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      FA Cup prize money dramatically increased as EFL and non-league clubs compensated for scrapping of replays

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      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has significantly increased the FA Cup prize money after replays were controversially axed.EFL and non-league clubs were outraged back in April after a joint decision from the Premier League and the FA to scrap rematches in the legendary competition.The Football Association has significantly raised the FA Cup prize moneyCredit: GettyThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to threeCredit: PAOfficials announced they would seek compensation for their clubs and branded the initiative as “frustrating and disappointing”.They also claimed they had been sidelined and expressed fears that the new format would deny already cash-strapped sides lucrative fixtures with some of the country’s biggest clubs.The EFL believed the decision occurred as a result of the expansion of Uefa’s calendar with the controversial introduction of the repackaged Club World Cup, which led to furious reaction from players.According to The Mail, however, a compensation has now been agreed following a series of high-level talks.Read More on FootballThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to three.That means the total kitty could increase by 38 per cent compared to last season.Therefore, defeated clubs from Round One will make £15,000 compared to nothing from last year.Those who are defeated in the second round will receive a total of £65,000, which is up from £41,000.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd finally those who make it to Round Three before being knocked out will pocket £145,000.Replays had been a key part of the FA Cup tradition, which is why the new plans received such a furious reaction.My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamWhy FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin LiptonTHE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.Read more on the FA Cup. More

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      AFC Wimbledon reveal target date to reopen flooded stadium after SINKHOLE pitch KO’d two matches

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      AFC WIMBLEDON are targeting a swift return to action – after a devastating storm created a SINKHOLE at Plough Lane.The League Two side have been forced to postpone their last two matches after the River Wandle burst its banks last Sunday. Wimbledon have been forced to postpone three games after a sinkhole developed on the fieldCredit: GettyThe League Two club are confident they can get the pitch playable soonCredit: GettyThe club have been inundated with donations from EFL clubs and fansCredit: InstagramWimbledon’s games against Accrington Stanley and Crewe have already been called off.The Dons were also forced to postpone their Carabao Cup third-round clash with Newcastle – as the Toon kindly donated £15,000 to the cause.A huge sinkhole formed by one of the corner flags, prompting the fan-owned club to start a fundraiser to pay for the damage.Managing director James Woodroof has described the response – from clubs across the EFL – as “absolutely phenomenal.” READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd he hopes Wimbledon can host football again against Carlisle on October 12. Woodroof told South London Press: “That [Carlisle] game is absolutely our target.”Until the diggers have finished excavating, it’s still too early to say. We’re hopeful that will be possible.“It’s been particularly challenging for the team here and myself. My colleagues and everyone associated with the club have been flat out.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“It’s been an overwhelming 48 hours. We are making significant progress each and every hour. “It’s pleasing to have all of the club staff back on site. Watch AFC Wimbledon begin work fixing sinkhole on pitch after pumping more than 100,000 LITRES of water out of stadium” We’re going to try and open the stadium on Friday, so the shop will open and the comedy night will proceed.”As well as damage to the pitch, much of the Dons’ off-field infrastructure was flooded out by the storm.He continued: “The whole concourse, our offices and everything on ground level, was flooded.”The water wasn’t dissipating. We had the tankers in on Monday night to remove the water.The concourse and offices at the stadium were also floodedCredit: Getty“When we came on in Tuesday, that had a significant impact as we were able to walk around the entire stadium and the offices – we weren’t in standing water anywhere. “It was a remarkable clean-up effort on Monday night. The pitch is now the focus of everyone’s attention.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWimbledon have made a superb start to the new League Two season.They currently sit in sixth, with two games in hand over their rivals. More

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      Former Arsenal and England star, 32, posts four-word message after completing shock League Two transfer

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      A FORGOTTEN Arsenal ace has completed a shock move to a League Two outfit.The versatile full-back amassed a total of 93 Premier League appearances and played in the Champions League 10 times during his 14-year career.Ex-Arsenal ace Carl Jenkison has joined League Two side BromleyCredit: GettyEx-England ace Jenkison is excited with his upcoming challengeCredit: GettyThe ex-Arsenal ace also picked up one England cap after bursting onto the scene with the Gunners in 2012.That is none other than Carl Jenkinson who joined Bromley as a free agent. The defender put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Ravens.The ex-Nottingham Forest ace shared a pic of him in a Bromley shirt on social media and expressed his excitement for the new challenge lying ahead.Read More on ArsenalJenkinson posted on Instagram: “Another new chapter begins.”Jenkison returns to English football after a two-year stint in Australia that saw him playing for Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets.And the ex-England international will be reuniting with Bromley manager Andy Woodman, with whom he worked at Charlton back in his youth days.Jenkinson said: “How’s it feel? It’s good, I’m glad it is sorted out now with all the international clearance stuff which was dragging on a bit…Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I know Woody [Woodman] from when I was a kid coming through at Charlton… it’s one of them that when you know someone – he was always so easy to get along with even as a young lad…”That led to me reaching out to Woody a couple of weeks ago and saying can I come in and train because I wanted to be fit and maintain my fitness.Arsenal ratings: Martinelli ends goal drought but Partey struggles against Leicester”We have that relationship where I can ask that question, so it was nice that he said yeah and then that it’s led to this.” More

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      EFL manager cancelled training session after two stars came to blows and couldn’t be in same room together

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      AN EFL manager once had to cancel training after two players had a huge bust-up and could not be left alone together.The shocking incident occurred at Shrewsbury, with then boss Paul Hurst taking no chances as he sent two of his star players to the dressing room.Paul Hurst axed training after his players had a huge bust-upCredit: GettyWycombe’s Jack Grimmer told SunSport about some incredible EFL talesCredit: AlamyWycombe star Jack Grimmer shared some hilarious tales with SunSport as part of the “What the EFL?” series.From an owner’s crazy antics to wild nights out, the Chairboys captain lifted the lid on his maddest footballing experiences.BEST EFL PLAYER?[Bakary] Sako when he was at Wolves.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBEST EFL FANS?Leeds at Elland Road. DODGIEST FACILITIES? Yeovil away. In the changing rooms, the windows were open right next to our fans and we lost the game. We were getting all this abuse in the windows. Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEFL FANBASE WHO LIVE RENT FREE IN YOUR HEAD?Sunderland. ‘Fan told me he was ‘****ing my mum’ | Gillngham’s Jack Nolan plays What the EFL?!FUNNIEST FAN ABUSE YOU’VE EVER HEARD?Away at Lincoln. They just kept shouting every time the goalie kicked the ball – it was that old-fashioned, you fat b******. MOMENT THAT HAUNTS YOU?When I was at Coventry and we lost at home to Yeovil 6-2. ICONIC TRAINING GROUND TALE?Our old captain, Joe Jacobson… Marcus Bean put crickets in his car.He couldn’t find the crickets for like weeks. So he would get in his car and then still find the noise of crickets going on. WILDEST OWNER ANTICS?At Wycombe again, our owner Rob Cooig, his nephew Pete Couhig, who was our CFO, Pete was obviously ecstatic that we had one promotion during COVID at Wembley against Oxford.The celebrations were a bit heavy, shall we say. I had a back operation not long before. He proceeded to fall backwards off the team bus onto the street. ICONIC TRAINING GROUND TALE?At Shrewsbury ten years ago, our captain Adam El-Abd and Irish hardcore centre-mid Gary Deegan.Two people you just would not mess with on a football pitch or in life in general, they just kept going at each other all morning and eventually came to blows. The manager at the time, Paul Hurst, basically called an end to training because he did not want those two players going into the changing room on their own. Adam El-Abd had a furious row with a team-mateCredit: Action Images – ReutersThe defender and Gary Deegan could not be left alone in the dressing roomCredit: SportsfileWILDEST NIGHT OUT?After Coventry got promoted, the League Two play-off final against Exeter.READ MORE SUN STORIESBank holiday Monday, all the Sky Blue Army went and there was about 35,000, 40,000 people there. They all went back to Coventry to support us and party. Probably my best night out ever. I remember feeling like almost invincible.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Former Arsenal and England star, 32, completes League Two free transfer after months unemployed

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      A FORMER ARSENAL and England star has completed a shock free transfer to a League Two club.Newly-promoted Bromley teased fans online by showing the back of the former Premier League star together with his voice.Carl Jenkinson has completed a shock transfer to BromleyCredit: Getty – ContributorIt comes after he spent two months unemployed upon being released by A-League side Newcastle JetsCredit: GettyA social media post with the video said: “Introducing our new number 6.”And it left fans convinced that the club had signed Carl Jenkinson.Bromley confirmed the signing of the 32-year-old on their website shortly after.A statement said: “Bromley Football Club are delighted to announce the permanent signing of full-back and former England international Carl Jenkinson following his departure from Australian side Newcastle Jets.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The 32-year-old, who worked with Andy Woodman during their time at Charlton, made almost 100 Premier League appearances whilst also racking up a handful of appearances in the Champions League too…”Our newest recruit will wear the number six shirt and supporters can catch him in action tomorrow or Tuesday night as we enter back-to-back home games.”The one-cap England international had been left without a club after leaving A-League side Newcastle Jets in June.Jenkinson made his name after signing for Arsenal from Charlton in 2011 before an impressive 2012/13 season for the Gunners. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe would go on to star for West Ham, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest before departing for football Down Under.Speaking to club media following his signing, Jenkinson said: “How’s it feel? It’s good, I’m glad it is sorted out now with all the international clearance stuff which was dragging on a bit…The forgotten Arsenal wonderkids”I know Woody from when I was a kid coming through at Charlton… it’s one of them that when you know someone – he was always so easy to get along with even as a young lad…”That led to me reaching out to Woody a couple of weeks ago and saying can I come in and train because I wanted to be fit and maintain my fitness.”We have that relationship where I can ask that question, so it was nice that he said yeah and then that it’s led to this.”Jenkinson could make his debut for the Ravens in front of the home crowd at Hayes Lane against MK Dons tomorrow.The south London side currently sit 18th in League Two, having won two games, lost four and drawn one so far in their first ever season in the English Football League. More

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      Watch AFC Wimbledon begin work fixing sinkhole on pitch after pumping more than 100,000 LITRES of water out of stadium

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      WIMBLEDON have pumped more than 100,000 LITRES of water out of their pitch as they begin fixing the sinkhole which postponed their Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle.The League Two outfit were due to host Eddie Howe’s side in the third round at Plough Lane on Tuesday evening.Wimbledon have pumped a remarkable amount of water out of their pitchThey are hoping to have the pitch ready to face Carlisle on October 12The surface had resembled a golf courseCredit: GettyAn aerial view shows the damage (Getty)But the match was called off due to flooding on the pitch and outside the ground after the River Wandle broke its banks on Sunday evening.It has since been rearranged for October 1 and moved to St James’ Park.And Wimbledon’s managing director James Woodroof has now revealed the stadium has suffered “significant damage” due to the whole venue being “under water”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to BBC Radio London, he said: “I woke up to images from my stadium team. I thought it was AI [artificial intelligence].”The entire stadium, the concourse and ground floor, was under water. It was horrendous. The pitch has significant damage.”We filled four tankers, which house 27,000 litres each – over 100,000 litres.”The re-arrangement of Wimbledon’s cup clash against Newcastle means their home league game against Crewe has been postponed.Most read in FootballWoodroof confirmed they are hoping to move this Saturday’s home match against Accrington Stanley to a different venue in South London.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey then hope to return to Plough Lane, also known as the Cherry Red Records Stadium, for their clash with Carlisle on October 12.Newcastle have donated £15,000 to Wimbledon to help them with their flooded pitch and sinkhole after a fundraiser was launched, with donations so far reaching over £100,000 at the time of writing.Premier League club’s Carabao Cup clash set to be postponed over flooding as press conference cancelled The fourth-tier side will also receive 45 per cent of the gate revenue raised at St James’ Park next week. More

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      AFC Wimbledon set to cancel all home matches for 19 days after stadium flooded and pitch left with sinkhole

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      AFC WIMBLEDON will not play at home for at least another 19 days after severe flooding hit their stadium.The League Two side were going to face Newcastle in South West London tomorrow in the third round of the Carabao Cup.A huge sinkhole has formed in the corner of the pitchCredit: ReutersThe torrential rain has destroyed the surfaceCredit: ReutersOutside the ground is also floodedBut a huge downpour overnight saw their pitch destroyed and a sinkhole form in the corner.An area behind the stands where fans would usually congregate is also completely underwater.Wimbledon will now play Newcastle at St James’ Park tomorrow night after the EFL granted a venue swap.But the Dons’ next match at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday is in danger of becoming postponed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club confirmed they are “trying to find a solution – although there is no possibility that this can be at our stadium.”Should the match be called off, Wimbledon will have two games at Plough Lane to rearrange as they were going to play Crewe tomorrow if not for their progression in the cup.They are next set to be on their home turf against Carlisle on October 12.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDiscussing the further impacts of the storm, the statement read: “Staff encountered significant flooding of the ground level of the stadium, affecting our offices, the shop and museum, reception areas, lifts, and tunnel area, as well as all concourse areas at ground level.Most read in EFL”This afternoon, several independent contractors have visited the site and conducted surface level investigations.  Etihad Stadium appears to suffer LEAK during Man City vs Arsenal as Man Utd fans say ‘happens to the best of us'”More investigations are required in the coming days in order to plan for repair works to the pitch as a priority, and we are in regular contact with our insurers.”We have overcome many setbacks by working together and this one will be no different. “We genuinely appreciate all the messages of support and offers from volunteers and members to help us fix the damage.  “We ask for some patience whilst we complete our investigations and formulate our plans before getting to work. “We will advise further what supporters can do to help us soon; thank you.” More

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      Premier League announce brand new competition launching in less than two weeks with hefty prize money up for grabs

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE have announced a brand new competition that will boost elite youth development in the country.The Prem has teamed up with the National League to launch the National League Cup.The Premier League has teamed up with the National League to launch a new competitionCredit: GettyThe tournament will help young players from Premier League and EFL clubs gain additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition from the fifth tier.It will also offer the chance for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums.The competition comes with a combined prize of £1million, provided by the Premier League. The amount will be distributed only amongst the National League clubs.Read More on FootballBlackburn Rovers, Brighton, Fulham, Leeds, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham and Wolves have been confirmed.They will be joined by Aldershot Town, Altrincham, Boston United, Braintree Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Maidenhead United, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Sutton United, Tamworth, Wealdstone and Woking.The National League Cup kicks off on October 1 with a group stage consisted of four groups of eight.The two best-placed teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPremier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes said: “We’re excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League.“The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development.Best ten new Premier League kits for next season“We’re pleased to be able to support in the operation of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.” More