Latest news with #NewYorkCosmos
Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vernon Kay hits back at 'freebie' backlash after attending several Oasis gigs
Vernon Kay owned up to using his credit card to pay for two expensive purchases that had social media users fuming Vernon Kay has been criticised following an action-packed weekend, as the star made a recent admission about his social life. But fans have shrugged off the criticism, rallying around the presenter to show their support. The BBC Radio 2 star was among the first to witness Liam and Noel Gallagher reunite on stage for the inaugural gig of their Oasis Live '25 tour in Cardiff earlier this month. Not content with just one performance, the Bolton-born star made his way to Manchester to catch Oasis ' comeback at Heaton Park, attending both gigs on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12). Vernon shared a clip from Liam and Noel's first homecoming concert on Instagram, where he was seen donning sunglasses and a New York Cosmos shirt, belting out the lyrics to "Live Forever." He captioned the video: "Manchester! Day1. @oasis The excellence continues! Bravo!!" However, some followers questioned how he managed to secure tickets to multiple shows in the comments of his post. Social media user @lfcarbz queried: "How did Vernon get so many tickets? Cardiff now Manchester!" to which Vernon responded: "Paid for them!!" User @alanthomas1965 also commented: "A lot of people couldn't get tickets for 1 gig you've managed 2 I wonder how that is," prompting Vernon to admit: "Smashed the credit card, Alan!" On Saturday (July 12), Vernon updated his Instagram again, revealing he had stayed in Manchester over the weekend to enjoy the Henley Festival. Donning a crisp white shirt, dickie bow and sunglasses for the event, he enjoyed performances by club legends Hacienda Classical, fronted by Graeme Park. Vernon shared a clip from the concert on social media, exclaiming: "@fac51thehaciendaofficial @graemepark What a superb night @henleyfestival!! B2B Manchester icons in two days! "(And for those who are gonna get the wet wipes out, our dear friend Mr. Park who we've admired since '89! ! Sorted us out!) Rave on Brothers and Sisters!! Nothing but [heart emojis]." Vernon has since posted an update showing how he spent his latest weekend, which included a trip to Wimbledon with his eldest daughter, Phoebe. In his post, the ex-Family Fortunes host wrote: "Well what a weekend! "Not dusted off the cobwebs like that in a long time!! @oasis @fac51thehaciendaofficial classical with @graemepark and @wimbledon with @champagnelanson. Back garden and the new lawnmower await!!" Fans were quick to express their enthusiasm. Social media user @ commented: "Who cares if he bought a ticket or not? Being a Celebrity comes with benefits." While @janetjeans said: "You deserve it!," and @hayley_mc76 remarked: "Good on you Vernon, enjoy the gardening." User @ responded: "LOVED seeing your action packed weekend." Another fan, @rubyeyelashes added: "Glad you enjoyed everything that's what it's about! And a new lawnmower!! Get in!" Meanwhile, @maxiflamingo cheered on: "Good for you Vernon! If you get the chance, go for it!! You still got time to plant beetroots!" @andreacassidy7 chimed in with enthusiasm: "Flipping love it! We only have one life!!"
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
The Cosmos return – with a new home, new league and old ideals
There's a new New York Cosmos in town – in the town of Paterson, New Jersey, to be precise. One of the most storied names in American soccer has hit the reset button, finding a new league, a new city and a refreshed, community-first approach. While many high-profile new teams in US sports are parachuted in at the top of their league's hierarchy, this Cosmos revival feels different – some of that by design, some by necessity. Thursday's announcement at the newly restored Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson offered longtime fans and curious onlookers a glimpse into this fresh direction, and the reasons behind it. The message was clear in the location alone: nestled above the Great Falls of the Passaic River, embedded in a National Historical Park. It's echoed in the club's starting point – USL League One, the third and lowest tier of professional soccer in the US – a more stable launchpad from which to build organically. And perhaps most significantly, this iteration of the Cosmos finally has a home stadium to call its own – characterful, scenic, historic – something previous, more nomadic versions never had. Two major themes run parallel through this reboot. The first is rooted in Paterson itself: a proudly local but cosmopolitan city, where the new Cosmos aim to foster grassroots involvement not just in soccer but in a wide range of activities. The second is the name. Despite years of dormancy and false starts, the New York Cosmos remain one of the most recognisable brands in American soccer. Its association with Pelé helped cement that global profile, and further star power – Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto – ensured it endured. But this version wants to be more than a brand; it aims to be a club in the truest sense, something still rare in the franchise-heavy landscape of American sports. The plan includes a professional women's team and space for other sports and community activities, from rugby and cricket to dance and chess. Like traditional sporting institutions around the world – the Clube de Regatas of Brazil or European multisport clubs – the new Cosmos will not be just a soccer team. 'This is the perfect community for it,' Cosmos CEO Erik Stover tells the Guardian. 'It's so diverse, with people from all over the world and diverse interests, so it makes perfect sense here. 'Proper clubs have multiple sports. People from the community are volunteering, helping with the cricket club, the track club, the tennis club, whatever it is. 'For us, professional soccer will be at the top of the pyramid. But what really matters is that grassroots foundation.' The team will retain the official name New York Cosmos, but with its identity deeply rooted in Paterson, it will often be referred to simply as the Cosmos. 'The aim is community first,' says Stover. 'To build sustainably, to invest in local people – whether that's players or front office – and to grow slowly and deliberately.' Finding a home stadium in the New York metropolitan area is no easy feat – which is why so many 'New York' teams, including the Red Bulls and both NFL franchises, play across the Hudson in New Jersey. For the Cosmos, Hinchliffe isn't just a home – it's central to the club's revival. New majority owner and chairperson Baye Adofo-Wilson, a Paterson native who led the stadium's redevelopment, spoke of creating pathways to the professional game at a time when soccer has become increasingly pay-to-play. 'More superstars are going to come out of Paterson, Passaic County, North Jersey, who will lead future generations,' he said at the unveiling. 'We want people to be able to afford this. When I was growing up, a lot of these sports were free – but they no longer are. 'Often kids don't have access. What we really want to do is make sure we have a club that's affordable for kids, but also exciting and dynamic – reflective of the diversity of North Jersey. A lot of people are running away from diversity at this point. We're going to run toward it.' There may not yet be stars on the field, but there is one in the front office: Giuseppe Rossi, the former Italy international and North Jersey native, is both investing in the club and serving as Head of Soccer. 'He's lived it,' says Stover. 'If he didn't have that Italian passport that let him go to Europe at 12 – and he was stuck in Clifton, New Jersey, dealing with pay-to-play – who knows? Maybe he doesn't make it to Villarreal, Fiorentina, the Azzurri. 'He understands those challenges better than anyone. He can talk to kids on their level, because he's walked the same path. He made it to the top – and he knows what it takes.' For Cosmos fans, there's optimism – even if the team is starting from the bottom. It may be a far cry from the glitzy NASL days of packed stadiums and marquee names, but with the USL planning a promotion and relegation system and a new Division I to run alongside MLS, there's a realistic path for the Cosmos to climb. 'It's not an accident the Cosmos are entering USL now,' says Stover. 'Fifteen years ago, the soccer landscape in this country was very different. Now, USL is working on promotion and relegation – and where that ends up, who knows? 'But what matters is that a club like ours has a path to grow, to compete, to win championships – like we did three times in five years in NASL. 'I've been around the world and spoken to so many sports executives, and I think one big reason soccer in the US isn't where it could be is that we've locked so many communities out of the game. We need to make it more inclusive.' Whatever the future holds, fans were simply glad to have their team back. Even after years of inactivity, many never stopped believing. A handful were there at Thursday's announcement, exchanging emotional glances across the room at the Charles J Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium, as New Jersey governor Phil Murphy made it official. The Cosmos are back. And while they may look different this time, their spirit remains unmistakable.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Cosmos return – with a new home, new league and old ideals
There's a new New York Cosmos in town – in the town of Paterson, New Jersey, to be precise. One of the most storied names in American soccer has hit the reset button, finding a new league, a new city and a refreshed, community-first approach. While many high-profile new teams in US sports are parachuted in at the top of their league's hierarchy, this Cosmos revival feels different – some of that by design, some by necessity. Thursday's announcement at the newly restored Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson offered longtime fans and curious onlookers a glimpse into this fresh direction, and the reasons behind it. Advertisement The message was clear in the location alone: nestled above the Great Falls of the Passaic River, embedded in a National Historical Park. It's echoed in the club's starting point – USL League One, the third and lowest tier of professional soccer in the US – a more stable launchpad from which to build organically. And perhaps most significantly, this iteration of the Cosmos finally has a home stadium to call its own – characterful, scenic, historic – something previous, more nomadic versions never had. Two major themes run parallel through this reboot. The first is rooted in Paterson itself: a proudly local but cosmopolitan city, where the new Cosmos aim to foster grassroots involvement not just in soccer but in a wide range of activities. The second is the name. Despite years of dormancy and false starts, the New York Cosmos remain one of the most recognisable brands in American soccer. Its association with Pelé helped cement that global profile, and further star power – Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto – ensured it endured. But this version wants to be more than a brand; it aims to be a club in the truest sense, something still rare in the franchise-heavy landscape of American sports. The plan includes a professional women's team and space for other sports and community activities, from rugby and cricket to dance and chess. Like traditional sporting institutions around the world – the Clube de Regatas of Brazil or European multisport clubs – the new Cosmos will not be just a soccer team. Advertisement 'This is the perfect community for it,' Cosmos CEO Erik Stover tells the Guardian. 'It's so diverse, with people from all over the world and diverse interests, so it makes perfect sense here. 'Proper clubs have multiple sports. People from the community are volunteering, helping with the cricket club, the track club, the tennis club, whatever it is. 'For us, professional soccer will be at the top of the pyramid. But what really matters is that grassroots foundation.' The team will retain the official name New York Cosmos, but with its identity deeply rooted in Paterson, it will often be referred to simply as the Cosmos. Advertisement 'The aim is community first,' says Stover. 'To build sustainably, to invest in local people – whether that's players or front office – and to grow slowly and deliberately.' Finding a home stadium in the New York metropolitan area is no easy feat – which is why so many 'New York' teams, including the Red Bulls and both NFL franchises, play across the Hudson in New Jersey. For the Cosmos, Hinchliffe isn't just a home – it's central to the club's revival. New majority owner and chairperson Baye Adofo-Wilson, a Paterson native who led the stadium's redevelopment, spoke of creating pathways to the professional game at a time when soccer has become increasingly pay-to-play. 'More superstars are going to come out of Paterson, Passaic County, North Jersey, who will lead future generations,' he said at the unveiling. 'We want people to be able to afford this. When I was growing up, a lot of these sports were free – but they no longer are. Advertisement 'Often kids don't have access. What we really want to do is make sure we have a club that's affordable for kids, but also exciting and dynamic – reflective of the diversity of North Jersey. A lot of people are running away from diversity at this point. We're going to run toward it.' There may not yet be stars on the field, but there is one in the front office: Giuseppe Rossi, the former Italy international and North Jersey native, is both investing in the club and serving as Head of Soccer. 'He's lived it,' says Stover. 'If he didn't have that Italian passport that let him go to Europe at 12 – and he was stuck in Clifton, New Jersey, dealing with pay-to-play – who knows? Maybe he doesn't make it to Villarreal, Fiorentina, the Azzurri. 'He understands those challenges better than anyone. He can talk to kids on their level, because he's walked the same path. He made it to the top – and he knows what it takes.' Advertisement For Cosmos fans, there's optimism – even if the team is starting from the bottom. It may be a far cry from the glitzy NASL days of packed stadiums and marquee names, but with the USL planning a promotion and relegation system and a new Division I to run alongside MLS, there's a realistic path for the Cosmos to climb. 'It's not an accident the Cosmos are entering USL now,' says Stover. 'Fifteen years ago, the soccer landscape in this country was very different. Now, USL is working on promotion and relegation – and where that ends up, who knows? 'But what matters is that a club like ours has a path to grow, to compete, to win championships – like we did three times in five years in NASL. 'I've been around the world and spoken to so many sports executives, and I think one big reason soccer in the US isn't where it could be is that we've locked so many communities out of the game. We need to make it more inclusive.' Advertisement Whatever the future holds, fans were simply glad to have their team back. Even after years of inactivity, many never stopped believing. A handful were there at Thursday's announcement, exchanging emotional glances across the room at the Charles J Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium, as New Jersey governor Phil Murphy made it official. The Cosmos are back. And while they may look different this time, their spirit remains unmistakable.
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
The Cosmos return – with a new home, new league and old ideals
There's a new New York Cosmos in town – in the town of Paterson, New Jersey, to be precise. One of the most storied names in American soccer has hit the reset button, finding a new league, a new city and a refreshed, community-first approach. While many high-profile new teams in US sports are parachuted in at the top of their league's hierarchy, this Cosmos revival feels different – some of that by design, some by necessity. Thursday's announcement at the newly restored Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson offered longtime fans and curious onlookers a glimpse into this fresh direction, and the reasons behind it. The message was clear in the location alone: nestled above the Great Falls of the Passaic River, embedded in a National Historical Park. It's echoed in the club's starting point – USL League One, the third and lowest tier of professional soccer in the US – a more stable launchpad from which to build organically. And perhaps most significantly, this iteration of the Cosmos finally has a home stadium to call its own – characterful, scenic, historic – something previous, more nomadic versions never had. Two major themes run parallel through this reboot. The first is rooted in Paterson itself: a proudly local but cosmopolitan city, where the new Cosmos aim to foster grassroots involvement not just in soccer but in a wide range of activities. The second is the name. Despite years of dormancy and false starts, the New York Cosmos remain one of the most recognisable brands in American soccer. Its association with Pelé helped cement that global profile, and further star power – Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto – ensured it endured. But this version wants to be more than a brand; it aims to be a club in the truest sense, something still rare in the franchise-heavy landscape of American sports. The plan includes a professional women's team and space for other sports and community activities, from rugby and cricket to dance and chess. Like traditional sporting institutions around the world – the Clube de Regatas of Brazil or European multisport clubs – the new Cosmos will not be just a soccer team. 'This is the perfect community for it,' Cosmos CEO Erik Stover tells the Guardian. 'It's so diverse, with people from all over the world and diverse interests, so it makes perfect sense here. 'Proper clubs have multiple sports. People from the community are volunteering, helping with the cricket club, the track club, the tennis club, whatever it is. 'For us, professional soccer will be at the top of the pyramid. But what really matters is that grassroots foundation.' The team will retain the official name New York Cosmos, but with its identity deeply rooted in Paterson, it will often be referred to simply as the Cosmos. 'The aim is community first,' says Stover. 'To build sustainably, to invest in local people – whether that's players or front office – and to grow slowly and deliberately.' Finding a home stadium in the New York metropolitan area is no easy feat – which is why so many 'New York' teams, including the Red Bulls and both NFL franchises, play across the Hudson in New Jersey. For the Cosmos, Hinchliffe isn't just a home – it's central to the club's revival. New majority owner and chairperson Baye Adofo-Wilson, a Paterson native who led the stadium's redevelopment, spoke of creating pathways to the professional game at a time when soccer has become increasingly pay-to-play. 'More superstars are going to come out of Paterson, Passaic County, North Jersey, who will lead future generations,' he said at the unveiling. 'We want people to be able to afford this. When I was growing up, a lot of these sports were free – but they no longer are. 'Often kids don't have access. What we really want to do is make sure we have a club that's affordable for kids, but also exciting and dynamic – reflective of the diversity of North Jersey. A lot of people are running away from diversity at this point. We're going to run toward it.' There may not yet be stars on the field, but there is one in the front office: Giuseppe Rossi, the former Italy international and North Jersey native, is both investing in the club and serving as Head of Soccer. 'He's lived it,' says Stover. 'If he didn't have that Italian passport that let him go to Europe at 12 – and he was stuck in Clifton, New Jersey, dealing with pay-to-play – who knows? Maybe he doesn't make it to Villarreal, Fiorentina, the Azzurri. 'He understands those challenges better than anyone. He can talk to kids on their level, because he's walked the same path. He made it to the top – and he knows what it takes.' For Cosmos fans, there's optimism – even if the team is starting from the bottom. It may be a far cry from the glitzy NASL days of packed stadiums and marquee names, but with the USL planning a promotion and relegation system and a new Division I to run alongside MLS, there's a realistic path for the Cosmos to climb. 'It's not an accident the Cosmos are entering USL now,' says Stover. 'Fifteen years ago, the soccer landscape in this country was very different. Now, USL is working on promotion and relegation – and where that ends up, who knows? 'But what matters is that a club like ours has a path to grow, to compete, to win championships – like we did three times in five years in NASL. 'I've been around the world and spoken to so many sports executives, and I think one big reason soccer in the US isn't where it could be is that we've locked so many communities out of the game. We need to make it more inclusive.' Whatever the future holds, fans were simply glad to have their team back. Even after years of inactivity, many never stopped believing. A handful were there at Thursday's announcement, exchanging emotional glances across the room at the Charles J Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium, as New Jersey governor Phil Murphy made it official. The Cosmos are back. And while they may look different this time, their spirit remains unmistakable.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Pele's abandoned mansion with football pitch taken over by nature
Brazilian football legend Pele passed away in 2022, and his once-glorious beach-front mansion was found to be in a dilapidated state by YouTubers two years after his death Content creators filmed the inside of Pele 's mansion following the football icon's death and found the property to be significantly run down. The Brazilian hero came to prominence in 1958 at just 17 years of age when he won his first of three FIFA World Cups with his nation. The forward enjoyed a storied career as he spent 18 years with boyhood club Santos before embarking on a journey in the United States with the New York Cosmos where he retired in 1977. Pele became a worldwide ambassador for the sport and supported numerous charitable causes after his footballing career but fell seriously ill in 2021 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. After undergoing treatment in the following months, he later died in December 2022 at the age of 82 with his cause of death being multiple organ failure, a complication of his previous cancer diagnosis. The Santos icon's penultimate residence was a million-pound mansion on Pernambuco Beach in Guaruja that included a football field, a swimming pool, a tennis court and a bar. It was in 2024 that the property was entered by influencer Lucas Wesley and two of his content creator friends. Wesley – who posted the 90-minute video on TikTok in October 2024 which garnered over 2.5million views – said he was able to enter the property after finding the garage door slightly open. The influencer reposted the footage he captured on Instagram earlier this month that led to his findings gaining attention on social media once again. He said he nobody had responded inside the property and found it to be empty. "Getting to know this place and seeing up close everything that once belonged to Pelé is indescribable," Wesley said. "For anyone who is a football fan and knows Pelé's history, they would certainly be moved by everything there, just as we were." However, he admitted the poor state the property – which is under the control of Pele's son Edinho – had been left in caused him to feel emotional. "[It was] dirty and vandalised," he claimed. "For us fans, it leaves a truly sad feeling." In Wesley's footage, viewers were able to see the football pitch in the garden that was almost completely taken over by foliage while the swimming pool was ridden with algae, turning the water green. The property being labelled as abandoned is said to be incorrect, according to Edinho's lawyer, Augusto Miglioli, who said the property is not abandoned and is purely an inherited property from his father. Part of the mansion was hidden by the undergrowth that looked to have remained uncut for a considerable amount of time. Rust was prevalent on the gates while cobwebs covered sections of the building. Miglioli had warned Wesley and his two friends that they "will be held civilly and criminally responsible". According to lawyer Thyago Garcia, it is only when the owner of a property expresses a lack of interest in the controlling of the building can it be considered abandoned. "The mere deterioration, lack of maintenance, or even being unoccupied for a long period of time does not suffice to describe it as legally abandoned," Garcia explained. He added that the ability to enter a property through unlocked doors or open windows does not warrant entry from a third-party without the consent of the owner. "Possession and ownership are protected by law regardless of property condition," he continued. The current state of the property is a far cry from it's previous look decades prior where Pele played host to parties at the mansion for friends and celebrities.
