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      Darren Moore reveals inspiring secret behind Sheffield Wednesday’s incredible League One play-off semi final comeback

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      DARREN MOORE has revealed the inspiring secret behind Sheffield Wednesday’s incredible play-off comeback.The Owls booked their place in the League One play-off final after a record-breaking display against Posh.
      Sheffield Wednesday pulled off a play-off miracle against PeterboroughCredit: Getty
      Darren Moore has revealed some key secrets behind the remarkable comebackCredit: Rex
      They battled back from 4-0 down in the first-leg to Peterborough to eventually go on and beat them in a shootout last night after a 5-1 win.
      That sparked jubilant scenes at Hillsborough with supporters invading the pitch as they celebrated making it to Wembley.
      However, one over-excited invader appeared to take out a linesman after bolting onto the pitch.
      Wednesday are now preparing to face either Bolton or Barnsley in the final to battle it out for Championship football.
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      Boss Moore has now revealed several key bits of inspiration and magic that helped his team do the impossible against Peterborough.
      The former West Brom defender, who was the victim of vile racist abuse following their first-leg trouncing, said: “When it came to penalties we were prepared for it.
      “We’ve worked on them in training.
      “We got the goals, we kept our head in the moments.”
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      The 49-year-old added: “We had a strong belief, we honestly did.
      “We showed them videos of great comebacks in the week.
      “The mindset was right.”
      Wednesday will discover who they will meet at Wembley later tonight when Bolton travel to Barnsley following last week’s 1-1 draw. More

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      Sheffield Wednesday fan who ripped up his ticket after team lost 4-0 in first leg goes viral after stunning comeback win

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      A SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY fan who ripped up his ticket for his side’s play-off miracle against Peterborough has gone viral.Darren Moore’s men were thumped 4-0 in their semi-final first leg last week.
      Sheffield Wednesday overturned a four-goal deficit to reach the play-off finalCredit: Getty
      One Sheffield Wednesday fan was not happy after their first-leg hammeringCredit: Twitter
      He filmed himself ripping up his ticket for the second legCredit: Twitter
      He then put two fingers up to the cameraCredit: Twitter
      But the Owls staged an incredible turnaround at Hillsborough on Thursday evening.
      Leading 4-0 after 90 minutes and 5-1 after extra-time, they booked their spot at Wembley with a 5-3 victory on penalties.
      And the result brought about the re-emergence of a clip from Wednesday fan Josh Jackson ripping up his ticket after the first-leg loss.
      He can be seen tearing up the paper before putting two fingers up to the camera.
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      It now looks like a foolish decision given the breathtaking second leg.
      But he took it all in his stride when one social media user asked: “How are you feeling now mate? 😂😂”
      To which he replied: “On top of the world.”
      Reacting to the original video, one person responded: “Live and learn. It’s a long journey.”
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      While another added: “His act willed his team to perform. He must be ecstatic!!”
      Sheffield Wednesday, who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, will now face either Bolton or Barnsley in the play-off final on May 29.
      They are bidding to return to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier. More

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      Wales to hold EFL training camp next week ahead of crunch Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey in June

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      WALES are holding a four-day training camp next week ahead of their Euro 2024 double-header in June.Boss Robert Page will assemble 13 EFL players including the likes of Huddersfield’s Sorba Thomas and Oli Cooper of Swansea for the Cardiff get-together which starts next Monday.
      Robert Page will begin preparations for June’s Euro 2024 qualifying double-header in Cardiff next weekCredit: AFP
      Sorba Thomas, who has been on loan at Blackburn from Huddersfield, is linking up with the Wales squad on MondayCredit: PA
      The Dragons face Armenia in a crunch Group D qualifier in the Welsh capital on June 16 followed by an away trip to Turkey three days later.
      Page wants to keep his squad plying their trade in the Football League ticking over now the domestic season has finished so they are ready to hit the ground running next month.
      Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is still in club action with Nice until June 3.
      Page’s Premier League stars such as Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest and Tottenham’s Ben Davies are also on league duty until Sunday, May 28.
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      That means they will not travel to the Dragons’ Vale HQ on the outskirts of Cardiff for the camp.
      Luton hero Tom Lockyer will also be unavailable due to his involvement in the Championship play-off final against Coventry on May 27 at Wembley.
      Wales opened their bid to reach the Germany finals with a 1-1 draw in Croatia and a 1-0 home win over Latvia back in March.
      And there will be another friendly face around the camp too.
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      Former Dragons defender Chris Gunter will work alongside boss Robert Page as a national team development coach.
      Gunter linked up with the Welsh coaching staff in a short-term role for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia in March.
      But the 109-cap full-back will return in an official part-time capacity to support the next generation, starting with the June fixtures. More

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      Fans hail ‘greatest comeback ever’ as Sheffield Wednesday come from 4-0 DOWN after first leg to reach Wembley on pens

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY produced a sensational FOUR-GOAL comeback to book their place in the League One play-off final.The Owls went into tonight’s semi-final second leg trailing 4-0 from last week’s disastrous clash at London Road.

      Sheffield Wednesday celebrate their dramatic comebackCredit: Sky Sports
      Liam Palmer wheels away in celebrationCredit: Reuters
      Wednesday score their dramatic levellerCredit: Rex
      Sheffield Wednesday fans invaded the pitch after the matchCredit: SKY SPORTS
      In getting through, Wednesday became the first team in EFL play-off history to overcome a three-plus goal first leg deficit to reach a final.
      Darren Moore’s side stormed into an early lead on the night via Michael Smith’s ninth minute penalty, with Lee Gregory making it two on 25 minutes.
      Reece James put them back within one goal with 20 minutes remaining, but their hopes appeared to be ebbing away during stoppage time.
      Ninety seconds over the allocated six additional minutes, however, Liam Palmer sparked pandemonium by prodding home the most dramatic of equalisers.
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      The Scotland international was mobbed by his team-mates, while a smattering of fans even invaded the pitch to celebrate with the players.
      Moore himself was the calmest man in Hillsborough – coolly clapping his players for their late leveller.
      The dramatic leveller prompted a huge reaction on social media.
      One fan wrote: “Peterborough deserve that. They were absolutely dreadful.”
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      Palmer screams in pure delightCredit: Reuters

      While a second tweeted: “When football is at it’s absolute best, there’s no sport within a million miles of it. Absolutely unbelievable.”
      Making reference to Posh’s manager Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex, Jamie Carragher tweeted: “Fergie time!”
      The match then went into extra time… but Peterborough provided yet another twist…
      On the stoke of half-time, the Posh sensationally went back in front after Gregory inadvertently headed a free-kick into his own net.
      Peterborough were only back in the lead until the 112th minute, however, when Callum Paterson coolly slotted home ANOTHER Wednesday equaliser to make it 5-1 on the night.
      The match then went to penalty kicks, with Dan Butler the unfortunate man to miss from 12 yards for Posh.
      Everyone else scored, with Jack Hunt netting Wednesday’s winner to mark a historic comeback – sparking a dramatic pitch invasion.
      Following the incredible 5-3 shoot-out outcome, one fan gushed: “Wow. What a great comeback from Sheffield Wednesday. Unbelievable. The greatest play off comeback in EFL playoff history.”
      Another added: “What a story. Surely the greatest playoff comeback of all time.”

      Wednesday will face Barnsley or Bolton at Wembley on May 29 for a place in the Championship.
      Barnsley host the Trotters tomorrow night having drawn 1-1 in last week’s first leg.

      Jack Hunt’s winning penalty sparked pandemoniumCredit: SKY SPORTS More

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      Former Chelsea wonderkid who snubbed Real Madrid transfer wakes up unemployed after he is released from League One club

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran is without a club after being released by League One side MK Dons.The midfielder, 30, was tipped to go to the very top of world football and attracted offers from Real Madrid and Manchester United at the age of 16.
      Josh McEachran made a total of 22 appearances for Chelsea, which included turning out for The Blues in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder told the Daily Mail back in 2017 that he turned down the offers because he “believed he was going to make it”.
      He said “When I made my (Chelsea) debut I thought, ‘Ah, that was a good choice for me to say no to Real Madrid,’ but looking back now maybe I should have (gone).”
      The midfielder had been involved with first team training at Chelsea from the age of 15 onwards, having been called up from the youth team by then manager Carlo Ancelotti.
      But he would go on to make just 11 appearances for Chelsea during his time at the club between 2010 and 2015.
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      The midfielder instead found himself bouncing between a number of clubs on loan, including Swansea City and Middlesbrough before joining Brentford permanently in 2015.
      He made 101 appearances for the Bees before moving on to Birmingham City in 2019, where he made just 10 appearances during an injury-hit stint.
      McEachran dropped down a league to join MK Dons in 2021.
      After initially only training with the club to gain fitness, McEachran earned a series of contracts and made 100 appearances for the Milton Keynes side.
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      But it was announced today that McEachran will be without a club going into the summer after MK Dons released their retained list.
      McEachran was one of nine players released by MK Dons following their relegation to League Two.
      Their relegation was sealed on the final day of the League One season, and sparked angry scenes that saw supporters confront Dons owner Pete Winkleman. More

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      Former highly-touted Chelsea star who spent nine years at Blues unemployed at 29 after being released by TWELFTH club

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      JAMAL BLACKMAN has been released by Exeter City.The former Chelsea youngster joined the Blues as a 12-year-old and didn’t leave until 2021.
      Jamal Blackman made 41 appearances for Exeter CityCredit: Getty
      He was loaned out eight times during his stint in West London, before finally departing two years ago.
      Following permanent spells with Los Angeles FC and Huddersfield, Blackman signed for Exeter City last summer.
      The 29-year-old keeper made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Grecians before being let go this summer.
      On letting Blackman, Jack Sparkes and Jevani Brown go, manager Gary Caldwell said: “It’s never easy telling players their time at the club has ended.
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      “We thank everyone that has departed the club for their efforts this season and in previous seasons and we wish them all the best for their future careers.”
      Exeter came 14th in League One after losing boss Matt Taylor to Rotherham in October.
      Blackman progressed through Chelsea’s academy before earning a professional deal at Stamford Bridge.
      He was named in the Blues’ matchday squad on a number of occasions, but never made a first team outing.
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      Blackman represented England up to Under-19s level.
      He was subsequently loaned by Chelsea to Middlesbrough, Ostersund, Wycombe, Sheffield United, Leeds United, Vitesse, Bristol Rovers and Rotherham.
      The 6ft 6in stopper will now look for a new club ahead of next season.
      Blackman trained alongside Thibaut Courtois at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe ‘agrees £3m transfer to new club with medical to take place in next few days’

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      SUNDERLAND are closing in on the signing of Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe.Like his elder sibling, Jobe Bellingham has caught the eye for Birmingham after rising through the club’s youth system.
      Jobe Bellingham is closing in on a move to SunderlandCredit: Rex
      He has enjoyed a breakthrough season at St. Andrew’s, making 23 appearances in all competitions.
      Now Bellingham, 17, looks set to move to the north-east with the Black Cats close to a deal.
      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano Sunderland have had a £3million bid accepted by Birmingham.
      Bellingham has reportedly agreed to join and he is set to undergo a medical at his new club in the coming days.
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      The midfielder visited the Stadium of Light last weekend to watch Sunderland beat Luton in the play-off semi-final first leg – a tie they lost this week.
      Bellingham’s Blues team-mate Troy Deeney is convinced he can be as good as Jude after hitting the gym this season.
      He told Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast: “He’s put on 10 kilos this year, he’s going to be an absolute monster just like his brother is.
      “He is going to be unbelievably talented, you can’t deny that, but it is just going to take him a year or two longer than his brother.
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      “He’s in that shadow isn’t he? Wonderful kid, wonderful family.” More

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      Inside Wrexham’s ‘ridiculous’ season, from meeting King Charles to Will Ferrell randomly bowling into dressing room

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      OLLIE PALMER used to joke about being invited for a barbeque at Ryan Reynolds’ house, now he’s accepted an invite for one.The Wrexham striker, who dropped down two tiers from AFC Wimbledon to join the National League side in January last year, still has to step back every now and then.
      Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have guided Wrexham back to the EFLCredit: PA
      Wrexham celebrated their league win with an open top bus paradeCredit: Getty
      Ollie Palmer, second left, cannot believe he is pals with Hollywood starsCredit: Getty
      King Charles visited the club this seasonCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
      Reynolds also invited Hollywood royalty in the form of Will Ferrell to a gameCredit: Reuters
      Whether it’s meeting the King, seeing Hollywood royalty in the changing room or going to Las Vegas on Rob McElhenney’s card, the whole experience has been one wild ride.
      Palmer told SunSport: “You’ve just got to embrace it because it’s not normal. We’re very lucky.
      “When I was at Wimbledon we always used to joke.
      “It was my last week there and the cat was out of the bag and I’d chat to the lads and say: ‘Lads, if I’m not having a barbeque with Ryan Reynolds in the summer and playing two touch with him then something has gone wrong!’
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      “And lo and behold he’s invited me for a barbeque when he’s over here in a few weeks!”
      Reynolds and McElhenney have transformed the Welsh club since taking over in February 2021.
      From a club stuck in the National League they are now back in League Two after winning promotion in record-breaking fashion and, through their documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, have gained international fame.
      For a group of lower league players, the experience has been life-changing and utterly surreal.
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      Following the promotion parade through the town earlier this month, where they were joined by the two owners on open top buses, the squad have since been sent on a trip to Vegas paid for by their bosses.
      Palmer said: “I’ve been before but I’ve not been when someone like Rob is booking everything and organising it.”
      After the trip to Vegas and before their astonishing US pre-season tour, Palmer wants to spend some time taking stock of just how bizarre the past year has been.
      He said: “I have to check myself because it’s not that normal, they’re both Hollywood stars but it is normal now.
      “They’re making the documentary and so many things that have happened that if you wrote it for a movie it would sound far-fetched.
      “Ben Foster’s save against Notts County in the 96th minute springs to mind. It was just ridiculous.
      “And why is Ben Foster even playing for Wrexham? You just think: ‘What is going on here?’
      “You just have to step back sometimes and that is what I’m trying to do now.
      Palmer added: “There have been so many ridiculous moments that I can’t talk about but there are two that stand out.
      “The King coming to the stadium to meet all the players and staff.
      “The other one, we had a game on a Saturday afternoon and Will Ferrell just bowled into the changing room and started cracking jokes at 2.15pm.
      “Luckily we’ve got very used to these sorts of things happening that it doesn’t become a distraction. If it happened at any other club out of the blue like that then it would be a distraction.”
      There will be more potential distractions this summer, with Palmer saying every player he speaks to wants to join the club – something the owners and manager Phil Parkinson must be wary of.
      But should they get that right, the target for next season is clear.
      Palmer said: “Without signing a single player we’ve got a squad that could get promoted out of League Two now.
      “I don’t think you can avoid that really. When you strengthen that squad you can’t deny we should definitely be fighting for that next season.
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      “The club is going to have to be careful with who they sign and why they are coming here.
      “Every Tom, Dick and Harry I know wants to come and sign for Wrexham, but are they coming for the right reasons? That is the manager’s job and he’s been great at that.” More