League One

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Wigan takeover hope as American businessmen launch final £2m bid to buy cash-strapped Latics

      by

      AMERICAN businessmen Randy Frankel and Michael Kelt are making a final £2million bid for Wigan Athletic.
      The pair and adviser Gauthier Ganaye have told the club administrators that they will buy the whole club for the sum to end the saga.

      1

      A final £2m bid for cash-strapped Wigan is set to come in from a pair of American businessmenCredit: EPA

      However the warning is that the group will walk away if it is not accepted as they are worried the squad has been badly damaged since they first bid three weeks ago.
      Wigan have sold four top players and a training ground since the Americans first offered more than £5m.
      Antonee Robinson was among the stars to leave, joining Premier League side Fulham on a £50,000-a-week, four-year deal after snubbing Everton.
      And Frenchman Gauthier is also concerned that they will be unable to bring in new faces because of EFL salary cap restrictions.

      The rescue job would become almost impossible this season if the deal was delayed until the transfer window shuts.
      This offer falls short of the £4m demanded by the administrators who need money to pay creditors and cover their own fees and legal costs.
      The American group looked into renting the ground off a rival bidder and also considered a move to Leigh’s rugby league stadium.
      The change of address from Wigan’s old DW Stadium ground would need approval by the EFL.

      But it is already used by Manchester United in the WSL as well as Leigh in the rugby world.
      However their final move is for the whole operation.
      As the search for new ownership and an escape from administration continues, a Supporters’ Club Crowdfunder page has been set up to raise cash and save Wigan from going under.
      Former Lactics favourites including Roberto Martinez, Reece James and James McClean have all stepped forward with donations.
      And Victor Moses has given £20,000 to the fundraiser in a touching gesture.

      Simon Jordan outlines his plan for a fairer future for the Premier League and EFL More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fleetwood Town vs Burton Albion delayed for 60 seconds after APPLES launched onto pitch from outside stadium

      by

      FLEETWOOD TOWN versus Burton Albion was delayed for over a minute today after APPLES were thrown onto the pitch.
      The League One match was held up in the 73rd minute while the projectiles were removed from the field.

      2

      Apples were thrown onto the pitch in the second half of Fleetwood’s win over Burton today

      73. Slight pause in play as some apples that have been thrown onto the pitch from…somewhere?…are picked up by a core member of staff.After a brief peel away from the action, we’re back underway. #BAFC
      — Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) September 12, 2020

      Despite the game being played behind closed doors, home fans were able to reach the pitch with the contents of their grocery shop from outside the Highbury Stadium.
      Sky Sports reporter Chris Cooper said: “They looked like Golden Delicious.”
      The match finished 2-1 to Fleetwood after Paddy Madden’s 79th minute winner helped Joey Barton’s side pip Burton to the points.
      Callum Camps opened the scoring for the Fisherman on 17 minutes but Fleetwood were pegged back after the hour mark by John Brayford’s goal.

      John-Joe O’Toole saw red for Burton in injury time as Fleetwood held on for the win.
      Despite the game including a red card and an overturned goal decision, apples being hurled onto the pitch will likely steal the headlines.
      The EFL has seen its fair share of weird incidents in recent years but this could be the pick of the bunch.

      “Apples on the pitch!” 🍏There was a very odd reason for the pause in play in Fleetwood vs Burton…📺 Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News NOW! pic.twitter.com/6W1Slyc6H1
      — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 12, 2020

      Burton Albion’s Twitter account also joined in on the fun with some apple-related puns.

      They tweeted: “Apples thrown onto the pitch from…somewhere?… are picked up by a core member of staff.
      “After a brief peel away from the action, we’re back underway.”

      2

      Joey Barton’s side won 2-1 thanks to a 79th minute winner from Paddy Madden

      Simon Jordan outlines his plan for a fairer future for the Premier League and EFL More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Wigan in talks with Waterford over making John Sheridan new boss – even with financially-crippled club in administration

      by

      WIGAN are in talks with John Sheridan about quitting Irish side Waterford and becoming their new boss. 
      Sheridan could return to England to take charge of the League One team despite the fact they are in administration. 

      1

      Wigan are in talks with John Sheridan about quitting Irish side Waterford and becoming their new boss
      Caretaker Leam Richardson wanted Simon Grayson to join but he has yet to admit and the chase has now turned to Sheridan. 
      Sheridan is nearing the end of his contract in Ireland and could take the chance of getting back into the English game – even for a short spell. 
      Wigan go to Ipswich for the opening game in League One with just ONE player left from the starting eleven against Fulham in their last match. 
      The cash-strapped club are in dire straits after administrators were summoned in July.

      It resulted in a 12-point penalty and relegation from the Championship to League One.
      They are desperately looking for new owners to reverse their fortunes.
      But in the meantime, a Supporters’ Club Crowdfunder page has been set up to raise cash and save Wigan from going under.
      Former Lactics favourites including Roberto Martinez, Reece James and James McClean have all stepped forward with donations.

      And it emerged Victor Moses contributed £20,000 to the fundraiser in a touching gesture.
      Wigan tweeted: “Thank you Victor Moses. Victor has pledged a significant donation to Save Our Club!”
      The Chelsea wing-back, 29, starred for Wigan between 2010 and 2012.
      And after making an anonymous donation on Tuesday, the Wigan Athletic Supporters’ Club wanted to make sure he received recognition.

      Wigan Athletic will always have a special place in my heart.I have so many incredible memories from my time there and the people of Wigan&everyone associated with the club have always been so good to me and my family.We must do all we can to protect the future of this great club. pic.twitter.com/MgWALX35Nh
      — Victor Moses (@VictorMoses) September 9, 2020

      Chairperson Caroline Molyneux said: “Wow – what can we say?
      “When Victor got in touch to say he wanted to help by donating such a substantial amount, I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing – it’s such an incredible gesture.
      “Victor wanted to make the donation and remain anonymous but we simply had to make sure he gets the recognition he deserves.
      “Victor’s contribution has taken us past £650,000 and to within £100,000 of our next target of £750,000.”

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

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Victor Moses donates £20k to help struggling former club Wigan as Latics fight for survival

      by

      VICTOR MOSES has donated £20,000 to struggling former side Wigan Athletic.
      The cash-strapped club is in dire straits after administrators were summoned in July, resulting in a 12-point penalty and relegation from the Championship to League One.

      3

      Victor Moses has donated £20,000 to former club WiganCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun

      3

      Wigan tweeted their thanks as they look for a buyer to save them from administrationCredit: Twitter @WiganAthSC
      They are desperately looking for new owners to reverse their fortunes.
      But in the meantime, a Supporters’ Club Crowdfunder page has been set up to raise cash and save Wigan from going under.
      Former Lactics favourites including Roberto Martinez, Reece James and James McClean have all stepped forward with donations.
      And now Moses has given £20k to the fundraiser in a touching gesture.

      Wigan tweeted: “Thank you Victor Moses. Victor has pledged a significant donation to Save Our Club!”
      The Chelsea wing-back, 29, starred for Wigan between 2010 and 2012.
      And after making an anonymous donation on Tuesday, the Wigan Athletic Supporters’ Club wanted to make sure he received recognition.
      Chairperson Caroline Molyneux said: “Wow – what can we say?

      3

      Moses made an anonymous donation before the Supporters’ Club revealed his identityCredit: Twitter @WiganAthSC

      “When Victor got in touch to say he wanted to help by donating such a substantial amount, I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing – it’s such an incredible gesture.
      “Victor wanted to make the donation and remain anonymous but we simply had to make sure he gets the recognition he deserves.
      “Victor’s contribution has taken us past £650,000 and to within £100,000 of our next target of £750,000.
      “We are so thankful to Victor for his support. He is an excellent footballer, a true role model and someone we always enjoyed watching at the DW Stadium – he will always be welcome back here, even more so now!”
      SunSport exclusively revealed last month that American financiers Randy Frankel and Michael Kalt are ready to rescue Wigan with a £5million-plus offer to take them out of administration.
      We told you yesterday that the pair are even willing to move ground to play at Leigh’s Rugby League Stadium.
      And SunSport brought you news today that Simon Grayson is being lined up as Wigan’s next manager.

      Wigan administrator Paul Stanley says there are a dozen investors showing interest in the football club More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Simon Grayson set for shock return to management with crisis club Wigan with administrators drafting in experienced boss

      by

      SIMON GRAYSON is set for a shock return to management with crisis club Wigan Athletic.
      Grayson will be brought in by the administrators to run the side and take the senior role currently filled by caretaker Leam Richardson.

      1

      Simon Grayson is set for a shock return to management with crisis club Wigan Athletic
      The experienced boss will be drafted in to help the backroom team and should be in the dug-out for the opener at Ipswich on Sunday.
      It is a remarkable move while the admins try to find a buyer but run into massive problems finding anyone to pick up the full £4million bill.
      Grayson is happy to help after being out of work since a brief stint at Blackpool ended a year ago.
      He has also worked at this level with Preston and been a success.

      It will be an open-ended relationship with Grayson on a minimal salary but keen to get back into the game with no idea how long it will last.
      Grayson is known to administrator Gerald Krasner but the idea to bring him in was also from Richardson who succeeded Paul Cook when he quit last month.
      Meanwhile, Wigan’s potential new owners are willing to move GROUND to play at Leigh’s Rugby League stadium.
      The American takeover pair Randy Frankel and Michael Kalt are in talks about the shock switch of ‘home’ as they try to get a deal done to rescue the club from administration.

      The change of address from Wigan’s old DW Stadium ground would need approval by the EFL.
      But it is already used by Manchester United in the WSL as well as Leigh in the rugby world.
      This surprise idea has also been run past supporters groups and the local authorities and is now part of their plans for the future.

      Mikel Arteta pairs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal training More

    • 163 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      EFL clubs beg Premier League to save them from ruin after coronavirus nightmare

      by

      EFL clubs have pleaded with the Premier League to save English football from collapse.
      Despite months of talks, the top flight is yet to agree a package of further financial help for lower league sides facing bankruptcy because of Covid-19.

      2

      EFL clubs are urging the Premier League to save teams in their divisions at risk of collapse Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      And EFL clubs are warning that the end of Government furlough arrangements after October, combined with huge falls in matchday income even when fans return, will bring the crisis to a head.
      The Premier League has already forwarded its usual solidarity payments but that money will not last most clubs very far into the autumn.
      Phil Wallace, owner and chairman of League Two Stevenage, said: “All we’re doing is kicking the can down the road. Eventually, you run out of road.

      “Without a bailout, I don’t see what the outcome can be other than clubs going into bankruptcy.”

      Even if some fans are allowed back into Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium from October, it’s likely that the maximum crowd will be 1,500 – combined to last season’s average of 3,500.
      That would mean a fall in income of £30,000 to £40,0000 per home game, even before loss of secondary spend at food and drink outlets and other revenue streams was taken into account.
      Simon Hallett, owner of League One Plymouth, recognises that a number of Premier League clubs are also facing significant financial challenges.
      But Hallett said: “Eventually the elastic snaps and clubs run out of cash.

      2

      Financial aid packages for lower league sides are yet to be agreed on by football chiefsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      “At that point, if there are still no fans, it’s inevitable some will be very close to going bust.
      “It’s about the preservation of the English football pyramid. I don’t want to get misty-eyed and romantic about it.
      “But the great glory, I think, of English football is the football pyramid.
      “You can still have the dream that you start off playing in the park with a pub team and you end up in the Football League.
      “If you want to preserve that, some kind of financial help to ease us over this crisis is going to be necessary.”

      It’s a big discussion. But clubs have got to be there to have that discussion. Come 2021, they might not be.
      Phil Wallace

      Stevenage and Plymouth are fortunate that they have multimillionaire benefactors like Wallace and Hallett to support them – for now at least.
      But many other clubs will be teetering on the brink of extinction unless something changes soon.
      Wallace, like Hallett, accepts that lower league clubs are often guilty of financial mismanagement.
      But he insists English football’s proud tradition of having 92 or more professional clubs can be preserved and a wider discussion is needed about the distribution of money across the game.
      Wallace said: “Why can’t we sustain this number of clubs?
      “It’s important to have a healthy pyramid, but you have to balance that and walk that line between clubs wasting money, overspending and doing all the stupid things that clubs do.
      “It’s not as easy as I’m going to give you money. You have to convince me that there’s a good working model that can be adopted.

      “If we change things, and redistribute in a fairer way, it’s not wasted.
      “It’s a big discussion. But clubs have got to be there to have that discussion.
      “Come 2021, they might not be.”

      English football ‘will cease to exist as we know it’ due to coronavirus crisis, warns Huddersfield owner More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Charlton invite Love Island star Dennon Lewis to train with club as Lee Bowyer considers signing non-league striker

      by

      LEE BOWYER is running the rule over non-league striker Dennon Lewis.
      SunSport revealed Charlton’s interest in the Wealdstone forward back in June.

      3

      Charlton are running the rule over non-league striker Dennon Lewis

      3

      SunSport revealed Charlton’s interest in the Wealdstone forward back in June
      Addicks’ fans were alerted to ex-Love Island contestant Lewis’ involvement in training yesterday from pictures sent out by the club online.
      Charlton boss Bowyer knows Lewis from his days helping out Watford‘s Under-21 side and is ready to seal a deal and bring the 23-year-old to the Valley.
      Ipswich, Sunderland, Huddersfield, Oxford and Leyton Orient have all shown interest in the striker, who scored 14 and set up another 11 as Wealdstone won the National League title.
      League One Charlton will hope 2019 reality TV show contestant Lewis can follow in the footsteps of Macauley Bonne, who has shone at Charlton since taking the plunge from non-league.

      Meanwhile Preston are eyeing up a cut-price move for Charlton’s striker Macauley Bonne.
      Alex Neil’s side, who finished four points off the play-off places, could make an opening bid of £500,000 plus add-ons next week.
      Former Leyton Orient striker Bonne jumped three divisions last season but more than held his own in the Championship, scoring 11 goals.

      3

      Ipswich, Sunderland, Huddersfield, Oxford and Leyton Orient have all shown interest in Lewis

      Preston are waiting to see what happens with crisis club Charlton’s financial situation.

      As SunSport revealed earlier this week, the London club are facing being booted out of the EFL unless current owners ESI sell.
      Preston see 24-year-old former non-League striker Bonne as a rough diamond with bags of potential.

      Republic of Ireland fans line the streets in their hundreds to celebrate the life of Jack Charlton More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Newcastle line up £12m transfer bid for Everton midfielder Tom Davies as Steve Bruce eyes homegrown core

      by

      NEWCASTLE UNITED have reportedly added Everton’s Tom Davies to their summer transfer target list. 
      Steve Bruce is thought to be a huge fan of the 22-year-old – and the Daily Mail claims the Toon are ready to make a £12million bid for the midfielder. 

      2

      Newcastle are eyeing a move for Everton star Tom Davies Credit: Rex Features
      Everton, who finished twelfth in the league, are reportedly prepared to allow some of their squad to exit Goodison Park this summer.

      However, boyhood Toffees fan Davies has regularly featured in Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team making 32 appearances across all competitions this season. 
      Davies, born in Liverpool, rose from the ranks of Everton’s youth sides signing his first professional contract at the club in September 2015. 
      And the Toffees midfielder, who was nominated for the Golden Boy prize in 2018-19, has made 105 Premier League appearances. 

      While Bruce, 59, is believed to be keen to swell his ranks of homegrown talent, the Toon boss’ transfer budget is limited. 
      The Tyneside giants are reportedly close to bringing clubless midfielder Jeff Hendrick in on a free transfer. 
      As SunSport revealed, Bruce also hopes to seal a £1.9million deal for Wigan Athletic full-back Antonee Robinson. 
      But it’s thought the North East club could face stiff competition to sign the Lactics player with Sheffield United and Prem new boys Fulham also keen on the defender. 

      2

      Tottenham’s forgotten man Ryan Sessegnon is reported to be among Steve Bruce’s summer transfer targets Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Newcastle are reportedly eager to boost their firepower in attack with Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson catching Bruce’s eye. 
      And this week SunSport exclusively revealed the club are lining up for Tottenham’s forgotten wingback Ryan Sessegnon.
      Meanwhile, SunSport and the Mail say Chris Smalling has been linked with a possible St James Park switch. 

      However, the Manchester United centre-back is thought to be keen on joining a Champions League club or battling for a place in the Red Devils’ starting line-up. 
      Another defensive option thought to have piqued Bruce’s interest is Oxford United’s skipper Rob Dickie.
      And SunSport exclusively reported the Toons are considering a £2million bid for the 24-year-old defender – a standout League One player last term.

      Micky Quinn questions why Newcastle Saudi Arabian bidders were put under such scrutiny compared to other club’s owners More