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Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wrexham wanted to sign me but I turned down transfer – I don't know why I did it
Wrexham wanted to sign me but I turned down transfer – I don't know why I did it An ex-Aston Villa youngster has admitted that he turned down a move to Wrexham, but his decision may have actually been for the best in the long term, given how things panned out Former Northern Ireland international Jamie Ward has admitted he rejected Wrexham (Image: PA Wire ) A former Aston Villa youngster has admitted he turned down a move to Wrexham – but he now can't actually recall the reasons for his decision. Jamie Ward came up through the youth ranks of the Premier League club during the early 2000s before turning professional in 2005. Despite captaining Villa's reserves, the forward did not make a single first-team appearance for his boyhood team and was loaned out to League Two's Stockport County in March of the following year. Ward's performances in the fourth tier were impressive enough to attract the attention of several teams following his release by Villa in the summer of 2006. The decision sparked a battle between Wrexham, Stockport and Torquay United to secure his services. The ex-Northern Ireland international, who spent most of his career in the Championship with the likes of Derby County and Nottingham Forest, took some time to consider his options. However, while Wrexham are now a highly attractive prospect under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, he decided a move to North Wales was not for him at the time, opting for Torquay instead. Ward showed signs of regret over the choice during a recent appearance on the Undr The Cosh podcast after admitting he'd been impressed by the Red Dragons' home stadium. "After the Stockport loan, I was done at Villa," he said. "Getting in that environment and knowing that I was actually capable of playing league football at a young age was the kick up the backside I probably needed. Article continues below Jamie Ward discussed his career, including his decision to reject Wrexham, on the Undr The Cosh podcast (Image: Undr The Cosh ) "I had Stockport, Wrexham and Torquay after me, and I decided to go to Torquay. I was worried about Stockport struggling again, so that's why I didn't go there. I actually don't know why I didn't choose Wrexham, because the stadium was nice. "I think the thing that swung it for me at Torquay is that the manager was from Birmingham, so he knew how far I was away from home. He said to me, 'Listen, if you're ever struggling and you want to go home for a few days, all you have to do is tell me.' "That was a nice option to have where you can just get in the car, get up the road free and you're back with your family three hours later." Ward's time at Torquay was short-lived following an ownership change and a new manager being brought in soon after he joined. He later put in a transfer request in December 2006, before moving to Chesterfield the following month. 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. Article continues below Despite voicing some remorse at not going to Wrexham, Ward's decision turned out to be for the best. The 2006/07 season was a tumultuous one for the Red Dragons as they struggled for form and manager Denis Smith was sacked in January 2007. His successor Brian Carey kept the club in League Two by the skin of their teeth with a 3-1 home win over Boston United on the final day of the season. However, their relief was only temporary as Wrexham dropped out of the Football League in 2008 and spent 15 years in exodus in non-league's top tier. Ward was to enjoy a more positive trajectory after his impressive performances for Chesterfield caught the eye of Championship outfit Sheffield United. He later spent time with Derby and Nottingham Forest and also had a short spell on loan at Cardiff City in 2018, before turning out for several non-league sides in the twilight of his career.
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough suffers back and neck injuries in swimming accident on holiday
Ian Baraclough is recovering in hospital in Mauritius after an accident on a family holiday Former Motherwell manager and current Partick Thistle sporting director Ian Baraclough is recovering in hospital after suffering major back and neck injuries in a swimming accident. Baraclough, who was in charge of the Steelmen between 2014-15 when they beat Rangers in the Premiership play-off final, was on a family holiday in Mauritius when he suffered serious injuries while swimming and "required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing." A statement released by Partick Thistle today revealed the 54-year-old ex-Northern Ireland boss will be unable to return to Scotland for several weeks as he recovers in hospital. And Baraclough praised the surgeons at Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their 'exceptional care' during a harrowing experience for him and his family. The club statement read: "Partick Thistle wish to advise that Sporting Director Ian Baraclough is currently recovering in hospital after suffering extensive back and neck injuries in an accident just over a week ago. "Ian was injured whilst swimming and required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing, and it is expected it will be several weeks before he can return to the country and a further period of recovery will be needed before he is able to return to The Wyre Stadium at Firhill. "The club have been in constant contact with Ian's family since the accident and have now also been able to thankfully speak to Ian. Ian said: 'On behalf of myself, my wife, my children and my wider family I would like to thank the surgeons and staff at the Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their exceptional care.' 'I would also like to thank Club Chairman Richard Beastall and all of the team at Partick Thistle for their support and well wishes. In my short space of time I have already felt the close bond and drive from staff, players, fans and volunteers that make Thistle what it is.' 'I'm looking forward to returning as quickly as possible and get back to that unique and special feeling that really marks Thistle out as a football club with a passion to be different and an ambition to succeed.' 'It is one that I am very proud to be a part of.' Club chairman Richard Beastall said: 'It was a harrowing time for Ian and his family immediately after the accident however things are beginning to settle now. He suffered broken bones in both his neck and back but thankfully the speed in which he was operated on, and the care that was taken pre-operation, has helped the situation significantly.' 'Ian has only been at the club for a short time however he has impressed everyone with his professionalism and drive. Everyone at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill wishes Ian a quick and full recovery.' 'We have contingency measures in place to cope with his absence. These include extra duties being carried out by our new Head of Recruitment, Lee Turnbull, who has now officially started, and others at the club. I thank everyone for rallying together.'
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shamrock Rovers punish sorry St Patrick's Atheltic as Graham Burke stars in dominant derby rout
ST PAT'S were dished out some more capital punishment as they suffered their heaviest defeat of Stephen Kenny's reign. Michael Noonan - who left 2 Shamrock Rovers hammered St Pat's on Monday evening at Tallaght Stadium 2 Graham Burke of Shamrock Rovers bagged a brace in the Dublin derby rout Graham Burke then scored a brace either side of the break before Aaron Greene got a fourth shortly after being introduced off the bench as It was St Pat's third derby defeat in just 24 days having also suffered last-gasp losses away to Bohemians and Shelbourne. In fact, they have taken just five points from seven games so far against their city rivals, to seriously undermine their title challenge. Rovers, on the other hand, have pulled away from the pack, thanks to four wins in a row. read more on football With Chris Forrester, Kian Leavy and Romal Palmer all injured, St Pat's were short on midfield options. So it will have been a relief for Kenny to discover that Barry Baggley was not, in fact, suspended. He had been under the impression that the ex-Northern Ireland under-21 international would be banned for this match for a fifth booking of the season. But, aside from his sending-off against Rovers in March, for which he served an automatic one-match ban, he had been cautioned only five times. Most read in Football He would have hoped to do better, however, than see Michael Noonan's shot fly through his legs as he jumped in an effort to block a shot which rolled into an empty net. The main blame lay not with him, though, but with keeper Joseph Anang. Rebekah Vardy throws husband Jamie a surprise party as he leaves Leicester City He inexplicably raced out of his goal as Noonan chased a pass from Graham Burke when Baggley was already there to close him down. Anang could not win it, realised his mistake and started backpedalling furiously as Noonan turned back inside and guided the ball into the unprotected goal. That was in the 22nd minute and they did not cover themselves in glory for the Hoops' second goal 14 minutes later. Lee Grace passed to Burke inside his own half and he was allowed to dribble into space without any real pressure on him. When Jamie Lennon belatedly moved to press, Burke turned inside him and scored with a low shot into the bottom corner which appeared to catch a slight deflection. The tendency towards self-destruction had shown itself as early in the first minute when Sean Hoare's throw-in went straight to Burke who forced Anang into a save. It was almost as if he had forgotten he had ended a successful four-year stint with Rovers in the close-season to rejoin his former club. And it continued when Simon Power passed to Lennon when there were three Rovers players in close proximity with Matt Healy nicking possession, forcing the midfielder to foul for which he was booked. Rovers had other chances in the first half with Anang denying Burke after he was played in by Cory O'Sullivan with Josh Honohan showing why the watching Ireland boss But it was by no means one-way traffic with Aidan Keena providing some good supply for strike partner Mason Melia who, not for the first time, was giving Roberto Lopes a tough time. Hoare went close from a header knocked back across goal by Joe Redmond whilst Lee Grace did well to block a Power shot. Just before half-time, St Pat's really should have had a penalty for a foul by Lopes on Melia but none was given and, instead of having a chance to halve the deficit just before the break, they fell 3-0 behind soon after the restart. Danny Grant made a surging run down the right and squared the ball. Noonan just missed out on making a connection but Burke did not need to be asked twice, getting his second of the night with a tap-in at the far post. St Pat's looked broken at that point and could not find a way back into the game with Greene scoring within 90 seconds of his introduction with no late consolation for the visitors with Melia's shot crashing off the underside of the bar. SHAMROCK ROVERS 4 -0 ST PAT'S Noonan 22 Burke 36, 50 Greene 69 SUN STAR MAN: Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers) SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty 7; Grace 7 (Clarke 61, 5), Lopes 6, C O'Sullivan 7; Grant 7, Healy 7, Nugent 6 (Mandroiu 68, 5), Honohan 7; Burke 9 (Watts 68, 5), Byrne 8 (McEneff 68, 5); Noonan 8 (Greene 68, 6). ST PAT'S: Anang 5; Hoare 5, Redmond 6, Turner 6 (McClelland 56, 4); Elbouzedi 5, Lennon 5, Baggley 6 (Breslin 69, 4), Power 6 (McLaughlin 81, 4); Kavanagh (Carty 81, 4); Melia 7, Keena 7 (Mulraney 56, 4). REFEREE: D MacGraith (Mayo) 5
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Fans spot something awkward in trophy reflection after Doncaster boss posts pic of himself in bed ‘sleeping' with cup
EAGLE-EYED fans were left in hysterics after spotting something awkward in the Doncaster manager's trophy picture in bed. Rovers 3 Doncaster won League Two - securing top spot on the final day of the season Credit: Getty 3 Grant McCann led Rovers to the title Credit: PA 3 His bedroom selfie with the trophy left fans in hysterics Credit: X @grantmccann11 They were presented with the trophy on Saturday after they beat Notts County away and Port Vale lost at home to Gillingham. And McCann, 45, took to X on Sunday, posting a photo of himself seemingly The ex-Northern Ireland midfielder, who READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, it did not take long for supporters' eyes to be caught by the reflection in the trophy. Because while McCann appeared to be fast asleep, not all was quite as it seemed. In the reflection, McCann's arm can be seen holding his phone and taking the selfie. And that sparked a wave of hilarious responses on social media - including one which was just a string of laughing emojis. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS One said: "Generational stinker Another wrote: "Haha that reflection - much deserved pose!!" Burnley stars serenaded by chart-topping Noughties legend in surprise scenes A third added: "How did you take this while you were asleep mate?" And a final user typed: "School boy."
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fans spot something awkward in trophy reflection after Doncaster boss posts pic of himself in bed ‘sleeping' with cup
EAGLE-EYED fans were left in hysterics after spotting something awkward in the Doncaster manager's trophy picture in bed. Rovers secured promotion from League Two this season and went up as champions, too. 3 3 3 They were presented with the trophy on Saturday after they beat Notts County away and Port Vale lost at home to Gillingham. And boss Grant McCann was allowed to take the EFL trophy home with him. McCann, 45, took to X on Sunday, posting a photo of himself seemingly sleeping next to the silverware in bed as has become a trend in recent years. The ex-Northern Ireland midfielder, who won League One with Hull in 2020-21, captioned the snap: "Afternoon kip with this beautiful thing," and added a heart-eyes emoji. However, it did not take long for supporters' eyes to be caught by the reflection in the trophy. Because while McCann appeared to be fast asleep, not all was quite as it seemed. In the reflection, McCann's arm can be seen holding his phone and taking the selfie. And that sparked a wave of hilarious responses on social media - including one which was just a string of laughing emojis. One said: "Generational stinker Another wrote: "Haha that reflection - much deserved pose!!" And a final user typed: "School boy."
