Latest news with #ManUnited
North Wales Live
9 hours ago
- Sport
- North Wales Live
Gary Neville launches mission to improve the UK's worst football pitches
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has launched a Best Worst Pitch Initiative to breathe new life into underfunded grassroots football pitches. The Best Worst Pitch initiative will provide line painting and pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to 50 UK grassroots clubs. Specsavers has partnered with Man United and England legend to launch the Best Worst Pitch initiative. Open to clubs across the UK, the initiative will provide teams who are most in need with professional line painting equipment and GPS pitch mapping, pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to help them maintain their pitches through the next season and beyond. Clear and accurate line markings are vital not just for ensuring structure and fairness in the game, but also for helping players and officials navigate the pitch-enhancing visibility, spatial awareness, and overall safety throughout play. Gary Neville added: " Anyone who has played football at one point or another has played on a dodgy pitch. Grassroots football is the foundation of our sport and it's great to be a part of the Best Worst Pitch initiative supporting the communities and volunteers who make it possible.' The announcement comes as UK football governing bodies have recently highlighted that maintaining grassroots pitches across the UK is one of the main issues facing the sport. With councils stretched for funding, the responsibility for maintaining club pitches, often falls on dedicated members of the grassroots football community. It's a challenge Specsavers has seen up close, having documented the journey of grassroots teams through the Best Worst Team campaign - highlighting the real struggles faced at pitch level and further underlining the brand's long-standing commitment to supporting the grassroots football community. Speaking about the struggles of Pitch maintenance, Chairman of current Specsavers Best Worst Team, Tunley Athletic, Craig Doughty said: 'It's a real slog sometimes - every week, rain or shine, I'm out there doing two full laps of the pitch just to get the lines marked. 'The equipment we've got is ancient—it clogs, it leaks, and it takes twice as long as it should. On dark evenings or when the wind's howling, it feels like it takes forever. But I do it because I love this club—it means everything to the community.' Alongside providing equipment, Specsavers is also offering training and education to the selected clubs - aiming to tackle some of the long-term challenges faced by grassroots teams and the volunteers who maintain their pitches. The goal is to improve the quality and longevity of these pitches, ensuring local communities can continue to enjoy them for many matches to come. Kim Bull, PR and Social Lead, commented: 'Over the last two seasons supporting clubs that need a bit of help with their eyes and ears, as well as their game, we've noticed the effort that goes into keeping grassroots clubs running. People like Craig, who quietly put in the hard work behind the scenes to keep pitches playable, is what grassroots football is all about. This initiative means we can support more clubs and communities, like Tunley. By making faded lines more visible, we're helping players see the beautiful game more clearly. And hopefully make fewer mistakes!'
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Gary Neville launches mission to improve the UK's worst football pitches
Gary Neville launches mission to improve the UK's worst football pitches The Best Worst Pitch initiative will provide line painting and pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to 50 UK grassroots clubs Specsavers has partnered with Man United and England legend to launch the Best Worst Pitch initiative (Image: PA Media ) Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has launched a Best Worst Pitch Initiative to breathe new life into underfunded grassroots football pitches. The Best Worst Pitch initiative will provide line painting and pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to 50 UK grassroots clubs. Specsavers has partnered with Man United and England legend to launch the Best Worst Pitch initiative. Open to clubs across the UK, the initiative will provide teams who are most in need with professional line painting equipment and GPS pitch mapping, pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to help them maintain their pitches through the next season and beyond. With councils stretched for funding, the responsibility for maintaining club pitches, often falls on dedicated members of the grassroots football community (Image: PA Media ) Clear and accurate line markings are vital not just for ensuring structure and fairness in the game, but also for helping players and officials navigate the pitch-enhancing visibility, spatial awareness, and overall safety throughout play. Article continues below Gary Neville added: " Anyone who has played football at one point or another has played on a dodgy pitch. Grassroots football is the foundation of our sport and it's great to be a part of the Best Worst Pitch initiative supporting the communities and volunteers who make it possible.' The announcement comes as UK football governing bodies have recently highlighted that maintaining grassroots pitches across the UK is one of the main issues facing the sport. With councils stretched for funding, the responsibility for maintaining club pitches, often falls on dedicated members of the grassroots football community. It's a challenge Specsavers has seen up close, having documented the journey of grassroots teams through the Best Worst Team campaign - highlighting the real struggles faced at pitch level and further underlining the brand's long-standing commitment to supporting the grassroots football community. Speaking about the struggles of Pitch maintenance, Chairman of current Specsavers Best Worst Team, Tunley Athletic, Craig Doughty said: 'It's a real slog sometimes - every week, rain or shine, I'm out there doing two full laps of the pitch just to get the lines marked. 'The equipment we've got is ancient—it clogs, it leaks, and it takes twice as long as it should. On dark evenings or when the wind's howling, it feels like it takes forever. But I do it because I love this club—it means everything to the community.' Article continues below Alongside providing equipment, Specsavers is also offering training and education to the selected clubs - aiming to tackle some of the long-term challenges faced by grassroots teams and the volunteers who maintain their pitches. The goal is to improve the quality and longevity of these pitches, ensuring local communities can continue to enjoy them for many matches to come. Kim Bull, PR and Social Lead, commented: 'Over the last two seasons supporting clubs that need a bit of help with their eyes and ears, as well as their game, we've noticed the effort that goes into keeping grassroots clubs running. People like Craig, who quietly put in the hard work behind the scenes to keep pitches playable, is what grassroots football is all about. This initiative means we can support more clubs and communities, like Tunley. By making faded lines more visible, we're helping players see the beautiful game more clearly. And hopefully make fewer mistakes!'
Business Upturn
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Did Emiliano Martinez say 'Yes' to Man United move? Here's what we know
World Cup winner with Argentina Emiliano Martinez has been rumoured to leave Aston Villa. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on June 20, 2025, 10:05 IST Last updated June 20, 2025, 10:05 IST World Cup winner with Argentina Emiliano Martinez has been rumoured to leave Aston Villa and this rumour was circulating before the start of the summer transfer window. However, there are reports from some top journalist as well that the goalkeeper is in search of a new club. There is a growing speculations about him leaving the side and joining Man United even without European football. However, there's no stringent backing to this reports and Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein have also been tight-lipped on this topic yet. World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been at the centre of transfer rumours this summer, with reports suggesting he could be set to leave Aston Villa. Speculation regarding his future began circulating even before the start of the transfer window, and recent developments have only added fuel to the fire. Multiple sources have hinted that Martinez is exploring options for a potential move away from Villa Park. Among the most talked-about destinations is Manchester United, despite the club not offering European football in the upcoming season. However, these rumours remain largely unverified, with no confirmation from reliable journalists like Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein, who have remained silent on the subject. According to the multiple reports, Martinez said, 'yes,' to Man United move but as there is no credible sources behind this, this is still considered to be just a rumour. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Marcus Rashford 'emerges as SHOCK target for English Champions League club' - as Man United outcast looks to get his career back on track this summer
Newcastle are reportedly eyeing-up a shock move for Man United outcast Marcus Rashford this summer. Rashford, 27, has been exiled at Old Trafford, last playing for the Red Devils in December and he was loaned out to Aston Villa for the second half of the season. The forward impressed at Villa Park scoring four goals and adding six assists in 17 appearances in all competitions, but his future remains up in the air and he is not in Ruben Amorim 's plans. The 27-year-old's contract, which sees him earn £315,000-per-week, runs until 2028, and his wages could prove to be a stumbling block to any transfer. However, according to The Sun, Newcastle are ready to move for Rashford this summer and take him out of his United limno. The report claims that the Magpies believe they can provide the forward with an ideal platform to rebuild his career, while they would also offer him Champions League football. Mail Sport has previously reported how Rashford's dream move is to join Barcelona and his agent met with Deco, the Catalan giants' sporting director, last month, but no transfer has subsequently materialised. United value Rashford at around £40million and would like to facilitate a permanent exit, but the report goes on to add that Newcastle are keen to sign him on a loan deal. Any money United make from a potential Rashford sale would count as pure profit in their PSR calculations. Rashford is understood to want to play in the Champions League as the 62-cap England international aims to win a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad next summer. Rashford was called up by Tuchel back in March, but he was absent from this month's internationals after missing the final period of the season due to a hamstring injury. The report adds that Newcastle view Rashford as an extra option to complement talisman Alexander Isak, who is expected to remain at St James' Park this summer despite being viewed as an ideal signing for several clubs. Meanwhile, shortly after Rashford was first excluded by Amorim for the Manchester Derby in December, he dropped the bombshell that he is ready for a 'new challenge and the next steps.' 'For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps,' he told Henry Winter in an interview. 'When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person. 'If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me.' When asked if he would always be a Red at heart, Rashford – who has been at the club from the age of seven and who made his debut in 2016 - replied: 'Yes! 100%. 100%.' Before he departed to Villa on a deal which included a £40m option to buy, Amorim had said Rashford 'has to change' to win back his place and it seems unlikely that he will play for United again. United have also already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves this summer and are hoping to add Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, knocking Rashford further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Gary Neville launches mission to improve the UK's worst pitches
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has launched a Best Worst Pitch Initiative to breathe new life into underfunded grassroots football pitches. The Best Worst Pitch initiative will provide line painting and pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to 50 UK grassroots clubs. Specsavers has partnered with Man United and England legend to launch the Best Worst Pitch initiative. Open to clubs across the UK, the initiative will provide teams who are most in need with professional line painting equipment and GPS pitch mapping, pitch maintenance equipment, as well as maintenance training to help them maintain their pitches through the next season and beyond. Clear and accurate line markings are vital not just for ensuring structure and fairness in the game, but also for helping players and officials navigate the pitch-enhancing visibility, spatial awareness, and overall safety throughout play. Gary Neville added: " Anyone who has played football at one point or another has played on a dodgy pitch. Grassroots football is the foundation of our sport and it's great to be a part of the Best Worst Pitch initiative supporting the communities and volunteers who make it possible.' The announcement comes as UK football governing bodies have recently highlighted that maintaining grassroots pitches across the UK is one of the main issues facing the sport. With councils stretched for funding, the responsibility for maintaining club pitches, often falls on dedicated members of the grassroots football community. It's a challenge Specsavers has seen up close, having documented the journey of grassroots teams through the Best Worst Team campaign—highlighting the real struggles faced at pitch level and further underlining the brand's long-standing commitment to supporting the grassroots football community. Speaking about the struggles of Pitch maintenance, Chairman of current Specsavers Best Worst Team, Tunley Athletic, Craig Doughty said: 'It's a real slog sometimes - every week, rain or shine, I'm out there doing two full laps of the pitch just to get the lines marked. 'The equipment we've got is ancient—it clogs, it leaks, and it takes twice as long as it should. On dark evenings or when the wind's howling, it feels like it takes forever. But I do it because I love this club—it means everything to the community.' Alongside providing equipment, Specsavers is also offering training and education to the selected clubs—aiming to tackle some of the long-term challenges faced by grassroots teams and the volunteers who maintain their pitches. The goal is to improve the quality and longevity of these pitches, ensuring local communities can continue to enjoy them for many matches to come. Kim Bull, PR and Social Lead, commented: 'Over the last two seasons supporting clubs that need a bit of help with their eyes and ears, as well as their game, we've noticed the effort that goes into keeping grassroots clubs running. People like Craig, who quietly put in the hard work behind the scenes to keep pitches playable, is what grassroots football is all about. This initiative means we can support more clubs and communities, like Tunley. By making faded lines more visible, we're helping players see the beautiful game more clearly. And hopefully make fewer mistakes!'
