Who Ate All The Pies

Football League to scrap draws?

The Football League board is to consider a proposal to scrap draws and decide matches by penalty shoot-outs according to the BBC. Obviously they've gone completely mental. The idea will be discussed by Football League chairmen and chief executives at a board meeting on Thursday. There is no indication as to when this could happen if it ever gets the green light. Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger said: "I saw this in my first year managing in Japan - it did not have spectacular results." He added: "In extra-time they played a sudden death goal and if no-one scored they had penalties. The draw is part of the culture of the game and I would not like that to disappear."

The idea was originally put forward in the recent Football League Fans Survey. There are currently two proposals to be considered - a traditional penalty shoot-out or where a player would have eight seconds to try and score after receiving the ball on the half-way line... a bit like the penalty shoot outs in Ice Hockey. Bournemouth boss Kevin Bond told the Daily Echo newspaper said: "Why can't we just have a draw? I don't agree with it because I think it's too much of a radical change. I'm very open-minded and I think certain laws of the game need to move with the times but that would be too much of a drastic measure."

What do you think? Brilliant idea or complete guff? [Mof Gimmers]

Free travel to football matches

Fans who have experienced the thrill of an away match will know how addictive it is. The trip down, the pre-match pints in a strange pub, being in a strange ground. It's like a holiday with a football match stuck in the middle of it! However, loads give it a wide berth because they can't get a lift down to the games. Well, you needn't fear that any more.

A website called WeWillfollow aims to stop all that worry and hassle by allowing you to offer and request lifts to games home and away, and it’s completely free. Added to that, the site also has a ticket exchange for fans with a spare. It's all rather nice isn't it? To add to the community feeling, WeWillFollow also have a unique 'Exile List' for each club, so if you've drifted away from your club (geographically speaking) you can register as a member on the site and talk to other exiled supporters of your club. With a list of 1000+ supporters clubs too, you need never feel lonely and exiled again! Have a look and sign up with the site now!

Bradford fans produce Leeds United fanzine for Christmas

Bradford City fanzine The City Gent has created a special Leeds United edition just in time for Christmas. The Super L666ds tribute book features no less than 36 blank pages. Billed as "diligent and exacting" and "Everything you ever wanted to know about the not so massive club that was Super L666ds," the book is the follow-up to two similar publications produced 20 years ago.

Editor Mike Harrison was inspired to revive the idea given Leeds current precarious position in the Championship. He is already facing the wrath of angry Leeds supporters but said: "As the Welsh comedian Rob Brydon might say 'it's just a bit of fun.' Feel free to bring out a Bradford City version, and put me down for the first copy!"

Click here for details on ordering Super L666ds. And here's proof that Leeds have at least a bit of heritage!

[Rob Parker]

Horror Tackle: Dean Windass tries to insert himself into Neil Young feet first

This nasty tackle comes from last month's League One clash between Bradford and Bournemouth. Veteran striker Dean Windass has, for some reason, completely lost it just 13 minutes into the match and decides to make a Dean Windass-shaped hole in Cherries defender Neil Young.

Lunging tackle + two feet + being late + being about three feet above where the ball would have been even if you were in time = red card.

[Via The Grimsby Football Club Blog]

Get more Horror Tackle action by clicking here, and here too if your stomach's still up to it!

[Rob Parker]

Best young players outside the Premiership

Interesting little video which profiles, as the title of this post cunningly suggests, the hottest talent outside of the top flight in England. Definitely some future Premiership stars to watch out for…

Oldham's Chris Hall to strip off for The Full Monty

Oldham midfielder Chris Hall is to get his kit off next week when he stars in a stage version of The Full Monty. The 19-year-old has been given permission by his club to appear in NK Theatre Arts' charity production.

Hall will play the part of 'Horse' in the play after club officials went back on a decision to block Hall's venture into amateur dramatics. Theatre company boss Darren Stannage - presumably egged on by a journalist from The Sun - said: "Let's not forget the nature of this show — he’ll need the balls to get his kit off in front of hundreds of people."

The show is on at the Forum Theatre, Romiley, between 23 and November 25. For ticket information call 0870 777 8731.

[Rob Parker]

Does the League Cup finally mean something?

For years, the League Cup has seen various sponsors. It was once the Milk Cup. It was once the Rumbleows Cup. Largely however, it's referred to as the 'Micky Mouse Cup'. Usually, Premiership sides put out weakened teams to ensure an injury free squad for 'more important' matches like league games, or in some cases, European fixtures. Well, last night, the nation's love affair with our third favourite domestic cup took a turn for the better with some great matches, great tales and great goals.

Biggest news of the night was the shock victory at Roots Hall. Southend's victory over a pretty decently turned out Manchester United showed how brilliant English cup football can be. Freddy Eastwood's blistering freekick scorched the back of the ManYoo net, and showed that Alex Ferguson, in his twenty years and one day of football, still has a few things to learn. Aside from the biggest upset in years, the other matches showed English football at it's best.

Charlton and Chesterfield provided a barnstorming game of football which resulted in penalties after a 3-3 thriller. Even though Mr Dowie was clearly pleased with the result, his Charlton side still have more than enough to worry about. Conceding three goals and scraping through on penalties to a lower league side does not bode well. Newcastle, looking farcical in the league (and in defence) also played their part in a super game of football, throwing everything they had into their quest for victory. The Mickey Mouse Cup? It might just save Glenn Roeder his job should they continue to progress. Also, ask the Newcastle fans if they want to win it after having a bare trophy cabinet for nigh on fifty years.

Another great tale of English football is the all conquering Wycombe side who find themselves in the Quarter Finals of the competition. A League Two side (or a Division Four side for us oldies) in the last eight of a cup? Ask them if it means anything if they get drawn against Chelsea.

All in all, a potentially dull Tuesday night of football was livened up by passionate performances, a real desire to win by all participants, and lots of goals. So, the Mickey Mouse Cup? I don't think so. Long live the League Cup!

[Mof Gimmers]

Southend land dream tie in Carling Cup

Southend manager Steve Tilson got his dream-come-true by landing a tie with Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Speaking after his side's win over Leeds on Tuesday evening, Tilson had said "Man Utd away would be a good reward for us in the next round." Sir Alex Ferguson's side were then promptly pulled from the hat next to Southend, but Saaarfend will be at home rather than away to the Premiership bigboys' reserve team.

"They have nothing to lose and I'm sure it will be a difficult game for us," United boss Ferguson said on Sky last night after his second string beat Crewe 2-1 in extra-time. The last 16 features three all-Premiership ties, with Chelsea's victory over Blackburn seeing them drawn at home against Aston Villa, Watford hosting Newcastle and Everton at home to th eincreasingly impressive Arsenal. Chesterfield's reward for knocking out Manchester City and West Ham is a home tie against Premiership's Charlton. "We are in good form in this competition and at home with a full house we don't fear anybody," said Chesterfield boss Roy McFarland. For the full draw, read over.

Fourth Round Draw:

Birmingham v Liverpool

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Chesterfield v Charlton

Everton v Arsenal

Notts County v Wycombe

Southend v Manchester United

Tottenham v Port Vale

Watford v Newcastle

[Mof Gimmers]

Agent Charles Collymore charged by FA

Agent Charles Collymore has been charged by the FA for touting one of his players around without the knowledge of his club. Collymore is alleged to have pimped Luton Town's Enoch Showunmi (pictured) to Millwall without the knowledge of the Kenilworth Road club. Showunmi is now at Bristol City.

Collymore is the agent Luton boss Mike Newell claimed had offered him a bung. The charge has been made following evidence provided by Newell, and does not relate to allegations made about him during the recent BBC Panorama investigation.

[Rob Parker]

Carling Cup third round draw: Crewe to play Manchester United

Crewe Alexandra have been rewarded for their victory against Wigan in the Carling Cup with a tie at home to Old Trafford Buccaneers under-19s. The third round draw took place at 1.30pm today. Other tasty looking ties see MK Dons take on Spurs and Chesterfield tackle West Ham. Click below to see the full draw. 

Carling Cup third round draw: Crewe to play Manchester United continued

Wycombe v Doncaster
Sheffield United v Birmingham
Leicester v Aston Villa
Watford v Hull
Leeds v Southend
Chesterfield v West Ham
Notts County v Southampton
Newcastle v Portsmouth
Charlton v Bolton
Liverpool v Reading
West Brom v Arsenal
Port Vale v Norwich
Everton v Luton
MK Dons v Tottenham
Crewe v Manchester United
Blackburn v Chelsea

[Rob Parker]