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      Do away goals count in Championship play-offs?

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      THE away goals rule had for decades been the most common way to decide a two-legged tie in football.It was introduced by Uefa in 1965 and was a feature of competitions until 2021. But is the rule used in the EFL play-offs?
      Luton are in the Championship play-offsCredit: Getty
      Do away goals count in the EFL play-offs?
      Away goals do not count double in the EFL play-offs.
      The Football League did use the rule but chose to abolish it in 1999.
      This decision was made after an initiative by then-Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks.
      Sheepshanks’ Tractor Boys lost via the rule in 1997 and 1999 despite finishing higher than their opponents in the league on both occasions.
      What is the away goals rule?
      The away goals rule is the most commonly used way of deciding football matches played over two legs.
      If the scores are level after 90 minutes at home and 90 minutes away then, rather than go to penalties, the team that scored most goals in the away game goes through.
      The idea is to reward away teams who choose to play attacking football.
      Do away goals really count double?
      That expression is supposed to be the law, but it’s really more of a figure of speech.
      It simply means that away goals are the first decider for a tied two-leg match.
      If anything, it is like an extra half a goal for the team that scored more away from home.
      Which competitions use the away goals rule?
      The Champions League and the Europa League, as well as all South American competitions abolished the away goals rule in 2021.
      The League Cup did use away goals after extra time in the semi-finals but abolished the rule in 2018, with teams playing penalties after 90 minutes. More

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      Wrexham release ELEVEN stars including ex-Prem player days after Vegas promotion party with Foster’s future in limbo

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      WREXHAM have released 11 players ahead of their return to the Football League.The Red Dragons secured promotion to League Two last month with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood at the Racecourse Ground.
      Wrexham have released 11 playersCredit: PA
      Foster’s future at the club is uncertainCredit: Getty
      They finished the season on a total of 111 points – a new record for the National League.
      But a number of players are now set to leave Wrexham, despite the club’s historic campaign.
      Ryan Austin, Malik Dijksteel, Jake Hyde, Rory Watson, Tom Jenkins, Dan Jones, Louis Lloyd and Will Mountfield have all been released as well as former Burnley goalkeeper Kai Calderbank-Park and ex-Norwich defender Reece Hall-Johnson.
      Harry Lennon is also set to depart.
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      The 28-year-old recently confirmed his intention to retire due to several injury issues.
      The future of former Manchester United and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster is also uncertain.

      Wrexham officials are set to hold talks with the 40-year-old to establish whether he will continue at the club or return to retirement.
      Mark Howard, Anthony Forde and Paul Mullin – who has scored 38 goals for the Red Dragons this season – have had their contracts extended by a further year.
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      Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny were keen to treat the first team to an epic promotion party in Las Vegas earlier this month.
      The duo covered all the costs of the extravagant holiday, according to star striker Mullin.
      Prior to the trip, the 28-year-old told GQ: “It became a thing where if we won the league, we’d get a holiday. So we’re off to Vegas.
      “Ryan and Rob told us to leave our cards at home, they’re sorting the lot.
      “They sent us a full itinerary just now.
      “Part of me doesn’t want to go, I might be dead by the end of it.
      “But I’d never go to Vegas by my own accord, so I’m buzzing for it.”
      The Wrexham stars enjoyed dinner at the exclusive Hakkasan restaurant one evening before a party, where they received an incredible reception. More

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      Forgotten ex-Man Utd star who played under Fergie with Pogba left unemployed aged 30 after club release him

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      RYAN TUNNICLIFFE has been released by Portsmouth following the expiry of his contract at Fratton Park.The midfielder joined Pompey in 2021, and went on to make 69 appearances for the League One side.
      Ryan Tunnicliffe played 69 times in two years at PortsmouthCredit: Getty
      Tunnicliffe, 30, began his career as a hot prospect at Manchester United and was an important figure in their FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2011.
      He starred alongside Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison in that side, and has gone on to have a respectable career in the game.
      After making two first team appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, Tunnicliffe departed United for Fulham in January 2014.
      He also played for Wigan, Blackburn, Millwall and Luton – prior to signing for Portsmouth.
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      Tunnicliffe started half of Pompey’s 46 League One matches this term, as John Mousinho’s side came eighth.
      Upon announcing his side’s retained list, Mousinho thanked his released stars for their efforts.
      He said: “We would like to thank all those players who are leaving for the contribution they have made – whether that’s those lads who came in on loan in January or those who have been here for longer.
      “All of them have conducted themselves brilliantly ever since I arrived and we would like to wish them well for the future.
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      Ryan Tunnicliffe, front left, was part of Man United’s FA Youth Cup winning side in 2011
      “Part of what we’re trying to build here is making sure that players leave the football club in the right way and I can assure them that they will always be a part of this football club.”
      Clark Robertson, Michael Jacobs, Louis Thompson, Kieron Freeman, Jayden Reid, Alfie Bridgman and Dan Gifford have also been let go.
      While loanees, including Tottenham wonderkid Dane Scarlett, have returned to their parent clubs.
      Tunnicliffe played alongside Paul Pogba in midfield for United’s academy sidesCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd legend John O’Shea ‘in running for first managerial job with EFL club’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend John O’Shea is allegedly in the running to take over at relegated Reading.The Royals, who suffered a six-point deduction, axed Paul Ince last month and named Noel Hunt as interim boss until the end of the campaign.
      John O’Shea is allegedly ‘in the running’ for the vacant Reading jobCredit: Getty
      However, the former Reading striker was unable to stop them from slipping into League One and they are now searching for a new man to try and lead an instant return.
      Meanwhile, the 42-year-old O’Shea this week left his role as coach at Stoke City after just one year.
      He said that was in order to focus on his job as assistant manager to Stephen Kenny with the Republic of Ireland national team.
      But now journalist Darren Witcoop claims that the former defender, who finished his career after a one-season stint at Reading in 2019, could make a surprise return to his old club.
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      He tweeted: “John O’Shea, believed to be among the contenders for the managerial vacancy at Reading, has left his coaching role at Stoke.
      “O’Shea plans to focus on his Republic of Ireland coaching commitments.”
      Although he did also state that another man is ahead of him in the race for the job.
      He added: “Chris Wilder remains favourite to land the Royals job.”
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      Wilder has just left Watford after a short stint ended in him failing to secure a play-off spot in the Championship.
      O’Shea was promoted to the Ireland senior set-up by Kenny in February 2022.
      That was after previously serving as assistant to Jim Crawford with the Ireland U21 squad.
      He told Stoke’s official website this week: “I would like to thank everyone at Stoke City for their help and guidance last season and wish the club good luck for the future.” More

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      Gareth Bale’s agent reveals brutal reason why the Wales legend rejected shock Wrexham transfer after Ryan Reynolds’ plea

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      GARETH BALE rejected Wrexham for the most blunt reason possible.The legend’s agent revealed Bale turned down a plea from the Welsh club’s Hollywood A-list owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney because he’s simply lost his appetite for playing football.
      Bale just doesn’t want to play football anymore, says his agentCredit: Getty
      Wrexham’s co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds made overtures to former Real Madrid and Spurs hero Gareth BaleCredit: Rex
      The ex-Real Madrid and Tottenham attacker, 33, retired in January after winning 111 caps for Wales.
      But Deadpool star Reynolds launched a “serious” charm offensive to persuade Bale to help Wrexham on their return to the EFL after 15 years.
      Reynolds has just paid for the Red Dragons to have a lavish break in Las Vegas after they won the National League with a record 111 points.
      And he might be disappointed with the certainty of the statement from Bale’s representative Jonathan Barnett.
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      The agent told Sky Sports: “I think for him, it [retirement] was the right time.
      “He’s achieved everything he wanted to achieve – he played for Wales at the highest level of the World Cup, which is what he really wanted to do.
      “And I think he knew his body wasn’t up to it anymore. He’s had a hard time with his body the last few years.”
      Even more emphatically, Barnett added: “He’s had a great career. He’s enjoyed himself, but he is having a great life now. 
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      “He is with his family, which is the most important thing. 
      “He’s spending a lot of time with his children and that’s what he wants to do.
      “Yes, he’ll do other things, obviously later down the line, but at the moment, let him just enjoy himself.” More

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      Meet Marcus Rashford’s cousin who’s been promoted twice, played against West Ham and represents a different country

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      THE cousin of Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is also an international star – but not for England. Lois Maynard is the lesser-known member of the family and has just been released by National League Oldham.
      Lois Maynard is Marcus Rashford’s cousinCredit: Getty
      He claims Marcus Rashford stood out as a youngsterCredit: Getty
      The 34-year-old centre-back and defensive midfielder has bounced around lower league clubs including Tranmere, Halifax Town, Salford City and Stockport in his lengthy career.
      While at Salford in 2019, he helped the side gain promotion to League Two via the play-offs.
      Amongst his achievements, he played the full 90 minutes for Stockport when they lost to Premier League side West Ham 1-0 in the FA Cup in 2021.
      Maynard was also on the books at the club when they won the National League last year, but he did not pick up a winners medal as he was out on loan with Solihull Moors.
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      The versatile ace even has 12 international caps to his name after featuring for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
      Maynard played in World Cup qualifiers and CONCACAF Nations League fixtures for his country.
      In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the Manchester-born player talked about what a young Rashford was like with the ball at his feet.
      Maynard said: “The first time I saw Marcus kick a ball, he was seven or eight, and it was something even I couldn’t do at 15 or 16.
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      “I used to go and watch his games when he was younger, with his older brothers, Dwaine and Dane.
      “I thought ‘this guy’s got a chance.’ He was obviously very, very talented, but talent doesn’t always give you the upper hand.
      “But knowing he had a good family around him, keeping him grounded, he had the best opportunity to make it.” More

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      Ex-Arsenal ace who Arsene Wenger called a ‘special talent’ and pushed the club to sign released by League One side

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      A FORMER Arsenal ace once called a “special talent” by Arsene Wenger is now a free agent.Dan Crowley, 25, is on the hunt for a new club after being released by League One side Morecambe.
      Morecambe have released Dan Crowley after their relegation from League OneCredit: Getty
      The midfielder was once tipped to reach the top by ex-Arsenal boss Arsene WengerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And he is not the only big name to be released by the Shrimps, with ex-Everton forward Oumar Niasse and former Spurs kid Jonathan Obika also leaving.
      Morecambe manager Derek Adams said: “To the departing players, it is very difficult as some of them have been with me here for a significant period of time.”
      Midfield ace Crowley joined Morecambe on a free transfer In January after leaving Dutch side Willem II.
      But despite scoring twice in 14 games, Crowley was unable to prevent the Shrimps from being relegated to League Two.
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      And he is now hoping for a swift return to football, six years after being let go by Arsenal.
      Crowley joined the Gunners from Aston Villa as a whizkid in 2013 after being watched by Wenger – with the legendary manager then pushing for the club to bring him on board.

      He spent time out on loan with Barnsley, Oxford and Go Ahead Eagles.
      And Crowley even received special praise from Wenger, who said in 2016: “He is a player who has a huge talent.
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      “He’s very creative and he’s very good in the final third. He’s a special talent as well, he can finish and he can do the final ball.
      “What he needs is to develop physically a little bit and already I think he has made a big strides forward there and also cope with the responsibility of being the playmaker.
      “In the Premier League today, maybe it is a bit early for him but to carry that long process through, it’ll be interesting for him.”
      However, Crowley ended up being let go for Arsenal in 2017 and ended up joining Dutch outfit Willem II.
      He blasted the Gunners’ academy in 2019, saying: “The thing with Arsenal is they play a certain way and not many teams play that way – and I think that’s a problem as well.
      “They don’t teach you about going on loan to the lower league clubs – to go from such a big club like Arsenal, playing with great players, to then playing a completely different way in League One.
      “That’s what’s wrong with the youth system in England. That’s nothing against the first team because the first team have to win, they don’t have the time really to worry about the young players. So, I don’t put any blame on them.
      “But something does have to change and that’s why everyone is coming out to Holland and Germany, because they need game time.”
      Crowley then had spells at SC Cambuur, Birmingham, Hull and Cheltenham before rejoining Willem II in 2021, and subsequently Morecambe in January. More

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      Three EFL clubs watching former Liverpool ace with star set for transfer after stunning season in Scotland

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      YAN DHANDA is being watched by Blackburn, Birmingham and Ipswich.The Ross County attacking midfielder, 24, has shone for the Scottish Premiership club this season.
      Yan Dhanda has impressed in his first season in Scotland with Ross County after leaving Swansea last summer.Credit: PA
      The Birmingham-born midfielder started his career at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      Dhanda has had nine assists and three goals in 31 games north of the border.
      And he even scored directly from a corner against Hibs in February.
      Dhanda moved to Scotland on a free transfer from Swansea.
      He signed a two-year deal with the SPL side.
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      But the Englishman could be available for a price of £400,000.
      Dhanda started his career with the Liverpool academy before joining Swansea in 2018.
      Since his move to Ross County, Dhanda’s performances have improved as the season has gone on.
      And that has attracted the Championship trio to register their interest in the Birmingham-born player.
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      Ross County travel to relegation rivals Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
      Malky Mackay’s side are bottom of the table but just one point behind Kilmarnock and the Tangerines. More