League One

BIRMINGHAM CITY chairman Tom Wagner has announced plans to build a TUNNEL under the city to help fans get to a proposed £3BILLION stadium complex.Wagner, who acquired a hefty stake in Birmingham City back in 2023, has claimed it’s part of his “dream” to revitalise East Birmingham with a new complex and stadium in the future.Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner wants to build a tunnel under the cityCredit: RexThe tunnel would help get fans to Birmingham’s proposed new stadium complexCredit: TwitterThe ambitious plans would mean the 1.5-mile tunnel could bring supporters to Birmingham’s planned Sports QuarterCredit: TwitterThe League One club have already acquired 60 acres of land in the east side of Birmingham with plans to build an incredible Sports Quarter, containing a state-of-the-art stadium, new training facilities and more.While Wagner has called on the government to support his plans for the city.The US hedge fund exec is part of the Knightshead Capital Management group that owns the Blues alongside NFL legend Tom Brady.Now Wagner and Knightshead are looking to build a 1.5-mile long tunnel to transport fans from Birmingham New Street station to the planned new stadium in Bordesley Green.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWagner told a meeting: “Subways are very expensive and complicated to develop.”We thought of an idea to simply tunnel under the existing rail lines and connect New Street station to the sports quarter and use electric buses running underground.”It could transport thousands of people an hour. We think it would cost roughly £20m.”Wagner also told that he would prefer to extend the city’s existing tram network, but is hoping that his tunnel idea is given proper consideration.Most read in FootballWagner is joined by NFL legend Tom Brady at the Knightshead Capital ManagementCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe also claimed that “local and regional authorities are in favour” of the proposal, but still needs to get the government on side to provide the necessary funding for the project.Adding: “I’m the ‘crazy American’ talking about this, but we need more local voices with the right accent talking about why this is a good idea. Tom Brady in hilarious reaction after getting X-rated welcome from Wrexham fans for Birmingham clash”The funds are there nationally, and it’s a tiny percentage of those funds that we’re asking for.”Birmingham are hoping to return to their peak once again under the guidance of Wagner with the Blues now out of the Premier League for almost 15 years.But it’s not just success on the pitch that Wagner and his team are looking for, but growth as a brand and as a club in general too.Their proposed Sports Quarter is their most ambitious project, a project Wagner has claimed he wants to see completed in five years time.The focal point of the development would be a 62,000 capacity stadium that has been likened to a “spaceship” by Wagner himself.Alongside the huge new ground, which would dwarf St Andrews’ current 29,409 capacity, would be office spaces, social hubs and restaurants for the surrounding community.While a hotel and a new fan park are also expected to be part of the ambitious plans.Birmingham are currently top of League One after being relegated from the Championship last season.Wagner and Knightshead haven’t just been investing in the club’s infrastructure, but also the squad.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Blues smashed the record fee for a League One transfer when they spent £15m with £5m in potential add-ons on Fulham striker Jay Stansfield in the summer.Prior to that deal, the League One record transfer stood at just £3.4m for Will Grigg’s 2022 move from Wigan to Sunderland.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.The club are planning to build a new stadium as part of the complexWagner likened the possible design of the stadium to a ‘spaceship’Fans have been given a glimpse of what the food and drink options could look like in the new stadiumSupporters will have plenty of choices when it comes to having a drinkThe project is expected to create 3,000 jobs for the area More

WREXHAM have signed Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez as they target a third-successive promotion. The 35-year-old former England striker has penned an 18-month deal with the League One side.Jay Rodriguez has joined Wrexham on a deal until the end of the seasonCredit: PAThe 35-year-old striker has signed a short-term deal until the summer of 2026Credit: Wrexham FCRodriguez won one solitary cap for England in 2013Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdRodriguez has spent more than a decade with the Clarets over two spells.He grew up in the town and has netted 76 goals since making his debut in 2007. Wrexham have brought the striker to North Wales as they look to continue their push for Championship football. Rodriguez told the club’s website: “I’m made up to join the Club. I can’t wait to get out on the training pitch and meet everyone.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I hope I can use my experience to help every single player in the squad and gain something from the group as well.”To join the story that has evolved at Wrexham with clear targets is exciting for me.”Rodriguez arrives at Wrexham with vast experiences having played over 550 career games. He won his sole England cap against Chile in 2013. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWrexham boss Phil Parkison added: “I’m delighted to welcome Jay Rodriguez to the Club. “He’s an experienced striker with real quality and we’re looking forward to working with him.”Wrexham clash descends into huge brawl at full-time as tempers flare after fiery League One clashRodriguez is also remembered by Manchester United fans for being the player who denied them the Premier League title in 2018. The forward netted for West Brom at Old Trafford, sealing a 1-0 win for the Baggies and making Man City champions. How Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in styleCO-OWNER Ryan Reynolds hasn’t been able to make it to Wrexham in recent weeks due to filming commitments.But that hasn’t stopped him from watching his team in style.Streaming the match on a laptop or even a TV was not grand enough for the Deadpool star as he worked on the set of his latest movie.With a giant green screen behind him, he could not resist broadcasting Wrexham’s recent game on to the huge projector.Reynolds and his crew watched on as the Welsh side notched their 23rd win of the season against Crawley Town.He looked enamoured as the game played on behind him while surrounding by various pieces of Hollywood machinery.And Reynolds captioned the moment: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.”It’s not clear what project Reynolds was working on at the time, with the actor currently developing several new movies including sequels to smash hits Free Guy and Red Notice.Wrexham are currently third in League One, six points behind Wycombe in the automatic promotions spots. They have won back-to-back promotions, with Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bankrolling the club’s rise back up the leagues. More

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S son, Darren, launched a furious rant at his Peterborough flops after they were thrashed by Lincoln.The Posh were torn apart on their visit to the LNER Stadium on Saturday as they went 3-0 down before they even mustered a response in a heavy 5-1 defeat.Darren Ferguson labelled his Peterborough flops the ‘softest’ group he had worked withCredit: GettyCian Hayes had a particularly bad day as Posh lost 5-1 to LincolnCredit: GettyIt was the joint second-heaviest defeat of Ferguson’s managerial career, only eclipsed by 5-0 thrashing’s at the hands of Bolton in February 2023 and Oxford United in April 2024.And it a result which compounds a shocking run of form that has left Peterborough 19th in the League One table.They are without a win in eight league matches, with their last win coming in a 4-3 thriller against Crawley on December 14.Speaking after the defeat, Ferguson – who is now in his fifth stint as Peterborough boss after taking charge in January 2023 – declared this was the “softest” group of players he has managed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “I’m embarrassed. It was an embarrassing performance. I’ve never seen that from a Peterborough United team at this level. It was embarrassing.“The first goal was a free header. We just let them score and do what they wanted. It was a mess. A complete mess. “If you don’t run, you don’t tackle, don’t have a real desire to turn up every game then that’s what happens.”That’s the problem with this group. They haven’t got the desire. They have not got the desire as a group. It’s just basics. They don’t run, don’t tackle, don’t head. They don’t tackle properly. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”It was a shambles. I don’t often say that about my teams, but I’m sorry, I have to be honest. This group of players is without doubt the softest group of players I’ve ever had in my management career.”Ferguson singled out Cian Hayes for criticism on the penalty which was given away to make it 3-1 after half-time, while Hayes later conceded an own goal to make it 4-1.Darren Ferguson says Everton star ‘had a pop at me’ for not bringing on Ashley Young’s son Tyler“We changed the shape at half-time and then give away a horrendous penalty – what is he doing?“I don’t know. It’s my group of players and all the rest of it. But sometimes you think you’re wasting your time.”Ferguson added that he felt sympathy for the 1,800 travelling fans, more than half of whom left the match early.“It’s easily my worst defeat as a Peterborough manager. The manner of it. More than half the fans left before the end. That tells the story.”We sold out, and they are wasting their time.”Peterborough will be hoping they can have better luck when they host Wigan at Weston Homes Stadium on Tuesday.Their horror run of form included a 2-0 loss to Everton in the FA Cup third round, where Ferguson said a Toffees star had a pop at him for denying a moment of history for Ashley and Tyler Young by not bringing on the youngster to share the pitch with his father. More