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      Man Utd legend’s grandson scores screamer on debut for EFL club to win match sparking wild scenes in stands

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      LEWIS MACARI followed in the footsteps of his famous grandad to score a screamer on his EFL debut – winning the game and sparking wild scenes.The 21-year-old is on the books of Stoke, having come through the Potters’ academy.
      Lewis Macari scored a belter on his debut in the EFL for Notts CountyCredit: Rex
      Macari let fly from outside the areaCredit: Twitter / @SkyBetLeagueTwo

      But after loans at non-league Market Drayton Town and Dundalk, he has now joined Notts County in League Two.
      And he delivered the goods on his senior debut for the Magpies.
      After replacing Richard Brindley as an early sub away at Gillingham on Saturday, Macari decided the game with a superb strike 12 minutes from time.
      The right-back latched on to a pass just outside the area and thundered the ball into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
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      That put County 2-1 up at Priestfield and prompted huge celebrations among the players and travelling fans as Luke Williams’ men clinched all three points.
      The result keeps Notts County’s promotion charge in full swing, with the newly-promoted side second after 14 games, two points adrift of leaders Stockport.
      Macari has no shortage of sporting pedigree.
      The youngster’s dad Paul was a professional footballer and uncle Mike was at Stoke.
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      But it is grandad Lou who enjoyed the most success in the game.
      The former midfielder starred for Celtic and Swindon either side of 11 years at Manchester United.
      The 24-cap Scotland international arrived at Old Trafford for £200,000 in 1973.
      He racked up 97 goals in 404 appearances for the Red Devils and won the FA Cup and Second Division.
      Macari Sr went on to have seven managerial jobs, including a spell at Celtic sandwiched by two stints with Stoke in the 1990s.
      Away from football, he also set up a homeless shelter after being inspired to help people sleeping rough in the winter.
      The ball flew into the top cornerCredit: Twitter / @SkyBetLeagueTwo
      The travelling Magpies fans celebrated the stunning winner wildlyCredit: Twitter / @SkyBetLeagueTwo
      The win keeps Notts County’s promotion tilt on the right pathCredit: Rex
      Lou Macari spent 11 years at Manchester United and won the FA CupCredit: PA More

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      I was my football club’s youngest-ever player but suddenly QUIT at 20 – now I have a very different career

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      JOE HANCOTT swapped football for the classroom just four years after making his senior debut aged 16 and 161 days.The left-back has his name written in the Portsmouth record books after featuring in an EFL Trophy match against Fulham’s Under-21s in 2017.
      Joe Hancott quit football aged 20 to become a teacherCredit: 2019 Getty Images
      He became the club’s youngest-ever player a week before he was due to collect his GCSE results.
      His appearance smashed the record held by now Premier League manager Gary O’Neil.
      Hancott, who joined the club aged eight, was subbed on in the game by experienced boss Kenny Jackett and he went on to make a further three appearances for Pompey.
      But just four years after bursting onto the scene, he fell out of love with the beautiful game and no longer plays professionally.
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      The 22-year-old was hit by a season-ending ACL injuries when in pre-season training with Portsmouth and then again during his subsequent recoveries on loan at Bognor Regis and Basingstoke.
      His scholarship at Fratton Park was initially extended before his release in 2021.
      It took a toll on Hancott and he simply had enough of trying to make it as a professional footballer despite being snapped up by Bognor Regis on a permanent deal.
      The disillusioned wonderkid hung up his boots at the age of 20 and decided to try to achieve his ambitions of becoming a teacher.
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      Hancott explained to The News: “I wanted to be out of it. Not Pompey as a club, professional football as a whole. I couldn’t wait.
      “Some people would say, ‘What the hell?’, but I fell out of love with it completely.
      “When I say fell out of love, weirdly I still loved watching it, I loved watching the Premier League and my club Tottenham, watching the Football League and my mates performing at non-league level.
      “But I didn’t like playing it at the time.
      “It could be down to pressure or maybe going through a 12-year academy process had drained that fun out of me.
      “Perhaps it was due to commuting from the Isle of Wight four times a week to train or play, with your body developing and growing yet constantly getting battered on different playing surfaces.
      “Or you’ve tried to come back from injury and, yet again, it hasn’t worked out, so you think: ‘That’s not for me any more’.
      “Pompey kept extending my contract because they wanted to help me get back to full fitness, but it got to the point where I wasn’t fussed about playing professional football anymore – and I told them that.”
      During his rehab following the ACL injuries, Hancott began to look at forging a path into teaching.
      He enrolled on an Open University course in sport and business management at Salford University back in 2020.
      And just six months in, he had made his mind up and quit football.
      Hancott initially worked in a primary school before landing his dream job two years ago at his former secondary in Ryde as a PE teacher.
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      Now free from the pressure of the academy, he is back playing with Isle of Wight team Newport and now Cowes Sports.
      Both are in the Wessex Football League, which is the ninth tier of the English pyramid. More

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      Leyton Orient forced to wear away kit against Barnsley despite playing at home – and there’s a bizarre reason why

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      LEYTON ORIENT will wear their white away kit against Barnsley tomorrow, despite being the home side.Both sides traditionally wear red at home.
      Leyton Orient will wear their white away kit against BarnsleyCredit: Rex
      Barnsley would normally rock up in their white away strip for the Brisbane Road clash.
      They are currently without their alternate kit, however, after their team bus caught fire a fortnight ago.
      The Tykes had been travelling home from their 1-0 win at Exeter when the incident occurred.
      Everyone on board was thankfully evacuated safely and no one was harmed.
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      But Barnsley’s away kit, which they had worn that day, was onboard and is now unusable.
      Neill Collins’ side have been unable to source replacements in time for tomorrow’s clash with Orient.
      Barnsley could wear their black third kit instead, which wouldn’t clash with their opponents’ red home shirts.
      But due to red and black causing significant issues for those who are colour blind, Orient have agreed to wear their white away shirts instead.
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      This means that home fans will get a rare glimpse of their team not playing in red.
      Orient boss Richie Wellens will be looking for his side to continue a positive run of form that has seen them win four of their last six games.
      During this run their home match with Lincoln was abandoned with ten minutes remaining following a medical emergency.
      The O’s later confirmed the tragic news that fan Derek Reynolds had died aged 74.
      It was later decided by the EFL that the match will be replayed in full at a later date. More

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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