Bristol and Portsmouth primed to host 2018 World Cup matches
Features
Bristol, Portsmouth and Nottingham could stage World Cup matches in 2018 if England hosts the tournament. If successful in its bid for the Cup the FA will encourage cities across the country to bid for matches as it seeks an even geographical spread of venues.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
City's Uefa Cup plans rocked by Bon Jovi concert
Features
Manchester City face the prospect of having to start their Uefa Cup campaign next season at another stadium because of a Bon Jovi concert at their ground. The club are looking at alternative venues - with Huddersfield Town's Galpharm Stadium under consideration - amid concerns that the pitch at Eastlands will not be ready in time.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
Final reward for Redknapp revolution
Features
It is a story Harry Redknapp has told before, though, as he glances along the line of those he leads out at Wembley today, he might shudder at the memories it conjures. In December 2005 the newly re-appointed Portsmouth manager strode into the club's training ground with the team second bottom in the Premier League. "Dejan Stefanovic, who I'd brought here first time round, came up to me and said: 'Gaffer, you've got no chance here. This is the worst team I've ever seen. You must be mad,'" recalled Redknapp. "After a morning's training I realised he was right. Where they found some of them, God only knows."
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
'I knew I was in real trouble' - PC describes beating by fans
Features
The police officer cornered, kicked and stamped on by drunken Glasgow Rangers fans in the centre of Manchester spoke yesterday for the first time of his terror during the mob's attack.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
Johnson and Adams renew hostilities five years on
Features
Roger Johnson does not name the "long list of people who said I wouldn't make it" yet it is blindingly obvious who heads the cast of those who, privately if not in public, will wince at the Cardiff City defender's role in the FA Cup final. His name is Tony Adams, and his presence in the Portsmouth dug-out this afternoon sprinkles extra spice on the showpiece for the man he unceremoniously cast aside at Wycombe Wanderers.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
Jones says pressure on Pompey will lift Cardiff
Features
Lower-league opponents have destroyed the FA Cup ambitions of 10 Premier League clubs this season and the Cardiff City manager, Dave Jones, believes the pressure and expectation upon Portsmouth can conspire to claim an 11th at Wembley this afternoon.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
Lack of big-four class leaves plenty for neutrals to chew on
Features
This FA Cup final is so distinctive that it would fail a drugs test if romance were an illegal substance. The game is doped up with novelty. An English manager will get his mitts on the trophy and the winner will come not just from beyond the top four but perhaps from outside the Premier League. There are engrossing case histories on the field, whether, in the Portsmouth ranks, it is David James' reclassification from calamity to national treasure or, at Cardiff, the possibility of Robbie Fowler stealing into another final at some point.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: May 17, 2008
