Former Newcastle United footballer Jermaine Jenas has opened up about a life on and off the pitch. The World Cup pundit confesses that he could have tried harder in his career - and says he tries not to spoil his kids. He may look baby-faced but Jermaine Jenas, one of the BBC pundits at the World Cup for the BBC in Russia and a former England international, has packed a wealth of experience into his 35 years. Precociously talented, at one point he was the most expensive teenager in British football after his £5m move from Nottingham Forest to the Magpies in 2002. At just 19, he joined the England squad. He appeared destined for a long and glorious footballing career. But injury hampered his progress and in 2016, he officially retired, moving into TV broadcasting. Jenas and his wife, Ellie, have two girls - Geneva, five, and Olivia, two - and he has a ten-year-old daughter, Sancha, from a previous relationship. Here, he reveals how he coped with the end of his playing career, the … [Read more...] about Jermaine Jenas reveals his footballing regrets
Football
Ultimate Football WGC: Double figures for Rovers as the champions are beaten
PUBLISHED: 12:00 27 June 2018 FC Flumpy take on new boys to the Ultimate Football Welwyn Garden City League, Stroke T. Picture: Peter Sterling Photography ©Peter Sterling Photography The opening round of the Ultimate Football WGC League’s summer season began in style for Rag Rovers in the Premiership. They smashed 10 goals past the spring champions Little Commity in a 10-1 mauling. Dean Sadler stole the show with six goals. Smakosze St Albans were also impressive in a 5-2 win over Volvo Selekt and goals from Kieran Pendrel-Smith and Lloyd Peters brought a 2-0 success for SD & Carlton Cole against Blackpool. A tight game between Hedgehog FC and Crude Crocs brought a 1-1 draw in the Championship, James Ferguson and James Sopher scoring. It was the same score between The Toddlers and Neverbee Athletic, Ryan Hennessey and Dominic Gillick the men of target, but Flumpy FC enjoyed a big 7-4 win over new boys Stroke T, managed by James Cornwall. Anyone interested in joining … [Read more...] about Ultimate Football WGC: Double figures for Rovers as the champions are beaten
Friends of tragic Burnley teenager kicking off football competition in his honour
The friends of a teenager, who died following a road accident in Burnley, are to play in a football match in his memory this weekend. Jackson, who was 18, died after the accident in Springfield Road on Saturday, June 16th.Jackson and Declan were friends and both pupils at Unity College in Burnley.Jackson played in a charity match set up in Declan's name after his death.And it was Declan's mum, Mandy Duffy, who came up with the idea for the match to help Jackson's family pay for his funeral.Mandy said she wanted to help as soon as she heard the tragic news about Jackson as she received so much support when she lost Declan.She said: "The boys were good friends so the plan is to get everyone together to try and raise as much money as possible."And the tournament is a fitting tribute for Jackson who lived for football and played for a number of local Saturday and Sunday league teams, even scoring a penalty at Turf Moor in a schools' competition.The competition has been organised by … [Read more...] about Friends of tragic Burnley teenager kicking off football competition in his honour
Thailand cave rescue: Heavy rain hampers efforts to reach trapped football team
Persistent heavy rain has hampered rescue efforts to reach a team of 12 young footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand since the weekend. Hundreds of rescue workers are involved in the operation which is now focusing on trying to find another opening into the cave after the main entrance became inaccessible.Military teams, including a Navy SEAL unit, struggled through water inside the cave at the Tham Luang complex which runs six miles under a mountain in the northern province of Chiang Rai.Commander Buncha Duriyapan said: "Last night we worked non-stop in order to drain water out of the cave as much as possible."General Chalermchai Sittisart of the Thai army said hope had not been lost.He said: "We still have hope. All agencies are trying their best. We have a challenge from the water level which keeps rising."We are adding more pumps to lower the level so that the SEAL team can operate better."The boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach went … [Read more...] about Thailand cave rescue: Heavy rain hampers efforts to reach trapped football team
Finnish football league joins Pride week
Finnish football shows its support for Pride week this weekend, with each team's captain wearing a rainbow flag armband in a round of matches designated as anti-homophobia games in co-operation with the Finnish LGBT organisation Seta."Football is for everyone, but discrimination shouldn't be part of football," said Veikkausliiga communications director Pyry Waltari. "We want to remind and challenge other leagues and sports to be brave and show their colours."Veikkausliiga has been at the forefront of efforts to fight homophobia in sports, signing the ‘promise for equality in sport’ in 2014 and in the following years joining panel discussions about homophobia in sport.The league says its “pride round” of matches complements its long-running Respect and Red Card to Racism campaigns."Everyone should feel able to be themselves on the pitch and in the stands," said Ilari Äijälä, who sits on the board of the Finnish players' union. "This year it's also … [Read more...] about Finnish football league joins Pride week