Latest news with #2022-23Championship
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Fans say ‘you can't pretend it isn't rigged' as Carabao Cup draw hands out play-off final repeat and huge derby
THE first Carabao Cup draw of the 2025-26 campaign took place on Thursday afternoon - and it left some fans seething. Among the first-round fixtures drawn by John Barnes and Shay Given were a huge derby and a repeat of a recent play-off final. 1 The Carabao Cup first round draw has been made Credit: PA Chelsterfield will host rivals Mansfield Town at the SMH Group Stadium. The two clubs last faced each other in April 2018, with Mansfield snatching a 1-0 win away from home. The rivalry between the two - branded the Miners strike derby - dates back to 1933 with Chesterfield having won the most games. Meanwhile, Luton Town will travel to face Coventry. The two sides went head-to-head in the 2022-23 Championship play-off final, with Luton earning promotion. Jordan Clark opened the scoring for the Hatters in the 23rd minute before Gustavo Hamer equalised for Coventry after half-time. With the score 1-1 after 120 minutes, penalties were needed and Luton went on to win. Some fans were less than thrilled with the outcome, with one person taking to X to write: "Hahahahaha you honestly can't pretend this isn't rigged." Most read in Football Another commented: "Typical we get drawn against these lot." While a third simply wrote: "Rigged." THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ashley Barnes interview: ‘I wanted to get this club back where it belongs'
Ashley Barnes' smile is infectious. Sat on the balcony at Burnley's training ground, he is exactly where he wants to be — home. Nearly two years ago, the 35-year-old was standing on a different balcony at Burnley's Town Hall, addressing thousands of supporters who adore him. His contract was up and he thought he was saying his final goodbyes. Winning the 2022-23 Championship title made it the perfect ending. Advertisement 'I thought I'd never be back, certainly not in a playing role,' says the striker. 'I knew I'd maybe come back one day on the coaching side, but I never thought I'd see myself put on the shirt again.' It looked further away than ever at the start of this season, his second with Norwich City. Frustrations with a complicated calf problem had seen the idea of retirement drift into his thoughts. His mind could not be in a more different place now. 'And now look,' Barnes chimes in. 'In one season. From that to this. Night and day. You go through tough times with injuries, but you have to keep fighting.' Barnes sought a private specialist's opinion and that proved to be the turning point in his recovery, but he still felt his future was not with the Canaries. 'I spoke to the club and said it's best if I go back home with my family,' says Barnes. 'I was away from them, had been injured and didn't know if I was coming or going. With the situation, I needed to get back to Manchester and see what opportunities there were.' Then came the call from Burnley chairman, Alan Pace. 'It was out of the blue and then suddenly I'm talking to the chairman. It was a straight 'yes'. It was just: 'Please get me back to Burnley.' This is my home and I wanted to achieve something special this season.' Barnes and Norwich agreed to terminate the final six months of his contract and he could become a Burnley player again, returning to the club he made 293 appearances for between 2014 and 2023. As soon as Barnes got the green light, he was on the road with his son, Flynn, in a van packed with his belongings, ready to return to his family home in Manchester. If there were secret missions in football, this was it. Only a handful of people knew, including senior members of the squad — Josh Brownhill, Josh Cullen and Connor Roberts — who were still at the club from when Barnes departed. Advertisement The club's former head of communications manager, Simon Crabtree, was on hand to help him unpack and media requirements were completed at his house, including filming his part in Burnley's famous transfer reveal videos. The signing was announced at 22:45 on January 2, catching the entire fan base by surprise. 'I just couldn't wait to get to work the next day,' says Barnes. 'It was a surreal feeling. I had butterflies, that feeling you have as a kid when you're so excited. I was buzzing to be back in this building and see everyone's faces.' The first game back after his arrival was against the club's fiercest rivals, Blackburn Rovers, or as Barnes calls them: 'Them lot down the road.' The striker has great memories of the fixture, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory at Turf Moor and starting in the 1-0 victory that sealed the title at Ewood Park two seasons ago. Barnes frequently admits he is a joker in the dressing room. On the pitch, he is fondly spoken about by Burnley fans as the team's 's***house'. His return was peak mind games. 'It was one of the reasons why we had to sort it quickly and we found a resolution,' says Barnes. 'Personally, it was the game I wanted to get back for because it means so much. It was nice to be back home to rally the lads and fans.' Who knows how it impacted Blackburn's dressing room. Barnes didn't get off the bench, but Burnley won 1-0. After Josh Brownhill stepped up to score the penalty that sealed promotion in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United last month, Burnley shared a video of Barnes watching on from the sidelines. Had he not been wearing Burnley warm-up gear, you would be forgiven for mistaking him for a fan. That win sealed automatic promotion, the aim Barnes was determined to help make happen when he returned. It was a special day, marking his fourth promotion with Burnley – a club record. Advertisement 'For me and my family, it was very emotional,' says Barnes. 'I wanted to get this club back where it belongs. 'I'm a massive fan as well as a player. The celebrations speak for themselves. Everyone's faces, little kids running on the pitch, adults crying tears of happiness. They are memories that will stay with us forever. It's everyone's dream.' So many moments have given Barnes 'goosebumps', from his first start against Reading in the FA Cup to hearing his song being sung, making his 300th appearance and getting on the scoresheet against Luton in a 4-0 win in March. Ashley Barnes with his 1st goal back in Claret and Blue 💜 Last chance to choose your winner for our @Rapidz_io Goal of the Month competition with voting closing on Friday 4th April at 12pm ⏰ — Burnley FC (P) (@BurnleyOfficial) April 3, 2025 'The feelings are phenomenal,' says Barnes. 'The roar when I scored was like: 'Wow, I'm finally back home and I've managed to score.' 'The scenes epitomise the group, everyone running over from everywhere, then trying to pull my shorts down. It was pure joy.' Barnes rejoined at a time when questions were being asked of Burnley's promotion credentials because of their lack of firepower. Goalless draws against Middlesbrough and Stoke had preceded his arrival and, after the 1-0 victory against Blackburn, three of Burnley's next four Championship matches ended 0-0. Barnes knew he wasn't guaranteed game time — he has clocked up only 56 Championship minutes in 12 appearances — but manager Scott Parker felt he could be a positive influence off the pitch, too. 'We spoke about his vision and the role I could have,' says Barnes. 'I'm fighting for a place, but also it was to help the team and staff, knowing what this club is about. It was about helping the group, keeping the changing room mentality positive and grounded. I know how hard this league can be. Advertisement 'I was the new kid, but it felt like I could put a smile on everyone's face every morning and, in training, get the best out of people.' The forward has earned promotions under Sean Dyche, Vincent Kompany and now Parker. He speaks highly of the man who was crowned EFL Championship Manager of the Season. Parker has developed a strong bond with the team, demonstrated by his emotional speech in the dressing room following promotion. 'His man management skills are second to none,' he says. 'Everyone would say exactly the same thing because of how they feel, how he talks to you. 'How is everything?', 'How's family?', 'How's your life?'. He wants to know everything and it really touches the lads and gives you that extra boost. 'The amount of detail that he goes into and work he puts into meetings every day is phenomenal. Everyone's switched on, everyone's extra focused. The way that he gets the message across, it really touches you and it grips you. 'You want to go and fight for him and you never want to let him down. That's instilled in all of us.' Parker uses clips of films and other sports to help get his messages across. Basketball legend Michael Jordan and the British and Irish Lions rugby team are two examples Barnes references that his manager has used to reinforce mentality, sacrifice and togetherness. A clip from the recent 5-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers was shared widely on social media, showing the entire Burnley team sprinting back to stop a counter-attack despite being 3-0 up. It is a reflection of the team and an example of why they have gone 32 games unbeaten. Avoiding defeat on the final day will equal Reading's 33-game Championship record. 'This is by far the best one that we've ever had,' says Barnes, who has experienced a number of lengthy unbeaten runs. 'The mentality, standards and demands that we have for each other drive us. We don't concentrate on anyone else, it's us against us. Advertisement 'We kept positive, focused on ourselves. We knew we were good, we just needed to find the balance. Some people called us boring, but look where it has got us. We can't stop scoring now. 'We feel like we're going to win no matter what. Opponents try to stop you with different tactics, it's like a game of chess. You're always trying to think of the next move.' Talk of chess brings us on to the games played away from the pitch that have strengthened the group's bond. The faces in the dressing room have changed significantly since Barnes departed, but the atmosphere is one of the best he has walked into. 'The Traitors: Burnley', based on the TV show The Traitors, became the talk of the training ground and beyond. The idea involving the entire first team squad was proposed by Zian Flemming and began towards the end of January to help integrate the new signings. The aim is to find the traitors, with one player voted out each day. After weeks of discussions, betrayals and guessing, Barnes and team-mate Joe Worrall were revealed as the traitors and won the game. 'I started as a faithful and people believed me, but I got the choice to become one, so it was accept it or get voted out,' explains Barnes. 'I don't know how the lads didn't figure me out. The striker quickly became an integral part of the dressing room and it has become an energetic space, with darts, golf and cricket played regularly. Worrall and Connor Roberts are the cricketers, while Cullen is the golfer. The darts is very competitive, although the standard leaves plenty to be desired. Team meals have also become prominent and, as the weather has picked up, barbecues have also been organised. There could be more celebrations on the horizon, with the Championship title still a possibility. Burnley enter the final day level on points with Leeds United, who have a superior goal difference. Burnley face play-off chasing Millwall at Turf Moor and are hoping for a slip-up from their title rivals, who face all-but-relegated Plymouth Argyle. Advertisement 'It would be incredible to go out as champions. Getting 100 points, even if we come second, is phenomenal. We want the title, but it is out of our hands. We have to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we get our three points.' Promotion to the top flight has become more daunting, with all three promoted sides going straight back down this season and last. Burnley experienced that in 2023-24, and while Barnes had departed, he feels this squad is better equipped. 'There is going to be plenty of work to be done in pre-season, but the fundamentals, how we play, the defensive record — it is there for everyone to see,' says Barnes. 'I think we're more equipped this time. Sometimes teams go up and can be naive. Here we can mix it up. I'm very positive that next season will be a great season.' Whether Barnes wins his third Championship trophy or not, focus will turn to his future after the weekend. Barnes is keen to carry on and has been injury-free since the move. He returned on a six-month deal, so is set to be out of contract, and the forward will sit down with Parker and Pace to discuss his options. If Millwall is to be his last game, Flemming being unable to face his parent club and Lyle Foster still returning from injury means Barnes could make his first league start since his return. 'I would love to keep playing for as long as possible,' says Barnes. 'So if there's something playing, then that would be brilliant. If not, then I'll have to obviously see what options I do have and make a decision with my family and see what the next step is. 'I feel like I'm as fit as anything. Whether or not that is here, we'll have to just wait and see. But, once we get the season out of the way, I can sit down next week with everyone and ask what their plan is with me.'
