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      EFL confirm 112 coronavirus cases from 66 clubs as new Covid-19 strain rips through English football

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      THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE has confirmed 112 cases of coronavirus among 66 clubs competing in this weekend’s FA Cup third round.
      The positive tests came back from Championship, League One and League Two teams still in the competition, which has been marred by an increase in cases.

      This weekend’s FA Cup third round has been hit by a rise in coronavirus casesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Some 3,507 players and staff were tested and confirmed cases have been told to self-isolate for ten days.
      Coronavirus has ripped through the third round with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Derby reporting outbreaks within squads.
      All three teams are expected to play youth sides in their weekend games, although positive tests in the Shrewsbury camp has led to their match with Southampton being postponed.
      If games cannot be completed amid a congested fixture schedule, reports suggest teams suffering outbreaks could be kicked out of the competition.

      This round of EFL tests does not include Premier League teams, which reported 12 new cases from 984 tests between January 1 and 3.
      League bosses have stated their confidence in coronavirus protocols amid the rise of a new, highly-infectious variant of the disease across the UK.

      The EFL’s Medical Advisors Dr Richard Higgins and Dr Subhashis Basu said in a statement: “Today’s results reflect the current speed at which the virus is spreading amid the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19.
      “But the low reported numbers across the overwhelming majority of clubs means we remain confident that our protocols continue to mitigate against the spread of infection as intended.

      “The protocols, supported by the clubs and government, are allowing us to continue playing fixtures as scheduled but we cannot be complacent.
      “Which is why recently enhanced matchday and non-matchday Covid protocols have been issued to underpin the re-introduction of a League wide testing programme which commences next week.
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      “Medical advice continues to support that following these protocols is the most successful route to mitigating against the spread of infection.”
      The remaining six EFL clubs not involved in the FA Cup third round will be tested ahead of their next fixtures.
      From next Monday, all 72 Football League clubs will be tested twice a week.

      Boris Johnson vows everyone in UK will be within 10 miles of Covid vaccination centre with 1,200 sites open by next week More

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      Man Utd legend Roy Keane cracks rare smile as he watches Salford’s game against Walsall with Ryan Giggs

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      ROY KEANE has been snapped in a festive mood as he cracked a rare smile during Salford City’s 2-0 win against Walsall at Moor Lane.
      The 49-year-old was joined by his former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs in the stands during the League Two side’s victory.

      Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs were in attendance to watch Salford beat Walsall at Moor LaneCredit: PA:Press Association

      Giggs – a co-owner of the club alongside David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes – looked stony-faced during the encounter.
      But it proved to be smooth sailing for Salford as they found the back of the net in either half to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
      And it was former Red Devils striker James Wilson – who was handed his United debut under the tutelage of Giggs – who opened the scoring.
      The 25-year-old has been in fine form this term having scored six goals including two in his last two outings.

      Luke Burgess secured the three points for Salford in the 87th minute to lift his side up to sixth in the table.
      Keane has been spotted at Moor Lane on a number of occasions this season, though he was left with a face of anger during the 1-1 draw against Crawley.
      And he was left equally as unimpressed when Salford threw away a two-goal lead against Tranmere.
      The ex-Sunderland gaffer recently tipped United to challenge for the Premier League title this campaign.

      Speaking after United’s 6-2 win against Leeds, he told Sky Sports: “I don’t believe McTominay there when he said they don’t look at league tables.
      “Everybody looks at league tables. Players and staff. That’s what you’re playing the game for.
      “You want to know where you are obviously and where you’re heading to.
      “It’s been a nice few days for United. They had to beat Sheffield United and Leeds just to put another marker down.
      “I still think Liverpool are the strongest but United I think could be the best of the rest.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Micah Richards teases Roy Keane as punditry odd couple produce another hilarious moment prior to Manchester derby More

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      Bradford sack manager Stuart McCall after six straight losses left side just above League Two drop zone

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      BRADFORD CITY have sacked manager Stuart McCall after six consecutive defeats.
      The Bantams lost 3-1 at Oldham on Saturday and are just one place above the League Two relegation zone having not won a league game since November 3.

      Bradford City have sacked Stuart McCall with the club in the League Two relegation zoneCredit: Rex Features

      It was McCall’s fourth spell in charge of the Yorkshire side having come through their academy and played more than 300 games for the first team.
      Bradford CEO Ryan Sparks, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Stuart and Kenny for their efforts over the past 10 months.
      “This decision was not taken lightly, and we have done everything in our power to support them during their time at the club.
      “Unfortunately, we have taken only four points from our last 10 games, and find ourselves in a battle at the wrong end of the table.

      “And, with a host of important fixtures – and the January transfer window – on the horizon, we felt now was the right time to move in a different direction.”
      McCall, 56, said: “I am obviously disappointed it has ended like this for everyone concerned, but am thankful for the opportunity we were given – and the support we have received throughout.
      “Kenny and I were excited to return to the club and were desperate to bring success, though results have not been good enough.
      “I would like to wish everyone at Bradford City nothing but the very best for the future.”

      Academy coaches Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars will take temporary charge of the first-team squad, ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to Crawley Town.
      Former Scotland international McCall joined City’s youth academy in 1980 before breaking into the first team two years later.
      The midfielder left for Everton in 1988 but returned ten years later after a seven year stint at Rangers.
      During his second spell as a player, McCall took caretaker charge of the Bantams for a brief period in 2000.
      And after retiring from playing in 2005, he returned as gaffer between 2007-10.
      Having spent time in charge of Motherwell and Rangers, he returned to Valley Parade in 2016 for another two year stint.
      And he was back again this year – appointed full-time manager for the third time in Feburary replacing Gary Bowyer.

      Micah Richards teases Roy Keane as punditry odd couple produce another hilarious moment prior to Manchester derby More

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      Port Vale’s Cristian Montano was ready to kill himself amid ‘rape and match-fix’ hell but is now mental health champion

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      CRISTIAN MONTANO locked himself in a bathroom and was ready to die.
      He had with him all the pills he could get his hands on, a knife and a bottle of vodka.

      Port Vale midfielder Cristian Montano reflects on the darkest time in his lifeCredit: David Pinegar

      Cristian Montano is in his fourth season with the Valiants in League TwoCredit: Ryan Browne

      His mum María Cristina and girlfriend Jo-Hannah had just told him they were popping out shopping – giving him a chance to do what he had contemplated for weeks.
      His life – in his mind – was no longer worth living.
      The winger, now 28, was facing a trial accused of rape and being investigated by police after getting caught up in the high-profile 2013 match-fixing scandal.
      Oldham Athletic had sacked him with his career and reputation in tatters.

      Montano was trolled and abused mercilessly on Twitter and believed the whole world – including his family and loved ones – were against him.
      He said: “I was in a bad place and had turned to alcohol, drinking heavily.
      “I had no income and started to run up debts so budgeted myself to £10 a day. I’d buy a cheap litre of vodka instead of food and was downing it straight out of the bottle.
      “I thought it was helping but it was ruining me.

      “My moods were all over the place. One minute I’d be aggressive, then I’d be down, then I’d be crying.
      “And it was at that point I started thinking, ‘I need to disappear from this world.’”

      Montano happy at home with his fiancee Jo-Hannah and youngest son NicoCredit: David Pinegar

      Montano’s two sons – Cristian Jnr and Nico – are the centre of his worldCredit: Cristian Montano
      Fast forward seven years and the former West Ham apprentice is enjoying life.
      He is playing for Port Vale in League Two, is happily living with his fiancée Jo-Hannah and their four-year-old son Nico as well as having a close bond with his eight-year-son Cristian Junior from a previous relationship.
      But his life was on the line when he was subject to a police investigation relating to allegations of spot-fixing and money laundering.
      The case against the Colombian winger was eventually dropped while a no verdict was returned against him at the rape trial.
      Yet on the morning of Sunday December 8 2013, the world was closing in on him.
      He said: “I was in North London with my mum, girlfriend and Cristian Jnr and woke up to loads of Twitter messages on my phone. I was all over the news.
      “I broke down and told mum, ‘My life is over.’
      “Everyone was getting the wrong end of the stick and I wanted to tell everyone what actually happened. I said, ‘I was naive – but, promise you, mum, I’ve done nothing wrong.’”
      Lee Johnson was the Oldham manager at the time and Montano promised to meet him in Manchester that day to explain the full story.
      But Oldham director Barry Owen also contacted Montano and asked for the address he was staying at.
      Within moments, officers from the National Crime Agency were at his door and arrested him on suspicion of money laundering and spot fixing and he was locked up in a cell.

      Montano was arrested on suspicion of spot fixing and money launderingCredit: DAVID PINEGAR
      Montano said: “During the police interview, there was so much I wanted to say but was instructed to say ‘no comment’ throughout by my lawyer.
      “When Jo-Hannah was eventually allowed to take me home, she was sobbing and told me I had been sacked by Oldham too.
      “They released a statement and I thought, ‘How could they do that without giving me any opportunity to explain what had happened?
      “Then so many people took to social media to tell me I had f****d my life and I should never play football again. And if I did return, someone should break my legs.

      “I started to get paranoid and even thought my mum and girlfriend were against me.
      “I was looking at up to 20 years in prison sentences and felt I had failed my son.”
      And it reached a critical moment that almost ended tragicallyMontano told me: “My mum and Jo-Hannah headed to the shops.
      “I went into the bathroom and started running a bath to make everything look normal.
      “I was ready to finish myself off. Then suddenly my mum and partner burst through the door. My mum shook me while Jo-Hannah shouted, ‘What are you doing, Cris?’
      “They had sensed something was wrong and fooled me into thinking they were going to the shops. They wanted to see what I was going to do.

      Mental illness has become even more prevalent because of the coronavirus lockdowns. I was able to overcome my obstacles by talking to people like my girlfriend and mum
      Cristian Montano

      “It was at that moment I realised they were here for me. I turned around and said, ‘I’m going to turn my life around. I promise you.’”
      And Montano has certainly done that. After the “no verdict” in the rape trial and the spot fixing and money laundering case dropped, he has rebuilt his life and career.
      After a spell back in his native Colombia, he returned and helped Bristol Rovers to promotion and has been a firm favourite at Port Vale for the past three years.
      Montano has this year started presenting a weekly podcast called Men Unite – where he and his friend Daniel Biddulph chats to various guests about mental illness.

      Montano has launched his own clothing brand called Champion Mindset
      And he also has launched a clothes brand with three other pals, Joshua Fathi, Najee Fox and Winston George Williams, called Champion Mindset – with five per cent of profits going to mental health charities.
      He said: “Mental illness has become even more prevalent because of the coronavirus lockdowns. I was able to overcome my obstacles by talking to people like my girlfriend and mum.
      “If anyone is struggling out there, I want them to know they are now alone. We have a Facebook page called Men Unite and also menunited4change on Facebook and Instagram. Come and follow and join us. There is a lot of support.”
      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 16123. More

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      League One and Two sides BANNED from paying transfer fees in January under terms of Prem’s £250m bailout

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      CLUBS in League One and League Two have been BANNED from paying transfer fees in January under the terms of their £250million bailout from the Premier League.
      Top-flight officials have been locked in talks with the EFL for weeks in a bid to negotiate a bailout.

      Clubs in Leagues One and Two will be banned from spending money on transfers this season under terms of the £250m PL bailoutCredit: Rex Features

      The two parties finally came to an agreement on Thursday, with the Premier League helping secure a £200m loan for Championship teams.
      A further £50m is available in grants for clubs in Leagues One and Two.
      However, should teams in the lower two divisions apply for the grants, they will be hit by a host of strict spending limits.
      As part of the deal, those clubs will not allowed to spend any money on transfers in the upcoming window.

      Even next season, League One clubs are forbidden from spending more than £20,000 in transfer fees in the two windows.
      League Two clubs have their transfer limit capped at a meagre £10,000.
      Even then, clubs will only be allowed to sign a player on a free under certain strict conditions.
      A club can only bring in a new player if another one leaves AND if the incoming star earns 75 per cent or less of the departing player’s salary.

      The Premier League have agreed to give £15m to Leagues One and Two up front.
      Clubs in League One will receive £375,000 each, with League Two sides pocketing £250,000 apiece.
      A further £15m will be dished out to teams based on money lost in ticket sales up until the end of this year.
      Another £20m has been made available for clubs who are struggling the most.
      It is under this ‘monitored’ grant – overseen by the Premier League and EFL – that clubs will have their transfer spending capped.
      Should a team breach the terms of the grant, they will be forced to repay the money lent in full.

      Rick Parry has revealed his joy at finally striking a deal with the PLCredit: PA:Press Association
      In the Championship, the Premier League was limited to giving them a maximum of £15m.
      But that £15m will be used to secure a monster £200m loan, which will be divided between the 24 clubs equally, interest free.
      Each second-tier club is set to receive £8.33m.
      The Premier League had initially refused to offer the Championship any funding, with many bigger clubs seen as rivals to the top-tier sides.
      The EFL rejected their initial £50m offer on principle in October.
      But after finally agreeing to a deal, EFL chief Rick Parry claimed: “Our over-arching aim throughout this process has been to ensure that all EFL clubs survive the financial impact of the pandemic.
      “I am pleased that we have now reached a resolution on behalf of our clubs and this will provide much needed support and clarity.”

      Football fans give their opinions on supporting their teams from the terraces again as they speak to Sun Sport outside the Emirates stadium More

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      Brave dementia sufferer and Harrogate legend Jim Hague is lost without football while wife fears for his mental health

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      JIM HAGUE loves Harrogate Town and this lockdown is affecting his mental health far worse than most fans.
      For the 78-year-old suffers from dementia and being segregated from the club due to the government restrictions has had a detrimental effect on his life.

      Dementia sufferer Jim Hague is a legend on and off the pitch at Harrogate

      Jim is a club legend both on and off the pitch.
      The former striker – who started as a defender – remains their youngest first-team debutant at 14 and made a record 402 appearances, topping the Yorkshire club’s all-time scoring charts with 135 goals.
      He also served on the club’s committee and, six years ago, won an FA award as groundsman of the year.
      Yet – despite his condition – he is still involved with the Sulpherites and, right up to this second lockdown, was working at their Wetherby Road stadium with a team of maintenance volunteers every Monday and Friday.And that interaction with fellow Harrogate lovers gave him something to look forward to twice a week – especially with fans not allowed into the ground to watch games.

      Club record appearance holder and scorer Jim Hague helps tidy up ground
      Jenny – Jim’s wife for 54 years – told me: “He was sweeping leaves and cleaning the terraces out.“He had only just gone back after the first lockdown and they were doing so much work but now they’re not allowed in.“It’s been bad enough that he hasn’t been able to watch them play since March – although our son Jason has been able to stream the games for Jim.“But it’s been a hard time. Being able to watch games and go to the ground to meet old friends and lovers of Harrogate gave him a reason to get out of bed.“Harrogate has been his life and, for people with dementia, taking away something from them that they love and are used to is not good. It has a seriously negative impact. It’s the worst thing that could’ve happened to his life.“People with dementia need stability and anything out of the ordinary throws them into a downward spiral.“For Jim, his life revolved around watching Harrogate Town and being able to go down there to help.”

      People with dementia need stability and anything out of the ordinary throws them into a downward spiral.’
      Jenny Hague, Jim’s wife

      Jim left Harrogate when he was 16 to join Bolton Wanderers as a youth player. And he was such a promising talent, the legendary Nat Lofthouse spent a lot of time with him on the training pitch.Jenny, 76, said: “Nat would teach him how to head the ball – which is probably why he has dementia.”

      Bolton and England legend Nat Lofthouse taught Jim how to head the ball
      After around 18 months with Bolton, he joined Leeds but failed to make the grade there and returned to his beloved Harrogate to play in the Yorkshire League.Jim has a great story about his favourite Town manager – former pre-war Chelsea and England star John Townrow – that would send a modern-day HR department into meltdown.
      He said: “If we did something wrong in a game he used to punch us! It certainly taught us a lesson.”

      Jim loved playing for Harrogate “because the team was close-knit and had a real camaraderie.”

      Jim, far left, with Harrogate team after winning the West Riding Cup in 1973

      Jim, front row, far left, poses for Harrogate team photo in the 1967-68 season

      Harrogate Town celebrate winning promotion to League TwoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jim had to call time on his playing career with Harrogate in 1973 at the age of 32 after he passed out while with his wife on a visit to the Yorkshire coastal village of Sandsend, near Whitby.Jenny explained: “He had a heart problem and that finished his playing days there.”But, incredibly, he made a comeback and went on to play into his early 40s for Collingham – a local village team.However, he was serving on Harrogate’s committee and later became the groundsman.And there is a great tale from December 2012 ahead of a crunch FA Cup second-round match with Hastings United.The club were struggling with a newly-laid pitch because Harrogate got 340 per cent more rain that winter compared to the previous year – and had five home games called off in a row.Ten minutes before what was then Town’s biggest match in their history, the referee threatened to postpone the match unless there was more sand treatment to the pitch.

      Jim had been given the day off to enjoy the occasion with his grandson Alfie but, as soon as he heard, he rushed out of the stand and, along with the under-17 squad that he had taught how to replace turf and repair diverts, got to work.And they got the pitch playable with one minute spare.Jim’s grand-daughter Olivia, 17, has also proudly represented the club in the girls’ section.

      Jim and Jenny Hague have been married to each other for 54 years
      Despite having dementia, Jim still was able to talk to me about his love of the club that is playing in the EFL for the first time in their history.He said: “I’m delighted and proud we’re in the Football League and playing well too.“Going way back to when I was playing in the old Yorkshire League, I wanted the club to go further and they certainly have done that.“When fans are allowed back, we will have a big crowd for the first game there for sure.“The club will always have a special place in my heart.”And Harrogate will always have a special place in their hearts for Jim Hague too.

      Elliott has a cheek claiming he owns Charlton

      WHAT a cheek of Paul Elliott to demand Thomas Sandgaard leaves Charlton Athletic – claiming he does not own the club.It’s almost as mad as Donald Trump claiming he won the US election.Elliott – along with lawyer sidekick Chris Farnell – are hated by the vast majority of the Addicks’ fan-base.I ran a poll on my Twitter page the other day and asked supporters what they would do if these two gentlemen somehow regained control – and 75 per cent said they would “boycott all matches”.Both of them enjoyed driving around in flashy £90,000 Range Rovers at Charlton’s expense while the club was on its knees.In fact, when Sandgaard took over they were days from going into administration.East Street Investments – the previous owners – took almost £1million out of the club on a fleet of cars for their executives. Meanwhile former chairman Matt Southall enjoyed a luxury £12,000-a-month Thames-riverside apartment, paid for by the club.It is clear to any reasonable person that the aim of Elliott and Farnell serving “sealed court orders” to Sandgaard’s legal team is to try to scare him into paying more money to them.Sandgaard, who says he is paying £1m a month at the moment to fund the club without fans, in the coming weeks wants to lobby the EFL in a bid to rid the game of dodgy owners.And, if they are not able to achieve that, then he will start a parliamentary petition with the aim of the government bringing in legislation.We should not allow another club to suffer the same fate as Bury.If football cannot self-regulate itself effectively, then the government most certainly can do it for them. More

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      EFL to allow five subs in all Championship, League One and League Two clashes for remainder of season

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      THE Football League have informed clubs they are now allowed to make FIVE substitutions in all games for the rest of the 2020-21 season.
      The EFL has revealed they have been locked in talks with Championship, League One and League Two clubs in recent days.

      EFL clubs are now allowed to make five subs for the rest of the 2020-21 seasonCredit: Rex Features

      And now they have agreed to allow managers five subs per game in a bid to limit player injury.
      In the Championship, clubs are now allowed to name NINE players on the bench.
      In Leagues One and Two, bosses are allowed to name just seven subs in their match-day squad.
      An EFL statement read: “Following consultation with clubs, the EFL Board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL.

      “[The new rule will begin in] fixtures taking place from 12pm on Friday November 20 for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
      “Regulation 33.4 has been amended to permit:
      Championship Clubs to name up to nine substitutes in their matchday squad, with five permitted to take to the pitch in any fixture.
      League One and League Two Clubs to name up to seven substitutes in their matchday squad, again with five permitted to take to the pitch.”
      In June, the Premier League revealed they would allow clubs to name nine subs on the bench and introduce up to five per game in three groups.
      The rule remained in place until the end of the delayed 2019-20 season.

      But for 2020-21, the Premier League forced clubs to return to the three-sub rule, with just seven named on the bench.
      The Big Six – Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and the Manchester giants – were frustrated in August when they were outvoted.
      All-in-all, 11 clubs voted for just three subs, while nine were in favour of the five-sub rule.
      There has been an outcry from bosses and pundits alike following a spate of injuries in recent weeks, with some teams forced to play up to three times per week.
      Liverpool have been hit the hardest, with nine first-team players – including their entire first-choice back-four – all injured.
      Premier League bosses may now be forced to re-think their strategy.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘never quiet’ at Sporting Lisbon, says Oldham’s Jombati as he eyes FA Cup reunion with Wolves duo

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      SIDO Jombati hopes to set up an FA Cup reunion with two Portuguese greats – after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo come through the Sporting Lisbon academy.
      But the Oldham defender knows Hampton and Richmond will be looking to dump the League Two Latics out after being on the other side of the fence.

      Sido Jombati hopes to set up an FA Cup reunion with two Portuguese greatsCredit: ALAMY

      Jombati had a bird’s eye view of watching Ronaldo’s development as a youngster in the same Sporting youth set up.
      All he remembers about the kid who would go on to be a legend is he was not quiet – as he puts it, you do not meet a quiet man from Portugal, apart from him.
      However, it is Wolves pair Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho he wants to face after playing in the same side when they were kids.
      And he is in no doubt that goalkeeper Patricio is one of the best after first seeing him as an eight-year-old.

      Jombati, released from Sporting aged 16, recalled: “Cristiano was there but he was two years older – he has never been quiet, ever!

      Jombati has known Wolves’ Rui Patricio since he was nine-years-oldCredit: Reuters
      “I played alongside Rui and Joao and even back then they showed how good they are. Rui is a year younger but used to play a year above, Joao is a year older than me but sometimes I played a year above.
      “He was very skinny but football-wise was great and Patricio, wow. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world, always has been. He always played one or even two years above his age group.
      “We first played together when I was nine-years-old and he would’ve been eight. So playing Wolves in the cup would be a nice experience!”

      First up for Harry Kewell’s side is a tricky trip to south west London to face National League South Borough.
      But this is not a step into the unknown for Jombati, who ended up playing for Weymouth, Basingstoke and Bath City after being released from Sporting.

      Jombati was in the same Sporting Lisbon youth set up as Cristiano Ronaldo
      And his own taste of pulling off a shock, when Bath won at League Two Grimsby in 2009, will help make sure he is not on the receiving end today.
      The 33-year-old added: “Coming over was very hard. Now I’m almost English but when I first came over, I was trying to get the ball down and play, it was a totally different style.
      “It was physically hard too. I needed to get myself in the gym to make myself stronger but I did learn and I know players use these games to try and get noticed.

      “You’re always going to have young kids who want to move up the divisions and experienced players who played higher up.
      “When teams like Hampton play in the FA Cup, they bring their A game and going away from home, it’s not going to be easy. Non-league teams always have that big striker and big centre back. If those two decide they’re playing, it can be difficult.
      “But we also want to win these games as we want to play big teams too.” More