Preston and Spud Bros cook up a shirt sponsorship deal we can get behind
Welcome to Football Daily's TED talk on what makes a good shirt sponsor. While it is not an exact science, there are three basic rules to follow. The first and most important one is that, with the exception of gambling companies that make up the vast majority of filth on the front of most tops these days, the worse the product is for you, the better the sponsor. Tin (Guinness at QPR, McEwans lager at Blackburn, Holsten at Tottenham Hotspur, etc), video games (Sega and Dreamcast at Arsenal, Nintendo at Fiorentina, Playstation at Auxerre), fast food and snacks (Chupa Chups at Sheffield Wednesday, Pizza Hut at Fulham, Mars at Napoli) are all iconic in their own right, despite those companies not having ties to their respective clubs.
The next rule is a fairly obvious one: design. Nothing too big, nothing too small, not too many (South American Dept, we're looking at you). Something that stands out but also complements the colours of the shirt is ideal. It's a fine balance in truth, which is why Football Daily generally leaves design stuff to the Big Website nerds at Guardian Towers. The last rule is: keep it local, and if that includes the categories above, all the better. Tin-wise, Newcastle Brown Ale at, you guessed it, Newcastle United and Quilmes beer at Boca Juniors are prime examples of Grade A local Tin sponsorship. Food and drink: Ginsters at Plymouth Argyle, Walkers Crisps at Leicester City, Colman's at Norwich City all hit the spot. As long as you are hitting two of the three rules – bad for you, good design, local – it's normally a good year to buy the shirt.
All of which is a long-winded way of introducing the new shirt sponsors for Preston North End, Spud Bros, which sounds like a barber shop owned by Bart Simpson but is actually a Preston-based jacket potato company started by two siblings, Jacob and Harley Nelson. The pair have somehow sold thousands of spuds out of the back of a van and amassed millions of Social Media Disgrace followers in the process, with free jacket potato vouchers given out to the first 2,000 fans to buy the new shirt at the launch event at Deepdale this weekend. That sounds like a good deal and if there's one man that knows about business and commercial enterprise, it is Peter Ridsdale, current North End CEO and former Leeds chief suit who nearly steered the Yorkshire club to the brink of insolvency. 'SpudBros are one of the fastest growing brands in the UK and their phenomenal worldwide media exposure and international recognition teaming up with the original Invincibles football club feels like a perfect match,' roared Ridsdale. 'We are excited to be working with individuals with such enthusiasm, excitement and innovative media awareness. Preston North End and SpudBros – a partnership to savour.'
Even if we hate that pun, Football Daily very much approves of this sponsorship, with it being a local venture (tick, 1/3), an eyecatching design on that famous white shirt (tick 2/3) and gloriously unhealthy (tick, 3/3!), so long as the locals maintain their delicious fondness of adding mountains of cheese and rivers of gravy to their nearby carbohydrates. Preston North End's 2025-26 season is already shaping up to be a banger, we'll see you down the front at Deepdale on Saturday for that voucher.
Join Michael Butler at 5pm (BST) for semi-final updates on England 2-1 Netherlands n the Euro Under-21 Championship.
I'm proud of the playing career I've had and have no regrets about any of it. I embrace all the highs and all the lows as they've shaped me into who I am. To everyone who made the journey so special, the staff at each club and organisation, the managers and coaches, my teammates, and of course the supporters — thank you' – Adam Lallana, calls time on a playing career in which he won the Premier League and Big Cup with Liverpool, by thanking pretty much everyone in football apart from this tea-timely email, alas.
Even if we lose Bryan Mbeumo and his brilliant beard to Manchester United (yesterday's News, Bits and Bobs – full email edition), his Brazilian teammate Igor Thiago is not so dusty in the facial hair stakes. Maybe Brentford could replace their current sponsors with Gillette' – Tim Taylor.
Re: brothers scoring at the same tournament (Monday's Football Daily) – Klaus and Thomas Allofs scored at the 1980-81 European Cup Winners' Cup' – Luitpold Rampeltshammer.
To add to your embarrassment (we're used to it –Football Daily Ed), as Thomas Lovegrove expected there are more Dutch twin brothers who both scored in the same tournament: René and Willy van de Kerkhof hit the net at the 1978 World Cup, against Austria and Germany respectively' – Arthur Van Hoogstraten.
Just wanted to add one more name to the list of infamy for Luis Suárez: Otman Bakkal from PSV, who enjoyed a neck massage from Suárez's teeth in 2010, long before he started nibbling on a global stage. But practice makes perfect. Still, I have to admit that goal against Palmeiras was a worldie' – Coen Lammers.
Please send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day competition is … Tim Taylor. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.
And to the Copa Gianni where there was a proper shock in Nashville when Auckland City, beaten 10-0 by Bayern in their opener and 6-0 by Benfica in their second match, only went and nicked a 1-1 draw with Boca Juniors. Yep, the part-time team of butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers (subs, please check actual jobs) clawed their way back into the game with trainee teacher Christian Gray's 52nd-minute equaliser and then clung on for dear life for the remainder to earn a point that they will proudly take home to New Zealand. They should really put it on an open-top bus and parade it around Auckland, such is the disparity between them and any other club at the tournament. Their manager Paul Posa, whose full-time job involves pulling teeth at Ranfurly Dental Care, was honest in his assessment. 'We got a bit lucky, let's be honest. If we play Boca 10 times, they win nine. That's sport, we'll take our luck today.' Boca and Auckland City can now go home, with Benfica and Bayern progressing to the last 16.
Paul Pogba is back, baby, and ready to strut his stuff for Monaco. The French midfielder has agreed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 club after serving his doping ban, which ended in March. MLS and Saudi Pro League clubs had also been sniffing around Pogba but he opted to stay closer to home.
Manchester United are this close to finalising a £60m-plus deal for Bryan Mbeumo and his magic facial hair.
Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 over the financial failings they were initially found guilty of last November. The demotion of the seven-times champions, whose president is the Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor, was upheld by the French football watchdog the DNCG and confirmed on Tuesday night.
In the Copa Gianni, Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal as Enzo Maresca's side bounced back from their chastening Flamengo loss with a comfortable 3-0 romp against Espérance.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Pachuca's Gustavo Cabral after the Mexican club's defender was accused of using racist language towards Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger, which Cabral denies.
Former Rennes and Stasbourg boss Julien Stéphan is now QPR boss Julien Stéphan after the Frenchman's move to Loftus Road was confirmed on Wednesday morning. 'QPR is a historic club with strong values and passionate fans, so I feel honoured,' he tooted.
And any clubs looking to hire a knight of the realm need look no further than Sir Gareth Southgate.
Here's Beau Dure on the 2026 Geopolotics World Cup heat risks that are being exposed by the Copa Gianni.
What did you do in the Irish football culture wars of 2002? Barry Glendenning on the new film about the Saipan stramash and the wounds that could be reopened.
Lee Carsley feels he and his team are in a good place going into their European U21 semi against the Netherlands, writes Ed Aarons.
Who doesn't love a stadium gawp? No one that Football Daily is friends with for sure. So get stuck into Michael Butler's Euro 2025 venue guide.
Our latest Euro 2025 team guides turn the spotlight on Belgium and Italy in Group B.
This week's Knowledge looks at second-tier English teams in European competitions, different crests on home and away kits, and much more.
Jadon Sancho to join José Mourinho at Fenerbahce? Kepa to Arsenal? Today's Rumour Mill tries to make sense of the latest tittle-tattle.
And check out all the latest men's and women's moves in the summer window.
9 August 2000: Benito Carbone is mobbed by young Bradford City fans after joining the club from Aston Villa. By the looks of things, he had a big shirt to fill at Valley Parade.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
England retain Euro U21s title with extra-time win over Germany
Update: Date: 23:30 BST Title: Over to you, Tuchel Content: England 3-2 Germany It's official. England's Young Lions have won back-to-back European Under-21 Championships - an impressive achievement. And all in front of Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel. This time next year Tuchel's England are expected to be competing at the World Cup. Will he be taking any of Lee Carsley's Class of 2025 with him? Goodnight. Update: Date: 23:27 BST Title: 'Carsley believed in his squad' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany Nigel Reo-CokerFormer England U21 captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Lee Carsley believed in the squad that he assembled, to give the players that don't have as much experience the chance to go and get the job done. And they stood up to the mark. Update: Date: 23:26 BST Title: 'What an achievement for Elliott and Cresswell' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany Conor CoadyFormer England defender on Channel 4 It's incredible. These players will remember this moment forever. I think it is something that will stay with them forever in their future careers - no matter what they do or what clubs they go on to play for. But for them two boys [Harvey Elliott and Charlie Cresswell], to have experienced it twice, what an achievement. To win anything once is remarkable. To go and do it twice at a tournament of that size is absolutely sensational. Update: Date: 23:24 BST Title: Post Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England This was Lee Carsley's reaction at full time. Update: Date: 23:22 BST Title: 'A great achievement' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England England boss Lee Carsley, speaking to Channel 4: "I'm so proud, not of myself but of the players and the commitment that they have shown the last 28 days. All the instruction we have tried to give to them, they have taken in on board so quickly. They have so much belief, this squad believe that they can win. And that is the kind of players we need. "To be European champions for a second time is a great achievement and I supposed the challenge now is to do it again in two years." On the challenges during the tournament: "Yes any setback that has come they have just got on with it. I told them that the longer we stay in the tournament, the better we play. I don't think we played great tonight. We sat a little too deep and didn't have as much control as we wanted but we won't remember that in a couple of days." Update: Date: 23:20 BST Title: Champions of Europe Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England Update: Date: 23:18 BST Title: 'An even bigger feat than last time' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany Conor CoadyFormer England defender on Channel 4 What might Lee Carsley be feeling now? This is an even bigger achievement than last time. That team had many players who went on to play for the senior team. But this group has gone onto become a team during this tournament. That's a fantastic feeling. Update: Date: 23:15 BST Title: 'Now let's celebrate' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England England's Jonathan Rowe, speaking to Channel 4: "Everyone has been exceptional. The minute I came into the camp, everyone had the same mindset. Everyone wanted to win. And we have done that now." On scoring the winning goal: "I am happy to make a difference tonight and get the team over the line. And I am happy to have done that in front of some important people tonight. Now let's celebrate." Update: Date: 23:13 BST Title: Post Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany Qualifying for the 2027 tournament starts in September. The likes of James Beadle, Archie Gray, Jack Hinshelwood and Ethan Nwaneri will be eligible to take part. England's opponents in qualifying include Kazakhstan, Moldova, Andorra, the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia. Update: Date: 23:10 BST Title: 'England found what they needed' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany Stephen WarnockFormer England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadion Tehelne pole Wow. Just brilliant from England. They were poor in the group stages, they struggled and then found their feet. They have managed to find their rhythm at the right time and managed to find what they needed as a team and a unit. Lee Carsley tinkered back and forth and found the solution. Update: Date: 23:08 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) It's just so great. Unbelievably grit, borne out of St George's park. 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Lee, London Update: Date: 23:05 BST Title: 'I love this job' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England England boss Lee Carsley, speaking to Channel 4 about his recent contract extension and what is next: "I'm not sure. I'm going to try to enjoy tonight. I love the job I do and I love working with the players. I've had a chance with the senior team as well and loved that and the best thing I can do is to try and help the pathway to the senior team." On celebrations: "We go back to the hotel for a couple of hours and then we fly back to Birmingham at 03:30, so a quick turnaround. The players will be on holiday tomorrow, their time off is very important too. It is important that they maybe have a shandy or two tonight." Update: Date: 23:03 BST Title: Post Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England Remember, Lee Carsley recently signed a new contract with the Football Association to run until 2027. England's young guns are in safe hands. Update: Date: 22:59 BST Title: Get Involved - Sir Lee Carsley? Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Knighthood for Carsley! Results AND entertainment! What else!? Stan Incredible job by Carsley. So pleased for him. He's got to be next in line for the top job, surely Ben, Canada Update: Date: 22:59 BST Title: Champions of Europe Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England It's approaching midnight in Bratislava and England's players are still celebrating on the pitch. Update: Date: 22:55 BST Title: 'What a night! What an effort!' Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany Joe HartFormer England goalkeeper on Channel 4 What a night! What an effort form these Young Lions. They should be so proud of themselves. It's been an excellent performance. They started really well. They ebbed and flowed against a good German side. They had their backs against the wall in the closing stages but they need to be proud of this performance. Update: Date: 22:53 BST Title: History makers Content: England 3-2 Germany England James McAtee lifts the trophy into the Bratislava night sky. Blue and white ticker tape fills the air. There's a decent number of England fans who have travelled to Slovakia for this final and they're giving the players a standing ovation. Update: Date: 22:51 BST Title: Elliott named player of the tournament Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany England Harvey Elliott has just been named player of the tournament - and not just for his five goals. He's been such an important presence. I don't think anyone is going to argue with that.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Wounded PM gone in a year say allies of Angela Rayner - and if you think Starmer's first 12 months have been a shambles, then be warned... his ultra-Left wing deputy is eyeing up No.10
Allies of Angela Rayner expect Sir Keir Starmer to be ousted within 12 months – with the Deputy Prime Minister most likely to succeed him in No 10. Last week's humiliating Government U-turn over planned £5 billion cuts to welfare has left the Prime Minister 'gravely wounded' and unlikely to lead the party into the next election, the allies said. After rebel MPs forced Sir Keir to row back on the reforms, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been left with a further £3 billion black hole in her finances, raising the prospect of more tax rises in the autumn. Despite his concessions, party sources say the PM is still not guaranteed to win a Commons vote on the reforms on Tuesday. The turmoil – ahead of Sir Keir's first anniversary as Prime Minister on Saturday – comes as a poll for today's Mail on Sunday found that 61 per cent of voters think Sir Keir should quit as Prime Minister. According to the survey by Find Out Now, only 25 per cent think Sir Keir will still be in Downing Street by the next election, with even Labour supporters split 50/50 on the question. Futhermore, a total of 64 per cent think that Ms Reeves should be fired by Sir Keir. Ms Rayner tops the list of ministerial candidates to succeed Sir Keir among all voters – and boasts commanding support from the party and union members who would vote in a leadership contest. The Rayner ally told The Mail on Sunday: 'I think Angela will be the leader. After next year's Welsh and local elections, if Starmer does not stand down, he will face a challenge. People have just had enough and Keir is gravely wounded.' The MP added that while the Left would prefer Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to succeed Sir Keir, he is not currently an MP, making Ms Rayner 'the most acceptable and most viable option'. They rejected Ms Rayner's insistence that she had 'no desire', saying: 'That's what she would say' – adding that of all the potential Labour leaders, she could challenge Nigel Farage as 'a genuine working-class woman against a man who just wants working-class votes'. But one MP close to Ms Rayner insisted last night that she was focusing on her government job, and dismissed talk of leadership manoeuvreings as nonsense. Further complicating the picture was a poll last week which suggested Ms Rayner could lose her Ashton-under-Lyne seat to Mr Farage's Reform party. Labour MPs claim that the concessions to exempt existing Personal Independence Payment recipients from the cutbacks would not necessarily ensure the measures will pass on Tuesday. Labour rebels were still threatening to table a new amendment to kill off what was left of the legislation, with suggestions that as many as 50 Labour MPs would back the move. But party insiders insist the Government will now narrowly win the vote. Sir Keir is under pressure from both the Left and Right of his party. Ms Rayner's nearest rival, Blairite Health Secretary Wes Streeting is said to have increased his personal contact with Labour MPs. A source said: 'It is always about health reforms, admittedly, but we suspect a hidden motive'. One MP said last night that the Prime Minister's authority over his party was now 'shot to pieces'. Another contrasted Ms Rayner with the PM, saying that while 'Angie's a politician', Sir Keir relied 'on other people' to do his political thinking for him. And a third backbench MP accused Sir Keir of being 'more interested in his own agenda' of assisted dying legislation than the Government's official programme. 'He was so tuned out of the welfare stuff that the rebellion was all a surprise,' the MP added. Veteran Left-wing MP Diane Abbott called on the PM to 'look at Tony Blair's leadership. [He] knew he had to listen to his MPs... Starmer doesn't appear to understand that until it's really very late'. Former Labour Cabinet Minister Lord Falconer said that after last week's events, 'there needs to be change' to show the Government is working with its MPs. Sir Keir's nightmare continued yesterday when he was barracked by pro-farming, fishing and Palestinian protesters outside the Welsh Labour conference.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
McDonald's is giving away free food TOMORROW as it reveals new discounts
MCDONALD'S is giving away free food from tomorrow - and customers could save up to £2.49. The fast food chain is bringing back its Deal Drop offer and eaters can get 10% off orders worth £12 or more tomorrow (June 30). 1 Customers can also get a free Cheesy Bacon Flatbread, normally £2.49, when spending £10 or more between 5am and 11am from tomorrow until July 6. Spend £15 or more after 11am across the same time period and you can get a free Cheeseburger, which usually costs £1.79. All offers are available via home delivery while the 10% off deal is also available in restaurants. All three deals will drop in the McDonald's app which is free to download off the Apple App Store or Google Play. Bear in mind, all the offers are subject to availability of stock in restaurants and not all restaurants are included in the deal. If you are ordering via home delivery you'll have to pay a delivery charge from £1.99, a service fee and small order fee if your basket is under £10. For full terms and conditions, visit The latest shake-up comes after McDonald's switched up its main menu, launching a new Big Arch burger which costs from £7.99. Halloumi Fries, which first launched in 2022, are also back on menus. The Cheesy McCrispy, Toffee Apple Pie and Toffee Crisp McFlurry are also back in restaurants. McDonald's launches brand-new burger featuring never-before-seen sauce Four items came off menus at the end of June 17 to make way for the new ones: Cheesy Garlic Bread Dippers Lotus Biscoff McFlurry Steakhouse Stack McSpicy® x Frank's RedHot McDonald's also left customers fuming at the end of May when it confirmed it had axed its Chicken Bacon Caesar Wrap. The wrap, which combined chicken breast strips, crispy onions, rashers of bacon and lettuce, was first launched in summer 2023. New McDonald's menu Big Arch - £7.99 Big Arch medium meal - £9.99 Big Arch large meal - £10.79 Cheesy McCrispy - £6.69 Cheesy McCrispy medium meal - £8.49 Cheesy McCrispy large meal - £9.29 Toffee Crisp McFlurry - £2.39 Halloumi Fries (four-piece) - £2.99 Halloumi Fries Sharebox - £7.59 Toffee Apple Pie - £2.09 How to save money at McDonald's Research by The Sun found a Big Mac meal can be up to 30% cheaper at restaurants just two miles apart from each other. You can pick up a Big Mac and fries for just £2.99 at any time by filling in a feedback survey found on McDonald's receipts. The receipt should come with a 12-digit code which you can enter into the Food for Thought website alongside your submitted survey. You'll then receive a five-digit code which is your voucher for the £2.99 offer. There are some deals and offers you can only get if you have the My McDonald's app, so it's worth signing up to get money off your meals. The MyMcDonald's app can be downloaded on iPhone and Android phones and is quick to set up. You can also bag freebies and discounts on your birthday if you're a My McDonald's app user. .
