The Rolling Football Thread: Season 2025/26 - thread 2

[DuncinToffee]

Previous thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/sports/5383976-the-rolling-football-thread-season-202526?page=40&reply=147893728

in Germany, all cup matches are played at the lower league's ground - so anyone in the 1st or 2nd division always plays away unless they draw against another 1st or 2nd division team, then the first one out of the draw gets the home match.

It only gets taken away from the lower team if their ground can't handle all the TV stuff, and then they find somewhere neutral.

Sorry about that. FWIW I was rooting for you (for obvious reasons 😂).
Now we just need to build on a whole load of possession in the first half and actually score. My DS is at our game and pretty impressed with us so far.

I hadn't seen this-Exeter asked and City said no?

So much for the spirit of the cup-the disparity of benefit of that money here is sad.

It used to be the case that if the lower league club was drawn at home in the FA Cup, they could agree with their higher ranked opponent to switch to playing at the opponent's home ground instead. If there was a huge disparity in capacity at the two grounds, this would massively increase the amount of money the smaller club would earn from the tie, as the net gate money from FA Cup ties (i.e., after the hosting costs of the home club are subtracted) is split equally between both clubs (I think it's 45% each and the remaining 10% goes to the FA). I think maybe they can only switch like this now if the FA agree and there are reasons for doing so such as policing, security and that kind of thing. So, it's better financially for smaller clubs if they're drawn away in ties against Premier League opposition (especially now that replays have been abolished). Not quite as magical though, I guess, as hosting at their own ground.

I know - seems rather a shame (albeit, to be fair, as it's being played at the Etihad, it is thought that Exeter will still pocket a few hundred thousand, whereas Palace's share of the gate v Macclesfield was only estimated to be worth around 60k due to the small capacity of Macclesfield's stadium).

Given how City are brutalising Exeter on the pitch, seems only fair for them to bung them some of the cash by way of compensation. 😬

@MrsMitford3 Sorry, I didn't actually answer your question - yes, it has been widely reported that Exeter asked and City refused. This article in the Guardian explains well the financial reality for Exeter that led to the request (while they will still get a big payday from their share of the gate, Exeter have been majority owned by their fans via a supporters' trust since 2003 and are really struggling financially): https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/08/exeter-city-manchester-city-fa-cup-plea-share-gate-receipts

Thanks @Brefugee

Disappointing but not surprising by Man City tbh.

Would have been a drop in the very large endless bucket for Man City and a huge lifeline for Exeter.
Shame.

Another exhausting watch at St James’ today. Not what we needed given we have the first leg of a cup semi on Tuesday. Another defender injured. Harvey Barnes yet again though. What a star.

Sounds like a bad injury for Mavropanos today. Pics online of him in a head and neck brace while he’s stretchered off. Hopefully it’s not as bad as it looks and they’re just being overly cautious with the braces but he was down for a long time.

They don't take any chances with a head injury.

I see Martinelli scored a hatrick, he is a lucky boy.

I said to DW just after kick off "Pompy are going to score in the first couple of minutes". And low and behold! I wasn't worried, as I was sure we'd win, but I could just see it happening!

I see there was no giant killing at Old Trafford this afternoon as Brighton won.

Yes and a match that Lacey will never forget.

Bundesliga action began again this weekend after the winter break. 2 matches in the northern parts of Germany called off because of snow.
Gladbach played Augsburg today and BLOW ME! we won 4-0. Excellent.

@Brefugee Congrats on the win!!

are they smaller clubs/grounds that had matches cancelled?
Assuming Northern Germany gets a lot of snow-just wondering what it takes to get matches cancelled?

😂 very pleased to win and be through to the next round. Would like us to take the cup seriously this year and have a good run as I don’t think we will be getting a European place.
By all accounts Man Utd were woeful, not sure what the new manager will be able to do.

no they were Bundesliga clubs (St. Pauli and Werder Bremen)

We had an uncharacteristic massive snow-dump over the northern part of Germany. Normally it is not affected, but it was a huge storm, dumped a lot of snow, then froze. The pitches could probably have been made playable but travel was impossible - no trains for a few days and it took time to get the Autobahns cleared.

Frankly i would have been ok with our match being postponed, i couldn't feel my feet for most of the match. Thank goodness they sell Glühwein in the winter months!

You don't worry about relegation anymore?

i always have it in the back of my mind because, you know, Gladbach doing Gladbach things 😂
but no, i am not worried about it as a real possibility now. And our striker is still out, has been since summer, so when he comes back i will be less worried about that (and the 2nd division has some really good teams so i wouldn't really mind that much)

Wednesday, now, that is a WHOLE other relegation worry.

Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid have parted ways. I feel sorry for Xabi but he was always way too good a man for that cesspool of a club. Yet another quality coach forced out by the arrogant players at the Bernabeu.

Well I'm relieved we didn't get Macclesfield.

I'd hate to be knocked out by them and hate to knock them out!

Shame we didn't get Salford - would have been some fun with Gary Neville...

Villa away. Typical of our luck. We never get an easy run!

Should have just thrown Saturdays game @Brightbluesomething 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 no point in absolutely exhausting ourselves only to get Villa away and booted in the next round…

Yep @JasonTindallsTan its going to be tricky enough to get past City twice to defend our cup, never mind win in the Prem and Europe. FA cup might be a step too far.