Sport

Sale Sharks notch another new signing ahead of next season – and he’s rather big

That's a powerhouse pick-up if we've ever seen one.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th March 2025

Sale Sharks have acquired another new signing ahead of next season as they have secured the services of Jacques Vermeulen.

Oh yeah, and in case you didn’t know, he’s a very big lad…

The 30-year-old South African will be joining the second group of Sharks in his career, having previously played for Durban’s Hollywoodbets team of the same nickname based back in his home country.

He made his move to the Gallagher Premiership back in the 2019/20 campaign and after spending six years with the Exeter Chiefs, Vermeulen is now set to swap Sandy Park for Salford.

Capable of being deployed at lock or along the back-row, the Paarl-born rugby union player has been labelled one of the best in his position that the league has seen in recent times, having made over a century of appearances for the Chiefs, who won their second title the season he arrived.

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Joining Alex Sanderson’s side on a two-year contract after spending six years at Sandy Park, he will make his way to the Salford Community Stadium next season, following the arrival of Nathan Jibulu.

Towering above many other players at a whopping 6’6″, not only is he massive in stature but the Premiership heavyweight is known for his work rate and aggression, as well as being no stranger to grabbing a try or two.

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Speaking via an official club announcement, Vermeulen said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Sale Sharks. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the club’s structure and incredible fan base, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.  

“I already have some good friends in the squad, which will make the transition even smoother, and I truly believe this team has the talent and ambition to achieve big things.  

“I’m excited to contribute and give my all for the club, and I can’t wait to get started. Sale Sharks are a very physical outfit and that suits my style of play.” 

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Sharks Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, went on to add: “Jacques has been one of the most consistent performers in his position in the league ever since he arrived at Exeter.  

“His enthusiasm is infectious and he’s always been a nightmare to play against and someone we’ve had to target. He’s one of those players you want on your team because of his unparalleled, unrelenting physicality and work-rate. 

“He’s a real enforcer, his ability to repeat physical actions is second to none and he’ll complement what we’ve already got. He can play anywhere across the back five but I think there’s more to come from him and that’s really exciting. 

“He already has plenty of good mates here, so I have no doubt he’ll fit right in. We’re all buzzing to get him here.”

With fan-favourite Raffi Quirke also signing a new deal recently, the Curry brothers still running the flanks and George Ford looking on top form too, the Sale Sharks are looking strong going into 2025/2026.

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Featured Images — Exeter Chiefs/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

25,000 free footballs are being given away across the UK

Danny Jones Danny Jones Barlcays bank giving 1000 free football across the UK

A total of 25,000 free footballs are up for grabs this month as part of a new scheme from Barclays, who are giving them away to mark a special anniversary.

The British multinational universal bank, which boasts over 850 branches and more than 48 million customers worldwide, has been supporting the beautiful game for a quarter of a century now and has been the primary Premier League sponsor since the 2001/02 season.

Approaching 25 years helping fund and promote English football, they’ve come up with a new initiative to celebrate, simply called the ‘Lost Ball Project‘.

We’ve all seen scenes like these before.

barclays free footballs
lost ball project
Credit: Barclays (supplied)

Tapping into the national and generational memory of losing a ball to a pond, up a tree, over a fence or on a roof and so on, Barclays are making up for those heartbreaking little losses – one ball at a time.

Lost Ball will see the bank give away 25k footballs across the UK, with Barclays customers able to claim a free ball for themselves or someone else who has lost theirs.

Already up and running, the scheme is off to a flyer and free footies will be available until Thursday, 22 May, so we wouldn’t wait around.

The bank has played an integral role throughout the British football pyramid for decades now, sponsoring to only the Premier League but also the WSL, Barclays Women’s Championship; the Northern Irish Women’s Football Association, Scottish Women’s Championship and the Scottish Women’s League One

They’ve even put together this emotive, albeit a bit tongue-in-cheek video:

Excellent song choice.

As they put it, the mission of the Lost Ball Project is simple: “Let’s keep the nation playing the beautiful game. Because there’s no football without grassroots football.”

In addition to backing established leagues, they have continued to support the country’s footballing community at large, especially in terms of the women’s game.

For instance, the Barclays Girls’ Football School partnership with The FA has seen the number of participating schools rise from 3,000 in 2019 to 20,000 in 2024, helping more than 2.5 million schoolgirls access football.

Important work done from the ground up.

Credit: Supplied

Barclays’ Group Head of Sponsorship, Tom Corbett, said in a statement: “We are immensely proud of our pioneering work and funding to grassroots football over the past 25 years.

Giving away 25,000 balls to replace our customers’ ‘Lost Balls’ means they will never be without the one thing you need to be able to play the game we’ve supported at Barclays for all these years.”

If you bank with the group, you can find out how to claim your free football HERE.

We quite fancy a kick around now.

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Featured Images — Barclays (supplied)

Sport

Andy Burnham set to join legendary Manc DJ and ex-England internationals in a charity football match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Andy Burnham charity football match

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is set to take on a legendary Manchester DJ as well as multiple former footballers in a charity football match, including multiple ex-England internationals.

Now eight years into representing the ten boroughs, Burnham’s latest charitable effort comes on behalf of iconic Manc venue and community cornerstone, Salford Lads and Girls Club (SLGC), which has sprouted some of the region’s most important musical and sporting talents.

Set to face the one and only Mike Sweeney – a veteran BBC broadcaster and legendary Salfordian radio DJ – as well as a number of retired pros, in hopes of raising money for SLGC, the charity game is taking place very soon.

And by soon, we mean this month. You can hear all about it from the man himself:

As explained by Sweeney, now 77, the meeting between his all-stars and Burnham’s boys is scheduled to take place on 11 May, with a 2pm kick-off.

The Premier League’s already wrapped up, this is the real ‘Super Sunday’.

Enlisting the help of Manchester United legend, not to mention Treble and Champions League winner, Paul Scholes, there is some serious talent on show.

Mayor Burnham, on the other hand, has managed to sign Bolton Wanderers legend, as well as former Manchester City player-manager and England international, Peter Reid, who is still raring and ready to lace up his boots at the age of 68.

Sweeney is actually an England player himself, in case you didn’t know, currently representing the over-75s national team. A man of many talents.

As for who else, the complete squads are yet to be fully confirmed, but the starting XIs will be made up of other members from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and more hand-picked by the local legend.

afc monton manchester
new alder park
AFC Monton’s home ground (Credit: Gibbo’s 92)

The match is set to take place at AFC Monton’s New Alder Park (just off Worsley Road, M30 8JN) and, best of all, entry to the ground will be completely FREE, with those attending encouraged to donate as much as they like to Salford Lads and Girls Club on the door.

Speaking ahead of the game, Sweeney said: “Salford Lads and Girls Club is incredibly close to my heart and I can’t think of a better cause to put this game to.

“It will be a welcome change switching the battle of the studio to the football pitch where I can flex my international credentials, while raising as much money as we can for this amazing club.”

As for the Mayor, he wrote in a statement following the announcement: “SLGC is an iconic institution which has provided a lifeline to many of the most vulnerable in our communities. When we were told the club was in real jeopardy last year, we knew we had to do all we could to help.

“It was fantastic to see all the money raised in such a short space of time to save the club, but we want to go further to make sure the club is safe and invested in for the future. This is why the legacy fund is so important.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to Andy Burnham, Mike Sweeney, and every player stepping up to take part in this special match.

Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club is SAVED after Greater Manchester rallies behind local institution
The charity match set up by Mike Sweeney and Andy Burnham follows a huge surge of support for the venue late last year.

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Laura Slingsby, CEO of Salford Lads and Girls Club, signed off by adding: “We’re incredibly grateful to Andy Burnham, Mike Sweeney, and every player stepping up to take part in this special match.

“Events like this help us raise funds and shine a light on the life-changing support Salford Lads and Girls Club continues to offer young people across Salford.

“This is more than just a game. It’s a celebration of community, heritage, and hope for the future. We can’t wait to see everyone pitchside cheering them on!”

Who are you cheering on, ‘Sporting Sweeney’ or ‘Burnham FC’? Doesn’t matter either way – a beloved community cornerstone is the real winner either way.

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Featured Images — GMCA

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