Expect big laughs, brilliant football stories and uncanny Brian Clough impressions when Mark Crossley takes to the stage in King's Lynn.

The former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper is one of the most popular ex-footballers on the speaker circuit and will have punters rolling in the aisles at the Duke's Head Hotel on Friday, March 12, 2027.

But it's more than just hilarious tales that you'll enjoy as 'Big Norm' provides opinion, insight and heartfelt anecdotes during an evening of sporting entertainment that will also provide the opportunity to purchase some outstanding memorabilia.

Crossley made more than 300 appearances for Forest, and earned international honours with Wales, before playing for a host of other clubs.

The cult hero has recently been announced as part of The Overlap Daily team and features on a weekly podcast with Everton hero Duncan Ferguson.

The event is the latest being put on in the town by the company I set up, Sporting Knights, and is one I've been keen to sort since I paid as a punter to watch the hilarious shot-stopper myself at Walton Highway Village Club in November 2025.

My sides ached from laughing so much at the end of the evening.

As his profile prepares to sky rocket further, this Sporting Knight presents a great chance to see him in Lynn - and buy a cracking football-related Christmas gift for anyone who enjoys these sorts of events.

Standard entry costs £20 while VIP entry is £40. A booking fee of £1.50-per-ticket to cover online fees will apply.

VIP ticket entry includes: Guaranteed seating in the front rows, meet and greet with Crossley in a designated VIP area, one professional digital photo with Crossley (emailed within seven days of the event), one item signed by Crossley (this can be something of your own, or that is provided by Sporting Knights).

The dedicated VIP access (which includes the meet and greet and photo opportunity) is only available from 6.30-7.15pm. Crossley may spend some additional time in the designed VIP area during breaks in the show but this is not guaranteed.

For those looking to make an extra special Knight of it, the Duke's Head Hotel is pulling out all the stops to put on a special deal for ticketholders that is only available on the day of the event (March 12).

The first is a £74 bed and breakfast stay. The second is 25% off any food purchased at the Duke’s (in either Massey & Co or Turners restaurant) by producing a valid ticket.

Neither deal is available online and must be booked in person. Please call 01553 774996 or visit reception to take advantage of these great offers.

Tickets for the event - which is being sponsored by ScaffCycle and ADB Electrical - go on general sale on Friday, October 30 and can be purchased at sportingknights.co.uk/events

Puffs' journey is mum-thing special

Once your children get into sport it can be very difficult to scratch that itch yourself.

If you've got kids, on top of work commitments, it can be nigh-on impossible - especially for mums.

So I've taken great pleasure in watching, from afar, a group of women's journey back into netball.

Other than Amy Anderson, the Power Puffs are made up players who haven't played since high school.

Yet they've been having a great time in the Wednesday night Powerleague at The Barn, Alive Lynnsport (7-9pm).

Ellie Prior, who has three boys aged eight, 10 and 12, said: "We set the team up because we found a lot of mums don't tend to have a hobby or find time to socialise away from running their kids around.

“It's nice to be able to do that and play sport regularly because it's not always possible to fit the gym or exercise in around life."

The team was set up in March and after around 30 matches they finally got their first victory last week.

Hats off to Prior, Anderson, Faye Barnes, Sarah Wille, Lindsay Dymond, Jen Rudd, Natalie Thurston, Charlotte Bates and Tara Carter - here's hoping their journey can inspire other women.

Manchester United defender is speaking the truth

Footballers are criticised for not speaking the truth in their interviews.

Answers trotted out that feel like they've been written by a PR professional as we hear people say there's no characters in the modern game. Step forward Lisandro Martinez of Man United - a player who is now being slated for being too honest.

The Argentine's explosive post-match interview after his side's 2-0 Champions League loss at Athletico Madrid has split opinion among football. He was right to speak the truth, he's saying it as it is and it's great to hear a player speaking up about off-the-pitch issues that hamper his club. But, of course, it's never that simple is it?

Because the flip side is it's heaped more scrutiny on a struggling side, shows how toxic the environment is and, arguably, has been delivered by a player who is keen to deflect attention away from his own poor performances.

Martinez has, however, only appeared to have held up a mirror; United remains a circus of a football club.

Owners, who have inflicted an eye-watering debt, are more concerned about pounds than points, fed-up fans who are being overcharged and a relentless cycle of sacking managers thanks to performances upstairs that are as poor as on the pitch.

One of the biggest problems is expectations. Take Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson out of United's history and the Red Devils have, often, been nothing more than an average top-flight side at best.

This is exactly what they are right now; modern fans just don't realise it.