Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 300 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a Luton fan who got my head tattooed for a heartwarming reason – I’ll go even more extreme if we win the league

      by

      A LUTON TOWN superfan has fulfilled a promise to his late dad following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.The Hatters were promoted to England’s top flight for the first time in their history after a penalty shootout win against Coventry in the Championship play-off final in May.
      Micky Hyde got a Luton Town tattoo on the back of his headCredit: SWNS
      He got it following the club’s promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: SWNS
      Micky’s father Terry died aged 49Credit: SWNS
      He promised his dad [in the hat] to get the tattoo when he was just 16Credit: SWNS
      Mike Hyde, 37, has been a fan of the club since his childhood and would to the pub to watch the matches with his father, Terry.
      During one trip to the local pub in 2002, Micky told his dad that he would get the club’s badge “tattooed on his head” when they make it to the Premier League.
      To which his father claimed that he did not think it would happen in his lifetime.
      Micky told Luton Today: “He [Terry] died 10 years later at 49 from sudden death syndrome [SADS] and since then we’ve just been climbing and now we’re here.
      Read More Football
      “I just knew we were going to get to the Prem in my lifetime and that’s the tattoo I wanted to get in memory of my dad.
      “The day after the open-top bus parade, I brought a job forward doing a patio at a woman’s house and she told me she was a tattooist.”
      After learning that the woman would be able to do the tattoo, he said he could hear his dad’s voice in his head urging him to get the ink job.
      Trudi Woodward, the tattoo artist, agreed to ink his head with the Luton badge.
      Most read in Football
      Luton Town beat Coventry in the Championship play-off finalCredit: Getty
      Micky and fiance Lisa-Marie White are due to get married in AugustCredit: SWNS
      She told the BBC that she did try “putting him of having it done on his head” but insisted that he “took it like a champ”.
      The Hatters’ tattoo took two hours to ink onto the back of Micky’s head, but he insisted that this one was the most painful.
      However, he was able to get through the pain as he claimed he had his “dad in his head smiling down”.
      Micky’s dad was a football coach for 30 years in Luton and also worked as a steward at the club’s ground, Kenilworth Road.
      However Lisa does not want any pictures of the back of Micky’s head from the dayCredit: SWNS
      Micky, who has five children, is due to get married to partner Lisa-Marie White in August and she “didn’t fall out” with him as she understands why he got the tattoo.
      However, she has insisted that no photos are taken of them from behind during the wedding day.
      Luton’s rise to the Premier League has been remarkable considering only ten years ago they were in the National League.
      And Micky is confident that the club will continue to grow and improve as he promises to get another tattoo every time they “do something good”.
      Read More On The Sun
      He added: “I’ve already told my fiancee that I’m getting LTFC tattooed on my forehead if we win the Prem this year.
      “In my lifetime if they do win the Prem in the future I will get another tattoo but I’m not too sure it’ll be on my forehead.” More

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Middlesbrough join transfer race for Everton striker with Sunderland and Stoke chasing ex-Man City ace

      by

      MIDDLESBROUGH have joined Sunderland and Stoke City in the race to sign Everton striker Ellis Simms.The former Manchester City starlet is in demand this summer as he enters the final year of his Toffees contract.
      Everton’s Ellis Simms could be on his way to the Championship this summerCredit: Getty
      According to TeamTalk, Boro are the latest Championship club to enquire about signing Simms.
      Sunderland, Stoke and Ipswich Town are said to have already made clear their interest in pursuing a deal for the forward.
      Middlesbrough’s interest comes as they fear losing last season’s Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom.
      As revealed by SunSport, Akpom is wanted by several Premier League clubs and is also into the final 12 months of his contract.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      His strike partner Cameron Archer has already departed the Riverside Stadium, returning to parent club Aston Villa following his loan spell.
      Simms appears set to leave Everton this summer after struggling for game time after being recalled from his loan at Sunderland in January.
      He scored once in 11 Premier League matches for the club but was limited to just two starts under Sean Dyche.
      The 22-year-old had scored seven times during his six-month stint at Sunderland prior to returning to Merseyside.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      A move to Middlesbrough would see Simms boost the club’s promotion push following last season’s fourth-placed finish in the Championship.
      Michael Carrick guided the club to the play-offs before losing over two legs to Coventry City at the end of the season. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Aaron Ramsey teases sensational transfer as ex-Arsenal midfielder admits future is ‘still up in the air’

      by

      AARON RAMSEY would love to return to boyhood club Cardiff – one day.The Wales captain has an uncertain club future following 12 months with Ligue 1 side Nice.
      Aaron Ramsey opened the Cruyff Court Aaron Ramsey at the Trinity Fields SchoolCredit: Getty
      The Wales skipper showed off his skills for local kidsCredit: Getty
      Ex-Arsenal and Juventus star midfielder Ramsey is due to become a free agent at the end of this month after failing to agree a new deal in France.
      Rambo has been linked with Cardiff where he started his career before moving to the Gunners in 2008.
      Asked would he rejoin Cardiff, Ramsey said: “That’s where I grew up. I’ll be forever grateful for them for what they have done for my career because they gave me that opportunity and platform as a young boy to go and be a professional.
      “So for sure, one day I would love to go back there. It would mean a lot. Who knows when that time might be.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      “My future is still up in the air. There’s a lot of discussions to be had and there’s a few things that need sorting out in the next few weeks. We will see what happens.
      “I’m happy to be at home at the moment. I’ve got three or weeks off now and I will enjoy that with my family.
      “My family is the most important thing in whatever decision we make. I’m excited. I still have a lot of football in me.”
      Ramsey made 34 Nice appearances after moving to the south of France following a spell with Juventus. The 32-year-old ended his season on Monday night as Wales lost 2-0 in Turkey.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      The new facility is located near Ramsey’s hometown CaerphillyCredit: Getty
      While Ramsey’s future remains up in the air, West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is weighing up offers from the Welshman’s old club Arsenal and Manchester City.
      The ex-Gunners star, speaking at the opening of Cruyff Court Aaron Ramsey at the Trinity Fields School near his hometown of Caerphilly, added: “He’s a heck of a player. Whichever club he goes to they will be getting an unbelievable player.
      “Arsenal have done really good business over the last few transfer windows so I’m sure they will do the same again. He will definitely strengthen any team.” More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Leicester line up first signings since relegation as boss Enzo Maresca confirms Jamie Vardy transfer decision

      by

      NEW Leicester manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed his transfer strategy in the summer window.The Italian, 43, who was one of Pep Guardiola’s coaches at Manchester City during their Treble-winning season, was appointed as Dean Smith’s successor last week.
      Enzo Maresca was appointed Leicester manager earlier this monthCredit: Getty
      Maresca has spoken out about Jamie Vardy’s future at the clubCredit: Alamy
      He faces an uphill battle to stabilise the Foxes’ squad following their relegation to the Championship.
      Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu have already departed the King Power Stadium.
      James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Wilfred Ndidi and Timothy Castagne are among the other stars linked with moves away.
      But Maresca has now revealed he is hoping to bring players in by utilising his Man City connections.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Speaking to The Telegraph about whether he will raid the Etihad for the champions’ young talent, he said: “One or two of them would do us nicely!
      “City really do have a lot of young players that I know very well, having worked with them at under-23 level and coached there this season.”
      It comes after Sheffield United took two Man City youngsters, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle, on loan last season as they secured promotion back to the Premier League.
      Meanwhile, one player whose future many Leicester fans have been unsure about is striker Jamie Vardy, 36.
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The 2016 Premier League winner, who has netted 136 top-flight goals for the Foxes, has been with the club for 11 years.
      And while he is preparing to enter the final 12 months of his deal, Maresca has confirmed he will be staying with them next season.
      That is some positive news for Leicester supporters, although they will be hoping he can turn his form around after a tough 2022/23 campaign.
      The ageing forward, who will be 37 in January, registered just six goals and five assists in 42 appearances last season. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      European giants ‘enter £25m transfer battle for Coventry star Viktor Gyokeres as four Premier League sides circle’

      by

      EUROPEAN giants Sporting Lisbon have entered the race for Coventry’s £25million-rated striker Viktor Gyokeres.Gyokeres, 25, enjoyed a stellar Championship season, where he scored 21 goals and bagged 12 assists as Coventry made their way to the play-off final.
      Gyokeres was on fire in the Championship this seasonCredit: PA
      Coventry would have been hoping to hold onto Gyokeres if they gained promotion but lost the final on penalties.
      And according to the Daily Mail, they will struggle to hold onto the Swedish striker amid interest from four Premier League clubs.
      West Ham, Fulham, Wolves and Brentford are all pushing to land the forward this summer.
      Despite the forward only having 12 months remaining on his deal, Coventry are determined to get £25m for his signature.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      If he were to transfer it would not be his first time at a Premier League club.
      Gyokeres joined Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in 2018 but found game time limited.
      He experienced underwhelming loans at St Pauli and Swansea before joining Coventry permanently after an initial loan spell in 2021.
      Gyokeres has come into his own since making the transfer permanent and now looks set to make the step up back to the Premier League.
      Most read in Football
      Speaking to BBC CWR, Coventry owner Doug King said: “The reality is that it’s early in the window.
      “There is quite a lot of interest in Viktor.
      “He’s clearly made his comments to the press and we’ll see how it unfolds.
      “Sporting Lisbon have been all over the pages, they have been in touch with the club.
      “It isn’t up to Viktor Gyokeres to tell the club he’s going somewhere for 50p. That is not how it works and won’t happen in this situation.
      “When a player moves, they have to agree their terms with a different club and the selling club have to agree a compensation package. If both of those don’t work, then nothing will happen.
      Coventry are not willing to sell Gyokeres below what they perceive to be his value and King said: “I’m feeling quite calm – and Viktor is still contracted to Coventry City.” More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Southampton finally CONFIRM new manager months after sacking Nathan Jones in brutal season that saw them relegated

      by

      SOUTHAMPTON have announced former Swansea boss Russell Martin as their new manager.The 37-year-old has signed a three-year contract at St Mary’s and replaces Nathan Jones, who was sacked in February.
      Russell Martin has left Swansea to join SouthamptonCredit: Getty
      Jones, 50, was relieved of his duties after just 14 games in charge, with Ruben Selles initially stepping in as caretaker boss until the end of the season.
      With Selles not kept on full time, Martin now steps into Jones’ vacated role.
      Known for his brave, possession-based style of play, Martin led to Swansea to tenth in the Championship last term.
      He spent two seasons at the Liberty Stadium, after leaving MK Dons to take on the role in South Wales.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Following his arrival at St Mary’s, Martin said: “It’s a privilege to accept this opportunity at Southampton, a club with such a long and rich history.
      “My aim is to get this club back where it belongs – in the top flight of English football.
      “I am ready for this challenge and will give everything to achieve this aim and to give the supporters a team that makes them proud.
      “I’m thrilled to be here and cannot wait for the work to begin.”
      Most read in Championship
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      Nathan Jones was sacked after just 14 games in chargeCredit: Getty
      Director of football Jason Wilcox added: “Russell has shown fantastic qualities in his managerial career so far and is someone who we believe will thrive in the great environment we have here at Southampton.
      “He is a fantastic fit for what we are trying to achieve, with a strong record of developing and nurturing young, talented players to fulfil their potential and deliver results on the pitch.
      “We can’t wait for Russell to get started working with the team at Staplewood as we get ready for the new season.”
      Martin will lead Southampton into their first Championship campaign since the 2011-12 season.
      Their 11-year stint in the Premier League came to an end following a dismal season that saw them finish bottom on 25 points.
      Saints won just six Prem matches all season, with two of those triumphs coming under Jones’ predecessor Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was sacked prior to the World Cup.
      Swansea, meanwhile, are closing in on Barnsley boss Michael Duff to replace Martin.
      Duff, 45, led the Tykes to a fourth place finish in League One last term, and guided previous club Cheltenham to promotion from League Two.
      Michael Duff is set to replace Martin at SwanseaCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Steven Gerrard lined up for shock management return to Championship after rejecting chance to take over a Saudi club

      by

      STEVEN GERRARD is being lined up for a shock return to management in the Championship.The former Rangers boss remains available after rejecting the chance to take over a club in Saudi Arabia.
      Steven Gerrard is being lined up for a shock return to managementCredit: PA
      Steven Gerrard rejected the chance to take over a club in Saudi ArabiaCredit: EPA
      According to the bookies, Gerrard is the favourite to take over the vacant Sheffield Wednesday job at odds of just 6/4.
      The newly promoted Championship side are without a manager following Darren Moore’s departure on Monday.
      Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage had previously been tipped as possible choice, but has since seen his odds drift.
      Gerrard currently leads the way with bookies ahead of Carlos Carvalhal, who previously reached the play-off final with the Owls in 2016.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Moore shockingly parted ways with Wednesday earlier this week, with the club announcing he had left by mutual consent.
      The move came just weeks after he had guided the club back to the second tier by beating Barnsley in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

      His backroom staff have also departed the club, who will discover their fixtures for their Championship return on Thursday.
      Gerrard’s links to the vacant job comes after he confirmed he had turned down an offer to manage in the Saudi Pro League.
      Most read in Championship
      ROYAL ASCOT BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET RACING DEALS
      ROYAL ASCOT LIVE – ALL THE LATEST ON EVERY RACE
      The Liverpool legend had reportedly been close to being appointed by Al-Ettifaq after being pictured at the club’s training ground last week.
      However, he confirmed he had turned down the offer when he appeared as a pundit on Channel 4’s coverage of England’s win over North Macedonia on Monday.
      Gerrard explained: “I was invited over there [Saudi Arabia] to look at a potential offer, which I did.
      “But, as we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer up.” More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Burnley boss Vincent Kompany tipped to manage ex-club Manchester City one day

      by

      VINCENT KOMPANY has been tipped as a Manchester City manager of the future – by one of his Burnley stars.The Belgian took the Clarets back to the Premier League at the first attempt and the second-tier champions face the Treble winners in the new season kick-off on August 11 at Turf Moor.
      Vincent Kompany led Burnley to the Championship title in his first season in chargeCredit: Getty
      Kompany was linked with the Tottenham job this summer but is staying at the Premier League newboysCredit: PA
      City boss Pep Guardiola reckons it is ‘written in the stars’ that the legendary defender Kompany will get a crack at the Etihad hotseat.
      And Burnley full-back Connor Roberts says his team-mates are relieved that the 37-year-old, linked with Tottenham this summer, has stayed put in Lancashire.
      But he concedes his boss Kompany is primed to reach the very top in management.
      Roberts said: “Vincent will go and have that Man City job one day. I can’t express how good Vincent and his staff are.
      read more football news
      “I thought I knew quite a lot about football about how to play and what to do. But this season working with them, now I know a lot more.
      “There was relief, he’s a brilliant manager. To know they are going to be there going forward is brilliant because you learn so much from them.”
      Roberts says he can see the similarities between Guardiola and Kompany with City’s style having an influence on the way Burnley play.
      The Wales defender, 27, has been given the John Stones role by moving into midfield as an inverted full-back.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      Roberts added: “They are similar, 100 per cent. I watch Man City and we aren’t them but I see massive similarities in the way we are asked to play. We might not be able to do it as good as they can.
      “But you do see similarities. Vincent and his staff are so good at getting their point across about what they expect of you.
      “When I watch games now, the messages he portrays come into your head.
      “You know what to do in every situation from build up to attack to defending in different parts of the pitch. You know where you should be in every moment of the game.
      “At the start of the season I played right centre-back and the manager pulled me in after three or four games. He said the role I was playing was very important.
      “I thought, ‘I’ll try my best and if I’m asked to do that and do it very well then I’m going to stay in the team’. I was a scholar at Swansea as a central midfielder so I knew what to expect.
      “I have enjoyed the new role massively. The hardest part is when you have players behind you and you’re not used to checking your shoulder or turning into them. I have done fairly well.
      “It’s something I never thought I could see myself doing when I was playing right wing for Swansea under Graham Potter.
      “I had no interest in being a coach or a manager before but working with Vincent and his staff means I might want to see if I can do it at a later date.
      “It helps that we have a lot of the ball. It will be interesting to see if I’m asked to play in the same way in the Premier League next season.”
      Burnley’s non-internationals returned to pre-season training on June 5 – even before City had finished their campaign.
      Roberts, who played for Wales in their embarrassing 4-2 home Euro 2024 qualifying loss to Armenia on Friday, said: “The manager didn’t want the boys to have eight weeks off since we finished.
      Read more on The Sun
      “There is only a handful of first team players there.
      They put in the work and hopefully that will help us next season going into it with everybody ready and ticked over with not too long a time off. Then it could only affect us positively.” More