Latest news with #TonyAdams
The National
13-06-2025
- Business
- The National
The Sobha Realty partnership helping Arsenal's training ground get match-fit
Blink and you would miss it. The entrance to the Sobha Realty Arsenal Training Ground is a cutaway in a high hedge running along a row of detached houses where the rolling English countryside meets the motorway network. A trailblazing centre that was bought and opened in the era of Arsene Wegner's 2003-2004 Invincibles team, the 147-acre site north of London is also a jewel in the global ambitions of the Sobha Realty property empire. Naming rights were acquired this year, allowing the real estate company to place the team as its prime marketing vehicle. No one could act as a greater champion of the talking points of the training ground than facilities manager Sean O'Connor. No one except perhaps the former player Tony Adams, who was captain of the club when the 10 new all-weather pitches first opened around the turn of the century. In fact, the pair make a practised double act, with Mr O'Connor still referring to Mr Adams as captain. Figures about the ground trip lightly from O'Connor such as the 17 miles of pipes under the pitches or the £1 million cost of replacing the hybrid grass, cork and fibre first team practice pitch. A hanger-like gym facility with training and rehabilitation equipment, including a gravity-altered treadmill adapted from Nasa technology was the last big opening at the Hertfordshire site in 2018 when Unai Emery was the manager. O'Connor hints that another big redevelopment could be on the cards talking about accommodation facilities and partnerships, including specialist health care and rehabilitation ventures. New levels of ambition for the facility are central to the potential that Juliet Slot, the chief commercial officer of the club and linchpin of the relationship with Sobha, sees as underwritten by the sponsorship template. 'You get a sense of the care and attention that goes into every detail to create the best environment to fuel our teams' performance,' she said. 'Excellence is at the heart of our partnership. Bringing them on board as our naming rights partner for the training ground was something new for us, and their expertise is helping us to realise new opportunities for the space, and ensure we are always moving forward in creating world-class facilities for the future.' The effort to create awareness in the UK of Sobha as a property developer focused on developments in the Middle East, or indeed in Texas and India, is not limited to the TV coverage of the club that came second in the league last season, qualifying for Europe's Champions League football in 2025-26. The company has also raised awareness with a place on the hallowed turf at Lord's during this week's ICC world test championship of cricket. There is also a Sobha showroom on the most prized part of the Monopoly board in Park Lane, central London. The studio on Park Lane is a statement for the business, like the high-profile tie-up with Arsenal, designed for maximum impact. The location is obviously prestigious and a lure for inviting potential clients. It also is well located for people who walk in after recognising the brand or seeking it out online. For the marketing channels that Sobha maintains in the UK such as its real estate agents, the studio is also a place of hospitality. Displays of new developments dot the two floors of the building, which overlooks Hyde Park. Sales staff are able to promote Dubai as attractive to the UK investor for a cavalcade of reasons. Property investors in the domestic market are beleaguered and complain of a lost decade. Property taxes are higher, prices are volatile and not now growing as fast as the previous decade. Rental yields do not clearly exceed the interest and tax levels to give super returns. The attractions of releasing UK property equity and recycling the funds into Dubai holdings have only grown since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. A new trend for the sales team is the wave of UK residents who have reacted negatively to recent increases in taxes and the stalled growth of the overall economy, seeking new careers and better lifestyle options in Dubai and the region. With moving to Dubai on the cards, many new clients are buying off-plan in London with an eye on moving into the development some time after they have set up their new jobs. 'We're witnessing a growing interest in the UK from investors, individuals, and families opting for Dubai as their new home, reflecting an expanding allure of Dubai as an ideal destination globally,' said Ashish Parakh, group chief sales and marketing officer. 'We are dedicated to facilitating this transition by focusing on developing integrated communities that provide physical space, a sense of belonging, opportunity, and long-term value. We offer tailored services designed for international residents. We guide UK buyers through each stage of their journey to Dubai, enabling them to embark on this new chapter in their lives.' The company likes to boast it has central locations, villa communities, penthouse apartments and mansions. Most popular is the four or five bedroom home, which is attractive to the demographic of UK residents in their 30s or 40s who boast globally transferable skills. There are lots of UK professionals working in IT, Finance, real estate and technology businesses that are moving over to the UAE, the Sobha staff said. Where once it was investors or those looking for a holiday home, now it is those moving over. The attractions outside the strictly business aspects are to create a new way of life, to have a lot more day-to-day safety. Many are taking their families on the move and so need that bit more space. There is also a younger layer of buyer in their 20s or sub-30s with a niche set of buyers with YouTube and influencer profiles. At the Arsenal main stadium the Sobha presence is right next to the club's own media parlour. It is awash with YouTube talent every week. Another meeting place of the shared interests between the north London club and the UAE-focused developer.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New York Jets Safety Has 'Legitimate Chance' of Losing Starting Job
New York Jets Safety Has 'Legitimate Chance' of Losing Starting Job originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In an offseason full of questions, one of the more intriguing ones for the New York Jets is who will emerge as the the starters at safety? Advertisement The Jets signed New York native Andre Cisco to a one-year, $8.5 million deal in free agency. Cisco has been received with high praise from the front office and coaching staff, and is practically a shoo-in for one of the starting spots. Outside of Cisco, it's a battle. The obvious answer appears to be Tony Adams. Adams started 11 games for the Jets last year and 15 the year before. However, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote that fourth-round pick Malachi Moore has a "legitimate chance" at earning Adams' starting job, when pointing out 10 Jets who stood out at Tuesday's practice. "S Malachi Moore," Rosenblatt wrote. "Both rookie defensive backs — Moore and cornerback Azareye'h Thomas — have shown flashes of potential so far. Thomas was a standout last week. Moore stepped up on Tuesday when he picked off undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook and the whole defense celebrated. Moore has a legitimate chance to push Tony Adams for a starting job next to Andre Cisco." Moore was a two-year captain at Alabama and played multiple positions across the Crimson Tide's defense. Initially playing nickel corner for Alabama, Moore switched to safety and caught the eye of NFL scouts. Advertisement Moore lacks the typical size associated with safety, listed at 6-foot, 182 pounds. What he lacks in size he more than makes up for in approach. Moore flies across the field as a disruptor in the pass game, and he's a very physical football player, his size does not deter him from contact. Moore was a very high-effort tackler at Alabama, and can more than hold his own in coverage. Moore played five seasons t Alabama, tallying 214 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 25 pass breakups, and seven interceptions. Moore also forced a pair of fumbles and returned two, including taking one to the house as a freshman on a National Championship winning team. Moore was a standout player in the SEC, and brings a championship pedigree and leadership ability to the Jets' secondary. Related: Mason Taylor Continues To Shine At Jets OTAs Related: Could Giants Land High-Profile Lineman? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal's Leah Williamson opens up on tearful moment after Women's Champions League win and her trophy hunger
LEAH WILLIAMSON urged Arsenal to keep on winning silverware following fans' raucous celebrations of their Champions League triumph. Like fellow club icons Tony Adams and Thierry Henry, the Gunners star wants to be remembered for major trophies wins as well as loyalty to the team. 6 6 6 6 Williamson, who broke down in tears after her side's Champions League final defeat of Barcelona, joined team-mates for a public celebration of their triumph at the Emirates today. The centre-back put in one of her best performances of her career as Spain's club football queens were shutout during their clash in Lisbon, Portugal on May 24. Her efforts helped her side secure Arsenal's second Women's Champions League trophy win following the club's first triumph in 2007. And the lifelong Arsenal fan wants her legacy to be about loyalty combined with winning the biggest prizes with the Gunners. Williamson said: "You have to win trophies and I'm so proud of what we do off the pitch, who we are, how we lead and how we carry ourselves. "I'm so proud of that but I want to win and Arsenal should be winning. "I've looked at that legacy all my life and I've been aware of that and I wanted to contribute to it. "I don't want to end my career just being loyal. "Loyalty is great but loyalty with trophies is just something else. "This week I've spoken to Tony Adams and Thierry Henry, people I watched (when I was young). "They were incredible and they won and that's why they are remembered the way they are. "I'm proud that we're the only team in the land (to have won the Women's Champions League). "Anybody that's Arsenal - red and white - is going to have a summer to remember." This morning thousands of fans flocked outside the Armoury in front of the stadium as Williamson and her team-mates held their European trophy aloft. And Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe had supporters cheering following her leading expletive laden chants concerning rivals Tottenham After a mix of lighthearted and moving short speeches delivered by several players and head coach Renee Slegers, Williamson shared her reflections on her team's success. And she paid a touching tribute to skipper Kim Little, who is currently the team's long-serving player having made more than 300 appearances. Williamson added: "If you look at this celebration today, the turnout and what we've done over the last couple of years, this is the stuff that makes you stay. "(After our win) I dropped to my knees because of the tears and then I went to look for Kim. We were just sobbing. "Kim Little is everything I would want to be as a person. 6 "I'm just glad (for her) because you don't get recognised sometimes and that's unjust. "You need to win trophies and to win the biggest things to get what you deserve. Kim deserves everything. "People had the game of their lives and I genuinely don't know if anyone (on the team) that put a foot wrong in terms of the game plan and what it was meant to be."
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Football legend Tony Adams set to make huge profit after putting his stunning Cotswolds mansion on the market for £4.25million
Football legend Tony Adams is selling his country mansion where he retreated to the quiet life after putting his wild man days behind him. The former England and Arsenal captain has decided it's time to move on and has put the magnificent nine-bedroom country pile on the market for £4.25million. Strictly star Adams, 58, is hoping to net a tidy profit on the hideaway in the Cotswolds which he bought more than 20 years ago for £2 million. Adams bought the property - which has an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court - from a millionaire businessman straight after hanging up his boots following a 19-year career playing at centre back for the Premier League club. Adams, the son of a roofer who grew up in Dagenham, Essex, said at the time: 'I can live where I want to for the first time and I've gone for a bit of peace. I've always been an outdoor guy.' Shortly after moving in he married second wife whisky heiress Poppy Teacher, 52, and the couple quickly settled into country life in their bolthole which is on the edge of a quaint village not far from King Charles ' Highgrove estate. The property is set in more than five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoys far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside. The grounds feature a separate detached two bedroom cottage as well as former stables with planning permission for extra accommodation. The 'charming' main house - described by estate agents as having 'the perfect blend of elegance, comfort and tranquility' - boasts 'classic architecture with a touch of Cotswold charm'. The interior is said to provide 'versatile entertainment spaces for every occasion.' These include a cinema and games room which features Arsenal team photos and memorabilia including his famous number 6 shirt, a pool table, table tennis and even a drum kit. Particulars which accompany a slick video tour of the property also highlight the more traditional aspects of the property saying: 'From elegant drawing rooms and formal dining areas the house is adorned with period features, spacious rooms and high ceilings throughout creating a wealth of light and space.' Upstairs a huge master bedroom has a large football style dressing room and ensuite bathroom and there are four further bedrooms one of which Adams used as an office. There are four more bedrooms on the second floor including a number which are ensuite and there are seven bathrooms in all. Over the years Adams has shared happy family photos on social media of his country life with Poppy and their three children - Atticus, Hector and Iris - as well as son Oliver, daughter Amber and step-daughter Clare from his first marriage. And despite rumours of a feud he invited Strictly partner Katya Jones to spend time with his family there last year with the dancer posting on Instagram: 'Weekend with My Cotswold family. ❤ Dancing in the kitchen, shopping, singing, cooking and lots of hugs.' It is a far cry from Adams' out-of-control life during his playing career when a 12-year downward spiral led to blackouts, fights, nights out with strippers and prostitutes and a drunken car crash which ended in a four month prison sentence. Despite his success on the pitch helping Arsenal to a string of top flight titles and FA Cup wins he plunged into alcoholism at the height of his career. Just before Christmas 1990, Adams staggered away from a drinks party and drove his car into a telegraph pole at 70 mph. He was four times over the legal limit and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. He served 56 days in Chelmsford prison. Despite his spell in jail, Adams carried on boozing and in 1992, in the depths of his illness, he married Jane Shea, a barmaid and drug addict who he had met during one of his infamous blackouts. Adams finally quit drinking in 1996 and opened up about his struggles in his autobiography 'Addicted' published in 1998. The property is on the edge of a quaint village not far from King Charles ' Highgrove estate Using money made from book sales, Adams set up the charity Sporting Chance in 2000 as a clinic to help sports people battle mental health issues and addictions. He met Poppy towards the end of his career and the couple married in 2002. Adams said: 'It was not lost on the media that I was a recovering alcoholic and Poppy came from the Teacher's whisky family.' He added that it amused Poppy and he 'still woke up with a Teacher's in the morning'. The couple headed off to their new life in the Cotswolds and quickly set about turning their property into a dream home. In 2003, Adams applied for planning permission to convert the stables into a snooker room and build dormer windows into the roof of the main house. He then splashed out on the outdoor swimming pool and pool house with a fire pit before demolishing an existing conservatory and courtyard wall. In 2007, he built a new garden room and two-storey extension before applying in 2023 to convert the stables into a two-bedroom granny annexe. But he was caught offside after a bat survey carried out ahead of the proposed development revealed that the furry mammals were roosting in the roof. DNA analysis of more than 300 bat droppings confirmed the presence of three different species - lesser horseshoe, brown long-eared and serotine. Adams was eventually given the go-ahead by planners but ordered to build a bat loft in a nearby car port and gym to provide an alternative roost for the protected species. In an interview ahead of a Strictly Halloween special, he said of his bat issue: 'We get quite a lot in the house. We live in the country, sometimes they come in the house and I find that scary.' Like true country folk, the family began raising their own pigs which Adams revealed during his stint on the popular TV dancing show which was cut short by injury. He told how he had cheekily named one after his dancing partner while the others are called Claudia Winklepig and Anton du Pig.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kinston breaks Guinness World Record of most barbecue sandwiches sold in eight hours
KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — The NC Pork Council and Smithfield Foods teamed up with the BBQ Festival on the Neuse to set a Guinness World Record for the most barbecue sandwiches sold in eight hours. Saturday, May 3, 2025, they sold 4,775 pulled pork sandwiches. They started selling them at 11 a.m. and ran out around 2:40 p.m. To break the record, they had to beat 2,500 sandwiches sold. All of the proceeds go to local ENC charities, including the Lenoir County 4-H and Youth Development Programs, the Ronald McDonald House, the Lenoir County Master Gardeners and Children's Garden, Downtown Kinston Revitalization, CSS Neuse Museum, Community Council for the Arts, SmartArt Kinston, and Mary's Kitchen, and others. 'We want to thank our community, they really came out and supported us,' Manager of the Chop Tent at BBQ Fest on the Neuse Tony Adams said. 'They come and just wanted to be a part of this iconic moment and we're tickled that our community came in. So yeah, we did get the record and we're very excited.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
