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      I won the FA Cup during eight years at my beloved Arsenal but needed time to become a fan again after difficult exit

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      CARL JENKINSON’S heart belonged to Arsenal, but he needed time to become a fan again after a difficult exit from the club in 2019.Injuries and hard times on loan forced the 2014 FA Cup winner to depart the team of his dreams.
      Carl Jenkinson said he ‘needed time to become a fan again’Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Jenkinson, 31, is always keen to talk about his love for Arsenal and boyhood trips to North London to watch the Gunners.
      But after he left the club permanently in 2019 the right-back found it difficult to become a fan of the club again.
      He told the Athletic: “It was difficult. I was so sad that it had come to an end.
      “I needed a bit of time to get over the fact that I wasn’t a player anymore.
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      “I think I just needed a little bit of time to become a fan again. It took a while but now I’m safely back in that bracket. And I love it.
      “It’s nice. I’m at a point now where I’m enjoying being a fan again.”
      After shining in League One with Charlton, Jenkinson joined his dream club in 2011 when Arsene Wenger saw potential in the then-19-year-old.
      The Essex-born star’s time at Arsenal took off when he replaced Bacary Sagna who faced a second broken leg of the year at the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
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      Jenkinson thrived at the Gunners for the next two terms earning his first England call-up and securing the FA Cup.
      In 2014 he moved across the capital to join West Ham on loan to further his development which went well enough to extend his contract for another season.
      However, things took a turn for the worse as his time at the Hammers quickly came to an end due to an ACL injury.
      The ex-England star then failed to regain his form and a shoulder injury cut short his loan stint at Birmingham City, ending his Arsenal career entirely.
      As a lifelong Arsenal fan, leaving the club was a heartbreaking decision that filled him with grief.
      Jenkinson added: “It was hard to leave Arsenal in the end, and I never really wanted to.
      “I know my dad would have loved for it to have gone on forever but it doesn’t always work like that.
      “I think I realised in myself that I wasn’t at that level anymore to play for a club like Arsenal after I busted my knee.”
      The former Gunner went on to play for Nottingham Forest until 2022 before joining his current team Newcastle Jets down under in Australia. More

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      Premier League cult hero can’t watch as his son scores against old team live on BBC with him as pundit

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      PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Kevin Lisbie had to look away when his son stepped up to take a penalty in the FA Cup.The former striker was working for the BBC as a pundit for non-league Cray Valley Paper Mills’ FA Cup clash with his old club Charlton.
      Kyrell Lisbie scored his penalty for Cray Valley PM against Charlton in the FA CupCredit: Getty
      His dad Kevin Lisbie had to turn his back while he was taking the spot kick as he couldn’t watchCredit: https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup
      Kevin Lisbie celebrated once the crowd had cheered for the goalCredit: https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup
      He was over the moon with the goal going in
      And it was a special night for the 45-year-old who wasn’t just there in support of his former employers, but also his son.
      Kyrell Lisbie was on the pitch for Cray Valley PM with the teen signing for the semi-pro side this summer.
      And in the 44th minute he had a chance to level the scores from 12 yards after eighth tier side were awarded a penalty.
      But although it was a HUGE moment for Lisbie Jr and his side, his dad Kevin couldn’t watch on.
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      The former Addicks attacker was too nervous and turned away as the 19-year-old stepped up for his penalty.
      But to his relief, Kyrell calmly dispatched his spot kick past Sam Walker to tie the game up.
      However things went down hill from there with League One Charlton going on to dominate the second half and ruin the non-league fairytale.
      The match ended in a 6-1 loss for Cray Valley after they had miraculously defied the odds by forcing a replay with a 1-1 draw earlier in November.
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      But the 116 league places and five divisions that separated the two sides ultimately proved too high of a mountain to climb.
      It will have still been a night to remember for the Lisbie family with Kyrell scoring against his dad’s old side.
      Kevin made 113 Premier League appearances for Charlton scoring 14 goals and providing three assists in the process.
      Kyrell celebrated scoring his goalCredit: Getty
      Kevin Lisbie played for Charlton in the Premier LeagueCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The family pair have both followed their dreams of being footballersCredit: Jamie McPhilimey More

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      I’m a former Premier League star – now I pull pints at my local pub… I haven’t called time on my football career yet

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      A FORGOTTEN Premier League ace pulls pints in his local boozer – but hasn’t called time on his football career.Defender Ryan Shotton, 35, scored in Europe and landed an FA Cup runner’s up medal during his top-flight career with Stoke City.
      Ryan Shotton was a stalwart in Tony Pulis’ iconic Stoke City sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Shotton co-owns the Black Lion pub with his father-in-law
      The ex-Prem star is still playing
      He was a regular starter for the Potters under their iconic boss Tony Pulis and racked up more than 300 appearances across England’s top two divisions.
      Now aged 35, the former star is still plying his trade with non-league minnows Hanley Town – which he couples with running a village pub.
      Shotton is currently player-manager of the Staffordshire-based club who compete in the Northern Premier League West, English football’s eighth tier.
      He scored in The Blues’ 2-0 home win over Clitheroe on Saturday in front of just 111 fans – 12 years after netting in Stoke’s 3-0 Europe League win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
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      Posting a picture of Shotton celebrating his goal, Hanley Town wrote on X: “Played at the highest level of football in the Premier League.
      “Scored in the Europa League.
      “Look at what scoring for little Hanley Town means.
      “We building.”
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      Shotton, who clocked up 48 Premier League appearances for Stoke, has plenty to keep him occupied off the pitch.
      He is the co-owner of the Black Lion pub near his home in the Staffordshire village of Cheddleton.
      Shotton teamed up with his dad-in-law Dave Goodwin to buy the boozer in 2017, while playing for Middlesbrough under former Stoke boss Tony Pulis.
      Speaking in 2018, Shotton said: “Deliveries come in at half six and I’m up then
      “Lads drop the barrels off and one will have a Carling, because he does’t need to drive, and the other will have a coffee.
      “Carling at half 6 in the morning!? I was like, ‘Nah, I’ll just stick to my cup of tea’. I’ve always seen myself as grounded as possible. My mum made sure of that when I was growing up.
      “I just think getting back into reality, the people in the pub care you’re doing well but really, I’m just seen as a normal person, which I love.
      “The father-in-law used to go there from when he was 18, he was a big fan and it got refurbished. A guy bought it and said to us, ‘I can’t manage it, I’ll sell it to you two (me and David) and I said, ‘Why not?’ It’s a brilliant little boozer, proper little country pub, two fires, brilliant.”
      Shotton is not the only ex-Premier League star gracing the Northern Premier League West, whose clubs include City of Liverpool, Runcorn Linnets and Kidsgrove Athletic.
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      We revealed this month how former Burney stalwart Matt Lowton, 34, has signed for lowly Witton Albion.
      The Cheshire club are managed ex-Republic of Ireland international Jon Macken, who played for the likes of Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Derby.
      Shotton is player-manager at Hanley TownCredit: X @HanleyTown66 More

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      Stunned fans say ‘I wish I’d got a ticket’ as Laura Woods rocks up at non-league club for FA Cup clash

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      FANS have been left in awe of Laura Woods as she stunned on ITV’s FA Cup coverage. The superstar sports presenter was part of the broadcaster’s coverage of non-league Horsham’s clash against Barnsley.
      Laura Woods has left fans in awe as they watch on from homeCredit: Rex
      Laura stunned as she presented ITV’s coverage of Horsham vs BarnsleyCredit: Rex
      She wore an elegant long black overcoatCredit: Rex
      Laura was joined on the coverage by Aaron McLean and Jobi McAnuffCredit: ITV
      Laura looked classy as she kept herself protected from the elements in a long black overcoat.
      She was joined by ex pro footballers Jobi McAnuff and Aaron McLean pitchside for the Round One replay.
      And despite the magic of the FA Cup normally catching viewers eyes it was Woods that was sending fans wild online.
      Many took to social media to shower her with compliments with some wishing they’d got a ticket to the game just to see her in person.
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      One fan wrote: “Nahhh Laura woods is there I’m even more annoyed I didn’t get a ticket!”
      While another added: “Christ, I love Laura Woods. Is that acceptable as a Spurs fan?!”
      Laura is a regular on football fans’ television screens as she heads up coverage of some of the sport’s biggest games.
      Earlier this year she landed herself a new role as a presenter on TNT Sports where she can be seen hosting coverage of the Premier League and Champions League.
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      And it’s nothing new for her to drive fans wild with her match day outfits with those watching on often impressed.
      The 36-year-old has also amassed an astounding 750,000 followers on Instagram alongside her work on TV.
      She regularly updates her fans with her glamourous lifestyle online.
      Inside Laura Woods’ glamorous life as football, boxing and NFL presenter…
      Laura is the new face of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage
      Laura regularly hosts DAZN’s boxing coverage as wellCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She has gathered a huge social media following in recent yearsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She also covers the boxing with DAZNCredit: Rex
      Laura doesn’t stop there as she hosts the Lionesses coverage too on ITVCredit: Getty
      And she has also done some presenting for the NFLCredit: Instagram
      Laura previously hosted the talkSPORT Breakfast alongside great pal Ally McCoistCredit: Instagram More

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      I’m a taxi driver who has second job and am dreaming of knocking former Premier League side out of FA Cup

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      TOM RICHARDS is the taxi driver who is hoping to take Horsham places.The Hornets midfielder, 29, scored a late leveller to book the club a fairytale FA Cup first-round replay after a never-say-die 3-3 draw at League One high-fliers Barnsley.
      Tom Richards celebrates after scoring the equaliser at BarnsleyCredit: PA
      The taxi driver is now dreaming of firing Horsham to the second roundCredit: PA
      The Camping World Community Stadium will host the historic clash
      TV cameras will light up the sold-out Camping World Community Stadium tonight to watch the non-leaguers bid to reach the second round for only the second time in their 142-year history.
      Guilford-born Richards, who has previously played for the likes of Fulham, Aldershot Town and Leatherhead, said: “There have been a few jokes with the lads about getting fresh trims for the TV cameras.
      “There’s pure excitement to be on TV.
      “I’m lucky to have reached the second round before with Leatherhead but it would be amazing with Horsham. It would go down in history.”
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      The West Sussex minnows, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division on the seventh tier of the football pyramid, last made this stage of the competition 16 years ago and have already played seven games to reach this stage.
      Dom Di Paola’s part-timers are mainly teachers or retail workers, although there is also a plumber in the ranks.
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      But Richards is a taxi driver for school kids.
      He said: “I’ve got a couple of different jobs.
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      “I’m a taxi driver for a company who help the council drive kids to school and back in the mornings and afternoons.
      “I trade the foreign exchange market, too.
      “It works well everything combined — doing the school runs, training and my other job.
      “All the attention for scoring the decisive goal has been great but I just try and stay humble.” More

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      I’m an FA Cup hero who spent two days in hospital with a spider bite before playing through pain to help team to glory

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      YEOVIL TOWN hero Joe Day remarkably managed to keep a clean sheet – despite suffering a horror SPIDER BITE to the head just days before.The goalkeeper, 33, is on loan at the National League South table-topping outfit from Newport County.
      Yeovil Town goalie Joe Day overcame a SPIDER BITE to produce two great displaysCredit: Rex
      The star played through the pain barrier after being placed on a dripCredit: BBC Radio Somerset
      However, one particular game will live long in the memory of the former Cardiff City stopper.
      Day woke up a fortnight ago ahead of their home match with Braintree Town with a huge bite on his head.
      He remarkably played that afternoon to help Yeovil continue their promotion charge in the 2-0 victory.
      However, the bite continued to swell up throughout the contest and afterwards he was forced to go to A&E.
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      And it was only then that doctors informed him that it was a spider bite as he spent the following two nights in hospital.
      Day told BBC Radio Somerset: “The most likely cause of the bite, the doctor did reckon it was the reaction they’d expect from a bad false widow bite.”
      Even more impressive than his performance against Braintree, just three days after that he played the full game as Yeovil defeated Gateshead 3-2 in the FA Cup to earn a trip to Wrexham in the second round of the competition.
      Day claims that he has spotted a number of false widow spiders around his home but stated: “I’ve never reacted to a bite like this in my life.”
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      Day had the bite drained by medics due to the size of the swelling and received antibiotics from a drip.
      That enabled him to make his return for the cup clash – although he could only do so wearing a specialised cap that he hated given to him by his club’s doctors.
      “I didn’t enjoy wearing it.” he said. “I had the big bandage underneath it as well.
      “My right ear was pinned back and because of the swelling my hearing wasn’t great in that ear anyway, so with the bandage and the cap on I couldn’t hear too well.”
      Day, who looks set to face Dover Athletic today in the sixth tier, added: “It was a pretty nasty experience, it was pretty painful the few days that it was really bad.” More

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      FA reach Raheem Sterling verdict after Chelsea star accused of ‘throwing missile into Tottenham crowd’

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      RAHEEM STERLING will face no further FA action after the Chelsea attacker was accused of throwing a missile into the Tottenham crowd.The allegation followed celebrations in front of home fans after Chelsea equalised in Monday’s dramatic 4-1 Premier League win against their nine-man neighbours.
      Raheem Sterling will not be investigated further by football chiefs over the incident involving an object from the Tottenham crowdCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea ace Sterling appeared to pick up an object thrown from the home end
      It was suggested the England attacker threw the object back towards fans
      Cole Palmer tucked home a penalty and put his finger to his lips.
      An object then seemed to be hurled at Chelsea players from the crowd – appearing to hit Palmer before allegedly being thrown back by Sterling.
      But nothing was spotted on the night by match officials.
      Now the FA have reviewed the incident and decided there is no need to pursue a case against the 28-year-old.
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      If charged and found guilty, Sterling could have been banned.
      Tottenham forward Richarlison was suspended for one game and fined £25,000 while at Everton for hurling a lit flare towards the stands.
      Sterling went on to tee up the first of Nicolas Jackson’s late three goals that clinched one of the Prem’s most chaotic victories ever.
      Apart from red cards for Spurs duo Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, referee Michael Oliver oversaw five disallowed goals and a handful of VAR disputes.
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      The all-clear for Sterling might help ease his frustration at again failing to earn an England recall.
      Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate omitted the 82-cap star from his squad for dead-rubber Euro 2024 qualifiers at home to Malta and away to North Macedonia. More

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      Chris Hughton set to be sacked from international job days before match as squad list angers FA chiefs

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      CHRIS HUGHTON is set to be sacked as Ghana coach after just eight months, according to reports.The former Newcastle, Brighton and Nottingham Forest boss only took charge of the Black Stars in March.
      Chris Hughton is facing the axe at Ghana nine months after his appointmentCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      Hughton’s recent squad plans angered Ghana’s FA officialsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Since then the ex-Tottenham defender has lost just two games, against Mexico and the USA.
      But Ghana FA officials are understood to be angry at 64-year-old Hughton planning widespread changes in his latest squad.
      The west African side is due to face Madagascar and Comoros in  World Cup qualifiers next week.
      Local expert Bright Kankam Boadu said: “They planned on sacking Chris Hughton after the two matches, but they have decided to do it now after he sent the squad [list] to them.
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      “The squad has a lot of changes, and some players [favoured by] FA officials have been omitted from the list.”
      GFA chiefs are expected to meet before the weekend to decide Londoner Hughton’s fate.
      The former Republic of Ireland international is expected to be replaced by ex-Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Ghana midfielder George Boateng.
      The 48-year-old, who also played for Coventry, Hull and Forest, currently works as Hughton’s assistant.
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      The former defender joined Ghana last year in February as their technical advisor.
      Hughton was then appointed as the national team’s manager exactly a year later.
      The ex-Norwich boss has three wins and two losses in seven matches. More