League One

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Joey Barton SENT OFF by Bobby Madden as ex-Celtic star Scott Brown reunion ends with ex-SPFL ace’s 99th minute equaliser

      by

      JOEY BARTON was SENT OFF in the dying minutes as he renewed acquaintances with former Old Firm rival Scott Brown.The Bristol Rovers boss was given his marching orders by Scottish referee Bobby Madden in the 89th minute of their hotly-contested League One tussle with Brown’s Fleetwood Town.
      Joey Barton returns to the field to clap off the fans
      Shaun Rooney celebratesCredit: Rex
      But it only gave the one-time Rangers star a view from the stands as former St Johnstone star Shaun Rooney grabbed an equaliser for Brown’s Fleetwood in the 99TH MINUTE as these two sides fought out a 2-2 draw.
      The ex Celtic man and one-time Rangers midfielder famously locked horns in a 5-1 Celtic win at Parkhead.
      Barton – an ex-Fleetwood manager himself – and Brown had both shrugged off their shared backstory pre-match as they insisted that episode was firmly in the past.
      But there was no shortage of drama as these two mid-table sides fought out a four-goal thriller.
      Ex St Johnstone man Rooney – a double cup winner during his time in Perth – fired the visitors into the lead in the 23rd minute before Josh Coburn levelled things for a Rovers side who featured another ex-Hoops man in Scott Sinclair.
      Aaron Collins then gave the home side the lead 10 minutes before the end of regulation.
      But there was plenty more drama in store as Barton was sent to the stands in the 89th minute by Madden.
      He overdid it when complaining about a challenge by Fleetwood midfielder Josh Vela on Rovers sub Luca Hoole – and the Scot gave him his marching orders.
      Most read in Sport
      The home fans didn’t like it, with some aiming chants of ‘cheat’ at the Scottish whistler.
      But it was Brown and assistant boss Steven Whittaker who got the last laugh when Rooney bagged his second of the game and Fleetwood’s equaliser in the NINTH minute of stoppage time.
      He nodded in a cross from Danny Andrew at the death to nick a share of the spoils for Broony’s men.
      Barton didn’t do press afterwards, with assistant Andy Mangan saying: “That second half performance was our best display of the season. 
      “The lads are gutted not to win, and the draw feels like a defeat, but there were so many positives to take from today.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Cocaine use at football matches leaves League One side’s stadium toilets like a ‘launderette’ full of powder, MPs told

      by

      COCAINE use at football is leaving stadium toilets like a “launderette” full of powder, MPs were told today.The DCMS committee watched what chairman and Tory MP Julian Knight said were “absolutely shocking” scenes of violence at games at all levels over the past six months.
      Shocking ‘scenes of violence’ in football grounds have been describedCredit: Getty
      And police and stewarding chiefs reinforced the message that the cocktail of drink and drugs was evoking memories of the dark days of the past.
      Peter Houghton, head of operations for the Football Safety Officers Association said: “It’s coming home from all aspects of sport that there has been an increase in cocaine use.
      “A friend of mine who works at Cambridge United said that when he checked the toilets after a match it looked like a launderette – there was so much powder there.
      “Violence at football has always been synonymous with alcohol but it is becoming abundantly clear it’s not just a football issue and affecting different sports.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “Now you are not just pointing the finger at alcohol users but are also able to point the finger at drug users.
      “It is clear that one or two of those people in the video have been using drugs and are not drunk.”
      That message was echoed by England and Wales’ top football cop, Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who added: “It is not just the UK – we are seeing considerable increase in disorder across Europe after the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
      “We are not anywhere near where we were in the 80s and we need to keep context on things. This is worrying but we are not back as bad as it was.
      Most read in Football
      “Cocaine is certainly a contributing factor to violence in the night-time economy and football. Football is a reflection of wider society.
      “There is clearly an element of organised gangs who set out and wish to engage in violence. It is an unwelcome re-emergence.
      “The concern is that we have younger people involved in this. The concern is that if younger people become involved in it then it is a problem for the next 30 years until we take some remedial action.”
      Ch Con Roberts also pointed out that police forces were able to recoup only £7m of the £47m cost of officers attending matches last season.
      He added: “It’s unfair we only get £7m back when £7m couldn’t buy you a second division full back.”
      Drink and drugs have fuelled the an increase in violence at gamesCredit: Rex More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans all say the same thing as Joey Barton’s mad tactics board inspires Bristol Rovers to hard fought draw at Sheff Weds

      by

      BRISTOL ROVERS fans have expressed their delight after Joey Barton’s brilliant tactics board inspired a draw at Sheffield Wednesday.The highly-anticipated League One clash saw the Owls lead at half-time.
      Joey Barton’s tactics board has delighted Bristol Rovers fansCredit: Rex
      The amazing notes inspired a comeback draw at Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Twitter @@Joey7Barton
      Wednesday dominated possession and had over twice as many shots as Rovers.
      But the visitors battled hard in the second half and ended up grabbing an equaliser in the 60th minute through Joshua Coburn.
      Bristol Rovers dug deep to pick up a crucial point away from home.
      And after the match, boss Barton posted several snaps on Twitter hailing his team and their fans for the magnificent effort.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      However, supporters were particularly drawn to one of Barton’s pictures showing his tactics board.
      The intricate piece of paper was scrawled with various plans, positive phrases and ideas on how to get the better of Wednesday.
      Barton’s main instructions on how to get the win involved a “big start” to “turn them early” and “play in their half.”
      Rovers players also needed to “squeeze space” and “lock them in their half”.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Barton also added notes saying “show the world tonight”, “decide to be victorious” and “psychedelic effects.”
      And with Bristol Rovers moving up to 14th in the table with their point, fans of the club went online to hail Barton’s mad tactics board.
      One supporter beamed: “Great to see the tactics board and good to see ‘attack is the best form of defence’, always agreed with that.”
      Another wrote: “That was pretty impressive, more than matched the Owls and kept their fans quiet.”
      Read More on The Sun
      One declared: “I love a prop-inspired tactic board.”
      Another added: “Unbelievable performance from the lads, thank you.” More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Celtic ace Scott Sinclair finally finds new club as he joins up with former Rangers man Joey Barton at Bristol Rovers

      by

      SCOTT SINCLAIR has completed a career fairytale move by re-signing for his first club, Bristol Rovers.The ex-Celtic star, 33, has been without a club since being released by Preston North End at the end of last season.
      Scott Sinclair enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Sinclair, who has been at 14 clubs throughout his career, will link up with two former Rangers flops at Rovers – and one of them will be his manager.
      Joey Barton is currently boss of the League One outfit while Jordan Rossiter is one of the team’s regular starters in midfield.
      Sinclair, who was part of Celtic’s Treble Treble-winning dynasty, left the Hoops in January 2020 as first team opportunities dried up under then-boss Neil Lennon.
      He scored 62 goals in 167 games for the Glasgow giants.
      Sinclair, whose glamorous Wag Helen Flanagan played Rosie Webster in Coronation Street, moved to Preston and spent the next 18 months with the Championship club, making 85 appearances and scoring 14 goals.
      After being let go by the Deepdale club in the summer he began training with former club Chelsea in a bid to maintain his fitness.
      Sinclair originally signed for the Blues in 2005, who spotted him as a teenager playing for Bristol Rovers.
      The winger had joined Rovers at the age of nine and became their second-youngest ever debutant at 15 years and 77 days old in a match against Leyton Orient in 2004.
      Most read in EFL
      He failed to crack the first team at Stamford Bridge and was loaned out numerous times, taking in spells at Plymouth Argyle, QPR, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic.
      He played 18 times in the Premier League for Wigan and that prompted promotion-chasing Swansea to swoop for him and he was a hit in the Championship, scoring 19 times in 43 games for the Swans.
      Sinclair was a regular for the Welsh side in the Prem and Manchester City paid £8million for him in 2012.
      But once again he found himself on the fringes of first-team action and he was loaned out again, to West Brom and Aston Villa.
      The Villans took him on permanently and it was after a year at Villa Park that he joined Celtic under Brendan Rodgers.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Why are League One and League Two still playing during the World Cup?

      by

      THE EFL announced that League One and League Two are continuing their fixture schedules as normal while the World Cup takes place in Qatar.The European top leagues will be suspended as footballing stars travel to the Middle East to compete for the trophy.
      Qatar has been hit with World Cup feverCredit: Reuters
      England will be hoping to return home as champions despite falling to defeat in Euro 2020’s final and the semi-final of 2018’s World Cup.
      The break will see the Premier League and Championship pause their action, but League One and League Two will continue the season.
      Read More World Cup
      Why are League One and League Two still playing during the World Cup?
      The EFL released a statement, confirming that the Championship will be paused during the World Cup group stages, but revealed that League One and League Two fixtures will be unchanged for now.
      Plymouth have been impressive in League One this seasonCredit: Rex
      The statement wrote: “Match round 16 in the Championship, set to take place on Saturday, November 12, will be the final round of fixtures played ahead of the call-up period for the tournament, which begins on Monday, November 14.
      “The Championship will resume on December 10 2022 following the culmination of the World Cup group stages, whilst League One and League Two fixtures will continue as normal.”
      Most read in Football
      This is due to the fact that teams in League One and League Two are less likely to be affected by the international tournament, with Championship and Premier League teams more likely to have players playing in Qatar, called up for international duty and absent for their clubs.
      However, it was also revealed that individual fixtures in League One and League Two could still be postponed, subject to international call-up criteria being met. More

    • 275 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I could learn as much from a League One boss as Jose Mourinho’ – Frank Lampard gives blunt assessment of Chelsea mentor

      by

      FRANK LAMPARD has claimed he could learn the same amount from a League One manager as two-time Champions League winner Jose Mourinho.The Everton boss has admitted football has moved on since Mourinho taught him the ways at Chelsea.
      Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho won the Premier League together twiceCredit: AFP – Getty
      Mourinho was one who inspired Lampard to take up managementCredit: Reuters
      Lampard, 44, narrowly kept the Toffees up last season but has overseen an impressive start to the new campaign at Goodison.
      And while the Blues legend was partly inspired to go into management by Mourinho, Lampard suggested some of the things he learnt under the Portuguese icon are now outdated.
      Toffees gaffer Lampard played for Mourinho between 2004 and 2007, as well as the 2013-14 season.
      Speaking to Mike Calvin’s BT Sport podcast, Lamps revealed: “People ask me who were the managers that inspired you?
      Read More In Football
      “And as much as Jose Mourinho did, and I’ll always answer that, it was 20 years ago, nearly.
      “So for me to talk about an effect Jose Mourinho had on me 20 years ago is not necessarily relative to what’s now.”

      Mourinho found success with his hard to beat approach, whereas in recent years the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool have won trophies after shifting to a more attacking mentality.
      But the now Roma boss is still proving himself as one of the best in the business, leading the Serie A side to Europa Conference League glory last season.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      While Lampard said Mourinho “changed” his career, he admitted listening to current League One managers would teach him as much as what Mourinho preached two decades ago.
      He continued: “I can learn as much as I can, and this is no disrespect, I’ll always say Jose because he changed my career.
      “But I could learn as much by listening to a podcast of a manager working in Division One now as I can from some of that from 20 years ago.
      “And it might be something that I agree with, I disagree with.
      “I think somewhere in the middle of that, it just helps me a little bit in my job, and I love things like that so as long as I can keep learning I think I’ve got that chance.”
      The Everton manager admitted he could learn the same amount from a League One manager as MourinhoCredit: Getty
      Lampard said Mourinho “changed” his careerCredit: AFP – Getty More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      EFL considering AXING 3pm TV blackout with Facebook, Netflix, Google, Apple and Amazon keen on buying rights

      by

      THE EFL is considering AXING the 3pm TV blackout in order to broadcast every game.And it’s already setting up a bidding war, with parties like Netflix and Amazon keen on buying the rights to matches.
      The EFL is considering lifting the 3pm blackout so they can broadcast every gameCredit: Getty
      The EFL’s current TV rights deal expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.
      Just like the Premier League, there is a blanket ban on broadcasting all 3pm matches on Saturdays.
      But chiefs are now ready to lift the veil and make every single game in the Championship, League One and League Two available for live TV.
      The EFL currently pockets £119million each year through its contract with Sky.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But chiefs reckon that figure could soar to an annual figure of £200m by allowing other parties to join in the action.
      The Mail claims invitations will soon be sent to Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google regarding future rights.
      The mega-names will be asked to send proposals as the EFL explores its options.
      But there will be no fixed contract as the plan is to televise every single match from the 2024/25 campaign.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The EFL’s decision is set to be welcomed by most sides, with just two Championship games currently shown each weekend.
      But the move would first have to be approved by the FA.
      And they in turn will then have to go to Uefa before the idea gets the green light.
      Should the EFL succeed, it could open the door for some in the Premier League to push for a similar broadcasting deal. More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch as Plymouth and Accrington players are BOTH sent off for horror double challenge – but one team wins free-kick

      by

      THIS is the moment opposing players were both sent off for a horror challenge on each other.Plymouth Argyle defender Dan Scarr and Accrington Stanley captain Seamus Conneely both flew in as the ball spilled loose near the centre circle during this League 1 clash.
      Both players went in hardCredit: https://twitter.com/HarryL97/status/1578761554933469184
      Dan Scarr and Seamus Conneely were both sent offCredit: Rex
      Tempers flared at Home ParkCredit: Rex
      The referee judged that they both deserved a sending off – before giving Argyle a free-kick.
      Footage shows both players scrambling to win a loose ball that rolled along the ground.
      But Scarr and Conneely mistimed the tackle and ended up barrelling into one another while completely missing the ball.
      They can both be seen falling into a heap on the ground after the connection.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Ref Neil Hair took the unusual decision of sending both men off for the same challenge.
      Argyle’s Twitter account tweeted of the incident: “Scarr and Conneely are both sent off, in a decision which presumably satisfies nobody.”
      Centre-back Scarr was apologetic to fans later – but joked that the gaffer should take the blame for the dismissal.
      He tweeted: “Buzzing for the lads! Another great win at home! Clean sheet for the birthday boy and all the strikers on the score sheet.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “Apologies to you all for the sending off!
      “I blame the gaffer for not subbing me off before that for not being able to pass to a green shirt!”
      League leaders Argyle were already 1-0 up by the time of the first-half reds after Niall Ennis opened the scoring.
      Sam Cosgrove and Ryan Hardie put the game beyond doubt with their second-half goals as Argyle made it seven straight home wins.
      They remain top ahead of Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth.
      Pilgrims boss Steve Schumacher was happy with the result – but not the cards.
      He said: “Three goals by three strikers is just  brilliant and it is so good to have them all in form.
      They complement each other really well, and if one starts, the other two can come on and make an impact.
      Read More on The Sun
      “The game was kind of spoilt by the red cards. Both lads went for the ball and collided with each other.
      “Common sense would be for the referee to book both but he said he followed the letter of the law.”
      Arguments continued as the pair made their way offCredit: Rex More