THE Czech Republic's

ISSUE 168

NETHERLANDSEH REUL V VENGLAND ENGLAND 611THTH JUNE TER 2019 2019 injury orinconveniencesufferedbyanyone but canacceptnoresponsibilityforanyloss, all theinformationprovidedinthisfanzine, fans. We havetriedtoensuretheaccuracyof national membership-basedorganisationfor Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), the The Free Lionsfanzineisproducedbythe ME IT WASN’T play in WHITE play England willprobably Kick–off 20:45, localtime Friday, 11thOctober2019 Sinobo Arena,Prague England Czech Republicv SR2 7DE Sunderland Stockton Road 1, Ashmore Terrace Free Lions, c/otheFSA Gifts &Postcards to: Email: [email protected] Contact Free Lions 112 Emergencies: +420 257402111 British Embassy: +44 7970146250 England Supporters Club(FA): +44 7956121314 Fans’ EmbassyHelpline: Useful Numbers PRODUCES FREELIONS

FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk

@WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions (FSA) areheretoo, intheformofour The Football Supporters’ Association make aweekend ofit. with manynodoubtplanningto have travelledoverforthematch, prospect forover3,000ofuswho and it’s certainlyprovedanattractive great placeforanEnglandgame, A partycitylike Praguecanbea things, stagparties. and popularvenuefor, amongother for itselfasatouristdestination the cityhasbuiltanewreputation beautiful historicarchitecture, but It stillhasalltheoldcharmand Prague itselfhasbeentransformed. Czechoslovakia backthen–and start, asouropponentswere playing adifferent team, fora has changedinthattime–we’re visit here forover27years. A lot A Cover image©PA Images. of, northeviewsexpressedin, thisfanzine. held inanyway responsibleforthecontents Consequently, noneofoursupporterscanbe Free Lionsimpactsonwhatweputinit. support wehavereceivedtoproduce relying onitscontents. Noneofthefinancial with abraceagainstKosovo lastmonth. and gothisEnglandscoringcareerofftoaflyingstart named intheBundesliga Team oftheSeasonlastyear, at aforeignclub, Camberwell-bornJadon Sanchowas A rareexampleofanEnglandplayerplyingtheirtrade COVER STORY Republic, forEngland’s first capital cityoftheCzech ND welcome toPrague, a dick. So enjoyyourselves–butdon’tbe not criticism. make friends, andattractadmiration, with respect: thisisanopportunityto other, andeveryoneelseyoumeet, All weaskisthatyoutreateach game –welcometotheparty. especially ifyou’reatyourfirstaway We hopeeveryonehasagreattime, uk –it’s free. via thewebsiteatwww.thefsa.org. already amember, thenjointoday football supporters, andifyou’renot providing acollectivevoicefor based nationalfans’organisation FSA istheindependentmembership- It’s alldoneforfans, byfans: the that youmightneed. information, adviceorassistance being onhandtohelpwithany of thislovelylittlemagazineand fans’ embassydistributingcopies it’s Liam’s fault. and Peter Daykin. Ifthereareanymistakes, Robertson, TonyRoberts;Conniford; Adrian Hetherington; Ashley Brown; Harpreet and thanksareduetoPhilRowley; Clive This editionwas editedbyKevin Miles, As ever, thisfanzinehasbeenateameffort. THANK YOU our Fans’Embassyservice Association (FSA)aspartof the FootballSupporters’ produced anddistributedby ...the freeEnglandfanzine

PAGE 3 DIFFERENT CLASS AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CLIVE HETHERINGTON? BY CLIVE HETHERINGTON CONTACT CLIVE VIA [email protected] 4 5

side of half-time – and going close CZECH REPUBLIC – THE KEY THREE to a hat-trick of his own when PAGE PAGE heading against the bar – after they had fallen behind to Ismail TOMAS VACLIK PATRIK SCHICK VLADIMIR DARIDA Isa’s third-minute goal. Having conceded The versatile The central only three goals in forward, who midfielder, 29, Jaroslav Silhavy’s side followed that his last five games plays through netted his fourth with a 3-0 home victory against for his country, the the middle, as international goal Montenegro three days later. Sevilla goalkeeper is a ‘No 10’ or wide, with a stoppage- unquestionably the Czechs’ most joined RB Leipzig on a season’s time penalty in the 3-0 win against Schick was among the goals again, reliable last line of defence behind loan from Roma in September, with Montenegro last month. He launched this time with a penalty, after a rearguard that leaked five the Germans having an option to his career with local club Viktoria Jakub Jankto and a Boris Kopitovic against England in March with Jiri make the deal permanent. Schick, Plzen and had a loan stint at Banik own goal planted the platform for Pavlenka between the posts. Vaclik, 23, has scored 16 goals in Serie A Sokolov before a move to Germany HE Czech Republic’s joined Bristol City this summer for the win. 30, was out through injury for the for Sampdoria and Roma, and nine beckoned. He joined Freiburg in 2013 capitulation to England in £8million following a season-long 5-0 Wembley walloping and the for his nation – four in Euro 2020 and then hooked up with Hertha TMarch was a measure of loan – he also had temporary But, if the Czechs had looked 3-1 friendly defeat by Brazil. He qualifying. He began at Sparta Berlin in 2015, scoring a spot-kick on the chasm in class that the Three stints at Middlesbrough and likely to be England’s closest started off at Vitkovice then went Prague and spent a loan spell his debut. Having amassed more than Lions now routinely encounter in Fulham – netted a late own goal challengers in the group, a 2-1 to Viktoria Zizkov, but soon joined with city rivals Bohemians before 50 senior caps, Darida has, in many major tournament qualifying. against England. defeat in Kosovo last month Sparta Prague before spending moving to Italy with Sampdoria ways, taken over the mantle of former suggested otherwise. four years with Swiss giants Basel. in summer 2016. Only a year later Arsenal man Tomas Rosicky with his While confident Kosovo did their And alongside him was Ondrej La Liga outfit Sevilla came calling came an initial loan to Roma energetic performances which have best to try to reverse that trend at Celustka, who spent a difficult After going ahead on 16 minutes in July 2018 in a deal reported to ahead of a club-record deal valued been known to be fuelled by gluten- Southampton last month, England spell on loan to Sunderland in through Schick, Kosovo hit back be worth around only £5million. in the region of £35million. free pizza. are now unbeaten in World Cup 2013-14 and is now in Turkey quickly with Vedat Muriqi’s effort and European Championship with Antalyaspor. and completely turned the tables in qualification in 43 matches the 66th minute thanks to Mergim Schick’s goal. He said: “It was an Silhavy’s men were restored to League section, therefore missing stretching back to a 1-0 defeat But, having then lost 3-1 to Brazil Vojvoda, who profited from Valon absolutely wonderful finish. He’d second spot in the section after out on the guarantee of a Euro under Fabio Capello in Ukraine a in a friendly, the Czechs bounced Berisha’s quickly-taken corner. previously smashed one over the another 3-0 win against Montenegro, 2020 play-off place. decade ago. back in June with a 2-1 qualifying bar from the edge of the box, but with Tomas Soucek, Lukas Masopust win over Bulgaria in Prague, with Former England striker Garry he learned his lesson. The move and a Vladimir Darida penalty But a 1-0 success at home to More might have been expected Roma striker Patrik Schick, now on Birtles, commentating on the game to create the goal was superb and making the difference. Slovakia, with Schlick producing from the Czechs at Wembley, but loan to Leipzig, scoring either on Sky Sports, was impressed with he just caressed the ball into the a composed winner, kept them in they were no match for Gareth bottom corner of the net.” The Czechs, who have known much League B in the Nations League. Southgate’s side, who swept to an better times on the international CLIVE’S VERDICT Czech Republic 1, England 3 emphatic 5-0 victory with Raheem The Czechs, however, squandered scene, are eager to revive their Jaroslav Silhavy, who was Sterling registering his first hat- chances to get back into the game flagging fortunes, having crashed appointed in September last year trick for his country. England are on their travels with the Czechs – and the first and jubilant Kosovo jumped above out at the Euro 2016 finals in after the sacking of Karel Jarolim again in a Euro 2020 qualifying time we have visited – since the them – and briefly, England, too – France with only a point from their in the wake of a 5-1 friendly It was a brittle-looking visiting campaign where they have split with Slovakia. The record to top the group, before the Three three group games. defeat by Russia, said: “We are defence, at the heart of which were been slick in attack, but sloppy stands at two wins and a draw Lions’ 4-0 victory over Bulgaria glad to have kept our place in two players with experience of at the back. Victory will seal in England’s favour. It was 2-2 at Wembley later in the day They then failed to qualify for the League B. Our goal now is to playing in England. Tomas Kalas, qualification in what is only with Czechoslovakia the last time demonstrated again how weak the World Cup in Russia and finished move from qualification to the formerly with Chelsea and who the Three Lions’ fourth meeting England were in Prague in 1992. opposition can be in qualifying. second to Ukraine in their Nations final tournament.”

Website: www.thefsa.org.uk Receive urgent info: Email: [email protected] Sign up to Free Lions’ FREE SMS text service FSF helpline: +44 7956 121314 PRODUCES FREE LIONS Text “UPDATES” to +44 7956 121314 PRODUCES FREE LIONS @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions SCOUSE PHIL’S FREE LIONS ANSWERS ON PAGE WELCOME TO PRAGUE YOUR FREE LIONS GUIDE 6 CZECH MUSIC QUIZ 13 7

ZECH mate. It could mean ELCOME to Prague, your friend in Prague, but the capital city of the PAGE PAGE Cit could also be misheard WCzech Republic and as the final move in the game of 14th largest city in the EU - chess. So, to celebrate this spurious although it could well move link, Scouse Phil presents a music up to being 13th largest on 1st quiz in which each question, or November this year, depending answer, has some connection with Question 7: Question 10: on Brexit developments. Joss Stone Ariana Grande popular household games. This will be the first time that What is the name of the board water in the title of a Simon and ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ was a Prague has hosted a game between 1 game which has the dice in Garfunkel single and album? 8 massive Number One dance the Czech Republic (or Czechia as the middle of the board under a anthem in 1992, by which German the locals know it) and England, all plastic cone, and shares its name ‘Let’s play Twister, let’s play group who share their name with a three previous encounters having The Old Town Square with a song by Soft Cell? 5 Risk’, are lyrics from the 1992 very popular card game? taken place at Wembley. That there single ‘Man on the Moon’ by which have only been three meetings Which Top Ten hit from 1980 American band? Which 1992 song by between the two teams is of course of the Soviet Bloc under Russian Czech Republic and the Republic 2 contained the lyric, ‘he always 9 ‘shoegazing’ band Ride shares down to the fact that prior to 1993 influence, which was enforced in of Slovakia. beat me at Subbuteo, ‘cos he Which Tim Rice musical its name with possibly the best what is now the Czech Republic was 1968 by a military invasion by five flicked to kick, and I didn’t know’? 6 features the song ‘I Knew Him board game ever, where you have part of Czechoslovakia. Warsaw Pact countries to put an This historic centre of Prague is So Well’ which was a hit for Elaine to construct a highly complicated end to a period of liberalisation a UNESCO world heritage site and Dating from the sixth century, Paige and Barbara Dickson? mechanism to catch a rodent? Czechoslovakia became known as the ‘Prague Spring’. the city combines a new-found 3 which board game, named independent at the end of the First reputation as a party town with a after the Latin word meaning ‘I Joni Mitchell in 1988 and Joss Which 2019 single by World War and was subsequently In 1989 the ‘Velvet Revolution’ rich cultural history. Straddling the Play’, is also the name of a 2018 7 Stone in 2004 both had a hit 10 Ariana Grande and occupied by Nazi Germany during saw a relatively peaceful end Vltava river, the “City of a Hundred single by Tony Kakkar? with which song that shares Victoria Monet shares its name World War Two, being liberated in to communism, and on the 1st Spires” is known for its Old Town its name with a board game with what many people would say 1945 by the USA from the west January 1993 Czechoslovakia Square, its baroque architecture, Sharing its name with a card consisting of 100 squares and is the daddy of all board games, and the Soviet Union from the east. ceased to exist, being separated the mediaeval Astronomical 4 game, what was over troubled things you can go up and down? first produced in 1934? From 1948 Czechoslovakia was part into two independent countries, the Clock and its top-quality beers.

FSA FANS’ EMBASSY TICKET COLLECTION

HE Football Supporters’ We will be operating on the N keeping with the usual name of the lead booker in your Tickets will be available for Association’s fans’ embassy afternoon of Thursday 10th routine, all members of the group, as that’s how the tickets will collection on Thursday 10th October Tservice will be on hand October, and then on match day IEngland Supporters’ Travel be stored. between 16:00 and 20:00, and in Prague to offer any advice, (Friday 11th October) from 10:00 Club (ESTC) will be required on match day, Friday 11th October information and assistance that through to 17:00. to pick up their own tickets in The ticket collection point in between 10:00 and 18:00. you might need to make your trip person in Prague. Prague is at the Hilton Prague go smoothly. The fans’ embassy We will of course be contactable Old Town, which is at V Celnici For latecomers, there will also be will be based at the corner around the clock via the helpline You’ll need up-to-date photo ID 7, 110 000 Nove Mesto, Prague a further opportunity to collect (your ESTC membership card would – the nearest Metro station is tickets from a booth close to Gate of Republic Square (Namesti on +44 7956 121314, and we’ll obviously fit the bill nicely), and it’s Namesty Republiky on line B, the 3 at the stadium, between 19:00 Republiky) next to V Celnici. see you all in Sofia on Sunday! a big help if you can remember the yellow line. and 20:45.

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FA Ticket Collection FSA Fans’ Embassy

Charles bridge

Stadium PAGE 10 PRODUCES FREELIONS T YOUR PRAGUE WELCOME TO 2007-2008 stadium, a2-2draw Prague’s finalgameofthe at thenewgroundwas Slavia The firstcompetitivegameplayed new stadiumtobecompleted. to start, anduntilMay2008forthe took untilOctober2006forrebuilding demolished inDecember2003, butit changes andfalsestartsitwas paradise. After yearsofplanning known provedtobefarfroma The EdenStadiumasitwas then of 50,000, mostlystanding terraces. with athleticstrackacapacity a multi-sportsstadiumcomplete built asahomeforSlaviain1953, The firststadiumonthissite was reduced to19,378. our gamethatcapacityisslightly capacity of21,000, althoughfor It isanall-seaterstadiumwitha Prague. First LeaguechampionsSlavia and ishometocurrent Czech south-east ofthecitycentre district ofPrague tothe located inthe HE SinoboStadiumis THE STADIUM FREE LIONSGUIDE Vrsovice for Viktoria Plzenin2011. home ChampionsLeaguematches to Bohemians1905, andhosted also providedatemporaryhome Arena orStadionLetna. Ithas of SpartaPrague, theGenerali frequently usedbeingthehome of thenationalteam, themost the groundsusedtohostgames The SinoboStadiumisoneof current title, theSinobostadium. resulting intherenamingtoits it outrightthefollowingyear, 70% ofthestadium, and bought CEFC ChinaEnergypurchased In 2016, Slavia’s majorityowners Munich andChelsea. a 2-2drawbetweenBayern the UEFA SuperCupfinalin2013, name oftheEden Arena. Ithosted company) beforerevertingtothe to sponsorshipfromabetting “Synot Tipthe (thanks Arena”of a four-year spellunderthename The newEdenstadiumthenhad in anewhome. title –notabadway tostartlife enough tosecurethemtheleague against Jablonec whichwas Text “UPDATES” to +447956121314 Sign upto Free Lions’FREESMS textservice Receive urgentinfo: T after thematch. avoid havingtoqueueforaticket day ticket atacostof110CZP, to spending alittleextratobuy for yourreturnjourney, oreven an extrasingleticket inadvance we recommendeitherbuying If youplantousepublictransport, ease congestion. on extraservicesmatchdaysto to theground, thecitydoes lay there arenotspecificshuttlebuses We areinformedthatalthough while afterthefinalwhistle. the stadiumandexpecttowait a so allowalittleextratimetoget Both busesandtramswillbebusy 135, 136150and213. relevant busroutes are number 24 allrunfromthecitycentre; the Tram lines2, 6, 7, 13, 17, 22and called ‘Slavia’. imaginatively stops rightoutsidetheground, Both thebusandtramhave a 20minutewalk to theground. (the greenline), butthisstillleaves ground isStrasnicka onLineA The nearestMetrostationtothe of publictransport available. take oneofthemultipleforms walk –soitisprobably bestto Square it’s nearlyanhour’s example from from thecitycentre -for HE stadiumisquiteaway GETTING THERE Wenceslas PRODUCES FREELIONS T at theground. bag therearenostoragefacilities that ifyoudoturnupwithalarger bag restrictionsareinplace, and the increasinglycommon A4-size and bagcheck. Pleasenote that stadium therewillbeavisualticket Close totheperimeterof tickets only)willbetotheleft. stadium, whilstgate2(category 1 right andaroundtheendof (most ticketholders) willbe tothe at theoutsideofstand, gate3 Assuming youdothenaslook Tribuna J.W. Maddena. will arrivebehindthemainstand, transport ortaxiitislikely you Whether youarriveviapublic fans shouldaccessthroughgate2. known asTribuna Vichod which will beonthesideofground category 1–theposhseats-and The additional700tickets are these seatsallfanswillusegate3. halfway behindonegoal. To access of thestadiumaroundtoabout 124 whichrunfromonecorner comprise sections119throughto Planicky -thecheapseats. They will behousedintheTribuna Fr. Most ofus(about3,000us) 3,705 tickets forEnglandfans. FA havemanagedtosecure hours before kick-off. The 18:45 localtime, two HE gateswillopenat GROUND RULES FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions refused entry. smelling) drunkislikely tobe (or presumablysounding, oreven the ground, andanyonelooking There willbenoalcoholonsalein real thingaroundwithyou. be OKifyoudon’twishtocarrythe details pageofyourpassportshould ticket. A photocopyofthepersonal ask toseeboththatandyourmatch staff andpolicehavetherightto Republic, andstewards, security photo IDwithyouintheCzech it isalegalrequirementtocarry for everyoneonentrytotheground, Although therewillnotbeIDchecks allowed ineither. perfume orcosmeticswillnotbe we’ve beenwarned thatbottlesof pyrotechnics areallowed, and items applies, soobviouslyno search. The usuallistofrestricted there willbeafullbagandbody As youapproachtheturnstiles refreshment facilities. still haveaccesstotoiletand and ifweareheldbackshould tannoy announcementsinEnglish night. We will bekept informed via course thiscouldchangeonthe after thefinalwhistle, thoughof supporters backinthestadium There isnoplantoholdEnglish down thestepsorseating. any crowdbarrierstobreakafall is prettysteepandtherearehardly the ground, therake ofthestand You maywishtotreadcarefullyin as thegatesopen. worth consideringgoinginassoon to actuallyhangthem, soitmaybe the groundthereislimitedspace noting thatduetothedesignof hang flagsanditisalsoworth arrangements forearlyaccessto than 2mx1.5m. There areno provided theyarenobigger Flags areallowedintheground

PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PRODUCES FREELIONS P YOUR PRAGUE WELCOME TO fare inadvance. the addedsecurityofknowing Uber ispopularhereandgivesyou on andonlypaywhat’s indicated. Make surethemeterisswitched a reputationforrippingoffvisitors. a bitofhealthwarning: theyhave hailed onthestreet, butcomewith Taxis areabundantandcanbe inside tramsandbuses. of escalatorsintoMetrostations, or in theorangemachinesattop have tobevalidated ondeparture at majortramandbusstops. They centres andfromorangemachines public transportinformation from Metrostations, newsagents, Tickets canbeboughtinadvance until midnighteverynight. day pass310CZK. Servicesrun pass costs110CZK, andathree- minutes costing32CZK; aone-day travelling costs24CZK, with90 single ticket for30minutesof within acertaintimeframe. A combination ofmodestransport ticket allowingfortravelonany ticketing system, withasingle All publictransportusethesame and evenafunicularrailway. three Metro lines, trams, buses though, withagoodnetworkof served bypublictransport to visitonfoot. The cityiswell most oftheplacesyou’llwant should beabletoget fairly compact, soyou RAGUE’S citycentre is GETTING AROUND FREE LIONSGUIDE T countless barsandrestaurants. used toseeingintheUKaswell find manyoftheshopsyouare Throughout thenewtownyouwill they areofinterest. exhibitions areopenandwhether worth checkingwhichparticular It isanimpressivebuildingbutit’s refurbished andsteadilyre-opened. Museum whichhasrecentlybeen top ofthesquareisNational more modernbuildings. At the name suggeststendstofeature Wenceslas Square, andasthe The newtowniscentredaround routine. clock performitsmechanical the hourtowatch theastronomical many touristswhowillgatheron it fromtheoutsideyoucanjoin is open until22:00; thestandardcost although thetowertendstostay open from09:00, closingat19:00 also theundergroundareas. Itis the gothictower, historichallsand Hall, whereitispossibletovisit styles centredaroundtheOldTown baroque andgothicarchitectural The oldtownboastsawealthof (Mala Strana) andZizkov of interest, theLesserTown afield are theotherareas (Nove Mesto). A littlefurther (Stare Mesto)andNewTown Text “UPDATES” to +447956121314 Sign upto Free Lions’FREESMS textservice Receive urgentinfo: 250 CZK. Ifyouchoosetoadmire known astheOldTown is splitintotwoareas HE centre ofPrague THINGS TOSEEANDDO . admission costs250CKZ. 09:00 tomidnighteachdayand the city; thetowerisopenfrom up andoffersagreatviewof platform isalittleunderhalfway the tower. The highest viewing sculptures ofbabiesclimbing strangest featurearethetengiant around thecityperhapsits tower: visiblefrommanyplaces striking featureisthe216m TV some largeparksherethemost of Zizkov. Although thereare towards thegroundisdistrict Further afield, headingout east costing 350CZK. 17:00, withastandardentryticket The castleisopenfrom09:00to panoramic viewoverthecity. churches andgardens, witha complex ofpalaces, fortifications, a thousandyearsandishuge Castle whichdatesbackover town isoverlooked byPrague back over650years. This partof Bridge, theoriginsofwhichdate impressive isthefamousCharles to choosefrombutthemost Town. There areplentyofbridges River Vltava The LesserTown

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is acrossthe Quiz PRODUCES FREELIONS P If soinclined, youcouldspend Irish bar, RockyO’Reilly’s. cheaper placeslike theinevitable roads offthesquare, andyou’llfind as downStepanska, oneofthe Venture abitfurtherafield, such Prague havebecome. example ofhowexpensiveparts in thenewtown, andthisisan in andaroundWenceslas Square congregate inthepasthasbeen football fanshavetendedto One oftheplacesthatvisiting much moreaffordableoptions. old towncentre, andyou’llfind frequented bylocalsaway fromthe numerous sidestreetsorintoareas Wander abitfurther, downthe expensive, chargingLondonprices. tourist trapsandcanbevery congregate havehoweverbecome Some ofthemostobviousplacesto of pubs, clubsandrestaurants. discover that there is no shortage won’t beasurprisetoanyone Answers destination, andsoit reputation asastagparty RAGUE EATING &DRINKING has developed a has developeda Bjorn Engels Queen’s Park Park Queen’s 9. Colchester United 3. Kosovo Kosovo FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk 8. Seven @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions Slavia Prague 6. fancy tryingagoodlocalgoulash great iftheweatheriscool. Ifyou and stewsalsofeaturewhichis roast meatscommon, butsoups and Hungarianwithsausages similarities toGerman, Austrian Traditional Czechfoodhas food toaccompanythebeer. most ofthebarsoffersometype cuisine fromaroundtheworld, and Prague hasplentytoofferwith streets leadingintotheOldTown. of Wenceslas Square andinthe There areplentyofbarsoffthetop Rytirska ortheDublineronTyn to another–like McCarthy’s on all dayjustgoingfromIrishbar 10. John Scales Stockport County 2. Mark Sampson 5. Brighton and Wolves Football Quiz (Page 16) Quiz (Page Football 1. 4. 7. Rangers . the streetsinmanyofcityareas. Be warned thatitisillegaltodrinkon Mala Strana, theLesserTown. the riverviaCharlesBridgeto like Zizkov totheeast, oracross into theareaslocalsfrequent, away fromtheoldandnewtown adventurous itisworthheading For thosefeelingalittlemore Café Huts McDonald’s they knowwecountedmorethanten For thosewholike tostickwithwhat Town Square. you couldeatatMincovnaonOld Snakes and Ladders 8. Snakes is atDumURotta, dotted around; theHard Rock Monopoly Bridge (Bridge over Troubled Troubled Bridge (Bridge over 10. 10. Pizza and acoupleofPizza Chess 7. ’My Perfect Cousin’ by The The Cousin’ by ’My Perfect Ludo 4. CharlesBridge (Page 6) (Page REM 6. Mouse Trap Mouse Trap Male nam. Music Quiz Frustration 2. 1. Frustration 5.Water) Undertones 3. Snap 9.

PAGE 13 MUST STONES KICK ON? AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CLIVE HETHERINGTON? BY CLIVE HETHERINGTON CONTACT CLIVE VIA [email protected] 14 15

he has the 100 per cent backing of place play-off with Switzerland, As for Stones himself, he was Pep Guardiola. which England won on penalties. candid in his admission that he PAGE PAGE let himself and his teammates “I’ve never felt that Stones is one An early-season injury didn’t help down. He said: “I love England and of the first names on the team Stones’s cause and Southgate playing for England and it was a sheet at City. I know it’s difficult left him out of the squad for the difficult time. It was a mistake. and they’re a great side, but it still Euro 2020 home qualifiers against doesn’t feel like he has cemented Bulgaria and Kosovo. “There were other mistakes in that his position.” game that weren’t highlighted as But the Three Lions’ coach much, but that was the pivotal But former Manchester United and has defended Stones, insisting moment, I suppose. England right-back Neville – not “fatigue” may have played a part for the first time where old rival in his below-par display against “I took some time away in my Carragher is concerned – holds the Dutch. holidays and reflected. I’ve come ARY NEVILLE and Sky in the highly-entertaining 5-3 win the opposite opinion and believes back this season fighting for my Sports sparring partner over Kosovo at Southampton, Stones will ultimately “come good”. Southgate said: “He knows I’m chance to play again and to put that GJamie Carragher have showed Stones is not alone when it here to support him. He had a right, and I’m sure I will because I’ve been at odds over hapless comes to mistakes. Neville said: “I disagree with difficult end to the season in that got that strong mindset of putting England defender John Stones. what Jamie said about Stones not he was not playing regularly at things right and being honest when Neville maintains the view that a In the immediate aftermath of kicking on. He’s played in a great his club. you’ve done something wrong. youthful England will continue to The Manchester City centre- the Dutch debacle, ex-England side where there was Vincent improve and fans must focus on back endured a Nations League centre-back Carragher delivered Kompany, Aymeric Laporte and “We still think he has huge qualities “I held my hands up and I told all my the positives, but he also insists semi-final nightmare as Gareth a withering assessment of Stones Nicolas Otamendi. and huge potential to be a top team-mates and the staff there what Southgate’s charges need to make Southgate’s side lost 3-1 to the “stupid” decision-making that led player, but he had so little football I’d done wrong, and that we’d move more telling use of the ball when Netherlands in Portugal in June. to Promes’ clincher. “Kompany is one of the best at the end of the season that the on from that. I’ve moved on from in possession. centre-backs we’ve seen in the sharpness and fatigue as the game that and I’ll try to correct that with After being behind, the Dutch were And Carragher, a Liverpool legend Premier League; Laporte, I think, is wore on were definitely factors. my performances in the future.” He said: “We’ve reached the semi- ahead in extra-time when Stones as a player but an Everton fan outstanding and Otamendi is more finals of the last two tournaments gave the ball away to Memphis as a youngster, believes Stones aggressive in the air. “It’s difficult to know why Meanwhile, Neville knows there and Gareth’s done an amazing job. Depay and, despite goalkeeper has failed to fulfil the potential individual errors like that could was deep disappointment around So we’re now trying to make that Jordan Pickford’s save, Quincy that won him his mega-money “I think Stones has a big future, happen. I can only say that to play the country that England once next jump. Promes forced the ball in off right- move – then the second costliest but he just has to find himself. Last the way we want to play takes again fell victim to their semi-final back Kyle Walker. in the world for a defender – from summer, at the World Cup, he was courage and, when it doesn’t work, jinx, having lost at the same “I think England will get better. Goodison Park to the Etihad at fault for one of the goals we it’s very difficult for the players. stage to Croatia in Russia – not to I think we’re producing young Stones was even partly at fault when Stadium in August 2016. conceded against Croatia. He had mention in the last four against the players who are more technically Ronald Koeman’s men dealt the another moment against the Dutch. “It’s easy to turn round and kill Germans at both the 1990 World gifted and we now need to get to a killer blow, the £47.5million defender Carragher said: “If I’m being totally them. But we have some defenders Cup and Euro ’96. point where we control matches. playing a ball that put Chelsea honest, I don’t think John Stones “He has to be different, more who are prepared to take the ball midfielder Ross Barkley under has really kicked on since he aggressive, but you have to persist in areas where many defenders And if we want to go even further “People will point to the fact pressure and presented Depay with made that move from Everton to with players. If you keep believing in in the world are not. It’s been the back, Yugoslavia beat England in that the Holland game was 50-50 the chance to tee up Promes. Manchester City. players, eventually they come good.” bedrock of how we’ve progressed the 1968 European Championship in terms of possession, but the and we have to continue with it semi-finals, albeit in a four-team quality of the Dutch possession, But Michael Keane’s clanger as “He might have Premier League Southgate wisely omitted Stones but, of course, we can’t make the tournament not dissimilar to this pressing us back, was a lot better England conceded after 34 seconds title medals, but I still don’t feel from the Nations League third- mistakes we did.” summer’s Nations League format. than our possession.”

ust for fun, we’ve hidden the surnames of the Czech Republic players from their Jsquad for this game in the Wordsearch grid. If you like, you can try to find them.

Tomáš VACLIK Sevilla Jirí PAVLENKA Werder Bremen Ondrej KOLAR Slavia Prague N U F C E L U S T K A T O O N David HOVORKA Slavia Prague Pavel KADERABEK 1899 Hoffenheim O A Z Z A G B C I M I S J W Q Filip NOVAK Trabzonspor V S I R V B O H Z I C J E R K Andrey KUDELA Slavia Prague Jakub BRABEC Viktoria Plzen A Q K L D A R I D A B A T T Y Ondrej CELUSTKA Antalyaspor K B O B B Y I C H R O N I L C Jan BORIL Slavia Prague Vladimír COUFAL Slavia Prague A R P A V E L K A D B K F I X Stefan SIMIC Hajduk Split D H M R O B S O N R E T P K O Vladimír DARIDA Hertha BSC E G R E U A B S U H A O F J L Ladislav KREJCI Bologna R K Q Z N O R I M L K O L A R Jakub JANKTO Sampdoria Tomáš SOUCEK Slavia Prague A E K I L C A V O A N S Z M C Josef HUSBAUER Slavia Prague B C M A X J I W P F E E P L E Jan KOPIC Viktoria Plzen Lukáš MASOPUST Slavia Prague E U A L E D U K R U L T A R B Alex KRAL Spartak Moscow K O E L D D A W H O V O R K A David PAVELKA Kasimpasa Spor Kulubu T S U P O S A M D C A W E N R Michael KRMENCIK Viktoria Plzen A L S H E A R E R K P U S M B Patrik SCHICK RB Leipzig Martin DOLEZAL Jablonec

SCOUSE PHIL’S FREE LIONS FOOTBALL QUIZ

Which ex-Football League side, Which team are the current Which Championship club 1 now in the National League, play 5 champions of the Czech 9 have played home league their home games at Edgeley Park? Republic’s top flight? games at 14 different venues, more than any other League club? Wembley is due to host the Which Aston Villa defender 2 Champions League final in 6 shares a surname with a co- I was born in Harrogate in 2023, but how many previous author of The Communist Party 10 1966 and played for European Cup/Champions League Manifesto, first published in English various clubs including Bristol Finals has it hosted? in 1888? Rovers, Wimbledon and Spurs, winning my three England caps in Which team knocked Spurs out Who were the beaten semi- 1995 whilst at Liverpool. Who am I? 3 of this season’s Carabao Cup 7 finalists in last season’s FA Cup? on penalties? Which country in England’s ANSWERS Who did Phil Neville replace as 8 2020 Euro Qualifying group ON PAGE 4 manager of the England had England never previously Women’s football team? played against? 13