Ex Players - They used to play for us

[LanguedocFox]

Maddison (Spurs), Dewsbury Hall (Chelsea) and Lawrence (Rangers) all scored in Europe tonight.

[sm1]

Jason Wilcox at the Man U game earlier. Didnt realise he's their Sporting Director. 

[Scotch]

George Hirst to make his debut for Scotland tonight. Off the bench at least. 

[21st Century Fox]

Great David Bevan article on Esteban for the Mundial newsletter today.

 

https://www.goal.com/mundial/esteban-cambiasso-at-the-king-power-kante-premier-league/?ref=mundial-daily-newsletter

(Requires subscription)

[davieG]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w1gq5e1d2o

 

'I was a rich footballer - and a gambling addict'
Footballer Dean Sturridge, a man with very short dark hair, playing in a football match. He is wearing an old Wolverhampton Wanderers kit - an orange long-sleeved shirt - with "Goodyear" written in black, black shorts with orange stripes and orange shorts with black tops. Other Wolves players are in the shot, as are Sheffield United players. They are wearing shirts with red and white vertical stripes, white shorts and red socks. Sturridge appears to have just kicked the ball, which is near him.
 

Gavin Kermack
BBC News, West Midlands
Kath Stanczyszyn
BBC Radio WM

"When I couldn't play football because of injury, I'd be sat on my settee. I'd have boredom, I'd have time – and I'd have the money. That's when the bets escalated and I was totally out of control," says a former professional footballer.

Dean Sturridge, born in Birmingham, was a successful striker, notably playing in the Premier League for Derby County, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as having spells at Sheffield United and Kidderminster Harriers.

But behind the scenes, he was struggling with a serious gambling addiction.

After five and a half years in recovery, Sturridge is using his experience to help others stuck on what he calls the "desert island" of addiction.

 

Sturridge is the newest ambassador for the gambling support charity Gordon Moody, which first brought the Gamblers Anonymous concept from the US to the UK in 1971.

"I know the feeling of being in addiction, being lonely, being isolated, feeling guilt, feeling shame, feeling embarrassment," said Sturridge, now 51. "Everybody's story is unique, but I'm hoping I can inspire just one person."

Sturridge's gambling problem began when he was young but became worse when he was faced with the fame and fortune of becoming a professional footballer. He remains Derby County's record goalscorer in the Premier League.

"My first signing-on fee was a big figure," he explained. "It was supposed to be going down to buy my first car, a Ford Fiesta Firefly.

"I couldn't pay for it because I'd lost my signing-on fee within hours of it going into my account."

Sturridge ended up borrowing money from a team-mate to pay for the car.

"I'd be going from the bookie to the bank... writing cheques out and going into the branch, then withdrawing money.

"By the end of the day you see nil in your account, when at the start of the day it had thousands in it."

Footballer Dean Sturridge is wearing a blue Leicester City football shirt, emblazoned with the Walkers logo, and white shorts. He is smiling and pointing at something off-camera. A large out-of-focus crowd is behind him.
Image source,Getty Images/Allsport

Sturridge, pictured playing for Leicester City, is hoping to use his own experiences as a gambling addict to help others

Sturridge acknowledges his salary allowed him to finance his addiction - but he felt the impact in other areas.

"When I'd be with my children [and my wife], some of the time I'd be on my phone putting a bet on," he remembers. "I wasn't present in the conversations.

"And that's the most disappointing thing for me that I have regrets about. But I'm glad now that I'm in recovery, I'm a better person.

"And I have a great opportunity now with my grandson, who's a year old, that I can show him the new improved Dean."

Things came to a head when Sturridge's wife came home early one day and found him watching horse racing and placing bets. Within 24 hours, he was at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

"Walking through those doors, it was the catalyst for me understanding myself.

"As a gambler, I think you shut off [your emotions]; you compartmentalise, and I did that as a sportsman as well.

"I was always pushing my emotions to the side and trying to mask them."

Sturridge now works as a football agent

Now a football agent, Sturridge believes young players are more equipped to deal with the trappings of fame - but stresses that they still need support.

"It's important... for people like myself, for people in organisations like Gordon Moody, to go into schools and into football clubs and just help them on their journey."

[davieG]

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After many ups and down throughout his careers, Ademola Lookman has reached a new Market Value peak

He is now the second most valuable player from Nigeria ever

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-sheehan-recruits-former-leicester-10057341

 

Alan Sheehan recruits former Leicester City team-mate after Championship side make manager call
The Irish left-back has been placed in interim charge of Swansea City for the remainder of the season as they look to steer clear of the Championship relegation zone

ByJordan Blackwell
15:47, 26 MAR 2025

Former Leicester City left-back Alan Sheehan has been named Swansea’s caretaker boss for the remainder of the season – and he’s recruited one of his former team-mates to join him.

Sheehan, a graduate of City’s academy, has steered Swansea to seven points from five games since being placed in interim charge following Luke Williams’ sacking last month.

That has eased the Swans’ relegation fears, with the club now six points and six places clear of the Championship relegation zone.

 

As a result, the Irishman has been placed in charge for the remainder of the campaign.

Sheehan, who also did well in an interim stint at Swansea last season, has been able to bring in a couple of coaches to join him this time around, and has called on one of his old City team-mates.

Richard Stearman, who also came up through City’s academy, has linked up with Sheehan following a spell as assistant manager at Solihull Moors.

Stearman played 130 games for City between 2004 and 2008, leaving for Wolves following the club’s relegation to the third tier.

Sheehan also played in that relegation season, and featured 29 times in total before transferring to Leeds.

Former Huddersfield manager Mark Fotheringham has also joined the Swansea coaching team.

Swansea director of football Richard Montague said: “We're delighted Alan has agreed to lead the team for the rest of the season.

“We would like to extend a big welcome to Mark and Richard as they join our coaching staff in support of Alan.

“Both will aid us in our efforts to finish the season as strongly as possible, which is the full focus of everyone at the club at this moment.”

Swansea are next in action at promotion favourites Leeds, but then face two key matches at home to relegation-threatened Derby and Plymouth.

[Corky]

4 hours ago, davieG said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w1gq5e1d2o

 

'I was a rich footballer - and a gambling addict'
Footballer Dean Sturridge, a man with very short dark hair, playing in a football match. He is wearing an old Wolverhampton Wanderers kit - an orange long-sleeved shirt - with "Goodyear" written in black, black shorts with orange stripes and orange shorts with black tops. Other Wolves players are in the shot, as are Sheffield United players. They are wearing shirts with red and white vertical stripes, white shorts and red socks. Sturridge appears to have just kicked the ball, which is near him.
 

Gavin Kermack
BBC News, West Midlands
Kath Stanczyszyn
BBC Radio WM

"When I couldn't play football because of injury, I'd be sat on my settee. I'd have boredom, I'd have time – and I'd have the money. That's when the bets escalated and I was totally out of control," says a former professional footballer.

Dean Sturridge, born in Birmingham, was a successful striker, notably playing in the Premier League for Derby County, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as having spells at Sheffield United and Kidderminster Harriers.

But behind the scenes, he was struggling with a serious gambling addiction.

After five and a half years in recovery, Sturridge is using his experience to help others stuck on what he calls the "desert island" of addiction.

 

Sturridge is the newest ambassador for the gambling support charity Gordon Moody, which first brought the Gamblers Anonymous concept from the US to the UK in 1971.

"I know the feeling of being in addiction, being lonely, being isolated, feeling guilt, feeling shame, feeling embarrassment," said Sturridge, now 51. "Everybody's story is unique, but I'm hoping I can inspire just one person."

Sturridge's gambling problem began when he was young but became worse when he was faced with the fame and fortune of becoming a professional footballer. He remains Derby County's record goalscorer in the Premier League.

"My first signing-on fee was a big figure," he explained. "It was supposed to be going down to buy my first car, a Ford Fiesta Firefly.

"I couldn't pay for it because I'd lost my signing-on fee within hours of it going into my account."

Sturridge ended up borrowing money from a team-mate to pay for the car.

"I'd be going from the bookie to the bank... writing cheques out and going into the branch, then withdrawing money.

"By the end of the day you see nil in your account, when at the start of the day it had thousands in it."

Footballer Dean Sturridge is wearing a blue Leicester City football shirt, emblazoned with the Walkers logo, and white shorts. He is smiling and pointing at something off-camera. A large out-of-focus crowd is behind him.
Image source,Getty Images/Allsport

Sturridge, pictured playing for Leicester City, is hoping to use his own experiences as a gambling addict to help others

Sturridge acknowledges his salary allowed him to finance his addiction - but he felt the impact in other areas.

"When I'd be with my children [and my wife], some of the time I'd be on my phone putting a bet on," he remembers. "I wasn't present in the conversations.

"And that's the most disappointing thing for me that I have regrets about. But I'm glad now that I'm in recovery, I'm a better person.

"And I have a great opportunity now with my grandson, who's a year old, that I can show him the new improved Dean."

Things came to a head when Sturridge's wife came home early one day and found him watching horse racing and placing bets. Within 24 hours, he was at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

"Walking through those doors, it was the catalyst for me understanding myself.

"As a gambler, I think you shut off [your emotions]; you compartmentalise, and I did that as a sportsman as well.

"I was always pushing my emotions to the side and trying to mask them."

Sturridge now works as a football agent

Now a football agent, Sturridge believes young players are more equipped to deal with the trappings of fame - but stresses that they still need support.

"It's important... for people like myself, for people in organisations like Gordon Moody, to go into schools and into football clubs and just help them on their journey."

I know it is a serious article but those descriptions of the images are superb.

[PAULCFC]

Didn't Sheehan go to West Brom?

[Electric Yetis]

1 hour ago, PAULCFC said:

Didn't Sheehan go to West Brom?

Mattock.

[davieG]

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/former-doncaster-rovers-rangers-and-leicester-city-forward-makes-comeback-after-two-years-as-free-agent-5053874

 

Former Doncaster Rovers, Rangers and Leicester City forward makes comeback - after two years as free agent
Tom Coates
By Tom Coates
Search, Trends and Live Sport Specialist

Comment
Published 27th Mar 2025, 10:31 GMT

Former Doncaster Rovers forward Joe Dodoo is back in football after over two years on the free agent market.
A product of Leicester City’s academy, Dodoo is a well-travelled frontman and spent the 2021/22 season in South Yorkshire.

He made 39 appearances for Doncaster, scoring eight goals, before being released at the end of his maiden campaign.

A short stint at Burton Albion followed, although the Brewers afforded the 29-year-old just nine outings.

Joe Dodoo counts Scottish giants Rangers among his former clubs.
Joe Dodoo counts Scottish giants Rangers among his former clubs. | Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
He left the club in January 2023 and did not secure a new home before the 2022/23 season ended, nor did he pen a deal ahead of the two campaigns that followed.

Dodoo has made a comeback in the National League, on the fifth rung of the English football ladder. He has joined Solihull Moors, who sit 16th in the table.

He was thrown in at the deep end on Tuesday (March 25), starting and scoring in a 1-1 draw with Altrincham.

In a statement, Solihull said: “Solihull Moors are pleased to confirm the signing of Joe Dodoo on a short-term deal until the end of the National League season, subject to League and FA ratification.

“The Leicester City academy graduate has put pen to paper on a short-term deal at Damson Park, bolstering our attacking options for our final eight Vanarama National League fixtures.

Joe Dodoo started his career at Leicester City.

“The 29-year-old has had spells with Rangers, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Doncaster Rovers and most recently Burton Albion.

“On his debut for the Foxes, Dodoo scored a hat-trick in the League Cup as Leicester City went on to beat Bury 4-1 at Gigg Lane. The Ghanaian forward will wear the number 33 shirt for the remainder of the season.”

[LeePhilpottsBaldSpot]

Joe Dodoo always makes me think of this

 

 

Seems like he made a decent enough career for some good clubs in the 3rd tier. Strange that he hasn't had a club between the age of 27-29... hopefully he makes the most of this new opportunity.

[Danizen]

9 hours ago, LeePhilpottsBaldSpot said:

Joe Dodoo always makes me think of this

 

 

Seems like he made a decent enough career for some good clubs in the 3rd tier. Strange that he hasn't had a club between the age of 27-29... hopefully he makes the most of this new opportunity.

Joins Ahmed Musa, Tete, Sol Bamba and Chris Wood in the misleading debuts club.

[Langston]

9 minutes ago, Danizen said:

Joins Ahmed Musa, Tete, Sol Bamba and Chris Wood in the misleading debuts club.

That Barcelona game wasn’t Musa’s debut, he’d already played against Celtic and PSG.. 👍🏻

[Noahfence]

Tom Cannon. #Pony 

[JimJams]

Big Kel got his first league goal in 18 months to help Boro to a 2-1 win.

[Kinowe Soorie]

11 hours ago, JimJams said:

Big Kel got his first league goal in 18 months to help Boro to a 2-1 win.

Bagsman…

[BKLFox]

Martyn Waghorn has come out of retirement aged 35 to help Derby try to escape relegation 

[OntarioFox]

On 26/03/2025 at 18:49, davieG said:

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After many ups and down throughout his careers, Ademola Lookman has reached a new Market Value peak

He is now the second most valuable player from Nigeria ever

Combined Rodgers / Rudkin masterclass

[Izzy]

This is a decent watch.

 

Fryatt confirming what an absolute basket case of a club we were before Pearson came in. His stories about Holloway bloody hell

 

 

[Happy Fox]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c20lwlw1d2lt

 

[Tommy Fresh]

13 hours ago, Izzy said:

This is a decent watch.

 

Fryatt confirming what an absolute basket case of a club we were before Pearson came in. His stories about Holloway bloody hell

 

 

Taylor-Fletcher has said previously Blackpool were desperate to get Cardiff and not us as they thought they'd lose to us, funny hearing our side thought we'd likely win as well

[StanSP]

Iheanacho with two assists already tonight. Barely 10 mins gone. 

[davieG]

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green was relegated four times in his career, with the last two coming at Queens Park Rangers following poor seasons with Norwich and West Ham.

Sebastain Bassong has also gone down four times, with the most recent of those coming twice for Norwich in 2014 and 2016.

Nigel Quashie makes the list too, going down with Southampton in 2005 before doing so again with West Brom in 2006.

Ex-striker Marcus Bent played for 18 clubs throughout his career, so it's the law of averages that he'd have experienced some relegations.

After going down alongside Hreidarsson in Crystal Palace's 1998 team, he went on to get relegated with Ipswich, Leicester and Charlton.

And finally, the first of Marc Edworthy's four came in that same Palace side, proving that it may well have been a curse.

[Les-TA-Jon]

I had no idea Iheanacho was back in the Championship with Middlesbrough