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      EFL club officially submit application for new 25,000-seater multi-purpose stadium and reveal plan to ‘regenerate’ town

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      LUTON have applied to build a new stadium more than DOUBLING their 12,000 capacity.The Hatters formally submitted plans for a multi-purpose venue to help “regenerate” the whole town.Luton hope to complete the new stadium by 2027The Hatters have been at the all-seater Kenilworth Road venue since 1905Luton, now back in the Championship after a season in the Premier League, have been at their current Kenilworth Road ground since 1905.But even in the second tier, the all-seater stadium sits bottom for capacity.Only newly-promoted Oxford United, whose Kassam Stadium can host 12,500, is anywhere near as small.Now the Hatters have put in “detailed plans” for a 25,000-capacity venue at Power Court site “in the heart of Luton town centre”.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe club hope the stadium, including a hotel and music venue, will be completed within three years.The Hatters reckon it will be a “vital catalyst in marking a regenerative era for the town”.Hatters’ chief executive Gary Sweet claimed the plans mark a “pivotal moment for all supporters, residents and businesses of Luton”.He called it an “important milestone for everyone who has worked tirelessly and diligently on the project to shape it masterfully into the magnificent building we have presented to the planning officers”.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSweet labelled the whole scheme a “gargantuan task”.And unfortunately for Hatters’ fans, that might also describe the job facing manager Rob Edwards following relegation.Bromley boss Andy Woodman shares craziest EFL memories including players’ full on fight in club shop I What the EFL?!Luton have picked up just one point from their first four Championship games.But Edwards insists his squad is still full of belief.He said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Millwall: “It’s not a confidence thing, it’s a concentration thing.” More

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      Steve Bruce reveals text from Sir Alex Ferguson with cheeky eight-word command after getting Blackpool job

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      STEVE BRUCE is on Fergie time once more as he starts back as a boss – by order of the great man himself.The former Manchester United skipper takes charge of his first game tomorrow with Blackpool after almost two years out of the game.Steve Bruce’s Blackpool tenure kicks off on SaturdayCredit: PABruce exclusively revealed details of what former boss Fergie text him this weekCredit: Getty – ContributorSince his appointment 11 days ago, the 63-year-old has been deluged with messages – some, he laughs, asking : “Are you bonkers?”But the one that meant the most to him came from Sir Alex Ferguson.He reveals: “Thursday morning the phone rang at half past six.“I didn’t know who it was, didn’t have a clue, because the screen came up showing a no-caller ID, so I thought I’d leave it.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Then all of a sudden a text message comes through from Sir Alex: ‘Congratulations, delighted for you’ etc, etc,etc.“’And by the way. You should be on the way to work’. And that’s at 6.40 am.“Typical him, some things never change. He is what he is.“At Old Trafford he was always in first for training, no matter how successful he was, just ready for another day and another challenge.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“He was incredible and still is. His work ethic was unbelievable and he’s always been such an inspiration.Sir Alex changed my life. He gave me an opportunity which I cherished.Steve BruceMan Utd’s best XI of academy graduates“He made me captain of Manchester United for five years. I’ll always be glad he had such a major influence on my life and career.”Yet Bruce admits that having been sacked by West Brom, the 11th club he had managed before those two years away, he was pining for to get that career going again.The fact that he has now picked up the reigns again, even in the EFL’s third tier at a club that hasn’t won any of its first four games has rejuvenated him.Bruce has never managed below the Championship and twice took Birmingham City as well as Hull City into the Premier League.Amongst other club he took charge of was boyhood club Newcastle United over two years which is why, he knows, some of his pals questioned his decision to step down the ladder.Fergie and Bruce share the same birthday in DecemberCredit: GettyBut he explains: “After West Brom I did a lot of travelling with my missus Janet.“We’ve been all around the world, everything that we wanted to do, seen what we wanted to see.“And yeah, I’ll miss that part. I’ll miss Barbados in January that’s for sure when the wind’s blowing hard around here.“And I’m just as sure Janet will too.“In the first year I just wanted to have a look at it from the outside although there were five or six opportunities then but I forced myself to stay away.“But the last six months the lack of that routine of managing a team, the buzz of Saturday match day, was getting to me.“Whatever it is – a bug or a drug – you need it. Retirement wasn’t for me just yet.“I need a purpose to get out of bed in the morning and all I’ve had in my life is this, really. Football.”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.They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue. They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. That text from Ferguson a couple of days ago certainly found him out of bed early – even if he wasn’t quite on his way to work – and a little long in the tooth or not that buzz is back.A home clash with Exeter City marks his return and he adds : “Most of the messages I got were positive, saying : ‘Good for you. Why not? “Yes, Blackpool are League One but after speaking to the owner it was like, ‘Why not?’ too.“I haven’t got any more ego left in me and so many of my close mates understood that in the last six months I really wanted this life again.“I didn’t know I would be working back at the coal face again but we’ve got a squad that I believe can compete with anybody in the division.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The plan is to get this club back in the Championship.“If I didn’t think we could do that – then what WOULD be the point?”Steve Bruce left Newcastle in November 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Championship rakes in second biggest crowds in the WORLD as 12.7million attend games

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      THE Championship was the second-biggest attended league in the WORLD last season.Figures compiled by Uefa found the 24 top tier EFL sides were watched by 12.7million fans in 2023-24.This turn-out of Blackburn fans at relegated Burnley this season shows Championship attendance figures are again huge in 2024-25Credit: GettyQPR supporters at Luton also typify ardent backing in the second tierCredit: RexIt was a figure bigger than the attendances in any league except the Premier League – which had total gates of 14.7m.And England’s love affair with the game was shown with 44.7m supporters walking through the turnstiles from the Prem down to Tier 6.That was nearly 50 per cent more than the nearest rival, Germany, where the game attracted a total 30.6m fans.The figures were contained in Uefa’s updated European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report, which included a huge number of statistics about game across the continent.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUefa noted: “The Championship showcased substantial support last season, with its average attendance of over 23,000 per match ranking seventh among European leagues and the nearly 13 million in aggregate crowds ranking second in world football.“The depth of support in England is unmatched, with more than 5 million attending third-tier matches, almost 3.5 million attending fourth-tier matches and almost 3 million attending the three leagues in tier five and six.”Six Prem sides – Manchester United, West Ham, Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – attracted aggregate league gates of more than 1m fans last term, with Old Trafford hosting 1.834m supporters across all United’s home matches.That was a total exceeded only by Borussia Dortmund, whose 1.95m came with an average attendance of just over 81,000, and AC Milan.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmong the other findings, Uefa confirmed that Prem refs allowed more stoppage time than any other league last season.Prem matches saw an average of 11 minutes and 33 seconds of added time, with 68 per cent of matches lasting more than 100 minutes as PGMOL officials adopted new Fifa guidelines.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!However, with refs’ chief Howard Webb asking his officials to adopt a new approach this term, the average amount of added time so far in the Prem has dropped to nine minutes 59 seconds per game.Across European football, the summer transfer window saw a drop in spending of eight per cent, from 2023’s £6.16bn to £5.66bn this year.For the first time since the Covid pandemic, French, Italian and German clubs were “net spenders” alongside the Prem and Saudi Pro League.Prem sides, despite a slight spending reduction to £1.75bn, paid an average of £13.2m for each signing. More

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      The story behind Scott Sinclair’s football career: How Helen Flanagan’s ex-boyfriend found his way back to boyhood club

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      SCOTT Sinclair is known to football fans as a legend and to many others as the ex-boyfriend of reality star Helen Flanagan.He supported Manchester United from a young age and has gone on to have a successful career across multiple clubs.Scott was born on March 25, 1989, in Bath, Somerset.He got engaged to Corrie actress Helen Flanagan in 2018, but they split in 2022.Their relationship made headlines when Helen appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2024 and opened up about her love life.So what clubs has the football legend played for?Read more in sportsScott has been training since the age of nineCredit: Getty ImagesScott shares two daughters and a son with Corrie actress Helen FlanaganCredit: Splash NewsBristol RoversScott joined the Bristol Rovers at just nine years old.He became the second-youngest debutant on the club’s first-team at the age of 15 years old and 277 days.The youngest ever debutant in the first-team was Ronnie Dix, aged 15 180 days.The then-15-year-old’s first appearance was as a late substitute for Junior Agogo in a League Two game against Layton Orient in 2004. Most read in FootballScott left his boyhood team Bristol Rovers for ChelseaCredit: ReutersChelseaIn July 2005, Scott was signed to West London football club Chelsea FC. Scott scored his first goal for the blues in September 2007 when they faced off against Hull City, in a match Chelsea won 4-0.The young footballer signed a new four-year deal with the football club in August 2007 and received the squad number 17.History repeated itself for him, as his first goal for Chelsea as a senior player was against Hull City, which ended in a 4-0 win for the London side in the League Cup.Plymouth Argyle (loan)Plymouth Argyle was the first of Scott’s loans from Chelsea to another football club.When Scott was just ten, he was noticed by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway as a future star. Whilst playing for Plymouth for one month during 2007, he helped the team beat Coventry City, Barnet, Derby County and Crystal Palace.Scott signed with the Queen’s Park Rangers in November 2007Credit: PA: Empics sportQueen’s Park RangersScott had a brief, month-long stint at Queen’s Park Rangers after he helped Plymouth beat Crystal Palace in November 2007.At the time, it was reported that QPR had beaten off “stiff competition” to sign Scott. Charlton Athletic (loan)In February 2008, Sinclair was in demand as an upcoming star. He was signed to Charlton Athletic that month, but had little opportunity to play as a member of the first-team. Scott’s loan was terminated after just a month, during which he had three appearances from the bench.Crystal Palace finished fifth in the Championship with Scott in 2008Credit: Getty ImagesCrystal Palace (loan)Scott joined Crystal Palace in March 2008 for the rest of the season. Here, he had many more opportunities to play than he did at Charlton Athletic.He scored twice against Hull and Burnley, in six appearances, and was a key player in helping Crystal Palace to finish fifth in the Championship.Birmingham City (loan)Yet another loan brought Scott to Birmingham City, where his one-month stint was extended to span over the entire season.During his time with Birmingham, Scott made 14 appearances before returning to Chelsea in May.Upon his return to Chelsea, Scott was a substitute for the Blackburn Rovers but did not play.Wigan Athletic (loan)In 2009, Sinclair signed to Wigan Athletic for the 2009-2010 season. Whilst at the Premier League club, he scored his first goal against a familiar foe: Hull City.Unbelievably, his second goal with Wigan was scored (yet again) against Hull.Scot joined Swansea in a £1 million dealCredit: Action ImagesSwansea CityScott’s period of loans and transfers came to an end, as he signed a three-year contract with Swansea in 2010.The fee was worth £500,000 with the potential of the number moving up to £1 million. The footballer quickly made waves, when he scored a his first hat-trick against Peterborough united in a 3-1 win.He later scored another hat-trick against Reading and helped get Swansea promoted to the the Premier League.With only one season remaining, it was reported that he would not be extending his contract with Swansea. Scott transferred to Man United for a reported £8 millionCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdManchester CitySinclair signed for Manchester City in 2012, with a four-year contract.The transfer was reportedly worth £8 million.During his time with the club, he often made late appearances as a substitute which limited his time on the pitch.Surgery on a blood clot in his shoulder took him off the pitch for even more time, before he was loaned to West Bromwich Albion.West Bromwich Albion (loan)Scott started playing with West Bromwich Albion in August 2013, in a season-long loan.His time was cut short with the club though, when a hamstring injury kept him off the pitch until December. Scott played little for the team when he recovered, after their new manager Pepe Mel took over.Scott’s success with Aston Villa led to him being offered a permanent positionCredit: Dave Pinegar- The SunAston Villa (loan)A new period of being loaned to various football clubs continued for Scott, as he joined Aston Villa. He signed with the club in January 2015 as part of a season-long loan.Here, Scott was able to make a big impact.Scott scored their only goal in a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City and helped the team win by scoring in an FA Cup Quarter Final against rivals West Bromwich Albion.Aston Villa (permanent transfer)Scott joined Aston Villa permanently in May 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £2.5 million. At the time, he said: “This is the happiest I have been in a long time.”He stayed with the club until 2016 and scored 27 goals for the team. Scott was voted the player of the year for Celtic in 2017Credit: Kenny Ramsay- The SunCelticThe footballer signed with Celtic on August 7, 2016, and debuted on that same day.He scored the winning goal in that match against Hearts in the 81st minute.In 2017, he was voted Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year at Celtic’s Player of the Year Awards.He described his time with the club as “the best time and the happiest time in my career”.In May 2019, Celtic exercised a clause in his contract to keep him at the club, for one more season.During his time with Celtic, he was the club’s second-highest scorer with 25 goals, behind Moussa Dembélé.Moussa scored 32 goals during this time.Preston North EndScott was signed to Preston North End in January 2020.However, the Covid lockdown, announced in March 2020, made it difficult for the team to play together.He was released by Preston North End at the end of the 2021-22 season.Scott’s journey in football eventually led him back to the Bristol Rovers in 2022Credit: Getty ImagesBristol Rovers (second spell)After a long and varied career, it was announced that Scott would rejoin his childhood team in October 2022. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe returned for a short-time, at first, and beat another former club: Plymouth Argyle.In 2024, it was announced that Scott had accepted a one-year deal with the team and that he would be staying on to become club captain. More

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      Former Premier League striker sparks mass brawl on pitch after putting ball into empty net for controversial goal

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      CHILE striker Eduardo Vargas scored a controversial goal against Bolivia on Tuesday, sparking a mass brawl on the pitch.Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe suffered an injury while receiving a pass-back from a defender and immediately called for medical assistance.Eduardo Vargas scored a controversial goal for Chile following an injury to Bolivia keeper Carlos LampeCredit: AFPThe striker’s celebrations sparked outrage given the circumstancesCredit: AFPA huge brawl between the two teams broke outCredit: APHowever, the match was not stopped and Vargas quickly made the most of the opportunity.The striker quickly jumped onto the loose ball and passed it into an empty net.Bolivia players were left furious and ran over to Vargas to confront him.It sparked a huge brawl, with several players from both teams getting involved.Read More in FootballLampe was eventually stretchered off and replaced by Guillermo Viscarra.The goalkeeper was later found to have ruptured his Achilles tendon.A statement from the Bolivia camp read: “The operation will be carried out at the MEDS Clinic in Santiago, Chile, at the end of the afternoon on Wednesday, September 11, in order to immediately begin the recovery process.”Vargas’ goal was allowed to stand, but Bolivia went on to win 2-1 against Ricardo Gareca’s side.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe striker once spent a season-long loan spell with Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League.He made 22 appearances for QPR in total and scored three goals.The 25 top-rated footballers in EA FC25Vargas now plays for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.Meanwhile, Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz endured a nightmare during the match after being hauled off in the 34th minute.The 25-year-old was withdrawn early due to his performance, not an injury. More

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      Former Chelsea star Victor Moses makes shock return to English football as fans say ‘this came out of nowhere’

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      FORMER Chelsea star Victor Moses has returned to English football by signing for Luton.The 33-year-old was a free agent after leaving Spartak Moscow in the summer but has put pen to paper for the Championship Hatters.Victor Moses has joined LutonCredit: X @LutonTownThe winger was a free agent after leaving Spartak MoscowCredit: GettyHe joined the club on trial initially and took part in training before featuring in a behind-closed-doors match last week.Moses impressed Luton boss Rob Edwards and the club offered him a deal which he was happy to sign.Edwards said of his capture: “Victor is one we’ve been talking to for quite a while. He trained with us last week and played 60 minutes in a behind closed doors game, and we made a decision because we think he’s able to come in and help us.“He gives us more strength in depth and versatility, because he’s someone who can play both sides or as a number ten.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“He’s played for so many different clubs in different ways and shapes, and under different managers, so he’s tactically aware. We think he’s someone who can provide some really good competition for us.“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him and expect too much too soon. He’s not going to come in and start the games straight away. He’s got to get used to what we do and how we play, but he’s fit, he’s able to come in and affect it now, and he definitely makes the squad stronger.”Moses helped Chelsea win the Premier League in 2017 before leaving on several loan spells.He joined Inter Milan on a temporary basis in 2019-20 and helped them win Serie A, with both of Moses’ league title wins coming under Antonio Conte.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe versatile star has a wealth of experience which also includes spells in Turkey and Russia, along with 38 Nigeria caps, and fans are delighted to see him back in England.One supporter reacted saying: “Good to see him back in England, all the best Victor.” Man Utd flop Jadon Sancho makes bizarre claim about Enzo Maresca being reason he joined Chelsea but it doesn’t add upAnother added: “We have manifested a return of a #Barclaysman to England.”And a Luton supporter reacted to the signing saying: “Well this came out of nowhere! Welcome Victor.”Edwards praised Moses’ humility and hopes he can be a big addition to the squad on and off the pitch.He added: “He’s someone who we can learn from as well. He’s won a Premier League title under Antonio Conte playing in a similar sort of role to what we ask some of our lads to do, so we’ll be able to pick his brains.“He’s had a fantastic career, been there and done it. He’s got an amazing CV. But alongside that he’s a really good lad, a quiet, unassuming, down to earth person.“What tells you about his humility is that he’s been willing to come in, basically on trial with us, to show how hungry he is to play for Luton Town. We are really excited about working with him.” More

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      Brighton planning next wonderkid transfer raid as Seagulls eye 20-year-old EFL star who has already captained his side

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      BRIGHTON are ready to move for Sheffield United’s rising star Ollie Arblaster as their next big signing.Seagulls chiefs have made the midfield dynamo, 20, a top target despite their flurry of new arrivals.Brighton are ready to make a move for Sheffield United midfielder Ollie ArblasterCredit: RexAnd they are willing to pay at least £20million for Arblaster, who has already stood in as skipper of Chris Wilder’s side.The Blades supporter is in no rush to leave — yet his fan club is growing and an offer or two is likely in January.And a homegrown star such as Arblaster would fit in with Brighton’s  strategy because they try to find players who can improve them, but also be sold on at some point.Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Alexis Mac Allister are amongst the players to have been sold for huge profits in recent seasons.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Seagulls’ strategy was also on display this summer with the arrivals of nine players all aged 24 or under.New boss Fabian Hurzeler has already blended them into his squad with an unbeaten start to the campaign.As for Arblaster, he has scored twice in four Championship appearances for the Blades this term, who are also yet to lose in the league.Those matches include captaining his side against Norwich and Watford in their last two fixtures.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe England under-20 international also made 12 Premier League appearances last term after breaking into the first-team.However, he was unable to save the club from relegation at the first attempt.XI amazing players worth £78m available for freeWilder’s return to Bramall Lane in December failed to save them from the drop.The Blades ended the season bottom of the Premier League on 16 points after winning just three matches during the campaign.The Seagulls are willing to pay up to £20million to sign Arblaster from the BladesCredit: Alamy More

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      Premier League clubs don’t give a s**t about little clubs… I’m frightened to death about the future, says EFL legend

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      PETERBOROUGH chief Barry Fry has slammed the Premier League for “not giving a s**t” about the little clubs.League One Posh pocketed a £4million sell-on fee from Ivan Toney’s £40m move from Brentford to Saudi club Al-Ahli last week.Barry Fry claims the Prem does ‘not giving a s**t’ about the little clubsCredit: GettyPeterborough chief Fry is ‘frightened to death’ about the future of EFL clubsCredit: GettyBut Fry, 79, Posh’s outspoken director of football, says EFL teams have just experienced the worst transfer window he has ever known.Premier League clubs splashed out a staggering £2billion in the summer, with Chelsea the biggest spenders at a whopping £208m.And that is £1bn more than Italy’s Serie A clubs, the next-highest spenders in Europe’s major leagues.But what irritates Fry the most is the way the top-flight outfits are holding back on a new funding deal for the 72 EFL clubs.Read More on FootballFry, one of the best transfer operators in the lower divisions, hit out: “I am frightened to death about the future of EFL clubs.“I’m a lover of football and unless Financial Fair Play gets sorted out, clubs are going to go under in the lower leagues.“Premier League clubs don’t give a s**t about anybody but themselves — they forget where they’ve come from half of them.”West Ham’s vice-chairman Karren Brady argued in her SunSport column last week that the “lower leagues are earning and generating more cash than ever before”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShe pointed out that Championship clubs enjoyed £300m in player sales business, with Sky paying out £935m to EFL football across five years.Brady also noted that under chief executive Richard Masters, the Premier League were adding £1.6bn over three years to “help the game flourish right down to park  leagues”.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsBut Fry, who managed Birmingham City when Brady was managing director of the Blues, believes the EFL are getting a raw deal from the top-flight clubs.He added: “We have, going through the EFL right down the pyramid, the best system in the world, and it’s going to be destroyed by the Premier League.“We do not have a distribution which is fair or getting the Government to put a regulator in there to determine what  they do.“I feel that there is no way the Premier League will allow the Government to dictate to them and they are leaving it as late as possible to come up with a deal.“But it doesn’t help the clubs in the EFL, who are under enormous pressure, as this is the worst window ever in dealing with transfers for the lower leagues.“Look at the money being spent? F*** all! It’s frightening and we needed it sorted out, like yesterday!’Like a pack of cards’“It’s like a pack of cards. Once one or two clubs go to the wall, a load of them will fold.”And Fry believes the business climate is not helping club owners to cope with all the financial pressures of running a football team either.He said: “It is very, very difficult for owners because all these people are  struggling in their own businesses now.“They haven’t got the spare cash to help out their football clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have the greatest pyramid system, ever, ever in the whole world, and we should be bending over backwards to keep it and help every club up and down the country.“That’s because every club is so, so important to their community and they should be treasured.”Can you name the famous fathers? More