cup final cup final football match played liverpool west united millennium stadium cardiff final match cup season world oldest football knockout competition cup liverpool participating 13th final previously won lost west appearing fifth final previously won lost final held millennium stadium stadium rebuilt liverpool won final held millennium stadium beat arsenal match called final widely regarded greatest cup finals history competition teams highest tier english football premier league entered competition round matches semi final contested basis replay taking place match ended draw liverpool matches varied close affairs comfortable victories beat manchester united fourth round won birmingham city sixth round majority west matches close match decided goal victory fourth round watched crowd west took lead half liverpool defender scored goal dean scored minutes later west liverpool scored courtesy score half time long restart goal minutes later west defender paul gave team lead match injury time distance score force game extra time match remained entirety extra time decided penalty shoot west missed penalties liverpool converted win shoot victory meant liverpool won cup seventh time later played league champions community shield given liverpool qualified europe league position cup spot awarded runners west route final liverpool liverpool entered competition round teams premier league drawn football league championship town home ground road despite trailing interval goals second half including halfway line meant liverpool recovered win match progress fourth round drawn fellow division club match held portsmouth ground park saw liverpool lead half captain scored penalty following portsmouth defender john scored half time portsmouth got goal sean davis second half goals scored liverpool won fifth round fellow premier league team manchester united opposition fifth round match held liverpool home ground won courtesy peter goal 19th minute time years liverpool defeated united cup liverpool drawn premier league team birmingham city sixth round liverpool took lead match held birmingham home ground andrew minute defender headed goals half saw liverpool finish half lead goals second half goal birmingham defender meant liverpool won progress semi final premier league opposition semi final match held neutral venue old home ground manchester united liverpool took lead half defender john terry committed foul resulted liverpool free kick scored extended lead soon start second half goal yards received ball william gave lead scored late half unable achieve liverpool won match progress final west united west entered competition round drawn championship team city game scorer dean withdrawn squad amid speculation sold sale denied manager joined west soon million match played home ground road saw west lead sixth minute double second half bobby found paul penalty lost west progressed fourth round fellow premier league team opposition fourth round west went goal minute david scored subsequently scored goals matthew bobby goal win match fifth round west drawn premier league opposition fifth round facing away stadium ended draw necessitating replay goal 10th minute gave west lead replay home ground park kevin davies score time match went extra time goal minute gave west victory meant progressed sixth round premier league team manchester city opposition sixth round west went ahead 41st minute dean scored extended lead match held city ground city manchester stadium minute second match goal minute city prevent west won semi final premier league opposition semi final neutral venue villa park birmingham game players supporters remember life west recently deceased manager john half saw dominate unable convert chances goals lost mark injury long pass defender ferdinand headed goal ensured victory west place final background match liverpool 13th appearance final won occasions lost times west appearing fifth final previously won lost cup final liverpool won meetings teams premier league season home victory end october followed win end april match saw liverpool west defender sent meant suspended final week final liverpool played portsmouth premier league match final won win liverpool ninth straight competition meant finished season place area concern fitness injured ankle match doubt final cup tied playing manchester city earlier competition captain determined let affect liverpool beaten fantastic sides like manchester united final mind going successful run west final game final premier league win meant finished season ninth place west injury concerns ahead final matthew dean doubts fit match manager optimistic available selection stating expect life line final optimistic teams chances final despite considered technical team better liverpool got experience international players knows attack teams got big punch match originally scheduled played england manager wanted week break start world cup england players involved liverpool peter later squad decent rest tournament final scheduled held stadium stadium fallen rebuild completed time final final instead played millennium stadium cardiff held mike dean originally appointed referee final questions raised resided close liverpool replaced week final block tickets liverpool supporters seating area stolen postal system stadium authorities refused reissue tickets crowd safety grounds threatened found sitting block stadium possibly prosecute receiving stolen goods liverpool arranged affected fans receive tickets allocation held lottery supporters day final south wales police seized stolen tickets people arrested forged tickets found ahead match match pre match michael ball sang national anthem god save queen pitch game singing traditional cup final hymn match teams received boost west liverpool deemed fit start final half west kicked match teams lined formation west committed foul match minute paul brought liverpool unable resulting free kick minutes later west advanced right hand pitch passed ball penalty area liverpool defender able intercept ball received shot goal west 12th minute corner liverpool opportunity came minute later west conceded free kick foul resulting free kick hit wall players west penalty area minutes later west scored goal match liverpool gave ball away played inside played ball right flank argentine low cross goal liverpool defender west lead seven minutes later west extended lead liverpool shot path rebound far corner liverpool looked reduced defect 30th minute peter shot free kick liverpool score attack played ball west penalty area went head defender met scored came close extending west lead 37th minute effort went wide post beating chance half came 44th minute liverpool defender steve clearance straight shot went throw second half liverpool got second half way west attack half advanced right hand pitch passed shot saved saved subsequent shot liverpool chance immediately passed shot blocked went corner minute later liverpool match injured harry replaced liverpool 54th minute home knock yellow card match went 60th minute minutes later received yellow card foul minute later west went ahead defender paul received ball left flank played ball liverpool penalty area sail goal minutes later liverpool went injury replaced defender jan minutes later west captain attempt score shot went liverpool goal west subsequently match replaced fellow bobby liverpool replaced west second match minute replaced christian changed formation attempt hang lead headed pass wide minutes liverpool looked score west final match minute replaced involvement match free kick subsequently wide match entering injury time liverpool played ball west penalty area cleared far yards goal liverpool captain hit ball half volley flew low trajectory past corner west goal west chance time shot saved scores level match went extra time referee brought end minutes play extra time liverpool got half extra time way start slow players suffered particular minute liverpool won corner west cleared liverpool defender john edge penalty area shot went liverpool won corner minute cleared west ball came penalty area headed unable control ball end half chance score running past shot went wide west goal start second half extra time liverpool chance advanced right wing shot went wide west goal west won corner minute came foul players continued struggle went quick succession west won free kick minute effort cleared resulted chance liverpool tackled ferdinand yards west goal minutes end booked foul subsequent free kick met shot turned post ball rebounded shot went wide goal team scored end extra time referee brought match end scores level resulting penalty shoot penalty shoot shoot took place end west fans seated liverpool taking penalty stepped scored high right took penalty west shot saved took penalty liverpool missed saved shot substitute took west penalty scored shot beating high left level shoot liverpool captain took penalty scored shot saved took penalty liverpool scored extend lead ferdinand needed score west shoot penalty saved meant liverpool won shoot win cup seventh time details statistics post match liverpool victory meant won cup seventh time club manager stated deserved lose match difficult deserved win team magnificent final knew score goals needed going games difficult liverpool captain praised west stating west brilliant gave good game die attitude stuck best chance penalties energy left nature comeback match come regarded final team mate peter summed effect match injury time board went thought chance gone good player like team bbc sport poll deemed goal best cup final past years west manager described defeat hard felt like defeat goal went rallied great chance extra time dig team playing felt going win yard going change players magnificent proud way played captain found defeat hard felt win final describe feel moment think deserved win game players fantastic effort wasn cup final gave hope proud wasn day liverpool victory set community shield match winners premier league cup winners liverpool awarded qualification cup qualified champions league league position cup place passed runners west


arsenal season season 100th season competitive football played arsenal managed season club ended campaign winning league championship time seven years stadium arsenal beat newcastle united cup final win competition complete domestic double second club history arsenal exited football league cup semi finals lost aggregate score cup round transfer window arsenal purchased players including alex english paul departed join arsenal began league season relatively run defeats matches november december left team sixth position christmas seemingly championship contention points reigning champions manchester united end february winning streak matches ensured arsenal won championship win recognition team achievement awarded manager year award dennis given players player year fellow peers year football writers background season arsenal contested premier league club having dismissed manager bruce beginning league season appointed french manager contract worth million arsenal led league table november defeat nottingham forest december concurred wins december draws defeats february moved arsenal fourth position previous defeat liverpool home month earlier left ruling club title race final day season arsenal beat derby county baseball ground finishing goal difference team qualified cup missing champions league qualification second place newcastle united transfers major departure season arsenal paul joined million deal replacing said happy lose player calibre good deal club intended sign david came fruition talks broke parties defender matthew rose lee harper joined queens park rangers combined fee arriving summer english defender matthew town french joined recruited million deal spoke delight joining arsenal press conference like english football space speed quality think good deals christopher alex finalised august pre season key premier league august october arsenal league campaign started august away fixture leeds united match ended draw wright scored goal season mix defence meant leeds jimmy floyd home team days later home city wright scored goals arsenal win leaving goal away cliff club record goals dennis debut goal following week helped arsenal win southampton spite scoring hat trick leicester city arsenal drew match having conceded sixth minute time draw home rivals defender campbell particularly impressed meant arsenal ended august fifth position wright scored goal arsenal broke club record win manager praised achievement adding fantastic timing movement intelligent got ball arsenal faced bridge september late goal left yards ended home team resistance went men frank sent september ended consecutive win west united goals wright helped arsenal league table point champions manchester united october began win home promoted draws crystal palace villa meant manchester united moved point ahead arsenal november february arsenal fixture november derby county newly built pride park stadium awarded penalty kick half patrick lee wright hit penalty goal goals late strike dean condemned arsenal defeat league season arsenal played manchester united november needed win stay point league leaders admitted pre match comments second successive defeat difficult catch manchester united impossible standing scored goal arsenal added second leaving peter scored twice manchester united level score david headed far corner seven minutes left match score winner arsenal said win result good english game stimulate interest premier league opposing manager alex half agreed horse race good game arsenal failed result losing sheffield wednesday liverpool period team depleted injuries goal wright newcastle united seven matches earn victory away james park arsenal lost following week chances closing gap leaders manchester united match overshadowed wright supporters performance responded appearing window east stand clad vest crowd arsenal began christmas period fixture game abandoned referee failure rescheduled later date boxing day goal steve helped arsenal beat leicester city draw welcoming return left arsenal sixth end calendar year points manchester united league match scored twice earn arsenal win leeds united week later team drew city losing ground table january came conclusion victory southampton goals scored space seven minutes wins february home crystal palace moved arsenal second place points manchester united albeit having played games march arsenal dropped points west united march draw park following match closed gap points manchester united manage draw west dropped position goal christopher rescheduled match arsenal second set title clash manchester united march result reopened betting manchester fred decided pay backed manchester united numerous attempts break match arsenal scored minutes left match managed flick ball asked team best position going final games season told sky sports united small advantage rest warned inevitable arsenal drop points wins home sheffield wednesday meant arsenal kept eighth successive clean sheet new league record arsenal beat newcastle united points manchester united early april return match suspension helped arsenal team scored goals space opening minutes manchester united failure beat newcastle united meant arsenal went league table beating goals victory days later home derby county meant arsenal needed win league champions regardless manchester united results ruled remainder season having sustained injury derby arsenal eased win goal scored club captain tony adams club manchester united win premier league run straight victories new record set non british manager lead team win league championship arsenal lost final matches league season choosing rest players upcoming cup final match results classification source rules classification points goal difference number goals qualified cup winners cup defending champions league cup winners champion relegated promoted eliminated play winner advances round applicable season finished qualified phase tournament indicated qualified tournament particular phase indicated qualified tournament indicated disqualified tournament results summary source results round source ground away home result draw loss win postponed cup arsenal entered competition round receiving bye premier league club opening match draw division club port home meaning game park days later replay arsenal won penalty shoot having drawn extra time fourth round arsenal played riverside stadium scored opening goal inside seconds visitors added second arsenal commanding lead going interval paul scored second half arsenal progress fifth round draw home crystal palace meant arsenal needed play fifth round replay park february goals ensured victory arsenal team west united quarter finals arsenal conceded goal frank corner kick converted goal net stuart time shot scored penalty arsenal settle replay staged park ended penalties draw goal semi finals meant arsenal reached 13th cup final arsenal contested cup final newcastle united choice partnered leaving wright bench arsenal scored 23rd minute pass pace past toe ball given legs scored second half pass settle match post match interview praised remarkable realise scored goals important games needed win league cup clubs playing european football arsenal entered football league cup round drawn home division club birmingham city tie ended normal time goals helped arsenal win extra time needed extra time following round beat city fifth round beat west united park arsenal exited competition semi finals losing aggregate cup arsenal entered cup round having finished league previous season drawn play greek club noted problems leg arsenal lost stadium scoring winner game aggregate score minutes second leg late goal scored meant arsenal progress past round second successive season later commented unhappy team exit saying honest european competition interests champions league awards recognition team achievement awarded manager year award saying proud honoured collecting prize given players player year fellow peers year football writers player statistics numbers denote appearances substitute players struck marked left club playing season source


midland football alliance midland football alliance english association football league semi professional teams covered west southern parts league consisted single division sat step national_league system ninth level overall english football league system league formed drawing initial membership strongest clubs midland football combination west regional league leagues new competition season champion club league eligible promotion alliance alliance clubs turn relegated leagues successful teams alliance eligible promotion step league southern league northern premier league depending geographical considerations league merged midland combination form new midland football league history alliance formed taking initial member clubs west regional league midland football combination existed second world war having originally formed birmingham district league combination respectively areas gradually early 1990s standard play geographical coverage competitions considered similar new competition formed cater best clubs previously split leagues league drew member clubs leagues inaugural season clubs selected join midland combination michaels town borough town town west police selected west regional league hill town athletic victoria united rangers olympic town rangers won league championship margin points athletic season gained promotion southern league alliance status southern league cemented relegated opposite direction went dominate league season disbanded midway season result record table season league increased size clubs clubs promoted alliance relegated promoted clubs town senior league time team league promoted alliance years later league increased size clubs teams joined left resigned midway season number clubs competition league expanded clubs season end time alliance clubs promoted northern premier league southern league town joined northerly leagues following season town alliance team reach round proper cup feat repeated season creation national_league system football association league officially defined step league champions midland combination west regional league senior league continued gain promotion alliance new east counties football league formed step level anticipated successful teams senior league officially step league new league champions new league turn alliance fell coverage area alliance merged midland combination form new midland football league clubs members alliance formed premier division new league structure alliance known sponsored names following deals companies including baker services harvey world travel travel factory july announced teams compete alliance season following week announced folded leaving teams league league contested double round robin basis team playing teams division home away points awarded win draw zero defeat goal difference separate teams points alliance step league member clubs eligible cup long grounds met required standards league operated cup competitions knock league cup staged season joe cup contested previous season league cup winners league champions contested according official regulations clubs alliance eligible promotion step league provided grounds met required standard clubs promoted step leagues placed geographically appropriate step leagues determined leagues committee number clubs promoted alliance season vary regulations stated suitable clubs leagues step gain promotion clubs gaining promotion alliance placed southern league northern premier league teams finishing alliance table relegated appropriate league depending number teams remaining division promotion issues resolved attendance midland alliance matches generally small matches attracting fewer spectators season average attendance league season fell best supported team season town average home attendance worst supported team united matches drew average spectators highest attendance single match match town took match lowest attendance game away united drew spectators largest crowd registered alliance match match racing club local rivals december smallest crowd recorded match victoria april final member clubs member clubs league season follows clubs league founder members shown bold champions cup winners champions runners league follows winners alliance cup competitions follows


cup final cup final football match arsenal liverpool millennium stadium cardiff final match cup season world oldest football knockout competition cup competition history staged outside england ongoing reconstruction usual venue stadium arsenal appeared fourteenth final liverpool twelfth given teams highest tier english football premier league entered competition round needed progress rounds reach final arsenal progress relatively comfortable scoring past queens park rangers knocked holders fifth round later came beat local rivals semi final liverpool contrast hard work overcoming lower league opponents rounds competition final marked time managers born outside british isles met cup final french match followed familiar pattern arsenal pace creating chances failing breach liverpool defence arsenal penalty appeal turned half defender handled ball deny henry opportunity partner series second half helpless stop arsenal taking lead minute liverpool responded making changes minute arsenal failure deal free kick presented michael owen chance score owen lee tony adams score second match winner minutes end normal time liverpool victory marked second unique season won football league cup late february added cup days later route final cup english football primary cup competition clubs premier league enter cup round drawn randomly hat remaining clubs match drawn replay comes force ground team away game league fixtures cup matches subject change event games selected television coverage influenced clashes competitions season football association introduced guidelines prevent withdrawal clubs competition final scheduled week final weekend premier league aid successful club playing european football arsenal arsenal entered competition round cup run started away tie united home created numerous chances opening minutes looked score arsenal took lead 22nd minute poor finishing teams meant arsenal progressed slender fourth round arsenal faced queens park rangers road visitors goal came half hour mark defender cole cleared peter goal bound arsenal launched counterattack lee cross inadvertently met chris scored goal extended arsenal lead minute later conceded goal early second half sealed tie visitors favour arsenal finished comfortable winners representing club best away win cup years fifth round arsenal played cup holders home tie arsenal centre partnership struggled pace jimmy floyd henry gave home lead replaced robert second half scored twice settle match sixth round arsenal enjoyed comfortable win division continued run scoring round competition arsenal faced semi final local rivals taken lead 14th minute patrick captain campbell taken pitch receive treatment managed withstand pressure arsenal second half came minute scored decisive goal liverpool liverpool entered competition round drawn second division united home sent tie second offence moments scored extended liverpool lead minute goal ensured progress competition liverpool opponent fourth round leeds united match played road january near capacity crowd home team enjoyed possession struggled find breakthrough liverpool defence stood firm minutes substitute scored winning goal shot came post turned provider liverpool second setting score hosted manchester city fifth round start decisive week liverpool faced cup birmingham city football league cup final liverpool awarded penalty minutes inside yard box converted spot kick liverpool lead quickly shot found way past goal 28th minute scored second half liverpool commanding lead city persisted time scored second goal match shot beat liverpool travelled park play sixth round murphy michael owen scored half visitors dominated play steve pulled goal half time 52nd minute headed cross restore liverpool goal advantage mistake gifted substitute wayne chance score converted penalty kick minute semi final liverpool faced villa park goals scored captain keith ryan ensured liverpool won place final pre match stadium changes october stadium final traditional venue closed anticipation major redevelopment having considered alternative venues villa park announced january cup finals staged cardiff millennium stadium marked time event held outside england lead final chief executive adam acknowledged concerns transport quality pitch adding lot work cardiff hopefully great occasion view worked final decide hold match new pitch laid police attempts ease traffic opening turn offs league cup final finalists received total allocation approximately tickets estimated increase previous finals seat prices final exceeded ticket charged tickets cost rest priced build arsenal appearing final cup fourteenth time years won cup seven times previously beaten final times comparison liverpool making twelfth appearance cup final club won cup times lost finals recent manchester united arsenal liverpool previously met thirteen times cup including arsenal slender advantage meetings winning times liverpool clubs involved longest semi final cup history required original tie ended brian goal road arsenal victory meeting teams premier league december liverpool recorded win straight victory competitions manager liverpool enjoyed success cup competitions season management club ended year spell winning league cup calendar year beat barcelona reach cup final indifferent considered cup final told reporters great work ethic team ethic great desire achieve club confirmed pre match press conference start final final decision partner england forward arsenal manager admitted team season took criticism failing challenge manchester united league progressing champions league compliment club spoke favour moving cup ties prevent fixture congestion current system demanding big clubs england team goes cup automatically problem championship especially play champions league games sacrificed sacrificed points championship cup asked reducing number teams champions league help commented mean money wages pay accept drop income cutting france teams involved cups complaining match attracted considerable media interest number foreigners involved marked time managers opposing sides born outside british isles anticipated final receive big overseas audience inclusion international players broadcast countries viewing figures match totalled close million match summary clubs lined traditional formation man defence comprising centre backs left right backs centre wing centre forwards opted pair henry leaving bench cole played defence ahead feature squad liverpool named owen starting line chose murphy play began final arsenal usual home strip red shirts white shorts kicked match immediately won corner dealt run minutes later resulted player taking challenge appeals penalty ignored referee arsenal began dominate play heart best moves won challenge 17th minute sent ball direction turn passed henry went shot ball cleared line television later showed ball hitting arm going wide henry appealed penalty turned incident missed referee assistant owen came close scoring 20th minute shot blocked martin arsenal continued find best openings struggled split open liverpool defence long range effort easily saved final approached half hour mark duel right resulted liverpool corner minutes interval henry drifting position having collected long pass liverpool resumed play won free kick 48th minute murphy delivery found forced save david arsenal enjoyed best spell match soon failed use set pieces free kick taken easily handled came resulting corner henry combined attack arsenal came close scoring liverpool intervened ball rebounded cole shot cleared line shown yellow card 57th minute responded replacing minutes later change desired effect brought liverpool play particularly 62nd minute received yellow card challenge arsenal chance time minutes henry rebounded shot found penalty area effort chip advancing cleared line minutes left arsenal finally scored poor clearance fell passed ball received rounded score delight henry missed chance arsenal goal lead minute shot point blank saved follow cleared managers changes final period game ray came order protect arsenal lead liverpool attacking double murphy liverpool survived onslaught found game owen minutes left arsenal failed clear substitute free kick owen right foot finish past yards liverpool comeback completed minutes later minute extra time owen released left weighted long ball pass type vision earlier missing play tony adams shooting low accurately past beating far post liverpool held lead minutes remaining win final details statistics post match aftermath disappointed liverpool start noticed players struggled humidity saw set pieces opportunity score goals felt turned final team favour suddenly confidence switches camp affected bit unsettled going revealed gave frank assessment task facing players match words arsenal probably bit better probably mature experienced ability areas dealing setbacks difference day dismissed accusations liverpool boring describing team difficult beat owen match winner felt answered critics scoring left nice prove people wrong haven got left foot supposed worst worst player left foot league england player play haven got left foot improved improving lamented arsenal inability possession count saying happened season don finish criticised referee sending especially kevin pike told liverpool defender committed foul reflection season disagreed failure easy quarter finals champions league final cup finish season admitted needed strengthen squad henry called changes arsenal forward line felt team benefit fox box player stay penalty area score wide runs crosses ball net owen hero right place need like concluded journalists reviewing final praised liverpool radio commentator green wrote news letter column simply player like michael owen ranks believe situation rescued magnificent millennium stadium guardian correspondent david declared owen france cardiff hugh sunday_times called owen master english football felt minutes arsenal team lose james match report independent praise henry performance compared owen demonstrated effect style football white herald criticised henry lack end product final arsenal european failure demonstrate considered natural ron writing tactics column guardian noted liverpool winning goal came arsenal attack left gaps defence final broadcast live united_kingdom itv sky sports providing free air coverage sky sports pay alternative itv held majority viewership overnight peak audience million viewers days final liverpool beat goals win cup complete cup victories victory athletic ensured liverpool finished premier league earn place champions league arsenal ended season league runners draw newcastle united secure second spot autobiography released years later reflected liverpool fortunate win critical arsenal bitter reaction kept complaining hand balls real boys football grow reserved special praise opponent saying days game job try stop definitely got better day great player fit pace game lot things learn watching assessing career column telegraph owen wrote winning cup best day career game look think experience playing football


champions league final champions league final association football match barcelona spain arsenal england france saint paris france wednesday final match season europe primary cup competition champions league barcelona appearing fifth final having won competition lost finals arsenal appearing final time club london feature final club needed progress group stage knockout rounds reach final playing matches total barcelona won group progressed final beating milan respectively arsenal won group knockout stage progressed conceding goal real madrid respectively crowd watched arsenal sent early game took lead campbell end half game turned 61st minute introduction barcelona substitute provided assists samuel victory barcelona second triumph competition years won european cup route final teams qualified champions league group stage directly preliminary rounds based position preceding domestic league strength league arsenal barcelona entered competition group stages arsenal finishing second premier league barcelona winning group stages contested double round robin groups teams qualifying knockout stages knockout matches decided based home away matches away goals rule extra time penalty needed build awarded right host final france saint considering merits terms capacity stadium infrastructure including city airport agreements promotional plans conducted variety site visits france previously staged champions league final real madrid madrid won time clubs country faced final saint chosen host final recognition 50th anniversary european cup final held nearby paris des princes home paris saint des princes hosted european cup finals cup winners cup finals cup final barcelona match live mini metre television screen estimated audience final estimated million people streets barcelona team toured city open double buses celebrate winning arsenal went match record longest time conceding goal gone minutes conceding conceding group stages arsenal featuring european final years day final faced cup final match finished minutes extra time arsenal lost subsequent penalty shootout players featured final henry dennis remained club whilst featured arsenal final barcelona player final time arsenal reached match club london feature final barcelona appearing final fifth time appearance loss milan losses preceded final success competition came beat barcelona went final domestic league champions having won fortnight earlier regarded best continent possessed players samuel barcelona player dismissed notion barcelona favourites insisting milan winning year liverpool ended losing end need calm fully concentrated don errors beaten route final arsenal conceding goals matches final including record successive matches conceding barcelona hand scored goals competitions final finalists guaranteed financial progress final arsenal receive revenue million won approximately million lost barcelona earn million revenue won million lose included total participating final champions league winners collect approximately million runners receiving approximately million final marked appearance new trophy following liverpool triumph milan previous year liverpool won competition fifth time entitled trophy creating need new trophy barcelona expected line formation supporting samuel deployed lone doubts fitness going final pulled thigh muscle second leg match played included man squad final barcelona coach frank stated leave late deciding select despite included squad feature final arsenal expected line formation henry sole discussion reyes place robert left announced match match agreed join season morning final emerged assistant referee game posed photographs barcelona shirt norwegian newspaper initially sticking official eventually decided replace fellow norwegian norway head stated rule doubt stance match summary barcelona fielded formation mark van lining alongside ahead feature match day squad despite returning injury featuring man squad whilst potentially game club arsenal fielded formation saw replace injured cole return left appearance competition season injury henry deployed lone playing shoulder teams choice kits featured shade red arsenal wore yellow away strip barcelona wore traditional blue striped kit arsenal won coin toss barcelona kicked barcelona immediately came pressure henry shot straight barcelona conceded corner resulting corner arsenal chance courtesy henry shot saved attack seventh minute resulted arsenal saving shot narrow angle minutes later barcelona awarded free kick yards goal subsequently shot wide goal minutes played person sent european cup final brought samuel outside arsenal box subsequently ball net goal allowed foul arsenal subsequently substituted robert substitute free kick sent wide following dismissal barcelona began exert pressure arsenal point cautioned high tackle arsenal overcame numerical disadvantage score 37th minute campbell headed free kick following foul observers believed appeared dive arsenal held lead remainder half barcelona best chance came courtesy shot hit post save barcelona replaced picked injury half second half effort period immediately half time saw chances minutes second half shot saved hour play barcelona substituted mark van minutes later alexander received pass henry shot wide goal arsenal began press forward henry saw shots saved henry chance score shot straight following attack replaced arsenal responded replacing immediately following sent pass left flank passed barcelona minutes later barcelona attack crossed ran ball shot legs score near post remaining minutes saw arsenal replace reyes attempt barcelona best chance period hit shot straight following arsenal cautioned result match finished soon barcelona winning barcelona captain collected trophy president barcelona celebrated second european cup triumph result winning champions league barcelona face winners cup super cup subsequent match played august won barcelona victory meant participate club world cup receiving bye round beat club semi finals progress final faced champions won details statistics post match discussion match centred referee decision send football mark stated game changed arsenal sent arsenal manager agreed got sent left minutes play team retains ball refused openly decision decision award barcelona goal felt samuel adamant young bounce defeat person referee henry stating kicked place expected referee job don think discussion match henry remain arsenal barcelona linked past months asked post match henry leave arsenal manager replied don know don think henry signed new year contract arsenal ending speculation possible barcelona henry paid tribute contribution barcelona win game saying people talk didn today saw came changed game killed game talk people like need talk proper difference tonight henry remarked remember barcelona team wednesday man difference credit came amazing runs box showed team player saw times fed ball people talk team player goal close decision addition giving barcelona cutting edge required overcome arsenal noted international press provided assists goals delighted triumph regrets deciding leave barcelona match want play football feel haven played love great players barcelona fellow barcelona player van emotional won club special win final special old team samuel scorer barcelona goal cited liverpool comeback milan inspiration barcelona victory having seen liverpool year told throw followed liverpool example barcelona manager frank praised role victor victory stating number important saves match played decisive role saved crucial moments


team bath team bath english association football club affiliated university bath city bath somerset club formed allow players combine professional football higher education team bath rose rapidly english football league system reaching conference south ninth season disbanded season level following decision football conference football league financial structure disqualified promotion club competed western league time promotion season gained club entry southern league club gained significant media exposure cup run season reached round proper competition university team compete stage seasons southern league team bath promoted conference south winning southern league playoff final seasons team bath home matches played university sports grounds club secured deal ground share bath city park capable holding supporters team bath struggled attract fans generally lowest average leagues history formation early success sports department university bath set establish football club played english professional league structure allowed players continue education studies university season club entered western league tenth level english football league system paul recently retired player appeared southampton town appointed team head coach team won promotion division premier division league season continued successful second year missed promotions finishing fourth league season premier division competed time advancing round competition eliminated town season team bath attracted global interest involvement cup playing competition time bath beat town preliminary round begin campaign followed victories united heath newport county early stages qualifying rounds faced fourth qualifying round place round proper awaiting match ground finished sides returned bath replay bath won penalties draw victory meant team university compete round competition oxford_university won competition bath drew town home despite offer reversing fixture playing field mill stadium club opted play match home ground university securing permission local police city_council erect temporary seating match match drew record home attendance team bath won convincingly leading half time despite late goals taylor bath lost match eliminated cup team successful beating town replay bath knocked competition new second round league team bath won matches unbeaten home finish western league premier division gain promotion southern league southern league team bath played season southern league western division divisions fed league premier division won matches finished season sixth position despite relative success team bath struggled attract spectators ground average home attendance lowest league lowest attended matches victory united defeat recorded spectators season non league structure adjusted introduction second division football conference result team bath sixth place western division sufficient promote premier division southern league team struggled seasons winning league matches season resulting league finishes 14th 17th respectively club successful trophy campaign reaching round eliminated summer head coach paul left club vacant manager position exeter city replaced team bath andy town bristol defender season brought success bath clubs bath city won southern league team bath finished runners playoffs team bath won semi final town advanced play united final relegated conference south season won match team bath season southern league team bath repeated league form following season finished runners time king victory playoff semi final aided hat trick league scorer sean saw bath reach second successive playoff final team bath improved previous season beating town final providing bath decisive goal minute win secured team place conference south conference south season team bath played highest level achieved history competing conference south club promotions away football league early season bath competing play berth failed maintain form eventually finishing 11th table wins end season football conference notified team bath limited company ineligible promotions longer allowed compete cup club opted resign conference end season team bath time discussing possibility merger bath city aim getting merged team football league management financing team bath managed university bath director sport nucleus students supplemented semi professional players team supported financially university bath according article published bath chronicle declined detailed accounts publicly available citing section freedom information act season paid players sports scholarships figures released paid scholarships revealed paid rent use bath city park stadium received club coaches performance summary honours southern league division runners western league premier division champions western league division champions cup round


park park football stadium located kent england home known united apart club forced share grounds kent clubs protracted redevelopment work occurred football club able return stadium redevelopment work early stage ground facilities temporary nature nonetheless club extensive plans future development site history stadium home year park opened public local council purchased grounds house public use built stadium agreed football club lease initially charge year initially players change house approximately yards pitch small wooden bench seats soon added followed shortly new dressing rooms second stand north ground containing mixture standing seated accommodation match new stadium friendly august competitive match kent league fixture dover weeks later club entered agreement nursery team arsenal agreement pitch altered exactly match size covered spectator accommodation erected ground blew storm rebuilt time club added new terrace main stand supporters previously stood banked earth new covered terrace installed park avenue end ground late 1950s officially named stand usually known fans coffin end prominent piece graffiti adorned rear wall years club set erected september inaugurated friendly match west united new built little development ground late 1980s north stand condemned council officials demolished extended club nearly evicted ground local council change united legal discovered meant lease ground held renamed club technically longer permitted use stadium eventually resolved club allowed remain promotion football conference club spent improvements designed bring stadium standard required level football soon launched ambitious scheme completely site club moved old stadium constructed mainly timber iron demolished early local council disputed plans submitted planned completed august redevelopment process lasted years delayed issues planning permission commercial facilities club wanted build addition stadium team ground shared kent clubs seasons club officials failure confirm return date led expulsion conference national club finally able return ground albeit pre fabricated stands temporary buildings place years later plans redevelopment north end ground reportedly including construction new terrace bar storey hotel approved club chairman keith announced companies expressed interest paying naming rights individual stands entire stadium structure facilities stadium demolished little proposed redevelopment work carried park stadium current facilities limited south pitch site main stand portable buildings place opposite ground currently contains seated stands goal western end ground known road end terrace remaining redevelopment work renovated plan reportedly place temporary standing structure opposite end ground known park avenue end come fruition stage wider development site construction pitch complex initially announced work begin complex ground fact broken months complex opened december future club ultimate plan involves stadium capacity forming complex incorporating hotel fitness centre conference centre weather pitch pitches club stadium manager keith quoted total cost hotel stated club sufficient financial backing following year total cost project revealed funded developers properties claimed redevelopment raise standard stadium required entry football league uses stadium home venue american football club late 1980s venue charity match held memory player paul collapsed died playing current professionals andy adrian played records highest attendance recorded match park visit cup january lowest attendance recorded match salisbury city april transport stadium approximately miles railway station lies southeastern chatham main line london victoria northern terminus kent coast line dover


scotland national football team manager role scotland national football team manager established andy appointed took charge matches world cup scotland competed major tournament men occupied post inception occupying different spells managers interim roles brown held position longest date tenure years comprising major tournaments total matches manager progressed group stage major competition scotland qualified walker ally andy brown managed team major competitions won british home championship outright team qualified major competition german coach foreign manager team time charge generally seen failure world ranking declined time low march walter smith alex achieved better results ranking improving time high october briefly charge returning club management george worse results team eventually sacked replaced basis billy stark gordon named permanent replacement january position role scotland manager sole responsibility field elements scotland team activities includes selecting national team squad starting team captain tactics penalty manager input selecting coaching room staff example manager george helped recruit terry butcher teammate town assistant scotland manager involve wider issues field team issues negotiating fixtures period manager appointed team picked international selection committee scottish football association committee officials scottish clubs responsibility picking sides large inconsistencies selection players picked having watched play appointment process appointing new scotland manager undertaken main board review conducted minister scotland henry board structure streamlined considerably professional game non professional game boards govern respective areas football main board strategic focus seven members main board consisting office representative professional game non professional game boards independent member september positions occupied stewart chief executive campbell president vice president rod second vice president peter professional game jackson independent non professional game position presently vacant people manage scotland played game professionally exception walker placed interim charge team matt recovering effects munich air disaster hold post manager capped senior scotland team player walker mcdonald brown smith stark represent scottish football league mcdonald played scotland earned caps served scotland captains foreign manager hold post earned caps west_germany world cup winning history 1950s selection committee temporary managers scotland team managed selection committee role manager established appointment andy took charge time basis continuing manager town took team world cup allowed select travelling party players felt restriction impossible perform duties resigned tournament scotland eliminated tournament defeat world cup selection committee resumed duties continuing appointment matt initially unable assume duties injuries sustained munich air disaster walker taking charge team recovered took charge scotland matches young law scotland cap march andy scotland manager second time second spell scotland manager combined duties managing football club resigned november order manage english club nottingham forest time basis 1960s retired long playing career rangers appointed scotland manager enjoyed significant success winning british home championships impressive winning percentage left team manager celtic manager appointed manager scotland time basis took charge attempt qualify world cup scotland achieved good results draw poland win finland criticised scottish press team conceded late goals lost home poland managed beat italy park raise hope qualification scotland suffered players withdrawing return match italy injury defeat meant failed qualify clyde manager john took job time basis left manage months games charge mcdonald took charge games basis bobby brown appointed manager brown scotland manager given control team selection committee continued choose players scotland achieved famous victories game charge win world cup winners england team generally performed brown drawn west_germany world cup qualification scotland needed avoid defeat hamburg qualification hopes alive lost 1970s tommy appointed manager brief successful time charge lost matches manager left job late manager manchester united despite losing england match charge scotland qualified world cup management scotland performed finals winning drawing brazil yugoslavia eliminated goal difference suffered player tenure included infamous incident jimmy night drinking sat rowing boat drifting sea teammates attempted rescue eventually retrieved local fishermen left scotland job manager hearts ally immediate impact scotland manager winning england team qualified world cup defeating wales scotland given penalty kick confident team prospects plan world cup retain supporters shared enthusiasm park packed farewell parade team flew tournament hosted argentina dismissed opponents peru iran old men respectively defeat peru draw iran left scotland needing defeat netherlands clear goals qualify number contested selection decisions preferring form don bruce failed drugs test peru match sent home scotland produced outstanding performance netherlands won eliminated goal difference stayed scotland manager world cup resigned defeat austria september writers considered question cause lack scottish self confidence tried counter working manager leeds united recruited manage scotland team second time defeats belgium meant scotland failed qualify european championship followed losses northern_ireland england british home championship led criticism media scotland qualified world cup spain exited goal difference drew soviet_union win game scotland failed qualify european championship led criticism leading competition world cup consequence facing significant pressure ensure qualification tournament mexico scotland defeated spain lost home wales left scotland needing secure point final group match wales cardiff qualify play australia helped fact number senior players including captain kenny steve miss game injury suspension taking manage heart failure time build game decided stop taking try remained focused potential effects medication despite enthusiasm job football strain combined poor health led indicating step world cup finals mexico scotland drew thanks late penalty kick cooper suffered fatal heart attack assistant manager alex took temporary charge team world cup scotland eliminated group stage brown world cup appointed director coaching andy national team manager scotland failed qualify euro guided scotland qualification world cup scotland defeated argentina pre tournament friendly eliminated group stage win sweden losses team qualified euro time scotland qualified european championship finals resigned september failing qualify world cup succeeded brown assistant brown joined scotland coaching setup team managed alex appointment greeted critically brown low profile career football despite limited resources brown managed lead scotland qualification major tournaments euro world cup scotland played narrow defeat brazil draw norway eliminated suffering defeat morocco world cup qualification brown continued rely group players including tom playing regularly clubs team lacked pace brown resigned immediately qualification match present germany manager appointed scotland manager january number players retired international football brown resigned meant build new squad tried new players formations team suffered number heavy defeats early friendly fixtures scotland reached euro qualification playoffs won leg home netherlands beaten return match continued manager world cup qualification matches resigned team took points matches debate failed centred scotland sufficient playing talent compete poor results time walter smith appointed manager scotland dropped record low position world rankings smith credited creating club atmosphere national squad scotland performed early stages tough euro qualification group smith resigned scotland job january manage rangers alex hired replace smith scotland continued pursue qualification euro eliminated losing italy final match left scotland job soon manage birmingham city despite failing qualify tournament improved results smith lifted scotland 13th place world rankings george appointed manager january suffered squad home draw norway substituted chris missed open goal yards left bench announced retirement international football dropped barry team qualifying match iceland reported drinking night team hotel players gestures photographers sitting bench match iceland banned despite failing qualify world cup initially decided job decided dismiss heavy defeat friendly match wales united manager appointed december heavily criticised media decision play euro czech_republic scotland lost continued defend tactical approach left position scotland failed qualify euro argued team improving world cup qualification successfully pushed scotland fixtures home policy scotland draw matches defeats following away matches wales belgium resulted sacked gordon appointed replace credited improving fortunes team year charge scotland achieved victories croatia twice macedonia norway euro qualifying scotland appeared better chance qualification finals tournament expanded teams drawn tough group germany poland republic ireland losing opening match germany scotland recorded home wins georgia ireland gibraltar away draws poland ireland following game scotland produced performance lost georgia home defeat germany late goal poland eliminated scotland contention win gibraltar agreed new contract statistical summary following table provides summary complete record scotland manager including progress world cup european championship successful manager alex won seven games took charge managers took charge games successful manager george wins games updated france scotland june statistics include official recognised matches british home championships following table provides summary results scotland manager british home championship held annually season key number complete tournaments played number tournaments won number tournaments shared win percentage


guinea women national football team guinea women national football team recognised team representing guinea international association football matches guinea played recognised matches guinea country national participated confederation african football women world cup football popular women sport country women football programme established followed creation women national_league team countries women national football teams sport gained popularity worldwide ensuing years guinea team began play decades later end team played recognised matches october guinea ended tie guinea led half time november team played second recognised match guinea lost guinea time team held training sessions week team participated major international regional football competitions including women world cup african women championship africa games team average world ranking highest ranking december lowest ranking december guinea best rise rankings came march team climbed places compared previous ranking march team ranked world 30th confederation african football june moved spots world fell 33rd africa guinea recognised football team established play matches year team competed confederation african football world cup held september advance regional background development development women football africa faces challenges including limited access education poverty women human rights abuses targeting women quality football players leave seek greater opportunities europe united_states funding women football africa issue financial assistance women football comes national football associations guinea won independence year national football federation founded federation affiliate women football provided constitution organisation time staff members focusing football country popular sport women supported football programmes schools national women football programme established country total football clubs mixed women registered female players women teams played national football championship years later active women teams guinea

Guinea-Bissau women's national football team


easter road easter road football stadium located area edinburgh scotland home ground scottish championship club stadium currently seated capacity makes fifth largest football stadium scotland easter road known fans holy ground san venue stage international matches scottish league cup semi finals briefly home ground edinburgh professional rugby union team played present site easter road ground holds record attendance scottish match outside glasgow attended edinburgh derby january size greatly reduced 1980s publication taylor report considered leaving easter road moving different site near plans abandoned redevelopment stadium began completed easter road pitch pronounced slope removed end season history played match meadows december club moved easter road area ground known park location advantage main sources support irish immigrant communities port old town edinburgh suffered financial difficulties early 1890s lease park expired developers started building street club reformed lease piece land called drum park secured site restricted access easter road pronounced slope close proximity bank park home athletic sense continuity previous ground supporters keen started match easter road played february friendly clyde easter road staged scottish league match joined league renting easter road edinburgh city planners designated future development meant club unwilling develop ground looked alternatives considered relocating year formed merger local clubs work began potential new ground area north british railway company won court order allowing build railway line ground line built interest moving site thwarted long term future easter road secured club agreed year lease ground years later banks raised main stand seating people built west ground redeveloped stadium capacity pitch moved yards east providing space main stand slope reduced approximately feet work enjoyed great success period immediately end second world war winning league championships record attendance set edinburgh derby hearts played january record football match played edinburgh fans tightly packed achieve record attendance size east terrace increased club drew plans expand overall capacity nearly raising end terrace height east plans realised clubs install corner roof mounted lights easter road installed local company miller stables construct similar leaning scottish grounds edinburgh derby played october roof north terrace ground largely unchanged 1960s 1970s capacity reduced regulations safety sports grounds act club scotland install heating benches installed north terrace cheaper replacing terrace crush barriers soon chairman kenny admitted stadium mess height east terrace greatly reduced roof erected mid-1980s work reduced capacity taken consortium led david new regime spent approximately million executive boxes policy business property public houses crippled club financially economic late 1980s hearts chairman wallace attempted takeover june intention merging major edinburgh football clubs fans protested prevented gaining needed close sir tom farmer took control club faced need develop stadium meet requirements taylor report entered talks edinburgh district council sharing new stadium hearts proposed site wrong city club interested possibility playing stadium yards easter road planning difficulties adapting large football stadium reorganisation club farmer took control meant real pressure owned easter road board assessment ground renovated cost effective fashion august deadline set taylor report proposed january sell easter road site owned farmer invited hearts share stadium proposal site rejected planners plans scaled regional council refused allow rest site commercial development board continued proposal insisted installation bucket seats uncovered south terrace merely comply taylor report deadline measure reduced capacity easter road later proposals abandoned easter road underwent major redevelopment stands goal built cost million increasing capacity ground seated installation bucket seats east terrace views pitch stand somewhat restricted supporting pillars easter road slope meant north end pitch feet lower south removed end season west stand built replace main stand increasing capacity despite development work shared stadium proposed hoped selling easter road site allow clear debts reduce costs club director rod commented decision based financial grounds consultation fanbase club forced farmer expressed support easter road viable business plan consultation farmer said main priority ensuring club survival denied deal concluded consultation found fans largely opposed proposal club eventually abandoned remove debt club sold land east stadium previously car parking selling players including scott brown kevin funded debts work club obtained planning permission replace east stand renewed started consultation supporters redevelopment development hold sufficient cash resources obtained finance project consultation process found single tier stand popular fans announced annual general meeting club enter negotiations contractors establish cost rebuilding stand negotiations concluded announced february work immediately begin new east stand increasing capacity demolition old stand began early march stand opened month ahead schedule august structure facilities easter road seated stadium split geographic sections known famous north east south west stands famous south stands oldest present stadium built stand tiers roof capacity nearly boundaries site upper deck stand angles centre stands built famous stand pitch level south stand corrected natural slope removed stand stretched east corrected widening pitch east stand rebuilt tiers famous stand function stands rebuilt 1990s north south ends easter road known end respectively southern end called end factory named located west stand initially capacity built reception area club offices media centre area changing rooms located west stand capacity west stand reduced slightly new east stand constructed pitch widened development east stand newest stadium built stand split tiers capacity decision build east stand single tier taken maintain character old terrace simple viewing area facilities uses football matches club easter road home venue home leg cup tie munich match moved normal home ground stark park easter road greater capacity easter road played host scottish league cup semi final matches competitions team managers terry butcher objected playing semi finals easter road grounds players chance play park playing hearts edinburgh gives form home advantage scottish challenge cup final rangers hosted easter road scotland played international matches easter road friendly matches attractive opposition relatively small crowd expected unnecessary play match park scotland team played matches easter road scotland played iceland european football championship qualification play offs recent international played stadium friendly match scotland june international played easter road involve scotland friendly match south_korea played advance world cup seven international football matches played easter road sports easter road briefly home ground edinburgh rugby professional rugby union team late 1990s cup matches played ground season thousand edinburgh expressed interest easter road opposed manager tony concerned playing rugby damage pitch scottish rugby union included easter road bid edinburgh host cup european challenge cup finals june chief executive indicated trial matches played easter road view edinburgh rugby moving longer term announced team january stadium staged amateur boxing november uses sport elton_john performed easter road rock concert june international headquarters homeless world cup based south stand stadium transport edinburgh railway station main station edinburgh approximately miles stadium walk sites takes approximately minutes railway halt immediately ground edinburgh railway opened closed edinburgh system served stadium mcdonald road stop walk line cancelled june delays cost easter road served buses routes services run walk services run easter road services run london road routes serve road scotland east routes serve area visitors ground travelling car park surrounding streets


birmingham city birmingham city football club locally professional association football club based city birmingham england formed small heath alliance small heath birmingham finally birmingham city compete football league championship second tier league football england small heath played football alliance founder members champions football league second division successful period history 1950s early 1960s achieved highest finishing position sixth division season reached cup final progressed final inter cities cup won major trophy league cup beating villa aggregate won competition second time played tier english football majority history longest period spent outside division included brief spells tier english league time twice won football league trophy andrew home ground long standing fierce rivalry villa nearest neighbours play second city derby club nickname blues colour kit fans known history birmingham city founded small heath alliance played home games street club turned professional years later football club limited company board directors small heath ltd season played football alliance ran alongside football league small heath alliance teams invited join newly formed football league second division finished champions failed win promotion test match system following season promotion division secured second place finish test match victory club adopted birmingham football club moved new home andrew ground following year matters field failed live surroundings birmingham relegated obliged apply election years later remained second division world war frank creativity scottish international johnny contributed birmingham winning second division title went appearances club record outfielder year career saw debut year old joe went score club record goals games won caps england manager led club cup final lost second division club west birmingham remained flight seasons struggled league reliance placed england harry lack goals end finally relegated season football league abandoned duration second world war birmingham city adopted harry appointed manager club won football league south wartime league reached semifinal post war cup years later won second division title conceding goals game season successor bob unable brought players major contribution club successes decade arthur turner took manager november play closer potential win day season confirmed champions season division birmingham achieved highest league finish sixth place reached cup final losing manchester city game notable city playing minutes broken bone neck following season club lost cup semifinal time war time beaten manchester united birmingham english club european competition played group game inaugural inter cities cup competition went reach semifinal drew aggregate barcelona losing replay english club reach european final losing aggregate barcelona cup final following year semifinal beat home away english club won competitive game san arsenal managed years later saved best form cup competitions opponents league cup final local rivals villa pre match favourites birmingham raised game won aggregate lift major trophy years flight returned second division businessman took chairman stan retirement manage club team played attractive football took semifinals league cup cup league football needed different approach successor produced team playing aggressive football won promotion reaching cup semifinal years later club raised money selling bob british record fee goals team struggled sir briefly managed club jim smith took certainty club sold francis nottingham forest making player transferred fee million francis scored total goals appearances years birmingham smith took birmingham straight division poor start season saw replaced ron resigned league champions villa team struggled score goals relegated bounced home game promotion season leeds united marred rioting culminating death boy wall collapsed day city stadium fire events andrew formed justice inquiry safety sports grounds club lacked stability field quit cup defeat non league team staff laid training ground sold birmingham division time history april brothers owners clothing chain bought club rapid turnover managers absence promised investment threatened mass refusal players renew contracts relieved victorious trip associate members cup terry cooper delivered promotion collapse bank credit commerce international businesses november sale holding football club club continued administration months publisher david sullivan bought installed year old managing director allowed cooper money day season team avoided tier poor start season cooper replaced barry change prevent season brought promotion second tier champions victory football league trophy beating united paul golden goal completed lower league double year sacked way return francis francis introduced players level experience manchester united steve bruce second season club narrowly missed play position followed years play semifinal defeats reached league cup final liverpool cardiff millennium stadium birmingham minute normal time match went penalty shootout liverpool won october lack progress francis position league cup defeat manchester city left mutual consent replaced months later steve bruce bruce shook team taking mid table play offs beat city penalties win promotion premier league motivated inspirational birmingham flight season years finished mid table loan signing league goals helped birmingham half finish performances results tailed badly end season team coach mark sacked replaced black international players signed injury left team struggling goals transfer window loan ensured mid table finish months later chairman david gold said time start talking good outside best squad players years injuries lack form lack investment transfer window saw relegated game season cup defeat liverpool pennant left record fees released bruce retained confidence board amended recruitment strategy combining young hungry players free transfer experience exploitation loan market brought automatic promotion end season included calls head july hong_kong based businessman bought shares club making biggest single view taking control future uncertain future possible new owners bruce left mid season manager premier league rivals athletic successor scotland national team manager alex unable achieved promotion premier league attempt ninth place finish best years following season combined second victory league cup defeating favourites arsenal goals securing qualification league second tier resigned june join villa successor chris narrowly failed reach knockout rounds league playoff final club financial turmoil transfer leaving city june lee clark birmingham twice retained divisional status albeit paul minute goal match avoid goal difference continuation poor form previous season clark sacked october replaced burton manager birmingham player colours badge small heath alliance members decided colours blue early days wore blue shirt uniform kit dark blue shirt white white shorts variations blue theme tried stuck royal blue shirt white adopted world war retained late 1920s design changed royal blue remained adopted strip royal blue broad white central panel lasted years generally worn plain nominally royal blue shirts actual shade varied shorts blue white usually blue white combination white yellow red black combination frequently colours away kit kit sponsored showers blue material covered resembled shower curtain birmingham worn stripes home shirt wore blue shirt central panel narrow blue white stripes design similar supermarket carrier bag time club changed small heath birmingham adopted city coat arms crest worn shirts 1970s shirt carried letters centre chest sports newspaper ran competition design new badge club winning entry line drawn globe ball ribbon carrying club date foundation plain blue white adopted club worn playing shirts experiment early 1990s globe ball club soon reverted plain version season home kit blue apart white trim white stripes sides round tops away kit red apart white trim neck sleeve white stripes shoulders shorts tops kits supplied season year deal bear logo online club principal sponsor sponsors names appeared shirts tables shirt sponsors kit suppliers appear small heath alliance played home games waste ground arthur street green interest grew moved field road admission charged year later moved field adjoining street small heath near main road capacity street ground adequate 1880s friendly matches capacity gradually raised thousand spectators scaled walls broke division match villa clear longer cope demand director harry morris identified site new ground green quarters mile street city centre site operated land sloped pools stadium constructed months land clearance opening ceremony boxing day heavy snow nearly prevented opening volunteers clear pitch match draw ahead ground reputed cursed evicted site known camped nearby contemporary evidence club original capacity andrew reported seats main stand space cover official capacity february saw attendance record set fifth round cup tie variously recorded outbreak second world war chief constable ordered ground closure danger air raids ground closed opened matter raised parliament badly damaged birmingham blitz railway end result bombing main stand burnt petrol water replacement main stand roof design meant fewer pillars block spectators view pitch installed officially switched friendly match early 1960s stand built railway end design main stand roofs road end ground capacity resulting report safety sports grounds later taylor report capacity andrew set safety reasons accepted stadium brought modern seated standards home game season road demolished fans took home significant proportion replaced start new season seat road stand continuing round corner seat opened months later seat railway stand followed years later renamed stand honour club appearance record holder manager main stand club website listed stadium capacity proposal forward build sports village comprising new capacity stadium club known city birmingham stadium sports leisure facilities super casino project jointly financed birmingham city_council birmingham city proceeds sale andrew casino group las_vegas sands feasibility plan depended government issuing licence super casino birmingham chosen venue happen club planning permission main stand club council continued seek alternative sources funding city birmingham stadium project birmingham city supporters trust application listing andrew asset community value building land main use social social interests local community realistic believe future act approved birmingham city_council requires proposed sale notified council provides month sale allow trust community groups submit bid supporters birmingham fans consider main rivals villa nearest neighbours geographically contest second city derby lesser rivalries exist fellow west clubs west according football fans census survey villa fans thought birmingham city main rivals case birmingham supporters generally referred media fans manner fans clubs piece public sculpture form times life size head lying mound near andrew ground sleeping iron giant repeatedly blue paint nose club mascot took form blue nose dog called play slang word person birmingham number supporters clubs affiliated football club england abroad action group formed protest chairman club blamed internet petition collapse purchase player lee board provoked hostile chanting pitch invasion match season club financial difficulties supporters contributed schemes funded purchase players brian roberts paul supporters trust formed auspices supporters direct published supporters issued regularly sale began years earlier ran seasons firm associated club unusual multi racial membership time firms associations racist right wing groups fans anthem adaptation harry right end road adopted cup campaign times football correspondent described cup final preview birmingham clans swept reach final playing home wings song right end road player alex credited song singing coach way quarter final revealed interview favourite build cup semi final interviewed press happened let slip favourite song harry old music hall number right end road thought goal went blues fans started singing moment life ownership small heath limited company share issue value board local businessmen dignitaries club sold mid-1980s club financial trouble control passed family chairman cut costs sold assets including club training ground unable club pay sold brothers owners clothing chain debt increasing matters came head collapse bank credit commerce international businesses club continued administration months sport newspapers proprietor david sullivan bought holding march birmingham city football club wholly owned subsidiary floated alternative investment market aim issue million new shares raising million new investment pre tax profit year ending august july hong_kong businessman hong_kong stock exchange company international holdings limited bought directors intention control club initially came completed purchase october total cost registered club private company renamed holding company birmingham international holdings trading shares suspended june arrest charges money publication financial results repeatedly delayed led football league impose transfer offers club entertained onwards resigned positions club company early share trading resumed following conviction efforts intensified dispose club order retain share listing going football league public concerns attempts impose choice directors board despite conviction influence club relationships increasingly illustrated failure directors including club facto chief executive gain election followed day february board voluntarily appointed receivers young management company statement stressed winding petition issued company june receivers granted year period preferred british virgin islands registered investment vehicle trophy asia wholly owned chinese businessman paul hung striking deals previous major shareholders legal action dropped return agreement transfer ownership receivers released document june setting company share takeover completed end october confirmed hold shares faction company sold years honours birmingham city honours include following second division division championship level champions runners play winners division division level champions runners cup runners league cup winners runners inter cities cup runners associate members cup football league trophy winners birmingham senior cup winners pre league days county cups second cup importance team competitions small heath entered birmingham senior cup years foundation football league won time defeating west final importance declined increase league fixtures onwards birmingham fielded teams containing reserve team players football league south wartime champions preparatory football league resuming second division clubs pre war season divided geographically leagues north south going day season villa league south finished programme points win ahead worse goal average athletic second birmingham goal draw home birmingham won away town claimed title goal statistics records frank holds record birmingham league appearances having played matches closely followed senior competitions included closely followed record outfield player player won international caps club taylor northern_ireland record held joe league goals altogether scored player comes close walter holds records goals scored season league goals second division goals total club widest victory margin league achieved football alliance nottingham forest twice second division town lost league match goal margin occasions twice football alliance times division away home home beaten championship record cup win fourth qualifying round competition record cup defeat home liverpool quarter final birmingham home attendance record set fifth round cup tie february variously recorded according club website highest transfer fee received birmingham player million liverpool pennant august expensive player bought joined liverpool fee players current squad player declared international allegiance nation determined place birth squad correct july squad numbers apply season reserves academy birmingham city ladies birmingham city ladies football club formed team worked way leagues promoted women premier league birmingham city withdrew financial support club able continue personal donation affiliated birmingham city founder members following year won women cup club officials owner birmingham international holdings ltd birmingham city board directors august director director coaching staff manager assistant manager kevin team coach mark sale coach kevin senior professional development coach richard head performance robinson head sports science dave head analysis joe notable managers birmingham manager win major trophy league cup led club inter cities cup final following pat took club final cup arthur turner likewise taking charge club highest league finish sixth place division birmingham reached football league cup final francis successor permanent manager steve bruce twice achieved promotion premier league birmingham won league cup second time alex world cup winning manager sir took charge club briefly


known simply construction multi purpose stadium sweden home association football club presently division athletics club stadium served home ground association football team sweden flight opening club moved newly constructed built use stadium training purposes youth matches sports stadium hosted concerts events ground record attendance set match played ground world cup match argentina west_germany originally built world cup venue matches replaced main sports stadium based early 20th century hosted matches european football championship stadium today holds spectators sporting configuration fans seated standing concerts ground hold people depending location stage february took decision approve demolition stadium redevelopment area previously decided new public swimming arena built site near future february known demolition process begin history plans build new stadium originated local officials deemed small major events city_council agree build new stadium matter dropped time sweden chosen host world cup question resurfaced location stadium main subject discussion suggested suburban location thought stadium located central near neighbourhood proponents central location ultimately won day site confirmed plans agreed building started june year chairman city sports committee turned ground officially opened years later time stadium inauguration held spectators designed architects designed world cup city result grounds share architectural features world cup stadium hosted matches west_germany argentina group inaugural match stadium west_germany northern_ireland group northern_ireland czechoslovakia group play finally west_germany yugoslavia quarter final round european football championship commonly called euro hosted matches group comprised national teams sweden denmark england france matches played involved sweden host nation played matches stadium capital city stockholm largest athletics club stadium training purposes outdoor competition stadium inauguration international athletic competition gala held 1930s originally hosted moved construction notable athletes competed gala jones served home ground association football club team moved stadium opening leaving original home ground match new ground played august fixture took cross town rivals moved stadium played fans game ended draw relegated returned tier club continues play nonetheless experienced average attendance years stadium average crowds dropped end 1970s 1990s time low people average coming matches club let newly renovated followed august year time playing division tier swedish league system seasons attracted average attendance spectators attendance reached peak season club finished runners attracted spectators average stadium attendance decreased spectators match club dropped league occurred second half soon apparent club small lacked safety facilities offered relegated second tier swedish football end season club board decided team season started stayed promoted season second division average attendance began rise average crowd season time 1970s club drawn average crowd spectators average increased year year experienced successful period season won swedish championship team set new club record season average spectators watching matches time club fans began feel served purpose stadium began deteriorate fans expressed discontent distance pitch stands necessitated running tracks surrounding playing area city_council announced april intention help club build new stadium area days later different scenarios laid municipality proposed construction entirely new football specific stadium south second suggested demolition erection new ground football athletics site fourth fifth ideas proposed building football athletics local plots municipality chose option december new football ground built south capacity million budget renovated athletics stadium million completed renovation left end season match played stadium team final game season november match won wore special kit designed honour legacy stadium uses stadium training purposes youth matches returned season protest decision lay artificial turf returning average attendance spectators match team currently plays division sixth tier swedish football june decided new public swimming arena built area stadium near future leaves stadium future uncertainty recent occurrences indicated continue athletics arena intends revive gala november lobbied attract metres olympic champion bolt stadium proposed gala august working hosting european athletics junior championships written european athletic association express interest january new reports suggested city_council reached agreement demolished decision approve demolition stadium taken february february unknown demolition process start area structure facilities overall capacity spectators sports standing spectators hosting concerts stadium host spectators stage long stadium placed short comprises main stands long sides pitch southern stand northern stand tiers lower tier northern stand tier stand upper seated tier built short sides pitch feature minor sections respectively named eastern stand western stand based ground northern stand section season ticket holders eastern stand section house away fans stadium features metres association football pitch weather running tracks surround pitch tracks certified national international athletic competitions available stadium areas short pitch high jump throw pole vault shot events southern stand pits long jump triple jump stadium association football placed edge pitch southern stand running tracks entrance exit players changing rooms located southern stand total changing rooms inside stand facilities media reserved seats officials media southern stand respective corridors southern northern stands open area northern western stands vendors selling light meals entrances stadium located southern northern stands ticket office selling tickets home matches connected southern stand international football world cup following world cup matches held euro following euro matches held sweden matches stadium hosted matches played sweden national team list competitive matches played sweden uses september stadium motorcycle chosen host world championship final event kind staged stadium england won swedish rider defending champion won individual world championships prove world final staged world final held sweden run stadium hosted world championship motorcycle meetings hosted final world team cup host nation sweden won 5th title riders defeated poland great_britain soviet_union hosted world pairs championship won new_zealand riders moore defeated sweden england represented brothers final time stadium world championship break record world championships winning title occasions sweden later regained share record tony win world championships use concerts increased construction departure known artists elton_john eagles kiss rod stewart performed stadium climate sweden lack retractable roof ground concerts held european summer june august main stage placed facing southern stand short sides stadium pitch covered wooden performances minimize damage grass spectators complained impressive sound quality elton_john concerts citing layout unsuitable kind concert records ground present attendance record set world cup spectators saw game played stadium group match argentina west_germany match ended west_germany favour record crowd match played ground set september attended match rivals won match record attendance set september division derby fixture attracted spectators stadium match ended favour average attendance initially lay steady season mid-1960s early 1970s decreasing spectators season remainder decades 1980s 1990s decreased average fans season general interest swedish football low time attendance took sharp turn upwards season season season average crowds increased annually reached peak season reached time record average attendance decreased year seasonal average time final season ground attended match stadium november played seasons relegated division average attendance years stayed fans reaching peak spectators average season finished runners transportation like neighbouring currently served bus lines stop vicinity local transit authority operates dedicated match day buses branded line run different areas play home matches central location city parking space limited spectators advised use public transportation particularly prominent matches apply fans drawn club games near underground railway station opened december station served trains non stop parts region closest parking location parking garage parking spaces purpose built garage opened september located metres training ground local parking spaces large number bicycle stands surrounding western edge