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      EFL play-offs 2024: Dates, kick off times, schedule and fixtures for Championship, League One and League Two ties

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      THE EFL play-offs are almost upon us as four sides from each tier eye promotion to the division above.15 exhilarating ties will take place across the Championship, League One and League Two.Luton Town sealed promotion to the Premier League in last season’s Championship play-offsCredit: PAAll semi-final fixtures will be played over two legs, with 3rd playing 6th and 4th taking on 5th – the higher-ranking team will host the semi-final second leg.The two teams that are victorious in their respective last-4 ties will meet at Wembley Stadium in a one-off final for promotion to the division above.But what are the dates for this season’s EFL play-offs?EFL play-offs 2024 scheduleChampionshipREAD MORE IN FOOTBALLSemi-final first legs6th vs 3rd (12pm) – Sunday May 125th vs 4th (2.15pm) – Sunday May 12Semi-final second legsMost read in EFL3rd vs 6th (8pm) – Thursday May 164th vs 5th (8pm) – Friday May 17FinalSunday May 26 (4.30pm)League OneSemi-final first legs6th vs 3rd (8pm) – Friday May 35th vs 4th – (7.45pm) – Saturday May 4Semi-final second legs3rd vs 6th (8pm) – Tuesday May 74th vs 5th (8pm) – Wednesday May 8FinalSaturday May 18 (5.30pm)League TwoSemi-final first legs7th vs MK Dons (3pm) – Monday May 66th vs 5th (5.30pm) – Monday May 6Semi-final second legsMK Dons vs 7th (8pm) – Thursday May 95th vs 6th (8pm) – Friday May 10FinalSunday May 19 (1pm)READ MORE SUN STORIESHow to watch the EFL play-offsSky Sports will broadcast each semi-final leg from every division in the EFL.The broadcasting giant will also air the play-off final from each tier. More

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      Former EFL stadium which hosted Premier League side now an abandoned field with car boot sale the only attraction

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      NENE PARK was once the home of an EFL side – but is now an empty field hosting car boot sales.In it’s heyday, 6,431 fans would fill the stadium every other week.Nene Park now sits abandonedCredit: GettyOver 6,000 fans would fill the terraces in the 2000sCredit: GettyBut it is now an abandoned fieldCredit: GettySigns remain showing the site’s former lifeCredit: GettyPremier League sides once played hereThe car park is now used for weekly car boot salesIt was the home of the now defunct Rushden & Diamonds.The ground saw several promotions as the club rose from the fifth tier Conference to as high as League One in 2003.Now Premier League side Sheffield United travelled to Nene Park in 1999 for a FA Cup replay, which the Blades won on penalties.Arsenal and West Ham both played there in pre-season friendlies two years later.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe stadium was also used for England Under-21 and England C matches, as well as becoming a training base for athletes during the London 2012 Olympics.By 2006, Rushden & Diamonds tumbled out the EFL and ran into huge financial problems.The club were kicked out the Conference after being unable to guarantee they could complete the 2011-12 season due to cash flow issues.With debts spiralling out of control and at a reported £750,000, they entered administration and the team dissolved.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDemolition of Nene Park commenced six years later as developers hoped to turn the site into a retail and entertainment hub.But the venue in Northamptonshire remains empty today, with only car boot sales every Sunday giving the abandoned field any sign of life.Eerie Ukrainian drone footage shows abandoned Euro 2012 stadium which hosted England clash in war-torn DonetskMemories of the past are scattered across the site, however.A sign directing fans to the stands and ticket office can still be seen.Tiles in the shape of the club’s badge at the once VIP entrance are smashed but still on the floor.Gates to the stadium are covered in graffiti and the pitch is now an overgrown wasteland but gives some resemblance to the site’s pomp.Phoenix club AFC Rushden & Diamonds were founded soon after the club shut down and they compete in the eighth tier of English football.Nene Park in it’s a heyday in 1999Credit: GettyThe ground was the home of Rushden & DiamondsCredit: GettyDemolition begun in 2017Credit: GettyRushden & Diamonds dissolved in 2011Credit: GettyThey were booted out of the Conference and fell into administration due to financial troublesCredit: Getty More

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      Former Premier League star forced to answer awkward question live on Sky Sports ahead of huge EFL clash

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      LUKE AYLING was forced to answer an awkward question as his Middlesbrough side took on parent club Leeds.The defender spent eight years at Leeds before joining Boro on loan in January.Luke Ayling revealed he wanted football to win between Middlesbrough and LeedsThat meant he was not eligible to play as Leeds visited the Riverside Stadium on Monday in search of three points to help their promotion push.Ahead of kick-off Ayling spoke to Sky Sports and was asked for his score prediction and who he thought would win – leading to a nervy answer.He said: “I want football to win. I love football and if I’m totally honest I really cant call it.”Like I said I haven’t seen Leeds a lot lately but I’ve seen these boys on the training pitch and how we’ve played the last 9-10 games.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I’m really confident the boys can put in a good shift today. Who knows but I’m just hoping for a good game of football.”Ayling certainly got what he asked for as Boro raced into an early lead with Isaiah Jones scoring in the seventh minute.But the visitors hit back with two goals in four minutes – only for Emmanuel Latte Lath to equalise.However Wilfried Gnonto fired Leeds back in front to give Daniel Farke’s side a 3-2 lead at half-time.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLeeds are on the promotion hunt but need Ipswich to drop points in their three remaining games to achieve automatic promotion.They ran out 4-3 winners at the Riverside after a late goal from Latte Lath set up a nervy finish.Leeds ‘make contact with Kalvin Phillips over emotional transfer return’ to end two-year nightmare More

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      Former EFL club forced to relocate to new town after being warned team could ‘cease to exist as we know it’

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      A FORMER EFL club have been forced to relocate after a warning that the team could stop existing.AFC Rushden & Diamonds will leave their current home, Hayden Road, at the end of the season.AFC Rushden & Diamonds are moving groundA vote was taken with part-owners and an overwhelming majority opted to send the Northamptonshire outfit to the Dog and Duck Football Ground.The club used to play at the stadium and will now groundshare it with Wellingborough FC.A turnout of 69 per cent of part-owners took part in the vote, with 89 per cent choosing the move.Chairman Rob Usher released a statement in which he admitted that if the Diamonds had continued as it was it may “no longer exist”.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt said: “For many years our Club hasn’t been operating within its means and whilst we are on course to make a profit this year, the figures show that if we continue as we are, AFC Rushden & Diamonds as we have come to know it will no longer exist.”We can stay where we are, cut our cloth accordingly and carry on, but we’ll become something our supporters don’t recognise and for us as the current custodians of this Club.”That’s not something we’re going to sit by and let happen.”Over the last 18 months since assuming our positions in November 2022, we have had to make drastic changes, easy decisions and tough decisions, to ensure that the Club survived but whilst cutting costs across all areas of the business to ultimately ensure sustainability.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The one area we have never really been able to impact positively is the groundshare agreement at Hayden Road.”It’s the one area of the business where costs have actually increased since we took charge.Hardest Geezer Russ Cook spotted at non-league clash just hours before he’s due to run London Marathon”This dictated that we need to look at alternative options and after very positive conversations with Wellingborough Town’s representatives over the last few months, we were able to table this move to Part Owners.”As a Board, we are pleased with the outcome of the vote.”The club played at the Dog and Duck from 2012 to 2017 but had to move after a clause was invoked by landlord Alper Ozdogan.The Diamonds are currently 19th in the Northern Premier League – Midlands Division.The club is on equal points with 18th-placed Rugby Town but are at threat of relegation.The club was formerly known as Rushden & Diamonds and reached as high as Division Two in 2003.It was relegated back to Division Three in the 2003/04 season before being dumped back to the Conference League in 2006.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2011, the club was then expelled from the Conference League due to its unstable financial position, which meant there was no guarantee that it would finish the season.AFC Rushden & Diamonds was formed as a result of being a Phoenix club.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Non-league club BANNED from competing in promotion playoffs due to little known rule as rivals get handed a bye

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      GATESHEAD have been barred from competing in the National League play-offs, denying them the chance to earn promotion to the English Football League.Gateshead finished sixth in England’s fifth tier this season, setting up a quarter-final clash against Solihull Moors.Gateshead have been barred from the National League playoffs due to a stadium issueCredit: GettyHowever, the club have failed to get a “10 year security of tenure” at their stadium.Gateshead have been playing at the International Stadium since 1971.But they were unable to extend their lease for the next decade, with the arena owned by Gateshead Council.Under EFL rules, clubs who can’t guarantee their future at a stadium for at least the next 10 years cannot become members.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd it means Gateshead have been barred from attempting to gain promotion to League Two.They will not be replaced in the playoff either, with Solihull now playing Halifax Town instead, while Barnet – who finished fourth and were due to play the latter – have been given a bye to the semis.The EFL’s decision comes despite FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry having been able to progress up the divisions despite also failing to secure a 10-year tenure at the CBS Arena.Gateshead released a statement slamming the decision, insisting they plan to continue fighting after also having an appeal rejected by an EFL arbitration panel.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIt read: “Gateshead Football Club are extremely disappointed to find ourselves in the position as outlined in the statements released by the EFL and the National League.“Rest assured we will continue to challenge both on their decisions, and we will endeavour to ensure that footballing matters are decided on the pitch.Inside stadium that SHAKES when supporters celebrate as huge chasm opens up – with fans saying ‘new fear unlocked’“Therefore our players and staff remain 100 per cent focused on the task in hand, and we wish to go on record to express our gratitude to the National League for supporting our challenge to the EFL.”The National League also released a statement, which revealed they were “extremely disappointed” at Gateshead’s exit from the playoffs.It read: “Unfortunately the response received (from Gateshead Council to extend the lease) was not supportive of the club’s requirements.“And (it) placed the club at risk of a refusal of members to the EFL and therefore forfeiture of any right to participate in the play-offs.“On 28 March 2024, following the deadline for licence applications to the EFL had passed, the council offered options to the club.“However, in the opinion of the EFL these options still did not satisfy their requirements.”The EFL also released a statement, which read: “As the EFL strongly believes in the principles of promotion and relegation, it is therefore highly disappointing that appropriate solutions have not been put in place over the previous two-year period.READ MORE SUN STORIES“As avoidable circumstances are preventing Gateshead from progressing up the pyramid even if the club achieves success through sporting merit.“The League hopes that Gateshead and the relevant stakeholders can address this matter so that the club can meet the obligations of EFL membership and be eligible for promotion in future seasons.” More

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      Premier League cult hero and ex-EFL boss, 47, now managing national team recently ranked lowest in the world

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      PREMIER LEAGUE icon Lee Bowyer has gone from playing in England to managing one of the world’s lowest ranked teams.Bowyer, 47, took charge of Montserrat’s national side in a shock announcement last year.Former Premier League player and EFL manager Lee Bowyer is now in charge of MontserratCredit: PABowyer played for the likes of Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham before moving into the dugoutCredit: GettyThe Caribbean Island boasts a population of under 5,000 and is currently ranked 175th in world football.Just a decade ago they were the lowest-ranked side on the planet.Cambridge United striker Lyle Taylor is their star man and captain.But Bowyer has already impressed during his short time at the helm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe got off to a flyer in his first game as he helped Montserrat win 3-2 against Barbados.Bowyer’s men then lost their next three matches, once against Dominican Republic and twice against Nicaragua.However, Montserrat have since been on a roll with three wins on the bounce.They saw off Dominican Republic and Barbados at the end of 2023.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnd Bowyer has a 100 per cent record this year after a friendly victory over Club Costa City in Spain.He is now preparing to help Montserrat seal a historic spot at the 2026 World Cup, with qualifiers against Nicaragua and Panama on the horizon.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersIt certainly marks a drastic turn of events in Bowyer’s career.The one-time England international made his name as a no-nonsense midfielder for clubs including Charlton, Leeds and West Ham.Bowyer also played for Newcastle, Birmingham and Ipswich before moving into management.He spent three years with Charlton before having a year at Birmingham.And Bowyer could yet have a future in the English game should his time at Montserrat continue to be fruitful.Speaking after his appointment, Bowyer said: “(Why did I take the job?) It’s a challenge. That’s why.“I’ve been a player, and people write you off. I’ve been a manager, and people write the team off. I’ve played in teams that, on paper, should never win the game and we have.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m coming into this with an open mind thinking, ‘OK this is knockout football. Anybody can beat anybody in a one-off game.’ That’s my mentality, and that’s what I’m bringing to the players.“Everywhere we go, from what I hear, people think ‘We’ll beat Montserrat’ because of the population. … Look, things change.”Lee Bowyer’s career statsPlaying career:

      Charlton, 1994-1996: 58 games, 14 goals

      Leeds, 1996-2002: 265 games, 55 goals

      West Ham, 2002-2003: 11 games, 0 goals

      Newcastle, 2003-2006: 98 games, 11 goals

      West Ham, 2006-2008: 60 games, 5 goals

      Birmingham, 2009-2011: 94 games, 12 goals

      Ipswich Town, 2011-2012: 29 games, 2 goals

      England, 2002: 1 game, 0 goals

      Trophies: Carabao Cup (Birmingham)

      Managerial career:

      Charlton, 2018-2021: P157 W64 D37 L56

      Birmingham, 2021-2022: P59 W17 D16 L26

      Montserrat, 2023-2024: P6 W3 D0 L3 More

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      Fuming EFL claim they had no say in abolition of FA Cup replays as they blast FA and Premier League in damning statement

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      THE EFL have blasted the Premier League and FA over the revamping of the FA Cup and Premier League season schedules. On Thursday the FA announced FA Cup replays were being scrapped along with other changes including the removal of the mid-season break and a £33million increase in funding for grassroots football.EFL bosses have slammed the FA and Premier League for the changes announced yesterdayCredit: GettyThey accused football bosses of not consulting themCredit: APHowever, after furious backlash from fans, the EFL have joined the chorus of dissent against the decision.In a statement released today, the fuming EFL said there had been no agreement between it and the FA and Premier League over the changes which will come into play from next season.A statement said: “The EFL wishes to clarify further its position in respect of yesterday’s Premier League and Football Association bi-lateral announcement over the removal of FA Cup replays and the role of the League’s representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB). “The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.”The statement continued: “In September 2023, the EFL did initially discuss with clubs potential changes to the FA Cup format but only as part of a wider and more fundamental change to financial distributions. “As is now clear, there has been no movement in this area since September.”This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game.  Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The EFL today calls on both the Premier League and the FA, as the Governing body, to re-evaluate their approach to their footballing partnership with the EFL and engage more collaboratively on issues directly affecting our clubs.”The EFL statement concluded: “A separate issue is the role of the EFL representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB) in agreeing to the 2024/25 overall fixture calendar. FA Cup semi-final draw CONFIRMED as Man Utd, Chelsea, Coventry and Man City find out their fate”PGB is there to make technical decisions across the game as opposed to key policy decisions such as competition changes or formats.”Any decisions taken on the calendar involving EFL representatives are in no way an endorsement of the joint deal agreed between the FA and Premier League that imposes changes to the FA Cup competition format in isolation.”As part of the discussions the EFL representatives did challenge the position and were told that clubs would be comfortable with no replays. “They were effectively advised that, as a result, of it being an FA competition, the fixture list needed to be agreed as presented. “It is also important to note that this matter was not discussed by the FA Cup committee, a separate group that oversees the competition across the professional and national game.”The official FA Cup account received a ‘community note’ against it’s announcementThe FA were hit with a “community note” – a feature on X, formerly Twitter, to fact check claims made on the site – which said: “To suggest that the revised format ‘strengthens the format’ of the FA Cup is fundamentally untrue.”The decision to remove FA Cup replays deprives lower league clubs of crucial revenue and has been taken without consulting EFL or non-league clubs. The £33m is inadequate.”The changes to the English game will run for six years.In response to the backlash the FA Cup released a statement of its own earlier today.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s own statement tried to reduce fears of lower league teams regarding the financial impact of the changes by pointing out that more games would be shown on TV in earlier rounds and would therefore guarantee additional broadcast revenue.However, the statement neglected to mention many FA Cup games are moving away from terrestrial television and to subscription service TNT Sports from 2025/26.Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here. More

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      Never-before-seen FA Cup rule change proposed as footie bosses battle huge backlash to controversial replay decision

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      EFL chiefs will demand a change in the FA Cup prize fund after being left out of the decision to scrap replays.And a significant number of club bosses want EFL and non-league teams to have the right to decide whether to switch venues if they are drawn at home to Prem sides.EFL clubs are hoping to take action following the scrapping of FA Cup replaysCredit: RexClub chiefs in the lower three divisions are furious at claims they were part of the process that led to Thursday’s announcement, which came during an EFL board meeting.The EFL does have three representatives on the Professional Game Board, which agreed the proposed FA Cup changes and other parts of a revised fixtures calendar.But senior EFL representatives insist the ending of replays was effectively sprung on them at the end of a virtual meeting of the PGB two weeks ago.It is understood that EFL chief Rick Parry made the point that he had not been consulted – although it is recognised the prospect of replays being scrapped has been a discussion point for two or more seasons.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEFL bosses are adamant there was not a formal vote at either the PGB meeting or the subsequent FA Council gathering where the decision was effectively ratified.And while there is a reluctant acceptance that the announcement effectively means the EFL clubs have been left with no option, that does not mean they will roll over.That, though, is extremely unlikely to see the “aggrieved” EFL clubs refuse to take part in the FA Cup in protest.Doing so would be a breach of the current tri-partite agreement between the FA, Prem and EFL.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhy FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here.

      It includes an undertaking by the Premier League sides that they will take part in the Carabao Cup which is a huge money earner for the 72 clubs.Senior EFL figures recognise that breaking the agreement would give the Premier League sides the opportunity to pull out of the competition and therefore wreck a major financial stream.Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spotBut EFL clubs are likely to demand a change on the prize money structure so that it is weighted more towards the earlier rounds of the competition.One well-placed source said: “It’s the lack of proper consultation on this that has caused the most anger.“The reality is that the EFL is outnumbered on these committees and sometimes we think our voice simply doesn’t count.“Realistically we have to fight a battle we can win and one of those is about prize money and how it is distributed because if we do not have replays and that income, it has to be made up in another way.“The other thing that has to be discussed now is whether clubs should have the right to change the venue if they are drawn at home to a Premier League club.“That was allowed a few years ago before it was stopped but many people think it has to be back on the agenda now.”The latest development came as football lobbying group The People’s FA slammed the decision to scrap replays as a further erosion of the game.Co-chair and former Charlton player Mickey Ambrose said: “Once again, our weak governing body is pandering to the needs of the Premier League.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAmbrose has now organised a petition he hopes will be signed by all 92 clubs across the top four divisions to then be sent to FA chairman Prince William.He added: “Once again this proves the FA is not fit for purpose and needs to be reformed.”The FA have received huge backlash on their decisionCredit: PA More