Young players taking their life should not become a norm – Tareiq Holmes-Dennis
Players could harm themselves if not given enough support during times of crisis, according to former Huddersfield youngster Tareiq Holmes-Dennis. The defender was forced to retire in 2020, aged just 24, after a serious knee injury. Holmes-Dennis needed counselling when his career was cut short and while he feels concern for player welfare has improved, claims there needs to be a prolonged push to aid those in need. Former Manchester City youngster Jeremy Wisten took his own life in 2020 after being released following a battle with a knee injury and Holmes-Dennis worries about the mental health of others. “When you see young boys that have taken their life because they can’t cope – coping with the stresses of being released – it should never get there,” he told the PA news agency. “You don’t want it to become a norm. There are so many people going through situations where they are mentally struggling. “It is starting to be highlighted a bit more. Some clubs in particular are putting time and effort into giving the resources to players and, ultimately, it’s players who make the club perform. When you see young boys that have taken their life because they can't cope - coping with the stresses of being released - it should never get there Tareiq Holmes-Dennis “Their welfare should be at the forefront but it’s relatively new, mental health and player welfare and making sure players are in a good physical and mental space. “There is a magnifying glass on that now which is good because it is easy to look from the outside and say ‘you’re paid to do X, Y, Z’. There’s a lot more that goes into that and there’s a lot of repercussions for players off the pitch if their mental health isn’t in the right place. “It’s clear an effort is being made to understand what players go through and what can be done to best aid them.” The 27-year-old, now working at agency Wasserman, suffered a serious knee injury on his Portsmouth debut in 2017 while on loan at Fratton Park from Huddersfield. He slipped on the artificial surface around the pitch and, after three years of injury battles and aborted comebacks, was forced to retire prematurely. Other players have returned from a similar injury, including Jack Whatmough and Jack Robinson, who played with Holmes-Dennis at Pompey. However, being forced to quit left the former England Under-18 international feeling bereft. “I saw a counsellor to get over it. I learned speaking about it was the biggest thing. I didn’t want to hold it in,” said Holmes-Dennis, who was part of the Huddersfield squad promoted to the Premier League in 2017. “I also didn’t want to be annoying people but I know my family loved me and understood what I was going through was difficult because they’d seen my journey. “It was just a dark, dark time. Losing that routine, losing that drive to wake up and do something. You’re used to preparing in a certain way, being an elite athlete and living the elite lifestyle to then feeling irrelevant.” Holmes-Dennis’ situation is not unique and left a promising young player facing up to the reality of having his career and life torn away. After starting his career at Charlton, joining Huddersfield in 2016, Holmes-Dennis made 107 senior appearances – including 30 for Bristol Rovers – before the injury he suffered against Rochdale on August 5, 2017. To aid players like him, the Professional Footballers’ Association has joined with a law firm, Stewarts, to offer current and former players a legal dispute management service. The PFA already offers club workshops, a 24/7 helpline, a national network of 250 counsellors and residential support via the Sporting Chance Clinic. Also available to members is a wellbeing network and, in 2021-22, 600 accessed the service, resulting in more than 7,000 therapy sessions. In the last 10 months, the PFA has also appointed former Arsenal executive James King as its general counsel. Sports disputes lawyer at Stewarts, Barrington Atkins, added: “We know player wellbeing is very much at the heart of what the PFA does, and we aim to help players tackle any issues before they start to impact their wellbeing.” Players will be provided with advice on problems relating to injuries, employment, divorce and family issues, tax disputes and media-related issues – a service which Holmes-Dennis feels is much needed. “It’s massive because it’s a stress you wouldn’t want to take on your own,” he said. “You might not understand how to navigate the situation. “As long as there’s an awareness and the culture is shifting to actually caring about players – physically and mentally – and not just for tonight’s game or tomorrow’s game, then there’s progress. “Players want to play but whether they are capable, able or physically and mentally ready to do so is another thing.” Bristol Rovers declined to comment when contacted by the PA news agency. 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2023-06-01 19:47
Lauren James commits her future to Chelsea until 2027
Chelsea striker Lauren James has signed a new contract which will keep her at the club until the summer of 2027, the Blues have announced. The 21-year-old, who was named in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup finals on Wednesday, was part of Emma Hayes’ side as they completed a second consecutive Women’s Super League and FA Cup double during the season which has just ended. James told the club’s official website: “It’s an amazing feeling to extend my stay at the club I love and where I feel most at home. I’m looking forward to the future and I want to reach my full potential. “I want to be the best version of me as a player and as a person, helping to inspire the next generation. It definitely feels like home and it’s always been the place I’ve wanted to be.” Schooled in Chelsea’s academy, James made her senior debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old and signed her first professional deal with Manchester United before returning to the Blues on a four-year contract in July 2021. General manager Paul Green said: “We’re delighted that Lauren has signed an extended deal. She has built on last season and taken another step forward in her development. “She is one of the best young players in the world, who is blue through and through. We look forward to seeing her continue to progress and we believe she will go on to achieve big things at the club.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
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Conor Coady returns to Wolves as Everton pass up option on permanent deal
Conor Coady has left Everton and returned to Wolves following his loan spell, with the Toffees having passed up an option to sign the defender on a permanent basis. The Goodison Park club have also announced that former Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre will return to Sporting Lisbon after an injury-impacted loan spell on Merseyside. Coady made 25 appearances for Everton this season, including a start in Sunday’s vital 1-0 win over Bournemouth which secured safety, and scored two goals. Coady, capped 10 times by England, joined the Toffees last August in a deal which included an option to buy, but that option has now expired. Vinagre made only four appearances in all competitions. Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell said: “We want to sincerely thank Conor and Ruben for their impeccable professionalism and valuable contributions both on and off the pitch during their time with the club. “We wish both players the best in their futures.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-01 18:27
Everton make Conor Coady transfer decision following loan from Wolves
Conor Coady will leave Everton after the club decided not to take up their option to sign him permanently for £4.5 million. The England international returns to Wolves, who loaned their captain out last summer after he lost his place following former manager Bruno Lage’s decision to switch to a back four. Coady made 25 appearances for Everton, scoring two goals, and excelled in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth, when they avoided relegation. But he had not started any of the previous 13 matches when Sean Dyche dropped him to prefer first Michael Keane and then Yerry Mina. Dyche chose not to buy Coady whereas the expectation was that if former manager Frank Lampard had stayed in charge, a long-term move would have been triggered. Coady faces an uncertain future at Wolves, with Julen Lopetegui replacing Lage while he was out on loan, but the Spaniard has also preferred to play with just two centre-backs. Left-back Ruben Vinagre also returns to his parent club, Sporting Lisbon, after an injury-hit year on loan at Goodison Park. Read More How Manchester United reached the FA Cup final for a 21st time Liverpool and Juventus remember Heysel – Monday’s sporting social Time for yet another Everton reset – but this time with a dose of boring reality
2023-06-01 17:29
Jose Mourinho confronts English referee in car park after Europa League final defeat
Jose Mourinho confronted English referee Anthony Taylor in the car park and called him a “f***ing disgrace” after Roma’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla. Mourinho’s Roma side were beaten on penalties in Budapest in an ill-tempered match as Sevilla won the Europa League for the seventh time. The manager was furious with Premier League official Taylor during the final at the Puskas Arena, with the referee showing a total of 13 yellow cards across the match. Mourinho approached Taylor in the car park of the Puskas Arena as the referee and his officiating team were leaving the stadium. The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss could be heard shouting, “F***ing disgrace man, it’s a f***ing disgrace” in English. Mourinho then switched to swearing in Italian and made his way back to the Roma team bus, before approaching the referee again to say, “Congratulations, you f***ing disgrace”. Mourinho was booked during the Europa League final while seven of his Roma players were also shown yellow cards. Sevilla picked up six bookings during the final. The 60-year-old continued to fume during his post-match press conference, where he accused Taylor of “bulls***” decisions and said Sevilla player Erik Lamela should have been sent off. “Next year we won’t be playing the Champions League and that’s a good thing because we’re not made for it,” Mourinho said. “And let’s hope that Taylor, only officiates games in the Champions League and does the same bull**** there that he did tonight, and not in the Europa League. “It was an intense, vibrant game with a referee who seemed Spanish. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time. “Today in all the dubious episodes, the yellow cards, the referee blew the whistle in favour of Sevilla. “I am surprised because he is an international referee who has a great reputation.” After giving his silver medal to a fan in the crowd, Mourinho thanked his players despite losing in penalties to Sevilla in the Europa League final in Budapest. Mourinho was set to become the most decorated European manager in history with six trophies and after a Paulo Dybala goal put them in front it was looking likely. Roma went on to concede an own goal and lost 4-1 in penalties when Roger Ibanez and Gianluca Mancini missed from the spot. Mourinho told ITV Italy after the game: "I’ve won five finals and I lost this one, but I’m coming back home proud again. The boys gave everything. "We felt pressure against a team that has more talent than us. We lost a game but not dignity. "I’ve never gone home prouder than today, even when I won. We had also worked hard on penalties but... we missed two - but all together, not only the penalty takers." Includes reporting from PA Read More Gonzalo Montiel the penalty hero again as Sevilla win seventh Europa League title Jose Mourinho: I’ve never gone home prouder than today, even when I won Sevilla win seventh Europa League title Sevilla vs Roma LIVE: Europa League final result and reaction
2023-06-01 16:16
Football rumours: Magpies hope new deal prevents Bruno Guimaraes flying the nest
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2023-06-01 14:49
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2023-06-01 13:49
On this day in 2019: Liverpool beat Tottenham to clinch Champions League
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