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      Premier League chiefs tell cash-strapped lower league clubs ‘we’ll help you survive with or without EFL blessing’

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have told cash-strapped lower-league clubs: ‘We will help you survive – whether the EFL gives its blessing or not.’
      The top-flight insists the initial £50million bailout offer for League One and Two, which was rejected last month, remains on the table.

      Premier League chiefs have told lower league clubs they are ready to help with or without EFL supportCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lower-tier clubs have been told they can come to the PL for survival cash, even if the EFL does not give its approval.
      One Premier League source explained: “We would prefer to do this with the EFL’s blessing.
      “But we have made it clear that any club in League One or Two can come to us and ask for funding, as long as they can show they need it because of Covid.”
      And  in a new letter to the EFL, the top flight  promised Championship clubs who face Covid- enforced oblivion they can come to them for  help.

      Premier League bosses confirmed their initial offer to the lower tiers remains in place despite its rejection.
      It added: “We will also support any Championship club suffering from  Covid-19 distress, on a case-by-case basis.”
      The letter comes ahead of the next  EFL board meeting on Thursday — in which chairman Rick Parry will urge his 72 teams to hold the line over the cash issue.
      Parry, who says the EFL needs £250m by the end of the season, last week warned Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden he would “never be forgiven” if clubs went under as a result of the failure of Government to offer cash while grounds are shut.

      Parry also appeared to be backing away from a  conflict with the Premier League but admitted at the weekend that  EFL sides would be “struggling” to pay wages “around Christmas”.
      One club chief said:  “We have made it clear that any team that needs help because of Covid only has to come to us.
      “That applies to the Championship as well.”

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      Wimbledon return to Plough Lane after 29 years away – having ‘lost their spirit’ following Selhurst Park ground-share

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      IT HAS been 29 long years — but tonight Wimbledon come home.
      The Dons left Plough Lane in 1991 to groundshare with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, before being franchised to Milton Keynes in 2002.

      Wimbledon return to their home at Plough Lane for the first time in 29 years tonightCredit: Twitter @TimMcKenna5

      Since then, there has been the formation of AFC Wimbledon and their remarkable rise through the non-league ranks to reach League One.
      Off the pitch, a series of red-tape struggles have slowed the return to their spiritual home, with supporters raising funds to get the building work finally completed on a stadium with an initial capacity of 9,300.
      The old ground has long since been bulldozed to make way for flats, but Plough Lane stands just 500 yards from the original site, albeit in a different postcode.
      Dons legend Dickie Guy, who made almost 600 appearances for the club, hailed the achievement in getting back to their Plough Lane roots.

      He told SunSport: “It will mean everything to see the club back at Plough Lane.
      “To have our club taken away from us like we did back in 2002 by the outrageous decision from the FA.
      “To do what our supporters have done — by putting their hands in their pockets to get the stadium done — and what the team has done on the pitch throughout the years to get back to League One.
      “It is just an amazing story which I don’t think will ever be repeated.”

      The Dons welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Lane having left in 1991Credit: Rex Features

      Ex-keeper Guy played for Wimbledon between 1967 and 1978. He is widely remembered for saving Peter Lorimer’s penalty in 1975, as the non-league side held Leeds to a draw in the FA Cup at Elland Road.
      Guy is now president of AFC Wimbledon and claims the club lost their identity when they moved out of SW19.
      And he cannot hide his delight at their return for tonight’s clash with Doncaster Rovers.

      Plough Lane timeline

      1912: SEP 7, Wimbledon play their first match at Plough Lane — having secured a freehold on the land.

      1984: Ground  sold to chairman Sam Hammam for £3million. 
      1991: May 4, Wimbledon play their final game at Plough Lane, a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace — who they would ground share with the following season.
      1998: Hammam sells Plough Lane to supermarket  Safeway.
      2002: The same season as AFC Wimbledon’s formation, Safeway fail to get planning permission but  Lane stands are demolished.
      2005: Site is sold to developers to build 570 flats — which are completed in 2008.
      2013: Dons submit plans to  Merton Council to redevelop the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
      2015: Merton Council  agree to the proposal for a 20,000-seater ground on the site of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
      2016: March 22, major blow as London Mayor Boris Johnson calls in  scheme for a review.
      2016: July 27, Johnson’s replacement Sadiq Khan moves plans back to council to press ahead.
      2016: Sep 27, final approval is granted for the Dons to build their dream home.
      2017: Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is closed.
      2018: Work begins on building the new ground.

      He added: “Plough Lane was always a decent non-league ground.
      “But as the club moved closer to the Football League, it was small to the other clubs in the league.
      “It was our home and the club lost all its spirit once they moved to Selhurst Park.
      “I am absolutely over the moon we are back there.”

      Watch the hilarious moment Photographer falls of his stall during Wimbledon vs West Ham in EFL Cup More

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      Stewart Downing rejoins Blackburn for second spell and could face boyhood club Middlesbrough for first game

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      STEWART DOWNING has re-signed for Blackburn Rovers and could potentially play for them in their up-coming match against boyhood side Middlesborough.
      Downing, 36, has penned a one-year deal with the Championship club.

      Downing has re-joined Blackburn for a second stintCredit: Getty – Contributor

      He had initially joined Blackburn from Boro in 2019 but his contract expired at the end of last season.
      The former England player has now agreed fresh terms at Ewood Park.
      The midfielder revealed he spoke with manager Tony Mowbray about signing a new contract and would have possibly retired if he wasn’t given the chance.
      He said: “I always wanted to come back since the last game of last season and told the manager that.

      “I said that if it wasn’t to be here then I’d probably have stopped playing and would have looked into something new.
      “I had a really good time here last season, I really enjoyed it.”
      He played an instrumental role in the team last season and managed to play 38 of Rover’s 43 league matches, scoring three goals and providing eight assists in the process.
      Downing went on to say that the relationship with the manager and players played a major part in his success at the club.

      He added: “The lads were great, the manager was good to me and we had a really good relationship, which was probably why he got so many games out of me.”

      Rovers fans were delighted with his signing and took to Twitter to share their joy.
      One fan said: “Super Downing to the rescue,” while another said: “Good news. Up there with the best performers last season.”
      Downing, who clocked up 35 England caps during his heyday, has joined the team just in-time to face his boyhood club Boro, who Rovers take on tomorrow.
      But Mowbray is doubtful that he will play in the game as he lacks match fitness.
      He said: “We’ve got to use the international break to get Stewy fit.
      “We’ll use the two weeks to get him up to speed. He joined in with training today and looked fine, but it’s different in a light training session on a Monday preparing for Tuesday night.”
      Downing has deep ties to Boro, the club he began his career at when he joined their Under-13 academy.
      His first stint ended when Boro were relegated in 2011, and he went on to join Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham.
      He joined them again in 2015 before he left for the Rovers last year.

      Downing began his career with Middlesbrough and returned for a second stint in 2015Credit: PA:Empics Sport

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      Ex-Towie star Mark Wright trains with Crawley Town… but Michelle Keegan won’t be League Two’s newest Wag

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      MARK WRIGHT trained with League Two side Crawley Town this week – but insists he’s not about to sign for the club.
      Pictures from the Red Devils’ workout showed the former TOWIE star, 33, getting stuck in with his new team-mates.

      Mark Wright is training with Crawley Town in a bid to maintain his fitnessCredit: BackGrid

      The presenter has enjoyed getting stuck into the workouts under old boss John YemsCredit: BackGrid

      One snap showed Wright head over heels on the turf as he enjoyed a runout under former manager John Yems.
      Yems, 61, coached the reality TV star and presenter during a loan spell at Broadfield Stadium in 2006-07.
      And Wright has stated that the link-up is purely to help spruce up his fitness levels.

      He told the club’s YouTube channel: “I love playing football, it’s my number one passion.
      “Obviously my career went in a different direction. The speculation is that I’m joining the Reds – it’s a bit far-fetched.
      “I’ve just been training with the boys, I know the gaffer, played nine games under the gaffer.
      “I’m just doing it for fitness, I love being around it, the camaraderie, the banter around the dressing room.”

      Wright, whose brother Josh plays for Leyton Orient, played youth football for West Ham and Arsenal before signing for Southend.

      Wright is not expected to sign a playing deal with CrawleyCredit: BackGrid

      Fans hoping to see Michelle Keegan on the Broadfield Stadium touchline will be disappointedCredit: Getty Images
      A career in league football was beyond the defender, however, and he focused his efforts on TOWIE – as an original cast member in the 2010 first series.
      Nowadays, Wright limits himself to exhibition appearances and is a regular in Soccer Aid, meaning Michelle Keegan is not about to become a League Two Wag.
      Yems remarked earlier in the week: “He’s a good player, so never say never.

      “The lads have taken to him and he just wants to play football.
      “Mark has played for us, don’t forget that. I don’t know if he wants to play for us again, you’d have to ask him.
      “I want to be like him and go and live in LA but I don’t think that is going to happen either!”

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      Huddersfield ace Harry Toffolo set for his 100th consecutive EFL start against Millwall two years after leaving The Den

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      HARRY TOFFOLO is set to start his 100th consecutive EFL match and is dedicating it to the woman he loves.
      The Huddersfield left-back’s better half Annie has raised their two children – Luca, 4, and Enzo, 2 – and is currently 28 weeks pregnant expecting their daughter during what has been a staggering run of games.

      Huddersfield Town star Harry Toffolo is set to play his 100th consecutive matchCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Toffolo and Annie – with Luca, 4, and Enzo, 2 – are expecting a daughter

      What makes Toffolo’s achievement special is that those games have come across all three EFL divisions. The run started when he made his debut for previous club Lincoln at Northampton in August 2018.
      He started all 46 matches as the Imps won League Two before another 26 games in League One until his January move to Huddersfield, where he has played all 27 of their Championship games since.And Toffolo, 25, said: “I credit Annie. When I started this run our two little boys were under two and, as they’ve grown up, she’s taken responsibility.In recent months, I’ve had games here, there and everywhere.
      “Right now, she’s 28-weeks pregnant and has to also deal with our two nutters! She’s been unbelievable and given me the opportunity to make this achievement.”
      The irony is his 100th straight EFL game is against Millwall – where he did not play a single minute during his six months there but has started every match since.

      Ex-boss Danny Cowley – and his brother and assistant Nicky – played a huge part in Toffolo’s career.
      First they took him to Lincoln and then to Huddersfield.
      Toffolo revealed: “Danny sold Lincoln to me – a club I knew about from their famous FA Cup run. But I remember asking him, ‘How are you going to make me better?’ And they’ve made me 10 times the player I was.

      “My aims were to win League Two and get into the team of the year. I achieved both.”

      The Cowleys moved to West Yorkshire last September and Toffolo continued his development under Michael Appleton before following the brothers.And the Terriers ace said: “Appleton was brilliant in the short time I spent with him – we had great chats. You can see his quality as a coach by what he’s doing with Lincoln now.“A lot of people think Danny and I must have been texting from the moment he left Lincoln – but the truth is he went cold on me and he didn’t speak to me again until January when we were aware of Huddersfield’s interest.
      “He told me he hadn’t wanted to distract from my performances. That was the respect he had for me and Lincoln.
      “But regardless of my relationship with Danny and Nicky, the chance to play in the Championship, though, was too good to turn down.”

      The modern-day footballer can’t just come into work and go home. Those days are gone.”
      Harry Toffolo

      Toffolo played a key role as the Terriers beat the drop to League One.And the left-back admitted: “It’s only when in adversity that you know what you’re capable of.
      “Beating West Brom, which all but guaranteed our survival, was a special moment.”
      The Cowleys left and were replaced by Carlos Corberan during the close season yet Toffolo still continues to start.
      And he said: “The one thing you need is consistency because managers want to know they can trust and depend on you. And you must stay fit and live and prepare right.

      “I’ve always pushed myself hard, staying behind after training, going through my clips and doing extra sessions.
      “The modern-day footballer can’t just come into work and go home. Those days are gone. No disrespect to players from 20 years ago but they didn’t have tablets.
      “We go into such detail. If I’m up against someone left-footed who plays on the right, nine times out of 10 he’ll come inside.”
      Toffolo feared his chances of playing 100 games were in doubt after he injured his knee at Brentford last month and had to come off after just 36 minutes.
      He said: “I got tight to Bryan Mbeumo and my foot got caught in the ground, it was an impact thing.“I got lucky. There was just a bit of fluid in the knee but we strapped it and it was all fine.“Having played in League One and Two, I got lots of niggles so have learned to understand my body more. We just strapped it up and got on with it.”
      Toffolo loves working for Corberan even if he does find the infamous ‘Murderball’ training sessions, well, murder.

      He said: “The great thing is they’re so intense that when you get to a game it won’t be as hard as that.
      “It works when we go to the 93rd minute and we’re still sprinting in behind and back. We’re now just eating it all up.“Of course, I was sad to see Danny and Nicky leave and, because of what they’ve achieved, they’ll get a good job soon.“But in football you cannot dwell on things. Carlos taking over was exciting because the way he wants to play suits me down to a tee.“I’m growing as a player under him. It’s high energy, high press. It’s the way Leeds played last season in the Championship. It suits players who are fit and have a high stamina.“The boys have bought into it. We’ve got 10 points from the first games, more than we had last season and we feel we’re improving.”

      TOFFOLO’S FAVOURITES

      Left-back picks his best games at Huddersfield and Lincoln.

      H’FIELD 1 DERBY 0 – Oct 20 2020JUNINHO BACUNA’S goal is what we work towards every single day – being confident on the ball, having a personality to play out from the back, the confidence to do it. It was special for us all and I got the assist. Also loved our 1-1 draw at Pride Park in February because I scored there after making a great run for the goal.
      LINCOLN 1 GRIMSBY 0 – Jan 19 2019SCORING the 12th-minute winner in the Lincolnshire derby at Sincil Bank was a massive moment for me – and we kept a clean sheet. We took four points off the Mariners after a 1-1 draw down their place. The boys had two great games against them as we won League Two in my first season at the club.

      Ex-Towie star Mark Wright shows off his skills on the football training pitch More

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      Ex-Towie star Mark Wright trains with side Crawley Town… but Michelle Keegan won’t become League Two’s newest Wag

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      MARK WRIGHT trained with League Two side Crawley Town this week – but insists he is not about to sign for the club.
      Pictures from the Red Devils’ workout showed the former TOWIE star, 33, getting stuck in with his new team-mates.

      Mark Wright is training with Crawley Town in a bid to maintain his fitnessCredit: BackGrid

      The presenter has enjoyed getting stuck into the workouts under old boss John YemsCredit: BackGrid

      One snap showed Wright head over heels on the turf as he enjoyed a runout under former manager John Yems.
      Yems, 61, coached the reality TV star and presenter during a loan spell at Broadfield Stadium in 2006-07.
      And Wright has stated that the link-up is purely to help spruce up his fitness levels.

      He told the club’s YouTube channel: “I love playing football, it’s my number one passion.
      “Obviously my career went in a different direction. The speculation is that I’m joining the Reds – it’s a bit far-fetched.
      “I’ve just been training with the boys, I know the gaffer, played nine games under the gaffer.
      “I’m just doing it for fitness, I love being around it, the camaraderie, the banter around the dressing room.”

      Wright, whose brother Josh plays for Leyton Orient, played youth football for West Ham and Arsenal before signing for Southend.

      Wright is not expected to sign a playing deal with CrawleyCredit: BackGrid

      Fans hoping to see Michelle Keegan on the Broadfield Stadium touchline will be disappointedCredit: Getty Images
      A career in league football was beyond the defender, however, and he focused his efforts on TOWIE – as an original cast member in the 2010 first series.
      Nowadays, Wright limits himself to exhibition appearances and is a regular in Soccer Aid, meaning Michelle Keegan is not about to become a League Two Wag.
      Yems remarked earlier in the week: “He’s a good player, so never say never.

      “The lads have taken to him and he just wants to play football.
      “Mark has played for us, don’t forget that. I don’t know if he wants to play for us again, you’d have to ask him.
      “I want to be like him and go and live in LA but I don’t think that is going to happen either!”

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      Mark Wright spotted in stands wearing Crawley tracksuit as Michelle Keegan’s husband trains with League Two side

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      TV PERSONALITY Mark Wright has played down rumours that he will sign for League Two side Crawley Town, insisting that such talk is ‘far-fetched’.
      Wright, 33, has been training with the Red Devils, and was spotted in the stands in full Crawley tracksuit during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with fellow reality TV alumni Salford City.

      Mark Wright was in attendance as Crawley drew 1-1 with Salford at the weekendCredit: Rex Features

      Wright, 33, has been training with the League Two clubCredit: Rex Features

      But despite football being his ‘No1 passion’, the ex-Towie star admitted that he is only joining in with training to keep fit.
      He told the club’s YouTube channel: “I love playing football, it’s my number one passion.
      “Obviously my career went in a different direction. The speculation is that I’m joining the Reds – it’s a bit far-fetched.
      “I’ve just been training with the boys, I know the gaffer, played nine games under the gaffer. I’m just doing it for fitness, I love being around it, the camaraderie, the banter around the dressing room.”

      Current Crawley boss John Yems returned to Broadfield Stadium in December last year, having acted as caretaker manager in the 2006-07 season.
      During his previous stint, he had former West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham academy full-back Wright among his ranks – with the Essex man scoring once in nine outings.
      Wright was on loan from Grays Athletic at the time, having previously turned out for Southend United and Lewes.
      He would go on to play for a number of other non-league outfits up until 2011, when he packed it in to focus on other ventures.

      The ex-Towie star has impressed fans during appearances in Soccer AidCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Michelle Keegan is unlikely to become League Two’s most glamorous WagCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      While wife Michelle Keegan is unlikely to become League Two’s most well-known Wag, Yems, 61, didn’t completely rule out the transfer.
      He said: “He’s a good player, so never say never.
      “The lads have taken to him and he just wants to play football.
      “Mark has played for us, don’t forget that. I don’t know if he wants to play for us again, you’d have to ask him.
      “I want to be like him and go and live in LA but I don’t think that is going to happen either!”
      Wright is a regular for England in the popular ‘Soccer Aid’ charity matches – routinely impressing fans with his skills.

      Mark Wright scores incredible free kick at Soccer Aid 2016 More

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      Bury hoping to host matches at Gigg Lane in New Year as they plan fundraisers ahead of bid to join National League

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      BURY are planning to stage games at Gigg Lane in the New Year.
      And the Shakers have been promised by the FA they will be placed into the National League North – the sixth tier – next season as a worst-case scenario if they get their act together.

      Bury FC are planning a rebirth in the National League North next seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      While many clubs are sweating over whether they’ll survive the festive period with no fans allowed inside stadiums, the team kicked out of the EFL last season, and who haven’t played since, are incredibly still alive and getting the ball rolling on re-opening their spiritual home and social club.
      And, because they don’t currently play in any of the top six divisions (well, in fact, no division), they will be allowed a limited number of fans into their ground – once Covid restrictions are lifted in Greater Manchester.
      Many commentators, journalists and fans alike wrongly state Bury FC no longer exist and have been replaced by the fans-led Bury AFC team, who play in the North West Counties League – the ninth tier of English football.
      But – in fact – Bury FC, unlike Macclesfield last month, have not been wound up since their expulsion, significantly brokered down their debts, still own their ground and have their supporters club, Forever Bury, behind a serious move to get the Shakers shaking again.

      FA sources have said they will welcome an application from the two-time FA Cup winners by their March deadline for clubs to be placed into a league – so long as they can sort out a new owner.
      And Steve Dale told SunSport over the weekend he WILL step aside with his preferred purchaser the Forever Bury group.
      He said: “That’s my intention. I want them to have the club.”
      Both the Shakers owner and fans’ group have said they have been actively and constructively engaged for some time now.

      A fans’ group, Forever Bury, is hoping to purchase the clubCredit: PA:Press Association
      Already maintenance plans are afoot to ensure the 12,000-seater Gigg Lane – the 11th oldest functioning stadium in the world – can stage games with only minor work needed which will not cost significant amounts.
      The pitch is still in great condition thanks to groundsman Mike Curtis maintaining it since last year.
      Discussions are already in place to allow a Bury ladies’ team to play at Gigg Lane, to stage fan and youth matches, local league cup finals and even arrange some friendlies against local Premier League clubs to help raise funds when it is possible to do so.
      The fan group have opened a crowd-funding page and are aiming to eventually raise £2.5million – which they say will be enough to take control of both the club and stadium.
      And they are asking Premier League fans to boycott the pay-per-view matches and donate £15 instead to their Save Our Shakers cause – a genuine fans-led community scheme. 
      Forever Bury chairman and lifelong fan David Giffard, 69, and a highly-dedicated group of supporters are working on getting the club out of its 15-month hibernation.
      Bury FC had their application to be placed into a league rejected in the summer but the FA left the door ajar for next season.

      Gigg Lane could host women’s matches, friendlies and local amateur matches to raise fundsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      But since then Dale has engaged with the supporters group, who say they have an A, B and C plan.
      Their preferred choice is to get control of Bury FC and have a fans-led club where supporters can purchase bonds and shares, with investment too from businessmen. 
      Their second choice is – if the club are eventually wound up – to purchase the name and assets from the administrator, in the same way Robert Smethurst did with Macclesfield as he looks to relaunch the Silkmen next season.
      The third was to set up a phoenix club.
      But Bury AFC has already been formed and there is now a split fan-base, which Giffard believes has complicated efforts to take control of the original Bury FC – but he hopes all Shakers fans can unite to work towards getting football back to Gigg Lane.
      He told me: “Bury FC is still there and worth saving. It’s the club my great grandfather took my grandfather to their very first game at Gigg Lane in 1885.
      “My grandfather took my dad there for the first match after the First World War.
      “He then took me for the first time in 1958 and I took my daughter Kate to her first game in 1983 when she was three.
      “She now has a daughter and I’m determined to take her too. There are so many stories like that across our fan base because Bury is an incredible family club.”
      Dale – who says he has paid significant amounts of his own money in keeping the club afloat – says once he has brokered a deal to clear debts from Gigg Lane that started at £8million alone, the social club and car park, he will sell the club.
      He also told me he will give Forever Bury the option to buy the stadium when they are in a position to do so.
      Meanwhile, Forever Bury have received significant pledges from local businesses and individuals who will volunteer their services and time to help the club.

      And the fans’ group say it is their intention to recruit a manager before the end of this season and start to sign players.
      I am sure most EFL fans will agree with me that Bury FC finally waking up after a terrible year or so of turmoil will be one of the biggest fairy-tales in football.
      I for one wish them all the best – because community clubs like this are the heartbeat of English football.
      The crowd-funding page can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-shakers

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