League One

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill was moved to intensive care due to coronavirus but is recovering in hospital

      by

      SHREWSBURY manager Steve Cotterill is still recovering after a period in intensive care while fighting coronavirus, a report revealed.
      Cotterill was one of around 20 positive cases within the club and was later taken ill.

      Shrewsbury confirmed manager Steve Cotterill was taken ill with coronavirus Credit: PA:Empics Sport

      STEVE COTTERILL COVID UPDATE: The #Shrewsbury manager is still in hospital but recovering after a period in intensive care. He’ll be watching tomorrow’s FA Cup game at Southampton from his hospital bed. Asst-manager Aaron Wilbraham holding the reins. @BBCShropshire
      — James Bond (@JamesBondOsw) January 18, 2021

      According to BBC Shropshire, the manager was then moved into an ICU but is now on the mend.
      Shrewsbury confirmed their boss is continuing his recovery with Aaron Wilbraham and David Longwell taking charge until Cotterill’s return.
      A statement said: “Shrewsbury Town Football Club can confirm Steve Cotterill will not be present at St. Mary’s for Town’s third round Emirates FA Cup fixture against Southampton. 
      “Steve is continuing his recovery from Covid-19 following a positive test result.

      “Aaron Wilbraham and David Longwell will take charge of first team duties until Steve’s return. 
      “All at Shrewsbury Town would like to wish Steve well in his recovery and the Club asks that his privacy is respected during this time.  
      “With the Club being so badly affected by the new strain of Covid-19, with some of the staff and players suffering serious effects of the virus, we urge all in our local community to follow the Government guidance.”
      Cotterill joined Shrewsbury in November as he replaced Sam Ricketts.

      He has led them to 17th place, three points off the relegation zone.
      And after an unbeaten run in December, he received the manager of the month award.
      Shrewsbury beat Oxford in the FA Cup second round, but their trip to Southampton was postponed after they were hit with a coronavirus outbreak.
      The FA and Premier League made room for the game to go ahead, after initial fears the Saints would get a by.

      The FA Cup 5th round draw could see Chorley play Arsenal More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      EFL confirm 112 coronavirus cases from 66 clubs as new Covid-19 strain rips through English football

      by

      THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE has confirmed 112 cases of coronavirus among 66 clubs competing in this weekend’s FA Cup third round.
      The positive tests came back from Championship, League One and League Two teams still in the competition, which has been marred by an increase in cases.

      This weekend’s FA Cup third round has been hit by a rise in coronavirus casesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Some 3,507 players and staff were tested and confirmed cases have been told to self-isolate for ten days.
      Coronavirus has ripped through the third round with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Derby reporting outbreaks within squads.
      All three teams are expected to play youth sides in their weekend games, although positive tests in the Shrewsbury camp has led to their match with Southampton being postponed.
      If games cannot be completed amid a congested fixture schedule, reports suggest teams suffering outbreaks could be kicked out of the competition.

      This round of EFL tests does not include Premier League teams, which reported 12 new cases from 984 tests between January 1 and 3.
      League bosses have stated their confidence in coronavirus protocols amid the rise of a new, highly-infectious variant of the disease across the UK.

      The EFL’s Medical Advisors Dr Richard Higgins and Dr Subhashis Basu said in a statement: “Today’s results reflect the current speed at which the virus is spreading amid the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19.
      “But the low reported numbers across the overwhelming majority of clubs means we remain confident that our protocols continue to mitigate against the spread of infection as intended.

      “The protocols, supported by the clubs and government, are allowing us to continue playing fixtures as scheduled but we cannot be complacent.
      “Which is why recently enhanced matchday and non-matchday Covid protocols have been issued to underpin the re-introduction of a League wide testing programme which commences next week.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      “Medical advice continues to support that following these protocols is the most successful route to mitigating against the spread of infection.”
      The remaining six EFL clubs not involved in the FA Cup third round will be tested ahead of their next fixtures.
      From next Monday, all 72 Football League clubs will be tested twice a week.

      Boris Johnson vows everyone in UK will be within 10 miles of Covid vaccination centre with 1,200 sites open by next week More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      AFC Wimbledon set to turn new Plough Lane stadium into coronavirus vaccine centre to help UK rollout

      by

      AFC WIMBLEDON are set to convert part of their brand-new Plough Lane stadium into a Covid-19 vaccination centre.
      The Dons officially moved back to the site after a 30-year absence back in November.

      AFC Wimbledon will offer up their new Plough Lane stadium as a vaccination centreCredit: Rex Features

      But government restrictions and final building work mean supporters have yet to come through the turnstiles.
      However, the facility has now been offered to the NHS to help provide necessary jabs against the deadly virus.
      Meeting rooms and executive suites are understood to be turned over to health professionals.
      An AFC Wimbledon source said: “We always said Plough Lane was going to be a stadium for the community.

      “Now it is set to act as a major vaccination hub for Merton in an area that needs it.”
      Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium is one of the seven mass vaccination centres due to open to deliver jabs next week.
      The Sun revealed Leeds became the first Premier League club to hand over its Elland Road facilities for the unprecedented vaccine push.
      Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, is one of the possible venues to be added while Spurs have offered their new ground as well.

      BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER

      And Chelsea will open up the Stamford Bridge hotel for free for NHS workers – just as they did at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
      Owner Roman Abramovich is going to cover the cost of rooms for staff to stay when working shifts at nearby hospitals or simply in need of somewhere to stay after the country went into its third national lockdown.

      Seven major vaccination hubs are set to open next week, including Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, as part of the rollout for the jabCredit: Reuters

      The Dons are yet to play in front of their fans since returning to Plough Lane after 30 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Sun visits Danbury Medical Centre as elderly and vulnerable receive Covid vaccinations More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Ched Evans signs for Preston North End on loan until end of season after bust-up with ex-Fleetwood boss Joey Barton

      by

      PRESTON have completed the signing of Fleetwood striker Ched Evans on loan until the end of the season.
      The move comes after Joey Barton was sacked as manager of the Cod Army, following a falling-out with the Welshman.

      Ched Evans leaves Fleetwood just days after the exit of manager Joey BartonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fleetwood owner Andy Pilley investigated the row and disposed of former Manchester City midfielder Barton.
      On his decision to drop Evans last month, Barton had said: “There’s been multiple infractions and we always try to give a bit of leeway but it’s just run its course.”
      And Evans has followed him out of the door, in a move to Preston confirmed on Wednesday.
      North End boss Alex Neil stated his delight at signing Evans ahead of a crack at the Championship play-offs.

      The Scot told the club website: “He will add competition at the top end of the pitch.
      “He is very physical; he wants to look after the ball, take it into his feet and get you up the pitch and equally score goals.

      I have spoken to him at length and his character as much as anything else will be important for the team.
      Alex Neil

      “He will be really excited about getting an opportunity in the Championship He’s an experienced player; he is a good lad.
      “I have spoken to him at length and his character as much as anything else will be important for the team.”

      Evans, 32, scored seven goals for Fleetwood in the first half of the campaign and is still rebuilding his career after being originally convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in Rhyl, in May 2011.
      A Court of Appeal verdict quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial in 2016. An eight-day trial found Evans not guilty.
      Evans said on Wednesday: “I am really excited for the next six months, getting back to the Championship is brilliant. I’m really pleased for the opportunity and I’m looking to kick on.
      “I’m really pleased to be here, the facilities and everything are brilliant and Preston North End is a club in a great position at the moment to kick on for the rest of the season.”
      BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER

      Evans is cup-tied for Preston’s FA Cup tie at Wycombe on Saturday but will be eligible to make his debut for the 12th-placed club a week later at Bristol City.
      With Barton leaving ambitious Fleetwood in tenth, the League One club are reportedly eyeing James Beattie to take over as manager.
      The former Southampton striker is said to want ex-Reading ace Dave Kitson to be his assistant.

      Joey Barton sacked as Fleetwood manager after Ched Evans bust-up More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      James Beattie on shortlist to become new Fleetwood boss with Southampton legend looking to replace Joey Barton

      by

      JAMES BEATTIE is reportedly in the running to replace Joey Barton as the new Fleetwood manager.
      The 42-year-old is believed to be ready to step back into management having not been at the helm of a club since departing Accrington Stanley in September 2014.

      Former Southampton striker James Beattie is believed to be on the shortlist to become the new Fleetwood bossCredit: Getty – Contributor

      League One side Fleetwood are on the lookout for a new gaffer after they sacked Barton two-and-a-half-years into his reign at Highbury.
      Barton was dismissed by Fleetwood on Monday after club chairman Andy Pilley spent a few days reviewing the background of his fall out with striker Ched Evans.
      The ex-Manchester City midfielder has since opened up on his axing, where he admitted he ‘didn’t always get it right’.
      According to the Daily Mail, Southampton legend Beattie is on the shortlist of potential candidates to replace Barton.

      It has been stated that should the ex-England international be hired, he would like to bring Dave Kitson in as his assistant manager.
      The duo played together at Stoke in the Premier League during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
      Though Beattie hasn’t had a managerial job in over six years, he still boasts plenty of coaching experience.
      He has been part of Garry Monk’s coaching staff at a number of different clubs since 2015.

      CASINO DEALS: BEST SIGN UP OFFERS TO CLAIM OVER £700

      Joey Barton had his contract terminated by the League One side on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Beattie linked up with Monk at Swansea where he coached the club’s forwards, before he moved with the 41-year-old to Leeds in 2016.
      The ex-Sheffield United forward then followed Monk to Middlesbrough in 2017 as a first-team coach.
      A move to Birmingham happened a year later, with Beattie staying at the club even after the former Swans skipper was sacked.
      However following the arrival of Aitor Karanka, Beattie left, where he again linked up with Monk at Sheffield Wednesday in August, though the duo have since departed.

      David Beckham’s Inter Miami face name change after losing first round of bitter legal battle with Inter Milan More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Wigan takeover collapsed after Spanish consortium HALVE initial bid to £1.5m which would have relegated club if accepted

      by

      WIGAN Athletic’s Spanish takeover collapsed – after the bidders HALVED their offer for the club.
      The League One strugglers would have been RELEGATED if they accepted the new deal as it would have left unsecured creditors unpaid, meaning a 15 point penalty.

      Wigan’s Spanish takeover bid has collapsed

      And the club’s administrators pulled the plug before opening talks with rival bidders to save the beleaguered outfit.
      It is a huge change by bidder Felipe Moreno who was originally willing to pay around £3 million for Latics. After further checks he put in a lowered offer to close to £1.5 million.
      The creditors are due the money, with the tax man having to be paid but the unsecured creditors left with nothing. And that is against EFL rules.
      Moreno, who owns Spanish side Leganes, had planned to send some fringe players over for the squad.

      But that also proved difficult as new Brexit rules could have been a snag.
      The administrators had given the Spaniards exclusivity and also took a deposit from them to pay the wages for a month or more.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Now there is a rush to find a buyer to make sure that the salaries are still covered.

      Former chairman Darren Royle has a takeover bid ready along with ally Ray Ranson. They hope to have financier Jonathan Rowland behind them.
      Meanwhile Wigan’s Kal Naismith is leaving to join Cypriot club Apoel along with team mate Joe Garner.

      David Marshall shows his goalkeeping skills as he joins in training at Wigan More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink watches on from stands as new club Burton concede three goals in disastrous half hour vs Oxford

      by

      JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK watched on in horror from the stands as his new Burton side conceded three goals within a disastrous first half an hour against Oxford.
      The Dutchman, 48, was appointed manager at the Pirelli Stadium on Friday – five years after leaving the club to take over at QPR.

      Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, right, watched on from the stands as his new Burton side got smashed at home by OxfordCredit: Rex Features

      But not even 24 hours later, he realised the magnitude of the task at hand trying to keep the Brewers in League One this season.
      Coach Chris Beardsley and physio Nick Fenton took charge of the game on Saturday afternoon when Karl Robinson’s O’s visited.
      Just nine minutes were on the clock when Matty Taylor opened the scoring for the away side with a lob.
      And it was 2-0 after 18 when Olamide Shodipo fired into the top corner.

      Then Shodipo tucked home again on 31 minutes to take things from bad to worse for Burton, who started the day bottom of League One despite no team playing more matches than the Brewers this season.
      Hasselbaink was given something to smile about when Burton’s Kane Hemmings tapped in a rebound just before half-time.
      But normal service resumed ten minutes after the break when Josh Ruffels smashed in from 25 yards to make it 4-1 to Oxford – then the same player added a fifth just after the hour mark to complete the rout.
      The new manager will be desperate to get to work with his squad as they try and survive relegation into the fourth tier.

      Hasselbaink, who replaced Nigel Clough’s successor Jake Buxton, joined with the Midlanders six points from safety and with just two wins all season.
      The former Leeds United, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea striker enjoyed a successful 13-month spell at Burton between November 2014 and December 2015.
      He guided the club to the League Two title and left with a win percentage of 61 per cent and his side top of League One before taking the QPR job.
      After a year at Loftus Road and most of the 2017-18 season with Northampton, he had been out of management for nearly three years before returning to work under Burton chairman Ben Robinson.
      Hasselbaink said: “Burton Albion is a club which is very close to my heart and a really special club for me and my family.
      “The job is totally different from the first time, but we are coming in to try as quickly as possible to get us up the league and keep ourselves in League One.
      “There is enough quality in the playing squad but that’s not reflected in where we are in the table so there is a lot of hard work to be done.”

      Oxford ran riot in a dominant first half at the Pirelli StadiumCredit: Rex Features

      Olamide Shodipo made it 3-0 to the visitors with just 31 minutes on the clockCredit: Rex Features

      Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink comically falls during competitive dad’s school race More

    • 175 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Sunderland announce takeover agreement with 22-year-old Louis-Dreyfus heir whose parents are worth mega £4.2BILLION

      by

      SUNDERLAND have confirmed a takeover by 22-year-old Kyril Louis-Dreyfus whose parents are worth £4.2BILLION.
      Mackems owner Stewart Donald has been searching for a buyer for months and has finally agreed a deal to sell.

      Sunderland have confirmed an agreement has been reached for 22-year-old Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to takeover the clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Makems owner Stewart Donald has agreed to sell his controlling stakeCredit: PA:Press Association

      Documents have been submitted to the EFL who still need to ratify the deal.
      But if they rubber stamp the sale, Dreyfus will become chairman of the Weirsiders – who are 11th in League One – early in January.
      Dreyfus is the son of Robert Louis-Dreyfus – former CEO at Adidas and majority shareholder Marseille.
      And the family’s vast wealth originates from Kyril’s great-great grandfather Leopold – who starting selling wheat in France before the family business diversified into oil and shipping.

      Donald said: “It’s been no secret that I have been looking for some time to find the right person to take Sunderland forward and during the course of the last year there have been a lot of different people wanting to take over.
      “However, even though it is a matter of public record that some of those bidders offered me more money, I felt that they offered less to the club and to the community.
      “Whereas from the early meetings with Kyril, his family and advisers, I have been greatly impressed with their knowledge and understanding, learned over a long period as owners of major football clubs in Belgium and France.
      “I believe that experience, combined with a good plan, will provide a platform for the club to progress and I look forward to watching that progress from afar.”

      Louis-Dreyfus said: “First, I would like to thank Stewart Donald for his integrity and reasonableness over the last three months, which has led to me having the opportunity to take a controlling stake in Sunderland AFC.
      “I am fully aware of the efforts undertaken by the current ownership and board to protect the viability of the club and respect the difficulty of this task, given Sunderland’s recent past and the current economic climate.
      “We respectfully await the EFL’s approval for this transaction.
      “Nonetheless it would be remiss of me at this stage not to emphasise what an enormous honour it would be for me to become involved with such a historic club, in a city renowned for its rich football culture going back to 1879.
      “Many will be aware of my family connections to the industry and, in acquiring Sunderland AFC, I understand the responsibility that’s placed upon me as the custodian of the club’s future.
      “Moving forward, we have a long-term strategy which integrates Sunderland’s proud traditions with a modern structure and approach.
      “We will seek to be at the frontier of research and innovation in all performance domains and place great emphasis on player development and the team’s style of play.
      “We want to create a team that is entertaining to watch and that embodies the spirit and the culture of those who attend, thereby reconnecting the team with its fanbase, whose support will be so vital to our success.
      “In the midst of a global pandemic, we should all be aware of the difficult situation the club is currently in and the challenges we face in the months to come.
      “However, through hard work, a diligent plan and togetherness from the board of directors, staff, players and supporters we can between us create a brighter future at the Stadium of Light.
      “If we all play our parts, I firmly believe we can restore Sunderland AFC to the top tier of English football and I can’t wait to get started.”

      Mauricio Pochettino set to be named new PSG boss after Thomas Tuchel is sacked More