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Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland Under 21 goalkeeper signs new deal with Premier League club: ‘It's a massive moment for my family'
The stopper has become a regular with Paul Tait's Under-21s since arriving on Merseyside in September 2023 from Oxford United. Barnsley made nine Premier League 2 appearances for the young Toffees last season, while also earning minutes in four Premier League Cup contests. 'I'm over the moon,' Barnsley told the club. 'It's a massive moment for me and my family. It's been a fantastic first two years since I came through the door and I've loved every moment of it. 'The programme really helps you develop everything and highlights areas that may need more work than others. 'I feel like I've developed massively in all aspects under the coaching staff and with the players – and I'm looking forward to what's to come. 'You're learning off the best in England and one of the best in the world in Jordan (Pickford). 'Watching him play and watching him train is an education in itself. 'And then obviously being around the lads this season with Mark (Travers) and Harry (Tyrer), I'm learning off them and the experiences they've had. 'And the same last year with Asmir (Begovic) and Joao (Virginia). Asmir has got an abundance of experience, so leaning on him and talking to him was quality.' Barnsley and the wider Everton family are excited about the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium. He added: 'I think no matter where you are in the club, you always feel that positive energy when the first team is doing well. And that just flows down. 'So, it's a really exciting time to be an Everton player. And hopefully the next few years that I'm here is going to be really exciting for the things to come.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I was homeless and playing for England at the Euros - it was always difficult financially'
Fara Williams is the most capped Lioness in history, and has won trophies for the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, but her journey to the top was far from simple Fara Williams believes England's Lionesses"saved her life" after she spent seven years homeless while playing top-flight football. The ex-Lioness, who is now a popular pundit on BBC and Sky Sports, began her footballing career at the tender age of 16 playing for current WSL champions Chelsea. From there, the midfielder appeared for Everton, Liverpool, and Arsenal and made her England debut at just 17 in 2001. However, Williams was facing an internal battle outside her career as she became homeless while earning caps for her country. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football ahead of the Women's Euro final between England and Spain, the 41-year-old described the obstacles she was forced to face at a young age, including balancing work, sport, and not having a roof over her head. Williams said: "Yeah, it was extremely difficult. As a kid, I think you mentioned it there, if you think back to when we first entered into grassroots football at a very young age, there were so many barriers. There were so many barriers that were different to today in terms of access, in terms of there not being enough teams out there for young females to go and play. "Of course, that's changed over time. The biggest barrier, in terms of my journey, was becoming homeless whilst playing and having that to overcome - it was difficult. "I think football, I've always said, saved me in terms of the kind of direction I could have went in. It was a real strong tool for me to kind of focus on and, you know, put all my energy into that and all kind of the other stuff that was going on, I always remembered that football was there, the football community was there. So I did always have that." The former footballer became known as a set-piece specialist for England, scoring 40 goals during her time for the national team. In 246 total career appearances, Williams netted 106 times and won a multitude of honours, including the WSL title, the Premier League Cup and Women's Cup. For England, the midfielder came runner-up at the UEFA Women's Championship - now known as the Euros - in 2009 and third place in the World Cup in 2015. She is still the most-capped player for the Lionesses, but Williams is all too aware of the struggles many young women face when it comes to breaking into professional football. Discussing her struggles as a teenager, Williams said: "Financially it was always difficult growing up, trying to manage jobs and play and find facilities. But that's where being a JustEats ambassador for the tournament [comes in] and it is partners like them that are pumping money back into the game. "The Feed the Game campaign, for me, is one of the reasons why I'm so excited to work with them, because obviously we talk grassroots, we've seen how expensive the game is now. "I spoke about there not being enough teams when I played and now there's a lot of teams, but in terms of equipment, in terms of coaching, in terms of it being free. I know a lot of football now you have to pay for which is another barrier for some underprivileged families." Williams believes change is coming, slowly but surely, and attributes this to the work the current Lionesses team has put in in building the game with success. She added: "So it's difficult, and the fact that these companies are pumping money into grassroots, not just for young females, but for young women as well at grassroots level, that have been inspired by the Lionesses. So I think if I had that, obviously back when I played, it would have made my journey a little bit easier. "In terms of equipment, you know, kit is so expensive, shin pads, boots etc. So there's definitely a lot to do around that area, still now, but there's a lot more that's being done. But the games in a really good place, but a place where, without that investment, opportunities will be few and far between." There was one person who truly paved the way for a young Williams was her former England coach Hope Powell. The current women's technical director at Brighton took charge of the national side from 1998 until 2013, and one of the key people in Fara's life as she juggled her life's dream alongside the reality of her personal life. Williams said: "Hope carried a lot of power and had a huge impact on me - not just football, but personal life as well. In terms of that support network, in terms of it going the way it needed to, it kind of put things into perspective for me. "People talk, you know, my teammates used to say that like I was the leader of the game, and I want to do it day in, day out. But she was the one who forced me to grow outside of that natural atmosphere at camp. "I've always been really appreciative of Hope, and she knows that. She was a big standout supporter of me. She guided me and my coaching career, and said it would be a great skill for me. "She always played a part, she mentored me with that [coaching], and she's not just [a former coach], now she and I are retired, we are great friends." Nowadays, Williams spends more time boosting the game that saved her as a youngster, although she admits the current Euro 2025 journey for England has been an "emotional rollercoaster" for the average fan. When asked for her prediction for the game, the ex-Lioness added: "I can't even give a score prediction because, as I said, I reckon that this England team will put me back on that emotional roller coaster - you know, the frustration, joy, whatever you want to say - because yeah, it's been a tough watch but an enjoyable outcome." Building on their long-term support for women's football, and to celebrate the Women's Euros, Just Eat is providing training equipment to 100 women's and girls grassroots teams via the Feed the Game Fund so they can continue to play the sport they love. Teams can apply for training equipment at
Edinburgh Reporter
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Livingston off to Kilmarnock this week
Livingston will get a taste of the standard required in the Wiliam Hill Premiership when they travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday (kick-off 19.45) on Matchday 2 of five in the Premier League Cup, also known as the Scottish League Cup. David Martindale's side motor along the M8 and into East Ayrshire having secured a 2-1 victory in their opening game in the competition, the goals coming either side of the half-time break. Macaulay Tait secured the win, the Hearts' loan player nipping in between after the goalkeeper and a defender failed to cut out a loose ball and sending it into net with a header from close in after 47 minutes. Robbie Muirhead had broken the deadlock from close in from a central position in the box a minute into first-half injury time, the first goal of the 2025/26 campaign. Defender Patrick Slattery scored for the home side after 55 minutes and then the Methil-based outfit lost Mamadou Bah on a red card six minutes into second-half injury time, after receiving his second yellow card of the game. Tait's strike was his first for the club and he said: 'It's really good. I've been trying for the last couple of years and it has never happened.' Overall, he said: 'It was a tough game, East Fife made it difficult, made it end-to-end at times, but we played some nice stuff and we deserved to win. We should have been a wee bit better in the final third.' Going into the top flight with people he knew and had worked with for the last six months was a decisive factor in Tait returning to the club and, looking at Wednesday's trip, the 19-year-old midfielder said: 'It's good to test yourself early on against good teams and teams in your division and we go into it trying to keep that winning run going.' This was undoubtedly a hard-fought win by the West Lothian club who used five substitutes during the game, May for Muirhead (60), Carey for Smith (60), Winter for Sylla (59), Culbert for Montano (33) and Rudden (82) for McLennan. The starting line-up was Prior, McGowan (captain), Pittman, Muirhead, McLennan, Smith, Finlayson, Sylla, Tait, Montano, Wilson and the subs not used were Hamilton, McAlear, Shinnie and Kabongolo. East Fife: Rollo, Bah, Easton, Munro, Peggie, Millar, McManus, Slattery, Trouten (captain), Jones, Austin. Only one sub was used, Nicol replacing Jones after 82 minutes. Subs not used were Thomas, Gilfillan, Bell, Gordon, and Ramsay. Referee: Calum Scott. The club have confirmed that Jerome Prior has signed a three-year deal to remain at Livingston, extending his stay until the summer of 2028, and that is despite strong interest in the goalkeeper from other clubs. The Frenchman, who was recruited from Pau FC, earned a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year with his displays for Livi last season and his record includes 22 clean sheets in 44 appearances. Teenage midfielder Lewis Latona, who was on loan at East Stirlingshire last season, making 20 appearances, has joined the West Lothian club, the 18-year-old having clinched a one-year deal from Hamilton Academical, and French national, Brooklyn Kabongolo has penned a two-year deal with the club. The central defender was involved in the pre-season camp in The Netherlands. Meanwhile, in retail, The Lions have revealed their new away kit, and it is described as a modern twist on the first away shirt from 1995/96 season, the first as Livingston FC. Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Who is Love Island bombshell Harrison Solomon?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANOTHER fresh and frisky footballer is entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Here we get to know Harrison Solomon, who's already in the villa and primed to make an explosive impact. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Harrison Solomon is a new Love Island star 3 His Instagram is full of travel snaps from trips around the globe 3 He has played football for the University of New Hampshire and Derby County's youth side New Love Island bombshell Harrison Solomon's Instagram is filled travel snaps from his voyages around the world, visiting destinations including the US, Barbados and Dubai. He entered the famous villa fully clued up on what it takes to be a bombshell — 2023 Casa Amor girl Amber Wise is one of his pals. A source exclusively told The Sun: 'Harrison couldn't arrive in the villa at a better time as all the promising, early couples are looking fractured and it's looking likely he'll have heads swivelling.' Another bombshell baller Harrison Solomon was born on November 1, 2002, in Burton upon Trent. He's an English professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre-back. Harrison's game developed as a member of the Derby County Academy, having joined the club at U9 level. He boasts experience playing for County's U21 team, as well as spending time on loan at non-league side Ilkeston Town. Harrison also played soccer at the University of New Hampshire in the States. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, Harrison is known for his defensive capabilities. His career includes appearances in competitions including the Premier League 2, Premier League Cup and Premier League North. Outraged Love Island fans brand star a 'walking ick' after shocking orgy confession Harrison's step-father Danny played football at Fenton Manor College and works a football coach. He has a brother named Oscar and sister called Daisy. Modelling career Harrison is represented by respected Manchester-based modelling agency Nemesis Models. His portfolio on the company's website showcases his versatility and appeal for all manner of assignments, from editorial shoots to brand campaigns. Harrison couldn't arrive in the villa at a better time as all the promising, early couples are looking fractured and it's looking likely he'll have heads swivelling A source On social media, Harrison frequently shares aspects of his modelling journey. Following the Get The Receipts game, tension is rife in the villa. Harrison's arrival is sure to be a welcome addition among show fans as during the episode on June 16, they pleaded for Helena to dump Harry after she took him back yet agian. Harry came under intense scrutiny after fixing a villa game so he could snog Shakira. Not only did he admit foul play after the fact — he also made a shock sex confession during the game, claiming he'd slept with an entire women's football team. Harry also broke Helena's trust when he told the other boys about a covert kinky encounter she'd experienced.
The National
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
How Celtic can get the best out of striker Callum Osmand
The young striker has reportedly completed a medical and agreed terms with the Scottish Premiership champions ahead of a summer move from Craven Cottage. In 73 total games for Fulham's under-18s and under-21s, Osmand has netted 43 times. Read more: He has never made a senior appearance for the club, but has trained with the first team on several occasions. And Silva, who has been in charge of Fulham since 2021, has explained how Celtic can get the best out of the young frontman: "He is much more mobile [than a traditional centre forward]," he said last year [ "He needs more senior football in his legs to see how he can adapt, perform. He's got the profile that I like. "When he has a chance, he can punish the opposition. I can see the talent, in a position that is very difficult to play in the Premier League. Probably if you play another striker by his side … you will take the best from him. Let's hope we can help him to be ready for the Premier League." Osmand was nominated for Premier League 2's Player of the Year last season. Twelve months prior, he grabbed the headlines in the Premier League Cup final, bagging a hat-trick in a stunning 4-0 win for his Fulham side over Tottenham Hotspur.
