Celebrity Arsenal and PSG fans gear up for Champions League semi-final
A lifelong fan of the Gunners, Davies has combined his passion for football with his comedic talent. He was the original host of the popular Arsenal-themed podcast It's Up For Grabs Now, which offered a humorous and passionate take on the latest happenings at the club. The podcast's title is a nod to a legendary moment in Arsenal history — referencing commentator Brian Moore's famous line when Michael Thomas scored the renowned last-minute goal that clinched the league title at Anfield in 1989.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation
'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation The once-bustling amusement park is now an eerie bastion of faded splendour It drew visitors from far and wide with its unique attractions A chillingly abandoned "ghost town in the sky", which captivated crowds in its heyday, now lies deserted amid the hills of North Carolina, having succumbed to financial woes over ten years ago. Left to decay under the mercy of the weather, the Old West-inspired amusement park, previously a magnet for movie stars and stunt performers, now languishes as a haunting reminder of former grandeur. Yet, there might be a glimmer of hope for its revival. One particularly daunting rollercoaster rises above desolate saloons at Buck Mountain's summit, at an impressive elevation of 4,650 feet. Local travel outlet Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some have dubbed Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park." The concept of the attraction originally came about when the land was purchased from a townsman known as Uncle Dan Carpenter back in 1960. The narrative has it that R.B. Coburn stumbled upon the tale of Carpenter's sheep being lost in a vast cave on Buck Mountain, as reported by The Sun, reports the Mirror US. This Western-themed park quickly became a beloved destination (Image: Youtube ) Coburn, intrigued, sought out Carpenter who then revealed the location where his sheep had gone missing, sparking the vision for the park. Inspired by his experiences in the ghost towns of the Midwest, Coburn envisaged transforming this site into a time capsule for visitors. Article continues below The construction of the park was a Herculean task that saw the concerted effort of more than two hundred locals come together to erect about 40 constructions at the pinnacle of the mountain to comprise the ethereal township. Approximately 120,000 square feet of construction emerged, utilising 91,000 metres of lumber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and a staggering 9,000 kg of nails. The park threw open its gates in 1961, rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination in Western North Carolina and becoming a hub for TV western stars from series like Laramie and Wagon Train to shoot their scenes. Audiences were particularly captivated by the staged gunfights that took place hourly on the main street, with the unique selling point being the rides darting in and out of the mountain's flanks. One rollercoaster was called the Red Devil (Image: Youtube ) However, over time, the attraction began to deteriorate, leading to a decline in visitor numbers, akin to falling off a cliff. The park was further beset by infrastructural woes, including issues with water, power and sewage systems. Workers also started airing their concerns regarding unpaid wages, culminating in the park ceasing operations after the 2009 season. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Despite being dubbed the "cursed amusement park" by Blue Ridge Mountain Life, owing to numerous failed attempts at revival, salvation may be at hand. On May 9, a post on NAPHA's Facebook page disclosed that an interested party from Florida is considering the purchase of the now-defunct theme park. That very post also indicated that the proprietor, Jill McClure, is keen to sell it for use as an entertainment venue rather than to interests with different intentions. Article continues below However, the site has reportedly been earmarked for a housing development instead. The new owner reportedly intends to revamp the area into "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly."
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres gets fresh hope over Arsenal move after twist in transfer saga
Arsenal are chasing a blockbuster deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko but a twist in their pursuit of the Slovenia star could see them turn back to Viktor Gyokeres Viktor Gyokeres is known to favour a move to Arsenal over all other suitors this summer - and the Swede could yet get his wish amid claims that the Gunners are growing frustrated in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal have made signing a quality striker their No.1 priority this summer with Gyokeres and Sesko identified as their two main targets. Both are expected to leave their respective clubs, but nothing has been agreed with either player as things stand. While Gyokeres, 27, is known to want a move to Arsenal, the indications have been that Sesko is the club's preferred target. But with The Sun reporting that Arsenal are growing frustrated over the contract that the player's camp are demanding during talks, it remains to be seen if a deal will be struck. Sesko, 22, would cost around £70million: a sum that Arsenal are said to be willing to pay in order to land the Slovenia star. But with the player's contract demands exceeding the levels Arsenal were expecting, that could potentially open the door for Gyokeres to land his dream summer move. Mirror Football outlined last week that Andrea Berta, Arsenal's new sporting director, was working on deals for both Gyokeres and Sesko in order to keep both avenues open, though the club will only sign one of them. Aston Villa 's Ollie Watkins is still in play, too, after the Gunners' last-ditch attempt to land him in the latter stages of the January transfer window. Join the debate! Who would you rather sign, Arsenal fans: Gyokeres or Sesko? Let us know here For Gyokeres, his hopes of securing a blockbuster transfer to the Premier League have been hindered by a breakdown in relations with Sporting Lisbon, who his agent claim agreed to sell the striker for less than his release clause. Instead of selling him for the €60million plus €10m in add-ons (£51m plus £8.5m) that was 'agreed' between the club and his agent, it's understood that Sporting want at least €80m (£68m) for their star man. Gyokeres has other options on the table and has also been heavily linked with Manchester United. He has turned down a lucrative proposal from Juventus, though, after the Italian giants pitched a contract worth £11million-a-year during talks over a potential move to Turin. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Managing Arsenal as Sesko vs Gyokeres call made and deal finally gets done
Arsenal are yet to land the striker they so crave with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko both on their radar whilst their long-term interest in Martin Zubimendi has not yet come to fruition For a team who know what they need to get Arsenal aren't inspiring confidence with their get up and go so far this summer. By no means panic stations yet, time is on their side after all. But those who attend the Emirates will be watching Liverpool spend British-record sums and Manchester City land numerous creative stars and wonder when they will make their own statement of intent. It has been a case of close but no cigar in the Premier League title races over the past three years. Last season was actually Mikel Arteta's worst effort yet since making Arsenal contenders again and if he wants to take the final step the answer is quite clear: sign a striker. Arsenal have bolstered almost every area of their squad in recent years, but not the engine room of their attack. When Gabriel Jesus signed three years ago people made it clear that whilst he would offer a lot, scoring 20 goals a year was not his modus operandi. That has proved to be true. And so back to the market the Gunners go. It looks as if it is one from two with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres identified - the former their preferred option. Negotiations though have hit a roadblock and Arsenal could do without a summer-long saga that centres on wage demands. Beyond anything else, the optics are not great. Arsenal could really have done with a smooth, swift signing of a prolific frontman. Ticking that box and allowing them to plan for pre-season knowing that possibly the final piece of the jigsaw was in the building. Instead they remain in dialogue with Sesko, whose demands could scupper the deal. That would leave them eyeing Gyokeres, who would know deep down he was the club's second choice. It all gets a bit messy. Back the Sporting man Arsenal have obviously seen something in Sesko that makes him more attractive. Likely his age profile - he is five years younger than Gyokeres. Strikers though often blossom with age, worth remembering. Given the choice I'd also say the Sporting Lisbon man makes more sense as a signing. His goal record dwarfs what Sesko has been able to achieve thus far. The RB Leipzig man just broke the 20-goal barrier for the first time this year, scoring 21 in total. Gyokeres has scored 97 in his two years. Although the argument can be made that the Swede is playing in a perceived easier league. But he's also shown what he can do on the Champions League stage and scored six in this year's competition, including a hat-trick against Manchester City. With Sesko there might be more potential but there are also more unknowns. Zubimendi drags on It is a theme Arsenal could do without, but another of their long-term targets in Martin Zubimendi was tipped to join weeks ago. Mirror Football reported that the deal was close after the numbers were agreed on, leaving only a medical before the transfer could be completed. Here we are almost a month on and he's still not at the Emirates. The Real Sociedad star showed himself to be a complete midfielder during last summer's Euros, deputising impressively for Rodri. He would add more class to the Arsenal engine room and potentially prove a quality replacement for Thomas Partey. His contract is winding down and no new deal has yet been agreed, but he could yet remain, giving Arteta even more options. Real Madrid, now led by Sociedad legend Xabi Alonso, were tipped to make a late effort to sign Zubimendi ahead of Arsenal. That looks to have been avoided with reports a medical was completed last week, but the wait for an announcement continues. Another of his Spanish team-mates in Nico Williams looks to have rejected the possibility of a move to Arsenal to remain in his homeland. Barcelona are edging closer to a deal. Adding quality on the flanks would be welcome, but when Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are on form they remain deadly. That is before you allow for the continued emergence of Ethan Nwaneri and the trusted quality you get from Leandro Trossard. Arsenal's wide forwards will also look immensely different with a major No 9 playing in between them, potentially stretching defences in a way they haven't been when Kai Havertz plays as a false 9. So again, it all rests on getting that striker through the door. Defence set - but hampers business One area where Arteta can rest easy is his backline. The two centre-halves pick themselves with William Saliba and Gabriel forming one of Europe's best partnerships. Ben White is a Rolls Royce of a defender, Myles Lewis-Skelly gets better and better whilst Jurrien Timber's flexibility is a huge plus. Their quality has created some issues in that defenders at other clubs look at the backline and question where their minutes are coming from. It is understood that Marc Guehi would prefer a move to Liverpool over Arsenal amid concerns he wouldn't be able to break up the Saliba-Gabriel partnership. But if you're ever going to have players turn you down, doing so because your XI is so strong, it is about as good a reason as any. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
