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      Forgotten Newcastle star retires from playing aged 39 FOUR YEARS after starting management career having landed top job

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Mike Williamson has been appointed MK Dons boss.The former Newcastle star has now officially retired from playing to focus on his career as a manager.
      Mike Williamson has been unveiled as the new MK Dons bossCredit: Twitter @footballdaily
      He played for Newcastle from 2010 to 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Williamson has spent the last four seasons in charge of Gateshead.
      The 39-year-old was initially appointed as a player-manager but has only made a handful of appearances over recent campaigns.
      Williamson guided Gateshead to promotion from the National League North two seasons ago and leaves them sitting sixth in the fifth tier.
      He replaces the sacked Graham Alexander with the club 16th in League Two.
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      On his appointment, Williamson said: “It’s been a quick turnaround and it was a tough decision to leave Gateshead but when a club like this comes in, it’s a no brainer.
      “We have a talented squad, with strength in depth, and we’ll come in and start getting to know the group.
      “They’ve got to trust us and buy into what we stand for – we have a lot of ideas that we want to implement, but it will be one thing at a time. It is going to be an evolution.”
      Club chairman Pete Winkelman added: “We believe we have found someone who is clearly aligned with what we want to see from an MK Dons team and I am very excited to welcome him.
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      “Mike is a winner. He has achieved promotions throughout his playing career and already as a manager.”
      Gateshead coaches Ian Watson and Chris Bell follow him to Stadium MK.
      Williamson most notably played for Wycombe, Watford, Newcastle and Wolves during his career.
      He was a regular for the Toon from 2010 to 2015, making 169 appearances. More

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      Leyton Orient’s clash with Lincoln will be replayed in full after it was abandoned on 82 minutes following fan tragedy

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      LEYTON ORIENT’S abandoned clash against Lincoln will be replayed in full following the tragic death of a fan.The League One clash earlier this month was halted in the 84th minute with Orient leading 1-0.
      Leyton Orient’s abandoned clash against Lincoln will be replayed in fullCredit: Getty
      Orient were 1-0 up with six minutes left when the game was halted due to a medical emergencyCredit: Getty
      A medical emergency in the stands saw some supporters sit on the pitch in a bid to suspend play.
      The match was eventually called off an hour later.
      And the next day it emerged that 74-year-old Orient fan Derek Reynolds had sadly passed away.
      It was unclear if the game would be replayed, with Orient just six minutes away from victory in the abandoned match.
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      But EFL chiefs decided the best course of action was to rearrange the full fixture.
      And a new date will be revealed shortly.
      A statement read: :The EFL Board has determined that the Sky Bet League One fixture between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City should be replayed in full following its abandonment on Tuesday 3 October.
      “The game was called off after the referee had taken the players off the pitch in the 84th minute when he was made aware of a medical emergency occurring in the stands, which unfortunately resulted in the passing of Leyton Orient supporter Derek Reynolds. 
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      Orient fan Derek Reynolds sadly passed awayCredit: Twitter
      “Having considered all relevant factors relating to the decision taken by the match officials and club stadium staff on the night, alongside the options available to them in accordance with the Regulations, the Board felt the most reasonable course of action was to reschedule the fixture in full.
       “A new date for the game will be announced by the Clubs in due course.”
      Since their abandoned clash against Lincoln, Orient have gone on to record wins over Reading and Carlisle to go 10th in the table.
      As for Lincoln, they have lost back-to-back games against Peterborough and Burton, leaving them in 16th place. More

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      Forgotten Premier League star who Gary Neville regrets sacking axed from latest job after just 13 league games

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      MK DONS have sacked manager Graham Alexander.Alexander’s assistant, Chris Lucketti, is also set to depart.
      Graham Alexander has been sacked by MK DonsCredit: Alamy
      A short statement from MK Dons read: “The Club would like to thank Graham and Chris for their dedication and tireless efforts during their time at Stadium MK.
      “They depart with the best wishes of everyone at MK Dons.”
      Alexander was appointed as MK Dons manager in May following the club’s relegation to League Two.
      He was named the EFL League Two Manager of the Month for August following the club’s strong start to the season.
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      The Dons gained 12 points from a possible 15 in their opening five games.

      However, they have since slipped to 16th in the league table having failed to win any of their last eight games.
      Before joining MK Dons, Alexander spent 18 months with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell until he left by mutual consent in July 2022.
      He also spent two years with Salford City, the club co-owned by former Manchester United stars Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers.
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      Alexander was sacked and replaced by Scholes in October 2020, but Gary Neville later admitted that it was a mistake.
      Neville said: “Graham Alexander should have never left this club last season. I should have never made that decision that I made.”
      The former defender also managed Fleetwood Town and Scunthorpe United after hanging up his boots.
      During his playing career, Alexander played for Scunthorpe, Luton, Preston North End and Burnley.
      The 52-year-old made 33 Premier League appearances in total. More

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      Fans joke ‘he went for the ball’ as ‘unprofessional’ Gillingham manager sent off for moment of madness

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      FOOTBALL fans were left in hysterics after Gillingham manager Keith Millen was sent off for TRIPPING Walsall winger Tom Knowles.Walsall beat Gillingham 4-1 in their League Two clash on Saturday afternoon.
      Gillingham boss Keith Millen was sent off for tripping Walsall winger Tom KnowlesCredit: X @skyfootball
      Gillingham interim manager Keith Millen sees red for bizarrely tripping Walsall winger Tom Knowles as he attempted to take a throw-in 😲 pic.twitter.com/kqb6mrr6vb— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 14, 2023

      The referee had no choice but to send Millen off for his ridiculous actCredit: X @SkyFootball
      But the most eye-catching moment of the game came in the 28th minute when the score was still goalless.
      After Gillingham put the ball out of play, Knowles looked to take a quick throw-in.
      But he was prevented from doing so by Gillingham boss Millen as he walked out of his technical area and stuck his foot out to send Knowles tumbling to the ground.
      Referee Charles Breakspear had no choice but to send Millen off for his bizarre actions.
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      And social media was left in stitches at the remarkable episode.
      One person said: “The spirit of Pardew lives on.”
      This is in reference to Alan Pardew headbutting Hull’s David Meyler while he was Newcastle manager back in 2014.
      Another added: “Nothing wrong with this 🤣.”
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      While a third joked: “Not a denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Yellow at best.”
      A fourth brilliant added: “He went for the ball.”
      And a fifth said: “This is unprofessional.”
      Walsall’s Isaac Hutchinson went on to give the hosts the lead just six minutes after the incident.
      And Hutchinson bagged a hat-trick with two more in the second half as Walsall climb to 13th, with Gillingham dropping to seventh. More

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      I’ll always be thankful to Man Utd legend who gave me my League Two debut… even though he’s just been sacked

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      BOBBY POINTON says he will forever be grateful to Mark Hughes for helping him realise his Bradford dream.The 19-year-old striker scored his first Bantams goal last Saturday against Swindon which turned out to be the winner in a 1-0 triumph during his sixth appearance for the club.
      Bobby Pointon celebrates his winner against Swindon, his first senior goal
      Mark Hughes was sacked by Bradford earlier this monthCredit: Alamy
      And Pointon says his former boss — who was sacked 10 days ago with the club 18th in the table — gave him his big break.
      The striker told SunSport: “It meant so much to me being given my debut by a man of such standing as Mark Hughes.
      “When someone like that is showing faith in you, it makes it more special. I’ll always respect him for that during my whole career.
      “I am thankful for him having that trust in me. He was so great because he invested a lot of time in me.
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      “He told me, ‘You’ve worked hard to get this chance so go out and enjoy it.’ He didn’t put any pressure on me — and in fact took it off. I’m so grateful for that.
      “I’ve so much respect for him. It was sad to see him leave but we most be professional as a group of players and move on now to get results.”
      The Bantams have had an underwhelming start to the new campaign with expectations high that they challenge for promotion — having lost in the play-offs last time out.
      And Pointon knows more than most people how important it is for the fans to climb the divisions again — as he is one of them himself.
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      Young Bobby Pointon as a Bradford fan at the 2013 League Cup final against Swansea at Wembley Stadium
      The teen is a Bradford City fan through and through. He used to have a season ticket and even went to many away games.
      He said: “My dad and uncle took me to a game when I was five. I can’t remember who we were playing but the atmosphere was electric. I’ve been a fan ever since.
      “As I got a little bit older, I started going to away games too. I remember going to Swindon. That was a long day. But I enjoyed everything about going away — the travel, the stopping off for food, getting to the ground early. It was great.”
      Pointon used to meet his heroes after games for selfies with other excited youngsters.
      And his favourite player was former Bantam and current Bristol City striker Nakhi Wells!
      He said: “I was always waiting for the final whistle and would shout to get some players for selfies and autographs.
      “I’ve a good selfie with Tony McMahon and a signed ball somewhere in the house.
      “Nakhi Wells was my favourite player at the time at the club when he was scoring against Aston Villa. He also scored a screamer … 30 yards out, top corner. It was a really good goal.
      “I used to copy his style — even getting every pair of boots that he wore. I even used to wear my kit the way he did. I loved him.
      Bobby Pointon as a kid with Tony McMahon and a pal
      “Gary Jones was another one I liked. He was a great captain and I loved his passion for the club.”
      Pointon insists the squad is good enough to compete for promotion despite the tough start — and the team go into their trip at high-flying Wimbledon today full of confidence after that win at Swindon.
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      Kevin McDonald continues as caretaker-boss today while the Bantams search for a new manager.
      And Pointon said: “There’s enough quality in this group of players. We have a very good squad for this level. We’re looking forward to working hard and hopefully getting a good result.”  More

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      I’ve loved Carlisle for 50 years… I was hooked when we replaced Man Utd in the old first division, says boss Simpson

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      PAUL SIMPSON’S love affair with Carlisle goes back to when the club replaced Manchester United in the top flight.The Cumbrians were promoted from the old second division in 1974 for the only time in their history while the Red Devils got relegated.
      Paul Simpson speaks to Justin Allen at Brunton Park about his love affair with Carlisle
      Simpson celebrated promotion with his Carlisle team at Wembley in May
      Carlisle spent one season rubbing shoulders with football royalty and an eight-year-old Simpson got inspired by his Brunton Park heroes.
      The Cumbrians boss, now 57, told SunSport: “My dad first took me during the promotion-winning season of 1973-74. We had players such as John Gorman, Bill Green, Ray Train, Joe Laidlaw and later the likes of George McVitie.
      “The team didn’t have any standout star players until Peter Beardsley joined in 1979 when he was starting out.
      “It was at that moment you thought, ‘Wow, if I can just be like him’ — but we did well with a group of players that had a real togetherness.”
      Although Simpson went on to have an illustrious playing career for Manchester City, Oxford, Derby, Wolves Blackpool and Rochdale, his heart has always been in Cumbria.
      So it was apt he finished his playing career with the club before managing them.
      And there was something poetic about Simpson returning to the club last year for a second spell in charge. During his first stint, he took the club from the National League to League One in back-to-back seasons before leaving to take charge of Preston.
      This time around he saved the club from dropping back into non-league before winning promotion to League One … again in consecutive seasons.
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      So does Simpson have unfinished business having left the club in the third tier last time around.
      He said: “I don’t feel that way. Football is constantly changing and evolving. Players, coaches and managers all make decisions they believe are right for themselves and I made one to leave in 2006 because it was right for me and my family to do that. 
      “I love Carlisle United and people questioned that, thinking I was telling lies when I left. Back then I was at the start of my coaching managerial career. I’ve no regrets about doing it.
      “It was the right thing to leave then and it was the right decision to return last year.
      “I’m no longer chasing to be the best manager in the world, which you do as a young coach. 
      “My life is happy. I love living back in Carlisle. I’ve got a really good family here. My first granddaughter was born last year so we’re enjoying it.”
      Simpson went on to boss Preston, Shrewsbury, Stockport, Northwich Victoria before working as an assistant at Derby and Newcastle under Steve McClaren.
      He also managed England Under-20, where he won the World Cup in South Korea in 2020 before a short spell as assistant at Bristol City then his homecoming to Cumbria.
      And Simpson questioned whether he should return to frontline club management after a decade out of it — having only had a short stint at Northwich in non-league after leaving Stockport.
      He said: “I regret taking the Stockport job. I was lied to about what setup there was and how it was all going to be and that six months was the worst decision I made. 
      Paul Simpson lifts the play-off trophy with keeper Tomas Holy
      “I went into a club different to what it is now. It was in turmoil and there was back stabbing going on between the directors and stuff like that.
      “I needed time away to go and try to educate myself and learn from other people so I went to Portugal and headed up an academy there. I came back and did some work for the Premier League and some media stuff. Then I got the chance to go to Derby with Steve McClaren, then to Newcastle and four years at the FA so I had a long time out of it.
      “You get to a point where you think, ‘I can still be a club manager but I don’t know if I want it to take over my life again’ so getting the opportunity to come here was good. 
      “What I’ve discovered is I’m calmer and clearer about what I want. I’m also better at delegating because I was one of those fellas who used to do everything.
      “I’ve realised you can’t do everything, you need to have good staff around you and that’s something that Steve McClaren taught me. We never spoke about it but what he did was get good people around him, he trusted them and that’s what I’ve learned to do as well.”
      Paul Simpson during his Carlisle playing days
      Paul Simpson has learned to delegate in his older years
      But with him every step of the way has been his wife and rock Jacqui, through his ups and downs in football and his fight against kidney cancer two years ago.
      He said: “We’ve been married 35 years and lived in 27 different places so it’s crazy but she’s supported me along with our three boys.
      “I remember when I was at Oxford and living there, I left home one Wednesday morning to have talks with Derby and never stepped foot in the house again. Jacqui sold it, moved us out and found our place in Derby. She’s brilliant. 
      “In a career like this, you’ve got to have someone alongside you who’s going to support you and Jac’s certainly done that job.”
      Simpson is philosophical about his cancer scare — and never felt “lucky” to beat that awful disease.
      He said: “Because I’m lucky to still be involved in football, I don’t wake up thinking ‘You’re really lucky now because you’ve survived cancer.’ 
      “From the minute I was told I had it, the surgeon was brilliant, and he was so positive that at no point did I think I was going to be a negative story.
      “I convinced myself this was going to be a good story because unfortunately you hear bad ones. Everybody wants to tell you about horrible stories and you rarely hear the good ones. 
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      “People would say ‘I’m really sorry’ and I was like ‘No, it’s fine. This is going to be a good story. This is fine, I’m going to be OK.’ 
      “I had that philosophy on it, so it hasn’t changed my view on life. I know I’m lucky to still be involved in football from starting in 1982 at Man City to still being here now in 2023. I crack on and get on with it.” More

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      I was born and bred north of the border and can’t wait to take on the Auld Enemy… for Australia

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      CAMERON BURGESS will lead a tartan invasion of Wembley with Australia.The Ipswich defender is one of SEVEN players who either was born or currently playing north of Hadrian’s Wall in their squad that will take on England.
      Australian star Cameron Burgess is one of seven Scots in the squad to face England
      And he says that adds extra spice to the friendly as Scots will be cheering on the Socceroos against the Auld Enemy.
      Burgess, 27, Hibernian’s Martin Boyle, 30, and Leicester’s Harry Souttar, 24, are all defenders who herald from Aberdeen.
      Celtic midfielder Jackson Irvine, 30, has Scottish heritage through his dad Steve, who was also born in Aberdeen.
      While Hibernian defender Lewis Miller, 23, Hearts defender Kye Rowles, 25, and St Mirren winger Ryan Strain, 26, are all plying their trade in the SPL too.
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      And Tractors Boys ace Burgess told SunSport: “There are so many of us who have strong Scottish links so lots of people north of the border are going to be rooting for us against England.
      “I’ve only been to Wembley once previously and that was to cheer on Scotland against England in the Euros in 2021 when it was a 0-0 draw. It was a lively evening with a great atmosphere.
      “I missed out on the chance of playing there when I was at Salford City. We made the Papa John’s Trophy final in 2020 but then Covid came along. The game was postponed and by the time it was eventually played I had left the club.
      “So, to play against England at Wembley, is going to be a special occasion — especially with my Scottish roots.”
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      Leicester City’s Harry Souttar is up against the Three Lions at Wembley
      Hibernian ace Martin Boyle is another of the Tartan brigade in the Aussie ranks
      Burgess lived in Scotland until he was 11 and always destined to become a footballer.
      For his dad Stuart was a pro footballer who played for Albion Rovers, East Fife, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and East Fife in a career that spanned the 1980s and early 1990s.
      And his grandfather Campbell played as a keeper for St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Southampton in the Sixties — and won the Scottish league title with Kilmarnock in 1965 as well as earning four Scotland caps.
      Burgess — who played youth football for Celtic — emigrated to Australia with his family when mum Lindsay got a job in Perth.
      The Ipswich ace said: “My mum was working for a gas company in Aberdeen and it was the same firm in Australia so it was an opportunity for her to move out there with work. 
      It was right to commit to Australia because of what they did for me when I moved there. I’m glad I’ve done it.Cameron Burgess
      “Obviously leaving my friends behind was upsetting but going to Perth felt like a big holiday. 
      “Then I’m suddenly going to school there and you think, ‘Right, we’ve actually moved here.’
      “Australia is a totally different place. We moved out before the summer began so it was hot. 
      “You kind of get into the swing of things quickly as a kid, adapt, get on with it. 
      “I’ve a lot of close friends that I grew up with from early on. I’ve lots of happy memories.”
      Jackson Irvine has Scottish heritage with his dad coming from Aberdeen
      Lewis Miller is flying the flag for Scotland playing for Australia against England
      Kye Rowles is a rock for Hearts in the SPL
      Aussie star Ryan Strain is strutting his stuff at St Mirren
      Burgess played youth football for ECU Joondalup — now known at Perth Red Star — a junior club with a track record of developing talent. 
      The likes of former Australian ace Rhys Williams, who played in the Premier League for Middlesbrough; Bolton’s Jack Iredale, Charlton’s Ash Maynard-Brewer and former Portsmouth, Rotherham and Barnsley’s Ryan Williams all came through the ranks.
      And it was while he was there that he was invited for a trial in the UK with Fulham and got signed by the Cottagers when he was 16.
      Burgess went on to play in a team that won the Premier League Under-18s that included Fulham keeper Marek Rodak, Moussa Dembele who went on to play for Celtic and Lyon, Sunderland’s Patrick Roberts and Emerson Hyndman who broke into the US national side.
      Ironically, the Ipswich defender made his senior debut for the Cottagers at Portman Road nine years ago.
      He said: “It was the first game Fulham played after being relegated from the Premier League. 
      “Felix Magath was manager and there was a group of young lads who managed to get training with the first team, trying to grab the opportunity with both hands really. 
      “He picked me and I was up against Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick. I played in front of the back four at the base of a diamond alongside Hyndman and Scott Parker.”
      Burgess only managed four outings for Fulham and got loaned out to Ross County, Cheltenham, Oldham and Bury before moving to Scunthorpe where he reached the League One play-offs in 2018 only to suffer relegation the following season.
      After a loan at Salford, he had a season at Accrington before being snapped up by Ipswich, who won promotion to the Championship last season and are now eyeing Premier League football.
      Burgess made his Australia debut in a friendly last month against Mexico in Dallas, Texas — a match that saw him give away a penalty in a 2-2 draw.
      The defender said: “I felt it was right to commit to Australia because of what they did for me when I moved there. I’m glad I’ve done it.
      “I always knew I could get a call-up from Australia and make my senior debut. It was a case of working hard at Ipswich, doing the right thing and it’s the reward for that. 
      “The Mexico game was a great experience. We played in the Dallas Cowboys stadium, full of Mexican fans because it’s close to being a home game for them. The penalty was a soft one though!”
      Australian football has never been in better health. The Socceroos enjoyed their best World Cup campaign last year — beating Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage before narrowly losing 2-1 to eventual winners Argentina in the last 16.
      And Tottenham’s appointment in the summer of Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou was also a huge deal for football Down Under.
      Burgess said: “I’ve come across him a couple of times in the junior Australia camps and he has a good presence. 
      “I’ve kept an eye on how he’s been doing and it’s not a surprise he’s now at Tottenham.
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      “My Ipswich and Australia team-mate Massimo Luongo played for him and always speaks highly of him. Everyone knew what a good coach he already was just by winning things back in Australia. 
      “I remember when I was growing up, I used to watch his teams and obviously what he’s done since then with the national team, out in Japan and with Celtic it shows how good he is — and it’s great for Australian football.” More

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      Watch hilarious moment lone wind-up merchant gets on pitch and has rival EFL supporters trying to storm past stewards

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      A CHEEKY Swindon Town fan burst onto the pitch to wind-up rival supporters – before he was pelted with tennis balls.The incident occurred on Wednesday as Reading hosted the Robins at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
      A Swindon fan burst on the pitch to wind-up Reading fans last nightCredit: X formerly Twitter
      Security then escorted him out of the ground past the angry Royals mobCredit: X formerly Twitter
      The Royals suffered relegation from the Championship last term and their opening to this campaign in League One has been marred by administration fears and a four-point deduction.
      Fed-up fans have been venting their fury at the ownership of the club as they sit 22nd in the third tier.
      A number of protests have been staged against owner Dai Yongge over recent weeks, which include supporters throwing tennis balls on the pitch.
      But they got a bit of welcome relief from their dire league position as they took on Swindon in the EFL Trophy.
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      Reading thrashed Swindon 5-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Harvey Knibbs and further strikes from Paul Mukairu and Harlee Dean.
      However, during the encounter, a Swindon fan charged from the away end and raced towards the corner flag in front of the Reading supporters to wind them up over their troubles.
      He goaded them by holding out his arms and appearing to chant at them before a number of tennis balls began being hurled towards him.
      A number of irate fans then piled forward in the stand to try and get on to the pitch to confront the pitch invader, forcing sewards to hold them back.
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      Another steward then managed to escort the lone Swindon supporter off the pitch before he was man-handled and taken out of the ground when another appeared on the scene.
      But it was the Reading faithful that got the final say as the invader was taken through an exit in the corner right next to those who he had just been winding-up.
      They continued to pelt and hurl abuse at the Swindon fan as the two stewards struggled to drag him past the baying mob. More