More stories

  • in

    We dastardly Americans tried to ruin English football with Super League, you should never sell off 150yrs of tradition

    BRAD GALINSON has told fellow American owners in football: Don’t mess with tradition.When he bought Gillingham last Christmas they became the 22nd team in the top four tiers under US control or influence.
    Brad Galinson joined a growing number of Americans owning English and Welsh clubs
    Yet Galinson wants to strike a balance between jazzing things up and protecting British football history.
    And he was horrified by the proposed breakaway European Super League some of his compatriots on the other side of the Pond are still hellbent on creating.
    Four of the six Premier League teams that wanted to join — Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United — are US-owned while there is significant American investment at Manchester City.
    Galinson said: “It was dastardly Americans trying to ruin the English football pyramid system. It’s a horrible idea.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    “The big six clubs wanted to get a franchise value that you get in the States. For example, NFL teams that don’t win are still worth three to four billion dollars minimum because they’re in a franchise.
    “But I’d say their profit isn’t worth what you’d have lost, which is 150 years of football tradition.”
    Galinson has been careful not to mess too much with Gillingham apart from improving the business and fans’ experience.
    And he believes fusing the best of how they do things in the States with English football can be a match made in heaven.
    Most read in EFL
    Manchester United owner Avram Glazer, pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson, wanted to join the breakaway European Super League
    He said: “In American sport there is so much dead time to fill because of time-outs and TV breaks.
    “But realising sport is an entertainment business, it’s important to put on a show during those moments.
    “At the Super Bowl there’s a stage rolled out at half time for a concert. They even have planes flying overhead. 
    “Half-time is only 15 minutes here and you can’t go too overboard or overly Americanise it because that’s cheesy — but a bit of entertainment makes people feel good.”
    Galinson says the Welcome To Wrexham documentary has given the profile of “soccer” a boost on the other side of the Atlantic.
    But the Gillingham owner rejected a chance to follow the Dragons’ Hollywood-star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney into agreeing to feature his club in a fly-on-the-wall series.
    He said: “You must take your hat off to Ryan and Rob for what they’re doing because it’s raising the audience and profile of League Two.
    “Two things that have hit the psyche of the American people are Welcome To Wrexham and Ted Lasso. Everyone’s watching.
    “Welcome To Wrexham is a great rags-to-riches story and Americans love those and Ted Lasso is heartwarming and funny in that an American has come to the UK.
    “But I wasn’t keen when approached to do a documentary with Gillingham. Having been around television production, the thing I’m concerned about with documentaries, despite the distraction, is they’re not real, they’re scripted. 
    Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds has raised the profile of League Two
    “There’s always a protagonist, there’s always an antagonist, there’s always the jester and there’s always the mean guy.
    “They take clips or have you say things in different ways and it becomes completely different to reality.
    “Although you’ll forget the camera is there, if they want you to say something in a funny way, they’ll literally stop and say, ‘can you re-say that but smiling?’
    “And it’s only after they edit it together, you realise they were just making the guy look like a patsy or whatever and I don’t want to expose Gillingham to that.” 
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Many of Galinson’s friends and family back home would have been forgiven for thinking he had lost control of his senses when he completed his Gillingham takeover.
    The Kent club were rock bottom of League Two, had only scored six goals and not netted since October.
    They looked like dead certs to crash out of the EFL after 103 years.
    But today they travel to Doncaster top of the division with Galinson declaring: “We want to get into the Championship.”
    The businessman — who made his money through real estate — said: “There was trepidation when we closed the deal — but I always believed in the potential because it’s a pretty big and unique English club.”
    Galinson liked that Gillingham are the only EFL club in Kent, have a catchment area of 1.2million and own their own ground.
    As soon as he got the keys to the Priestfield Stadium from previous owner Paul Scally, he did not pussy-foot about.
    He recruited experienced manager Kenny Jackett as director of football.
    And Galinson also brought in a club legend, former player and two-time boss Andy Hessenthaler, as head of recruitment. Hess was player-boss from 2000-2004 when the club were in the second tier.
    Neil Harris is doing a great job with Gillingham top of League Two
    With former Millwall and Cardiff boss Neil Harris at the helm, he has a formidable senior three-man management team and Galinson said: “In all my businesses I’ve recruited good people who’re smarter than me. They whipped us into shape and saved us from relegation.
    “Gillingham can definitely be a Championship club without doing much differently. Even the stadium today can support a second-tier club.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “Can we be a Premier League side? Yes, of course. I point to our giant catchment area. There aren’t a lot of clubs like ours outside the top division.
    “In the top tier, there are teams with smaller catchment areas than ours so the sky’s the limit. But the Championship must be our aim. The club has been there before and can do so again.” More

  • in

    Huddersfield announce new manager less than 24 hours after football legend Neil Warnock stepped down

    DARREN MOORE has been appointed as Huddersfield’s new manager.The former West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday boss replaces Neil Warnock, who stepped down from his position following yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Stoke.
    Darren Moore is Huddersfield’s new managerCredit: Getty
    Warnock stepped down from his position on WednesdayCredit: Getty
    An official statement from the club’s CEO Jake Edwards read: “We’re proud to have secured the services of Darren.
    “A lot of time, effort and analysis went into making sure we found the right manager for this club, and Darren emerged as the standout candidate to help us achieve our short-term objective of stability and longer-term vision of growth and development.
    “Darren has a track record of success as a player at this level, but more importantly as a manager. He has gone into clubs and revolutionised cultures into winning ones on the back of real challenges like relegation.
    “He turned things around at West Bromwich Albion and Doncaster Rovers to make them into promotion contenders and steered Sheffield Wednesday back into the Sky Bet Championship last season.
    Read More on Sport
    “Immediately, Darren’s appointment allows us to build on the platform that has been created here throughout pre-season and the opening two months in the Sky Bet Championship, which is clearly of the utmost importance.
    “We’ve studied how Darren’s teams perform and spoken to him at length about how he wants his side to play, and he’s a good fit for our current squad.”
    The news of Warnock’s departure broke at the beginning of the week.
    The 74-year-old manager was given his “perfect” send off last night after Huddersfield’s Championship clash with Stoke as he admitted “I’ve never felt better”.
    Most read in Championship
    Warnock was re-appointed as Huddersfield boss in February as the club looked to avoid relegation.
    He managed to keep the Terriers in the Championship and was awarded a one-year contract extension as a result, but that has since been mutually terminated.
    Moore, 49, is now set to take over at the John Smith’s Stadium.
    He had been out of a job since he left Sheffield Wednesday in June.
    The former defender led the Owls back to the Championship in May with a 1-0 win over Barnsley in the League One Play-Off final at Wembley. More

  • in

    We live next to an abandoned stadium – it was the pride of our town but it’s been left to rot… and it’s hiding a mystery

    AN ABANDONED stadium in the UK was once the pride of a town but it’s been left to rot and is hiding a mystery.The Millmoor Ground, commonly known as Millmoor, is the spiritual home of South Yorkshire club Rotherham United.
    The Millmoor Ground is the spiritual home of Rotherham UnitedCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
    The Millers were forced to move out of the ground in 2008Credit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
    The Millers were forced to move out of the ground in 2008 following a row over rent.
    The football club now play their games at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, which opened in 2012.
    They spent four years playing at the Don Valley Athletics Stadium in Sheffield in the interim period while the new 12,000-seater ground was built.
    And Millmoor now lies empty, but is full of nostalgia for those fans that will have countless memories from games that took place inside.
    Read more Sport News
    “Millmoor is decaying,” current Rotherham United owner Tony Stewart told the Athletic. “It’s falling apart.”
    He continued: “It’s a mystery to Rotherham. It’s a mystery to the man on the street.”
    Rotherham United were forced to leave Millmoor when talks between Ken Booth, the owner of the stadium, and Stewart broke down.
    “There were 18 items (demanded by the Booths) I didn’t agree with,” Stewart explained.
    Most read in Football
    “It would’ve meant that if there was a scratch to a cabinet, I would’ve had to replace all that. I just felt it wasn’t right.”
    Stewart was given four years to get the club back into the town or face a £3million fine from the FA, which he managed.
    The old stadium had a capacity of 8,300 and was the home of Rotherham from their inception in 1925.
    The stadium would no longer be suitable for Rotherham who play their football in the Championship after narrowly avoiding relegation to League One last season.
    The club finished 19th, just six points off the drop after gaining promotion to the division last season.
    Photos of the old ground show it falling to pieces after such a long time without use or care.
    There are overgrown plants surrounding the stands and graffiti plastered on the walls.
    The stadium – which had a noticeable slope – boasted its record attendance way back in 1952.
    The ground held 25,170 fans who gathered to watch Rotherham take on local rivals Sheffield United.
    [embedded content]
    Photos of the old ground show it falling to piecesCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
    There are overgrown plants surrounding the standsCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun More

  • in

    Mysterious logo appears on side of Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium leaving fans baffled.. but some have cracked the code

    FANS are baffled after a mysterious logo appeared on stadiums around the country.The symbol appeared on the O2 Arena as well as Premier League Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
    The logo appeared on Southampton’s St Mary’s stadiumCredit: Twitter @EllenRowles
    The symbol was visible on Nottingham Forest’s City Ground
    Plymouth’s Grandstand was covered with the logo
    Championship sides Swansea and Southampton also had their stadiums lit up with the logo, leading to confusion for Saints fans.
    Many had no idea what it was, with one supporter saying: “Haven’t a clue?? Would like to know.”
    Another added: “Go on. Someone tell me what this is. Please 😂”
    However some cracked the code and pointed out it was the logo of a popular boyband, who appear to be playing at St Mary’s next year.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    One fan said: “Take that.”
    Another added: “Take that that must be doing a tour and doing some shows at St Mary’s, that’s all 😅😅”
    Take That star Gary Barlow hinted at a potential 2024 as he shared a series of photos bearing the band’s logo.
    Championship side Plymouth even mowed the ‘TT’ logo into their pitch, as well as shining the symbol on the outside of the main stand.
    Most read in Championship
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    The other teams involved include Norwich, MK Dons, Middlesbrough, and Bristol City.
    Take That last played a UK tour in 2019. More

  • in

    Neil Warnock given ‘perfect’ gift by rival fans as Stoke help fulfil dream send-off with incredible chant

    NEIL WARNOCK was given his “perfect” send off last night as opposition fans blasted an incredible chant at him.The manager is stepping down from his role at Huddersfield Town after helping keep the club in the Championship last season.
    Neil Warnock was chanted at by Stoke City fans during his last game as Huddersfield managerCredit: Twitter @sportbible @fxyeolivia
    The manager loved the chants as he gestured back to the crowdCredit: Getty
    Warnock, 74, was taking charge of his last game in charge of the Terriers in the clash against Stoke City at the John Smith’s Stadium.
    During the match, Warnock was serenaded by the travelling supporters as they chanted: “Neil Warnock you’re a w*****r, you’re a w*****r.”
    To which he could be seen brilliantly waving back and giving a celebration.
    Warnock has previously admitted that is what he has wanted as it suggests that he has “helped people love football”.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    He said in 2018: “I don’t want silence. I want them all to be chanting “Warnock’s a w*****r” over and over again. For a whole minute.
    “That would be my ideal. They’ll all smile because they’d all know that would mean a lot to me.
    “As daft as it sounds. It matters because it would mean I’ve stirred emotions. I’ve helped people love football.”
    The game ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Matty Pearson gave the hosts the lead in the 31st minute before Daniel Johnson draw the Potters level two minutes later.
    Ben Wilmot then fired the visitors ahead in the 62nd minute.
    However, Jack Rudoni made sure that Warnock’s last game in charge would not end in defeat as he equalised in the 68th minute.
    But it will not be Warnock’s last job as a football manager as he is keen to keep on going.
    Warnock is stepping down as manager of HuddersfieldCredit: Getty
    He said: “My health is good, I’ve never felt better.
    “If anything I’ve got the buzz again.
    “I’m sure when February comes around people will be asking me again.”
    On the game itself, Warnock was happy that his players made it an exciting game.
    He has insisted that he will continue managingCredit: Getty
    He added: “I just said to the lads ‘just make sure it’s not a damp squib’ – and they did that. They went out and gave their best.
    “It’s been hard at times but I really believe in these players. I wouldn’t swap them for anyone. It’s been very emotional talking to them. Some of the things they’ve said to me I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.
    “It’s been a great six months – and it was really nice to see the fans stay behind after the game and give me that applause, when I thought they might just clear off.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “It meant the world, that. I can’t remember a manager being given a guard of honour before when he’s getting booted out.”
    It is thought that Darren Moore is set to replace Warnock at Huddersfield. More

  • in

    Leeds fan left covered in blood after ‘falling on to TV gantry’ during Championship clash vs Hull

    A LEEDS United fan was left covered in blood during Wednesday’s game at Hull City.The male supporter reportedly fell over railings and on to a TV gantry.
    A Leeds fan was left bloodied after reportedly falling into the TV gantryCredit: Getty
    Relegated Leeds travelled to Championship rivals Hull on Wednesday looking to record a third win of the season.
    But Daniel Farke’s men were left frustrated on Humberside.
    They played with ten men for half an hour after Joe Rodon was shown a red card.
    And Leeds were also unable to hit the target with 17 shots as the whistle blew for a 0-0 draw.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    They were lucky not to lose the game, with Hull’s Adama Traore fluffed a late chance that could already be Miss of the Season.
    However, there appeared to be some action going on in the stands.
    Leeds fans supported their team all the way through the game with songs and chants.
    But one supporter was photographed covered in blood.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    He reportedly fell over the bannister separating fans from the TV gantry.
    In the snap, the man can be seen getting help from stewards as he waves his hands in the air.
    Blood can be seen pouring from his head and going down the side of his face.
    But he appeared to be stable as he interacted with other supporters in the area. More

  • in

    Watch Hull striker Adama Traore with ‘miss of the season’ against Leeds that will ‘haunt his dreams for some time’

    ADAMA TRAORE produced the “miss of the season” as he blew Hull City’s chances of victory over Leeds United.The Mali international came off the bench and was presented with a golden match-winning chance in the 89th minute against ten-man Leeds in the Championship clash.
    Adama Traore produced ‘the miss of the season’ for Hull City against LeedsCredit: Rex
    The sub was set-up for a golden opportunity in the 89th-minute with the goal gapingCredit: Twitter
    He amazingly smashed his effort off the post and soon his miss went viralCredit: Twitter

    Aaron Connolly, hardly renowned for his generosity in front of goal, set up Traore with a simple tap-in after Illan Meslier was left stranded as the whole of stadium held its breath.
    However, amazingly, somehow the Hull No 10 smacked his shot against a post – and soon his miss was going viral on social media.
    “That will likely haunt his dreams for some time to come,” claimed one supporter.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    Another tweeted: “MISS OF THE SEASON!”
    “Oh Adama Traore, how on earth did you miss that,” asked a Hull City supporter.
    While a fellow Tigers fan said: “Adama Traore has just missed an open goal from 7 yards out by hitting the post.
    “I have never been so far into a celebration to then see a player not actually score. WHAT ON EARTH!”
    Most read in Football
    That miss summed up a frustrating second half for Liam Rosenior’s side, who had the better chances after Joe Rodon’s dismissal for a second caution on the hour.
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Daniel Farke’s Leeds bossed the first period and Georginio Rutter was gifted the first chance.
    Alfie Jones made a mess of a routine clearance on halfway and completely missed early sub Crysencio Summerville’s throughball to Rutter, who was denied by keeper Ryan Allsop’s feet.
    Allsop was then forced to make a smart save at his near post to keep out a firm effort from Summerville as Leeds set up camp at the edge of his area.
    But Allsop saved his best for the end of the first half when he dived full length to parry Archie Gray’s half-volley behind.
    The visitors wasted no time putting Hull on the back foot after the restart and Daniel James and Summerville had shots blocked before Ethan Ampadu and Luke Ayling drove over. Ayling later managed to get booked for time-wasting as he walked round the pitch following his substitution.
    Hull finally managed a shot before the hour but Jaden Philogene-Bidace’s wayward effort would have cleared rugby posts, never mind Meslier’s goal.
    Liam Delap had appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Stephen Martin after Rodon’s slight nudge.
    Tigers got a lift when Rodon saw red for fouling Connolly. The Irish striker just failed to get on the end of a cross — but they were left deflated after Traore’s horror miss. More

  • in

    Former Premier League manager set for return to football to replace Neil Warnock

    DARREN MOORE is set to make a stunning return to football management by replacing Neil Warnock at Huddersfield.Moore, 49, has been out of a job since he left Sheffield Wednesday in June.
    Darren Moore is set to land the Huddersfield managerial jobCredit: Getty
    Moore will take over from the departing Neil WarnockCredit: PA
    The move came despite Moore winning promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs.
    But now the former West Brom boss – who managed the Baggies in six Premier League games at the end of the 2017/18 season – is in line to make a return to management.
    SunSport’s Alan Nixon has revealed Moore is set to land the Huddersfield managerial job following the departure of Warnock.
    Warnock, 74, will take charge of his final match with the Terriers when they face Stoke tonight, and will be followed out of the door by assistant Ronnie Jepson.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Club chief Jake Edwards announced his departure on Monday, saying: “I must start this statement by, on behalf of everyone at the football club, expressing my huge gratitude to Neil and his assistant, Ronnie Jepson, for the incredible job they have done at the club over the last six months.
    “Keeping this club in the Sky Bet Championship, given the position the team was in when they arrived in February, was nothing short of amazing, and built upon their already lasting legacies at this club as a management team and, in Ronnie’s case, as a player too.
    “They are both, undeniably, Huddersfield Town legends, and have cemented their positions in this club’s history.”
    He continued: “All parties were clear that this was not a long-term appointment, but that it gave us important stability on the football side whilst the change of ownership was completed, and the new regime established itself at the club.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “At this point, we now feel we are ready to make a longer-term managerial appointment. I’ve had detailed discussions with Neil and, alongside Ronnie, Carl Serrant and Ian Bennett, he’s agreed to step aside to allow us to do this.
    “Again, I cannot thank Neil and Ronnie enough for everything they have done for this club.”
    However, Warnock insisted he was not retiring.
    He said: “I always told him I’d do it until they were ready and then if they let me know I’d go, and they have let me know so you can’t say fairer than that.
    “I’ve not fallen out with anybody. Jake’s come to me and said they want to move on and management’s the next step.
    “I think management is the biggest decision they’ll have to make really.” More