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National League

National League news

Woking v Eastleigh - Enterprise National League

Defoe begins managerial career with dramatic late comeback

Jermain Defoe experienced a rollercoaster introduction to life in the dugout as his Woking side fought back from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against Eastleigh. The former England international saw his managerial debut nearly ruined by a defensive collapse before a spirited late rally saved a point at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

AFC Bournemouth v Southampton FC - Premier League

Defoe lands first head coaching role

Jermain Defoe has landed his first head coaching role, taking over at National League side Woking. The former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker succeeds Neal Ardley at the Laithwaite Community Stadium following a comprehensive search for a new boss.

Jason Sudeikis Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso star sacked from coaching role after eight months

Sam Cox, a star of the hit Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso, has been sacked as head coach of National League side Wealdstone after just eight months at the helm. The 35-year-old, who plays fictional West Ham star Armando on the small screen, was handed the reins at Grosvenor Vale in June 2025. He has been unable to steer the Stones away from relegation danger.

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Carroll-Dagenham

Carroll endures 5-1 humiliation on Dagenham and Redbridge debut

Former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll endured a nightmare debut in non-league football for Dagenham and Redbridge as his team went down 5-1 against League Two side Crawley Town in a pre-season friendly. The 36-year-old, who once broke the British transfer record when moving to Anfield from Newcastle, is making a fresh start in the sixth tier of English football after leaving Bordeaux.

Frequently asked questions

Arsenal have won the FA Cup 14 times, more than any other club. Their most recent victory came in 2020, but there is a club from Manchester hot on their heels...

A total of 745 clubs will be participating in the 2024-25 FA Cup, spanning from the Premier League down to Level 9 of the English football league system, with teams from the Level 10 acting as stand-ins in case a team from the aforementioned levels drops out from the competition. The inaugural FA Cup in 1871-82 had just 15 teams participating in it.

Former Liverpool defender Ian Callaghan, with 88 appearances, is FA Cup's record-appearance maker in history.

The all-time top scorer in the FA Cup is Ian Rush, with 41 goals in 62 games, primarily scored during his time as a centre forward for Liverpool.

Paris Hamilton-Downes became the youngest player to ever feature in the FA Cup, debuting at 13 years, 11 months, and one day.for Carshalton Athletic in 2019.

The FA Cup has featured many football legends, including Steven Gerrard, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona, and Frank Lampard. Modern-day superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, and Sergio Aguero have also made their mark on the competition.

Legendary managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, and Pep Guardiola have guided their teams to success in the FA Cup. Notably, Wenger holds the record for most FA Cup victories as a manager, with seven titles to his name.