22 hours agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Brodie Croft looking to inspire Leeds to top six – courtesy of notebook
BRODIE Croft hopes to be all write and help Leeds gatecrash the play-offs, thanks to his notebook.
For the Rhinos’ star jots down everything he needs to be the best he can be after every match and every meeting.
The stand off has already established himself as a key part of the bid to bring silverware back to Headingley, less than a year after he joined.
Boss Brad Arthur – who has committed to stay for 2025 – recognised the day he walked in that he took notes in off-field meetings ahead of matches.
And lessons picked up on the pitch also go in there as he looks to stay at the levels that earned him rugby league’s biggest individual honour, the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award, in 2022.
Croft said: “You could call them little mental fresheners – just reminding me of little cues I’m looking for in matches, both in attack and defence.
“It’s something I’ve done throughout my career. I find it works for me, it doesn’t work for everyone but I’ll keep doing it.
“There’s a good balance in there of strengths and weaknesses of the opposition’s game that we’ll try and exploit but also attributes of my game that I want to implement to counteract them.
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“Every meeting and every game I bring it. I’ve the same routine every week, regardless of who you’re against, you always do your homework beforehand.
“After games and training sessions I’ll write down what I’ve done well and I have my own goals each week that I want to try to hit.
“I self-coach myself a bit and hold myself accountable before the coaches. That’s only going to help me improve my own performance and hopefully that helps the team’s.
“That’s the best preparation for myself but the coach also holds me to account – just because I take notes doesn’t mean they give me a blind eye and Brad’s really good with that.
“I really enjoy what he’s brought to the club and the boys are really buying into him.”
Leeds need all of Croft’s expertise as they must win at Hull KR and hope to squeeze into the top six as they lie one point behind Leigh with one match remaining,
But the 27-year-old – who still lives on the other side of the Pennines – believes it is up to the forward pack to set the platform.
He added: “It makes your job on the edge a lot easier if the guys in the middle work hard.
“It’s a joy to come to work every day and while the season can be called frustrating in a way, the whole narrative can change.”
Seven-times world champion Ronnie gave her the huge sparkler in 2013 — a year after they started dating.
However they never married and friends say they have now broken up — 147 months since they got together.
The couple separated in 2022 before patching things up.
A friend said: “Ronnie and Laila really threw themselves back into their relationship after the split a couple of years ago.
“He kept posting pics of them online at home together and saying romantic things on special occasions, but that’s all come to a halt.
“They’ve tried so hard but they just can’t make it work.”
Laila popped up on ITV’s This Morning last month to publicise her stint as Ayesha Siddhu in EastEnders.
Meanwhile, her fiancé, who has scored a record 15 maximum-147 breaks throughout his career, has been in lucrative competitions abroad.
The pal went on: “Ronnie has spent months and months on the road this year doing snooker tours for big money in China and Saudi Arabia while Laila has been concentrating on her acting career.
“There is a lot of love between them but they have been going in different directions and conceded it is over.
“Ronnie and Laila make a lovely couple so the people who know them best are hoping this is a blip like back in 2022.”
Last year, Footballers’ Wives star Laila, told how “talking” eventually helped her reconcile with Ronnie, who was awarded an OBE in 2016.
She said: “We found our way back, we just worked it out.
“Back when I announced it, we hadn’t been together for almost eight months at that time.
“Talking is so underrated.
There is a lot of love between them but they have been going in different directions and conceded it is over
A pal
“If you can sit down and say how you feel and what you want when you get older that is much easier to say too.”
Ronnie, who has three kids from previous relationships, has spoken openly about his mental health battles and regularly threatens to retire from snooker.
This week he crashed out of the English Open after a shock first-round loss to China’s He Guoqiang, with fans criticising his decision to play left-handed.
Ronnie said of the defeat: “I’m not even bothered.”
Representatives for Ronnie and Laila declined to comment.
Seven-times world champion Ronnie, 48, gave the EastEnders actress, 53, the huge sparkler in 2013[/caption]
He used his lawyers and security team to silence anyone threatening to go public. He bugged rooms and phones.
One woman says she was just 15 when Fayed, aged 79, raped her. She did go to the police, but no action ensued. Why?
Who were the lawyers and security officers who covered up for their perverted ogre of a boss?
And why, given the suspicions over Fayed going back decades, did Netflix whitewash his character in The Crown?
Fayed is dead. But others can still be held to account.
Sweet and sour
IMAGINE the mental gymnastics required to think that heavily taxing every sugary treat shoppers buy will somehow propel millions of workless people back into jobs.
The argument goes something like this:
Higher taxes would slash sales of “unhealthy” foods, magically cutting obesity. The obese lose weight, their health improves . . . hey presto, they sprint back to work. Well, it’s a theory.
Except sugar taxes won’t cut people’s weight to any significant degree. If George Osborne’s 2018 fizzy drinks levy had genuinely worked we wouldn’t still be hearing about soaring obesity.
And the grim truth is too many people simply like idling on benefits.
Cutting those handouts would be infinitely more effective in incentivising them to get a job, as the Tories proved years ago.
But Labour only needs the thinnest excuse to bring in nanny-state taxes — and this mad suggestion from their welfare reform adviser has provided it.
You may be slim, healthy and employed, but stand by to pay more for every sugary treat . . . “to ease worklessness”.
Site of shame
THE Four Houses Corner travellers’ site was, according to police, a long-standing hotbed of violent criminality and hostility.
That was before three smirking, feral teenage thugs fled there to hide and destroy evidence after dragging poor PC Andrew Harper a mile to his death in 2019.
Since when it’s been derelict. But yesterday the Lib Dem council began refurbishing it at staggering expense so it can house twice as many people.
What an insult to Andrew’s memory.
And a kick in the teeth for taxpayers footing the £3.5million bill.
22 hours agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Towie star flashes engagement ring as she gets engaged to boyfriend one year after welcoming baby girl
THE Only Way Is Essex star Clelia Theodorou has revealed her engagement to long-term partner Tommy Cole.
The ITV reality star confirmed the news in an Instagram post today.
Towie’s Clelia and Tommy are engaged[/caption]
The star rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex[/caption]
Clelia shared a close-up look of her stunning engagement ring as she revealed the news to her 226,000 followers.
She then quickly followed it up with a clip of hers and Tommy’s adorable daughter wearing a baby-grow which read: “Mummy & Daddy are getting married.”
The TV beauty accompanied the snap with the caption: “A million times yes.
“It’s crazy to think back to the days when we didn’t know each other then all of a sudden there was you and you became everything.
“Mummy and Daddy are getting married!!!”
The reality TV star’s celebrity pals were quick to share their congratualtions as they rushed to the comments section with sweet messages for the star.
Jess Wright said: “Aww congratulations.”
Whilst Lauren Pope and Chloe Meadows shared similar messages echoing the sentiment.
The happy news comes just one year after the TV beauty and her partner welcomed their very first child.
Tommy wrote: “The moment we were desperately waiting for came 2 weeks and 2 days early on September 16th 2023 at 6.53pm and we couldn’t be happier.
“Mummy and Daddy’s little miracle, Cielo Elizabeth Cole decided enough was enough and she was ready to meet us!
“The respect I have for @cleliatheodorou is immense. She managed to deliver her naturally with just gas and air in just a few hours. A real life superwoman. Both Mum & Baby are doing so well.”
22 hours agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Arsenal player ratings: David Raya shines in strong defence but Thomas Partey struggles in drab Champions League draw
ARSENAL began their new-look Champions League campaign with more David Raya heroics.
The defences won out in the first half, with just one save of note from a Bukayo Saka free-kick.
David Raya kept his clean sheet with a piece of genius goalkeeping[/caption]
But within three minutes of the restart – and then a lengthy VAR check – Atalanta had a penalty.
Raya, though, spared Thomas Partey’s blushes with a truly extraordinary double save.
Robbie Savage labelled it the “best save I’ve ever seen” while Gunners fans lauded their Spanish hero, who has conceded just once in five games so far this term.
Ben White – 7
Given the daunting task of trying to keep Ademola Lookman quiet inside a rocking Gewiss Stadium but completed the job with his classic relaxed, languid demeanour.
William Saliba – 8
One of the world’s top centre-backs but did not need to be anywhere near his best – solid enough when called upon, including excellent late sliding tackle in own box.
Retegui showed great movement but Saliba will have far sterner tests this season, none more so than up against Erling Haaland on Sunday.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Like his partner Saliba, Gabriel helped ensure the Arsenal defence came out on top.
Starting to run out of words to say about this pair who just concede so few chances.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Adds an extra dimension to this Arsenal side – showing just how much he was missed when sidelined last season.
Arguably had the easiest evening’s work off the four defenders.
Thomas Partey – 4
Martin Keown described the Gunners’ retraction en masse during the transition as Arteta putting up his own “Thames Barrier”.
But Partey nearly allowed the floodgates to open by giving away the penalty three minutes into the second half – only to be rescued by Raya’s heroics.
Thomas Partey gave away the penalty just after half-time[/caption]
David Raya produced a stunning double save from the penalty and rebound[/caption]
Ben White was up against Ademola Lookman[/caption]
Declan Rice – 6
Top awareness to sniff out the Atalanta danger and help control midfield.
But squandered a great chance to drive Arsenal forward when he won the ball on the halfway line and could have launched a dangerous counter.
Kai Havertz – 6
With Jesus starting up front, Havertz dropped into a deeper role – but he is perfectly comfortable there, too, and can carry the ball forwards.
Little to show for his evening, though, but continued to put a shift in defensively until the final whistle.
Buakyo Saka – 6
Drew the foul from Ederson who collected an early yellow and from the resulting free-kick almost squeezed a low effort into bottom corner but for top save.
Given a breather for final 20 minutes with an eye on Sunday.
Captain on the night was his typical busy self early on getting himself around but virtually all of his involvement was outside the Atalanta penalty area.
Withdrawn before the hour mark.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Struggled to get in the game and then when he did get in, squandered a really good chance when he blazed over.
Definitely not hitting top form so far this season and may well find himself among the subs against Manchester City.
Bukayo Saka went close with a drilled free-kick[/caption]
Kai Havertz played deeper in midfield[/caption]
Marco Carnesecchi made the save then thwarted Partey’s follow-up effort[/caption]
Gabriel Jesus struggled to get involved at the business end of pitch[/caption]
SUBS
Leandro Trossard (for Jesus, 58 mins) – X
Plenty of energy from the Belgian.
Jorginho (for Partey, 58 mins) – X
Headed on for Partey before the hour mark – presumably knowing a strong showing could get him a starting spot at the Etihad.
Raheem Sterling (for Saka, 73 mins) – X
Became first player ever to represent four English clubs in the Champions League and immediately set up Martinelli.
Riccardo Calafiori (for Timber, 73 mins) – X
Helped ensure Arsenal kept the clean sheet – crucial minutes with his new team-mates.
Arsenal went to Italy to face the Europa League champions[/caption]
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22 hours agoWorld LeaksComments Off on I lived on beans as I was worried state pension wouldn’t cover bills but I got £13k extra a year after quick phone call
THOUSANDS of vulnerable pensioners are missing out on a range of benefits by not claiming pension credit and other awards to which they are entitled.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her July statement that from this winter, ONLY households in England and Wales who receive pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits will be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Terry* was worried his state pension wouldn’t cover his bills, especially during the spiralling cost-of-living crisis[/caption]
Labour have axed winter fuel payments worth up to £300 for 10million OAPs[/caption]
Until now, the Winter Fuel Payment has been available to everyone aged over 66.
The move will strip 10million pensioners of the tax-free payment of up to £300 a year.
It is estimated that 880,000 UK pensioners who could be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment will miss out because they are not signed up for Pension Credit.
When Terry*, 71, was forced to leave his job as a driver two years ago due to crippling osteoarthritis he was not only devastated but worried his state pension wouldn’t cover his bills, especially during the spiralling cost-of-living crisis.
He said: “When I got my diagnosis I had to quit my job, but my state pension barely covered the bills. Things got very, very tight.”
Having been evicted from a previous home when the landlord sold it, Terry felt especially worried about the impact his finances would have on his housing situation.
He was forced to make tough sacrifices to survive — often eating just a can of beans or a sandwich every day.
Always hungry
He said: “I was hungry almost all the time, and my health was shot.
“I spent a lot of time watching television or thinking about how to get out of the mess I had got myself into.”
Despite regularly chatting with his family, Terry kept his financial struggles a secret.
He explained: “There’s nothing more important to me than self-reliance. And as I’ve got older, that’s got stronger.
“I didn’t want to drag anyone else into my problem.”
But eventually Terry was left with no choice — and out of sheer desperation, he contacted charity Age UK.
He said: “I was really reluctant. I thought about it for several days before I worked up the courage to make that initial call.
“But then, from that first call, Age UK quickly managed to turn the situation around.”
With the support of Age UK’s Benefits Entitlement Team, Terry was able to claim Pension Credit.
The extra income — amounting to £13,000 a year — has enabled Terry to eat properly, buy mobility aids and start to enjoy life again.
If you think you might be entitled to the benefit, there has never been a more important time to apply.
Or if you know of an elderly relative or friend who might be in line for Pension Credit, now is the time to offer them support to enquire.
Older people living on low and modest incomes have until this coming Sunday to apply for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year.
However, many are unaware that successful Pension Credit claims can be backdated by up to three months, so there is more time to make a claim if applicants cannot meet the first deadline.
If you claim Pension Credit after you reach state pension age, the very last day you could claim and guarantee that you can get three months’ backdating to bring you within the qualifying week to also get a Winter Fuel Payment will be December 21, 2024.
Pension Credit provided a financial life line for Ann Sheppard when she retired from her job as a teaching assistant[/caption]
When Ann Sheppard, 73, retired from her job as a teaching assistant, she worried about how she would cope without an income.
But Pension Credit provided a financial life line, ensuring she received not only the Winter Fuel Payment but a range of other benefits, too.
She said: “When I stopped working, I was worried about how I would manage. But Pension Credit has really helped me.
“It’s not just the monthly payment, but the other benefits that come with it that really makes the difference.
“There are so many advantages when you receive Pension Credit, including not paying Council Tax. I don’t think people realise.
“Even smaller things, such as not paying for dentistry or glasses. It has helped me hugely.”
“And now it means you get the Winter Fuel Payment, too.”
“I didn’t have a private pension so I applied for Pension Credit.
“I was lucky enough to know about it after helping my own mum with some of her benefits. I phoned to enquire whether I was eligible and the adviser worked out exactly what I was entitled to.”
The payment is designed to help with the higher cost of energy bills in the colder months and is known as the “gateway” benefit for pensioners, because it opens the doors to a wide range of additional support, including reduced water bills, a free TV licence and help with council tax and rent.
Who is eligible?
YOU may be eligible for Pension Credit if you are aged 66 or over and have a low income. Your payments are cut or reduced if you have £10,000-plus in savings.
You can claim if your income is less than £218.15 a week if you are single or £332.95 as a couple.
Even if your income is higher than those thresholds, you can still claim if you meet other criteria, such as having a severe disability, have certain housing costs such as service charges or have a child or young person living with you.
You may also be able to claim if you have a younger partner, as you may still qualify through Universal Credit.
To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this year you need to submit your claim for Pension Credit by September 22 .
It means you have until midnight this coming Sunday to qualify for the benefit.
It’s estimated as many as 850,000 people are failing to claim Pension Credit, with some £2billion going unclaimed each year. However, if you fail to apply by Sunday, claims can still be backdated by three months.
Caroline Abrahams from Age UK said: “We really do urge anyone who is feeling the pinch to come forward and check if they’re eligible for extra help this winter.
“We would encourage anyone with an older person in their lives to strike up a conversation about the cost of bills and mention this extra benefit that might help them to stay warm this winter, if they claim.”
Kate Smith, from Citizens Advice, said: “It’s really worth applying even if you think you’ll only get a small amount.
“Even a little Pension Credit can help and could unlock other benefits, such as the Winter Fuel Payment.
“Please check if you qualify — it could make a real difference to your finances.”
Bonus benefits
IF you claim Pension Credit, it opens the doors to additional support.
The state help can add up to an extra £9,665 a year, according to analysts Policy In Practice.
A successful claim means help with energy bills and other essential living costs such as:
A one-off payment of £150 via Warm Home Discount Scheme.
A Cold Weather Payment of £25 a week, paid automatically when the average temperature is 0C or below over seven consecutive days.
22 hours agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Raya’s SUPERB double-save after pen secures Gunners’ first point in Champions League
ARSENAL have kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 0-0 draw at Europa League champions Atalanta.
The main talking point of the game came early in the second half as David Raya’s superb double-save denied the hosts the lead after a controversial penalty was awarded.
Declan Rice was suspended for the Gunners’ 1-0 North London derby win against Tottenham last time out, but the midfielder returned for his side’s Champions League opener.
The Gunners now look ahead to Sunday’s mammoth clash with title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
Match result: Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal
Atalanta team: Carnesecchi, Djimisti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri, De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman
Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Partey, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
22 hours agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Atalanta 0 Arsenal 0: David Raya the hero in drab game as Gunners get off to underwhelming start to Champions League
ARSENAL have David Raya to thank after his sensational double save earned them a 0-0 draw with Atalanta.
The dull game will not live long in the memories – but Raya’s save certainly will.
David Raya pulled off a stunning double save[/caption]
The save helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet and earn a point[/caption]
There was little to separate the two sides after an even opening 45 minutes.
Arsenal came closest to scoring when Bukayo Saka forced a good save from Marco Carnesecchi.
But it all changed after the break as just three minutes into the second-half Atalanta were awarded a penalty after Thomas Partey pulled down Ederson.
Mateo Retegui stepped up for Atalanta but was incredibly denied by David Raya’s stunning double save.
The goalkeeper saved the initial shot to his right before bouncing back to his feet and somehow scooping the rebound header off the line.
Both sides probed to break the deadlock and Gabriel Martinelli blazed a huge chance over the bar with just 15 minutes remaining.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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