Netball Super League. Mavericks made big strides towards a top four finish with victory over closest rivals Nottingham Forest which extended a six-point lead over the East Midlanders in Round 11. They will face Manchester Thunder at Wembley in the final regular game of the season before they hope to aim for a spot in the Grand Final. '[Playing at Wembley] is so great. Firstly as a player, it's such a cool feeling to play in those venues and to hear the loud crowd and look where you are,' said Liverseidge. 'Secondly, it's great for the sport of netball to be getting into those big arenas and really shows the steps we've taken towards professionalisation from playing in sports halls to now playing in Wembley Arena. '[To finish at Wembley in the top four] would be huge. It's a massive goal for the club for this year, so to get that ticked off would be great. 'Whether that game will decide it or not, going into a final series, you always want to end on a high. So the game will be equally important whether we cement that position before or not.' Over the past few seasons, Mavericks have perennially just fallen short of those elusive top four spots but so far this season they are on track to break the voodoo. They defeated Forest 57-48 at Hertfordshire Sports Village to give them a comfortable three points and their biggest boost so far towards reaching the semi-finals with three rounds remaining of the regular season. 'We are all aware of [the near misses], but we're also aware that this is a new group and what's gone before doesn't dictate what's going to happen to us this year,' Liverseidge said. 'We have a new group of players - five of us weren't at the club previously - but when we all got on board with the journey, it was all about rewriting the story of the Mavericks. 'We're in a great position. Top four was obviously our aim and we've put ourselves in a position where it's now fully in our control. It's been all change for Liverseidge, having made the switch to the capital at the start of the season as well as undertaking a new role at wing attack, but she has stepped up to be instrumental for the top four challengers. She boasts the second-most feeds in the league with 348, just four behind current leader Bethan Dyke of LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons and was recently called-up to England's Future Roses squad. 'I've been away from the England programme for a couple of years now so to get my foot back in the door and show that I am interested is key for me,' said the 23-year-old. 'The belief that the coaching team's put in me to play a lot of minutes and build my connections has been really key for me and having people like Tamsin Greenway, who's obviously a wing attack specialist, coaching me week in, week out has been so valuable. 'I'm really excited about the opportunity and the growth I can make after this NSL season.' As well as stellar performances, Liverseidge also brings with her NSL winning know how, having claimed the title while playing for Loughborough Lightning. It is experience she is hoping to draw on to guide the team through their three remaining fixtures which includes a trip back to her old stomping ground. 'We have all kinds of different experiences. We've got Australian players who bring in great experience from the league out there and some of us have played at Loughborough,' Liverseidge explained. 'We can draw on everyone's different strengths. For me, it won't be a nerve-wracking or new experience, which is something we need to stick to in terms of being calm under that pressure and not letting it get to us. 'As a team, we're quite good at that and sticking to the process, even with quite a young group.' Now Mavericks sit on the precipice of creating new history for a club that are forging a unique path since their rebrand in the summer. It is a change driven by the players and they too are now in the driving seat as they look to secure that top four berth and victory at Wembley. 'It's been really exciting to be part of something new,' Liverseidge added. 'As players, we've been given the ability to dictate what we want the club to look like. It's our chance to build the culture, the ethos, and what goes on. 'All the support we've had from the club has been a huge step up from anything I've had previously.'
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Bonnie Blue one of three high-profile names banned from Nottingham Forest stadium this season
THREE high-profile names were banned from Nottingham Forest's stadium this season - including Bonnie Blue. The City Ground witnessed a superb season as the East Midlanders launched a surprise Champions League challenge. Advertisement 6 Bonnie Blue got handed a lifetime ban from Nottingham Forest's stadium Credit: Instagram / bonnie_blue_xox 6 She managed to get her way into the City Ground away end for the Chelsea match Ultimately, Nuno Espirito Santo's side But neither Bonnie Blue nor Gary Neville were able to see the conclusion of the campaign - due to their Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL But the adult content creator - who shot to fame by allegedly She said: "I am playing hide and seek with Nottingham Forest's security. The first security officer that finds me, gets to boink me." Bonnie was eventually found and escorted out - with footage circulating online capturing the moment. She then made a lewd gesture behind one of the security guards. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Bonnie - real name Tia Billinger - previously said of her initial City Ground ban: "I recently went to a "I put on my socials, 'Hey boys, I'm going to be at the game, I'd like to film with you afterwards.' Bonnie Blue defies Premier League stadium ban despite being escorted out after offer to give fans 'good time' "I turn up at the football game and the gate security was like, 'You are permanently banned from the ground.' Advertisement "I thought when they asked me to go to the side, maybe they're upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat, this is quite nice, it's a good service. "They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, 'We're escorting you off the premises.' "Apparently they don't discriminate against sex workers but I was banned because I was a sex worker. "I was going to encourage them (the players), give them a good time. I also think if I'm entertaining the supporters it's less people drinking so I'm actually doing something good for their health." Advertisement However, Bonnie was not the only person to miss the Chelsea game. That is because Who is Bonnie Blue? Born in May 1999, Bonnie - whose real name is Tia Billinger - grew up in a small She has two half-siblings - a sister and a brother - who have always remained out of the public eye. She never knew her biological father, and considers stepfather Nicholas Elliott her dad. Bonnie also became something of a dance star in her local area, and competed in the British Street Dance Championships alongside her sister back in 2015. She also had a part-time job at Poundstretcher as a teenager. After school, she began working in recruitment. In October 2022, Bonnie married Oliver Davidson, who she had started dating when she was just 15. Once they were married, they moved to Australia, where Bonnie continued working in recruitment. However, it was in Australia that she decided to pursue a different line of work, and tried her luck as a 'cam girl' - crediting Oliver for giving her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment world. She quickly made a name for herself in the industry, and was soon making £5,000 a week. But while her work life was going from strength to strength, her relationship was crumbling, and she and Oliver split after almost a decade together. She moved over to OnlyFans following her cam girl success, and once again found fame on there. She quickly became a favourite on the site, especially thanks to her "niche" of sleeping with young male students - such as when she bedded 158 students during Nottingham Trent University's freshers week in September 2024. Bonnie is now estimated to be worth £3 million, and makes around £600,000 a month on OnlyFans. Her family are also supportive of her work, with mum Sarah Billinger even claiming she's her daughter's PA, and helps clean up after Bonnie's events - as well as handing out condoms to young clients. In January 2025, Bonnie claimed to have The ex-Manchester United man was due to be on co-commentary at the City Ground for the crunch clash. However, Forest blocked Sky's plans - forcing them into a late reshuffle - because Neville had been critical of Advertisement That prompted a series of But as well as Bonnie and Neville, The Advertisement And 6 Gary Neville was denied media accreditation for the Chelsea match Credit: Getty 6 Forest fans mocked the banned Sky Sports pundit Credit: Alamy 6 Evangelos Marinakis had to serve a five-match FA stadium ban Credit: Alamy Advertisement 6 Bonnie Blue rose to fame by allegedly bedding more than 1,000 men in 24 hours Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Britain's biggest pizza ‘icks' from pineapple and fish to burnt crusts, study shows
A STUDY of 2,000 adults found 32 per cent think you should never serve up a slice with ketchup, while 41 per cent say sweet toppings such as chocolate are a big no no. More than a fifth (23 per cent) can't imagine anything worse than cutting slices with scissors, and 32 per cent find it off-putting seeing egg as a topping. Advertisement 5 Seafood on pizza was a contender for the top spot for pizza icks Credit: Getty 5 No one likes a burnt pizza, or do they? Credit: Getty 5 Pineapple on pizza - a classic argument starter, you either love it or you hate people for eating it - scroll down to see where it ranks in our pizza icks list Credit: Getty While 18 per cent are dead set against eating pizza cold. Specialist Italian Diners will pay just £2.50 per pizza - but there will be surprises in store for those that want the tropical fruit on top - as this strays from the Italian rules on how to eat pizza authentically. A spokesperson from the brand said: 'There are many ways to eat a pizza – and it seems the nation is divided. Advertisement Read more Food News 'But like many Brits, pineapple for us is the ultimate pizza 'ick'. 'Just like in Italy, there is no place for the likes of pineapple or ketchup dips at our pop-up pizzeria. 'So if diners fail to follow tradition, they may have to face the consequences of their culinary faux pas. "However, our very own 'toppings' sommelier will be on hand to help guests create the perfect Italian pizza." Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive The study found if 39 per cent were to witness these 'pizza icks' in real life when enjoying one themselves, it would completely ruin their meal. The average adult will put away three pizzas every month, with mozzarella, pepperoni, and Stag party orders £150 of Dominos pizza to a moving train With But if these 'ick' exhibitors were someone they were with, exactly a third say they would likely bring it up with them there and then – rising to a whopping 54 per cent of under 28s who'd say something. Advertisement However, a confident 67 per cent say they have never been confronted by anyone over partaking in pizza 'icks' themselves. A thin crust was voted the most preferred by 31 per cent, while a stuffed crust came in a modest second place (20 per cent). When it comes to ways of eating, a non-surprising 72 percent prefer to eat pizza the Italian way with their hands, but 32 per cent interestingly opt for a knife and fork. 5 Most people agreed that eating pizza with your hands, one slice at a time, was the best option Credit: Simon Jacobs/PinPep Advertisement East Midlanders are most likely to use cutlery to consume their pizzas (46 per cent) in strong contrast to their neighbours in the West Midlands, who are the least likely (22 per cent). Moreover, those in the capital city are most likely to munch away at the crusts - and most likely to appreciate their pizza made in the traditional Italian way. The data also found that when sharing a pizza, 24 per cent find it tricky deciding on what to go for due to different tastes. Advertisement But 27 per cent don't have to worry about this as they don't particularly like to share with anyone else. It was also revealed 43 per cent say pizza is their favourite indulgent treat, with 61 per cent saying that it's at its best when it tastes authentically Italian. The spokesperson added: 'You would never see an Italian leaving their crusts, topping their pizza with pineapple or submerging it in dipping sauce, and it's good to see that Brits agree with us on these pizza no-goes. 5 Pizza Hawaiian ranked at number 9 in our top 15 pizza icks, scroll down to see where others come in Credit: Getty Advertisement 'Our Il Leopardo Pizzeria will celebrate the art and craftsmanship of pizza, and Italy's passion for flavour combined with style, so if you're craving a BBQ base or stuffed crust, this restaurant isn't for you. 'For us, there is only one true way to eat pizza, and it's the authentically Italian one.' TOP 15 PIZZA ICKS 1. Using sweet toppings such as Nutella or chocolate 2. Putting fish on a pizza 3. Using an egg for a topping 4. Putting ketchup on pizza 5. Using ketchup as a pizza base sauce 6. Putting uncooked or raw vegetables on as toppings 7. Serving with a burnt crust 8. Cutting pizza with scissors 9. Putting pineapple on pizza 10. Eating pizza cold 11. Leaving the crusts behind 12. Eating pizza with a knife and fork 13. Dipping pizza slices into a dipping sauce (such as ketchup or mayonnaise) 14. Eating the crusts first then the centre 15. Taking a slice in your hand and folding in half before taking a bite
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Britain's biggest pizza ‘icks' from pineapple and fish to burnt crusts, study shows
A STUDY of 2,000 adults found 32 per cent think you should never serve up a slice with ketchup, while 41 per cent say sweet toppings such as chocolate are a big no no. More than a fifth (23 per cent) can't imagine anything worse than cutting slices with scissors, and 32 per cent find it off-putting seeing egg as a topping. 5 5 While 18 per cent are dead set against eating pizza cold. Specialist Italian pizza makers, Crosta Mollica, commissioned the research ahead of the launch of its pop-up pizzeria, 'Il Leopardo' in Shoreditch on Friday 16th - Saturday 17th of May. Diners will pay just £2.50 per pizza - but there will be surprises in store for those that want the tropical fruit on top - as this strays from the Italian rules on how to eat pizza authentically. A spokesperson from the brand said: 'There are many ways to eat a pizza – and it seems the nation is divided. 'But like many Brits, pineapple for us is the ultimate pizza 'ick'. 'Just like in Italy, there is no place for the likes of pineapple or ketchup dips at our pop-up pizzeria. 'So if diners fail to follow tradition, they may have to face the consequences of their culinary faux pas. "However, our very own 'toppings' sommelier will be on hand to help guests create the perfect Italian pizza." The study found if 39 per cent were to witness these 'pizza icks' in real life when enjoying one themselves, it would completely ruin their meal. The average adult will put away three pizzas every month, with mozzarella, pepperoni, and chicken being the firm topping favourites. Stag party orders £150 of Dominos pizza to a moving train With Gen Z aged 18 to 28 the most sensitive to this (53 per cent versus 32 per cent of Boomers aged 61 to 79). But if these 'ick' exhibitors were someone they were with, exactly a third say they would likely bring it up with them there and then – rising to a whopping 54 per cent of under 28s who'd say something. However, a confident 67 per cent say they have never been confronted by anyone over partaking in pizza 'icks' themselves. A thin crust was voted the most preferred by 31 per cent, while a stuffed crust came in a modest second place (20 per cent). When it comes to ways of eating, a non-surprising 72 percent prefer to eat pizza the Italian way with their hands, but 32 per cent interestingly opt for a knife and fork. 5 East Midlanders are most likely to use cutlery to consume their pizzas (46 per cent) in strong contrast to their neighbours in the West Midlands, who are the least likely (22 per cent). Londoners are the biggest pizza lovers, eating four a month - double that of those in the South East who, when they do eat one, are the biggest Mozzarella fans. Moreover, those in the capital city are most likely to munch away at the crusts - and most likely to appreciate their pizza made in the traditional Italian way. The data also found that when sharing a pizza, 24 per cent find it tricky deciding on what to go for due to different tastes. But 27 per cent don't have to worry about this as they don't particularly like to share with anyone else. It was also revealed 43 per cent say pizza is their favourite indulgent treat, with 61 per cent saying that it's at its best when it tastes authentically Italian. The spokesperson added: 'You would never see an Italian leaving their crusts, topping their pizza with pineapple or submerging it in dipping sauce, and it's good to see that Brits agree with us on these pizza no-goes. 5 'Our Il Leopardo Pizzeria will celebrate the art and craftsmanship of pizza, and Italy's passion for flavour combined with style, so if you're craving a BBQ base or stuffed crust, this restaurant isn't for you. 'For us, there is only one true way to eat pizza, and it's the authentically Italian one.' TOP 15 PIZZA ICKS 1. Using sweet toppings such as Nutella or chocolate 2. Putting fish on a pizza 3. Using an egg for a topping 4. Putting ketchup on pizza 5. Using ketchup as a pizza base sauce 6. Putting uncooked or raw vegetables on as toppings 7. Serving with a burnt crust 8. Cutting pizza with scissors 9. Putting pineapple on pizza 10. Eating pizza cold 11. Leaving the crusts behind 12. Eating pizza with a knife and fork 13. Dipping pizza slices into a dipping sauce (such as ketchup or mayonnaise) 14. Eating the crusts first then the centre 15. Taking a slice in your hand and folding in half before taking a bite
Forbes
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Now We Will See If Nottingham Forest Chokes Like Its Enemy
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: A dejected Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest at full time following the ... More 2-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on April 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England.(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) As the season nears its climax, Nottingham Forest finds itself in an unthinkable position. While megabucks-spending Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur languish above the relegation places, the Reds, with just two seasons of Premier League soccer under their belts, are on course to qualify for the Champions League. Having occupied third place for most of the season, the East Midlanders know that even dropping to fifth will guarantee a place in Europe's elite competition. Only one of Nottingham Forest's remaining games is against a team from the top half of the table, unlike rivals Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Manchester City, who face more demanding schedules. But confidence on the River Trent is starting to falter after successive defeats to Aston Villa and Everton. Losing to the Toffees was especially painful because it was caused by ever-reliable defender Murillo suddenly making a mistake on the ball, which enabled the visitors to break away and score a late winner. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo declined to criticize the Brazilian for the uncharacteristic error. 'It was not normal. The decision-making was not the best,' he said. 'It is not about players; it is about us as a team. When someone makes a mistake, we always have someone to try to correct it and help. It didn't work out today. 'We are disappointed because with an offensive corner in the last minutes of the game, we want to try to score. It is not even a counterattack. 'Credit to Everton, they were physical and didn't allow us too much time on the ball. But we should do much better. We are disappointed in the end with the way we conceded. If you cannot win because we didn't play good, at least keep what you have.' But Nuno, like most followers of the Premier League, will know that the list of sides who massively overachieved and looked on course for Champions League qualification only to fall away at the end is lengthy. Newcastle United was all set to surprise everyone back in 2011-12, but they tailed off as the campaign reached its conclusion. West Ham United spent much of the 2020-21 season in the top four, then fell to sixth at the last. Sheffield United was an even more unlikely challenger in 2019-20 and entered spring in the top four. However, the Blades dropped, eventually finishing 9th. Ahead of all those examples sits one club: Leicester City, the bitter East Midlands rivals of Nottingham Forest. Twice, the Foxes had fourth spot in their grasp, in 2019-20 and 2020-21, only to throw it away. In both seasons, Leicester spent more days in the top four than any other team but threw it away when it mattered. NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Nottingham Forest, looks on prior to ... More the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at City Ground on April 28, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by) 'It is in our hands but nobody will give us anything, we have to do it by ourselves. It is up to us to improve and compete much better — like we did before,' said Nuno after the Everton loss. 'We cannot get away from the fact it is a decisive moment of the season. We were not comfortable and the fans also saw the boys were struggling. We are in this position, and we want to try to give it a go. But nobody is going to give us anything. 'We are disappointed. Disappointed with the performance. We were not comfortable and didn't play good. The game didn't flow. Everton caused us a lot of problems. They won the duels and the second balls. They were putting us under pressure. In terms of our offensive play, we didn't create much.' The Portuguese coach is known to take defeat heavily, so his negativity after the encounter should be taken with a pinch of salt. Having processed the sucker punch by Everton, his rhetoric was more positive. 'They should feel proud and committed to the final sprint of the competition,' he said several days later on the impending Champions League battle. 'That's why we as a group and as a club are proud to be in this fight. 'In one week's time we will be speaking about another huge moment for us, so we embrace it. 'We are delighted. The criticisms will come, the opinions will come, the doubts will come - and we are here for that.' In the eyes of some pundits, however, the suggestion that Forest might choke is already being aired. Alan Shearer, whose beloved Newcastle United is one of the challengers for the Champions League places, tipped the Reds to bottle it. 'It is hard enough to predict results in the Premier League anyway, but at this stage of the season, it is even more difficult,' Shearer told the BBC. 'Looking at each club's remaining games now doesn't really help in deciding what might happen, because some of the teams they face may have different priorities, or nothing to play for full-stop. 'It's the same for anyone who plays Manchester United and Tottenham before the end of the season, too, because the Europa League is their priority now. Right now my guess would be that maybe Chelsea and Forest will be the teams who miss out - but that situation could change very quickly. 'There will be ups and downs for all five clubs involved but they have all got valid reasons for thinking they can and will make it. They all have the same incentive too - getting in the Champions League, or not, is massive because of the financial rewards it brings. 'For Manchester City, who have qualified every year since 2011, it is part of their model and although Chelsea have not been in it for a couple of seasons, that applies to them too. Chelsea finished sixth last season, and failing to improve on that will probably be deemed a failure, even if they win the UEFA Conference League. 'In contrast, no one saw this coming from Forest, but they have now spent so much time in the top five that they will be disappointed if they don't make it from here. The picture is going to keep on changing.' Nottingham Forest fans will hope those changes are not reminiscent of the collapse of their bitter rivals Leicester City.
