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    Virgil van Dijk issues fierce warning to Liverpool team-mates to avoid the ‘world sinking’ after disastrous week

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK warned Liverpool must “work our a**es” off to stop the “world sinking”.Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle ended a miserable week in which Arne Slot’s side were also dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.Virgil van Dijk sent a rallying call out to his Liverpool team-matesCredit: ReutersAlexander Isak struck for Newcastle in the finalCredit: GettyOusmane Dembele helped knock Liverpool out of the Champions LeagueCredit: GettySkipper Van Dijk wants the Reds to react with five straight wins that would likely see them secure the Prem title by beating Tottenham on April 27.He said: “We have to turn this around. If you lose twice in five days it feels like the world is sinking. Two weeks before, everything was sunshine and rainbows.“In the Champions League, we couldn’t get it done, we lost this final and we got knocked out of the FA Cup.“We have nine games to go and I don’t think there’s any motivation needed to try to get the job done. We have to work our a**es off.READ MORE IN football“But now everyone goes to their respective countries and will all play and hopefully stay fit.“We then have a couple of days to settle down and be ready for Everton at home.“If we win five games — obviously a very difficult job — we’ll be champions of England.“If you keep these things in your mind it also can benefit you to make sure you’re working hard.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I can guarantee you right now there will be so many difficult moments in all of those games.”Liverpool are 12 points clear of Arsenal. The Reds need 16 points to be sure but five wins should be enough due to their better goal difference.Ant & Dec scream with joy and Alan Shearer loses his hat as Geordies go wild after Newcastle win Carabao CupYet inconsistent Arsenal are likely to drop points in their next few games, meaning Arne Slot’s team — who last won the Premier League in 2020 — could wrap up the title even sooner.Van Dijk, whose team face rivals Everton on April 2, revealed how Slot tried to pick up his stars.Dutchman VVD added: “He said everyone should be disappointed by not winning the cup — but that there is a title to win and, when we come back, we have a big game.”The centre-back insisted that the Euro loss to PSG on penalties had nothing to do with Liverpool’s lacklustre Wembley display.He said: “No, I don’t think there was any impact from that. We gave it all, I don’t think PSG had anything to do with it.” More

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    How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool to win Carabao Cup final with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks

    NEWCASTLE fans have waited 70 years to see their club win silverware and finally the Toon Army have something to celebrate.Goals by Blyth-born Dan Burn and star striker Alexander Isak sunk Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup at Wembley.Eddie Howe outsmarted Arne Slot on set-piecesCredit: GettyNewcastle’s midfield three were crucial to the dominant performanceCredit: GettyNewcastle fully deserved victory and laid the blueprint for how to stop Arne Slot’s Reds and nullify goal machine Mo Salah.In the latest episode of SunSport’s Tactics Exposed, our expert DEAN SCOGGINS explains ‘Howe’ it was done…1. Burn Baby BurnA local lad scoring in a cup final is what dreams are made of.But this was masterminded by Howe and his coaches, shattering Liverpool’s zonal marking system.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey used Burn perfectly. Slot leaves five big lads in front of the six-yard box by the goalkeeper and then he sends the other players out to mark, like the smaller Alexis MacAllister.Newcastle floated the ball to Burn to isolate the man mountain against Mac AllisterSo Newcastle put Fabian Schar, Joelinton and big Burn in those positions to hit clipped, flat corners, letting them win aerial duels, while Bruno Guimaraes gets in the way of Liverpool’s big lads on the edge of the six-yard box.Liverpool defend like this a lot and it’s fantastic from Howe and Jason Tindall because they’ve taken Liverpool’s two best headers in Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk out of the picture as they can’t get to the ball.There’s this square in front of them that becomes Newcastle’s territory and it is all wrong for Slot.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDan Burn’s bullet header nestled into the bottom cornerCredit: RexOnce pushing trolleys at Asda, now in the England squad, what a week Burn has had.2. Isak leaves VVD in a spinIsak’s classic “go, stop, go” movement fooled Van Dijk. A burst of movement before holding back and going again to create a yard of space.Making it 2-0, it was Van Dijk’s mistake, he got caught under the ball and he knew it.The cross comes in from the left and the ball goes over both Isak and Van Dijk to Jacob Murphy.As the ball goes to winger, Isak does his movement to create himself three or four yards of space. Isak’s clever movement fooled Van DijkAs the ball goes over the Liverpool skipper’s head, his position is wrong. He gets himself into a situation where Isak can almost see his shirt number and he takes his eye off the Swede. Van Dijk should be in a position so when the ball drops to Isak, he can sprint out and close the ball down to, at the very worst, block the shot. Instead he is caught nowhere near the goalscorer.Van Dijk’s reaction said it allCredit: Rex3. Three midfield heroes First and foremost, they were the epitome of the Geordie nation, the Toon Army. Everything came through them.Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali – the blocks, the dual successes, the headers, the tackles and most importantly, they work together as a three.In the match, Tonali is the one who breaks out of the three to join Isak in the press. And then the other two are ready to pounce behind.It is man-for-man, but if it they get through the press, they work hard to retreat into a compact shape. Liverpool did not have control and their midfielder had no time on the ball – you’re looking around thinking, ‘as soon as I receive the ball here, I’m going to get smashed by one of these physical three’. It felt like three against one.The midfield’s pressing, physicality and desire was keyBut tactics aside, to implement a plan properly and have the levels of effort required is a credit to those three players.You can tell a team how to play and you can talk about tactics, but if the players don’t trust it and don’t commit to it, it’s not going to work.Newcastle won the midfield battle4. ‘Howe’ they broke LiverpoolEddie Howe take a bow, this was a blueprint of how to stop Liverpool – after PSG did a similar thing in the Champions League.Newcastle pressed with four or five players, forcing Liverpool to go long.The most important thing is the fifth player makes a good decision, because if he goes and there’s too many – that’s the press gone and you’re outnumbered in midfield and in front of the back four. Newcastle pressed aggressively and made Liverpool go longIn the coaching manual, we are told to make the pitch small when you’re defending and make the pitch big when you’re attacking. But what Newcastle do is throw that out the window and go, ‘we’re going to make it massive and force the keeper and defenders to go long’ into the space behind the press.Their man-for-man pressing system forced Liverpool into going direct and when they went long, those duels were won easily by Burn, Schar and Joelinton.The midfield made it chaotic and it was very, very difficult for the Reds to get out.Newcastle’s big lads won the aerial duels with ease5. Slow Mo – how Salah was stoppedIn Salah’s eight games at Wembley, he has scored in just one of them.Again, he was a shadow of his usual self at the home of English football and he touched the ball just once in the box versus the Magpies. Liverpool like to use Salah in the build-up, coming in off the sideline to receive passes into his feet that let him turn and dribble Liverpool up the pitch.But the Toon created a black and white wall around him by swarming as the balls were fired into him.Salah was surrounded by Newcastle stars in the build-up of Liverpool attacksThey stopped these passes being effective and every time he got the ball, he touched it backwards towards his own half.Liverpool could not isolate Salah one-vs-one against Tino Livramento, who is a good one-vs-one defender anyway, doing an outstanding job if the Egyptian King ever did have space to run into.Most of Salah’s touches came from chasing long balls over the top into the channel after Newcastle’s brilliant press.READ MORE SUN STORIESSalah had a frustrating afternoon and could not get touches in dangerous areasNewcastle had the effort and application to make this a perfect final performance and make their fans’ dreams come true.Liverpool are 12 points ahead and have won the Premier League – but their route to the title would not be so simple if Howe laid out this masterplan earlier in the season. 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    ‘Unique location’ – Man Utd announce major change to Old Trafford from next season as they ramp up ticket prices

    MANCHESTER UNITED have announced a major change to Old Trafford that will see fans forced out of their seats.The Old Trafford club announced on Monday that season ticket prices would increase again, though the cost for U16s would be frozen.Man Utd announced a host of changes on MondayCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe promised further ticket price hikes would comeCredit: GettyIn a further blow to supporters, however, the announcement confirmed fans with season tickets right behind the dugouts at Old Trafford will have to move to make way for a VIP hospitality area.Chelsea have introduced a similar policy at Stamford Bridge, with fans paying a minimum of £6,000 per ticket for the privilege.The club confirmed: “Some of the general admission tickets directly adjacent to the home and away dugouts will be converted to hospitality seats, reflecting the high value of this unique location.”We appreciate the disruption this will cause those fans who currently sit there and we will be contacting them individually to ensure a suitable alternative seat is found.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThese prize seats, offering some of the best seats in the house at Old Trafford, regularly housed 90s cult hero Angus ‘Statto’ Loughran.The statistician shot to fame on BBC Two show Fantasy Football League in the 1990s.Renowned for wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas as he provided facts and figures on guests’ fantasy football team, Statto quickly became a fan favourite.A Man Utd season ticket holder and close friend or Sir Alex Ferguson, he could frequently be spotted chatting with the legendary Man Utd boss during his time in charge.Most read in FootballAngus ‘Statto’ Loughran, in glasses and black coat, sits above Sir Alex Ferguson in the Man Utd dugoutCredit: Getty’Statto’ in the the stands behind then-Man Utd manager Louis van GaalCredit: PADavid Baddiel, Frank Skinner and ‘Statto’Credit: GettyIntroducing these new hospitality seats was one of a number of changes announced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime on Monday, alongside the confirmation that ticket prices would increase by five per cent for a third consecutive year.The price rise comes despite the Manchester United Supporters Trust [MUST] calling for him to NOT ramp prices up any further.Ayden Heaven injury update with Man Utd ace ‘unable to explain how he’s feeling’ as he is seen with foot in braceThe rise in prices has prompted a wave of protests in recent weeks, with thousands taking to the streets earlier this month to march against the way the club is “slowly dying before our eyes”.Chief executive Omar Berrada said on Monday: “We understand that any price rise is unwelcome, especially during a period of underperformance on the pitch, and we listened carefully to the strong arguments put forward by the FAB [Fan Advisory Board] in favour of a freeze.”However, the club has decided that it would not be right to keep prices unchanged while costs rise and the club continues to face financial issues.”Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been forced to drastically cut costs since completing a £1.3billion takeover, and said just last week that the club would have run out of money “by Christmas” without him pumping money into the club and cutting costs too. More

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    Real Madrid to step up Dean Huijsen transfer pursuit as Bournemouth star, 19, promoted to Spain’s senior squad

    REAL MADRID will step up their ploy to land Dean Huijsen this summer after the Bournemouth defender was promoted to Spain’s senior squad.Teenager Huijsen got his first call up because of injury to Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez.Real Madrid will step up their ploy to land Dean Huijsen this summerCredit: GettySpain face the Netherlands away on Thursday then at home in Valencia on Sunday in the Nations League quarter finals.The reigning European champions have been monitoring the Amsterdam-born centre back’s progress with Bournemouth closely this season.But scouts will use the next few days to get an even closer look at the player who has enjoyed a brilliant debut season in the Premier League.Huijsen, 19, only cost Bournemouth £15million from Italians Juventus last summer.READ MORE IN football He has played a key role in the club’s impressive results this season which has pushed the club to the fringes of European qualification from the Premier League.He scored his first Premier League goal on December 5 against Tottenham then hit the target again 17 days later against Manchester United.United are also tracking Huijsen with a view to a summer swoop. Bournemouth sit tenth in the league having lost 2-1 to Brentford on Saturday. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe player opted to play for Spain after leaving the Netherlands and relocating to Marbella when he was five.Huijsen played for Holland from Under 16-19 level and has seven U-21 appearances for Spain.He was due to play for Spain’s U-21s against the Czech Republic this Friday.How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks More

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    Champions League superstar, 22, turns up at Wembley to support Newcastle ace Tino Livramento

    NEWCASTLE found themselves a shock new fan at Wembley as a Champions League superstar turned up to support the club.Eddie Howe’s men ran out shock 2-1 winners over runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool to claim a first domestic trophy in 70 years.Jamal Musiala posted a picture of himself travelling to Wembley with Burnley’s CJ Egan-RileyCredit: Instagram @jamalmusiala10The Bayern Munich star revealed he was there to watch Newcastle’s Valentino LivramentoCredit: Instagram @jamalmusiala10Musiala is still in with a chance of winning a Champions League and Bundesliga double with Bayern this seasonCredit: AlamyLivramento helped Newcastle to a first domestic trophy in 70 yearsCredit: GettyAnd enjoying the Magpies’ success in the Wembley stands was Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala.The Germany international posted a picture of himself travelling to Wembley with Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley.And he was quick not to get Newcastle fans’ hopes of a bombshell transfer up, as he made clear on Instagram that he was there to watch one player in particular.Musiala tagged full-back Tino Livramento in a second Instagram post of himself watching the final at Wembley stadium.READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWSThe pair became close friends during eight years together in the Chelsea academy.And Blues fans may well be wondering what might have been if the club had retained the players.Musiala left Chelsea in 2019 at the age of just 16, as he joined Bayern Munich.And Livramento joined Southampton in 2021 in a £5m deal after failing to agree a new contract with the West Londoners.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBoth men also played for England U21s, though Musiala made just two appearances in 2020 before being picked for the Germany senior team.Winger Musiala was not the only player representing another club who went to support Newcastle in the huge Wembley final.Fans think the Wealdstone Raider is a time traveller after his incredible Newcastle Carabao Cup prediction goes viral Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson rocked up in a Newcastle scarf and was even applauded by the players as he watched them lift the trophy with the Toon faithful.Newcastle reluctantly allowed Whitley Bay-born Anderson to join Nuno’s Forest side in a £35m deal in order to ease spending constraints caused by PSR rules.Tino Livramento lifts the Carabao Cup trophyCredit: Getty More

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    Luis Diaz’s Liverpool future in doubt with ‘concrete possibility’ winger leaves after Barcelona join transfer race

    LIVERPOOL star Luis Diaz could leave Anfield at the end of the season amid interest from Barcelona, according to reports.The Colombian winger was on the radar of the Catalan giants last summer.Barcelona are set to reignite their interest in Luis Diaz this summerCredit: GettyBarcelona could not strike a deal due to financial constraints while Liverpool demanded £75million.But reporter Fabrizio Romano claims it is “concrete possibility” that Diaz is shown the exit door soon.The 28-year-old’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2027, but Liverpool could cash-in to stop the player running down his deal.Romano expects Barcelona to come back in for him as he is “appreciated” by their transfer chiefs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he reports again that the club’s finances could prove a major stumbling block.Barca have competition from Saudi Arabian sides who will have few challenges finding enough cash.But they are also keen on persuading his Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez to the Middle East.It also alleged that there was “genuine interest” in Diaz from Manchester City a year ago.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSLiverpool are set for a busy summer with Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah seeing their contracts expire.Arne Slot’s side are said to be desperate to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards walk off CBS Sports set after Liverpool hero Alisson’s post-match interviewSunSport exclusively revealed that the Cherries are, meanwhile, confident of signing Caoimhin Kelleher.Liverpool chiefs have also reportedly made contact with Alexander Isak’s representatives ahead of a possible bid.But Newcastle remain adamant that their Carabao Cup final hero will remain on Tyneside and will discuss an improved contract this summer.Carabao Cup final ratingsNEWCASTLE ended their 70-year trophy drought in style by beating Premier League champions-elect Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Reds in truth, with Eddie Howe’s Toon having produced a sensational performance to flatten runaway league leaders.Local lad Dan Burn, fresh off his first England call-up, rose highest to head his boyhood club into the lead on the stroke of half-time.Alexander Isak then deservedly doubled Newcastle’s lead shortly after the break.The Toon could have further increased their advantage, only for forgotten man Federico Chiesa to hand Liverpool a late lifeline on 94 minutes.But that goal was unable to spur a further comeback as Newcastle saw out the remaining added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players and Gary Stonehouse rated the Newcastle players. More

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    Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-header

    THOMAS TUCHEL shared a hug with England newbies Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly as the stars arrived at St George’s Park.Tuchel – who famously led Chelsea to the Champions League in 2021 – prepares for his first two Three Lions games in charge. Thomas Tuchel hugs Jordan Henderson as Dan Burn laughsCredit: GettyTuchel greets Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyMyles Lewis-Skelly hugs Aston Villa’s Morgan RogersCredit: GettyBellingham also embraces Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyEngland play Albania on Friday and Latvia next Monday – both at Wembley – in World Cup qualifying matches. And the players beamed as they reported to training for life under their new boss. Newcastle’s Burn – who was no doubt still on cloud nine after heading home in the historic League Cup final win over Liverpool – and Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly were greeted with big hugs by Tuchel.The defensive pair are in line for senior debuts in what could be a new-look England backline. READ MORE IN football There was also old faces in Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford – both left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad last summer. Rashford is without a goal since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United but he has four assists to his name. His last England cap came off the bench against Brazil in a March 2024 friendly – which ended in a 1-0 loss. Henderson – who has captained Ajax this season – has not played internationally since November 2023. Most read in FootballCaptain Harry Kane reports to trainingCredit: GettyBellingham flew in from Spain for international dutyCredit: GettyMorgan Gibbs-White got a late call upCredit: GettyKeeper James Trafford made the squadCredit: GettyLewis-Skelly looked stylish on his way inCredit: GettyJordan Henderson rocked an all-grey tracksuitCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe former Sunderland midfielder was seen sharing a laugh with Newcastle’s Burn. And Tuchel previously said: “I truly believe that Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson have every chance to be with us at the World Cup.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-up”Football in general and maybe even more international football is about team spirit, it is about building a team that loves to play with each other, that transports the spirit to the fans, the nation and the country.“It is about building a brotherhood so we cannot only do it with young players and we cannot only do with experienced players. “It has to be a good balance and a good mix in my opinion and that’s what we’re trying to do. “Without doubt, players like Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson bring something to a group from leadership and devotion and being humble and from setting the standards and taking care about the respect in the group. “I am surprised that Dan was never called up. He is such a tall guy but obviously it is easy to overlook him.”Eyebrows were initially raised when Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was left out by Tuchel. But Gibbs-White joined up with the squad in place of injured Chelsea star Cole Palmer – with the Forest man twice capped at senior level already. READ MORE SUN STORIESChelsea captain James – not capped by England since 2023 – reunited with ex-Blues boss Tuchel after making a return to club competition.The human tuchENGLAND’S new boss Thomas Tuchel has announced his first squad – to mixed reaction.Reece James, with his old Chelsea coach Anthony Barry, was also named by old Chelsea boss TuchelCredit: GettyBurn is ready for his first England capCredit: GettyBurn and skipper KaneCredit: Getty More

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    I’m a barmaid at a Premier League club where staff romp in store room at half-time – here’s why I’d never date a player

    OUR barmaid has worked for a top Premier League football club for seven years – and in that time she’s seen it all. She’s met countless footballers, broken up fights, seen colleagues have sex in a storeroom mid-game and been snubbed by stuck-up Wags.Our barmaid has been pulling pints at a Premiership ground for seven years (stock photo)Some football fans can be great fun at the bar… but not all of them (stock photo)But the 31-year-old loves the job and says the club workers are like a family.Here, she reveals the best place to work and the easiest way to bag yourself a football star lover… if you really want one.’Terrible’ sex with starI wouldn’t touch a footballer with a barge pole. They’re so arrogant and rude and seem to think they’re better than anyone else – I’m yet to meet a nice one.Mind you, I should have known that from the start.Before I worked here I met a footballer in a bar and ended up having sex with him down an alleyway.It was not an impressive experience…..it was terrible sex, as if he was doing me a favour.The Wags are even ruder than their boyfriends.They sit there with their handbags and perfectly manicured nails and treat everyone who works at the club as if they’re something disgusting that they’ve trodden in.But it’s weird because as soon as footballers have retired they turn back into decent people.Football player gets ‘smacked by wife’ during warm up ‘after cheating on her’The ex-footballers often come to the bar where I work – the posh one – and they’re really friendly to all the fans.They never mind doing selfies and having a chat – I think they come for a bit of an ego boost as they’re still hero-worshipped by the supporters.And though I rarely saw a current player drinking, the retired ones often drink like fish!One of them gave me a Christmas card with £100 worth of vouchers.He wasn’t after sex – he was just being generous.But some of the bar staff working here are still desperate to bag a footballer and spend hours getting ready before work.I’ve known a couple of girls get with players but it never lasts… and honestly if that’s what you really want to do, you’re better off in a city centre night club.Bagging a Premier League star is the dream for someOur barmaid says some stuck-up Wags can treat staff appallingly (stock photo)Looking to score When I saw the job advertised for match day staff I leapt at the chance – firstly because I’m a huge football fan and also because I thought it would be the perfect place to find a man.It’s easy to give favoured customers a free pint – you’re serving so many customers, it’s really hard for anyone to keep track.I ended up having a year-long relationship with one man and several flings both with customers and other bar staff.There’s a storage room with tables and chairs in it, deep under one of the stands, it’s a well-known venue to have a quickie in. We put a team scarf on the door to show it’s occupied!A lot of bar staff end up having relationships with each other, after all it’s mostly young people working here – at 31, I’m one of the oldest.There’s a storage room with tables and chairs in it, deep under one of the stands, it’s a well-known venue to have a quickie in. We put a team scarf on the door to show it’s occupied!I’m married now so there’s none of that any more. I actually met my husband on Plenty of Fish, but he’s a huge football fan and enjoys coming along to matches and propping up the bar while I sneak him a few free pints.Staff often sneak off to the store room for a romp during games (stock photo)Home or away?I’d advise anyone looking for a job at a football stadium to firmly state you’d rather work in the “home stands”.You get to know people as they’re often season ticket holders and come to every match.But in the “away” team side people are mostly there for a “day out” in a different city, so they will start drinking on the journey to the stadium and are rowdier.In general, facilities for away team fans are poor and the stewards and police are more heavy-handed.I think it’s a mistake, it sets up an aggressive atmosphere – if they feel they aren’t being treated well then they’re more likely to behave badly.I think being nice and appreciating all the fans would lead to better behaviour.I have noticed recently that clubs are doing more, like giving away fans free cakes and coffee – it’s a good idea.Red card for rude customersI don’t get riled by much. When I was at university in Glasgow I worked in a pub and I’d get men refusing to be served by an English woman. It didn’t annoy me, I’d just think they were the ones losing out as it would take longer to get served.I’m local to the football club, so my accent here isn’t an issue – but I have had men refusing to be served by a woman.I find it crazy that men are so chauvinistic, but if they want to wait it’s no skin off my nose.It does get incredibly busy at half time and people get really impatient, particularly if you need to change the barrel.The one thing that bothers me above all else is when someone starts clicking their fingers at you.If someone does then I completely ignore them – it’s the worst way to try to get served quickly.At the end of the day I’ve got what they want, so they should be polite. If someone is I remember them and “notice” them waiting in line and serve them quickly.If I’m honest, if the bloke is good looking I’m quick to serve them too, even though I’m a happily-married woman with a three-year-old daughter!Stewards are quick to step in if there’s any tension (stock image)Full time at the barI’ve refused to serve people on a regular basis – you can always tell when you need to call time on someone.I’ve grown up around football so I don’t get very intimidated by the men I see and I’m more than happy to tell them they’ve had enough.As soon as someone’s slurring heavily, aggressive or struggling to stay standing I stop serving.I’ve also been known to quietly give someone alcohol-free beer – they never notice!We’re lucky that our stewards are very co-operative and will always defend the bar staff, they’re very protective of us female staff. And I always smile – it’s much harder to be rude to someone who’s being polite to you.Football fans love throwing beer at each other – with no booze allowed in stands now (file image)Cocaine is rife at the club where our barmaid works (stock image)Drug cheatsHaving said I’m not intimidated, there has been a noticeable increase in young men – under 25 – taking cocaine at the football.It’s rife at our club, and worrying. It makes them far more aggressive and out of control. You can tell by their eyes if they’ve been indulging.It worries me as it makes them more unpredictable than just being drunk – they get worked up very quickly.I do love seeing the famous faces too – we get loads of reality TV stars, but also the odd pop star and actor, which still causes a ripple of excitement in the standsThey seem to be looking for fights and people to pick on – it’s a shame, it makes it a different atmosphere. I’ve seen fights break out between them, on occasion I’ve just spoken sharply and told them to pack it in, but other times the stewards have had to step in.We do have the odd drink when we’re serving – it’s thirsty work – but I’ve never seen any of the bar staff get actually drunk or take drugs.Here for the beerThere’s a ban on drinking at your seats which has been in place for years and I agree with, because people used to chuck beer at each other and no one wants to leave a match soaking wet.Generally speaking you have a steady trickle of customers at the beginning of the match, then at half time it goes absolutely bonkers.What I find weird is when people come to the football and then spend the whole time by the bar, watching it on the screens.It’s not as though the beer is cheap or it’s particularly comfortable. I guess they’re soaking up the atmosphere, but it seems like such a waste of money.Some men seem to prefer spending the whole match at the bar (stock image)Football and beer can be a great combo…. up to a point (stock image)Family gamesGenerally speaking, the bar staff get on really well with each other and we go out partying after some of the matches.There’s three generations of one family all working at our club – the granny works in catering – pies are the fan’s favourite – the mum is a bar supervisor and her son works in the bar.You get to know each other and some of the fans really well and it’s friendly – like being in your local pub and enjoying seeing the regulars.But I do love seeing the famous faces too – we get loads of reality TV stars, but also the odd pop star and actor, which still causes a ripple of excitement in the stands!Staff at the huge northern club our barmaid works at love to go out and party together (stock image) More