Championship

QUEENS PARK RANGERS’ historic ground has been given a fresh new name – MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium.But fans are livid at the club calling it a “f***ing disgraceful” decision – with some even claiming they will “not be going” to future games.
QPR have renamed their stadium to MATRADE Loftus Road StadiumCredit: PA
The West London club’s home ground has undergone a number of name changes over the last couple of years.
And now they have signed a three-year agreement to sell the naming rights of the stadium to the Malaysian trade government agency MATRADE.
The century-old ground Loftus Road will be now known as the “MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium” until the 2025-26 season.
And QPR fans are not happy about the new name.
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One fan called the decision “f***ing disgraceful.”
Another said: “Right that’s it I’m not going anymore.”
A third then put: “This is the ugliest thing i’ve ever heard.”
A fourth kindly added: “Not the time to start p***ing off the fans lads.”
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In 2019, the club gifted the naming rights to the stadium to The Kiyan Prince Foundation, a charity set up in honour of former QPR youth player Kiyan Prince.
As a result, the Championship side’s stadium became known as the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
But only last May did the club declare that the ground name would revert to Loftus Road ahead of the 2022–23 season.
Meanwhile, the second-tier club are off to an awful start to the season having lost nine out of their 13 league matches.
Having only secured eight points, they are on the verge of hitting the bottom of the table with only Sheffield Wednesday trailing behind.
And it does not look promising for Queens Park Rangers’ who take on front-runners Leicester this Saturday at their newly-named ground. More

FANS have been left startled by the entertainment at Stoke before their game against Leeds.With the players shortly emerging from the tunnel for the Championship clash, supporters in the stands got a huge shock as the club tried to build the atmosphere.
Fans were left shocked by Stoke’s light showCredit: X/StokeyyG2
The stadium was lit up in a range of coloursCredit: X/StokeyyG2
Darkness suddenly fell at bet365 Stadium with a lights show in store for fans.
The floodlights started to flash, red and white lights began to flicker and from nowhere everything was illuminated in a range of colours to give the ground a nightclub look.
It was all to the tune of Sandstorm by Darude with the pitch looking more like a dance floor.
Fans were left baffled and some even joked that former old school gaffer Tony Pulis would not have enjoyed it.
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One supporter commented: “That’s not ‘can he do it in a cold rainy night at Stoke’ anymore.”
Another added: “Tony Pulis is sat somewhere in this country absolutely seething right now.”
A third reacted: “You’d think you were at a concert with all the lights.”
And more laughed: “They think it’s a Champions League night.”
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However, it did the trick as Stoke beat Leeds 1-0.
The three points moved the Potters up to 17th in the Championship and Daniel Farke’s side are third.
Tony Pulis has legendary status at StokeCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

BIRMINGHAM have confirmed that a man was arrested at last night’s match on suspicion of a “racially aggravated public order offence”.Blues star Juninho Bacuna reported a racist incident during his side’s clash with Huddersfield earlier this month.
A man was arrested shortly after last night’s clash between Birmingham and Hull kicked offCredit: Getty
Ahead of last night’s clash with Hull, West Midlands Police identified the 52-year-old male and arrested him shortly after the match kicked off.
The individual remains in police custody for questioning.
West Midlands Police also confirmed that a further man in his 20s was arrested after the match on suspicion of assaulting a steward at St Andrew’s.
He also remains in custody.
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Last night’s match was Wayne Rooney’s first in charge of Birmingham at home.
Blues began life under the former England and Manchester United captain with a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.
For his St Andrew’s debut, Rooney was handed an assignment against his former Derby assistant boss Liam Rosenior and Hull City.
Birmingham went 1-0 down on 12 minutes via Manchester City loanee Liam Delap.
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Former Aston Villa starlet Jaden Philogene then made it 2-0 on 74 minutes.
After the game, Rooney was reportedly told to “f*** off back to America” by a fan.
The 38-year-old previously managed DC United in MLS, winning 14 of his 53 games in charge.
Rooney took over at St Andrew’s after the sacking of John Eustace with Blues sitting sixth in the Championship table.
Blues have since fallen to 12th, and face Southampton on Saturday with Rooney aiming to earn his first points as boss.
Wayne Rooney took charge of his first game at St Andrew’sCredit: Reuters More

KEEPER Gavin Bazunu caused chaos with his part in a sensational injury-time leveller for Southampton.Bazunu got his head to a corner that deflected past North End opposite number Freddie Woodman in a spectacular ending.
Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu rose to claim a last-gasp equaliser but so far it’s been given as a Ched Evans own goalCredit: Getty
Bazunu understandably went crazy after his amazing interventionCredit: Getty
Whatever the official verdict, team-mates mobbed BazunuCredit: Getty

The Dubious Goals panel may have their say — it has already been credited as a Ched Evans own-goal — but that did not stop the Republic of Ireland youngster celebrating.
A little bit of Osmajic sparked a Preston comeback after Kyle Walker-Peters had put Saints ahead.
Lilywhites boss Ryan Lowe sent on Milutin Osmajic at half-time and the move paid off spectacularly with a quickfire double.
The Montenegro international striker cracked in a volley from a half-cleared free-kick that took Bazunu, 21, by surprise in the 52nd minute.
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And Southampton caved in again when wing-back  Potts rampaged down the right, played a one-two with Osmajic and fired a shot between Bazunu’s legs on 55 minutes.
Potts powered past Sammy Edozie on his way to scoring — and that was enough for Southampton chief Russell Martin to whip off the wideman immediately.
Saints hit the front when Walker-Peters found the perfect way to end a goal drought stretching back 14 months — with a strike worth the wait.
Southampton’s right-back charged forward, cut inside and curled a beauty with his left foot to beat Woodman’s stretch and get his side going just after the half hour.
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It was only Walker-Peters’ third league goal in 118 appearances for the Saints but the quality made up for his lack of scoring quantity.
But how Martin needed that bolt from the blue after a frustrating start to the game.
He made a few changes and was left waving his arms in horror at some of the wayward passes from a side that prides itself in using the ball well.
Preston had been the bigger threat with a slightly more direct style but they were also weak when it came to finishing off chances.
Liam Millar’s teasing cross tested Bazunu and the Canadian attacker also fired wide as North End made the running.
But the opener raised the game considerably and both sides showed their teeth as they battled to stay in the play-off chase.
Adam Armstrong was inches from putting Southampton two-up when he slid in to send a Will Smallbone cross just wide.
But Preston went desperately close when Will Keane’s low stab was dramatically kicked off the line by Bazunu from close range.
The ball hit Shea Charles on the back of the arm as it flew clear — but there was no penalty despite loud appeals. More

FANS are amazed and amused by a “leaked list” of fines for Plymouth Argyle stars – with offences involving flip-flops, nutmegs and singing.And many observers were “tickled” to see the roll-call of naughty behaviour at the Championship club include a £10 penalty for sending footballs “over the fence”.
Players at second-tier Plymouth can be fined for an unusual list of offences, according to a ‘leaked list’ on social mediaCredit: Rex

One supporter claimed Plymouth have their “priorities all over the place” as a £200 fine for being “late for matchday” comes BELOW punishments for more oddball rules.
But the West Country outfit clearly make a song and dance about team spirit, if the list is to be believed.
That’s because the two top offences are all about strengthening the bond within the squad.
Sharing pride of place on £250 are “not singing” and a “no show on Xmas do or team night out”.
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One perplexed Pilgrims fan responded: “Fined for not singing? Not singing what?”
At the other end of the scale Plymouth also appear to be rather particular about cleanliness and hygiene.
Players at last season’s League One champions are allegedly penalised £10 for “no flip flops in the shower”  and “not cleaning plates/cups in the canteen”.
Leaving kit or bottles around the place, as well as using phones in the wrong place or at the wrong time, are likewise punished.
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And a red face is not the only sanction for anyone who has the ball nicked between their legs during training – at least when they should be at their most alert on the eve of matches.
The list includes a £10 fine for “megs in boxes the day before a game”.
One fan said of the fine collection: “Class isn’t it? Priorities all over the place, but who cares – wins you league titles.”
Another posted: “Strange sense of priorities. Late for Matchday £200 fine. Not singing is £25O fine!”
And a third argued: “Bloody heck that’s harsh the strictness.”
Maybe they didn’t spot that the icing on the list includes a fine of “£20 plus cakes” for forgetting to bring in a cake on your own birthday.
So it’s just possible this fan didn’t pick up the slice of fun intended with the punishments. More

PADDY KENNY has launched his managerial career by taking over at Goole AFC.The ninth-tier club have announced that, following interviews with numerous candidates, Kenny has been selected as the man to lead them forwards.
Paddy Kenny starred for the likes of QPR during his careerCredit: Action Images – Reuters
The former goalkeeper will now manage ninth-tier GooleCredit: Goole
Kenny, 45, will be assisted by Nathan Helliwell at Victoria Pleasure Ground.
Announcing their appointment, Goole wrote: “Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who applied for the position of first team manager.
“Due to the high number of applicants, the club committee met over the weekend to evaluate each application and put together a shortlist for interviews.
“Following a long day of interviews throughout Monday, we are now in a position to announce Paddy Kenny and Nathan Helliwell as our new joint management team.
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“Paddy and Nathan will be announcing their backroom team in due course.
“Please join us in welcoming Paddy and Nathan to the club.”
Kenny subsequently tweeted: “Really excited about this @NathanHelliwel4.”
The former stopper previously worked as a goalkeeper coach at Northampton Town in the 2016-17 season.
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Kenny, 45, played as a goalkeeper for numerous yearsCredit: Getty
He has since resisted a career in football, however, due to his successful business.
Earlier this year, the seven-cap former Ireland international wrote on social media: “People keep asking me why I aren’t involved in football but I’ve dipped my toes in coach @ntfc but it wasn’t for me.
“I’ve taken a different path now in my life with my transport business, after dinners and been the best dad I can be.
“I’m very content in my life as well.”
Kenny is a director for his PK Transport Movements business.
While he is also on the after-dinner circuit as a speaker.
During his playing career he represented the likes of Sheffield United, Leeds and Queens Park Rangers – and was signed by Neil Warnock on a number of occasions.
He also played 67 times in the Premier League, and won the Championship title with QPR.
Kenny was previously player-coach at NorthamptonCredit: Getty More