Latest news with #ex-CoventryCity
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
McIndoe: developing teenage talent is key
Michael McIndoe, Edinburgh City's manager, praised his men for their first-half performance in the nerve-jangling, Group B, 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Stranraer and also stressed the importance of developing young talent. The 45-year-old told Citizens TV that it was important to get a win thanks to a game-winning penalty from Aidan Burgess after back-to-back defeats by Partick Thistle and Queen of the South. Overall, McIndoe's men enjoyed 62 per cent of the possession in the game at Meadowbank. The straight-talking manager added: 'Much more important than that, was having seven 18-year-olds on the bench, a 16-year-old starting and an 17-year-old starting.' They will be monitored in training and in match environments and they will assessed them week by week. The ex-Coventry City and Bristol City winger, who also dressed for Wolverhampton Wanderers, added: 'The youth programme is developing well. 'It is an exciting time for the youth guys. We are averaging 21.5 (years) in the squad. That is fantastic, long may it continue. They are going to get more opportunity than any other club, ion my opinion, in the SPFL to play. That is what we are here for. 'It is part of the passion to develop young players and I will through them in at the deep end to see how they get on.' There were ten Academy players in the squad for the game and Edinburgh-born McIndoe added: 'Getting back to the first half, we moved the ball really well, dominated possession, created three or four really good half chances, but overall really pleasing.' Like this: Like Related
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal get four-word Viktor Gyokeres update after family transfer meeting
Arsenal are reportedly prioritising the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP but his uncle has leaked the family's private transfer talks in an interview, spelling bad news for the Gunners Viktor Gyokeres' uncle believes the striker will stay at Sporting CP this summer despite being strongly linked with a move to Arsenal. The 26-year-old has become one of the most highly-rated forwards in Europe over the past two seasons, having fired in 96 goals in just 101 appearances since joining the Portuguese side. Arsenal have tracked the Swede ahead of the summer transfer window as they look to solve their problems up front by bringing in a clinical striker. The Gunners' newly-appointed sporting director, Andrea Berta, is reportedly a huge admirer of Gyokeres and will look to persuade Mikel Arteta that he is the right man to lead the line at the Emirates Stadium. Gyokeres demonstrated his phenomenal goal-scoring prowess when he netted in the 2-0 win over Vitoria at the weekend to seal a second successive Liga Portugal title for Sporting. And speaking during an interview on the same day, Gyokeres' uncle, Chris, dropped a major bombshell about his nephew's future. Wearing a Sporting scarf and jersey, he began by saying: 'I'm super happy, this is amazing. We were here last year, it's the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Beyond words!' Chris went on to reveal that his family had already discussed Viktor's transfer plans when asked if he felt they belonged at Sporting, saying: 'Yes, very much... yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay.' And he offered his thoughts in four words when asked whether Gyokeres will stay at the club this summer, replying: 'Yes, we think so.' He added: 'We hope so, because watch this, we love it, it's amazing, the country, the people and Sporting. And the lions, we love them!' Gyokeres was more coy than his uncle when fielding a question about what the future holds ahead of Sunday's Taca de Portugal final against bitter rivals Benfica. He told Portuguese TV channel SIC Noticias: 'Hopefully you can expect I keep improving and score goals." When pressed further on whether he'd be staying put this summer, the ex-Coventry City and Brighton striker added: 'We'll see. It's the future. Football is like that, you never know what's going to happen. 'As we saw this season, you never know what's going to happen. And it's the same thing now. We'll see what the future holds." It is unclear if Arsenal and Berta have taken any notice of his uncle's comments or whether Gyokeres' own stance has shifted towards staying put following his title-clinching heroics. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo had confidently claimed this week that Gyokeres is all set to join the north London club. The publication ran with a front page headline which translated to: "Swede on his way to Arsenal." It went on to say that a £58.9million deal has been struck between the two clubs and all that is left is the agreement of personal terms. However, Arsenal have also been strongly linked to several other forwards, including Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Safiyya's Vorajee shares tearjerking video of Azaylia on fourth anniversary of her death
Azaylia Cain's proud mum Safiyya Vorajee has paid a tearjerking tribute to her late daughter four years on from her death in April 2021 Safiyya Vorajee has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late daughter Azaylia Cain on the fourth anniversary of her death. Azaylia was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia at eight weeks old and sadly died eight months old. Her parents, ex-Coventry City player turned reality star Ash ley Cain and his ex partner Safiyya had raised more than £1.5m in 2021 to fund specialist treatment in Singapore for their daughter, but sadly she died on April 24 just eight months after being born. Paying tribute to her late daughter on the fourth anniversary of her death, Safiyya, 37, took to Instagram to remember her little girl. Alongside a heartwarming video of Safiyya singing to her baby daughter, she wrote: "4 years ago today heaven gained my princess. This day will always be the most painful of my life. The day you went to heaven, a part of me went with you. My heart broke in a way that can never fully heal but I carry you with me in every heartbeat, every breath, every step. "Azaylia, in just eight months, you lit up the world. You did more than most of us could do in a lifetime. Your smile, so full of light… your angelic little face, your warrior spirit so brave, so bright. You gave me a love that cracked open my soul and filled it with something pure, something eternal. "Even though I can't hold you in my arms anymore, I feel you all around me. In the songs that come on right when I need to hear them. In the quiet breeze that brushes my cheek. In the little signs only you and I would understand. You send me magic from heaven, and I treasure every moment of it." Azaylia's proud mum continued: "You give me strength, Azaylia. You give me courage. You are my hero. Before you, I didn't know how to truly look up to someone but now, I look up to you every day. And with every tear and every smile, I try to become the woman I know you'd be proud of. I know you're guiding me, hand in hand, from above." Referring to her daughter's headstone being installed, she continued: "Yesterday, when your crown was finally placed, a single feather drifted into your garden right after everyone had gone. That was your magic. You waited for the quiet, just for me. I felt your sparkle in that moment, and I knew you were there. You always are. "You shine your light from heaven, and I promise to shine it down here. We're still connected soul to soul, heart to heart. From heaven to earth, I hear you. I feel you. I love you. And I'll keep looking up to you, forever and always. "Earth is temporary baby we will share an eternity together and I'll be home with you. Azaylia I always sang this song to you as we never stop believing I love you." Azaylia died in 2021 at just eight months old after a harrowing leukaemia diagnosis. Her parents, Ashley Cain and Safiyya documented their extraordinary efforts to try and save her life - including raising £1.5 million to fly her to Singapore for specialist treatment. Sadly further complications with her cancer prevented the trip and, shortly after being taken off her pain medication, little Azaylia died in her parents' arms. Many of Ashley's supporters likely remember the funeral procession he and Safiyya held for her in Nuneaton back in 2021, where mourners flooded the streets to pay their respects. Her tiny coffin was carried in a horse-drawn white carriage, and her parents released orange balloons into the sky as a symbolic act. Ashley and Safiyya were visibly heartbroken during the procession, walking behind the carriage with personalised umbrellas before joining a car filled with floral arrangements, photos, and cuddly toys. In a post this week, Ashley described Azaylia as "one of Earth's most beautiful little princesses, and one of Heaven's most beloved angels", writing that she "now has a special crown worthy enough to hold her story". "I miss you with a pain that never fades," he added, "and I love you with a strength that will never end. Forever, with every piece of me - Daddy." Safiyya previously penned her own tribute, saying: "You are my Angel, my heartbeat, my soul… You will always be with me like a handprint on my heart." Since Azaylia's passing, Ashley has dedicated himself to keeping her memory alive. The former reality star launched The Azaylia Foundation to support families fighting childhood cancer. He has now also welcomed a baby boy, Aliyas, with a new partner.
