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      ‘Best thing I’ve ever seen,’ cry fans as they spot former Premier League star’s brilliant reaction to red card

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      FOOTBALL fans labelled Ethan Ampadu’s reaction to an opponent’s red card as the “best thing I’ve ever seen”.The former Chelsea man, 23, is now a lynchpin in Daniel Farke’s Leeds side eyeing an immediate return to the Premier League. Jonathan Hogg saw red in first-half injury-time of the Yorkshire derbyCredit: Sky Sports The Huddersfield captain elbowed Junior Firpo while already on a yellowCredit: Sky SportsEthan Ampadu immediately wound up his opposite numberCredit: Sky Sports The former Chelsea man then signalled down the tunnelCredit: Sky Sports And he was right in the thick of the action in the Yorkshire derby away at Huddersfield today.The Terriers took a surprise lead in the first minute of first-half stoppage time through Michal Helik’s close-range finish.But just as it looked to be the perfect opening half for the hosts, they lost their captain four minutes into the nine added on.Jonathan Hogg, already booked, flung a stray elbow into Junior Firpo when challenging for a loose dropping ball.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd the referee immediately whistled then brandished the second yellow and subsequent red.A stunned Hogg had words for the referee… but captain Ampadu shared some of his own with his opposite number.The Leeds skipper, holding the ball, turned to Hogg and nodded his head repeatedly, appearing to say, “Yeah, yeah f*** off,” in agreement with the official’s decision. Ampadu then brilliantly gestured his thumb towards the tunnel – showing Hogg where to go for his early bath.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd the brilliant response from the 49-cap Wales international went down a storm among supporters on social media.One said: “This is the best thing I’ve ever seen.” Forgotten ex-Leeds star scores ‘quickest goal ever’ after netting just TWO SECONDS into non-league matchAnother wrote: “It’s funnier the more times you watch it.”A third added: “My captain.”And a fourth quoted the great literary genius Mike Dean to reply: “Off you pop.”But Leeds were not laughing come full-time as their 100 per cent Championship record in 2024 was ended by their rivals.Patrick Bamford did equalise midway through the second half but the ten-man Terriers dug deep to hold on for a crucial point at both ends of the table.Ampadu and Leeds could not find a winner as they dropped crucial pointsCredit: PA More

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      I sat on bench next to Saka at the FA Cup final but Arsenal released me after 15 years… now I’m making my way in EFL

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      MATT SMITH came within touching distance of making his Arsenal debut in the FA Cup final.And he still walked away from Wembley with a winner’s medal.Matt Smith and Bukayo Saka were unused subs in the 2020 FA Cup finalCredit: GettySmith is forging his career in the EFL with WiganCredit: GettyBut after being released following 15 years with the Gunners, he is now making a name for himself in the EFL.Smith, 23, is a year older than Bukayo Saka and the pair came through at Hale End together, both playing in the 2018 FA Youth Cup defeat to Chelsea.But while Saka burst into the first team under Unai Emery in November 2018, the holding midfielder had to remain patient.Then when Covid struck and restrictions meant Mikel Arteta needed to call upon some of the best academy talents to train in the senior squad bubble.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd as he impressed the Spaniard, Smith found himself in an Arsenal matchday squad for the first time for the behind-closed-doors 2-0 win at Southampton during Project Restart. Five weeks later, he was once again named among the substitutes – this time under the famous arch as Arsenal took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final.Smith sat two seats along from pal Saka for the full 90 minutes at Wembley, with fellow academy graduates Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson not brought on while Eddie Nketiah got on for the final eight minutes.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice after Christian Pulisic’s early goal to crown Arsenal FA Cup winners for the record-extending 14th time. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSmith told The Athletic: “It is my best memory. “It was different due to there being no fans but the full day was an amazing experience. The medal is pride of place at my mum and dad’s house.Arsenal fans fall in love with Bukayo Saka after response to young kid asking him to join struggling League One club “I didn’t play but it will be one of those things at the end of your career you look back on and appreciate it a little bit more. I appreciate it now but my career is just getting started.”Saka has kicked on in style since, racking up more than 50 goals and 200 Arsenal appearances – plus he is a regular starter for England.Smith, though, would never make a first-team appearance for the boyhood club he joined aged seven. He went on loans to Swindon, Charlton and Doncaster before giving it one final go at Arsenal in the 2022-23 season.But as Arterta’s men challenged for the Premier League title, he captained the Under-21s and was limited to nine senior matchday squads, including three in the league. And with his contract expiring at the end of last season, he was let go.Reflective Smith added: “It was always in my mind that I might be coming on. “There were definitely times I think Arteta did consider bringing me on. I felt I was next in line.“He doesn’t dish out the debuts willy-nilly. That sums him up as a manager – he is very calculated in everything he does.There are no passengers allowed with Arteta… he was a massive help with my developmentMatt Smith“It was frustrating but that’s football. You can think about what would have happened but at the end of the day, I didn’t get the opportunity.“There are no passengers allowed with Arteta. He was a massive help with my development, showing me little movements to make the game easier, so I have nothing but good things to say about him.“We had meetings at the hotel before the match and there would always be a game or something silly to get everyone switched on and working together as a team.“Some involved tennis balls and other times there were quizzes, which would be about the tactical information on the opposition we’d been learning all week. You had to get into groups and play things like Pictionary.“It was an ‘are you ready for the game?’ type of thing but it was mad because, at times, it was only two hours before kick-off!”After thinking about moving abroad, that next club ended up being Wigan.Smith joined the Latics fresh from their relegation to League One and starting this season on -8 points. The ex-Gunners man grabbed his first goal for the club with the winner in the 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury in February 2024. Now he has cemented himself as a key man in Shaun Maloney’s midfield, one of the more experienced heads despite his age.READ MORE SUN STORIESWigan are sitting comfortably in mid-table and already looking ahead to a title charge in the next campaign.Success in that endeavour and Smith would have another medal to put on display at his parents’ house. Smith learnt lots under Mikel Arteta but did not get a first-team appearanceCredit: GettyThe midfielder joined Arsenal when he was sevenCredit: GettyHe was named on the bench six times during Project RestartCredit: GettyCaptain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to down ChelseaCredit: GettyWembley was empty as Smith collected his winner’s medalCredit: PA More

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      Famous English club who spent 102 years in Football League weeks away from extinction as chairman issues horror warning

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      ROCHDALE are weeks away from extinction if new investment cannot be be found, their chairman has warned.The Dale spent 102 years in the Football League prior to relegation at the end of last season.
      Rochdale are weeks away from the threat of liquidation, their chairman has warnedCredit: Getty
      Cost-cutting measures have since been in place but the club now faces the prospect of liquidation.
      New investment is required by the end of March, chairman Simon Gauge has warned.
      Gauge has put £566,000 into the club, which has been fan owned since 2022, in recent months.
      However, he is now seeking an investor to put in £2million to buy a 90 per cent stake in Rochdale.
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      An extraordinary general meeting has been called for March 7 in a bed to agree to proposals.
      In a club statement, Gauge explained: “This resolution needs to be passed at the EGM for us to have any chance of securing the required investment that will ensure the long-term future of our club.
      “If it isn’t passed, the threat of liquidation at the end of March is very real.
      “The passing of this resolution does not guarantee saving the club, but it will certainly give it a fighting chance.
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      “To be clear, the existence of Rochdale AFC is at stake. The opportunity to give a long-term future is now in the shareholders’ hands.”
      Rochdale were a Football League club for 102 years before finishing bottom of League Two last year.
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      During their time as a league club, Dale never played higher than the third tier but were League Cup finalists in 1962.
      Jim McNulty’s side are currently 13th in the National League and 10 points off the play-offs ahead of Saturday’s trip to runaway leaders Chesterfield. More

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      Class of ’92 draft in Man Utd legend’s son to kickstart Salford’s rise up League Two

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      FORMER Premier League star Alex Bruce has joined Salford as a first-team coach.The son of Manchester United legend Steve, Bruce jnr is in the early stages of his coaching career.
      Alex Bruce has left his role as Macclesfield manager to join SalfordCredit: Getty
      He will work under Ammies boss Karl RobinsonCredit: Alamy
      Bruce, 39, played for the likes of Hull, Ipswich and Leeds before hanging up his boots in 2022.
      He ended his career at Macclesfield before taking over the managerial reigns at the club, who are co-owned by Robbie Savage.
      Bruce leaves the Silkmen with the club fifth in the Northern Premier League – the seventh tier.
      The former defender previously coached alongside his dad while he was in charge of West Brom and will hold a similar role at the Peninsula Stadium.

      He is set to work under manager Karl Robinson, who has transformed Salford’s form since joining last month.
      The former MK Dons and Oxford manager was sent off 14 minutes into his first game but has steadied the ship after Salford plummeted down the League Two table.
      He is unbeaten in eight games in charge, winning four and drawing four, and Salford are now 19th, 16 points above the relegation zone.
      Salford co-owner Gary Neville handed over the running of the club to former United team-mate Nicky Butt, who was delighted by Robinson’s capture.
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      The Salford CEO said of his appointment last month: “We are delighted to welcome Karl to Salford City as our new Head Coach. Throughout the interview and appointment process he impressed us with his wealth of knowledge and ability.
      “Salford City’s ambition is to play as high up in the Football League as possible so when we entered the recruitment process we felt it was important for us to appoint someone with experience of managing at a higher level, and Karl’s long-term vision for the club, drive and determination excited us.”
      Salford are owned by Gary Neville and the Class of 92Credit: AFP
      Watch Gary Neville embarrass daughter with incredible reaction to Salford City scoring twice in stoppage time to win 3-2 More

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      EFL fans say ‘the game’s well and truly gone’ as Wycombe reveal bizarre reason star got a yellow card

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      EFL fans declared “the game has gone” after Wycombe star Luke Leahy was booked for a bizarre reason.The midfielder featured for the Chairboys in their 1-0 victory over League Two Bradford in the EFL Trophy semi-final.

      Luke Leahy cheekily dried the ball on a steward’s coat prior to his throw-in
      The midfielder was booked as players are not allowed to dry ballsCredit: Rex
      Wycombe are now through to the Wembley final where they will meet Peterborough, thanks to Matt Butcher’s last-gasp winner which broke Bradford hearts.
      But the game also caught the eye for another, unexpected reason.
      With five minutes of the match remaining Wycombe won a corner deep in the Bradford half.
      Leahy, 31, picked up the ball and decided to dry it off given the stormy conditions in West Yorkshire.
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      But the only method available to the former Shrewsbury player was to dry the ball on a steward’s coat.
      The steward did not seem to mind but referee Tom Reeves did as he brandished Leahy with a yellow card.
      Rules state players are not allowed to dry the ball so the ref was left with little choice, but that did not prevent uproar from fans.
      One reacted saying: “Game has well and truly gone.”
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      Another added: “I’m just glad he won’t miss the final for that because that’s a joke of a card.
      And a third wrote: “Players are now genuinely being booked simply for drying a football
      “Yeah, this sport is well and truly dead if you are being booked for that, pathetic!”
      EFL club bizarrely sign player TWICE in same window as fans say ‘my head is spinning’ More

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      Inside London’s newest stadium as former EFL team announce plans for brand new ground to return ‘home’

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      BARNET FC have announced plans to return to Barnet after a ten year “exile” in Harrow.That’s according to chairman Anthony Kleanthous who has announced plans for a brand new stadium at the former site of their North London home.
      Barnet have announced plans for a new stadiumCredit: https://www.barnetfc.com/
      The club also plan to build a school adjacent to the stadium as part of their proposals to Barnet’s councilCredit: https://www.barnetfc.com/
      Playing fields will also be developed next to the stadium for schoolkids to useCredit: https://www.barnetfc.com/
      The club have been based at The Hive in Edgware since 2013 after relocating from their previous stadium at Underhill.
      Underhill stadium was home to the club for more than a century after playing there since 1907 but the side were forced to relocate due to lease disputes with the council.
      While Underhill has long since been demolished, Kleanthous has announced plans to build a new stadium metres from its original grounds.
      For now, the new ground has been dubbed South Underhill and WSP Planning Consultancy have been instructed to commence the pre-application process ahead of building the new stadium.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Kleanthous wrote in a club statement: “During the long months of Covid, I busied myself with trying to find a way to bring the club back home and met with Barnet Council to ask for their support in locating a suitable site on which I could build a new stadium.
      “I undertook to fund the full cost of construction so that we could progress without any funding delays.
      “After months of searching, it became clear that the best site was the one we originally identified at South Underhill and so we asked our architect to revisit these proposals.
      “This new scheme is a redesigned slimmed down version of our original planning application at the South Underhill site.”
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      The club have been playing at ‘The Hive’ in EdgwareCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      The plans will see a new school built adjacent to the stadium, which will have access to two multiuse games areas and a recreation zone by the stadium.
      The club will also develop the playing fields next to the proposed grounds for the new stadium.
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      Barnet are expected to provide an update on the planning process by the end of the month and Kleanthous added: “We hope that we will receive the full support of Barnet FC fans, local residents and the council so that we can bring our incredible club back to where it belongs.”
      The club’s departure from Underhill in 2013 coincided with relegation from the Football League, but they did achieve a return to the EFL between 2015 and 2018.
      Now back in the National League, the North London side will hope that a new Underhill will again spearhead a return to league football.
      Barnet are currently third in the National League, and spearheaded by former Celtic and Norwich City star Gary Hooper. More

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      Former EFL defender given FOUR-YEAR ban from football for sexually assaulting two women on coaching course

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      A FORMER EFL defender has been banned from football for four years after sexually assaulting two women.Danny Senda, 42, was on a coaching course abroad with the women last June when the incidents of inappropriate touching took place in a bar.
      Former Wycombe defender Danny Senda was given a four-year football banCredit: PA
      It is understood he was already in the bar when the pair arrived together with a few other people.
      The first complainant accused Senda – who spent most of his professional playing career at Wycombe – of pulling her towards him.
      He then put one arm over her shoulder and placed his other hand down the front of her shorts.
      She removed his arms from her.
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      As she was preparing to leave the bar, she saw Senda touching another woman.
      The second survivor explained she felt someone’s hands come from behind her and placed on her chest and then her breasts.
      She turned around to see that it was Senda and immediately left the bar with the other woman.
      They reported Senda’s behaviour to the course leaders – who asked the ex-Millwall man to leave the programme.
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      With permission, he met with the pair to apologise before flying back to the UK – although one complainant felt “railroaded” into attending.
      The women did not press legal charges as the assaults took place overseas but did make a formal complaint to the FA, who said they were “deeply sorry” for what happened.
      Senda has admitted two charges of misconduct but in an interview with the FA in July, he said because of drinking alcohol he did not remember the incidents but also did not deny them.
      An independent commission initially wanted to give Senda a six-year ban but this was reduced to four years due to his apology and early admission of the charges.
      They said the incidents were of “the utmost seriousness” and that they “amounted to the commission of criminal offences that could never be condoned or tolerated in any environment”.
      An FA spokesperson said: “Women deserve to be involved in professional football without the fear of any form of abuse.
      “This was a shocking case, and we investigated the very serious allegations as soon as we were made aware of them.
      Women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punishedFA spokesperson
      “We thank the victims for reporting the incidents to us, and supporting the investigation through to its conclusion, and we are deeply sorry that they endured such a terrible experience.
      “The behaviour shown by Daniel Senda in June 2023 will not be tolerated.
      “We will investigate all allegations of sexual assault in a football environment which are reported to us – usually working with the police, but in this case, the incidents happened overseas so were not within the jurisdiction of UK law enforcement.
      “We hope that the very lengthy ban serves as a strong deterrent, and a clear signal that women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punished.”
      Senda came through the youth academy at Southampton and joined Wycombe, initially as a striker, in 1999.
      After also playing at full-back and as a right midfielder and racking up 316 league appearances for the Chairboys, he joined Millwall in 2006.
      But midway through his three-year stint in South London, he suffered a lengthy injury and was sidelined for 16 months.
      Senda also had brief spells with Torquay, Bristol Rovers and Barnet but retired in 2013, 13 months after dislocating his kneecap.
      Read more on The Sun
      He transitioned into coaching, working through the EFL at Brentford, Barnet, Leyton Orient and, most recently, Charlton where he was a first-team assistant manager until Dean Holden’s sacking in August 2023 just five games into the new season.
      According to LinkedIn, Senda is now self-employed after setting up his own football academy in Windsor.
      The ex-Millwall man apologised for sexually assaulting two women on a coaching course abroadCredit: Getty More

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      Stockport star rushed to hospital after horror clash of heads which saw players frantically wave for medical attention

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      STOCKPORT’S match against Mansfield was stopped in the second half following a horror injury.Defender Kyle Knoyle suffered a horrible clash of heads with his own team-mate in the 59th minute.
      Paramedics attended to Kyle Knoyle on the pitchCredit: – pic by : Richard Parkes
      The defender was given oxygen as he received treatment for several minutesCredit: – pic by : Richard Parkes
      Knoyle was taken off on a stretcher following the clash of heads
      Medics from both teams and emergency service attended to the right-back and rolled him on to his front.
      Knoyle, 27, was given oxygen on the pitch and the medical teams spent a few minutes providing him with assistance.
      He was then taken off the pitch on a stretcher and went straight to an ambulance which took him to hospital.
      Stockport announced Knoyle was taken to hospital as a precaution and is conscious and responding well following his head injury.
      Manager Dave Challinor spoke after the game and said he and everyone at the club are keeping Knoyle in their thoughts.
      He also spoke about the need for his players to improve communication with each other following the clash of heads.
      The match was re-started with Stockport in search of an equaliser after George Maris put the visitors ahead.
      Fifteen minutes of stoppage time were played at the end of the game because of the lengthy delay.
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      That gave Mansfield enough time to add a second late on, with Davis Keillor-Dunn finding the net in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
      The win means the Stags moved to within just two points of League Two leaders Stockport.
      Mansfield have two games in hand and have lost just once this season, so manager Nigel Clough will likely have one eye on promotion.
      They are four points ahead of fourth-placed Barrow, who lost to third-place Wrexham 4-1 in another top-of-the-table clash. More