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      When are Championship playoffs 2021? Brentford, Bournemouth, Swansea, Barnsley dates & times plus EFL League One & Two

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      IT’S the most exciting time of the EFL season as the play-offs return following the promotion of Watford and Norwich to the Premier League.As is the tradition, the campaign will conclude at Wembley, with the play-off semi-finals and finals to be played in front of fans if the government roadmap stays on track.
      Brentford will be looking to reach the Premier League for the first timeCredit: Getty
      Brentford, Swansea, Bournemouth and Barnsley are the teams who will have to fight it out for the final place in the Premier League this season.
      When are the EFL play-offs?
      The EFL play-off dates are as follows:
      Championship
      Semi-finals

      Monday, May 17 – Bournemouth vs Brentford (6pm)
      Monday, May 17 – Barnsley vs Swansea (8.15pm)
      Saturday, May 22 – Brentford vs Bournemouth (12.30pm)
      Saturday, May 22 – Swansea vs Barnsley (5.30pm)

      Final

      Saturday, May 29 (3pm)

      League One
      Semi-finals

      Tuesday, May 18 – Oxford vs Blackpool (6pm)
      Wednesday, May 19 – Lincoln vs Sunderland (6pm)
      Friday, May 21 – Blackpool vs Oxford (7.45pm)
      Saturday, May 22 – Sunderland vs Lincoln (3pm)

      Final

      Sunday, May 30 (3pm)

      League Two
      Semi-finals

      Tuesday, May 18 – Newport vs Forest Green (8.15pm)
      Thursday, May 20 – Tranmere vs Morecambe (6pm)
      Sunday, May 23 – Morecambe vs Tranmere (12.30pm)
      Sunday, May 23 – Forest Green vs Newport (6.30pm)

      What TV channel are EFL play-off matches on and can I live stream them?

      Sky Sports hold exclusive rights to EFL coverage, including the play-off games.
      Matches will be shown live on channels such as Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
      Some matches may be shown on the Sky Sports Red Button if they overlap with others.
      To stream EFL play-off matches live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.

      Adebayo Akinfenwa and Wycombe Wanderers were promoted from League One at WembleyCredit: Getty
      Northampton Town were victorious in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Getty
      How many fans will be allowed to attend the EFL play-offs?
      The EFL has announced that the play-offs will be held from Monday, May 17 – the date on which the government will allow fans to return to stadiums according to the current roadmap.
      That means that ALL play-off matches will have fans attending as things stand.
      The roadmap states: “The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number).
      “In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).”
      This can be taken to mean that the play-off finals at Wembley will be played in front of 10,000 fans unless otherwise specified.
      However, it has yet to be confirmed whether participating EFL teams’ stadiums qualify as larger or smaller outdoor venues.
      Will the play-offs have away fans?
      Premier League CEO Richard Masters declared his intention for 500 away fans to attend the last two games of the season when fans return to stadiums.
      However, these plans were later scrapped.
      The EFL have not currently suggested that away fans will be allowed to attend the play-off semi-finals. More

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      Bolton are England’s promotion kings – now boss Ian Evatt wants town’s fans wearing Trotters shirts not Man Utd kits

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      BOLTON being promoted looked unlikely all season – but perhaps with their record, it was actually IanEvattable.Wanderers, under boss Ian Evatt, went up for the 14th time, moving level with Birmingham at the top of the charts for most promotions in English league history.
      Bolton are joint-top for most promotions in English football
      Bolton players celebrate outside the ground on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      And now, he wants more kids walking around the town in white shirts, not those of Manchester United.
      Nobody could have predicted this when Bolton were 20th at the start of February.
      In the first half of the campaign, the Trotters were more like the Phoenix club – a bit of a joke and opposition fans were laughing at them.
      Director of Football Tobias Phoenix’s summer signings were a mixed bag but he was eased out in January with Evatt given more control.
      And the recruitment of loan stars including Declan John, Dapo Afolayan and MJ Williams turned the season around.
      They were more like Usain Bolt-on after that, going on a run on 16 wins in the final 22 games to clinch promotion, including Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Crawley.
      Evatt knows Bolton’s fortunes in League One next season could depend on the experienced spine of his side.
      Irish striker Eoin Doyle, 33, skipper Antoni Sarcevic, 29, and veteran goalkeeper Matt Gilks, 38, have been the mainstays of their magnificent finish to the campaign.
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      Bolton players celebrate promotion on the pitch at CrawleyCredit: PA
      Evatt is backing the trio to prove their worth once again.
       He said: “Although recruitment is crucial we know where our core-strengths lie.
      “The club is on firm foundations again and we are determined to go forward.
      “The players have been outstanding and what they’ve done has enabled us to reconnect with the fans,  the community and the town itself.
      “Bolton people identify with us again and that’s great because I have got tired of seeing people walking around there in Manchester United shirts instead of ours.”
      Boss Ian Evatt, hugging Lloyd Isgrove, wants to see more Bolton shirts in the townCredit: PA
      Doyle finished the season with 19 goals for Bolton.
      Former Plymouth star Sarcevic enjoyed promotions at other League Two clubs including the Wembley play-off final winner for Fleetwood in 2014.
      And ex-Blackpool keeper Gilks has become a growing influence since his arrival, combining first-team duties with a coaching role.
      Centre-back Ricardo Santos – nicknamed The Wall by Wanderers fans – played every minute of the season and will be crucial at a higher level.
      Sarcevic set Bolton on their way at Crawley with a thumping drive on nine minutes and Afolayan tapped home from close range in the 26th minute.
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      After home skipper George Francomb’s dismissal for a second yellow card on 34 minutes, Doyle put matters beyond doubt  three minutes after half-time.
      He  said: “It would have been nice to get 20 for the season but on days like this nobody cares who scores.”
      Lloyd Isgrove’s 77th-minute fourth was reward for his ceaseless industry and sub Davide Rodari’s late reply a mere consolation for Crawley.
      Legend Frank Worthington scores a stunning goal for Bolton More

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      Jayden Stockley desperate for permanent Charlton transfer after rediscovering lethal touch in loan spell from Preston

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      JAYDEN STOCKLEY wants to make his loan move to Charlton permanent this summer after rediscovering his lethal scoring touch.The striker, 27, had an incredible one-in-two career goals-to-starts ratio when he left Exeter for Preston North End almost two-and-a-half years ago in a £750,000 deal.
      Jayden Stockley is loving life at The Valley and wants to make his loan switch permanent
      But he found himself unable to get a regular run of starts under Alex Neil although he still scored nine league goals from 21 starts – but he made a total of 44 Championship sub appearances.
      Yet since moving to the Addicks in January he has fired eight goals in 19 starts.
      Today he hopes to shoot Charlton into the play-offs – although they need Portsmouth and Oxford to slip up.
      Stockley said: “That run of games at Preston never came unfortunately.
      “I scored in back-to-back matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest then found myself back on the bench for Brentford.
      “To be fair to Alex Neil, I learned a lot from him tactically. He was very meticulous in his planning of games.
      “I feel for managers – they go out to win a game of football.
      “They don’t go to upset people or do things viciously. They’re under a lot of pressure. I don’t hold a grudge about it.
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      Jayden Stockley believes Charlton are going places and wants to put down roots in London

      “I back my ability and just feel I should’ve played a lot more.
      “But he brought me to the club and gave me the chance to play Championship football. It cuts both ways.”
      Stockley has one year left on his contract in the North West and would like to move to South East London.
      He said: “It’s up in the air at the moment. I don’t know what fees are circling around and they don’t even know who their manager is going to be next season.
      “What I can say is I absolutely am loving my time here.
      “And this hopefully isn’t the end of my time playing for Charlton.
      “If it works for everyone, I would love it. I feel I have so much to give and these are my prime years.”
      Jayden Stockley fires home as Charlton see off Lincoln to give them a play-off chance
      Charlton is his 14th different club – although nine of them were loan spells while he was a young player coming through the ranks at Bournemouth.
      But after moving permanently from the Cherries to Aberdeen to Exeter then to Preston, he wants to put down roots – and South East London is a perfect home for him and his family.
      He said: “I’ve always looked for that club where I could stay and become a real name.
      “I’m getting to that age now where I want to give my peak years to that team.
      “My partner and I have two children – a five-year-old and two-year-old. They’ve spent a lot of time away from grandparents and other family members – it’s been tough.
      “I don’t want them all moving around too much – but in football you often have to understand that the best choice isn’t always the best fit in terms of location.
      “You only get one career so you have to balance a lot of things.”
      But Stockley has been impressed with Charlton under the new ownership of Thomas Sandgaard and management of Nigel Adkins, who took over from Lee Bowyer after he left for Birmingham.
      The Danish owner wants to take the club from League One to the Premier League – a journey that Adkins enjoyed while in charge of Southampton.
      Jayden Stockley had limited chances while playing for Preston in the Championship
      And Stockley said: “It’s not until you’re down here that you realise what a very big club Charlton are.
      “I love the training ground, I love the area. The stadium is incredible too.
      “It’s been disappointing not to experience playing in front of fans – I did as a visiting player. Hopefully the Accrington game won’t be the last time that the fans see me in their shirt.
      “Nigel has come in and the lads have taken to him straight away.
      “On a personal level, he has been great. His demeanour and the way he works is something I’ve been looking at for a long time.
      “His communication skills are great. Some managers have lacked that human touch. I have found that sometimes during my career.
      “It’s nice for a manager to talk to you, be honest with you and tell you what he wants and expects.
      “And give clear instructions of what he wants and I think that brings out the best in individuals, especially me.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Rob Atkinson desperate to help seal promotion for Oxford United as he dreams of facing former club Fulham next season

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      ROB ATKINSON can go Ful circle if he wins promotion with Oxford.The defender today hopes to help the U’s secure a League One play-off spot and is dreaming of playing against former club Fulham in the Championship next season.
      Oxford defender Rob Atkinson (left) is eyeing Championship football and facing ex-club Fulham
      Atkinson, 22, got signed up by Fulham’s academy four years ago after making a name for himself in non-league with Basingstoke.
      But the 6ft 4in ace did not enjoy his two-year spell in West London.
      He said: “I was playing in the Under-23s – I didn’t like it that much.
      “Even though I thought the players were better, the coaching was better and facilities were immense, I missed men’s football.
      “That was my first taste of academy football.
      “My whole childhood people were saying, ‘You can be scouted for this and that’ and it would be the be all and end all.
      “But I was so late to the party. I was 19 when I joined Fulham.
      “It would’ve been different had I gone to an academy if I was younger but I was already engrained in the men’s game and playing youth football was a step back and I started to hate football.
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      Rob Atkinson heads home for Oxford against Shrewsbury in League One

      “I hated playing games but enjoyed the training at Fulham. I’ve benefitted and grown as a player thanks to the training.
      “The games? I didn’t want any part of it. You don’t play well when you don’t enjoy it. I was also on the bench a lot. It was a bad time.
      “So if we do get promoted, it would be nice and mentally good to see myself at the same level as Fulham.”
      Atkinson ended up going to Braintree on loan for the last six months of his Fulham contract to play in the National League.
      And eventually ended up at Eastleigh, which is where Oxford signed him from halfway through last season.
      He said: “I started to enjoy football again at Braintree even though we were bottom of the table.
      “There was no pressure and then we started to win some games against teams that had a lot of money like Fylde. It got my career kicking on again.”
      Oxford must today better whatever Portsmouth do against Accrington AND at least equal whatever Charlton do against champions Hull.
      But Atkinson is pinching himself at how far he has come over the past year.
      Last season he could not get into the Oxford team after his move from Eastleigh.
      But not only he has started in the U’s team 40 times this season, he was named in the EFL’s League One Team of the Season after a string of impressive performances.
      Oxford defender Rob Atkinson (12) celebrates scoring against Shrewsbury Town
      Although he did get off to a bumpy start – getting sent off on his League One debut against Lincoln
      He said: “Karl Robinson’s history – as well as Oxford’s – of developing young players was a big factor in me coming here.
      “After getting sent off on my debut, it would’ve been easy for any manager to bin me off, thinking I’m not ready or good enough for League One.
      “But credit to the gaffer, he stuck by me and I’d like to think I’ve repaid his faith with good performances.
      “I’m happy with it and for being recognised for my work and must keep going.”
      Atkinson has a slightly different football path than most English footballers – as the first club he played for was Cannes in France.
      He explained: “When I was about five, I moved out to the south of France with my mum and lived out there until I was nine or ten.
      “Cannes were the local team in the area and that is how I played for them.
      “I can speak French – which is useful because there are a lot of footballers over here from France.”
      Cannes is of course famous for the Cannes Film Festival.
      And Atkinson would dearly love to star in a successful promotion bid.
      He said: “I sat on the bench when we lost the League One play-off final against Wycombe last season and everyone was devastated.
      “Some were still upset a few months after, which might explain our slow start to the season.
      “But we have some good momentum now. We’ve won five out of six and in good form at the right time.”
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      When are Championship playoffs 2021? Brentford, Bournemouth, Swansea and Barnsley dates plus EFL League One and Two

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      THE EFL season has reached its business end with Norwich and Watford promoted and the Championship playoff sides known.As is the tradition, the campaign will conclude at Wembley, with the play-off semi-finals and finals to be played in front of fans if the government roadmap stays on track.
      Brentford will be looking to reach the Premier League for the first timeCredit: Getty
      Brentford, Swansea, Bournemouth and Barnsley are the teams who will have to fight it out for the final place in the Premier League this season.
      When are the EFL play-offs?
      The EFL play-off dates are as follows:
      Championship
      Semi-finals

      Monday, May 17 – Bournemouth vs Brentford
      Monday, May 17 – Barnsley vs Swansea
      Saturday, May 22 – Brentford vs Bournemouth
      Saturday, May 22 – Swansea vs Barnsley

      Final

      Saturday, May 29 (3pm)

      League One
      Semi-finals

      Tuesday, May 18 – League One A 1st leg (6pm)
      Wednesday, May 19 – League One B 1st leg (6pm)
      Friday, May 21 – League One A 2nd leg (7.45pm)
      Saturday, May 22 – League One B 2nd leg (7.45pm)

      Final

      Sunday, May 30 (3pm)

      League Two
      Semi-finals

      Thursday, May 20 – League Two A 1st leg (6pm)
      Thursday, May 20 – League Two B 1st leg (8.15pm)
      Sunday, May 23 – League Two A 2nd leg (12.30pm)
      Sunday, May 23 – League Two B 2nd leg (6.30pm)

      What TV channel are EFL play-off matches on and can I live stream them?

      Sky Sports hold exclusive rights to EFL coverage, including the play-off games.
      Matches will be shown live on channels such as Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
      Some matches may be shown on the Sky Sports Red Button if they overlap with others.
      To stream EFL play-off matches live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.

      Adebayo Akinfenwa and Wycombe Wanderers were promoted from League One at WembleyCredit: Getty
      Northampton Town were victorious in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Getty
      How many fans will be allowed to attend the EFL play-offs?
      The EFL has announced that the play-offs will be held from Monday, May 17 – the date on which the government will allow fans to return to stadiums according to the current roadmap.
      That means that ALL play-off matches will have fans attending as things stand.
      The roadmap states: “The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number).
      “In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).”
      This can be taken to mean that the play-off finals at Wembley will be played in front of 10,000 fans unless otherwise specified.
      However, it has yet to be confirmed whether participating EFL teams’ stadiums qualify as larger or smaller outdoor venues.
      Will the play-offs have away fans?
      Premier League CEO Richard Masters declared his intention for 500 away fans to attend the last two games of the season when fans return to stadiums.
      However, these plans were later scrapped.
      The EFL have not currently suggested that away fans will be allowed to attend the play-off semi-finals. More

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      Oxford star John Mousinho named new chairman of PFA with 13-man board including Troy Deeney and Tom Heaton

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      OXFORD defender John Mousinho has been elected as the new chairman of the PFA.Mousinho was voted in by the new 13-strong Player’s Board which includes Aston Villa keeper Tom Heaton, Leicester’s Wes Morgan and SunSport columnist and Watford striker Troy Deeney.
      John Mousinho is the new PFA chairmanCredit: PA
      Mousinho, who replaces Ben Purkiss, will work with incoming new chief executive Maheta Molongo.
      Former Coventry winger Peter Vincenti is the new vice-chair.
      Mousinho said: “It is an honour to represent our members as elected Chair of the Players’ Board, and I look forward to continuing the organisation’s vital work. 
      “We have a diverse, experienced and knowledgeable Players’ Board who are perfectly positioned to take the union forward.”
      Vice-chair Vincenti, 34, added: “During my time as a professional, I benefited greatly from the available services to members and it is with great pride that I accept this nomination as Vice-Chair of the PFA.
      “As a board, we look forward to building on the exceptional contributions of those before us, and we will work hard to ensure that players are proud to be part of their union.”
      Mousinho, 35, started his career at Brentford, making 67 appearances for the Bees between 2005 and 2008.
      Following loan spells at Woking, Slough and Yeading, he left Brentford permanently to move to Wycombe Wanderers.
      Former pro Peter Vincenti is the new vice-chairmanCredit: Action Images – Reuters
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      Two years and 77 outings later he was on the move again, spending two years at Stevenage under Graham Westley.
      His boss then moved on to Preston North End in the Championship, taking the defender with him.
      Loan spells at Gillingham and then back to Stevenage followed, before a permanent transfer to Burton Albion in 2014.
      Mousinho became a regular for the Brewers over a three-year spell, before joining current club Oxford United.
      He has made 132 outings for the U’s, but only seven of them have come this season, with none since December.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Pop icon Ed Sheeran announces he will be sponsoring beloved League One Ipswich Town next season with album names on kit

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      ED SHEERAN has given Ipswich Town fans some Perfect news by announcing he will sponsor his beloved club next season.And the music megastar has dropped a big hint he is ready to go on tour again via the logo that will be on the front of the Tractor Boys shirts.
      Ed Sheeran has announced he will sponsor his beloved Ipswich Town next season
      The music mega-star fell in love with the Tractor Boys as a boy and remains a huge fanCredit: Instagram
      Ed Sheeran is now worth an estimated £200mCredit: Reuters
      The message ‘+-=÷x TOUR’ will appear on the men’s and women’s teams’ jerseys, in reference to his previous albums.
      Sheeran, who is worth an estimated £200million, has agreed an initial one-year deal with Ipswich.
      When pressed on what the logo means, the Shape of You sensation replied cryptically: “All will be revealed in time.”
      Sheeran was born in Yorkshire but grew up in Suffolk and has been a huge Ipswich supporter since he was young.
      The 30-year-old was a regular to Portman Road during the 2019-20 season following the end of his ÷ tour.
      He went to at least ten games with his mates, who are also big Town fans, despite the club being in League One and even attended a Leasing.com Trophy match.
      Sheeran used a Suffolk phrase ‘sloightly on the huh’ – meaning ‘slightly off kilter’ – in his message to fans upon the revealing of his shirt-sponsorship deal as he predicted better times ahead for his hometown team.
      The world-famous singer-songwriter added: “The football club is a big part of the local community and this is my way of showing my support.
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      “I have always enjoyed my trips to Portman Road and I’m looking forward to going back there as soon as supporters are allowed into stadiums again.
      “With the new owners from the US coming in, there are sure to be exciting times ahead for Ipswich fans, including myself. Hopefully we can stop being sloightly on the huh!”
      Flame-haired Sheeran also also posted a picture of himself as a youngster in an Ipswich shirt on his Instagram account, which has a whopping 31.9million followers.
      The ‘A Team’ star accompanied it with a post which read: “This bloke is the new sponsor of @ipswichtown football club. Do well”.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Ex-Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber on Tykes success, NY Red Bulls, MLS kids and Premier League dreams

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      GERHARD STRUBER has watched from afar the unfathomable rise of Barnsley.But the Austrian has no doubts about the part he played in helping the Tykes believe they could jump from relegation probables to promotion possibles.
      Struber left Barnsley for Credit: Alamy
      Struber worked miracles at Barnsley last season as they escaped the Championship’s bottom three on the final dayCredit: Rex
      Bottom of the Championship and seven points adrift in November 2019, Struber’s arrival in south Yorkshire sparked an incredible survival drive, escaping the bottom three on the final day.
      The new season brought new hope, but a poor start saw Struber question the ambition of the Barnsley owners in the transfer market as he left for MLS side New York Red Bulls on October 6.
      Barnsley’s ambitions have soared since under Valerien Ismael having confirmed a play-off spot by losing just three of their last 20 games.
      Asked whether this was always a team capable of reaching those heights, Struber admitted: “I pushed the boys in the right way and right direction and gave them an identity of football helpful for success and development. This was my big duty.”
      The 44-year-old coach continued: “When I look back to Barnsley it was the biggest difference to the Austrian league or the European leagues.
      “We had so many games and you had to look at how you managed and handled the situation.
      “This was a big learning curve for me, especially handling boys from England.
      “I like so much working with the culture of English players. They have a very good attitude and it’s a good feeling to work with such ambitious players.
      “In the end they had a big belief in what we did and this was very interesting to see and also for me to learn from for my next step.”
      His next step was a more of a gigantic leap across the Atlantic to MLS giants NY Red Bulls – just the latest move in a few meteoric years for the young coach.
      From coaching Red Bull Salzburg’s U19s in the UEFA Youth League in 2017 to taking charge of one of America’s largest and most successful sides.
      And it was while getting his Pro License that he moulded his fast and efficient “synchronised pressing” playing style and philosophy during educational trips to Germany and Italy.
      Barnsley’s ambitions have soared under Valerien Ismael having confirmed a play-off spot by losing just three of their last 20 gamesCredit: PA

      Two losses against Sporting Kansas City and LA Galaxy to kick off the MLS campaign was not an ideal start before their first win against Chicago Fire, but preparing a young side during the pandemic has been tough.
      Struber said: “We need patience, we need the right time but we have big ambitions to win trophies in the end. Right now, we are realistic and work very hard for our vision.
      “The goal is to play very attractive and win football games. We will be very successful in the next few years.”
      NY Red Bulls currently have several young English talents on their roster, including Stoke City defender Tom Edwards, Crystal Palace academy graduate Mandela Egbo and former Brentford and Southend midfielder Dru Yearwood.
      Struber explained: “In England you must be a top talent to have the chance to get game time with a club like Southampton or Liverpool or Manchester City. It’s not so easy.
      “But the MLS can be a very good first step in a big professional career. It gives young players a good platform.
      “We can develop young players in a modern direction where they have a big market in the future. In the end, it’s always good when the clubs can make very good deals with players.
      “We have the fantasy that they can play in top leagues in Europe. That is the Red Bull way.”
      After several years of plane-hopping from club to club – and with his family arriving in New York in the summer – Struber is ready to settle and plan for the future with NY Red Bulls.
      But there remains a hole in his heart where English football once was – and has dreams of one day emulating managerial hero Jurgen Klopp.
      He said: “I never forget England. The atmosphere in the stadium I remember with a good feeling and this is a league that is very attractive.
      “It is a big dream for every coach to work in the Premier League. Right now, I have my big focus here in this club with all my energy and we will see what comes in the future.”
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