Latest news with #Salford-born
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester City exit beckons for midfielder after Pep Guardiola snub
James McAtee is relishing the prospect of playing in Germany as VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen line up to sign the Manchester City attacking midfielder this summer, as per a new report. The 22-year-old prefers a permanent move away from the Etihad Stadium for regular first-team football after playing a bit-part role under Pep Guardiola last term, making 27 appearances in all competitions and scoring seven times in 936 first-team minutes. Advertisement McAtee requested to leave in January but a personnel crisis and Manchester City's concerning form saw Guardiola plead the Salford-born academy graduate to stay, with McAtee since playing a much greater role in the first-team in the business end of the season. However, Manchester City are closing in on the signings of Lyon forward Rayan Cherki, Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders after the board let Kevin De Bruyne leave at the end of his contract. Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a few more signings but expect to have the aforementioned trio through the door in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, with the ongoing 10-day transfer window shutting on June 10. Advertisement Guardiola and co are due to fly to the United States for the tournament in a week and it has been reported recently that Jack Grealish is set to be axed from the squad as the Manchester City record signing considers his future and looks for a new club. McAtee has been named in Lee Carsley's England squad for the U-21 European Championship – a preference that is highly likely to mark the end of the young midfielder's Manchester City career heading into the new season. The Bundesliga is often as McAtee's preferred destination owing to the number of English players who have moved to Germany in the last five years and progressed their careers with regular first-team football at the likes of Borussia Dortmund. According to Florian Plettenburg reporting for Sky Germany, VfB Stuttgart have added James McAtee to their shortlist and are monitoring the midfielder's situation at the Etihad Stadium closely, with the 22-year-old entering the final 12 months of his contract at his boyhood club. Advertisement Eintracht Frankfurt have also made an enquiry for the former Sheffield United loanee and Bayer Leverkusen are also reportedly showing an interest – though there remains no formal contact between the 2024 Bundesliga winners and Manchester City. McAtee has also attracted interest from Italy but prefers a move to Germany in the coming months – and Manchester City will look to cash in on their academy graduate for a suitable offer as he enters the last year of his current deal. The midfielder's departure will add him to the bracket of Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers and many others who have come through the City Football Academy and sought a permanent transfer to progress their respective careers.
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC snooker legend John Virgo opens up on gambling addiction and failed marriages
Virgo, 79, has been past of the BBC snooker coverage for more than 30 years. John Virgo, the beloved voice of snooker, is once again behind the mic for the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, and fans couldn't be happier. Known for his trademark line, 'Where's the cue ball going?', Virgo has been part of the BBC's snooker coverage for more than 30 years. At 79, he had previously hinted that he would be stepping away from commentary duties alongside fellow legend Dennis Taylor at the end of the 2022–23 season. But to the delight of viewers, the BBC decided to keep both on board, Wales Online reported. 'I spoke to one of the producers and I said 'well you know it'll be my last year',' Virgo told the Snookered podcast. 'And he said 'no no no, we're not going to do that now. We're going to stay as we are for the foreseeable future', which was fantastic.' Before his career behind the microphone, the Salford-born star was a formidable player on the professional circuit, winning four major titles including the 1979 UK Championship and the 1980 Bombay International. He spent seven seasons in the Top 16, with notable runner-up finishes at the 1980 Champion of Champions and the 1984 Australian Masters before retiring in 1994. His commentary career had already begun by then. In fact, Virgo had started branching into television three years earlier as co-presenter of Big Break, a snooker-based game show with comedian Jim Davidson. Virgo played the role of referee as contestants paired with professional players in hopes of winning prizes. The show became a massive success, running for 11 years and at one point drawing nearly 14 million viewers. It opened the door to new opportunities, including book deals, pantomime roles, and even a personal range of waistcoats. But behind the scenes, Virgo was facing a serious battle. During the 1980s, he struggled with a gambling addiction that almost destroyed his life. As tournament winnings dwindled, his reliance on betting increased. 'At one point, I lost £10,000 on horses in a fortnight,' he told the Mirror . Over six years, he borrowed more than £200,000 against his mortgage to sustain the habit and maintain the appearance of success. 'It was a vicious circle,' he said. 'I was doing commentary for the BBC and had exhibition work but if you're not winning you are not earning as much. And when you're seen as a successful sportsman, people assume you're earning a good living.' 'There was pressure on me to have the newest car, a more expensive holiday. It was all about keeping up appearances. When the results weren't coming on the snooker table, I tried to supplement things by gambling on horses even more. I went through a period when I was addicted to gambling. 'It was a compulsion that I struggled to get to grips with. By 1990, it was in danger of ruining my life,' he added. 'I was borrowing against the mortgage just to keep up the pretence that I was successful. Looking back, I see it was crazy. I think a lot of players may have had issues with gambling. 'You are brought up in that environment – hustling in the snooker clubs to earn a few quid and, if there was no one to play, you'd go in the bookies.' Eventually, he managed to stop. 'I stopped when I realised I was living beyond my means. I rarely bet these days. I did back the Grand National winner though.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Virgo's personal life has had its ups and downs too. He went through two failed marriages and has a son, Gary, and a daughter, Brook-Leah. But in 2009, he tied the knot with publishing executive Rosie Ries, a friend of a friend whom he had known for more than 20 years. 'A mate tried to set us up years ago but then his girlfriend said she wouldn't be interested in me,' he recalled. 'I was so frightened of a knock-back, I didn't ask her out for 22 years. By then I'd lived on my own for five years and I needed that time to re-centre myself. 'But eventually we went on a date. I used my wit, charm and repartee on her and, blow me down, two months later we got engaged.' Describing their wedding day as the 'best day of my life', he added: 'It's been absolutely wonderful.'
Wales Online
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC star John Virgo had house repossessed amid addiction struggle and two failed marriages
BBC star John Virgo had house repossessed amid addiction struggle and two failed marriages The legendary snooker commentator has overcome personal struggles to become a fan favourite on the BBC Virgo is a popular member of the BBC snooker team (Image:) He is widely known as the voice of snooker and has been part of the BBC's coverage of the sport for over 30 years. John Virgo is back in the commentary box for another World Snooker Championship at the Crucible this year, with fans set to hear plenty of his iconic one-liners and catchphrases - including the famous 'where's the cue ball going?' - over the course of the tournament. A couple of years ago, it looked as though the now 79-year-old would be hanging up his microphone for good, having admitted that he and snooker legend Dennis Taylor would be making their final appearances in the commentary box at the end of the 2022/23 season. However, to the delight of snooker fans everywhere, Virgo and Taylor were kept on by the BBC, with the former telling the Snookered podcast that they are now set to stay "for the foreseeable future". 'I spoke to one of the producers and I said 'well you know it'll be my last year'," Virgo explained. "And he said 'no no no, we're not going to do that now. We're going to stay as we are for the foreseeable future', which was fantastic.' As a player, the Salford-born player won four professional titles, including the 1979 UK Championship, the 1980 Bombay International and the 1984 Professional Snooker League. He was part of the sport's Top 16 for seven seasons and finished runner-up at the 1980 Champion of Champions and the 1984 Australian Masters, before calling time on his 18-year professional career in 1994. Article continues below He would go on to have a hugely successful career in broadcasting, having started a new role as co-presenter of BBC show Big Break three years before his retirement from snooker. The programme - which was presented by comedian Jim Davidson with Virgo starring as a referee - saw contestants team up with professional players to compete in various snooker-related rounds in order to win prizes. It proved a huge hit, running for 11 years with viewing figures peaking at almost 14 million people, and led to other breaks for Virgo, who signed book deals, made numerous pantomime appearances and even released his own range of waistcoats. However, it came after the snooker star wrestled with a gambling addiction that he admits came close to ruining his life. As his tournament earnings began to slump, he began to gamble heavily and, at the height of his addiction, he lost £10,000 betting on horses in the space of a fortnight. Over six years in the 1980s, he borrowed more than £200,000 against his mortgage in order to fund the addiction and "keep up the pretence that [he] was successful". It ultimately led to his three-bedroom house in Surrey being repossessed, with Virgo handing the keys back to the mortgage lender. He told the Mirror: "It was a vicious circle. I was doing commentary for the BBC and had exhibition work but if you're not winning you are not earning as much. And when you're seen as a successful sportsman, people assume you're earning a good living. 'There was pressure on me to have the newest car, a more expensive holiday. It was all about keeping up appearances. When the results weren't coming on the snooker table, I tried to supplement things by gambling on horses even more. I went through a period when I was addicted to gambling. 'It was a compulsion that I struggled to get to grips with. By 1990, it was in danger of ruining my life," Virgo added. 'I was borrowing against the mortgage just to keep up the pretence that I was successful. Looking back, I see it was crazy. I think a lot of players may have had issues with gambling. 'You are brought up in that environment – hustling in the snooker clubs to earn a few quid and, if there was no one to play, you'd go in the bookies." On how he came to stop gambling, he explained: "I stopped when I realised I was living beyond my means. I rarely bet these days. I did back the Grand National winner though." Virgo's battle with addiction came against the backdrop of two failed marriages, from which he has a son, Gary, and a daughter, Brook-Leah. However, he found love again with publishing executive Rosie Ries, a friend of a friend who he had known for two decades, and they married in 2009. 'A mate tried to set us up years ago but then his girlfriend said she wouldn't be interested in me," he explained. "I was so frightened of a knock-back, I didn't ask her for out for 22 years. By then I'd lived on my own for five years and I needed that time to re-centre myself. Article continues below 'But eventually we went on a date. I used my wit, charm and repartee on her and, blow me down, two months later we got engaged." Describing his third wedding day as the "best day of my life," he added: "It's been absolutely wonderful.'
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd plotting shock transfer raid for Man City star after Pep Guardiola admission
Pep Guardiola wants to stop Manchester City starlet James McAtee from becoming the next Cole Palmer as multiple clubs, including rivals Manchester United, consider a transfer swoop Manchester United are among a host of clubs monitoring James McAtee's situation as the Manchester City starlet approaches the final year of his contract. McAtee, 22, is considering his future at City, despite boss Pep Guardiola wanting to keep him. The talented playmaker has featured 13 times in the Premier League this season, and he'll face more competition for a place in the starting XI if City follow through on their interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz or Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White. Wirtz and Gibbs-White are both on the Premier League champions' shortlist after it was confirmed that club legend Kevin De Bruyne would be leaving the Etihad at the end of this season. McAtee would hope to benefit from De Bruyne's exit but City want to sign a readymade replacement who can straight slot into Guardiola's side. The England under-21 international was given just his second league start of the season on Tuesday, as City boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a late 2-1 win at home to Aston Villa. McAtee's performances have still caught the eye of some of Europe's biggest clubs. According to the Telegraph, both Leverkusen and Forest would be interested in McAtee as a replacement for their respective midfielders. United, Newcastle and AC Milan have also been named among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation. The 22-year-old would fit United's recruitment model of signing young players who can grow together as a team. Guardiola recently admitted that he doesn't know if McAtee will stay beyond the summer, with his current deal expiring in 2026. "For the age, I'd like him to stay," Guardiola said of the Salford-born star. "But I understand the players want more minutes. I would like him to stay, he's a player for the academy, he knows the patterns. He's a lovely person and trained really good. He can play different positions but I don't know how the squad will be and we will see." Should Manchester United attempt to sign James McAtee? Have your say in the comments section. The City boss took responsibility for McAtee's lack of minutes this season and insisted he wouldn't hold that against him. "I didn't allow him to play minutes so I cannot ask anything from the players who don't play a lot of minutes. They could do better? No," Guardiola added. "Macca has this quality, the ability to create. He is there. The game worked better against Palace, you create chances. Macca close to the box is quite similar to Phil. They are there, a sense. It's difficult to train, to make that movement because the ball is coming. If he plays minutes he will score."
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
John Cooper Clarke: 'A national treasure? I hate that'
John Cooper Clarke is about to become the first poet to headline a UK arena, and is responsible for the lyrics to one of the world's most streamed songs of recent years. But he has lost none of the sharp-tongued vitriol of his punk a sizeable portion of the nation, Clarke's 50-year stream of biting beat poetry and kitchen sink stand-up comedy should qualify him for national treasure horrified at the suggestion."I hate that," he shoots back. "I think it sounds like you're knocking on heaven's door."National treasure? Shnational shmeasure. Nah, I hate that. National treasure? Not while I'm alive. Not unless it comes with a generous stipend. Then I'll think about it."This invective is delivered with a sneer, a wink, and finally a cackle of only stipend in his line of work is the antiquated allowance that's given to the poet laureate."What do you get for that, poet laureate? £70 a year and a barrel of sherry? Not interested." He cackles loudly again. Clarke has been too rebellious a figure to be considered for poet laureate and its sherry-based salary, and at the age of 76 he argues he still has time to disqualify himself from being a fully paid-up national treasure."I could yet blot my copy book. I'm that foul-mouthed [person] that you've come to dredge up some grudging affection for, but I may yet do the wrong thing."For someone who has always gone against the grain, and occasionally off the rails, it is hard to imagine what he could do now to diminish his status, honour the Salford-born wordsmith has agreed to accept is the 2025 Northern Music Award, which he will receive at a ceremony in Liverpool on Thursday. Although not strictly a musician, Clarke is closely associated with the music scene - from punk to the Arctic Monkeys, who turned his 1982 poem I Wanna Be Yours into a song that was the closing track on their 2013 album AM. It was never officially released as a single but has since gone on to be streamed nearly three billion times by music fans and ranks among Spotify's all-time Top 40. Many of Clarke's poems were originally released with musical backings masterminded by producer Martin Hannett, who was known for his work with Joy has mixed feelings about the results."It was never my idea to put my poetry to music but I couldn't think of an argument against it," he says."So it was a new adventure for me, but I think the results were patchy. When it was good, it was great. But I'm hyper-critical of my own stuff."It wasn't my idea, that's all I'm saying, but I'm glad I did it now. It's put me in line for this award, for a start." Hostile punk gigs Two days after that ceremony, Clarke will achieve another landmark moment when he headlines Manchester's Co-op Live arena, albeit with a scaled-back set-up compared with its full 23,500 he ever performed in an arena? "I've done outdoor shows that I suppose qualify as an arena," he says. "But I've never done an arena with a lid on it like this one before."It will be a far cry from the cabaret clubs where he started out in the city in the 60s, and the punk nights where he made his name in the 70s, after winning over hostile fans who initially aimed spit and bottles in his what's more intimidating - playing to a small room of punks, or an arena with thousands of people?"The more the merrier," he replies. "If you're selling tickets for a living, the more the merrier." 'Somebody up there likes me' He performed live with Joy Division, the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, The Fall and Elvis Costello, achieving cult status with social-realist poems like Beasley Street and Evidently Chickentown, the antisocial I Don't Wanna Be Nice, and the more surrealist (I Married A) Monster From Outer Space and Valley of the Lost Clarke's stream of consciousness dried up as he fell into heroin addiction in the 80s. He says he almost died as a result, and was fortunate to make it through those years."Well, I died four times. I came back but medical action was called for. I'm the luckiest guy alive. Somebody up there likes me." Clarke eventually got clean after meeting his wife Evie, and his professional revival really began when Evidently Chickentown was used over the end credits of an episode in the final season of The Sopranos in poets, comedians and musicians lined up to hail his influence in a 2012 BBC documentary, with Steve Coogan speaking about his "spirit of dissent", and Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, calling him "my hero".Turner turned him into Britain's most listened-to poet by using his words in the Arctic Monkeys' 2013 song I Wanna Be original I Wanna Be Yours is a rare example in Clarke's catalogue of an unabashed love poem, albeit an unconventional one. "I wanna be your vacuum cleaner, breathing in your dust / I wanna be your Ford Cortina, I will never rust," it begins. Wedding favourite Clarke originally released the poem on record with a kitsch musical backing in 1982."It should have been done like Alex does it from the start," he says. "I mean, that is the definitive version. I love it."The Arctics' version continues to strike a chord with a new generation and last year it had more streams around the world than any other track over a decade the poem has also become a popular choice as a wedding reading."I'd be a billionaire if I had a quid for every person that recited that poem at their wedding," Clarke may not have that income stream, but he will have got a fraction of a penny for each of the song's three billion streams."It adds up, and then there's the PRS [royalties]," he says."So I'm not complaining. For a change." He lets out another loud Cooper Clarke plays Manchester's Co-op Live arena on Saturday, 29 March.
