Philippa Kaur

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    Arsenal left Eberechi Eze crying in his room for a whole week before becoming £60million Crystal Palace and England star

    EBERECHI EZE almost didn’t make it as a footballer.By the time he was 20, the midfield maestro had become “used to the feeling” of being released.Eberechi Eze is preparing to face Man City in the FA Cup finalCredit: GettyThe likes of Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall brushed him aside.But now, at the age of 26, he is considered among the best English players in the Premier League.His journey hasn’t been straightforward – but his setbacks have clearly made him stronger.And he is now preparing for an FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe ‘not so nice part’ of GreenwichEze grew up in a ‘not so nice part’ of Greenwich in London and first established his love for the beautiful game in a football cage on his estate.Speaking to The Independent in 2020, he explained: “It wasn’t the easiest life and you don’t have as much as other kids around you.”The first place we’d go after school is to the cage. We’d stay there till our parents called us in, not eating, playing all day and night.”There wasn’t really anything else to do. But that’s where the love comes from. Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”You don’t realise it’s actually how you’re learning your trade.”His talent would eventually set him apart from many of his peers, resulting in Eze being scouted by Arsenal while at secondary school.Ebereche Eze wins £15,000 in celebrity online chess tournament – and celebrates more than his Wembley FA Cup goalArsenal heartacheEze’s time with the Gunners did not last long and he was released at just 13 years old.The setback left him devastated – so much so that he was close to tears the next time he played against Arsenal during his spell at Fulham.After unsuccessful trial spells with several EFL clubs, Eze was signed by QPRHe recalled to The Independent: “I remember crying in my room for a solid week, my mum telling me that it’s going to be OK but not being able to get over it.”Then I went to Fulham and I was finally starting to enjoy my football again.”We played Arsenal a few months later but, when I went over to shake the academy manager’s hand, I started welling up. All the feelings came back.”Following a series of unsuccessful spells at Fulham, Reading, Millwall, Sunderland, Bristol City and Swansea, Eze almost gave up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer and even prepared to take a part-time job at Tesco.However, his sheer determination helped him to secure a place at Queens Park Rangers.QPR breakthroughWhile studying at college, Eze enjoyed a successful trial with QPR and impressed the club’s technical director, Chris Ramsey.He officially signed in August 2016 and made his first-team debut five months later in an FA Cup match against Blackburn Rovers.The midfielder enjoyed four years at QPRCredit: Getty Images – GettyThat was his only senior appearance that campaign and he went on to join Wycombe Wanderers on loan the following season.There, he made 22 appearances and scored five goals before returning and featuring regularly for the Hoops.In 112 outings for QPR, Eze scored 20 goals and provided 12 assists.Then, his Premier League dream came true.Crystal Palace move & England debutIn August 2020, the midfielder completed a £17million move to Crystal Palace.He made his debut two weeks later against Southampton in the opening match of the Premier League season and scored his first goal – a free kick – a few months later.Eze has established himself as a fan favourite at Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThe 26-year-old has scored 38 goals for Palace so farCredit: AlamyEze earned his first England call-up in 2023Credit: GettyEze quickly established himself as a fan-favourite and became one of the club’s most-important players.The 26-year-old has 38 Palace goals and 28 assists to his name from 164 appearances.He was also handed his first England cap in 2023 as a result of his impressive form.And now he is valued at around £60m, with some of England’s biggest clubs interested in a transfer.Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham have all expressed an interest.SunSport understands Crystal Palace are open to letting him leave this summer in order to fund a squad overhaul.Final countdownWith his future at the club up in the air, Eze will be eager to potentially end his time at Selhurst Park on a high by winning the FA Cup.The England international scored once to help Palace to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the semi-final last month.And he is set to start when the Eagles face Man City in the final at Wembley.Read More on The SunFrom the ‘not so nice part’ of Greenwich to Wembley, it’s been quite the journey for Eze so far…And the best is likely yet to come.Eze is now being linked with a huge transferCredit: Getty More

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    Formula E CEO says Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t instantly win races as SunSport goes behind the scenes

    JEFF DODDS says Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton would struggle to win races in Formula E right away. Dodds is the CEO of the radical motor sport series paving the way for the future, with cars all powered by electricity. This season’s FE cars are now accelerating to 100 kilometres in 1.8 seconds, which is 30 per cent faster than F1 carsFormula E CEO Jeff Dodds says within five-years FE cars will be beating F1 cars around MonacoFour-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen could one day dip his toes in Formula EGermany’s Maximilian Gunther won in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this seasonSunSport’s F1 reporter Isabelle Barker went behind-the-scenes at the double-header in Tokyo this weekend to see what the series is all about. In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Dodds says “never say never” to four-time world F1 champion Verstappen one day burning rubber in an electric car. When asked if Hamilton or Verstappen would have instant success in the series, he said: “I’m almost sure they wouldn’t because driving the cars are different.“It isn’t a natural translation from driving a petrol car, a combustion car, to driving an electric car. READ MORE IN SPORT“We have to regenerate our battery, so we’re braking and slowing to put power back into the battery. They accelerate differently, the gearing is different.”Dodds is good pals with Red Bull driver Verstappen, who has made it clear that he wants to dip his toes in other areas of motor racing in the future. The Dutchman recently used a fake name of ‘Franz Hermann’ to shatter the Nurburgring lap record in a Ferrari. Dodds added: “I know Max, I’m a massive fan of Max. He’s a generational talent. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”If Max came across and stuck at it for a few years, I think there’s a very good chance he’d be the best Formula E driver ever.“But he wouldn’t show up and be the best Formula E driver ever instantly. Sergio Aguero takes up new sport aged 36 and Man City legend will compete against Brooklyn Beckham“There’s too many of the most talented drivers in the world that have been racing these cars for years.“Max and I have spoken a few times. I had a bet on Max last year, which was pretty well publicised that he would win the title. “It came through but he and I decided to give the money in equal parts to his charity. “Max just loves to race, anything with an engine, motor or even sim racing. “He loves to race, he loves to win, he’s a generational talent. He’s being paid an awful lot of money to race in F1. “He’s unlikely to give up his chance at becoming an eight time world champion and that money simply to go and try something else.“The only thing I would say with Max is, never say never because he doesn’t follow the rules.“If anyone was going to say, ‘hey, screw this, I just want to go and try something else’ it could be Max. He’s very much his own man.”HORSE-POWEREx F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has been heavily critical of FE and once described the cars as “lawnmowers”. This season’s cars are now accelerating to 100 kilometres in 1.8 seconds, which is 30 per cent faster than F1 cars. The series obviously has sustainability and location on its side with races held in some of the world’s most breathtaking cities from Mexico City to Tokyo, London, Monaco and more. For a UK motor sport fan the cost of a FE weekend is enough to lure you in, with a grandstand pass for a double-header weekend in Berlin at just £104, for example.Or you can bag a one day grandstand ticket with a hotel included from £100 – £124 depending on the Saturday or Sunday race day. To put that into perspective with F1, a grandstand weekend ticket at Silverstone can cost a whopping £309 to £909. CAN HEAR A PIN DROP The elephant in the room though and of the greatest traits that sets F1 apart from other sports is the ear-piercing sounds of V12 and V10 engines. Which makes the sound, or lack thereof in electric cars a hot topic in FE and something die-hard motor sport fans continue to scoff at. But the old-school, predominantly male fan-base is not the market which FE is targeting, with half of the fan base being women. The sound is similar to a high-pitched whirring noise and there are benefits to the quieter atmosphere. Races are able to take place sometimes smack bang in the middle of the world’s best cities. You can also hear every crunch and clank when the cars collide, which makes crashes all the more dramatic. And there have been plenty of crashes at that, just not fiery ones due to the lack of fuel.Also the prime locations mean for a race like Tokyo you can hop on the subway and travel just a few stops to the Big Sight centre where the race is held.F1 fans may be haunted with flashbacks to sitting in hours of traffic en route to Silverstone or Spa in the peeing down rain for the Belgian Grand Prix. NEW AUDIENCE Dodds said: “We have about 400 million fans around the world. Half of them male, half of them female. “That’s very unusual for motor sport, and half of them are under the age of 40.“The reason we attract a slightly different audience is because we don’t bring all of that tradition and history that comes with maybe F1 or Indy car. “The cars are ridiculously fast. The quality of racing is very high impact, very wheel-to-wheel.“It’s all thrills, all spills. There’s an enormous amount of activity you can go and do, music concerts.“It’s family day out but the quality of racing that underpins it is absolutely top class. “You can hear each other speak. You don’t get drowned out or burst your eardrums.”GREEN FLAGOne thing that makes you sit up and take note is that the entire FE paddock, including all the teams, for the whole season is less than the emissions for one whole F1 team for a season. There are typically no pit stops, because the drivers don’t change tyres, for the sake of sustainability.The tyres are are all-weather for sustainability reasons so need to perform on sizzling hot tracks like Jakarta as well as street tracks and in the rain. Race teams only bring with them two sets for a single header while F1 teams can take around 12-13 different sets for a weekend. Dodds added: “Everything we do is zero emission. So not only do you get to watch an amazing race, you get to look in the mirror and feel good about it.”STAR STUDDED LINE UPCurrently the most well known name in the series is former F1 driver Nyck de Vries who competed for Williams and Alpha Tauri. But the series has attracted the likes of Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate turned rival Nico Rosberg, Dodds added: “I’m not sure if Lewis Hamilton retires and then decides he wants to come and do a couple of seasons in Formula E. “It might bring Lewis Hamilton fans to come and have a look. I don’t think it’s transformative for our sport.”There is one more season of the current car but next year the series’ new car will be launched which is set to have twice the power. Dodds added: “I’m very confident that within five years, around Monaco, our cars will be beating F1 cars. “That might not translate immediately to more popularity because I don’t think you can just rewrite history.Read More on The Sun“You can’t erase, and neither should we, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Emerson Fittipaldi.”You can’t erase McLaren and Mercedes’ history in F1, there’s a legacy that comes with that and so it should, but our technology will surpass it, there’s no question about it.” More

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    F1 star Pierre Gasly left horrified after running over RABBIT during Imola Grand Prix practice

    FORMULA ONE star Pierre Gasly suffered damage to his Alpine F1 car after hitting a RABBIT during first practice at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.The Frenchman was the shock package of Friday practice at Imola as he backed up his sixth-quickest time from FP1. Pierre Gasly suffered damage to his Alpine F1 car after hitting a rabbitHe ended the day with the third-fastest time in FP2, just 0.276s behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.But Gasly suffered a bizarre setback in the first practice session when he accidentally hit a rabbit – which caused damage to the front wing and floor of his Alpine.He said: “Very sadly, I couldn’t tell if it was a small cat or a big rabbit – it turned out it was a big rabbit – just jumping across the track.“I couldn’t avoid it so I had quite a big impact on the front wing, which, unfortunately that was it for the rabbit and for the front wing it was not ideal.READ MORE F1 NEWS“Not the end of the session we wanted.”Asked how much damage was done, Gasly replied: “I must say it’s quite unfortunate. “Obviously we always try to look after our parts and do the best job we can, so when such things happen it’s not great.“Quite a bit of damage on the front wing and the floor but the guys managed to do great work to repair it. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But I think we could have done without it.”Despite the sad rabbit strike, it was the “best Friday of the year” for Gasly, who was a surprise third, ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and both Ferraris.Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-upHe said: “It’s been a very, very good Friday. From the first lap, I could tell the car was in a much better place than in Miami.“I’m glad we managed to answer some of the question marks we had after the last race. Very pleased with the feeling in the car.“The car reacts the way I want and I’m really able to be at the limit and push it to the maximum, so it’s a nice feeling and the performance is there.“We know from Friday to Saturday others usually keep a bit more in the pocket but I think it’s quite fair to say it’s probably been the best Friday of the year.”Frenchman Gasly races for AlpineCredit: Alamy More

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    Crystal Palace face battle with David Beckham’s Salford for non-league winger Bright Siaw who’s branded ‘next Doku’

    CRYSTAL PALACE are pushing to sign one of the top rising stars of non-league football.But they could face competition for his signature from David Beckham and Gary Neville. Bright Siaw is a transfer target for Premier League and Championship clubsCredit: X / Barnet FCThe youngster signed his first pro contract at Barnet in MarchCredit: X / Barnet FCThe 18-year-old winger has been compared to Jeremy DokuCredit: X / Barnet FCThe Eagles hope to confirm their spot in next season’s Europa League by winning Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. Oliver Glasner will then look to bolster his squad to strengthen for their campaign in Europe.But the South Londoners are also fighting to keep hold of some of their star men – including skipper Marc Guehi and talisman Eberechi Eze.Now SunSport can exclusively reveal they are hoping to seal a deal to land a teenage sensation.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCrystal Palace sent scouts to watch Barnet youngster Bright Siaw in action – and were impressed by what they saw as they plot a swoop. The 18-year-old winger also has interest from another big Premier League club, Championship sides including Eze’s former team QPR and even abroad. Salford City are also tracking his progress after taking a look, too. A deal to the Premier League or Championship is more likely to be struck at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, giving him another year to develop at Barnet.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSiaw has had his style of wing play compared to Manchester City wide man Jeremy Doku.He signed his first professional one-year contract with the Bees in March – having made his first-team debut in the FA Trophy in December. ‘Raiders of The Selhurst Park’ – Bidding war for Guehi and Eze imminient?Siaw, who can also play at wing-back, then headed to Isthmian League South Central Division side Southall FC on loan to get experience in senior football. But with Barnet securing promotion back into the EFL as National League champions, the Ghanaian who grew up in North London is hoping to get minutes in League Two next season. A source told SunSport: “Bright is a direct winger, pacey and powerful.“He’s not a typical modern-day football, he’s very old school.“He is the next non-league talent that will be on the move.”Siaw will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jamie Vardy, who Leicester famously signed from non-league Fleetwood for a record-breaking £1million in 2012. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner may view Siaw as a long-term replacement for Eberechi EzeCredit: GettySalford owners Gary Neville and David Beckham could sign the teenagerCredit: Getty More

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    Goodison Park to be made smaller as Everton reveal what it could look like as women’s stadium

    GOODISON PARK will be made smaller as part of its conversion for the Everton Women’s team.The iconic stadium will be repurposed by the club after the men’s team moves to the new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.Goodison Park will be reconfigured for the women’s teamCredit: APGoodison Park was first opened in 1892 and has a capacity of 39,572.But that is set to be reduced as multiple parts will be reconfigured.This will be done by reducing the number of seats in each row in order to add space.Everton’s women’s team currently has an average attendance of 2,062 at their current home of Walton Hall Park.READ MORE EVERTON NEWSThe club has offered season ticket holders and hospitality members the chance to buy the seat that was theirs for this season.It would act as a souvenir of the historic stadium following Sunday’s home match against Southampton.The women’s side are excited about the prospect of playing their regular football at Goodison.Captain Megan Finnigan has insisted that the team will belong at the ground.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSShe said: “To walk out at Goodison Park as our permanent home will be a real honour.”It’s where we belong — and we can’t wait to create new memories there.”10,000 attend test event at Everton’s new stadiumMegan Finnigan is relishing the chance to captain her side in their new permanent homeCredit: GettyBrian Sorensen will mange the women’s team at GoodisonCredit: GettyWhile manager Brian Sorensen insisted that it can help the club’s dreams grow.He added: “Our players will now have a stage that matches their potential.”Our fans will have a place to build an even stronger matchday culture.”Young girls across Merseyside will see that this is a club where dreams can grow and come true.”Goodison Park will feature more branding of the women’s team on the upper tier of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End.Meanwhile, the new 53,000-seater Everton stadium has had its formal name revealed.Read More on The SunThe club has partnered with legal firm Hill Dickinson, which has taken the naming rights.The stadium will now be known as the Hill Dickinson Stadium.Everton’s men’s team are moving into their new 53,000-seater stadiumCredit: PAThe ground cost £802.1million to buildCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea cult hero, 46, looks unrecognisable as he finds creative way to watch team after ban

    DAMIEN DUFF looked unrecognisable as he found an ingenious way to watch his Shelbourne side play.The former Chelsea and Fulham star is now managing the League of Ireland Premier Division.Damien Duff tried to go incognito to watch his Shelbourne play BohemianCredit: SportsfileThe former Chelsea star covered his face and wore a capCredit: SportsfileHe could be seen watching the match from a hill overlooking the pitchCredit: SportsfileDuff has been the manager of Shelbourne since 2021Credit: SportsfileDuff, 46, was banned for Shelbourne’s Friday night trip to title contenders Bohemian.He picked up a suspension after being shown his fifth booking during the victory over St Patrick’s Athletic last week.But this did not stop him from finding a way to watch his side play.The retired winger was pictured standing on a hill overlooking Dalymount Park.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSHe had disguised himself with a face covering and a cap combo.However, some fans spotted him through the facade but found his actions brilliant.One posted: “Interesting viewpoint for Damien Duff at Dalymount Park.”A second wrote: “Possibly my favourite LOI picture of all time. Damien Duff serving his touchline ban during Shelbourne’s visit to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSA third joked: “Damien Duff in the ghillie suit.”A fourth commented: “Iconic already.”Cole Palmer eats sandwich and ketchup as Brit music legend makes cameo in brilliant Chelsea kit release videoA fifth said: “Suspended manager, on a hillside, desolate.”Another added: “Say what you like about him, but this guy’s brilliant entertainment.”Duff would not have been happy at full-time as his Shelbourne side lost 1-0 due to a Dayle Rooney penalty.He also had to watch on as the team was reduced to just nine players as Mark Coyle and Alistair Coote were sent off.Who are these famous footballers? More

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    ‘He’ll be a big loss’ – Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa’s final home game

    EMI MARTINEZ broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to Aston Villa fans after the victory over Tottenham Hotspur.The Villans ended their last home game of the season with a 2-0 win over the North London side.Emi Martinez was in tears at the end of Aston Villa’s win over TottenhamCredit: GettyHe appeared to wave goodbye to the home supportersCredit: GettyUnai Emery could not give assurances over the goalkeeper’s futureCredit: GettyMartinez, 32, kept a clean sheet in the match against the Europa League finalists.But at the end of the game, there was little celebration from the Argentine goalkeeper.The Villa star could be seen teary-eyed as he applauded the home crowd.The former Arsenal ace has been linked with a move away from Villa Park with Saudi Arabia touted as a possible destination.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “What a signing he has been.”Amazing player, great goalkeeper, but it looks like he was waving goodbye.”Trying to find someone to fill that void will be very difficult.”Roy Keane insisted that he would be a “big loss”.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe added: “He has been a good character, some people like him.”He can be annoying at times with some of his antics.Argentina humiliate Brazil 4-1 with Emi Martinez even doing keepy ups in his own box in fiery World Cup qualifier “But he has been a great signing for them, he’ll be a big loss as it does look like he his saying his final goodbyes.”Manager Unai Emery was asked about the goalkeeper’s future in his post-match press conference.The Spaniard was unable to give any assurances that Martinez would be at the club next season.He said: “We will see.”Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don’t know.”We will see about the team, the players.”Of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match.”Martinez has been ever-present in the Villa team since his £20million switch from Arsenal in 2020.He joined the club after only a few months of regular first-team football in the Premier League.He has since gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in world football and won the World Cup in 2022.The goalkeeper was also awarded with the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024.Martinez also posted on Instagram a picture of himself looking emotional as he waved to the supporters.He captioned a post: “Thank you for all your support this season.”We finished strong at home but we got one more final to go.”Emery also mentioned Leon Bailey who was also in tears at the full-time whistle.He added: “Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well.Read More on The Sun”And we are going to play Manchester United for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody.”And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season.”Leon Bailey was also emotional at the end of the matchCredit: Reuters More

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    We’ve been to every FA Cup round – and now we’ve bagged Wembley final tickets thanks to The Sun

    A FOOTIE-mad family have been to every round of this year’s FA Cup — and will be at today’s final thanks to The Sun. Phil Hart, 46, and sons Fin, ten, and Will, 13 — all Colchester United season ticket holders — began a journey topping 2,000 miles by watching lowly local team Cornard United beat Fakenham. Phil Hart and sons Fin, 10, and Will, 13, set off on a 2,000-mile FA Cup adventure from the first round to the final at Wembley – with a little help from The SunCredit: Paul EdwardsFin and Will pictured at the start of their cup run – with a tin-foil trophy – as Cornard United beat Fakenham Town 3-0Credit: FacebookThe 3rd round saw the family watching Stockport County beat Brackley Town 3-1Credit: FacebookVowing to support whichever team won, they took in Stowmarket, Bishop’s Stortford, Braintree, Brackley and Stockport. In the Third Round, Stockport lost to Crystal Palace, and the family saw them then beat Doncaster, Millwall, Fulham and Aston Villa to set up the Wembley showdown with Manchester City. After The Sun contacted the FA, teacher Phil secured three tickets for the big game. Phil said: “I’ve watched my boys fall in love with football all over again.” READ MORE FA CUP FINAL NEWSPhil, from Great Horkesley, near Colchester, said: “As Colchester United season ticket holders I knew my sons and I are unlikely to see our team win the FA Cup. “So this year we decided to create our own road to Wembley with just one rule – we had to pick a team at random and follow the winner, wherever that may be and whenever the game was – all the way to the final. “It was pure grassroots — dodgy refs, questionable chips, but brilliant football. We were hooked. At the semi-final, to see Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 3-0 – still with the tin-foil trophy in handCredit: Phil Hart“We stood on terraces in the rain at Braintree, Googled where Brackley was, and queued for pies in Stockport. Most read in Football“We cheered for unknown heroes and mourned for clubs we’d only met that day. The passion was real, raw and more fun than anything on TV. Fin said: “It’s been really fun visiting new stadiums and getting to meet some famous players.” Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyFAMILY’S ROAD TO WEMBLEYHere’s how Phil Hart, 46, and sons Fin, ten, and Will, 13 made their way to Wembley,Colchester to… 3 Aug Cornard 3 v 0 Fakenham 26 miles 1hr drive 17 Aug Stowmarket 1 v 5 Cornard 60 miles 1hr 30 mins drive 31 Aug Bishop’s Stortford 5 v 0 Cornard 75 miles 2hrs drive 14 Sept FA Cup 2nd qualifying round Hemel Hempstead 0 v 1 Bishop’s Stortford 150 miles 3hrs 28 Sept 3rd qualifying round Bishop’s Stortford 3 v 2 Hereford 75 miles 2hrs drive 12 Oct 4th qualifying round Braintree 1 v 0 Bishop’s Stortford 35 miles 1hr 2 Nov 1st round Brackley 0 v 0 Braintree (Brackley won 5-4 on pens) 240 miles 5hr 30 Nov 2nd round Stockport 3 v 1 Brackley 460 miles 8 hrs 12 Jan 3rd round Crystal Palace 1 v 0 Stockport 150 miles 4hrs 10 Feb 4th round Doncaster Rovers 0 v 2 Palace 344 miles 6hrs 45 1 March 5th round Palace 3 v 1 Millwall 140 miles 4hrs 29 March Quarter final Fulham 0 v 3 Palace 145 miles 4 hrs 26 April Semi-final Palace 3 v 0 Aston Villa 145 miles 3.5hrs 17 May Final Palace v Manchester City 145 miles 3.5hrs Total miles round trip 2,190 Total travel time 45 hrs 15 mins  More