New Birmingham owner Tom Brady sparks row among football fans after tweeting about first taste of Carabao Cup action
FANS bombarded Tom Brady with both praise and cynicism after the new Birmingham owner tweeted his wide-eyed innocence about the Carabao Cup.
But supporters were united on one thing - relief that the NFL legend didn't say "soccer".
Brady, 46, saw Juninho Bacuna's quick first-half double earn a 2-0 first-round win for his Championship side at League One Cheltenham.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner posted: "One of the first things an American has to learn about football is the different competitions. Carabao Cup night coming up, here we go boys!"
But a hoard of NFL fans responded with fury questioning his use of the word "football" rather than "soccer".
And that was just the tip of the iceberg for Brady's notifications.
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One cynic responded by comparing Brady unfavourably to a great quarter-back rival: "This is why Aaron Rodgers will always be better than you."
But most appeared charmed by his humble approach.
One joked: "Tom calling it football is the perfect start."
Another teased the Californian even more brutally: "Second thing to learn; the ball goes *under* the crossbar for a goal!"
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"Haha love it," posted a third, but a fourth warned: "I know you're used to being a serial winner mate. But this is Blues it may take time, bud."
Many Birmingham fans eagerly pointed out their League Cup glory in 2011, beating Arsenal in the final.
One said: "This is the last trophy we won Tom! Since then we've always played weakened teams in this cup competition. It's such a shame as it was a brilliant day out when we beat Arsenal to win this cup and lead to a brilliant campaign in Europe! KRO."
Another went further back in time: "In an earlier incarnation it was the "Football League Cup" Yes, winners against some other local team in 1963. Played over two legs and Blues won 3 - 1 on aggregate. I was there! "
One Blues' supporter helpfully added: "Most recent team in the Midlands to win it."
And Brady got strong backing from a fan of both NFL and 'our' football.
The sports-lover said of the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers hero: "Didn’t think I could love you anymore after being a Buc but yet here we are."
Brady will have to get used to cup shocks - with four decent ones on Tuesday.
League Two sides Gillingham and Doncaster stunned Championship sides Southampton and Hull respectively.
Ashley Nadesan and Robbie McKenzie's second-half double put the Gills in command in a 3-1 victory, with Carlos Alcaraz replying for the Saints in stoppage time.
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Striker George Miller struck twice as visitors Doncaster overturned an early opener from Hull's Colombian attacker Oscar Estupinan to triumph 2-1.
Ex-Manchester United midfielder Charlie Savage fired home a free-kick as relegated Reading won 4-0 at Millwall.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan struck twice, Savage got the third and Mamadi Camara bundled a late fourth goal as the Royals reached the second round for the first time in three seasons.
Elsewhere, League One Stevenage saw off neighbours Watford from a level above, succeeding 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
And Huddersfield snatched a 4-2 comeback win at 10-man Huddersfield in an all-Championship clash.
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Wrexham defeated Wigan 4-2 in a shootout after a 0-0 stalemate.
And Stoke's summer recruit Andre Vidigal made it three goals in two matches in a 2-1 home success over Championship rivals West Brom.
CARABAO CUP RESULTS
First-round scores:
Huddersfield Town 2-3 Middlesbrough 3
Mansfield Town 2-0 Grimsby Town
Newport County 3 -1 Charlton
Peterborough 1-1 Swindon
(Boro win 4-1 on penalties)
Swansea City 3-0 Northampton
Blackburn Rovers 4-3 Walsall
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Barrow
Cheltenham Town 0-2 Birmingham
Derby County 0-2 Blackpool
Exeter City 2-1 Crawley Town
Forest Green Rovers 1-3 Portsmouth
Gillingham 3-1 Southampton
Harrogate Town 1-0 Carlisle United
Hull City 1-2 Doncaster
Millwall 0-4 Reading
Milton Keynes Dons 0-2 Wycombe
Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Leyton Orient
Port Vale 3-2 Fleetwood
Preston2-2 Salford City
(Salford win 4-2 on penalties)
Rotherham 1-1 Morecambe
(Rotherham win 4-2 on penalties)
Sheffield Wed 1-1 Stockport
(Sheff Wed win 4-1 on penalties)
Stoke City 2-1 West Brom
Sunderland 1-1 Crewe Alexandra
(Crewe win 5-3 on penalties)
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