Fry’s Footie Corner

There has been a lot of talk in recent months about the role of the League Cup in the football calendar and all this chat has stemmed from comments made by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp bemoaned the fixture calendar (despite a summer tour to America) with high profile league games, sandwiched between the World Club Championships, which his side qualified for following their Champions League success last year against Tottenham Hotspur.

Klopp decided to play the youth team in the League Cup tie at Aston Villa, sent the youth team manager and saw his side well beaten. “Eliminate competitions, take out this competition,” he said when asked how to relieve fixture congestion over the festive period. “So less games, less competitions, less teams, more quality, less quantity. People can live without football for a while. It’s too much.”

As someone who has worked in the game for more decades than I care to remember in a variety of positions at a number of different football clubs, I can assure you that the League Cup means everything to 95% of clubs.

Ask Aston Villa supporters whether they were looking forward to the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City last month. They will say yes. For Premier League clubs it is a chance to secure silverware. For clubs outside of the elite, it is the chance to draw a top side, attract a large crowd and make money that keeps those clubs afloat.

It doesn’t matter to clubs in League One or Two if Liverpool play Mo Salah at their stadium or not. They are coming to watch because it is Liverpool. They will take as much glory out of knocking a Liverpool B team out as they would a first team squad.

The League Cup, alongside the FA Cup is part of our game. It should be celebrated not chastised. There is a place in the schedule for it, there always should be. Yes, scrapping replays and sending ties level straight to penalties should be the case in all rounds of the competition and the semi-finals should be played at a neutral venue over one tie, but don’t ever dispose of it.

This countries football pyramid is celebrated around the world. The cup competitions are a focal point of that. Whilst I get the tiredness angle in the Premier League, don’t think that it doesn’t creep in as a factor in the EFL – after all, we play far more matches than they do anyway.

Debenhams

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TRAVEL

Elegance & Charm at The Phoenicia

Malta, a majestic island that is perfect for a romantic getaway, an island that once visited, you’ll find yourself wanting to return to time and time again.

The Capital Valletta is steeped in history, with so much to see and do, whether it’s wandering the sand-coloured cobbled streets peppered with vibrant window facades or heading to the harbour to eat locally caught fish and sip Maltese wine under the glorious sunshine. Visit one of the many museums for a little culture and get lost down the quaint streets, enjoying street food as you watch the sunset or if rest and relaxation are more your thing and you don’t want to venture further than a hotel sun lounger then there’s no better place for sightseeing or relaxing than The Phoenicia Hotel, a luxurious architectural beauty situated in front of Valletta’s City Gate, commanding glorious views from its elevated position that overlooks the port, and the historic city that dates back as far as 1566. The lounge is the ideal place to relax with a coffee, afternoon tea or glass of chilled wine.

There are 136 luxury rooms and suites, all continuing the Mediterranean theme of white walls with azure blue details and traditional Maltese tiled floors. Our room was a haze of calm and tranquillity, high vaulted ceilings, luxurious furnishings and natural materials created a cool and contemporary space, whilst a balcony with views over the hotel’s lush gardens and amazing city of Valletta made it the perfect place to sit with a glass of wine and watch life outside float by.

Encompassing of course all the mod-cons including complimentary WIFI, AC, a bath and shower, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and LCD TV.

Elegance and charm oozes from The Phoenicia the moment you walk up the steps into a lobby that leads into the Palm Court Lounge bar, an area that takes your breath away, think 1930’s glamour with a little English colonial charm thrown in, high ceilings are the perfect backdrop for the impressive pillars and the furniture in a colour palette of china blues and white all exude style and sophistication. The hotel’s infinity pool is a real treat, reached by a serene walk through expansive gardens, where flowers bloom, greenery wraps itself around decorative arches and tropical trees sway gently in the summer breeze. The sun loungers strategically placed around the pool offer stunning views of Marsamxett Harbour and beyond, the 56

ambience is just perfect for quiet reflection and relaxation, and when the sun gets too hot, take a dip in the heated infinity pool (the only heated outdoor pool on the island), before retreating back to your lounger and enjoying a cool glass of champagne, served poolside by friendly waiters.

It took all my effort to drag myself away from the pool terrace, but needs must and dinner was calling. Served in The Phoenix fine dining restaurant, a jewel in the hotels crown, large ornate windows, and colonial carved columns take centre stage around the room, with glistening chandeliers and ornate plaster mouldings bringing the room together to create a space of sophisticated charm.

We dined on starters of crab crumpet topped with cured salmon and tomato sauce, and goats cheese with beetroot, green beans and walnuts, both dishes were beautifully presented and were a mouthwatering delight of delicate flavours.

Lamb rump served with an aubergine moussaka was next, the lamb was cooked to perfection and the other dish of beef fillet with a spring garlic pesto was both delicious and filling and showcased contemporary Maltese cuisine effortlessly. Paired with local Maltese wines, the flavours were faultless.

Desserts here are a dream, so make sure you save room, the strawberry and rhubarb tart served with milk ice cream is a must, a sweet sensation to finish off an evening of delicious food.

Before retiring for the evening be sure to take a nightcap in the smaller wood panelled bar just off the main restaurant, think gentleman’s, members club, originally opened in 1952, the warm décor of this bar is inspired by Malta’s colonial past, with Maltese history adorning the walls, you can almost feel the past living in the room with you.

After a restful night’s sleep, and breakfast enjoyed the only decision you’ll have to make for the rest of the day is ‘will it be a day of serene reflection lying around the pool or will you venture further into the city walls to explore the history that oozes out of every part of the cobbled streets of this island?’

The architectural beauty of The Phoenicia is in a class of its own, one of those special hotels that you never want to leave, ideal for a romantic escape, a central location in a historic city that offers you the chance to relax and recharge your batteries in a cocoon of serene elegance.

BOOK IT

Rates at The Phoenicia start from €250 (Approx. £205) per room per night including breakfast.

Riverside Opulence at The Bedford Swan Hotel

Nestled on the banks of The Great River Ouse in Bedford, is the 18th Century Bedford Swan Hotel, steeped in history and just a stone’s throw from the scenic Embankment, picturesque Russell Park and the main town centre, means this hotel is perfectly placed for a relaxing getaway. Having recently undergone a major refurbishment to give its interiors a more modern, stylish and contemporary feel, the hotel has managed to create elegant luxurious spaces that still compliment the traditional part of the hotel effortlessly.

There are 113 rooms in total, and include classic, deluxe and suites, all individually decorated whilst keeping the same opulent furnishings and colours throughout. Our room, a Junior suite was a blend of contemporary comfort and style, with jewel tones of mustard, teal and green. The botanical wallpaper made a bold statement and the dark wood furniture with gold accessories added elegant touches throughout.

I loved the bath tub in the Edwardian style bathroom and enjoyed a deep, hot relaxing bubble bath accompanied with complimentary bubbles of the other variety, a perfect way to spend the afternoon in an ambience of calm and tranquillity, a space to truly unwind and enjoy.

There are many places around the hotel in which to enjoy a drink, dine or hire out for a private gathering. The most eye-catching though has to be The Pen and Cob brasserie with its decor combining. glamorous deep tones, plush velvet seating, a marble tiled floor, botanicals in abundance, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river, the ideal place to enjoy a cocktail or two before dinner. Popular with guests and non-guests alike, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Coffee and drinks are served all day at the bar and afternoons are made for afternoon tea., whether it’s in here or the more traditional lounge area.

An exclusive menu inspired by traditional British dishes such as black pudding and sage courgettes and Ale battered haddock means there’s plenty of dishes ready to tempt your palette with delicious delights.

Glass of wine in hand (there’s an impressive wine list that won’t break the bank), we enjoyed some fresh artisan bread and olives before enjoying our starters of fresh prawn and crayfish cocktail and a fisherman’s sharing board (hubby was hungry, he had no intention of sharing!) Both dishes showcased the fresh flavours of the fish exquisitely.

Next, we opted for the rump steak served with mushrooms, rocket and fries, this certainly didn’t disappoint; cooked exactly as requested and well rested it literally melted in the mouth. Caesar salad with chargrilled chicken breast was the other dish, definitely a good choice, full of flavours and textures, a real treat.

We dined on a Friday night, which meant there was live music in the brasserie (every Friday there’s live music) which only added to the warm, vibrant atmosphere of this little gem.

Dessert was an indulgence too far for me, I was full, but hubby had no such problem and delved into the traditional apple and cinnamon crumble, which was a delight on the tastebuds and the perfect way to end an even more perfect evening.

The Bedford Swan certainly doesn’t disappoint, with its sophisticated interiors, luxurious bedrooms, extensive food and drink menu and calming atmosphere it is a wonderful addition to share with your family and friends, a place you most definitely need to visit.

We’re offering a lucky Affinity reader the chance to win their own stay at this decadent hotel, turn to page 7 for details on how to enter – Good Luck!

BOOK IT

*Prices start from £89 per night based on two people sharing in a Standard Double including breakfast.

*Prices start from £157 per night based on two people sharing in a Junior Suite including breakfast.

*Prices may vary from those shown

For more information or to book, visit www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

What Does Luxury Travel Mean to You?

Regent Seven Seas Cruises promise ‘luxury perfected’ with the launch of their newest ship, Seven Seas Splendor. The largest suite onboard – the Regent Suite – at 4,443 square feet, boasts its own Italian marble and stoneadorned in-suite spa retreat, unobstructed 270-degree views over the ship’s bow from a wraparound veranda covering 1,300 square feet, and a custom-made bed which costs $200,000. The whole ship boasts exemplary craftsmanship, over 500 chandeliers, 46,000 square feet of marble, and priceless artwork. Not quite four years ago, Splendor’s sister ship Seven Seas Explorer took to the seas, heralded at the time as the ‘World’s most luxurious ship.’ As Paul Beale, the UK Director of Sales for Regent said to me in an exclusive interview onboard Splendor, ‘Explorer was a game-changer in its own right, it set the bar in luxury; not only luxury cruise, but luxury hotels as well.’ With Splendor, Regent promised to deliver ‘Luxury Perfected’. To say I was excited to see whether or how they had managed this, is an understatement. As soon as I stepped onboard and my eyes took in the stunning Atrium and the impressive chandelier, it was immediately apparent that Splendor is a very special ship, quite possibly the most beautiful ship I have yet seen (and I have seen a fair few). The fact that the ship was just a few days’ old from her delivery in Ancona, and I was amongst one of the very first people onboard was extraordinary, and an incredible honour. Throughout, the ship boasts an abundance of spaciousness, its lighter tones and sleek lines are pleasing to the eye, and lift the soul in their beauty. The ambience onboard is so refined, so elegant. To me, I felt there were echoes of traditional cruise ship design but these were uplifted with a lighter, more contemporary palate. There is such a carefree atmosphere onboard; everything is taken care of so thoroughly, as you are never far from a member of crew who will be happy to help, with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, and Regent famously boast one of the most allinclusive experiences on the seas. From flights, transfers, numerous different excursions in every port of call, all the specialty restaurants onboard, beverages, and gratuities all included, cruises with Regent are all-inclusive and incredible value; ‘more than that,’ Paul explains, ‘it’s to make the cruise experience flawless, easy, so that people don’t have to think, and that I think is us thinking for the guests, and that’s probably the luxury that we guys deliver, and to surprise and delight at every possible opportunity.’ To the outside world, she might look like a MacBrayne ferry, but step onboard Hebridean Princess (twice chartered by Her Majesty, the Queen, for private family holidays), and you’ll enter a genteel world more akin to a country house hotel. For the 50 guests onboard, Hebridean Princess offers a relaxed, ‘country house party’ ambience, and with the occasional ringing of the telegram for the Captain down to the engine room, it transports you back to a golden era of travel. Hebridean Princess may not have all the bells and whistles that other cruise ships may have; there’s not even 52

a pool, nor a smorgasbord of restaurants and bars, and certainly no Broadway productions onboard. Instead, you’ll discover an abundance of old-world charm from an exceptionally warm and welcoming Tiree Lounge – complete with an inviting fireplace – to a charming conservatory where you can enjoy teas and coffees, and fragrant flowers. She makes for an interesting comparison to more glamorous or opulent modern ships, particularly externally, but for me, Hebridean Princess goes back to the basics of a truly exceptional and enjoyable cruising experience; attentive and friendly staff providing excellent service, exquisite food, and wonderful destinations, which she is purpose-built to explore. As far as I’m concerned, these are the cornerstones of a great cruise experience, and Hebridean Princess has them in spades! It’s no wonder that she has such a high repeat rate, with many guests coming back again and again.

Both Hebridean Princess and Seven Seas Splendor exemplify luxury cruising, but they showcase how different luxury travel can be. What they both share, however, is a commitment to personalised, attentive service. For many luxury travel operators, whether ocean or river cruises, touring, or hotels, no request is too small. Within luxury cruising, ‘spaciousness’ is also just as important as the ‘crew to guest ratio’ and personalised service. On land, names such as ‘The Ritz’, ‘the Savoy’, ‘Fairmont’, ‘Shangri-La’ and ‘Four Seasons’ (to name just a few) are synonymous with luxury hotels.

‘Tiffany's! Cartier! Black Starr, Frost-Gorham! Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it!’ Marilyn Monroe namechecked various well-known jewellers and cooed ‘I prefer a man who lives and gives expensive jewels’ in the most famous version of Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend. In the ‘80s, Madonna recreated much of that scene for her music video for Material Girl. But our definition of luxury is moving away from a materialistic perspective, as people are beginning to redefine luxury in terms of experiences, memories created and shared. A recent survey Global Luxury Traveller Insights Study from Fairmont found that ‘the luxury traveller wants more grit, to go out and have street food, to explore more, but also to enjoy safety and comfort.’ Keeping up with the Joneses no longer means who has the most up-to-date mod cons, but who has the best story to tell over a dinner party.

For some people, the experiences they crave isn’t necessarily how they travel, but where they travel. That feeling of being a pioneer, or seeing sights rarely seen by other tourists, that precious exclusivity that they can claim, has a strong appeal –particularly for those already well-travelled – and as a result, expedition cruising and off-the-beaten track destinations are becoming increasingly popular. But you don’t need to travel to Antarctica or traverse the Northwest Passage for a unique experience; an exclusive safari experience, a tour rich with immersive and cultural activities, including a homestay in a remote village with a local family, a barging holiday through the French winelands with just your family and a personal chef and crew onboard, are just some of the incredible opportunities travel gives us nowadays. Today, travel affords us amazing opportunities and experiences, and what could be a greater luxury than that?