James Speakman for The Times. 28/11/23. Carrington, UK. Pictured: [LR] Asher Opoku-Fodjour and Tye Raymont at Sale Sharks training complex in Carrington, Gtr Manchester.

Sale Sharks  props Asher Opoku-Fodjour and Tye Raymont at Sale Sharks training complex in Carrington, Gtr Manchester.

James Speakman for The Times. 28/08/23. Rossendale, UK. Pictured: Competitors take part in the World Gravy Wrestling Championships held at the Rose 'N Crown pub in Rossendale, Lancashire.

Competitors take part in the World Gravy Wrestling Championships held at the Rose 'N Crown pub in Rossendale, Lancashire.

James Speakman for The Times. 06/07/23. Manchester, UK. (Pictured:New Sale Sharks signing Luke Cowan Dickie at the Sale Sharks training ground in Carrington, Manchester.)

Sale Sharks player  Luke Cowan Dickie at the Sale Sharks training ground in Carrington, Manchester.

James Speakman for The Times. 07/08/23. Liverpool, UK. Pictured: Everton FC player James Garner at the Finch Farm training complex on Merseyside.

Everton FC player James Garner at the Finch Farm training complex on Merseyside.

James Speakman for The Times. 27/05/23. Manchester, UK. (Pictured: Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag at the Aon training complex in Carrington, Manchester.)

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag at the Aon training complex in Carrington, Manchester.

Mark Felix

Strongman Mark Felix competes at Giants Live in Sheffield.

Gavin Bilton competes at Giants Live in Sheffield.

Former England international footballer Aaron Lennon for the Times Sport.

MERCURY PRESS. 01/03/22. Ashbourne, UK. (Pictured: After a hiatus in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Shrovetide Football Match takes place in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Played between two teams, the Up'ards and the Down'ards, the aim is to score

After a hiatus in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Shrovetide Football Match takes place in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Played between two teams, the Up'ards and the Down'ards, the aim is to score a goal at one end of the town before the end of the day.

MERCURY PRESS. 09/04/22. Liverpool, UK. (Pictured: Noble Yeats, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen wins the Grand National horse race on third and final day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.)

Noble Yeats, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen wins the Grand National horse race on third and final day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.

MERCURY PRESS. 08/04/22. Liverpool, UK. (Pictured: Huge crowds at Aintree Racecourse during Ladies day at the Randox Health Grand National Festival.)

Huge crowds at Aintree Racecourse during Ladies day at the Randox Health Grand National Festival.

James Speakman for The Sunday Times. Pictured: Lancashire and England bowler Richard Gleeson at Emirates Old Trafford.

Lancashire and England bowler Richard Gleeson at Emirates Old Trafford.

Liverpool FC fans react to the match at Taggy's Bar in Anfield, Liverpool, during the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid in Liverpool, Britain, 28 May 2022.
Fan reaction in Liverpool Liverpool FC fans react to the match at Taggy's Bar in Anfield, Liverpool, during the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid in Liverpool, Britain, 28 May 2022.
MERCURY PRESS. 23/05/22. Manchester, UK. (Pictured: Manchester City Football Club celebrate winning the 2021/22 Permier League Season in front of thousands of fans in Manchester City centre this evening.)

Manchester City Football Club celebrate winning the 2021/22 Premier League Season in front of thousands of fans in Manchester City centre this evening.

James Speakman for The Sunday Times. 16/01/23. Burnley, UK. Pictured: Burnley FC manager Vincent Kompany at Shuttleworth College in Burnley, Lancashire.

Burnley FC manager Vincent Kompany at Shuttleworth College in Burnley, Lancashire.

​Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus poses for a photograph at the Etihad Training Complex. 23.12.19

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus poses for a photograph at the Etihad Training Complex. 23.12.19

​Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 against Sheffield United at Anfield. 02.01.20

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 against Sheffield United at Anfield. 02.01.20

​Liverpool's Mohamed Salah high fives Sadio Mane after he scores the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 against Sheffield United at Anfield. 02.01.20

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah high fives Sadio Mane after he scores the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 against Sheffield United at Anfield. 02.01.20

​Manchester United captain Ashley Young leads the team out for the warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor. 28.12.19

Manchester United captain Ashley Young leads the team out for the warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor. 28.12.19

​Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring the second goal of the game against Burnley at Turf Moor. 28.12.19

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring the second goal of the game against Burnley at Turf Moor. 28.12.19

​Manchester United coach Michael Carrick and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer look on ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor. 28.12.19

Manchester United coach Michael Carrick and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer look on ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor. 28.12.19

Icara Miguel Martins Soares [Red] defeats Ivan Sapina [Blue] in the Mens -87kg Semi Final at the World Taekwondo Championships held at Manchester Arena. 19.05.19

Icara Miguel Martins Soares [Red] defeats Ivan Sapina [Blue] in the Mens -87kg Semi Final at the World Taekwondo Championships held at Manchester Arena. 19.05.19

The Manchester City team celebrate Sergio Aguero's goal to make it 1-0.

The Manchester City team celebrate Sergio Aguero scoring the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters gather at The Strand in Liverpool to cheer on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool following their 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid the night before. 02.06.19

Hundreds of thousands of supporters gather at The Strand in Liverpool to cheer on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool following their 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid the night before. 02.06.19

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is tackled and collects the ball.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is tackled and collects the ball during the match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park.

The Elite Mens riders take on the 'Cotê de Lindley' King of the Mountain climb near Harrogate during the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire. The longest hill of the second stage is 1.5km at 7.4%. 03.04.19

The Elite Mens riders take on the 'Cotê de Lindley' King of the Mountain climb near Harrogate during the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire. The longest hill of the second stage is 1.5km at 7.4%. 03.04.19

Thousands of supporters line the streets to cheer on the Elite Mens riders, as they climb Haworth high street during stage four of the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire. 05.04.19

Thousands of supporters line the streets to cheer on the Elite Mens riders, as they climb Haworth high street during stage four of the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire. 05.04.19

Kurt Zouma sticks his tongue out as the ball goes out of play during the match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Kurt Zouma sticks his tongue out as the ball goes out of play during the match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor.

Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor.

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Pep Guardiola sits in the dug out with Manel Estiarte at Turf Moor ahead of the match between Burnley and Manchester City in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola sits in the dug out with Manel Estiarte at Turf Moor ahead of the match between Burnley and Manchester City in the Premier League.
Racegoers enjoy the final day of the Randox Grand National Festival horse race meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. The annual three day meeting culminates in the Grand National on Saturday.

Racegoers enjoy the final day of the Randox Grand National Festival horse race meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. The annual three day meeting culminates in the Grand National on Saturday, which is run over a distance of four miles and four furlongs, and is the biggest betting race in the UK. 06.04.19

Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, makes history after winning two back to back Grand Nationals at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, Liverpool. 06.07.19

Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, makes history after winning two back to back Grand Nationals at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, Liverpool. 06.07.19

Phannapa Harnsujin [Red] of Thailand beats Tatiana Kudashova [Blue] of Russia in the womens -53kg final at the World Taekwondo Championships held at Manchester Arena. 19.05.19

Phannapa Harnsujin [Red] of Thailand beats Tatiana Kudashova [Blue] of Russia in the womens -53kg final at the World Taekwondo Championships held at Manchester Arena. 19.05.19

Thousands of Liverpool fans fill the streets of the city after their win in the Champions League final against Tottenham this evening. 01.06.19

Thousands of Liverpool fans fill the streets of the city after their win in the Champions League final against Tottenham this evening. 01.06.19

Dejan Lovren celebrates scoring the first goal of the match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield. 26.12.18

Dejan Lovren celebrates scoring the first goal of the match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield. 26.12.18

Josh Warrington [Blue & Gold Shorts] defeats Carl Frampton at Manchester Arena. 22.12.18

Josh Warrington [Blue & Gold Shorts] defeats Carl Frampton at Manchester Arena. 22.12.18

Leander Dendoncker scores Wolves' third goal of the game.

Leander Dendoncker scores Wolves' third goal of the game against Everton at Goodison Park. 02.02.19


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Alfie Williams, 9, at trainer Ross Pointon's Gladiator Gym in Stoke on Trent.

9-Year-Old cage fighter Alfie Williams at trainer Ross Pointon's Gladiator Gym in Stoke on Trent. 30.01.19


Trent Alexander Arnold and Marko Gobeljić  clash.
Trent Alexander Arnold and Marko Gobeljić  clash.
Sadio Mane and Filip Stojković  challenge for the ball.
Sadio Mane and Filip Stojković  challenge for the ball.
The sky is lit up pink during the first half.
Huddersfield Town Vs Liverpool - Premier League - John Smiths Stadium - 20.10.18 The sky is lit up pink during the first half.
Romelu Lukaku scores Manchester United's second.

Romelu Lukaku scores Manchester United's second goal Against Huddersfield in the FA Cup 5th Round Tie at the John Smith's Stadium. 17.02.18

MERCURY PRESS. 26.04.18. Manchester, UK. (Pictured: Boxer Tyson Fury discusses his highly-anticipated comeback fight at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester today [THURS]. Fury will fight on the 9th June at the Manchester Arena.)

Tyson Fury sticks his tongue out in front of a portrait of himself ahead of his comeback fight in Manchester. 26.04.18

MERCURY PRESS. 19.08.18. Liverpool, UK. Pictured: Irishman Deane Kearney performs a drift around a hairpin outside the Liver Building in Liverpool at the first Red Bull Drift Shifters event in the UK. A drifting event like no other, the event brings 12 of

Irishman Deane Kearney performs a drift around a hairpin outside the Liver Building in Liverpool at the first Red Bull Drift Shifters event in the UK. 19.08.18

MERCURY PRESS. 05.06.18. Manchester, UK. (Pictured: Tyson Fury during a public workout at the National Football Museum in Manchester ahead of his return to Boxing this weekend at the Manchester Arena.)

Tyson Fury during a public workout at the National Football Museum in Manchester ahead of his return to Boxing. 05.06.18

MERCURY PRESS. 26.05.18. Liverpool, UK. (PICTURED: Thousands upon thousands of Liverpool supporters took over the city centre today [SAT] ahead of the Champions League final match against Real Madrid in Kiev.)

Thousands upon thousands of Liverpool supporters take over the city centre ahead of the Champions League final match against Real Madrid in Kiev. 26.05.18

DANIEL STURRIDGE TRAINS AT MELWOOD AHEAD OF LIVERPOOL'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH WITH SEVILLA TOMORROW (WEDS). PIC DATE 12/9/17

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge trains at the teams Melwood complex ahead of a match against Sevilla. 12.09.17

MERCURY PRESS. 07.07.18. Blackburn, UK. (Pictured: Thousands of England fans react to the team beating Sweden to progress into the World Cup semi final outside the Havelock Inn pub in Blackburn)

An England fan at the Havelock Inn, Blackburn, celebrates reaching the semi finals of the World Cup following England's victory over Sweden. 07.07.18

PIC BY JAMES SPEAKMAN / MERCURY PRESS. (PICTURED: DE BRUYNE DURING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP F MATCH BETWEEN MANCHESTER CITY AND SHAKHTAR DONETSK.) PIC DATE 26.09.17

Kevin De Bruyne during the Champions League match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk. 26.09.17

PIC BY JAMES SPEAKMAN / MERCURY PRESS. (PICTURED: PYATOV LOOKS ON AS CITY CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND GOAL DURING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP F MATCH BETWEEN MANCHESTER CITY AND SHAKHTAR DONETSK.) PIC DATE 26.09.17

Donetsk goalkeeper Pyatov looks on as Manchester City celebrate scoring their second goal during the Champions League match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk. 26.09.17

Kyle Walker is challenged by Piotr Zieliński.

Kyle Walker is challenged by Piotr Zieliński during the Champions League match between Manchester City and Napoli. 17.10.17

Napoli and Manchester City fans after Napoli score a penalty.

Fans clash during the Champions League match between Manchester City and Napoli. 17.10.17

Argentinian Manager Jorge Sampaoli before kick off.

Argentinian Manager Jorge Sampaoli before kick off at a friendly between Argentina and Italy. 23.03.18

Italian caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio assesses the team prior to kick off.

Italian caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio assesses the team prior to kick off at a friendly between Argentina and Italy. 23.03.18

Ever Banega celebrates scoring Argentina's first goal.

Ever Banega celebrates scoring Argentina's first goal at a friendly between Argentina and Italy. 23.03.18.

Manuel Lanzini scores Argentina's second goal against Italy.

Manuel Lanzini scores Argentina's second goal against Italy at a friendly between Argentina and Italy. 23.03.18

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