Latest news with #trophy
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Antiques Roadshow expert reveals unusual connection to rare trophy worth five figure sum
An antiques roadshow expert has revealed an unusual connection to a rare trophy worth £75,000. During a resurfaced 2006 instalment of the BBC show, expert John Baddley met a guest with an array of impressive items from a former Wimbledon champion. Referring to the man in a framed photograph as Norman Brooks, also known as 'the father of Australian tennis', John questioned how he knew him. The guest explained: 'He's my grandfather. In his tennis career, he won many, many events but he won Wimbledon in 1907, being the first foreigner to win Wimbledon which was considered a mammoth effort because the British weren't going to let it go easily.' Brooks had also won the international competition either as he took the trophy home for a second time in 1914. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He continued: 'We believe this trophy and the 1914 are the only full size replicas in existence. 'Other than that, everyone else has only got miniatures. 'I think that was borne out due to the fact they never expected to lose in 1907, so they just made another one, as it were. 'Then from there to 1914, there was no one outside Britain that won it. 'Even Tony Wilding, who was a New Zealander, he lived in Britain, right? So he got a miniature. 'But grandfather got, we believe, the only two full sized replicas and even when we inquired at Wimbledon, they didn't even know.' John commented: 'Which makes it exceptional, because I have to say, when I initially saw it, I just thought 'Well somebody's stolen it, [and] bought it over here. But exceptionally rare. Yes.' When asked if his grandfather won the 1907 doubles as well, the guest replied: 'Yes, he won the doubles in 1907 which was the maiden year as they say, from the point of view that he was the first man to win it but he won the singles and the doubles, which was quite staggering really.' John then turned to his expertise to the valuation as he explained: 'Purely in financial terms, I would have thought the doubles jug is going to be worth, to a collector, let's put it that way, well in excess of £20,000 or £8,000.' Examining a weathered racket, the expert asked if it was the one used in any championships, to which the guest could not confirm. 'But certainly used by him, it's probably £5,000 or £2,000,' John said. The expert then moved his attention onto the main piece, the iconic Wimbledon trophy replica. He said: 'But what's this worth? I mean, only one other replica known, which you also own, and obviously the original is at Wimbledon, but a massively important trophy to tennis enthusiasts. 'It's difficult to come up with a price but I think at auction, you're talking about a figure well in excess of £75,000 or £30,000. So a fantastic piece.' However, the guest didn't react to the massive sum, simply replying: 'I believe grandfather believed these belong to Australia, not an individual.' John then suggested the guest donate it to a sporting museum, which the owner agreed it was something he would like to do. But in an unexpected turn, the expert revealed his own personal line to the trophy, explaining: 'I also have a personal interest in this, because, I don't know if you have noticed but, if I can pick it up here, on the side there is 1893. W Bradley, Wilfrey Bradley. 'Well my name's John Badley. And he's a distant relation of mine', he disclosed as the guest remarked: 'How wonderful'. John then joked: 'So I hope you don't mind if I give it a quick kiss', and proceeded to peck the trophy. He then held the trophy over his head before declaring: 'And then I do the classic', to the applause of those watching. 'That's wonderful Jon', the guest beamed, as John added: 'I'll take it with me now', feigning a theft of the prestigious trophy, much to the crowd's delight.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Unsung heroes of Liverpool's title win: A barista, their third-choice goalkeeper, Ronald Koeman and more
A growing trend for trophy winners is to squeeze as many staff, playing and non-playing, as possible into a group picture. Liverpool shared their version after the final game of the season last Sunday, with employees from various departments crammed in on either side of the squad for a widescreen shot that covered the full width of the penalty area in front of Anfield's Kop stand. WHAT A TEAM 😍 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 25, 2025 The point of such photos is to highlight the 'team behind the team' and share the success around, no matter how big or small the contribution by a given individual or group. But who are the real unsung heroes of Liverpool's triumphant 2024-25 season? We all know about Arne Slot's tactical masterplans, Mohamed Salah's dozens of goals and assists, Virgil van Dijk's evergreen form in defence and goalkeeper Alisson's commanding presence, but what about the other people who contributed? Here's an early clue: you won't find them all in the team picture above. Some are wacky, others more dignified. Regardless, let The Athletic guide you through them… For those who don't know the name, Alguacil is the departing head coach at Spanish club Real Sociedad, and a man who had a significant impact on Liverpool's transfer plans last summer. What might have happened had Alguacil not played such an important role in convincing Slot's top target Martin Zubimendi to shun Anfield and stay around San Sebastian? Would Ryan Gravenberch have made such giant strides as a holding midfielder this season? And would the ever-reliable Alexis Mac Allister have played so often? Advertisement Zubimendi's decision to remain at his hometown club became a blessing in disguise. Alguacil tugged on the heartstrings of the Spain international by reminding him that, as a keen hiker, he had the perfect life in the shadows of Mount Ulia and should consider that when weighing up the offer to leave. He told him he would miss the Basque Country's eateries and reminded him of an interview he gave to Spanish TV where he promised to stay at the club. What followed his rejection in the midfield department at Liverpool was sensational. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up their games and, given the levels of those already at the club, it's hard to see how Zubimendi would have dramatically improved things. Missing out on Zubimendi brings us nicely onto Endo, perhaps the most obvious choice in the unsung hero category. A more talented fifth-choice midfielder might have given Liverpool additional options, perhaps when that Champions League round-of-16 clash with PSG was so tight. But would any player have been so disciplined and reliable as Endo? Not once did he kick up a fuss about his lack of game time and rarely did he flinch when called upon, often to see out games late on. His preparation was so thorough and detailed that he was ready for every opportunity, even if it was only for a few minutes at a time. And let's not forget that Liverpool didn't drop a single point in the minutes Endo played as a substitute before the title was wrapped up. At age 32, he may not be the answer in the future but he was the best fifth-choice midfielder possible. He makes good coffee and knows which music to select for each player. Enough for a winner's medal, surely? Alex, whose surname remains a mystery, does not do interviews and would not be recognised by most Liverpool fans if he walked past them in the street, is the guy who has enhanced the coffee-bar culture at the Kirkby training ground. A post shared by Liverpool Football Club (@liverpoolfc) The area, installed this season, became a hub of activity for players, including Salah, Szoboszlai and Jones, during the season and helped strengthen team spirit. Slot also praised the setup early on, saying: 'If you have a coffee bar and someone is working there who doesn't bring the right vibe, then it probably doesn't work as well. I have to give a big compliment to the one who's leading the coffee bar, Alex. He always gives the right vibe.' Eighteen, the number of minutes (including stoppages) he played in his sole top-flight appearance, was the defining number of Jaros' Premier League season. But if you feel that was his only contribution, think again. Jaros provided vital cover for Liverpool when Alisson was injured between October and December, and No 2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher had to step in and hold the fort. Having a third-choice 'keeper of such a high standard is rare, even at a club of Liverpool's stature, but new sporting director Richard Hughes insisted the talented 23-year-old Czech stuck around this season as there were concerns over Alisson's fitness record heading into it. Advertisement Liverpool had loaned Jaros out during each of the previous four seasons but Hughes wanted guaranteed cover at the position in case Alisson and Kelleher ended up being out at the same time. Such deep planning was rewarded just seven league games in, away to Crystal Palace. Kelleher was ill so wasn't in the matchday squad that day, and Jaros was still doing his stretches when he had to replace an injured Alisson on 79 minutes. A dominant performance — first saving well from Eberechi Eze, then keeping out Jean-Philippe Mateta — helped Liverpool keep a clean sheet in their 1-0 win when the title race was still wide open and the pressure was on. Jaros wanted to go on loan again this season after helping Sturm Graz win the Austrian league and cup double last year, but he stuck around to play a vital part (albeit only for a short window). He also made one of the saves of the season when he denied Simon Adingra in the 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion later in October. It is expected he'll be granted a loan move to a club in one of Europe's 'Big Five' leagues next season. A former Everton manager helping Liverpool to the title? OK, hear us out on this one. We're considering Koeman to be an indirect unsung hero for his decision-making around Cody Gakpo last summer. When Slot was getting stuck into background checks on some of the players he'd inherited from Jurgen Klopp, he also happened to be watching fellow Dutchman Gakpo shine as their national team got to the semi-finals of last summer's European Championship. After a stop-start season under Klopp, who used Gakpo at positions including centre-forward, left-side forward and attacking midfielder, Netherlands coach Koeman restored him to his old role as a left-winger. That was the position Slot had already worked out might be the best option for the former PSV man under him at Liverpool, but it needed rubber-stamping, and his performances at the Euros did that. Gakpo had a huge impact during a blistering run of form between November and February, scoring eight goals and setting up three more in a 13-game period where the platform for Liverpool's title win was created. There's a catchy song that Liverpool fans used to motivate their players just when they needed an extra push early this calendar year, and Aspinall was the man to come up with it. Advertisement 'Liverbird upon my chest' is the soundtrack to their triumphant 2024-25 season but it's not new. Regular Anfield match-goer Aspinall was watching The Green Berets, a 1968 movie starring John Wayne set during the Vietnam War, on TV the night before a match in 1984. 'As the film finished, they played 'Ballad of the Green Berets' and I thought, 'That would be a terrific song for Liverpool',' the 74-year-old told The Athletic this year. 'I wrote the song down, so it wouldn't slip my mind. The words more or less fitted in place perfectly, with the chorus at the end. That's how the song got going.' Kudos to you, because it helped spark an even greater backing from Aspinall's supporters at a crucial point in the season. Slot may be the front-facing figure, but he couldn't have done this without his support team. His trusted right-hand man, Sipke Hulshoff, proved to be the perfect ally, always knowing when he needed a second opinion or guidance. Ruben Peeters helped reduce the injury list through his performance-coaching expertise, Aaron Briggs brought fresh ideas and an improvement in set-piece routines towards the second half of the season while Johnny Heitinga added Premier League experience, having played for Everton and Fulham and been an assistant at West Ham. Each one is an unsung hero in their own right.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Winning can become a habit and getting that first trophy is key'
For Chelsea, winning a trophy is massive for the squad going forward. I know people will be talking about the £1bn+ spent and it just being the Conference League and I get that, but I believe it's the start of something to build on for these young players.I always think it's most difficult to win your first trophy as a group and if you look at their last two games - first under pressure to qualify for the Champions League and then expected to win silverware - they have really stepped look at the average age of the XIs they have put out and there's a lot of pressure to play for Chelsea. Showing they can win trophies begins to answer people's questions about the mentality and potential. This team eventually needs to be winning the Premier League and going deep in the Champions League but winning can definitely become a habit, as can losing finals, so getting the first one is have ticked that box now of winning a trophy and the way they won it, using the whole squad and given experience to young players, will only benefit the team. The youngsters laid the foundations and the senior players finished the job in the latter stages and final. It's been a real team effort and when you have tasted winning one trophy, it leaves you hungry for the next the season began, people said getting back into the Champions League and winning the Conference League would be a good season and, even though they left it late, I think it has been a good one for Chelsea and Enzo is a start for these players, but only a start. The challenge now is to see real progress next Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Nothing like a major trophy to galvanise a club'
We asked for your views on our fan writer Ali Speechly's end of season scorecard (27 May, 09:54 BST).Here are some of your comments:Jon: I'm with Ali on the season's assessment. I'm lucky to have been supporting Spurs since 1967 (my late dad was a Gooner - it was his brother-in-law who got me supporting Spurs) so I've been part of a fanbase who have actually experienced winning! There's nothing like a major trophy to galvanise a club. I hope Daniel Levy remembers this when considering Ange's My overriding emotion is relief, the Europa league win masked over an awful season and now it's time for a fresh start and ideas with a new manager instead of leaving it 10 games into the new season when we will be in the relegation Sorry Ali but I totally disagree with you. If this manager stays, we will probably get relegated next season. Yes winning a trophy is brilliant, but so us actually trying to challenge in the Premier League. These excuses of injured players! They all been back for a while now and results in the Premier League have got worse. So thanks for the trophy but please let's get someone who can actually manage on maybe two Work in progress. Can be exciting and abysmal in equal measure. It was, ultimately, all about the trophy. The icing on the cake; Champions League football next season. Ange is a winner!John: I know the league form and position are not acceptable for a club such as Spurs but we have won a trophy which the manager promised so I hope we keep him and see where he takes us in the next 12 months.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'There is a really good era coming'
Pundits have been reacting to what winning the Conference League trophy means for Blues forward Steve Sidwell, speaking on Sky Sports: "Look at the Chelsea staff and the players, you can see what it means to all of them. They are back to winning ways, it's what this club is all about."Enzo Maresca has had huge pressure from the day he walked in. There is huge pressure on you being at this football club, as a player and as staff."Getting that medal around his neck and lifting that trophy is huge for him."Ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports: "The Chelsea fans are very demanding because they are used to winning. Now they have seen this team win they have more belief, the players have more belief. I feel like there is a really good era coming."Next season for Chelsea has to be improvement."They finished 15-points off champions Liverpool in the Premier League, so that gap has to be smaller."Will they be in a title challenge? We don't know. But that points gap is crucial. Keep moving and keep improving."Commentator and Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward, also speaking on TNT Sports: "People mock this trophy but this will mean a lot to this set of Chelsea players because it is a platform to move on into the Champions League this season."Can they win another trophy? Can they get close at the top of the Premier League?"They will look back on this season in the Conference League, the development of the young players, solidifying some of the older players, and realise this actually means something."
