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      Major broadcasting change as 3pm blackout SCRAPPED for opening weekend of EFL season as part of new £930m deal

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      EVERY EFL game will be streamed live on the opening weekend of next season – including the matches kicking off at 3pm.Sky’s new deal with the league means 10 matches across the three divisions will be shown every weekend, with six of them shifted to the 12.30pm Saturday slot.Sky Sports have agreed a bumper new deal with the EFLCredit: GettyThe deal will see more games televised from the Championship, League One and League TwoCredit: GettyBut the expansion to more than 1000 live games per season means fans of all 72 EFL clubs are guaranteed to be able to see their club in action at least 20 times.Sky’s £930m five-year deal with the EFL kicks off in August, when the broadcaster will launch a new free streaming channel as part of current subscriptions.Sky Sports+ will offer 50 per cent more live sport and up to 100 streams at once.It will see five Championship matches and five more from across Leagues One and Two each weekend in the current broadcasting slots.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAll matches played midweek and on Bank Holidays will also be available for fans to watch.Every Championship match will be covered by at least six cameras, with four cameras at the League One grounds and a minimum two in the bottom tier, with commentary for all matches.Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports managing director, promised: “We are making a commitment to every club in the EFL and this is a big step-change for League One and Two.“This season, 20 of the 48 clubs in those divisions were not covered live even once.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“But we will also announce in July all the games we are screening live up until the first week in January. “And by the start of November that will be extended to the beginning of March, to give fans as much notice as we can.”The opening weekend plans from Friday August 9 are possible because the FA only applies for the 3pm “blackout” rule to apply when 50 per cent of Prem and Championship matches are kicking off – with the top flight starting a week later.Licht added: “This is going to be a huge moment for football fans up and down the country and a fitting way to kick off our ground-breaking new partnership with the EFL.” More

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      EFL fans say ‘postpone the game’ after statement released before play-off tie due to ‘circumstances beyond our control’

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      CREWE ALEXANDRA fans were left devastated when the club announced a change to the food menu ahead of the play-off semi-final against Doncaster.Crewe are scheduled to face the Rovers in a crunch first leg later today at Gresty Road before Friday’s return fixture at the Eco-Power Stadium.Crewe Alexandra announced there will be a change to the food menuCredit: GettyCrewe fans were left devastated ahead of the play-off with DoncasterCredit: GettyHowever, there will be a change to the selection of pies and pastries during that key encounter.The club apologised to fans and insisted that last-minute alteration is down to “circumstances beyond their control”.Crewe issued the following statement: “There has been a change to the selection of pies and pastries on sale during today’s game.”We thank supporters for their understanding.”Read More on FootballThe fans were left so heartbroken that some even jokingly suggested they should “postpone” the important fixture against Doncaster.One fan tweeted: “May as well just call it off lads.”Another commented: “Postpone the game lads.”A third said: “Joke this, no room at all for it in the modern game!”Most read in EFLThis fan posted: “Thought the game was off then!”And that one stated: “NOOOOOOOO! The most important part of a football game.”Brentwood keeper deliberately ‘slipping over’ in his side’s 3-1 win against Bury TownThe winner of the play-off tie will go on to face either Crawley Town or MK Dons in the final on May 19 at Wembley. More

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      Huge EFL playoff clash POSTPONED due to waterlogged pitch as furious fans blast ‘absolute joke’

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      CRAWLEY’S League Two play-off clash with MK Dons has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.A club statement read: “Crawley Town Football Club is disappointed to announce that this afternoon’s Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Semi-Final first leg has been postponed due to a waterlogged surface at the Broadfield Stadium.”Crawley vs MK Dons has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitchCredit: PATorrential rainfall has caused flooding around the stadiumCredit: RexThe match has been rearranged for TuesdayCredit: PAFans are not happy with the postponementCredit: RexThe fixture was pencilled in for 3pm today but has now been re-arranged for Thuesday night – when the second leg was meant to take place.The return leg at MK Dons has been moved to Saturday instead, with the League Two play-off final taking place on May 19.Fans are up in arms over the postponement and made their feelings towards Crawley clear.One reacted saying: “Absolute joke.”Another added: “This has grumpied me.”A third wrote: “Never heard of covers? Embarrassing.”And another commented: “Calling off a play-off fixture in May, gotta be as tinpot as it gets. Absolute embarrassment.”Crawley sneaked into the play-offs on the final day of the season after beating Grimsby to pip Barrow to seventh place.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIf they beat MK Dons they will face Doncaster or Crewe for a place in League One next season.Leicester PROMOTED to the Premier League as Leeds suffer shock defeat at QPR to leave door open for Ipswich More

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      Inside rise of Bromley as Football Manager competition & Arsenal icon’s son sees 132 year wait for EFL football ended

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      BROMLEY secured promotion to the Football League for the first time ever on Sunday.The Ravens dramatically beat Solihull Moors 4-3 on penalties at Wembley following a thrilling 2-2 draw.Bromley secured promotion to League Two on SundayCredit: GettyCaptain Byron Webster scored the winning penaltyCredit: GettyThey victory booked them a spot in League Two for the first time in the club’s 132-year history.Speaking at full-time, Bromley boss Andy Woodman told BBC London: “I’m delighted, it hasn’t really sunk in. I’ve been here a few times and no one wants to speak to you when you lose.”We’ve got heart, we’re not the best team. We’re the hardest grafting team and the most honest team, we’ve got players who will fight for each other and that showed today.”I was alright with the penalties because I’ve got the best goalkeeper in the league, I knew he’d save one, maybe two and take care of business.Read More on Football”I was really chuffed that Grant [Smith] got the plaudits he deserved because he’s been brilliant for us all season.”This has been an unhealthy obsession for me. It was about changing history at this football club and about making sure that when we’re long gone, me my team and my staff, we’ll be forever the people that got us in the Football League.”Bromley has been a non-league club since it was established back in 1892.In recent years the Ravens have come close to EFL promotion.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey missed out to Hartlepool United in the Play-Offs at the end of the 2020-21 campaign and lost to Chesterfield in last year’s semi-finals.However, some significant steps were taken this season to ensure the jump was possible.Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel MessiEarlier this season, Nathan Owolabi was appointed as Bromley’s Support Performance Tactician after winning a FOOTBALL MANAGER competition.The avid gamer has since spent the last five months learning from and assisting Woodman’s coaching team.When advertising the job at the end of last year, club officials announced they were looking for “a talented Football Manager gamer to test their skills in the real world”.Woodman was quick to insist that it wasn’t a “gimmick” and instead revealed he thought it was a “brilliant” idea.Alongside the addition to the club’s coaching staff, Bromley also signed several players such as goalkeeper Grant Smith and loan stars Alex Kirk from Arsenal and Kamarl Grant from Millwall.Dennis Bergkamp’s son, Mitchel, became another star to join the Ravens last year.However, the 25-year-old has was limited to just 13 minutes of football this season.Premier League boundIn a show of the quality on show at the south London club, academy star Ben Krauhaus was snapped up by Premier League side Brentford in January.The Bees agreed to loan him back to Bromley for the remainder of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESKrauhaus went on to play a crucial role in the club’s fight for promotion, making 43 National League appearances.Bromley will now join fellow promoted team Chesterfield in League Two from next season.Nathan Owolabi was appointed as the club’s Support Performance Tactician after winning a Football Manager competitionCredit: TNT SportsDennis Bergkamp’s son, Mitchell, joined Bromley last summerCredit: AFP More

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      Gary Neville feels ‘disconnected’ as Man Utd’s Class of ’92’s dream of taking Salford to Premier League implodes

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      GARY NEVILLE admits he has become “disconnected” from Salford City due to a change in role.The Manchester United legend joined forces with former team-mates Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville to purchase a stake in the EFL side in 2014.Gary Neville feels ‘disconnected’ from SalfordCredit: GettyNeville (left) is one of Salford’s co-ownersCredit: PA:Press AssociationSalford have since climbed up the football pyramid and now compete in League Two.Neville recently took a step back from his operational role in the club due to his media commitments elsewhere.And, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the former defender revealed he now feels slightly “disconnected” as a result.He said: “I’m still an owner of Salford City, but the lads have been operational in the club, which I haven’t been doing. Read More on Football”I felt massive pressure at games, less so now, because when you’re not making the decisions every day that are responsible for spending the money or bringing the players/managers in.”Obviously, I watch every Salford game, usually by a link or in the stadium, but I am watching every week.”However, because I’m not making the decisions every day, I feel disconnected, but I’m still desperate for them to win every single week. “For the eight years before, I loved it. In the first six years, we gained four promotions and we won the EFL Trophy at Wembley, so that was the first six years.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But then we had the next three years where we didn’t get promoted.”So the guys on the board sat down and said Gary is doing part time, only doing two days a week and actually, we’re not succeeding and hit a wall, and had three attempts at League Two and failed. “I had been on television talking about Ed Woodward, speaking about other people at football clubs, and if you get given a few years as an owner and you’re not delivering, then you’re not likely to ever get them. Roy Keane in touching moment with Gary Neville as he tells Man Utd pal ‘you deserve better'”So they were right to move me into a Director role and the lads who are there every day, are now in the role to have a go for the next few years.”Neville works as a pundit and co-commentator for Sky Sports alongside his role for Salford.Before retiring from professional football, he won eight Premier League titles, two Champions League titles and four FA Cups.He also made 602 appearances for Man Utd and was capped 85 times for England. More

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      Eagle-eyed fans absolutely love what Bromley captain did before winning penalty to secure promotion to League Two

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      FOOTBALL fans hailed Bromley captain Byron Webster for his brilliant smirk before he sealed the most historic win in the club’s history.
      Bromley clinched promotion to the Football League for the first time ever on Sunday as they beat Solihull Moors on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley.
      Bromley captain Byron Webster smiled and raised his eyebrows before scoring the winning penaltyCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontntBromley will be playing in the Football League for the first time in their historyCredit: GettyThe players piled on top of Webster after his winning penaltyCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontntAnd, after a 2-2 draw across 120 minutes, it was skipper Webster that netted the crucial spot-kick to spark scenes of ecstasy.But just moments before dispatching the penalty, the centre-back could be seen smiling and raising his eyebrows to the Solihull keeper – a remarkable feat of composure under the circumstances.He then went on to send the keeper the wrong way, before he stood with his arms outstretched in celebration as his team-mates stormed over to bask in the win.And football fans on social media were loving ex-Yeovil and Millwall man Webster’s antics before the penalty.One said: “Coolest head in the stadium.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “Confidence from our skipper 👏.”A third replied: “Man like Byron 🦁.”A fourth responded: “Have you seen anyone more confident before taking a decisive penalty than CENTRE BACK Byron Webster 😳.”And a fifth said: “There’s backing yourself under pressure and then there’s this from Byron Webster. Outrageously big balls on him.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs well as his confidence when taking the penalty, Webster was also wearing an EFL armband in a remarkable demonstration of confidence that Bromley were going to secure promotion.The defender has previously played in the Championship with Doncaster, Yeovil and Millwall.Man Utd’s best XI of academy graduatesHe has also played in League One for Scunthorpe and League Two for Northampton and Carlisle.Bromley celebrated wildly after booking their place in League TwoCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Game changer’ billionaire on Forbes rich list rivals Wrexham, Birmingham and Charlton with takeover of League One club

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      WYCOMBE WANDERERS have been taken over by a Kazakhstan billionaire.Mikheil Lomtadze’s Blue Ocean Partners Ltd has purchased 90 per cent of the club that was owned by American businessman Rob Couhig since 2022.Mikheil Lomtadze has bought 90 per cent of WycombeCredit: AFPHe will rival Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham next seasonCredit: GettyWycombe finished 10th in League OneCredit: PALomtadze, 48, is worth £4.54billion and is the 532nd richest person in the world.He is the founder and CEO of a leading tech company Kazakh-based Kaspi.kz.The purchase of the club has been described as a “game changer” by PwC.Wycombe fans will hope that his arrival at the club can help them climb up the English football ladder.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLomtadze said: “Our goal is to achieve long-term success both on and off the pitch whilst building a financially sustainable club.”The football world is evolving very fast and our priority will be to integrate data analytics and technology to elevate the club’s performance to new levels.”I am also a strong believer in youth development and it will be fundamental to the club’s vision.”We aim to re-open and build a leading high-performance academy which will become an essential part of our long-term strategy of developing a club that consistently performs at the top level.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWycombe finished 10th in League One and face another tough season to gain promotion next season.Birmingham City, Huddersfield and Rotherham dropped into the division from the Championship.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanWhile ambitious Wrexham gained promotion from League Two thanks to the help from Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.Couhig has insisted that Lomtadze shares his values and is excited for the future of the club.He said: “I am excited for the future of Wycombe Wanderers”Last year, I announced that I had begun looking at a possible succession plan for our ownership.”Since then, I met with a significant number of well qualified people. Last fall, Mikheil and I met and decided to explore his potential role with the club.”It was apparent from that first meeting that Mikheil and I shared similar values of speaking directly and honestly with each other.”I came to understand that his goals for the club were similar to mine. “Important to me, although often separated by a 12-hour time difference, we became friends.”The logical conclusion to those discussions was culminated today with the transfer of Feliciana EFL Limited to his company.“The board of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club will have three new directors, Mikheil, Eduard Vyshnyakov, and Daniel Rice.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The board has asked me to convey its and the Wanderers family’s appreciation for the great work that Missy Couhig and Pete Couhig have done for the Club and community since June 2019.”As for me, Mikheil has asked and I have agreed to continue as Chairman during the transition of ownership. Please join me in welcoming Mikheil, Eduard and Dan to the club.” More

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      Wrexham’s Paul Mullin and James McClean make dig at cancer-stricken King while partying with Rob McElhenney in Vegas

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      TWO Wrexham stars have made a dig at the cancer-stricken King while partying with Rob McElhenney in Las Vegas.James McClean, 35, and Paul Mullin, 29, were snapping pics while they boozed with a group of lads celebrating their promotion to League One in Sin City.Stars James McClean and Paul Mullin have made a dig at the cancer-stricken KingCredit: InstagramRob McElhenney joined his players for their party in VegasCredit: InstagramWrexham’s owners have cultivated a close relationship with the royals – and the King visited in 2022Credit: GettyPrince William visited Wrexham – after having a shot with McElhenney – last monthCredit: GettyBut the pair have now caused a stir after putting vile captions on Instagram posts.Star striker Mullin posted a selfie of him and McClean on his story with the words: “And we hate the f***ing King!”The 35-year-old winger then reshared it to his story with the caption: “We serve no King or Kaiser but Ireland! Sue me.” The snaps, which have now been deleted, were posted just days after King Charles returned to public duties for the first time since announcing was undergoing cancer treatment. READ MORE ON WREXHAMMcClean has long been known for his Republican stance – and once turned his back on the English national anthem while playing for Ireland. He also refused to wear a poppy during games played across Remembrance weekend.  Wrexham’s fan’s song for McClean features the line “He hates the f***ing King” – which he joined in with during the celebrations as the club sealed promotion to League One.The song has come about despite club owners McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds building a close relationship with the Royal Family. Most read in FootballIn April, just prior to the club’s promotion, Prince William visited the Racecourse Stadium and spoke to the players and staff about their remarkable EFL rise.King Charles and Queen Camilla also visited Wrexham’s stadium in 2022.Prince William downs shot after pulling ‘horrible’ pint with Wrexham owner Rob McElhenneyMcClean has now doubled down on his post. Sharing the MailOnline story on Instagram, he said: “Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang at the top of my lungs.”Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not.”Mullin also made his opinions on the monarchy clear in his autobiography titled: “My Wrexham story.”He wrote about the King’s 2022 visit to Wrexham and said: “I’ll be straight: This visit might have been billed as a historic day for Wrexham, but it wasn’t for me. I’ve no interest in royalty.”I don’t see why anyone should have the God-given right to be born into such wealth, and then for us to pay for them as well. It just comes down to basic fairness.”The Sun has contacted Wrexham for comment. The Royals and Wrexham When the King visited the grounds in 2022 Reynolds and McElhenney were said to be“impossibly excited”. Charles and Queen Consort Camilla dropped in on Wrexham AFC, which the actors bought for £2million in 2020.Reynolds said: “We will do anything to uplift and elevate this community and this club and having the King pay a visit is certainly one way to do it.”Charles was shown the non-league side’s pitch and asked head groundsman Paul Chaloner: “This is proper grass isn’t it? Not that plastic stuff?”The King and Camilla walked through the players’ tunnel onto the pitch at the ground, where they met the celebrity owners, plus club executives and players.They greeted members of the first team before posing for a picture.And just last month Prince William downed a shot of whisky with McElhenney at The Turf pub in Wrexham. Wills headed into the pub, which sits next to Wrexham AFC, to hear about the successes in the local community.He listened to how the club and pub have had an impact on the area.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe prince then posed with fans on the street, and was snapped chatting to a little girl who handed him a daffodil.He was also passed a personalised Wrexham shirt with his name on it.Welsh flags were out in force in Sin CityCredit: InstagramHakkasan beamed their highlights onto the night club’s screensCredit: Instagram More