Monday, March 31, 2014
Liverpool "chosen one" banner
RVP freestyles with Maradona
Friday, March 28, 2014
Brazilian solo goal
Non-league Westfield FC's new stand
Giggs and ex-Man Utd pros agree takeover
Ryan Giggs and four former Manchester United team-mates have agreed a deal to purchase non-league Salford City.
Giggs, in his 24th season as a player at Old Trafford, is joined in the venture by the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
United player-coach Giggs, 40, said: "We want to use our football experience and knowledge to nurture young talent."
Subject to Football Association and Northern Premier League approval, the deal will be completed in the summer.
Salford are 11th in the Northern Premier League Division One North, the eighth tier of English league football.
Gary Neville, who had his first United trial in Salford, said: "Salford City represents those early years, the commitment, hunger, enthusiasm, desire and spirit of football and I am very excited about this venture."
The former England defender added on Twitter: "For clarity, [there will be] no name change, no ground change and management and committee as before!"
His younger brother Phil, now United's first-team coach, added: "It is important to safeguard the hard work that is done in the lower leagues and it is going to be exciting to be able to feed our experience into the young players."
Thursday, March 27, 2014
United fans to fly message over Old Trafford
A group of Manchester United supporters have raised £840 to fund an aeroplane to fly over Old Trafford with an anti-David Moyes message.
The supporters have put the money together to hire the plane with the order: ‘Wrong One - Moyes Out’ to go overhead during Saturday's Barclays Premier League home match against Aston Villa.
It is a direct challenge to the Stretford End Flags group, who say they will not take down the 'Chosen One' banner inside Old Trafford.
The Republik of Mancunia website, who first reported the plans, said: 'The message is a response to the Stretford End Flags banner which reads "The Chosen One".
Following United’s 3-0 defeat against City yesterday, stewards were sent to protect the banner at full time, after there were concerns that fans would want to remove it.'
'As yet, there have been no public protests within the ground, home or away, but it is expected that will change at the weekend when United face Villa.'
The supporters have put the money together to hire the plane with the order: ‘Wrong One - Moyes Out’ to go overhead during Saturday's Barclays Premier League home match against Aston Villa.
It is a direct challenge to the Stretford End Flags group, who say they will not take down the 'Chosen One' banner inside Old Trafford.
The Republik of Mancunia website, who first reported the plans, said: 'The message is a response to the Stretford End Flags banner which reads "The Chosen One".
Following United’s 3-0 defeat against City yesterday, stewards were sent to protect the banner at full time, after there were concerns that fans would want to remove it.'
'As yet, there have been no public protests within the ground, home or away, but it is expected that will change at the weekend when United face Villa.'
Toure tweets Fifa 14 makers to complain about his ratings
Reo-Coker injury
Nigel Reo-Coker could miss the Vancouver Whitecaps’ next game after the former Aston Villa midfielder inexplicably sustained an injury by tripping over a bike rack on a jaunt around the Canadian city.
The 29-year-old, who notoriously survived a training-ground bust-up with Martin O’Neill, suffered a ‘off-field walking accident’, excellently described by the official MLS site, while taking in the sights around the Canadian city on Sunday.
According to the Whitecaps, Reo-Coker, who also played for West Ham and Bolton, was failing to look where he was going and cut his face and hit his head after colliding with the bike rack.
He is a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Houston Dynamo and has not trained since the accident.
Whitecaps assistant coach Martyn Pert does not know if he will be fit for the Dynamo match, saying: ‘That’s unsure at the moment. He’s had a scrape on his face and the medics will assess whether he has a concussion.
‘The initial thing was rest, and that he does the best things for him.’
The 29-year-old, who notoriously survived a training-ground bust-up with Martin O’Neill, suffered a ‘off-field walking accident’, excellently described by the official MLS site, while taking in the sights around the Canadian city on Sunday.
According to the Whitecaps, Reo-Coker, who also played for West Ham and Bolton, was failing to look where he was going and cut his face and hit his head after colliding with the bike rack.
He is a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Houston Dynamo and has not trained since the accident.
Whitecaps assistant coach Martyn Pert does not know if he will be fit for the Dynamo match, saying: ‘That’s unsure at the moment. He’s had a scrape on his face and the medics will assess whether he has a concussion.
‘The initial thing was rest, and that he does the best things for him.’
Friday, March 21, 2014
Model could be set for Serie A
Meet Elena Tambini, a 25-year-old referee and part-time model who is receiving her fair share of attention around the continent.
Tambini currently officiates in the Italian minor leagues, but she could soon be on her way to Serie B and then Serie A - and maybe even international football.
Female officials at the highest level are incredibly rare.
Assistant referee Sian Massey is currently the only active female official in the Premier League.
Wenger receives gold cannon to mark 1,000 matches in charge
Hazard recreates his Fulham rabona
Cech training regime
Thursday, March 20, 2014
GIF : Drogba's free kick hits his own 'legend' banner
England World Cup kit leaked
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Serie D fair play
GIF : Back control
Local Cup run
If Arsenal go on to win the FA Cup, their entire cup run will have taken place within 10 miles.
They have played every game at the Emirates and the next two rounds are at Wembley.
They have played every game at the Emirates and the next two rounds are at Wembley.
Manchester United ‘trolled’ by roadside sign
Rooney nutmegs Moyes
Monday, March 17, 2014
Fan's response to Rosicky's gift
Cameraman knocked out
Mexican side protest unpaid wages
GIF : Rosicky's wonder strike for Arsenal
Szczesny’s selfie on the Spurs pitch
Keira Knightley says Neville’s commentary is ‘f**king amazing’
Pirates of the Caribbean actress Keira Knightley has revealed herself as an unlikely fan of Gary Neville’s punditry skills.
Knightley, who also starred in football film Bend It Like Beckham, has revealed that she just can’t get enough of the Manchester United legend’s incisive commentaries for Sky Sports.
She said: "He is just f****** amazing! Absolutely f****** amazing!
"His commentary ... Well, it’s just amazing. He’s amazing."
Knightley, who also starred in football film Bend It Like Beckham, has revealed that she just can’t get enough of the Manchester United legend’s incisive commentaries for Sky Sports.
She said: "He is just f****** amazing! Absolutely f****** amazing!
"His commentary ... Well, it’s just amazing. He’s amazing."
Sons of United pair are training with City's academy
The sons of United duo Robin van Persie and Phil Neville are with CITY'S academy.
Shaqueel van Persie, seven and Harvey Neville, 11, are both training with the Blues youth set-up rather than following in their fathers' own footsteps with the Reds.
It is unclear why striker van Persie, who cost United £24m and Neville, who spent 10 years there as a player after coming through the youth ranks and has returned as a coach, have decided to point their children in the direction of the Reds' cross-town rivals.
Both boys are said to be talented and two years ago van Persie's former club Arsenal were said to be interested in snapping up Shaqueel.
Harvey plays for his school, St Bede's, which is where a number of City's academy stars study.
Shaqueel van Persie, seven and Harvey Neville, 11, are both training with the Blues youth set-up rather than following in their fathers' own footsteps with the Reds.
It is unclear why striker van Persie, who cost United £24m and Neville, who spent 10 years there as a player after coming through the youth ranks and has returned as a coach, have decided to point their children in the direction of the Reds' cross-town rivals.
Both boys are said to be talented and two years ago van Persie's former club Arsenal were said to be interested in snapping up Shaqueel.
Harvey plays for his school, St Bede's, which is where a number of City's academy stars study.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Galatasaray fan gives the hair off his back for Drogba
Kompany kicks stud marks into wall
An angry Vincent Kompany put stud marks in the wall at the KC Stadium after being sent off after only 10 minutes for a professional foul on Hull striker Nikica Jelavic.
The Belgian centre-back was sent off after during City’s 2-0 victory at Hull, meaning he will not captain Manuel Pellegrini’s men against struggling Fulham next week.
A picture emerged on Twitter of the apparent stud marks in a wall down the tunnel at the KC Stadium made by a frustrated Kompany after his dismissal.
Panna London Séan Garnier
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Suarez stats
Friday, March 14, 2014
Pardew will seek help to cure anger problems
Alan Pardew last night confirmed he will seek professional help in a bid to cure the anger issues which came close to losing the Newcastle United manager his job.
The 52-year-old is to have counselling and has spoken to people in the corporate world who are experts in dealing with stress and pressure.
Pardew was speaking publicly for the first time since the incident at Hull with David Meyler, which has cost him £160,000 in total fines, a three-game stadium fan and four games from the touchline.
He did his best to get over the point he fully appreciated the seriousness of his behaviour and insisted he would do everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Pardew said: "I’ve spoken to a few CEOs who have management counselling, in terms of how to do their job better.
"I think that is an avenue that might work for me.
"I have spoken to Richard Bevan (chairman of the League Manager’s Association) who has been a great help in terms of finding someone who is going to work for me and just bounce ideas off.
"Not necessarily just about the touchline and the pressures of the job I’m under, just normal managerial decisions that I make.
"The big question for me when this incident happened is ‘how am I going to be a better manager out of it?’
"I don’t want to be a worse manager, I don’t want to lose that drive and passion I have, but I am going to have tochannel it a little bit better. I don’t think the consultants would be from football.
"I think it will be someone different, maybe someone from outside the game who has a different perspective, somebody from a business background.
"In the city, if you were a top CEO, you would have one, the company would make sure you had one.
"I’m as probably as important as them with the position I am in. That is something I am hoping is a positive for me."
The 52-year-old is to have counselling and has spoken to people in the corporate world who are experts in dealing with stress and pressure.
Pardew was speaking publicly for the first time since the incident at Hull with David Meyler, which has cost him £160,000 in total fines, a three-game stadium fan and four games from the touchline.
He did his best to get over the point he fully appreciated the seriousness of his behaviour and insisted he would do everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Pardew said: "I’ve spoken to a few CEOs who have management counselling, in terms of how to do their job better.
"I think that is an avenue that might work for me.
"I have spoken to Richard Bevan (chairman of the League Manager’s Association) who has been a great help in terms of finding someone who is going to work for me and just bounce ideas off.
"Not necessarily just about the touchline and the pressures of the job I’m under, just normal managerial decisions that I make.
"The big question for me when this incident happened is ‘how am I going to be a better manager out of it?’
"I don’t want to be a worse manager, I don’t want to lose that drive and passion I have, but I am going to have tochannel it a little bit better. I don’t think the consultants would be from football.
"I think it will be someone different, maybe someone from outside the game who has a different perspective, somebody from a business background.
"In the city, if you were a top CEO, you would have one, the company would make sure you had one.
"I’m as probably as important as them with the position I am in. That is something I am hoping is a positive for me."
Bobby Moore's World Cup 1970 shirt up for sale
Bobby Moore’s England shirt from the 1970 World Cup is expected to fetch up to £40,000 when it goes under the hammer.
He wore it for the opening game of the 1970 Mexico World Cup against Romania, when the Three Lions took the field to defend the trophy they had won at Wembley four years earlier.
It has been put up for sale by its current anonymous owner and the auction is being organised by David Alexander, who runs Basildon-based football memorabilia website, Football Wanted.
Mr Alexander, 45, whose business has an office in Bentalls and a unit at the Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, said: 'It is completely unique and totally authenticated. It’s not like these days either, with players like Wayne Rooney, they get two shirts and another spare in case they get blood on one, but in those days it was just the one.'
He wore it for the opening game of the 1970 Mexico World Cup against Romania, when the Three Lions took the field to defend the trophy they had won at Wembley four years earlier.
It has been put up for sale by its current anonymous owner and the auction is being organised by David Alexander, who runs Basildon-based football memorabilia website, Football Wanted.
Mr Alexander, 45, whose business has an office in Bentalls and a unit at the Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, said: 'It is completely unique and totally authenticated. It’s not like these days either, with players like Wayne Rooney, they get two shirts and another spare in case they get blood on one, but in those days it was just the one.'
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Cantona arrested after London assault
Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona has been arrested and cautioned after assaulting a man in London on Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.
Cantona, 47, was taken into custody after the lunchtime incident in the Primrose Hill area.
It is not yet known whether the victim - who required no medical assistance - intends to press charges against the former Old Trafford forward.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "Police were called to Regents Park Road, NW1, at 12.55pm on Wednesday 12th March, following reports of an assault.
"Officers from Camden Borough attended and a man in his mid-40s was arrested on suspicion of common assault.
"He was taken into custody and subsequently cautioned for common assault.
"The victim, a man, did not require medical assistance at the scene."
Cantona, 47, was taken into custody after the lunchtime incident in the Primrose Hill area.
It is not yet known whether the victim - who required no medical assistance - intends to press charges against the former Old Trafford forward.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "Police were called to Regents Park Road, NW1, at 12.55pm on Wednesday 12th March, following reports of an assault.
"Officers from Camden Borough attended and a man in his mid-40s was arrested on suspicion of common assault.
"He was taken into custody and subsequently cautioned for common assault.
"The victim, a man, did not require medical assistance at the scene."
Newcastle U18 scores most obvious handball goal ever
Bendtner 'unbuttoned his trousers and rubbed himself against taxi'
Arsenal are investigating claims that striker Nicklas Bendnter threatened a taxi driver on a drunken rampage on Tuesday night.
Danish tabloid BT claim that the 26-year-old Denmark centre forward ‘ran amok’ in Copenhagen while his team-mates were getting knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
Bendtner, who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer, did not travel to Germany as he was not selected as part of Arsene Wenger’s 18-man squad.
It is alleged that Bendtner threatened the taxi driver before unbuttoning his trousers and rubbing himself against the side of the cab.
The taxi driver was quoted in BT as saying: ‘I’ve run with drunks and alcoholics in Copenhagen for over 25 years, but I’ve never experienced anything like it.’
Danish tabloid BT claim that the 26-year-old Denmark centre forward ‘ran amok’ in Copenhagen while his team-mates were getting knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
Bendtner, who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer, did not travel to Germany as he was not selected as part of Arsene Wenger’s 18-man squad.
It is alleged that Bendtner threatened the taxi driver before unbuttoning his trousers and rubbing himself against the side of the cab.
The taxi driver was quoted in BT as saying: ‘I’ve run with drunks and alcoholics in Copenhagen for over 25 years, but I’ve never experienced anything like it.’
Jack Jebb free-kick vs Everton
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Barcelona get Simpson-ized
West Ham top terrace chant poll
Top 10 wittiest chants from the past decade:
1. ‘His name is Rio and he watches from the stand’ - West Ham fans to Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, sung to the tune of Duran Duran’s Rio.
2. ‘When you’re sat in row Z, and the ball hits your head, that’s Zamora, that’s Zamora’ - Fulham supporters hail their striker Bobby Zamora, sung to the tune of Dean Martin’s That’s Amore.
3. ‘You should have stayed on the telly’ - Newcastle United fans to Alan Shearer, when the Match of the Day pundit led the team to relegation as manager.
4. ‘He’s fast, he’s red, he talks like Father Ted, Robbie Keane’ - Liverpool fans on the club’s striker.
5. ‘Your teeth are offside, your teeth are offside, Luis Suarez, your teeth are offside’ - Manchester United fans singing about Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
6. ‘Deep fry yer pizzas, we’re gonna deep fry yer pizzas’ - Scotland fans to Italy’s supporters in a World Cup qualifier in March 2007.
7. ‘Chelsea, wherever you may be, keep your wife from John Terry’ - Chelsea fans saluted their captain Terry after his affair with former team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, sung to the tune of Lord Of The Dance.
8. ‘John Carew, Carew. He likes a lap-dance or two. He might even pay for you. John Carew, Carew’ - Aston Villa fans sang this about their player, to the Que Sera Sera song.
9. ‘Fat Eddie Murphy, you’re just a fat Eddie Murphy’ - Newcastle United fans used this heckle then-Chelsea player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
10. ‘You only live round the corner’ - Fulham to Manchester United supporters, a chant now sung by many other London teams when they play at home to United.
1. ‘His name is Rio and he watches from the stand’ - West Ham fans to Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, sung to the tune of Duran Duran’s Rio.
2. ‘When you’re sat in row Z, and the ball hits your head, that’s Zamora, that’s Zamora’ - Fulham supporters hail their striker Bobby Zamora, sung to the tune of Dean Martin’s That’s Amore.
3. ‘You should have stayed on the telly’ - Newcastle United fans to Alan Shearer, when the Match of the Day pundit led the team to relegation as manager.
4. ‘He’s fast, he’s red, he talks like Father Ted, Robbie Keane’ - Liverpool fans on the club’s striker.
5. ‘Your teeth are offside, your teeth are offside, Luis Suarez, your teeth are offside’ - Manchester United fans singing about Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
6. ‘Deep fry yer pizzas, we’re gonna deep fry yer pizzas’ - Scotland fans to Italy’s supporters in a World Cup qualifier in March 2007.
7. ‘Chelsea, wherever you may be, keep your wife from John Terry’ - Chelsea fans saluted their captain Terry after his affair with former team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, sung to the tune of Lord Of The Dance.
8. ‘John Carew, Carew. He likes a lap-dance or two. He might even pay for you. John Carew, Carew’ - Aston Villa fans sang this about their player, to the Que Sera Sera song.
9. ‘Fat Eddie Murphy, you’re just a fat Eddie Murphy’ - Newcastle United fans used this heckle then-Chelsea player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
10. ‘You only live round the corner’ - Fulham to Manchester United supporters, a chant now sung by many other London teams when they play at home to United.
Bayern fans mock Ozil with controversial 'Gay Gunners' banner
The reality of retirement for many footballers
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Waltzing past nine tackles to score
Arsenal misspell own players’ names
Monday, March 10, 2014
Lazio fans hold boycott
Lazio fans carried out their threat to boycott the home Serie A match against Atalanta in protest at club president Claudio Lotito on Sunday, leaving their team to play in a near-deserted Stadio Olimpico.
Coach Edoardo Reja called for the supporters to settle their differences with Lotito after his team slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the mid-table battle.
'It's a real shame to see the Olimpico deserted,' Reja told reporters. 'We were in with a chance of achieving something significant but it's difficult to play in these conditions.
'We didn't play as well as we've done recently,' he added. 'This situation can't go on, it's a disadvantage for us as we've seen today.'
'We need them to come together, the two sides need to give some ground.'
One banner, which fans draped over the seats, read 'it's him or us' while another said 'Lazio is ours and we will leave it to our children.'
The supporters, led by the ultras who usually occupy the Curva Nord, have been protesting against Lotito on and off since the start of the season.
They boycotted the opening 15 minutes of a match in September in protest at the club's perceived lack of activity in the close season transfer window.
Their anger grew in January when Brazilian playmaker Hernanes was sold to Inter Milan where he has made an immediate impact.
Sport Relief 'Battle of the Backsides'
Van Persie doesn't look happy after having his face painted over by his daughter
FA commission statue of world's first black professional
A statue of Arthur Wharton, the world's first black professional, is to be erected at the national football centre at St George's Park.
The 16-foot bronze statue will mark the 125th anniversary of Wharton signing for Rotherham in 1889.
Born in Accra, Ghana, Wharton moved to England aged 19 in 1882 and went on to feature as a goalkeeper for his home town club Darlington, as well as Rotherham, Preston and Sheffield United.
He also became the first official 100-yard world record holder and world champion in 1886, with a time of 10 seconds at the AAA Championships.
Sato scores on-the-turn volley
Friday, March 07, 2014
Liverpool fans troll Jack Wilshere over injury
QPR set to axe 26 players
Queens Park Rangers are planning a clear-out of up to 26 players after recording a £65.4million loss.
Tony Fernandes’s arrival at the club in August 2011 heralded a period of heavy spending but big-money signings such as Loic Remy, Park Ji-sung, Julio Cesar and Junior Hoilett have not brought success, while relegation has left QPR facing financial meltdown.
They now face major ramifications under the Football League’s Financial Fair Play rules, which could see them fined £40m if they are promoted or placed under a transfer embargo if they fail to go up.
More than 20 players - including high-earners Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermaine Jenas, Robert Green, Aaron Hughes, Richard Dunne and Bobby Zamora - will see their contracts or loan periods expire this summer.
Those contracted to the club will be released or offered new contracts on significantly reduced terms.
QPR will also look for permanent buyers for Remy, Adel Taarabt, Stephane Mbia, Esteban Granero, Samba Diakite and Cesar, all of whom are out on loan.
The club have reported a net debt of £177m, up from £91.4m the previous year. Turnover dropped from £64m to £60.6m but wage costs soared from £58.5m to £78m as staff numbers increased from 130 to 164.
Tony Fernandes’s arrival at the club in August 2011 heralded a period of heavy spending but big-money signings such as Loic Remy, Park Ji-sung, Julio Cesar and Junior Hoilett have not brought success, while relegation has left QPR facing financial meltdown.
They now face major ramifications under the Football League’s Financial Fair Play rules, which could see them fined £40m if they are promoted or placed under a transfer embargo if they fail to go up.
More than 20 players - including high-earners Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermaine Jenas, Robert Green, Aaron Hughes, Richard Dunne and Bobby Zamora - will see their contracts or loan periods expire this summer.
Those contracted to the club will be released or offered new contracts on significantly reduced terms.
QPR will also look for permanent buyers for Remy, Adel Taarabt, Stephane Mbia, Esteban Granero, Samba Diakite and Cesar, all of whom are out on loan.
The club have reported a net debt of £177m, up from £91.4m the previous year. Turnover dropped from £64m to £60.6m but wage costs soared from £58.5m to £78m as staff numbers increased from 130 to 164.
United's new kit leaked
Southgate apologises after FA mix-up
Gareth Southgate has been forced to issue an embarrassing apology after an administrative error by the FA meant Manchester United defender Michael Keane was blocked from playing for England Under 21s against Wales in midweek.
FA officials declared an 'admin error' less than an hour before kick-off on Wednesday at Derby's iPro Stadium because they had registered Michael's twin brother Will, also at United, even though the forward was not meant to be selected for the side.
Michael was subsequently dropped from Southgate’s side, with Nathaniel Chalobah called up to the centre of England’s defence.
Southgate said: 'We had an admin error so Michael wasn’t registered.
'I don’t know exactly why yet, it’s not one I’ve seen before.
'I really feel for the lad because he’s key to what we’re doing. But we adapted to that, with Nathaniel going in, who was very composed, and these are things you’ll face along the way.'It’s important that the team reacted the way that they did and did it so smoothly.
FA officials declared an 'admin error' less than an hour before kick-off on Wednesday at Derby's iPro Stadium because they had registered Michael's twin brother Will, also at United, even though the forward was not meant to be selected for the side.
Michael was subsequently dropped from Southgate’s side, with Nathaniel Chalobah called up to the centre of England’s defence.
Southgate said: 'We had an admin error so Michael wasn’t registered.
'I don’t know exactly why yet, it’s not one I’ve seen before.
'I really feel for the lad because he’s key to what we’re doing. But we adapted to that, with Nathaniel going in, who was very composed, and these are things you’ll face along the way.'It’s important that the team reacted the way that they did and did it so smoothly.
Thursday, March 06, 2014
England mascot gives V-sign
City fans go to Wembley with wrong tickets
Six Manchester City fans were left red-faced and feeling blue when they arrived at Wembley for the Capital One Cup final with the wrong tickets.
The friends only realised when they were on the journey to London that they had bought tickets for the wrong game.
Instead of buying tickets to watch the cup final with Sunderland, they had tickets for the Premier League match between he two clubs at the Etihad Stadium on February 12 which was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
They still headed to London and Andrew Heald, a friend of the group from Chadderton, near Oldham, said: ‘A lad called Phil Brierley had looked after it all.
‘He bought the ticketson the City website ages ago and put them all into envelopes for everyone. They hired a minibus to take them to [Manchester Piccadilly train station] and he handed them their envelopes.
‘They opened them and one of them spotted that there was no picture of the cup on their ticket. Phil thought that was odd and looked a bit closer at the date. They saw that they were for the home match at the Etihad that got called off last month.
‘They had all paid £70 for a train ticket so they decided to come down anyway and called me to see if I could get them any. I spoke to a tout but he was after £200.
‘Fortunately four of them managed to get one from City fans who wouldn’t charge them more than face value but Phil and another lad ended up watching it in a curry house.’
The friends only realised when they were on the journey to London that they had bought tickets for the wrong game.
Instead of buying tickets to watch the cup final with Sunderland, they had tickets for the Premier League match between he two clubs at the Etihad Stadium on February 12 which was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
They still headed to London and Andrew Heald, a friend of the group from Chadderton, near Oldham, said: ‘A lad called Phil Brierley had looked after it all.
‘He bought the ticketson the City website ages ago and put them all into envelopes for everyone. They hired a minibus to take them to [Manchester Piccadilly train station] and he handed them their envelopes.
‘They opened them and one of them spotted that there was no picture of the cup on their ticket. Phil thought that was odd and looked a bit closer at the date. They saw that they were for the home match at the Etihad that got called off last month.
‘They had all paid £70 for a train ticket so they decided to come down anyway and called me to see if I could get them any. I spoke to a tout but he was after £200.
‘Fortunately four of them managed to get one from City fans who wouldn’t charge them more than face value but Phil and another lad ended up watching it in a curry house.’
Liverpool fans to troll David Moyes
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
United fans threaten revolt
Manchester United face a fans revolt if they try to charge Champions League prices for Europa League games next season.
Out of 800 supporters surveyed by the Manchester United Supporters Trust, 73.5 per cent said that the decision to renew their season tickets would definitely be affected if the club includes Europa League ties in its controversial Automatic Cup Scheme.
Another 17.2 per cent said it may have an impact on their decision.
Under the terms of the scheme, season ticket holders are required to buy tickets for Champions League and FA Cup ties.
Previously, failure to do so resulted in the season ticket being revoked without a refund, but now it triggers a one-game Premier League ‘suspension’.
United had written to season ticket holders warning that they would be excluded from the Manchester derby later this month if they did not buy a ticket for the second leg of the European tie against Olympiacos.
United did not include Europa League ties in the scheme when they played Ajax and Athletic Bilbao two years ago after failing to progress beyond the Champions League group phase.
But renewal letters sent out to season ticket holders make no reference to a similar exemption or any discounts if United find themselves in the Europa League from the start next season.
That is still far from certain with David Moyes’s side currently lying in seventh place in the Premier League table.
Out of 800 supporters surveyed by the Manchester United Supporters Trust, 73.5 per cent said that the decision to renew their season tickets would definitely be affected if the club includes Europa League ties in its controversial Automatic Cup Scheme.
Another 17.2 per cent said it may have an impact on their decision.
Under the terms of the scheme, season ticket holders are required to buy tickets for Champions League and FA Cup ties.
Previously, failure to do so resulted in the season ticket being revoked without a refund, but now it triggers a one-game Premier League ‘suspension’.
United had written to season ticket holders warning that they would be excluded from the Manchester derby later this month if they did not buy a ticket for the second leg of the European tie against Olympiacos.
United did not include Europa League ties in the scheme when they played Ajax and Athletic Bilbao two years ago after failing to progress beyond the Champions League group phase.
But renewal letters sent out to season ticket holders make no reference to a similar exemption or any discounts if United find themselves in the Europa League from the start next season.
That is still far from certain with David Moyes’s side currently lying in seventh place in the Premier League table.
