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      Stockport boss Dave Challinor aiming for seventh heaven by going from Colwyn Bay to Wembley

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      DAVE Challinor aims to go to seventh heaven by going from Llanelian Road to Wembley.And the Stockport boss believes the same things apply as he goes for a League One place as when he guided Colwyn Bay to elevation from the then Evo-Stik Premier Division.
      Stockport aim to make it seven promotions for boss Dave Challinor on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association
      The surroundings will be very different from 2011 – about 50,000 are expected at Wembley on Sunday when his first success was secured in front of 2,000.
      However, memories of 12 years ago remain vivid and despite much larger financial rewards, the same theories will apply against Carlisle.
      Challinor said: “I played in most of the games of the first promotion, so it was different – and I wasn’t very good!
      “But it’s not too dissimilar. I remember the first one well, Colwyn Bay v FC United in a play-off game and Jon Newby scored the winner.
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      “It’s the polar opposite in terms of where the clubs were but getting a club the size of Colwyn Bay into Conference North isn’t dissimilar to getting Stockport promoted to League One.
      “It was an amazing feeling and those feelings, whether it was that one or the most recent one in terms of play-offs, with Hartlepool, don’t change.
      “They’re unbelievable and I hope I experience it again on Sunday.”
      County missed out on automatic promotion on the final day but secured their first Wembley place since 2008 by defeating Salford City on penalties.
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      However, a dodgy start after ending an 11-year Football League exile is still rued – but the first day ‘reality check’ of being 3-0 down after half an hour against Barrow helped, even though Challinor did not lose belief.
      As he weighs up whether to hand Will Collar, Ryan Rydel and Antoni Sarcevic starting spots, he added: “I wanted to get to half-time first and foremost but I told the players, whether it was me being stupid or not, I don’t know, ‘I think we can still win the game.’
      Challinor remembers promotion number one ahead of facing Carlisle at WembleyCredit: DAVE PINEGAR
      “We’d made three individual mistakes that had cost us three goals. We still should’ve got something from it, though.
      “I’d suggest that wasn’t the making of us, we won two of our first 11 – not the greatest of starts – but I still had belief in the group, that didn’t change after 45 minutes.
      “Maybe from the outside, that was a bit of a reality check of where we were and what we needed to be. Some of the players were maybe dented from it but we’ve built.
      “To still have that chance of success is a massive compliment to how they’ve adapted and found a way – hopefully on Sunday we can find that final way.” More

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      Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney reveal new Wrexham stadium name in hilarious video but fans are confused by spelling

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      RYAN REYNOLDS and Rob McElhenney have hilariously announced Wrexham’s historic Racecourse Ground’s new name – but fans have been left confused.The American movie stars are still celebrating after finally securing the Welsh club’s return to the Football League after winning the National League.
      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have announced the Racecourse Ground’s new nameCredit: https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC
      The Wrexham owners announced it with a hilarious videoCredit: https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC
      It will now be known as The SToK Cae Ras – or SToK RacecourseCredit: https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC
      The Wrexham players reacted furiously in the video clip from ‘tea-time’Credit: https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC
      The Hollywood duo are now in the process of redeveloping the ground and are planning an £18million revamp of their matchday facilities.
      Now Reynolds and McElhenney, who bought Wrexham in a £2m deal in 2021, have announced a brand sponsorship for one the world’s oldest international football stadiums.
      And their home will now be known as The SToK Cae Ras – or SToK Racecourse – after they sold the naming rights to the American cold brew coffee brand. 
      The news was announced by the pair in a video that poked fun at Britain’s traditional love of afternoon tea.
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      They swapped their players’ refreshment for STōK cold brew coffee – and when the squad found out their reaction was one of fury in the clip.
      A cup was thrown in anger, and it narrowly missed hitting their newly-earned National League trophy, thanks to goalkeeper Ben Foster making the save.
      Fans lapped up the clip after it was released on social media on Wrexham’s channels, although some were left a little confused as to what their stadium will be actually called from now on.
      One asked: “So is it called the stoke cold brew racecourse now?”
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      Another said: “So we’re now the Stoke Racecourse Stadium? Not a lot of thought went into that did it FFS!”
      Another commented: “I like that the sponsor isn’t gambling etc, but I think it sounds an awful lot like “Stoke Racecourse…”
      While a fellow fan said: “Brings a whole new meaning to a cold Tuesday in Stok.”
      Meanwhile, Reynolds took the pee out of his Wrexham FC co-owner – by dedicating a urinal to him.
      The Deadpool star unveiled a plaque bearing fellow actor Rob McElhenney’s face to mark his 45th birthday on Thursday.
      Reynolds and McElhenney — who stars in long-running US sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — took over the National League club last February, and immediately pumped £2million into it.
      In February they forked out on 365 gin and tonics for fans to mark a year since their takeover.
      The now League Two side were also flown over to the USA as a reward for getting promoted earlier this month for a squad celebration in Las Vegas.
      Fortunately Ben Foster was on hand to save the day in the clipCredit: https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC More

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      I managed Luton in the National League, I never cry but I’ll shed a tear if they get to the Prem

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      JOHN STILL is not a man who gets emotional but admits he may shed a tear at Wembley if Luton win promotion to the Premier League.For the legendary lower-league boss set the Hatters on a journey from non-league to within 90 minutes of the top flight in NINE years.
      John Still was the man who put Luton back on the upward curve
      When Still took charge at Kenilworth Road in 2013, the club was not a happy place. They were about to start their fifth season in the National League.
      But the East Londoner — who has managed Leytonstone, Dartford, Maidstone, Redbridge Forest, Dagenham, Peterborough and Barnet — led them to the title and promotion back into the EFL.
      Still said: “The club was on its knees. They felt wronged by the football authorities after having all those points deductions that saw them slide from the Championship.
      “The National League is a hard division to get out of and everyone was losing heart.
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      “It was clear after a few games the fans were not with us. There was no unity at the club. That was the first thing I had to rectify.
      “People told me when I took over if Luton were not 1-0 up after 15 minutes, the crowd would turn.
      “And we had a few episodes where I had to speak out about that. I asked the supporters, ‘What would happen if the crowd didn’t turn on us?’
      “The opposition were always waiting for supporters to go against us. It hadn’t helped the team. We only won two of our opening eight games.
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      “We gradually changed that and the fans kept with us.
      “After a game, I’d get the players around the centre circle and have a fan out there with us to listen in. These sort of things helped unite everyone.”
      Still points to the fact Wrexham have just managed to escape from the National League after 15 years — and Luton had to overcome the trauma of no longer being an EFL club to stand a chance of becoming one again.
      He said: “You must accept you’re no longer a League club, embrace the division and play a different way than what you’ve been used to.
      “Otherwise you’ll struggle like teams such as Scunthorpe and Oldham!”
      Still spent almost two-and-a-half seasons at Kenilworth Road and not only did he put them on their upwards trajectory but also midfielder Pelly Ruddock and defender Dan Potts too.
      Ruddock, 29, was just 19 when he played for the club in the National League, on loan from West Ham before the move was made permanent.
      And Still said: “We paid just £25,000 for him. It’s amazing he’s gone from non-league to within a play-off final away from the Premier League with one club. That’s unique.
      “Sometimes when you change managers — from me to Nathan Jones then to Mick Harford, back to Nathan and now Rob Edwards — they will have different ideas. 
      John Still is surrounded by jubilant Hatters fans after their promotion in 2014
      ”So to be there through various managers, to have to take on their ideas which might be different is a fantastic testimony for him.
      “I’ve always had this thing for young, hungry players and Pelly fits that bill and was maybe someone who wouldn’t get an opportunity in the Premier League. I thought he might do well for us.
      “He was ambitious and has fallen into the category of being the right player at the right club at the right time. He’s grown with the club.
      “Pelly has developed his skills as well as his mentality. Having a good attitude, working hard, listening, taking information, you can’t be taught that. That’s down to you and takes zero skills. You must have those ingredients and, in Pelly’s case, he did.”
      Potts, meanwhile, was 21 when he made the move from the Hammers when Luton were in League Two eight years ago.
      John Still wearing his Conference winners medal in 2014
      He said: “I knew Dan’s dad, former West Ham defender Steve Potts. I lived close to Chadwell Heath where they trained. I knew Dan. He had to overcome leukaemia when he was a kid and got himself going again.
      “I thought he was an ideal person to come to us and rebuild his career. I knew he had the same mentality as his dad so thought it was no gamble.”
      Still will be at Wembley as a club guest on Saturday.
      I ask the legendary boss if he will shed a tear if the Hatters win promotion?
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      He said: “I’m not that sort of person but I think there will be because when I look back at where the club was when I went there to where it is now it’s extraordinary.
      “At Wembley I will be watching alongside wonderful Luton legends such as David Pleat and Mick Harford — and if I am seen as having played just a fraction of a part of their history then I’m delighted to have been that fraction.” More

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      Sheffield Wednesday star’s playoff final saved as fan finds missing mask after club’s desperate appeal

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      LEE GREGORY’S play-off final dream has been saved after his missing face mask was found by a supporter.The Sheffield Wednesday striker has been wearing the protective mask since suffering a facial injury in training ahead of the final game of the regular season.
      Lee Gregory has been wearing a protective face mask during the play-offsCredit: Rex
      Gregory’s mask was found on social mediaCredit: TWITTER
      Gregory helped the Owls to their sensational League One play-off semi-final comeback against Peterborough on Thursday – getting on the scoresheet as they overturned a 4-0 deficit.
      Wednesday’s 5-3 penalty shoot-out triumph prompted pandemonium, with fans invading the pitch to celebrate.
      Amid the bedlam, Gregory’s protective mask went missing – putting his final participation in doubt.
      In a desperate social media appeal, Wednesday pleaded: “Can you help!?
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      “In the aftermath of our stunning comeback win on Thursday, Lee Gregory’s mask is missing!
      “The custom-built protective cover was near the dugout. Due to a short turnaround, we cannot replace in time for next week. Any ideas where it might be!?”
      Just five minutes later, fan Louie Hodkin appeared to come up trumps.
      The season ticket holder wrote: “Yes , my dad picked it up after the game! Dm me ill get it to him before monday!”
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      Hodkin accompanied his response with a picture of the mask.
      Seeing Hodkin’s tweet, another fan wrote: “Not all heroes wear capes.”
      While a second added: “This kind of stuff only happens in the efl and I couldn’t love it more.”
      Wednesday will take on Barnsley at Wembley on May 29 with a place in the Championship up for grabs.
      Darren Moore’s side came third in League One on 96 points, missing out on automatic promotion to champions Plymouth Argyle and runners-up Ipswich Town.
      Sheffield Wednesday’s comeback sparked a pitch invasionCredit: PA More

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      Football fans slam Sky Sports as ‘absolute shambles’ feed cuts out deep into extra-time of League Two play-offs semi

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      FANS were left fuming at Sky Sports as their play-off feed cut out deep into extra time.Carlisle’s dramatic win over Bradford vanished from screens near the end of the League Two semi-final second-leg.
      Fans were left fuming as Bradford’s defeat to Carlisle cut out on Sky Sports late on
      Carlisle beat Bradford 3-2 on aggregate to seal their place in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Getty
      And supporters quickly piled on social media to slam the “absolute shambles.”
      One said: “Sky Sports lost the the picture for the Carlisle Bradford game with 2 mins of extra time left. You’d be fuming.”
      Another declared: “Watching the Carlisle Bradford game and its just switched off completely. Nice one Sky.”
      One noted: “The blank screen of Carlisle vs Bradford is exactly why we’re playing Sky a criminal amount per month – didn’t want to watch it anyway.”
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      Another added: “Are Sky Sports taking the p**s with the Bradford game?! Absolute shambles.”
      One said: “Bradford Carlisle coverage has been a shambles on Sky, went to an ad break 3 minutes early in normal time, and now this went on for a good 5 minutes in extra time.”
      Another added: “You’d be sick if you were a Carlisle or Bradford fan watching this on Sky. Absolute shocker.”
      One noted: “Watched that game for 118 minutes for you to get a technical fault now. F**k off Sky. Imagine being a Bradford fan who couldn’t go.”
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      Bradford were left heartbroken at full-time as Carlisle sealed a 3-1 win to win 3-2 on aggregate.
      Bradley Halliday’s own-goal put Carlisle ahead in the 21st minute.
      And after the game went to extra time, they took a 98th minute lead through Callum Guy.
      Bradford then levelled eight minutes later thanks to Matt Derbyshire’s strike.
      But Ben Barclay pounced in the 112th minute to put Carlisle ahead again and seal their place in the League Two play-off final. More

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      EFL chairman found guilty of fraud and facing prison and losing club ownership after five-year investigation

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      FLEETWOOD TOWN Chairman Andy Pilley has been found guilty on four counts of fraud following an eight-month trial.BES Utilities – the firm owned by Pilley – stood accused of multi-million pound fraud involving the mis-selling of energy supply contracts to small businesses. 
      Pilley has been found guilty on four counts of fraudCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      And on Friday, the 52-year-old was found guilty on all the charges, which include two counts of running a business with the intention of defrauding creditors, one count of false representations, and one count of being concerned with the retention of criminal property.
      Pilley’s sister, Michelle Davidson, 49, as well as Lee Qualter, 52, and Joel Chapman, 38, were also found guilty of a number of fraud offences.
      The Fleetwood Chairman was remanded in custody after the jury delivered their unanimous verdict.
      The presiding judge, Judge Knowles KC, has indicated that he will likely face a prison term when he is sentenced on May 23. 
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      After the verdict was announced on Friday, Fleetwood Town released an official statement which read: “Fleetwood Town Football Club acknowledges the verdict in the court case involving club Chairman, Andy Pilley.
      “The Chairman would like to reassure supporters the club will continue to operate as normal.
      “Today’s verdicts will not affect the running or future of Fleetwood Town Football Club. 
      “The club is already in talks with the EFL regarding the next steps and will be making no further comment at this time.”
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      An additional statement read: “Fleetwood Town would like to reassure supporters the Club will continue to operate as normal and there will be no risk to the future of the club.
      “The Club’s Senior Management Team and directors have been planning for a number of months for the event of a verdict of this nature.
      “A meeting of the Club’s management has taken place this evening and plans are already in operation to ensure its business as usual.
      “We’d like to reassure supporters charges are solely brought against Andy Pilley and not Fleetwood Town Football Club or any of the businesses attached to the group.
      “Talks have already taken place with the EFL and an announcement regarding the next step will be made in due course.”
      Pilley was charged with the allegations in September 2021 following a five-year investigation into BES Utilities, which has been Fleetwood Town’s main sponsor for 18 years.
      The Fishermen finished the 2022-23 campaign 13th in the League One table. More

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      Fans love Barnsley manager Michael Duff drinking Stella while being interviewed by BBC after huge win over Bolton

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      FANS took to Twitter to hail Barnsley boss Michael Duff after he celebrated their play-off joy by supping a beer in his post-match interview.The Tykes defeated Bolton Wanderers 1-0 last night at Oakwell to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory.
      Michael Duff has led Barnsley to the brink of a Championship returnCredit: Reuters
      He celebrated the win over Bolton with a bottle of StellaCredit: BBC via Twitter
      Liam Kitching’s strike proved enough to book their place at Wembley.
      And they are now just one game away from making an instant return to the Championship as they prepare to take on Sheffield Wednesday in the League One final on Monday 29 May.
      And just when supporters thought that they could not love their manager anymore, they fell even more for Duff as a clip of his interview went viral online after the triumph.
      While being questioned by a BBC reporter, the 45-year-old quenched his thirst with a bottle of Stella, and fans absolutely loved it.
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      And it was not just the Barnsley faithful that were big fans.
      One rival supporter wrote: “So annoying….I want to dislike the bloke but I can’t!”
      Another said: “Tbf I really like this bloke ,can see them struggle to hold on to him in future.”
      A Tykes fan declared: “Love this bloke turned our club around !! 10 year deal !!”
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      A fellow fan said: “Top gaffer this bloke.”
      As another added: “He’s just so good.” More

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      Barnsley 1 Bolton 0 (2-1 agg): Kitching strikes winner to set up all-Yorkshire final against Sheffield Wednesday

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      BARNSLEY threw the Kitching sink to set up a South Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off final next weekend.Liam Kitching rose highest to head home a 24th-minute winner at Oakwell to send Bolton’s promotion dreams down the plughole.
      Barnsley edged past Bolton in a nervy semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Michael Duff could take the Tykes back up to the Championship at the first time of askingCredit: Reuters
      Barnsley will play Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off finalCredit: Getty
      Michael Duff has done a fantastic job since taking the Barnsley job in the summer.
      Not only has he managed to build a team that has rediscovered the knack of winning after relegation but rebuilt bridges between the club and fans.
      And this was a trademark performance from a Duff team — well organised, lots of energy and hard work — while Ian Evatt’s Bolton were slow and ponderous.
      They had a golden chance to take an early lead after Bolton lost possession in their own area but Slobodan Tedic was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Ricardo Santos.
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      But, down the other end, Dion Charles chested down a long Bolton ball before firing an effort from distance which Harry Isted kept out.
      Devante Cole then smacked a low shot from the edge of the box that keeper James Trafford got down well to keep out.
      In a breathless start, Herbie Kane drove forward before Kitching’s thumping effort was saved by Trafford.
      Bolton were almost punished after being careless in possession. Kane overturned the ball and again produced a powerful run but his shot was kept out by Trafford.
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      Barnsley moved in front with two pieces of quality – the cross and the header.
      Luca Connell swung the ball in from the right and Kitching rose highest to bullet the ball past Trafford.
      It was a piece of lousy defending from Bolton, who failed to get out of their box quick enough after they had defended an initial ball into the box and Kitching had so much time to set himself to meet the cross.
      Bolton tried to probe for a leveller but were struggling to create anything meaningful.
      And Trotters fans had hearts in mouths when after nice play from Kane and Connell, Kitching was through but his shot was saved by Trafford — although the assistant flagged offside.
      Bolton did not do enough in the first half and needed to put more pressure on their hosts after the break.
      They started dominating possession and seemed to have found an extra yard of pace.
      Dion Charles charged into the Barnsley box and cut the ball back for Conor Bradley, who took a tumble under pressure from Mads Anderson — but ref Michael Salisbury waved away the protests.
      Aaron Morley drove forward and fired a 30-yard effort high and wide and then George Thomason saw an effort charged down.
      Barnsley had struggled to get out of their own half but Bolton were just lacking a cutting edge in the final third.
      And the hosts almost punished them when Adam Phillips struck a cracking volley from 25 yards that crashed back off the bar.
      But a moment of foolishness from Barnsley keeper Isted put his team under the cosh. He rashly handled the ball in his box after his team-mate Andersen attempted to play a pass to a team-mate.
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      An indirect free-kick was awarded but Morley smashed it over the bar.
      Jordan Williams almost grabbed a second at the death but they did not need it. Barnsley are going to Wembley where they will face Sheffield Wednesday. More