Championship

LENNY JOHNROSE has tragically passed away at the age of 52 five years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.The former defensive midfielder enjoyed a 16-year football career after coming through the ranks at Blackburn.
Lenny Johnrose passed away aged 52 after a five-year battle with motor neurone diseaseCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd
Johnrose was a holding midfielder for Burnley, Bury, Blackburn, Swansea, Hartlepool and PrestonCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He had his longest spell at Bury between 1993 and 1999 and had an instrumental year at Swansea – and is still adored by Swans fans.
His goal on the final day of the 2002-03 season against Hull was enough to secure the club’s safety in the Football League and provided the springboard for their ventures into the Premier League.
After his playing career ended in 2004, Johnrose retrained and moved into primary school teaching in the north-west.
In 2017, he received the motor neurone disease diagnosis and a charity match was held the following year between Swansea and Burnley legends which ended 10-7.
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Dad-of-three Johnrose was married to wife Nadine and revealed his health had deteriorated in February this year.
He told Wales Online: “My voice is clinging on for dear life, with some of my words actually being decipherable.
“Oh, and I need to keep my head up to speak, which may explain why Nadine keeps taking off my neck support.
“The saliva puddle in my mouth is under some sort of control, although there’s still enough to make a cup of tea!
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“The legs are still fairly strong, and I’ve rediscovered slight movement in two fingers… And that seems to be it. So I’m still going strong-ish.”
Tributes poured in on social media following his sad death.
Burnley wrote: “Our thoughts are with Len’s family and friends at this very sad time. You’ll always be a Claret Len.”
Hartlepool, another of his former clubs, added: “We’re encouraging fans to join us in a minutes applause during the 52nd minute of tomorrow’s game against Tranmere Rovers in appreciation of Len Johnrose. A great man both on and off the pitch.”
Johnrose was a brilliant campaigner for research and raising awareness of motor neurone disease.
He encouraged the football family to take part in the #IceFoot92 challenge – standing in a bucket of ice water for 92 seconds – to raise money for the MND Association.
‘UTTERLY SELFLESS AND BRAVE’
The Len Johnrose Trust tweeted: “We are heartbroken to tell you that our leader, Len Johnrose passed away this morning.
“Len was an incredibly proud husband and father. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
A Swansea fan account added: “R.I.P Lenny, a true warrior and one amazing person. You were such a nice, kind and humble person. You will be hugely missed.
“Thank you for the memories and thank you for being an inspiration. Our thoughts are with all of the Johnrose family.”
One commented: “To most of you, Len could have been a football idol.
“But for me he was so much more, he was the best teacher I’ve ever had, and really helped shape me into the person I am, he literally helped me learn right from wrong. My sincere condolences to his family and those who knew him.”
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Another said: “Heartbreaking. I recall his first appearances as a professional footballer. I don’t think his lovely smile ever left his face. What terrible news. God bless Len and his family.”
And a final user replied: “An utterly selfless and brave human being. Right to the very end, he was always the pinnacle of positivity and humour. RIP Lenny and shine bright pal.”
Swansea legend Johnrose revealed earlier this year his health had deterioratedCredit: Getty More

QPR scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser… thanks to GOALKEEPER Seny Dieng’s incredible header.The Rs’ stopper, 27, joined the attack as they desperately looked to salvage a point away at Sunderland.
Seny Dieng got up brilliantly to make connection with a clean headerCredit: Getty
It nestled inside the far post as Anthony Patterson dived helplesslyCredit: Getty
The QPR players mobbed their goalkeeper for rescuing a 2-2 drawCredit: Getty

They had just pulled one back in the 87th minute through Ilias Chair’s free-kick for 2-1 to set up a nervy ending for the home Black Cats fans.
And their biggest fears came true thanks to Dieng’s magical moment.
The Hoops had a corner that was only half cleared and recycled.
So when the ball was crossed in from the left channel by Chair, Dieng rose highest unchallenged in the middle of the area.
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And he made the perfect connection like an experienced striker by glancing it delightfully into the far corner, giving his opposite number Anthony Patterson no chance.
It sparked wild scenes from the 904-strong army of away fans who made the long journey up from West London.
The Swiss-born Senegal goalkeeper appeared cool as a cucumber as he trotted back to his own goal after the heroic goal – similar to Alisson’s for Liverpool last year.
But manager Michael Beale was unsurprisingly buzzing with the incredible finish from the man he wants stopping them at the other end.
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Beale said: “It was a fantastic header – Les [Ferdinand, QPR director of football] would be happy with that one.
“He finishes it really well, it’s actually really good technique, so well played to him.
“He’s very modest, so he’s calmed down in there, but his team-mates are making a fuss of him.
“I believe he’s one of the best goalkeepers in this league, I think he’s destined for really big things and we’re delighted to have him.
“The effort from them [fans] is incredible – it’s lovely to reward them.
“I hope they were still here when Seny scored, I hope some of them didn’t get away early because they’d have missed a wonderful one.” More

COVENTRY CITY have postponed their Championship clash with Wigan Athletic next week due to an UNSAFE pitch.The turf at the Coventry Building Society Arena has been badly damaged damage due to the recent heatwaves in the UK.
Coventry City’s pitch has been deemed unplayableCredit: TWITTER
The recent heatwaves and the Rugby 7s has badly damaged the turfCredit: TWITTER
The Championship outfit have had to postpone their first TWO home matches of the seasonCredit: TWITTER
It also suffered damage during the Commonwealth Games Rugby 7s, so much so City’s Championship opener against Rotherham was postponed.
And after further inspection by an EFL-appointed “agronomy company”, The Sky Blues – who share their stadium with rugby side Wasps – have been forced to reschedule next Tuesday’s visit of The Latics.
A club statement read: “Coventry City are very disappointed to have to provide a further update regarding the pitch at the Coventry Building Society Arena, and to confirm the postponement of Tuesday’s home game against Wigan Athletic.
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“On Thursday, an independent internationally established research and agronomy company, appointed by the EFL, evaluated the pitch at the Arena.
“They have experience at a range of international tournaments and stadiums in the UK and abroad.
“It was their finding that the pitch would not be safe or playable for Tuesday’s game against Wigan Athletic.
“We had been hopeful that, following the postponements of the last week, that the pitch at the Arena would have improved sufficiently to enable our game against Wigan Athletic to go ahead and had been planning for this to be the case.
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“However, it is sadly clear that this is not possible and we are therefore forced to postpone Tuesday’s game against Wigan Athletic.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to Coventry City fans, players and staff and Wigan Athletic and their fans, players and staff.
“We did explore the possibility of reversing the fixture, but unfortunately due to other events at the DW Stadium this was not possible.”
Coventry chief executive Dave Boddy claims the degradation of the pitch is down to a lack of investment.
He said: “We are very disappointed to report the lack of improvement in the pitch, and we are very disappointed for our supporters, players and staff again that we have now had to postpone Tuesday’s home game against Wigan Athletic.
“I met with Stephen Vaughan at Wasps/the Arena on Monday and have been in regular contact via email since.
“To be clear, this is not the fault of the grounds staff.
Coventry share their pitch with WaspsCredit: GETTY
“Promised investment into a new pitch, which was a fundamental part of the extensive negotiations for the Club to return and then again a promise made publicly following the announcement of our return in March 2021, has not happened and there has been no significant refurbishment or repair work over the Summer either.
“Our concerns over the quality of the pitch have not been addressed, and we were extremely disappointed to be told in June that Wasps had made the decision not to take any action to put a new surface in.
“We still, despite repeated requests and the high-profile and urgent nature of this situation, await an ‘action plan’ from them to address this major issue, which they promised to implement publicly last Saturday.”
Boddy insists it’s the fans, not the players, who are paying the price for the stadium’s pitch problems,
He said: “It is our supporters who are suffering in this mess, and the players and staff too.
“These are incredibly difficult circumstances for the Football Club.
“The pitch has now been independently found to be unsafe and unplayable by the agronomists and previously by EFL match officials, and we are now desperate for this situation to be resolved by the Arena and Wasps.
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“We will continue to keep supporters updated, and will provide further news as soon as possible.”
Coventry – who are currently 18th in the Championship table – will be back in action this afternoon, travelling to South London to take on Millwall.
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