Just two months after completing the entire length of Africa, Russ Cook a.k.a. ‘Hardest Geezer’ is back out on the road once again and has set himself the challenge of running all the way to Germany for Euro 2024.
Does this guy ever just have a sit-down?
The 27-year-old fundraising athlete from Worthing in West Sussex has barely had any time off since becoming the first person to run the entire length of Africa over the course of 352 days, even chucking in a casual London Marathon just a fortnight after achieving the incredible feat.
Now, though, the Hardest Geezer grind is back underway as Cook set off from Wembley at 3:30pm on Tuesday, 11 June and intends to make it all the way to the Veltins Arena in Germany for England’s opening game against Serbia on Sunday.
Yes boys & girls. Absolutely buzzing to be back on road, running to Germany to support @england throughout the euros. Leaving wembley now, ferocious 1s & 2s to every game. COME ON💪 pic.twitter.com/Amv7pWupUd
Jumping back on social media to track the entire challenge just as he did for the last 12 months, the inspiring endurance runner is hoping to follow the Three Lions across the country in an effort to support them and raise money for charity throughout the Euros.
ADVERTISEMENT
Set to run from city to city for each fixture, his journey – at the very least – will see him travel from England’s opener in Gelsenkirchen to the Waldstadion in Frankfurt for the second game against Denmark, before moving on to FC Koln’s RheinEnergieStadion for the Slovenia match on 25 June.
However, should Gareth Southgate’s side make it through the group stages (you better believe they will), Russ is prepared to follow the boys throughout the tournament and is welcoming others to come and join him for the multiple legs in what he admits is “a race against the clock”.
Having worn classic England shirts on numerous occasions throughout the course of his run across the African continent, seeing him wearing Three Lions on the shirt will be a familiar sight, having also been sponsored by retro replica kit manufacturer Score Draw to keep the national team colours on show.
The best part about all of this other than us getting to tune into the Hardest Geezer’s journey every day is that he is once again raising money for The Running Charity, the same non-profit he raised over £1 million through Project Africa.
ADVERTISEMENT
The organisation supports young people who are homeless or have complex needs and Cook is also choosing to donate his sponsorship fees from both Score Draw and fellow retailer Sports Direct directly to the cause. What a legend.
We’re now more hopeful than ever that England make it all the way to the final; what a story it would be, especially if he can provide some added motivation and national spirit, as well as raise even more money for a vital cause along the way. It’s coming home – just not before big Russ gets to Germany.
Manchester United announce signing of new women’s striker Lea Schüller
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women have revealed another new player, officially announcing the signing of German striker Lea Schüller.
The experienced forward joins the Man United women’s team from reigning Frauen-Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, having spent half a decade with the seven-time winners.
Schuller is the third deal done in just a matter of a few days, following another European international, Hanna Lundkvist, who will officially join up with the team on 1 January.
Unveiled on Monday, 29 December, the 28-year-old made more than a century of appearances for Bayern and helped them to four of those titles, as well as a Women’s DFB-Pokal German cup.
Safe to say she arrived in Manchester with a fair bit of pedigree.
Also scoring over 100 goals in her five years with the club, as well as 54 goals in 82 appearances for Germany, with whom she finished as runners-up when England defeated them in the Euro 2022 final.
Speaking in her first official club statement, Schüller said: “From the first conversations that I had with Marc and the club, the ambitions of everyone here were very clear. I still have so much that I want to achieve in my career, and I know that Manchester United is the perfect club to join.
“I feel that the team’s style of football will really suit my game; I hope my qualities and experience can help us to achieve our aims both in England and in the Champions League.”
The club is definitely having a productive recruitment period as promised, with Marc Skinner looking to bring in even more before the end of the January transfer window.
As for Schüller, she has signed a contract until June 2029, and you can expect Skinner and his coaching staff to start introducing her into their offensive line around her very soon.
Matt Johnson, Director of Women’s Football at Manchester United, went on to add: “Lea’s goalscoring record is phenomenal, her style of play will give our attack an exciting new dimension. We are delighted to add a player of her pedigree to the group.
“Lea’s winning mentality and experience will really help our young and ambitious team as we continue to grow together and compete across domestic and European competitions.”
You can see her first full interview as a Man United Women’s star down below.
The Olympic bronze medallist should contribute plenty.
VAR audio requested as Nottingham Forest prepare complaint after Man City defeat
Danny Jones
Nottingham Forest have requested that the VAR audio from their game against Manchester City be released, as they are considering launching a formal complaint following the defeat.
Forest hosted Man City at home this past weekend and went on to lose 2-1.
However, Sean Dyche’s side are said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ with some of the refereeing decisions made by first official, Rob Jones, on the day.
As a result, they are now asking the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to share some of the conversations between on-pitch officials and the VAR team at Stockley Park in West London.
"I'm scratching my head and I can't believe it!" 😳
Sean Dyche wasn't happy with the officiating in their loss to Man City 😬
As you can see, Dyche initially said that “there’s no point” in pushing the refs on their performance, as he feels they usually only “get in trouble”, but it looks as though his employers have advocated for him.
Nottingham Forest had a problem with the final call in a number of instances during the festive fixture on Saturday, 27 December, but none more so than in one key moment.
The manager and his coaching team felt that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been cancelled out following a foul by Nico O’Reilly on Morgan Gibbs-White in the preceding corner, which may have prevented Cherki from scoring another decisive finish.
Dyche also argued that another City defender, Ruben Dias, was due a second yellow card and therefore dismissal from the pitch for a challenge after the break, but there was ultimately nothing doing.
You can see the collision here:
"I do have sympathy for Sean Dyche… it is a second yellow card!"
Ref Watch discuss whether Ruben Dias should have been sent off against Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/dxTYmGsEqZ
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham have already requested more information from the refereeing body, with this not being the first time they’ve felt hard done by.
As they put it, the hope/belief is that raising the issue could help “start a broader discussion around officiating this season.”
What do you make of Forest’s concerns against Manchester City, and do you think they’re worthy of launching an official complaint against the PGMOL and Premier League?
You can see the highlights from the game and perhaps decide for yourself down below.
Danny Jones -
12th June 2024 
