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      Huge EFL rule change hit by MAJOR setback with request for a vote rejected and ‘no commitment made’

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      The EFL are set to a reject a request from the National League to commit to a vote on granting them three promotion places.SunSport has learned that the matter was discussed at an EFL Board meeting yesterday. The EFL are set to a reject a request from the National League to commit to a vote on granting them an additional promotion placeCredit: GettyThe Board concluded that the promotion and relegation issue should be passed to the clubs for talks at their divisional meetings later this month, with no commitment made to vote at the end of the season.The National League wrote to the EFL earlier this week requesting a vote at their summer AGM so the new promotion and relegation model could be introduced next season. In addition the National League have launched a public 3UP campaign, but have been unable to secure any commitment from the EFL at this stage.The EFL declined to comment, and are planning to write to the National League to explain their position in detail.Read More in FootballAny rule change requires a majority vote from the 72 EFL clubs, including a majority of the 24 in the Championship.The EFL are expected to set out their concerns to the clubs later this month, including the fact that National League clubs are not subject to the same cost control rules.Agreeing the same spending rules is viewed by many as essential before three-up three-down can be introduced, and that will not happen before the end of the season.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNational League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond.Pearce said: “The Regulator’s stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport. ‘Classless’ – Fans fume as EFL star’s ‘disgusting’ behaviour sparks row that sees manager sent off days after dad died-Locat“In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country, with clubs that are part of the fabric of their communities.“An extra promotion place would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters – plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can’t wait any longer for parity within the game.”Pearce argues that three clubs switching each season would create a “fluid” pyramid while also providing greater opportunity for relegated clubs to “bounce back” into the EFL. More

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      Derby County SACK Paul Warne as horror run of seven straight defeats leaves Rams in relegation zone

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      DERBY COUNTY have sacked Paul Warne after a nightmare run of seven straight defeats.The horror form sees the Rams in the Championship relegation zone, two points from safety.Paul Warne was sacked as Derby managerCredit: GettyThe Rams have lost seven in a row in the ChampionshipCredit: PAWarne took over from Wayne Rooney after Liam Rosenior’s interim spell in September 2022. Following his arrival from Rotherham, the ex-midfielder had a strong start but form collapsed and Derby missed out on a League One play-off spot.However, Warne took them back into the Championship at the second time of asking in 2023-24, finishing second.But he has overseen just seven wins and six draws from 30 league games in the second tier so far this season. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd with Derby two points off the bottom and two points off 21st-placed Hull, owner David Clowes made the decision to fire Warne.A Rams statement said: “It is with regret that Derby County have decided to relieve Paul Warne of his position.”While Paul and his staff helped deliver on the club’s objective of a return to the Championship last season, the recent run of results necessitates a change.”Clowes added: “Paul is a man of great integrity and embodies the values we hold important at Derby County. Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”No fan should ever forget his contribution in securing promotion to the Championship. I certainly won’t.“However, results in football dictate decisions and we felt that to give us the best chance of retaining our Championship status, the time was right to make a change.“Paul goes with our thanks, gratitude and best wishes. He and his family will always be welcome at Pride Park.”Former Rotherham, Oldham and Yeovil ace Warne enjoyed three promotions in charge at the Millers before leaving for the East Midlands two-and-a-half years ago. He oversaw major squad overhauls during both summers in charge.However, after releasing seven first-team players before beginning their Championship campaign, Warne’s squad was not ready for the start of the season and struggled for early results – plus lost to Barrow in the Carabao Cup. Early odds for Derby job4/5 Steven Gerrard9/4 Steve Cooper3/1 Rob Edwards9/2 Russell Martin8/1 Ryan Lowe10/1 Wayne RooneyOdds according to CoralWhen Mark Robins left Coventry in November, the Derby boss became the longest-serving manager in the division.However, his time came to an end after successive losses to Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Watford, Sunderland, Cardiff and Sheffield United – as well as a penalty shootout exit to Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. The Blades defeat was on Saturday – six days ago – and the announcement of Warne’s sacking came just 24 hours before kick-off away at Norwich tomorrow. It means Michael Carrick is now the gaffer who has been in his post at a Championship club for the longest time – with his Middlesbrough appointment in October 2022. READ MORE SUN STORIESSteven Gerrard is the early odds-on favourite to follow in Rooney and Frank Lampard’s boots by taking on the Derby job – he is 4/5 with Coral following his Saudi sacking.Ex-Nottingham Forest and Leicester boss Steve Cooper, Rob Edwards and Russell Martin are also in contention – while Rooney himself is 10/1 to make a dramatic Pride Park return as he looks to get back in the dugout after a brief stint at Plymouth. Steven Gerrard is the early favourite to replace Warne at Pride ParkCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd send scouts to watch ‘best player to come out of the Championship since Jude Bellingham’ in huge Derby Day win

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      MANCHESTER UNITED sent scouts to run fresh checks on Chris Rigg during Sunderland’s dramatic derby win at Middlesbrough.The Red Devils expressed interest in the young midfielder as early as November 2024 and planned to go for him in the January window.Man Utd sent scouts to watch Chris Rigg during Sunderland’s derby winCredit: GettyThe Black Cats mounted an extraordinary comeback to move fourth in the ChampionshipCredit: RexRigg only signed his first professional contract on Wearside last summer and committed himself to the club until 2027.But United’s interest has not gone away, after Old Trafford talent spotters were sent to watch the wonderkid play again.It is understood that scouts surveyed Rigg’s performance during Sunderland’s last-gasp 3-2 win over Boro on Monday, which was deadline day.A late Ryan Giles own goal saw the Black Cats, who also boast Jobe Bellingham in their ranks, snatch victory and keep themselves right in the race automatic promotion.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWhile Rigg didn’t score or assist and came off after 72 minutes this time around, he provided a stunning finish in the reverse fixture in September.The 17-year-old is regarded as the best player to come out of the Championship since former Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham.The teenager, who considers himself a “traditional attacking midfielder”, has impressed for the promotion chasers, bagging four goals and one assist in 28 games.With United balancing delicate PSR issues, Rigg is seen by Ineos as a young player available for a reasonable price with future sell-on potential.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSeveral United stars are out of contract in the summer and Rigg’s estimated market value is in the region of £25million.But the Red Devils are among a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Rigg, who turns 18 in June.’Leeds fans better than Sunderland’ plus bust ups and bug pranks | Jack Grimmer – What the EFL?!Rigg and Wilson Isidor celebrating Sunderland’s crucial Tees-Wear derby winCredit: GettyLiverpool, Crystal Palace and Chelsea have also watched him play several times this season, while Real Madrid were reportedly admirers.Rigg – who starts as a No 10 – impressed for England under-18s over the summer following his breakthrough campaign.He made 21 appearances last term and has been with the Black Cats since he was at primary school.The Tyneside- born star became the second youngest player in the club’s history while still at school last January, behind Derek Foster.Sunderland have been the surprise package of the Championship season so far under new French manager Regis Le Bris.After enjoying a long spell at the top of the table a few months ago, the club sit fourth and are fighting for promotion to the Prem, after finishing 16th last term.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Red and White army were relegated from the English top-flight in the 2016-2017 campaign and dropped to League One for four seasons in between now and then.Failure to win promotion this season however could lead to Sunderland seeking to cash in on Rigg next summer, when he will have just two years left on his deal.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      ‘I don’t want to talk about that’ – Frank Lampard shuts down question on gesture to Leeds fans after Coventry defeat

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      FRANK LAMPARD has refused to comment after reportedly making a gesture towards Leeds fans on Wednesday night. The Coventry boss watched his side fall to a 2-0 home defeat to the Championship leaders.Frank Lampard’s Coventry fell to a first loss in ten games on Wednesday against LeedsCredit: RexLampard refused to comment after the game after reportedly making a gesture towards the away supportCredit: PAFirst-half goals from Joel Piroe and full-back Jayden Bogle gave Leeds a comfortable three points at the Coventry Building Society Arena. It was Coventry’s first defeat in ten matches and just the third since Lampard replaced Mark Robins at the end of November.The ex-Chelsea star has history with Leeds from his time as Derby County boss.Lampard led the Rams to a memorable 4-2 play-off victory at Elland Road in 2019, booking a place at Wembley.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt came among a Spygate controversy between the two sides, with Derby furious that then-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa had allegedly sent a coach to snoop on their training sessions. Lampard got plenty of stick from the Leeds faithful following Wednesday’s loss, which sent Daniel Farke’s men five points clear of second-place Burnley. The 46-year-old appeared to make a gesture towards the jubilant away end following the final whistle. According to LeedsLive, Lampard cupped his ears to the away end and outstretched his fist.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile some fans on social media believed Lampard had referenced the Derby result with a “4-2 gesture”.When asked about the incident post-match, Lampard shut down the question and replied: “I don’t want to talk about that.”Inside Frank Lampard’s superstitious routine as new Coventry boss’ success could depend on Chelsea legend’s DOGSince leaving Derby in 2019, Lampard has enjoyed two spells with Chelsea and an ill-fated tenure at Everton. The former England midfielder took 18 months away from the game after getting the axe at Goodison Park in January 2023. He has since hit the ground running with the Sky Blues, reigniting their play-off push after a poor start to the season.Wednesday’s defeat ended a run of four-straight wins, which has propelled Coventry into the top half of the table.They currently sit 11th, but are just three points behind West Brom in the final play-off spot.Lampard heaped praise on Leeds after the 2-0 defeat, adding: “They’re a strong team. They’re top of the league for a reason.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Lots of talent, lots of speed, well coached, good team, Premier League experience and I’m really impressed with them. “Sometimes you have to praise a team that comes here and does well. There’s other teams up there but they’re in with a great chance.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Lampard and his Derby staff celebrated wildly after a 4-2 win at Elland Road in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Ridiculous scorelines, bizarre gaffes, fanatical fans & celebrations with a GOAT… inside Europe’s most bonkers league

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      IT’S the most bonkers league in Europe… one that makes even our Championship look predictable.A division where the team currently sitting third haven’t won a home game all season.Fans at Schalke vs FC Nurnberg showed it’s a cracker of a divisionCredit: RexMagdeburg fans haven’t seen their high-fliers win at home all seasonCredit: GettyFans let off firebombs when Schalke faced Magdeburg at the Veltins-ArenaCredit: GettyWhere 8-3 scorelines are not considered unusual.And where one club hands out free tickets to its fans.Welcome to the wacky world of the German Second Division.While Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich have made an unsurprising return to the Bundesliga summit, the division below is once again conjuring its unique brand of chaos and craziness.In 20 matchdays this season, the team leading at the top of the table has changed nine times and in mid-December the gap between first and ninth was just three points.Magdeburg, who are now third, have not won a single league game at home this season in nine attempts – yet they topped the division in late January.Cologne currently lead the way. A city famous for its twin-spire cathedral, Lukas Podolski kebab house and bizarre love of Tony Woodcock – they don’t do things by halves when it comes to football.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThis month they will bring out another outrageous kit to celebrate carnival time (they once finished a season with seven different shirts) and the fans will embark on a week-long party in fancy dress.But for Cologne, that is pretty much the norm. This is the club that has a live billy goat mascot, who arrives for every match with the Rocky theme tune blaring and a line of cheerleaders… and then spends the game grazing on the touchline.Cologne star Anthony Ujah celebrates goal by grabbing horns of goat mascot Anthony Ujah once ‘celebrated’ a goal by grabbing the horns of Cologne’s famous goat mascot, HennesHamburg supporters see the famous club languishing in the second tierCredit: GettyHe even unwittingly joined in a goal celebration when former striker Anthony Ujah memorably grabbed his horns a decade ago.Anywhere other than Germany, and you would probably raise an eyebrow.But that is the beauty of the 2. Bundesliga, where every week something bizarre seems to happen.This season, in a match between Magdeburg and Greuther Furth, two penalties were awarded for players inexplicably picking up the ball, believing the whistle had blown.A few years back, VAR awarded a spot-kick to Bochum after a Kiel sub warming up behind the goal put out a leg to stop a wayward shot before it had left the field of play.And Brentford keeper Mark Flekken needs no reminding about the time he turned his back on the action to have a drink, thinking his Duisburg team had scored, only for the goal to be ruled out and Ingolstadt to run down the other end and net themselves.But don’t be fooled into thinking there is a lack of quality. Far from it.Rudi Voller, Jurgen Klinsmann, Marco Reus and Joshua Kimmich are among a host of star names who have all cut their teeth in the German second tier.And a certain Jurgen Klopp made his name there both as a player and manager with Mainz.As for the clubs, it is not just Cologne who are a powerhouse.Brentford keeper Mark Flekken was playing for MSV Duisburg when he famously conceded a goal while getting a drink of waterFlekken was left embarrassed when Ingolstadt scoredHamburg, Kevin Keegan’s old outfit, are second in the table and the other week took 20,000 away fans to another giant Hertha Berlin, resulting in a staggering attendance of 71,500 at the Olympiastadion – which hosted England’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.Former Bundesliga winners Kaiserslautern had plummeted into the third division but are now pushing for a return to the top flight, having gone from ninth to third in the space of a week in early December.Hannover are also knocking on the door, just behind Fortuna Dusseldorf, a club that is once again handing out free tickets to its matches as part of its Fortuna For All initiative.Last season, Dusseldorf trialled it for three games and received 350,000 ticket applications. This season, they extended it to four matches, with the Hamburg game in October attracting 135,000 requests for its 52,000-capacity stadium.And then there’s Schalke.Having reached the Champions League in 2019, they were trounced 7-0 at Manchester City and have lurched from one crisis to another ever since.Schalke, who still count former Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny among their ranks, sat top of the table after the first match of this season.But within a month they were flirting with relegation to the third tier of German football.To put that into perspective, they are the third biggest club in the country, akin to an Arsenal or a Tottenham. And when was the last time you saw Spurs mentioned in the same breath as relegation…England legend Kevin Keegan was with Hamburg from 1977-1980Credit: GettyAnother ex-Three Lions striker, Tony Woodcock, has icon status at CologneCredit: GettyDespite Schalke’s woes, their attendances still average just over 60,000.In fact, six clubs average more than 41,000 and as of last weekend, a whopping 5.5million fans had watched a match this season in the division.And where there are German football fans, there is beer and bratwurst – and lots of it.Schalke’s stadium, sponsored by brewers Veltins, has its own three-mile long beer pipeline so their long-suffering supporters are never short of a pint, while the club is still backed by a sausage magnate.The fans aren’t starved of entertainment either.Ridiculous scorelines and incredible comebacks are a regular occurrence, with the second tier averaging 3.19 goals a game. Even our wildly unpredictable Championship has managed only 2.48.On 13 of the 20 matchdays, at least one club scored five goals in a match, and on one of the weeks when it didn’t happen, five teams still netted four each.Nuremberg’s 8-3 win over Regensburg – a match that was 3-3 in the 58th minute – is still the highest scoring this season.But there has also been a 5-3 and a 4-4, while 4-3s are as common as a love of lederhosen.Throw in the fact the average season ticket costs you £170 and you can see the appeal.So if you like your football fast and frenetic, your beer strong and cheap and your sausages a foot long, you know exactly where to go.Magdeburg are dreaming of promotion to the elite domain of Bayern and CoCredit: Getty More

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      Burnley might be close to instant Premier League promotion but fans want ‘toothless’ Clarets to start scoring goals

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      DEFENCES might win you titles, but fans of “toothless” Burnley are demanding football’s tightest team start entertaining by scoring some goals too.The Clarets are second in the Championship largely due to their miserly backline. Scott Parker is bidding for Premier League promotion with a third different sideCredit: GettyThe Clarets sit second in the Championship but have scored 37 goals this termCredit: GettyBut they could blow their immediate return to the Premier League thanks to their less-than-impressive strike rate.To say that Burnley’s football hasn’t been riveting would be an understatement.They have irked fans with ten 0-0 draws so far this term – the joint-most by a club in an entire Championship season since 2008 – with 16 games to go.But the Clarets have by far the best defensive record in English professional football, conceding just NINE goals in 29 matches.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThat’s ten fewer than any other side in the country, with Leeds and Birmingham next best on just 19, while they have conceded five fewer than any team playing in the top two tiers of any league in Europe.In fact, Burnley have conceded the fewest goals of any team in Premier League and EFL history after 31 matches. Their record even surpasses Jose Mourinho’s famously stingy 2004-05 Chelsea side, who had conceded ten goals after 31 games on their way to a Prem record low of 15 goals conceded in a season.Burnley’s rock-solid defence, which boasts the likes of Chelsea loanee Bashir Humphreys and Manchester City product CJ Egan-Riley, has seen them keep 22 clean sheets this term.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd while England’s young goalkeeper James Trafford has been excellent between their sticks, the Clarets can’t do the business up the other end of the pitch.It’s been 46 days and counting since fans have watched one of their own score at Turf Moor – a fortress where they remain unbeaten.Jonjo Shelvey completes shock Championship transfer after six-cap England star, 32, saw contract TORN UP by Turkish clubChelsea loanee Bashir Humphreys starts at left-back for BurnleyCredit: RexMichal Helik’s Oxford own-goal on Tuesday was the first goal scored at Turf Moor since Burnley’s 2-1 win over Watford on December 21.Turf Moor had witnessed three consecutive goalless draws before Tuesday and the home fans ironically chanted “we’ve scored a goal!” earlier this week.Nonetheless, the hopeful Clarets are pushing for automatic promotion due to an extraordinary defensive record of NINE consecutive clean sheets.That is one of just 12 runs of nine consecutive clean sheets in Football League history. The last side to record a longer run was Torquay United in August 2010, when they registered ten straight clean sheets. Burnley can match that record at home to Hull next week.Manchester United hold the Premier League record with a run of 14 shut-outs in 2008.Many Burnley fans are sick of watching 0-0 draws at homeCredit: PABut despite their league position and just two defeats all season, a section of fans are turning on manager Scott Parker’s “predictable” style of play.Burnley supporter and TurfCast Youtube host Joe Redmond told talkSPORT: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. “I wanted to keep Vincent Kompany last season and at the start of this one.”It’s a tough debate. If we get back to the Prem, I think we’ll be more pragmatic than what we were like last season.”But at the moment we’re not winning enough games. We should be beating more teams. Us fans expect 0-0 draws now.”It’s not us just missing chances, it’s the fact that we’re not creating anything.”Burnley have been held to ten 0-0 draws this seasonCredit: GettyAfter Tuesday night’s win, a contributor told TurfCast: “I’m not a fan of Parker. He’s so predictable.”I won’t escape that 1-0 win. We are toothless in front of goal.”We look terrified of putting the ball in the back of the net.”Burnley’s non-penalty expected goals total of 28.2 is the third lowest in the division.Combine a lack of goal-mouth action at both ends of the pitch, and Burnley’s league games this term are currently seeing the fewest goals per game in a season in EFL history.Meanwhile Parker has repeated the defensive soundness that got his Bournemouth and Fulham sides promoted a few years back.But unlike times of old, Parker doesn’t have a reliable goalscorer like he once did in Aleksandar Mitrovic or Dominic Solanke.The club’s 37 goals leaves them 11th for most scored, with midfielder Josh Brownhill the top goalscorer with nine this season.By comparison, promotion rivals Leeds, who sit two points clear of the Clarets, have scored 60.But do Burnley fans even want their side to go up after how bad last season went?Redmond said: “Me personally, yeah. Don’t get me wrong it is a slog in the Premier League.”Last season was my worst-ever season as a Burnley fan. I hated every single minute of it. We were getting tanked every single week.”But you want to be the best you can be. You want to be dining at the top table with the top teams. “If it means getting battered every week and we have to regroup, then so be it.”But eventually, if you keep going up, you’ll stay up and level up.”What, perhaps, is most telling is what happened after Parker led Fulham and Bournemouth up.The Cottagers sacked the Englishman after they were relegated upon their return, but sealed an immediate promotion under Marco Silva in 2022/23.Meanwhile, the Cherries stayed in the Prem but axed Parker within a month of him guiding the club there.If Mitrovic’s 43 goals brought Fulham back to the Prem, Burnley’s lack of goals might cost them.In their last 100 Championship matches, Burnley have lost just FIVE games. But they also have old gaffer Kompany to thank for that.Unlike Kompany’s side, Parker’s aren’t exciting to watch.Parker defended his side’s defensive strength as “remarkable” amid claims they lack entertainment value.The 44-year-old said: “Our default position as a team is let’s get out of here, let’s protect our goal, let’s keep this to a nil.”And I get that it’s not fashionable or certainly not what some people want to hear.”But currently what this team have and what we have as a group is nothing short of remarkable, what we’ve done in the defensive phase.”I understand on the entertainment side, it is probably less so, but that’s a work in progress.”Former Tottenham star Marcus Edwards signed from Sporting Lisbon in January, and fans were asking for him to play against Oxford.The Clarets meanwhile did hit five past Plymouth Argyle at the Home Park Stadium at the end of January.READ MORE SUN STORIESBurnley’s run of 18 games unbeaten is the second-longest stretch behind Liverpool (19) in the top-four tiers this term.While, an FA Cup fourth-round victory away at Southampton on Saturday will surely boost morale. Especially if they bang in a few goals. More

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      Vinnie Jones buried my tortoise alive while landscaping our back garden… he told me ‘play on son, the ref didn’t see it’

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      VINNIE JONES buried my tortoise alive.It’s not exactly “Freddie Starr ate my hamster” – thankfully dear little Lightning was swiftly dug up, suffering nothing more than a dose of shell shock. But it’s a very true tale.Jones was part of the legendary Wimbledon team who caused one of football’s biggest upsets by beating Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup finalCredit: GettyThe team lived up to their Crazy Gang tag on and off the pitchCredit: GettyVinnie with Wally Downes Snr after joining Wimbledon in 1986 and then burying his team-mate’s tortoiseLightning enjoying happier times above groundIn 1986, Watford hod carrier Vincent Peter Jones was signed by newly-promoted top-flight side Wimbledon as a young but raw prospect with oodles of potential.In one of the many debacles that plagued Harry Bassett’s magnificent and underrated career, he put the shy Hertfordshire bumpkin under the wing of my dad, midfielder Wally Downes Sr, and said: “Look after him.”With Bassett’s Crazy Gang being a successful rabble of local working-class lads, when the Downes family swapped Shepherds Bush for Kingston-Upon-Thames, my old man didn’t check the Yellow Pages for landscape gardeners.Instead, established first-team pros Mark Morris and Brian Gayle were made project managers – with Jones and a couple of young apprentices roped in to do the leg work.Vin, full of the boundless enthusiasm that would later help him complete the most magnificent FA Cup upset, was eager to impress and set about building the patio.Typically keen to graduate from the cement mixer to more architectural duties, the baby-faced and curly-haired midfielder installed the membrane with expert precision.And then he organised the Dons’ apprentices to rapidly lay the paving slabs to help build new mentor Wally a bespoke BBQ and bar under the glorious weeping willow beloved by the previous owner.Unfortunately, the ex-tenant had also left behind Lightning – a beautiful tortoise who was hibernating throughout the course of the property’s sale.It was agreed after the deeds were exchanged that my mum, Mary, would be in touch as soon as the ancient reptile emerged from its slumber.However, in the weeks after we had the new patio laid, the dinky dinosaur never showed up.Vinnie Jones and Gazza reunited 30 years on from THAT grab And, after repeated visits to the mock-Tudor home, the deflated former owner eventually accepted the loss, along with the estate agents’ fees.Then we realised…And, thankfully before the RSPCA cottoned on, animal-loving Vinnie took a sledgehammer to his freshly laid paving and rescued the bemused Lightning – who is somehow still going today – from the most miserable of deaths.Christ knows what the new neighbours thought, having watched the equivalent of a Premier League side strolling through the allotments and alleyways to build a garden.Lightning, with Wally Jr’s son, also Wally, has somehow survived up to this todayVinnie attacked the rescue mission with the same gusto with which he attacked gamesCredit: GettyThe ball-playing hardman was never afraid to get his hands dirty, as this iconic image of him embracing Paul Gascoigne from 1988 provesCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAnd he certainly never shied away from a challengeCredit: AP:Associated PressAnd then watching them rip into the ground like desperate pirates looking for treasure, while screaming: “Where the f*** has he buried it?… Get the f***ing thing up before it suffocates!”The patio was eventually re-laid – but the Downes family never did make it on to the Neighbourhood Watch committee.After nine Wales caps and big-money moves to Leeds and Chelsea, plus the odd scandal here and there, Vinnie remains a great family friend.Books and documentaries about the phenomenal feats the Dons achieved – including that 1988 “Crazy Gang beating the Culture Club” FA Cup final upset against Liverpool – regularly pop up, anniversaries come and go.Legends like London youth-football stalwart Geoff Taylor and the Dons’ unlicensed physio/licenced cab driver Derek French are still alive, kicking and screaming from London to Sheffield.I will always remember Jonah as the man who ripped up that patio in record timeTeetotal Vinnie is now, of course, a movie star with over 100 film credits to his name, swapping his bad-boy antics for roles in hit shows such as The Gentlemen and on stage in the West End.The fearsome image of a scrotum-squeezing maniac scything through the divisions – which earned Vinnie a reputation that overshadowed his technical ability and dedication as a player – is a black-and-white one for the ages.He will probably always be the owner of the fastest yellow card in British football history for his caution after just FIVE SECONDS for Sheffield United against Manchester City in 1992.But he is also a brilliantly relatable advocate for men’s mental health, showing a vulnerable side few people would ever have thought possible, following the heartbreaking death of wife Tanya.He may now be starring in Hollywood movies with the likes of Brad Pitt, Sly Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I will always remember Jonah as the man who ripped up that patio in record time.A future football star obliterating bricks and mortar in a frantic search for a tortoise who didn’t have a clue why her charmed little life on a Surrey lawn had suddenly descended into a living hell.Even when I pinged him a WhatsApp message to ask for his memories of the foul-up, he told me, in typical style: “Play on, son. The ref didn’t see it.”Vinnie, seen here in his breakthrough Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels film from 1998, is now a bonafide Hollywood starCredit: AlamyVinnie in his dressing room with Wally Snr during his recent stint in Only Fools and Horses The Musical in London’s West EndHis football talents should not be forgotten though, with the midfielder earning big money moves to Chelsea and Leeds, among othersCredit: GettyHe also represented Wales nine timesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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      Major overhaul to EFL promotion and relegation proposed as league gives plan unanimous backing

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      THE NATIONAL League has urged EFL clubs to back a promotion and relegation switch.All 72 clubs in the National League have signed a letter to EFL chiefs asking them to back a vote of member clubs over changing to a three-up, three-down system between League Two and the fifth tier.A major change to the EFL’s promotion and relegation system has been proposedCredit: HandoutBromley won promotion to the EFL via the National League play-offs last seasonCredit: GettyNational League clubs argue that the current system, where only one club gets automatic promotion to the EFL with a second place available through the play-offs, is inconsistent with the rest of the pyramid.And at a meeting last week which formally endorsed the “3UP” campaign, clubs in the National League’s three divisions unanimously backed the move.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs – with those in League Two likely to need more convincing.National League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond.READ MORE EFL NEWSPearce said: “The Regulator’s stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport.  “In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country, with clubs that are part of the fabric of their communities.  “An extra promotion place would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters – plus clubs in the leagues below.  We simply can’t wait any longer for parity within the game.”Pearce argues that three clubs switching each season would create a “fluid” pyramid while also providing greater opportunity for relegated clubs to “bounce back” into the EFL.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe top SEVEN clubs in the current National League table are ex-EFL clubs, with another six who have been in the top four tiers further down the standings.He added: “We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR and Premier League regarding their own redistribution of football income.  EFL club owner gives update on new £2bn ‘spaceship’ stadium included in mega plans for state-of-the-art complex “However, we believe the campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the government’s objectives – therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year.“Rick Parry, the EFL Chair, has often said that ‘the EFL should look down as well as up’ so we’d now like that to actually happen.” More