Back in the 1980s few people would have predicted that football would not just remain one of the most popular leisure activities into the digital era, but would actually grow in popularity throughout this time.

Back then the game was bedevilled with problems, with violence between fans and disasters such as Heysel and Hillsborough, which meant that the game had a pretty low reputation and crowds at the matches appeared to be irrevocably in decline. So how has football recovered to the extent that it is now one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world?

Ashley Cole will not be able to play for Chelsea for the next couple of weeks because of a hamstring injury that he discovered while playing in the FA Cup quarter final match against Manchester United which was played on Monday at Stamford Bridge.

Sunday’s game at Griffin Park sees League One promotion hopefuls Brentford host London rivals Chelsea in their FA Cup Fourth Round tie.

The two sides haven’t met in 66 years, with Brentford winning four and losing five of their previous ten meetings.

Uwe Rosler’s side currently sit third in the third tier, six points behind leaders Tranmere Rovers, who are the only side to have beaten them in their last eleven games, though they needed replays to get through the last two rounds against Bradford City, then Southend United.

The Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun will be joining Chelsea once his loan spell with West Ham comes to an end next week according to the West Ham manager Sam Allardyce.

The former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has said that the European champions Chelsea should waste no time in offering a new contract for the start defender Ashley Cole, who has only a few months left on his current deal.

It is thought that the club are not willing to offer more than a one-year extension to the 31-year-old. The club has a policy of not offering more than a year contract for players over the age of 30. Due to the fact that Ashley Cole falls within this bracket, they have decided not to change the policy for the former Arsenal left back.

The Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has once again said that he wants the defender Ashley Cole to stay at the club beyond this season. The 31-year-old England international has been linked with a move away from Chelsea consistently in the last few weeks especially given that his contract only has just over six months to run.

The Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has said that he is extremely optimistic that Chelsea will be able to come to an agreement with the defender Ashley Cole over the possibility of extending his contract.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, while he will be able to talk with other clubs in January. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is also out of contract at the end of the season. Chelsea have made it no secret of their desire to ship out on the older players last season. Players like Didier Drogba have left the club after not being offered a new contract.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole's future has been thrown into doubt after it has emerged that the club are yet to open talks with the England defender over the possibility of signing a new deal with the club.

The contract of the former Arsenal star comes to an end at the end of this season. He would be free to negotiate with the interested parties in six months time. However, there has been no sign of an offer from the club. It is thought that Ashley Cole would also prefer to move to the MLS in search of a new challenge.

Brazilian club São Paulo have decided to reject the £ 32 million offer from Chelsea for star midfielder Lucas Moura. The 19-year-old midfielder has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe including the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has said that the club will not be making a decision on the next manager until the end of the season.

Chelsea recently won the fourth FA Cup trophy in six years under interim manager Roberto di Matteo.