Carabao Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 300 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m Britain’s most loyal football fan… I haven’t missed a game in 50 years & it ended my marriage – I have no regrets

      by

      BRITAIN’S most loyal football fan who hasn’t missed a match for 50 years says he has no regrets – despite his obsession costing him his marriage.Birmingham City supporter Rob Shannon has watched his side more than 2,300 times in a row – first going to see them beat Derby County in 1974.
      Dedicated Birmingham City fan Rob Shannon has not missed a match since 1974Credit: SWNS
      But he admits the Championship football club could be to blame for his divorce from his ex-wife, who was a fan of their West Midlands arch rivals Aston Villa.
      Rob said: “She used to say, ‘You love Blues more than me’.
      “I always joked, ‘I love Villa more than you’.”
      The dad-of-two, 64, loyally follows the Blues both home and away – having attended his first game as a four-year-old boy during the 1962-1963 season.
      Read More On Birmingham City
      He has seen them play in all four league divisions – including several stints in the Premier League – as well as all League Cup and FA Cup games over the past half a century.
      Only the Covid-19 pandemic kept him away from their St Andrew’s home ground, when lockdown restrictions forced football clubs to play behind closed doors.
      He said: “My mum and dad took me down when I was a boy around the 62-63 season and I’ve loved going ever since.
      “It’s become a bit of an obsession – I just follow them through thick and thin, although it’s been more like thin and thin.
      Most read in Football
      “People say you must have seen all the ups and downs and I joke it’s mostly downs for Blues.”
      Stand-up comedian Jasper Carrott, another Birmingham City fan, has previously joked: “You lose some, you draw some.”
      Yet Rob, from Sheldon in Birmingham, did get to enjoy a day of glory at Wembley for the match he says is his most cherished.
      City, then managed by ex-Scotland international Alex McLeish, clinched a surprise last-minute 2-1 victory over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in the 2011 Carling Cup final.
      Rob said: “My favourite game was without a doubt the Carling Cup final – it was the best day of my life, and the European games that followed were really special too.
      “But any game that we beat the Villa is also my favourite.
      “I’ve also seen a couple of wins at Anfield and Old Trafford, which doesn’t happy very often for us.”
      His favourite player was former Birmingham and England striker Trevor Francis, who became Britain’s first £1million footballer when moving to Nottingham Forest in 1979.
      Rob was saddened by Francis’s death last month at the age of 69 at his home near Marbella in Spain.
      Rob said: “I was devastated when Trevor Francis passed away.
      “I got to know him and his sons – he is still my favourite player.
      “I’m proud to now volunteer at the club as part of their Former Players Association – I get to arrange for ex-players to come back to the club for games.”
      He is also an admirer of ex-City star and England international Jude Bellingham, who came through Birmingham’s youth ranks and this summer joined La Liga giants Real Madrid for £115million from Germany’s Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
      Rob named his son Andrew, 32, after the club’s St Andrew’s stadium – and even once discharged himself from hospital to attend an away game at Swansea City.
      He now hopes the club can return to the Premier League having been away since relegation in 2011.
      American NFL legend Tom Brady sprang a surprise last week by revealing he has become one of the club’s joint owners.
      Brady, recently rumoured to be dating Kim Kardashian, has “entered into a partnership” with Birmingham’s new owners Knighthead Capital Management LLC.
      Rob said: “There have been some good times really but it has been a bad few years – although the new owners sound like they really mean business and are very ambitious.
      “Getting the likes of Tom Brady on board can only be a good thing so I think the future is bright and I certainly have no intentions of stopping.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’d resigned myself to the fact I would probably never see Blues in the Premier League again but hopefully we can get back there under these new owners.
      “It’s the hope and anticipation that kills you, though – but I guess that’s what being a football fan is all about.”
      Rob’s most cherished memory is of Birmingham winning the Carling Cup in 2011Credit: SWNS
      He was club mascot for a match as a seven-year-old, leading the team on to the fieldCredit: SWNS
      Rob’s home in Birmingham’s Sheldon district is packed with Blues memorabiliaCredit: SWNS
      Rob got on well with Birmingham legend Trevor Francis, who died last monthCredit: SWNS
      A more recent favourite has been England international midfielder Jude BellinghamCredit: SWNS More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      When is the Carabao Cup second round draw 2023? Stream FREE, TV channel and teams as Premier League sides enter hat

      by

      CARABAO CUP action has returned to the big screens – and nothing beats the suspense of a late-night draw to see who your team will face in the next round.Manchester United put a slight blip on Newcastle’s season after beating Eddie Howe’s team 2-0 in the 2022/23 final.
      Manchester United won the Carabao Cup last seasonCredit: Alamy
      However, only the 12 Premier League clubs that are not in Europe enter at round two which gives the lower league teams less to worry about in terms of progressing for now.
      And SunSport has all the information on when the second round draw is along with who can make it there.
      When is the Carabao Cup second round draw?

      The Carabao Cup second round draw will take place TOMORROW – Wednesday, August 9.
      It is scheduled to get underway at approximately a late time of 10:15pm BST.
      Only 12 Premier League teams enter at this stage while the remaining eight join in round three.

      What TV channel is it on can it be live streamed?

      Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football will broadcast the Carabao Cup second round draw LIVE.
      The draw will commence after the conclusion of Burton Albion vs Leicester City.
      Alternatively, SunSport will have the entire coverage of the second round draw through our live blog.

      Read more on Carabao Cup draw
      How can I watch it for FREE?
      Fans can watch the Carabao Cup second round draw for FREE on Sky Sports Football’s official YouTube channel.
      What teams could be involved?
      Here are the fixtures for the first round and the winners will be in the hat for the second round.
      The ball numbers are yet to be confirmed.

      Notts County v Lincoln City
      Bolton Wanderers v Barrow AFC
      Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
      Mansfield Town v Grimsby Town
      Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
      Sheffield Wednesday v Stockport County
      Leeds United v Shrewsbury Town
      Preston North End v Salford City
      Rotherham United v Morecambe
      Harrogate Town v Carlisle United
      Burton Albion v Leicester City
      Accrington Stanley v Bradford City
      Derby County v Blackpool
      Port Vale v Fleetwood Town
      Barnsley v Tranmere Rovers
      Blackburn Rovers v Walsall
      Huddersfield Town v Middlesbrough
      Wrexham AFC v Wigan Athletic
      Sunderland AFC v Crewe Alexandra
      Plymouth Argyle v Leyton Orient
      Forest Green Rovers v Portsmouth
      Swansea City v Northampton Town
      Exeter City v Crawley Town
      Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
      Newport County v Charlton Athletic
      Stevenage v Watford
      Cheltenham Town v Birmingham City
      Sutton United v Cambridge United
      Milton Keynes Dons v Wycombe Wanderers
      Millwall v Reading
      AFC Wimbledon v Coventry City
      Bristol City v Oxford United
      Gillingham v Southampton
      Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City
      Peterborough United v Swindon Town
      Cardiff City v Colchester United

      Most read in EFL More

    • 275 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd slammed for charging fans ‘outrageous’ fee for pics with the Carabao Cup — while City show off treble for free

      by

      MAN United have been slammed for charging fans up to £35 for pictures with the Carabao Cup — while rivals City show off their treble for free.The Old Trafford club demands £36 for a stadium tour, plus £35 for four images with the cup — a total of £71.
      Manchester United won the 2023 Carabao cup after beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the final back in FebruaryCredit: Getty
      Man U are charging £25 for two photos with the trophy, and £15 for oneCredit: Getty
      It costs £25 for only two photos, and £15 for one.
      City stadium tours cost between £25 and £28 per adult.
      Snaps with the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies which they won last year are free.
      There is a £10 option for a photo taken against a green-screen so City fans can add CGI displays of them next to their idols.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Consumer champion Martyn James said: “These charges for simply having your photo taken next to a trophy are outrageous.
      “Supporting your team is becoming the equivalent of throwing a bunch of tenners in the air.”
      Marc Gander of the Consumer Action Group added: “Obviously City realise that their fans are part of the team. United seem to have forgotten that.”
      City say they make the trophies available in the club shop for free photos.
      Most read in Football
      The club is taking its treble haul to Japan, Korea, Australia, America and India where fans will again see the trophies for free.
      Liverpool did not charge fans for photos with the Community Shield which they won in July 2022.
      Their stadium tour costs £25.
      City banked £170million Premier League money last year.
      United got £166million for finishing third.
      United declined to give a formal comment but said: “The price is part of a package which includes professional photography.”
      How Man U and City compare with their stadium tours and trophy viewings More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Carabao Cup first round draw in full as Wrexham learn opponents after return to EFL

      by

      WREXHAM kick off their 2023-24 Carabao Cup campaign with a home fixture against Wigan.The National League champions will host the 2013 FA Cup winners at the Racecourse Ground in the week commencing August 7.
      The first round draw for the Carabao Cup has been madeCredit: PA
      Wrexham kick off their Carabao Cup campaign against WiganCredit: Getty
      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s side will make an explosive return to the EFL after earning promotion at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
      The two Hollywood superstars have already invested heavily in the club, and they are expected to continue to do so this summer in a bid to climb up to League One.
      Ex-Man Utd goalkeeper Ben Foster has already signed a new contract until the end of the 2023-24 season.
      Club hero Paul Mullin is also in talks to sign a new deal.
      Read More on Football
      Leeds, Southampton and Leicester, who were all relegated from the Premier League to the Championship last season, will also enter the competition at the first round.
      In the Southern Section, Southampton were drawn against Gillingham.
      The Saints will travel to the Priestfield Stadium to face the League Two side.
      And in the Northern Section, Leeds were drawn at home to Shrewsbury while Leicester were drawn away to Burton.
      Most read in Football
      Other games to watch include; QPR vs Norwich, Stoke vs West Brom and Huddersfield vs Middlesbrough.
      Premier League teams begin to enter the Carabao Cup at the second round.
      Carabao Cup Draw – Northern Section

      Notts County vs Lincoln City
      Bolton vs Barrow
      Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers
      Mansfield Town vs Grimsby Town
      Stoke vs West Brom
      Sheffield Wednesday vs Stockport
      Leeds vs Shrewsbury
      Preston vs Salford
      Rotherham vs Morecambe
      Harrogate vs Carlisle
      Burton vs Leicester
      Accrington Stanley vs Bradford City
      Derby County vs Blackpool
      Port Vale vs Fleetwood
      Barnsley vs Tranmere
      Blackburn vs Walsall
      Huddersfield vs Middlesbrough
      Wrexham vs Wigan
      Sunderland vs Crewe

      Carabao Cup Draw – Southern Section

      Plymouth Argyle vs Leyton Orient
      Forest Green Rovers vs Portsmouth
      Swansea vs Northampton
      Exeter City vs Crawley
      Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers
      Newport vs Charlton
      Stevenage vs Watford
      Cheltenham vs Birmingham
      Sutton vs Cambridge Utd
      MK Dons vs Wycombe
      Milwall vs Reading
      AFC Wimbledon vs Coventry
      Bristol vs Oxford United
      Gillingham vs Southampton
      QPR vs Norwich
      Peterborough vs Swindon
      Cardiff vs Colchester More

    • 263 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd fans fume Avram Glazer has ‘no shame’ after billing club £500,000 to fly to Wembley despite over £500m debt

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED fans are raging after it was revealed owner Avram Glazer has billed £500,000 worth of flights to the club for two trips to England.Glazer, 62, who lives in Florida, travelled over to London to attend the Red Devils’ Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle back in February.
      Avram Glazer is already an unpopular figure among Manchester United fansCredit: Alamy
      He then returned to England earlier this month for the Women’s FA Cup final – which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
      According to The Athletic, these two visits – which Glazer complete through the use of private jets – each cost the club £250,000.
      It is understood that security and accommodation were additional fees on top of the flights.
      The report also states that Glazer’s visit to the World Cup in Qatar last year – which he went to with his family – was also put down as a business expense.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      It was said to have cost the club even more than his trips to England.
      This is despite Man Utd’s debts standing at around £250million, with dividends continuing to be taken out by the Glazer family.
      And supporters are furious after finding out the club have been paying for Glazer’s extortionate flights.
      Reacting on social media, one said: “I truly cant believe this is allowed.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Another added: “Nah but how do you spend 250k on a trip.”
      A third replied: “Scandalous. Using club debt again.”
      And a fourth responded: “No shame whatsoever.”
      Glazer watched the Women’s FA Cup final with his daughter Libby.
      After the game, he refused to answer questions from journalists regarding the sale of the club – with the process ongoing.
      Briton Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to have submitted the preferred bid ahead of Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani. More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd have downed tools since Carabao Cup final win and should have been hammered at Newcastle, slams Rio Ferdinand

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED stars have “downed tools” since winning the Carabao Cup and need to start “strangling” each other, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand. The Red Devils returned from the international break with a limp defeat against top four rivals Newcastle on Sunday.
      United were all at sea at St James’ Park on SundayCredit: Getty
      Ferdinand has called for some leadership in the United dressing room to prevent the season unravelling
      It has left United out of the Champions League places with just 11 games remaining despite a strong start to 2023.
      Erik ten Hag’s men lost just one of 15 games before their trip to Wembley to beat Newcastle in the League Cup Final at the end of February.
      Since then, the club’s shaky form has seen them slaughtered at Anfield, draw against struggling Southampton and labour to cup wins over West Ham and Fulham.
      Former United defender Ferdinand, who won 14 trophies during his long stay at Old Trafford, has had enough.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He said on his Five Youtube channel: “It seems like they’ve won the Carabao Cup and downed tools.
      “They think they’ve done enough, that’s what it feels like. They’ve got to get out of this rut. 
      “The performance on Sunday. Seize the moment! It’s the moment, it’s top four. Take the opportunity. Understand what is there. What are the requirements for you?
      “Luke Shaw mentioned they had a meeting after the game. They need to be strangling each other, there needs to be some pushing and shoving, up in people’s faces. So people understand this is the serious business end of the season.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “If David de Gea doesn’t play we’re bang in trouble, it’s probably five or six. I thought mentally they’d got beyond this. I thought we’d eradicated the feeling of the Brentford game. I hope it won’t rear its head again.”
      Unlike their rivals for top four, United remain in other competitions and face having their resources stretched as the season reaches its conclusion.
      A two-legged Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla awaits ten Hag’s side as they prepare to face Spanish opposition for the fourth time in Europe this season.
      While they can also look forward to another Wembley trip this month as they face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final. More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Newcastle stars to give Man Utd a guard of honour for winning the Carabao Cup when they meet in huge Prem clash

      by

      NEWCASTLE are planning to give Manchester United a guard of honour tomorrow recognising their Carabao Cup triumph.February’s loss in the Wembley final means Toon fans are still without a domestic trophy since 1955.
      Newcastle fans took over Trafalgar Square as they descended upon London for February’s domestic cup finalCredit: Alamy
      That has not stopped Newcastle giving the green light to a grand gesture to the Red Devils when they visit St James’ Park.
      The idea was proposed by Toon supporters group Trophies Don’t Matter, which boasts Newcastle having the best fans in the world is more important than silverware.
      TDM spokesman Lipra Olof said: “It is only right we salute our friends from Manchester. They were deserved winners.
      “We had a lovely day at Wembley and took over Trafalgar Square before the match, which is the most important thing.”
      READ MORE IN MAN UNITED
      Players will line up by the tunnel as their rivals walk out and boss Eddie Howe is to present Erik ten Hag with a plaque and flowers.
      The match is a key clash in the race for the Champions League spots with Newcastle in fifth, three points behind third-placed United. 
      The pair are scrapping for the spots alongside managerless Tottenham and overachievers Brighton and Brentford, who meet tomorrow.
      Just eight points separate the six sides as the season reaches its penultimate month.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      United are looking for silverware in other competitions.
      The Red Devils face a Europa League quarter-final tie with Sevilla later this month as well as another trip to Wembley to take on Brighton in the FA Cup. More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘It burns’ – Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals hilarious reaction to watching Man Utd lift the Carabao Cup

      by

      LIVERPOOL star Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed his brilliant reaction to seeing Manchester United lift the Carabao Cup. United claimed the Carabao Cup following a 2-0 win against Newcastle, taking the crown from last year’s champs Liverpool in the process.
      Manchester United lifted the Carabao Cup last weekCredit: Getty
      And Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed how he reacted to the matchCredit: Getty
      However, it also sees Man Utd move ahead in the trophy race, with United now back on top of English club’s success list with 67 trophies to the Reds 66.
      And Liverpool academy graduate Alexander-Arnold has revealed his hilarious reaction to the Red Devils lifting the trophy.
      Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of the hotly-anticipated clash, he said: “I watched the game, but as soon as they were getting ready for the trophy lift I turned off.
      “I thought, ‘There is no way I am watching that’.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “Knowing they lifted that trophy? It burns. Oh yeah. It definitely burns.”
      The two North West giants are in almost polar opposite positions to where they were 12 months ago.
      Liverpool were hunting for an unprecedented quadruple after winning the Carabao Cup, while United were struggling.
      Now it is Jurgen Klopp’s side who are struggling, and United who are on the hunt for a quadruple.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The England international added: “It shows you how football changes very quickly.
      “Look at Arsenal. At the end of last season everyone was talking about failure for not making the top four. All of a sudden they are leading in the title race.
      “In football terms, these changes really do happen overnight. It’s the same with Manchester United when you look at the difference now to last year.
      “Even the start of this season when they lost to Brentford. How many people were saying ‘here we go again?’ Now they’re flying. It happens.
      “That is why I am not going to allow myself to get over consumed with what has happened to us right now because I know in a few months, or possibly even weeks, it will change.
      “I am determined to keep level-headed and balanced about what has gone on.”
      Erik ten Hag’s side are in a strong vein of form and will be determined to earn the club’s first win at Anfield since 2016.
      But they may have to do so without Raphael Varane, who faces a late battle to be fit for the fixture.
      Read More on The Sun
      Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted by the recent return of Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino – though the latter’s agent confirmed he will leave at the end of the season.
      Ten Hag and Klopp issued joint statements ahead of the game urging supporters not to resort to chants about Munich and Hillsborough, which have marred the fixture in recent years. More