The Checkatrade Trophy – The Story So Far
The English Football League recently introduced a new format, which allows the introduction of U23 teams from the Premier League and Championship. This has opened the EFL up to criticism from the fans of the original participants.
The fans have demonstrated their frustration by boycotting these tournament games. Which especially can be seen in the final group games, where 16 of the 24 matches failed to attract over 1000 spectators. The lowest being Middlesbrough versus Shrewsbury, with an attendance of only 308.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Premier League clubs have given support for the change however, saying they would participate next year, as they have seen the advantages of their youth team playing against the first teams of the Football League.
Both fans and teams have joined together in their criticism of another new rule, which involves, in their view of a meaningless penalty shootout. When a game ends in a draw, instead of the game ending and the teams just receiving a point. The teams need to go through a penalty shootout to be awarded a bonus point. The fans and teams point of view was apparent when Northampton played West Ham, both teams has been eliminated but still had to proceed in completing the penalty shootout.
The fans initial concern over the U23 teams being included was that they would dominate the tournament. As the tournament progressed these concerns were less warranted, with only half of the 16 teams entered advantaging to the knockout stage, with only four topping their group. Of the eight knocked out of the tournament, six finished bottom.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Struggles Of Non-League Football Clubs
A big problem for non-league clubs is money. With football having a high number of participants, many would have thought it would be easy to run and maintain a football club. At non-league level this is not the case, with there being many challenges that a club has to face.
Many of these teams consist of mainly amateur players with only the higher tier teams having the luxury of semi-professional players. This adds pressure on teams to be able to field a full squad on matchdays, as football is not amateur players main priority, with families and jobs coming first.
Non-league clubs have been folding at an alarming rate with 3,000 clubs folding between the years of 2007 and 2012 with many more since. Many initiatives have been brought in at grassroots level in order to lower the number of teams folding, such as rolling substitutions. Many players that leave non-league football fill the void with alternative types of football such as five-a-side and futsal, with both versions increasing in popularity.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnlike their professional counterparts, non-league clubs don’t have a bottomless pit of money or multi-million pound sponsorship deals. This then restricts the clubs when it comes to signing players and getting new facilities. Salford City is one club that doesn’t have the restrictions of a non-league club as they were recently bought by members of Manchester United’s class of ’92.
On the other hand, Salford’s local rivals FC United of Manchester (FCUM) are exploring the possibility of applying for an overdraft. This is due to the financial position that the club is currently in. One club that recently folded was Norton United; they folded at the end of the 2014-15 season as they were unable to pay rent of up to £20,000 for their ground on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent.
Clubs in England’s professional divisions can fly to an away game with ease, but this isn’t the case for non-league clubs. Many non-league clubs turn down promotions in order to keep travel costs to a minimum and to cause less hassle for players who make their own way to games. Some divisions are split into northern and southern but this can cause clubs to still be travelling very long distances.
One club that has to do excessive travelling is Gloucester City, who plies their trade in the National League North, even though they’re based in the South West of England. The furthest away game for Gloucester is against Darlington 1883 which is roughly 223 miles away. For any non-league club, that much travel for an away game is very costly and an understandable reason for some clubs refusing promotion, even when they have earned the right to go up to the next division.
Embed from Getty ImagesNon-league clubs also face a battle against professional clubs for young players. Whilst both have academies with the aim to prepare the next generation to be footballers, many of the younger players jump at the chance of joining the youth teams of a professional club. This is due to the stature of the first team that they would be fighting to play for. This gives non-league teams a tough task when building for the future, as many of the top talents are selected by top tier clubs, due to them having the money and the facilities to attract such talented young prospects.
5 Players That Could Have Changed Nations
Mikel Arteta
In 2010, Mikel Arteta was being touted as a possibility for the England squad for the World Cup even though he was born in San Sebastian, Spain. Having played in England since 2005, Arteta was eligible to be granted UK citizenship after residing here for five years. This led many to believe Arteta would be eligible to play for England having never featured for Spain’s senior team.
This wasn’t to be. With the FA very much excited over the prospect of Arteta being able to represent England, they decided to investigate whether or not it would be possible. However, the FA found article 18.1.a within the FIFA statutes. Article 18.1.a states that any player wanting to change the country they wish to play for, would need to have held a passport for the nation they wanted to switch to at the same time as representing their country in an official competition.
For Arteta, this has denied him the chance of playing for England because he represented Spain in the Under-16 European Championships and the Under-17 FIFA World Championships. Due to Arteta not being able to hold a UK passport at the times of the tournaments, this would lead FIFA to reject his application for a nation swap automatically.
Embed from Getty ImagesPhil Jagielka
Phil Jagielka was a latecomer to the international scene having spent many years of his career in the Championship with Sheffield United. In 2012 Jagielka was called into the England team for Euro 2012 in Poland taking him back to his roots. Jagielka’s grandparents are from Poland but fled the country to England in 1948 which gives him his Polish roots. Speaking before Euro 2012 Jagielka said: “I could have played for Poland but I don’t see myself as Polish. I was born in England. I speak with an English accent. Thankfully I got to play for England. Maybe if I’d been nowhere near the team I might have chosen Poland.”
Things could have turned out very different for Jagielka had he not been called up to the Three Lions team, with that statement implying that he would’ve given Poland a thought if he didn’t think an England call up would have happened.
Embed from Getty ImagesDele Alli
Dele Alli is one of many footballers who have a dual-nationality of an African and European nation. With this type of dual-nationality becoming more and more common in modern day football, it has turned into a fiercely contested battle for the young players. Alli is able to represent both England and Nigeria through being born in Milton Keynes and having Nigerian parents respectively.
In a time where Nigeria is trying to tie down many youngsters to the countries national team, such as Alex Iwobi, Alli seems to be a player that has slipped through their fingers. Alli got called up for England on the 9th October having played less than 400 minutes in the Premier League following a move to Tottenham Hotspur. With this being a competitive game it meant that England had tied Alli down for the future of English football.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoss Barkley
Ross Barkley is another bright, young England international that could have taken a different path. Just like Alli, Barkley has Nigerian roots through his grandfather, which means he would have been eligible to play for Nigeria had he not already made his England debut. Barkley made his debut in 2013 which then ruled out the possibility of him representing Nigeria in the future and has since gone on to gain 22 caps for the England national team.
This would have been a real coup for Nigeria as Barkley is rated highly by the England management team and many football fans. If Barkley had made the switch he would have joined the likes of Victor Moses and Victor Anichebe in going from England to Nigeria for international football. With there being many young players with dual nationalities, battles like this for Barkley and Alli will become more prominent in modern football due to international teams wanting to gain the best youngsters possible for the future.
Embed from Getty ImagesPaulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala is one of the biggest talents in world football today, currently plying his trade in Serie A with Juventus. Due to his family’s heritage, Dybala was eligible for three nations, Argentina, Italy and Poland. In 2014, then Italy manager Antonio Conte said that he was hoping he would be able to persuade the youngster to opt for Italy at international level. Dybala shortly came out with a statement claiming that his dream was to play for Argentina but if Conte ever called he would have a think about it.
In 2015, Dybala revealed plans to obtain a Polish passport but stated his intentions to play internationally for Argentina. The reasons behind the gaining a Polish passport is to play in the Polish league and with the ultimate of embracing his Polish roots. Dybala went on to make his debut for Argentina on October 13th, coming off the bench in a World Cup Qualifying match and has since added five more caps to his name.
Embed from Getty ImagesTop 5 FA Cup Giant-Killings
Liverpool v Barnsley (2007/08)
During the 2007/08 season, Barnsley completed two giant-killings. The game against Liverpool being the most impressive, as Barnsley came from behind to win in front of the Kop. Liverpool started the brightest, going ahead through Dirk Kuyt, but failed to double their lead, with Barnsley’s goalkeeper, Luke Steele, pulling off world-class saves to keep the score at 1-0.
Barnsley equalised through Steven Foster and it was their captain Brian Howard, who scored the winner to add a fairytale ending to the tie. After progressing to the next round, Barnsley went on to beat Chelsea before eventually losing in the Semi Finals to West Bromwich Albion.
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester United v Leeds (2009/10)
This game can be seen as one of the best results in Leeds United’s recent history. Not many results are better than beating your arch-rivals during some of the darkest times in the club’s history. Leading up to this game, Leeds were climbing up to the top of the League One table under the guidance of Simon Grayson after dropping down the divisions. Unlike Leeds, Manchester United was at their usual spot near the top of the Premier League with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge.
Leeds took the lead after only 19 minutes through top goal scorer Jermaine Beckford, after he latched onto a deep ball from Jonny Howson. This would end up being the only goal of the game and one that Sir Alex would not want to remember from his reign as Manchester United boss.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester City v Wycombe Wanderers (2000/01)
Division Two side Wycombe Wanderers pulled off a huge win in their Quarter Final clash away against Premier League side Leicester City. At the time Wycombe were in financial trouble and used Ceefax to call for strikers to come to the club on trial due to injuries. Northern Ireland born, Finland based Roy Essandoh answered the call, earning himself a week-to-week contract as well as a place on the bench for this momentous occasion.
Wycombe went ahead in the tie through Paul McCarthy in the second half only for Muzzy Izzet to equalise for Leicester. Controversy struck 12 minutes from time as Leicester midfielder Stefan Oakes appeared to handle a Wycombe cross. Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez was furious with the decision and after an angry exchange with the officials, the referee sent him to the stands. Deep into injury time, jubilation struck for Wycombe as Roy Essandoh headed home, to put Wycombe into the FA Cup Semi Finals and put his name into Wycombe folklore.
Embed from Getty ImagesHereford v Newcastle United (1971/72)
This game was one of the greatest FA Cup giant-killings in history. Hereford had already earned a replay through a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, which can be seen as an upset in itself as Newcastle were expected to win comfortably. It was Newcastle who went ahead in the tie through a Malcolm Macdonald strike in what looked to be a comfortable lead. This was until Ronnie Radford scored what can be argued as the greatest goal in FA Cup history. Picking the ball up in midfield, Radford passed the ball to his teammate who tapped the ball back for Radford who then unleashed a 30 yard strike straight into the roof of the net to equalise.
The game finished level at 1-1 which meant extra time followed. It was in extra time that Hereford won the game through their substitute Ricky George, dubbed “George the Substitute” by John Motson. The winning goal sent Edgar Street into raptures and caused a pitch invasion from the Hereford fans as they celebrated a historic giant-killing.
Embed from Getty ImagesChelsea v Bradford City (2014/15)
This result put Bradford City into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 18 years. In what was a remarkable game, Bradford came back from two goals down to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea. Chelsea struck first after 21 minutes through defender Gary Cahill before doubling their lead 17 minutes later through Ramires. This put Chelsea firmly in the driving seat coming up to halftime. Four minutes before the end of the half, Jon Stead pulled a goal back for Bradford with an 18 yard finish to give Bradford some hope.
It took half an hour after the restart for Bradford to find an equaliser and it came from Chelsea youth product Filipe Morais. After Chelsea had wasted multiple opportunities to take the lead, Bradford capitalised on the poor finishing to take the lead themselves through Andy Halliday with eight minutes of normal time to go. The game was settled in the fourth minute of injury time as Mark Yeates controlled a Jon Stead back-heel to score Bradford’s fourth goal of the game and put the result beyond doubt.
Embed from Getty Images5 Surprise Retirements in Sport
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is regarded as one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. He was a three-time MVP who had reached the championship final nine times, winning it on five occasions. His career lasted 12 seasons, all with the LA Lakers, retiring at the age of 32.
On November 7th, 1991, Magic Johnson stunned the world with two announcements. Not only did he announce his retirement, he also revealed that he was HIV positive. This announcement worried many fans, fearing it might be the end of Magic Johnson and that the HIV would rapidly turn into AIDS and lead to the death of Magic Johnson.
Embed from Getty ImagesJustine Henin
Justine Henin was a superstar of women’s tennis. She was world number one and was on a 32-match win streak when she abruptly announced her retirement from the sport at only 25. The shock of the announcement caught everyone off-guard but also the lack of emotion.
During the announcement, Henin said “It’s a page that’s turning. I don’t feel sadness. It’s more relief. I know it’s a shock for many people, but it’s a decision I’ve thought long and hard about.” This asks the question whether or not she was happy and enjoying tennis as 25 is very young to retire from the sport.
Embed from Getty ImagesBjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg was another tennis superstar whose career lasted barely a decade. Borg was one of the most famous athletes of his generation due to his rockstar persona and meteoric rise. The world was stunned in January 1983 when Borg answered a question by announcing his retirement. Asked about upcoming competitions, Borg replied; “I have no comment, except that I’m going to retire.”
Borg had won five straight Wimbledon titles, 1976 to 1980, and had amassed a total of 11 Grand Slams. He later announced that his reason to retire was because tennis had stopped being fun for him and he could no longer give 100 per cent to the game. He attempted a comeback eight years later, but after two bad years he eventually packed it in for good.
Embed from Getty ImagesMichael Jordan
Before the 1993/94 season, Michael Jordan shook the basketball world by announcing his retirement from the sport in order to play in the MLB (Major League Baseball). His retirement was on the back of his third consecutive championship with the Chicago Bulls as well as being a three time MVP and nine time All-Star player.
Michael Jordan did however return to basketball after an unsuccessful stint in the MLB. Jordan went on to win three more championships with the Bulls and earned himself two more MVP honours, before retiring from the sport altogether in 2003.
Embed from Getty ImagesNico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg’s retirement is up there with the biggest shocks in the world of sport. Rosberg’s decision to retire from Formula One was made less than 24 hours after he won his only career world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the decision being publicly announced five days later. After a season of battling against team mate Lewis Hamilton, Rosberg saw his title winning season as the perfect moment to end his career that started in 2006.
Many fans were shocked at the announcement as many were looking forward to his title defence in 2017 but many of his colleagues however had a different way of seeing it. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss said, “He has chosen to leave at the pinnacle of his career, as world champion, having achieved his childhood dream.”
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