MAN Magazine - Winter 2021/22

WINTER 2021/22 | FREE

LIVING IN A CAR... TO PGA TOUR

HOW FOOD AFFECTS MOOD

NEW LAMBO! ULTIMATE HOT HATCHES! LIONS OF THE FUTURE

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HOTTEST GAMES

JACK GREALISH SHORT SOCKS… TRAGEDY… NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES… THE REAL STORY OF BRITAIN’S £100M MAN

SPORT | FASHION | TECH | TRAVEL | HEALTH

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MAN MAGAZINE

HOW

WE MAKE MAN MAGAZINE:

First, we cherry-pick the world’s best writers in the fields of sport, style, cars, music, comedy, health & fitness, travel, adventure, and more.

Then we let them write the stories they want to tell. The stories that matter.

And finally, we give it all away for free.

Because when it’s this good, every man deserves to read it.

The result is the world’s greatest magazine for men who want the best of everything.

WHY manmagazineuk.co.uk

WE MAKE MAN MAGAZINE:

This is the important bit. We know that being a man can be tough sometimes.

Looking after your mental health, and helping your friends and family do the same, has never been more important.

That’s why we work with Mind and CALM, two of the UK’s leading mental health charities. We want to help end the stigma around mental health and ensure that every man gets the support he needs.

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MAKING TradeLife

EASIER Being in a trade can come with a lot of pressure, from planning the build to the early starts, long hours and being out in all weathers.

Working away from home, working weekends and often working alone. We get it.

At Buildbase we’re more than just order then out-the-door.

Pop in and you’ll find a friendly face in our branch teams and proper down-to-earth chat.

And we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you get the job done, making your TradeLife easier with guaranteed stock of key ranges, deliveries to suit your build schedule and negotiated trade terms. You'll also find tool and plant hire, electrical wholesale and trade kitchens too.

Building materials Timber Landscaping Insulation & Plasterboard

Plastics & Drainage Kitchens & Bathrooms Hire equipment Electrical & Lighting

Proud sponsors of the Buildbase FA Vase and FA Trophy

Find your local Buildbase or order online at

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MAN MAGAZINE

HENRY CATCHPOLE

CHRIS FLANAGAN

MICHAEL CATLING

As a contributing editor to evo magazine, Henry has given his verdict on hundreds of performance cars, from superminis to supercars. He helps you choose your next red hot hatchback on page 74.

Chris is Senior Staff Writer at FourFourTwo, and author of the book, ‘Who Put the Ball in the Munich Net? How Bolton Wanderers Joined Europe’s Elite’. He digs deep into £100 million man Jack Grealish on page 34.

Michael is Features Editor at Today’s Golfer, the UK’s number one golf magazine. He speaks to six golfers with incredible stories, each having battled back from the brink to be where they are today, on page 16.

SARAH MOCKFORD

JORDAN KATSIANIS

KIRK MCKEAND

Sarah is Editor of Rugby World and former chairman of the Rugby Union Writers’ Club. She profiles eight young stars ready to set the rugby world alight on page 48.

Digital News Editor at evo magazine, Jordan lives with his finger on the pulse of the best new performance cars. He shares everything you need to know about Lamborghini’s latest offering on page 70.

Kirk is Editor-in-Chief of TheGamer. com, a site with millions of readers each week. He reveals the biggest and best games to look out for during 2022 on page 94.

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MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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MAN MAGAZINE

W

e all have ups and downs in life.

Naturally, we try to maximise the number of ups and minimise the number of downs.

But, in putting this issue of MAN together, I’ve started to wonder if the downs – those moments of difficulty we try to avoid – are actually far more valuable than I’d ever realised.

Speaking to rising star of the music world, Tom Grennan (page 60), it was obvious that the greatest triumphs in his life have all come off the back of his darkest moments.

Golfer Issa Nlareb Amang, meanwhile, made his first professional cut only after having recovered from a lifethreatening illness that necessitated the amputation of both his feet and three fingers, while Willie Mack III went from broke and sleeping in his car to earning five-figure cheques at PGA Tour events (page 16).

Think of anyone who has ever achieved anything of note and I’m sure their story will feature troughs as well as peaks.

Perhaps it’s the moments of darkness that prepare us, teach us what we need to know, in order to take a step forward.

There’s a Tibetan proverb that says, “wisdom is like rainwater – both gather in low places”.

Two days ago, I split my head open while surfing. It wasn’t one of those life-changing near-death experiences you hear about, where I suddenly realised what was important and made sweeping alterations to my life. But, on my way to hospital, I had a strong feeling that if it had been worse and I’d suffered brain damage, I’d be kicking myself for not writing the book I’d always planned to write or making the film I’d always wanted to make. On the face of it, that experience of turning the sea red was a negative one I wish hadn’t happened, but perhaps it will come to be one I look back on as positive.

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I’m not suggesting we seek out these moments of adversity – I won’t be going out of my way to find other things to bash my noggin on – or that we can’t make positive changes to our lives without them, simply that if you’re going through a tough time, perhaps it’s actually an opportunity for growth that one day you’ll be thankful for.

Enjoy the issue.

Rob McGarr

Managing Editor

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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AVA I L A B L E IN CO-OP D R I V E N BY PA S S I O N

MAN MAGAZINE

CONTENTS Cover Photographer: Matt McNulty Executive Editor: Lee Gatland Art Director: Richard Hejsak Managing Editor: Rob McGarr rob@sevenstarmedia.co.uk Sales Team: 01959 543 650 sales@sevenstarmedia.co.uk Published by SEVEN STAR MEDIA LTD 184 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent Tel: 01959 543659 sevenstarmedia.co.uk Disclaimer: Man Magazine is published bi-annually (twice per annum) by Seven Star Media Ltd. No part of Man Magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted to any form without permission. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Seven Star Media Ltd, and are included to provide advice only. No content is a substitute for professional medical advice. During printing, images may be subject to a 15% variation. © Copyright of content belongs to individual contributors with the magazine copyright belonging to Seven Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Please either keep this magazine for future reference, pass it on for somebody else to read, or recycle it.

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BE A BETTER YOU

16 – The World’s Most Inspiring Golfers

Overcoming near-death experiences, lifechanging illnesses and the loss of limbs, these golfers make your complaints about that bobble on the 5th green look a bit soft.

26 – Save a fortune in five minutes

How taking a short break can stop your gambling getting out of control.

34 – You Don’t Know Jack

From getting punched on the pitch and sitting on the bench in the Championship to becoming a nation’s talisman and Britain’s first £100m footballer – it’s been a busy few years for the 26-year-old.

53 – 16 Ways Exercise Makes You Happy

Science-backed reasons to lace up your trainers and get a sweat on.

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48 – Lions of the Future

No, not a cyborg Simba riding a hoverboard… These are eight rugby starlets we’re tipping for British Lions caps in the future.

60 – Tom Grennan’s Secrets to Success

The rising star of the music scene has learnt how to turn setbacks into stepping stones.

66 – How Food Affects Mood

What you shove down your cakehole affects your mind just as much as your body.

88 – How to Handle BreakUps

Not every relationship is meant to last forever.

Let the team at CALM help you handle the heartache – and the practicalities.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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COVER CREDITS:

SPORT

MAN MAGAZINE

GEAR

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70 – New Lambo

50 years after the original was released, there’s a new Countach in town.

74 – The Hottest Hot Hatches

In a world of electric engines and squishy comfort, these roadready racers put the fun back into driving.

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48

53

94 – 2022’s Best Games

The must-play titles you should be loading up in the next 12 months.

102 – Beginner’s Guide to Bitcoin

Everything you need to know about the digital currency that’s threatening to make pennies and pounds a thing of the past.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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102

60

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JUNIORS COLLECTION

AW21 COLLECTION

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AGAINST

ODDS

THE NEXT TIME YOU TURN A BIRDIE PUTT INTO BOGEY, DON’T CURSE YOUR LUCK. THE SIX GOLFERS HERE KNOW THE TRUE MEANING OF ILL-FORTUNE. AND YET DESPITE THE ODDS, THEY’VE EACH BATTLED BACK FROM THE BRINK, STRONGER FOR THE EXPERIENCE, READY TO RISE AGAIN...

WORDS: MICHAEL CATLING, KEVIN BROWN PICTURES: BOB ATKINS, ANGUS MURRAY, PROVIDED

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MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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ALL

SPORT

MY PROSTHETICS HAVE GIVEN ME BACK MY GOLF GAME ISSA NLAREB AMANG

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B

efore I lost both my legs and almost all my fingers due to bacterial meningitis, I was playing some of the best golf of my life. My doctors think I actually contracted the virus when I won the Senegal Open in January 2018, but I only started feeling the effects when I flew to play in the Ein Bay Open in Egypt a month later. I remember trying to sleep the day before the tournament and feeling like my body was in the freezer. Eventually I lost consciousness, went into septic shock and I spent the next five days in a coma.

When I woke up, I realised I couldn’t move. The doctors told me I would recover, but nothing changed for one month. It was only when they transferred me to a hospital in Cameroon that they did some tests which showed I had no life left in my fingers or feet. That’s when they decided to move me to Belgium so they could amputate both legs, all the fingers on my left hand and three on my right.

It was such a terrible thing to hear because no one knew if I would be able to play golf any more. I struggled to accept it at first but after 12 weeks of non-stop pain and crying, I realised it was my only choice.

One of the worst things was having to spend nine months away from my family.

It was so hard because my wife doesn’t have a job and my kids had to stop going to school for two years. We don’t have any health insurance either, and the only reason I could have the operation was because of the generosity of the Alps Tour, my friends and everyone at my golf club.

I can’t explain how grateful I am because the first day I got my prosthetics was the first day I started walking again. I barely slept for the next few months because I was so desperate to get strong again and get back to my family. The doctors were amazed to see me recovering so quickly, but the best part was practising my golf swing in the hospital.

In the beginning, my best drive was

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

50 metres and I was so happy with that because I was swinging one-handed with just two fingers holding the club.

When I returned home in August 2019, I started coaching my brothers and I thought that would be enough to keep me happy. But one day one of them flew to a tournament and finished on 35-over-par. I was like, how is that even possible? That motivated me to get back on the range again.

I ended up using a strap so I could secure my left hand to the club and swing two handed. My first ball went 200 metres. I can’t explain how good that felt.

I realised at that moment that anything could happen.

My first tournament back on the Alps Tour was in early 2020 – at the same tournament in Egypt where I got ill – and it was there that I contracted coronavirus. I couldn’t believe it.

After that, I couldn’t afford to play on the Alps Tour again that year. It was only because of the people I coach that I was even able to go back to Egypt again this year. They believed in me and put their hands in their pockets to pay for my plane ticket.

I had a good first round and I was just praying I could do it again. I remember standing on the 18th hole, knowing I’d made my first-ever cut, and thinking, ‘Whoa, you’ve made it’. I ended up finishing in a tie for 51st, but the only thing I felt was immense pride and happiness.

What I need now is the support to keep going. I need that chance because, since I’ve started playing golf again, I’ve received no support from my government or federation. I’m the only disabled golfer in Africa and I don’t know where my next tournament is going to be because I don’t have the funding or sponsorship.

Sometimes I go back to my house in Cameroon and I start to cry because I don’t have a chance to enjoy my job and pursue my dream. I’m probably a victim of how poor my country is but I will never give up. Golf is my life.

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’ve learnt that golf is like life itself – full of ups and downs.

One minute you can be on the crest of a wave, the next moment you’re at rock bottom.

When I made the England squad in 2014 and 2015, I was doing really well on the amateur scene and was probably the fittest I’ve ever been. But then I started getting seriously tired. At first I didn’t think much about it, then one day I got a pain in the right side of my chest which gravitated to the left throughout the day. I reluctantly went to hospital where they first thought I was having a heart attack.

After a good six weeks of tests they told me it was lymphoma cancer and I needed treatment. It was quite a treatable disease, but at the time the tumour in my chest was quite substantial, to the extent that it had pushed my heart onto my rib cage on the left side. Six rounds of chemotherapy followed, with 15 days of radiotherapy and then three months to allow the affected area to settle before they retested me to see if it had all gone.

Obviously everything crosses your mind through that, including the worst case scenario. If that treatment doesn’t work, as is the case with some people, who knows what happens next?

For a year afterwards I felt like, I’m just going to play, not put any pressure on myself or force myself to do anything. I just wanted to see whether I still wanted to do it after such a weird and horrendous year. I’d play eight holes and that was enough. My mental state wasn’t the best and when I came out the other side I just wanted to enjoy myself. I went to the pub with the lads, and took a couple of holidays.

Everything changed again when I won my second Lancashire county title in 2018, a year after my illness. I realised then that I still had the desire to carry on and I’m so glad I did. I turned pro and enjoyed a great first year, crowned by winning a EuroPro event. There’s no way I was thinking, during my illness, that I’d be standing there holding a trophy.

It’s only in the last year that I’ve really started to feel physically where I was before I was taken ill. I always thought I’d be able to play again, though it was

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questionable whether I’d have the mental state to compete. Nothing seemed to matter as much, so there’s a question mark about whether I would still put the same amount of effort in. But I feel I’m better for it now, better for that experience.

Now the EuroPro Tour has started up again, I feel like I’ve been given a new lease of life. Part of that, strangely, is down to Covid – I was lucky enough to catch one of the last flights to Spain and set up camp there for the winter until March, which was huge. It cost me a lot of cash but, in my eyes, it was money well spent. I was going to the gym and playing and practising every day with no distractions.

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE A WINNER AGAIN AFTER SIX ROUNDS OF CHEMO SEAN TOWNDROW That period enabled me to make some big changes to my body and golf swing and I’m now reaping the benefits. I’ve also taken on a sports psychologist, so I’m a totally different golfer with a different mindset and body.

Now my main goal is to make the European Tour and push on again to see how far I can go. I want to be the best I can be and see where that takes me.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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I

’ve had a rollercoaster career so far, full of huge highs and huge lows. I went from struggling to make an impact on the mini tours to being diagnosed with Lyme disease and then winning the 2020 Women’s British Open.

I battled health issues from the year I turned pro in 2015 and, looking back, it was pretty incredible how well I played considering I wasn’t 100 percent.

It took about 12 or 13 doctors visits over three years to figure out I had Lyme disease. At that point, it was so chronic and I was struggling badly with fatigue. It was a constant battle to get my energy back up and hit it as far as I did in college because I lost about 25lb.

When I finally had the diagnosis I was able to take action. It made a huge difference and I started playing more like I had before my health issues.

Lyme disease is something that sticks with you more or less your whole life, but I have my symptoms under control right now and I’m able to play at pretty much 100 percent so long as I stick to my diet and the restrictions I have to maintain.

There were times when I thought maybe I needed to try something else. That became more real as the years went by and the realisation hit that I was just unfortunate to

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I NEVER LOST HOPE, EVEN WHEN I COULDN’T GET OUT OF BED

be struck down by something that not many people get. I was then faced with a choice of dealing with it or looking for something else to do.

Deep down, I knew that I was good enough and that made it really hard for me to just quit. I was lucky to have the right support system, so I soldiered on and I never fully lost hope.

My win in the Women’s Open made it all worthwhile because I surprised so many people. I was 304th in the world and only managed to qualify late on with a top 10 finish.

Having won a Major, I’m now playing with a lot more confidence and recently finished second in the LPGA Match-Play.

I enjoy myself out there now and being exempt in all the Majors for at least the next five years has taken the pressure off and allowed me to play with more freedom.

I’m more patient with myself and I think that’s key.

SOPHIA POPOV I’m relishing my title defence at Carnoustie, one of my favourite courses. I’ve played there twice in the British Amateur and the 2011 British Open, and I love that place. I know the course pretty well but, given certain conditions, it doesn’t really matter how well you know the course. It’s going to be exciting and hopefully there will be some fans this time to make it even more fun.

It’s been a long road to get here. There was a lot of personal research, figuring out on my own what would make me feel better. And I’m glad I got to a point where I’m now feeling pretty good.

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t’s been a long and hard road to get to where I am today. I relied heavily on my father’s support to keep me going. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be done. He’s taken time off work and sacrificed his life to help me achieve my dream of getting to the PGA Tour.

The toughest time came soon after I turned pro. I was down to my last dollar and was forced to sleep in my car for about 18 months on and off, as well as on friends’ couches. Money was so tight it was untrue… Dad helped me out whenever he could, but he still had his own bills to pay. It was tough for both of us. When I played well, he always told me to use the money on a hotel room or food.

I WAS FORCED TO SLEEP IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS

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WILLIE MACK III

I suffered a major setback in 2018 when my car ground to a halt, driving from a tournament. I was waiting for the tow truck to arrive when people on the side of the road shouted that my car was on fire! The first thing I thought about was to get my golf clubs out of the trunk, so I threw them onto the side of the road.

I tried to get back into the car, but it wouldn’t open which was just as well because, a few seconds later, it blew up. Who knows what would have happened if the door had opened…

The first year I turned professional, I played well and won the money list on the mini tour in Florida and got to the second stage of PGA Tour Q-School, missing the finals by two strokes. I thought professional golf was pretty easy and then reality set in in the second and third years. I briefly thought about quitting at one point – it probably came into my head a couple of times when I was sleeping in that car. But I’m a fighter and I wanted to do whatever I had to do to make the next level.

In the last six or seven months I’ve received more recognition and have got my name out there, gaining exemptions into two PGA Tour events. The first one I got into was the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, replacing somebody who’d got Covid. Then I played in Tiger’s event at Riviera thanks to the Charlie Sifford Exemption awarded every year to a player representing a minority background. I played pretty well the first day, shooting five birdies for -1, but then the wind got up in my second round and I missed the cut by one.

The only consolation was that I had the opportunity to have lunch with Tiger for an hour on that Saturday (before he had his car crash). It was like a dream come true to spend time with somebody you’ve looked up to your whole life. The only downside was that Dad couldn’t come to the events because of Covid.

What I’ve endured is a little embarrassing, but I’m glad I went through it – it’s made me a better man and a better golfer. I feel like I’ve been through a lot but, honestly, nothing can faze me now.

I just never quit… my parents always taught me, if you start something, finish it.

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B

eing born deaf means I’ve often struggled with the social side of life and sports in general. I played plenty of sports growing up, but it was only when I took up golf seriously at the age of 12 that I really felt I could be myself.

I only live five minutes’ walk away from Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club and I always found it a very welcoming environment.

In the summer holidays I used to go there every day to practice and within four years I was playing off scratch, competing in national events such as the British Boys, English Amateur and Brabazon Trophy.

I never felt like I couldn’t compete on an equal playing field because I can still feel the strike of the ball, even though I can’t hear it. The hardest thing is being understood and understanding what’s being said isn’t always easy. I sometimes wonder if people think I’m being rude because unless they’re in my line of sight, I don’t know if they’re talking to me.

Luckily, everyone is really supportive – and that’s generally the case wherever I go. One year I got the chance to meet my namesake, Paul Waring, at Wentworth and spent some time with him on the range. I remember I was hitting it really nice until I hit a shank and it landed in the players’ eating area!

Paul still sends me messages pretty

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MY MONEY WOES WON’T STOP ME FROM PURSUING MY GOLF DREAM

regularly, giving me help and advice. We actually have the same coach, Graham Walker. I try to see him about once a month, but last month was the first time I’d seen him this year. We tried a few lessons over Zoom but that’s pretty difficult when you’re deaf.

The pandemic hasn’t been great for me because I lost a part-time job working on the range. I’ve also only managed to get a handful of starts on the Jamega Tour and Clutch Pro Tour over the last 12 months and have only won money on three occasions.

Because I get no financial support from England Golf, I contribute all of my disability allowance (less than £3,000 a year) towards the costs of my entry fee, travel, food and hotels. The rest is paid for by my parents who have been a big help, but because the prize money isn’t that great, we’re not even close to breaking even.

Playing in 20-plus events in a year can cost between £10,000-£15,000 so I have to pick and choose the events which offer

PAUL WARING the best value for money. I’m not even sure whether I’ll be able to represent Team GB, if selected, at the Deaflympics in 2022 because there is no funding for deaf athletes.

When I won silver in 2017, we had to raise £7,000 for the golf team to even compete.

I was hoping to qualify for the EuroPro Tour at the end of last year, but I missed the cut in final qualifying. That was hard to take, but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

I’m only 25 and I still believe I can progress through the mini tours and earn my European Tour card, just like Matt Wallace did. I haven’t got a back-up plan because I want to follow my dream.

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wo days before I was due to play in the Web. com Tour Q-School in October 2017, I was watching cartoons with my kids when I went into full cardiac arrest. No warning signs.

Nothing. My wife, Reye, called 911 and the paramedics were able to revive me, but en-route to the hospital my heart stopped again. The paramedics needed to shock me seven times before I came round.

Just about every test possible was done to find out what caused it, but nobody could figure it out. So now I’ve got a pacemaker and defibrillator device in my chest and I see my cardiologist every six months. Fortunately, I haven’t had any other episodes since.

In fact my health is probably as good as its been in years…I’m 40, but I feel like I’m 25!

I’ve had a very different outlook in the last three or four years – my incident was

pretty scary and, amazingly, there was more bad luck to follow. My wife and I got pinned under a 2,000lb industrial mower. I could breathe, but she couldn’t. Our neighbours lifted the mower off with a tractor and my wife was in cardiac arrest and had a collapsed lung.

After you’ve given your wife CPR to resuscitate her, there’s not a lot of pressure in making a par on the last or making the cut. You can pretty much handle a six-footer for par! Not surprisingly, everything kind of changed in my mindset from then on.

I’ve turned 40 now, but I firmly believe that, in golf, it’s never too late.

I’d really like to make this year’s Web.com finals, but my ultimate goal is to finally play on the PGA Tour on a regular basis.

I’m convinced I’ve got

the game – I’ve been unlucky to miss out in three play-offs in PGA Tour event qualifiers in the past 12 months – and I just need the opportunities now.

I’ve played in about 15 PGA Tour events, including two last year, and made the cut in both. I’m comfortable out there and excited to play every time I get into an event. I kid people all the time when I say I’ve used up all my luck on just being alive.

I’M JUST GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE, LET ALONE PLAYING GOLF

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JAY MCLUEN

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HOW TO AVOID BET REGRET manmagazineuk.co.uk

IT’S THAT SINKING FEELING YOU GET THE MINUTE YOU MAKE AN IMPULSIVE BET, OFTEN WHEN DRUNK, BORED OR CHASING LOSSES. FOLLOW BEGAMBLEAWARE’S ADVICE TO AVOID BET REGRET.

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CHASING YOUR LOSSES WILL USUALLY LEAD TO BIGGER AND BIGGER LOSSES

TAP OUT. TAKE A MOMENT. AVOID BET REGRET Before you place any bet, tap out of your betting app and take a moment to think things through. It can be for just a moment, a minute, or perhaps long enough to make a cup of tea. Whatever you do in those moments, making this pause a habit will help you avoid Bet Regret.

BeGambleAware asked a group of people to tap out every time before placing a bet for two weeks. Here’s what they said: “Sometimes you put the app off, go and do something else and you actually forget to put it on.” – 36, London, Football bettor

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“I felt more in control. In the past, I have just placed bets without even considering the consequences.” – 37, South Derbyshire, Football bettor “I come off the app for maybe 5-10 minutes, finish cooking a snack or something, just take my mind off the sport and then I go back in the app and think maybe this bet isn’t so sound… I don’t have that instant regret.” – 22, Pembrokeshire, Football bettor

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

“Liverpool were winning 2-0. I was going to bet £50 on Liverpool to score the 3rd goal. Shut the app for a few moments for time to think straight.” – 43, Glasgow, Football and horse racing bettor

FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID BET REGRETS THIS SEASON.

1.

Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money - The venue

is using gambling to make money. It’s not designed to work the other way around. Over time you will give away more money than you receive! Think of gambling as an entertainment expense – just like buying a movie ticket.

2.

Only gamble with money you can afford to

3.

Set a money limit in advance - Decide how

4.

Set a time limit in advance - It’s easy to

lose - Gamble within your weekly entertainment budget, not with your phone bill or rent budget.

much you can afford to lose before you go to play. When it’s gone – it’s over! If you win, you’ve been lucky, but don’t be disappointed if your luck doesn’t continue.

lose track of time when you’re gambling. Set a time limit or alarm, and when time’s up – quit!

Odds are that the more time you spend gambling, the more money you will lose.

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5.

Never chase your losses - If you lose your

6.

Don’t gamble when you’re depressed or

set money limit and then try to win some of it back before you leave, then you haven’t really set a money limit. Chasing your losses will usually just lead to bigger and bigger losses.

upset - Decision-making can be more difficult when you’re stressed or emotionally upset. Make sure you only gamble when you’re feeling happy and clear-headed.

DECIDE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE BEFORE YOU GO TO PLAY

7.

Balance gambling with other activities - When gambling becomes your

8.

Don’t take your bank card with you -

9.

Take frequent breaks - Gambling

only form of entertainment, it’s unlikely that you’re still just gambling for the fun of it, and your gambling may even be a problem.

Make sure gambling isn’t your only pastime.

This is a good way to safeguard your money limit and not let being “in the moment” warp your judgment.

continuously can cause you to lose track of time and perspective.

Step out for some air or a bite to eat at regular intervals.

10.

Don’t drink or use drugs when gambling - Drugs

and alcohol cloud judgment, and good judgment stands as your main line of defence against letting gambling get out of control.

The National Gambling Treatment Service, commissioned by GambleAware, provides free, confidential advice, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call 0808 8020 133 or chat online at begambleaware.org/ngts.

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NEED HELP NOW?

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POP-UPS

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AND ASSESS TIFY RIS N E K D I

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ARC

Helping keep play safe At Entain, there’s nothing more important than the safety of our players.

We believe gambling should be fun, exciting, and entertaining – but always done responsibly.

That’s why we’ve created ARC – our Advanced Responsibility & Care System – to help identify moments where players need protecting.

Think of it as an invisible, intelligent safety net, constantly working in the background to spot potential signs of harm. When it does, it quickly diverts players towards a safer gambling experience by prompting them to set their limits, or take a break.

These are just a few of the things we look out for, and it’s a list which we’re always developing:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Real time unusual deposits Real time long session lengths Deposit amount / frequency Chasing losses Failed deposit Late night play

To find out more about ARC, and how we’re helping keep play safe, visit www.entaingroup. com/sustainability/safer-gambling-strategy It’s your game.

ARC

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YOU DON’T KNOW

JACK manmagazineuk.co.uk

Written by: Chris Flanagan

JACK GREALISH BECAME A NATIONAL ICON THIS SUMMER, DESPITE STARTING ONLY ONCE FOR ENGLAND AT EURO 2020 – SUCH IS THE APPEAL OF MANCHESTER CITY’S £100 MILLION MAN. YET REACHING CULT STATUS HASN’T BEEN STRAIGHTFORWARD FOR BRITAIN’S COSTLIEST PLAYER, WHO HAS BATTLED FAMILY TRAGEDY, DERBY DAY CARNAGE AND A NEARDEATH EXPERIENCE.

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Grealish’s head.

The Second City Derby was just nine minutes old, and St Andrew’s was in chaos. As Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham and a steward teamed up to wrestle the pitch invader to the ground, Grealish sat stunned on the turf, trying to process what had just happened.

He’d been facing the other way, with no reason to suspect any imminent danger, when the fan rushed out from Birmingham City’s Tilton Road end. The first thing Grealish knew about it was as the blow connected with his head.

The pitch invader was messing with the wrong man, at exactly the wrong time.

Grealish had endured two and a half years of misery by then, having been unable to help his boyhood club out of the Championship. Only a week earlier, though, with Villa 13th in the table in early March 2019, Grealish had returned from a three-month injury lay-off and been made captain for the first time.

In that comeback game, he’d scored the best goal of his career to put Villa 4-0 up at

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half-time against Frank Lampard’s Derby, meeting a corner with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box reminiscent of Paul Scholes at his very best.

So, at St Andrew’s, the new Villa skipper knew how to react to such an unprovoked attack. Not by leaping up and chasing the wannabe Peaky Blinder, but by calmly taking stock, then letting his feet do the talking. Midway through the second half, Grealish fashioned an opening inside the Birmingham penalty area and struck the winner.

“It’s the best day of my life,” he beamed afterwards. “I just tried to get on with my job. I think I did.”

Grealish’s first two games as captain would begin a club-record run of 10 consecutive wins, propelling Villa to the play-offs and promotion out of nowhere. It was the pivotal week of his career, a moment from which he’s never looked back.

Just two years later, he’s an Aston Villa great, an England hero – and now Britain’s first £100 million player. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City don’t spend that sort of cash without very good reason. It takes more than a pitch invader to stop Jack Grealish...Across 213 Villa outings, Grealish delivered countless memorable moments. It was during one of the most memorable weekends of the club’s pre-Grealish era, though, that tragedy struck his family.

A lifelong Villa supporter himself, Grealish’s father Kevin had been in London ahead of the club’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Bolton in 2000, when he received a terrible phone call and immediately rushed back to the West Midlands.

Nine-month-old Keelan Grealish, four years Jack’s junior, had died in his cot.

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he man was wearing a flat cap, as he raced from the stand and swung a punch into the back of Jack

IT WAS LIKE LOOKING AT MARADONA

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“You never ever get over losing a child,” Kevin later said. “Jack was only a kid, but he still remembers Keelan. He thinks about him with everything he achieves.”

Grealish’s younger sister Holly has cerebral palsy, and the family have always been incredibly close-knit. Jack’s Irish heritage prompted him to take up Gaelic football as a youngster, even involving a trip to Dublin to play for Warwickshire during half-time of the 2009 All-Ireland quarter-final between Dublin and Kerry at the cavernous Croke Park.

Football was always going to win the duel for his affections, however. He’d joined Villa as a six-year-old, after being spotted by scout Jim Thomas during a game on a local playing field. “You couldn’t miss him,” said Thomas. “He was very small, but he dribbled right the way through the team. It was like looking at Maradona.”

Villa knew they had a special talent.

As Grealish progressed through the age groups, he continued to stand out – and not just for his giant calves and rolled-down socks, the latter borne out of superstition.

“One season, the socks we had kept shrinking and I wasn’t a first-team player, so I couldn’t ask for a new pair every day,” he explained. “They wouldn’t come over my calves. That season I started kicking on as a player, so I kept that as my style.”

At 16, Villa’s first-team boss was starting to pay real attention. “When we had a home match, we could normally attend academy games on a Saturday morning,” Alex McLeish tells FFT. “This little guy captivated me every time I watched a game, I’ve got to say. The club were very excited about him – Bryan Jones was in charge of the academy at the time. I used to stand on the touchline, and it was like going to watch Michael Laudrup or something. I just wanted to see him get the ball time and time again.”

It wasn’t only McLeish who was impressed – other clubs were, too.

With Grealish soon out of contract, compensation rules meant that Villa could have lost their starlet for as little as £200,000.

“We were told that Jack and his father had been in Rio Ferdinand’s restaurant with an agent who was attempting to take him to Manchester United,” says McLeish. “Bryan was conscious that other people were about

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

to swoop, and it was very important that we got Jack on board again. We had to come up with a wee strategy to make sure he stayed at Aston Villa.

“Bryan asked me to be involved with it, and a lot of credit has to go to him – the fact he came to myself as the manager showed it was a critical situation, because normally the academy guys just get deals done and dusted.

They don’t really need the manager’s supervision on it.

“We both agreed that it would be an absolute disaster for Villa if this mercurial kid left. He was showing such potential, what was he going to become? If he moved and became a superstar, we’d be remembered for that... and not in a good way.

“So I met Jack and his dad, and they came into my office. Jack loved the club, his dad as well, and they were both really keen for him to stay put provided we came to a decent agreement. Bryan had been conscious of the club’s budget and how far you can go with an academy kid, but we made sure he got the best deal going – probably the highest for an academy boy at that time.”

As part of Villa’s efforts to show how much they valued Grealish’s presence, McLeish also put the 16-year-old on the substitutes’ bench for a Premier League fixture against Chelsea in March 2012. Such a ruse had the added bonus of potentially increasing his value at a tribunal, should he depart that summer.

“It was to give Jack a bit of the big time, but also we had to try to protect ourselves if he left and there was a fee to be decided,” explains McLeish. “The powers that be would maybe say it was £500,000 or £600,000 – I’m not sure what the figure would have been, but the bargain basement price would have been absolutely disastrous. Any price would have been, because you can see what he’s become.”

Grealish soon committed his future to Villa, signing his first professional contract. That deal effectively saved the club more than £99m. “I wish I’d negotiated a little part of that for myself!” chuckles McLeish.

NOTTS SO FAST, SON McLeish departed B6 that summer, and was replaced by Paul Lambert. It would be two years until Grealish made his first-team bow for Villa – he was promoted to the under-19s alongside

players two years his senior, and helped the club shock Europe’s biggest sides to win the NextGen Series, a precursor event to the UEFA Youth League.

“He was miles ahead of anything else in his age group – that’s why he was pushed into our team,” says Graham Burke, who joint-top scored in the tournament. “He was one of the standout players among older boys, and it’s not often you see that. His dribbling was so good. He’d go past two or three and he wasn’t satisfied – he’d stop, come back on himself and go again. The ball was glued to his foot.”

In the group stage, Villa travelled to Lisbon and shellacked Sporting 5-1.

“Then we beat Ajax, with their famous academy,” continues Burke, now with Shamrock Rovers in his native Ireland. “In the semi-finals we played Sporting again, and Jack put us ahead in extra time – that was a huge goal. We played Chelsea in the final and they had a good team, but he won a penalty and I scored it. I don’t think anyone expected us to win the tournament, but it showed the quality we had – out of that side, it was Jack who really excelled and went on to make it.

“It was a different brand of football against European teams, but it didn’t matter what country Jack was in or what pitch he was on, he was so comfortable in every situation.

“He’d go past people with ease, he could pick a pass, he could put a team on his back and drive them along, which he did in the semi-final against Sporting. He’s the best player I’ve ever played with. Everyone knew it was just a matter of time until he got his first-team opportunity.”

As it transpired, though, Grealish’s first senior experience wasn’t at Villa, but on loan at Notts County. “Paul Lambert was good for me, but I had a little falling out with him and I don’t think he wanted me around, so he said, ‘You’re going on loan’,” Grealish later recalled with a wry smile.

Arriving at Meadow Lane just days after his 18th birthday in September 2013, he joined a club sitting rockbottom of League One. On his first start, the Magpies lost 5-1 at Leyton Orient, and not long after that, boss Chris Kiwomya departed. Shaun Derry took on his first managerial role.

“As soon as the session started on my first day, I realised we had a very special player,” says Derry.

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“The technical aspect of Jack’s game was above the level of a League One player. Callum McGregor [of Celtic] was there, too, both young players on loan.”

At first, the manager had to find a way to accommodate Grealish’s talent while trying to turn around results. “We didn’t go into Notts County and find that it clicked straight away,” he says. “It was a tough period, and at times you’re searching for answers; you’re open to making changes and experimenting with the team. But I had a conversation with my assistant Greg Abbott, who said it was about trusting a young player, putting your belief in him and letting him experience some pretty poor performances – moments when it would have been easier just to bring him off after an hour and then leave him out of the next game.”

Grealish repaid that belief in a December clash with Gillingham. With three minutes to go, he picked the ball up on the left before sashaying past three defenders to the other side of the penalty box. Racing into the area, he slammed a shot into the top corner – not bad for your first senior goal.

“That was the big moment, to see a special goal like that, in a game that was important to us,” remembers Derry.

“His dad was in the stadium and he ran straight to him – I think he got booked because he ran into the crowd! I played for Notts County when I was 18 and my dad watched my games, too – those are brilliant moments.

“At Villa, Jack had probably been playing in teams that were winning, so it was a different challenge for him. It was a pressure pot environment at Notts County: a big League One club who didn’t want to get relegated to League Two. Opponents would be physical with him, which was a learning curve – he’d take some heavy blows and sometimes he didn’t like it, but he always got back on his feet and had the bravery to take people on again and again.

“As a person, he was incredibly humble and polite. Whenever I had any one-toone conversations with him, he was a smart kid. He was still a bit immature in some ways – he’d probably not recognise the importance of certain drills we did, because all he wanted was to have the ball at his feet. Off the field there were situations – only once or twice, not often – where perhaps his timekeeping let him down slightly or he made a couple of

38

wrong decisions. That’s to be expected of an 18-year-old, though.”

But on the pitch, Grealish’s effervescence captivated Meadow Lane regulars like few before or since.

“He was outstanding and soon became our go-to guy; someone we could rely on to win games,” continues Derry. “He had a different kind of belief – it wasn’t arrogance, just this superior belief that he knew he was a good player. I love those players.

“Sometimes in football, we’re at fault for overlooking individuality – we’re forever looking for a perfect shape and system, and we’ve got to be careful with individual talents like Jack who want to go for the jugular and take on the opposition. Sometimes they’re going to lose possession, but they get people off their seats.

“Jack is a maverick, and I played with a few: Adel Taarabt at QPR was a magician, but frustrating at the same time. At Portsmouth we had Robert Prosinecki, who was amazing but could be found wanting on the defensive side because he didn’t really see the value of that. Playing with them helped me to handle someone like Jack.

“You had to be honest with him, and some days Jack didn’t like what I said.

Generally, it was the arm around the shoulder and telling him how good he was. That’s what I wanted, actually, to tell him just how good he was. Because he was...”

Grealish’s loan deal was due to expire in January, but he opted to stay and continue the club’s battle against relegation.

“Villa wanted him back, and he could have gone to clubs at Championship level,” reveals Derry. “But I spoke to Jack and his dad, to encourage them to put a little bit of pressure on Villa from their end. Jack wanted to finish what he’d started. He’d enjoyed it with us and stayed loyal to the cause. If he hadn’t stayed, we’d have been relegated.”

As it was, Grealish’s five goals and seven assists ensured Notts County’s survival on the final day of the League One season. He was a talisman at 18.

COUNTRY VS COUNTRY Four days later, Lambert handed him his Villa debut, as a late substitute in the Premier League at Manchester City. In the early parts of 2014-15, Grealish was a regular member of the matchday squad,

even if his appearances off the bench were only fleeting – a lot more so than many Villa fans would have liked.

A clamour had already grown for the teen talent, who had penned a fresh four-year contract to ward off interest from Chelsea and was widely regarded as the Midlanders’ great new hope. But Lambert took a cautious approach in terms of game time, eager not to expose Grealish to too much too soon.

“Paul was good with young players,” says Michael Watts, Villa’s head of performance at the time. “There were a lot of calls for Jack to be playing regularly, but the manager’s job was to protect him and make sure he could develop. You see cases like Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney who were superstars at 16 or 17, but sometimes people say they weren’t protected at that young age, which eventually leads to injuries and problems further down the line.

“Part of their development is dripfeeding them because they’re still boys – they’re not physically developed or used to that amount of training and competition.”

Owen and Rooney peaked at a young age, but Grealish continues to improve as he enters his late 20s.

“People focus on his technical ability, but athletically he was really gifted, too,” adds Watts. “He was up there with the first-team squad even at 17 or 18 – he was an anomaly at that age, because players don’t tend to stop developing physically until about 23 or 24. If you wanted him to produce strength and power, he could do that. If you wanted him to be aerobically strong and run all day, he could do that.

“You never saw him get stressed out either – he’d never overthink stuff. He had the full package and he simply loves football. If Jack wasn’t a professional footballer, he’d still be playing on the parks every week. Even in gym sessions, he’d still have a football – you’d have to tell him to put it away.”

Lambert had gone by the time Villa hosted West Brom in a 2015 FA Cup quarter-final. New boss Tim Sherwood chucked Grealish on for an eventful cameo – in 16 minutes he laid on the assist that settled the tie, before being sent off for collecting two yellow cards, the second for simulation.

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SOMETIMES IN FOOTBALL, WE’RE AT FAULT FOR OVERLOOKING INDIVIDUALITY MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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Despite the dismissal, Sherwood had seen enough to be impressed: soon Grealish was starting regularly, as the Villans moved out of relegation trouble and stunned Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals. “I was at Wembley that day, and for me he was the best player on the pitch,” says Burke.

It was a special moment for the whole Grealish family.

“When I remember the FA Cup semifinal against Bolton and the news we received that day, then I think about the way Jack played against Liverpool – he brought us so much happiness,” his father later explained.

Villa lost 4-0 to Arsenal in the final, but Grealish’s performances prompted the culmination of a longrunning tug of war – since 2011, both England and the Republic of Ireland had been vying for his services.

“I was head of talent ID with the FA – I’d seen Jack play a few times and I liked him,” says Kenny Swain, a European Cup winner with Villa in 1982. “We’d identify players at 15, monitor them over that season, then

I WAS IN THE BATHROOM , THEN I WOKE UP ON THE FLOOR

MILESTONE MEN THE PLAYERS WHO BROKE TRANSFER RECORDS IN BRITAIN…

CHRIS SUTTON

ALAN SHEARER

RIO FERDINAND

£1,000,000

£5,000,000

£10,000,000

£25,000,000

Trevor Francis became the first British played deemed worthy of a seven-figure transfer fee when Nottingham Forest paid Birmingham City £1.18m for him in 1979. He repaid their faith just three months later, heading home the winner in the European Cup final.

Club owner Jack Walker’s wealth helped Blackburn Rovers win the Premier League title in 1995, including the acquisition of Chris Sutton from Norwich in 1994 for a record-breaking sum of £5 million.

Sutton’s strike partner at Blackburn, Alan Shearer, became the first British player to go for eight figures when he joined Newcastle United for £15m in 1996. He delivered a club record 206 goals in 405 appearances and remains the Premier League’s record goalscorer to this day.

The ball-playing centreback became the first Brit to surpass the £25m mark when Manchester United paid Leeds £29.1m for him in 2002.

They were rewarded with six league titles and a Champions League – not bad for a kid from Peckham.

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TREVOR FRANCIS

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call them into a training camp. I thought he was a talented player and Villa’s academy manager Bryan Jones said, ‘Kenny, I think he’s as good as we’ve had in my time here’. That’s some praise, because the club have produced some good players over the years. Jack came along to the first training camp and got through the first day OK, but then went home ill.”

Overnight, Grealish collapsed.

“I was in the bathroom, then I woke up on the floor,” he later explained. “I don’t know whether it was nerves, I’m not sure. The next day I was ready to train again, but for medical reasons I couldn’t.”

The next time England called Grealish up, he had to go home again because of injury.

“Then towards the end of the season, we were at the Nordic Tournament hosted by Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and the Faroe Islands,” explains

Swain. “This was my one chance to look at him again – it was an eight- or 10-day trip, so we’d properly get to know him.

I rang Bryan Jones and he said, ‘Take him, no problem’, but later I heard he wasn’t coming. I contacted his mum to say I thought he’d have an absolutely fabulous time with us, but she said she didn’t think he wanted to go. He was being courted by the FAI, who played him above his age group, which was a temptation.”

Grealish turned out for Republic of Ireland Under-17s and Under-18s, at a time when England’s record in the younger age groups wasn’t quite what it is now.

“That was one of the rare occasions

have a go with England’,” says Swain.

“I met up with them, took them to St George’s Park and introduced them to the under-19s manager Noel Blake, and the technical director Dan Ashworth. I’d already asked Blakey if he thought Jack was up to the mark and good enough to play a year higher up.

“Blakey was going to invite him into the U19s squad the following month, and again, I don’t know what happened.

He stayed with the Republic and they put him in the U21s, but we did try awfully hard.”

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill had even tried to call Grealish up for their senior squad in 2014, during a period when his assistant Roy Keane was also Paul Lambert’s number two at Villa.

when we didn’t qualify for the finals of the UEFA Under-17 Championship,” England’s then coach John Peacock tells FFT. “Qualification is about fine margins – with Jack involved, who knows if we would have made it? He’d always been at the forefront of our thinking.”

But even after Grealish began to represent Ireland, there was still uncertainty about his long-term international future.

“At one point, his dad approached me and said, ‘I think Jack’s ready to

Grealish politely declined, deciding at that point to keep his options open.

England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate confirmed that renewed attempts were underway to persuade him to represent the Three Lions.

Not long after Grealish helped Villa to the FA Cup final, Ireland made another attempt to select him for the senior squad – this time for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, and a friendly... against England.

Minutes before the squad announcement, though, Grealish was removed from the list.

HARRY MAGUIRE

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£50,000,000 Another defender transferring to Man Utd, in the colossal shape of Harry Maguire, became the first British player to go for more than £50m.

“Slabhead” smashed that ceiling in an £80m deal from Leicester but is yet to win a trophy with the Red Devils.

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

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Again, he wasn’t ready to commit.

That August, he met with Roy Hodgson in a box at Villa Park, after a match against Manchester United. A month later, Grealish confirmed he’d decided to play for England.

“It was a relief when I heard that,” Swain smiles now. “I thought ‘Bloody hell, at last!’.”

“JACK, YOU COULD DIE…” Grealish started that 2015-16 campaign as a Villa regular once more, but his career was about to take an unexpected turn.

Despite his presence, the team lost seven league games in a row and Sherwood was sacked, with the club bottom of the Premier League table. They remained there for the rest of the season – Grealish had a difficult relationship with replacement Remi Garde, who dropped him to the under-21s for visiting a nightclub hours after a 4-0 thumping at Everton. The Frenchman wasn’t an admirer of Grealish’s happy-golucky approach to life.

“He just told me off for smiling,” the baffled playmaker once told Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Garde lasted only until late March, but Grealish finished the campaign by setting a new Premier League record: he featured in 16 games... and lost all of them.

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Few blamed the player – just like Gareth Bale’s 24-match winless start at Tottenham, the record was symptomatic of the team’s general malaise.

“As a club, we were a mess at that point,” remembers Michael Watts. “There were a lot of things going on behind the scenes and it was a difficult dressing room to be in. I’ve never experienced so much dysfunction in one season. The fans and maybe people inside the club were looking at Jack to save the club, to do something crazy-special and pull a rabbit out of a hat.

But no matter how talented Jack was, it was too much to ask – there were another 28 players who needed to do more as well.”

For the first time in 28 years, Aston Villa were facing life outside the top flight. It was a devastating blow for Grealish, the boyhood fan, and the player with England ambitions.

He did still get his first Three Lions call-up that summer, linking up with Southgate’s under-21 squad at the Toulon Tournament. He scored twice in a 7-1 win over Guinea too, but started only two of England’s five games – the midfielder was an unused substitute when they defeated France in the final, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek taking the No.10 role.

Grealish didn’t make the next U21 squad before Southgate became the senior team boss. On the first day of the Championship campaign under new Villa chief Roberto Di Matteo, he found himself on the bench for a miserable loss at Sheffield Wednesday.

“He was streets above everybody else in that squad – he shouldn’t have been playing in the Championship,” recalls Tommy Elphick, Villa’s new captain after joining that summer. “He had a hunger to get the club back where they belonged and shouldered much of that responsibility, but he didn’t start the opening game. The manager wanted to go for a bit more experience and know-how, but training with him, I remember thinking, ‘How is this lad not starting?’.”

Villa were a lowly 19th when Di Matteo was sacked after just 11 league games – a period during which Grealish had again irritated his boss by reportedly heading to an all-night party. Di Matteo became the third successive Villa boss to publicly

admonish the No.10 for his off-field actions; Sherwood had also been forced to intervene, after pictures emerged of Grealish sprawled in the street following a night out in Tenerife.

Grealish had problems on the field, too: during Steve Bruce’s first match in charge, television cameras caught him stamping on Wolves defender Conor Coady, resulting in a retrospective three-match ban. In February 2017, he was sent off for a second bookable offence against Nottingham Forest and then spent two months on the bench.

Villa finished down in 13th, and Grealish’s career was in serious danger of stalling. Aidy Boothroyd called him up for the 2017 U21 Euros, but Grealish didn’t play a single minute at the finals in Poland.

After the tug of war for his services, he was about to turn 22, and there was a genuine threat that his England prospects could be over almost as quickly as they had begun.

A week before the start of the new season, things got even worse. Facing Watford in a tribute match for the late Graham Taylor, Grealish took an accidental knee in the back while jumping for a header with Tom Cleverley.

“My kidney split in two places – it was pouring with blood internally for about five hours,” Grealish later revealed. “It’s the worst pain I’ve ever been in. I was rushed in for an operation – before it happened, the surgeon had to tell me the consequences of what could happen if it didn’t work. He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Jack, you could die’. I was genuinely scared.”

The surgery was successful, but Grealish spent three months on the sidelines.

He was grateful for the way Bruce had regularly kept in contact during the darkest moments, and returned more determined than ever to repay his manager’s concern.

Also guided by the newly arrived John Terry, Grealish helped Villa to reach the play-offs, then came close to a sensational solo goal at Wembley, in a final they ultimately lost to Fulham. There would be a third season in the Championship to come.

Worse still, for a period that summer, Villa looked to be in dire financial trouble.

Spurs began to circle for Grealish and Bruce even admitted that his sale looked inevitable. Villa were said to be ready to accept just £6m, but chairman Daniel Levy took his time over negotiations and attempted to force the fee down further.

It proved a bad move: Villa’s finances were suddenly aided by a takeover and the asking price rocketed to £40m. “If Jack had

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M & + c fi ro a Tr lt P ing ew nau yth N e n A e R r h o T om f y fr d a e R

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joined Tottenham that summer, there’s no doubt in my mind that Aston Villa wouldn’t be in the Premier League today,” insists Elphick.

Even with their star man still at the club, however, promotion initially looked unlikely.

Villa started 2018-19 poorly, a fan threw a cabbage at Bruce, and the manager was sacked. Not long after Dean Smith’s arrival, Grealish was ruled out for three months with a shin injury.

The Midlanders won only two of their next 13 games, and were drifting to another mid-table finish: had it not been for Grealish’s March return, and Smith’s brainwave.

“Making Jack the captain was an absolute masterstroke from Smith,” explains Elphick. “They are both boyhood Villa fans and they buzzed off each other. Dean has a wonderful way of not forgetting the human element to a football player – he’d come in sometimes and have craic with Jack over the last game, or a game that was on telly the night before.

That period when he became the skipper was the making of Jack.

“He’d been out injured but was desperate to get back, and the amount of work he was doing in the gym was unbelievable. He came back a completely different specimen.

“In his first game as the captain, he scored that outstanding volley against Derby which whistled over my head. Then there was the Birmingham episode, which could have been a really serious moment – the lad who got on the pitch could have been carrying anything. Jack could have thought, ‘I need to get off, my head’s not in the right place’, but his way of getting back at that fella was by scoring the winning goal.”

MAKING JACK THE CAPTAIN WAS AN ABSOLUTE MASTERSTROKE FROM SMITH

Villa charged into the play-off semifinal against West Brom. The tie went to a penalty shootout at The Hawthorns – Grealish scored and Villa were heading back to Wembley. This time, they defeated Derby to return to the top flight.

After three Championship campaigns, captain Jack was back in the big time.

SUPER JACK, SUPER SUB

Grealish only had one Premier League goal to his name at that point, but another eight followed in 2019-20 as Villa also reached the League Cup final, losing to Manchester City. The skipper had been imperious in a tough semi-final second leg against Leicester, delivering the assist for Matt Targett’s opener to help send Villa through 3-2 on aggregate.

When lockdown hit two weeks after the final, Smith’s side had lost four consecutive games – their last one, 4-0 to the Foxes – and sat 19th. Grealish hit the headlines again for the wrong reasons: hours after urging people to remain at home, he was photographed looking dishevelled after crashing his Range Rover into parked cars, wearing one black slipper and one white slider sandal. Criticism was widespread, but he responded on the field when the Premier League restarted. On a dramatic final day of the season, he rifled home at West Ham to secure Villa’s safety. As if it

could have been anyone else.

A clamour, not dissimilar to his younger days, was gathering for Grealish to get his first call-up to Southgate’s England squad – only now, it was right across the country.

Even Prince William, a Villa fan who sent a hand-written letter of support to Grealish following the St Andrew’s attack, got involved in the campaign. “I’ve given Gareth a little elbow nudge to say, ‘Why is Grealish not in the England squad?’” he grinned.

Initially, Southgate resisted that friendly royal intervention, but when Marcus Rashford withdrew from the Three Lions’ September fixtures through injury, Grealish was drafted in as a replacement and made his debut as a substitute in Denmark.

A week later, amid sustained interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, he signed a new five-year deal with Aston Villa which contained a £100m release clause.

In early October, he bagged twice and assisted three more goals in a stunning 7-2 victory over champions Liverpool, as Villa won their first four games of the 2020-21 season.

The plaudits only intensified, not least after he started his first competitive England game against Belgium.

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Grealish befuddled Thomas Meunier with a backheeled flick over the wing-back’s head, in a performance so impressive that he immediately established himself among fans as the new Messiah, barely six months after he’d been a very naughty boy. That escalated quickly.

Despite that, a three-month injury lay-off ruled him out of England’s March 2021 fixtures, with reports suggesting that even if fit again, he may be in danger of missing out on Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad. UEFA’s decision to increase squads to 26 players ended even the remotest possibility of that happening – particularly after he helped Villa beat soon-to-be European champions Chelsea on the final day of the campaign.

At the Euros, Grealish’s star rose further – despite starting just one game, against the Czech Republic when England had already secured their place in the last 16. He set up Raheem Sterling’s winner in that match, but for Grealish, the tournament was almost a flashback to his days as an 18-year-old under Paul Lambert: used sparingly as a super sub, while almost an entire fanbase pleaded for his inclusion.

“I went to Wembley to watch Jack play Scotland against Callum McGregor, and I was so proud of him and where he’s got to,” says Shaun Derry, his former boss at Notts County. “My son Jesse is 14, and his favourite player in the whole world is Jack Grealish – Jack was really kind to send him a lovely message a few months ago.

“Our national team has been crying out for somebody like Jack, and we want to see more of him. He gives you hope.”

Against Germany, Grealish turned hope into reality. After his introduction from the bench was greeted by one of the loudest roars Wembley has ever heard, the Brummie magician provided the spark that won the last-16 clash by playing a part in both goals.

It seemed like the start of something, but didn’t prove to be – Grealish was an unused sub against Ukraine, subbed on against Denmark, then subbed off again in the final minutes of extra time as Southgate sought more defensive solidity.

Released from the bench when the final against Italy headed to a shootout, Grealish hung around optimistically in

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Southgate’s eyeline, desperate to be asked to step up, just as he had in the play-offs for Villa two years earlier.

Once again he was overlooked – reports suggested he was eighth on the list, behind even goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Pep Guardiola had seen more than enough, however. If Southgate has held concerns about the defensive side of Grealish’s game, the Manchester City manager clearly thinks they can be overcome – even the supremely talented Kevin De Bruyne has to work like a Trojan in Guardiola’s system.

That one of the greatest managers of all time was prepared to make Grealish Britain’s first £100m player tells you everything you need to know about the ability possessed by City’s new signing.

In 19 years on the books of his boyhood club, he established himself as an Aston Villa great. Now, he’ll be playing Champions League football for the first time, and challenging for every major prize going.

“Dean Smith is a hell of a manager, but Pep Guardiola is regarded as the absolute God of football – he improves every player he works with and it will be great to see what he can do with Jack,” says Grealish’s former Villa team-mate Tommy Elphick.

“He gets better with better players around him, because he gets more space.

He’s like silk – he floats, he glides. He still

has that innocence, why we all fall in love with football when we’re kids; the ability to do something and wow a crowd. I’m so pleased at how he’s done – he’s got a heart of gold.

“He donated a load of stuff to a hospice, and I remember finding out that he’d paid for a Villa fan’s funeral – not for attention, but because he cares.

You could always tell that Jack loved Aston Villa.”

Grealish’s ultimate ambition may well be 12 months down the line. The £100m man will hope consistent game time in the Premier League’s upper reaches convinces Southgate to give him a key role at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“A few years ago I told Gareth Southgate, ‘You lucky b*****d, you’re going to inherit some of the best talent we’ve ever had,’” Kenny Swain smiles now. “After I’d finished at the FA, he came up to me and said, ‘You were right’. Jack wasn’t even an England player then – he’s the bonus on top of that, and there’s still more to come from him.”

“He’s gone from a precocious talent to a superstar,” is how Alex McLeish sums it up.

From the start, everyone knew that Jack Grealish was capable of something special. He’s already made history – now, he’s ready to take on the world.

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LIONS OF THE

FUTURE

WHO’LL BE PART OF THE NEXT BRITISH & IRISH TOURING PARTY? RUGBY WORLD MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS EIGHT YOUNGSTERS WHO SHOULD BE IN THE MIX FOR AUSTRALIA 2025 AND NEW ZEALAND 2029

Ryan Baird

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BAIRD IS 6FT 6IN AND HAS RIDICULOUS PACE AND TERRIFIC FOOTWORK

THE ATHLETIC HYBRID Ryan Baird, Ireland

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ne of the many glittering jewels of the St Michael’s College rugby factory in Dublin, Baird is unquestionably one of the coming young men of Irish rugby. He’s still in his infancy as a player but has already been capped three times by Andy Farrell, who has spoken of the rich promise of the lock/ blindside flanker.

Baird is 6ft 6in and has ridiculous pace and terrific footwork. It could be that he is the fastest Irish forward of all time. He played against Scotland, England and Italy in this year’s Six Nations – all wins.

The comparison some have made is with Brodie Retallick, so no pressure. His long stride and high knee lift do remind you of the great Kiwi, particularly when Baird gets in behind defences with his power and speed.

From top to toe, he’s a human dynamo.

He only turned 22 in July and his partnership with James Ryan – another Michael’s graduate – is sure to last years.

Mature beyond his years, he’s one to watch very closely indeed.

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he 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa ended only a couple of months ago, but it’s always fun to contemplate who may come to the fore for future trips.

The Lions head to Australia in 2025 and New Zealand four years later. World Cups and Six Nations will be played between now and then, form will come and go, injuries will deliver cruel blows, and players will arrive seemingly from nowhere. Who would have tipped Louis Rees-Zammit for this year’s tour in 2017?

Still, we have pondered which players currently aged 23 or under could be amongst the best in Britain and Ireland for the next two tours. Here are the eight we’re predicting to be future Lions…

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THE CLASSY CENTRE Cameron Redpath, Scotland

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hen Gregor Townsend gave Redpath his Test debut at Twickenham, there was a temptation to wince on his behalf. Seasoned players had been eaten alive there during Scotland’s winless run. Yet Redpath took to it like a duck to water; he was coolness personified.

He added so much to Scotland’s midfield with his footwork and eye for space, his distribution and all-round class. Townsend was practically cooing about him afterwards. Alas, a neck injury ruined the rest of his Six Nations, then an ACL did for his season.

Scotland and Bath will be longing for his return. He is a graceful runner and a delight to watch.

Getting him to declare for Scotland was a triumph in itself. He’s the son of Bryan, the former Scotland scrum-half, but Cam had played for England U20 and was due to go on a senior tour in 2018 until injury got in the way. England’s loss is Scotland’s gain. Redpath is only 21 and looks to have a terrific career ahead.

Gavin Coombes

THE BRUISING BACK-ROW Gavin Coombes, Ireland

A

lthough he made his Munster debut in 2018, last season was the breakthrough for the 23-yearold back-row. When an ex-player as respected as Alan Quinlan calls you a “try-scoring machine” and “a hugely intelligent footballer”, you know you’re dealing with somebody special.

At 6ft 6in and 17st-plus, he’s a powerful boy who scored a hat-trick against the Ospreys last November, crossed twice against Toulouse in Europe, then got another four tries against Zebre in the Rainbow Cup in June. He finished up with 15 tries in 22 games – almost a Sam Simmondslike return.

Munster have lost one of their main ball-carriers in CJ Stander, but Coombes is already filling the void – he was voted the province’s Player of the Year. His explosive arrival on the big stage had its reward with a first Ireland cap in July.

AT 6FT 6IN AND 17STPLUS, HE’S A POWERFUL BOY THE NEXT AWJ

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Ben Carter, Wales

Ben Carter

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“When you look at long-term replacements for Alun Wyn (Jones), I think he’s a young man who has shown all the credentials.” That’s what Wayne Pivac had to say about Carter when calling the 20-year-old lock into the Wales squad for the July Tests against Canada and Argentina.

Being compared to the most-capped player in rugby history and a four-time Lion eight months after making his Pro14 debut shows exactly how big an

Cameron Redpath

impression Carter has made.

Dragons DoR Dean Ryan has described him as “a revelation”, adding: “There are not many athletes at that age capable of playing in that front-five position.”

Carter prides himself on his work-rate – “the things that don’t require talent” – and the 29 tackles he made for Wales against Italy in last year’s U20 Six Nations illustrates that. He made his Test debut in July and has leadership qualities, too, having captained Wales U18. As an international relations student, he should also be a great tourist!

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THE X-FACTOR FORWARD Alfie Barbeary, England

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Marcus Smith

THE STAR PLAYMAKER Marcus Smith, England

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kay, this is a cheeky one as Smith is already a Lion having been called up as a late replacement to this year’s tour to South Africa and playing at ten against the Stormers, but he could be the main man in four years’ time.

Smith has been on the scene for so long it’s easy to forget that he’s just 22. Thrust into the limelight at 18, when injuries saw him starting at ten for Harlequins and Eddie Jones called him into the England set-up, he has continued to mesmerise with his vision and skillset ever since.

Ben Kay summed up Smith’s ability on BT Sport when he said: “People talk about instinctive players; I don’t think he is instinctive. I think everything he does is thought about, but he just processes it quicker than everyone else.”

Imagine that speed of thought on the firm pitches of Australia in 2025; Smith could wreak havoc.

Of the ‘next gen’ fly-halves, Smith is way out in front and has more senior experience than many older tens. What he needs now are more opportunities to transfer his talents from club level to the Test stage.

his 21-year-old has been riding the rugby roller coaster over the past year. There have been the highs of a hat-trick on his first start for Wasps and a call-up to the England squad, and the lows of a series of injuries stalling his progress.

When fit, he has shown vast potential. Wasps coach Lee Blackett has spoken of Barbeary’s “X-factor” and he is certainly an outstanding ball-carrier, with the power to drive through people and skills to go around them. And all this while playing in the back-row rather than his designated position of hooker.

In his teens he played at centre but he was shifted to hooker when he joined Wasps’ academy and cites becoming the club’s No 1 hooker as his “end goal”.

For now, Wasps seem more likely to play him in the back row than the front. And he pays tribute to his age-grade coaches for his ability in the loose. “Peter Walton and John Fletcher gave me confidence to play how I want to play,” he says. “How it shouldn’t be unusual for a forward to kick it or offload.”

He was pivotal to Quins winning this year’s Premiership final, not just with his goalkicking (he won the golden boot with 270 points) but his ability to create – and score – match-winning tries.

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Alfie Barbeary

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SMITH HAS BEEN ON THE SCENE FOR SO LONG IT’S EASY TO FORGET THAT HE’S JUST 22

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THE LIVEWIRE NINE

Jamie Dobie

Jamie Dobie, Scotland

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I’VE NEVER SEEN A YOUNG PERSON WITH A SKILL-SET (LIKE HIS) THE VERSATILITY PICK Ioan Lloyd, Wales

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hen it comes to Lions tours, the ability to play several positions is a bonus. Take the number of lock-blindside hybrids this year, or goalkicking Elliot Daly, who can play full-back, wing and centre.

Lloyd, who made his Wales debut as a teenager last year, would offer the Lions similar versatility. He started at fly-half, wing and full-back for Bristol last season, and is an option for kicks at goal too.

Callum Sheedy, his team-mate for club and country, is a huge fan.

“I’ve never seen a young person with a skill-set (like his),” Sheedy

told Rugby World earlier this year.

“He can pass off both hands, kick off both feet, goalkick off both feet, kick for touch. I want to build him up because I believe the hype.”

That hype will only grow over the next four years, especially if he scores more tries like the one against Sale in May. His footwork, and the ability to change pace and direction in a split-second in a confined space, flummoxed the Sharks and he touched down in the corner.

The first player born after the millennium to sign with Glasgow Warriors, Dobie has been catching the eye since his mid-teens when he decided to focus on rugby rather than tennis – the sport that originally took him to Merchiston school.

“The fact we signed him straight out of school shows how much we feel he is the real deal,” says Glasgow defence coach Kenny Murray. And Dobie has delivered on that promise, being named Young Player of the Year in his first season (2019-20) and called into the Scotland set-up in his second (2020-21).

Dobie only turned 20 in June but has the confidence to back himself when he spots a gap and is solid in defence. “You think back to guys like Gary Armstrong, who was an extra back-row for Scotland. I reckon Jamie can have the same physicality in his game,” says Murray. He’ll look to continue his upward trajectory this season, when he’ll be able to learn from one of this year’s Lions nines, Ali Price. Then it’s a case of pushing for regular game time for Scotland.

THE FACT WE SIGNED HIM STRAIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL SHOWS HE IS THE REAL DEAL Ioan Lloyd

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BE A BETTER YOU

1.

16 WAYS

IT BOOSTS YOUR MOOD Research has shown that just 20 minutes of exercise is enough to cause your body to release chemicals called endorphins which relieve stress and pain, helping you feel more positive and upbeat.

2.

IT INCREASES HOPE AND OPTIMISM Ever noticed how you tend to feel a bit happier and less stressed after exercise?

That’s partly because exercise causes the release of myokines, a substance secreted into your blood stream when you contract your muscles. “They cross your blood/brain barrier, and in your brain their primary effect is to act as an anti-depressant and change the structure of your brain in ways that make you more resilient to stress,” says Kelly McGonigal, a US research psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University. In her book, The Joy of Movement, McGonigal calls myokines “an intravenous dose of hope”.

3.

SCIENCEBACKED REASONS TO GET A SWEAT ON

EXERCISE

MAKES YOU

HAPPIER

Words: Emily Cunliffe

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IT RELIEVES STRESS BETTER THAN WEED Research shows that exercise also causes the body to release endocannabinoids – the same chemicals mimicked by cannabis – which neuroscientists describe as “don’t worry, be happy” chemicals.

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BE A BETTER YOU

5.

IT LEADS TO MORE MOTIVATION After exercise, you’ll feel ready to take on the day thanks to dopamine, the motivation and reward chemical. Without enough dopamine, you probably wouldn’t feel like doing the things that you know make you feel good. People who are depressed typically have a low dopamine level, which explains why exercise is a natural antidepressant.

6.

IT IMPROVES SELFESTEEM Studies have shown that improving your physical fitness, positive changes in your Body Mass Index, and a better body image all lead to improved self-esteem.

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7.

IT IMPROVES PRODUCTIVITY Exercise stimulates the release of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps improve focus, attention, and concentration. This reduces mental fatigue and allows you to think more clearly in our culture of constant distractions.

8.

IT ENCOURAGES MORE TIME IN NATURE Being outdoors whilst exercising is of huge benefit to our mental health.

Part of the reason is the effect ‘fractals’ have on reducing stress. Fractal patterns are geometric shapes that occur in nature (in leaves, snowflakes, trees, etc) and have been shown to activate areas of the brain which are responsible for regulating stress. Researchers measuring brain activity found that looking at fractals can reduce stress levels by 60%.

PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPRESSED TYPICALLY HAVE A LOW DOPAMINE LEVEL

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4.

IT’S A NATURAL SEROTONIN BOOSTER Serotonin is a hormone linked to feelings of satisfaction, happiness and optimism. Four of the main ways to increase your serotonin levels are sunlight, massage, exercise, and remembering happy events. So get some exercise outdoors, have a massage afterwards while remembering the good feelings and you’re on to a winner. In fact, some studies have shown exercise to be as effective as anti-depressants at boosting serotonin and easing depression.

BE A BETTER YOU

9.

IT HELPS YOU SLEEP Exercise helps you sleep better, which in turn makes you feel better and more ready to exercise. It’s a winning cycle!

10.

IT HELPS PREVENT MEMORY LOSS AND DEMENTIA Cardiovascular exercise promotes the formation of new brain cells (aka neurogenesis) and improves overall brain performance.

11.

IT HELPS CONTROL BODYWEIGHT Obesity is often associated with issues such as sadness, anxiety, and depression. A meta-analysis study found that obese people had a 55 per cent greater risk of developing depression over the course of their lives than people who weren’t obese. Exercise (alongside a healthy diet) lessens your risk of obesity.

12.

IT GIVES YOU MORE ENERGY Exercise gets your blood pumping, which helps carry vital nutrients around your body to where they are needed, including the brain.

14.

YOU FEEL STRONG As your fitness improves and you begin to feel stronger, you will be more likely to feel that way mentally, too. Plus, the process of setting and achieving fitness goals, while maintaining good habits, can carry over into other areas of your life.

15.

IT OXYGENATES YOUR BRAIN Exercise causes your heart rate to increase, which means your body pumps more oxygen to your brain. Multiple studies have shown that a welloxygenated brain helps manage anxiety and depression.

AFTER EXERCISE, YOU’LL FEEL READY TO TAKE ON THE DAY

16.

IT WORKS UP A THIRST People who exercise invariably consume more water, be it during or immediately after their chosen activity. Given that dehydration can cause you to feel sad, grumpy, or confused, this increased water intake is a real bonus for your overall mood.

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TEAMS MAKE US HAPPY Belonging to a team, a club, or just attending regular collective events such as Parkrun (a free, weekly 5k run held all over the country) can help prevent loneliness and promote wellbeing. “Moving with others – for example, in a group exercise, yoga, or dance classes – is one of the most powerful ways to experience joy,” says Kelly McGonigal.

13.

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N A H T N E A R H T O M RE

M Y G M A Y G T S A JJUUST MO

HH

i, my name is Andrew, I’m an i, my name is Andrew, I’m an Olympic weightlifting coach and I’m Olympic weightlifting coach and I’m a manager at PureGym Manchester a manager at PureGym Manchester Eccles.

Eccles.

I was always active asas a kid, I was always active a kid,and andI I wanted to get stronger but was wanted to get stronger but wastoo too young to join a gym.

AtAt thetheage young to join a gym. ageofof1313I I joined mymy school’s Olympic weightlifting joined school’s Olympic weightlifting clubclub andand gave it aitgo.

Whilst gave a go.

WhilstI was I was using a wooden bar, I wasable abletoto onlyonly using a wooden bar, I was positions and graspthe the getget intointo thethe positions and grasp techniques of the lifts quitequickly quickly–– techniques of the lifts quite time realised I wasquite quite andand overover time wewe realised I was good!

That’s when I fell in love good! That’s when I fell in love lifting. withwith lifting.

I was always striving to be the best I was always striving to be the best that I could be and at 15 I became the that I could be and at 15 I became the British Champion in the under 77kg British Champion in the under 77kg class. It gave me a sense of belonging, class. It gave me a sense of belonging, something that I could be a part of and something that I could be a part of and feel proud of. feel proud of.

WITHOUT AND WITHOUT EXERCISE EXERCISE AND THE THINKMY MY THEGYM, GYM, I DON’T THINK MENTAL WOULDBE BE MENTAL HEALTH HEALTH WOULD WHERE NOW WHERE IT IS NOW quiteso sosimple simple as picking picking back quite backup up where I left off.

I was back where I left off. I was back to to the the woodenbar, bar, and and II realised realised itit was wooden was goingto tobe be aa long long process process to going to build build backup upto to the the level level II was back was competing competing at. This was really difficult to process, at.

This was really difficult to process, and I was so disheartened. and I was so disheartened.

From there I started coaching From there I started coaching Olympic weightlifting to kids instead.

Olympic weightlifting to kids instead.

Mental health is something that’s Mental health is to something that’s really important me. I wanted to really important to me.

I wanted to But then I got injured in the run-up to a help kids like me find their confidence Butbig then I got injured the run-up to a help like find their confidence competition andineverything changed and kids sense of me belonging. big in competition changed a second. I and lost everything concentration during and sense of belonging. in aasecond.

I lost during clean and jerk concentration and ended up falling As soon as I was old enough to, I a clean jerk and breaking ended upmy falling As soona as I was to, I over and severely arm. I joined gym and old got enough a personal overcan andstill severely breaking my arm. the I joined a gym and got a personal remember now watching fromnow the sidelines cancompetition still remember watchinginthe a cast. from the sidelines in competition a cast.

I was hungry to get back into my training, realised wasn’t I was hungrybut tosoon get back intoitmy

training, but soon realised it wasn’t

trainertotohelp helpwith with confidence, trainer mymy confidence, andand well, I never really left! well, I never really left!

That’swhen whenI saw I saw advert That’s anan advert forfor a a PersonalTraining Training course, I knew Personal course, andand I knew I I wanted mymy passion intointo a career. wantedtototurn turn passion a career.

Once gotgot mymy Personal OnceI passed I passedand and Personal Training I started working Trainingqualification, qualification, I started working atatPureGym. I continued to learn andand PureGym. I continued to learn went to to Personal Trainer wentfrom frommember member Personal Trainer totoGeneral GeneralManager.

Manager.

One of the main things I love about my One of the main things I love about my job is the member interaction, the gym job is the member interaction, the gym really is a community and it’s so great to really is a community and it’s so great to be a part of.

be a part of.

So, if you’re thinking about becoming if you’re thinking becoming aSo, personal trainer, do it!about It’s one of the a personal trainer, do it!

It’s most rewarding careers aroundone andof the mostyou rewarding around and gives a chancecareers to change so many gives you a chance to change people’s lives for the better.

It cansobemany people’s lives theit! better. It can be challenging, butfor worth

challenging, but worth it!

And if you’re thinking about joining a gym, nervous to start, justjoining do it! a And and if you’re thinking about Without exercise andtothe gym,just I don’t gym, and nervous start, do it! think my mental health be where Without exercise andwould the gym, I don’t itthink is now. my mental health would be where

it is now.

“The gym allows me to escape reality, even just for an hour or so. Any problem “The gym allows me to escape reality, or stress leaves my mind and allows me even just for an hour or so. Any problem to be present in the moment.”

or stress leaves my mind and allows me to be present in the moment.”

To watch Andrew’s full member film visit puregym.com/andrews-member-story

To watch Andrew’s full member film visit puregym.com/andrews-member-story

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HELPING YOU TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A CAREER

A BECOMDEPT IN CERTIF4IEWEEKS 12-1 *

FIND OUT MORE PUREGYM.COM/ACADEMY *Guaranteed role upon completion of successful interview, see website for full terms and conditions.

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DOES CBD REALLY WORK? Here is your free e-copy to our Winter ’21/22 CBD guide - Enjoy!

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BE A BETTER YOU

YOU’RE NEVER GONNA KEEP HIM manmagazineuk.co.uk

DOWN

TOM GRENNAN HAS MADE AN ARTFORM OF TURNING SETBACKS INTO SUCCESS. Words: Rob McGarr, Photography: Ashley Verse

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BE A BETTER YOU

T

hey say that when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade.

Well, singer-songwriter Tom Grennan is pretty much a one-man Schweppes factory, such is his habit of turning adversity into success.

A promising footballer who had spent time on the books at Luton Town, Grennan’s dreams of making it to the Premier League were crushed when he was released at the age of 17.

“All I remember thinking was ‘I am going to get really pissed tonight’,” he recalls. “So I went to a party, got really, really drunk and then started singing on the karaoke. I did Seaside by The Kooks.

The next day I came into school and my mates who did music were saying my voice was really good.”

That impromptu performance was the birth of a new passion, with Grennan throwing himself headfirst into music, teaching himself guitar via YouTube and playing as many gigs as he could get.

But another difficult moment was just around the corner. “I was 18, standing outside KFC having a fag, after I’d just played a little gig at Bedfordshire Uni, and all of a sudden I got jumped by a gang, held down and battered.”

Grennan spent a week in hospital and underwent surgery, leaving him with metal plates in his jaw. But the mental impact was far greater.

“My whole life completely changed after that,” he says. “That was definitely the first point where I met mental health.

I was madly, deeply depressed. I couldn’t leave the house for about a year. That was the first time I had anxiety and thoughts that were not normal thoughts.

I went through a lot of trauma. It’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

During that time, Grennan moved from Bedford to London for university, but spent much of his first year locked away in his room.

“I found it hard to talk about it at that age. I would write, and I’d write, and I’d write. I didn’t realise at first that I was writing songs; I’d never written a song in my life. I was just writing down my thoughts and feelings, putting things

that were happening to me into stories about other people. After a while, I started realising I was writing songs that rhymed and kind of had a melody to them. I thought, ‘This might be time for me to pick up a guitar,’ so I did, and it turned out to be the best way of healing for me.”

Feeling ready to face the world again almost a year after the attack, Grennan began doing open mic nights and pub gigs. “I did that every night for two years.

When I was singing about what was going on in my life, that was my way of talking and opening up.”

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I GOT JUMPED

BY A GANG, HELD DOWN AND BATTERED MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

BE A BETTER YOU

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LOCKDOWN WAS PROBABLY THE MAKING OF ME One of those gigs – at The Finsbury Pub – would prove to be a lifechanging moment, with a representative of Insanity Records in the crowd offering him a recording contract.

“I never thought I would be doing music for my career,” says Grennan. “I never thought, ‘I’m going to go out and try to get a record deal,’ or anything like that. I knew I wanted to do music, but I never knew what it was going to be. I worked hard for it, though. If you put your mind to things and you want something in life, then the only way is to go and get it. I worked my arse off.”

That first break – and a lot more hard work – led to a collaboration with Chase & Status on their single All Goes Wrong, and a performance Grennan describes as the moment he realised his life had changed.

“I walked out on stage with Chase & Status at Wireless [Festival] in front of about 70,000 people. Six months before that, I was playing a pub in front of 25 people.

That was a pretty mad moment.”

By 2018, Grennan had seen his debut album, Lighting Matches, reach number five in the UK charts and sell over 100,000 copies. His single, Found What I’ve Been Looking For, was featured on FIFA 18 and chosen by Sky Sports as the theme song for Super Sunday.

He spent 2019 touring and playing festivals, gaining fans and gearing up for an exciting 2020, but Covid-19 had other plans.

“That was tough, not being able to tour, which is what I love doing. But, to be honest – and I feel bad saying it – I think

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lockdown was probably the making of me. I wasn’t in a state to be able to tour, I don’t think. I was burning the candle at both ends. Lockdown gave me some time to breathe and re-evaluate what I really wanted in my life. I moved back in with my mum and dad for the first lockdown, I stopped drinking and smoking, got myself physically and mentally fit. I realised I’d had a lot of stupid idiots around me, which was slowing me down. My work got better when my mind state got better.”

Grennan is now a Crossfit devotee, training five to six times a week. Lots of people made good use of lockdownimposed spells at home, but not many can say they used the time to produce a number one album – itself inspired by another difficult moment in the shape of a relationship breakdown – and three top-10 singles.

“The moment I found out I had a number one album is my career highlight so far,” he says, “but the whole thing has been a highlight, to be honest. I’ve been having fun since I was 21. I’m not out digging holes like my friends are, so I’m very grateful for what I do. I’m a very lucky boy and I’m never going to take that for granted.”

Whilst still relatively new to the industry, Grennan’s music has already evolved from his first to second album, and he has found his own style, having previously taken influence from artists like Jamie T and Paolo Nutini. “Eminem is probably my musical hero, but I’ve never really looked up to musicians,” he says. “I’ve always looked up

to footballers, like David Beckham or Paul Scholes.” For a lifelong Manchester United fan, Grennan’s impressive performance at Soccer Aid 2021, sharing a pitch with Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Patrice Evra, while David Beckham watched on in the crowd, was another magic moment for the 26-year-old.

He’s also just finished a UK tour, including a sold-out gig in front of 10,000 fans at Alexandra Palace, while passing 250 million in global streams.

“I’m always thinking ‘This is mad.

Why the hell am I here? What am I doing?’ but I take it in my stride and just love every minute of it. Nothing lasts forever. I hope I have a long career.

I just want to keep gigging, keep making people happy, keep growing and hopefully one day I’ll be a massive, massive artist. I want to have longevity.”

Tom Grennan’s new ‘Evering Road Deluxe’ album is out now via Insanity Records.

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HOW FOOD AFFECTS MOOD THE EXPERTS AT MIND (MIND. ORG.UK) EXPLORE SOME EASYTO-IMPLEMENT DIETARY TWEAKS THAT CAN HAVE A REAL BENEFIT ON YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING.

K

nowing what foods to eat can be really confusing, especially when it feels like the advice changes regularly. However, evidence suggests that as well as affecting our physical health, what we eat may also affect the way we feel. Improving your diet may help to improve your mood, give you more energy, and help you think more clearly.

BLOOD SUGAR

If your blood sugar drops, you might feel tired, irritable, and depressed. Eating regularly and choosing foods that release energy slowly will help to keep your sugar levels steady. Slow-release energy foods include pasta, rice, oats, nuts, seeds, as well as wholegrain bread and cereals.

QUICK TIPS

Eating breakfast gets the day off to a good start.

Instead of eating a large lunch and dinner, try eating smaller portions spaced out more regularly throughout the day.

Avoid foods which make your blood sugar rise and fall rapidly, such as sweets, biscuits, sugary drinks, and alcohol.

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HYDRATION

If you don’t drink enough fluid, you may find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly. You might also start to feel constipated (which puts no one in a good mood).

QUICK TIPS

It’s recommended that you drink between 6-8 glasses of fluid a day.

Water is a cheap and healthy option.

Tea, coffee, juices and smoothies all count towards your intake (but be aware that these may also contain caffeine or sugar).

COST OF COFFEE

Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it will give you a quick burst of energy, but then may make you feel anxious and depressed, disturb your sleep (especially if you have it before bed), or give you withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly.

Caffeine is in tea, coffee, chocolate, cola and other manufactured energy drinks.

QUICK TIPS

If you drink tea, coffee or cola, try switching to decaffeinated versions.

You might feel noticeably better quite quickly if you drink less caffeine or avoid it altogether.

GUT HEALTH

Sometimes your gut can reflect how you are feeling emotionally. If you’re stressed or anxious this can make your gut slow down or speed up. For healthy digestion you need to have plenty of fibre, fluid and exercise regularly. Healthy gut foods include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, beans, pulses, live yoghurt and other probiotics.

5 A DAY

Fruit and vegetables contain a lot of the minerals, vitamins and fibre we need to keep us physically and mentally healthy.

Eating a variety of different coloured fruits and vegetables every day means you’ll get a good range of nutrients.

QUICK TIPS QUICK TIPS

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It might take your gut time to get used to a new eating pattern, so make changes slowly to give yourself time to adjust.

If you’re feeling stressed and you think it is affecting your gut, try some relaxation techniques or breathing exercises.

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Fresh, frozen, tinned, dried and juiced (one glass) fruits and vegetables all count towards your 5 a day.

As a general rule, one portion is about a handful, small bowl or a small glass.

For ideas on how to get your 5 a day, visit https:// www.nhs.uk/live-well/eatwell/5-a-day-what-counts/

PROTEIN

Protein contains amino acids, which make up the chemicals your brain needs to regulate your thoughts and feelings. It also helps keep you feeling fuller for longer. Protein is in lean meat, fish, eggs, cheese, legumes (peas, beans and lentils), soya products, nuts and seeds.

QUICK TIPS

Do some research into foods you like that contain protein and aim to consume around 50g of protein per day.

FACTS ON FATS

Your brain needs fatty acids (such as omega-3 and -6) to keep it working well.

So rather than avoiding all fats, it’s important to eat the right ones. Healthy fats are found in oily fish, poultry, nuts (especially walnuts and almonds), olive and sunflower oils, seeds (such as sunflower and pumpkin), avocados, milk, yoghurt, cheese and eggs.

QUICK TIPS

Try to avoid anything which lists ‘trans fats’ or ‘partially hydrogenated oils’ in the list of ingredients (such as some shop-bought cakes and biscuits). They can be tempting when you’re feeling low, but this kind of fat isn’t good for your mood or your physical health in the long run.

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protect your health and rest your mind – but we also recognise that not everyone gets the sleep they need. That’s why we’re on a mission to help the nation sleep well – starting with you!

Here, our sleep expert, Dr Sophie Bostock explains 5 ways you can improve your sleep – just by focussing on your wellbeing:

1.

CONNECT - People

need people. Having a strong support network is one of the strongest predictors of happiness and helps to buffer the effects of stress. The number of people matters less than the quality of the relationships. If we’re tired we have less energy and motivation to socialise, and lack of sleep can exaggerate this, making us more likely to withdraw socially.

Fortunately, you don’t have to see people in person to feel connected.

Take a moment to focus on the people closest to you. Tell them how much you appreciate them, or just make a conscious effort to listen to their problems the next time you see them.

2.

BE ACTIVE - If you don’t sleep well, the last thing in the world you feel like doing is exercise but getting active can actually give you more energy. Movement helps to kick start the body clock and makes us feel alert, especially in the morning. Exercise also helps to build sleep pressure, making you feel sleepier at night, and helping you fall into a deeper sleep. If you do intense exercise late at night, this can raise the body temperature, so consider allowing time for the body to cool before you can sleep.

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I

magine a place where you can completely relax and recover. A place you can have all to yourself.

Where phones don’t bother you - and emails can’t reach you.

Where life doesn’t lie on your mind.

Where you can truly switch off and be refreshed. Where there’s time to think.

Or not. Where your body can rest. And your mind can clear. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

The good news is you don’t have to go far to feel like this. In fact, it’s just a good night’s sleep away!

At Bensons for Beds, our Wake Up in a Good Place campaign shines a light on the importance of a good night’s sleep, both physically and mentally. We know that getting at least 7 hours a night is one of the best things you can do to

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TAKE NOTICE - The practice of mindfulness meditation is a form of mental training which helps train the mind to focus on the present moment, with curiosity, openness and acceptance. If you haven’t slept well, it’s much harder to concentrate and focus for any length of time, and you may find it’s hard to sit down to a lengthy meditation practice.

You could start by just going on a walk or focusing on being present.

Notice the feel of the floor beneath your feet, the feel of the wind in your hair.

By getting out into the open air, you will treat your brain to a healthy dose of natural daylight, which helps to keep your circadian rhythms in sync.

4.

KEEP LEARNING - Feeling as though we are

Fancy starting your journey to waking up in a good place?

Our in-house team will guide you through all the key aspects, from selecting a quality bed frame to choosing the right mattress. If after 40 nights you don’t find your bed totally comfy, you can exchange it for a new one, provided you’ve used a mattress protector. And to ensure that you are buying the

best mattress for you, our exclusive sleepPRO technology recommends a comfort rating based on your personalised sleep profile.

Check out our wide range of beds and mattresses at bensonsforbeds.co.uk or visit us in-store.

mastering something can give a valuable boost to our self-esteem and confidence. Learning is much more difficult when we haven’t slept well it’s during sleep that we lay down new memories, and re-charge the brain’s ability to take in new things.

For a wellbeing boost, make it an achievable challenge - cook a new healthy recipe or try a new language learning app. Then allow time to savour your accomplishment.

WE’RE ON A MISSION TO HELP THE NATION SLEEP WELL

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5.

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DO SOMETHING NICE FOR OTHERS - Finally, volunteering or

contributing in some way to the wider community can provide a sense of meaning. In contrast, lack of sleep makes empathising more difficult, and tends to make us more self-centred and even less likely to give to charity.

There is no blueprint for how much time or effort to give, or to whom simply smiling at someone can lead to a reciprocal urge to smile. Kindness is contagious! Kindness has also been linked to the release of the hormone, oxytocin, which helps to protect against stress, and can help prepare the body for sleep.

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SleepPRO technology

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MOTORING

LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH LPI 800-4

DESIGN: FRONT The distinctive, angular leading edge of the Countach’s windscreen has been mimicked in the new car’s bodywork, rather than fully recreated with bespoke glass. Ahead of this lie slim LED headlights reminiscent of the apertures that housed the indicators and sidelights on the original. There are no accompanying pop‑up lights here, though.

CHASSIS Just like an Aventador, the LPI 800-4 has a carbonfibre monocoque cabin section with aluminium subframes at either end.

This is a far cry from the tubular steel chassis of the original Countach, being both lighter and much more rigid. The suspension uses pushrods at both ends, with coilover springs and dampers that are adaptive magnetorheological units. A dry weight of 1595kg has been quoted – the same as the Sián and 70kg more than the non-hybridised Aventador SVJ.

GUESS WHO’S BACK?

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amborghini is celebrating the 50th birthday of the Countach with this reimagined version based on the Aventador. The Countach LPI 800-4, to use its full name, is the latest model in the company’s ‘few of’ series and will be built in the same vein as the Sián FKP 37, from which it borrows its mild-hybrid V12 powertrain and carbonfibre chassis. A total of 112 units of the new car will be made.

The original Countach first appeared at the 1971 Geneva motor show as a concept, penned

by Marcello Gandini, who was leading the Italian design studio Bertone at the time. It represented a step change in car design and refined the

doorstop aesthetic that Gandini had dabbled with on earlier concepts such as the Lancia HF Stratos Zero of 1970. The difference with the Countach was that it would reach production, in 1974, with only the subtlest of changes.

So how do you even begin to reimagine a car as significant as the Countach? It’s something Lamborghini’s in-house Centro Stile team has approached with varying degrees of sensitivity, aided by not referencing just one of the Countach’s many forms, but many. And the very first example of the new car, as pictured here, earns extra historical kudos for its Bianco Siderale colour – a nod to the white paint specified by Ferruccio Lamborghini for his own Countach LP400 S II in 1980.

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by Jordan Katsianis

HALF A CENTURY AFTER THE ORIGINAL WAS REVEALED, LAMBORGHINI HAS A NEW COUNTACH

MOTORING

DESIGN: REAR

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Dramatic undercuts and echoes of the original Countach’s signature tail-light surround creatively reimagine the back end while still allowing for the technical requirements of expelling the vast powertrain’s heat. Quad exhaust pipes reference all iterations of the original car, while the rooflight and engine cover (see left) hint at the early LP400 ‘Periscopio’ and its periscope rear‑view mirror arrangement.

Interior owes plenty to the Aventador, but features new seats that neatly reference the original Countach’s by mimicking their distinctive stitching pattern

POWERTRAIN

HYBRID SYSTEM

DESIGN: PROFILE

The mid-mounted naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 produces 769bhp – 5bhp less than in the Sián FKP 37 – and is supported by an electric motor with an unchanged 34bhp. Lamborghini’s familiar ISR single-clutch automated manual transmission sends power to all four wheels, with the electric motor providing boost to the rears.

Performance is a hair’s breadth from the Sián’s, with 62mph reached in 2.8sec rather than ‘<2.8sec’ and top speed quoted as an identical 220mph.

The 34bhp electric motor draws its power not from a lithium-ion battery but from a supercapacitor – one that’s somewhat different to the kind currently causing some issues for vehicle manufacturing. In this application, a supercapacitor intakes and deploys energy far more quickly than a traditional battery, while also being lighter and more flexible in its packaging. Its electrical energy might only last one or two heavy throttle applications, but can be replenished just as quickly under braking.

The job of reimagining the Countach was always going to be complicated by the much larger proportions of the Aventador package used as a base for the new car. But while its overall shape isn’t quite the delicate wedge of the original, the key graphics on the flanks survive: the slatted intakes aft of the door glass, as per the 1971 concept, the large NACA ducts that arrived with the production cars, the angular wheelarches and an exaggerated take on the classic ‘telephone dial’ alloys.

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NEVER TASTED SO GOOD BREWDOG.COM

MOTORING

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MOTORING GOLF CLUBSPORT v MÉGANE RS v i30 N v LEON 300 v 128ti

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he Cupra Leon 300, Renault Mégane RS 300, BMW 128ti, Hyundai i30 N and Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport that we’ve gathered together all conform (mostly) to the recipe for a hot hatch in 2021: five doors, a turbocharged four-cylinder sending around 300bhp and 300lb ft to the front wheels, a 0-62mph time of just under six seconds, a top speed of 155mph or thereabouts and a weight of around 1440kg. With lone exceptions, there are just two pedals in the footwell and some sort of limited-slip differential between 19-inch front wheels. The look is subtle. A decal here, a diffuser there, but demure is the general design theme.

Perhaps the most distinctive in appearance is actually the Golf. Of course this is the Clubsport version of the GTI rather than the base spec car, but nonetheless the VW has historically been considered the most middle of the road, the most conservative, so it’s a slight surprise that it has the most presence in the group. There is an aggressive angulation from the tip of its roof spoiler down to its snout.

Inside, the lack of usability of the ancillary controls in Mk8 Golfs is a pain. It’s irritating to have to look down to turn the lights on or off and equally irritating that you can accidentally trigger the heated steering wheel during cornering. It’s a shame, because the wheel itself is good to hold, the seating position is pretty easy to adapt to fit and there is still that very particular Golf feeling of being in something that is unspectacularly secure and therefore relaxing.

Right, from top: Mégane RS 300, 128ti, i30 N, Leon 300 and Golf GTI Clubsport have much in common on paper, but on the road it’s a different tale

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MOTORING GOLF CLUBSPORT v MÉGANE RS v i30 N v LEON 300 v 128ti

We’ve become so used to the EA888 engine, which lurks beneath a bland black cover under the bonnet, that it’s easy to forget just how impressive it is. The strength and smoothness with which it pulls makes it the best in the group. Pretty much wherever you are in the rev range, you get a clean and immediate response to throttle inputs. Add in the crisp, quick changes from the DSG ’box and you have a no-nonsense drivetrain that consistently delivers.

This then tallies really well with the VAQ differential between the front wheels.

I’ve been a fan of this clever, clutch-pack

system for some time, because it feels so sophisticated and nuanced in the way it distributes the torque. Get hard on the throttle mid-corner and you quickly feel the front axle respond, the grip increasing and the line tightening. But the nice thing is that it doesn’t feel too aggressive and you can really work with it, managing the slip of the front tyres with throttle and steering to trim your line on the way out of a corner. Just as you would in a good rear-wheel-drive car.

The downside to the Golf is that the rear doesn’t feel particularly mobile. The whole car stays fairly flat through corners,

which I think helps make the most of that progressive, workable front end, but it feels more planted than playful. The engagement comes mostly from how you drive out of corners rather than how you get into them and that’s actually rather a nice thing on the road, where it’s easier to exploit the exits than the entries of corners.

Which brings us on to the other white car in this test. The Golf’s sibling. Some might say twin. The Cupra Leon is based on the same MQB Evo platform and has essentially the same EA888 engine, producing the same 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque, which is transmitted through

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THERE IS A REFRESHING HONESTY AND SIMPLICITY TO THE SOUTH KOREAN CAR

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it feel both more special and at the same time more practical than the Golf. Which is clever.

Set off down the same mixture of roads as driven in the Golf and the ride feels relatively similar. Like the Clubsport, this has adaptive dampers that give you more choice than a Dulux colour chart and somewhere in the middle is probably best on a bumpy B-road. But whether you prefer a touch more feedback or a mite more detachment, the overall way in which the cars deal with the rough and tumble feels nicely composed.

The difference comes when you start

to tackle corners. Where the Golf feels planted, the Leon feels more agile but also more floaty. As you turn in, there is a lighter feeling to the steering and less sense of where the front end is, making it harder to be precise. The benefit is that where the Golf feels like it needs a slowin-fast-out approach to every bend, the Leon gives you more options mid-corner, the tail feeling happier to rotate and help you adjust the angle of attack before the apex. However, it then loses out again on the exit of the corner as you don’t have the feeling that the nose is as hooked up when you get back on the throttle.

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the same seven-speed DSG drivetrain.

However, the two cars are surprisingly different in character.

You would expect the Spanish car to look more flamboyant than its German counterpart, but curiously it looks bafflingly mundane. Not ugly, just not very sporty. It might be the white paint, but there is a general feeling that a fleeting glance would leave you dismissing it as a 1.5 TSI with some fancy wheels. Open the door and things improve, with the blue leather seats made from the hides of Smurfs, copper highlights around the vents and normal buttons on the wheel making

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GOLF CLUBSPORT v MÉGANE RS v i30 N v LEON 300 v 128ti

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Far left and left: perhaps contrary to expectations, the Cupra’s interior has nothing to fear from the Golf’s

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THE LEON AND THE GOLF ARE SURPRISINGLY DIFFERENT IN CHARACTER

On a track, I suspect the Cupra could be more entertaining, but on the road the Golf feels the more keyed-in and more confidence inspiring to me. It has a more definite way in which it wants to be driven, making more concerted use of the VAQ differential.

What is even more surprising is the variance in the engines.

The Cupra feels more turbocharged, a little less linear, with a sound that is more redolent of old Méganes with their gas rush noise. The Golf is no feast for the ears, but it has a gruffer note with a bit more growl to it. I’m not sure which is better, but they sound quite different and the VW actually feels marginally stronger. In terms of the shifts, there’s nothing to choose between them, although the more attractive paddles in the Cupra feel a bit more of a stretch for the fingers.

Talking of paddle position, the Renault seems like a good place to go next. The RS 300 is the bottom of what is now a two rung Mégane ladder, sitting beneath the RS Trophy version. As such it gets the more friendly Sport chassis but also foregoes an LSD – the only car here to do so. However, unlike any other hot hatch, it has four-wheel steering, with the ability to add up to 2.7 degrees of lock to the rear wheels. The

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1.8-litre engine kicks out a VAG-matching 296bhp and torque is up to 310lb ft. The gearbox is the same six-speed DCT that is in the Alpine A110 – there’s no longer a manual option – and it feels nicely quick and engaging, but the paddles (just in case you thought I’d forgotten) are fixed and don’t extend low enough to fall naturally to hand.

In fact ergonomics are not a Mégane strong point, because as soon as you get in you also notice that the seating position is a bit awkward and the wheel doesn’t adjust very much for reach. The seats themselves are nicely supportive, but the plastics and overall interior feel like the cheapest of the group.

Conversely, I think the exterior vies with the GTI Clubsport for being the best looking. I love that fact that Renault went to all the effort of giving it a bespoke bodyshell. The arches look fabulously muscular and the diffuser also gives the appearance of actually having some aerodynamic impact, which gives the car a certain integrity.

All five cars have various driving modes but none is subjected to a bigger transformation by them than the Mégane. Left in its standard setting, it feels pretty humdrum.

However, select Race via the ‘RS Drive’ button on the transmission tunnel or the big, portrait touchscreen and it turns into one of the liveliest cars in the test. The engine feels even more demonstrably turbocharged and boosty than the Leon’s, the crackles on the overrun from the central exhaust even more theatrical than those from the VW and Hyundai.

With the 4Control system dialled up it has an almost hyperagile feeling on turn-in, the whole car pivoting like Ross Geller mapped the ECU. As a result, it’s a car that is at its most fun when the corner is well sighted and you can turn in with real commitment on entry.

You don’t get a huge amount of feel through the steering, so it’s a car you need to learn and trust because you can certainly turn hard enough to get the rear rotating into oversteer. Sadly, because there is no LSD, the aggression that you can attack the first part of a corner with can’t really be matched on the exit.

You need to temper your throttle inputs because otherwise you’ll scrappily spin up an inside wheel and understeer wide.

The solution would seem to be to notch your pace back by a couple of tenths and get into a more measured flow. And it sort of works – certainly on quicker bits of road – but then there is this feeling that you’re always missing out a little bit by not making full use of that incredible agility. It’s frustrating, because the RS 300 rides well, its engine is keen and when you find the right corner it is arguably the most exciting car in the group. Just like the Cupra, while it’s fun on the road, it might have done even better if this was a track test where you could fully exploit its handling all the time.

If, on the other hand, this was a static, showroom test, with all the cars lined up in a glass box with some free coffee and a little corner of branded keyrings and T-shirts, then the BMW would probably win. Not because the splashes of red on the outside are especially attractive, but because when you open the door the slightly more premium nature of the interior is immediately evident. The leather feels thicker than in the Cupra, while the stitching on the armrests and the tricolour flashes on the seatbelts are nicely redolent of a proper motorsport past.

The seats hold your hips well and there are multiple options for accessing the infotainment. It’s impressive, especially given that it’s as affordable as the Mégane and Hyundai.

Get in and the seating position is classically BMW, with your legs stretched out a little more than in the others.

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MOTORING GOLF CLUBSPORT v MÉGANE RS v i30 N v LEON 300 v 128ti

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front axle the handling feels much more transparent. But as soon as you get on the throttle the picture gets a bit muddy.

The locking characteristics of the limited-slip differential were actually softened a little for the 128ti compared with the 135i xDrive, but I’m not sure this was a great idea. It has arguably reduced the sense of connection and control over the front wheels in a straight line, and then pulling out of corners with some steering angle you can still feel the inside wheel losing traction rather than the whole front end digging in and tightening the line as it does in the Golf.

Even more concerning for the BMW is the fact that its drivetrain feels the weakest in the test. You could argue that’s not surprising, because with 261bhp it has the least power, but it’s not that far behind the Hyundai (276bhp) and its 295lb ft of torque is a match for the others. In fact I don’t think it’s the engine’s fault; I think it is down to the

automatic gearbox. In isolation you can get used to it, but the moment you put it back-to-back with the dual clutch ’boxes in this test it suddenly feels like using a spoon to cut your food instead of a steak knife. The whole delivery just seems slightly soft and lacking in urgency, even with Sport+ mode engaged.

Which leaves us with the i30 N in its distinctive but curiously calming shade of baby blue. A cool colour for a hot hatch. Its shape is rather similar to that of the BMW, but the two cars are at opposite ends of the rankings in this test and one can’t help but wonder whether things might have been different if Albert Biermann hadn’t been lured away from Munich by Hyundai seven years ago.

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There is something about this driving position that still makes me think the 1-series should be rear-wheel drive, though. As soon as you accelerate out of the showroom and down the road for the test drive, however, there is no doubt where the power is going, because you instantly notice how busy the nose of the car is. The front tyres seem as easily distracted as a pair of toddlers in a toy shop: ‘Oh look at this camber! No, over here, come and see this imperfection!’

It’s a slightly soft, almost remote type of torque steer, which might sound endearing and engaging, but actually just makes the car feel imprecise and tricky to place. It’s not the fault of the suspension as such, as the passive damper set-up strikes a nice balance that gives a decent sense of connection with the road, while still taking just enough harshness off the bumps. It edges the Golf and Leon for ride quality. And if you’re leaning on the fundamental balance of the chassis without any torque going through the

IT EDGES THE GOLF AND LEON FOR RIDE QUALITY

MOTORING

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IT HAS ARGUABLY REDUCED THE SENSE OF CONNECTION AND CONTROL OVER THE FRONT WHEELS

Right and far right: the BMW’s cabin makes the best first impression, but the Hyundai’s has plenty of appeal for its useability

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MOTORING GOLF CLUBSPORT v MÉGANE RS v i30 N v LEON 300 v 128ti

reassuringly easy to use as a toaster.

Of course the biggest throwback is the extra pedal. You can now have the i30 N with a dual-clutch transmission (see last month’s Driven), but it is the only car in this test with the option of a manual gearbox and there’s no getting away from the fact that it really adds to the experience. The shift is chunky but doesn’t baulk when you rush it, and although the pedals are well placed for heel and toe, the adjustable revmatch function also lets you retain the smoothness but be a bit lazy if you want.

There is a meatiness to the steering as well and a lovely sense of connection to the road through the suspension.

It’s not a delicate car but neither is it in the slightest bit lazy in its responses.

It’s a little like the latest BMW M4 Competition to that extent. And like that car there’s a slightly bewildering plethora of drive modes to get your

head around. The blue button slung in the lower left quarter of the steering wheel cycles through Normal, Sport and Eco and the middle of those is worth using as a default for everyday use. The other big blue button is for the N and Custom modes. The first of those, the everything-up-to-(te)N mode, firms up the suspension much too much for the road. However, if you spend a bit of time tailoring the Custom mode (principally softening the dampers, but also dialling the steering back to Sport) then you get all of the fun traits without the compromise.

The limited-slip diff doesn’t feel as sophisticated as the Golf’s but it gets the job done, and while the engine isn’t dripping with character it is plenty strong enough. The end result is a car that doesn’t feel exceptional in any one area but just gels incredibly well so that it never leaves you guessing. You can

CUPRA LEON 300

RENAULT MÉGANE RS 300

HYUNDAI I30 N

Engine In-line 4-cyl, 1984cc, turbo Power 296bhp @ 5300-6500rpm Torque 295lb ft @ 2000-5200rpm Weight 1415kg Power-to-weight 213bhp/ton 0-62mph 5.7sec Top speed 155mph Basic price £35,575

Engine In-line 4-cyl, 1798cc, turbo Power 296bhp @ 6000rpm Torque 310lb ft @ 4000rpm Weight 1443kg Power-to-weight 209bhp/ton 0-62mph 5.7sec Top speed 158mph Basic price £33,585

Engine In-line 4-cyl, 1998cc, turbo Power 276bhp @ 6000rpm Torque 289lb ft @ 1950-4600rpm Weight 1419kg Power-to-weight 198bhp/ton 0-62mph 5.9sec Top speed 155mph Basic price £33,745

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Frankly, whichever of the other four you have stepped out of, there is a refreshing honesty and simplicity to the South Korean car. Open the boot and your eye is immediately drawn to the rear strut brace. It’s nothing fancy, just some ordinary bits of black tubing welded together. But its lack of pretension gives you confidence. If there is no aesthetic merit then you know it must be there for a reason – it’s the antithesis of the shiny red bar that serves no purpose in the back of the latest Mini GP. It feels a pleasing generation behind the others when you get into the driver’s seat, with a greater reliance on physical buttons in the cabin. It doesn’t have quite such a swish look as a result, but it’s nicely unfussy in the way it works.

It feels well put together too. Add in the excellent new optional lightweight bucket seats, the well placed pedals too, and you have a cockpit that’s as

MOTORING

chuck it around with confidence and it feels more mechanical than all the others in the test, more engaging at any speed.

All of which makes the Hyundai the clear winner from the quintet. It isn’t a bargain any more but it is still cheaper than the Cupra and VW. The only one that might initially look better value is the BMW, but that, I’m afraid, is the one that we would recommend least. It’s just not a very precise car. That’s partly because of the torque converter, but also because of the slightly disconnectedfeeling steering and the torque steer.

As Adam Towler comments: ‘You can go through a corner ten times and each time you’d go through it in a different way, but not by choice.’

That’s the top and the tail then. In the middle it’s all much closer. I like a lot of what the GTI Clubsport does. There is a real purpose to the way it drives and a sense of connection when you load it up.

However, it is easily the most expensive in the test (even before you add the essential but optional DCC adaptive dampers) and I can’t help but feel the steering – not to mention the interior – isn’t as good as it was on the equivalent model in the previous generation GTI. Adam was more of a fan of the Leon, noting that ‘once it’s cornering it’s keener. You can feel it using the rear axle to turn the car more and that gives it a greater sense of agility than the Golf.’ Even he admitted that the Cupra ‘looks totally forgettable’, however.

In the end it’s probably honours even between the MQB Evo siblings, which is no doubt just how the VW group wants it.

Which leaves Renault offering an intriguing but less polished alternative.

This generation of Mégane has always felt frustratingly nearly but not quite there. An RS 300 with an LSD and a

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BMW 128TI Engine In-line 4-cyl, 1998cc, turbo Power 261bhp @ 4750-6500rpm Torque 295lb ft @ 1750-4500rpm Weight 1445kg Powerto-weight 184bhp/ton 0-62mph 6.1sec Top speed 155mph Basic price £33,885

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manual ’box might be the sweet spot we’ve been searching for, but such a thing doesn’t exist. Nonetheless the RS 300 is delightfully agile and always feels full of brio, so you leave it wanting more in both the good and bad sense.

Ultimately the hot hatch seems like a simple formula; it has to be the great all-rounder. But I think this group shows that it has become trickier to achieve. Performance is not the problem because all the cars in this test are more than quick enough down a road. Grip and power see to that. But as the base cars get bigger and more cosseting, so it is getting, perhaps understandably, more difficult to make this category of hot hatch truly engaging and tactile. Thankfully the i30 N proves it can still be done and as a result I suspect there might be many more Hyundais on the high street in years to come.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI CLUBSPORT Engine In-line 4-cyl, 1984cc, turbo Power 296bhp @ 5000rpm Torque 295lb ft @ 20005200rpm Weight 1461kg Power-to-weight 206bhp/ton 0-62mph 5.6sec Top speed 155mph Basic price £37,925

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DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE OF MAN 50 PODCASTS EVERY MAN SHOULD LISTEN TO

THE BEST ELECTRIC CARS… FOR EVERY BUDGET

LIFE-CHANGING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

10 SPORTS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF BUT WILL LOVE

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BE A BETTER YOU

DEALING B WITH A

BREAK-UP THE END OF A RELATIONSHIP CAN BE A DIFFICULT TIME… THE TEAM AT CALM (CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVING MISERABLY) ARE HERE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER

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Relationship breakdowns can be particularly hard if you didn’t expect them to happen, there are children involved, or if your partner was the only person you normally opened up to.

The end of a relationship can trigger many feelings, such as sadness, rejection, loneliness, depression, helplessness, anxiety, anger, guilt, failure, shame, and even suicidal thoughts.

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reak-ups are tough. We’ve all heard the statistics that almost half of marriages end in divorce, but that doesn’t make the breakdown of your own relationship any easier to deal with. And, even if you weren’t married, that doesn’t mean the relationship meant any less or that its ending will be any less painful.

While relationship breakdowns are common, the way people experience them can be very varied.

Relationships are complicated, and when they end there are a lot of things to sort out and deal with.

BE A BETTER YOU

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

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The most important thing to do after a separation is to look after yourself.

Don’t isolate yourself from your friends and family, even if you don’t feel like being sociable or you think that nobody understands. Make an effort to maintain communication with people who you feel at ease talking to, be they family members, mates, or colleagues.

It can be difficult to talk about how you’re feeling with your friends or family, but just know that they’ll want to listen and help. Here are some ways you can start a conversation around how you’re feeling:

“The break-up has really hit me hard and I could do with someone to talk to.”

“Since the break-up, I’m struggling to move on. I haven’t got anybody I feel I can open up to.”

“You might have noticed that I’ve not been around as much lately. I’ve been finding things difficult, but I know that keeping it all to myself isn’t helping.”

Some people find it easier talking to a counsellor rather than someone they know. Relate (relate.org.uk) are the UK’s largest provider of relationship support, helping over two million people each year. Their website features lots of practical, online support that you can access in your own time. You can chat to one of their trained counsellors via email or web chat, or by calling 0300 100 1234.

Alternatively, if you’re struggling with the emotional aspects of a separation, the CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) helpline is open 5pm – midnight, every day of the year. Their trained helpline staff can talk through your problems and help you decide

MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2021/22

what to do next. Just call 0800 58 58 58 or visit thecalmzone.net for a webchat. Outside of these hours, call the Samaritans on 116 123.

TIME IS A GREAT HEALER It’s a huge cliché, but there really is no substitute for time when it comes to getting over the pain you feel when a relationship comes to an end. You need to allow yourself time to grieve and let go of any residing anger you might have.

It’s not easy dealing with the aftermath of a relationship breakdown, but it’s important to remember you’ll have good days and bad days – just like everybody else. Because separation can be an extremely distressing time, it’s also a good idea to try to give yourself time to unwind and let your body de-stress. Do what makes you feel relaxed, whether it’s watching the footy or meeting your mates for a catch up. Laughter can be a great therapy so make sure you allow yourself to have some fun – or at least some time away from dwelling on what has happened.

Remember that your physical health is just as important as your mental health in times of stress. Maintaining a good diet and exercise can help boost your self-esteem and your outlook on life.

WHAT IF MY SEPARATION IS COMPLICATED? When someone has been a big part of your life for an extended period of time, a separation is often messy. If you have children together, or financial links, this can make an already challenging time even more difficult. There are options, however, that can help your situation and make a resolution easier to achieve.

One of these options is relationship or family counselling. If you have children, counselling can help you explain the situation to them better so they are less affected by the separation.

It can also help you communicate better with each other in order to resolve problems and find a way to move forward.

A family or couples’ counsellor will provide confidential and non-judgmental support. Talking can be difficult, especially if things are tense between you, but sharing your thoughts and feelings in a calm and safe environment will help.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER YOU’LL HAVE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS

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BE A BETTER YOU

EVEN IF YOU ARE ON GOOD TERMS WITH YOUR EXPARTNER, TALKING ABOUT MONEY AND CHILDREN CAN LEAD TO ARGUMENTS

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER However you feel, that’s okay. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or scared. It’s okay to feel excited at times, too, and there’s no need to feel guilty for that.

The process takes time.

Look forward. Don’t rush things, but when you feel able, start to think about the future, your aims, and what you want for yourself. See the opportunity for new connections.

Family ties. A relationship breakdown doesn’t necessarily have to mean you lose touch with your ex’s friends or family. Just bear in mind that it might take time for people to cope with the change in circumstances and rebuild connections.

Good days and bad days. It will take time to adjust to what is a big change in your life. You will get there. Just be kind to yourself and accept that some days will be harder than others.

In the first few sessions, the counsellor will ask you to talk through what’s happening and what you’d like to change. You’ll then work together with the counsellor to decide what happens next.

Even if you are on good terms with your ex-partner, talking about money and children can lead to arguments, which make things more difficult. An option to consider in this situation is mediation, which differs from family counselling and is often used once a couple’s attempt to reach agreements has failed. Any discussion you have with a mediator should be in a safe, non-judgmental environment where you and your partner can discuss the practical issues that are involved in divorce or separation.

Don’t hold on to guilt. Whatever happened, it’s happened. Beating yourself up endlessly won’t help anyone. Take time to reflect and digest anything you’ve learned from the relationship and its breakdown, but don’t sit in contemplation for too long.

Move on when you feel ready.

WHAT ABOUT MY KIDS?

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One of the most difficult things to do when separating is discussing it with your children. It is important to try not to involve them in any conflict and to minimize the stress they might feel at home by reassuring them that even though you will no longer be in a relationship with the other parent, you’ll still be part of their life.

It can be easy to take your feelings out on other people, including your children, when things are tough, but remember that a relationship breakdown is out of their control and they will be finding it difficult too.

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ARCTIS 9X

AWARD WINNING ARCTIS SOUND ON XBOX

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GEAR Dragon Age 4

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BioWare has been teasing fans with scraps of information about the next Dragon Age installment.

In Dragon Age 4, players step into the role of a brand new protagonist — an exciting new wildcard that could shake the series up. So far, the confirmed snippets of information have created a feeding frenzy among the fanbase. So, what else do we know?

The Tevinter Imperium will feature as an explorable locale for the first time, an egg-headed wizard and all-round Judas bastard, Solas, makes his return. The intrailer appearance of the red lyrium idol — a mysterious artefact from Dragon Age 2 — left fans theorizing that Solas is set to try and use its power to breach the Fade, linking our human world with the ethereal beyond.

Inquisition was the first game in the series to end on a big cliffhanger, with the end-game twist revealing Solas’s true identity as the elven god Fen’Harel, also known as the Dread Wolf. Dragon Age 4 will lead on from this, with the trailers so far seemingly setting Solas up as the main antagonist. However, if the series has taught us anything about Dragon Age’s world, it’s that good and evil aren’t binary states.

THE TEVINTER IMPERIUM WILL FEATURE AS AN EXPLORABLE LOCALE FOR THE FIRST TIME

ELDEN RING

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2022’S HOTTEST GAMES

GAMING EXPERTS KIRK MCKEAND AND RAPHAEL BENNETT HIGHLIGHT THE MUST-PLAY TITLES DUE FOR RELEASE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS…

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The internet has been rife with excitement over Elden Ring long before fans even had a decent look at it.

Hell, the game’s official subreddit started making its own lore up while waiting for new information, as if they were blood-starved beasts. Hardly surprising, since Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones’ creator George R. R. Martin collaborating is enough to whet anyone’s appetite. Elden Ring will offer a familiar experience for Dark Souls fans, but promises some refreshing new changes. For example, the game will use mounted combat, — it’s openworld, baby - include a new Guard Counter mechanic, offer a stealth system similar to Sekiro, and will encourage players to strategize in different ways.

Everything around you, from the environment to the weather, can help to turn the tide of battle. The collectible spirits mechanic is also designed to give more depth to the open-world exploration compared to previous Souls games. You’ll be able to discover spirits throughout the world and later summon them in battle to assist you.

A stunning new fantasy world, a skillfully crafted story, punishing difficulty, and more awaits the Tarnished in Elden Ring. What’s more, you can go it alone or team up with friends to take on the challenge. Which path will you choose?

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DRAGON AGE 4

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Bethesda is putting a brand new IP on the menu in 2022 — Redfall. This open-world shooter pits heroes against a new breed of vampire and proves that those who slay together, stay together. Players can step into the role of one of four different characters, each of whom has a unique playstyle. Redfall offers solo play or up to four-player co-op, so you can choose to partner up with friends and create the perfect blend of skills for a dream team.

The game takes place in Redfall, a small town in Massachusetts, where vampires have managed to block out the sun and are terrorizing the town. These scientifically created vampires are not like any fanged monsters you’ve met before — they don’t sparkle or anything — so prepare for a challenge. You’ll also need to take down their human cultist followers, save Redfall and its residents, and of course, stay alive.

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PLAYERS CAN STEP INTO THE ROLE OF ONE OF FOUR DIFFERENT CHARACTERS

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HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST

Originally intended for a 2021 release, Horizon Forbidden West is now scheduled to launch on February 18, 2022. It will continue Aloy’s story as she travels far and wide in search of the cause behind the mysterious disease ravaging the land, taking her all the way to San Francisco. Its map will be larger than its predecessor, while Aloy’s new toolkit means improved combat, varied attack patterns, and smoother climbing mechanics that no longer rely on specific footholds.

Every feasible surface will now be climbable.

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SOME FAMILIAR FACES WILL RETURN, LIKE SYLENS AND EREND

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Redfall

Some familiar faces will return, like Sylens and Erend, as well as new tribes for Aloy to meet, though not all will be friendly.

Brand new machines, including towering mammoths, will provide new strategic challenges for players. The move westward introduces a whole range of new biomes to explore too, with post-apocalyptic versions of both San Francisco and Yosemite Valley in the game. Now, I know underwater sections are usually complete ass in games, but Horizon Forbidden West’s new underwater areas look stunning. Plus, you get to fight robot crocodiles, and who wouldn’t want that? When not battling aquatic beasties, you’re free to traverse ancient sunken cities and uncover even more secrets.

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GEAR BREATH OF THE WILD 2

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It’ll soon be time to catch up with Kratos and Atreus once more. God of War’s 2018 reboot received critical acclaim at launch and ended with a lot of loose threads to tie up, so it’s no surprise that Santa Monica Studio decided to follow it up with a new entry to the series. God of War Ragnarok will see Kratos and his son delving further into Norse mythology, meeting the likes of Angraboda, Tyr, and of course, Thor. The ‘thunder lummox’ mentioned throughout the 2018 game is set to finally clash with Thor in Ragnarok. As you’d expect from the title, the game will also draw Kratos’ Norse saga to a close.

The latest trailer at the PlayStation Showcase gave us a new look at an older Atreus who is anxious to find out more about his true identity.

If you haven’t played the first game, spoilers: he’s Loki. Fan favourite Mimir is also making a comeback, and an appearance from the Allfather himself, Odin, appears to be on the cards.

Originally slated for a 2021 release, PlayStation Studios announced the game delay to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that Santa Monica Studio could deliver a worthwhile successor.

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GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK

Breath of the Wild 2

FANS HAVE BEEN CLAMOURING FOR A SEQUEL

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FAN FAVOURITE MIMIR IS ALSO MAKING A COMEBACK

Ever since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched in 2017, fans have been clamouring for a sequel, and it’s not that hard to see why. Breath of the Wild refreshed the traditional Zelda format, offering an impressively expansive world to explore while still retaining the series’ core DNA. It was the highest-rated game of the year on Metacritic, with many hailing it as a masterpiece.

While we have known that a sequel was in the works for some time, Nintendo only recently gave fans their first proper look at Breath of the Wild 2 earlier in the year. The trailer showcased that players won’t just be trekking across Hyrule, but can also take to the skies above in a whole new floating environment reminiscent of Skyward Sword.

The trailer also teased a lot of new elements that left fans with plenty of questions and possible theories.

While Link appeared fairly familiar in some parts of the video, other snippets presented a different-looking Link with a new hairstyle, outfit, and a strange arm. Are they really one and the same? Another feature of the trailer that fans honed in on was the new portals that appear to have some kind of time-reversal aspect to them. Of course, all these mysteries will become unveiled when we return to Hyrule.

r te as M c& + afi ro Tr lt P ing h w u na nyt Re r A fo dy

a Re POKÉMON: LEGENDS ARCEUS Game Freak is giving fans a blast from the past, but not in the way you’re thinking. Pokémon: Legends Arceus will give us a trip to a time long gone in the historical Hisui region — the land that players know in the present as the Sinnoh region. It’s based on the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaidō, full of rolling hills and dense forests. However, this one isn’t just a rehash of what we’ve seen before, instead refreshing the series with new features, new attack modes, and even new Pokémon.

Pokémon: Legends Arceus

Starfield

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Pokémon Sword & Shield offered a wide-open area for players to explore with the Wild Area, and Legends Arceus builds on that with its more free-roam expansive land. There, you’ll be able to battle and capture Pokémon in the overworld, without transitioning to a different battle screen. The enemy ‘mons are even dangerous to the player this time.

Battles are also diverging from the normal turn-based fights we’re used to. Now, your Pokémon’s stats will dictate how many actions it gets per turn, so building a powerhouse team will be even more interesting. While Pokémon can still only learn a total of four moves, they can now use them in two different ways — Agile Style or Strong Style. Using a move in the Agile Style means it won’t necessarily be as powerful, but your next turn will come quicker. Things are about to get a lot more strategic in the world of Pokémon.

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NOW IT’S TIME TO TAKE TO THE OUTER REACHES OF THE UNIVERSE IN STARFIELD

ar tlu T w an eN eR e A hT ro m fy or da f eR

We wait years for a new Bethesda IP and then two come along at once. While Redfall is being developed by Arkane Austin and published by Bethesda though, Starfield is being developed by the powerhouse studio itself. With the likes of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls under its belt, it’s only natural that when Bethesda announces a new IP, there’s going to be a lot of hype. We’ve had post-apocalyptic worlds, we’ve had dragons and fantasy, and now it’s time to take to the outer reaches of the universe in Starfield.

Set hundreds of years in the future, Starfield will have players creating their very own custom space explorer and member of Constellation. Based on the reveal trailer, players will face answering humanity’s greatest mystery as they navigate the depths of space and the many varying environments across different planets.

Much to the dismay of longtime Bethesda fans, now that Microsoft has acquired Bethesda Game Studios, Starfield will be a Microsoft exclusive and is launching for Xbox Series X|S and PC — not PlayStation.

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CREATE YOUR OWN SAINT WITH PLENTY OF STYLE

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The Saints are back — but not as you know them.

Volition is rebooting the series with a brand new title in 2022, welcoming players into the fictional city of Santo Ileso. This new entry will offer the largest sandbox of the series to date as well as a host of new characters who will be your partners in crime, and even more of the quirky and hilarious elements that fans have grown accustomed to from the series.

You can create your own Saint with plenty of style, as the game will feature an in-depth character creator where you can choose the gender and appearance of your boss. You can also receive a helping hand from your friends, as the game will feature a drop-in/drop-out style co-op.

The game will feature nine districts that are under the control of three different gangs. As the boss of the Saints, it’s up to you to seize control of these districts in a similar style to past Saints Row titles. You’ll also be able to start your own shady businesses to financially support your newly established gang. It’s a reboot that’s so far talking the talk, but we’ll find out soon if it’s walking the walk, too.

Saints Row

WB Games Montréal has a new Batman title in the works, only this time the Big Bad Bat is nowhere to be found.

Set after the death of Bruce Wayne, Gotham Knights will allow players to take on the roles of Batman’s former proteges: Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood, in an expansive, open-world action RPG. Though the four characters have gone their separate ways since the death of Batman, Gotham Knights will see them working together in an attempt to prevent Gotham from falling victim to chaos. You’ll be kicking butt and unearthing the dark secrets of the city, but you don’t have to do it alone.

The game will offer drop-in/drop-out co-op in addition to solo play.

Though the studio previously developed Batman: Arkham Knights, Gotham Knights is an entirely new storyline set within its own selfcontained canon, completely unrelated to the Arkham series. Mr. Freeze, one of the most interesting characters from the Arkham series, is coming back here, while the Court of Owls are making their video game debut.Alfred Pennyworth, everyone’s favourite butler, is also set to appear, as is Captain Montoya, everyone’s seventeenth favourite captain.

Gotham Knights

GOTHAM KNIGHTS IS AN ENTIRELY NEW STORYLINE SET

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BITCOIN 101 Words: Nick Wright

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CRYPTOCURRENCY.

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October 31st, 2008. As the world stared into the financial abyss created by the subprime mortgage meltdown and the credit crunch that had jammed the global economy into reverse gear, a highly secretive individual by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto quietly and without fanfare uploaded a research paper to a small online cryptography forum.

Crammed with the kind of complex equations and algorithms you’d expect to find scrawled across a whiteboard in a NASA science lab, the nine-page document presented a detailed outline of a revolutionary new digital currency called Bitcoin. “The root problem with conventional currency is all the trust that’s required to make it work,” Nakamoto said. “The central bank must be trusted not to debase the currency, but history is full of breaches of that trust.”

The timing of Bitcoin’s arrival, when public trust and confidence in governments and banks was at an all-time low, was exquisite.

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THE BIRTH OF BITCOIN

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While governments around the world were bailing out the very same financial institutions that had caused the crisis and injecting hundreds of billions of freshlyprinted notes into their economies to keep them afloat, here was a brand-new currency that was beyond the reach of bankers and politicians. It had a limited supply, couldn’t be censored nor confiscated, promised benefits no traditional currency could provide, and put the individual at the centre of the economic system.

Bitcoin’s unique appeal has, in the 13 years that followed, seen it flourish where previous virtual currencies failed.

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WHAT’S WRONG WITH GOOD OLD-FASHIONED MONEY? In the late 1980s and early ‘90s, a group of American cryptographers concerned about protecting free speech and privacy in the new online era, set themselves the goal of developing a virtual currency that was private, anonymous and, in keeping with the Internet’s core values, global and without borders. These libertarians became known as ‘cypherpunks’ and they believed that for a currency to be truly indigenous to cyberspace, it had to be decentralised (completely independent from the existing banking system) and immune to meddling from governments.

After all, if a digital currency was aligned with a traditional fiat currency, such as the US dollar or British pound, it would always be tied to that country’s economic and political health. Having been around the block enough times to witness several financial crises and hyperinflations, the cypherpunks felt that the most robust and reliable economic system would be one that no single entity could control or manipulate.

In the almost 20 years that subsequently passed, however, every effort to create such a platform either struggled to gain traction or hit some kind of technological roadblock.

Bitcoin was the first digital currency that solved the administrative challenges that had undone those that came before it.

Nakamoto designed Bitcoin to be ‘trustless’ from the outset. Rather

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NAKAMOTO DESIGNED BITCOIN TO BE ‘TRUSTLESS’ FROM THE OUTSET than handing responsibility for the management of the Bitcoin ledger to a single trusted entity, like a bank, it was instead assigned to an online community. Bitcoin’s software encrypts each transaction – sender and receiver are identified only by a long string of numbers known as a hash – before posting it across the entire network, where every transaction can be observed by everyone in the community at the same time. The general idea is that there is safety and protection in numbers, meaning no one can control or abuse the system.

LIMITED EDITION It is not known whether Nakamoto created Bitcoin purely in response to the

financial crisis, but his dissatisfaction with the governments’ propensity to flood economies with endless amounts of freshly-printed money is well documented. With a limited, predictable and consistent supply, Bitcoin was designed to be an alternative to – or maybe a hedge against – the inflationary properties of fiat currency. Over a set period of time – between 2009 and 2140 – a fixed total of 21 million Bitcoins would be released. Every 10 minutes or so, the coins are distributed through a process known as ‘mining’ – the reward given to the user on the network who solves the complex cryptographic puzzle that will validate a block of transactions.

This process is effectively a lottery, although the person with the fastest and most powerful computer nearly always has the winning ticket.

In the early days of Bitcoin, when its value was low and there were very few miners, anyone with a half-decent computer had a reasonable chance of winning every so often.

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Nowadays, though, with the value of one Bitcoin having at times topped $60,000 and with tens of thousands of miners around the world competing against each other – including organised pools with rigs of powerful super computers – the resources required to enter this game of chance are well out of the reach of most individuals.

BITCOIN PIZZA

YOUR BITCOIN IS YOURS TO USE AS YOU SEE FIT, AND ALWAYS WILL BE

BENEFITS OF BITCOIN Bitcoin’s publicly distributed ledger is called a ‘blockchain’. A piece of digital information (‘block’) is stored within a public database (‘chain’). Everything about the blockchain, and Bitcoin itself, is open source and transparent. You can verify every line of code to see what it’s doing and audit the existing supply of Bitcoin to ensure everything is taking place according to the schedule. In contrast, no central bank or government will ever be able to reach this level of precision and accountability. Whilst

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immune to seizure. Whereas traditional currencies require permission to use (from banks, financial institutions, and governments), Bitcoin requires no permission from anyone. Your Bitcoin is yours to use as you see fit, and always will be. No one can confiscate your Bitcoin or block your transactions.

THE DARK SIDE OF BITCOIN traditionalists may feel safer with their money in a traditional bank, they have shown themselves to be more susceptible to hacking than Bitcoin’s seemingly impenetrable blockchain.

Another of Bitcoin’s appeals is its transportability. You can cross international borders with nothing but a mobile phone or a flash drive in your pocket, keeping your money safe and ready to spend at your destination. That process isn’t as simple with cash or gold bars, which is one of the main reasons Bitcoin gained traction.

Bitcoin is also permissionless and

But the rise of Bitcoin hasn’t been all plain sailing. One theory to explain Nakamoto’s desire for anonymity is that, unsettled by the uncertainty of its future direction, he elected to distance himself from controversy or any possible accusations of criminality. It may not be coincidental, then, that he suddenly disappeared without trace in December 2011, shortly after Bitcoin became publicly embroiled in the notorious ‘Silk Road’ scandal. As arguably the world’s most infamous dark web market, Silk Road inevitably attracted a shady clientele that included money launderers

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With no real-world applications or practical use cases to speak of, Bitcoin’s initial value was negligible. Unaware of how valuable the asset would become in the coming years, early enthusiasts would arbitrarily send each other coins for fun, as ‘rewards’ for participating constructively in forums, or simply to feel rebellious. Gavin Andresen, a coder based in New England, bought 10,000 Bitcoins for $50 and promptly gave them away on his Bitcoin Faucet website. Around the same time, Laszlo Hanyecz, a Florida-based computer programmer who had helped develop some of the early Bitcoin code, offered to send 10,000 Bitcoins to anybody who would deliver him some pizza. A British Bitcoin aficionado accepted Hanyecz’s offer and dialled in the order from London using his credit card. It remains the first documented Bitcoin financial transaction… not to mention the world’s most expensive fast food purchase. With Bitcoin currently trading at over $60,000, the value of the pizza in today’s terms would be over $600 million. A lot of dough, if you excuse the pun!

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SINCE MARCH LAST YEAR, BITCOIN HAS SEEN ITS VALUE INCREASE BY 2000% its reputation in the eyes of many and cast doubts over its legitimacy.

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WILL BITCOIN REPLACE DOLLARS AND POUNDS?

and peddlers of various illicit goods and services. Because of the anonymity it provides, many of the transactions on the platform were conducted using Bitcoin. When Silk Road was eventually shut down in 2013 and its founder Ross Ulbricht jailed for life, 144,336 Bitcoins were seized by the FBI in a raid on the company’s headquarters.

Bitcoin took a lot of heat from the US government, the media and financial regulators over Silk Road and was subjected to numerous smear campaigns, where it was demonised for helping fund criminal activity. For a while, it seemed everywhere you looked another story was highlighting Bitcoin’s widespread use for nefarious activities on the dark web. In reality, though, pointing the finger at Bitcoin for facilitating illegal or illicit online commerce is like blaming cash for the creation of Pablo Escobar’s cocaine cartel, or blaming the getaway car for a bank robbery. Even so, Bitcoin’s association with the black market tainted

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With its reputation now rebuilt, the days of Bitcoin being viewed as some kind of murky or seedy medium of exchange are long gone, to the point where it is now viewed as a bona fide financial instrument and traded against the world’s major fiat currencies on the key foreign exchange platforms. In recent years, major financial institutions, hedge funds and investments banks have launched Bitcoin funds and custodial services for their clients, the mainstream adoption fuelled in

part by Bitcoin’s maturity as well as the expansion of the cryptocurrency market in general. In the 13 years since its inception, the blockchain technology upon which Bitcoin is built has evolved and been adopted by many industries, including insurance, food manufacturing and big pharma.

Having said that, as a relatively young and speculative asset, Bitcoin remains prone to episodes of intense volatility, its trading history characterised by periods of astronomical growth followed by severe and often lengthy price retracements. In February 2011, just eight months before Nakamoto fell off the radar, Bitcoin’s price crossed the $1 barrier for the very first time. Four months later, it spiked to around $30 before sharply retracing to single figures. In the famous bull market of 2013, Bitcoin hit $200 in April and within six months had skyrocketed to over $1,000. Following each dramatic rise, financial experts questioned whether the price could realistically climb any higher.

In 2017, Bitcoin hit an all-time high of just under $20,000 before retracing dramatically to around $3,000 during the notorious bear market of 2018/2019 that devastated the entire cryptocurrency industry. However, since March of last year, Bitcoin has seen its value increase by more than 20 times.

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THE DAY BITCOIN REPLACES THE EURO, POUND AND DOLLAR MAY BE SOME WAY OFF

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have amassed huge fortunes speculating on its price movements in recent years. However, in trading there’s always a winner and always a loser. During the Bitcoin price frenzy in 2017, some investors bought Ferraris and Lamborghinis with their profits. Others who didn’t time their withdrawal from the market quite so well were left to watch in horror as their investment plummeted by some 90 percent over the following 12 months.

These large price swings, for the most part have nothing to do with Bitcoin’s performance or adoption, but the greedy whims of traders.

Although the cryptocurrency market is now worth over two trillion dollars, that’s still small change compared with the money and trading

volume sloshing around in the US or European stock markets, for example. This means the price of any digital asset can still be manipulated relatively easily by ‘whales’ – the banking industry’s label for large hedge funds or heavyweight financial institutions.

Since many cryptocurrency investors are gun shy of market volatility, having had their fingers burned on numerous occasions, a large investor often doesn’t even have to buy or sell in order to instigate panic – the simple act of moving a large number of coins from a private wallet onto a public exchange is enough to lead smaller investors to believe that a significant number of coins are going to be dumped onto the market.

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So where exactly does Bitcoin go from here? Given the opinionated and divisive nature of the cryptocurrency market, as many people will tell you that Bitcoin’s future value will one day exceed one million dollars per coin as will tell you that it is an elaborate and crooked Ponzi scheme that will inevitably crash to zero at some point.

In the eyes of many investors, though, Bitcoin’s relative scarcity gives it value as a store of wealth – a form of digital gold, or, at the very least, a hedge against the inflationary properties of the world’s major fiat currencies. While the days when Bitcoin emerges as a viable replacement for the euro, pound or dollar may still be some way off, change is already taking place in countries such as Venezuela and Nigeria, where collapses of the national currencies and the risk of hyperinflation have led people to purchase Bitcoin as a way of preserving their wealth.

What is for certain, right now, is that Bitcoin’s price volatility and its relatively slow transaction speed make it unsuitable as a day-to-day general use currency. Whilst lowlevel Bitcoin transactions can be almost instant, it can take up to an hour, or even days, to transfer large amounts.

Its unpredictability, however, does make it a trader’s delight and there are countless stories of people who

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The wave of panic selling that follows enables said whales to come in and pick up Bitcoins and other assets at hugely discounted prices.

As to where Bitcoin goes from here, at the end of the day, a currency is only as valuable as the amount of trust and belief that people place in it. We trust that British pounds, US dollars and Japanese yen will have almost exactly the same value tomorrow… and next month and next year, next decade even… and so we are willing to spend and save in those currencies today. The same holds true for Bitcoin.

Whether you’re a long-term investor, a trader or a libertarian hoping that a day will come when you can freely spend digital assets as easily as physical cash, you must have faith that Bitcoin won’t get hacked or banned, or that some undiscovered bug concealed deep in the code won’t cause it to self-destruct.

If you believe in the concept of Bitcoin and trust the technology that has now stood the test of time over 13 years, the price is purely just a function of supply and demand. As with any investment, do your own research and never risk more than you are genuinely willing to lose.

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“DUDE, WHERE’S MY BITCOIN?” One of Bitcoin’s greatest strengths has, for some, proved to be one of its most painful weaknesses.

Nakamoto thought of pretty much everything when it came to ensuring that an individual’s Bitcoin account would be completely safe, secure and anonymous. Bitcoin investors usually hold their funds in a digital wallet accessible only using a ‘private key’ – a unique series of numbers that acts as a password – making it extremely difficult for other people to access those holdings. Lose that private key, however, and you lose access to your wallet, as some individuals have learnt to their cost. It is estimated that at least 20 percent of the 18 million or so Bitcoin currently in existence have been lost or misplaced, most likely for ever.

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James Howells – $450 million missing In 2013, computer engineer Howells inadvertently threw out a hard drive containing more than 7,500 Bitcoin. The $450 million hard drive is now languishing in a landfill site in South Wales, where it will remain buried unless Howells can convince the local council to allow him to dig it up!

Stefan Thomas – $420 million missing The Silicon Valley tech wizard was given 7,002 Bitcoin in 2011 as payment for making a video explaining how the cryptocurrency works. At the time, the coins were worth around $4 to $5 each and the German-born computer programmer stashed them away on the hard drive of his computer and then forgot about them.

Ironically, Thomas diligently made three copies of his wallet, yet

somehow managed to shred two of them and lose the password to the third. As it stands, he has entered the wrong password eight times. Two more wrong attempts will see the hard drive permanently encrypted and he will lose access to his funds, valued at around $420 million, forever.

A farmer called Samantha – $6 billion missing But the prize for the most gutwrenching Bitcoin balls-up surely goes to a Missouri farmer called Samantha, who in 2010 accepted a refund of 100,000 Bitcoin (worth around $1,000 at the time) from a European vendor for a purchase of some animal medicine. Ten years on, the farmer can see her Bitcoin (now worth nearly $6 billion) in her wallet, but is unable to access it because she cannot find her private key.

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