England captain Harry Kane has been applauded for his “classy” response after a number of high-profile pundits took aim at his team’s start to Euro 2024.
The response comes after England‘s admittedly reserved opening performances, beating Serbia 1-0 but failing to be ruthless following the early goal and drawing 1-1 against Denmark whilst playing similarly defensive for most of the game.
Understandably, fans and pundits alike haven’t been overly impressed with their start to the Euros; most notably Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker said that “Kane needs to do better” on BBC coverage. The latter also summed up England’s showing in the second game as “sh*t” on The Rest Is Football podcast.
However, Kane hasn’t let the criticism go unanswered, issuing a short but sweet reply to pundits following the early verdict on Gareth Southgate‘s side this far, urging them to think twice and just “remember” what it’s like to be in that situation.
Gary Lineker called England's performance against Denmark 'shit'.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) June 23, 2024
Insisting that he’ll never be “disrespectful to any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England,” he couldn’t have put it better, simply stating: “Remember what it’s like to wear the shirt”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Level-headed from the skipper – who was already one of the first to admit that he knows England haven’t been at their very best – and it seems that rather than doubling down on the criticism, a lot of fans found his response pretty pitch-perfect.
Popular footy account, The 44, called it “a very classy response from our country’s captain”, while another added: “Excellent response from Harry Kane to be fair.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Author Hashi Mohamed went on to say: “Kane is often portrayed as thick. But this thoughtful response to former players and now pundits is very thoughtful. Lineker and the others have a responsibility to build up not tear down. Be honest but be constructive too. They’re still human beings.
On the other hand, not everyone was so convinced by the Bayern Munich striker’s words, with many stating that the talking just needs to be done on the pitch.
That Harry Kane press conference is verging onto implosion stuff.
You don't play well, you get criticism.
Kane, Saka, Bellingham, Foden, Rice, Alexander-Arnold are showered with huge praise most of the time.
The only response should be a desire to prove them wrong. #England
Kane did go on to add that “what ex-players or ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise it is very hard not to listen to it now” in the age of social media and it’s “tough” enough to represent your country without having to hear that from your peers and role models.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also warned them to be extra mindful of the younger players “who are not used to it or some players who are new to the environment.”
England take on Slovenia tomorrow (Tuesday, 25 June) at 8pm and although they are likely to qualify with the four points they already have, singing off the group stages with a win would do wonders for their own confidence and across the nation.
Whatever you’ve made of Southgate and the boys so far, there aren’t many times when the whole country gets to unite in support of one thing and at the end of the day, you have to back them – and when they feel that support behind them, maybe they’ll start to play how we know they can.
Featured Images — The Rest Is Football (via YouTube)TNT Sports/BBC Sport
Sport
Manchester Storm’s ‘own and loan’ scheme returns for 2026/27
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have relaunched their much-loved ‘own and loan’ programme once again ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Having gone from a cult favourite option for die-hards to an increasingly popular choice among their growing number of supporters, it’s a great way for fans to get their hands on what could go on to be priceless collectables.
Set up over a decade and a half ago, the initiative has gone on to be replicated by multiple clubs in the Elite Ice Hockey League, across the country, and indeed beyond.
For anyone unclear on what exactly this scheme means for them, here’s all you need to know.
The own and loan sponsorship is essentially an opportunity not only to support the club and your favourite player, but to essentially reserve a valuable piece of match-worn memorabilia.
Put simply, fans can buy a squad member’s jersey and then loan it back to them for the season.
The shirt – be it home, away, created for cup tournaments or a special limited-edition sweater (of which MCR Storm have designed many over the years) – will then be worn throughout the course of the campaign before being given back to the owner, i.e. you.
Not just simply buying the shirt, but helping back the team’s talent, it’s one of the most direct ways people can contribute to the club.
The Greater Manchester side pioneered the push for this initiative here in the UK in the early 2010s, and with the local side now set to return to the AO Arena, where their journey began way back in 1995, you can expect plenty to mark the comeback with a special sponsored jersey.
Anyone who purchases an away strip will have their name featured throughout home games for the duration of the season – not a bad gift or way to secure a potential future collectors’ item.
You can see every player available to sponsor and find out all the information you need right HERE.
For regular matchgoers at the ‘Storm Shelter’, we’re sure it’ll be bittersweet to say goodbye to Planet Ice Altrincham, but just how excited are you about heading home to the AO Arena later this year?
Featured Images — Manchester Storm (publicity picture)/The Manc Group
Sport
League One set for an all-Greater Manchester playoff final as Bolton book trip to Wembley
Danny Jones
It’s official: we’re all set for a fully Greater Manchester League One playoff final as Bolton Wanderers are the latest to secure a return to Wembley against Stockport County.
The resurgent old Lancashire club clinched their spot in the knockout conclusion of the third division with a single strike in the second leg of the semis, and it wasn’t a bad finish, either.
Beating Bradford City 2-0 on aggregate, Bolton will now play familiar regional rivals Stockport, with Wanderers set to clash with County in a decisive derby once again.
Bolton‘s instinctive volley from Chelsea youth product and former Hull City man, Xavier Simons, resulted in some very satisfying limbs at Valley Parade.
The home fans did have plenty to cheer on the night, with efforts from Metcalfe, Power and Wright all either hitting the woodwork or being deflected just past it.
They thought they were level in the tie at one point after Kayden Jackson put the ball in the back of the net, but it was ultimately ruled out.
Agonising stuff for the Bradford supporters to burst into bedlam before the flag was raised for offside.
Many supporters will argue that the key moment came somewhat against the run of play, but The Trotters won’t care one bit as they book another trip down to the capital.
You can watch the rest of the highlights, including those scenes in the away end, down below.
Speaking even before the game, head coach Steven Schumacher told Sky Sports: “It’s a club we believe is bigger than this division, but this division is not easy to get out of.
“The expectation and the demand to get to the Championship is there, and once you’re in the building and you feel the mood when you win games, when you lose games, you can sense that this is a club that is desperate to get out and get to the next level.
“When you look at the size of both Bolton and Bradford and how well they are supported, both clubs are probably too big to be in League One. But that’s where both clubs find themselves, and one of us has got to find our way out of it if we can.”
You’d dare say he can practically smell promotion via the playoffs now; the local side has come quite a way since the lows of administration in 2019 and the bottom tier of the EFL – not without some heartbreaks in previous playoff finals – but could he be the one to get them back where they belong?
In case you missed the action from the other game, you can see more HERE, and to hear Schumacher’s thoughts after the decisive result, look no further…
Danny Jones -
24th June 2024 
