London United unveil new academy

London United have become the first BritLeague team ever to have their own club academy which will see youngsters coming in and hopefully getting a chance to play for the first team in the future.

The new North London academy was unveiled on Friday by manager Bobby Hutchinson and star midfielder Craig CraiCo.

London United chairman Paul Wilkinson said: "Our aim for future is to blood new players from this academy and turn them into superstar footballers."

"We're a big club and we're going places."

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United name Macdonald captain

London United manager Bobby Hutchinson has named John Macdonald as his new club captain.

Kevin Warhurst has also been named vice-captain and Craig CraiCo has been named third-choice.

This news comes as a surprise to many as Macdonald, 22, has only played two seasons of pro football with United since being recruited in early 2008.

But the young centre-back's quality caught England manager Marco Garibaldi's eye almost immediately and he went on be a regular for the England side, becoming one of the eleven heroes who beat Spain 1-0 in the EuroCup '08 final.

The United armband was vacant since Mark Strickland shockingly quit the club in favour of Real Birmingham, last month.

London Derby to be shown in 3D

The momentous clash between rivals London Town and London United on 14 March will make history as TOTV will screen it live on 3D in selected pubs up and down the country.

This move follows the Premier League match from Sunday 31 January as Manchester United defeated Arsenal 3-1 on Sky Sports in the first ever 3D broadcast of sporting event.

Last year, London Town stole the BritLeague crown from London United, who held it for the previous two years.

And both teams share the same stadium - HMV Park, making the clash more exciting.

US star Perry completes Lightning move

Leeds Lightning have snapped up USA captain Jimmy-Jack Perry for £7million from Baltimore Blues.

The 27-year-old defender, who skippered the Blues to two US Premier League titles, has reportedly signed on a four-year deal with the Lightning and says he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing in England.

"This is dream come true for me, playing in the BritLeague," said Perry in his first press conference.

"Meeting the chairman, the manager and all my new team-mates for the first time was a big, big thrill."

As part of the deal, out of favour defender Jamie Hutchinson has been sent on loan to the Blues, who currently lead the US Premier League table.

United announce Tweed capture

London United have signed England defender Steven Tweed from Newcastle Geordies for £21 million.

The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the CSA Champions League holders.

Phantoms' Howard ready to rock

Leicester Phantoms new striker Shane Howard says he cannot wait to face London Town, as the he and the club make their BritLeague bow on March 5th against the defending champions.

"Making your debut away to the champions is a dream come true," says Howard.

"It's a month and a half away, so still a long time."

Phantoms manager Iain Greenwood-Smith says his players have bonded well in training camp as the Phantoms play their first game ever in a pre-season friendly against CSA England Championship (third-tier of the English CSA football pyramid) side Chiswick.

And Howard, who flourished for Chiswick this season, scoring 18 goals in 2009-10, says the friendly was arranged as part of his transfer.

And he has also dismissed talks that he will fail to adapt to the BritLeague, saying: "I'm ready for the challenge. I'm ready to play with the big boys."

"As expansion team, people expect us to do rather poorly, but come the opener at HMV Park, we hope we can prove them wrong as the season progresses."

BritLeague announces second division

The BritLeague have announced today that a second division will be created in 2011. It will be called BritLeague 2.

Six teams will be introduced one-by-one in the coming weeks, so be sure to check out this blog through the next few months.

The winner of the inaugural 2011 competition will be promoted to BritLeague 1 in 2012, with the team finishing bottom in BritLeague 1, replacing them.

BritLeague 2 has plans to expand the number of teams in the next few years.

John Macdonald praises brother Shane

London United defender John Macdonald has praised London Town defender Shane Macdonald for a superb performance in the BritLeague final.

John Macdonald was on the losing side for United, and he has praised brother Shane for outplaying him in the final at the CSA England Stadium.

"All credit to Shane," said John. "He's done very well at the back and sniffed out all our attacks."

"You know, I'm very gutted that we lost. No one likes losing. But well done Shane."

And Shane himself said: "I can't believe it. I didn't expect to play in the final, but I've scored the winning goal and I'm the man of the match! Unbelievable."

"I didn't single-handedly win the game for Town, all the eleven guys played their part and today we played like a real team."

"I'm chuffed to get the winner against United, although I supported them as a boy, and my bro John's playing for them. But from the second I scored the goal, I just wanted to let out my joy."

Town captain Daniel Perry also praised his fellow centre-back's performance.

"This boy is amazing. He's only turned 20, but he defends like a season pro," added Perry.

"Shaney's done well for the (England) Under-21's, and I'm backing him to get a senior cap in the near future."

And Town's Rookie of the Year John Carey was delighted with capping off his incredible season with a BritLeague winners' medal. Although the striker was slightly disappointed that he didn't get to score in the final, he pointed out that the win was partly thanks to Macdonald.

"I'm delighted that we're on top of the British football mountain," said Carey. "Shaney Mac, he was our star man tonight. I've known him for a few years now, back in my days as a Surrey Supremo, and this guy - if he keeps playing like that, he could very well go to the World Cup next year."

The 20-year-old striker Carey was also quizzed if he would be there in the Middle East come June.

"Oh for sure. If I keep playing the way I'm playing, if I don't get too many injuries, then for sure Mr. Garibaldi will put me in."

Town clinch BritLeague glory

London Town won the BritLeague Final by a goal to nil against London United after a late header from unlikely hero Shane Macdonald.

James Douglas sent in a free-kick towards the head of Macdonald who beat his brother John at the near post.

Shane Macdonald wasn't expected to play, but an injury to Juanpa in the pre-game warm-up led to Macdonald getting the start.

And Macdonald played a superb defensive game, giving him the Man of the Match award. This made history as his brother John Macdonald won the award last year, making John and Shane the first brothers to win the BritLeague Final MVP back-to-back.

London Town won the BritLeague for the first time in their short history, having only been founded in 2005.

Stretford, Heany bring the Ruckus to St. Louis

Garry Stretford and Mick Heany were the starmen for South Coast Ruckus as they both netted braces in a 5-0 demolition of the St. Louis Shockwave at the Edward Jones Dome.

Martin King scored the other goal, with a speedy solo effort which left defenders tackling nothing but air.

The US Premiership side Shockwave were disappointing in the fact they only created one shot, in a largely one sided game with Ruckus incredibly having 75% of the possession.

Costa opens Real Brum account in Detroit

Cristiano Costa scored his first goal in a Real Birmingham shirt in an unconvincing 1-0 friendly win over Motown City Gunners at Detroit's Ford Field.

The Portuguese dribbled past many Gunners players rounding the keeper in a fine solo effort.

Town paint Atlanta blue courtesy of hometown hero

London Town thrashed Atlanta Hotshots 5-2 at an 80,000-strong crowd at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with two goals from local boy Billy Bernhardt as the Blues prepare for the BritLeague's U.S. round.

USA striker Bernhardt - who was born and bred in Atlanta - scored two trademark 30-yard goals.

Teenage sensation John Carey followed it up with a trademark header, Bolivian Marco Trujillo scored a low shot and then Clint van den Bergh finished the score with a penalty.

But the Hotshots replied with a brace from Dan Burgerman.

Aussie teen Cinoli off to FCL

Australian teenager Craig Cinoli has completed his transfer from Melbourne United to FC London today, in a deal believed to be £15m.

The 18-year-old caught the eye of many top BritLeague and ELF clubs, after impressing for his country in last month's MegaCup held in the Middle East.

And Cinoli is determined to help FC London turn around their recent misfortunes.

"I know the position that FC London are in, I'm here to sort it out," says Cinoli.

"This team belongs at the top of the table, not in the middle as is the case now."

Town smash transfer record to sign Markovic

London Town have finally signed playmaker Zvonimir Markovic from Manchester Rockers for a CSA world record £60m, after months of trying to get the Croat.

Town snatch Romano

London Town continue their massive spending spree with the £20m signing of Rome Rage's Italian striker Andrea Romano.

The long-haired frontman, who celebrated his 23rd birthday last week, has caught the eye of many clubs after his 15 goals help the Rage get to the CSA Cup final last season.

Douglas in shock Town move

England CSA midfielder James Douglas has completed his shock £20m move from FC London to city rivals London Town.

As part of the deal, Portugal CSA right-back Carlosinho will move to the FC London Stadium.

Douglas' move to Town has shocked the footballing world, but the 23-year-old has stated: "I didn't feel that I wanted enough there (at FC London)."

"I wanted a new contract, but their standards weren't high enough for me."

Douglas moved to FC London from Real Birmingham in August 2007.

But after a brilliant CSA Champions League campaign which saw FCL lose to London United in the final last year, Douglas failed to score until in this year's Champions League last 16 clash against Madrid Cosmos.

FCL missed out on Champions League qualification next season after getting knocked out in the quarter-finals of last season's BritLeague playoffs and getting knocked out in the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League to Manchester Rockers. This turned out to be Douglas's last appearance in the red-and-white hoops, as he handed in his transfer request less than 24 hours later.

Clarke targets Champions League spot

London Town manager Ian Clarke says the priority this season is for the Blues to break in to the top four for the upcoming BritLeague season and clinch a spot for the 2010-11 CSA Champions League.

"Of course we want to get that Champions League spot," said Clarke.

"We've got a side good enough for qualification."

And skipper Dan Perry echoed his manager's statements.

"We've got a fantastic side - a side good enough for Champions League football," said the England defender.

"Players like Bricko (Kevin Brickman), Marek (Pozanek), Juanpa and of course myself know what it's like to taste Champions League football.

"And players like Clint (van den Bergh) and Kemal (Kubilay) are certainly good enough to play in such a big tournament."

Perry featured for his previous club Barnsworth in three Champions League campaigns in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, the Blues getting to the semi-finals in the latter.