EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream. Not because I didn’t want it. Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible. What kid would? Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game. What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone? I was heartbroken. My dad looked at me and said: “What are we doing tomorrow?” To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life: “We’re training, Dad.” So we trained. Every single day. My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity. One club replied. One. That was all I needed. An opportunity. @WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial , I’ll always be indebted to you. Then came the move to @SunderlandAFC . A massive club. A massive opportunity. And I couldn’t wait to prove myself. But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked. “Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.” Then came the Championship. “He’s not good enough for this level.” Then the Premier League. “Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.” I understood the doubt. I’ve faced it my whole career. And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times. But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset: Outwork your doubt. You don’t always need to see the full journey. You just need to take the next step. Then the next one. And then another. Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough. Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing. Keep working. Keep learning. Keep showing up. Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined. To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early. You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you. And to the boys… thank you. You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself. What a team. What a club. What a fanbase. Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍 And in the words of Granit Xhaka: “This is just the beginning.”

The Bristol Half Marathon is just two sleeps away; I'd be grateful; for any gestures of support for me and, far more impotantly, the Alzheimer's Society via the RSM Bristol Just Giving page. justgiving.com/fundraising/2…

🚨 Rochdale and York City have released the following joint statement: “This Saturday’s game brings an end to one of the most thrilling, exciting and unpredictable title races in football history. Both ourselves and Rochdale have the chance to write our names in National League history. The National League is no longer a non-league competition. It is effectively a League 3, with fully professional clubs operating at a level equal to or higher than many of those in League 2. We both understand how important this game is to both clubs and supporters. We both pledge now that whatever happens tomorrow, we will both continue to fight for 3UP. Both clubs sit on over 100 points. One of us will have to fight once more in the National League Play-Offs. However, we both strongly believe that this shouldn’t have to be the case. We call on the National League, Football Regulator, EFL and Premier League to come together immediately and resolve this issue, so that we do not have to highlight this injustice year after year. For both sets of supporters attending the Crown Oil Arena this weekend, we say thank you for being with us all season. The passion you’ve shown for both clubs has been felt across the world. This game will be seen far and wide. We want to showcase this league for all its potential. Keep your support in the stands, not on the pitch, and let’s all protect the game we love. Thank you! Rochdale AFC & York City FC”

It’s Tom Long Eve Bring. It. On. #TomLong2026 @MinchGolfClub

I am running the Bristol Half Marathon on 10 May. To make it all worthwhile, I'd be grateful for any donations to our office charity for the year, one I know many of you will have a link to - the Alzheimer's Society. Thanks in advance. justgiving.com/fundraising/2…

Genuinely intrigued to know if Spurs fans would accept relegation as the price for winning the Champions League?

Half term can be expensive. If any parent is struggling financially but would love to take their kids to @altrinchamfc v Braintree tomorrow at the J.Davidson Stadium, I will cover the cost of your tickets. No forms. No questions. No explanations needed. Just email jc@altyfc.com

FFS @argyle - it’s the hope that kills you! #COYG #UTBA #PAFC

If you are a fan of quality defending, I implore you to avoid any highlights of @Argyle’s win at @Official_BRFC tonight. Shocking.

FIFA impose 3 minute ‘hydration breaks’ in each half of 2026 World Cup regardless of weather. If it looks like an ad break, smells like an ad break and features adverts it is of course a hydration break. First step towards a TV friendly 4 quarter sport? inside.fifa.com/organisation…

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗺𝗶 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 👋 Living with multiple sclerosis hasn’t stopped @AimiMSgolfer from chasing her golfing dreams. Part of our 2025/26 Disability Squad, we caught up with the Sunningdale Heath golfer at the G4D Tour @ Betfred British Masters. 🏌️‍♀️💪

We'll be hitting podcast feeds again in the coming days - please remember to subscribe to the new feed! Or even better - sign up for as little as £1 on Patreon and enjoy premium audio and first access to new episodes as soon as they are released! Patreon.com/UKSteelersPodcas… #UKSP

My dad turned 74 on Thursday. He has serious COPD and can't walk very far without getting out of breath. He's watched City for over 65 years and it's one of the few things which still gets him out of the house. He gets a bus and a tram to games which then takes him a couple of hours to get home. The late kick-offs, the digitisation of tickets/cashless at the stadium, it had made it all so much harder. When he can't make it or doesn't want to, all he wants to do is let one of his grandkids go to the match with me instead? I just don't have the heart to tell him that if he doesn't make the majority of games in-person next season, he will lose his season ticket. It's such a trial for him as it is. I don't want to make him more inclined to just say he's had enough. So many Blues have their own set of circumstances and are having their loyalty questioned due to this ridiculous ruling by the Club to oversee their personal, physical attendance. My dad won't be around one day, surely the club can afford to wait a few more years to claw back the £350 a year he currently pays for his season ticket? City remains such a huge part of his life. I would urge the Club's Executive to please reconsider their new criteria and make it so/easier for season ticket holders to simply transfer tickets to friends and family. Thank you 💙

🚨Please retweet!🚨 First team player Leon Osborne has been missing since Saturday morning when he was last seen going to Birmingham via Doncaster Train Station. His phone is going straight to answer phone.

Who predicted the @BGSBristol Three-peat in the Avon Schools Golf? Another trip to Woodhall Spa beckons! ⛳️ Congratulations to Team Failand for an impressive dominance of the top of the leaderboard. 💪 @BandCGolfClub @LongAshtonGolf

Details of Donald Trump’s revised state visit have been leaked: -Uber from Luton Airport to Windsor -Sausage roll from Greggs -Prince Andrew to entertain Melania as King & Mr Trump watch Loose Women on telly -Banquet at Wetherspoons. -Mr Trump to retire to Slough Travelodge. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE FOOTBALL CLUB 💚

Just read today’s @jayrayner1 spice article. We do not have “an alphabetised spice carousel” but we do have three battered old biscuit tins; on for herbs, one for spices beginning with C and one for other spices.

If @Argyle can win away today, I’m damned sure that @steelers can #PAFC #COYG #UTBA #HereWeGo #TerribleTowel