Top Teams Light up the Road to Wembley?

New Research Shows Player Power Could Illuminate the FA Cup Final

LONDON, February 18, 2011 - With four Rounds left there are still plenty of twists and turns before
knowing which two teams will be contesting The FA Cup Final in May this year,
but by the time the two clubs arrive at Wembley they are likely to have
consumed enough energy to light up the famous stadium along the way,
according to new research revealed today.

The "Player Power" study, commissioned by energy company and FA Cup
sponsor E.ON suggests that over a season the two Finalist teams will have
used over 4million kilojoules, which is equivalent to powering the flood
lights at Wembley for The Final. When current holders Chelsea faced Everton
last season, the clubs had played over 100 games, with each team averaging
37,000 kilojoules per match; equivalent to the 760,000 watts required to
light up the 380 bulbs installed in the stadium floodlights for 90 minutes.

The study, which forms part of E.ON's Energy Fit campaign*, investigated
the average energy consumption of a professional footballer and analysed data
captured from this season's FA Cup competition to identify how the modern
player applies himself on the pitch during a match.

Typically, in a game players make more than 1,000 changes in activity -
altering their speed of movement every four to six seconds, and covering
around nine miles. On average, this intense period of activity consumes over
4,000 kilojoules of energy, which equates to 680 watts. That's an equivalent
amount of energy to light a three-bedroom house for 90 minutes, run a
television for 4 hours or boil enough water for an entire team to enjoy a
half-time cuppa.

In analysing the player performance data from key games in The FA Cup
this season, the report also found that Premiership rivals Manchester United,
Arsenal and Manchester City are the powerhouses of the domestic game in more
ways than one.

Against Southampton in the Third Round in January, United players Rio
Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs covered a combined distance of over 12 miles, using
6806 kilojoules of energy in the process, which is enough power to keep Sir
Alex Ferguson's hairdryer - the real one - going for over two hours.

England and Man City midfield duo, James Milner and Adam Johnson, both
covered over 15 miles in their victory over Leicester City in The FA Cup,
consuming 8435 kilojoules of energy - equivalent to watching 16 games of
football on a 42" plasma TV.

It also revealed that The FA Cup has the ability to inspire and raise the
performance levels of players outside the top flight, but it's often the
touch of international class and ruthless efficiency in front of goal that
brings the top clubs through. As a team, Leeds United, York City and
Huddersfield Town all notched up over 70 miles (almost three marathons)
during their recent FA Cup matches - a tenth more than their Premiership
opposition - but despite this they couldn't quite match the star qualities of
individual players such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who were both
instrumental in keeping Arsenal in the competition, despite not playing a
full game.

Dr David James, senior lecturer in Sports Engineering at Sheffield Hallam
University, said:

"This study looked into how a modern player applies themselves on the
pitch during FA Cup matches. It was interesting to see that The FA Cup really
does seem to inspire teams to raise their game but as they go toe-to-toe
physically, it is quite clear that how you use your energy is a critical
factor. The energy consumed by each footballer was determined by looking at
the time they spent in seven different 'intensity zones' during a specific
match. Using this knowledge and video tracking data of specific players it
was possible to create a mathematical model to calculate the energy consumed
by different footballers. The total value of energy consumed during the match
can then be converted into an average 'power' rating by looking at the rate
of energy consumption, which can be then applied to electrical products
around the home."

Simon Breakell, Sponsorship PR Manager, added:

"Energy efficiency is about using your energy wisely and when it really
matters; at home it can save you money and on the pitch it can win you games.
Our research statistically backs up what we already know and love about The
FA Cup - giant killings are a combination of hard work, endeavour and a bit
of luck along the way. It's just a shame we can't connect these players to
the national grid, otherwise we'd perhaps have some unlikely heroes in
tackling climate change."

To understand how E.ON's Energy Fit campaign can make help
you save money on your energy bill, visit: www.eonenergyfit.com. The
website features an online calculator that will determine the 'energy
fitness' of a property and provide specific recommendations to help improve
its rating.

As part of their campaign, E.ON's Energy Fit Experience will
be touring the country starting this weekend in Sheffield. The Experience is
an interactive exhibition which aims to raise awareness of energy efficiency
by harnessing the excitement and magic of the world's oldest Cup competition,
and demonstrate ways in which you can save money by reducing your energy
bills. The experience kicks off at Meadowhall shopping centre on Friday 18
February to Sunday 20 February and offers football fans and their families a
fun day out and the opportunity to win exclusive FA Cup prizes. E.ON's Energy
Fit Experience will also visit Manchester (Arndale Centre, 25-27 February),
Birmingham (Bullring, 04-06 March), London (O2, 18-20 March) and Nottingham
(Victoria Centre, 08-10 April).

*E.ON's Energy Fit campaign is a campaign designed to help you
use your energy more wisely and in turn, save you money. Whether it's your
business or even your football club, E.ON can give you the tools to create
your own personal energy saving plan. By putting you in control, you can set
your own goals, tailored specifically to your needs. Visit
www.eonenergyfit.com to start your own journey.

Tim Percival, brandRapport, E: kdenman at brand-rapport.com T: +44(0)20-7932-5817, M: +44(0)7917-13798, Simon Breakell, E.ON, E: simon.breakell at eonenergy.com T: +44(0)20-7553-7407, M: +44(0)7702-668-400