Latest news with #Sunderland-born
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince William left 'scarred' by England Lioness after crunch tackle wiped him out
Prince William will be cheering on the Lionesses in their Euro 2025 final tonight - and it seems one former player for the England Women's side certainly left a mark on him during a kickabout Prince William will be cheering on the Lionesses later as they aim to retain their title in the Euro 2025 finals. The Prince of Wales is patron of the Football Association and a huge football fan, supporting his beloved Aston Villa and not being able to resist a kickabout when the opportunity arises on royal duties. But it seems he might have bitten off more than he could chew when he took part in a charity match several years ago when he came up against former Lioness and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott. And the pair now appear to share a running joke after a mishap during that match left Sunderland-born Jill accidentally taking out the senior royal. She previously explained: "It stems back to about 10 years ago when we did a charity event and I slipped and side-tackled him and actually wiped him out. The running joke whenever he sees us is, 'No yellow cards this tournament Jill!'." A few years later, during a kickabout at Kensington Palace, William, 43, quipped that he still had a scar on his leg from the accidental tackle. Jill is retired from football now, but is a regular pundit and TV personality. However, before she hung up her boots, she was part of the England Women's team that were victorious at the Euros back in 2022. When she went up to collect her winners medal from William, the pair embraced in a big hug rather than a formal handshake as the future King congratulated her. William will be hoping he will be congratulating the England women once again tonight as they take on Spain in the final in Basel. Earlier in the tournament, he travelled to Switzerland to watch the England women's team in their group match against the Netherlands, which they won 4-0. And before they headed off for the championships, he visited the team at their St George's Park training ground. After their extra-time win in the semi-finals against Italy thanks to a Chloe Kelly winner, he took to social media to say: "Brilliant performance @ Lionesses! One game from glory!" In addition, King Charles also issued a statement after England booked their place in the final to send his congratulations to the team after reaching the final. In a statement posted on social media, the King said: 'My wife and I join all our family in wishing you, the proud Lionesses, our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Uefa Euro tournament. 'Your journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the skill, determination (and test of nerve!) for which your team is so rightly celebrated. Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. 'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R." Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp!
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
George Clarke on his special Kiwi connections, and what makes our remote island builds so unique
While the Sunderland-born project professional is no stranger to our shores (his uncle lives locally), he had never set foot on some of our remote island paradises before his most recent visit. 'I think the consistent thing throughout is that many of the houses are sustainable, and they're very much connected with nature,' he says, marvelling at the ingenuity of some of the builds he witnessed. 'All the houses we featured on this series are on islands. You're in very remote locations, so when you're off grid and you're thinking about power and water and drainage and sewage and all of those things, by default you've got to have a sustainable approach to it.' A trip to Great Barrier was a very special experience for him, particularly because he had been reading up and learning about Māori culture and history beforehand. 'I met this amazing Māori guy called Rodney. He showed me around the community and the buildings that they had, as well as the symbolism around the architecture, and why a certain animal or bird that was carved into the timber would look in a certain direction and how it would provide protection. 'Architecture is such a powerful thing. It goes back thousands and thousands of years, and to see that alive and kicking and vibrant within the Māori culture was a privilege for me to witness.' George Clarke also spent time with his uncle, as well as chef Al Brown, while he was here. While some of his favourite moments were during filming and through meeting locals, Clarke also relished the opportunity to explore on his own. He gave a shout-out to the vibrant restaurants and bars of Ponsonby, and also one of our culinary greats. 'I went to chef Al Brown's bach, and I basically ate like a king, which was amazing,' he says. It's no secret that Clarke, who kindly zoomed in with the Herald during a packed schedule, lives and breathes architecture. When we spoke to him, he'd only just finished designing a building himself with his team. 'I'm an architect by trade, and I'll always be an architect. It's all I've ever wanted to be,' he says. 'Yes, now I'm a TV presenter, but I see myself as an architect on television. I don't really see myself as a kind of celebrity or a TV presenter. I'm an architect who makes TV programmes. I don't use the celebrity word, I can't stand it. It's just not me at all.' When asked about the latest trends in architecture, his response was given like a true master of his craft. 'I don't really do trends, because I think trends make it sound like it's all fashion, and I don't do fashion, I do architecture. For me, the best buildings are ones that are timeless and stand the test of time.' A house on the remote Rakino Island was one of the highlights for Clarke. We picked Clarke's brain for his best tips for a build, and he had an insightful response for any potential project starters as well. 'I'm not going to say it's a mistake because I can understand why people do it and I've done it myself, but sometimes you rule by your heart rather than your head,' he says. But often with risk and daring to dream comes an overwhelming sense of reward. 'Sometimes people get involved in projects and don't really fully understand what they've taken on. A phrase that I hear a lot is that if they realised how difficult it would have been at the beginning, they would never have taken it on, but they are glad they did.' Clarke says Homes in the Wild doesn't just aim to be educational, but also aspirational. He says the concept of escapism and exploring it in detail was incredibly fulfilling. 'It's about architecture, yes, it's about homes, yes, it's about design, yes, but it also felt like a bit of a travelogue.' And judging by how he recalls his eyes being glued to the screen at the beauty of the footage, overseas audiences and Kiwis are in for a treat. 'It's going to be one hell of an advert for New Zealand this series, I can tell you now.' George Clarke: Homes in the Wild launches on August 14 at 7.30pm on Sky Open, with all episodes available on NEON and Sky Go on that date. Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald's entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke's Bay Today.
Belfast Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘I just wanted to make a difference... and I've done that', Northern Ireland women's record goalscorer retires
The 36-year-old bows out as Northern Ireland's all-time leading goal scorer, netting 38 goals in 95 appearances for her country since her debut in March 2005, the most for either the men's or women's team. Furness capped off her international career with a starring role by helping Northern Ireland not only qualify for their first major tournament at Euro 2022 but played all three games at the tournament. At club level, the midfielder is best known for her two spells with Newcastle United, with whom she ended her club career this season, as well as also featuring for Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Bristol City and Icelandic side Grindavík. "I've had 20 fantastic years. Coming in as a 16-year-old to now, it's been an absolute blast. The progress I've seen, especially over the past couple of years, has been fantastic,' commented Furness. "Whether I've been in it or out of it, I've been the biggest fan. Everyone has stories and this is part of my chapter. I'm going on to a new chapter now which I'm really excited for. "I've been in football a long time and I'd like to think over the years I've made a difference, especially with Northern Ireland. That's all I ever wanted; I wanted to make a difference and help pave the way for all you coming through." Furness scored her first goal for her country in October 2005 against Romania, going on to represent Northern Ireland for 18 years, playing her final game in a Nations League clash with Hungary in October 2023. Her crowning moment came when she became the country's leading women's goalscorer in November 2021, scoring twice against North Macedonia to break the record. Some of her most important goals came in the qualification process for Euro 2022, though, grabbing five in the group stages before scoring in the Play-Off first-leg against Ukraine, and she would then provide the assist for Julie Nelson's famous header against Norway in the group stages of the main tournament. Although she didn't feature, she was recalled by Tanya Oxtoby for the recent window with Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, ending her career on the international stage. On the club scene, the Sunderland-born star made exactly 100 appearances in the Super League, scoring 13 goals, but success followed her around throughout her career. Furness won the Premier League Nations Division title with Sunderland in 2011 before helping Liverpool earn promotion to the Super League in 2023 and then did the same with Bristol City a year later, before bringing down the curtain on her playing days at Newcastle United last season. 'Rachel has been the ultimate professional the entire time I have known her, whether she's been in the squad or not. The respect she's shown, and her ability to always put the team first, speaks volumes about her character,' said Oxtoby. 'She came into the last two camps and gave the squad a real lift to ensure we got the job done — that really speaks to the person she is. I'm so glad we could send her off in style. She has done so much for this country.'
Belfast Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It's been an absolute blast': Northern Ireland's record goal scorer announces retirement
The 36-year-old bows out as Northern Ireland's all-time leading goal scorer, netting 38 goals in 95 appearances for her country since her debut in March 2005, the most for either the men's or women's team. Furness capped off her international career with a starring role by helping Northern Ireland not only qualify for their first major tournament at Euro 2022 but play all three games at the tournament. At club level, the midfielder is best known for her two spells with Newcastle United, with whom she ended her club career this season, as well as also featuring for Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Bristol City and Icelandic side Grindavík. "I've had 20 fantastic years. Coming in as a 16-year-old to now, it's been an absolute blast. The progress I've seen, especially over the past couple of years, has been fantastic,' commented Furness. "Whether I've been in it or out of it, I've been the biggest fan. Everyone has stories and this is part of my chapter. I'm going on to a new chapter now which I'm really excited for. "I've been in football a long time and I'd like to think over the years I've made a difference, especially with Northern Ireland. That's all I ever wanted; I wanted to make a difference and help pave the way for all you coming through." Furness scored her first goal for her country in October 2005 against Romania and would go on to represent Northern Ireland for 18 years, playing her final game in a Nations League clash with Hungary in October 2023. Her crowning moment came when she became the country's leading goal scorer in November 2021, scoring twice against North Macedonia to break the record. Some of her most important goals came in the qualification process for Euro 2022, though, grabbing five in the group stages before scoring in the Play-Off first-leg against Ukraine, and she would then provide the assist for Julie Nelson's famous header against Norway in the group stages of the main tournament. Although she didn't feature, she was recalled by Tanya Oxtoby for the recent international window with Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, ending her career on the international stage. On the club scene, the Sunderland-born star made exactly 100 appearances in the Super League, scoring 13 goals, but success followed her around throughout her career. Furness would win the Premier League Nations Division title with Sunderland in 2011 before helping Liverpool earn promotion to the Super League in 2023 and then do the same with Bristol City a year later, before bringing down the curtain on her playing days at Newcastle United last season. 'Rachel has been the ultimate professional the entire time I have known her, whether she's been in the squad or not. The respect she's shown, and her ability to always put the team first, speaks volumes about her character,' said Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby. 'She came into the last two camps and gave the squad a real lift to ensure we got the job done — that really speaks to the person she is. I'm so glad we could send her off in style. She has done so much for this country.'
Press and Journal
14-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Exclusive: Meet the shopping specialist hired for £40k to 'bring big brands to Aberdeen's empty units'
'We wouldn't even think of taking this on if we didn't think we could be successful,' Jonathan De Mello tells me – with the confidence of a man who doesn't really mind sticking his neck out. The retail expert has been hired by Aberdeen Inspired to use his skills in their quest to revitalise the city centre. The improvement group has received £40,000 from the council to bring in the heavy hitter with a reputation for bagging big brands. Jonathan has more than 25 years experience transforming city centres at the helm of JDM Retail, and his track record speaks for itself. But just how can he turn around the mood of doom and gloom in Aberdeen city centre? The retail expert is exactly the type of man that Aberdeen Inspired were looking for when they became aware of the cash available. The 49-year-old's firm, JDM Retail, specialise in using data to figure out what sort of shops cities are missing. Then they work with some of the country's biggest brands to bring them in. The high street saviour has worked with the likes of the Westfield group, which owns the UK's biggest shopping centre in London, and helped turn around major cities such as Nottingham, Sheffield and Swansea. He's even appeared in national media as the go-to retail expert – including a recent Channel 5 documentary about the success of Lidl. And thanks to a £39,000 cash injection from the council, Aberdeen Inspired can now enlist Jonathan's services as they continue their city centre crusade… It's safe to say that Jonathan doesn't have the simplest of tasks when it comes to turning around Aberdeen city centre. More than one in five units on Union Street currently lay empty – with big brands deserting the high street in the past decade. But whilst most may look at the Granite Mile and surrounding area with a hint of despair – the retail guru sees instead sees endless possibilities. Explaining his process, Jonathan said: 'What we're doing is diagnosing the issues and then coming up with solutions to essentially say 'we should look at the independent quarter or global fashion brands', for example. 'What we want to do is take Aberdeen up the hierarchy locally, but also nationally as well. 'So really it's just addressing the structural issues we've seen in the sector, the decline of the High Street, what we can do to change that and also looking at future-proofing the city through the new things that are coming in.' Following his initial research into the Granite City, Jonathan was pleasantly surprised by what Aberdeen had to offer. 'Aberdeen is a great city from this perspective, it's self-contained,' the Sunderland-born shopping specialist beamed. He added: 'The nightlife in Aberdeen is great for that. It's not that people are going to go out to other cities because they're so far away to enjoy themselves in the evening. 'More restaurants, more evening entertainment opportunities, I think that is key. 'There is an affluence here that is not in some of the cities that I've looked at. 'The likes of Sheffield and Swansea, they don't have that level of affluent consumer that Aberdeen does. 'I'm working on Inverness and Stirling at the moment, they haven't got a hope of getting the kind of brands that Aberdeen will be getting.' Swansea in South Wales is quite similar in many ways to Aberdeen. Both have a population of around 250,000, and both are quite well known as university cities. Two years ago, Jonathan went into the Welsh city with the same goals as he has now in Aberdeen – turn the high street around. Recounting his crusade down in the Gower Peninsula, he explains: 'It was very similar to every other city around the UK. 'It had the same charity shops and discounters, but it didn't have anything that screamed 'this is Swansea, and this is what makes us different', and that's what we want to do.' His plan was to capitalise on a thriving market which had been overlooked for too long in the Welsh city – students. Groups of youngsters had previously taken the train through to Cardiff for shopping and nights out, with Swansea missing out on money from those with student loans to burn. So just how was this lucrative demographic enticed to keep their money in Swansea? 'We repurposed areas that were just no longer needed,' Jonathan recalls. 'There is an area called Kingsway, which historically was a high street, but the vacancy rate there was around 40-50%. 'So we said that retail needed to go, because occupiers were voting with their feet, they didn't want to be there.' And following his report, the city has undergone a huge overhaul, with The Kingsway being given a major facelift – along with the empty Debenhams unit planned to be filled in a few months. Looking forward to the work ahead, the JDM chief executive is as confident as ever when it comes to his Aberdeen project. 'I think you've got strong potential to succeed here,' he grins. He continued: 'That's why we want to take it on, because what we want to do from the strategy piece is diagnose the issues. 'Because we have the property agents and other services as well, we want to engage long term with the local authority and Aberdeen Inspired to actually deliver some of these occupiers to you. 'I'd say we have a high success rate in doing it elsewhere, so we can definitely do it here. 'I reckon we can make fairly material change in the space of six months to a year, in terms of at least signing some people up and coming up with a strategy.'
