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F A launches “Respect” scheme

The FA have introduced a new programme which is designed to promote respect in all levels of football and embodies players officials and fans taking part in matches. Over recent years there has been an influx of cases which seem to suggest that anti social behaviour is infiltrating the game at all levels.

The “Respect” programme aims to address this issue and find a mutually beneficial way in which everybody can keep the passion but lose the abuse and harassment which is commonplace in the game.

It has been suggested that one in three matches last season saw some type of disorder, whether this be on the pitch or from within the terraces and it is thought that this is having a profound affect on attendance levels – particularly within the lower leagues. Families are said to be put off by the foul and abusive language which is common within the stadiums and it is this large section of the country which the FA are targeting to experience live football in the future.

With today’s technological breakthroughs, it is all too easy for people to reject going to watch their local team and switch on the television instead and this new FA initiative hopes to entice more families through the turnstiles.

The main features which are being introduced are making the teams shake hands with each other before the kick off in every match in the Football League, and also restricting the amount of access which the players have to the referee by placing more importance on the captains.

The success which this will have is debatable though – especially on crowd attendances where I would suggest that capping the admission prices per league would yield a much greater reward.

Stoke City pull out of Carson hunt

Premiership newboys Stoke City have dropped out of the hunt for Liverpool’s goalkeeper Scott Carson. The two clubs had agreed a fee of £4 million for the player, but the deal now appears to have collapsed.

There are two other clubs looking at Carson however, Blackburn Rovers and West Brom. Blackburn will most likely need a replacement for rad Friedel, who looks bound for Aston Villa, who Carson was on loan with last season… this is getting complicated.

The deal between Stoke and Liverpool appears to have collapsed over personal terms with the player.

Stoke announced to the media:

Stoke City can announce that we are no longer pursuing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

The club will continue to look to improve the squad and remain hopeful of closing in on several new signings ahead of the Barclays Premier League campaign.

Villa were expected to sign Carson themelves, but now look to be targeting Tottenham’s Paul Robinson and Blackburn’s Brad Friedel.

Robbie Fowler to stay at Cardiff

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler is set to stay on at Championship side Cardiff City for another season. Fowler joined Cardiff last season when he was released by his former club, Liverpool.

WinningIsEverything understands that Fowler will sign a one-year contract extension with Cardiff City.

Fowler, now aged 33, has only played 16 times for Cardiff after an injury prone season that has seen him out of action since December last year, but he did manage to score six times in those sixteen games.

Fowler has undergone hip surgery in the United States to get himself back to fitness.

Hull City secure place in the top flight

Hull City secured a placein the Premier League yesterday beating Bristol City 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. The only goal of the game came in the first have when vetran and Hull born striker Dean Windass volleyed in from the edge of the area. It was a great goal and will mean that Windass will ply his trade in the top flight at the grand age of 40.

Hull didn’t have it all their way in the match and had to rely on keeper Myhill to keep the lead making saves in the second half as Bristol City pushed on.

It been an amazing turnaround for Hull who were in the bottom league only four seasons ago. Promotion and the new KC stadium have been key to sucess this year as has manager Phil Brown who managed to save the side from relegation last year and lead them to promotion this year. The league One play-off between Leeds and Doncaster kicks off this afternoon.

The League Play-Offs 2008 - Championship Hull V Bristol City

Some may say that it doesn’t get bigger than the Champions League or the F.A. Cup or the Premier League but for me it doesn’t get much better than the League Play-Offs. Theres been some classic down the years at Wembley and Cardiff, City V Gillingham, Bolton V Reading and maybe the best Sunderland V Charlton.

This weekend six teams meet at Wembley the home of football, three will go home unhappy and three go home in a higher division. This season the games are played backwards, no not penalties first then extra time but the Championship game is on Saturday with the League Two match moving to bank holiday Monday.

Hull V Bristol City

Bristol City are looking for a second promotion in as many years, manager Gary Johnson has masterminded the rise the Robins first year in the Championship. They’ve remained in the top 6 all season and have punched above their weight. Their opposition Hull have been on a great run coming into the play-offs late on and narrowly missing out on promotion. Phil Brown is looking to take the tigers to the top division for the first time in history, as the famous fact goes Hull is the biggest city never to have a team in the top flight.

It’s a close match with Hull having a slight edge with experience in Barmby, Pedersen and Dean ‘Fat Boy’ Windass. Bristol have been the underdogs all season and they might just grab a place in the top flight.

Portsmouth win the F.A. Cup

A single goal from Kanu was enough for Portsmouth to beat Cardiff in this afternoon’s F.A. Cup. The games wasn’t the greatest but Championship Cardiff did have a good go at the Premier League outfit.

Cardiff settled well in the game and had the first chance of the half Joe Ledley slid Paul Parry through, his low shot was saved by David James. Portsmouth nearly took the lead when Kanu turned his marker in the box, rounded Cardiff stopper Peter Enckelman and with an open goal hit the outside of the post.

Kanu didn’t let the miss get him down, John Utaka cross was only parried by Enckelman and Kanu was on hand to score from close range much like his semi final goal. In the second half Cardiff pressed on but didn’t really make any clear cut chances.

Sir Bobby Robson handed the trophy to Sol Campbell who lifted the trophy for Pompy for the first time since 1939.

Hull City to face Bristol City in play-off final.

Hull City to face Bristol City in play-off final.

Hull City booked their place in the Championship Playoff final with a resounding 4-1 on the night over Watford, winning 6-1 on aggregate. Phil Brown, Hull’s manager was confident going into the game with their 2-0 lead but it was the away side that took the lead when Darius Henderson finished a neat move.

That was the end of the come back, Nicky Barmby headed in from close range in the first half to draw level. Caleb Folan took the lead for Hull with a header, Richard Carcia grabbed the third and Nathan Doyle the fourth to seal the win.

It’s been a great few years in Hull, it’s only four years ago they were in the third division. They now face Bristol City who are looking for a second promotion in as many years, City beat Crystal Palace but did need extra time to get the win. In the league Hull finished five points ahead of Bristol.

Bristol City secure Play-Off Final place

Bristol City secured their place in the Championship Play-Off final beating Crystal Palace 2-1 on the night to go through 4-2 on aggregate.

Palace put up a fight and forced the game in to extra time when Ben Watson scored from all of twenty yards with a header when there was a mix up in the Bristol defense.

It could have been all so different in the second half when Watson missed a penalty which would have put Palace ahead in the tie. Nick Carle had fouled Tom Soare in the 72nd minute but Watson struck the post from the resulting penalty.

Bristol took the game to Palace in extra time, Lee Trundle curled in a goal on 104 and the game was sealed when Michael McIndoe smashed in a free kick.

Bristol will face the winners of the Hull V Watford match which concludes tomorrow night. Hull go into the game at the KC Stadium with a two-nil lead.

Watford 0 - 2 Hull

Hull City take a two goal lead into the second leg in the Championship Play-Off Semi Final, but in truth Watford were unluckly with a disallowed goal and a sending off.

It was the veterans in the Hull side that grabbed the goals, Nicky Barmby and Dean Windass, both Hull born players. Both goals came in the first half but that was after Danny Shittu had a goal disallowed for Hull.

It  didn’t get better for Watford in the second half when John Eustace was sent off by Mr Friend for a pushing over a Hull player, Shittu then went off injured. Over all a very good day for Hull and not so for Watford. The second leg takes place on Wednesday.

Bristol City take the advantage over Crystal Palace

Bristol City will take a lead into the second leg of their Championship Play-Off Semi after beating Crystal Palace 2-1. The lead was only secured late on when David Nobel smashed the ball home from 30 yards to make it 2-1 to the away side.

Bristol City took the lead in the match in the second half when Louis Carey curled in a free kick. Carey then turned from hero to villain when he fouled Jose Fonte, Ben Watson smashed home the penalty to draw Palace level.

With 90 minutes on the clock Nobel struck and Bristol will now be favorites going into the second leg at Aston Gate.

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