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The South African
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
The McCarthys enter Kaizer Chiefs history books
Kaizer Chiefs development product, Aden McCarthy, made his senior Amakhosi debut on Saturday in the club's 1-1 draw away to Sekhukhune United, following in the footsteps of his father, Fabian, who was a Kaizer Chiefs player between 2002 and 2008. Aden and Fabian also became the fifth different father-son duo to have played for the Glamour Boys. They join Amakhosi chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung and his son, the club's Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung jnr, as well as Kaizer Chiefs legend, Doctor Khumalo and his late father, Eliakim Khumalo, and the late former defender Siphiwe Mkhonza and his father, Joseph Mkhonza. The fifth pairing was another former Kaizer Chiefs defender, Morgan Gould, a league winner with Amakhosi whose father Ace 'Goodenough' Nkomo also wore the Gold & Black. Reflecting on his son's debut, Fabian McCarthy, who featured in 152 games for Kaizer Chiefs, beamed, 'It was a very proud and also emotional moment. 'If only my late father could have seen Aden make his Kaizer Chiefs debut. 'For myself and my wife Melissa and extended family, we are very proud of Aden.' Fabian, who had a trophy-laden career at Kaizer Chiefs, was further pleased to have joined the illustrious grouping. 'I am happy to be part of the father-son legacy at Kaizer Chiefs. Thank you for the opportunity and all the best to Aden,' he said. Aden McCarthy, who was born on 4 December 2003, two days before his father featured in Kaizer Chiefs' 2003/04 Coca Cola Cup final win over Platinum Stars, added that he has been a Amakhosi fan since birth. Aden spoke of his delight at getting to make his first team debut, revealing, 'I was born into the Kaizer Chiefs colours. My dad was still playing for them at the time. 'Making my debut for Kaizer Chiefs was a dream of mine since I was a small boy, so it was a big accomplishment to make it come true. 'As a young player, I just gave my best and I knew the chance would come when the timing was right and I am happy the coach gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent.' On the history of following his father into the Soweto giant's first team, he said, 'Being the fifth father-son combination to play for Kaizer Chiefs is crazy to think about, but honestly, it's a big honour for me and my family.' For his family, he had special praise. 'I need to give credit to my mother. People will post about my father because of our football link, but my mother has been the backbone for us,' he stated. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Shaun Dennis tributes paid as Raith Rovers legend dies aged 55
Raith Rovers legend Shaun Dennis has died at the age of 55. The Kirkcaldy club says it is 'deeply saddened' at the passing of the local hero. Dennis, born and raised in the Fife town, played 453 times for the Stark's Park side over three spells and is the most decorated player in Rovers history. He started the 1994 Coca Cola Cup Final triumph over Celtic before scoring the first penalty in the shootout. Raith said: 'Everyone at Raith Rovers Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Rover Shaun Dennis. 'Shaun played 453 games for us and has won more winners' medals than any player in Rovers history. 'Our thoughts are with Shaun's loved ones at this sad time.' Dennis signed for his hometown team as a 12-year-old, making his name as a no-nonsense defender following his debut in 1988. He played a part in a memorable era for Rovers, winning two First Division titles and enjoying European adventures in the Uefa Cup following the Coca Cola Cup win. Dennis was eventually snapped up by Hibs, where he made over 70 appearances before returning to Raith on loan and then permanently in 2001. A Second Division triumph followed, as did a brief spell as caretaker manager at the end of the ill-fated Claude Anelka regime. Dennis was inducted into the club's hall of fame in 2017. Former Rovers team-mate Jock McStay wrote on X: 'Heartbreaking. Devastated. Can't believe this has just happened.' Hibs said: 'Hibernian FC are saddened to learn of the passing of former Hibee Shaun Dennis. 'Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Shaun.' Former Easter Road team-mate Tam McManus added: 'Was a hard big guy on the park who took no prisoners but totally different off it. 'Was a great guy who was really good company.' Rovers historian John Greer paid a poignant tribute to the Stark's Park legend. He said: 'As recently as August 2024, Shaun was the guest at Reminiscing Raith where he regaled all present with his wonderful tales of his football career. 'He also brought his grandchildren to a game last season. He received a hero's welcome at the club he loved. 'There has been a huge outpouring of love for Shaun from all his team-mates. 'All at Raith Rovers would like to send his wife Tracy and family our deepest condolences.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aston Villa's forgotten cup heroes remembered as trophy drought rumbles on
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited March 2025 marked the respective 29th and 31st anniversaries of Aston Villa's 1996 and 1994 Coca Cola Cup winning campaigns. As with prior annual milestones, the images that accompanied their notation largely focussed on familiarly feted Aston Villa heroes. More specifically they tended to be the goal scorers in the showpiece finals – Dean Saunders and Dalian Atkinson from 1994 and Savo Milosevic, Ian Taylor and Dwight Yorke from 1996 - or the captains lifting the trophies, Kevin Richardson first and Andy Townsend two years later. Townsend was one of three players, Paul McGrath and Mark Bosnich were the others, to start in both finals, and all three are engrained with status into the annals of Aston Villa history. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And yet, none of these players were single handedly responsible for the successful campaigns as a whole, and as with any trophy winning team, squad members around the periphery are required to contribute. As we recall the twin Wembley successes, it is worth taking pause to remember some of the forgotten or neglected faces that impacted on those campaigns and will forever be part of the rich fabric of the club, albeit in smaller and more varied ways. READ MORE: HS2 address game-changing plans for new Birmingham City stadium READ MORE: Tom Fellows shows the Birmingham City problem Knighthead want to correct Neil Cox (right) helps Aston Villa team-mate Shaun Teale shut down Tranmere's John Aldridge in the 1994 semi-final at Villa Park. Utility man Neil Cox had arrived at Villa in February of 1991, a signing that was more typical of Graham Taylor as opposed to then Villa manager Jozef Venglos, Cox having played a single season for Scunthorpe before moving to the Midlands. Cox did not actually play for Villa until Venglos had himself been replaced by Ron Atkinson who for the next seasons clearly valued Cox as a component of his squad but equally never really trusted the defender with a run of games. 1993-94 was the season that Cox established himself to a greater degree making 29 appearances across all competitions, filling across the defence, in midfield and even once in goal as he replaced a red-carded Nigel Spink away at Southampton. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the Coca Cola Cup campaign Cox started four games, deputising for Earl Barrett against Birmingham City and then on the other side of defence, in place of Steve Staunton away at Arsenal. The Irish left back was injured again for the two-legged semi-final against Tranmere, so Cox started both and along with his colleagues redeemed himself after a dire night at Prenton Park, to steer Villa to Wembley with an iconic comeback in B6. It is symptomatic of Cox's reality in the Villa squad that he was replaced by a (semi) fit again Staunton for the 1994 final, although did come on as substitute to see the victory out. By July of 1994 Cox was gone, becoming Middlesbrough's first million-pound player as part of Bryan Robson's Teesside revolution. That decision by Robson is emblematic of the respect in which Cox was held, and a good reminder of his contributions over the victorious 1994 campaign. Graham Fenton made his Villa debut in February 1994, so when Ron Atkinson named him in the starting XI for the Coca Cola Cup final a month later, it is fair to say it was quite a shock. Atkinson had seen something in Fenton, belying the manager's own reputation as a fan of experience over youth, and felt the young midfielder could offer something quite different to put Manchester United on the back foot. So it proved, as Fenton operated in a quasi No.10 role, in front of Townsend and Richardson but behind Dalian Atkinson, Saunders and Tony Daley. The young but powerful Geordie made a mockery of his lack of experience with a driving display that set the tone for Villa to upset the clear favourites. The appearance at Wembley did not however set the tone for the rest of Fenton's Villa career, with Atkinson only rewarding him with eight more starts before Brian Little offloaded him to Blackburn in 1995. Memories of Fenton in claret and blue may be sparse, but we – and he – will always have that day at Wembley in March 1994. Aston Villa's Graham Fenton is sent sprawling by Manchester United's Steve Bruce in the 1994 League Cup final Honourable mentions to the classy midfielder Garry Parker, who made three appearances in the 1993-94 Coca Cola Cup campaign, before being permanently ousted by Andy Townsend, and Guy Whittingham, with two, who failed to live up to his unbelievable goalscoring records for Portsmouth as a Villa player. Bryan Small, an erstwhile presence at Bodymoor Heath, and often the subject of Big Ron's humour, made a single start. Whilst not forgotten, Gordan Cowans and Nigel Spink, two of the heroes of Rotterdam in 1982 also played in the preliminary stages of the Coca Cola Cup campaign, their dwindling influence a sign of the passing of time but certainly not status. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement By the time 1995-96 swung around Atkinson had departed and Brian Little was well into a huge squad overhaul that whilst far reaching, actually led to a hugely consistent team selection over the season. To put that into context eight of Little's squad played in every game of the Coca Cola campaign, with a ninth playing in seven. Still, some players now largely forgotten in Villa's historical lineage were still able to make an impact. Riccardo Scimeca, son of Italian restaurant owning parents in Leamington, had begun life as a striker, although Little moved him back into defence. Scimeca made his full debut for Villa in the Coca Cola Cup, helping keep a clean sheet (alongside Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate) as Villa beat Stockport. A brief substitute appearance in the fourth round against QPR followed, before a lengthier and more influential twenty minutes in a resolute Villa rearguard that kept the semi final second leg against Arsenal at 0-0 to send Villa to Wembley on the away goal rule. Scimeca would play another three seasons at Villa Park, although would never recapture the glorious denouement of 1996, of which he played an overlooked but invaluable part. Tommy Johnson in action for Aston Villa in the mid 1990s. The final word here goes to Tommy Johnson, who perhaps falls more into the neglected bracket as opposed to the forgotten. Johnson was certainly more than a squad player, but in being an unused substitute in the 1996 final victory against Leeds, the memories of the attacker have faded somewhat. To challenge that narrative, take a moment to recall a hard-fought quarter final victory against Wolves at Villa Park, settled by a solitary Johnson goal. Many a time Johnson came to Villa's rescue, and he always seemed content to be part of the bigger whole. Never was this clearer when gleefully celebrating with goal scorer Ian Taylor after Villa's second goal in the 1996 Final – it was Taylor who had arguably kept Johnson out of the starting XI. (You can watch Tommy Johnson reliving his Villa career in an exclusive interview with our Claret & Blue podcast here). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Through contributions big or small, sustained or irregular, heroes all in claret and blue. Ivan McDouall is the author of Only The Real Thing: Aston Villa and the Coca Cola Cup 1993-1996. Published by Pitch Publishing, the book relives the glory of Aston Villa's last two major trophy wins. It is available to buy in hardback at Pitch Publishing's website here and via other stockists including Amazon, Waterstones and WH Smith.
