TIGHT SQUEEZE FOR HARRY’S UNITED BOW
HARRY MAguiRe’s Manchester united debut was quite the occasion for the Yorkshireman’s family.
The club handed over corporate box number one for their Old Trafford clash with Chelsea, and sources have told
Sports Agenda that the group made the most of it.
‘There was so many of them in there that there was nowhere to put the food!’ said our insider, who added: ‘They were a really nice bunch — you could tell they were all just delighted for him and really enjoyed the occasion.’
Meanwhile, members of Manchester’s paparazzi have so far failed to land a shot of england man Maguire without a red face.
‘He gets embarrassed when he sees us,’ said one photographer. ‘He’s clearly just a humble bloke who’s not used to the spotlight you get at united.’ NOT the best couple of weeks for Sky Sports News interim chief Steve Scott. Hot on the heels of the cock-up which saw an embargo around the Wales squad broken, the broadcaster attracted criticism for running an ill-judged countdown clock which ticked towards Bury’s expulsion from the EFL. Both happened on Scott’s watch and — although Sky insiders say others were responsible — heap pressure on the favourite to replace veteran Andy Cairns on a permanent basis. Highly-respected Comcast executive Francoise Champey is also a strong contender for the job. OVeR on sky sports, viewers watching saturday night’s burnley v liverpool clash will have noticed another blunder while Kelly Cates was interviewing Virgil van dijk.
The presenter appeared set to ask the dutchman a question about Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, who had become the latest footballer targeted by racist morons on Twitter, before backtracking after apparently getting a message in her ear that Van dijk did not want to speak about it. Cates (right), who handled it well, said that she had been given false information. SPECSAVERS were quick to respond to a call from Ben Stokes to provide his fellow Headingley hero Jack Leach free glasses for life. The optician may not, however, have seen the potential for the plucky tailender to be subsequently hit with a bill from HMRC, who never miss a trick. A Specsavers spokesperson said they are continuing to work on the agreement and will make sure such issues are covered. In 1975, unlikely Ashes star (and specs wearer) David Steele came to an agreement with the tax man after a local butcher promised him lamb chops for every run up to 50 in the third Test at Headingley and steaks for anything beyond. Steele joked that his match tally — 165 — kept him fed for two years. THE Professional Cricketers’ Association have beaten their footballing counterparts at the PFA to the appointment of a new chief executive, with an announcement on the successor to the outgoing David Leatherdale expected this week. The PFA, on the other hand, appear content to give long-serving Gordon Taylor a long goodbye, which could see him remain in charge for another 12 months, despite the fact that he announced his intention to stand down earlier this year. Rebuilding of the Compton and edrich stands at lord’s commenced last week, at an estimated cost of £52m. MCC has procured a borrowing facility of £15m against its assets, the three properties it owns in adjacent grove end Road — including the grace-and-favour house occupied by chief executive, guy lavender — to manage its risk and provide further funds, if needed. These loans have been lodged at Companies House. it is hoped phase one of the twoyear build will be completed in May 2020, a month before the first lord’s Test when england play West indies. if costs rise, rebuilding of the eCb offices inside the east gate will be delayed or aborted. THE ECB, under pressure to capitalise on a magnificent summer of cricket, have lost one of their most-valued members of staff. James Motley, who left Sky at the start of the year to take on the daunting task of looking after controversial new format The Hundred, is departing after less than 12 months in the role because his wife has landed a top job in Dubai.