Ex Players - They used to play for us

[honeybradger]

7 minutes ago, Ryy said:

 

All that editing for 4 likes.

 

The Arabians really do have too much money to burn.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Danny Simpson is so Dubai

[SouthStandUpperTier]

This genuinely seems like a fever dream...

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cr475x3wplro

Fuchs blows kiss to bowler after smashing six into river on cricket debut

Jonty Colman

BBC Sport journalist

 

On the same weekend that Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket, a former Premier League winner was staking his claim as an all-rounder.

 

Ten years after helping Leicester City complete a 5000-1 fairytale run to the title, Austrian Christian Fuchs had a cricket debut to remember.

 

The 40-year-old took two wickets, contributed to a run out and blew a kiss to a bowler after smashing him for six into a river.

 

But while Stokes was saying his England goodbyes at Trent Bridge, Fuchs was saying hello at Bridge Field in Derbyshire, turning out for Grindleford in a Sunday friendly against Riverside Notts.

 

"The umpire said 'go easy on him, it's his first game'," said 23-year-old delivery driver Hasan Mahmood, the Riverside Notts bowler who got away with two dot balls and a wide before being carted over the boundary.

 

Mahmood may have been told to go easy on Fuchs, but the Austrian took his chance when faced with a full toss and then jokingly blew a kiss at Mahmood.

 

"I didn't mean to bowl a full toss to him. It just happened," Mahmood told BBC Sport.

 

"Next thing you know, I get whacked for a six."

 

"It ended up in the river next to the [ground]. I'm surprised he didn't make me go and get it."

 

A day before turning out for Derbyshire village side, Fuchs had resigned from his role as head coach of Newport County.

While Fuchs' first senior managerial role saw him win just nine of 31 matches in charge of the Exiles, he got off to a victorious start in cricket whites.

 

Bowling first, Fuchs returned figures of 2-20 from his 3.2 overs and also contributed to a run out as Grindleford dismissed Riverside Notts for 150.

 

"His bowling, he was throwing it but it was alright," Mahmood laughed.

"It was his first game, so it is what it is. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and didn't say anything to him."

 

During the run chase, Fuchs batted at number six, scoring 12 runs off 18 deliveries, including a four and that six as Grindleford triumphed by one wicket.

 

"When he got out, he was chatting to all of us. He was a very, very nice guy," added Mahmood.

 

"It was a surprise to actually see him there because it was so random. It's a random game on a Sunday and we just see a Premier League winner there."

 

Fuchs is not the only former footballer who has swapped between the two sports later on in life.

 

Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn plays for Cornwall's over-50s side. Ex-Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann once represented Cheshire side Alderley Edge's second team while still contracted at City.

 

Current Leeds United midfielder Sean Longstaff is also spending his summer break playing for Tynemouth in Division 1 of the North East Premier League.

 

During his football career, Fuchs made more than 650 appearances for club and country that included six seasons at the King Power Stadium.

 

As well as winning both the Premier League and the FA Cup, Fuchs won 78 caps for Austria and was captain at Euro 2016.

[Ryy]

 

[Merchant_Banker]

18 hours ago, Ryy said:

 

I was worried that Sheffield Wednesday would be a serious threat this season with new owners coming in, but if Wanya is the level of player they are targeting then this is less of a concern.

[21st Century Fox]

Just switched on the Bundesliga channel and they’re showing a profile of “Stuttgart’s latest rising star”. They interviewed El Khannouss‘ youth team coach and showed his rise at Anderlecht, didn’t even mention his time here.

[Danno]

On 30/06/2026 at 17:18, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Danny Simpson is so Dubai

Definitely needs the Child Maintenance money 

 

Will be an Instagram forex trader within 3 years 

[FoxFossil]

See Ayew and soon to be former Fox Fatawa didn't get a single shot on target in recent Ghana defeat. Fatawa's price falls by £10m.

[atomicfox]

Ayew has not had a shot on target at every world cup he has played at apparently.

[CloudFox]

21 minutes ago, atomicfox said:

Ayew has not had a shot on target at every world cup he has played at apparently.

Ghana fans on social media going in on him, hard. They were before the tournament too to be fair, so not just us that can't stand him playing for our team.

[Shane]

 

[DJW1]

When we won the FA Cup, was It only the players and subs (used or not) named for the final who received medals? Specifically, did JJ get one?

[Phil_Dunphy]

3 hours ago, Shane said:

 

I've had an operation this morning and I'm high on morphine but even I laughed at this. I was floating above the ground earlier and that made more sense than this.

[Jon the Hat]

13 hours ago, Shane said:

 

Important role?  20 games 7 goals?

 

[davieG]

Merc

 

Ex-Leicester City captain Ricardo Pereira subject of two-way battle for transfer
Story by Josh Holland
Former Leicester City captain Ricardo Pereira is wanted by Brazilian top division sides Botafogo and Gremio, according to reports in South America.

Ricardo ended his eight-year stay at the King Power Stadium last month after confirming he would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract. After arriving for £25million in 2018, the former Portugal international won the FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship in England.

The 32-year-old is currently without a club but according to reports in Brazil, that could change. Gazeta Botafogo have reported that Botafogo, currently managed by Portuguese Franclim Carvalho, have joined Gremio in the race to land the right-back.

 

Pereira's experience in European football is said to be appealing to Carvalho and Gremio boss Luis Castro. The latter have already made inquiries to Ricardo's representatives.

After playing the entirety of his career in Europe, the former Leicester star's entourage are 'excited' about the prospect of playing in Brazil. However, no agreement has yet to be reached and talks are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Ricardo bid farewell to the King Power Stadium in May and was an emotional figure in his final game for the Foxes. "It has been eight years of highs and lows, and while it hurts to finish this way, I know I will look back with pride on the amazing moments we have shared," he said.

“To the supporters, my team-mates, the staff and everyone at the Club, thank you for your support. I always tried to give my best, through the good times and the difficult moments. I will always follow Leicester and I hope I will see us back where we belong soon.”

 

 

[Stuntman_Mike]

Isn't the Brazilian Serie A quite physical, quick and intense?

 

Not convinced he'd do well there football wise.

[Ryy]

 

[davieG]

[BigC]

https://x.com/david_ornstein/status/2076605204120711446?s=46

 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:57 by BigC

[Lesta2014]

5 minutes ago, BigC said:

https://x.com/david_ornstein/status/2076605204120711446?s=46

 

 

Apparently has 35m release clause. Thats less than we signed him for isn’t it? 

[dmayne7]

10 minutes ago, Lesta2014 said:

Apparently has 35m release clause. Thats less than we signed him for isn’t it? 

About the same (figures quoted £5m either side of that). Makes a bit more sense why he went to Villa on a free in that case.

 

Good business? Totally depends which YT you get. The ultra fit/sharp version is world class. The slightly off it version is just a solid PL player and not good enough for where Man United want to be

[Hamilton Fox]

40 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

About the same (figures quoted £5m either side of that). Makes a bit more sense why he went to Villa on a free in that case.

 

Good business? Totally depends which YT you get. The ultra fit/sharp version is world class. The slightly off it version is just a solid PL player and not good enough for where Man United want to be

And the overweight version might help get you relegated 

[Cincinnati Fox]

Well done Rudkin! Let him go for free, villa got 3 great years and make 35 million pure profit! And you still have your job

 

not so sure it’s a great deal for Man U, 35 million for a 29 year old who started his career at a very young age, and has never been the fittest/most athletic.

I cant see them getting more than a couple of years out of him at the required levels.

Edited yesterday at 13:45 by Cincinnati Fox

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

5 minutes ago, Cincinnati Fox said:

Well done Rudkin! Let him go for free, villa got 3 great years and make 35 million pure profit! And you still have your job

 

not so sure it’s a great deal for Man U, 35 million for a 29 year old who started his career at a very young age, and has never been the fittest/most athletic.

I cant see them getting more than a couple of years out of him at the required levels.

 

I get the reservations re: age and physicality but they're buying proven top end quality for 35 million quid, it's a drop in the ocean for Man United and a great deal financially on the face of it. Even if he does only give them a couple of seasons, it's a brilliant price.

[slymunn]

9 minutes ago, Cincinnati Fox said:

Well done Rudkin! Let him go for free, villa got 3 great years and make 35 million pure profit! And you still have your job

 

not so sure it’s a great deal for Man U, 35 million for a 29 year old who started his career at a very young age, and has never been the fittest/most athletic.

I cant see them getting more than a couple of years out of him at the required levels.

They paid around £60 million for Casimiro at a similar age and got four seasons out of him.