While it may feel as if the endless 2025-2026 season concluded yesterday, I regret to inform you that Fiorentina will be back in our lives sooner than we feared. That’s right, thee preseason calendar has started to take shape ahead of the centenary season. We’ll get our first glimpses of Fabio Grosso and his new look Viola. Here are the key dates.Fiorentina’s first competitive fixture is the Coppa Italia 3rd-round game against Benevento/Ravenna on Friday, 14 August. The Serie A campaign begins on Monday, 24 August, against AS Roma. The club will add a few more friendlies before that and we’ll update this story as they’re announced.
Blog
Here’s Fiorentina’s summer schedule
Armed Forces events combines community and military attractions
Organisers of an Armed Forces Day event say they wanted to strike a balance between community and military attractions.The Stamford branch of the Royal British Legion staged an event at the Recreation Ground on Sunday to recognise the role of the Armed Forces.A programme of live music ran from 11.30am until 6pm with contributions from Bomber Country Pipe and Drums, The Alibi, The Vintage Singers, Ellie James, Cottemore Military Wives Choir and the Huntingdonshire Concert Band.Chris Tasker, Ian Field, Ross Smith, Paul Ampleford and Mo Gout represented the Royal British Lgion. Photo: Iliffe Media/Chris LowndesAlso keeping the crowds entertained were craft and trade stalls, community stands, a bar, refreshments, fairground rides, military displays and circus skills workshops.The refreshments tent was manned by Legion volunteers while Stamford Action hosted a Pimms bar. Young people from Stamford and Ketton Explorers and 4th Stamford Christchurch Guides were raising money for camping trips with a selection of games while 2nd Stamford Scouts offered the chance to make a stamped leather keyring.Stamford and Rutland Cancer Support, Stamford Prostate Support Group, the Men’s Shed, Hero Paws and Blesma, The Limbless Veterans also held promotional stands.Explorer scouts manned a human fruit machine to raise money for a trip to the World Scout Jamboree. Photo: Iliffe Media/Chris LowndesA Hurricane flypast also proved popular with the crowds. Event organiser Matt Wade, secretary of the Stamford branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The idea was to bring the community together for Armed Forces Day. We felt that Stamford was worthy of a celebration because of its close links with military bases.“We also wanted to make sure everyone who wanted to join us was able to attend so there was no charge for stallholders.“There was good football during the day and everyone seemed to be pleased with the activities and the range of live music.Bomber Pipes and Drums performed throughout the day. Photo: Iliffe Media/Chris Lowndes“We would like to thank all those that supported Armed Forces Day. Special thanks to all the community groups and traders, to the fantastic music groups that performed, to all the helpers and contractors but most of all to those that came and supported the event. We hope they enjoyed it as much as we did organising it.”The Vintage Singers. Photo: Iliffe Media/Chris LowndesThe branch committee will now decide whether to make the event a regular feature in Stamford’s calendar.
Cambridge man sentenced to life for murder and drug charges
Jon Ismaili to serve a minimum of 18 and a half yearsAuthor: Charlotte BarberPublished 3 hours agoJon Ismaili, 34, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Cambridge woman Catalina Birlea, with a minimum term of 18 and a half years factoring in additional charges.At Cambridge Crown Court, Ismaili was found guilty of murder and additionally charged with being concerned in supplying drugs. The sentences given were 17 years for murder and 36 months for drug-related charges, with half of the drugs sentence ordered to be served alongside the murder term. Ismaili had traveled to a house on Chesterton Road on 2nd October last year, where Catalina was staying. He entered the property in the morning, masking his face from CCTV cameras on departure. A friend later found Catalina unresponsive, prompting a call to emergency services. Despite paramedic intervention, she was declared dead at the scene. Facial recognition technology identified Ismaili as the man seen entering and leaving the premises, leading to his arrest following a police manhunt. Telephone records tracked Catalina’s phone connecting to Ismaili’s local area after the incident. A post-mortem confirmed her death was due to neck compression. Throughout police interviews, Ismaili maintained silence and pleaded not guilty. Detective Inspector Mark Dollard remarked on the investigation’s success and importance: “Only Ismaili knows what happened at the property that morning and why he murdered Catalina…” He emphasised the perils faced by those working in the sex industry, encouraging them to report violence without hesitation. The police assure complete support and prejudice-free investigations for anyone in the industry who experiences violence. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
Farnley: ‘Solution soon’ to pitch drainage issues – West Leeds Dispatch
By John Baron
A drainage failure which leaves Tong Road flooded and Farnley Falcons’ pitches unusable could soon be resolved, a councillor has said.
WLD featured in January how persistent surface water runoff from Butt Lane Playing Fields has repeatedly flooded the road and pavement – leaving dangerous ice in winter and ongoing damage to the road. In February Farsley resident Peter Allison raised the issues with councillors on the Outer West Community Committee.
At today’s Outer West Community Committee meeting, Councillor Kate Haigh (Labour, Farnley & Wortley) had raised the issue with Leeds City Council and said a CCTV survey had revealed one of the culverts had been blocked and that it will be jetted and cleared in the coming weeks.
She said different options to improve drainage had been discussed and that investigations were ongoing, including options to upsize a pipe.
“We are hoping to have a solution soon,” she added.
Leeds City Council had said it was committed to finding the source of the issue and had been working collaboratively across various services and the rugby club to try and find a way to resolve the problems as soon as possible.
Staffordshire County Council moves to dismantle EDI programmes | LocalGov
Staffordshire County Council © Ascannio / Shutterstock.com
Reform UK-led Staffordshire County Council has published a position paper setting out plans to remove equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks from the local authority.The paper, titled Equality Before the Council, proposes scrapping EDI training modules, disbanding identity-based staff networks, ending diversity-related branding and campaigns, and resetting recruitment practices to focus on merit. A full audit of existing EDI policies across the council is also planned.
The council says existing training will be replaced with guidance focused solely on compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP described it as ‘decisive action’ and said the paper would serve as a blueprint for other Reform-controlled councils across the country.
Council leader Cllr Martin Murray said the changes would ensure people were ‘judged on their ability, not on some EDI ideology.’
The position paper is being distributed to all Reform UK-controlled councils.
UNISON West Midlands head of local government Esther Fanos said: ‘Any changes proposed by Reform UK must be carefully assessed. There must be no weakening of protection and support for workers, or for anyone who uses the council’s services.
‘It’s a poor reflection on the party’s priorities if it opposes giving people an equal chance.’
Commenting on the move, a statement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said: ‘As the EHRC’s website states, the Equality Act 2010 provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all. It provides Britain with a discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.’
It went on to quote the EHRC chair, Mary-Ann Stephenson, who said: ‘Equality legislation is something that protects all of us. If you want to protect your own right to protest or to freedom of expression, you also have to recognise that the legislation that does that protects the rights of people you disagree with – and you have to respect that.’
For more on EDI in local government, check out The MJ (£) interview with PPMA president Sandra Farquharson.
Transfer news LIVE: Yan Diomande rejects Liverpool as Barcelone eye Harry Kane
June 29th©IMAGO
The summer transfer window has officially opened and while the main attention is on the World Cup, clubs are working away on major deals. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer storiesYan Diomande’s preference is to join PSG this summer, which will end Liverpool’s pursuit of the RB Leipzig star. The Anfield club’s €90 million, plus €10m opening offer for the Ivory Coast international was rejected and he’s now made it clear he wants to join the Parisians.
Barcelona are considering a move for Harry Kane this summer, according to the Daily Mail. The England international will enter the last year of his contract but it’s been widely reported that Kane has no interest in leaving the Bundesliga side.
Liverpool are considering a move for Said El Mala. The 19-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough season at FC Koln and has been of interest to several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle united, Brentford and Brighton.
Note:
When you search for something on Google, you’ll see a box with the latest news alongside the usual results. If you set Transfermarkt as your preferred source, our content will appear there more often.Add Transfermarkt as your preferred source here.
Victoria Wood’s dinnerladies to be adapted for the stage – The Reviews Hub
More than 25 years after it was first screened on BBC One, the iconic Victoria Wood sitcom dinnerladies will tour the UK in a brand new stage production. The new stage adaptation is the first piece of Wood’s work to be commissioned by her estate.
Originally created and written by, and starring, Victoria Wood, dinnerladies ran for two series between 1998 and 2000, winning widespread critical acclaim and a devoted audience for its warmth, wit and brilliantly observed characters. It won a British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2000.
The show features a storyline inspired by the beloved original TV episodes and characters, including Bren, Tony, Dolly, Anita, Jean, Twinkle, Philippa and Stan. Les Dennis will take on the role of maintenance man Stan, with further star casting to be announced.
dinnerladies is adapted for the stage by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and it will be directed by Sean Foley.
Whether you’re revisiting an old favourite or discovering it for the first time, dinnerladies will serve up a hilarious night out packed with heart, nostalgia and plenty of surprises.
The UK tour will open on 22nd January 2027 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. It will go onto Manchester, Llandudno, Bath, York, Birmingham, Stockton, Milton Keynes, Eastbourne, Blackpool, Cardiff, Hull, Nottingham, Wimbledon, Ipswich, Torquay, Truro, Bournemouth, Northampton, Stoke, Guildford, Canterbury, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Reading, Sheffield, and Southend where it closes on 7th August 2027.
Cross-county talks begin over ‘bottleneck’ Trent Bridge improvements at Gainsborough | West Bridgford Wire
Talks are underway on how to improve a bridge which has been labelled as a “bottleneck” and a “nightmare” for commuters. The Trent Bridge at Gainsborough is a key route between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, but often has traffic queuing to cross it.Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkyns commissioned a feasibility study earlier this year into options, including widening it or an entirely new bridge.The authority is now speaking with Nottinghamshire County Council, East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and the STEP fusion project about the possibility of joint funding.“The combined authority is aware of the issues with the bridge serving Gainsborough,” Ms Jenkyns told a meeting of the mayoral authority on Wednesday, June 24.“I’ve sat in the traffic myself so many times. You’re talking half an hour for the last mile, it’s a nightmare.“We’ve had the feasibility study done and have spoken to the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, and are going to progress meetings with the East Midlands Mayor and STEP.“We need the new bridge. I think we all ought to work together and fund it as it equally benefits the East Midlands and STEP. I want to ensure it finally happens.”The bridge was built in 1791 and was last widened more than 60 years ago, according to a plaque on it.A Gainsborough couple said: “You often see the bridge backed up for a long way – often all the way past the pub on the other side.“It’s a bottleneck, and you have so many tourists coming from the Sheffield area which have to pass over the bridge to get to Skegness.“The problem is there are so few crossings over the Trent. You’ve got the Lincoln bridge miles in one direction, and you have to go all the way up to Keadby [in North Lincolnshire] in the other way.“Ideally, they’d improve the traffic lights and roundabout near this bridge to help the traffic flow better.”The STEP fusion project at the former West Burton power station is expected to become a major employer for the area in future, highlighting the need for stronger transport links.By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Work begins to build more than 85 affordable homes in Cambridgeshire village
Alongside new homes, the development will feature a dedicated play area space for childrenWork has officially begun on a new 87-home affordable housing development in Bury(Image: Stonewater)Work has begun on a new development to build 87 new homes in Cambridgeshire. The Tunkers Lane development in Bury will see a mix of homes built as affordable housing.The homes will range from one and two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom maisonettes, to two, three, and four-bedroom houses. There will be 36 properties available for shared ownership, 32 allocated for affordable rent, 10 rent to buy homes, and nine available for social rent.Housing provider Stonewater has implemented energy-saving measures to the homes. These include air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, and electric car charging stations for some plots.The development will provide opportunities for apprentices to work on the site and develop their skills, helping to fill the skills shortage in the industry.A piece of public art will be designed for the estate as well as a dedicated play area for children, and an edible garden. Fruit trees and bushes will be incorporated into the scheme for customers to enjoy, to promote sustainability and healthy eating, according to Stonewater.The energy efficient homes are being delivered to meet the local housing demand in Cambridgeshire(Image: Stonewater)An event to mark the beginning of construction took place towards the end of May. The scheme is expected to be completed in the 2027 to 2028 financial year.Nicola Hillier, head of development (East) at Stonewater, said: “These homes will offer a range of options for local people to secure an affordable home in the village they have existing connections with, contributing to the local economy and broader society.”The Tunkers Lane scheme is being built in partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council, Burmor Construction, Bury Parish Council, and Calfordseaden.Patrick Burke, Director at Burmor Construction, said: “We look forward to working closely with Stonewater and our project partners as construction progresses and to seeing this new neighbourhood take shape over the months ahead.”
Leeds United make move for Premier League star as asking price revealed
Credit: Imago
Leeds United are ramping up their efforts to bring in new players ahead of the start of pre-season preparations in the next couple of weeks.
The club have an agreement in place to sign Harry Wilson on a free transfer, and the deal will likely go through sometime this week once he is formally out of his Fulham contract.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
Leeds are also in talks with Julian Brandt and are trying to convince him to move to Elland Road over interest from two Champions League clubs this summer.
The Whites are close to finalising a new deal with Karl Darlow, but signing a goalkeeper remains a priority, and they have made a move for a long-term target in the Premier League.
Read More: Leeds United preparing a bid for World Cup goalkeeping star
Newcastle name asking price for Nick Pope
Nick Pope has been heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer and has only a year left on his contract at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies have already signed a new goalkeeper and want to sign one more, a move that will require Pope’s departure in the ongoing transfer window.
He has been regularly linked with a move to Leeds, and according to Football Insider, the Whites have registered interest in signing him this summer.
Leeds are interested in Pope and are trying to gauge the financial aspects of a deal that would see him move to Elland Road in the ongoing window.
Newcastle are ready to sell him, but are expected to hold out for a fee of around £10m to £12m before agreeing to let Pope go.
There were suggestions that given his contract situation and age, Newcastle would be ready to accept somewhere around £5m for the goalkeeper.
However, it seems Newcastle are not prepared to sell him for a cut-price figure.
Leeds will likely sell Lucas Perri
Lucas Perri slipped down the pecking order midway through last season and spent the second half of the campaign largely confined to cup matches after losing his place in the Premier League side.
With Karl Darlow expected to sign a new contract and Leeds pushing to bring in another goalkeeper this summer, Perri’s future at Elland Road looks increasingly uncertain.
The club are willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian once a replacement arrives, with all signs pointing towards an exit before the transfer window closes.
Perri never did enough to convince the coaching staff that he was ready to be Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League, and a summer departure now appears to be the most likely outcome.
