FA unveil brand new tournament featuring several ex-England stars
The Football Association are launching a new five-a-side tournament that will provide an opportunity for former professionals and non-league stars to play together with local community heroes
The Football Association is launching a new five-a-side tournament that will include former England internationals. The likes of former Tottenham and Sunderland star Jermain Defoe will lace up his boots once again to compete in the coming weeks.
With the finalists of the FA Cup now decided, after wins for Manchester City and Crystal Palace, Wembley is primed for its showpiece event. And while the pair will battle it out for their last chance at domestic silverware this season, tournament sponsors Emirates will launch a new competition.
Four teams are set to play in a tournament based at St George's Park, according to reports. The home of the FA and England's national team setup will play host to former professionals, non-league stars, influencers and community heroes.
And that will see a number of England internationals return to the pitch. Three former Three Lions star will each will be taking on leadership of a team, with an ex-Nigeria international taking on a fourth.
Defoe will be joined by goalkeeper-turned-YouTube star Ben Foster, former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, and ex- Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi. They will be linked to Emirates Flight Hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.
Those hubs will also be linked to destinations in Indonesia, Dubai, Thailand and Cambodia. That could prove particularly interesting to the players involved as prizes await.
The tournament's top goalscorer and best player could find themselves winning an enticing reward. Winners of those awards could end up being gifted a flight to their corresponding country.
No date for the competition has been confirmed, though it is expected to be be streamed live on YouTube. The FA Cup final takes place on May 17.
The kick-off time for the showpiece event has yet to be confirmed. The BBC however are said to be lobbying for a 3pm start due to the Eurovision Song Contest being scheduled for the same date.
The final will see no conflict from Premier League action this year. The top-flight fixtures will all take place either side of City's match with Palace.
Chelsea are scheduled to take on Manchester United on the preceding Friday evening, with the remaining fixtures to take place on the Sunday following.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
16 Sky Sports stars who have left since 2020 as eight more departures confirmed
Sky Sports has seen a bit of a shake-up over the last five years, with a number of presenters, pundits and journalists alike leaving the broadcaster - from household names to behind the scenes staff Sky Sports News has axed seven stars as part of a major shake-up, with a number of famous faces out of a job this summer. The reporters and presenters who faced a moving-on process were informed of the broadcaster's decision in May, with Sky Sports claiming that it came as a creative decision rather than a cost-cutting tactic. Originally launched in 1998, Sky Sports News has become synonymous with around-the-clock news coverage since its inception, but in a digital age, the organisation looks to enhance coverage across a number of platforms as it moves away from what was once strictly a product for television. Speaking to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Sky Sports News last month said: "We've shared proposals with the Sky Sports News team to change how we're structured, aimed at making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences across TV, digital and social. A small number of roles are impacted, and we are now entering a period of consultation with those colleagues." On top of the seven fresh cuts, it is also said that a presenter of 16 years is set to walk away from Sky Sports News this summer, bringing the total number of those moving on to eight. But who are the eight stars who are set to leave the organisation? And who else has left the programme in the past five years? Here Mirror Football breaks it down... Eight familiar faces to leave in fresh wave Paul Gilmore announced last month that he is set to leave the broadcaster after a 16-year stint as a presenter, where he has been instrumental in Sky Sports' transfer coverage. Taking to social media to announce his exit, he wrote: "After 16 brilliant years in N Ireland/London with @SkySportsNews, it's time to leave. "Was proud & grateful to cover major finals, tournaments, 25 Deadline Days, domestic games & become a PL commentator. Thank you to everyone I've worked with over the years. It's been a pleasure." Unlike Gilmore, however, seven other names have been moved on as the broadcasters undergoes a major revamp. Presenter Rob Wotton gave his final farewell during a live appearance late last month, while Melissa Reddy - who has been at the heart of some of Sky's top Premier League stories since joining the team three years ago was also let go. Elsewhere, Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor are also leaving the channel this summer, after 18 and 11-year stints with Sky, while Jeremy Langdon is also set to end a 20-year association with the organisation. Meanwhile, Senior reporter Fadumo Okow and a news editor will also leave their roles, it is understood. A Soccer Saturday shake-up Jeff Stelling made national headlines when his 29-year hosting duties at Soccer Saturday came to a close at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season. The Hartlepool-born presenter had been part and parcel of the programme since 1994, the 70-year-old later revealed that his decision came due to the toll his role was taking on his health. Speaking to the Guardian about his exit, Stelling said: "Even though I'd been there a long time, I felt some of my views weren't considered at all. Every week I was fighting a battle. I got tired of fighting and it was making me ill. Eventually, I went to Sky's management and said, 'This is making me unwell. I've got to step away from it.'" He added: "I'm almost ashamed to say it because my dad worked in a steelworks and would come back from his shift covered in grime and muck and absolutely exhausted. He would never have allowed me to say I was shattered after a TV show. But I felt it was making me ill so I had to step away." And while Stelling's departure came as a huge surprise to Soccer Saturday fans up and down the country, it pales compared to the shock decision of Sky Sports axing Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas three years earlier. A statement from Sky Sports at the time said: "We are changing some parts of our football coverage. Matt, Charlie and Phil have done a great job for us over the years, and they will leave us with our sincere thanks and very best wishes." Elsewhere, pundit of 20 years, Tony Cottee was also let go by Sky Sports in 2021, adding to the Soccer Saturday shake-up. Other notable pundits who have come and gone Elsewhere, a whole host of presenters and pundits have left the programme over the past five years. Graeme Souness parted ways with the company back in 2023 after an incredible 15-year career as a pundit following his playing and managerial days, saying at the time: "I was given an opportunity to do this and it was magnificent. "It has just been the most fantastic time for me. I love football, l care about football and l worry about it going forward, but in Sky's hands it is in good hands, it is in safe hands." Bianca Westwood also left Sky Sports the same year, saying on social media: "I haven't quite made enough money to retire unfortunately, but I am retiring from Sky Sports & Soccer Saturday. It's been a phenomenal 22 & a half years & I've been a small part of building the channel into the giant of broadcasting it is today. What a ride! "Being the first female match reporter on Soccer Saturday is something I'm immensely proud of & that can never be taken away from me. I've covered hundreds & hundreds of games, I've interviewed hundreds of players & managers. I've watched hours & hours of football. Years of experience (I said what I said!) that will live with me forever. "For the most part, it's been a blast. I'm grateful to you the viewers for watching over the years & for all your support. To those I've worked with who've been a big part of my life at Sky, you know who you are, thanks for the memories. On to the next chapter. Buzzing for it." Meanwhile, Dickie Davis also left the broadcaster in 2023 after almost 30 years with the organisation. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scottish Sun
42 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool make £113m Wirtz offer, Inter inquire about Hojlund, Spurs target Frank as new manager
Tottenham released a lengthy statement explaining their decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou: FOLLOWING a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever. We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home. News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.
The Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ‘make contact' with Rogers, Rodrygo wage demands revealed, Martinelli exit possible
Isak tipped for Arsenal Jamie O'Hara has claimed that Arsenal should sign Newcastle star Aleksander Isak over Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko. He told Grosvenor Sport: 'The obvious position to strengthen for Arsenal is a striker – they need to get one in. 'They need someone big and strong who can get them 20 goals a season. For me, Kai Havertz just isn't the man for the job. 'Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko are the obvious choices in the striker department for them. However, the trouble with strikers who come over from other leagues is that they fail to hit the ground running – particularly players from the Bundesliga and Liga Portugal. There's a massive difference between playing there and in the Premier League. 'I think clubs should be buying Premier League proven players who have been doing it week in, week out already. That's why I think Manchester United have been quite clever by signing Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha – we all know they're going to work for them. 'With that in mind, if I were Arsenal, I'd go and get Isak. I know it will be hard because Newcastle are in the Champions League, but Arsenal are a bigger club than Newcastle and could definitely tempt him.'
