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      Inside EFL club’s abandoned 40,000-seater stadium plan with ex-Premier League side now forced to rent ground

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      IT’S been a tale of rags to riches and back again.In the 80s and 90s a London club’s stadium was abandoned for seven years as they struggled to maintain second tier status.An EFL club once had ambitious plans to expand its stadium to 40,000 seatsCredit: GettyHowever, they would then turn things around after a move back home and work their way up to the Premier League.Seven uninterrupted seasons in the top flight would lead to stadium expansion plans, with the club holding the ambition of building a ground to accommodate 40,000 spectators.However, relegation in 2007 led to a slump in fortunes, spell after spell of unpopular ownership and ultimately a descent to the third tier.Last term they averaged crowds of just 13,000 in a stadium which boasts a 27,111 capacity, as they slumped to a disappointing 16th-place finish.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTheir current malaise is a far-cry from the heady days of the early-2000s under Alan Curbishley, when they became Premier League mainstays.Under Curbs, the Addicks were in the top-flight for seven consecutive years, which led to frequent sell-outs at South London’s biggest stadium.Charlton had been forced to abandon their traditional Valley home after more than 60 years in 1985, with the site falling into disrepair.After strong campaigning from fans, which even included standing in local council elections, the Addicks returned in 1992 following seven years spent primarily at Selhurst Park, and latterly Upton Park.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBy this point Curbishley had already taken over, with the former Charlton midfielder transforming his side’s fortunes on the pitch.As the South Londoners rose, so did demand for tickets.World Cup stadium lies half demolished next to rubble as it hosts second tier matches with no away end In November 2004, chief executive Peter Varney confirmed Charlton’s ambitious plans.He said: “The application will seek approval for the redevelopment of the east stand and the south-east corner of the ground to take the capacity of The Valley to 30,900.”Our intention is also to lodge an outline design for the remaining development of the stadium – principally the south stand – at the same time and to declare our intention to ultimately raise the capacity of The Valley to 40,600.”Permission was granted the following year, but after Charlton’s relegation in 2007, the plans fell by the wayside.Charlton boast the biggest stadium in South LondonCredit: PA:Press AssociationIn the early-2000s they made ambitious expansion plansCredit: Charlton AthleticThe Valley lay abandoned between 1985 and 1992Credit: GettyFans campaigned to return home to The ValleyCredit: GettyDespite Roland Duchatelet selling the Addicks in 2020 following years of fan protests, the Belgian still owns their Valley home and training ground.In 2021, Charlton agreed a 15-year lease to rent The Valley, as well as their Sparrows Lane training facilities.Co-owner Charlie Methven, formerly of Sunderland, recently referenced the situation while appearing on the Business of Sport podcast.He said: “I think having a long-term resolution over the tenure of the stadium is really important.READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s a matter of commercial negotiation with the current landlord. Everything is possible, but it’s a commercial negotiation that is confidential.”If you are talking about things that keeps me up at night it is long-term security of tenure at The Valley. One of the great historic stadiums, one of the last remaining that feel like themselves.”Charlton averaged gates of around 13,000 last seasonCredit: RexCharlton co-owner Charlie Methven was previously at SunderlandCredit: Getty More

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      Fans in meltdown over ‘7 seconds of horror’ as Newcastle cult hero’s new job quickly turns into a disaster

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      NEWCASTLE cult hero Mike Williamson saw his Carlisle team have another nightmare as they sunk further into relegation trouble.Carlisle have been without a win since September 21, with two draws and five defeats in all competitions since then.Newcastle hero Mike Williamson has had a horror run as manager of CarlisleCredit: PAToday’s match against Cheltenham saw them lose 1-0Credit: CUTV via X formerly TwitterA long range shot from Ethon Archer looked like it had initially been dealt with by goalkeeper Harry LewisCredit: CUTV via X formerly TwitterLewis got back up to try and win catch the ballCredit: CUTV via X formerly TwitterBut the ball bounced into the netCredit: CUTV via X formerly TwitterAnd that winless run continued on Saturday at Brunton Park after the Cumbrians fell to a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham.But it was a disastrous mistake from goalkeeper Harry Lewis that condemned Williamson’s side to their 10th league defeat of the season.A 17th-minute shot from Ethon Archer from the left side of the area initially looked to have been dealt with by Lewis.However, the shot then spun up and behind the 26-year-old.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLewis got to his feet and looked set to catch the ball as it bounced.But the spin of the ball seemed to catch Lewis off guard as he was unable to stop the ball from bouncing into the net.The goal proved to be pivotal as Carlisle were unable to find a goal to cancel it out.The 6,064-strong crowd made their feelings clear at full-time by booing at the end of the game as the team remain second-bottom of League Two.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSReacting on social media, one fan said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Carlisle United….”A second said: “Christ, that’s unbelievably tragic!” I was earning £10,000 a week at Newcastle before I went to jail and I’d still be in the Premier League now if I’d behaved A third added: “7 seconds of horror.”Another said: “When you think things can’t get any worse -absolute laughing stock. No manager could make this team play any better.”Williamson, 40, was appointed to the job permanently on September 19 after arriving from MK Dons, replacing the sacked Paul Simpson.He spent six years as a player at Newcastle, making 169 appearances.Speaking after the game, he said: “It’s hard to stomach but the boys are giving everything.”He also confirmed that striker Charlie Wyke had been taken to hospital for a scan and his thoughts were with him after he was stretchered off.READ MORE SUN STORIESWilliamson said: “I really hope Charlie Wyke is okay. I don’t like seeing any player stretchered off and I will try and see him quickly now, as will Luke Young. “It was an honest challenge, with no malice. My thoughts are with Charlie and I hope it’s not a long one.” More

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      Karren Brady: Football isn’t broken and Keir Starmer’s plan to fix it will create many more problems than it solves

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      TO change, and to change for the better, are two different things.And the Government’s plan to change football is more likely to create many more problems than it solves.Keir Starmer’s Government will introduce the Football Governance Bill this weekCredit: GettySunSport columnist, and West Ham vice chairman, Karren Brady thinks the bill will only cause more problemsCredit: PAI remain wholly unconvinced about the role of regulators, both in and out of football.Just look at some of our leading industries and the way regulators have worked. Or not.Water is the obvious one as our beaches and rivers have been transformed into a toxic dumping ground while the companies rake in millions in wages, bonuses and shareholder dividends — almost always of little or no benefit to the UK.And don’t get me started on the trains. We have the most expensive railway network in the Western world, and best-paid train drivers, yet actually getting trains to run on time has been well-nigh impossible.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSo, please, when politicians preach about how the Football Governance Bill introduced in the House of Lords this week will make everything rosy in football’s garden, don’t believe the hype.There is no need for another layer of administration and regulation. And I’ll tell you why…The Premier League has been one of this country’s major success stories of the past three decades.It has taken a game which was crumbling and collapsing around our feet to the best and most-watched football league in the world. It is the global Big One.Most read in FootballThere are critics who say the Premier League just looks after the hotshots, the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals. Rubbish.In the last three years the Premier League has given a world-leading £1.6billion to the EFL, National Leagues, grass-roots football and the women’s game. Nowhere else in the world can even get close to matching that.Jose Mourinho makes cheeky dig at the referee after being sent off against old club Manchester UnitedThe PL give nearly £8m on average to every EFL Championship club, £1.4m to each League One club and £900,000 to each League Two club.Politicians tell you the regulator will make clubs more fan-friendly but it is already being done.The Premier League instigated a Fan Engagement Standard, meaning there has to be a Fan Advisory Board at every single club.An away ticket price cap was introduced years ago, which ensures supporters pay a maximum of £30 when they travel.At the rate we’re going you’ll get about half a bathtub for that from our regulated water companies.What happened to Bury and others like them was terribly sad but you cannot blame the Premier League for their financial mess.Karren BradyI’ll give you some other numbers. The Premier League annually hands over £4.2bn in tax to the Treasury and directly employs 90,000 people, a third of whom are in the North West, an area which sadly has pockets of high deprivation.A total of 51 clubs have reached the Premier League, which surely underlines the fact that the financial distributions do broadly work.And while going into administration is a worrying time for fans, the likes of Crystal Palace, Luton, Bournemouth, Southampton and Leeds all reset and got to the Premier League — with three of them still in it.What happened to Bury and others like them was terribly sad but you cannot blame the Premier League for their financial mess.I’ve heard it said, mainly by ill-informed politicians, that parachute payments are fundamentally wrong. Not so. They allow clubs to remain financially sustainable should they suffer relegation from the top flight.The regulator will have to consider INCREASING parachute payments as that is the only way established relegated clubs can be more sustainable.There are critics who say the Premier League just looks after the hotshots, the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals. Rubbish.Karren BradyThey give clubs the security to be able to invest in competitive squads, sign players and coaches on multi-year contracts and invest in world-class stadia and fan experience, with the knowledge that there will be some financial protection in the event of relegation.When you are relegated you still have to pay all the staff, including the players, and have all the same overheads, so if you don’t have the parachute payment you are effectively bust.The numbers are what makes the Premier League the world’s leading domestic club competition.Over 15million fans go to games every year and internationally OUR Premier League is watched annually by 1.5bn supporters from 189 countries.In every sense of the word it is a success, with not a regulator in sight.The Bill will change the way football operates, impacting supporters and clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIESA regulator that delivers stronger oversight of fan engagement and club heritage — and prevents breakaway leagues — is welcome.But one that significantly impacts the competitive balance of the league is not. More

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      Ian Holloway lands first manager job in football in four years as he is named boss of EFL club

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      IAN HOLLOWAY has been appointed manager of EFL side Swindon Town.The League Two strugglers parted company with Mark Kennedy following their underwhelming start to the season.Ian Holloway has been appointed Swindon managerCredit: PAThey have wasted little time in appointing his successor with Holloway confirmed just hours after his sacking.Holloway, 61, has signed a deal until the end of the season.He said on joining The Robins: “I’m delighted to be back working in football after a period out of the game as I wanted to get back into it if the right opportunity arose which, with this opportunity, I feel is the perfect fit for me.”Conversations happened very quickly and both sides were very keen to get the deal done and of course, I was delighted to engage with a club like Swindon Town, a club of whom I know a lot about due to my location and knowledge of the local area.”I want to be able to bring everyone together to deliver success and positivity on and off the pitch and I’m delighted to be at The Nigel Eady County Ground tomorrow to meet you all for the first time as Swindon Town Manager and I look forward to a successful time working together.”Holloway has not managed since he was sacked by Grimsby four years ago after winning just 11 out of 38 games in charge.He is just 11 games away from 1000 matches managed in a managerial career that has seen him win promotion three times.Holloway’s first taste of success came at QPR when he won promotion to the Championship in 2004.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe then twice one promotion to the Premier League, first with Blackpool in 2010 and again three years later with Crystal Palace – both of which came via the play-offs.Swindon will hope Holloway can add a bit of inspiration immediately as they have just two wins from 13 games and sit three points above the relegation zone.Worthing FC owner George Dowell describes club’s ambition to reach EFL for first time More

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      Premier League could be forced to slash parachute payments – but new regulator will not abolish them

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      PARACHUTE payments will NOT be abolished by the new football regulator.But the Premier League could be forced to slash them if a report into the game finds evidence that the huge sums paid to clubs relegated from the top flight undermine the financial stability of EFL clubs.The Premier League’s parachute payments scheme could be altered under the new governmentCredit: ReutersSport Minister Stephanie Peacock says the payments will not be abolished by a new regulatorCredit: GettyThe EFL has long campaigned for the payments to be scrapped, while the PL insists they are essential and did not want the regulator to have any powers over them.The previous Tory administration proposed legislation that excluded parachute payments from a regulator’s influence.But the new Labour Government has reversed that in the Football Governance Bill that went before the House of Lords on Thursday.Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said: “In terms of parachute payments, we completely understand the importance of them.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I’ve met the Premier League on a number of occasions and heard their concerns.”The whole point of the Bill is around financial sustainability. “If the State of the Game report identifies that parachute payments are an issue, then it seems to be an odd situation that the regulator can’t look at them.”It will also be for a panel of experts to assess the situation.Most read in Football”But we have added some wording that makes it clear that they cannot be abolished.”‘If Arsenal lose to Liverpool, they are out of the Premier League title race… the gulf is massive’Peacock – Independent regulator will address imbalance in English footballBy Stephanie Peacock, Sports MinisterSun readers know exactly what it means to don the team scarf on match day. It’s a rite of passage for millions of us every week, our club colours tying us proudly to places close to our heart. For me, it’s the highs and lows that come with being a lifelong Birmingham City supporter.But for far too long, we have seen the hurt and agony when a cherished community football club goes to the wall as a result of a rogue owner running a club into the ground, or a reckless one spending well beyond their means. The impact on local people is devastating. Just ask fans from Bury or Macclesfield when their clubs hit the wall.As Sports Minister, it is my job to help ensure that sport in this country is run well and supported to be fair, competitive and sustainable, so I am delighted that we have been able to deliver on our manifesto commitment to introduce a beefed up Football Governance Bill in Parliament.The new Bill will deliver an Independent Football Regulator that puts fans at the heart of the game. It will make sure football fans are genuinely consulted on things like ticket prices, or proposed stadium moves. This is something our Football Governance Bill will address properly. It will give fans a strong voice on the things they hold dear such as home shirt colours, or club badges.The Regulator will seek to redress the imbalance and strengthen financial sustainability throughout the football pyramid – from the Premier League to the National League. To make this happen, the Bill will give the Regulator the power to assess the impact of parachute payments paid to clubs relegated from the top flight. To be effective, the Regulator needs teeth and it will have the power to see the whole picture of a club’s finances and that is why the Labour government has strengthened the Bill.To ensure the Regulator can truly carry the confidence of the public, clubs and leagues, we have dropped the last government’s requirement for the Regulator to consider government trade and foreign policy when assessing club takeovers.The Regulator will also operate an improved owners and directors test that will be better equipped to weed out unscrupulous and unwanted directors of fans’ beloved clubs.The regulator will not be able to take any action on parachute payments for at least two years in any case.The Government is readvertising the position of chair of the new body in a bid to attract a wider range of candidates.The person who gets the job will be able to shape the State of the Game report, which will be compiled over an 18-month period. More

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      Premier League chiefs fear ‘unprecedented and untested powers’ for regulator risks wrecking English football

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs fear “unprecedented and untested powers” given to the new independent regulator could wreck English football.The government’s Football Governance Bill will be introduced in the House of Lords today.Premier League chiefs have concerns about the new regulatorCredit: GettyA clause requiring the regulator to consider government “foreign and trade policy” when approving club takeovers — which threatened to see Uefa boot England out of the Euros over political interference — has been withdrawn.Prem bigwigs still fear “rigid, banking-style regulation could have a negative impact on the league’s competitiveness and the aspiration that drives our global appeal and growth.”But the regulator has been backed by EFL chief Rick Parry.He said: “The bill has been framed in a way that will enable the new regulator to protect and achieve the sustainability of clubs across the entire football pyramid.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNew regulator powers in the bill include parachute payments for relegated clubs, consulting fans on ticket pricing and home stadium relocations, plus ­supporter representation at clubs.Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy declared: “English football is one of our greatest exports and a source of ­national pride.“But for too long financial instability meant loyal fans risked losing their cherished clubs as a result of mismanagement and reckless spending.“This bill seeks to redress the balance, putting fans back at the heart of the game, taking on rogue owners and crucially helping put clubs up and down the country on a sound financial footing.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSports Minister Stephanie Peacock added: “This strengthened bill puts fans firmly back at the centre of the game.”More than 200 fan groups signed an open letter from the Football Supporters’ Association earlier this year, calling on all parties to back  the new bill.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanUefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis had said the “foreign policy” clause would amount to government interference — risking the “ultimate sanction” of excluding teams from their competitions.England are due to co-host the Euro 2028 with the other home nations and Ireland. More

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      ‘I nearly joined Man Utd after Sir Alex Ferguson charmed me but I don’t regret it… then I ended my career at Barnet’

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      EDGAR DAVIDS revealed he almost joined Manchester United after meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson in 1996.Davids, 51, enjoyed tremendous success playing for the likes of Ajax, where he won the Champions League and the Eredivisie, as well as Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles.Edgar Davids revealed he almost joined Manchester United in 1996Credit: Times Newspapers LtdDavids held talks with Man Utd’s legendary boss Sir Alex FergusonCredit: GettyDavids turned Man Utd down to play for AC Milan as that was where the ‘big boys’ playedCredit: Allsport – GettyHowever, the former midfielder’s career could have looked a lot different if he accepted Ferguson’s offer to join him at United just three years before the legendary Treble triumph.The Dutchman revealed he had a “charming” conversation with Sir Alex but opted for AC Milan as that was there the “big boys” played back in the day.And the Netherlands great insists he has no regrets despite United’s tremendous success under Fergie until 2013.Davids told BetMGM: “When I left Ajax in 1996 there was a good chance of me going to Manchester United.Read More on Football“I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson and it was one of the most unbelievable experiences I had in my whole career. He was funny, charming, intelligent — basically everything you wanted.“The big boys were in Serie A and that’s where I wanted to go at that time of my career. That was the main reason why I chose to go to AC Milan.“I don’t regret not going to Manchester United. I’ve seen Sir Alex since and we had a good laugh about it all and there are still the same good feelings between us.”Davids did ultimately make the move to England nine years later as he played for Tottenham until 2007 before a short stint with Crystal Palace in 2010.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe ex-Barcelona star then turned into an EFL cult hero two years later as he took over as player-manager at Barnet in League Two, where he amassed 38 appearances until his retirement in 2014.Davids is now pursuing a career in management and currently works as Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman’s assistant.Steven Bergwijn gives a finishing masterclass with Edgar Davids in Netherlands training The ex-Inter Milan star revealed he cut his teeth learning under current United boss Erik ten Hag during his time in charge of Utrecht.The Juventus legend insists Ten Hag is a remarkable manager and hinted that the Red Devils’ troubles are caused by a lack of firepower up front.Davids added: “I know him [Ten Hag] very well. I did an internship at FC Utrecht and he was there. “He was very innovative with lots of different things and I was very impressed. He’s very focused and passionate about football.“We all know it hasn’t gone great at Manchester United. They are a club trying to rebuild and that’s never easy — but I do look at their options up front and think there’s not a prolific goalscorer there which makes such a difference.“For me, that’s what they are really missing. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are good, young strikers and have talent but they don’t have that experience yet.“It’s so hard to say if he’s going to stay but the one thing you do know is, just like Real Madrid, results are what you are judged on and they clearly haven’t been nearly good enough while he’s been in charge.”Ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8mDavids ended a successful career at Barnet in League TwoCredit: Getty Images – GettyDavids is now pursuing a career as manager and currently works as assistant boss for the Netherlands’ national teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      English manager SACKED by EFL club after leaving side rooted to bottom of League One table

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      BURTON have SACKED manager Mark Robinson with the club rock bottom of League One.Robinson, 58, left his previous job as Chelsea’s development squad boss to become Burton head coach in June.Mark Robinson has been sacked by League One outfit Burton AlbionBut Robinson has been dismissed just five months after replacing Martin Paterson, with the Brewers already 11 points from safety.Burton remain winless in League One this season, having lost seven and drawn four of their opening 11 games.Robinson has only won only ONE of his 14 games in charge – beating Leicester City’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy in August.And the club’s Scandinavian owners decided enough was enough following Tuesday’s 3-2 home loss to Wycombe Wanderers.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe was the first appointment made by Burton’s new owners – the Nordic Football Group – when the Sweden-based consortium took control of the east Staffordshire club in the summer.Sporting director Bendik Hareide said: “During our time working together, we’ve all got to know and appreciate ‘Robbo’, which is why we have great regret over the fact that this has not worked out in the way any of us would have wanted.He told the club website: “We have to be objective with our decision-making, and we feel we have reached a point where a change is necessary to improve the team’s results.“We believe we have a talented squad, and we remain committed to our football strategy. Now is the time to re-group and look to deliver a positive season for our fantastic supporters.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAssistant manager Tom Hounsell will step up as interim head coach until a permanent successor is named.But coaches John Brayford, Jake Kean and Elliott Axtell will continue in their first team roles.’My pro football team-mate thought he was Spiderman after being spiked on night out’ | What the EFL?!Burton have conceded 24 goals this season, second behind Peterborough, who have sunk 25 – but also scored that many as well.After joining Chelsea’s development coaching set up in May 2022, Robinson steered the Under-21s to third place in a league of 26 teams during his second season.During his time at Cobham, Lewis Hall progressed to the first team with several appearances as well as Bashir Humphries and Omari Hutchinson making their debuts.Before Chelsea, Robinson spent 19 years as a coach at AFC Wimbledon before being announced as the permanent first-team manager in 2021. But AFC Wimbledon parted company with Robinson by mutual consent in March 2022 after a poor run of form.Meanwhile, Burton narrowly avoided relegation from League One last season – finishing 20th in the table. More