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    EFL club receive update on new £130million stadium that would see capacity boosted by thousands

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    OXFORD UNITED have received an update on their new £130million stadium.The Championship side are set to leave the Kassam Stadium in 2026 after 25 years at the ground.Oxford are planning to move into a 16,000 capacity groundCredit: Oxford UnitedThe complex would also include new restaurants and a gymCredit: https://twitter.com/_LiamWalker_A planning application for a 16,000-capacity ground was submitted to Cherwell District Council at the end of February, but it was announced that the application would not be considered until early next year.Oxford then submitted a pre-application request to the council over a transport matter – with the local authority now responding.A note on their website stated that the council will undertake a period of statutory reconsultation ‘following the receipt of additional environmental information, pursuant to the council’s request for further information’.It read: “The council is awaiting receipt of further information relating to alternative site assessment.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Upon receipt of this additional information, there will be a further period of reconsultation, which is likely to be in the new year.“Please be advised that whilst there is no statutory obligation to take late comments into account, we will exercise discretion in a positive manner and accept late comments, as far as it is reasonably practicable to do so, up until the application is ready to be determined.“Late responses may only be made via email or letter.”Oxford are planning to move to land known as The Triangle north of the city which would also see a restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space, and community plaza created.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe plans include a potential stunning complex, which would include a 180-bed hotel and a gym.The club is also keen to improve the ecology of the stadium.Oxford sign forgotten Chelsea wonderkid and aim sly dig at John Terry in stunning announcement That means a transport model has been updated to allow for buses and bicycles to pass through matchday road diversions.A footpath and cycleway has also been proposed to provide “additional connectivity and enhanced sustainable transport options”. More

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      Liverpool eyeing EFL transfer raid for prolific wonderkid with eight goals in just seven games this season

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      LIVERPOOL are plotting a raid for Sunderland wonderkid Trey Ogunsunyi, according to reports.The Black Cats have given plenty of game time to youngsters this season.Liverpool are eyeing Trey OgunsunyiCredit: AlamyBut Ogunsunyi has had to remain patient for his chance, despite scoring eight goals in seven games for Sunderland Under-21s.His performances have caught the eye and Liverpool are ready to make a move, according to the Daily Mail.The Reds have looked to poach young talent in recent years, snapping up the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo from Premier League rivals.Ogunsunyi, 17, could also make the switch to Anfield although he is still under contract for another 18 months.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe teenager, who is capable of playing across the front three, is highly regarded at the Stadium of Light with manager Regis Le Bris describing him as a “very interesting player for the future”.Meanwhile Liverpool have hit a major stumbling block in their efforts to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold at the club.Anfield chiefs have offered the England full-back a £70,000 rise on his current £180,000 weekly wage.But Alexander-Arnold is holding out for £350,000 to match another of the Prem leaders’ contract rebels, Mo Salah.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAlexander-Arnold’s contract is up in the summer and he knows Real Madrid are waiting to offer him what he wants.Like Salah and skipper Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold can talk to interested foreign parties next month.Mo Salah drops yet another hint about leaving Liverpool win days after admitting he was ‘more out than in’ Alexander-Arnold’s has told close pals that he would like to stay, especially as he is now settled into a £5million Cheshire mansion. More

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      English manager SACKED by EFL club in shock move with fans left in disbelief as 84-word statement released

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      DES BUCKINGHAM has been SACKED from role as Oxford United manager.The Championship strugglers confirmed his exit on social media.Des Buckingham has been sacked by Oxford UnitedCredit: GettyBuckingham, 39, helped the club get promoted from League One after being appointed last season.However, his time in charge of the club came to an end following the 3-1 defeat to Sheffield on Wednesday at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.A statement read: “Oxford United can confirm that Des Buckingham has left his role as men’s first team head coach.”Des was appointed in November 2023 and led the club to promotion to the EFL Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The club would like to place on record its thanks to Des for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”The appointment of a new head coach will be confirmed in due course.”Fans have been left in disbelief over Buckingham’s departure from the club.One posted: “You’ve lost your minds.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA second wrote: “Not impressed with that.”A third commented: “Completely unexpected but got to see who the next guy in is and support them.”Football teams that controversially changed their badgeA fourth said: “Well, that’s ruined my enthusiasm for this season. We must have an incredible name lined up as a replacement. Otherwise, we’re going to look silly.”Another added: “Well that’s a decision I can’t get my head around.”Oxford’s last win under Buckingham came in the 1-0 victory over Hull City on November 5.Since then, the club has lost five of six matches, including a 6-2 drubbing by Middlesborough.In October he was forced to have medical attention after the draw with Derby County.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Leeds set to go back in for Sporting Lisbon starlet Dario Essugo to boost Prem promotion bid after missing out in summer

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      LEEDS are planning a daring raid for midfield dynamo Dario Essugo at Sporting Lisbon.Powerful Portugal Under-21s ace Essugo has been loaned to Las Palmas in Spain.Leeds are interested in signing Dario EssugoCredit: GettyLeeds tried for the 19-year-old in the summer and now want to offer a loan-to-buy arrangement.Essugo played 25 times for Sporting as a teen.In the summer, former boss Ruben Amorim decided to loan him out.He has spent this season in LaLiga with Las Palmas.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEssugo has played 10 times for his loan club so far.He scored his first goal during a match against Mallorca last month.Meanwhile, Leeds are set to sign Australian keeper Robbie Cook after a trial.Cook, 17, was wanted by Manchester United and Sunderland.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLeeds salvaged a late draw at Preston yesterday.Daniel Farke’s side fell behind courtesy of Brad Potts’ 23rd minute opener.Wolves players and staff clashing with one another after full-timeThey finally levelled in the 93rd minute, via Jack Whatmough’s own goal.The draw saw Leeds fall three points behind leaders Sheffield United, who beat Plymouth Argyle 2-0 at Bramall Lane.Daniel Farke is chasing reinforcements for Leeds’ promotion bidCredit: Rex More

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      Championship promotion chasers lining up transfer for Ben Brereton Diaz despite his record-breaking Prem nightmare

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      SOUTHAMPTON forgotten man Ben Brereton Diaz will be offered an escape route and a return trip to promotion-chasing Sheffield United.The Chile forward, 25, has struggled and is out of Saints’ plans so he could be available for a move next month.Ben Brereton Díaz is a January transfer target for Sheffield UnitedCredit: GettyBrereton Diaz had a good spell on loan at then-Prem side Blades from Villarreal last term before a summer move to St Mary’s.But things have not gone to plan for the striker, who is still yet to taste victory in the Premier League.His winless run of 24 matches – 14 at Sheffield United last term and now ten so far for Southampton – is an unwanted new Prem record. Now Blades boss Chris Wilder wants him and the new club-owners-in-waiting are willing to fund either a loan or permanent switch.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSheffield United are looking to boost their Championship title tilt and have several targets in mind for a signing spree.They also want promotion expert Ashley Barnes, 35, in a shock deal from Norwich.The striker helped Burnley reach the Premier League in 2023 before heading for the Canaries but he could be on the move again.The battle-hardened target man was back in the Norwich side in midweek.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut he could be available and that opens the door for a short-term switch to the Blades.Barnes’ contract is up in June and he is on big wages.Wolves players and staff clashing with one another after full-timeSo City may want to sell him if the terms are right.The Blades are also looking at Southampton right-back James Bree, 26.And they could also join the bidding for Peterborough forward Ricky-Jade Jones, 22.Brereton Diaz joined the Blades on loan last seasonCredit: Reuters More

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      Government plans for football will backfire… damaging the Premier League is in NOBODY’S interest

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      NO ONE watching this year’s Premier League could think English football isn’t in rude health.Liverpool are on top, with Chelsea in hot pursuit and Aston Villa flying high in the Champions League. Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton are all pushing for Europe.The Football Governance Bill is currently being debated in ParliamentCredit: AlamyThe Premier League provides support further down the football pyramidCredit: GettyOur second league, the Championship, is thriving like never before.It’s now the sixth richest league in Europe, thanks to the EFL’s £1billion broadcasting deals and the Premier League’s financial support — the most generous of any major league in the world.Incredibly, our second tier is now far wealthier than even the Portuguese or Dutch first leagues.Meanwhile, club insolvencies across the pyramid are at a 30-year low.READ MORE ON FOTBALLBut a lot of our politicians seem to think English football is a fragile house of cards. Other countries would love to have our so-called “problems”.There’s a reason 1.5bn people around the world tune into English football.Because, from top to bottom, our leagues crackle with tension, high stakes and meaning.They are not boring hierarchies where one team dominates in half-full stadiums, but the best competitions on the planet — forged by those willing to take risks, invest millions and back their judgment.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn what was promised to be a “light touch” regulator concentrating on the issues that are very important to clubs and fans — heritage issues, better fan engagement, proper owners and so on — the Government has given the Independent Football Regulator a so-called “Backstop” power.It’s part of the Football Governance Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, although it is making slower than expected progress. Former Premier League star begins new career as rapper with debut album set to be released – Labour’s own backbenchers have suggested over 150 new clauses they believe should be added to their own Government’s Bill.That’s on everything from forcing clubs to socially engineer the make-up of their season ticket holders, to demanding that fans are defined as only those who have season tickets, regardless of if you can actually get a season ticket at your club or not.The Backstop power gives the Regulator the right to forcibly take money from Prem clubs, even if it harms or affects their own competitiveness.Less cash means less to spend on transfer fees or less cash to pay their players.Not all Prem clubs have endless wealth, that’s why there is over £2bn of debt in the Prem.The Prem is no miserly Scrooge. Every Championship club receives around £7million a season, each League One club gets around £1.5m and each League One club gets over £1m.These payments are a helping hand, agreed freely and with goodwill.And since their inception in 2007, they have increased more than tenfold.But the Government believes this generosity, more money shared than any other league on the planet, should make way for state intervention.The result of which could mean that Prem clubs have to take on more debt (which ironically makes them less sustainable) or invest less in their own team so that fellow owners in the other leagues no longer have to take similar risks themselves. This is trickle-down turned upside-down.The Championship is no soup kitchen queue. It hosts incredibly wealthy owners, nine of them billionaires, who plough millions into efforts to reach the promised land.Yet, a Prem side that has climbed the ladder the hard way,  through calculated risk-taking and sustained investment, may be forced to hand over more millions so that Championship owners don’t have to.That’s even if those owners have mismanaged their clubs, made bad decisions and ­deliberately put their clubs at financial risk.It won’t be their owners that have to face the consequences, it will be the Prem owners who have to pick up their tab!The Prem willingly supports the pyramid with £1.6bn over a three-year broadcast cycle.That’s how I believe it should stay: negotiated, reasonable and always voluntary.That’s why I think the Regulator could well consider £1.6bn is far too generous and decide to cut it back.Or wonder why League Two only get eight per cent of the total PL handout, as the Championship keeps 80 per cent.Or they may decide the Prem should not fund every part of the pyramid themselves and the EFL should support the National League, the league directly below them, rather than asking the Prem to do that for them.Or they may just simply decide to impose far more stringent self-help measures that the EFL will have to implement to ensure they manage their own money better.Any good Regulator will surely see that damaging the appeal of the PL, and creating a competition that’s less vibrant, less exciting and much less appealing is in no one’s interests.Because if that happens, the Premier League will go into reverse and there will be far less money for everyone in the football pyramid.Less money for grassroots football. Less money for the PFA. Less money for the Football Foundation. Less money for the women’s game.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd less money for all the many community projects and charities the PL supports to the tune of over £50m a year.As they say, be careful what you wish for…Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Former Premier League star with 272 appearances lands first coaching job four years after retiring

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      FORMER Premier League midfielder Lee Cattermole has landed his first permanent coaching job.The ex-Sunderland star has joined Bristol Rovers as a first team coach, focusing on the development and implementation of set pieces.Lee Cattermole has landed his first permanent job in coachingCredit: Getty – ContributorDiscussing his new position, Cattermole said: “I am delighted to join the coaching team at Bristol Rovers.”Having spoken to the guys here and George Friend, I very quickly got excited about the project being developed here at the Club.”Everything I’ve heard about Bristol Rovers tells me it’s an exciting time to be part of things here, and I’m looking forward to getting going.”Cattermole called time on his playing career four years ago following a brief spell with Dutch side VVV-Venlo.Read More in FootballPrior to that he spent a decade with Sunderland and made 262 appearances.The midfielder has also played for Middlesbrough and Wigan.After hanging up his boots, Cattermole revealed his intention to move into coaching.He returned to Boro to work in the academy and took charge of the U23s before leaving in February last year.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe ex-midfielder was also part of the interim management team that took control at the Riverside for five games when Chris Wilder was sacked in October 2022.Bristol Rovers currently sit 18th in the League One table with 21 points from 18 games.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeThey travel to face title-chasing Birmingham City on Saturday. More

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      Ex-Leicester manager who played key role in club’s Prem title win left staggering amount in his will after death aged 60

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      FORMER Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare left an estate worth £350,000, probate documents reveal.The football legend, who died in August aged 60, bequeathed the huge sum to his wife Karen.The Leicester legend died following a battle with cancerCredit: ReutersShakespeare, left, was assistant manager of the Leicester side that won the Premier League in 2016Credit: GETTYEx-Foxes Craig played a pivotal role in Leicester’s miraculous title-winning campaign in 2016 as Claudio Ranieri’s assistant.Documents seen by The Sun show Shakespeare signed his will in 2018, passing everything to his longtime wife Karen.The will was signed off by a court last month.Former England coach Craig died after a battle with cancer, with heartbroken pal Jamie Vardy leading tributes to his old pal.Read more about LeicesterHe wrote: “I don’t have the words right now. Just gutted. RIP Shakey.”Man City winger Jack Grealish added: “One of the greatest people I’ve ever met not only in football but in life.“Last month was texting me when I didn’t make the Euros squad while he was ill. It shows the type of man he was! An absolute heart of gold! Everyone really will miss you Shakey.”Ex-Leicester defender Harry Maguire wrote: “The man who signed me for Leicester, the man who gave me so much belief, the man I learnt so much from.Most read in Football“I will be forever grateful. Football will miss you, life will miss you. An incredible man.”Shakespeare’s coaching career spanned 24 years with jobs at top-flight clubs like Leicester, Norwich, Aston Villa and Everton.The father-of-two made more than 500 appearances as a player for Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom and Grimsby.He was also an England coach under Sam Allardyce but left when Big Sam quit in disgrace after just one game.The respected tactician was most notably assistant manager at Leicester City from 2011 until 2017 – helping the club pull off the impossible when they won the Premier League in 2015/16.He took the reigns in 2017 but left after only 24 games, having guided Leicester to the Champions League quarter-final.After spells with Watford, Villa and Norwich, he returned to the King Power Stadium in 2023 as an assistant – staying for just eight games as Dean Smith’s right-hand man before his illness forced him to retire.Shakespeare was also Sam Allardyce’s assistant at EvertonCredit: Reuters More

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      Promising footballer, 17, dies on pitch during match as his Sheffield United star cousin pays touching tribute

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      A PROMISING teen footballer has died on the pitch during a match – with his Sheffield United star cousin paying tribute.Kaylen Dennis, 17, died during a Walthamstow Football Club match yesterday.Kaylen Dennis, 17, died during a Walthamstow Football Club match yesterdayLast night Kaylen’s cousin Rhian Brewster pointed his right finger up to the sky in a moving gesture mid-gameCredit: AlamyThe semi-pro club said: “We are devastated to learn of the passing away of one of our U23 players, Kaylen Dennis during a game.”We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and everyone that knew him.”Last night Kaylen’s cousin and Sheffield United player Rhian Brewster pointed his right finger up to the sky in a moving gesture mid-game.He made the gesture after netting the first goal against Millwall at The Den during a Championship match.Read More SportRhian told BBC Radio Sheffield: “I want to dedicate that goal to my younger cousin. “He passed away earlier today before the game, so that’s one for him and the family.”It’s a very tough time for the family, but I played for him today, and I was very happy to come away with a goal, and that’s for him.”Coach Scott Chickelday said: “‘Heartbreaking to hear yesterday that a 17-year-old boy I had the pleasure of knowing with an unbelievable talent passed away on the football pitch yesterday.Most read in Football”Kaylen Dennis was not just a talented footballer but was a great character and person! God bless Kaylen fly high champ.”Kaylen’s youth team Ryan FC said: “We are so upset and devastated at Ryan FC.”Kaylen started playing for us at 13 and we watched him progress into senior football playing for our partner club Walthamstow FC.”His parents have been so supportive and all our thoughts are with them and their family.”Walthamstow Reserves DC said: “Words cannot describe how we feel about this news today.”A kid with the brightest future, beyond being a talented young footballer, he was a blessed young man.”Our football family will gather around his family during this difficult time. Rest in perfect peace Kaylen Dennis.” More