Championship

FANS were left asking if April Fools’ Day had come early after Birmingham City announced fans who attend their match with Preston will get to see a UB40 concert for free.Championship side Blues joined forces with the Second City’s most famous band to officially launch the club’s naming rights partnership, St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, on Monday 1 April 2024.
UB40 are set to perform at the home of Birmingham CityCredit: BCFC
Fans who attend their game with Preston will get to see the band perform for nothingCredit: Rex
And the World Premiere of the band’s new album UB45 will be thrown in by the club’s new American ownership to mark the occasion.
The event will be UB40’s ‘kick off’ concert for their extensive 2024 World Tour and forms part of an Easter Day double-header with Blues’ match against Preston kicking off at 3pm.
The UB40 concert is included in the price of the ticket for the match and will start at 5.45pm after the match and will last for an hour.
The English ska band, who have had more than 50 UK hit singles and sold more than 70 million records worldwide, are thrilled to be finally playing at St Andrew’s – 35 years after they last performed there.
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Guitarist and founder member of UB40, Robin Campbell said: “UB40 and Blues are Birmingham.
“It has always been the band’s ambition to play at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park again. We did it in 1989 and it was amazing.
“We would like to thank Garry Cook (Birmingham City CEO) and his team for the opportunity to make our dream a reality.
“Our music is from the terraces and streets of this great city. Everything we do starts in and speaks of Birmingham.
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“So, we could not be prouder to perform a World Premiere of the new album and kick off our World Tour after the Preston match at a place that we call home.”
Supporters can expect to hear the much-loved classic hits along with a sprinkling of new material from the upcoming ‘UB45’ album on a pre-built stage behind the goal in the Gil Merrick Lower Stand.”
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However, some were left completely bemused at the announcement as they took to X following the news.
One joked: “Incredible scenes when people turn up, UB40 aren’t there and it turns out it was the most elaborate, April fools, joke ever created.”
Another echoed those sentiments by asking: “April fools?”
As another wrote tongue-in-cheek: “Tbf every one will be going home by 330 when we’re 2 down to preston.”
However, others were delighted with the news.
One commented: “Fair play to all involved for putting it on and trying to do something different.”
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Another joked: “Doubled the attendance that day.”
While a third said: “So looking forward to this! Brilliant!” More

BATH CITY have completed the signing of a former England international’s cousin – who once played in the Championship.The National League South side have acquired the services of striker Issac Vassell – the cousin of former Aston Villa, Manchester City and England ace Darius – from League One outfit Bristol City.
Bath City have completed the signing of Issac VassellCredit: X@BATHCITY_FC
A club statement read: “Jerry has today secured the signing of Isaac Vassell.
“This is a player familiar with the NLS, having started out at Truro playing alongside Cody Cooke before his move to Luton Town.
“He has Championship and EFL experience and most importantly is a really good character that will fit into the group perfectly.
“Isaac is currently with Bristol Rovers, training daily for what has been the last eight weeks.
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“We would like to thank Matt Taylor, Jamie McAllister and Bristol Rovers for their support with this signing.
“We welcome Isaac to Twerton Park.”
Bath will be hoping Vassell – who has been a free agent for nearly TWO YEARS – will be able to fire them to the National League.
Vassell, 30, could need some time to find his scoring boots as he hasn’t made an appearance since the 2019-20 season – in which he was plying his trade in the Championship with Cardiff City.
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Issac Vassell is the younger cousin of ex-Aston Villa, Man City and England ace DariusCredit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD
He also played in the Championship with Birmingham City, whom he joined in the summer of 2017.
Darius was happy to see his cousin get his big break back then and wished him all the success in the world, just not against his beloved Villa.
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Darius said at the time: “He’s a really good player and I’m looking forward to watching him.
“This season, with him coming to Blues and to Birmingham it’s a good thing. It’s a good city and people are going to say the connection with Blues and all of that but I’ll support Isaac all day.
“I wish him the best. I was reading an article about Isaac the other day and he mentioned me which was very nice of him.
“He was saying how he thinks there’s similarities within our game so, the idea of that, is exciting.
“I’d like to see where he goes with that.
“Hopefully he can break through at Birmingham City and be a big player for the club.
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“Obviously I don’t want him banging hat-tricks against Villa at all but all the best to him if he does!”
Issac could make his debut for the Romans this evening when they welcome Braintree to Twerton Park. More

FORMER Premier League star Scott Parker is in the running to become Sunderland’s new manager.The Championship side sacked Michael Beale last week following a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham.
Scott Parker is the bookies’ favourite to become Sunderland managerCredit: Getty
Michael Beale was sacked by the Championship side last weekCredit: Reuters
Michael Dodds subsequently took over as caretaker manager while club officials continued the search for a new permanent boss.
Steve Cooper, Will Still and Roy Keane are among those that have been linked with the job.
But ex-Bournemouth boss Parker has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite.
Parker has been out of work since leaving Club Brugge in March.
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The former midfielder was sacked after winning just two out of 12 games in three months.
Prior to his time in Belgium, Parker spent a year with Bournemouth.
He guided the Cherries to Premier League promotion but was sacked following a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool just one month into the 2022-23 campaign.
His first managerial stint was with Fulham between 2019 and 2021.
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He was initially appointed as caretaker manager following Claudio Ranieri’s departure and led the Cottagers to Premier League promotion in his first full season in charge.
However, Fulham were relegated again the following year and Parker left by mutual consent.
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As a player, Parker made 368 Premier League appearances and was handed 18 England caps.
He played for Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham.
Parker played for Sunderland’s rivals, Newcastle, between 2005 and 2007Credit: PA:Press Association More

MICHAEL DODDS could make the Sunderland manager’s job his own at the end of the season.Dodds is starting his third spell as Black Cats’ caretaker but could be kept on if results are good.
Mike Dodds could be given the Sunderland job on a permanent basis if he is able to impressCredit: Alamy
The interim coach has a close relationship with director of football Kristjan Speakman, who will have a major say in the final decision.
But things haven’t got off to the start Dodds would have been hoping for with the 37-year-old failing to get a result in his first game in charge.
Sunderland were on the receiving end of a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Swansea on Saturday who sit seven league places below the Black Cats.
There are other options available to Sunderland should they look elsewhere for a permanent boss.
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Alex Neil is open to a return to Sunderland for a second spell at the helm of the club he previously walked out on.
Neil left the Stadium of Light to take the job of manager of Stoke back in 2022.
Bu the Scot is available once again after his move to the Potters turned sour.
The 42-year-old was sacked by Stoke in December of last year with the club flirting with relegation from the Championship.
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Sunderland will be turning their attention to the remainder of the season with the club letting fans know they will update them with any developments in their search for manager.
In a club statement last week, they wrote: “Our focus is now on the players and supporting Mike Dodds in the remaining games to ensure we achieve the highest possible league finish.
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“We will be updating our supporters further as and when significant developments are made.”
Sunderland face Alex Neil’s former club Norwich next in the league with the Championship’s 10th placed side looking to mount a late push for the play-off places.
Alex Neil may make a return to SunderlandCredit: Getty
Neil took charge of the Black Cats for 24 games in 2022Credit: Getty More