CSA96

They’re using a third party rather than Royal Mail, I think? I’m sure there was some mention of that. Something about a third party company who specialise in fast turnaround of event tickets in tight timeframes. Or have I imagined this?!

In which case, I suppose the issue (from an EFL perspective) is then that WBA had suitable socks immediately available in another registered and EFL-approved kit (because the alternate kit is navy) whereas Saints don't, because our other sock options are turquoise or yellow and black. So if an FA official pushes back on white socks, there's not an immediate fix other than totally changing the kit selection. Still, a shame common sense can't be used around these rules to enable them to flex kit rules when it absolutely will not negatively impact the officials or the opponent. Having both teams in their primary colours for the EFL's #1 showpiece game would be better optics (even if ultimately meaningless) I quite like the black and yellow kit anyway, but I can see why it disappoints people for Saints to not be in red and white.

It tends to be tied into some of the kit deals. Had some experience of this in a line of work before and a lot of the times it's actually almost deferred to the kit-maker to make the decision, or at very least the club makes the decision with a contractually-agreed quota of appearances for each kit which they work to.

If it is a Saints thing then why did Swansea have to wear pink socks at SMS to avoid a clash with our white socks and why did Birmingham have to wear that god-awful blue shirts and shorts with orange socks combo? And then you had Albion wearing navy socks at SMS just the other night too

If I'm interpreting the rules correctly, the answer would be no, because the EFL would judge that we could just wear our third kit without a clash or needing to ask to adjust kits. I think if we could show all regular kit options had clashes then they would consider letting us mix and match and bring a new colour (the yellow on the socks) into the home kit (red/white/black). Swansea were only allowed to wear pink socks with their white home kit at SMS because all three of their kits would ordinarily clash with ours.

You'd think there could be special dispensation for a final... but no. Because we don't have red socks in any of our three registered kits that were approved pre-season, we cannot do it.

Both teams have white socks in their home kit, so EFL rules say it's not allowed.

This has happened to two other people I know. And one where they tried to allocate their tickets to friends&family but couldn't add more than one person, then the system sh!t itself and booted him out altogether. Really sorry to hear that, hope something turns up for you and your boy

Pretty sure he still lives that way and commutes in. I remember listening to a podcast where he said to disconnect from what's happening at Saints he likes to go for long walks and cold swims on Hove beach. Was also saying how after living in Swansea while managing Swansea, he thinks it is healthier for his children and wife to live and go to work/school in a different city to the one he is managing the football club of. Of course that last point could be an argument for not going anywhere near the Brighton job

To be fair, if McKenna is their top target then I'd argue that he isn't too inexperienced for them. Martin has five seasons of managerial experience to McKenna's 2.5 seasons. Doesn't have the promotion to the PL, of course, but might be able to match up on that soon enough...

And by the two teams that favour possession football...

Wealdstone said they would be doing this the other day, just asked people to be patient and let them get this weekend’s games out the way and they’ll confirm plans early next week

I’m sure I read something the other day that Montpellier are having a training camp in Catalonia and are playing Saints at the end of that (was unclear if it would be in England or Catalonia)

He is so, so good. Can see why Martin and Wilcox/Ankersen dug their heels in on making sure he came the other way during the JWP negotiations

Derby got just under 1,500 allocation this season, according to a mate who follows the Rams.

FT: Bolton 0-2 Oxford Oxford United playing Championship football in 2024/25

So, now we know... Promoted from League 1: Portsmouth, Derby County, Oxford United

Bolton 0-2 Oxford HT in the L1 playoff final, looks like the U's will be coming up to the Championship for 2024/25 as it stands...

Guardian going pretty firm on saying Kieran McKenna is their lead target