Latest news with #RichardCrease
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'One of the world's greatest centre-backs': Huijsen presented at Real Madrid
DEAN Huijsen has been presented as a Real Madrid player after his departure from the Cherries. The young centre back admitted there was never any choice for him once he knew Madrid were interested in signing him from AFC Bournemouth, despite significant interest from clubs across Europe. He said at his presentation: 'I'm joining the best club in the world and I'm here to give my all. Read more: No formal approach for Zabarnyi from PSG as Cherries not looking to sell Meetings to take place over potential Kerkez move to Liverpool, reports 'I want to thank the president and the club for their trust. I've wanted to be here since day one, since they called me, I didn't consider any other team. 'I'm joining the best club in the world, and I'm here to give my all. I'm going to work as hard as I can and remain humble. Hopefully, we can win lots of trophies together, starting with the Club World Cup. (Image: Richard Crease) 'Madrid is the club of my life, and I hope to be here for many years to come. 'Hala Madrid.' Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said today was a special day for Madrid fans ahead of the Club World Cup. 🤍 A dream come true. #WelcomeHuijsen — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 10, 2025 'We have a great team with players who have marked an era and allowed us to experience moments that are now part of the history of our club and the history of football,' he said. 'And we want to continue building together on the path we inherited from the great figures of Real Madrid throughout our history, with great talent and exceptional players who will help us continue to enhance the legend of the most beloved, admired, and successful club in the world. (Image: Richard Crease) 'That is why we madridistas are so happy today. Because one of those great players who burst onto the football scene with the strength to inspire us for many years to come has joined our club. Today, we welcome Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. 'Dear Dean, welcome to Real Madrid. From today, this will be your new home because that is what you wanted. 'You have chosen to defend this badge and this shirt because that has been your dream since you were a child, as we have just seen in those images that will have been particularly emotional for your family: your parents and your siblings, who are here with you today on one of the most important days of your life. 'They know how hard you have worked and all the sacrifices you have had to make to become, at the age of 20, one of the world's greatest centre-backs. (Image: Richard Crease) 'At 20 years of age, you have shown that your football is admired by all fans, with a special talent for playing elegant football and already being a modern centre-back ready for the present and the future, and to win with Real Madrid. 'Many of the big European clubs wanted you. But you were clear from the outset that you wanted to be here with us to build your own history. 'We therefore thank you for your desire to be part of the best club in the world, Real Madrid. You arrive at Real Madrid full of enthusiasm and ready to embark on a journey that will be the greatest challenge of your professional career. 'You have already shown that you are one of the great players to have burst onto the football scene in recent years. 'The values of this shirt will make you feel from the very first moment that here, no one gives up until the last second of every game. That is what our fans will ask of you, and they will also get behind you until that last breath. 'Dear Dean, welcome home, welcome to Real Madrid.'
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What has happened at Abbey Stadium owner's other tracks and stadiums?
Abbey Stadium in north Swindon hosted speedway and greyhound racing until the end of the 2019 speedway season – which happens to have been won by the Swindon Robins. It still hosts greyhound racing, but Speedway officially left the venue in November 2022. Speedway looks unlikely to return to the stadium with a new company Swindon Motorsports, a joint venture between those behind Swindon Speedway and the owner of Abbey Stadium, Gaming International, proposing to build a new track on the edge of the borough at Studley Grange. Gaming International, which is also known as Stadia UK, was given planning permission to build a new stadium at the Blundson site, which is funded by significant levels of housing being built around it. Although partly built, the stadium is not ready to accept spectators, or indeed host speedway An investigation by Swindon Borough Council said that Gaming International said the company has completed "The minimums required through the granted planning permission to date, but nothing more' in terms of ensuring the houses being built were not in breach of requirements. But with recent survey work being carried out at Abbey Stadium and some staff members alleging they were told it was set to become housing, we have taken a look at some of Gaming International's other stadiums and what has happened to them. Poole (Image: Richard Crease) Gaming International also operates the council-owned Poole Stadium in the Dorset town. Like Swindon, it hosted both speedway and greyhound racing until recently. It is still the home of the Poole Pirates speedway team, but greyhound racing was discontinued at Poole in 2020 and has not returned. Milton Keynes (Image: Buck Free Press) Gaming International used to own the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, sometimes known as the Milton Keynes Bowl. Well-known as an outdoor concert venue, the bowl was operated by Gaming International from 1998 and in 2006 the company was part of a consortium which had significant development proposals for the bowl, including increasing the capacity, a new pavilion, a new skateboard park and a greyhound stadium right next door to the bowl Those plans never came off, and Gaming International handed back the bowl to the city council's development partnership in 2010. The 65,000-capacity outdoor amphitheatre fell into disuse for several years after 2016 but has recently started hosting events again. Gaming International still has a link to its, defunct, website for the bowl on its homepage. Gaming International's predecessor company BS Group also used to own the Milton Keynes Greyhound Stadium in Ashland in the city, buying it in the 1990s. Renamed as Gaming International, the company bought the Milton Keynes Bowl and made plans to move the dog track there in a proposed development of the concert venue site. The plans came to nothing and the stadium closed on Boxing Day in 2005. It became derelict and then suffered a major fire which resulted in the demolition of the site in 2006 before a housing estate replaced it in 2014. Bristol Gaming International's predecessor company BS Group was, it seems, named for the Bristol Stadium it owned in Eastville. Built in 1897, it was home to Bristol Rovers FC and also hosted speedway for two seasons in the mid-1970s as well as dog racing. The company now known as the BS Group sold Eastville for development, plans were announced for a new Bristol greyhound stadium but never came to fruition. The stadium closed on 27 October 1997 with the entire greyhound operation moving to the sister track Swindon. The site became an IKEA superstore. Reading (Image: Reading Chronicle) Opened in 1974 Reading Smallmead Stadium hosted both greyhound and speedway racing until 2008. It had been bought by Gaming International in 2002, and racing continued for six years until the local council refused to extend the lease, with the site being eyed up for redevelopment. At the time of the last races in October 2008 Gaming International was quoted in the local press as being keen on finding a new venue in the town. An application was even made with Reading Borough Council approving plans for the proposed new stadium in Island Road. The initial cost was said to be £8million. Thus far, that has not come to pass. Oxford (Image: Oxford Mail) The Bristol Stadium company also operated the dog track at Oxford between 1952 and 1975. The track was sold to Oxford City Council for housing in 1975, and the stadium was closed at the end of the year. There was significant local opposition to its closure and it re-opened in March 1976. It continues to host both speedway and greyhound racing to this day. Torquay (Image: TUFC) In a departure from its normal sporting interests Gaming International took over struggling Torquay United in the 2016-17 season, when the club was in the National league, the fifth tier of English senior football. Relegation followed, then promotion, and the Gulls were close to regaining league status, losing out on penalties against Hartlepool Utd in the play-off final in 2021. Sadly, Torquay was relegated back to the sixth tier two years later. Throughout this time the club had ambitions to move from its Plainmoor ground in central Torquay to a new ground in the area, but a site was never decided. In early 2024 club chairman Clarke Osborne, who is also the chief executive of Gaming International, announced he could no longer financially support the club, and it went into administration. It is now out of administration and still playing at its Plainmoor ground.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paultons reopening, Saints in cup action and other family fun this weekend
Chinese New Year celebrations, Paultons reopening, Saints in FA Cup action and more. Here's our pick of five of the best of the many things to do for some family fun in Hampshire on Saturday and Sunday (February 8 and 9). In Guildhall Square... (Image: NQ) The Hampshire Chinese Association and other community groups will be putting on free cultural performances in Guildhall Square between 12pm and 1.30pm on Saturday. This will involve a Dragon Parade, a traditional lion dance as well as family-friendly games. Additionally, Mayflower Studios will be hosting a 'Chinese New Year Celebration Extravaganza Live'. Attendees will be able to see the Beijing Opera, traditional dance and singing, a Kung Fu show and much more. This will take place from 3pm to 5.30pm with tickets available on the Mayflower website. At Paultons Park... (Image: Paultons Park) Missing your Paultons fix? The park reopens for 2025 on Saturday. Get ready for a new season of fun with more than 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of parkland, including the UK's only Peppa Pig World. Enjoy rollercoasters, thrill rides, family rides, indoor and outdoor play areas, water splash parks, entertainments and an astonishing collection of animals. At St Mary's Stadium... (Image: Richard Crease) Saints host Burnley in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Saturday at 3pm. Ivan Jurić's first win in charge saw his side get the better of Championship outfit Swansea with a 3-0 win, teeing up a meeting with the Clarets, who sit second in the Championship table, just two league places below Southampton Scott Parker's side needed extra-time to get past League One Reading in the last round. At Mayflower Theatre... (Image: Mayflower Theatre) Birmingham Royal Ballet's Cinderella is an enchanting fairytale and a glorious celebration of ballet. Step into the magical world of Cinderella, where Fairy Godmothers triumph over cruel stepmothers, pumpkins turn into sparkling carriages and a jewelled slipper changes one young woman's life forever. This timeless story of love, courage and kindness reminds us all to have faith in our wildest dreams; one day they might just come true. Praised by audiences and critics alike, former Company Director David Bintley's Cinderella is a sure-fire mix of wonderful dance, spectacular scenery, and a cast of characters that include mice, lizards and even a dancing frog – something to capture every imagination. It runs until Saturday night. At Beaulieu... (Image: Beaulieu) A new exhibition at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu from Sunday will explore hidden histories and signpost a way forward for more inclusivity in motorsport. The Museum has worked with Racing Pride to showcase LGBTQ+ heritage and achievement in motorsport – a fascinating part of the history of motoring in Britain. LGBTQ+ people have always been part of motorsport, but their stories have all too often been hidden rather than celebrated. This exhibition shines a light on the unique personal journeys of LGBTQ+ individuals across motorsport disciplines from early trailblazers such as Roberta Cowell to heroes and role-models who are racing today. Racing Pride: Celebrating the LGBTQ community in motorsport is in the In Focus Gallery at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu until Sunday September 7.
