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      Seeing my dad Stanley Matthews get his FA Cup winner’s medal from the Queen was so emotional – my grandma nearly fainted

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      JEAN GOUGH was a proud 14-year-old who watched her beloved dad Sir Stanley Matthews receive his FA Cup winners medal from the Queen at Wembley in 1953.The legendary winger inspired Blackpool to come back from 3-1 down to beat Bolton 4-3 in a match famously known as “The Matthews Final”.
      Stanley Matthews receives his FA Cup winners medal from the Queen in 1953
      Stanley Matthews (right) is held aloft alongside captain Harry Johnston
      It was the first match Queen Elizabeth II attended and came exactly one month before her coronation — the game played on May 4 and her official crowning on June 4.
      Matthews mesmerised the 100,000 crowd — including Her Majesty — packed into Wembley with his incredible trickery on the right wing.
      He set up Stan Mortensen’s second goal of his hat-trick as well as Bill Perry’s winner three minutes into stoppage time.
      It was third time lucky for Blackpool and Matthews, who lost to Manchester United (1948) and Newcastle (1951).
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      Jean, 83, told me: “It was so emotional for us as a family. Each time I see clips from the game, it brings back wonderful, emotional memories.
      “I was there with my mother and two grandmothers. We were all sat with the rest of the spectators as this was before the days they sat players’ families together. 
      “We had all given up and thought this was going to be a third final of heartache — but what unfolded was terrific.
      “It was so emotional my mother’s mum almost fainted and someone had to give her brandy!”
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      The Queen had been on the throne for 15 months and was only 27.
      But, already, she had captured the hearts of the nation and Jean remembers how thrilled her father was to receive his medal from Her Majesty.
      She said: “He was so proud to get his medal from the Queen, who congratulated him on his achievement.”
      The 1953 final was famously the first to be televised live in its entirety and was a TV dress rehearsal for The Queen’s coronation that followed.
      Back then, there were only three millions television sets in the country — yet the match drew a TV audience of 10MILLION.
      Jean told me: “Because not so many people had TVs, they would cram into someone’s house who did to watch the final, as they did in even greater numbers for the coronation.”
      Indeed, the FA Cup final was eclipsed by the coronation which drew an incredible UK TV audience of 27MILLION.
      Matthews went on to meet the Queen on a number of occasions with the proudest moment coming when he was knighted at Buckingham Palace in 1965 — having already picked up the CBE in 1957.
      Jean (left) with her dad Stanley Matthews and mum Betty after he picked up the CBE from the Queen in 1957
      Jean Gough with her brother Stanley Jnr and parents Stanley and Betty Matthews
      To this day, he is the only ever footballer to be knighted while still playing..
      And Jean — pregnant at the time — recalls the historic moment.
      She said: “We travelled from Blackpool the day before. We stayed in a hotel and I remember buying an outfit to wear for the occasion — a suit and hat.
      “I was pregnant with my first child. My dad always used to tell my husband, ‘Don’t make me a grandfather while I’m still playing.’ We saved him by a couple of months!
      “But the day itself was wonderful. We were in a dream state.
      “The carpets were up. Lots of people were waving outside the gates. My father was in a top hat and tails.
      It was so emotional my mother’s mum almost fainted and someone had to give her brandy!”JEAN GOUGH
      “We went into the Palace and were taken into the throning room where we waited.
      “The ceremony started. We watched the Queen put the sword over Pops’ shoulder. It was incredible. Unlike today, the number of people getting honoured was limited.
      “The Queen was well informed. She remembered giving him his FA Cup winners medal and once again congratulated him on his achievements.
      “My dad was a man of few words but he did say afterwards, ‘Oh my goodness, that was great.’ You could tell by his face, he was honoured — but at the same time embarrassed to become a ‘Sir.’.
      “If anyone called him, ‘Sir Stanley’, he’d always insist, ‘Please, just call me Stan’.”
      Jean Gough’s proud dad Stanley Matthews kisses his daughter on her wedding day
      As part of the trip to meet the Queen, Matthews and his family were introduced to then Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
      And Jean recalled: “We were given a guided tour of the House of Commons and met by Harold Wilson, who was puffing away on his pipe.”
      Jean says her dad admired The Queen and believes she modernised the Royal Family.
      She told me: “Pops was honoured to have known her. She was such a wonderful woman. I’ve been watching throughout the years and seen how she has modernised things.
      “The Royals, back in the day, didn’t have much to do with everyone else but she changed that.
      Jean Gough proudly shows off her dad’s 1953 FA Cup winners’ medal
      “Anybody in the streets she would talk to. That is her legacy. She had the knack of making anyone she met that they were the only person in the world, whether they were a top celebrity or your regular man or woman in the street.
      “And that is being carried on by King Charles and his family. It was wonderful to see the King stop his car the other day outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and, with the Queen Consort, shake hands with everyone there. I thought that was amazing because he must have been devastated to have lost his mum. 
      “That is something she instilled into him.”
      Jean herself picked up an MBE in the 2015 New Years Honours list from the then Prince Charles for services to children and sport through the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation.
      If anyone called him, ‘Sir Stanley’, he’d always insist, ‘Please, just call me Stan’.”JEAN GOUGH
      Like her father, Jean is also humble and said: “It was another great day. I remember, Charles asking me, ‘Were you surprised?’ And I told him, ‘I was shocked.’ ‘Shocked?’ he said. “Yes, shocked, because I don’t deserve this sort of thing,’ I replied.
      “He was so charming and very nice. He’s going to be a great king.”
      DELIA DELIGHT AT MEETING QUEEN
      NORWICH joint-owners — celebrity cook Delia Smith and her husband Michael Wynn-Jones — were hosted by Her Majesty at Windsor Castle five years ago.
      Delia, 81, had a host of honours bestowed on her — OBE, CBE and OCH — by the late Queen.
      But her fondest memory of Elizabeth II was her overnight stay at Windsor.
      She recalled: “We were privileged to be invited, with about eight others and their partners, to a private dinner and an overnight stay, hosted by Her Majesty.
      “It was an evening of warm relaxed hospitality from both Her Majesty and her wonderful staff. One of the highlights of the evening was that after dinner the Queen herself escorted us all for a tour of the castle. 
      Delia Smith is made a Companion of Honour by the Queen in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      “On reaching the very splendid library we saw not just books, but family mementoes and each guest was directed to items pertaining to their own lives.
      “For me a letter describing the type of chef Queen Victoria was looking for, a collection of old cookbooks and some intricate kitchen utensils from a doll’s house. 
      “But in the centre on a lectern with a very splendid hand illustrated book of birds opened at a page containing guess what, a very splendid canary!
      “What this is really all about though, is that we were so fortunate to have the opportunity to see and experience first-hand what we had only read about before — the warmth, the sparkle and the humour of a genuine and beautiful person who was also a queen.”
      MAJESTIC OPENING
      MK DONS owner Pete Winkleman likened The Queen’s arrival to open the club’s stadium in 2007 to an aircraft taking off.
      Her Majesty was expected to make an entrance by walking through the players’ tunnel but instead rolled out into the stadium in a beautiful Bentley to a cheering crowd of 20,000 school kids.
      Winkelman told me: “It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
      “It is something I”ll always remember. That’s what the Queen did — made everyone feel special.
      “It wasn’t just me but everyone in Milton Keynes. We had 20,000 school kids there that day.
      “And it was like an aircraft taking off as she was driven through the service tunnel out on to the pitch in her Bentley. 
      “Our manager at the time Paul Ince’s daughter gave her a red balloon and she said to me, ‘What do I do with this?’ And I said, ‘You let it go, your majesty’ and she did. You can see the smile on her face as she let the balloon go. It was just symbolic of course.”
      Ince introduced Queen Elizabeth II to the players and Winkelman added: “The Queen already knew Paul because he had met her as the England captain. The moment was special to him because his daughter was involved in the ceremony.
      “When Paul became our manager that really was our entrance on to the football stage — and although we haven’t got the club into the Premier League yet I’m going to keep trying my hardest for the people of Milton Keynes.
      “For all those who are working today, we are putting big screens around the stadium so they don’t miss the funeral. She was a wonderful woman and will forever be remembered by the people of this city.”
      ROYAL PARADE
      THE QUEEN and Prince Philip visited Valley Parade in March 1997 to open the new Allied Colloids Stand as part of a visit to mark the centenary of Bradford’s royal charter as a city.
      It was Elizabeth II’s third visit to the city but first to Valley Parade.
      Having arrived on the royal train, she visited the cathedral before unveiling a plaque at Centenary Square and paying respect at the Bradford City Fire Memorial.
      After lunch she arrived at the stadium accompanied by chairman Geoffrey Richmond and entered the pitch after going through the banqueting hall.
      But, in best Yorkshire traditions, it was belting down with rain and blowing a gale. 
      Yet the Queen did not batter an eyelid and out came the brollies as she strolled across the red carpet where she met then Bradford boss Chris Kamara and was introduced to the players.
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      She was then taken to her seat in the stand to watch performances on the pitch from youngsters at theatre school Stage 84 and dancers from Kala Sangam.
      The Queen must have been freezing in the open stand where she was sitting but simply smiled throughout. More

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      Barnsley star Brad Collins covered in blood after suffering horrific head gash which caused 14 MINUTES of added time

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      BARNSLEY goalkeeper Brad Collins suffered a horror head injury in the Tykes’ 3-0 win against Cambridge United.The 25-year-old was helped from the pitch with blood pouring down his face.
      Brad Collins was helped off the field covered in bloodCredit: Jim Steele
      Collins was sent clattering to the floor by Cambridge ace Sam Smith five minutes into the second half as he came out of his box to head the ball away.
      Smith also required treatment after the sickening collision, but it was Collins who came off worse.
      The game was brought to a halt for more than 10 minutes to allow for the Barnsley stopper to be tended to by paramedics.
      A stretcher was brought on but Collins was eventually able to clamber back to his feet.
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      He left the field to a huge ovation as the blood continued to pour down his face.
      Barnsley are yet to provide an update on his condition.
      There were 14 minutes of added time at the end of the League One clash following the injury to Collins.
      Fans were left concerned for Collins’ wellbeing after seeing the nasty collision.
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      One wrote on Twitter: “Hope Brad Collins is ok. Looked like a nasty one. Wishing him a speedy recovery!”
      While another said: “Get well soon Brad Collins.”
      Barnsley were 1-0 up thanks to a Devante Cole goal at the time of his injury, before being reduced to 10 men when Liam Kitching was sent off for two bookable offences.
      But goals from Robbie Cundy and James Norwood helped the 10-man Tykes to a valuable three points.
      The result helped Michael Duff’s side climb to sixth in the League One table.
      Meanwhile the U’s are ninth after back-to-back defeats. More

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      Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United have bounced back from play-off heartbreak to top of the Championship

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      WHEN Nottingham Forest keeper Brice Samba broke Sheffield United hearts with his hat-trick of saves in a play-off penalty shootout, Paul Heckingbottom got straight to work.There was no moping about at Bramall Lane from anyone feeling sorry for themselves.
      Paul Heckingbottom and Sheffield United used play-off agony to inspire them
      Brice Samba breaks Sheffield United’s hearts at the City Ground
      Instead Heckingbottom and his team reflected on how close they had gone to making an instant return to the Premier League after overcoming a slow start to last season under previous boss Slavisa Jokanovic.
      And there was a steely determination in the red and white half of the Steel City to hit the ground running this time around — and they have certainly done that.
      Reda Khadra’s winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Swansea on Tuesday night consolidated the Blades’ position at the top of the Championship.
      Heckingbottom told SunSport: “I must give credit to everyone since that shootout against Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-final. That is where all the work started in regard to this coming season.
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      “Had we been sulking or slow to move on, we’d not have had as strong a start as we have had.
      “I just felt we had run out of time last season because we had such a strong finish. Had the season been a month longer, we’d have finished even higher than the fifth position we finally achieved.
      “Certainly at the City Ground, we just ran out of time. We managed to get ourselves from 3-1 down on aggregate to 3-3 and pushed for the winner.
      “Had we played another five or 10 minutes in that game, I’d have fancied us to have gone on to reach the final.
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      “We had nothing to worry about or anything to fear going into this season, other than maybe a hangover or feeling sorry for ourselves. That is what we guarded against.”
      Heckingbottom won the August SkyBet Championship manager of the month.
      And he said the club had to be shrewd during the summer — balancing the needs of strengthening the squad with keeping on top of finances being lowered due to a second season outside the top-flight.
      But he brought in Sweden centre-half Anel Ahmedhodzic from Malmo for £4million and worked the loan market by recruiting the likes of Man City duo James McAtee and Tommy Doyle, Ciaran Clarke from Newcastle and Khadra from Brighton.
      And the Blades chief was happy with a good pre-season build-up and said: “All those things were important in terms of getting us to hit the ground running.”
      Paul Heckingbottom won the SkyBet manager of the month for August
      I put it to Heckingbottom that three of their outstanding players so far have been striker Oli McBurnie, midfielder Sander Berge and Ahmedhodzic.
      Keeping Berge during the transfer window was as good and important as making a marquee signing — such is his influence on the team.
      Heckingbottom agreed and said: “It was huge to keep him. He is a great person, good player and if I am honest I expected him to go.
      “So I’m delighted I can still use him. He’s happy to be here. He has been fantastic with the way he has behaved. His performances have shown that.
      “He comes into training every day with a smile on his face, has trained harder than anyone and he’s reaping the benefits.
      “While he continues playing like that, there’s nothing you can do to stop someone coming in for him but hopefully that’s a while away yet.”
      McBurnie has been a frustrating player for Blades fans following his £20million move from Swansea in 2019.
      He had not scored a league goal since November 2020 until he finally netted against Luton last month, sparking three goals in successive games.
      His hard-working performances up top have been crucial.
      And Heckingbottom said: “I’m delighted for Oli.
      Oli McBurnie has been on fire for the Blades after a tough couple of years
      “He had bad luck when we took over. He suffered more injuries than most last season.
      “We could’ve seen the form he has been showing much earlier. 
      “To get himself fit, he has worked hard and when he has got over his broken foot he has had a few more weeks training and we’ve given him minutes in the under-21s and then when he has been called upon he has hit the ground running.
      “That is all the hard work he has put in and what the staff have put in.”
      Ahmedhodzic has been rock solid in defence and is looking like a bargain buy.
      The Blades chief said: “I’ve been impressed with him. I was convinced he’d be good otherwise I’d not have tried to get him.
      “The way he has stepped into it and hit the ground running. It’s a big bonus.
      Reda Khadra celebrates his stoppage-time winner at Swansea
      “He can be pleased and proud of himself. One of the reasons he came and we liked him, we felt he was someone who can kick on and play at an even higher level than this.
      “He’s determined to do that, we’re determined to do that and hopefully we can both achieve it.”
      Heckingbottom knows that the one thing you do need to get out of the Championship is consistency in a league that is consistent for being inconsistent.
      And he said: “The margins are so fine. There are clubs that will have a lot of talent in their squads — and we’re talking Premier League talent — who are not quite on it that day who will get turned over.
      “We’d like to think we have some good players but our best attribute is having that mentality who try to win every game and keep our standards high so when we do get beat a team will have to play well.
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      “The ultimate goal of every team is to get promoted with the prize at the end of it but we’re a long way from thinking about that, never mind talking about it.
      “We’re breaking the season into little phases and concentrating on getting the consistency of performance. Hopefully we will be there at the back of the season.” More

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      Andy Carroll re-joins Reading in free transfer on tiny contract five months after finishing West Brom contract

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      READING have re-signed Andy Carroll on a short-term deal.The former Liverpool striker, 33, has signed a contract until January – the club has announced.
      Andy Carroll scored two goals in eight games in his first spell at Reading last season
      Carroll scored two goals in eight games for the Royals last season before leaving to join West Brom in the January transfer window.
      But he was subsequently released by the Baggies and was a free agent over the summer until Paul Ince decided to snap him up.
      Carroll trained with Reading this week and impressed Ince with his leadership skills before he was offered a four-month deal.
      Ince said: “I am really pleased to have Andy with us.
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      “Of course, a striker of his prowess gives us power and a battling presence at the top of the pitch and I’m sure that will translate into goals.
      “However, Andy’s arrival also offers us another strong voice in the dressing room. He is a leader, both on and off the pitch, and having trained with us all this week I can already see the positive influence he will have on the players around him and the boost he will no doubt give to the fans.”
      Reading Head of Football Operations Mark Bowen said: “Andy is a striker with proven pedigree and so much experience in the game.
      “It is also so important that he is a player who already knows this club and the fight we will need to show to rise to the challenges we expect to face during the course of this season.
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      “And, above all else, Andy is a top-class professional. So I’m delighted he has chosen to return to Reading!”
      More to follow… More

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      Man Utd star Marcus Rashford watches Barrow’s 2-0 win over Doncaster and poses for photo with young fans

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      MARCUS RASHFORD has been pictured watching League Two side Barrow and taking photos with young fans. The Manchester United attacker sat in the stands as the Bluebirds beat Doncaster 2-0.
      Barrow fans were shocked to see Marcus Rashford in attendanceCredit: https://twitter.com/OurBluebirdsFly/status/1569777177784115200
      Marcus Rashford is looking back to his best on the fieldCredit: EPA
      A supporters group called Bluebirds of Holker Street shared a picture on Twitter of Rashford taking a selfie with some children.
      The tweet thanked him saying: “What a guy Marcus Rashford is, brilliant taking time for a photo with the kids at the soccer.”
      Fans of Man Utd and Barrow were quick to praise him for mixing with the community and supporting a local club.
      One said: “There is genuinely people out there who hate this man. Top guy.”
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      Another reacted: “Wow. What a man.”
      More followed as another commented: “Legend.”
      Rashford responded himself to the post saying: “Nice to meet you guys.”
      This is not the first time the England ace has been seen trying to give back to the local area of Manchester and the North, where he grew up.
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      He has set up campaigns to help the homeless at Christmas, visited victims of the Manchester bombing and teamed up with charity FareShare.
      He is well-known for his work in 2020 that tackled food poverty in the UK, eventually influencing the government to give free meals to children in poverty during the pandemic and school holidays.
      On the pitch things are getting better for Rashford as he netted twice in United’s most recent victory over Arsenal.
      It seems like he is regaining his confidence again under the guidance of Erik ten Hag.
      Rashford’s night at Barrow comes as reports suggest he won’t jet off to Moldova for Man Utd’s Europa League tie versus Sheriff Tiraspol. More

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      Watch touching moment Mansfield release 96 white doves in honour of the Queen after minute’s silence

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      MANSFIELD released 96 doves after a minute’s silence and the national anthem in a touching moment before tonight’s game.The Stags hosted Carlisle in League Two – their first match since the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II aged 96 last Thursday.
      Mansfield released 96 doves – one for each year of The Queen’s lifeCredit: Twitter
      The birds were let into the sky after the minute’s silence and national anthem

      The EFL called off all of their matches over the weekend as a mark of respect to Her Majesty.
      But they resumed their fixture schedule this evening with the Championship, League One and League Two action.
      There was a minute’s silence before all 30 EFL matches as football paused to remember the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
      Players also wore black armbands – just as Tottenham and Liverpool did in the Champions League.
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      But at Mansfield’s Field Mill, following the silence, the club also invited supporters to join in singing the national anthem, God Save The King.
      Then club director and funeral director Paul Brown released 96 doves into the Nottinghamshire dusk – each one representing a year of The Queen’s remarkable life.
      One fan said: “Brilliantly observed and well organised MTFC. Fans are a credit to the club.”
      On the pitch, it ended goalless as Mansfield missed the chance to leapfrog Doncaster into the final play-off place.
      Most read in Football
      However, there was drama as one of the goal nets broke in the top corner.
      Stags grounds staff were unable to reach the problem so had to get Carlisle goalkeeper Tomas Holy to tape the net up in bizarre scenes. More

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      EFL confirm Championship, League One and League Two to return from tomorrow after postponement following Queen’s death

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      THE EFL have confirmed that its fixture schedule will resume from tomorrow following the death of The Queen.The Queen died peacefully aged 96 on Thursday – marking an end to her historic reign and making her son, Charles, King.
      The EFL have confirmed that its fixtures will resume from TuesdayCredit: EFL
      The Championship, League One and Two is returning tomorrowCredit: Rex
      The Premier League and EFL postponed all matches last weekend as Scotland followed suit along with a host of other sporting events to pay tribute to Her Majesty.
      Now the EFL have announced that its midweek fixture list will go ahead as planned.
      A statement read: “The EFL fixture programme will return as scheduled from Tuesday 13 September, with tributes to be paid to Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at grounds around the country.
      “A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums.
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      “With a national policing plan now in operation, the League and Clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.
      “Consideration to individual circumstances will be made on a case-by-case basis, in line with standard match Safety Advisory Group (SAG) protocols.”
      Meanwhile, football chiefs and police are continuing talks today over a number of potential match postponements for this coming weekend.
      The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has been confirmed for Monday 19 September in London.
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      A host of police officers from across the country are set to be drafted into London to work on it and the other events surrounding the send-off with millions of mourners due to descend on the capital.
      As we reported last week, that means that Sunday’s Premier League games between Brentford and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and Manchester United vs Leeds are among those being discussed about being postponed or moved.
      Up in Scotland, Rangers’ Champions League fixture at home to Napoli has been delayed for 24 hours and away supporters have been banned.
      SunSport understands that England’s representatives in Uefa’s competitions this midweek will not be affected, with Arsenal’s Europa League clash in North London against PSV on Thursday still scheduled to go ahead.
      But talks are still ongoing regarding the domestic top-flight clashes for next weekend.
      Switching games to the opposition’s venue has already been discussed, but they have also hit major roadblocks.
      For example, Liverpool’s neighbours Everton are also playing at home on Sunday, meaning Chelsea switching their game to Anfield is highly unlikely.
      Meanwhile, a huge police presence is expected at Old Trafford for the game between heated rivals United and Leeds, which would also stretch resources.
      And EFL fixtures are also at risk in and around London with Millwall, QPR and Watford due to be hosting matches.
      But officials are still “hopeful” that a positive conclusion could be reached.
      A National Police Chiefs Council spokesperson said: “We will work with football clubs to try and ensure that, where possible, football fixtures can take place safely when balanced against the requirement to support national events and deliver day-to-day policing.
      “This is a unique situation and we are working closely with everyone involved.”
      More to follow… More

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      EFL postpone Friday night fixtures between Burnley vs Norwich and Tranmere vs Stockport after death of The Queen

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      THE EFL have confirmed that today’s fixtures have been postponed as British sport pauses following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.The Queen died peacefully aged 96 on Thursday – marking an end to her historic reign and making her son, Charles, King.
      Burnley’s Championship clash at home to Norwich has been postponedCredit: Getty
      Her Majesty the Queen passed away aged 96 on ThursdayCredit: Splash
      Charles, who will now be known as King Charles III, gave a sombre statement as he led the nation in mourning last night.
      Day Two of the cricket test match between England and South Africa at The Oval was cancelled as the country mourned the loss of its monarch.

      The Queen’s passing comes as…

      The Queen’s beloved horse racing was also stopped – with last night’s meetings at Southwell and Chelmsford both being abandoned.
      The EFL then announced last night that they have postponed the two scheduled fixtures for this evening.
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      A statement read: “As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II earlier today, the EFL has confirmed that its fixtures scheduled for tomorrow evening Friday 9 September – Burnley v Norwich City and Tranmere Rovers v Stockport County – have been postponed.
      “A determination regarding the remainder of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will be made following a review of the official mourning guidance, in addition to further consultation with DCMS and other sports on Friday morning.”
      The governing body and Premier League chiefs will make an announcement this morning on whether this weekend’s games are cancelled.
      While the Government is not planning to enforce a shutdown in sport, Prem chiefs are aware of a potential backlash if they play the weekend’s matches as scheduled and a meeting has been called for 11am this morning.
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      Its chief executive Richard Masters is said to have told clubs that they will have to make their own decisions regarding games, with government guidance not “definitive”.
      But an announcement confirming that all fixtures this weekend are postponed is expected.
      A factor is the potential drain on police resources as towns and cities up and down the land pay tribute to The Queen after her 70-year reign.
      A final call will be made by lunchtime with Prem chiefs aware that clubs will be setting off for overnight stays ahead of tomorrow’s games and that fans also will need to know if they are travelling.
      But while there will be no Government action to block sports fixtures from taking place, football, rugby and racing in particular are thought to be leaning towards postponements.
      Matches are still likely to take place over the coming 10 days after this weekend although sports bodies will be expected to mark the passing of Her Majesty Elizabeth II.
      That will see fans and players asked to respect one minute silences before games, the national Anthem also to be played and black armbands worn.
      If the weekend’s football matches are called off it will be a break with precedent from the last time a monarch died in the middle of the football season.
      Man Utd and Real Sociedad’s players held a minute’s silence after the death of The Queen last nightCredit: Reuters
      A full Football League fixture list, including the North London Derby between Spurs and Arsenal, took place on Saturday February 9 1952, three days after the death of King George VI.
      The Government has contacted sports bodies to make it clear they have the final say on whether fixtures should be played – with a green light if there are suitable marks of respect paid.
      European games involving Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham all went ahead yesterday.
      A minute’s silence was held before United and West Ham played, while players also work black armbands in tribute to The Queen.
      Ministers accepted that it would not have been feasible for the games at Old Trafford and the London Stadium to have been postponed when thousands of fans were already at the ground when the confirmation of The Queen’s death came last night.
      READ MORE ON THE QUEEN’S DEATH
      There was also a minute’s silence during Arsenal’s match against FC Zurich in Switzerland after the news broke during the game.
      But it is expected that no sporting events will take place during the Queen’s funeral parade and service, expected to be on Monday September 18, although any night matches would be allowed to get ahead More