Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris needed just one hour to be persuaded by new star, 24, to give him a career lifeline

      by

      REGIS LE BRIS revealed it only took an hour for Aaron Connolly to convince him that he deserved a shot at resurrecting his career.The Irish forward, 24, joined promotion-chasing Sunderland on a free this week after three months unemployed.Sunderland announced the signing of Aaron Connolly this weekCredit: X @SunderlandAFCThe Irish striker has been offered the chance to resurrect his careerCredit: X @SunderlandAFCConnolly burst on the scene with Brighton in 2019 with a brace against Tottenham.Four years later, after failed loan spells at Luton, Middlesbrough and Italian side Venezia, he left the Amex having featured more on the gossip pages rather than sport ones.He scored eight times for Hull City last term in the Championship but questions were raised over his physical condition.Despite their bright start, Sunderland have only had 19-year-old Eliezer Mayenda as a recognised striker after deadline day signing Ahmed Abdullahi was sidelined for three months.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe club’s recruitment team had produced a number of suggestions to help bolster Le Bris’ attack.But the Frenchman says he already knew the talents of Connolly and all it took was a chat at the club’s training ground for him to offer him a lifeline.The Black Cats boss said: “I had many, many profiles during the transfer window and so I watched many games from him before. Then, during this period when he was available, I watched other games.“Technically, I knew him before but from his profile, and the others were exactly the same, what exactly is his pathway and connection with this project and his willingness to become a high level player again.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“So it was the connection with our team, club and energy and I just had a one hour conversation with him and at the end it was clear that he was ready.“He was very clear. They were not bad subjects, everything was on the table.Roy Keane made £800 off Sunderland players but lost dressing room with training ground trick that immediately backfired“It was clear to me that he has learned from these experiences. If you want to avoid a subject . . . but he talked about every subject. It was interesting.”When asked if this was the last chance saloon for Connolly, Le Bris said: “I don’t know, we’ll see. The experience needs to be lived.”Explaining how Connolly can help his talented teens such as Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, Le Bris continued: “I’ll explain it for Aaron… He maybe got carried away before and now, after, he understood that he could have many problems if that is the case.“So these experiences are very helpful to those players that don’t know these potential problems.“Chris Mepham, for example, is great for that as when we have spoken in here for example he has shown great maturity.“I have shown two or three clips this week where Chris was involved with a mistake and he just said ‘it was my fault’ instead of trying to find an excuse.“So this experience and this behaviour is very important for everybody because we can all make mistakes but we need to learn very quickly.“The young players, we can expect them to not make any mistakes, but it is not possible. If you take risks then you will make mistakes, that is for sure, but if you learn quickly it’s OK.”And when pressed on whether his new recruit has now matured, Le Bris added: “I think so, but we need to experience it. We’ll see.“At the minute I think that’s the case but the truth lies in his activity and our experience. We’ll see in the next weeks and months.”READ MORE SUN STORIESLe Bris stated that he realistically expects Connolly to be ready for match action after the international break.However, both Ian Poveda and Alan Browne are due to return to the Sunderland squad for the trip to Watford after their respective thigh and knee niggles.Regis Le Bris expects to have the star in his squad after the international breakCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Redknapp, 77, tipped for stunning return to football as Premier League cult hero says ‘the game needs him’

      by

      HARRY REDKNAPP has been told “Football needs you back” – at 77.The former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham chief was sacked from his last job, as Birmingham boss, in October 2017.Harry Redknapp has not managed for seven yearsCredit: GettyBut ex-Spurs and Pompey midfielder Pedro Mendes believes Redknapp offers “something different” from other managers.The former Southampton and QPR boss, who never got the England job he craved, has found fame away from the sport in the past seven years.Redknapp won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here – sparking a string of TV appearances.But Mendes reckons the 2018 King of the Jungle deserves to come out of the wilderness and reign at another top club.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe former Portugal star told Gambling.com: “I think there should always be a place for a guy like Harry Redknapp in the game. “Everything around Harry is different. The way he trains, the way he speaks, the way his relationship is with the players.”Harry has been out of the game for a while now, and I think he should be back. “The game needs him, you know. He just brings something different.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRedknapp mainly played for West Ham and Bournemouth in his 17-year career on the pitch.He then launched 34 years in management with long spells at both those teams.Van der Vaart reveals Redknapp’s three-word half-time team-talk that inspired Tottenham to Arsenal triumphRedknapp bossed the Cherries from 1983-1992, winning the Associate Members Cup.He then took charge of the Hammers until 2001, guiding them to Intertoto Cup success in 1991.But his main claim to silverware was at his next job.He took Portsmouth into the top flight as second-tier champions in 2003 and FA Cup glory followed five years later.That aside, Redknapp’s peak managerial achievement was notching successive finishes of fourth, fifth and fourth at Spurs from 2008-2012.Mendes said: “When Harry’s not upset, and he’s not looking for the players to run kilometres and build stamina, he just loves when a player does a trick and scores a fantastic goal, or does something different.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 45-year-old singled out ex-Portsmouth playmakers Niko Kranjcar and Andres) D’Alessandro as stylists who Redknapp got the best out of.Now Mendes reckons it’s time his old gaffer got a chance to help a new generation of exciting players reach their Pomp. More

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Preston striker charged with biting Liverpool legend Ian Rush’s nephew and could face FOUR-MONTH ban

      by

      PRESTON striker Milutin Osmajic has been charged with biting Blackburn star Owen Beck during the Lancashire derby on Sunday.Osmajic now faces a potential FOUR-MONTH ban from football.Milutin Osmajic has been charged by the FA for allegedly biting Owen BeckCredit: GettyThe incident occurred in the final stages of the Lancashire derby on SundayCredit: GettyMilutin Osmajic has been charged by the FACredit: RexMontenegrin forward was charged with violent and/ or improper conduct by the FA on Wednesday.Osmajic is set to the punished for allegedly attempting to take a chunk out of Rovers defender Beck, the great-nephew of Liverpool legend Ian Rush.An FA spokesperson said: “Milutin Osmajic has been charged following Preston North End’s EFL Championship game against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, 22 September.“It’s alleged that the forward committed an act of violent conduct by biting an opponent around the 87th minute.read more football news“Milutin Osmajic has until Monday, September 30, to provide a response.”Beck was sent off for kicking out at Duane Holmes in the same incident in the game at Deepdale.The former Dundee star was embroiled in a fierce melee with Preston players during their 0-0 clash on Sunday.Beck, who is on loan from Liverpool, was dismissed for a swipe at Holmes in the aftermath of Yuki Ohashi’s foul on Osmajic.Most read in FootballBeck was confronted by Osmajic after the Preston star was sent offCredit: PAA fierce brawl then kicked off in the Lancashire derbyCredit: PAFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAn enraged Osmajic then jumped to his feet and grabbed Beck, barging him away with his head pressed into the back of his head.Beck, 22, furiously protested to referee Matthew Donohue that he had been bitten by Osmajic, who received a yellow card for his actions in the brawl.Blackburn boss John Eustace said in his post-match press conference: “Beck’s got a big bite mark on the back of his neck. He’s shown all the lads. He’s a little bit quiet, a little bit shook up.”The bad-tempered match earlier saw Preston’s Sam Greenwood sent off for a lunge at Rovers’ Lewis Baker.The punishment for biting another player is severe.In April 2013, former Liverpool ace Luis Suarez was handed a 10-match ban from football after he was found guilty of biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.Luis Suarez was found guilty of biting Branislav Ivanovic in 2021 More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Tom Lockyer feels invincible after surviving cardiac arrest as he backs campaign for fans to learn CPR

      by

      TOM LOCKYER feels invincible and is joking among pals that he will ‘live for ever’.The Wales international TWICE almost died after collapsing with heart problems playing for Luton Town.Tom Lockyer is backing the Every Minute Matters campaign with the British Heart FoundationThe Luton captain returned to training after two heart issues in eight monthsBut now he is mulling over a return to the game he loves despite initially being ‘at peace’ with retirement should doctors tell him to walk away from the game at 29.Lockyer, who now has a fitted defibrillator which shocks an irregular heartbeat back to a normal rhythm, said: “I feel safe. It’s like I’ve got a superpower now.“My biggest joke with my friends is, ‘I’ll live forever’ — because when I’m 85 in bed, possibly dying of old age, the defibrillator will shock me back into life.“I’m invincible!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFootball held its collective breath while both Hatters and Bournemouth fans at the Vitality watched in horror as midfielder Lockyer collapsed during a Premier League game in December.It later emerged he had suffered a cardiac arrest just months after paramedics and medical staff saved his life at Wembley during the Championship play-off final against Coventry that May.Lockyer had fallen to the ground unconscious with atrial fibrillation – or irregular heartbeat – and despite being clinically dead for 2 minutes 40 seconds, medics at the Dorset club rescued him and today he feels fit, healthy and back to his jovial self.Incredibly, he is also back involved in training sessions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo far, it is only warm-up drills with the squad before doing rehab work with his personal coach. It is a first tentative step in a long journey to a possible return to action.Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen was able to continue playing after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Euros for Denmark in 2021 thanks to a fitted unit.Tom Lockyer hugs team-mates as he returns to Luton’s training ground five weeks after shock cardiac arrest on the pitchBut to have lived to tell the tale after one serious heart issue is alarming enough — but to survive a second and still want to play is extraordinarily brave.Yet Lockyer said: “You could say that but I don’t see it that way. I’ve got my box fitted now and feel as safe as any other normal person or player.“After it happened there was a case that maybe I couldn’t exercise again which for someone who has always been active would’ve been hard.“I started off doing a bit of rehab to see where I could get to and what I’d be allowed to do safely. When we kept ticking off boxes, I thought, ‘Why stop now?’“Let’s see where I get to. If I can get on the pitch again, great. If not, I’ll listen to the doctors. Just because I’m back in Luton, it doesn’t mean I’m going to play again. “It’s not something I can rush — but it’s great to be back among the lads because I missed that changing-room camaraderie.”EFL supports World Heart Day EFL stars will bag the British Heart Foundation £1,000 for EVERY GOAL scored across the Championship, League One and League Two this weekend.It is World Heart Day on Sunday, September 29.So Sky Bet vowed to make the generous donations to support the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign, which has now helped 90,000 people learn life-saving CPR skills.The campaign has now raised £520,000 since its launch in May and hopes to fund 80 more community defibrillators across the UK. There are 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year – that is five every 90 minutes. It is crucially important for people to learn how to do CPR – with just one in ten surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests due to a lack of skills or confidence to do CPR. Eventually, the ‘Every Minute Matters’ goal is to train up 270,000 people in CPR by May 2025 – enough to fill three Wembley Stadiums. But one thing Lockyer does want to see happen quickly is for more people to learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) — and become life-saving heroes like the paramedics that rescued him.The EFL’s sponsors SkyBet are generously donating £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation for EVERY GOAL scored in the Championship, League One and League Two this weekend — including Friday night’s second-tier clash between Lockyer’s Luton and Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth as well as Tranmere v Salford in the fourth rung.To mark World Heart Day, SkyBet and the charity want fans of all 72 EFL clubs to kick their fears and apprehensions about performing CPR into Row Z by learning in only 15 minutes how to be a future life-saving hero.So far — in a campaign called Every Minute Matters — they have managed to get 90,000 members of the public to learn how to do it. Their target is to be able to have enough fans who have learned CPR to fill THREE Wembley stadiums.Lockyer said: “Your chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is less than one in ten. “The reality is if you’re unfortunate enough to suffer one, unless there are paramedics or people nearby confident enough to perform CPR, it’s not looking good for you.“Less than half of EFL fans surveyed by SkyBet said they were confident of doing CPR.“Imagine if someone you loved, a family member, collapsed in front of you and you didn’t know what to do — despite having all this awareness about CPR brought to your attention and not having spared just 15 minutes to learn it? It would haunt you forever if they passed away.“I’ve done it online. It’s not rocket science and takes 15 minutes. The more people who know how to do it, the better the survival rates will be.”Cardiac arrests don’t discriminate. You can be as fit and healthy as a Premier League footballer like myself or a 90-year-old. A man told me about his 18-month-old daughter. That hit home. That was shocking.Tom LockyerAn impressive £520,000 has already been raised by the campaign and the first £400,000 of these funds are being spent on 80 more community defibrillators distributed across the UK as well as training more people CPR and defibrillation skills.Lockyer would like one day for every household to have a defibrillator — which would save many more lives — but accepts a lot of work needs to be done before they can become more affordable.He said: “Cardiac arrests don’t discriminate. You can be as fit and healthy as a Premier League footballer like myself or a 90-year-old.“After what happened I had a man reach out to me about what happened to his 18-month-old daughter. That hit home. That was shocking. Thankfully he knew what he was doing and she is still here today.”Speaking about his own experiences, when Lockyer suffered his first cardiac at Wembley, during the time he lay unconscious, he revealed he dreamed that Luton won the play-off final: “Thankfully that was a reality.”But the second time, he blacked out completely in a situation that was really touch and go. He said: “When I woke up, I knew what had happened — and as glad I was to have survived the first thought after that was ‘Oh, that my career over then.'”However, that might not be the case after all and even if it is, Lockyer will continue to campaign passionately in a bid to save others — including this weekend.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he added: “Let’s hope for lots of goals this weekend — some 10-10 draws would be nice! And please everyone learn how to become a hero like those that saved me.”Lockyer called on fans to learn how to do CPRLockyer collapsed during the 2023 Championship play-off final at WembleyCredit: GettyLuton stars lifted Lockyer’s shirt after securing promotionCredit: GettyAfter his cardiac arrest at Bournemouth, he thought his career was overCredit: ReutersThe midfielder says he feels ‘invincible’ with his defibrillatorCredit: GettyHe thanked the Bournemouth paramedics for saving his lifeCredit: Reuters More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      EFL cult hero Gareth Ainsworth ‘plotting shock return to management’ after almost a whole year unemployed

      by

      EFL icon Gareth Ainsworth is reportedly targeting a return to management.The 51-year-old has been out of work since leaving QPR last October.Gareth Ainsworth allegedly wants the Hearts jobCredit: GettyHe was sacked by the Hoops following six consecutive Championship defeats.But now he is seeking a return to management.According to the Daily Record, Ainsworth wants to become the next Hearts boss.The Scottish Premiership side sacked Steven Naismith last week following a 2-1 defeat to St Mirren.Read More in FootballClub officials are now looking for his successor, with Ainsworth among the potential candidates.The former QPR boss has applied for the vacant job and is now under consideration.His statistics will be reviewed by Hearts before the interview process begins.Ainsworth turned down several job opportunities after leaving QPR a year ago.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe was understood to be waiting for the perfect role to come around.And he believes Hearts will tick every box.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!Prior to his stint at QPR, Ainsworth managed Wycombe Wanderers for almost 11 years.He won promotion from League Two in 2018 and from League One in 2020.Ainsworth managed 550 games at Wycombe, with a win ratio of almost 40 per cent and he gained a reputation for playing attacking football. More

    • 200 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Blackburn star shares joy at his two missing children ‘saved’ as they return after 616 DAYS

      by

      FORMER Blackburn star Claus Reitmaier has announced his two missing children have been found. In January 2023, Reitmaier’s ex-partner Pricilla Patricia L., went into hiding with their children Whitney (nine) and Cyril (five).Former Blackburn star Claus Reitmaier has announced his two missing children have been foundCredit: GettyIn January 2023 Reitmaier’s ex-partner Pricilla Patricia L. went into hiding with their children Whitney (nine) and Cyril (five)Credit: AlamyAn international search began in August for Pricilla and on Friday she finally turned herself in.According to BILD the police revealed: “Ms. L. turned herself into the Monchengladbach district court on Friday, September 20. “The arrest warrant against her was announced and suspended under conditions.”The whereabouts of the abducted children are known. Both are well.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLOn Instagram, the retired German goalkeeper Reitmaier, 60, expressed his joy, writing, “Hello, it’s done. All wanted ads can be deleted. “Please take them all out, the children are safe. Fortunately. Thank you very much for your support!”Reitmaier told the German news outlet BILD on Friday evening: “I am overjoyed that I was able to see my children again today after 616 days.” His former partner had not returned the children to him on January 15, 2023, as per the custody agreement. Most read in ChampionshipDespite extensive investigations, their whereabouts remained unknown for months.At the request of the public prosecutor’s office, the Monchengladbach District Court issued national and European arrest warrants and ordered a public search for the accused. These were withdrawn after the 35-year-old woman turned herself in.According to BILD, Ms. L. reported to the police on Friday in consultation with her lawyer. She had spent time in northern Germany and Austria while the children were with their grandmother.Reitmaier began his professional career in 1986 with Bavarian club Viktoria Aschaffenburg. In 1990, he signed with Blackburn Rovers but never got the chance to be their No1 goalkeeper and left after a year after making zero caps.His most notable period was with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, where he made 163 appearances from 1998 to 2003.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter a distinguished 27-year career, Reitmaier retired at SV Halstenbek-Rellingen. In his final years, he started coaching goalkeepers and since retiring in 2013 he has been the goalkeeping coach at German second-tier side SC Paderborn. More

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Amazing pictures emerge of former Premier League club’s new stadium which will boast DOUBLE capacity

      by

      LUTON have unveiled photos of their stunning new stadium that will be double the size of their current ground.Kenilworth Road underwent a refurb when Luton were promoted to the Premier League last year.Luton have unveiled what their new ground will look likeCredit: lutontownA floodlight will stretch around the perimeter of the roofCredit: lutontownAll four stands are separate with hospitality boxes in the cornersCredit: lutontownThe main stand will host a museum, club shop, cafe and ticket officeCredit: lutontownThe exterior has a unique look with the floodlights acting like a haloCredit: lutontownBut that work pails in comparison to the new stadium – Power Court.The Hatters have received approval for their planning application, with the new multi-purpose venue designed to help “regenerate” the town.The new ground will boast 25,000 seats, compared to Kenilworth Road’s 12,056, and will have a unique look.Each stand is different with a Kop-like stand behind one of the goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey are all separate too like a traditional ground, not a bowl like many other clubs have opted for in recent years.That means there is space in each corner for individual box stands, with one appearing to host hospitality boxes.An exterior look at the main stand shows a ticket office, club shop, cafe and a museum.The club hope the stadium, including a hotel and music venue, will be completed within three years.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMost striking is the floodlight above the stadium roof that covers the entire perimeter, shining down on the pitch from every angle.The new ground will be situated in the heart of Luton town centre, just over a mile away from Kenilworth Road. ‘Fan told me he was ‘****ing my mum’ | Gillngham’s Jack Nolan plays What the EFL?!But in order to go ahead with the build, the River Lea will have to be rerouted, and the council have agreed to the plans.Luton shared photos of the design on social media alongside the caption: “She’s going to be a beauty 😍”Fans seem to agree with one suggesting the stadium “looks incredible”.Another added: “Looks fantastic.”And a third wrote: “That’s absolutely beautiful.”The new ground will be double the size of Kenilworth RoadCredit: lutontownThe River Lea will have to be re-routed to make way for the stadiumCredit: lutontown More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Historic stadium of former Premier League club to increase capacity by 40% making it as big as Man City’s

      by

      LEEDS have announced plans to increase the capacity of their iconic Elland Road stadium by 40 per cent.This means the Championship ground will host the same amount of fans as seven-time Premier League champs Manchester City.Leeds have announced plans to upgrade Elland Road’s capacityElland Road will share the same capacity as the EtihadThe former Prem stadium will take its capacity from 37,600 to 53,000 – almost level with City’s Etihad ground at 53,400.The plans would see Elland Road become the seventh largest club stadium in England.The ground would also be modernised to meet Uefa Category 4 regulations for “elite” European stadia.Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said: “We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented.”Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club.”I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road.”We look forward to sharing our plans with supporters and the local community for their input.”Most read in FootballElland Road has been the home of Leeds United since 1919The Etihad is currently undergoing its own renovationFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThere are also 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets.This year the ownership of Elland Road, home to Leeds since 1919, was transferred back to the club for the first time in 20 years.Etihad Stadium appears to suffer LEAK during Man City vs Arsenal as Man Utd fans say ‘happens to the best of us’Marathe is president of the club’s owners, 49ers Enterprises who have experience in constructing stunning state-of-the-art stadiums.49er Enterprises built the 68,500 capacity Levi’s Stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise.The company has hired acoustic consultants to work on preserving Elland Road’s fierce atmosphere.But Man City are currently undergoing a £300million renovation to take the ground’s capacity to above 60,000 – a jump of 13 per cent.And 400-bed hotel will open as part of the build.But Elland Road will be larger than the world’s richest club Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,305).It will become the fifth largest football stadium in the country behind Wembley, Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, West Ham’s ground and Anfield.READ MORE SUN STORIESLeeds city council leader James Lewis said: “This investment can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration plans of south Leeds, which represents an opportunity of national significance.”Leeds fell short in their attempt to secure immediate promotion back to the Prem after losing 1-0 to Southampton in the Championship play-off final – but will make it their mission to jump back up this term.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More