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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Paul Mullin closing in on Wrexham exit after Ryan Reynolds warning and 'resentment' claim
Paul Mullin closing in on Wrexham exit after Ryan Reynolds warning and 'resentment' claim Wrexham's Paul Mullin may be about to leave on loan to Wigan Athletic after falling out of favour under Phil Parkinson, despite being a key figure in the club's rise since 2021 Wrexham star Paul Mullin could be set to make a loan move to Wigan (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images ) Wrexham star Paul Mullin appears to be nearing an exit from the club as talks over a loan move to Wigan Athletic progress. The striker has been a talisman for the Red Dragons since joining in July 2021, scoring 110 goals across four seasons. However, he experienced a surprising fall from grace during the second half of their latest campaign after being frozen out of the squad by manager Phil Parkinson. Mullin struggled for form early this term after undergoing back surgery last summer. The 30-year-old swiftly fell down the pecking order after Parkinson strengthened his forward line by signing Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez during the January transfer window. It was a decision that paid off as Wrexham secured promotion from League One to the Championship in April, but could signal the end of Mullin's time with the club following the recent addition of Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie. Wigan have been strongly linked with the Liverpudlian following the end of the season and, according to the Mail, discussions are now taking place over a loan deal. Mullin, who is a popular figure with Wrexham's fans and Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has tried to play down rumours of a rift between him and Parkinson. But he admitted to feeling resentment at being left out of the team during a recently aired episode of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. "I let that get to me, to be honest, from where I've been to then only being allowed to play four games and finding myself being left out of the team," Mullin said. "I resented it and I carried that for weeks because I felt it was unjust. Article continues below Paul Mullin could leave Wrexham despite being close with co-owner Ryan Reynolds (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images ) "I think I'm more annoyed now. It's the annoyance of training every single day, doing everything I can, and looking back on everything I've done. "I feel like I was a main part of why we got into this situation, and then I'm not being allowed the platform to get back there, or the opportunity to go and do it again. It's difficult. I don't know what's caused him (Parkinson) to trust me less, but he clearly does." Speaking in scenes recorded before the end of the season, he candidly added: "Just to play one game in the Championship with Wrexham would be worth absolutely everything. It would be the icing on the cake for this story and who knows where it could end. "I've enjoyed every minute here, and if we could get to the Championship, then that'd be phenomenal. From a personal point of view, I don't think I'll have any part to play in it from here on in." Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Former Wrexham manager Dean Saunders recently said he believes Mullin has the potential to force himself back into Parkinson's plans. But the ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa frontman warned Reynolds and McElhennery that their favourite player would not find it easy at the next level. "I absolutely think Paul Mullin could score goals in the Championship," Saunders told "It wasn't long ago that we were talking about him playing for Wales. "He has always scored goals in every league he's played in, so he is capable of scoring goals in the Championship. But the defenders get better as you go up the leagues, so he will have to be smarter and work harder for every goal. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here "It's all about speed of thought, so if he is aware of that and works hard, I'm sure he can score plenty next year for Wrexham, but it will be tough for him to adapt." Former Wrexham striker and manager Andy Morrell is another person who would like to see Mullin stay and fight for his place. Article continues below "We all know he's got goals in him, he's a finisher, and we've seen him show it against Championship sides in the past," Morrell told BBC Sport Wales this week. "I hope he comes back really fit and goes and smashes pre-season - and perhaps gives the manager a decision to make. His mind may already be made up, he (Mullin) may already have been told, but I'd love to see him give it that shot and make sure Phil Parkinson has got to make that decision."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Cried like a baby didn't ya?' – Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up
FINLAY Bealham may not thank him for it, but Andy Farrell revealed he "cried like a baby" upon being called up to the Lions squad. The Connacht prop 4 Bealham might not thank the Irish rugby social team either Credit: @IRISHRUGBY 4 He was the butt of the joke as his Lions teammates laughed at his expense Credit: @IRISHRUGBY 4 Bealham is an Australian native like fellow tourist Mack Hansen 4 Farrell went on sabbatical from his role with Ireland in November Now, in an access all areas clip, fans have got to see Farrell congratulate Bealham in front of the whole squad - while simultaneously teasing him for getting so emotional. In it the Wigan native says: "A huge congratulations to Finlay on being added to the squad full-time." He then somewhat unnecessarily adds: "Honestly, he's cried like a baby too (upon hearing)." The Ireland head coach then prods the 33-year-old by putting it to him: "Didn't ya?!" Read More On Irish Sport After a pause Bealham sheepishly replies "...yeah" which prompts laughter all around the room. Farrell's charges begin their 10-game slate The headline item from it was that The prop has not played since Most read in Rugby Union He is joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, the only other Leinster player involved because they were involved in There are still three Irish players in the starting XV with 2021 tourists Bundee Aki of Connacht and Munster's Tadhg Beirne included, along with Bealham. Watch Donncha O'Callaghan & Tommy Bowe's hilarious skit as Lions fever ramps up before Aviva Stadium game Aki and Bealham's provincial teammate Farrell has not included any Bath representatives with the side involved in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday. Lions captain 'Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team. 'We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide - so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.' After their first outing on Irish soil, the Lions will travel to Australia ahead of the three-Test series against the Wallabies. Lions: M Smith (England), Freeman (England), Tuipulotu (Scotland), Aki (Ireland), van der Merwe (Scotland), F Smith (England), Mitchell (England), Genge (England), Cowan-Dickie (England), Bealham (Ireland), Itoje (England), Beirne (Ireland), Curry (England), Morgan (Wales), Earl (England). Replacements: Kelleher (Ireland), Schoeman (Scotland), Furlong (Ireland), Cummings (Scotland), Pollock (England), Williams (Wales), Daly (England), Hansen (Ireland).
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Dana White loses patience with Jon Jones and teases imminent title stripping as Tom Aspinall UFC fight hangs in balance
DANA WHITE has seemingly set Jon Jones a deadline to make a decision on fighting Tom Aspinall. The UFC brass have been trying to finalise a showdown between their heavyweight king and his interim counterpart since last November. 4 4 4 White and Co. have even agreed to break their pay structure and give Jones " F**K YOU MONEY" for the mammoth unification bout. Jones, 37, agreed to the multi-million-pound purse on offer but has publicly toyed with the prospect of retirement. White is refusing to give up hope of finalising the bout but insists the UFC won't dance to the beat of Jones' drum much longer. During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, the 55-year-old said: "We'll see how this thing plays out over the next couple of weeks. "If we can't get this fight done, we'll move on quickly. We'll have answers in the next couple weeks." White insists the delay in booking the biggest fight in the history of the UFC's heavyweight division isn't down to Jones being scared of Wigan warrior Aspinall. The UFC's CEO and President added: "Jon Jones has never, ever said, 'I'm afraid to fight this guy. "Or, 'I don't like this fight for me,' or any of that stuff. One time, his coach at the time, back in the day. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 "I don't know if he's still with him or whatever. I think it's the only fight we've ever cancelled. "I had to cancel a show because he wouldn't fight Chael Sonnen, because his coach thought it was a bad idea to take that fight on late notice. Jon Jones Blasts UFC Rival Tom Aspinall In X-Rated Rant "But it had nothing to do with Jon Jones. "Jon Jones has never turned down an opponent here or been afraid to fight anybody." White, for the last few months, has been bullish with his belief that Jones will sign on the dotted line and face Aspinall in a bout SunSport understands is still targeted for November. But it became apparent last week that his confidence in booking the dust-up has waned when he admitted: "You can't make people fight. "If Jon doesn't want to fight, you can't make him fight. "We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight. But we'll figure it out. Former pound-for-pound king Jones hasn't set foot inside the octagon since defending his heavweight strap in a Madison Square Garden mauling of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November. Aspinall, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since defending his interim strap against Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds at UFC 304 last July.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wigan sign Portsmouth forward Saydee
Wigan Athletic have signed Portsmouth striker Christian Saydee for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the League One club. Saydee made 73 appearances for Pompey and was part of the side that won promotion to the Championship in 2024, but he started just 10 league games games last season. He began his senior career at Bournemouth and made six appearances for the Cherries before joining Portsmouth in 2023. He has also had spells on loan at Shrewsbury, Burton and Weymouth. Wigan manager Ryan Lowe told the club website, external: "It is clear that we need more in the attacking area of the field. "I've always said we need players who know how to score, and we will coach them to get into the right positions - and we will certainly do that with Christian because he wants to learn, and his character and profile are excellent."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wind turbine parts supplier to close in threat to net zero supply chains
A major supplier to Britain's green energy industry is set to close after its Japanese owner failed to clinch a rescue deal for the company and its 250 workers. Wigan-based Electric Glass Fiber UK (EGFU), which is owned by Nippon Electric Glass (NEG), makes vital components used in wind turbines and electric cars. Its closure puts net zero supply chains under threat. Both turbines and EVs are seen by the Government as critical to its industrial strategy amid moves to decarbonise the British economy and to build up domestic supplies of critical products at a time of tariffs, wars and mounting geopolitical rivalries. The British operation was profitable as recently as 2022, but made losses of £3m in 2023, mounting to £12m in 2024, according to the Japanese owner, which first invested in the UK arm in 2016. It blamed competition from Chinese imports as well as the rising cost of raw materials, in financial statements published in last year, which could only be partially passed on to customers in the form of higher prices. The business also said rising energy prices were putting pressure on operations. Electric Glass Fiber's closure comes just a day after Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's announced £1bn of investment in offshore wind supply chains. The investment is aimed at building manufacturing capacity for turbine blades, cables and the platforms needed for floating wind farms. Britain's manufacturers typically pay far higher bills than competitors in countries including France and Germany, even though much of the Continent has been exposed to higher gas and electricity costs since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. British industry had to pay an additional £29bn for its gas and electricity over the last four years compared to the four years before the pandemic, according to new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). The UK's iron and steel industry alone spent £1.8bn extra in the four years after the crisis. Its energy bill rose 80pc to £4bn, despite steel and steel mill output falling by 25pc since 2020. The Office for National Statistics has said the UK has some of the world's highest industrial energy prices. High gas prices and green levies such as the climate change levy, renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs have added to energy bills. British and European authorities sought to protect domestic fibreglass manufacturers from perceived unfair competition from China, imposing 'anti-dumping' tariffs on imports from the world's second-largest economy in 2020. The measures are set to run until early next year. Most of the company's sales go to European customers. But the tariffs were not sufficient to preserve the Wigan plant. NEG said the closure of the site, just west of Manchester, came despite intense efforts to find an alternative. Production will cease later this month. The parent company said:'NEG has considered various options, including the possibility of selling EGFU, forming strategic partnerships, or cessation of its business activities during the approximately two and a half month strategic review period. 'In order to quickly rebuild our composites business, we have determined to cease EGFU's operation and proceed with preparations for voluntary liquidation.' The closure comes after Sir Keir Starmer stepped in to rescue British Steel, taking control of the business as the Prime Minister deemed the Scunthorpe site to be critical to the country's industrial security. In that instance, a Chinese owner's planned closure would have threatened the nation's remaining steel production capacity, with ramifications for industries from construction to defence at a time when the Government wants both of those sectors to ramp up output urgently. Last night, the industry minister Sarah Jones said: 'We know this is a concerning time for Electric Glass Fiber UK workers and their families, and we are continuing to work closely with Nippon Electric Glass to understand the challenges and provide support. 'I recently met with the company's leadership to stress the importance of the plant to the area and the UK.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
