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    I’ve tried for the last three years to join Wrexham but I think my surname will stop me, admits ex-Premier League star

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    FORMER Premier League ace James Chester revealed he tried to sign for Wrexham three times but suggested he got knocked back because of his SURNAME.Chester, 35, appears to have been lured by the Red Dragons’ rise under Hollywood celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in the last four years.James Chester tried to sign for Wrexham three times but got knocked back because of his surnameCredit: GettyChester is impressed by Wrexham’s rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyCredit: GettyThe centre-back, who currently plays for Salford in League Two, seems keen to add his Premier League and international experience to the League One outfit.The-ex Wales international played for Hull, West Brom and Aston Villa in the English top flight and helped his nation make the Euro 2016 semi-finals.However, he suggested a move to Wrexham may never happen due to having the same surname as the club’s most hated rivals CHESTER FC.The Welshman got that impression when he visited the Racecourse with former club Barrow last season as he claims he received immense stick from the home fans.Read More on FootballChester told BBC’s Feast of Football podcast: “The last time I was here last season, I expected that with the Welsh connection I might get a reasonable reception.“But I think because of the name on the back of my shirt, I got more abuse than I did any niceties. “I got a bit of stick along the lines of my name and being on the pitch in Wrexham.”When asked if he ever wanted to sign for the Red Dragons, Chester added: “I’ve tried for the last three seasons.”Most read in FootballThe centre-half started out at Manchester United’s academy but only made one senior appearance in 2009.United loaned him out to the likes of Peterborough, Plymouth and Carlisle.Major A-list celebs Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney expand Wrexham empire with new breweryAfter playing for Hull, West Brom and Villa he had a brief stint with Stoke and Derby.He then moved down the divisions, first signing for Barrow and then Salford. More

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      Kim Kardashian and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson tipped for shock EFL club takeovers after Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham revolution

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      KIM KARDASHIAN and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson have been tipped to complete an EFL club takeover.American investment in English football has exploded in recent years, with 14 Premier League clubs majority owned by US firms.The Rock has been tipped to make an investment in an EFL clubCredit: The Mega AgencyKim Kardashian could also be keen to get involvedCredit: GettyRob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have paved the way for celebrity investorsCredit: PAA$AP Rocky has been linked with a purchase of Tranmere RoversCredit: GettyIt is a similar case in the EFL with a third of owners American, while there has also been an increase in celebrity involvement.Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sparked the drive with their takeover of Wrexham and the subsequent release of Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.More recently NFL legend Tom Brady has become involved as an investor in Birmingham City, with another American Football star JJ Watt purchasing a stake in Burnley.Superstar rapper A$AP Rocky was even linked to a takeover of Tranmere, and football investment expert Adam Sommerfeld believes it is only a matter of time before some bigger names get involved.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe told the BBC’s Monday Night Club: “A lot of these guys (celebs) will see them (clubs) as media assets because of the drama they produce.”To try and replicate that in another area, lets say film content, is very difficult.”The shoulder programming that comes with these things, the documentaries, opens them up to sponsors, to investors, to brand collaborators.”There’s an argument it will become saturated quite quickly, perhaps it already has been. [Tom] Brady, JJ Watt at Burnley.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Now it becomes about almost how can you take it up a level. Who’s going to get The Rock, god forbid who’s going to get a KIm Kardashian.”Sommerfeld also predicted all English clubs will be owned or part-owned by American investors in the next five to ten years, with “every team” in the EFL already in talks with US investors.Ryan Reynolds tells Liverpool star Mo Salah to ‘think about’ stunning Wrexham transfer in brilliant video More

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      Bradford star has weekend to forget with worst throw-in EVER before being forced to leave pitch after shoulder pops out

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      LEWIS RICHARDS had a match to forget as Bradford played out a draw with Colchester in League Two.The wing-back left fans in stitches when he somehow FELL OVER while trying to take a throw-in in just the 3rd minute of the match.Lewis Richards suffered a horror game against ColchesterCredit: X @SkyBetLeagueTwoHe stacked it when trying to take a throw in the 3rd minuteCredit: X @SkyBetLeagueTwoRichards, 23, lined up his throw, but as he was about to release the ball, his legs buckled, and he fell to the floor.Luckily, he had a good sense of humour about the moment as he could be seen smiling as he went to pick up the ball and try again.Fans spotted the moment as a video soon went viral on social media.One posted: “At least Lewis saw the funny side of it.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA second added: “Gotta laugh sometimes.”A third commented: “This is what happens when you are caught in two minds.”A fourth joked: “Sniper.”Another added: “Hasn’t even fallen, just got on his knees and rolled over.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRichards’ day went from bad to worse as he was booked for time-wasting in the 78th minute when Bradford was 1-0 up.Andy Cook gave the Bantams the lead in the 30th minute with his side’s only shot on target in the game.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersRichards was also booked and suffered an injury in the matchCredit: RexThe defender then suffered a game-ending injury as he was went down in the 83rd minute in a “considerable amount of pain”.His left shoulder popped out and he required oxygen when in the dressing room to help deal with the pain.The injury has ruled him out of Bradford’s EFL Trophy clash against Rotherham on Tuesday.To make matters worse for Richards, he had to watch on as Colchester scored a 90+9 minute equaliser to deny Bradford the victory.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Ian Holloway fears Swindon’s scary form is down to ‘haunted’ training ground as he asks ‘witch’ wife to ‘cleanse’ it

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      SPOOKED former Premier League boss Ian Holloway claims Swindon Town’s training ground is “haunted”.The 61-year-old jumped at the chance to take over the League Two side last month.Ian Holloway has blamed the club’s latest injury on ghostsCredit: RexSwindon’s supposedly spooky training groundHolloway’s positive spirit has seen Swindon rise from the brink of EFL death, with their ghastly form improving since the arrival of the former QPR, Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager.He has overseen two wins, a draw and a loss amid the Robins rocking in relegation terror as they sit 22nd in the table.A frightened Holloway has blamed their poor start to the season on Swindon’s cursed training ground as “some strange things have been happening”.The veteran boss is now ready to go to drastic lengths to scare off the ghosts after doomed captain Ollie Clarke ruptured an ankle tendon during a session last week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing their 2-2 draw against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Holloway told the BBC: “I’m going to try and cleanse the training ground area because people are telling me it’s haunted.”There’s a graveyard somewhere near. Honestly, I’m not joking.”I think our training ground is very close to an ancient burial site.”I’m going to get my wife to come up and say sorry to all these people and hopefully we’ll have a bit more luck.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Swindon’s first goal had an element of fortune about it as something possessed Accrington’s ‘ghoulie’ to charge off his line and leave an empty net for Harry Smith to head in to.Holloway’s “witch” wife Kim is now set to come to the training ground, or perhaps haunted house, this week with “sage” to end the jinx.’I was a zebra, Shane Duffy was Goldilocks’ – Norwich City star Kellen Fisher on wild Xmas partys, dinner with Delia and team-mates getting eggedHe has previously claimed his dad contacted him from the dead by changing the car dials on his car.Holloway says a ghost turned up while a Mariah Carey song played on the radio and a light came into his vehicle to leave him “shaking”.He explained: “The song was on and ‘shining down on me from Heaven’ got louder and louder and louder until it was completely top notch.“I saw it go from 10 up to about 35 and it was deafening. The minute the song finished that went right back down to normal.”I thought, ‘Has that really happened or what? Or is that me wishing that?’ Do you get what I mean? And I swear he came and showed me that, ‘Don’t worry son, you’ll be fine.’ Right?“Now, I would never have believed that, I wouldn’t have thought for one minute that he would have ever have done that because he said it was all a load of garbage.“So the truth is, I don’t know. And did I feel it? Did I want to feel it? Was it really there? I cannot honestly tell you. But I swear to you, I saw the dial move on its own.”Back in his playing days, he scored in his first game after his dad’s death and he felt him “in his boots” that day.READ MORE SUN STORIESHolloway is not the only manager to tackle a team’s spirit.Ex-Birmingham boss Barry Fry urinated in all four corners of the St Andrews pitch – running from corner to corner mid-flow – to ward off a curse he had heard about.Ian Holloway is trying to save Swindon from relegationCredit: Getty More

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      Walsall kit man and pitch-side announcer charged by FA for ‘acting in an improper manner’

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      WALSALL kitman Dave Joyce and pitch-side announcer Simon Hill have both been charged with misconduct by the FA.The pair allegedly acted in an “improper manner” in stoppage time during Walsall’s 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra in League Two on Saturday.A kitman and pitch-side announcer at Walsall have been charged by the FACredit: RexThe charges relate to an incident during the Saddlers’ League Two match against Crewe on SaturdayCredit: RexWith both sides pushing for a winner, a stoppage-time scuffle broke out when staff refused to give the ball back after it went out of play.Walsall kitman Joyce was sent off by referee Stephen Parkinson for the touchline melee.The ref then turned to book Crewe boss Lee Bell and Saddlers defender Liam Gordon.An FA statement read: “It’s alleged that David Joyce and Simon Hill acted in an improper manner around the 98th minute, and both of them have until November 18 to respond.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSOmar Bogle opened the scoring for Crewe in the 66th minute when he crept in behind the Walsall defence to slot past Tommy Simkin.The home side equalised through Nathan Lowe with five minutes of normal time remaining before tempers flared in the closing stages.Tensions arose as both sides are pushing for promotion to League One, with Walsall sitting second and Crewe inside the play-off places.Mat Sadler’s side are three points adrift of league leaders Port Vale, but do have a game in hand.Most read in EFLA scuffle broke out at the end of Walsall’s 1-1 draw with CreweCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWalsall will not be in action this weekend, though, after their home clash with Gillingham was postponed due to international call-ups.Meanwhile, Crewe are back in action on Saturday as they host a huge clash against Notts County, who currently sit third.Both teams are vying for promotion to League OneCredit: RexOmar Bogle opened the scoring for the visitors inside 66 minutesCredit: RexNathan Lowe equalised for Walsall before carnage broke outCredit: Rex More

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      Ex-Sunderland hero desperate for Harrogate to down Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham and seal star FA Cup dream

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      PAUL THIRLWELL almost helped his boyhood club reach the FA Cup Final – now he is desperate for one of his Harrogate Town players to secure their own fairytale.The 45-year-old grew up following Sunderland home and away alongside his parents and brother, which included a trip to Wembley for their 1992 final defeat to Liverpool.Paul Thirlwell, left, played for Sunderland against Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup semi-finalCredit: AlamyThe ex-Premier League midfielder is hoping for some cup joy on Sunday with Harrogate TownCredit: X @HarrogateTownThirlwell then burst on the scene aged 20 as the Black Cats thumped Chelsea, who included stars like Marcel Desailly and Gianfranco Zola, 4-1 in the Premier League in 1999.But it would be a midfielder he came up against that day that would help inflict FA Cup heartbreak on him four seasons later when player-manager Dennis Wise guided Millwall to a 1-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford in the semi.Thirlwell told Sun Sport: “We’ll probably never get a better chance to get to the final with it being two Championship teams at the time. Unfortunately it didn’t go our way but it was a great experience. It’s just a shame we got done as we’d have faced Man United.“I’d played against him [Wise] before on my debut but everyone knows what he was like, tenacious and knowing all the dark arts.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“But Millwall had some good players like him, Tim Cahill who scored on the day and went on to have an unbelievable career, Danny Dichio, but they also had that edge that made them so tough to play against.“Of course you want to win, but when you look back and think that you played in a semi-final then you appreciate now that it is quite a big achievement.”These days Thirlwell is assistant manager to Simon Weaver at League Two Harrogate Town, a club he finished his playing career at after spells with Sheffield United, Derby and Carlisle.“I moved to Wetherby and was totally unaware that it was next to one of the club’s directors. “He maybe spoke to the gaffer and then mentioned me and after a chat we hit it off straight away.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I didn’t just want to go anywhere as a player as I’d dipped my foot into the coaching so I wanted a bit of both.“I got involved with coaching the U21s here and then we went full-time and the opportunity arose to become assistant manager and wow, here we are still here nearly a decade later.”Major A-list celebs Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney expand Wrexham empire with new breweryDuring that time they have climbed from non-league into the EFL and enjoyed FA Trophy joy in 2020.But as they prepare to host Hollywood-owned Wrexham, who are pushing for League One promotion, Thirlwell says that he is desperate for long-serving star Warren Burrell, 34, to get his big FA Cup moment this year.He said: “You’d probably have to speak to some of the younger lads now but I think definitely for people of my era that the cup still has the magic.“I keep trying to tell our lads, who are all Arsenal, United, Spurs supporters, that we have to get Warren, who is a huge Liverpool fan, to Anfield. It’s one of those places that he’ll never play at unless it comes in the cup, so just things like that make the cup massive for me.”Harrogate’s long-serving defender Warren Burrell would love a trip to AnfieldCredit: RexAnd Thirlwell, who admitted the game being televised adds an “extra edge”, says the whole club from top to bottom want to put on a show against the big-spending Welsh side owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.“When you get a big club at home in the early rounds then you are hoping that it gets on the tele and as it happens we have,” Thirlwell said.“And I do think it helps, not that anybody tries harder, but it does give you an extra edge when you know it’s on TV.“But everyone at the club wants to get everything right on the day as you are showcasing the whole club.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “We are one of, if not the, smallest club in the Football League but we have a go on and off the pitch as best we can.“We are realistic to the point that usually bigger clubs do win these games but we are going into it with optimism and want to cause an upset. Someone will this year so why not us?”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Watch former Premier League bad-boy Nile Ranger’s dramatic extra-time winner as seventh-tier Kettering stun Northampton

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      NILE RANGER headed the extra-time winner as seventh-tier Kettering stunned League One Northampton to make the FA Cup second round.Ranger, 33, once pocketed £10,000-a-week and says he could have been as good as Erling Haaland – but instead ended up unemployed after stints in jail.Nile Ranger headed in against Northampton Town in the FA CupCredit: bbcHis goal gave Kettering Town a huge upset in the historic competitionCredit: bbcHe was handed a career lifeline by Southern League Premier Central side Kettering last month.And he made an instant impact with a towering header to stun their more illustrious local rivals.Cobblers star Connor Johnson had netted in the first-half own goal to hand Kettering the lead before Luca Miller levelled to send the game to extra time.Thrilled Ranger said: “It’s special, especially where we’re coming from.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Obviously our tier of football is quite low, so coming to Northampton, it’s a derby as well. Look what it means to the fans. It’s a lot.”I’m trying to be humble. I’m getting old now.”Obviously, I went down a level to show everyone I’m still hungry. It feels good for myself as well.”Ranger rose highest to head home the winner in the 92nd minute at the Sixfields Stadium.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe is not the only former Premier League star at Kettering with Gary Hooper and Marvin Sordell both also on the books.The result was a huge scalp for Kettering and Northampton are four divisions higher than the Southern League Premier Division Central side.Meet non-league star with longest throw in football who plans to put it to good use in FA Cup giant killingRanger was over the moon after scoringCredit: PAGainsborough will be the lowest-ranked side in tonight’s FA Cup second-round draw after a penalty shoot-out victory following a 4-4 draw with eighth-tier Hesnesford.The Northern Premier League strugglers recovered from 3-0 down to force extra-time with an added time leveller from Will Lancaster.Seventh-tier Trinity fell behind again before levelling — then won 5-4 on penalties to reach the second round for the first time in 72 years.Gainsborough boss Russ Wilcox said: “I’ve never been involved in anything like that. In the penalty shoot-out we had three chances to win it and three chances to lose it.”And National League strugglers Wealdstone pulled off a shock by winning 1-0 at League Two Grimsby with Alex Reid’s 90th-minute strike.The striker said: “The gaffer said show respect but believe in yourselves.”Oldham overcame the one-division gap to League Two Tranmere to beat Rovers 2-1 at Prenton Park.National League Dagenham also beat League Two opposition with Dion Pereira’s second-half penalty clinching a 1-0 win at Crewe.Daggers boss Ben Strevens said: “It’s an amazing day for us. The scenes at the end are what we do it for.”Seventh-tier Harborough are in the second round for the first time after a 4-1 win at National League South Tonbridge.FA Cup first round results Here are all of the results from the FA Cup first round…Notts County 5-1 Alfreton TownTamworth 1-0 HuddersfieldTonbridge 1-4 Harborough Town Worthing 0-2 Morecambe Burton Albion 1-0 Scarborough AthleticSolihull Moors 3-0 Maidstone UnitedGillingham 0-2 BlackpoolReading 2-0 FleetwoodNewport County 2-4 Peterborough Barrow 0-1 DoncasterWoking 0-1 Cambridge UnitedStockport 2-1 Forest Green RoversBristol Rovers 3-1 Weston-super-MareRochdale 3-4 BromleyWalsall 2-1 BoltonPort Vale 1-3 BarnsleyExeter City 5-3 BarnetSwindon Town 2-1 ColchesterWycombe 3-2 York CityChesterfield 3-1 HorshamSouthend 3-4 CharltonMaidenhead 1-2 Crawley TownBrackley Town 0(5)-(4)0 Braintree TownCrewe Alexandre 0-1 Dagenham and RedbridgeBradford City 3-1 Aldershot TownCarlisle 0-2 Wigan AthleticTranmere 1-2 OldhamStevenage 1(5)-(4)1 GuiseleyGrimsby Town 0-1 Wealdstone Salford City 2-1 ShrewsburyRotherham 1-3 CheltenhamRuchall Olympic 0-2 Accrington StanleyHednesford Town 4(4)-(5)4 Gainsborough TrinityNorthampton Town 1-2 Kettering TownStill to playMK Dons v AFC WimbledonSutton United v Birmingham CityCurzon Ashton v Mansfield TownBoreham Wood v Leyton OrientHarrogate Town v WrexhamChesham United v Lincoln CityPaul Malone gave the Southern League Premier Central side the lead before Ben Stephens (two) and Danny Forbes sealed it.Northern Premier League Guiseley gave League One Stevenage a scare before finally going out on penalties.Will Longbottom’s equaliser for the non league outfit made it 1-1 but keeper Murphy Cooper made two saves to help win the shoot-out 5-4.Maidstone’s hopes of another memorable Cup run ended with a 3-0 defeat at Solihull Moors.READ MORE SUN STORIESJosh Magennis scored a hat-trick for Exeter in the League One side’s 5-3 win over National League Barnet.And National League North outfit Rushall Olympic finished with ten men with Luke Benbow sent off for two bookings as they were beaten 2-0 at home by League Two Accrington. More

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      FA Cup second round draw: Date, start time, live stream FREE, ball numbers and TV channel

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      THE FA CUP is rolling on at pace with the first round proper fixtures currently underway.And that means we won’t have long until the second round draw!Kelly Somers will be hosting the second round drawCredit: Instagram @kellyesomersSides from League One and League Two are entering the competition in the first round proper as the road to Wembley begins.Northampton Town are hosting Kettering Town in a huge derby.While MK Dons are taking on AFC Wimbledon.The lowest ranked team in the first round is Hednesford Town, who are currently 14th in the Northern Premier League Division One West.The Pitmen take on Gainsborough Trinity and will be number 12 in the second round draw should they pull off the shock.The second round proper ties will be played between Friday 29 November and Monday 2 December.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhen is the FA Cup second round draw?The FA Cup second round draw is taking place on Sunday, November 3.The draw will be broadcast during BBC’s first round highlights show on BBC Two, and is expected at 7.45pm.Most read in FA CupKelly Somers will be hosting, with Emile Heskey and Leon Osman conducting the draw.How can I watch the FA Cup second round draw?The FA Cup second round draw will be televised on BBC Two during the BBC’s first round highlights show.It will also be available to be live streamed for FREE on the FA Cup’s YouTube page and across the FA Cup’s social channels.Emile Heskey will be conducting the drawCredit: GettyWhat are the ball numbers?1. Rotherham United or Cheltenham Town2. Barrow or Doncaster Rovers3. Worthing or Morecambe4. Boreham Wood or Leyton Orient5. Exeter City or Barnet6. Carlisle United or Wigan Athletic7. Tamworth or Huddersfield Town8. Brackley Town or Braintree Town9. Curzon Ashton or Mansfield Town10. Wycombe Wanderers or York City11. Bradford City or Aldershot Town12. Hednesford Town or Gainsborough Trinity13. Burton Albion or Scarborough Athletic14. Tranmere Rovers or Oldham Athletic15. Rochdale or Bromley16. Walsall or Bolton Wanderers17. Grimsby Town or Wealdstone18. Bristol Rovers or Weston Super Mare19. Milton Keynes Dons or AFC Wimbledon20. Solihull Moors or Maidstone United21. Stockport County or Forest Green Rovers22. Reading or Fleetwood Town23. Stevenage or Guiseley24. Northampton Town or Kettering Town25. Rushall Olympic or Accrington Stanley26. Swindon Town or Colchester United27. Salford City or Shrewsbury Town28. Crewe Alexandra or Dagenham & Redbridge29. Port Vale or Barnsley30. Chesham United or Lincoln City31. Chesterfield or Horsham32. Southend United or Charlton Athletic33. Notts County or Alfreton Town34. Maidenhead United or Crawley Town35. Harrogate Town or Wrexham36. Woking or Cambridge United37. Gillingham or Blackpool38. Tonbridge Angels or Harborough Town39. Sutton United or Birmingham City40. Newport County or Peterborough United More

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      We hosted Arsenal and received compliment from Arsene Wenger, then EFL ordered us to spend £1m tearing up our pitch

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      SUTTON chairman Bruce Elliott believes hosting Arsenal in the FA Cup seven years ago started an incredible journey.That last-16 clash set the wheels in motion for a rise within four years into the EFL for the first time since the team was formed in 1898.Sutton welcomed Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup back in 2017Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdBruce Elliott – Sutton Utd Chairman. Pic Jamie McPhilimey. 16.02.17.Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The SunAnd although the tiny Surrey club are back in non-league after relegation last season, Elliott hopes knocking Birmingham out of the FA Cup on Sunday at Gander Green Lane can be the prologue to another glorious chapter.Elliott said: “That run to the fifth round was our best in the FA Cup and it set off a chain of events that eventually saw us win EFL status — something we’d never expected or dreamed of.“The FA Cup has been great for this club. Of course, we famously knocked out the defending FA Cup holders Coventry in 1989 but our run in 2017 was special.“We beat Wimbledon after a replay, upset Leeds here and then hosted an Arsenal team who had just played Bayern Munich a few days earlier.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“In The Sun there was a whole page about our small changing rooms and how it was a huge come-down from what they’d experienced!“And a lot was made of our 3G pitch before that match and how Arsenal would cope with playing on it.”Arsene Wenger put out a strong team and beat the plucky part-timers 2-0 with goals from Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott.And Elliott will never forget meeting the legendary former manager after the match.Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Sutton chairman said: “I apologised to him about the size of the dressing rooms.“He replied, ‘It’s fine, people forget I used to manage a small team in France and in any case I rather like the smaller sized ones, you’re nearer the players.’ What a great answer. Another lovely thing was when I asked why with the game in the bag with just 16 minutes left did he bring on Alexis Sanchez?Lincoln’s Ethan Erhahon reveals players STOLE the physio’s car and he was offered a ‘scrap’ with a fan – What the EFL“After all, they had paid £30million for that guy, so why risk him against a non-league team late in a game that is pretty much over.“He replied, ‘I thought it was the right thing to do for such an occasion as this!’“That was absolutely quality and class from him. He understood what a big deal it was for Sutton United.”When Sutton won promotion to the EFL in 2021, they had to rip up their 3G pitch and install a grass one. It is something that still rankles with Elliott and Sutton fans.Already in the three seasons since they lost it, it has cost the club around £1MILLION.Elliott said: “It does seem ridiculous that our 3G pitch was good enough to host Arsenal in the FA Cup — but not for League Two games!“I don’t get why the EFL doesn’t relax the rules. They’re even allowed in European competitions.“There are a lot of people at those higher levels living in the past — thinking back to the days of the inferior plastic pitches at Luton, Oldham and QPR. They are now of the highest quality.”Another bugbear for Elliott is the FA scrapping cup replays — denying them a possible money-spinning replay at St Andrew’s.He said: “There is no logic to getting rid of them until the third round when Premier League sides enter.“I understand it at that point but to lose them from the first round denies clubs at our level the chance to get another TV payday.”The Blues come to Surrey as the biggest spending club outside of the Premier League.No team in League One history has ever splashed the cash quite like the Brummies — with Jay Stansfield arriving for £15million with it set to rise to £20m depending on appearances and promotion.It is a far cry from Sutton who have one of the lowest budgets in the fifth tier.READ MORE SUN STORIESElliott said: “We’re still ambitious but we’ve always spent within our means.“It was an incredible achievement for us to be in the EFL. Now that we’ve tasted it, we most definitely would like to get there again.” More