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      EFL clubs could scrap plans to move games earlier to avoid using floodlights amid fears matchday revenue will take hit

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      EFL clubs are hurriedly working out if early kick-offs can save them money on using their floodlights.But cash counters seem to think it will cost even MORE to change games radically.
      EFL clubs are concerned about racking up huge bills with their flood lightsCredit: Rex Features
      The cost of living crisis has prompted the EFL to contemplate having more early kick-offsCredit: REX
      Some EFL clubs are dead against the idea while others who plan to try are unsure it will help.
      As revealed here months ago, clubs face energy bills which have doubled or trebled.
      There is leeway to change kick-off times and some are planned — but many think it will mean fewer fans and a big financial hit at bars and food stalls.
      One leading official said: “Moving kick-offs by two or three hours will impact crowds.
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      “It would only take 50 fewer people and that would be up to £1,000 gone for ONE game.
      “And that would be inevitable as home supporters would be lost and even more away fans could be disrupted by having to travel earlier.
      “Fans also take food and drink at games and they are less likely to booze before noon.
      “So the finances don’t add up. It might be better facing the pain of the fuel bills.”
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      One radical proposal that could see EFL clubs get a cash injection is the addition of a Premier League All-Star match, which new Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly reckons would have a trickle-down effect.
      The American said earlier this month: “Ultimately, I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson out of the American sports teams and really start to think about why don’t we do a tournament with the bottom four teams.
      “People are talking about why don’t we have more money for the pyramid?
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      “MLB did their All-Star Game this year. They made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday.
      “You could do a North vs South All-Star game from the Premier League to fund the pyramid very easily.”
      But the idea has been met with much derision among rival Prem managers and owners.
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      Derby AXE interim boss Liam Rosenior just three months after Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney quit with Paul Warne approached

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      LIAM ROSENIOR has been axed as Derby interim boss just three months after replacing Wayne Rooney as the Rams eye Rotherham’s Paul Warne.Rosenior is tipped to stay at Pride Park in another role as he continues talks with club chiefs.
      Liam Rosenior has lost his job as interim boss but is expected to stay at DerbyCredit: Getty
      Rotherham chief Paul Warne is the early favourite to succeed Liam RoseniorCredit: PA
      The Rams’ decision has surprised a few people as they sit only one place outside the League One play-off spots following relegation.
      But the Derby Telegraph say the club have already approached surprise Championship high-fliers Rotherham over manager Warne.

      The Millers have been anxious to tie down Warne to a long deal after he took them back up last term and won the EFL Trophy.
      And just days ago the 49-year-old denied being approached by second-tier rivals Huddersfield about their vacancy.
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      But this time the talk seems more serious, with suggestions he is Derby’s favoured choice.
      Rosenior, 38, might feel a bit bemused to be eased out of the top position so quickly, even though his appointment was only temporary.
      With only five contracted players in the summer, he helped recruit 14 newcomers over the summer and guided the Rams to eighth.
      Derby have lost just three of his 12 games in all competitions, but all three defeats have come in League One.
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      And local businessman David Clowes, who completed his takeover just after Manchester United legend Rooney quit, was always clear he planned an overhaul.
      Warne is tipped to come in, despite being linked to Cardiff as well as Huddersfield. More

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      EFL sides look at lunchtime kick-offs during the winter to save on energy bills with teams desperate to cut costs

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      EFL CHIEFS are considering the possibility of increasing the amount of lunchtime kick-offs to help lower-league clubs amid the cost of living crisis.A new survey from football reform group Fair Game has found that midday kick-offs for weekend league and FA Cup games would be considered by the majority of clubs in the EFL and the wider football pyramid as a way of cutting costs.
      Many clubs are considering lunchtime kick-offs in a bid to aid with the cost of living crisisCredit: Arron Gent/News Images
      Many believe that staging earlier games would help to reduce energy bills as the use of floodlights would not be necessary.
      Although the government has pledged to support businesses with rising energy costs, it is currently unclear whether or not this will benefit football clubs for a sufficient period of time.
      Overall, 63 per-cent of 40 clubs – including 12 EFL teams – have revealed that they will consider utilising earlier kick-offs if given permission.
      Clubs rated their concern about the cost of living crisis at seven out of 10, with League Two clubs considering it an eight out of 10.
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      This has prompted many to re-evaluate budgets for ground improvements as well as non-playing staff.
      Amid the financial crisis, Premier League clubs are currently preparing to hold further talks over a new financial distribution model to support the rest of the football pyramid.
      The plan is expected to include changes to parachute payments and a new merit-based payment system to Championship clubs.
      Changes to the domestic calendar from 2024 are also expected to be considered with many clubs pushing to axe FA Cup third and fourth round replays despite the fact that many lower-league clubs have benefitted from them over the years.
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      Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper has now demanded that action be taken to financially aid clubs in need.
      He said: “The results paint a very bleak future for football outside the top echelons of the game.
      “Having survived the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis could well be the death knell for the hard-working community clubs lower down the pyramid.
      “Lower-league football clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but right now they are in intensive care.
      “The Premier League are at best going to offer a sticking plaster. They have had decades to address the problem and they should stand aside.
      “It is now up to the Government to intervene. The recent fan-led review set up by the Conservative Party revealed the financial flow within the game, and the governance that sits behind it, is broken.
      “Fair Game are calling for action now. We were promised levelling up, instead we could see the levelling of football stadia across the country with decades of history and tradition wiped off the map.
      “The Government needs to deliver on its promise of an independent regulator now. A regulator that can oversee football’s financial flow. Without it the pyramid of our national game will crumble.”
      Plans for an independent regulator for football have stalled following the appointment of new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
      But, clubs have been handed a boost as the government have proposed to cut energy bills for UK businesses by around half their expected level.
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      The new scheme will fix gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1, protecting businesses from rapidly rising costs.
      This would shield many clubs – especially non-league – from entering a cost crisis. More

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      Watch comical Hull defending as goalkeeper takes out own player to gift Swansea a goal

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      HULL goalkeeper Nathan Baxter sensationally tackled his TEAMMATE before gifting Swansea a goal during Saturday’s Championship clash.Baxter, 23, was largely at fault for Swansea’s second goal which saw Luke Cundle slot the ball into the back of an empty net from close range.

      Hull made a huge defensive error to gift Swansea a goalCredit: Sky Sports
      Baxter was largely at fault for the goalCredit: Mike Jones/News Images
      In the 64th minute the Swans broke through on goal as Oli Cooper made his way into the box.
      The midfielder went to ground after making contact with Jacob Greaves, but the referee did not award a penalty.
      Instead the ball travelled through to Hull defender Tobias Figueiredo, who was about to clear the danger when Baxter clattered into the back of him.
      Cundle was in position to quickly pounce onto the loose ball before passing it into the bottom corner with ease.
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      Fans took to Twitter to react, with one writing: “What in the world?!”
      Another added: “Laughable.”
      A third said: “Sunday league isn’t that bad.”
      While a happy Swansea fan joked: “We (the Swans) normally give those sorta goals away. It’s nice to be on the other side of it.”
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      Swansea went on to win the game 3-0 courtesy of goals from Ryan Manning, Joel Piroe and Cundle.
      The result leaves the Swans 16th in the Championship table with 12 points.
      Meanwhile, Hull have one point less, but they are down in 20th. More

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      ‘I wasn’t dreaming’ – Chris Kamara thanks Middlesbrough fans for touching tribute as star battles speech apraxia

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      CHRIS KAMARA has thanked Middlesbrough fans after they unfurled a supportive banner amid his battle with speech apraxia.A tearful Kamara, 64, recently revealed that he felt like “a fraud” when watching his broadcasts back.
      Middlesbrough fans unveiled a touching message to one of their own KammyCredit: Twitter@chris_kammy
      Popular pundit Chris Kamara has opened up on his health battlesCredit: Getty
      The disorder causes difficulty speaking, with Kammy recently saying: “It feels like someone has taken over my voice box.”
      While appearing on the Diary Of A CEO podcast, a watery-eyed Kamara bravely discussed his condition, admitting: “I feel a fraud now in terms of broadcasting – I don’t bring to the table what I used to.”
      The Soccer Saturday legend, who left the show at the end of last season, remains an English football favourite – a point that Middlesbrough fans were keen to stress yesterday.
      During their match with Rotherham at the Riverside, Boro supporters unveiled a banner in response to Kammy’s comments.
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      It read: “You’re not a fraud. You’re unbelievable Kammy.”
      Local boy Kamara was moved by the fans’ gesture, writing on Twitter: “Wow that is “Unbelievable Jeff” Thank You.”
      This morning he was still feeling touched, tweeting: “I wasn’t dreaming last night did happen.
      “Thanks so much to all the Boro fans who made it happen.”
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      In a recent chat with the Daily Star, Kamara said: “Ten months ago, I could hardly talk.
      “The words hardly came out. My voice is my life at the moment. As a broadcaster, I need my voice and I need it to be spot on.
      “So I could have gone away and gone into the background. I wanted to pack it all in.
      “But ITV bosses wouldn’t hear of it. Channel 4, Channel 5 and the BBC were exactly the same.
      “Even now, some days I wake up and think, ‘Why am I doing this? There are people better than me out there who are more qualified’.”
      Despite quitting Soccer Saturday, Kamara has remained busy this season.
      He hosts ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK and works on the BBC’s Proper Football podcast with long-time telly partner Ben Shephard.
      Kammy co-hosts a podcast with old pal Ben ShephardCredit: Getty More

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      Cardiff City sack boss Steve Morison after three wins in ten games in dismal Championship start

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      CARDIFF have sacked manager Steve Morison after ten months in charge.The Bluebirds lost 1-0 at managerless Huddersfield yesterday, making it just one win in their last seven games.
      Steve Morison has been sacked by Cardiff CityCredit: Rex
      In a brief statement, the Championship side wrote: “Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that First Team Manager Steve Morison has been relieved of his duties.
      “We’d like to thank Steve for his efforts during his time at Cardiff City, stabilising the first team last season and helping to evolve our squad in line with the club’s philosophy this summer.
      “We wish him the best for the future.
      “Mark Hudson will oversee first team affairs at this time, assisted by Tom Ramasut, whilst the Club considers options for the position.”
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      Jordan Rhodes’ eighth minute strike consigned Cardiff to defeat at Huddersfield yesterday, with Callum Robinson missing a penalty that would have put them level.
      Morison, 39, hung up his boots in 2019 before joining the Bluebirds as Under-23s boss.

      The ex-forward took over as caretaker manager following Mick McCarthy’s sacking last year.
      He went on to pen a contract until the end of the season, before extending his deal to 2023 in March.
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      Morison felt that his side should have been awarded a second penalty during his final game in charge.
      In his last interview as boss, he said: “We didn’t start the game well, we grew into it and then obviously should have scored the penalty.
      “We should have had a second penalty too which we didn’t get, but we didn’t make the most of our moments.”
      Morison finished his Cardiff tenure with 16 wins, eight draws and 21 defeats from 45 matches. More

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      Sunderland to hand Tony Mowbray transfer funds in January if he manages to keep them in Prem promotion hunt

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      SUNDERLAND will give boss Tony Mowbray cash for a couple of signings if he keeps the club in promotion contention.Mowbray arrived too late to influence deals in the last window while the Black Cats snapped up emerging talents.
      Mowbray could be handed substantial funds in the January transfer windowCredit: Alamy
      That strategy can change if Mowbray thinks old heads would make a difference.
      But Sunderland may be forced to replace striker Ross Stewart as Blackburn eye up a move for the 26-year-old Scot.
      Rovers looked into a move for Stewart in the last window and could offer him the kind of contract he wants.
      Stewart’s deal is running out and new boss Mowbray will be keen for him to extend his stay rather than lose a star man.
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      However, Rovers are lurking and Sunderland may not be able to keep hold of him.
      Meanwhile, Newcastle are planning a £2.5million raid for Sunderland super-teen midfielder Chris Rigg.
      The England youth ace, 15, is starring for club and country and rated the best young prospect in the UK.
      He is impressing for the Black Cats’ Under-21s side and was the Young Lions’ skipper for a recent game in Italy.
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      Sunderland are desperate to keep Rigg but the demand for him is so great they may find that hard.
      If he is tempted away, the fee demanded will inevitably be a record for a player his age.
      Everton have been after Rigg for months but may not be willing to go high enough with their offer. More

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      EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales’ World Cup fixtures

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      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England and Wales’ World Cup games.A full schedule of fixtures is planned over the weekend of December 3 — when the Home Nations could be playing in the last 16 in Qatar.
      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they coincide with England or Wales games at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate is aiming to lead England to glory in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Rob Page has been handed a new contract after guiding Wales to the World CupCredit: Alamy
      EFL and National League bosses both said clubs can decide whether they rearrange, though it is possible a collective decision could be made.
      England and Wales are in Group B with Iran and the USA — and feasibly both teams could progress.
      The top two to qualify will face rivals from Group A.
      That World Cup group is made up of hosts Qatar, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Ecuador.
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      Wrexham are due to visit York in the National League on the Saturday.
      But the Welsh side will likely postpone if Robert Page’s Dragons are in a first World Cup knockout game for 64 years.
      Then the next Saturday night could also see England or Wales play in the quarter-finals — hours after domestic games have finished.
      Argentina and France are both possible opponents for that one.
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      Although the leagues say they will expect teams to fulfil fixtures that day.
      England kick off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament, while Wales face the USA on the same day.
      The Three Lions take on the Dragons in their final group game. More