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      Charlton vs Cambridge chaos as stadium hit by WATER shortage and 27,000 fans without food or toilets for League One game

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      CHARLTON’S League One clash with Cambridge has been thrown into chaos due to a water shortage at The Valley.An official statement on the Addicks’ social media read: “We are currently experiencing a lack of supply of water to the stadium from our external supplier.
      Charlton’s clash with Cambridge has been affected by a water shortageCredit: Rex
      “The kick-off time remains unaffected but our catering and toilet facilities will be impacted.
      “We will provide a further update in due course.”
      The match started at 3pm as scheduled with the players unaffected.
      Fans were quick to joke about the incident on social media, with one person tweeting: “There’s a lack of supply of fit players as well.”
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      While another wrote: “Oh dear. No shower at full-time. No-one will want to work up a sweat.”
      Charlton currently sit 10th in the League One table, with Cambridge 18th.
      Cambridge appointed Neil Harris as first team manager on Wednesday following Mark Bonner’s departure.
      Speaking about the appointment, Charlton boss Michael Appleton said: “They’ll get a little bit of a lift and the new voice that you get from the manager coming in.
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      “I’ve come up against Neil many times, certainly when he was at Millwall as manager. I know what he’s about and I know how his teams play.
      “Whether he feels he’s got the personnel to do what he would normally want to do, who knows? That makes it a little bit more difficult as you’re second guessing how it might go.
      “Ultimately, I’ve just got to make the players aware and prepared that, from a mentality point of view, the first 20 minutes is going to be massively key.
      “They’ve got a new manager and they’re going to come out of the blocks, but we’re the team at home and we’ll do the same.” More

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      Football League fixtures battered by brutal weather with five games POSTPONED hours before kick-off including Wrexham

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      WREXHAM’S League Two clash with Forest Green has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.An official statement from the Welsh side read: “Following a pitch inspection this morning, we can confirm that today’s fixture against Forest Green Rovers has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
      Wrexham’s clash with Forest Green has been postponedCredit: PA
      “After a heavy downpour of rain overnight, the pitch was deemed unplayable and failed a pitch inspection at 11:30am.
      “Details for the rearranged fixture and ticket information will be communicated in due course.
      “We can confirm however that all supporters who travelled on Official Supporter Travel will be offered free transport to the rearranged fixture.”
      Fans were left devastated following the announcement, with one person tweeting: “Imagine if the EFL actually cared about the fans and ensured inspections were done in a timely manner! Pathetic.”
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      Another added: “Stuck on the M54 for no reason then, absolutely brilliant.”
      A third person wrote: “Should have called it off earlier, no thought for us travelling fans.”
      While a fourth commented: “Forest Green v Wrexham is postponed. A lot of disappointed Americans on this train.”
      The match is one of five League Two fixtures to have been postponed this morning.
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      Barrow’s clash with Gillingham has also been called off due to the weather, as well as Bradford’s match against Salford.
      Mansfield vs MK Dons is among the postponed games, as is Sutton’s clash with Harrogate. More

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      Man Utd legend breaks silence over ‘unfair’ sacking at EFL club but refuses to accept his career is over

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Mark Hughes has finally spoken out after Bradford City “unfairly” sacked him – and claims he is not finished yet.The League Two club axed the former Manchester City boss and ex-Barcelona striker, 60, two months ago.
      Mark Hughes took Bradford to the League Two play-offs last season but was axed on October 4 this term with the Bantams in 18th placeCredit: Alamy
      Hughes celebrates his second successive top-flight title with Man Utd in 1994 alongside Ryan Giggs, Lee Sharpe and Clayton BlackmoreCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But the 72-cap Welshman believes, after “shocking a few people” by stepping down the divisions to take the Bantams job, he can pull off another surprise by returning to management.
      Hughes won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times as a United frontman.
      The former Southampton and Everton ace also lifted the FA Cup with Chelsea, as well as twice being named PFA player of the year.
      After hanging up his boots in 2002, he bossed Wales, Blackburn, Man City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke and Southampton, before taking over Bradford in February 2022.
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      And he feels the Bantams acted too quickly to dismiss him, despite winning just three of their first 11 EFL matches this season.
      Bradford sat in 18th place when he departed on October 4 after finishing sixth last term.
      But Hughes told ex-England chief Sam Allardyce’s No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, said: “We did okay last year and got to the play-offs, the best season they’d had at League Two level in this current period.
      “But you’re at risk as a manager early in the season if you don’t set the tone.
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      “Everybody thinks that if you have a bad start, that’s how the whole season is going to pan out. That’s not the case, in fairness.
      “When I got the sack, it was the first time since December I’d lost back-to-back league games.
      “I thought it was a little bit unfair, if I’m honest. But the perception was that I needed to go.”
      Hughes insisted criticism from fans “wasn’t fazing me” and added: “I was quite happy to wait until it turned round.
      “I don’t feel I’m done. I possibly did before the Bradford role because I’d been out for three years. It looked like I wouldn’t get another opportunity, for whatever reason.
      “I had the opportunity to go to Bradford and took it. I probably shocked a few people.
      “But it was just a case of getting back in. I thought it was a good club with a good fanbase.” More

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      Hated former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley keen to buy 24,200-seater stadium as he looks to be new EFL team’s LANDLORD

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      MIKE ASHLEY is keen to take an interest in Reading.But that’s as landlord, not owner.
      Former Newcastle chief Mike Ashley is taking a keen interest in ReadingCredit: The Sun
      Ashley could buy the Madejski Stadium, having already bought Coventry’s arenaCredit: Getty
      The billionaire businessman has looked at the struggling club.
      And he wants to return to football after his exit from Newcastle.
      But insiders say he would put his cash into the stadium like he did at Coventry.
      Ashley bought the CBS Arena, previously owned by rugby club Wasps, in October last year.
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      Coventry reached a last-minute agreement with Ashley two months later to continue playing until the end of last season.
      And they are still there today as they look to push up the Championship table.
      Reading play at the Madejski Stadium, currently named the Select Car Leasing Stadium for sponsorship reasons.
      The arena holds nearly 24,200 fans on match day.
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      But the club is enduring a miserable time in League One after being relegated from the Championship last term.
      The Royals sit second-bottom of the table following just five wins in 18 games.
      They have also been docked four points this season for financial breaches.
      In total, Reading have taken a 16-point hit in less than two years — with 10 of those coming in 2023. More

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      Wrexham goal hero Paul Mullin reveals brutal fines list including hefty penalty for swapping shirts

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      WREXHAM striker Paul Mullin has revealed the ruthless fines system in operation at the club.The 29-year-old scored a sensational 47 goals in 53 games last season to lead the Welsh side back to the Football League after 15 years away.
      Paul Mullin has explained Wrexham’s fines policyCredit: PA
      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in November 2020Credit: Getty
      It comes after Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the club in November 2020.
      And they are now flying high in the fourth tier, sitting second behind Stockport after 20 games.
      But their recent success has come with the implementation of a brutal list of financial punishments for misconduct.
      And some of the infringements Mullin has confirmed are quite shocking.

      They include £50 for giving away their match shirt, £20 for not eating breakfast before 10.10am, and £200 for being late to a team night out.
      Speaking in his new book “My Wrexham Story: The Inspirational Autobiography From The Beloved Football Hero”, he said: “Helping to enforce discipline, we have an embedded system of club fines.
      “The list is up on the changing-room door: Late for training, the gym, or a meeting – £20. Late on matchdays – £100. Late for the bus – £100. Late for a team night out – £100. Not showing up for a team night out – £200.
      “Not eaten breakfast by 10.10 a.m. – £20. Phone going off – £10. Not wearing flip-flops in the shower – £5. Wearing flip-flops to go to a game – £10.
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      “Cleaning boots in the shower – £10. Giving away a match shirt – £50.”
      Mullin also revealed there are fines for not abiding by health and fitness regulations.
      These include not wearing your GPS for training, putting your trainers on the fitness bed, and not reporting an injury prior to a day off.
      Smaller fines can also incur the wrath of the roulette wheel or the dice.
      The guilty part spins the wheel or rolls the dice and receives anything from not having to pay the fine to being forced to “start a boy band”.
      And Mullin admits he has been on the wrong end of many of the more severe punishments.
      He added: “Unlucky, and you can end up down Tesco buying everyone a shower gel.
      “Then there’s the dice. Each number represents a forfeit, which can be quite excruciating. You might have to do a silent disco in front of the lads or a lap of the pitch in your underpants – not too bad in May, but pretty unpleasant in the sideways sleet of January.
      “If you’re really unlucky you’ll have to create a boy band for a day with the team-mates either side of you in the squad numbers.
      In my case, that’s Ollie Palmer and Liam McAlinden – and not many people want to hear that!
      “Alternatively, you’ll have to buy those same players dinner. A bit simpler, but no less painful, is the requirement that you sling £50 in the players’ kitty. Sadly, I’ve done most of these, the price of repeatedly forgetting to wear my flip-flops in the shower.
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      “Before the Christmas do, we all have to spin the roulette wheel regardless of whether we’ve violated a fines rule.
      “Last year I got stung for £50 without even having done anything – ‘What? No way! What’s going on here!’” More

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      League Two clash SUSPENDED after power cut as pitch is plunged into darkness mid-match and away fans sing cheeky chant

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      GILLINGHAM’S clash with Wimbledon was temporarily SUSPENDED due to a floodlight failure.The power outage occurred in the 64th minute when the League Two game was goalless.
      The lights went out during the game between Gillingham and Wimbledon
      The players were forced off the pitch during the darkness before they returned to complete the gameCredit: X
      Both sets of players made their way off the field, before Gillingham confirmed the cause of the issue was a power cut in the area.
      They tweeted: “Well, we’ve been here before….
      “Floodlights have gone out! Players heading back to the dressing room area.
      “We understand there is a power cut in the local area. We will keep you updated, may well be a short wait.”
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      The disruption led the travelling Wimbledon fans to mock Gillingham as they waited for play to resume inside Priestfield.
      They could be heard chanting: “You can’t pay your bills.”
      And Wimbledon’s social media acknowledged the singing as they posted: “The players are leaving the field for the time being and heading to the dressing rooms. These weren’t the updates we had planned! 😅
      “The Dons fans are enjoying themselves in the dark by the sound of it 👏.”
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      The lights came back on after 16 minutes.
      The players were then given a five-minute warm-up before the action resumed.
      And Gillingham went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to an 85th-minute strike from Conor Masterson. More

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      Man Utd legend’s grandson set to call time on Stoke career and complete permanent transfer to League Two

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      STOKE’S Lewis Macari is set to move to Notts County full-time in the next transfer window.He is hopeful the move will help his Scotland chances.
      Lewis Macari is ready to join Notts County permanentlyCredit: Rex
      Lou Macari is a Man Utd icon and Lewis’ grandfatherCredit: Getty
      Manchester United legend Lou’s grandson is on loan with the League Two side.
      The 21-year-old has made five appearances for Notts County this season with the club sixth in the table.
      Macari was wanted by Scotland’s Under-21s for their last double-header against Belgium and Hungary.
      However, the Magpies needed him to play for them.
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      The centre-back came through the ranks at Stoke and played once for their first-team.
      Macari spent the previous two seasons out on loan with Market Drayton Town and Dundalk.
      His granddad Lou began his career at Celtic before becoming an Old Trafford great.
      He featured 404 times for United as he helped the club get back to the top-flight and establish themselves in the First Division following relegation in 1974.
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      The Scot also played a huge role in their FA Cup win three years later and in several European campaigns in the 1970s and 80s.
      Lou, 71, went on to manage the likes of West Ham, Stoke and Celtic.
      The Macaris are a football family with young Lewis’ father Paul previously on the books of Huddersfield and uncle Mike another with history at the Potters. More

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      Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham slammed for ‘stupid mistimed statements’ by League Two rivals Accrington Stanley amid ticket row

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      RYAN REYNOLDS’ Wrexham have been slammed for a “stupid mistimed statement” by Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt.The two sides face off in League Two action today.
      Wrexham announced they would reduce ticket prices for the visit of Accrington Stanley in March after their fans were charged extra for the return fixtureCredit: Getty
      Accrington owner Andy Holt slammed a Wrexham statementCredit: Rex
      Accrington announced they have increased ticket prices by £5 for the visit of Wrexham, who are expected to take a large following to the Wham stadium.
      They did the same for the visit of Bolton and Derby last season, with Holt stating more away fans means increased costs in stewarding and policing.
      In response Wrexham announced they would reduce match prices by £5 for the return fixture in March.
      A short statement read: “In response to Accrington Stanley’s decision to increase the matchday price by £5 from that previously charged at Wham Stadium for league games this season, we have decided to reduce the price of matchday tickets by £5 for the return game at the STōK Cae Ras on 02/03/2023.”
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      Holt hit out, slamming the statement as “stupid” before explaining the reason behind the hike in prices.
      He wrote on Twitter: “When costs are already high @Wrexham_AFCthe last thing football needs is stupid mistimed statements.
      “It’s surprising how stupid given a former CEO of @EFL is employed by you.
      “Let’s have a great day for all fans safely, whatever the outcome on the pitch. Welcome to @ASFCofficial.
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      “Unfortunately costs are very high for this game. Big policing bills and stewarding big stewarding costs.
      “I appreciate what @Wrexham_AFC are doing for our fans though 👍” More