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    EFL sides look at lunchtime kick-offs during the winter to save on energy bills with teams desperate to cut costs

    EFL CHIEFS are considering the possibility of increasing the amount of lunchtime kick-offs to help lower-league clubs amid the cost of living crisis.A new survey from football reform group Fair Game has found that midday kick-offs for weekend league and FA Cup games would be considered by the majority of clubs in the EFL and the wider football pyramid as a way of cutting costs.
    Many clubs are considering lunchtime kick-offs in a bid to aid with the cost of living crisisCredit: Arron Gent/News Images
    Many believe that staging earlier games would help to reduce energy bills as the use of floodlights would not be necessary.
    Although the government has pledged to support businesses with rising energy costs, it is currently unclear whether or not this will benefit football clubs for a sufficient period of time.
    Overall, 63 per-cent of 40 clubs – including 12 EFL teams – have revealed that they will consider utilising earlier kick-offs if given permission.
    Clubs rated their concern about the cost of living crisis at seven out of 10, with League Two clubs considering it an eight out of 10.
    Read More on EFL
    This has prompted many to re-evaluate budgets for ground improvements as well as non-playing staff.
    Amid the financial crisis, Premier League clubs are currently preparing to hold further talks over a new financial distribution model to support the rest of the football pyramid.
    The plan is expected to include changes to parachute payments and a new merit-based payment system to Championship clubs.
    Changes to the domestic calendar from 2024 are also expected to be considered with many clubs pushing to axe FA Cup third and fourth round replays despite the fact that many lower-league clubs have benefitted from them over the years.
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    Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper has now demanded that action be taken to financially aid clubs in need.
    He said: “The results paint a very bleak future for football outside the top echelons of the game.
    “Having survived the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis could well be the death knell for the hard-working community clubs lower down the pyramid.
    “Lower-league football clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but right now they are in intensive care.
    “The Premier League are at best going to offer a sticking plaster. They have had decades to address the problem and they should stand aside.
    “It is now up to the Government to intervene. The recent fan-led review set up by the Conservative Party revealed the financial flow within the game, and the governance that sits behind it, is broken.
    “Fair Game are calling for action now. We were promised levelling up, instead we could see the levelling of football stadia across the country with decades of history and tradition wiped off the map.
    “The Government needs to deliver on its promise of an independent regulator now. A regulator that can oversee football’s financial flow. Without it the pyramid of our national game will crumble.”
    Plans for an independent regulator for football have stalled following the appointment of new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
    But, clubs have been handed a boost as the government have proposed to cut energy bills for UK businesses by around half their expected level.
    Read More on The Sun
    The new scheme will fix gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1, protecting businesses from rapidly rising costs.
    This would shield many clubs – especially non-league – from entering a cost crisis. More

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    Prem clubs ‘considering plans to SCRAP FA Cup replays and could play U21 sides in League Cup’ in ‘New Deal for Football’

    PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are reportedly considering plans to SCRAP replays in the FA Cup.This idea forms part of a “New Deal for Football”, which could also see sides play U21 sides in the Carabao Cup.
    FA Cup third and fourth round replays could be axed permanently from 2024Credit: Getty
    The Times claims the proposals are at the heart of talks at Wednesday’s Premier League shareholders’ meeting.
    Discussions will take place over ideas to potentially deliver £250million in extra funds to the EFL while also reforming parachute payments.
    And one proposal is to permanently cut FA Cup replays in the third and fourth rounds from 2024.
    This would see those games go straight to penalty shoot-outs – therefore providing lower league sides with a greater opportunity of progressing past top-flight clubs.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    It would also help free up space in the calendar for Premier League outfits.
    But the FA must first give their blessing before any reform goes ahead.
    Third and fourth round replays have already been axed for the past two years following the backlog from Covid.
    And they could yet be cut again this year to stop a fixture pile-up after games were postponed in the wake of the Queen’s death.
    Most read in Football
    As for the Carabao Cup, teams playing in Europe could field their U21s in a bid to freshen up the competition – or even withdraw entirely.
    Top-flight sides are happy for the Cup not to be scrapped, and they will also not force FA Cup games to only go ahead in midweek.
    The ideas all come after the government warned the Premier League must provide a major cash injection for the EFL with a new deal – or else be forced to do so.
    New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has already had his say on how to provide funds for the football pyramid.
    Read More on The Sun
    Boehly has suggested hosting an annual North vs South All-Star match.
    However, the American’s idea has been met by a host of ridicule from doubters. More

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    FA Cup third and fourth round replays could be SCRAPPED in bid to stop fixture pile-up after postponements

    FA CUP third and fourth round replays could be scrapped in a bid to stop this season’s fixture pile-upPA claims footy chiefs are examining ways to avoid a gruelling schedule after last weekend’s Premier League games were axed following the Queen’s death.
    FA Cup third and fourth round replays could be scrapped to deal with current league postponementsCredit: Getty
    Clubs are already having to contend with a bumper fixture list ahead of the World Cup this winter.
    And more fixtures this weekend, including Chelsea vs Liverpool, have been called off ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
    It now leaves footy chiefs scrambling to find new dates at a later point in the season.
    And one solution is to cut replays in the FA Cup third and fourth rounds.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    They were scrapped the last two seasons following the backlog from Covid.
    And teams could now be set for more extra-time with penalties in the tournament this term.
    As well as Liverpool vs Chelsea, Brighton vs Crystal Palace and Man Utd vs Leeds are also not going ahead this weekend.
    Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Europa League clash against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday has been postponed.
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    And with an international break to follow, it means some teams won’t be in league action until October.
    Regarding this weekend’s suspended action, the Premier League said: ‘Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures.
    “The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Policing Unit and other police forces across the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their support during this process, and will continue to liaise with them ahead of the weekend.
    “For the matches being played during the period of national mourning, tributes will be paid to the Queen at Premier League stadiums.
    “New dates for the postponed matches will be announced in due course.” More

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    Fans joke Chelsea’s new keeper coach Ben Roberts started working for club in 1997 after FA Cup final clash

    FOOTBALL fans have seen the funny side after Ben Roberts joined Chelsea as part of Graham Potter’s coaching staff. Potter was announced as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement earlier this week, and has made a swathe of changes to the backroom staff at the club.
    Ben Roberts sits dejected after the 1997 FA Cup finalCredit: Rex
    Roberts is one of Graham Potter’s inner circleCredit: Getty
    One such change is new goalkeeping coach Roberts, who himself was a former goalkeeper.
    However, a number of fans have poked fun at the appointment as they highlighted his performance in the 1997 FA Cup final against Chelsea.
    Roberto Di Matteo scored a screamer inside a minute in the final against Middlesbrough, with The Blues going on to win the game 2-0.
    But Roberts’ attempt to stop Di Matteo’s effort came under criticism as the ball went straight down the middle of the goal.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    And fans have now joked Roberts actually started working for Chelsea in 1997.
    One user on Twitter said: “Ben Roberts is the new Chelsea goalkeeper coach? He originally started working for them in the first minute of the 1997 FA Cup final.”
    A second user wrote: “Ben Roberts is Chelsea,” and accompanied it with a pair of images from the final which showcased the shot at goal and the attempt to save it.
    A third user added: “Ben Roberts, already a small part of Chelsea history, he was the goalkeeper in the 1997 FA Cup final for Middlesbrough when Di Matteo scored the fastest FA Cup final goal.”
    Most read in Football
    Meanwhile, a fourth user said: “Ben Roberts now working for Chelsea, as he was on FA Cup Final day 1997.”
    Potter is bringing five coaches with him from Brighton, as SunSport provided the low down on his inner circle of confidantes Chelsea will hope will get them back on top. More

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    Goalie sent off in FA Cup qualifier for peeing in hedge during match

    A GOALIE was shown a red card for peeing during an FA Cup match.Desperate Connor Maseko nipped off to spend a penny when the ball went out for a goal kick.
    Goalie Connor Maseko was shown a red card for peeing during an FA Cup matchCredit: LES CHASE
    Despite preserving his modesty by going inside a hedge, the No1 was sent off after rival players alerted the ref.
    The incident came in the 76th minute of a 0-0 first qualifying round draw between Connor’s team, Blackfield & Langley, and Shepton Mallet.
    His co-manager Conor McCarthy was “gobsmacked” by Saturday’s dismissal.
    He said: “Sometimes when you have to go you have to go.”
    Read More on the FA up
    The Hampshire-based Wessex League club’s Twitter account joked ahead of the replay: “See you Tuesday evening (hopefully get plenty of toilet breaks en route).”
    Shepton Mallet, from Somerset, quipped: “After an unusual red card in the first tie, we’re looking for a match sponsor. Plumbers or portaloo firms, take advantage!”
    It is believed to be the first red card for weeing in the FA Cup’s 150 years.
    Connor may now seek a move to Loo-ton Town.
    Most read in Football
    Connor said: ‘Sometimes when you have to go you have to go’Credit: LES CHASE
    The red card is believed to be the first for weeing in the FA Cup’s 150 yearsCredit: Getty More

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    Who is BT Sport presenter Lynsey Hipgrave?

    LYNSEY HIPGRAVE is BT Sport’s new lead host, after Jake Humphrey decided to step away from the microphone.Here’s everything you need to know about the BT Sport presenter…
    Lynsey Hipgrave is a TV presenter for BT SportCredit: Twitter
    Who is Lynsey Hipgrave?
    Lynsey Hipgrave, (née Lynsey Horn), 38, is from Newcastle.
    She is a radio journalist and TV presenter for BT Sport.
    Lynsey started her career presenting the breakfast show on Manchester radio station Galaxy 102.
    She then became a travel reporter on Radio 5 Live and hosted the Saturday morning show with Danny Baker. 
    What was Lynsey Hipgrave’s mistake during the FA Cup semi-final draw?
    Lynsey made a gaffe live on air whilst presenting the FA Cup semi-final draw.
    In the draw Manchester United were picked to play against Tottenham, while Chelsea will face Southampton at Wembley.
    But Lynsey accidentally claimed that Man United would be taking on Chelsea.
    Social media erupted following the embarrassing mistake with one user tweeting “FA CUP DRAW was it my ears or did she call it out wrong???”
    Soon after Lynsey apologised and tweeted: “That’s live tv, not my first mistake and certainly won’t be my last.
    “Really sorry. Just checking you were all listening.”
    But amongst the criticism, fellow presenter Gabby Logan was quick to lend her support.
    She said: “My old boss at ITV used to say the viewers love a little mistake every now and again it makes you human.
    “You rarely put a foot wrong. Don’t lose a moment’s sleep.”
    My old boss at ITV used to say the viewers love a little mistake every now and again it makes you human. You rarely put a foot wrong. Don’t lose a moment’s sleep. 😘 xx— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) March 18, 2018

    What TV shows has Lynsey Hipgrave presented?
    Lynsey has presented a number of sports programmes on TV.
    In 2010 she worked on Al Jazeera’s English language sports channel, covering the US Open tennis final and the WTA Championships.
    She has also presented Poker Night Live for Sky Sports and has worked on Setanta Sports News.
    She hosted some of the coverage for the Africa Cup of Nations Games on ITV4.
    In 2013 she joined BT Sport where she has presented coverage of the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
    Lynsey is a Newcastle United fanCredit: Twitter
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    Who is Lynsey Hipgrave’s husband Dan?
    Lynsey is married to musician Dan Hipgrave.
    He is a guitarist for the alt rock band Toploader from Eastbourne.
    The couple wed in 2008 at Langley Castle, Northumberland.
    Dan was previously married to TV presenter Gail Porter but they divorced in 2004.
    He has one daughter, Honey, 15, with his ex-wife.
    Lynsey Hipgrave makes mistake live on BBC during FA Cup draw More

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    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp calls for Community Shield teams to get BYE in FA Cup or Carabao Cup to ease fixture pile-up

    JURGEN KLOPP has called for the teams involved in the Community Shield to be given a BYE into the next round of one England’s cup competitions.The Liverpool manager, whose team will play against Manchester City in this Saturday’s curtain raiser, called for an easing of the fixture pile-up for the two clubs.
    Klopp wants his team to have a bye into the next round of the FA Cup or Carabao Cup this yearCredit: Getty
    Klopp and Guardiola are facing off once again in the season curtain raiserCredit: PA
    In his pre-match press conference, he said: “I like the competition but again I think it would be possible to find another date for it.
    “We had a longer season than other teams (last season) and now we have a shorter pre-season than other teams so it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
    Last season Liverpool went all the way in all three cup competitions to take their total fixtures played last season to a staggering 63 matches.
    And ahead of an even more tightly packed fixture list ahead of the Qatar World Cup in November, Klopp wants the burden eased on his team.
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    He added: “I think Germany plays the Super Cup final and for that the teams involved don’t have to play one cup round.
    “There are opportunities obviously but maybe we can think about, or somebody can think about that.”
    The Reds won the Carabao and FA Cup last season but lost in the final of the Champions League to deny them a cup treble.
    Liverpool have one of the largest squad’s in the league, and have added Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsey to their ranks this season.
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    Terry Neill dead at 80: Tributes pour in for FA Cup-winning Arsenal manager who also bossed arch-rivals Tottenham

    LEGENDARY Arsenal player and manager Terry Neill has died at the age of 80.Tributes have poured in for the FA Cup-winning gaffer, who also managed rivals Tottenham.
    Former Arsenal and Spurs manager Terry Neill has died aged 80Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Arsenal legend Neill unveils new star Charlie Nicholas and goalkeeper John Lukic in his own way in 1983Credit: Getty
    Neill first endeared himself to the Gunners by making 241 league appearances between 1959 and 1970 while becoming the club’s youngest-ever captain aged 20.
    A no-nonsense centre-back, he also won 59 caps for Northern Ireland.
    After leaving Arsenal, Neill moved to Hull and eventually became a player-manager.
    He then enjoyed spells in the dugout with Northern Ireland and Tottenham.
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    But Neill really made his mark as a tactician back at Arsenal.
    Returning, aged just 34, he led the club from 1976 to 1983, and veteran Gooners still remember the famous 3-2 win over Manchester United in the 1979 FA Cup final.
    Neill took Arsenal to another two FA Cup finals, plus a Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup final.
    And the Gunners led the tributes on social media as they hailed a club icon.
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    A statement read: “It was with great sadness that the club learned of the death of former manager and captain, Terry Neill, aged 80.
    “Neill’s status as both club captain and manager made him a major influence on 20th-century Arsenal.
    “His fantastic contribution – and indeed his character – will always be appreciated by everyone associated with the club. 
    “Our thoughts are with Terry’s family and close friends at this difficult time.”
    Arsenal fans hailed Neill and his incredible contribution to football.
    One said: “Terry Neill’s 1979 FA Cup win was the formative Arsenal experience of my childhood.
    “I still remember it vividly and so fondly. Condolences to his family and friends, and may he rest in peace.”
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    Another tweeted: “Imagine being Terry Neill, being Arsenal’s youngest ever captain and then going on to win the FA Cup as Arsenal manager, he lived what many us dream about. Sad day today.”
    A Hull fan added: “RIP ex tiger Terry Neill. Great player in his time and did his bit as manager.” More