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    Tom Brady’s Birmingham rocked as CEO suddenly steps down for personal reasons as club release statement

    BIRMINGHAM CEO Garry Cook has stepped down for personal reasons.Cook, 67, played a key role in Knighthead’s takeover of the club in 2023.Garry Cook has stepped down as Birmingham CEOCredit: PAIn a statement posted to their website, the Blues confirmed Cook’s decision to step down.Club chairman Tom Wagner said: “We thank Garry for everything that he has done during his time as Chief Executive Officer.”His passionate leadership and commitment to the Club that he has supported from boyhood has been unwavering and his contributions are extensive.”The instrumental role he played in Knighthead becoming involved in Birmingham City FC should also never be forgotten.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We are delighted that he will remain connected to us via the Advisory Committee and Foundation and that both will benefit from his vision and expertise.”When Knighthead completed their takeover in August 2023, NFL icon Tom Brady bought a 3.3 per cent stake in the club.In Cook’s absence, the Blues have appointed boyhood supporter Jeremy Dale as interim CEO.Wagner added: “Jeremy has a deep understanding of our vision and culture, and we are confident in his ability to guide Birmingham City during this transition.Most read in EFLSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYTom Brady is part of Blues’ ownership groupCredit: Getty”Our commitment to excellence and progress remains steadfast as we continue to build on the solid foundation we’ve already established.”Birmingham have confirmed that they have begun their search for Cook’s permanent successor.EFL club owner gives update on new £2bn ‘spaceship’ stadium included in mega plans for state-of-the-art complex Last April, the League One leaders unveiled plans for a new stadium, with the overall project set to cost between £2-3billion.On the pitch they were relegated from the Championship last term, having sacked John Eustace to appoint Wayne Rooney, before the Manchester United legend’s eventual replacement Tony Mowbray was forced to step aside for health reasons.Despite falling into the third tier, Blues forked out a fee rising to £15million for Jay Stansfield last summer.Chris Davies’ side currently sit top of League One, two points above Wycombe and Wrexham with two games in hand.Jay Stansfield and Co are top of League OneCredit: Getty More

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    Leyton Orient vs Derby POSTPONED after London hit with icy blast overnight with FA Cup third round hit by weather chaos

    LEYTON ORIENT’s FA Cup third-round clash with Derby County has been postponed just hours before kick-off. The League One side announced the pitch at Brisbane Road was unplayable ahead of this evening’s tie. Leyton Orient’s FA Cup game with Derby County has been called offCredit: RexA frozen pitch at Brisbane Road was deemed in unplayableCredit: GettyOrient updated fans throughout the morning as ground staff worked hard to make the pitch playable. Freezing temperatures overnight in the capital plunged to around -7c.The third-round tie had been due to kick-off in East London at 6pm. But a pitch inspection just after midday confirmed the playing surface was frozen. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA statement from the club read: “Today’s Emirates FA Cup third-round tie against Derby County at Gaughan Group Stadium has been postponed, following a pitch inspection.”The match will now be contested in E10 on Tuesday 14thJanuary – KO 7.45pm. “The O’s Vertu Trophy match against Stevenage has been moved.”The game is the third FA Cup fixture of the weekend to fall foul of the weather.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPreston’s meeting with Charlton and Mansfield vs Wigan have both been called off due to a frozen pitch.Seven League One matches have already been canned, with only Rotherham’s home game with Bolton left standing. Accrington defender Connor O’Brien can’t wait to face boyhood club Liverpool in FA Cup In League Two, Tranmere’s visit to Walsall, Wimbledon vs Cheltenham, and Swindon vs Crewe are the only matches to survive the big freeze.Orient are currently enjoying a superb season in League One.Richie Wellens has guided his team to the cusp of a playoff spot, with the team enjoying five straight wins over the festive period.The O’s are hoping to progress past the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2011.Derby meanwhile are currently sitting 18th in the Championship.The Rams – winners of the FA Cup in 1946 – have battled past the third round in three of the last six seasons. More

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    Football postponed LIVE: Latest with many FA Cup third round ties under threat as multiple EFL clashes are called OFF

    IT’S FA Cup weekend – but fixtures are under threat as the big freeze continues across the UK.Preston’s third round clash with Charlton has been postponed after the pitch was deemed unplayable.Multiple matches across the EFL and non-league have been called off because of frozen pitches all around the UK.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFind out about all of the latest postponements through our live blog below…More non-league OFFAn FA Vase game between Walsham Le Willows and Whitstable Town is the latest to be called off.Copy linkCopiedSnow watchHeavy snow in West Yorkshire has led to the cancellation of Frickley Athletic’s game against Bottesford Town.Copy linkCopiedScottish game offAnnan Athletic have confirmed their fixture with Inverness Caledonian Thistle has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.Copy linkCopiedDropping like fliesNon-league games in the north are also being heavily affected with several clubs announcing postponements.The following are now off:Darlington vs ChorleyHereford vs WarringtonCurzon Ashton vs Scarborough AthleticBury vs Isle of ManStockbridge Park Steels vs Grimsby BoroughCopy linkCopiedEFL’s bottom side forced to postponeCarlisle were set to host MK Dons tomorrow but a frozen pitch means the match has been called off.Copy linkCopiedNon-league mayhemFour National League fixtures have been called off early.Southend vs HalifaxBarnet vs HartlepoolSutton vs FyldeMaidenhead vs YorkCopy linkCopiedEFL clash offBarrow have confirmed their match against Port Vale has been postponed.A frozen pitch again the cause.Copy linkCopiedPreston vs Charlton offA pitch inspection at Deepdale has deemed the pitch unplayable.The tie has also been re-scheduled for Tuesday, kick-off time 7:45pm.Copy linkCopiedCup clash bites the dustMansfield have called off their third-round clash with Wigan due to a frozen pitch.The match has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, which means the Stags’ League One clash with Exeter has also been moved.Copy linkCopiedHello and welcomeWelcome to SunSport’s football weather tracker, keeping you up to date with all the fixture cancellations ahead of the FA Cup third round.Two EFL games have already been called off due to the frosty conditions, with many more under threat.Northampton vs Barnsley and Shrewsbury vs Huddersfield in League One have been postponed.Copy linkCopied More

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    Several EFL clashes CALLED OFF just hours before kick-offs as freezing weather wreaks havoc on English football

    SEVERAL EFL clashes have been called off this Saturday with freezing conditions wreaking havoc upon English football.Earlier today, Shrewsbury Town’s League One clash against Huddersfield Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch.Shrewsbury’s clash against Huddersfield has been postponedVale Park is surrounded by snowCredit: GettyThe decision was made despite the game being scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.The pitch was judged to be “unplayable” due to the cold weather throughout the UK.A statement read: “Shrewsbury Town can confirm our League One clash against Huddersfield has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.”Scheduled to take place at the Croud Meadow tomorrow, the surface has been deemed unplayable due to the freezing temperatures across the country.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Our ground staff have been working throughout the week to try and get the game on, with covers placed over the pitch earlier in the week.”But following a pitch inspection this morning, the decision has been made with officials from the EFL to postpone the fixture.”Updates regarding a rescheduled date will be shared with supporters in due course.”All tickets for the postponed fixture will be valid for the re-arranged date.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPlenty of other games soon followed in being KO’d.Tonight’s Premier League 2 clash between Leeds and Manchester United has also been postponed.Watch bizarre moment non-league chairman KAYAKS on his club’s pitch as flooding wreaks havoc againWhile several postponements have struck the EFL.Saturday’s FA Cup clashes between Mansfield Town and Bolton has fallen foul of the freezing weather, as well as Preston vs Charlton.In League One, Northampton vs Barnsley has also been called off.The fourth tier has also been affected; with Carlisle vs MK Dons and Port Vale vs Barrow having been postponed.Meanwhile, three National League games have so far had to be called off.Saturday football postponementsFA CupMansfield P-P BoltonPreston P-P CharltonLeague OneShrewsbury P-P HuddersfieldNorthampton P-P BarnsleyLeague TwoCarlisle P-P MK DonsPort Vale P-P BarrowNational LeagueAltrincham P-P WealdstoneBarnet P-P HartlepoolAFC Fylde P-P SuttonGatehead P-P BraintreeMaidenhead P-P York CityOldham P-P Eastleigh More

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    FA Cup third round clashes postponed with two-time winners given new date for tie after freezing weather wreaks havoc

    TWO FA Cup clashes have already been postponed due to freezing weather sweeping across the nation.Former two-time winners Preston were due to host Charlton at Deepdale but the game has been called off due to a frozen pitch.The Deepdale pitch was frozen on Friday afternoonCredit: Preston North End FCPreston’s FA Cup tie has been postponedCredit: Preston North End FCThe game will now be played on Tuesday night, kicking off at 7:45pm.A Preston statement read: “A pitch inspection took place at Deepdale on Friday by match referee Ruebyn Ricardo and the surface was deemed unplayable.”Despite the tireless work of the club’s grounds staff to prepare the pitch for this fixture, the sub-zero temperatures throughout the week and overnight on Thursday mean the surface remains frozen.”With similar conditions expected again on Friday evening into Saturday morning, a decision has been made early in consideration of travel plans for supporters, and the players and staff of Charlton Athletic.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPreston vs Charlton isn’t the only FA Cup game to have been affected.Mansfield’s all-League One tie with Wigan has also been called off.The clash will too take place on Tuesday, kicking off at 7:45pm.In addition to the FA Cup, EFL fixtures across Leagues 1 and 2 have also been called off.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSaturday football postponementsFA CupMansfield P-P WiganPreston P-P CharltonLeague OneShrewsbury P-P HuddersfieldNorthampton P-P BarnsleyLeague TwoCarlisle P-P MK DonsPort Vale P-P BarrowNational LeagueAltrincham P-P WealdstoneBarnet P-P HartlepoolAFC Fylde P-P SuttonGatehead P-P BraintreeMaidenhead P-P York CityOldham P-P EastleighIn the third tier, Northampton vs Barnsley and Shrewsbury vs Huddersfield have been called off.While League Two has also been affected; with Carlisle vs MK Dons and Port Vale vs Barrow having been postponed.Watch bizarre moment non-league chairman KAYAKS on his club’s pitch as flooding wreaks havoc againMeanwhile, six National League games have so far had to be called off.And tonight’s Premier League 2 clash between Leeds and Manchester United has also been postponed.Shrewsbury’s clash against Huddersfield has been postponedVale Park is surrounded by snowCredit: Getty More

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    Leeds back in Premier League and Wrexham promoted AGAIN? Full predictions for EFL ahead of business end of the season

    WE are into the second half of the season and now have a good idea which teams look likely to stick with the pace.Here are my predictions on who will win promotion automatically and via the play-offs, as well as those who should be in the mix come the end of the season . . . Leeds look good for automatic promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: RexCHAMPIONSHIPAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONLEEDSThe Elland Road club won’t fall apart again. Their 3-3 draw at Hull was a blow but Leeds are scoring for fun and I tend to think teams who score bag-loads get out of this division.Daniel Farke lost Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Luis Sinisterra and Glen Kamara.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe and Dan James have stepped up to the plate.BURNLEYScott Parker is promotion king in the Championship and bids for three out of three at the Clarets after taking Fulham and Bournemouth up.They don’t let many goals in and Josh Brownhill is a big goal threat. Burnley should squeeze just enough results out to make the top two.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPLAY-OFFSIt’s like pinning a tail on a donkey predicting play-offs but I have a sneaky feeling for SUNDERLAND.Football icons’ strange hobbiesRegis Le Bris has made the Stadium of Light a fortress and on-loan Wilson Isidor’s nine goals so far have been very handy.But keep an eye out for Danny Rohl’s SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY and you cannot rule out SHEFFIELD UNITED under Chris Wilder.MIDDLESBROUGH will be there and WEST BROM surely will have a puncher’s chance.Wrexham will be there or thereabouts in League OneCredit: PALEAGUE ONEAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONBIRMINGHAMIt’s a disgrace the Blues are even in the third tier after a relegation that should never have happened.But the American owners poured millions into the club in the summer in a bid to make it a one-season stay — and it will be.Jay Stansfield, a £15million buy from Fulham, has 12 league goals.But, getting striker Alfie May in from Cheltenham was the best bit of business. His ten league goals, including two in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wigan, are a big reason why they are in the title race.WREXHAMPhil Parkinson had to do things a bit differently this season from the two previous campaigns in the National League and League Two.With Birmingham buying almost everyone that he wanted in the summer, he brought in potential.Keeper Arthur Okonkwo, 23, from Arsenal was great business, while striker Steven Fletcher is still doing it up top at the age of 37. I expect them to nab second.PLAY-OFFSHUDDERSFIELD are another club that should never have gone down last season. It was madness to get rid of Neil Warnock, who miraculously kept them up the campaign before.But Michael Duff has a great shot at going up in the play-offs.WYCOMBE are punching above their weight with Matt Bloomfield and will be in the promotion chat — along with BARNSLEY, READING and STOCKPORT.Walsall have shown their class this termCredit: AlamyLEAGUE TWOAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONWALSALLThe Saddlers are nailed on to go up under Mat Sadler. Nathan Lowe and Jamille Matt have netted 14 and seven goals respectively — and their defence is frighteningly stingy.AFC WIMBLEDONThe Dons have made steady progress under Johnnie Jackson and I reckon he has found the right formula to lead them up.Matty Stevens has been excellent up front with 12 goals — while defensively they are sound. I see them breaking into the top three.NOTTS COUNTYDavid McGoldrick is rolling back the years at the age of 37 with his beloved Magpies.The ex-Sheffield United, Ipswich and Southampton man is on a mission to shoot them into League One under Stuart Maynard. And his deadly double in the 2-0 victory against Swindon on Saturday meant he has netted ten this season in the league.PLAY-OFFSI like the look of CREWE. Lee Bell was so close to taking the club up last season before their painful loss to Crawley in the play-off final.They are hard to beat — only four losses so far. My only worry would be they don’t have an out-and-out goalscorer who can provide the firepower.But the experience of Mickey Demetriou, 34, fused with the  talent of 20-year-old Zac Williams and James Connolly, 23, have made for a great defensive base.I can see PORT VALE slipping out of the automatic spots under Darren Moore and Grant McCann should steer DONCASTER to make the top seven.If Paul Cook cannot get CHESTERFIELD into the play-offs it will be a massive failure for the Scouser who has a huge budget.READ MORE SUN STORIESSALFORD should also be in the argument but I fancy eighth-placed BRADFORD under Graham Alexander making a strong push.And I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott Lindsey can conjure another miracle — after taking Crawley up last season — to get MK DONS gatecrashing the play-off spots. More

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    Watch bizarre moment loose DOG is chased off pitch moments before kick-off in League One clash

    A DOG had to be chased off the pitch moments before kick-off at Bristol Rovers vs Leyton Orient.The League One clash was in danger of being delayed as the hosts tried to chase down the four-legged pitch invader.The dog entered the pitch from one corner and managed to sprint all the way across to the opposite corner flag, all while being chased by a hapless club official.The hound was cheered all the way and greeted to cries of: “Sign him up! Sign him up! Sign him up!”Fans found the bizarre incident rather amusing and joked in response.One said: “Give him a stadium ban.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “Football is a game for all, nice to see the dogs getting involved too.”Unfortunately for Rovers the dog did not bring about a change of fortune as they extended their winless run at home to five matches.Orient raced into an early lead as Ethan Galbraith struck into the bottom corner from outside the box.Rovers equalised from the penalty spot before two more goals either side of the break put the visitors in control.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChris Martin pulled one back and the hosts thought they had an equaliser in bizarre circumstances as the ball twice bounced off the bar before being bundled in by Gatlin O’Donkor – only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.Rovers are now just one place and two points above the relegation zone, with the Os closing on the play-offs after winning six of their last seven league games.Inside Wayne Rooney’s woeful spell at Plymouth as Manchester United legend AXED More

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    League One clash postponed hours before kick-off as flooding wreaks havoc on New Year’s Day

    WIGAN’S League One clash with Huddersfield has been postponed due to flooding.The New Year’s Day battle at the Brick Community Stadium will not go ahead after wild weather caused chaos in the local area.Wigan’s New Year’s Day clash with Huddersfield has been called off due to bad weatherCredit: EPAIn a statement released nearly four hours before the 3pm kick-off, Wigan informed both home and away fans to avoid making any journeys.Heavy wind and rain had battered their ground throughout the morning.But although the playing surface was fine, heavy flooding in surrounding roads and the local area put the safety of the League One game against Huddersfield at huge risk.Wigan’s statement read: “Our New Year’s Day clash against Huddersfield Town has been postponed due to severe localised flooding. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Heavy rainfall over Tuesday night has made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the Brick Community Stadium was deemed playable.”However, safety concerns regarding the public areas surrounding the ground and the strain on local emergency services dealing with a number of major incidents, which have been affected by severe flooding, led to the league fixture being called off.”Access to the area is severely restricted with many access routes closed due to flooding, and the emergency services are unable to provide resources to support the matchday operation.”The news is naturally disappointing as Shaun Maloney and his players were looking forward to the highly-anticipated New Year’s Day fixture, but the safety of both sets of supporters is of paramount importance.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”An update on the fixture rearrangement will be announced in due course. “All tickets from the New Year’s Day clash will remain valid for the rearranged game.”Wigan’s game against Huddersfield wasn’t only the clash to be called off today.Bad weather hit most parts of the UK to dampen the New Year’s spirit.The National League match between Rochdale and Atrincham was put on ice due to a waterlogged pitch.While rivals Halifax Town and Fylde’s match was also postponed due to an unplayable field.There were also numerous games called off in the Isthmian League.Cheshunt vs Hendon and Mertsham vs Three Bridges were among the casualties.Broadbridge Heath vs Stenning Town, East Grinstead Town vs Sevenoaks Town and Burgess Hill vs Eastbourne Town were also axed. More