Jack Ross had played down the sides’ Checkatrade Trophy meeting but nobody eased up in a 4-0 victory that was played amid a fiery atmosphere at the Stadium of LightJack Ross had said he was unwilling to “dress this game up as something it’s not” but neither set of supporters listened to Sunderland’s manager.Deep down, almost everyone accepted it failed to constitute a “proper” north-east derby and compensated by simply pretending it was. Accordingly, within the first 11 minutes there were two earsplitting, giant, bangs made by firecrackers released in the away end and the scent of smoke filled the cool January night air. Related: Gary Crosby: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson called and told me what a mistake I’d made’ Related:...
The cathedral city is red and white with football fever as the side in the National League last season chase a trophy against Shrewsbury and a second straight promotionThe Gothic cathedral and thigh-thirsty Steep Hill are synonymous with Lincoln but the shops and businesses, from the tearooms to toy shops that line the latter, and surrounding streets are showcasing many distinctive, colourful – predominantly red and white – facades these days, for there is a window-dressing competition with a difference. The judges? The Cowley brothers.Patisseries, pottery studios and pubs are decked out in club colours. There is a sea of bunting, and images depicting Lincoln City’s likeable manager, Danny, and his assistant, Nicky, formerly PE teachers at the FitzWimarc school...
Instead of seeing the negatives of the inclusion of top-tier under-23 teams in the Checkatrade Trophy we should embrace it in the knowledge that the next generation of players are gaining invaluable experienceI witnessed something special this week. Pressure on, players so nervous before a game they could hardly speak knowing their individual and collective performances would be analysed, studied and scrutinised by the people who have the power to determine their careers. These 90-odd minutes would be a significant indicator as to which way the team were heading and whether they had the ability to play at the highest level.You might think I’m describing the atmosphere before one of the key World Cup qualifiers being played this week but...
Sunday’s final at Wembley will be well attended but that has been far from the norm since the Football League allowed under-23 teams to competeDespite vastly reduced numbers going through the turnstiles for the early rounds of this season’s revamped Checkatrade Trophy, more than 72,000 tickets have been sold for the final, between Coventry City and Oxford United. Sunday’s crowd at Wembley will fall short of the record for a Football League Trophy denouement – 80,841 watched Wolves beat Burnley in 1988 – but it is a significant increase on the 59,230 supporters who attended last year’s decider, when Oxford lost a thriller 3-2 to Barnsley.The Football League is likely to see Sunday’s attendance as vindication for its much-maligned overhaul...