FA Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd – FA Cup fifth round: Erik ten Hag’s side hoping to bounce back from awful Fulham defeat

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED travel away to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.The Red Devils lost at the expense of a last-gasp goal in the dying minutes of injury time against Fulham at the weekend.
      Man Utd were beaten in the Premier League by Fulham on Saturday and next face Nottingham Forest in the FA CupCredit: Getty
      Both Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will be looking to advance in the FA Cup fifth round with both enduring difficult campaigns.
      Erik ten Hag’s men were left deflated as they saw themselves beaten right at the death thanks to Alex Iwobi’s injury-time winner.
      United missed the impact of Rasmus Hojlund, 21, as he and his team have been in fantastic form recently.
      Hojlund made history last week against Luton Town to become the youngest Premier League player to have netted in six consecutive league games – but United will need to get inspiration from elsewhere on Wednesday night.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Nottingham Forest beat United when they met in the League in DecemberCredit: Getty
      Defeat for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at Aston Villa meant Forest have only picked up two wins in their last eight games – with one being a penalties win against Bristol City in the previous round of the FA Cup.
      The clash at the City Ground is the perfect chance for Nuno’s side to make a statement as they have already taken down Ten Hag’s men this season.
      It will be interesting to see how Nuno sets up for this match with Forest heading into a tricky run of games in the Premier League.
      They host Liverpool at the weekend, then travel to Brighton and relegation rivals Luton Town – which will be a massive game at the bottom of the table.
      Most read in FA Cup
      Team News
      Erik ten Hag’s injury list is piling up as Luke Shaw remains out for the majority of the rest of the season, while Rasmus Hojlund, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Mason Mount are also expected to miss out.
      Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, and Antony are all likely to try and push for a starting place in the team.
      United are set to be without star striker Rasmus Hojlund againCredit: Alamy
      Forest’s absentee list is shrinking and they come into this game with Ola Aina, Chris Wood, Ibrahim Sangare, and Willy Boly missing.
      Nuno is likely to make a change or two after Forest’s defeat at Villa with Andrew Omobamidele, Harry Toffolo, and Divock Origi all knocking on the door for a place in the starting XI.
      Players to Watch
      Bruno Fernandes has struggled for form during this campaign, especially in comparison to previous seasons.
      However, the Portuguese could still prove to be a game-changer as he has 14 goal involvements in all competitions.
      Fernandes has scored in United’s previous two FA Cup ties – against Wigan and Notts County – and will hope to continue this run.
      Taiwo Awoniyi and Morgan Gibbs-White could prove to be the difference makers for Forest as both have managed to bag against United earlier this season.
      Awoniyi scored in the 3-2 loss to United at the start of the season, while Morgan Gibbs-White scored a lovely match-winning goal vs United last December in their 2-1 win at the City Ground.
      When is Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd?

      The game between Nottingham Forest and Man Utd will take place on Wednesday, February 28.
      The kick-off time for the game is 7.45 pm GMT.
      Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United will be held at the City Ground.

      What channel is it on and can it be live streamed FREE?

      Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd will be shown on BBC One in the UK.
      You can live stream the action FREE from the BBC iPlayer app, which is available to download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the match by following SunSport’s live blog.

      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      What are the odds?

      Man Utd – 11/10
      Draw – 5/2
      Nottingham Forest – 9/4

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea vs Leeds tips and free bets for huge FA Cup clash tie with talkSPORT BET

      by

      CHELSEA and Leeds will renew their longstanding rivalry when the pair meet in a grudge FA Cup fifth round clash on Wednesday.We’ve picked out our top tip for the mega tie with talkSPORT BET – who are offering brand new customers an incredible £30 in free bets when they stake just £10 on football!
      How to claim..talkSPORT BET offer

      Visit the talkSPORT BET website HERE*
      Opt in to this promotion via the OFFERS tab.
      Make a deposit via debit card
      Place your first bet of £10 on any sports market at odds Evens (2.00) or greater
      You must do this within 7 days of opening your account.
      You’ll then receive £30 (3x£10) in free bets!

      talkSPORT BET: Get £30 in free bets*

      Chelsea will need to pick themselves up after Sunday’s desperately disappointing display when missing out on a golden chance of silverware.
      Mauricio Pochettino’s side didn’t look like winning the final when it went to the extra 30 minutes, despite facing a Liverpool side with three kids in their shake-up.
      They now renew their rivalry with old foes Leeds with the Championship outfit on the up at present.
      Their huge, come from behind win over leaders Leicester not only put them in a strong place for promotion but also put them back in the title race to return to the top flight.
      TIP
      Christopher Nkunku did most of his best work defensively when sent on at Wembley.
      He should be in line for a start after Nicolas Jackson was anonymous for much of the contest.
      We do fancy Chelsea to bounce back and progress here as they’ve shown good cup form this season.
      But it will be a feisty game with lots up for grabs and it could be one that spills over.

      Our tip: Nkunku to score, Chelsea to win and over 3.5 cards at 29/10 – CLAIM HERE

      What’s the talkSPORT BET offer?
      talkSPORT BET are offering new customers the chance to claim £30 in free bets for the midweek clash in the FA Cu between Chelsea and Leeds.
      You’ll receive the free bets when signing up and staking £10 and you can place that first wager on the game!
      How do I claim this?
      New to talkSPORT BET? Then you could be eligible to claim this excellent offer!
      Simply head over to the talkSPORT BET site HERE*.
      Register a new account and deposit using a debit card.
      With your very first bet, stake £10 on any sports market at odds of 1/1 or greater – within seven days of opening your account.
      Then what happens?
      Your free bets will be credited as 3 x £10 free bet tokens!
      On settlement of the total qualifying bet amount, your account will be credited with:

      £10 free bet – Football Bet Builder
      £10 free bet – Any Sports Acca 4+ selection

      And the following free bets, which will be credited 24 hours after the first bonus funds

      £10 free bet – Any Sports Market

      talkSPORT BET: Get £30 in free bets*

      *18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:

      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

      Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
      For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Blackburn vs Newcastle: Best free betting tips and preview for FA Cup fifth round clash

      by

      BLACKBURN and Newcastle meet in what looks like a storming FA Cup fifth round clash.SunSport betting experts have previewed the crunch clash, and carefully selected our best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses for the cup meeting.
      Best free bets for Blackburn vs Newcastle United

      Ladbrokes: Bet £5 on Blackburn vs Newcastle United to get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE*

      Paddy Power: Bet £10 on Blackburn vs Newcastle United and get £40 in Free Football Bet Builders – CLAIM HERE*

      Betfred: FA Cup free bets – Get £40 football welcome bonus when you bet on Blackburn vs Newcastle United – CLAIM HERE*

      Already have these accounts? Don’t worry, we’ve got loads more terrific deals with our partners.

      Blackburn vs Newcastle United preview
      The Alan Shearer derby takes top billing of the FA Cup fifth round clashes on Tuesday.
      Blackburn haven’t won any of their last four games in the league, drawing their last three.
      They’re four points clear of the relegation zone in the second tier but have just lost twice in nine home games.
      They’ve scored in all of those games, too.
      For Newcastle, they were ridiculously timid as they stood and watched Arsenal romp to a 4-1 win on Saturday.
      Eddie Howe has suggested players are currently playing for their Newcastle FUTURES after a disappointing drop-off this season.
      Injury issues are still plaguing Howe’s men but the returns of Alexander Isak and Joe Willock were big boosts on Saturday.
      The FA Cup and another cup run are pivotal for the club but also, mainly, for the supporters and this represents a great opportunity.
      Blackburn vs Newcastle United latest odds

      Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
      Blackburn vs Newcastle betting tips
      Away win
      Newcastle could and probably should have too much for Blackburn and avoid the upset.
      Their recent away woes – prior to Arsenal – had been eradicated with four wins on the bounce.
      They scored 11 goals in those four games, with two at Anfield prior to that in defeat and can rack up similar figures here.

      Newcastle to win and over 3.5 goals at 17/10 – CLAIM HERE

      Midfield battle
      It’s where games are won and lost and for Sondre Tronstad, he will be up against it in the battle.
      He’s actually been booked four times in the last eight games and will be without the ball plenty here.

      Will he?
      Joe Willock marked his return from a lengthy spell out with a goal in his 18 minute cameo at his former club.
      Will be hoping to feature for longer in this game and even coming off the bench, he represents a key part of the Toon attack.

      Joe Willock to score or assist at 9/5 – CLAIM HERE

      *Ladbrokes. 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
      *Paddy Power: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 2.0 (EVS), get £40 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards will qualify (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
      *Betfred: New UK 18+ only. Register (excl. 13/04/2024) with promo code WELCOME40, Bet £10+ on Sports in one transaction within 7 days of registering. Get £30 Free Bets & £10 free spins within 10hrs of bet settlement. Bonuses expire 7 days after issue. Min odds, eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:

      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

      Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
      For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      When is FA Cup quarter-final draw? Date, UK start time, TV channel, FREE live stream and ball numbers

      by

      THE fixtures for the FA Cup fifth round will take place this week as we enter the business end of the competition.Premier League leaders Liverpool take on Southampton after Manchester City travel to Luton.
      Manchester City are current FA Cup championsCredit: Times Media Ltd
      Non-league Maidstone continue their fairytale story as they face Championship side Coventry to kick off the fifth round on Monday night.
      Manchester United are looking to secure their 13th FA Cup this season but must get past Nottingham Forest first.
      Carabao Cup finalists Chelsea will be looking to hit back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Liverpool as they host the Championship’s second-place side Leeds.
      When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?

      The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals will take place on Wednesday, February 28.
      It is expected to take place at approximately 7pm GMT – just before Chelsea vs Leeds.

      READ MORE IN FA CUP
      What TV channel is the FA Cup quarter-final draw on and can it be live streamed FREE?

      The FA Cup quarter-final draw will be broadcast live on ITV4.
      You can live stream the draw for FREE via the ITVX app/website.
      Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog of the draw to find out who your team will be playing.

      FA Cup quarter-final draw ball numbers
      The ball numbers for the FA Cup quarter-final draw have been released:
      1 Blackburn Rovers or Newcastle United
      2 Chelsea or Leeds United
      Most read in FA Cup
      3 AFC Bournemouth or Leicester City
      4 Liverpool or Southampton
      5 Nottingham Forest or Manchester United
      6 Wolverhampton Wanderers or Brighton & Hove Albion
      7 Coventry City or Maidstone United
      8 Luton Town or Manchester City
      When will the FA Cup quarter-finals be played?
      The FA Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of Saturday, March 16. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea vs Leeds – FA Cup fifth round: Blues look to bounce back from Wembley heartbreak against Championship side

      by

      CHELSEA will host Championship high flyers Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.The Blues suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday after a last-gasp goal in extra time from Liverpool’s skipper Virgil van Dijk.
      Chelsea were beaten in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on SundayCredit: GETTY
      However, they will be looking to immediately bounce back on Wednesday in their FA Cup clash against Daniel Farke’s Premier League-chasing Leeds side.
      The last time Chelsea was in action in the FA Cup, they recorded an impressive 3-1 away win against Aston Villa, with Enzo Fernandez scoring an absolute peach of a freekick.
      This may not prove to be a straightforward game for Poch’s men as Leeds have been on an incredible recent run of form, including a 3-1 win vs Championship leaders Leicester.
      The Whites’s recent win vs Leicester now means they have won nine league games in a row, which has massively boosted their hopes for a return to the Premier League – and has potentially opened up the title race as they only sit 6 points behind the Foxes.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      In Chelsea and Leeds’s most recent game (4 March 2023), Chelsea came out narrow winners with a 1-0 result thanks to Wesley Fofana, but in the earlier game last season, Leeds thumped the Blues 3-0.
      Team News
      Chelsea are going into this match fresh off the back 120 minutes against Liverpool, so it’s very likely changes will be made.
      Trevoh Chalobah could be granted a place in the starting lineup, while Robert Sanchez may be recalled to start between the sticks.
      Christopher Nkunku should expect to play from the start, while Alfie Gilchrist will also hope to play from the first whistle.
      Most read in FA Cup
      Carney Chukwuemeka, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Marc Cucurella will all miss out through injury, with Thiago Silva remaining a doubt.
      In Leeds’ previous two FA Cup ties, Farke went for strong lineups with three or four changes to the normal team – and it seems like he’ll stick with that trend here.
      Dan James or Jaiden Anthony will be likely to come into the starting lineup, whilst Patrick Bamford could look to replace Joel Piroe in strike.
      Sam Byram, Pascal Struijk, Stuart Dallas, and Karl Darlow are all out injured.
      Players to watch
      Cole Palmer failed to make a real impact in last Sunday’s League Cup final but won’t be shy of trying to add himself back to the goal sheet against Leeds.
      The Chelsea youngster has an impressive 14 goals and 9 assists in 33 games this season, however, he has none in the FA Cup so he will be looking to change that ahead of Wednesday’s game.

      Leeds’ most threatening player this season looks to be Crysencio Summerville.
      He has managed to accumulate 16 goals and 9 assists this season in just 33 games, with him scoring in their last FA Cup tie, which was a replay match against Plymouth Argyle.

      When is Chelsea vs Leeds?

      Chelsea’s game with Leeds will take place on Wednesday, February 28.
      The game will kick off at 7.30 pm GMT.
      Chelsea vs Leeds will held at Stamford Bridge.

      What channel is it on and can it be live streamed FREE?

      Chelsea vs Leeds will be shown on ITV4 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action FREE from the ITVX app, which is available to download on your mobile or tablet device.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the match by following SunSport’s live blog.

      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      What are the odds?

      Chelsea – 4/7
      Draw – 16/5
      Leeds – 9/2

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd: Get £30 in free bets when you stake £10 on the FA Cup with talkSPORT BET

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED and Nottingham Forest will be looking to advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup when they clash at the City Ground on Wednesday.And brand new talkSPORT BET customers can claim a massive £30 in free bets when they sign-up and stake a tenner on the fifth-round knockout encounter.
      Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd FA Cup: Get £30 in free bets with talkSPORT BETCredit: TalkSPORT BET
      talkSPORT BET: Get £30 in free bets*
      How to claim..talkSPORT BET offer

      Visit the talkSPORT BET website HERE*
      Opt in to this promotion via the OFFERS tab
      Make a deposit via debit card
      Place your first bet of £10 on any sports market at odds Evens or greater
      You must do this within seven days of opening your account
      You’ll then receive £30 (3 x £10) in free bets!

      talkSPORT BET: Get £30 in free bets*

      If you don’t already have a talkSPORT BET account, then this excellent free bet offer is for you!
      Simply register an account, deposit and stake £10 on any football market at odds of Evens or greater. Once that’s settled – your account will be credited with £30 in free bets!
      You could decide to use your free bets on Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, and below are some of our expert picks and top prices with TalkSPORT BET.
      Diogo Dalot to be booked at 27/10 with TalkSPORT BET – CLAIM HERE
      It could be a tricky evening for Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot.
      He’s likely to be up against Nottingham Forest’s tricky winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who’s thriving after a run of first-team minutes under Nuno Espirito Santo.
      He’s netted three in his last four outings, and is the most fouled Forest player in the last six league matches. He’s won 12 fouls, while the last two full-backs to have faced him have been shown yellow cards.
      Dalot was booked in the trip to the City Ground earlier this season, and has committed six fouls in his last four league games – the highest of any United player.
      Nottingham Forest to win at 23/10 with TalkSPORT BET – CLAIM HERE
      We’re siding with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
      The hosts have picked up 10 points from the first nine games of Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure, and they’ve netted 17 Premier League goals during that time.
      That’s the same as in the first 17 games of the season under Steve Cooper – scoring 2+ against Newcastle, Man Utd, Aston Villa and West Ham.
      Visitors Manchester United are again without Rasmus Hojlund, who registered seven goals in his previous six outings. Erik ten Hag will also have one eye on Sunday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium for a crucial Manchester derby against arch-rivals City.
      talkSPORT BET: Get £30 in free bets*

      *18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:

      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

      For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool quadruple odds slashed by bookies after Wembley heroics in Chelsea cup final win

      by

      LIVERPOOL have secured the first quarter of what could be a fairytale final season under Jurgen Klopp.That extra-time Wembley win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final was labelled by Klopp as his ‘most special’ trophy success in his time at the club, despite securing the Premier League and Champions League during his tenure.
      The Reds still have three trophies to play for after securing the Carabao CupCredit: Getty
      BETFAIR: £30 IN FREE BETS*
      But given the lengthy injury list, star-studded players watching from the stands and finishing the game with three teenagers just starting out their careers made, you could see it meant a lot to Klopp.
      With some big hitters to come back and their current leading position in the Premier League table, is there more to come for the German and his players this year?
      Bookmakers Betfair certainly think so and have been forced to slash the odds of a clean sweep of trophies into just 25/1 from 1500/1 at the start of the season.
      Despite leading the way, Liverpool are 23/10 second favourites behind Manchester City to win the Premier League this season.
      They also trail Pep Guardiola’s men at 16/5 in the betting for the FA Cup, with a 5th round clash at home to Southampton to come this weekend.
      Liverpool trophy specials this seasonOdds of winning multiple trophies

      Premier League and Europa League 15/2
      FA Cup and Europa League 9/1
      Premier League and FA Cup 10/1
      Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League 25/1 (was 1500/1 at start of season)

      Odds in the remaining competitionsBetfair odds
      Premier League winner

      Manchester City 4/5
      Liverpool 23/10
      Arsenal 16/5

      Betfair – FA Cup winner

      Man City 9/5
      Liverpool 16/5
      Man Utd 8/1
      Newcastle 9/1
      Chelsea 10/1

      Betfair – Europa League winner

      Liverpool 7/4
      AC Milan 13/2
      Brighton 10/1
      West Ham 14/1
      Sporting Lisbon 16/1
      Roma 16/1

      BETFAIR: £30 IN FREE BETS*

      On the continent, they’re expected to steamroll to success in the second tier competition, leading the way by far in the betting markets as the 7/4 favourites – with Milan second favs at 13/2.
      Adding the Premier League and Europa League to their Carabao Cup success is a 15/2 shot, the FA Cup and Europa League is 9/1 while a domestic treble of League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League is a 10/1 go.
      Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Odds have been slashed on Liverpool winning the quadruple with the Reds now 25/1 to complete a clean sweep, having been 1500/1 at the start of the season.
      “The Reds, who are 23/10 second favourites to win the Premier League, are as short as 15/2 to win a second treble under Jurgen Klopp. The Reds are 16/5 to add the FA Cup to the mantelpiece this season, while they are the 7/4 favourites to lift the Europa League.”
      BETFAIR: £30 IN FREE BETS*

      *New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:

      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

      Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
      For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Maidstone United backed to spring huge FA Cup shock and beat Coventry by World Cup icon

      by

      WORLD CUP icon Roger Milla is backing Maidstone United to create more FA Cup magic.The National League South minnows are in the last 16 of the FA Cup at Championship promotion-chasing Coventry on Monday night.
      George Elokobi celebrates with Maidstone after dumping out Ipswich
      Cameroon World Cup icon Roger Milla in action against England in 1990 quarter-final
      And Stones boss and former Wolves star George Elokobi, 38, has received a specially-recorded video message from his childhood hero back home in Cameroon.
      He told SunSport: “It was to congratulate me. This is what the magic of the FA Cup does. 
      “He told me he had been watching us and to continue working hard.
      “He knows I’ve been doing well for Cameroon and flying the flag high. He wants to wish us well for the next round of the FA Cup.
      READ MORE ON MAIDSTONE
      “And he also wanted to wish me good health and to keep working hard, keep developing and hopefully one day I’ll be able to help the nation.”
      Milla, 71, had his message played to him during a televised BBC Sport feature.
      He is among a number of high-profile Cameroon stars to have reached out to Elokobi after he led the team past League Two Barrow and League One Stevenage at their Gallagher Stadium – before stunning Championship promotion contenders Ipswich at Portman Road.
      Asked who else, he said: “I don’t want to keep name-dropping but quite a few! 
      Most read in FA Cup
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Roger Milla was famed for his goal celebration dance during Italia 90
      “Sebastien Bassong who used to play for Spurs, these are good friends of mine. 
      “Alex Song who used to play for Arsenal, we go quite a way back, he has reached out as well.
      EXCLUSIVE: I’m an FA Cup star dreaming of a Man Utd clash – but by day I work as a social support worker helping people with autism
      “I’m good friends with Enoh Eyong who played for Ajax, and he said congratulations.
      “So a lot of them have told me that it’s incredible to see what I’m doing, the transition I’ve made now into becoming a manager and flying the flag high for them as well.”
      Elokobi, who only became a manager last year, was emotional when he watched Milla’s message as memories of his childhood came flooding back.
      Although only four-and-a-half, he remembers vividly watching his hero almost beat England single-handedly in the 1990 World Cup quarter-final before the Three Lions prevailed 3-2 in an epic.
      The Maidstone boss said: “We had to pay money to get into someone’s house and were in there in our numbers watching the game on TV.
      “We thought we had nicked it and had a chance. It was an incredible time. He was such an inspiration when I was that young. I can remember and see myself in that moment.
      “So to see his message just takes me back to 1990 when I was a young kid when football was the only thing to do. It’s incredible to think he’ll be supporting me and Maidstone.”
      Elokobi’s journey has been an extraordinary rags-to-riches tale. 
      Former Arsenal star Alex Song is also cheering on Maidstone
      As will ex-Spurs ace Sebastien Bassong, who is a good friend of Elokobi’s
      His dad Martin died of diabetes when he was ten and the youngster sometimes went without meals, having to scavenge for food out of trash cans – hunting birds, eating snakes and digesting unwashed raw potatoes from the ground.
      His mum Irene left him and his 12 older siblings in Cameroon as she sought work in the UK to help better support her family before moving Elokobi over to study when he was 16.
      The rest is history as he got spotted by Colchester playing for Dulwich Hamlet aged 18 and he went on to play for Wolves in the Premier League – including scoring in a win against Manchester United.
      Whatever happens tonight, Elokobi and Maidstone have written an inspirational story.
      And he said: “I’m just doing my job. I’m here to empower everyone around my environment – everyone that’s under the Maidstone umbrella. 
      “Yes, my title is the manager, I understand that but also my job is to try to give everyone that freedom to develop themselves and empower everyone to enjoy working under me.
      “I come in every day wanting to make people’s day better so for me it’s not just football, it’s bigger.
      “It’s about the environment you create: when you see someone in the morning, can you give them a hug or a handshake, just to brighten their day up? 
      “And then we can look at the day in front of us but yes, it’s important that I keep inspiring so many people and inspiring non-league teams.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “That’s part of my job too, to show everyone out there that it is possible – if we can do it at Maidstone then hopefully one day, another club out there can do it as well.”
      The Stones, who reformed after going bankrupt while in the Football League in 1992, have made around £450,000 from this season’s FA Cup run so far – and are hoping to reinvest most of it into revamping their 4,200 stadium.
      George Elokobi shows his Maidstone team has it is done in training
      The former Wolves star has led Ipswich to the last 16 of the FA Cup More