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The Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Sun
The little club has been pushed aside again in favour of one with more money, fumes Palace legend after Europa League KO
GEOFF THOMAS knows exactly how Crystal Palace fans are feeling after Uefa booted them out of the Europa League. That is because the former England midfielder was their captain when Uefa denied them what should have been a European spot in 1991. 13 13 And he blasted: 'It feels like the little club has been pushed aside again in favour of somebody with more money.' Palace finished a club-record third while second-placed Liverpool were banned from Europe following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985. But in April 1991, with only a few games left, Uefa announced they were allowing Liverpool back in. And it felt like deja vu for Palace legend Thomas when Uefa stated they were relegating his ex-club to the less glamorous Conference League because they had fallen foul of multi-ownership rules. John Textor, who has a controlling stake in Lyon, owned 43 per cent of Palace before he agreed to sell it last month. And Uefa have opted to boot FA Cup-winners Palace out at the expense of the French team who finished sixth in Ligue 1. Nottingham Forest have been told they will take the Eagles' English spot. This is despite the Eagles winning the FA Cup by stunning Manchester City in May's final at Wembley. Thomas, who is currently raising money for Care Leukaemia by riding at his SEVENTH Tour de France, told SunSport: 'It's as though Uefa have found a loophole not to let Palace into a competition which they rightly qualified for after winning the FA Cup. 'The little club has been pushed aside again in favour of somebody with more money.' The injustice of 1991 was the goal-posts for European qualification being moved with only a few games left — when it had been believed all season, if Liverpool finished in the top two, third place would secure a UEFA Cup spot. 13 13 13 13 Thomas said: 'It felt like a pipe dream for a club like Palace to get into Europe but with us sitting third during an incredible season everyone thought we were going to do it. 'Then all of a sudden when we qualified for Europe the ban was lifted on a great side. There's no getting away from that. We were devastated. 'Everyone wanted Liverpool to be in Europe — but they were banned for crowd trouble.' It had a devastating effect on Palace's fortunes which eventually saw them relegated two years later. Thomas, who made 195 appearances for the Eagles, said: 'We went on to lose key players like Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Andy Gray. 'We had a good nucleus of a side with players like Nigel Martyn and John Salako. 'Had we got into Europe that would obviously have allowed us to increase our player power in the transfer market. 13 13 13 'And it would have helped get Selhurst Park up to some sort of order. It would've given us the perfect opportunity to redevelop the ground.' Thomas believes it was a watershed moment for the club - and added: 'We had just narrowly missed out on winning the FA Cup in our first season in the top flight in 1990 and then we finished third. 'It just felt like we were a team that was really gelling and building. We were a group of guys who probably, in some ways, had a last chance to make a name for ourselves. 'And collectively, we were doing that. We were such a tight bunch and so similar. 'I can see many similarities to our present-day squad in terms of the characters and skills.' Thomas believes the 1991 team could have gone on made a name for themselves on the continent. 13 He said: 'It's always hard to say once an opportunity is gone — but we had the abilities in that squad to really upset some of the bigger European clubs at that time. 'So we'll never know exactly what would've happened and that's why it was so frustrating. And the same can be said with this present team.' Chairman Steve Parish is appealing the decision by taking it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Yet in a worst-case scenario Palace will at least compete in the Europa Conference League, which Chelsea and West Ham have won. But Thomas rapped: 'Yes but it feels you must go very deep into that competition, probably the semi-finals, before you can get any sort of atmosphere or excitement. 'The earlier games just feel like another match and more trauma on the pockets of fans. 'Palace supporters deserve better than this. They've been a real force behind this team's success, building a huge reputation for being the most vocal and should be looking forward to playing some of Europe's top teams.' Geoff's incredible Tour de France triumph 13 GEOFF THOMAS will cycle into Paris on Sunday completing a staggering SEVENTH Tour de France spanning 2,074 miles. The 60-year-old former Crystal Palace star was marking the 20th anniversary of his first appearance at the event just months after he miraculously beat blood cancer. Thomas is raising funds for Cure Leukaemia, founded by Prof Charlie Craddock, who helped save his life. Thomas was initially given THREE MONTHS to live in 2003 but Craddock put him on chemotherapy treatment that took his life expectancy back to three years — before performing a stem cell transplant from his sister Kay that put him in remission in 2005. Yet having competed in six Tours, his last one four years ago, he feared his cycling days were over when he got grade four arthritis in his knees. Thomas said: 'Premier League medical advisor Mark Gillett told me about a hydrogel injection called Arthrosamid that he could give me through a company called Regener8 Healthcare. 'It gave me instant relief in January and after a couple of weeks I was back on my bike training for this. 13 13 'I've not been able to train as much as the other guys but wanted to be involved as it's not only 20 years ago I went into remission and rode this event but have reached the grand old age of 60. 'My dad died at 60 just a few weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer so it was all very poignant. 'He smoked 80 cigarettes a day. I thought he lived happily throughout his life, maybe naively, but having reached 60 myself there is so much more to look forward to. So this was a little nod to him.' Thomas has enjoyed cycling down the years and has raised millions of pounds for Care Leukaemia. And he tells a great story about the time his ex-Palace team-mate Ian Wright joined him and John Salako in a charity ride from London to Paris. He said: 'It put him off cycling. Wrighty is always a bundle of fun — but when he was on a bike he wasn't! 'He wasn't very good. He had his good mate Mitchell Thomas trying to look after him — but just kept falling off his bike. On one occasion he went headlong into a bush! 'Wrighty has since retired from cycling!'
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Anthony Elanga sends message to Alexander Isak over Liverpool transfer
Anthony Elanga says he and the rest of Newcastle's squad are desperate to continue playing with 'one of the best strikers in the world' Alexander Isak next season. Isak's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months and widespread reports on Tuesday claimed Liverpool had opened fresh talks to prise the 25-year-old away from St James' Park. The Premier League champions have long held an interest in Isak and would be prepared to spend in the region of £120million to secure the Swede's services this summer. The proposed move would see Isak follow Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Armin Pecsi through the doors at Anfield, with the Reds putting together a formidable squad ahead of their title defence. However, Newcastle bosses have no intention of selling Isak. Eddie Howe's men are preparing for another season of Champions League football following a fifth-placed finish last term and the attacker is considered an untouchable asset unless an astronomical offer arrives. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Liverpool are eyeing Hugo Ekitike as an alternative up front should they fail in pursuit of Isak and the Eintracht Frankfurt forward is said to have agreed personal terms with the Merseyside giants. The incessant rumours have threatened to overshadow Elanga's arrival in the North East and it remains to be seen if the former Nottingham Forest winger will have the chance to link up with his fellow countryman next season. But speaking to Sky Sports, Elanga made it clear he planned to ignore the gossip and was instead looking forward to strengthening the 'amazing' bond he had formed with Isak at international level. 'If you you look at this team and what they did last season, it played a huge part in me coming,' he said. 'You look at the likes of Tino [Livramento], Lewis [Hall], Sven [Botman], Fabian [Schar], Bruno [Guimaraes], Sandro [Tonali], I could go through the whole team. What they did last season was amazing, having played against them home and away from Nottingham Forest. 'A player like Alex… everyone wants to play with Alex. For me, he's one of the best strikers in the world and having played with him at international level, I can really, really say that. 'There are always going to be things and rumours around the world, but, for me, he's a top guy and a top player. 'From playing with him at international level and training with him now, it's amazing.' Elanga is grateful for the support he has received since joining Newcastle and is relishing the opportunity to showcase his ability and talent when the new season gets underway. 'I know a lot of the lads here and I think that's played a part in me coming here,' the Sweden international added. 'Not just that, but I've talked about the gaffer and I think he's helped a lot in this instance. 'The club is a big club with a big fanbase so all of that has played a massive role in me coming here.' He added: 'I just want to showcase my abilities, showcase my talent, show that to all the Geordies and have an amazing season. 'When you know the lads it helps you settle even quicker. 'I've only been here for a week but it feels like I've been here for years because the lads and staff have made me feel so welcome.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle identify Tottenham transfer target as new Hugo Ekitike alternative MORE: Manchester United launch improved third bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo MORE: Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha responds to Arsenal transfer approach
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Hennessey becomes goalkeeper coach
Nottingham Forest have confirmed Wayne Hennessey will stay at the club following his retirement, joining Rui Barbosa's goalkeeping former Wales stopper made nine appearances for the Reds across two stints at the club."I am delighted to continue my journey at the club as part of the coaching staff, " Hennessey said."I really enjoyed my time as a player here and working with this incredible group."This marks a new chapter in my career, and I'm really looking forward to getting started in the role to help the team towards its goals."Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson, added: "Everyone at the club is pleased Wayne is staying with us in a coaching capacity. Wayne brings a lot to the goalkeeping group off the pitch and will now work with Rui Barbosa and the team to further develop our keepers."Matz had a great season last year, and he undoubtedly benefits from the support and guidance of someone like Wayne, who has significant experience at the top level."
