Easter 'crucial' to City's fortunes before
City got their Easter programme off to the start they hoped for with a 2-1 win against already confirmed fourth-placed Sunderland. The Easter schedule is less frenetic than it used to be when I first started watching City over 50 years ago. Back in the 1970s you played either Friday, Saturday and Tuesday or Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.I recall three years when Easter was a crucial time for City's fortunes. In 1971, City were in a battle to avoid relegation from the Second Division and faced Luton Town at Ashton Gate on Good Friday. On a quagmire pitch they trailed 2-0 at half-time, before storming back in the second period to win 3-2 thanks to two goals from Chris Garland and another from defender Dickie Rooks. The next day City took another step to survival beating Portsmouth 2-0 at Ashton Gate.In 1975 City were battling at the other end of the table for promotion. I was amongst the fans who travelled to Southampton's old ground, The Dell, to witness a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Donnie Gillies. Hopes were high for the Saturday game against Norwich City back at home but the visitors clearly benefitted from resting in a Bristol hotel while City battled on the south coast and won 1-0. The Tuesday fixture was a home game against Bristol Rovers which ended 1-1.Just a year later City were again battling for promotion and in a much stronger position. Manager Alan Dicks had brought forward the Easter Saturday fixture which meant City didn't play in successive days and came away from visiting neighbouring Bristol Rovers on Good Friday with a point from a 0-0 draw. The Tuesday fixture was against Portsmouth and City went into the game knowing that victory would secure a return to the top flight for the first time in 65 years. They achieved that thanks to Clive Whitehead's goal securing a 1-0 win and a four-year stay in the then called First Division.Forty nine years on is this going to be our season to make that much awaited return?You can hear more from David Pottier on the fans podcast Forever Bristol City, external.
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Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
The Club World Cup is finally here - but who is it really for?
After dislocating his shoulder towards the end of 2023, Jude Bellingham has been playing through the pain and aided by strapping protection. The Real Madrid midfielder is finally set to undergo surgery in the off-season to ensure his shoulder heals properly, but will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks as part of his recovery. New boss Xabi Alonso surely wants his talismanic midfielder back as early as possible next season as the Spaniard looks to mount a challenge on defending league champions Barcelona. Real, however, have decided otherwise, preferring Bellingham to play through the pain for a few weeks longer at the upcoming Club World Cup to try and help his side become the first winners of the new, expanded tournament. Such a decision is evidence enough of the divisive nature of FIFA's latest brainchild. Spearheaded by current president Gianni Infantino, the revamped Club World Cup was not something clubs asked for. Fans and players certainly didn't either. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. But as the 64-game tournament gets underway in the United States, the waters of opposition have undoubtedly become muddied, and a new reality appears to have emerged. After a hectic season of club football, which included an expanded Champions League, few of Europe's top players appear keen to shorten their summers further by playing in the Club World Cup. 'We players would love to have some holidays, and some time for our bodies to rest,' Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, a vocal critic of the tournament, recently said. 'My City teammates are not exactly overjoyed about the tournament either. But it's now right in our faces, and there is nothing we can do about it. 'If we take part, then of course we want to win it. But if we reach the final, then the time period for us to recover ahead of the new season will become even shorter.' While not everyone has been so forthright, Akanji is not alone. Earlier in the season, fellow City star Rodri said players may consider strike action over fixture congestion. Many more have privately expressed concerns. 'When I speak to PFA members who are playing in the Premier League, in Europe and for their country, fixture congestion is the number one issue they raise,' Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Maheta Molango told Metro last November. 'Those players know how privileged they are to be in that position, but there are physical limits to how far they can be pushed. Right now, they are in a situation where they are essentially part of a year-round football calendar; it never stops. We're starting to hit a tipping point because they are not robots.' Players may not be universally keen on taking part, and it appears that the reception from fans has been similarly mixed. Sluggish ticket sales could see as many as 45,000 empty seats for the tournament's opening fixture between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Al Ahly. Sales for games involving high-profile European sides have fared better, while South American teams are expected to travel in their numbers for a chance to see their teams as well as ageing stars such as Messi and Luis Suarez in action. But many fixtures involving lesser-known teams from further afield seem destined to take place against the half-empty backdrop of vast US stadiums. That mixed reception has also manifested itself in the TV coverage. FIFA found itself initially unable to shift broadcasting rights before DAZN took them off the governing bodies' hands for a remarkable $1billion (£787million) figure. The not-so-subtle $1bn investment in DAZN from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund weeks later may also explain where the funding for the bid came from and what FIFA is hoping to achieve off the field of play with this competition. But while players and many fans appear apathetic, most clubs appear to have embraced the opportunity that the revamped format has offered with both hands. For smaller clubs, the exposure and opportunity to test their mettle against Europe's best might be considered reward enough. But for the tournament's bigger sides, the financial upside is likely the most eye-catching element. FIFA's rankings will grant Europe's top-ranked sides £29.6m just for participating, with a potential £97m on offer should they win all their group-stage games and then the entire tournament. On top of a participation fee, clubs will receive prize money as follows: Group Stages : £1.5m for a win and £800,000 for a draw : £1.5m for a win and £800,000 for a draw Round of 16 : £5.8m : £5.8m Quarter-Final : £10.1m : £10.1m Semi-Final : £16.2m : £16.2m Runners-up : £23.2m : £23.2m Winner: £30.0m Perhaps then, it's no surprise that Real were happy to spend £10m for Trent Alexander-Arnold's early release from Liverpool in time for the tournament. There are, of course, downsides. Playing a tournament during the transfer window will surely complicate summer recruitment, let alone pre-season. England boss Thomas Tuchel has already suggested that Arsenal and Liverpool will have an advantage over Chelsea and Manchester City in the league next year due to the latter two's participation in the Club World Cup. More Trending But in an era of more stringent financial regulation and PSR rules, the opportunity to bank nearly £100m from just seven games' work is far too alluring. The second edition of the revamped tournament won't take place until 2029, but reports suggest that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United – as well as a host of other top European clubs – are keen to see the tournament expanded to ensure they can share in the future financial benefits. None of that should come as much of a surprise – many of these clubs happily signed up to the Super League before its quick demise. Perhaps now the Club World Cup is seen as the next-best option. Players may not be keen, football's vast fanbase may still be unconvinced, but clubs and their owners appear to be all in. For now, that might be all that matters. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea identify defender with £67million release clause as key transfer target MORE: Arsenal respond to rejected Viktor Gyokeres bid as Manchester United submit rival offer MORE: Manchester United begin talks to sign £84m Chelsea target
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Kevin De Bruyne's three-word message after joining Napoli from Man City
Kevin De Bruyne has decided to join Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City, with the Belgian now looking to help them retain their Serie A title next season Kevin De Bruyne has issued a three-word message after completing his free transfer from Manchester City to Napoli. The Belgian spent a decade at the Etihad Stadium, lifting six Premier League titles and the Champions League in a treble-winning season. But City decided to allow him to leave when his contract expired this summer. That was against De Bruyne's wishes, with the 33-year-old caught by surprise by the club's decision to let him go. The midfielder was linked with a move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. A deal with Lionel Messi's side did not come to fruition, with De Bruyne instead opting to remain in Europe. The club he has decided to join is Napoli, who won the Serie A title this season. They are managed by Antonio Conte, a man De Bruyne has never played under, but who holds a reputation for being one of the best coaches in the game. The completion of the deal was announced on Thursday with a picture of De Bruyne alongside Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Alongside the picture, De Bruyne included a short message to his new club. De Bruyne wrote: "Sono qui." That translates to 'I am here' in English. The Belgian also added a blue love heart emoji to the end of the message. Meanwhile De Laurentiis also posted the photo on his social media pages, along with the comment: "Benvenuto Kevin!" That translates into 'Welcome Kevin' in English. Napoli have won two of the last three Serie A titles, with this season's success led by former Premier League players Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay. Former Manchester United star McTominay was also named the Italian top-flight's Player of the Year. A leaving ceremony was held for De Bruyne after his final game at the Etihad. During that, the Belgian delivered an emotional speech to the crowd to thank them for their support. 'It's been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I had with everything that happened here. It's been an unbelievable ride and an absolute pleasure,' De Bruyne said. 'It was a joy working really hard to try and help create something that brought the Club the success we enjoyed. I'm super proud to have played a part in that. Manchester has been my home and my family's home for these past 10 years. 'Everybody pushed me so hard inside and outside the club to be the best version of myself. They made me so much better than I was before. 'And the City fans were so welcoming from the beginning and to have had a full stadium supporting me and family [was] indescribable. Thank you very much.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Jack Grealish where are you?' – Erling Haaland heartbroken with Man City set to break up bromance by selling £100m ace
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Land of woe 'Jack Grealish where are you?' – Erling Haaland heartbroken with Man City set to break up bromance by selling £100m ace Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTBROKEN Erling Haaland has taken to social media to ask about his missing pal Jack Grealish. Haaland flew out with the Manchester City squad for the Club World Cup in the United States, with their first game commencing next Wednesday against Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Erling Haaland called out team-mate Jack Grealish while heading to the Club World Cup Credit: Getty 5 Haaland asked where Grealish was on a social media story Credit: SNAPCHAT / ERLING HAALAND 5 Meanwhile, Grealish was seen soaking in some sun Credit: Instagram 5 He shared an Instagram story with a stunning sea view Credit: Instagram However, there was the notable exception of £100million outcast Grealish. The 29-year-old has been left out of Pep Guardiola's 27-man travelling squad for the tournament - while their four new summer signings worth £112m have all been included. It's understood Grealish has been told he no longer has a future at the Etihad, and the decision to leave him out of the Club World Cup squad is designed to help the party boy find a new club. But it seems his absence is already being felt by some of his team-mates, including talisman Haaland. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GAME CHANGER Major Premier League TV change with broadcasting giant to lose all coverage The Norwegian struck up a huge bromance with Grealish at City since joining from Borussia Dortmund three years ago, and he directly called out the attacking midfielder in a Snapchat post. Posting on his story for his 1.2 million followers on the account, Haaland posted a selfie of himself on a jet wearing a club shirt and sitting on branded seats. He was seen wearing headphones, but the angle of the photo showed an empty seats with bags on it next to the 24-year-old. Haaland then captioned the photo: "Jack Grealish where are you," followed by a crying cat emoji. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Funnily enough the answer to the striker's question was answered on Grealish's Instagram page. On there he posted a video on his story of himself with his legs dangling over the ocean before panning the camera up to show a stunning view out to sea with and yachts dotted across the harbour. Liverpool's £100m Barcola bid / Gyokeres forces Man Utd move / Grealish City axe | Transfers Exposed He captioned the post: "Peaceful," followed by an emoji of a man getting a massage. Previously speaking about he and Haaland's friendship, Grealish said: "Everyone is different, aren't they? "Look at Erling. He is the best professional I have ever seen. We have a great friendship but he will point at me after a game and say, 'Hey, don't you go out tonight partying'. "His mindset is something you won't see again. He does everything. Recovers. In the gym. 10 hours of treatment a day. Ice baths. Diet. "That's why he is what he is. But I swear I couldn't be like that." Haaland also expressed his love for Grealish after winning the Premier League in 2024, screaming "I f***ing love you" as he interrupted an interview with Sky Sports. SunSport understands City are willing to sell Grealish for £40m, less than half what they paid to land make the former Aston Villa star the then most expensive English transfer of all time in 2021. Grealish's lack of minutes saw him miss out on selection for Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad. But the German boss warned Grealish he needs to be playing regularly to be in contention for next summer's World Cup squad, which is also in North America. SunSport exclusively revealed how Grealish was being lined up for a £300,000-a-week loan transfer by Newcastle, while Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen were also eyeing him as a possible replacement for Florian Wirtz - who is set to join Liverpool in a record-breaking £126m deal. 5 Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 live on DAZN
