The Rolling Football Thread: Season 2025/26 - thread 4

[DuncinToffee]

Previous thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/sports/5481141-the-rolling-football-thread-season-202526-thread-3?page=40&reply=151472506

Congratulations from a Man City fan:

https://www.threads.com/@jasonmanford/post/DZA4qIKkmvy?xmt=AQG06Eh6z40wkU_sb6v_xgG5A2T76vF4M0458cBqEgrRYMzaY5H1vsUBKD_pKrFxp-BRueOa&slof=1

James Milner has retired - an end of an era. The word "legend" is massively overused in football, but not in his case. My favourite player. ♥️☹️

I liked the 'boring James Milner' parody, which by all accounts he took in good humour.

Someone who just gets on with his (or indeed her) job and can be relied upon, whatever sport or profession they are in, deserves appreciation.

Sad news

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/01/kevin-keegan-former-england-newcastle-manager-stage-four-cancer-diagnosis

Shout out to the person at the Mail who chooses the photos to go with the headline!

Very sad, indeed. And now Kenny Dalglish has confirmed that he, too, has cancer. He and his wife, Marina, have been doing charity work to raise funds for cancer treatment equipment for Liverpool hospitals since Marina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.

Very sad news. I hope treatment goes well for the both of them.

My son had cancer in 2024, I look back and don't know how we all got through it. It's why my son is a Leeds United fan, it was the hospital he was treated at and he was able to meet some of the players.

I just want to say that there is nothing that makes me prouder as an Arsenal fan than after Gabi missed the penalty his shirt sales have gone up 350%.

He is outselling every other player 2 to 1.

Nothing but love and support.

Proud to be a Gooner.

I saw that. Proud too.

Just wanted to say hi from my hospital bed. Surgery went well with no complications and should be home tomorrow.

Hoping treatment goes well for Kenny. Also saw in the article that John Barnes said he had had his prostate removed too.

Aww that’s really lovely ❤️❤️ I also saw Marquinhos from PSG - who’s his Brazil team mate - hugged him after he missed the penalty, which warmed my heart!!

So glad surgery went smoothly @Tarkan! Wishing you all the best for a steady recovery, so you can be back to your full football supporting duties soon!

Speedy recovery @Tarkan

@Kirbert2 I am so sorry to hear about your son and hope he is in good health now. I can't even begin to imagine what you all went through.

@Tarkan Hope you recover smoothly and swiftly - there is a smokie pie with your name on it when you do, I'm sure!

Horrible to hear about John Barnes, King Kenny and King Kev. You never think of your heroes as being mere mortals really, do you.

He's doing well now, thanks. Will be in remission 2 years in September!

That's wonderful to hear! ♥️

Excellent news @Tarkan ... I've had everything crossed for you 💐

That is excellent news @Tarkan

Take care.

Yes-Marquinhos missed one for Brazil so he gets it.
A nice piece of sportsmanship to go straight to him.

Did anyone watch The Vardeys last night?

I recorded it and have watched the first half and am enjoying it.

No, watched the Wales v Ghana friendly and an excellent equaliser.

I assume The Vardys documentary money given to the family will help with the legal costs that they incurred in the so-called Wagatha Christie court case.

Yes I assume so.

I found it interesting because of the footballing aspect although they did talk about the trial.

Rebecca Vardey came across as quite likeable although I have only watched half an hour so far.

I'm missing notifications so haven't checked in for a while.
Hope your recovery goes to plan @Tarkan . Rest up.

Just read this article about Konaté - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/03/ibrahima-konate-reveals-struggles-in-year-of-personal-tragedy. Didn’t realise he was going through so much. Very brave of him to speak about it ❤️❤️

Depression amongst elite athletes, and how it affects them, definitely needs to be spoken about more. People see the fame and fortune and forget that every elite athlete is also just a human being like anyone else. Being away from his family during his father's illness must have been utter hell for Ibou, and he also confirms how devastating the loss of Diogo Jota was (all those people who sneer about how when anyone else loses a colleague, they just have to go back to work the next day and nobody makes a fuss about it, can kindly fuck off to the far side of fuck and, when they get there, they can fuck off some more).