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      Wrexham star Andy Cannon given oxygen on pitch and carried off on stretcher in terrifying injury scare

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      WREXHAM star Andy Cannon was given oxygen and stretchered off during his side’s League One clash with Mansfield.The midfielder, 28, appeared to awkwardly twist his ankle after clashing with Stag star Louis Reed.Andy Cannon was given oxygen by medics inside 36 minutesThe midfielder was stretchered off in pain against MansfieldAndy Cannon clashed with Mansfield midfielder Louis ReedCannon looked in immediate discomfort and didn’t arise from the turf as Reed and fellow Mansfield stars checked on him.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Wrexham ace and son of Premier League hero shares horror pics of car crash that could’ve killed him ‘in blink of an eye’

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      WREXHAM midfielder Elliot Lee has opened up about the horrific car accident he suffered last week.Lee was taken to hospital on February 11 after he was involved in a two-car collision while travelling home from the Racecourse Ground.Wrexham midfielder Elliot Lee has opened up about his car accidentCredit: PAThe 30-year-old’s car was completely damagedCredit: Instagram / elliotlee9The front of the vehicle was smashedCredit: Instagram / elliotlee9Lee avoided any serious injuriesCredit: Instagram / elliotlee9The 30-year-old had just featured for Wrexham against Bolton in the EFL Trophy.A club statement from the Welsh side the following day read: “Wrexham AFC can confirm that last night, after the Vertu Trophy match against Bolton Wanderers, a first-team player (Elliot Lee) was involved in a road traffic incident when returning home.”The incident involved one other car and resulted in the drivers of both cars being taken to hospital.”Emergency services were quickly on the scene and the Club would like to thank them for their prompt response and action.”Read More in FootballWrexham also confirmed that Lee suffered no major injuries.The midfielder did not feature for the club against Northampton at the weekend or Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening.But he took to Instagram on Wednesday afternoon to give fans an update.Lee wrote: “Last Tuesday night I found out just how fragile life is and in the blink of an eye, through no fault of your own, it has the potential to change drastically.Most read in EFLThe midfielder’s dad, Rob Lee, is a former Premier League playerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun”Thankfully I had someone looking over me, but I’m well aware of how different the outcome could’ve been.”It has been overwhelming to see how much people care and the love and support I have around me with my family and friends. It has been a tough week, but I’m feeling very lucky and very grateful.Wrexham stars get raunchy dance lesson from Channing Tatum in brilliant Super Bowl advert”Thank you to the emergency services for all their help and for all the kind messages I have received, it means a lot.”And lastly a huge thank you to @kevmulholland @adermmm and my partner for rushing to my aid and spending all night in the hospital with me.”Hoping to be back on the pitch asap.”Lee also shared a picture of the damage to his car, with the front of the vehicle completely smashed.The midfielder joined Wrexham from Luton Town in 2022 and has since made 134 appearances.The midfielder has also played for the likes of West Ham and Barnsley.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe made two Premier League appearances for the Hammers and was loaned out five times – to Southend United, Luton, Blackpool and twice to Colchester United.Lee is also the son of ex-Prem star Rob Lee, who played for West Ham, Newcastle and made 21 appearances for England. More

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      Premier League boss facing FA punishment after claiming ‘smaller’ clubs are being targeted by referees

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      IPSWICH manager Kieran McKenna faces an FA rap after claiming “smaller” Premier League clubs are targeted by referees.McKenna was furious at the first of two yellow cards ref Rob Jones gave defender Axel Tuanzebe in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.Kieran McKenna slated what he reckons was a harsh initial bookingCredit: PAAxel Tuanzebe earned a yellow card McKenna reckons was never a foulCredit: RexTuanzebe then saw red for this challenge on Jacob RamseyCredit: GettyHe blasted: “I didn’t think it was a foul. Even if it was a foul, I think it was a decision given against a smaller team against a bigger team away from home.”It (the yellow card) was out of the pocket before the ball even stopped rolling. “I thought that was a really poor yellow. The second one, there’s not too many complaints.”FA bosses want to clamp down on criticism of refs.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd ex-Prem whistler Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports: “As a referee, you are so focused on what you have to do.“You do not have time to think, ‘This club is bigger than this club’. It would not cross your mind.”Tuanzebe saw red as early in just the 40th minute for his second booking.The defender brought down Jacob Ramsey on the edge of the area.Most read in SportDefender Tuanzebe was gutted to see red at Villa ParkCredit: AlamyLiam Delap then stunned Villa by turning home Omari Hutchinson’s cross 11 minutes into the second period.But with the home fans growing in frustration, Unai Emery’s men finally nicked a point midway through the period.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSLoanee striker Marcus Rashford, who came on at the break, hit the bar with a free-kick and Ollie Watkins gobbled up the rebound.The point lifted Ipswich to third bottom – above Leicester.Liam Delap talks about joining Ipswich Town But victory would have put them level on points with Wolves. McKenna said: “A really good solid first 40 minutes, pretty much Even Stevens, then down to 10 men.”And of Tuanzebe’s initial booking, he added: “Anyone can make a mistake but I think it’s more how quickly the yellow came out. “Even if it was a foul, so many times this season I’ve not seen a yellow on the first foul at all. And I don’t think it was a foul. I think he got the ball.”If you’re booking a full-back for something like that away from home, you have to be right on the first foul, because you know it’s going to be a real hard game from then on.” More

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      Highly-touted Man Utd star returns from loan after just TWO WEEKS after he was publicly called out by manager

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      MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Dan Gore has returned to the club just two weeks after going out on loan.Gore, 20, had been sent to join Steven Evans’ Rotherham.Dan Gore has returned to Man Utd from his loan at Rotherham to rehabilitate from a foot injuryCredit: GettyRotherham boss Steve Evans publicly questioned how the injury had happenedCredit: GettyThe midfielder made his debut against Birmingham and looked sharp as he came off the bench to provide an assist.He had then been set to feature in their next match against Shrewsbury on February 8.However, Gore spoke to doctors the night before the match to indicate he had picked up a foot injury.Rotherham went on to lose the tie 2-1, and Evans was stunned by his abrupt absence and made no secret of those feelings post-match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe had said: “He worked for two days in the team and went home from training on Friday feeling good.”I got a call from the medical staff to say that he’d woken up with his foot really sore.”It’s unbelievable. We didn’t do enough in training for him to have a sore nose let alone a sore foot. He sat there afterwards having lunch with the boys and had a rub and got prepared. “Until I hear more from the medical staff as to how it’s happened and why it’s happened then it’s… maybe God will tell me when I go to sleep tonight.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSGore, who only made one appearance on loan at Port Vale last season after being riddled with injury, is believed to have suffered a hairline foot fracture during training.The injury is set to sideline him for around one month.Ruben Amorim reveals Man Utd must be ‘really careful’ over Christian Eriksen ‘heart situation’He has subsequently been sent back to Man Utd to be rehabilitated before he will return to Rotherham once he is deemed fit enough.On Gore returning to his parent club, Evans said: “I think that they have four full-time doctors and eight physios tells you where he should be.”We’ve done that with other loan players in the past. Their progress is quicker because they have more medical back-up on hand. He’s in a good place there. “The medical people say you can have a delayed reaction to it. It’s unusual for that to happen but it can happen. We have to accept that.”I saw how much the kid was hurting when he heard he was going to be out for that four-week period or so. The reaction was genuine, he wants to play. I’m an experienced manager.”You get a gut feeling about these things. He’s at the stage where – in the words of the coaching staff at Manchester United – he needs to be playing.”Rotherham have since drawn 0-0 with Blackpool and lost 2-1 to Reading, leaving them 14th in the League One table with their next game being at home to Barnsley.Man Utd ratings v SpursMANCHESTER UNITED slipped to a 12th defeat in the Premier League with Rasmus Hojlund coming under fire again.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side – who are now three places above them in 12th – in North London.Andre Onana – 3United can’t do anything with him between the sticks. Can’t be trusted to collect anything.His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison’s path in the 13th minute.Noussair Mazraoui – 5An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn’t get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.Pulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman’s headed chance late-on.Matthijs de Ligt – 6His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.Harry Maguire – 5A mixed bag. Long ball over the top for Hojlund’s chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son later on.Diogo Dalot – 6A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too.Patrick Dorgu – 4A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on.Casemiro – 5Looked every bit a player that hasn’t played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.Bizarrely dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 89 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.Bruno Fernandes – 5Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain’s game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter.Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.Alejandro Garnacho – 4Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores.A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week.Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.Joshua Zirkzee – 6The best of a desperately poor front three. There’s a street player in there and he’s great with his touches at times.But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.Rasmus Hojlund – 3Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United’s recent history?The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.He was even caught offside after a pass from an Onana goal-kick in the first half – how often do you see that happen?According to the Daily Mail, Evans’ comments about Gore are said to have “raised eyebrows” at Old Trafford.Club chiefs are monitoring the situation amid after putting a lot of work into what they believed would be a “good landing ground” for Gore.Gore joined the Red Devils academy in 2018 from Burnley.He made his senior team debut in the League Cup against Crystal Palace in September 2023 before making his Premier League debut against Aston Villa three months later.Ralf Rangnick invited him to train with the first team before he was named United Reserve Team Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season.Gore is recognised as a bright talent due to his tenacity, technical ability and unwavering determination.But his combative side has led to a few flare-ups in the past.Gore made his senior team debut in September 2023Credit: GettyGore had a training ground bust-up with Anthony Martial in 2022Credit: GettyAs reported by the Manchester Evening News, Gore infamously had a training ground scrap with Anthony Martial in November 2022 when much of the senior squad was away for the 2022 World Cup. It had come after he had clattered into the Frenchman despite Erik ten Hag saying first-team tackling was off-limits.Martial lost his temper after being sent tumbling and the pair had to be pulled apart by team-mates.He later apologised to the youngster, but Gore was given a stern warning by Ten Hag about his aggression.With Ruben Amorim calling up a host of youngsters for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, Gore may have counted himself unlucky to not be there.Amorim had personally gone to watch the Man Utd Under-21s as they beat Southampton 5-1 in December. Two goals from Jack Moorhouse were bolstered by strikes from Tyler Fletcher, Ethan Wheatley and Gore.READ MORE SUN STORIESMoorhouse was one of the seven academy stars selected on the bench for the visit to North London with 12 senior team stars sidelined through illness or injury.However, only Chido Obi made it onto the pitch in injury time, a move which bitterly disappointed fans. More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson let me on Man Utd bus with Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney – now I’m leading Wrexham’s promotion charge

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      WREXHAM striker Sam Smith was inspired to become a footballer after Sir Alex Ferguson invited him on to the Manchester United team coach to meet all the players.Smith, 26, was a starry-eyed kid when the legendary ex-Red Devils boss let him meet the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.Sam Smith was a Man Utd academy playerCredit: RexHere he is holding up a United shirt with Marcus Rashford behind himHe also played in the same youth teams as Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Angel Gomes and Axel Tuanzebe during his ten years with United.Smith told SunSport: “I met Sir Alex a few times. He used to watch the academy games. “He knew everyone and would speak to the family. That was the sort of guy he was.“He used to invite the under-sevens and under-eights on to the first-team coach before they set off for games to meet all the players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Being a kid and a huge Manchester United fan, meeting all the stars was something I’ll never forget. It gave me the motivation to try to be there one day.“Ronaldo and Rooney were the two players that I looked up to, so it was a huge moment for me.”Smith was at United from the age of six to 16 and savours the memories.He said: “The values and lessons I learned were more off the field than on.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“It was more about being a good person and professional. Working hard will take you further than being a good footballer. That got instilled into a lot of the academy. It was what the club stood for.“There have been so many academy players who, if they don’t go on to play at the top level, have good EFL careers.Elliot Lee is named Wrexham’s Players’ Player of the Season for 2023/24 “I was in the same age group as Rashford and Tuanzebe, who is at Ipswich.“Angel Gomes used to play up an age group while Scott McTominay played down. Back then, Rashford wasn’t a striker. “He was a No 10 or a holder. He was really small. I went to school with them all on a day-to-day basis.“You could see Rashford had a talent that no one else did. It was no shock he went on to play for England and United.“McTominay was another one who didn’t grow until a lot later. He was about 18 when he grew.“He was always a small, technical No 10 but he’s done unbelievable to go on and have the career he has had.“Everyone who knows Scotty knows how professional and hard he works. He is maximising what he has got.“Training with these on a day-to-day basis you just learn things that you wouldn’t from other players.“It was drummed into us early about being a good person and professional.”The striker moved to Reading and progressed through their youth system before breaking into their first team.And ironically it was another former United star Jaap Stam — who was Royals boss — who gave him his biggest breaks.Smith said: “I made my debut in every competition under Stam. I signed my first-team contract under him, too.“When he got the sack I ended up being loaned out to Oxford, Shrewsbury, Cambridge, Tranmere and Cheltenham before the club released me.”But after two years at Cambridge in League One, the Royals, following their relegation from the Championship, re-signed him at the start of last season.And despite all the well-documented off-field problems at the club, he enjoyed the best days of his senior career so far — scoring 27 goals from 58 starts in all competitions.This week he won the SkyBet League One Goal of the Month award for his stunner at Cambridge for the Royals — before moving to North Wales two weeks ago.The promotion-chasing Red Dragons go to Northampton today.And Smith said: “Everyone knows how much Reading means to me.“I progressed from the academy into the first team and went back and had a successful time. I always gave my all for them.“But there were off-field issues and they got a bid from Wrexham. I was told they needed to sell me to pay some bills and I was impressed by the project here.“Me and my dad have watched the Welcome To Wrexham documentaries and I’ve heard good things about the owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. I’ve not met them yet.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The manager Phil Parkinson knows this level well and the level above.“It’s an exciting place to be and I’m also back near home after ten years living mostly down in the south. I’m hoping to help push the team on.” More

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      Nottingham Forest announce Taiwo Awoniyi suffered concussion and broken nose in injury that saw match delayed 11 minutes

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Nuno Espirito Santo announced Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a concussion and a broken nose after a bloody clash against Exeter City.Awoniyi, 27, started for Forest in the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Exeter at St James Park and scored a goal during a dramatic 2-2 draw that led to a tense penalty shootout won by the visitors.Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo lifted the lid on Taiwo Awoniyi’s injuryCredit: RexNuno confirmed Forest star Awoniyi suffered a concussion and broken noseCredit: RexForest manager Nuno said Awoniyi was in ‘a lot of pain’Credit: GettyBut Nuno insists Awoniyi quickly regained his smileCredit: AlamyThe striker made it 2-1 after team-mate Ramon Sosa cancelled out Josh Magennis’ opener but couldn’t finish the match after a horror collision with the Grecians’ goalkeeper Joe Whitworth’s elbow.The Nigeria international fell to the ground and required almost 11 minutes of treatment before being taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the 13th minute of stoppage time, just before the final whistle.Nuno, 51, shared the full extent of the centre-forward’s injury stating he was in “a lot of pain”.However, the Portguese tactician confirmed Awoniyi quickly regained his smile.Read More on FootballNuno said: “He had a concussion and I think he broke his nose, so a lot of pain.”But he has a smile on his face, that [is] because he did an amazing job. We are delighted with him.”Forest endured a stressful night in Exeter as Magennis completed a brace after Awoniyi’s goal, which led to a penalty shootout.The Tricky Trees won 4-2 after netting all of their spot-kicks but Nuno was criticised for his heavy rotation, which included 10 changes.Most read in FA CupHowever, the ex-Tottenham boss insists that was a necessity and hinted he will do the same in the fifth round against Ipswich Town.This comes amid Nottingham’s stunning season that has seen them challenging for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.Taiwo Awoniyi left with blood pouring from his face after horror clash with Exeter ace in Forest’s FA Cup frustrationNuno added: “It’s not about resting [players], it’s about how we are approaching the competition. “We did the same at Luton, and we’re going to probably do the same [again] because, unfortunately, we cannot give minutes to all the players. “So this is a reward for all the players that worked so hard, the young boys. It’s good for us. It’s not resting players. It’s taking care of all the squad.”The FA Cup is very hard, and just look at the draws that came. A lot of surprises will happen. “We just have to do our job. It’s going to be at the City Ground [the match with Ipswich], and we’re going to be ready.” More

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      It’s not right, fair or proper that only two non-league clubs win promotion to EFL – hypocritical rules must change

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      WHAT have Oldham, Southend, Scunthorpe and Macclesfield got in common?All four clubs were relegated to the National League in a complete mess after years of financial mismanagement in the EFL.Wrexham are chasing Championship promotionCredit: RexIn fact, Macclesfield went bust and had to reform at the bottom of the non-league pyramid.Now — what have Luton, Wrexham, Stockport and Bromley got in common?All four sides were promoted from the National League in excellent financial health and are proving to be model clubs.Luton climbed all the way to the Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBromley are enjoying their first-ever season in the EFL, while the Dragons and County are even challenging for promotion to the Championship.All 72 clubs in the National League and National South and North last week supported the launch of the 3UP campaign, which is calling for three promotion and relegation places between League Two and the fifth tier.And I agree with them. It’s not right, fair or proper that there are currently only two up and two down between these divisions.The 72 EFL clubs are due to discuss these proposals in more detail this month. There will clearly be a number of matters to consider.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne of the red lines would be for the National League to adopt its Profit and Sustainability Rules — or something close to it.Fifth-tier clubs are not subject to the same financial scrutiny.EFL star, 24, ‘REFUSES to show up for game’ over transfer speculation weeks after shocking Premier League sideThere have often been examples of them spending more on wages and players than many League One teams, never mind League Two.EFL chair Rick Parry beats the drum for the importance for the League to look down as well as up. They are seeking fairer financial redistribution of funds filtering down from the Premier League — something I also support.The government is set to appoint a football regulator, but its remit does not include issues such as promotion and relegation.The National League is not like the old days of the Vauxhall Conference, when almost every team was semi-pro. All but two of its 24 clubs are full-time.And even one of its part-time teams, Tamworth, held Premier League giants Tottenham to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of their recent FA Cup third-round tie before succumbing in extra-time.We’ve seen National League North club Kidderminster almost knock West Ham out of the FA Cup — and last season National League South side Maidstone reached the last 16 after toppling Ipswich at Portman Road.This illustrates the depth of quality in the fifth and sixth tiers.These clubs are not Sunday morning beer-bellied hoofers.They have the same ambitions and aspirations as Championship teams currently trying to get promoted to the Premier League.’IT’S UNFAIR’It is hypocritical on one hand to allow three to go up to the top flight from the second tier, while not allowing the same for teams in the National League.Can you imagine the stink in the EFL if there was only one automatic promotion spot up for grabs between the Championship and the Prem — with the second one decided by the play-offs?The National League decide their second promotion spot with a six-club play-off format.In this system, teams finishing second and third play the winners of games between fourth v seventh and fifth v sixth before progressing to the final. This is done to give more of the clubs hope they can achieve promotion to the EFL.And then you have the bizarre situation where there are four promotion and relegation places between Leagues One and Two.It’s unfair for League Two clubs to enjoy that sort of privilege, while National League teams are only allowed half the amount of spots.For any changes to happen, it will need to carry a majority vote across all 72 EFL clubs — and even then there has to be a majority of Championship teams endorsing.The EFL have previously warmed to the idea of changing the number of promotion and relegation spots but are waiting for the regulator to be appointed — and for a fair deal struck with the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESMy concern is it could take three or four years before any of that is sorted. In that time, the dreams and aspirations of National League clubs and the towns and cities they represent are being held back.The EFL should get on the front foot on this issue — regardless of progress with the Premier League and regulator — and be a champion of fairness for all teams that make our national game so great.What is the 3UP campaign? By Martin LiptonAll 72 clubs in the National League have signed a letter to EFL chiefs asking them to back a vote of member clubs over changing to a three-up, three-down system between League Two and the fifth tier.National League clubs argue that the current system, where only one club gets automatic promotion to the EFL with a second place available through the play-offs, is inconsistent with the rest of the pyramid.And at a meeting last week which formally endorsed the “3UP” campaign, clubs in the National League’s three divisions unanimously backed the move.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs – with those in League Two likely to need more convincing.National League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond. More

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      Inside Birmingham’s feel-good relegation, with ticket sales UP, wages at staggering level and ambitious plans for future

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      IF EVER there was a feel-good  reaction to being relegated from the Championship, Birmingham had it last year.You could have forgiven supporters for venting their anger after a season which saw them use four managers and drop into League One.Tom Wagner has helped transform BirminghamCredit: RexTom Brady invited pal David Beckham to watch against WrexhamCredit: GettyBrum striker Jay Stansfield and Co are now hoping to stun NewcastleCredit: RexBut with the stardust of seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady in the background and a £20million transfer kitty, this was different.The message from the club now is: “It’s not the league you’re in, it’s the club that you are.”Even fans who demand instant  success could see there was something bigger at work here.Under American owner Tom Wagner and the Knighthead Capital Management group  — who took over in 2023 — things are on the up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBlues sit four points clear at the top of League One, with two games in hand on their promotion rivals.And as they host Premier League side Newcastle on Saturday, the gap between the teams may not be as great as you think.The Tynesiders have plans for a new stadium but so does big-spending Wagner, with a 60,000-seater arena scheduled for 2029 at the earliest.It could have been a summer of misery after Brum’s relegation but  season ticket sales were their best in 13 years, such was the optimism over the club’s rebuild.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMost home games are near sell-outs at the 29,409-capacity St Andrew’s.Manager Chris Davies was allowed  to spend £20m on a squad rebuild, including a new League One transfer record to bring in striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham for an initial £12m rising to £15m.David Beckham: Beyond the Pitch and Into the ScreenThe wage bill this season is in the region of £20m-£9m more than the next highest in the division — which would see them having a sizeable budget even in the Championship.But crucially there are no Profit and Sustainability Rules at work here.Birmingham are subject to SCMP  — Salary Cost Management Protocols — and, as a newly-relegated club, they can spend 75 per cent of turnover on player expenditure.Financial priorities will change with a  return to PSR in the  Championship.In the second tier clubs can lose up to £39m over a rolling three-year   period before being hit with any  punishment.But with promotion looking likely, Davies will be looking at another large transfer kitty.That is currently being helped by the generation of huge revenues from  partnerships with the likes of Nike, Delta Air Lines and sportswear brand Undefeated.And on Super Bowl weekend, it cannot be forgotten NFL legend Brady is also listed as a “minority owner” at St Andrew’s.When Birmingham hosted Hollywood-backed Wrexham earlier this season, Brady brought along pal David Beckham to watch the game.Yet, despite plans for a new Sports Quarter and super stadium, an incredible £15m was spent on their current home in the summer.And that was after making repairs to dilapidated areas of the ground.Newcastle celebrated reaching the Carabao Cup final but face a daunting FA Cup fourth-round clash at League One leaders BirminghamCredit: ReutersBrum chiefs have splashed out on their ground but want a new baseCredit: GettyBut why splash out on major improvements to their current home when a move is in the pipeline?The Blues are thinking on their feet. The reasoning is they want to grow their fanbase, as a leap from 29,000-plus crowds to more than 60,000 does not happen overnight.Wagner and his team want fans on board now and that means offering a matchday experience.Birmingham are already working on attracting more eight to 14-year-olds to games as they feel there has been a ‘lost generation’ of fans who were fed up of seeing them tread water under a Far Eastern ownership that appeared detached from supporters.Chief executive Jeremy Dale says they are already geared up to compete in the Championship — and beyond.He told Birmingham Live this week: “From a commercial perspective, the club is doing better than ever before.”If we got promoted, even to the Premier League, if we had the Premier League TV money we wouldn’t be in the bottom few teams in that league.“We’d be just below halfway, from a commercial perspective.“We believe next season, from a commercial point of view, we would be performing within the top five or six in the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The commercial partners say they can feel the vibe as they walk around the stadium — which is entirely different to what there was before.“They realise it’s not the league you’re in, it’s the club you are.” More