Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      David Moyes set to earn £12.5m after agreeing Everton return with EFL manager eyed for coaching role

      by

      David Moyes will earn £12.5 million AND bonuses after he was announced as the new Everton manager in an emotional return to his former club.Moyes goes back to the Toffees after whirlwind talks in which he demanded he was given the post for the long term and not as an emergency appointment.David Moyes will earn £12.5m as Everton bossCredit: ReutersMoyes left the Toffees in 2013Credit: ReutersThe Scot was identified by the club’s new owners, The Friedkin Group (TFG), as their primary target to succeed Sean Dyche, who was sacked just hours before kick off on Thursday.Moyes spent a decade in charge at Goodison before leaving for Manchester United but thinks he can save them this season and then go on to success.He will quickly assemble a coaching staff and is expected to bring in Billy McKinlay and possibly veteran Alan Irvine from previous backroom teams.Kevin Nolan, now boss at Northampton, may also come into his plans after they worked together during a successful time at West Ham.READ MORE EVERTON NEWSA statement from the club says that announcements will be made regarding his coaching staff in “due course”.Moyes’s return has split the fan base but his record at Everton the first time was excellent.While he showed Toffees fans what could be achieved under his stewardship when he delivered the Conference League trophy at West Ham.Moyes spent 11 years in charge at Goodison Park before leaving for Manchester United in 2013, leading them to the 2009 FA Cup final and to a 4th placed finish in 2005.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe will have his work cut out for him on his return to Merseyside with Everton currently 16th in the Premier League and one point outside of the relegation zone with a game in hand.And he’ll be in for a baptism of fire if he is hired before Everton’s next Premier League game with a tough run of fixtures ahead.The Toffees face Aston Villa on Wednesday before hosting Tottenham on the Sunday afterwards.Speaking his return to Everton, Moyes said: “It’s great to be back! I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club.“I’m excited to be working with The Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the club.“Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.”Sean Dyche SACKED by Everton just hours before FA Cup game as two club icons take charge and David Moyes in line for jobMoyes is keen to bring Kevin Nolan to Goodison Park with him despite Nolan currently managing NorthamptonCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Accrington Stanley star Connor O’Brien reveals adorable childhood photo with Liverpool legends ahead of FA Cup clash

      by

      CONNOR O’BRIEN fondly remembers the day he was a starry-eyed little kid who met his Liverpool idols outside a hotel in Accrington.And pride of place at his Lancashire home is a framed photo of himself as a small boy, wearing the team’s away strip and tracksuit top, flanked by club legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.Accrington star Connor O’Brien is set to take on Liverpool this SaturdayO’Brien had his picture taken with Anfield legends Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard as a kidCredit: SuppliedYou wonder if they advised him: “If you don’t drink milk, you’ll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley!” just like Ian Rush was said to have advised two young Liverpool fans in a famous 1980s TV ad.Fast forward to 2025 and not only is O’Brien very  happy to play for his home-town club but on Saturday the right-back is set to turn out against his Kop heroes at Anfield.And the 20-year-old said: “Dad put me in a Liverpool kit before I could stand, so this is a dream come true.“I was excited when I got the chance to meet all the players as a kid when they were staying at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel here in Accrington ahead of a game against Burnley.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Dad found out they were staying, so we drove up and the entire squad were having their pre-match walk around the  grounds.“Rafa Benitez was manager and dad asked him if we could get some photos with the players. His assistant, Sammy Lee, put his arm around me and took me to meet the team.“We got pictures with half the squad — and the one we have framed at home is me with Gerrard and Carragher.“I sadly wasn’t able to get one with  Fernando Torres because he was injured. But it was a day I’ll never forget.”Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSO’Brien is a boyhood Liverpool and Stanley fanCredit: RexSaturday, whatever the outcome, will surely trump that memorable childhood moment.O’Brien — born and bred in Accrington — has always yearned to tread the Anfield turf and since his first visit to the iconic stadium, there has been one scenario playing through his head.Mo Salah calls out Jamie Carragher after Liverpool legend urged him to ‘take a leaf out of Virgil van Dijk’s book’He said: “The main thing is the fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone.”Everybody dreams about walking out and listening to it.“So knowing I’m going to be there as a player and hear it, that’s what I’m so excited about.“That song makes you dream. I’ve always felt it gives you extra motivation. You go home thinking about that song and how you want to be playing at Anfield.”O’BRIEN’S SUSPENSION SCAREBut O’Brien has been sweating over Christmas and New Year because his ambition of facing his idols was almost dashed by a three-match ban.He picked that up for an incident in a League Two game against Salford last month.The defender was caught on camera kicking out at opponent Kelly N’Mai off the ball — an incident missed by the officials — and he was retrospectively suspended by the FA for violent conduct.Then Stanley’s Boxing Day game at Tranmere was postponed because of fog and last Saturday’s trip to Colchester was also in doubt owing to freezing temperatures before the referee gave the match the go-ahead — much to O’Brien’s relief.He said: “There were four games to go before the Liverpool match, so when Tranmere was called off it only needed one more postponement for my suspension to carry into the FA Cup match.“I was praying Colchester would go ahead but was sweating because there was a strong rumour it was going to be called off.“It’s a huge lesson learnt. It was a silly mistake to do what I did and not something I want to repeat.”BREAKING THROUGHO’Brien has been with Accrington since the age of eight and captained the club’s Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup.Last season he broke into Stanley’s first team as well as being capped by Republic of Ireland Under-21s.The defender is also a childhood supporter of  Stanley as a local boy and used to watch from the terraces — listing his two favourite moments as Matty Pearson’s extra-time winner to knock then-Premier League Burnley out of the League Cup in 2016 and the promotion to League One in 2018.He said: “I was there all in my all-blue Accrington tracksuit and ran on to the pitch to celebrate.”Regarding his ‘other’ team, O’Brien rates Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019, when they beat Tottenham in the final, and their Premier League success in 2020 as his two standout moments.His all-time idol is Gerrard because he was a leader who would either “smash one in from 20 yards” when the team was losing or “would smash someone in the tackle before going on a powerful run”.Now, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are his two favourite players in the current line-up.If either of those two feature, he will be trying everything to nab one of their shirts at the end — although he knows he will have to be quick with the whole Stanley team keen, too.’WE WANT TO SEE VAN DIJK, SALAH AND ALL THEIR STARS’Asked who he would most like to face, he laughed:  “Whoever is their worst player!“Please don’t give me Luis Diaz, though.“Seriously, we want them to play their strongest team. We want to see Van Dijk, Salah and all their stars.“This was the tie we wanted when the draw was made. To be involved in a match at Anfield between the two clubs I love is unreal.”ARN-BELIEVABLEO’Brien has been bowled over by the job Arne Slot has done since replacing Jurgen Klopp as boss in the summer.He said: “I was one of the rare ones in our fanbase. I felt we needed that fresh start — a rebuild.“I didn’t know too much about Slot but, wow, he’s impressive.”The League Two minnows are a whopping 86 places below the Premier League leaders in the English football pecking order.But O’Brien has a prediction.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I reckon Liverpool will win the treble — not the Quad, obviously, because Accrington can knock them out of the FA Cup!“We’re not going there to roll over, we’re aiming to win. Why not dream?”O’Brien is hoping to make an impact at Anfield More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet Tamworth captain Ben Milnes, 33, as he looks to down Tottenham with brutal ice bin routine

      by

      TAMWORTH captain Ben Milnes will have ice in his veins when he leads the National League minnows out against mighty Tottenham tomorrow.Which is hardly surprising for anyone who witnessed his chilling post-training ritual on Thursday night.Lambs skipper Ben Milnes will be dreaming it’s freeze and easy for Tamworth against Premier League giants TottenhamMilnes says his icy encounter makes him feel warmer on the pitchCredit: Roland LeonAs temperatures plunged to -4C, Milnes finished training on the frost-covered pitch at Tamworth’s ground The Lamb — then plunged straight into a wheely-bin full of icy water to chill out for five minutes!And Milnes, 33, reckons it is a brrrrrilliant way to warm-up for the biggest game of his career as it helps his body’s recovery process.While Premier League Spurs have state-of-the-art cryotherapy chambers at their plush Hotspur Way training ground, Milnes had to make do with a more humble container and several bags of ice.As  the temperatures plunged after part-time Tamworth’s only training session of the week, Milnes told SunSport: “It makes it feel warmer when it’s this cold outside.READ MORE TOTTENHAM NEWS“I do it after every Thursday night training session before games.”Most people reckon that tiny Tamworth, who are 2,500-1 shots to win this year’s FA Cup, have snow chance of creating one of the biggest upsets of all time tomorrow.But the part-time Lambs will be going flat out to put on a show in the hope of making Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s blood run cold.Milnes goes into bat for Tamworth looking to hit their visitors for six and turn Aussie Ange Postecoglou’s FA Cup dream to “Ashes”.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBecause the midfielder could just as easily have been playing professional cricket instead of trying to make Spurs stumble on a sticky wicket. In fact, his cricket-playing brother will be at The Lamb roaring him on.Non-league clash suspended with players taken off pitch as advertising board sparks safety fearsThe Tamworth skipper said: “My younger brother Matt Milnes plays cricket for Yorkshire.“He played for England Lions a few years ago when they toured Australia.“He could have gone on to represent England but he’s had a few bad injuries over the last couple of years including a stress fracture of the back and hasn’t played much recently.”Milnes was also a big hit at cricket as a youngster and for a while it was touch and go which career path he would choose.He added: “My dad Mark played football and cricket and I played both when I was  younger too.“I played for Notts Academy and the Midlands age groups, so I was at a decent level.“But when I was around 14 or 15 I had to choose which route I wanted to go down and I chose football, while Matt chose cricket. Cricket is too slow for me. “Matt will be here for the game. He also came for our Boxing Day match against Forest Green. I go to watch him whenever I can, too.“One of the biggest games he’s played in was when they won the Twenty20 final with Kent a few years ago — but I was playing for Buxton at the time and missed it.Tamworth boss Andy Peaks hopes it’s all pointing to an upsetCredit: Roland Leon“I haven’t managed to get  to too many of his biggest games but the really big games are always on TV  so I am able to watch him most of the time.”Milnes — who runs a financial planning business with his wife — admits he is living the dream right now after bagging a hat-trick of footballing titles on the spin in the last 2½ years.He added: “I’ve won three in three which is not bad. “I won the Northern League Premier Division with Buxton, then joined Tamworth and won the Southern League Premier Division, then followed that up by winning the National League North.“I don’t think I’m going to keep that record going in the National League this year.“But it was always going to be pretty hard to beat three titles in three years.“If we stay up this year it will definitely feel like winning another title.“When you consider the teams we are coming  up against and their  facilities, budgets and players with league experience then it would feel very special.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But beating Spurs would feel like winning a hat-trick of titles all over again in 90 minutes!“Occasion-wise this is definitely the biggest game I’ve ever played — even though realistically it’s not the most important because the league really is our bread and butter.” More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ange Postecoglou opens up on playing on pitch covered in TOADS as Tottenham prepare to brave 3G Tamworth turf

      by

      ANGE POSTECOGLOU will bid to stop Tottenham’s FA Cup hopes croaking on Tamworth’s plastic 3G pitch on Sunday.But that is nothing compared to the surface the Aussie and his South Melbourne team once played on in Fiji — which was infested with TOADS.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou doesn’t worry about Tamworth’s plastic 3G pitchCredit: AlamyPostecoglou has had worse than Tamworth’s pitch ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup matchCredit: GettyIn 1999, Postecoglou’s Aussie side travelled to the Pacific Island for qualifiers ahead of the inaugural Club World Championship and found a ground littered with the amphibian critters.But they showed enough Kermit-ment to reach the finals  a year later and faced Treble-winners Manchester United in Brazil.Postefroglou . . .  sorry, Postecoglou recalled: “Warming up, there were toads which kept jumping on the pitch. At the time, you’re kind of going, ‘Really?’“But when you realise what was at stake — a fair bit of money and the opportunity to play at the Maracana against some of the best teams in the world — it was quite extraordinary.”Read More on FootballThat game 26 years ago was the Oceanic final of qualifying against local side Nadi at Prince Charles Park. South Melbourne won 5-1 and went on to play United, Vasco da Gama and Necaxa of Mexico.The gap between Postecoglou’s Melbourne team and United is similar to the 96 divisional spots between Tottenham and National League Tamworth.United won 2-0 but it was much tighter than had been expected.And the Aussie knows players can pull a ribbit out the hat for the biggest game of their lives.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPostecoglou, 59, added: “We were a semi-pro team playing at the Maracana against the great Manchester United. So there was a fair difference between us.“But qualifying for that tournament probably destroyed our domestic season because players didn’t want to risk getting injured.Ange Postecoglou proud of patched-up Tottenham’s win over Liverpool “We ended up losing but we gave a decent account of ourselves and some of my players, probably played the best game of their lives.“You know Tamworth have had a couple of defeats recently. It’s probably because their mind has been on this game.“What we’re going to face on Sunday is players hoping to play the best game of their lives.” More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Aston Villa 2 West Ham 1: Graham Potter delight turns to despair as Villans reach FA Cup fourth round with comeback win

      by

      MORGAN ROGERS ended Graham Potter’s hopes of a magical return to football management.The Aston Villa forward completed an impressive comeback after sub Amadou Onana had equalised five minutes earlier.Morgan Rogers shares his joy at completing a turnaround winCredit: GettyRogers pounced for the Villa winner on 76 minutesCredit: PAGraham Potter had a frustrating eveningCredit: GettyBut there was controversy about Onana’s goal – it came from a corner which should never have been given as it did not hit a West Ham players.Hammers’ players were at ref Tim Robinson who waved away their protests.Villa used the goal as a springboard to complete a third round victory.But it had all looked so different for new Hammers boss Potter after Lucas Paqueta had opened the scoring after nine minutes.READ MORE FOOTBALLWith Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on ITV 2 – and the ex-Brighton boss doing the business on ITV1 it looked like there was wizardy all round.But Villa had other ideas – and after an hour when the FA Cup looked low on their agenda his season, they conjured up a rousing finish on a night when they celebrated the 150th anniversary of their first game.They wore a one-off, commemorative all-black shirt – their original look before adopting the now familiar strip.But it was never going to be a claret and blue derby as West Ham chose white shirts.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAs opposed to the Harry Potter film, this was definitely a black and white movie – and Villa finished with flying colours, albeit with a stroke of luck courtesy of the officials.They also avoided an unwanted record.Where it went wrong for Julen Lopetegui at West HamThey went into the game knowing failure to win meant they would match the longest run of home defeats – non-league excepted –  in FA Cup history, with Rotherham having seven losses in a row between 2002 and 2007.That included defeats to Stevenage and Peterborough United.For a while, it looked like that would happen – but Potte’s new side could not see the game out.He clearly has work to do and the Hammers’ early product suggested they can be a more adventurous side.Potter returned after a 21-month absence from management – against the side who sent him packing from Chelsea.His last match there was a 2-0 home defeat to Villa.The fact that his first game in charge of West Ham was Villa away meant he had come full circle.But he was clearly keen for a new start, applauding the travelling fans as he emerged from the tunnel – and clapping every positive move from his new side.And Hammers showed their intentions inside 50 seconds when Paqueta went close from 20 yards out.Amadou Onana is mobbed after his match-turning equaliserCredit: RexLucas Paqueta drilled an early opener for West HamCredit: GettyBut it did not take long for Potter’s men to make their mark.They took the lead when a ball from the halfway line from Mohammed Kudus found Crysencio Summerville on the right.He picked out Pacqueta whose perfectly placed shot well-placed shot found the net for the Brazilian’s first goal in a month.Both sides then saw key players forced off injured.Niclas Fullkrug limped off to be replaced by ex-Villa striker Danny IngsVilla then lost Ross Barkley after 23 minutes and he was replaced by Onana.The game settled after that but a low Kudus shot was saved by Robin Olsen – in for the injured Emi Martinez.Villa offered little before the break, perhaps a hectic January schedule was on their minds.Unai Emery’s men face two Champions League games against Monaco and Celtic – as well as key Premier League matches.But that did not stop Hammers fans reminding Villa they won the Europa Conference League a year before Emery’s bid ended at the semi-final stage.They sang: “Champions League, you’re having a laugh”.For while, they could enjoy themselves instead of seeing their team ship goals against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.That was beforte Villa finally found their form,.Star midfielder Paqueta celebrates his breakthrough goalCredit: GettyUnai Emery’s side threatened at the start of the second half, but with no cutting edge.Too many of their important players were having an off-night – with mis-placed passes hindering their attempts to get back on level terms.But Villa began to step it up and Ian Maatsen’s shot flew towards goal as keeper Lukasz Fabianski was forced into a rare save with 22 minutes left.That lifted Villa and they levelled the tie through Onana after 70 minutes.Again Maatsen was involved and this time, Fabianski could not hold on to the Dutchman’s shot.The ball fell at the feet of Ollie Watkins – but it was Onana who poked the ball home from close range.Paqueta went down after getting tangled up with Ezri Konsa – but ref Robinson saw nothing wrong with that either as Hammers’ players pointed the error in awarding a corner in the first place.Suddenly Villa were in charge – and they took the lead after 76 minutes.Watkins broke clear on the left and found Rogers with a pinpoint cross that Villa forward tucked away for his of the seventh goal of the season.This was rampant stuff from Villa now and sub Jacob Ramsey shook the woodwork from 18 yards out.READ MORE SUN STORIES More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Prem ace arrested on pitch in front of shocked teammates on suspicion of making sex tape without consent

      by

      A PREMIER League footballer was arrested on his training pitch on suspicion of making a sex tape without consent.Shocked teammates looked on as the international star was led away at 11am for six hours of questioning.A Prem ace was dramatically nicked at his training groundCredit: GettyThe star was escorted from the pitch as they trained for this weekend’s FA Cup third round clashCredit: GettyCops later released the player with no further action due to insufficient evidenceCredit: GettyTwo phones were seized by cops, who examined them for footage and video recordings.Premier League stars thought it was a prank when their teammate was arrested on the pitch.A source said: “A lot of stars initially thought it was a prank when two uniformed officers strode on to the pitches during training. Everyone was in disbelief.“Players were open-mouthed. No one was sure what was going on.”Read more Sports NewsThe ace was later released with no further action.He returned to training yesterday and could play in his club’s FA Cup third round fixture this weekend.The Sun understands that cops acted after a woman accused the footballer of secretly filming their sex session despite her allegedly asking him not to.She told friends she felt violated and humiliated when he sent her packing moments after they’d romped in his bed.Most read in FootballShe said she had refused to record a sex tape, or take part in a threesome.Police said: “A man in his 20s was arrested at an address, on suspicion of voyeurism.“It was determined no further action would be taken due to insufficient evidence.”The club refused to comment.AGONY OF VICTIMSREALITY TV star Stephen Bear’s voyeurism court case highlighted the harm the offence can cause victims.The 34-year-old made at least £40,000 on OnlyFans by sharing a CCTV video of him having sex with Georgia Harrison. Bear was jailed for 21 months in 2023 after being found guilty of voyeurism and disclosing a private sexual film. The judge praised Georgia’s bravery and said she had suffered extensive humiliation and embarrassment.Last summer, former Spandau Ballet singer Ross Davidson, 36, of Aberdeen, was convicted of rape, with a court hearing he got a kick out of filming women. More

    • 175 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Plymouth announce Wayne Rooney successor as little-known Austrian boss, 42, is named new manager

      by

      PLYMOUTH have announced little-known Austrian Miron Muslic as successor to sacked boss Wayne Rooney.Muslic, 42, is taking over the Championship’s bottom side after he himself was AXED a month ago – by Belgian top-flight side Cercle Brugge.Miron Muslic arrives in the Championship after a month out of workWayne Rooney departed with Plymouth bottom of the second tierCredit: RexManchester United legend Rooney only arrived at Argyle in the summer but paid the price for an alarming dip in form following a mini-revival. And Plymouth unveiled his replacement on the eve of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round trip to Prem side Brentford.Muslic played for a string of Austrian clubs below the top level before becoming caretaker chief at the last of them, Ried, in the second tier.He then bossed Ried youths, Austrian 2 rivals Floridsdorfer and Ried’s first team in the same division, before Cercle pounced in September 2022.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe steered them away from relegation trouble for a sixth-placed finish but was sacked on December 2 last year.It followed a 3-2 loss against bottom side Beerschot after Cercle led 2-0.A statement from the Pilgrims read: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Miron Muslic as Argyle’s new Head Coach. Welcome to Argyle, Miron!”Plymouth appointed former England skipper Rooney, 39, despite his poor spell in charge of Birmingham. Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd after the ex-Derby boss was axed, Argyle chairman Simon Hallett denied his arrival had been a publicity stunt.Hallett told the club website: “Raising our profile was not one of the considerations in hiring Wayne Rooney.Rooney has bagged a new role for 2025 as house husband – after blowing the final whistle on his manager job with failing Plymouth Argyle”We thought that he would be able to help us win football matches. “During Wayne’s tenure as Head Coach, we saw glimpses of what was possible, but clearly both results and underlying performances were showing few signs of being at the level we need.”But Hallett added: “We thank Wayne for what he did achieve in his months at the Club. “He united the players, helped restore a positive attitude at the Club and won over the fans whose support had been tested for a few months in 2024. “His approachable nature and down to earth personality made him a popular figure and we will miss him.”Wayne Rooney’s record-breaking careerWAYNE Rooney took the football world by storm when he made his debut for 2002 with Everton.He quickly became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer aged 16 years and 342 days and was named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.The striker joined Manchester United in 2004 and spent 13 years at Old Trafford. He went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 253 goals. To this day he is still the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.Following his spell with United, Rooney returned to Everton for a season. He also spent one-season stints with D.C. United and Derby County at the end of his career.As well as his impressive club career, Rooney is also England’s second-highest goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, behind only Harry Kane.After hanging up his boots, the England icon turned to a career in management.He took charge of Derby County in 2020 and managed to just about save the club from relegation from the Championship at the end of his first season.However, with Derby handed a 21-point deduction the following campaign, he was unable to keep them up again and subsequently left.Then came a 15-month spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United. He failed to impress during his time in Washington and parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 regular season.Rooney was controversially handed the Birmingham job in October 2023, replacing John Eustace with the club doing well and sixth in the Championship table.However, in 15 games he suffered nine defeats and managed just two wins. He was sacked in January 2024 with Birmingham down in 20th. The club were relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.He returned to management in May with Plymouth Argyle but managed just five wins in 25 games. The United legend now finds himself out of work once again. More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Footballer saves side’s fairytale cup run by fixing broken floodlight – then gets brutally trolled by away fans

      by

      A FOOTBALLER saved his side’s fairytale cup run — by fixing a broken floodlight.Liam Smith, who works as an electrician, used his tool kit to help Sittingbourne FC get to the fifth round of the FA Trophy for the first time in their 140-year history.Footballer Liam Smith used his tool kit to help Sittingbourne FC get to the fifth round of the FA TrophySittingbourne FC defender Liam Smith fixed a broken floodlight at the team’s stadiumLiam’s electrical heroics sparked a dramatic victory for his teamThey were drawing 0-0 at home with favourites Salisbury when a corner of The Staxson Stadium in Kent was plunged into darkness at half-time.With the match in danger of being abandoned, Liam, 24, was urged by team-mates to fix the faulty floodlight.The defender said: “I went over to open the floodlight and saw something had gone wrong with the breakers and just had to put them back on.”Luckily I didn’t need many tools and had it working again within 15 minutes.READ MORE ON THE FA TROPHY”After a quick warm-up, we were ready to go for the second half.”I got a bit of stick from the away fans afterwards. They were chanting, ‘You’re better as a sparky’.”Liam’s electrical heroics sparked a dramatic giant-killing, with Sittingbourne winning 2-1 on Saturday.Vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram, 41, said it would have been a financial blow for the Isthmian League South East Division club if the game, which drew a crowd of 700, was called off.Most read in FootballHe said: “Liam is a new signing and did a great job to get the game back on after a half-hour delay.”Although he did cheekily say there would be an invoice coming and made sure I knew it was double rates on a Saturday.”Brackley Town staff and players run onto the pitch on full time and do the ‘Viking Clap’ with fans after winning the FA trophy at WembleyThe side now travel to Southend United in the next round on February 1. More