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      Ex-Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham wanted by League One side Forest Green on shock free transfer

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      FOREST GREEN ROVERS are pushing to sign Connor Wickham on a free transfer, according to reports.The newly-promoted League One side have already signed seven new players this summer, including former Huddersfield midfielder Reece Brown.
      Wickham is in talks to join Forest Green RoversCredit: Getty
      But, manager Ian Burchnall is now looking to add more experience to the squad as a sign of intent.
      And he is hoping to do so with a huge statement signing.
      According to Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, Forest Green have identified Wickham as a top transfer target.
      Club chiefs have reportedly been in talks with the 29-year-old’s representatives to discuss the possibility of a deal.
      Read More in Football
      Wickham became a free agent when he was released by MK Dons at the end of last season.
      If he were to join Forest Green before the transfer window closes, it would mark the eighth move of his career.
      The striker signed his first professional contract with Ipswich Town in 2009 before joining Sunderland two years later.
      He was then loaned out for two consecutive seasons to Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds respectively.
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      In 2015 he signed a long-term deal with Crystal Palace.
      During his time at Selhurst Park he scored 11 goals in 50 appearances for The Eagles, but it wasn’t enough to see him earn a new contract.
      Wickham swapped Palace for Preston North End in 2021, where he spent six months before being released.
      MK Dons then decided to sign him on a short-term deal, but he was released once again upon the expiry of his contract. More

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      Watch Doncaster star Lee Tomlin sent off for two yellow cards in just 17 SECONDS after bizarre sequence vs Bradford

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      DONCASTER midfielder Lee Tomlin had a debut to forget after he was sent off for two yellow cards in just 17 SECONDS in the 0-0 draw away at Bradford.The 33-year-old was given an early bath in first-half stoppage time at Valley Parade in the opening weekend of the League Two season.

      Lee Tomlin was sent off for two yellow cards in 17 SECONDS in Doncaster’s draw away at BradfordCredit: Rex
      Tomlin had a Doncaster debut to forget after being red carded just before the breakCredit: Rex
      Former Bournemouth man Tomlin received his first caution in the fifth minute of first half stoppage time after refusing to get out of the way for a free-kick.
      He then bizarrely decided to kick the ball away just moments later to leave the home fans and players incensed.
      Bantams ace Jamie Walker rushed in to speak to referee Bobby Madden, where he lightly brushed up against Tomlin.
      The ex-Peterborough star then threw himself to the ground in pantomime scenes which only further riled up the home supporters.
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      But his theatrics in trying to get Walker a yellow card didn’t do Tomlin any favours, as Madden quickly brandished him a second yellow card for time-wasting.
      Valley Parade erupted in delight, with social media sent into meltdown over the stupidity of Tomlin.
      Taking to Twitter, one user said: “The most stupid red card you’ll ever see, courtesy of Lee Tomlin.”
      Another commented: “Possibly the worst red card I have ever seen.”
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      A third added: “Most tragic red card I have ever seen.”
      This fan then posted: “Fair play to the referee. Lee Tomlin should retire tonight.”
      Meanwhile one supporter said: “Lee Tomlin, bags of talent, bags of stupidity.”
      Another simply said: “Lee Tomlin is an absolute clown.”
      There was to be more drama following the full-time whistle after Bradford’s Kian Harratt was sent off following an altercation with Rovers goalkeeper Johnny Mitchell.
      Just like Tomlin, Harratt was making his debut after joining Bradford on loan from Championship side Huddersfield. More

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      STOCKPORT’S long-awaited return to the Football League is being celebrated by a curry menu being named after club legends past and present.County take on Barrow today at Edgeley Park for their first game in the EFL for ELEVEN years.
      James Jennings, Antoni Sarcevic and Will Collar tuck into some spicy food
      And fans, players and staff have been marking the occasion by tucking into some specially-prepared spicy dishes at the nearby Garam Massala restaurant, owned by Hatters fan and sponsor Muhammad Mohi Uddin Saleem.
      If you love very hot curry, The Flynny Phal, in honour of legendary Stockport captain Mike Flynn, will set your tongue on fire.
      The former defender was a fiery character and the dish is hotter than a vindaloo. The restaurant warns diners to ‘pick their meat or vegetables and brace themselves.’
      Or if you are not quite as brave but still love a bit of spice, the Big Kev Karachi Gosht — celebrating 1990s striker Kevin Francis — sounds like a good choice.
      I dipped into The Big Kev Karachi Gosht and loved it. That would be the one I’d order. But all the lads favoured mine!”ANTONI SARCEVIC, Stockport midfielder
      But the curry everyone in the Stockport dressing room are raving about is The Sarcevic Silsila, named after midfielder Antoni Sarcevic.
      It is described as ‘a classy chicken dish that uses capsicum, onions, tomatoes and fresh herbs along with a dash of brandy to produce a consistent performer on any Indian menu, an ideal tribute to Antoni.’
      And the 30-year-old midfield ace loves it.
      He told SunSport: “I’d never heard of a curry called Silsila before. It is nicely marinated and has loads of onions with it. It was so nice, nothing too hot but a lovely taste.
      “I had it with pilau rice and a huge naan bread. The restaurant served up some poppadoms but I saved myself for the curry!”
      Stockport players and staff are feeling the heat
      Stockport County have had an entire curry menu named after them
      Although Sarcevic’s personal favourite is the Big Kev Karahi Gosht, he laughed: “I don’t mind a hot curry so would sway towards a spicier one. 
      “I dipped into the Big Kev one and loved it. That would be the one I’d order. But all the lads favoured mine!”
      Saleem, 49, has supported the club for 28 years and his family have owned the restaurant throughout that time.
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      He said: “We’ve always had a lot of County fans dining with us — as well as players and staff with their families. 
      “Me and my family go to their games every week and it was incredible last season to win the National League and finally get back into the EFL. 
      “We just wanted to honour our County heroes for doing the town proud and thought it would be a nice surprise for the team.
      “We also sponsor the club and thought it would be good to invite the players down to try the dishes out — and they loved it. Big Kevin Francis also came to try out his dish too!”
      Stockport legend Kevin Francis dropped in to try The Big Kev Karahi Gosht
      Other spicy delights include The Super Al Akbari Cham Cham – in homage to legend Alun Armstrong — along with The Ash Achanak (for Ash Palmer) and The Ben Bazaar Platter (for Ben Hinchcliffe). 
      While owner Matt Stott (The Stott Smoked Sizzler) and boss Dave Challinor (The Chally Chicken Modhu) also have curries named after them.
      But it is The Paddy Podina that is going down a storm with regulars. 
      This striking feast — to honour last season’s 25-goal top scorer Paddy Madden — serves up memories of Sunday lunch. Cooked with tender lamb, it combines garlic, onions, fresh cream and garden mint. It is medium hot with a lovely finish.
      But forward Connor Jennings admits all the dishes are too spicy for him — including his own one, The Jennings Jalfrezi.
      He laughed: “I’m more of a korma man I’m afraid but it’s great to see this sort of thing happening in our community.
      “Everyone is so excited. I was in a local Nando’s the other night and there were loads of fans in County shirts absolutely buzzing about the new season.”
      Owner Stott has galvanised the club since he took over in January 2020 — wiping out their debts and investing in improving the stadium and team. He has big plans to get the club into the Championship.
      Stockport players enjoyed their curry night ahead of their return to the EFL
      Muhammad Mohi Uddin Saleem and his family are huge Stockport fans
      But probably his biggest masterstroke was recruiting manager David Challinor in November from Hartlepool — just months after he had taken them back into the EFL.
      And Sarcevic said: “When the gaffer took over, he told us although it was a step down for him back to the National League, he didn’t see it that way because of what the club wanted to achieve in the next few years. Luckily he took us up right away.”
      Sarcevic knows a thing or two about League Two, having won promotion twice with Plymouth as well as with Fleetwood and Bolton.
      And he added: “We’re confident of going for promotion again. The National League was so hard to get out of because there’s only one automatic promotion spot — whereas in League Two you have three going straight up and another in the play-offs.
      “We have the momentum so why not?” More

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      Stockport County celebrate long-awaited return to Football League with CURRY menu named after club legends

      by

      STOCKPORT’S long-awaited return to the Football League is being celebrated by a curry menu being named after club legends past and present.County take on Barrow at Edgeley Park on Saturday for their first game in the EFL for ELEVEN YEARS.
      Stockport County stars James Jennings, Antoni Sarcevic and Will Collar tuck into some spicy food
      Stockport County have had an entire curry menu named after club legends
      And fans, players and staff have been marking the occasion by tucking into some specially-prepared spicy dishes at the nearby Garam Massala restaurant, owned by Hatters fan and sponsor Muhammad Mohi Uddin Saleem.
      If you love very hot curry, The Flynny Phal, in honour of legendary Stockport captain Mike Flynn, will set your tongue on fire.
      The former defender was a fiery character and the dish is hotter than a vindaloo. The restaurant warns diners to ‘pick their meat or vegetables and brace themselves.’
      Or if you are not quite as brave but still love a bit of spice, the Big Kev Karachi Gosht — celebrating 1990s striker Kevin Francis — sounds like a good choice.
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      But the curry everyone in the Stockport dressing room are raving about is The Sarcevic Silsila, named after midfielder Antoni Sarcevic.
      It is described as ‘a classy chicken dish that uses peppers, onions, tomatoes and fresh herbs along with a dash of brandy to produce a consistent performer on any Indian menu, an ideal tribute to Antoni.’
      And the 30-year-old midfield ace loves it.
      He told SunSport: “I’d never heard of a curry called Silsila before. It is nicely marinated and has loads of onions with it. It was so nice, nothing too hot but a lovely taste.
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      “I had it with pilau rice and a huge naan bread. The restaurant served up some poppadoms but I saved myself for the curry!”
      Although Sarcevic’s personal favourite is the Big Kev Karahi Gosht, he laughed: “I don’t mind a hot curry so would sway towards a spicier one. 
      “I dipped into the Big Kev one and loved it. That would be the one I’d order. But all the lads favoured mine!”
      Saleem, 49, has supported the club for 28 years and his family have owned the restaurant throughout that time.
      He said: “We’ve always had a lot of County fans dining with us — as well as players and staff with their families. 
      “Me and my family go to their games every week and it was incredible last season to win the National League and finally get back into the EFL. 
      “We just wanted to honour our County heroes for doing the town proud and thought it would be a nice surprise for the team.
      “We also sponsor the club and thought it would be good to invite the players down to try the dishes out — and they loved it. Big Kevin Francis also came to try out his dish too!”
      Stockport players and staff are feeling the heat
      Stockport legend Kevin Francis dropped in to try The Big Kev Karahi Gosht
      Other spicy delights include The Super Al Akbari Cham Cham – in homage to legend Alun Armstrong — along with The Ash Achanak (for Ash Palmer) and The Ben Bazaar Platter (for Ben Hinchcliffe). 
      While owner Matt Stott (The Stott Smoked Sizzler) and boss Dave Challinor (The Chally Chicken Modhu) also have curries named after them.
      But it is The Paddy Podina that is going down a storm with regulars. 
      This striking feast — to honour last season’s 25-goal top scorer Paddy Madden — serves up memories of Sunday lunch. Cooked with tender lamb, it combines garlic, onions, fresh cream and garden mint. It is medium hot with a lovely finish.
      But forward Connor Jennings admits all the dishes are too spicy for him — including his own one, The Jennings Jalfrezi.
      He laughed: “I’m more of a korma man I’m afraid but it’s great to see this sort of thing happening in our community.
      “Everyone is so excited. I was in a local Nando’s the other night and there were loads of fans in County shirts absolutely buzzing about the new season.”
      Owner Stott has galvanised the club since he took over in January 2020 — wiping out their debts and investing in improving the stadium and team. He has big plans to get the club into the Championship.
      But probably his biggest masterstroke was recruiting manager David Challinor in November from Hartlepool — just months after he had taken them back into the EFL.
      And Sarcevic said: “When the gaffer took over, he told us although it was a step down for him back to the National League, he didn’t see it that way because of what the club wanted to achieve in the next few years. Luckily he took us up right away.”
      Sarcevic knows a thing or two about League Two, having won promotion twice with Plymouth as well as with Fleetwood and Bolton.
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      And he added: “We’re confident of going for promotion again. The National League was so hard to get out of because there’s only one automatic promotion spot — whereas in League Two you have three going straight up and another in the play-offs.
      “We have the momentum so why not?”
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      in Soccer

      I’ve worked for SIX managers in 12 months and this is why Celtic legend Scott Brown can do well at Fleetwood

      by

      FLEETWOOD striker Callum Morton has worked for a staggering SIX different managers in just 12 months.But he believes Celtic legend Scott Brown — who took over the Cod Army this summer — will prove a success on the north-west coast.
      Callum Morton has played for SIX bosses in the space of a year
      Fleetwood ace Callum Morton has signed for the Cod Army from West Brom
      Morton, 22, was on loan from West Brom for the first half of last season but Simon Grayson was sacked in November and replaced by Stephen Cairney.
      The frontman then spent the second half of last term in the Championship on loan at Peterborough and had played just five games before Darren Ferguson was axed.
      Then he managed one appearance under caretaker Matthew Etherington before Grant McCann took over and froze him out of the side completely after just one game.
      Now Morton is back at Fleetwood after signing a three-year deal to play for manager No6. Even a Watford player, past or present, would be hard pressed to have worked for so many different managers!
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      And he said: “It was a bit of a whirlwind season but it makes you better for it — experiencing playing under different managers with various styles of play.
      “I learned that you had to adapt quickly to different managers.
      “Football management is a cut-throat business — a couple of bad results and they’re panicking, trying to switch to different formations and styles as well as putting in different personnel. So you learn to be ready for everything like that.
      “That sets you up for managers coming and going. As much as you want stable situations with managers, it does set you up well for the cut-throat business of the game.”
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      Grayson was the reason why Morton signed for Fleetwood in the first place — with the ex-Leeds boss making him feel wanted after a difficult injury-hit campaign on loan at Lincoln.
      Morton said: “I had a lot of loan options last season at bigger clubs than Fleetwood but Simon made it clear how much he wanted me, how I was going to play in his system and he was going to give me freedom to play. He made me feel wanted and I was so sad it didn’t work out for him here.
      “Stephen Crainey stepped up from the under-23s and it was a difficult time for him to come in.
      “I had the chance to play in the Championship at Peterborough, which in hindsight was not the right move for me.
      “It was a difficult situation for Ferguson as they were battling relegation. It was literally now or never for him.
      “We got to the point where we lost a key game to Derby and ultimately that was the end of the reign.
      “It was a very unfortunate situation for me to walk into and one for him to find himself in so it didn’t work out as planned.
      “After playing one game for Matt Etherington, McCann came in and started me in his first game in charge which we lost 3-0 to Hull. 
      “He made it clear soon after he was going down the route of only playing players that would still be at the club the following season — so with me being on loan that wasn’t going to be me.
      “It was such a frustrating time because I was training every day and ultimately not getting a sniff in the matchday squad and that was disappointing going from a place where I was comfortable playing good football. 
      “That was a decision I made at the time and in hindsight it wasn’t the right one. But sometimes you never know until you take the plunge and do it.”
      Morton, though, is happy to be back in Lancashire. The club are ambitious after a season that saw them only stay up on goal difference.
      The striker won promotion from League Two with Northampton via the play-offs two years ago.
      And he said of Brown: “The new gaffer has been very intense, which you would  expect from a former player of his calibre. He wants the standards to be really high around the club, whether that be on the training pitch, in the dressing room or even around the canteen. He has made that clear from day one that those are his expectations.
      “This group has bought into that and you can tell it’s going to be an intense season with games and training. He is going to be good for the club. He’s the profile of manager you want —young, hungry and as a young player myself I want to be learning off someone who has played at a high level.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1h37p88{background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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      “And you can see by the calibre of player he has brought in so far. Players who have come to Fleetwood who have played at a higher level than this have come to the club for the  way they grow players as well as the manager and who is here  — and the squad is definitely getting stronger.
      “We just need to not concede as many goals as last season.”
      Celtic legend Scott Brown took over at Fleetwood during the summer More

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      in Soccer

      Daryl Dike desperate to graduate with West Brom to the Premier League to add to his first class honours rollcall

      by

      DARYL DIKE hopes to graduate from this season with two more first-class honours.The first is to represent the USA at this winter’s World Cup and the second to finish the campaign as a Premier League striker.
      Daryl Dike wants to play in this winter’s World Cup for the USA and become a Premier League star with West Brom
      West Brom ace Dike, 22, graduated with a first-class honours degree in finance this summer at the Southern New Hampshire University.
      And now his focus is on football honours. The USA are competing in Qatar in a group including England, Wales and Iran — while the Baggies are chasing top-flight football.
      Dike heralds from Oklahoma and has three goals from eight internationals.
      And he told SunSport: “As I kid I had two dreams — to play in the Premier League and compete in the World Cup.
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      “Hopefully I’ll be doing one this year and then next year the other.
      “It’ll also be exciting to play a team like England at a World Cup so that’s one game we’re looking forward to.
      “I’d love to come back from Qatar and be able to make a few jokes and banter with everyone here!”
      Dike fulfilled a promise he made to his family by completing his degree after pulling out of university to chase his football dream.
      Daryl Dike graduated with a first-class honours degree in finance this summer
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      He said: “Before I got drafted to Orlando City, I was in the University of Virginia and the MLS has a programme for players who leave school early to help fund college.
      “So I told my parents I’d continue my education while I was playing.
      “Every day I was doing my classes online and this summer I completed it.
      “The hardest part was keeping on top of it as I had to do it in my own time.
      “Football has also been huge for me but the importance of education has always been ingrained into me and my siblings.”
      Daryl Dike and our man Justin Allen share a laugh ahead of the new season
      Daryl Dike is in good spirits ahead of the latest Championship slog
      Dike hopes to eventually get into “green finance” as he sensibly plans for life outside football because “I clearly cannot play until I’m 75.”
      And the striker believes all footballers should get another string to their bows.
      He said: “I always knew what I wanted to do. I’ve always been a numbers guy so it figured I should do something that involves that.
      “A lot of players have more time than you think so it’s good if you can think about giving yourself something else to rely on because you can’t be kicking a ball forever.”
      West Brom will be relying on Dike to score the goals that help them win promotion but he has endured a frustrating start to his Hawthorns career.
      Dike has only managed 84 minutes of competitive action since signing from Orlando City in January.
      He picked up a hamstring injury that curtailed his season against Peterborough in his second appearance. 
      Daryl Dike only managed two appearances for West Brom after getting crocked
      Former boss Valerien Ismael — also Dike’s manager during his loan spell at Barnsley two years ago —was sacked by the Baggies in February as the team floundered. 
      Dike said: “Valerien was a good manager and different from my previous ones. His playing style was direct and it was demanding on workrate.
      “And that’s where he helped me most — the mental side of things, to have that fighting mentality to go every game from minute one to minute 90 and be pressing physically.
      “It was frustrating I was on the sidelines and couldn’t help the team but it only fuelled my hunger and desire for this season.”
      Dike has enjoyed working under Steve Bruce this summer and believes his man-management skills are second to none.
      He said: “I’ve never been at a club where they’ve changed managers like that and you can have doubts at that point.
      Steve Bruce is a great man-manager. He and his staff have done a good job in personalising stuff for each individual and they realise each and every player isn’t going to just fall into a system.”DARYL DIKE
      “It’s not that you think you can’t adapt to a new manager but you get little doubts because ultimately you want him to like you.
      “But also you think, ‘This is a top manager, this is a manager who has done so much in English football and been around the game a long time.’
      “Then you’re excited you might get an opportunity to play under him because you realise this is a man who had a great playing career and achieved so much.
      “He’s a great man-manager. He and his staff have done a good job in personalising stuff for each individual and they realise each and every player isn’t going to just fall into a system.
      “They’ll see you’re good at some things but maybe not so good at others and give you tips to work on your strengths and weaknesses as well as how you can fit into the system and get the best out of yourself. That’s something Steve Bruce has done a good job at.”
      The Baggies are among the favourites to get promoted after an underwhelming season last time round, which saw them finish tenth and eight points behind the play-off spots.
      Considering West Brom were alongside Fulham as favourites to go straight back up, it was an awful campaign.
      Daryl Dike has a moment to relax in training ahead of the new season
      They had the best Championship defence, only conceding 35 goals, but scored only 52.
      On paper, their attack is one of the best with Dike, Jed Wallace, Karlan Grant, Grady Diangana, Matt Phillips and Jonathan Swift.
      And Dike said: “No matter who plays, it’s a great group. Everyone offers something different — craftiness, goalscoring, lots of other things. We’ve so many options and you need that in a Championship season where you’re playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday all year.”
      Dike, during pre-season, has struck up a good understanding with Wallace, who was signed this summer from Millwall.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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      And the striker said: “I’ve never seen someone run as much as he does. He just runs, runs and runs. He’s always pressing and doing everything. He also crosses the ball well and he’s a good passer of the ball.
      “Anything in front of me, it makes it very easy and he gets on the ball, is good with the pass and can score as well.” More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Arsenal kid Dan Ballard had career fears after training with David Luiz but ready to prove people wrong at Sunderland

      by

      WHEN Dan Ballard saw David Luiz strutting his stuff during a training session at Arsenal, he thought his chances of making a decent career were a million miles away.Yet Ballard has loved proving people wrong and now wants to prove Sunderland right
      Sunderland defender Dan Ballard left Arsenal in the summer after 14 years
      David Luiz used to woo Dan Ballard with his incredible skills
      The centre-half was once deemed too slow, too short and not technically gifted.
      But this weekend he makes his Black Cats debut at what will be a packed Stadium of Light against Coventry as they mark their return to the Championship after four years in League One.
      Ballard, 22, came through the Arsenal academy and left the club he joined aged eight this summer after being snapped up by Alex Neil in a £2million deal.
      The Stevenage-born ace has worked hard on his game and moves to the north-east on the back of two superb loan seasons.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}THE BIG KICK-OFF .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}The Championship is BACK but who will get their £200m Prem payday?
      First he helped Blackpool win promotion from League One and then played a major part in Millwall’s surprise challenge for a Championship play-off spot last season.
      And he told SunSport: “The biggest thing I learned at Arsenal was hard work because I was never the best player in my age group or the one who they thought would go on and make a good career. 
      “They drilled into me that I had to work the hardest, respect the coaches, listen and learn.
      “You of course learn football but I also learned about resilience too.
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      PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW FOR FREE WITH £100k IN PRIZE MONEY
      “Naturally I like hard work. That comes easier to me than some people and that’s perhaps because football has never been easy for me, it’s always been tough. So I’ve had to work hard otherwise I’d not be in the position I am today.
      “As I was growing up in the younger age groups, I was a late developer. Even at 18, I still wasn’t a centre-back because I wasn’t tall enough.
      “I was one of the slowest, couldn’t move my legs and I wasn’t a technically gifted player.
      “Yet I’ve always been naturally good at defending but compared to the other lads with the ball I was always below the curve whereas now my body is stronger, I feel comfortable on the ball and all that work at Arsenal has worked out better in the long run.
      “I don’t feel below the curve or as though I’m the one struggling — but rather that I can make a major impact.”
      Daniel Ballard and Tolaji Bola tussles in an Arsenal training session
      Dan Ballard had to work harder than others at Arsenal to develop
      Ballard had the privilege of training with the first team under Arsene Wenger alongside Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil — and later got blown away by the skills of Luiz.
      He said: “I did four or five sessions while Wenger was around. Even though I was only used as a training player, it’s great to be able to always say I trained under him.
      “I was blown away by how good Wilshere and Ozil were — they were on another planet and they just seemed world beaters to a youngster like me.
      “Luiz was someone I was particularly taken aback by in terms of how good he was on the ball and the style of play he had. It made me understand how far away I was to that level and how hard I had to work.”
      EFL BAPTISM
      Ballard had a tough baptism to EFL football on loan at Swindon, where he barely played and suffered an injury, but the last two seasons have seen him really improve his game.
      Under Neil Critchley — who knows a thing or two about developing youngsters from his time running Liverpool youth teams — the centre-half grew in confidence and stature during what was a breakthrough season.
      And he capped it with a fine performance at Wembley as Blackpool came from behind to beat Lincoln 2-1.
      And Ballard said: “It was one of the best years of my career. Everything about that loan was great … the timing of it, the opportunities it gave me and the chance to develop under that manager and team. To win promotion was the icing on the cake.”
      Last season was a different challenge as he stepped up to the Championship and performed so well that Millwall boss Gary Rowett wanted to keep him at The Den.
      And Ballard said: “It was a different style in what was a hostile stadium at times. You couldn’t ask for much more. I had a slight problem with an injury but apart from that little setback, I learned so much and had a successful year personally. 
      “It was a frustrating start to the season with so many draws but the boys always thought we’d pick up after Christmas when the games started catching up on people. When it was cold and horrible, we expected to win games and we did.”
      ‘SCARY JUMP’
      But now Ballard is looking forward to what he describes as a “scary jump” from a kid on-loan with the protection of Arsenal behind him to now having to fend for himself as a permanent Sunderland signing with all the expectation that brings.
      He said: “It was tough leaving Arsenal and it does seem strange not having that label to my name that I’ve had all my life and not being able to go back there if something goes wrong.
      “It’s a scary jump leaving completely but I needed to pick the right club and don’t think I could’ve picked a better one to go to.
      “Also I knew a few of the lads already — Corey Evans and Tyrese Dyce from Northern Ireland and Elliot Embleton who I pretty much lived next door to at Blackpool, where we struck up a good friendship.”
      Alex Neil only took over the reins in February and had an immediate impact by winning 10 and drawing seven of his 18 games in charge, which led to a promotion play-off final win against Wycombe.
      And this summer the Scot has also added Portsmouth keeper Alex Bass, made the loan transfers of forward Leon Dakaku from Union Berlin and Jack Clarke from Spurs permanent. 
      Ballard said: “I was surprised by the quality of the squad when I arrived here. Even compared to playing in the Championship last year, this squad feels special.
      “The manager is someone who has impressed me so much with his knowledge and the demands he puts on the players. He’s the type of boss I really like — someone who will tell you how it is.
      “I don’t think there are any worries going into this season. If anything, we’re going to try to dominate games and have a great chance of doing well.”
      Millwall was a great loan spell for Dan Ballard last season
      Dan Ballard helped Blackpool win promotion from League One More

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      Mark Hughes broke British transfer record for Robinho at Man City.. now he’s planning a League Two promotion challenge

      by

      MARK HUGHES admits this summer at Bradford has been his most exciting since he was at Manchester City.Sparky stunned football by agreeing to manage in League Two in February — despite having never spent any of his managerial or playing career outside the top flight or international football.
      Bradford boss Mark Hughes is excited about the new season in League Two
      And this summer he has already made FOURTEEN signings as he attempts to make this Bradford’s fourth and final successive season in the ELF’s basement division.
      But it is all a far cry from the days Hughes was City manager when the mega-rich Abu Dhabi United Investment Group took over in 2008.
      Then he was breaking the British transfer record by bringing in Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5million as well as household names such as Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and countless others.
      Now he is signing players such as striker Vadaine Oliver from Gillingham and Jake Young from Forest Green.
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      However, on paper, he is assembling the strongest-looking squad in League Two — midfielder Richard Smallwood dropping down from the Championship with Hull and winger Harry Chapman doing likewise from Blackburn.
      Sparky told SunSport: “This has been as exciting as Manchester City because I’m building a team and whenever you’re involved in that process it’s great to get deals over the line.
      “We’re happy with where we’re at. We’ve a good squad and feel stronger than last season so that’s encouraging because we finished 14th.
      “I came in with 13 games left and that gave me the opportunity to look at the strength of the league and the squad.
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nine, found stabbed to death on lane
      Mark Hughes with Carlos Tevez during his days managing Manchester City
      Vadaine Oliver is one of Mark Hughes’ new signings this summer from Gillingham
      “I was confident if we made certain improvements and got more quality we’d have a good season.”
      With so many new additions, Hughes will be hoping his team can gel quickly — although he did manage to get the bulk of his transfer business done early.
      Typically, in League Two, clubs do most of their business later in the summer window.
      And the Bradford boss said: “I was more comfortable trying to get as many players across the line in pre-season and give them time to gel — rather than what other clubs in this division usually do and conduct their business towards the end of the window.  It’s important to hit the ground running.”
      The Bradford boss brought in his former Wales assistant Glyn Hodges as No2 and recruited Stephen Gent as head of recruitment. Both know the EFL well — Gent from his time working in recruitment for Middlesbrough and Hodges, who managed AFC Wimbledon.
      Bradford boss Mark Hughes catches up with SunSport’s Justin Allen
      Hughes’ managerial career has also taken in Wales, Blackburn, Fulham, QPR and Stoke — but he has been out of the game since being sacked by Southampton three-and-a-half years ago.
      But the Welshman found further opportunities scarce and the Bradford interest only came after his agent and son Alex sent the club a speculative email.
      And incredibly this chance was almost missed because his message ended up in the club’s SPAM box — which finally got spotted by chief executive Ryan Sparks.
      His appointment has certainly caught the imagination of the Bantams faithful with the club breaking their League Two season-ticket sales record with more than 14,000 being snapped up.
      He said: “It’s not just the amount of season tickets the club sold but the welcome me and my assistant Glyn Hodges have received is unprecedented. I’ve been at clubs where they’ve wanted me out before I’ve even turned up so it makes a pleasant change.”
      Their average attendance last season of 15,582 was higher than 11 clubs in the Championship and only four teams attracted more in League One.
      Mark Hughes wants to unlock the huge potential at Bradford City
      Hughes said: “This is what excites me. We’ve a huge fan base at this level, we’re the best supported club in League Two.
      “With that comes expectations. I don’t have a problem with that because I’ve always worked with expectations at previous clubs and that comes with anticipation as well. 
      People demand we have a good season. 
      “We’ll work with that but raising expectations has always been difficult because you can disappoint people — but we’re aiming to do something that hasn’t happened for years, which is to get out of this league.”
      Bradford have previously been something of a basket case and are in League Two for a reason — namely mis-management that saw them rapidly decline after their two seasons in the Premier League from 1999 to 2001. 
      This is their TENTH season out of 16 in the bottom tier and Hughes is their seventh permanent manager in just four years.
      Asked if he is at Bradford for the long haul, he said: “I haven’t come here on a whim. I’m here to make this club successful. 
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      “If it’s not this year, then we’ll try again — if I”m allowed to do that because this club has a reputation of not keeping their managers. 
      “That’s football and I play by the same rules as everyone else. If I’m not deemed to be doing the job then you don’t keep it.” More