Swansea U21s have another Nathaniel MG Cup chance
With no south Wales derby to look forward to after Cardiff City's relegation to League One, Swansea fans can instead look forward to a potential encounter between the clubs' under-21s sides.Swansea and Bluebirds' junior teams have won wildcard entries to Welsh domestic football's 2025-26 Nathaniel MG Cup for a third successive season.The Cymru Premier's dominant force, The New Saints, are reigning holders of the Welsh League Cup.Swansea's youngsters went out in the first round last July, losing 5-3 in a penalty shootout at Baglan Dragons.The draw for the 2025-26 first round takes places on Wednesday, 25 June and Swansea will be hoping to go significantly further this time around.
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POSING in swimwear in sun-soaked social media snaps, they look like the ultimate loved-up celebrity couple. But friends fear the final whistle could soon be blown on Andy Carroll and Lou Teasdale 's romance. 9 9 9 9 The former England footballer, 36, is swapping escargots for England and moving back home to be closer to his five children - and insiders close to the pair say they may not survive the transition. While he's been playing football in France, and frolicking with make-up artist to the stars Lou, 41, off the pitch, Andy's ex, former Towie star Billi Mucklow, 37, has been looking after their three young kids, plus his two teenage children from a previous relationship, back in the UK. A source said: 'There are genuine fears that Andy and Lou won't last when they return to the UK. "Their relationship has effectively been a big holiday romance, and they are going to be seriously tested when returning to reality. "Andy has clearly made it his priority to be closer to his children. 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COUPLE CLASH In fact, cracks have already started appearing between Andy and Lou after he was quizzed by the police twice over bust-ups with her during a break on the Greek party island of Mykonos earlier this month. After the first clash, a worker at restaurant Nikolus Tavern said: 'He seemed very drunk and furious with his partner. 'He was using very bad words. It was improper behaviour. The woman looked very upset.' Following a chat with cops, during which Andy was 'very calm', the striker returned to Lou. However, hours later officers escorted him to a local police station for questioning after reports of damage to the couple's room at a £500-a-night boutique hotel. A hotel worker confirmed the incident, telling The Sun on Sunday: 'Yes, they were staying here. He broke the door.' Carroll wasn't arrested, and it's understood no further action was taken, but Lou stayed elsewhere that night, checking into celebrity hotspot Soho Roc House private members' club. 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"Like, they just go in with it and it's a bit of a, 'Are you DTF [down to f**k]?' But without saying that. 'It's not as literal as that, but you genuinely can, if you want to, have sex, probably go and meet someone off Towie quite quickly.' Nomadic lifestyle Asked if she's been messaging anyone from Towie, she said: 'Loads of them. Not this year, but I have in the past. I'm not saying. "There is a little world going on, and it's quite easy to go and meet someone from Instagram. "I generally find just talking on Instagram is better for dating. I meet more blokes that way." Lou is also no stranger to membership-based dating app Raya, and previously admitted she would 'always connect' with people she 'already knows a little bit'. She added: 'So it's really easy to start chatting.' Lou - who first shot to fame as One Direction 's make-up artist, and remains close pals with Harry Styles - has a daughter, Lux Atkin, 13, with musician Tom Atkin, 40. Lux - @Baby Lux on her 23,000-follower Instagram account - was previously dubbed 'One Direction's youngest fan', after she was often pictured with the Story Of My Life hitmakers. Lou led a nomadic lifestyle while on tour with the boyband, and that has continued throughout her life. MARRIAGE MATERIAL? In May, Andy's friends were convinced he was planning to pop the question to Lou - as soon as his divorce from Billi was finalised. A friend told The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Lou is already telling her mates they have discussed marriage, and Andy thinks he's met his soulmate. "Their connection is so strong. He has never felt like this before. 'He definitely wants to put a ring on it. It's been a whirlwind romance for both of them. "But they're playing for keeps." Meanwhile, Andy and Billi are still thrashing out their divorce, after separating in September 2024 - with he and Lou revealing their romance weeks later. Billi recently showed Andy just what he is missing when she shared several stunning bikini pictures of her own on Instagram, during a break in Mallorca. She added the caption: 'Back To My Happy Place." But will a return to England be a happy place for Andy and Lou? I fell out of love with everything. I was very depressed. I wouldn't go out of the house, I had to wear a hat if I did. I hated everything and everybody Andy Carroll The footballer recently admitted his final years in England were a "nightmare", before he was offered an escape route from French side Amiens in 2023, and then signed for fourth-tier club Bordeaux in 2024. Speaking to The Independent in November, he said: "I fell out of love with everything. I was very depressed. I wouldn't go out of the house, I had to wear a hat if I did. I hated everything and everybody." Andy also told how he has enjoyed a much 'easier' and 'simpler life' in France. Speaking about fame having its "dark sides", he said: "In France I live a much easier, simpler life. 'People recognise me in the street but respect me. "That's key to my happiness." Whether Lou can help deliver Andy's happiness goal remains to be seen… but their romance could be heading into injury time. 9 9 9 9 9
