EFL

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Wrexham star fears ban on ‘anti-football’ rule could ‘ruin my career’ as he says ‘I nearly had to hand in my retirement’

      by

      WREXHAM star Ben Tozer joked that the EFL are trying to force him into retirement by introducing a new rule.Tozer, 33, has developed a reputation as a long-throw in specialist throughout his career.
      Ben Tozer is well-renowned for his long throwsCredit: Reuters
      His incredible hoists proved to be particularly handy as Wrexham won the National League last season.
      In order to get the most distance possible on his throws, Tozer always ensures that the ball is dry.
      But with the EFL banning players from using towels during games, the defender’s throw-ins could be neutralised.
      Tozer joked that the powers that be are trying to “ruin” his career with the rule change.
      READ MORE ON WREXHAM
      But he was deadly serious when he insisted long throws are not “anti-football” – and merely part of the game.
      He said: “I might have upset someone in the EFL because they’re trying to ruin my career. I nearly had to hand my retirement straight away.
      “I understand it because some people see it as anti-football, but it’s part of football.
      “Throw-ins are just like a corner or a penalty, they are set pieces.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      “We had a bit of an advantage but there are ways around everything and I’ve got the shirt that I’m wearing.
      “I can still dry the ball with that.
      “I’m sure there will be other ways around it as well but it’s just one of those things you just have to get on with.”
      Wrexham are set to jet out to the US for an exciting pre-season tour next month
      Tozer and Co will play Chelsea in North Carolina on July 19, before travelling to San Diego to play Manchester United a week later.
      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s League Two new-boys will then host MK Dons on August 5 in their season curtain-raiser.
      Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds will see their side play in League Two on August 5Credit: PA More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      You’re a genius if you can spot the hidden nickname in Gillingham’s badge and fans can’t believe they’ve just noticed it

      by

      FANS can’t believe that they’ve only just spotted the hidden nickname on Gillingham’s badge.The Gills came 17th in League Two last season, climbing away from the relegation zone after a flurry of January signings.
      Fans have noticed that the word ‘Gills’ features on Gillingham’s badge
      Neil Harris’ side have been out of action since the fourth tier’s conclusion in early May.
      But fans have still been chatting about the Gills online, after noticing the nickname on their badge.
      The Kent side’s crest features their full name written across the top, with black stripes on the left and a white prancing horse on the right.
      Previously unbeknownst to many casual fans, the horse’s mane features the word “Gills”.
      Read More Football Stories
      Noticing this fact, EFL fanatic and podcaster Edward Walker tweeted: “I was today years old when I realised that the mane of the horse in the Gillingham badge spells the club’s nickname…”
      He then added: “Cannot fathom how it’s taken me this long to realise. Shameful.”
      Walker wasn’t the only one, with another fan writing: “Wow – I’ve never noticed either!”
      While a second tweeted: “Wow, that’s quite incredible. Never noticed that before.”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      A third joked: “How do I unsee this?”
      And a further Twitter user wrote: “I’ve been lied to…”
      Another added: “I can’t not see it now it’s mad how did we miss it.”
      Fans ‘can’t unsee’ the nickname on Gillingham’s badgeCredit: Gary Stone More

    • 250 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ben Foster reveals what Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney did to convince him to sign a new deal

      by

      BEN FOSTER has revealed Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney “pinned him into a corner” to make him sign a new deal.The goalkeeper signed for Wrexham on a short-term deal last season and played eight games during the run-in.
      Ben Foster has penned a one-year deal with WrexhamCredit: Getty
      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were desperate for the keeper to sign onCredit: Getty
      He saved a last-minute penalty to secure a crucial win over Notts County which helped to seal automatic promotion.
      Owners Reynolds and McElhenney were desperate for Foster to continue his stay and initiated the idea of him staying during Wrexham’s promotion victory parade.
      Foster, 40, revealed the pair later set up a WhatsApp group to ensure he signed on for next season.
      He said on his Fozcast podcast: “They basically sort of like pinned me into a corner like right. ‘Next season, what’s happening next?’.
      READ MORE ON WREXHAM
      “I was like I don’t know and they were like listen ‘we want you to be back. We need you back’. And I went ‘yeah I’m going to have to think about it, I’ve loved it so much and I will put so much thought into it’.
      “It was a foregone conclusion, it really was.
      “I was actually out in Belfast with Boaz [Myhill] and Brunty [Chris Brunt] playing a bit of golf out there and out of nowhere a WhatsApp group just gets made on my phone and it was called ‘Hands of Fozz’.
      “There were three people in it and it was Rob, Ryan and it was me. Straight away it was like they just jumped on and go right Fozzy come on are we doing this or what.
      Most read in EFL
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “I’m like lads don’t worry about it ring me tomorrow if you want. Rob was like ‘I’ll ring you now’ so he’s there I’m like ‘yes mate don’t even worry about it we’ll sort it all’.
      “He was like ‘cool that’s gospel yeah like your word. You’re a man right if you’re saying it’. And I was like yep ‘cool we’re doing it don’t worry’.”
      The former Manchester United shot-stopper penned a new one-year deal earlier this month and is already targeting promotion to League One. More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Wrexham star Ben Foster reveals special condition Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney agreed to for him to sign new deal

      by

      WREXHAM keeper Ben Foster needed owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to agree to a special condition for him to stay at the club.Foster, 40 came out of retirement to help the Welsh side clinch promotion back into the Football League after 15 years away.
      Ben Foster has agreed a new one-year deal with WrexhamCredit: Getty
      Ryan Reynolds, left, and Rob McElhenney convinced Foster to stay for another seasonCredit: Getty
      But it remained unclear even after their return to League Two whether Foster would stay for another year.
      Earlier this week, the ex-Manchester United shot-stopper put an end to speculation by confirming he HAD penned a one-year extension.
      However, he had previously spoken when negotiations were ongoing about how the club would need to be flexible around his schedule due to him living so far away.
      Speaking on The Fellas Podcast, he said: “They’d have to be flexible with me with sort of days off basically. Like I said earlier I live a couple hours away from Wrexham.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “So if I’m driving to training then that’s two hours and then I’ll train, and then to get home you’ve got to get through M6 through birmingham, take you three hours sometimes. 
      “In the six weeks I did the club were so good with me. They were so flexible. They gave me sort of extra days off. 
      ‘We would play on a Saturday, they’d give me Sunday and Monday off.
      “I’d train on Tuesday, we’d all have a day off on Wednesday anyway. i’d only be training really three days.”
      Most read in EFL
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Foster’s first stint at Wrexham came nearly two decades ago when he was on loan from Man Utd.
      He went on to play for the likes of West Brom and Watford in the Premier League, hanging up his boots at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
      He then returned to football in March to help Wrexham return to the fourth tier – including saving a penalty in their crucial win over promotion rivals Notts County.
      And now Foster, who will play in Soccer Aid on Sunday, is targeting a second successive promotion in the 2023/24 campaign.
      After signing a contract extension, he told Wrexham’s club media: “At the end of last season it was obvious that I enjoyed being at the Club, I loved being part of the team and everything that Wrexham stands for. 
      “The fans took to me so warmly, Phil Parkinson is brilliant, Steve Parkin is top class, I love Aidan Davison to bits, and the Co-Chairmen are out of this world.
      “I’d decided before the end of last season I wanted to do it, because it feels like home. I’ve never joined a football club and felt at ease so quickly.” More

    • 275 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      Read More Football Stories
      “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.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      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

    • 175 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      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?”
      Most read in EFL
      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.”
      Read More on The Sun
      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

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      Read More on Football
      “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.
      Most read in EFL
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      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

    • 288 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      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.
      Most read in Championship
      It wasn’t until Brentford’s debut season in the first division in 1935-36 that the ground finally had four stands.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      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.
      Read More on The Sun
      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