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      FA Cup to trial ‘concussion substitutes’ with managers to be allowed extra permanent change after head injuries

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      THIS season’s FA Cup will be used as an official trial for concussion substitutes.
      Wembley chiefs have agreed managers will be able to use an extra ‘permanent’ sub if a player is concussed during ties from the third round onwards.

      From the FA Cup third round onwards, teams will be allowed to make an extra substitute if a player suffers concussionCredit: PA:Press Association

      The trial, which will also be extended to the Women’s FA Cup, was agreed after being signed off by the game’s law-making body Ifab today.
      Fifa has backed the plan, ahead of a likely law global law change for the 2022-23 season.
      It is now set to be formally agreed by Ifab at their Annual Business Meeting next month, with the FA keen to be at the forefront.
      An FA spokesperson said Wembley ‘welcomed’ the move, adding: “The FA will support the proposal with a view to implementing the trials at the earliest possible stages of the 2020/21 Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

      “Player welfare is paramount and we believe that this is an important step to help support players, clubs and medical teams when identifying and managing head injuries and incidents of concussion during a game.”
      It means the new measure will be brought in from the third round stage of the men’s road to Wembley and the fourth round of the women’s competition.
      The move will be regardless of whether the FA agrees to allow five substitutes rather than three in their flagship competition.
      But in a bid to prevent cynical managers seeking to take advantage by using the law change to make an extra tactical substitution, the other team will also be granted the right to make one more change in response.

      And there was another huge boost for football today.
      Sports fans in Britain can return to indoor and outdoor events from December 2 onwards as the PM relaxes the sport coronavirus rules.
      In a huge boost for the nation, fans in Tier 1 and 2 are expected to be allowed to watch Premier League games and other sporting events in the flesh after the lockdown ends.

      Sport fans to return to live matches from December 2 with Premier League stadiums back open as rules relax More

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      Former Arsenal kit man flogs £100k worth of memorabilia after ‘falling out of love’ with Gunners over club axe

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      A FORMER Arsenal kit man has banked over £100,000 after ‘falling out of love’ with the Gunners and selling his memorabilia.
      Paul Johnson owned a garage full of kits, medals and pennants from his 30 years of service in North London.

      A medal from Arsenal’s 2014 FA Cup win went down very well with biddersCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      Nicolas Anelka memorabilia proved popular after his two years with the clubCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      But the Premier League side let Johnson go in 2018 following the exit of Arsene Wenger.
      And he recently began sifting through his mega collection to offer pieces up for online auction.
      Johnson told the Mail: “It felt like the right time.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      “Arsenal has been my life. It has been a hard decision.
      “All the items in the sale have got memories. You have to move on, and I am moving on.”
      Auctioneer Graham Budd added that Paul had ‘fallen out of love’ with the club.
      It is also reported that a portion of his collection had previously been burgled, adding to his desire to move on the remaining archive.

      A whopping £100,000 was raised in the former backroom staff member’s auction.

      Thierry Henry faced Arsenal a couple of times as a New York Red Bulls player, with one kit on offer in this auctionCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      Sadly, there were no bidders for Lukasz Fabianski’s memorabiliaCredit: Alan Walter – The Times
      The most-expensive piece was an FA Cup winners’ medal from Arsenal’s 2014 triumph over Hull, earning £9,000.
      Nicolas Anelka’s blue third kit from the 1998-99 campaign proved to be the most popular shirt, selling for £6,500.
      Following behind were shirts worn by 1980s hero Brian Talbot, fetching £4,000, and Ashley Cole’s spare kit from Arsenal’s final game at Highbury in 2006, taking £3,000.
      Johnson also highlighted two shirts he is particularly sad to see go, with one bidder paying £1,100 for Tony Adams’ Euro 82 England shirt.
      Another paid £620 for the shirt Thierry Henry wore when playing for New York Red Bulls in a friendly against Arsenal.
      Opposition shirts from the likes of Maribor and Mallorca earned about £50 each – paling in comparison to the famous names Johnson had received memorabilia from.

      A famous Champions League trip to Real Madrid in 2006, which the Gunners won 1-0, yielded shirts from Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.
      Bidders forked out £1,000 for Zidane’s top with Brazil legend Carlos taking in £440.
      However, there were no offers for an array of pieces from former goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, including a signed kit and pair of boots.

      Harry Kane reveals what happened with Arsenal trial and tells Piers Morgan he won’t ever return to Tottenham rivals More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘never quiet’ at Sporting Lisbon, says Oldham’s Jombati as he eyes FA Cup reunion with Wolves duo

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      SIDO Jombati hopes to set up an FA Cup reunion with two Portuguese greats – after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo come through the Sporting Lisbon academy.
      But the Oldham defender knows Hampton and Richmond will be looking to dump the League Two Latics out after being on the other side of the fence.

      Sido Jombati hopes to set up an FA Cup reunion with two Portuguese greatsCredit: ALAMY

      Jombati had a bird’s eye view of watching Ronaldo’s development as a youngster in the same Sporting youth set up.
      All he remembers about the kid who would go on to be a legend is he was not quiet – as he puts it, you do not meet a quiet man from Portugal, apart from him.
      However, it is Wolves pair Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho he wants to face after playing in the same side when they were kids.
      And he is in no doubt that goalkeeper Patricio is one of the best after first seeing him as an eight-year-old.

      Jombati, released from Sporting aged 16, recalled: “Cristiano was there but he was two years older – he has never been quiet, ever!

      Jombati has known Wolves’ Rui Patricio since he was nine-years-oldCredit: Reuters
      “I played alongside Rui and Joao and even back then they showed how good they are. Rui is a year younger but used to play a year above, Joao is a year older than me but sometimes I played a year above.
      “He was very skinny but football-wise was great and Patricio, wow. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world, always has been. He always played one or even two years above his age group.
      “We first played together when I was nine-years-old and he would’ve been eight. So playing Wolves in the cup would be a nice experience!”

      First up for Harry Kewell’s side is a tricky trip to south west London to face National League South Borough.
      But this is not a step into the unknown for Jombati, who ended up playing for Weymouth, Basingstoke and Bath City after being released from Sporting.

      Jombati was in the same Sporting Lisbon youth set up as Cristiano Ronaldo
      And his own taste of pulling off a shock, when Bath won at League Two Grimsby in 2009, will help make sure he is not on the receiving end today.
      The 33-year-old added: “Coming over was very hard. Now I’m almost English but when I first came over, I was trying to get the ball down and play, it was a totally different style.
      “It was physically hard too. I needed to get myself in the gym to make myself stronger but I did learn and I know players use these games to try and get noticed.

      “You’re always going to have young kids who want to move up the divisions and experienced players who played higher up.
      “When teams like Hampton play in the FA Cup, they bring their A game and going away from home, it’s not going to be easy. Non-league teams always have that big striker and big centre back. If those two decide they’re playing, it can be difficult.
      “But we also want to win these games as we want to play big teams too.” More

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      Arsenal and Newcastle icon Malcolm Macdonald on playing full-back for Tonbridge – who are in FA Cup first round action

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      MALCOLM MACDONALD was one of the great iconic strikers of English football in the Seventies.
      Supermac enjoys legendary status at Newcastle, Luton and Arsenal and got capped 14 times by England.

      Malcolm Macdonald (far left) started his football career at Tonbridge in 1967Credit: Tonbridge Angels FC

      But the 70-year-old – who also played for Fulham – would not have had that career without the club that started it.
      And today he will be watching National League South team Tonbridge on TV as they appear in the FA Cup first round for the first time in 48 years when they host Bradford.

      Another old local newspaper cutting shows Malcolm Macdonald (centre) in action against Dagenham in 1967 on a snowy pitch
      Macdonald was just 17 when the Kent side handed him his first contract in July 1967.
      The striker – then a left-back – was running his family’s tobacconist and confectionery shop in the small Sussex village of Forest Row, 17 miles from Tonbridge.

      Supermac told SunSport: “My father had died so my mother sold our house in Fulham to move to Forest Row after Christmas in 1966 and we lived above the shop.
      “I turned 17 in the New Year and started my driving lessons and the instructor, whose name sadly escapes me, was an ex-pro at Coventry and we got talking about football.
      “And I told him I’d been on the books at Barnet as a youth and played for London Grammar Schools but couldn’t find a level good enough for me in Sussex.
      “He recommended I join a senior team in Sevenoaks called Knole Juniors. It was there I got spotted by Harry Haslam, who was Tonbridge manager, and he signed me.”

      It seems hard to imagine that Macdonald then was a full-back when you consider he went on to score 58 goals in 101 games for Luton, 138 in 257 outings for Newcastle and 57 in 108 for Arsenal.
      Macdonald settled on left-back because in his youth he was on the diminutive side and felt he would get bossed about at centre-half, centre-midfield or centre-forward against the older players – and could instead use his blistering pace on the flank.

      Malcolm Macdonald was a Newcastle legend, scoring 95 goals in 187 games

      Malcolm Macdonald celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Newcastle
      And it was by a complete fluke that Haslam stumbled across Macdonald’s potential up front after playing him out of position as a right-back!
      Supermac said: “Tonbridge had an accomplished left-back – a certain Vic Akers, who went on to become Arsenal’s first-ever ladies manager where he won everything and got an OBE. Arsene Wenger was so impressed he made him the club’s kit manager.
      “But Harry told me, ‘I’m going to teach you how to kick with your right foot if it’s the death of me.’
      “I was always happy to use my right peg as I didn’t want to be a one-trick pony.
      “But what I found interesting playing at right-back was when I got forward, I cut inside on to my stronger foot. So I started scoring quite a few goals from there.
      “Once Harry saw that, he’d play me right-back in a Southern League game on the Saturday then centre-forward in the midweek Floodlight Cup games and I started banging in goals on a serious basis.”

      It was when Malcolm Macdonald was switched to right-back that Tonbridge manager Harry Haslam recognised his goalsoring potential
      Back then Macdonald was earning £10 a week but the players also got paid appearance money and bonuses for wins and draws.
      And the ex-England star remembers: “We ended up getting good money because we were playing Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday so the appearance and bonus money mounted up.
      “The club was successful and we were getting crowds up to 1,700 and had a lively bar there as well. It was a great place to be.”
      Haslam – who went on to become a legendary Luton manager by leading them into the top flight in 1974 as well as Sheffield United boss – was a jovial character but taught Macdonald a huge lesson one evening that has remained with him to this day.

      Macdonald (fifth from centre) celebrates with Tonbridge team-mates
      Supermac said: “He was known as ‘Happy Harry’ because he always had this huge smile on his face. He was telling jokes all the time.
      “You’d go inside Tonbridge Football Club and it didn’t matter where you were you’d hear his voice or laugh. It was great to come up in that environment.
      “But during that season I was running the shop for my mum during the day and I’d rely on her to come and do the last hour so I could rush off in my old Hillman Minx car for training or an evening game. If we were playing away, I’d have to leave even earlier.
      “And I was somewhat on the tardy side and would turn up late sometimes. I kept explaining how I was running this shop for my mum. Harry wouldn’t say anything but you could tell he wasn’t impressed.

      Macdonald’s career

      All competitions

      CLUB                              Games  Goals
      1967-68 Tonbridge FC        74         11
      1968-69 Fulham                      13         5
      1969-71 Luton                        101         58
      1971-76 Newcastle               257      138
      1976-79 Arsenal                108         57
      1979     Djurgarden                9          2
                  TOTAL                       562      271
      INTERNATIONAL
      1972     England U23              4        4
      1972-75 England                   14       6

      “On one occasion I was 10 minutes late for a game on a Thursday and the club secretary came into the dressing room with all our wages, paid in cash then, in brown envelopes.
      “I got mine and thought, ‘Bloody hell, this is heavy. I’ve had a real bumper week here.’
      “So I opened it up, there was a bit of money in there but I noticed £10 was missing.
      “But inside the bottom of the envelope was a wristwatch and as I took it out Harry stood in the middle of the room, looking across at me, and said, ‘You won’t be late from here on, son, will you?’
      “It was a lesson learned. In professional football, there is no excuse for being late!”
      Another huge lesson he learned in those non-league days was never to react to bullying centre-halves.

      Inside the envelope was a wristwatch and, as I took it out, Harry looked across at me, and said, ‘You won’t be late from here on, son, will you?’
      Malcolm Macdonald

      Macdonald said: “I learned it doesn’t matter how hard you get hit by a challenge, get up and walk away. The centre half is then thinking, ‘I hit him with the best one I could muster and it’s not even shaken him.’
      “Just once I reacted. We were at home to Merthyr Tydfil. They had a right rough sod who came over and booted me up in the air and smashed my shoulder up.
      “That was one time I couldn’t walk away. I missed a couple of games for that. It was a lesson learned.”
      One man Macdonald was indebted to was former Manchester United left-back Joe Carolan, who spent the last six years of his career at the Kent club.
      And Supermac said: “I learned so much from him. He would sit down with you and talk through everything – a great fella.”
      In total Macdonald scored 11 goals in 74 games for Tonbridge – playing mostly as right-back before being signed by Bobby Robson at Fulham in 1968 for £1,750.
      He said: “Harry left Tonbridge to become Fulham chief scout and although Bobby had never seen me play he told him, ‘Trust me, you’ve got to sign this player.’
      “One year later and they’ve sold me to Luton for 10 times that amount!”
      The rest is history as Macdonald won the Golden Boot with Newcastle in 1976 and Arsenal in 1977 and once famously scored FIVE goals for England against Cyprus in 1975 – a feat that has not been repeated since.

      Malcolm Macdonald, third from left, in action for Tonbridge against Bexley

      Malcolm Macdonald is still loved and idolised in the streets of Newcastle and even appears on a regular podcast called NUFC Matters

      Macdonald, years later while manager of Fulham, returned to Tonbridge after the club went bust and reformed themselves as the now Tonbridge Angels.
      He said: “I’ve always followed Tonbridge ever since I left. I look out for their results in the newspaper every Sunday morning.
      “The club ran into difficulties and rebooted themselves at Tonbridge Angels in the early 1980s and I contacted them to offer bringing down a Fulham team to lay on a friendly to earn them a few quid. They were delighted.
      “I was just so happy to help them get back on their feet.
      “It’s great they are back in the first round again and I’ll definitely be watching and hoping they can win.”

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      The 80 things football fans love most including smell of burger vans, Match of the Day and refs falling over

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      HEATED derby wins, atmospheric terrace chants – and referees falling over are among the top 80 things football fans love most about the ‘Beautiful Game’.
      A poll of 2,000 fans of British football found one in five cited a sense of belonging as the best thing about the sport.

      Footy fans love so many different things about the gameCredit: Reuters

      A third selected a last-minute winner as the best thing about football, and 37 per cent said the atmosphere at a live game can’t be beaten.
      Another 13 per cent love the controversial video assistant referee (VAR) system reversing a decision in their side’s favour.
      It also emerged that just under half (47 per cent) also admitted to talking about football ‘relentlessly’ while the season is ongoing.
      The research was commissioned by Smart Pay As You Go Energy company Utilita, as part of its Switch Before Pitch campaign, which aims to help all clubs keep their energy costs down during times of financial hardship.

      Utilita has worked with renowned football photographer Stuart Roy Clarke to create three limited-edition charity football calendars, featuring images of the fans attending the matches, past and in the pre-covid present day at Leeds United FC, Sunderland A.F.C and Norwich City FC.
      A spokesman from Utilita said: “Football at the moment is very different from how the world grew to love it.
      “Watching games from the comfort of your sofa is fine, but those who enjoy the matchday experience will be finding life very hard going at the moment.
      “Our 2021 calendars will hopefully remind hundreds of thousands of football fans why they fell in love with the game in the first place – and with any luck, by the end of it, they’ll be allowed back in stadia across the UK.”

      FA Cup upsets were high-up on the list of things fan’s loveCredit: AFP – Getty

      Other quirky things Brits love about football include watching balls being plucked out of a velvet bag to determine future cup ties, supporting the underdog, seeing rivals get relegated and the smell of the burger van.
      One in 10 love nothing more than seeing a player return to their old club only to punish them for selling them, by scoring – unless he’s playing against their own team.
      The research also found two-thirds of football lovers will ditch all other plans and activities on a weekend or weekday evening to watch their beloved side play.
      A quarter have even called in sick to see their team, while three in 10 sheepishly admitted to letting down a loved one in the name of the game.
      Fifteen per cent have ditched a wedding to watch a match, a tenth have missed a child’s school play – and the same amount claimed to have missed the birth of one of their children.
      Unsurprisingly, eight in 10 football fanatics can’t wait to be allowed back into grounds to watch teams play again, according to the OnePoll figures.
      Soaking up the atmosphere (41 per cent), simply getting out of the house (31 per cent) and a real mental boost (22 per cent) were top reasons people love watching games live.
      Utilita’s spokesperson added: “The list of things people love about football is seemingly never ending.
      “From the glee at watching your team win – or a rival lose – to the mental health benefits of getting outside for a few hours, there are so many positives to be had when watching the beautiful game.

      Fans enjoy the rivalry between Carragher and NevilleCredit: EPA

      Some fans even love the controversy of VAR decisionsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “Many football clubs, especially in lower leagues or at grassroots level, are really struggling to stay afloat as the pandemic goes on and on.
      “It’s good to take a moment to give thanks for the game we all know and love so well, and we hope going to watch live games comes back sooner rather than later.”
       THE TOP 80 THINGS FOOTBALL FANS LOVE ABOUT THE GAME
      1. The atmosphere of a live game2. A last-minute winner3. Derby wins4. Wonder goals5. FA Cup upsets6. Unexpected comebacks7. When your team is on TV8. Your side winning a game you were certain they’d lost9. Games with lots of goals10. Football chants11. A feeling of loyalty12. First game of the season13. Last day title wins14. Beers with friends15. Witnessing your side get promoted16. Underdogs17. Sense of belonging18. The camaraderie19. Night-time matches20. Match of the Day theme tune21. Quality time with family or friends22. Away day trips23. When a new signing scores a goal24. The feeling of being part of a collective – including the elations and despairs25. Games with big upsets26. Boxing Day matches27. Having a shared interest with others regardless of where you are28. When the other side misses an open goal29. When a goal gets disallowed for your opponent30. Seeing your rivals get relegated31. Penalty shootouts32. Avoiding relegation on the last day33. Seeing a new signing for the first time34. Wembley Stadium35. Jeff Stelling36. The FA Cup 3rd round draw37. Transfer deadline day38. Champions League theme music39. Getting out40. Managers ranting during interviews/conferences41. When your side finally signs that player they’ve been trying to buy for ages42. When your team is the first match on Match of the Day43. When VAR reverses a decision in your team’s favour44. When goals go in off the underside of the cross bar45. One club player (people who’ve played for one club their whole career)46. When the fixture list is announced47. Cup ties draws (balls being picked out of the velvet bag) – especially when it’s a random celeb48. The football league play-off49. Seeing your team’s new kit for the first time50. Football scarfs51. The smell of the burger van52. Mental boost53. Half-time grub54. When players jump in with the fans after a goal55. Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher’s punditry56. When referees fall over57. When the goalie falls over as fans shout ‘oooooooooooooooh’ as he goes to take a goal kick58. Gaining a sense of identity59. When outfield players go in goal60. Pitch invasions when lower league teams play a big team in the cup61. When players come back to haunt their old club (unless it’s your club)62. Own goals (unless they’re buy your own team)63. Unusual football celebrations64. When players fight – commentators say ‘you don’t want to see this’ but everyone does!65. Referee mishaps66. Tekkers (impressive skills)67. Hot Bovril68. When the new FIFA game is released69. When a commentator apologises after viewers hear a swear word70. Streakers71. Booing ex-players72. Seeing an opposing fan cry73. The score round up announcer74. When a player hits a corner flag with a shot75. Millennium Stadium (Wales)76. Pep Guardiola77. Journeymen (people who’ve played for loads of clubs)78. Silly haircuts79. Hampden Park (Scotland)80. Windsor Park (Northern Ireland)

      Premier League WILL continue despite second lockdown but fans now unlikely to set foot in grounds until 2021 More

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      Man Ud’s Jess Sigsworth urges fans to keep ‘heads-up’ ahead of lockdown and Continental Cup clash with Everton

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      JESS SIGSWORTH has talked of how much she misses playing in front of Manchester United’s boisterous supporters ahead of the team’s Continental Cup clash against Everton.
      And the Red Devils forward is urging fans to keep their ‘heads-up’ as the country prepares to enter a four-week nationwide lockdown from Thursday.

      Jess Sigsworth (right) says she misses playing in front of Manchester United’s boisterous fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The FA confirmed football in the top two tiers of the men’s and women’s game will continue under ‘the elite sport guidance and protocols’ of football’s ruling body.
      This includes the Continental League Cup competition which Manchester United hope to win for the first time in the side’s history.
      It has been almost nine months since the team played in front of spectators.

      Their last competitive game in front of crowds was a 3-2 WSL away match win against Everton.

      Ahead of Wednesday’s game Sigsworth, 26, said: “We know our fans are at home supporting us, and we really appreciate it.
      “Hopefully it (lockdown) won’t last too long and things will start to get better.
      “Everyone needs to keep their head up and hopefully we’ll see them in the stands again soon.”
      Casey Stoney’s United will take on a Toffees side eager to bounce back from their 3-1 Women’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Sunday.

      Jess Sigsworth says United will be ‘wary’ of Everton looking to bounce back from their FA Cup final loss to Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And although wary of Everton’s quality Sigsworth, who signed a new club contract in June, is confident her team has the ability to overcome Willie Kirk’s tenacious Toffees.
      The United forward added: “They’re a great team now. Willie Kirk has got them in good shape, and they look good, so we’re not taking anything for granted.
      “We are wary of them and we know they can bounce back, but we believe in our own ability.
      “We know if we stick to the game plan, we can beat anyone.
      “I think it’s going to be a good game and we’re confident, so hopefully, we will get the win again.”
      Sigsworth and her team-mates, who are currently unbeaten and third in the league, are set for a tantalising WSL encounter this Sunday.
      The Red Devils, who strengthened their squad with the signings of Alessia Russo, and World Cup-winning duo Tobin Heath and Christen Press, will take on league leaders Arsenal.

      Everton, whose players include Rikke Sevecke, will be looking for a win against United Credit: Reuters

      Sigsworth says United are a much stronger side after signing Christen Press (pictured), Tobin Heath and Alessia RussoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And United will be looking to pick up their first game win in the league against the formidable Gunners.
      Sigsworth said: “I look back to last season and when we started we played Arsenal and they beat us 1-0.
      “I feel like we’re in better shape now. We’ve made some great signings and we’re looking forward to competing with teams like Arsenal.”

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      FA Cup first-round fixtures to go ahead as scheduled as Government allows 10 ‘non-elite’ clubs to play

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      THIS weekend’s FA Cup first round will go ahead as scheduled – after Wembley chiefs got the green light from government.
      The new lockdown in operation from Thursday raised fears that the 10 “non-elite” clubs left in the competition might have to forfeit their games.

      The FA Cup will be allowed to continue despite the lockdownCredit: PA:Press Association

      Instead, the Government has confirmed to the FA that the matches can be played under “elite protocols” for Covid-19 safety.
      It means all 40 ties will take place, starting with Friday’s night’s clash between Harrogate and Skelmersdale.
      But the protocols that are in place means that all the matches must take place behind closed doors.
      Even so, the decision confirms a cash lifeline for a number of clubs.

      Eight of these ties will be screened by the BBC and BT Sport.
      This will include matches involving minnows FC United of Manchester, Tonbridge Angels, Maldon & Tiptree, Hampton & Richmond and Oxford City.
      Each club will get £32,500, in addition to prize money of £16,972 for the winners and £5,657 for the losers.
      There will also be screening fees worth £12,500 per club for a further eight ties being shown on BBC digital platforms.

      In addition the the FA Cup, fans will be pleased to know that the Premier League will carry on despite the lockdown.
      Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden announced on his Twitter feed that elite sport would be allowed to continue during the shutdown.
      But fans are still not be allowed to come into stadiums and many will be forced to pay the controversial pay-per-view fee to watch their teams play.
      The fee hasn’t been popular with fans and Premier League bosses have come under increasing pressure to scrap it.
      Due to the pressure, clubs will review the £14.95 fee at a meeting later this week.

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      Gareth Taylor relives Man City’s famous 1999 play-off win ahead of Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley

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      GARETH TAYLOR will walk out at Wembley today, 21-years after making history with Manchester City in the club’s famous play-off final victory over Gillingham in 1999.

      Joe Royle’s side looked set for another season in England’s third tier as the Gills led 2-0 with two minutes to go, while Citizens fans poured out the nearest exits of the old national stadium.

      Gareth Taylor (centre) and the Manchester City players lined up for a tense penalty shoot out against Gillingham in the play-off final at Wembley, 1999Credit: Allsport – Getty

      Gareth Taylor playing for City against Huddersfield at Maine Road in 1999Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      But the game exploded to life and with a minute remaining of the 90, Kevin Horlock latched onto a loose ball and drove it into the opposition goal to give City some hope at 2-1. 
      And the drama wasn’t over.
      With the clock ticking Taylor won a header to help set up Paul Dickov for a dramatic late equaliser, and City went on to win the penalty shootout.

      Cue mayhem among the Blue half of Manchester and sheer disbelief from the Gills supporters.
      Now the 47-year-old will walk out at Wembley again as his fully-fit City side face Everton for the Women’s FA Cup final.
      Taylor recalled: “One thing that does sit with me was the fact that we were heavy favourites against Gillingham.
      “We were heavily supported every game that we played that season and the expectation was hugely high and sometimes winning wasn’t enough.

      “We had to win by the cricket score. And that’s not easy, that pressure that the players were under on that day was big.

      City skipper Andy Morrison lifted the trophy at the old national stadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Gareth Taylor scored 17 goals for Burnley during the 2002/03 seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      “And after about 85 minutes it didn’t look good when we were 2-0 down. It was a contrasting day of emotion.
      “Once we got back into the game 2-1, we felt there was an opportunity we then got the second goal, and I’ve never been more convinced of winning a football game.
      “You can imagine the different emotion for obviously the Gillingham players who literally thought they were there.
      “It was just amazing and something really nice to look back at, I still keep in contact with a lot of the lads from that team.
      “One thing I will say about that team was that we didn’t have any major stars in there.
      “What we did have was a team of guys who were all pulling together in the right direction and again that wasn’t just the starting players, the ones in the stands also.
      “We had a real good team ethic about us and I think that helped us massively on that day.”
      Taylor featured 55 times for City and was shipped out on loan to various lower league sides during his three years at Maine Road.
      The former striker signed for Nottingham Forest in 2003 and hung up his boots at Wrexham eight years later before immediately returning to City as a coach.
      The women’s side are two-time FA Cup winners, and lifted last year’s trophy thanks to a 3-0 drubbing of West Ham.

      Manchester City won the Women’s FA Cup with a 3-0 win over West Ham in 2019

      Georgia Stanway celebrated her vital second goal in her player of the match display
      Taylor has already led the women out at the national stadium at the Community Shield in August.
      But taking taking City to an FA Cup final would be his proudest moment since his arrival in May.
      He added: “For us to win the trophy on Sunday would be amazing and the biggest thing for me in my coaching career so far.
      “I’m learning so much about the women’s game and enjoying many many parts to it.
      “To be here on on Sunday, looking forward to a Cup final and leading out the team, is a hugely proud moment for me.”
      Taylor knows from his own playing days that the national stadium can be a nervy prospect for some footballers.
      He continued ” It can affect you in different ways.
      “I remember the first time I played at the old Wembley and the first five or 10 minutes just passed me by. I was too busy just looking around at the surroundings.
      “We have to try and block that out and play the game, not the occasion.”

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