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      Unemployed former Premier League star plays match for League Two club after being handed career lifeline

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      A FORMER Premier League stalwart who is now unemployed has been offered a career lifeline in League Two.Not many will have paid too much attention to the Cheshire Senior Cup showdown between Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers this week.
      A Premier League veteran appeared for Stockport County on trial this weekCredit: Getty
      But for one ex-Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Burnley ace it was a hugely important night.
      The 34-year-old Matt Lowton was released by Burnley during the summer after eight years at Turf Moor.
      Following his arrival from Villa in 2015, he became a key man under Sean Dyche and helped them to the Championship title in his first season there.
      The right-back went on to make 203 appearances for the club and scored three times but last term he began to fall out of favour after Vincent Kompany took charge.
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      He moved to Huddersfield Town on loan in January as Kompany led Burnley to the title and back to the Premier League.
      Then Lowton, who helped the Terriers beat relegation, began pre-season on trial at Birmingham.
      However, Brum boss John Eustace opted against offering the veteran a contract, leaving him jobless going into the campaign.
      Despite the transfer window now being closed, free agents are able to sign for a new club outside of it.
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      Matt Lowton is on trial with a League Two clubCredit: Getty
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      And it has now emerged that he has been offered an opportunity elsewhere in the Football League.
      Lowton is currently on trial with League Two outfit Stockport as he looks to earn himself a contract.
      And that led to him being handed a start for them on Tuesday in their 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers in the Cheshire Senior Cup. More

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      Little-spotted change to Carabao Cup draw could explain why Man Utd got yet another home tie

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      WEDNESDAY night’s Carabao Cup draw saw a little-spotted change that may explain why Manchester United got yet another home tie.The Red Devils set a new record by landing a 12th home cup tie in a row after drawing Newcastle in the fourth-round of the EFL competition.
      Wednesday’s fourth-round draw saw a little-spotted change to who drew the home teamsCredit: YouTube / Sky Sports Football
      The third-round draw saw the person on the right draw the home teamsCredit: YouTube / Sky Sports Football
      The same can be seen in the second-round drawCredit: YouTube / Sky Sports Football
      United will face the Magpies at Old Trafford – who they beat in the Carabao Cup final last term.
      Despite Eddie Howe’s side’s 1-0 victory against eight-time EFL Cup winners Manchester City at St James’ Park Newcastle fans were ragging.
      They were fuming with their fourth-round fixture and a slight change in the draw could be the reason for it.
      The draw was conducted by SkySports presenter Emma Saunders, Celtic legend Neil Lennon and former Sunderland man Don Goodman.
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      In the second and third-round draws the person on the left drew the home teams and the right did the away teams.
      But last night it was ex-Bhoys star Lennon who standing on the right drew the home sides as he pulled out Man Utd No4 to hand them another home game.
      The tie meant United set a new record for drawing the most home ties.
      The odds of the record happening, drawing 12 home ties in a row is 4,096/1 – and left many wondering if the small tweak to the draw could explain why Man Utd will host once again.
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      Man Utd’s extraordinary run of home fixtures dates back to a defeat at Leicester in March 2021.
      United’s only domestic cup match to be played away from Old Trafford in the last three years was a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest as well as a semi-final and final in the FA Cup at Wembley.
      They will now battle Newcastle in the week commencing October 30 for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. More

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      AFC Wimbledon chief quit after ‘hidden bug caught him calling employee f***ing s**g and saying he wanted to MURDER her’

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      AFC WIMBLEDON’S managing director quit after a hidden bug recorded him making vile sexist and abusive comments about a colleague, who he called a “f***ing s**g” he wanted to “murder”.The League Two club confirmed on September 4 Danny Macklin would leave his post four days later.
      Danny Macklin was recorded allegedly using vile sexist and abusive comments before his AFC Wimbledon exitCredit: Twitter @dannymacca81
      Rebecca Markham, works as the ticketing manager at the clubCredit: Twitter @AFCWimbledon
      No reason was given for his sudden departure at the time but they simply thanked him for his “hard work” in the role in a brief 62-word statement.
      But now The Times report Macklin resigned because he was exposed by a hidden recorder placed in his office by a club security officer.
      Macklin, 42, was caught talking about wanting to remove ticketing manager Rebeca Markham from her job.
      He called ex-Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham employee Markham a “f***ing s**t”, a “f***ing b****” and a “f***ing s**g” in a horrendous onslaught.
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      In one recording released by The Times, Macklin was heard saying to two female colleagues, “I f***ing want to put her [Markham] through a f***ing window.
      “I’ve never wanted to kill someone, but I’d like to kill her. F***ing slut.
      “I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone more in my life. Someone has got to punch her in the face.”
      He also added: “Ah, s**t, f***ing b****.
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      “I’d like to put her through a f***ing window.
      “I f***ing want to murder her… I f***ing hate her… f***ing s**g.”
      The comments came just two months after Macklin and Markham had been part of AFC Wimbledon’s involvement in the Her Game Too campaign to fight sexism in football.
      Then, Macklin had said: “We welcome initiatives that encourage more girls and women to attend our games, or take part in activities.
      “The repeated use of chants that are not family-friendly will prevent us from attracting new fans.”
      However, the ex-Leyton Orient CEO – who also worked as commercial director at Southend United and Essex County Cricket Club – left his job after the clandestine device caught his expletive-laden, derogatory rant.
      ROYAL THREAT
      British army veteran Matthew Wells planted the bug amid concerns about the alleged abuse of staff at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
      The 57-year-old, who joined the army aged 16 and served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, threatened to take the recording to the Prince of Wales if AFC Wimbledon failed to act.
      Wells met Prince William, president of the Football Association, in the army.
      He told a friend: “I couldn’t believe what I heard. The way he was talking about Rebecca was terrible.
      “I think the club has responded properly. When they had the evidence, they acted quickly.
      “I think Danny was under a lot of pressure at work but that does not excuse the comments.”
      Macklin posted a lengthy parting message thanking colleagues and supporters after ten months at AFC Wimbledon.
      He then posted on LinkedIn that he is going to spend “much-needed time with my young family before taking my next challenge”.
      AFC Wimbledon denied they had covered up Macklin’s alleged disgusting behaviour after The Times revealed the shocking recording.
      ‘UNACCEPTABLE AND UTTERLY INAPPROPRIATE’
      The South-West London club – who returned to Plough Lane in 2020 – said: “AFC Wimbledon strives to be a responsible, inclusive and modern fan-owned club.
      “As such, it takes its obligation to act properly and set an example, as well as its duty of care towards employees and fans, extremely seriously.
      “Behaviour such as that being alleged was and is not tolerated, nor is it representative of the culture at the club.
      “Once we became aware of the matter we acted appropriately in accordance with our responsibilities and values to promptly resolve it. For legal reasons we are not able to say more.”
      A club official added: “What was said would have been unacceptable in any era and is utterly inappropriate for today.”
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      Markham declined to comment while Macklin refused to address the recording when approached by The Times.
      He said: “For legal reasons I make no comment.” More

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      Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham hammered 5-0 at Stockport as former Barcelona star gets on scoresheet for hosts

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      HAT-TRICK hero Isaac Olaofe destroyed Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham.The Welshmen slipped to seventh after Stockport emphatically ended the Dragons’ seven-game unbeaten run.
      Isaac Olaofe celebrates rounding off his hat-trick to destroy WrexhamCredit: Rex
      Ryan Reynolds will be gutted after Wrexham’s seven-game unbeaten run ended in horrific fashion as they were thumped at ninth-placed StockportCredit: Getty
      Sub Paddy Madden rounded off Wrexham’s woe in the final minuteCredit: Rex
      Ex-Barcelona kid Louie Barry and sub Paddy Madden completed Wrexham’s misery.
      Hollywood A-lister Reynolds had seen the Dragons overcome a mediocre start to the season to start justifying their tag as League Two title favourites.
      But just when they seemed to be settling into life back in the EFL, Wrexham were blown away on Saturday within just 32 minutes.
      Ex-West Ham starlet Elliot Lee could have scored twice for the visitors before Olaofe ruined the Dragons’ early superiority netting Will Collar’s cross.
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      The former Millwall striker turned in Will Collar’s cross on 21 minutes.
      And within 10 minutes Wrexham were make to look like dead-fools.
      Olaofe lashed Stockport’s second past Mark Howard before Barry burst through to make it 3-0.
      Just five minutes after the break Olaofe rounded off his treble.
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      And Madden came off the bench to bag the fifth in the 90th minute.
      Wrexham dropped to seventh after their first EFL defeat since a 5-1 home loss against MK Dons on the first day of the season.
      Meanwhile, Stockport’s third win in a row put them ninth.
      Louie Barry is mobbed after netting the second of Stockport’s bunch of fiveCredit: Rex More

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      We dastardly Americans tried to ruin English football with Super League, you should never sell off 150yrs of tradition

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      BRAD GALINSON has told fellow American owners in football: Don’t mess with tradition.When he bought Gillingham last Christmas they became the 22nd team in the top four tiers under US control or influence.
      Brad Galinson joined a growing number of Americans owning English and Welsh clubs
      Yet Galinson wants to strike a balance between jazzing things up and protecting British football history.
      And he was horrified by the proposed breakaway European Super League some of his compatriots on the other side of the Pond are still hellbent on creating.
      Four of the six Premier League teams that wanted to join — Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United — are US-owned while there is significant American investment at Manchester City.
      Galinson said: “It was dastardly Americans trying to ruin the English football pyramid system. It’s a horrible idea.
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      “The big six clubs wanted to get a franchise value that you get in the States. For example, NFL teams that don’t win are still worth three to four billion dollars minimum because they’re in a franchise.
      “But I’d say their profit isn’t worth what you’d have lost, which is 150 years of football tradition.”
      Galinson has been careful not to mess too much with Gillingham apart from improving the business and fans’ experience.
      And he believes fusing the best of how they do things in the States with English football can be a match made in heaven.
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      Manchester United owner Avram Glazer, pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson, wanted to join the breakaway European Super League
      He said: “In American sport there is so much dead time to fill because of time-outs and TV breaks.
      “But realising sport is an entertainment business, it’s important to put on a show during those moments.
      “At the Super Bowl there’s a stage rolled out at half time for a concert. They even have planes flying overhead. 
      “Half-time is only 15 minutes here and you can’t go too overboard or overly Americanise it because that’s cheesy — but a bit of entertainment makes people feel good.”
      Galinson says the Welcome To Wrexham documentary has given the profile of “soccer” a boost on the other side of the Atlantic.
      But the Gillingham owner rejected a chance to follow the Dragons’ Hollywood-star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney into agreeing to feature his club in a fly-on-the-wall series.
      He said: “You must take your hat off to Ryan and Rob for what they’re doing because it’s raising the audience and profile of League Two.
      “Two things that have hit the psyche of the American people are Welcome To Wrexham and Ted Lasso. Everyone’s watching.
      “Welcome To Wrexham is a great rags-to-riches story and Americans love those and Ted Lasso is heartwarming and funny in that an American has come to the UK.
      “But I wasn’t keen when approached to do a documentary with Gillingham. Having been around television production, the thing I’m concerned about with documentaries, despite the distraction, is they’re not real, they’re scripted. 
      Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds has raised the profile of League Two
      “There’s always a protagonist, there’s always an antagonist, there’s always the jester and there’s always the mean guy.
      “They take clips or have you say things in different ways and it becomes completely different to reality.
      “Although you’ll forget the camera is there, if they want you to say something in a funny way, they’ll literally stop and say, ‘can you re-say that but smiling?’
      “And it’s only after they edit it together, you realise they were just making the guy look like a patsy or whatever and I don’t want to expose Gillingham to that.” 
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      Many of Galinson’s friends and family back home would have been forgiven for thinking he had lost control of his senses when he completed his Gillingham takeover.
      The Kent club were rock bottom of League Two, had only scored six goals and not netted since October.
      They looked like dead certs to crash out of the EFL after 103 years.
      But today they travel to Doncaster top of the division with Galinson declaring: “We want to get into the Championship.”
      The businessman — who made his money through real estate — said: “There was trepidation when we closed the deal — but I always believed in the potential because it’s a pretty big and unique English club.”
      Galinson liked that Gillingham are the only EFL club in Kent, have a catchment area of 1.2million and own their own ground.
      As soon as he got the keys to the Priestfield Stadium from previous owner Paul Scally, he did not pussy-foot about.
      He recruited experienced manager Kenny Jackett as director of football.
      And Galinson also brought in a club legend, former player and two-time boss Andy Hessenthaler, as head of recruitment. Hess was player-boss from 2000-2004 when the club were in the second tier.
      Neil Harris is doing a great job with Gillingham top of League Two
      With former Millwall and Cardiff boss Neil Harris at the helm, he has a formidable senior three-man management team and Galinson said: “In all my businesses I’ve recruited good people who’re smarter than me. They whipped us into shape and saved us from relegation.
      “Gillingham can definitely be a Championship club without doing much differently. Even the stadium today can support a second-tier club.
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      “Can we be a Premier League side? Yes, of course. I point to our giant catchment area. There aren’t a lot of clubs like ours outside the top division.
      “In the top tier, there are teams with smaller catchment areas than ours so the sky’s the limit. But the Championship must be our aim. The club has been there before and can do so again.” More

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      Wrexham suffer stadium blow despite promises from Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

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      WREXHAM have suffered a huge stadium blow.That’s despite promises made to fans by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
      Wrexham have suffered a blow over the opening of their new standCredit: Getty
      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had promised it would be open for the start of next seasonCredit: Getty
      The Welsh side finally achieved promotion to the EFL last season, winning the National League in style ahead of Notts County.
      They are enjoying life in League Two so far, winning four of their eight matches to sit fourth in the table.
      However, Wrexham have delivered some bad news to supporters regarding the extension to their stadium.
      The Racecourse Ground is set to welcome a new Kop stand boasting 5,500 seats.
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      It will take the stadium’s capacity to 16,000 as Reynolds and McElhenney plot Wrexham’s route to League One.
      The duo had promised it would be ready for the start of the 2024/25 season.
      However, Wrexham have now released a statement admitting the Kop stand is still a work in progress.
      Indeed, a date to start construction has still not been agreed.
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      And the rebuilt stand will not be completed in time for next season.
      A statement read: “The new Kop will not be open for the start of the 2024/25 season with a projected build period of 12 months from commencement on site. 

      “There is no date for starting on site, as several matters need to be resolved before that can be confirmed.
      “To enable a contract to build the Kop to be signed, the grant funding agreement from Wrexham County Borough Council needs to be finalised and the Club satisfied that the conditions attached to the funding offer can be fulfilled. 
      “It is hoped that these negotiations will be completed before the end of October 2023.” More

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      EFL charge Reading owner Yongge Dai with misconduct after club hit with fourth points deduction in three seasons

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      READING owner Yongge Dai has been charged with misconduct by the EFL.The Royals have been slapped with their fourth points deduction in three seasons.
      Reading owner Yongge Dai has been charged by the EFLCredit: Rex Features
      Reading were relegated from the Championship last term following a six-point deduction.
      While they narrowly survived the previous season, with their first six-point deduction having dropped them to 21st.
      They were docked a further point for the 2023-24 season last month, with a further three suspended.
      The Royals were required to deposit a sum worth 125 per cent of their forecast monthly salary into a designated club account by September 12.
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      Following their failure to do so, they have triggered a further points deduction, meaning they have now been docked a total of four points this season.
      Owner Dai has received his charge as a further consequence.
      An EFL statement read: “Reading FC’s owner, Mr Yongge Dai, has been charged with misconduct after failing to comply with the order of an independent Disciplinary Commission which required him to deposit an amount equal to 125 per cent of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account by 12 September.
      “The League considers these further proceedings against him personally are necessary given the repeated failings in meeting the Club’s funding requirements which have only a detrimental impact on the Club and its wider stakeholders.
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      “This matter will now be considered by an independent Disciplinary Commission in accordance with EFL Regulations.”
      Reading appointed former Southampton boss Ruben Selles as manager in the summer.
      They have started the season with three wins and four defeats from seven league matches – with their points deduction dropping them to 21st in the table.
      As news of their further deduction broke last week, a club statement read: “Reading Football Club can confirm that a suspended three-point penalty has been activated as a result of owner Mr Dai failing to deposit an amount equating to 125 per cent of the club’s monthly wage bill into a designated account by the deadline of Tuesday 12 September 2023, as ordered by the Independent Disciplinary Commission in its decision of 15 August 2023.
      “Last month, the club received a one-point penalty in relation to breaches of Regulation 64.7 of the EFL Regulations (relating to three instances of late payment of player wages), with a further three-point suspended penalty to be applied should the club fail to pay players’ wages on time on any further occasion before 30 June 2024, or should the deposit payment fail to be paid.
      “The points deduction will now be applied to our League One total with immediate effect.
      “As communicated to our supporters previously, Mr Dai is currently undertaking an ongoing process of seeking sources of stable external investment for the football club, with the aim of mitigating the risk of cashflow complications arising in future.”
      Reading were in swashbuckling form last night in the EFL Trophy, thrashing Exeter 9-0 away from home.
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      Boss Selles hailed his side after the historic win, gushing: “This group has something special, both together and as individuals, so the decision has not been difficult because of the way they work.
      “We just need to carry on and don’t forget that every few days we have a game.”
      Reading boss Ruben Selles hailed his side’s 9-0 win at ExeterCredit: Rex More

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      Amazed fans say ‘I’ve never seen this before’ as EFL club score two goals in the SAME MINUTE

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      AMAZED fans were left gasping “I’ve never seen this before!”That’s after EFL club Portsmouth scored two goals in the same MINUTE.
      Fans were left stunned as Portsmouth scored two goals in the same minute against BarnsleyCredit: Rex
      Supporters couldn’t believe what they were seeing with the quickfire blitzCredit: Twitter @ACrawford1987
      League One side Pompey travelled to rivals Barnsley on Tuesday night looking to keep their unbeaten record intact.
      And the visitors made no mistakes as they raced into an eighth-minute lead through Colby Bishop.
      The striker was brought down in the box by Barnsley goalie Liam Roberts.
      And Bishop slotted home the resulting penalty to hand Portsmouth the lead.
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      However, what happened next left fans amazed.
      As soon as Barnsley kicked-off, they were immediately dispossessed by Bishop.
      He then teed up team-mate Paddy Lane.
      And the winger fired home to give his side a 2-0 lead – with the match clock still in minute eight.
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      Fans were left gobsmacked by the incident, with many never seeing two goals scored in such quick succession.
      One said: “Genuinely never seen two goals in the same minute before.”
      Another declared: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen two goals in the SAME minute before.”
      One noted: “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
      Another added: “I can’t keep up.”
      Things got even better for Portsmouth eight minutes later when they went 3-0 up through Connor Ogilvie.
      But Barnsley came battling back in the second half, getting a goal through Barry Cotter.
      They then netted a second in the 77th minute through Callum Styles.
      But Pompey held firm to claim all three points. More