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    Premier League cult hero Matty Etherington sacked by League Two strugglers in brutal 50-word statement

    COLCHESTER have sacked manager Matty Etherington following their 1-0 defeat to Gillingham this afternoon.The result leaves the U’s languishing 22nd in League Two.
    Matty Etherington has been sacked by ColchesterCredit: Getty
    Etherington, 42, was appointed in October to succeed Ben Garner, having previously been coaching Colchester’s Under-21 side.
    He oversaw 16 games as boss, initially on an interim basis and then full-time, winning five, drawing one and losing 10.
    A brief statement confirming their boss’ exit read: “Following this afternoon’s defeat against Gillingham, Colchester United have relieved Matty Etherington of his duties as Head Coach.
    “The club would like to thank Matty for his time in charge of the first team.
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    “No further comment will be made at this time.”
    Colchester were consigned to today’s home defeat to Gillingham by Scott Malone’s 54th minute effort.
    It was their third loss in a row, having fallen 5-3 at AFC Wimbledon and 1-0 at MK Dons.
    After today’s defeat, but prior to being sacked, Etherington said: “I’m fully aware of the situation we’re in and the run of results that we’re on.
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    “I won’t shirk away from anyone and I’ll keep doing the job to the best of my ability.
    “The results haven’t been good enough and I get that.
    “I believe in working a certain way and I believe in my principles as a person and I’ll keep being me.”
    Etherington previously managed Peterborough for one game as caretaker boss in February 2022.
    He then landed the Crawley job in November of that year, only to be bizarrely sacked after just THREE games.
    Etherington played in the Premier League for Tottenham, West Ham and Stoke before hanging up his boots in 2014.
    Etherington, now 42, played for Tottenham in the Premier LeagueCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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    Stockport star rushed to hospital after horror clash of heads which saw players frantically wave for medical attention

    STOCKPORT’S match against Mansfield was stopped in the second half following a horror injury.Defender Kyle Knoyle suffered a horrible clash of heads with his own team-mate in the 59th minute.
    Paramedics attended to Kyle Knoyle on the pitchCredit: – pic by : Richard Parkes
    The defender was given oxygen as he received treatment for several minutesCredit: – pic by : Richard Parkes
    Knoyle was taken off on a stretcher following the clash of heads
    Medics from both teams and emergency service attended to the right-back and rolled him on to his front.
    Knoyle, 27, was given oxygen on the pitch and the medical teams spent a few minutes providing him with assistance.
    He was then taken off the pitch on a stretcher and went straight to an ambulance which took him to hospital.
    Stockport announced Knoyle was taken to hospital as a precaution and is conscious and responding well following his head injury.
    Manager Dave Challinor spoke after the game and said he and everyone at the club are keeping Knoyle in their thoughts.
    He also spoke about the need for his players to improve communication with each other following the clash of heads.
    The match was re-started with Stockport in search of an equaliser after George Maris put the visitors ahead.
    Fifteen minutes of stoppage time were played at the end of the game because of the lengthy delay.
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    That gave Mansfield enough time to add a second late on, with Davis Keillor-Dunn finding the net in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
    The win means the Stags moved to within just two points of League Two leaders Stockport.
    Mansfield have two games in hand and have lost just once this season, so manager Nigel Clough will likely have one eye on promotion.
    They are four points ahead of fourth-placed Barrow, who lost to third-place Wrexham 4-1 in another top-of-the-table clash. More

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    Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney pay tribute to Wrexham’s longest-serving steward after tragic death over Christmas

    Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to Wrexham’s longest-serving steward following his death.Deadpool actor Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney tweeted their respects to Roger Lloyd, who spent 48 years working at the ground.
    Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sent messages on XCredit: Getty
    Roger died in hospital after falling ill on Christmas Eve.
    His last game was Wrexham’s 2-0 League Two win over Welsh rivals Newport County on December 23.
    His family tagged the club’s celebrity owners in a post announcing his death on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing him as the “longest-serving” steward in the club’s history.
    McElhenney replied saying: “So sorry to hear this news. Sending love to your whole family.
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    “Happy to spread the word of this tribute and will reach out about anything we can do to show our gratitude to this wonderful man”, accompanied by a heart emoji.
    Reynolds added his own reply saying: “48 years!” with a heartbroken emoji.
    Wrexham fans paid tribute to Roger, with one saying: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Roger for 30 plus years at the Racecourse and The Rock. Always a consummate gentleman.
    “He will be sorely missed. May he rest in eternal peace.”
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    Another added: “So sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. Such a lovely and friendly man with great stories of his time at #WxmAFC. We will miss his smile and insider knowledge.”
    Rogers saw the Dragons return to the EFL this season after 15 years out.
    In his final match against County, third-placed Wrexham broke a 120-year club record by scoring for the 49th home game in a row. More

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    Premier League cult hero Charlie Adam lands his first manager’s job with League One strugglers

    FLEETWOOD have appointed Charlie Adam as their new boss after sacking Lee Johnson.The former Blackpool favourite and Liverpool midfielder, 38, was working as loans manager at Burnley.
    Fleetwood sacked Lee Johnson as manager on Saturday after a dismal runCredit: Rex
    They have appointed Charlie Adam as his replacement at HighburyCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    Adam, who won 26 caps for Scotland, jumped at the chance of a first crack at management following a long playing career.
    He has climbed the coaching ladder and Premier League Burnley did not stand stand in his way.
    Fleetwood announced his arrival on social media, with Adam saying: “I’m delighted to join a club I know well and one which we feel we can make a real difference with.
    “I’m inheriting what I think is a strong squad which is more than capable of getting the results needed to climb the table.
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    “Fleetwood is a hard-working, honest, and passionate town and the football club must reflect that – the players have to be proud to pull the shirt on and represent what the club and the town stands for.
    “It’s now important we see togetherness from the players, staff and crucially the supporters to help turn results around – we can’t wait to get started.
    The Cod Army have been struggling this term and currently sit second bottom of League One.
    They have only amassed 18 points from 23 matches and have moved quickly as they look to get out of the drop zone.
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    Johnson, who has previously managed Bristol City, Barnsley and Sunderland, started the season in charge of Hibernian.
    However, he was sacked by the Scottish Premiership side back in August.
    The 42-year-old was not out of work long as he was appointed Fleetwood boss in September.
    But he won just six of his 22 matches at the helm.
    And a run of nine games without a win in all competitions led to the North West club sacking him yesterday.
    His assistant manager Darren Way and first-team coach Phil Jevons also left Highbury. More

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    Kanye West spotted wearing goalkeeper kit of former Premier League club now in League One as fans ask ‘what next’

    KANYE WEST has baffled fans by posing in a rare Portsmouth goalkeeper shirt.The global superstar has become something of a fashion mogul in recent years.
    Kanye West posted a snap of himself in a retro Portsmouth shirtCredit: Instagram @kanyewest
    Alan Knight wore the shirt during the 1990sCredit: Alamy
    West, 46, has over 18million Instagram followers, and regularly likes to show off his latest fits on the platform.
    In his most recent post, the rapper uploaded a selfie while wearing a 1996-97 Portsmouth goalkeeper shirt.
    Fans were left puzzled as to how on earth West got hold of the rare jersey, with one asking: “How has kanye west got his hands on a 1996/7 Pompey goalkeeping kit, worn only once in the FA cup quarter finals against Chelsea, and has only 2 photos on the entire Internet (now 3).”
    A second questioned: “What’s next, he’s gonna show up in Portsmouth?”
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    And a third joked: “No one had that on their 2023 bingo card I’m sure of it.”
    Portsmouth themselves posted the snap, writing: “Up Ye Blues.”
    Another fan responded: “Pompey = Massive.”
    Portsmouth legend Alan Knight wore the kit, having represented the club between 1978 and 2000.
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    The 62-year-old joked: “@kanyewest can I have my shirt back please buddy. PUP.”
    West has previously shown a liking for wearing football gear.
    In 2018 he wore a Manchester United jacket.
    While earlier this season he left fans guessing by turning up to Tyson Fury’s fight with Francis Ngannou in a mystery retro shirt.
    Kanye West has become a fashion mogul in recent yearsCredit: Getty More

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    Borussia Dortmund lead Premier League and European giants in race for 16-year-old Port Vale wonderkid Liam Brazier

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND head a pack of top European and Premier League clubs chasing Port Vale wonderkid Liam Brazier.The 16-year-old attacking midfielder can’t sign pro forms until he turns 17 next month.
    Dortmund boss Edin Terzic is desperate to land Port Vale teenager Liam BrazierCredit: AFP
    But Port Vale are desperate to sign the youngster up and then cash in.
    SunSport understands the League One club can sell him in a £750,000 transfer to one of the stellar clubs currently tracking him.
    Brazier made his Vale debut against Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy in September.
    The playmaker – who has even been compared to a young Jack Grealish – has gone on to make two further appearances in the competition.
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    However, his form in those games and for Vale’s reserves has attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest hitters.
    Premier League clubs Brentford, Wolves, West Ham, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all keeping tabs on the fledgling talent.
    However, Champions League giants Dortmund are currently favourites to lure the kid to the Bundesliga, ahead of German rivals Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
    Other top European outfits, including PSG, Marseille, Nice, Juventus, Benfica and Rangers are also well aware of Brazier’s progress.
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    Dortmund are currently at the front of the queue for Brazier and could sign the youngster in January and allow him to stay at Vale Park until the end of the season.
    Brazier has been on the brink of a call-up to England’s Under-17s.
    However, some niggling injuries mean he is still patiently waiting for his international breakthrough.
    But that hasn’t stopped the kid from racking up six goals and seven assists for Port Vale youngsters in his breakthrough season.
    Brazier, not pictured, has been shining for the Vale this seasonCredit: Getty More

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    Fans say ‘she didn’t even acknowledge it, poor bloke’ as Marc Webber’s hilarious festive Final Score update blanked

    FANS commiserated with broadcaster Marc Webber after his festive witty ditty on BBC’s Final Score was blanked by the studio presenter.Webber couldn’t resist when a player called List didn’t miss – as he turned an update on Stevenage’s Boxing Day clash with Northampton into a version of Christmas classic Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.
    Stevenage scorers Jamie Reid and Elliott List celebrate against Northampton and got the ultimate tribute of being re-written into a famous Xmas songCredit: Rex
    The presenter made no response but perhaps she was too stunned by what she heard as Marc Webber conjured a musical update to Stevenage’s winCredit: BBC
    The former Sun man went viral after SINGING an impromptu version of the XMAS class.
    As the Beeb’s show went to Stevenage following their final goal in a 3-0 win, Webber warbled his lyrical response.
    Bravely and brilliantly, he crooned: “He’s Elliott List, His goal made it thrice, Reid in two minutes, Then a Roberts delight, Stevenage lead Northampton 3-0.”
    Unfortunately there was no reference to Webber’s efforts in the studio – as the presenter carried on as normal.
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    Or as one viewer put it: “She didn’t even acknowledge it, poor bloke.”
    Another fan posted: “This is unreal. Did the presenter just completely miss it.”
    A third was just as incredulous as he too gave her a Christmas red card: “How did she just have zero reaction to that.”
    But one listener pondered of the song: “How can something be so bad that it’s amazing.”
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    The broadcaster himself responded to that on X: “Funny, cause that’s what Mrs Webber says to me as well.”
    And he told SunSport: “Always glad to put a smile on people’s faces.
    “I used to present the Northampton Town show on BBC Radio Northampton until a couple of years ago. Some Cobblers fans have been messaging me saying, ‘Not happy our defeat has been highlighted – but it was funny!'”
    And in fact Webber’s musical Boxing Day banter has given him a festive fan club.
    One admirer wrote: “Ahaha honestly it’s very creative. Keep up the good work mate!”
    Santa Claus is comin’ to Town – original lyrics…Here’s the Christmas song famously covered by a live version from Bruce Springsteen in 1981 and now “re-interpreted
    You better watch outYou better not cryYou better not poutI’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to townHe’s making a listHe’s checking it twiceHe’s going to find outWho’s naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town
    [Pre-Chorus]He sees you when you’re sleepingHe knows when you’re awakeHe knows when you’ve been bad or goodSo be good for goodness sake More

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    Salford City sack manager Neil Wood as Gary Neville and ‘Class of 92’ put sentiment aside to axe ex-Man Utd coach

    SALFORD CITY have sacked manager Neil Wood following Tuesday’s 5-1 defeat to Tranmere.Wood, 40, led the club to the League Two Play-Offs last season but has struggled this term.
    Neil Wood has been sacked by SalfordCredit: PA
    The Ammies have suffered 16 defeats since the start of the campaign and currently sit 21st in the table.
    And this week’s Boxing Day defeat to Tranmere proved to be the final straw for club chiefs.
    An official statement read: “Salford City Football Club announce the departure of Head Coach Neil Wood.
    “The Club would like to thank Neil for his hard work over the last 18 months, including leading the Club to our highest-ever finish in Sky Bet League Two last season, and we wish him well in his future role within football.
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    “The process of appointing a new Manager will commence immediately, with Assistant Coach Simon Wiles preparing the team for Friday’s game against Grimsby Town.”
    Wood took over at Salford in May 2022 and managed 88 competitive games.
    Before joining the club he was in charge of Manchester United’s Under-23’s.
    Wood played for United’s academy as a youngster but failed to break into the first team.
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    He was loaned out three times – to Royal Antwerp, Peterborough United and Burnley respectively – before joining Coventry City in a permanent transfer in 2004.
    The former midfielder also played for Blackpool, Oldham Athletic, Željezničar and Atherstone Town before turning to management. More