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      Wigan on brink of takeover as unnamed buyer agrees deal in principle with crisis club to start League One season on -8

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      WIGAN have agreed a deal in principal to be taken over, subject to EFL approval.The crisis club confirmed on their official website last night that an agreement had been struck with an unnamed buyer.
      Wigan are set to begin next season with an eight-point deductionCredit: PA
      Shaun Maloney’s side were relegated from the Championship this term amid financial woes.
      The Latics were deducted six points during the 2022-23 campaign for failing to pay players – and will begin next term in League One on minus eight points for similar infringements.
      In a statement from their current ownership group, Wigan chiefs confirmed: “A deal has been agreed in principle for the sale of Wigan Athletic Football Club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.
      “The prospective new owners have committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.
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      “Further updates on this process will follow in due course.”
      Wigan were initially deducted four points for next season, with a further four suspended.
      To avoid the further four being deducted, Wigan were required to place 125 per cent of their forecast monthly wage bill into a nominated account by May 24.
      They failed to do so, however, citing late payments of international bank transfers.
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      Ahead of their latest points deduction, chairman Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi wrote on the club’s website: “I want to confirm that an eight-figure sum is currently being processed and is due to land in the club account imminently. This funding will also ensure financial stability for June and the 2023/24 season.
      “It is important to address the numerous late wage payments. As I have previously stated, I recognise this is totally unacceptable. Since Phoenix 2021 acquired Wigan Athletic in 2021, the ownership group will have invested over £30m into the club to date.
      “The inflated wage bill resulted in cash flow issues which meant we could not adhere to the Agreed Decision with the EFL in January. However, everything possible was done to ensure wages were paid.
      “Delays are a common occurrence with overseas transactions, but that is not and cannot be an excuse for late payments.”
      Former Tottenham and England defender Steven Caulker was among six first-team players to be released by Wigan upon the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. More

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      Former Premier League star receives threats against his children after tweet about Sheffield Wednesday

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED legend Paddy Kenny claims irate rival supporters have called him “threatening to blow my kids knee caps off”.The former goalkeeper, who once had his eyebrow bitten off in a curry house scrap, has been revelling in his old club’s promotion to the Premier League.
      Goalie David Stockdale and Barry Bannan celebrating Sheff Wed’s play-off win over BarnsleyCredit: Getty
      Blades legend Paddy Kenny has been involved in a Twitter exchange with the Owls goalieCredit: Twitter / @paddykenny17
      The 45-year-old was No.1 at Bramall Lane for eight years from 2010 and still remains a favourite with supporters.
      And he is never one to shy away from his love of the Blades and regularly winds-up their Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday – especially on Twitter.
      He firstly slammed them for blowing automatic promotion, but the Owls eventually got the job done on Monday.
      After an incredible record-breaking comeback against Peterborough, they then beat Barnsley in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
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      Jibes have been going back and forth between players from both clubs throughout both United and Wednesday’s promotion celebrations.
      Blades forward Rhian Brewster wound-up Owls supporters first, before Wednesday captain Barry Bannan labelled him “absolutely f***ing honking”.
      Kenny was also keen to get involved and has been enjoying a social media back and forth with Owls goalie David Stockdale, who was sub keeper for the Wembley triumph.
      Ex-Fulham and Brighton stopper Stockdale tweeted Kenny from the dressing-room after the final and, alongside a snap of himself in his kit with his medal and beer in hand, asked: “@paddykenny17 you around sheff tomorrow?”
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      Kenny replied: “TBF I didn’t even think you’d get a medal for sitting on the Judy Dench.”
      The two have continued the fun and games all week since, now things have been taken a step too far.
      Wednesday announced on Friday that 37-year-old Stockdale was leaving the club.
      Kenny was then out on the town last night and tweeted Stockdale a photo of himself enjoying a bevvy, captioning it with: “Fancy Sheffield tonight @stockogk1313.”
      He followed that up with another photo of himself with a bottle of Hooch.
      However, Kenny has now taken to Twitter to claim: “People calling my mobile and threatening to blow my kids knee caps off now that’s proper low and sums some people up, I’m all for banter but that’s crossed the line.”
      Stockdale replied to that tweet with: “Agreed. It’s all good humour in a great rivalry. Really not needed. Have a safe night Patrick.”
      That led to Kenny going back with: “You know it pal, people can’t take bants, do they not realise us keepers stick together.”
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      And even Wednesday ace Bannan responded as well, tweeting: “Shambles mate can’t have a bit of fun without it getting silly and over the line.”
      Which led to Kenny replying: “You know it pal, all I ever do is have banter never mean anything but that crosses the line, btw congrats.”
      Paddy Kenny played for Sheffield United for eight seasonsCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      How much Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney spent on Las Vegas trip that Ben Foster called ‘hard work’

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      BEN FOSTER has revealed how much he believes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney spent on Wrexham’s post-season trip to Las Vegas.The Red Dragons were rewarded with the deluxe holiday last month after gaining promotion to the Football League for the first time in 15 years.
      The team kicked off the celebrations as soon as they arrivedCredit: Splash
      The players were surrounded by bikini clad women at a pool partyCredit: The Mega Agency
      Some of them showed off their best movesCredit: Splash
      The players looked to be enjoying themselvesCredit: Splash
      Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds treated the players to the tripCredit: Reuters
      Club owners Reynolds and McElhenney covered all costs for the entire trip, meaning none of the players had to spend a penny.
      And Foster, 40, has since revealed his estimation of how much the Hollywood duo spent on the festivities.
      Speaking on The Fellas Podcast, the goalkeeper said: “I went on the Vegas trip… it was hard work, mate, honestly.
      “The way that Rob McElhenney and Ryan (Reynolds) put it on for us, laid it on for us, was just like nothing I’ve ever seen.
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      “We got there and it was just straight to the shower, get changed, go to Hakkasan for dinner and then we’re going to Hakkasan nightclub straight afterwards. All expenses paid.
      “Got to be £500,000… had to be at least half a million. Genuinely it had to be because they just looked after everything.”
      Wrexham’s four-day trip to Vegas included several pool parties and nightclub visits.
      On their first night in Sin City, the players were invited to the exclusive Hakkasan restaurant where they enjoyed a meal before moving on to the Hakkasan nightclub.
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      Upon arriving at the extravagant club, the Red Dragons were greeted with a Wrexham song and a highlight reel including the club’s best moments from the 2022-23 campaign.
      The club badge was also projected onto the wall and ceiling while the players enjoyed the VIP treatment.
      Foster added: “We walk in and whatever’s playing, the music shuts off and they start playing a Wrexham song.
      “We’ve got a massive closed off VIP area, and there’s Wrexham drapes falling from the ceiling, poppers going off everywhere with confetti, glitter.
      “There’s a screen and it’s showing like Paul Mullin scoring goals and stuff like that!
      “It’s 1am and they’ve stopped the music and they’re putting this stuff on, and every one of us is just going ‘What on Earth’s going on here?!'”
      Foster came out of retirement to join Wrexham in March.
      The former Manchester United star signed a short-term contract until the end of the season, but club chiefs are set to hold talks with him to establish whether or not he will continue at the club.
      They ate at the Hakkasan restaurant before moving onto the nightclubCredit: hakkasannightclub/Instagram
      They players celebrated their promotion in styleCredit: The Mega Agency
      The club badge was projected onto the wallCredit: hakkasannightclub/Instagram
      Foster has revealed how much he thinks Wrexham’s Las Vegas trip costCredit: Getty More

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      Inside abandoned stadium of Premier League club which was only ground to have a pub on each corner but now lies in ruins

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      GRIFFIN PARK was until recently one of the most vibrant stadiums in the Football League.Despite its meagre capacity of 12,764, the stadium was iconic for the fact it was the only English stadium to have a pub on every corner of the ground.
      Brentfod fans celebrate outside Griffin Park during the coronavirus pandemic.Credit: Getty
      Demolition begins at Griffin Park.Credit: Rex
      Griffin Park in its abandoned state.Credit: Rex
      But since Brentford made the move to the Gtech Community Stadium in September 2020, their spiritual home has been left in a state of ruin.
      All that remains now are the corners of some stands which are covered in weeds.
      The stadium was home to Brentford since 1904, when it was acquired as an orchard from Fuller’s brewing company.
      A team of volunteers cut down the trees in order to make room for the Bees’ former home, in exchange for being able to keep the wood.
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      True to its reputation of being the only ground with a pub on every corner, the name of Griffin Park was inspired by one of the corner pubs named ‘The Griffin’.
      The others were: The Princess Royal, The New Inn and The Brook.
      The stadium was built with a 20,000 seater capacity in mind, alongside hopes that it could be increased to 30,000.
      However for much of Brentford’s early history, the ‘stadium’ consisted of one grandstand.
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      It wasn’t until Brentford’s debut season in the first division in 1935-36 that the ground finally had four stands.
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      In the 1980s Griffin Park began taking the shape it would until its closure, with seated stands nestled between the four pubs.
      For much of Brentford’s history, their lower league status did not necessitate improvement, which led to Griffin Park having an old-school look.
      Speculation around moving away from their home began around 2002, but it wasn’t until current owner Matthew Benham became involved with the club that plans to move accelerated.
      Benham made his money in finance before moving to sports betting in 2001, which enabled him to make his millions.
      He implemented a gambling model alongside former business partner and now Brighton owner Tony Bloom which allowed their company to predict matches more accurately than the bookies.
      After the club fell into financial trouble under former owner Ron Noades, Benham began investing in the club as a ‘mystery investor’ in 2003.
      Demolition in progress at Griffin Park.Credit: Rex
      One of the club’s famous former entrances.Credit: Rex
      Benham gradually expanded his control over the Bees’ by agreeing to take on their loans before becoming the full owner of the club in 2012.
      The club earned promotion to The Championship in 2014 and final approval for the building of the Gtech Community Stadium was granted in September 2016.
      With the club flirting with promotion to the Premier League both in the 2014-15 season and 2018-19, questions were asked as to whether Griffin Park could safely be used in England’s top tier.
      The club were expected to apply for special dispensation to remain at Griffin Park while construction on the Gtech was completed.
      Much to the frustration of Brentford fans, they were unable to say goodbye to the ground due to the final season at Griffin Park being played during the Covid-impacted 2020-21 season.
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      The club earned planning permission to build 75 family homes on the site of Griffin Park, alongside a centrepiece garden that would pay tribute to their former home.
      But in a recent photo, its clear to see that building has not begun and all that remains are crumbling stands.
      The stadium in its heyday.Credit: Getty
      Griffin Park is now derelict.Credit: Rex
      The current remains of Griffin Park.Credit: Rex More

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      Wales wait on news of Luton star Tom Lockyer after horror collapse in Championship play-off final

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      WALES remain in the dark over the cause of Tom Lockyer’s shock collapse in the Championship play-off final.The Luton captain, 28, remains in hospital after he was carried off on a stretcher just eight minutes into the Wembley penalty shootout triumph over Coventry last Saturday to reach the Premier League.
      Tom Lockyer celebrated Luton’s promotion to the Premier League from a hospital bed after he collapsed on the Wembley pitch against Coventry last SaturdayCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Lockyer remains in hospital where he has been undergoing testsCredit:
      Dragons boss Robert Page had a 20-minute phone conversation on Monday but has opted not to select the 14-cap centre-back for the Euro 2024 double-header against Armenia and Turkey next month.
      Lockyer is expected to have further tests to determine the reason for the collapse and if he gets the green light then Page says he would ‘absolutely’ call him up to add to his 25-man squad.
      Page said: “Nobody has established what the problem is with Tom. I can’t speculate. He’s ok at the minute.
      “You don’t like to see any player go down injured and because of how he went down, you do wonder what the reasons were.
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      “It would be silly of me to even suggest what those reasons were. It’s for Luton to make a statement with regards to what they are doing.
      “We will just have to wait and see what they come up with. There will be further investigations to see what’s going on. Our medical team will be in contact with Luton.
      “You are always going to phone your players and show them support. We had a great conversation. He’s frustrated and disappointed.
      “As soon as he’s fit again he will be back involved. The most important thing is his health.”
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      Luton captain Lockyer was denied the chance of walking up the Wembley steps to lift the Championship play-off trophyCredit: PA
      Page says he was ‘gutted’ for Lockyer, who missed out on the chance of walking up the Wembley steps and lifting the play-off trophy.
      The Wales chief had the honour of leading Watford to the Prem through the play-offs during his playing days and added: “I was lucky to do it in 1999 with Watford – that was incredible.
      “I am gutted for him and his family. He more than anybody deserved to walk those steps and lift that trophy.
      “But I still believe there will be more moments like that for him in his career. Knowing Tom he will bounce back.
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      “He’s had an incredible season so he was going to be in my plans. Would they have got promoted without him? Probably not because he’s been that key to their performances.”
      Wales, who picked up four points from their opening two qualifiers in March, travel to Portugal for a warm weather training camp on June 8.
      Then the Dragons host Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 followed by a trip to Turkey three days later.
      David Brooks is back in the Wales squad after returning to football following a cancer diagnosis on international duty in October 2021Credit: Alamy
      Page has recalled Bournemouth’s David Brooks for the first time since his successful battle against cancer.
      The Wales boss said: “I wanted to pick him in March. He played some minutes before that camp and I wanted to get him involved as soon as possible.
      “I get that it was too quick, too soon and it was more beneficial for him to stay behind and play for Bournemouth Under-23s in a game that was organised for him.
      “Now it’s a different situation. He’s back fit and starting games in the Premier League. He’s the quality to be in our plans moving forward. I’ve touched base with him by text and he can’t wait to meet up.
      “He’s going to have to be patient. Is he going to start two games in June? Probably not. He might have some cameo roles.”
      Neco Williams is included despite fracturing his jaw for Nottingham Forest in April while captain Aaron Ramsey expects to be fit following a minor calf injury.
      Page added: “Aaron has played more football this season than he has done for the last few years. The little niggle, and that’s all it is, has probably come at a good time for him.
      “He’s at an age now where he knows his body and how to manage it. He’s got one eye on these two games and it is not an issue.
      “I know he’s enjoying his football in Nice. He’s played quite a few games and there are worse places in the world to live and life’s good for him.”
      Wales squad
      Hennessey, Ward, A Davies
      Rodon, Cabango, Mepham, Low, Roberts, Fox, Williams, B Davies, Ampadu
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      Morrell, J James, Ramsey, Wilson, Broadhead, Cooper, Harris
      Johnson, Moore, Bradshaw, D James, Brooks, Cullen More

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      Barnsley 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Josh Windass heads in dramatic late winner as Owls seal Championship return in final

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      JOSH WINDASS followed in the footsteps of his dad Dean to become a Wembley play-off hero after shooting Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship.The midfielder clinched victory with a 123rd-minute diving header to break 10-man Barnsley’s hearts — after getting on the end of Lee Gregory’s cross.
      Sheffield Wednesday are back in the Championship after a 1-0 playoff final win over BarnsleyCredit: Rex
      Darren Moore followed up the Peterborough comeback with a stunning promotion winCredit: Getty
      Josh Windass scored a dramatic 123rd minute winner at WembleyCredit: Getty
      Windass’ dramatic winner sparked wild celebrations from the OwlsCredit: Getty
      Club legend Barry Bannan was overcome with emotion at the final whistleCredit: Getty
      It comes 15 years after dad Windass Snr, 54, scored Hull’s winner against Bristol City to seal promotion to the Premier League.
      Windass, 29, was embraced on the pitch at the end by his old man before he climbed the Wembley steps to hold aloft the League One play-off trophy.
      And his proud dad said: “It’s incredible, absolutely incredible. I told him before the game he’d get the winner. I can’t believe he actually headed it. Wow.
      “I’m the proudest man in the world. I have no words. 
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      “I can’t believe it. He loves his football and has sacrificed his life for it since he was two years old.”
      There were just FIVE SECONDS left of the three allotted three minutes of stoppages ref Tim Robinson had added.
      For Wednesday, it was another glorious moment in their illustrious 155-year history as they returned to the Championship.
      They had laboured against the 10 men of Barnsley after Adam Phillips was sent off four minutes into the second half and were lucky not to concede a penalty after Gregory hacked down Liam Kitching.
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      Windass headed home with the last touch of the League One play-off final against BarnsleyCredit: Getty
      Wednesday fans were over the moon as they narrowly avoided a dreaded penalty shootoutCredit: PA
      Windass’ teammates were delighted to have secured a return to the second tierCredit: Getty
      Windass will got down in the history books at WednesdayCredit: Reuters
      Lee Gregory fell to his knees as the whistle blewCredit: Reuters
      But they came up with a moment of quality when it mattered most.
      Yet, for Michael Duff’s side, it was cruel. They were the better team, should have had that spot kick and not been reduced to 10 men.
      But Wednesday deserved promotion. Their 96 points would have normally been enough to go up automatically — but for the brilliance of champions Plymouth and runners-up Ipswich.
      And then to overcome a 4-0 deficit against Peterborough after their semi-final play-off first leg to go on to win promotion is the stuff of fairytales.
      Boss Darren Moore said: “It goes to show the impossible can be achieved with great belief, understanding, it’s a fairytale story.
      “I’m pleased for this club because we can now prepare for the Championship with the huge fan base we’ve got so we make the right decisions internally to compete and be successful.
      “This is a special and delightful moment to help this club back up. It shows when everyone comes together what can be achieved. It’s been a long journey but one that was worthwhile.”
      But you have to feel for Barnsley. All the EFL play-off finals had the benefit of VAR — but you must wonder what is the point when they cannot spot obvious mistakes.
      It was heartache for Barnley at the final whistleCredit: Getty
      Fans couldn’t believe the dramatic late blowCredit: PA
      Barnsley will be spending another season in League OneCredit: Rex
      Wednesday toasted their accomplishment by lifting the playoff final trophyCredit: Rex
      Manager Moore will be hoping to prevent instant relegation next seasonCredit: Rex
      The penalty incident, in particular, was baffling. 
      Barnsley boss Michael Duff groaned: “It’s a cruel game.
      “I’ve had enough messages on my phone to tell me the decisions were wrong. I spoke to Jobi Morris and Clinton Morrison at half time and they both said it was a penalty and not a red card.
      “That adds to the frustration. I thought the red card was a booking, there was no malice or intent.  
      “And we’ve also not had a penalty all season and to not get one in the biggest game of all is a bug bear. You would’ve thought VAR would eradicate these things.
      ‘I thought we would’ve grown stronger with 10 men. It was their players who were going down with cramp.
      “There were a lot of tears. They are a young group and sometimes you must learn the hard way.”
      Kitching deflected a Nicky Cadden volley on to the bar with his head for Barnsley while Wednesday keeper Cameron Dawson made top stops from Cadden and James Norwood.
      Tykes keeper Harry Isted produced superb saves to keep out Dominic Iorfa and Bannan.
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      But Luca Connell missed a sitter for Barnsley just six yards out before Will Vaulks thought he had won it for Wednesday before celebrations were ended by an offside flag.
      Then came the Windass show … and Wednesday are back in the Championship. More

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      People are only just realising why Sheffield Wednesday are called ‘Wednesday’

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      PEOPLE are only just realising why Sheffield Wednesday are called ‘Wednesday’.The Owls are one of the most iconic clubs in English football and not just because they have a day of the week in their name.
      Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest clubs in world football
      Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest football clubs in the world.
      The Yorkshire based outfit actually started out as a cricket club called the Wednesday Cricket Club, which was founded in 1820.
      The club was named after the day of the week on which it played their matches and because founding members had a half day off work.
      In 1867 the club created the Wednesday Football Club as a way to keep the players fit in the colder months when cricket wasn’t usually played.
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      The club turned professional in 1887 and adopted their current name of Sheffield Wednesday in 1929.
      They adopted the nickname the Owls following their move to Owlerton in Sheffield.
      However, Sheffield United fans used to refer to them as pigs because of a story which suggested their current stadium Hillsborough was built on a pig sty in the 1880s.
      The Owls have won nine major honours in their history including four first division titles and three FA Cups.
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      The club haven’t been in the Premier League since 2000 and are currently in League One.
      Darren Moore’s side staged a memorable comeback from 4-0 down in the first leg against Peterborough to win on penalties.
      They have a chance to earn promotion to the Championship against Barnsley in today’s League One play-off final. More

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      Coventry 1 Luton 1 (5-6 pens): Hatters win £170m match in dramatic fashion to reach Premier League for first time ever

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      LUTON have reached the Premier League for the first time in their history after poor Coventry sub Fankaty Dabo blinked first in a penalty shoot-out.The game had finished 1-1 after Gus Hamer’s second-half equaliser for the Sky Blues chalked off Jordan Clark’s blast.
      The moment Luton secured promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Fankaty Dabo misses the deciding penaltyCredit: PA
      Dan Potts celebrates as Dabo holds his head in his handsCredit: PA
      Jordan Clark opened the scoring for LutonCredit: Getty
      Gustavo Hamer restored parity after half-timeCredit: PA
      Joe Taylor thought he had won it late on in extra-timeCredit: Getty
      Luton thought they had won it when sub Joe Taylor netted with four minutes of extra-time to go but it was ruled out by VAR for handball.
      To penalties it went, with the first 11 takers all scoring until luckless Dabo blazed high and wide.
      The Hatters have not been in the top flight since 1992 – the year before the Prem was introduced – when they were relegated under David Pleat.
      But they hit the jackpot on a scorching hot day at Wembley, taking the £170million prize that comes with triumphing in the Championship play-off final in the most dramatic way possible.
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      They did it for the most part as well without captain Tom Lockyer, who was carried off on a stretcher inside 12 minutes after collapsing on the pitch in worrying scenes and was sent to hospital.
      The Welsh international was thankfully reported to be responsive and talking, and he would have been immensely proud of his team in his absence.
      It means the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal will all be heading next term to Kenilworth Road, a ground that was hosting non-league football a decade ago.
      The remarkable journey has not come without its setbacks, and they had a deeply concerning one here to contend with when Lockyer stumbled to the turf.
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      He received on-field medical treatment before he was taken off on a stretcher and given gas and air in the tunnel.
      The 28-year-old’s worried parents rushed down to see him in the medical room before he was taken to hospital for more tests, but thankfully was said to be responsive and talking.
      Yet Luton impressively kept their composure and deservedly took the lead with 23 minutes played.
      The goal itself was a combination of the route-one cliche of lower league football and the high-skill level that it actually often is.
      It began with a huge whack up the field from Alfie Doughty but there was nothing rudimentary about what Elijah Adebayo did with the ball when he received it.
      The Fulham academy graduate showed some clever footwork to bamboozle Kyle McFadzean before teeing up Clark who smashed home at the near post.
      Sky Blues defender Luke McNally summed up his side’s first half when he carelessly passed the ball out of play.
      Luton had the ball in the back of the net again with four minutes to the break but again it was chalked off.
      Callum Doyle tried to clear when Doughty had seen a shot blocked, but the Coventry defender’s hack away smashed into Adebayo’s hand and went in.
      To be fair to Luton’s tricky No11, he instantly fessed up and a free-kick was given.
      Coventry had to respond and Robins decided to bring on striker Matty Godden at half-time for Jamie Allen at the break.
      The sea of Sky Blue supporters cranked up the noise and they were rewarded with a terrific equaliser on 66 minutes.
      A rapid counter-attack saw Viktor Gyokeres set away down the left and the Swede had the presence of mind to cut it back for Hamer, whose first-time strike found the corner.
      Suddenly it was Coventry in the ascendancy and Godden, who had brought some much-needed urgency, had his head in his hands after blazing over.
      Robins’ men were dealt an injury blow of their own as Hamer was forced off after landing awkwardly following an aerial battle, and full-time blew with the score at 1-1.
      Coventry fans breathed a huge sigh of relief nine minutes into the first half of extra-time when Clark went down in the box as keeper Ben Wilson rushed out.
      But ref Michael Oliver deemed it a dive and promptly booked Clark, who had taken the armband from stricken Lockyer.
      Luton thought they had won it late on when Jonathan Panzo’s horror mistake let in Taylor, who found the back of the net.
      Read More on The Sun
      But VAR correctly spotted Taylor had handled in the build-up and it was chalked off, sparking a huge roar from the blue half of Wembley.
      To spot-kicks it went, and every single taker was clinical until poor Dabo, the 12th taker with Luton leading 6-5, missed the target by some way. More