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      Fans spot what EFL keeper did to rival’s water bottle in epic s***housery that would ‘make Emi Martinez proud’

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      CREWE penalty shoot-out hero Max Stryjek came up with a brilliant piece of gamesmanship to get one over on his opposite number.The Railwaymen produced a stunning comeback to progress to the League Two play-off final, overturning Doncaster’s 2-0 advantage from the first leg.Crewe goalkeeper Max Stryjek picked up Thimothee Lo-Tutala’s water bottle and threw it awayThe bottle contained the Doncaster goalkeeper’s key notesStryjek proved to be the shoot-out hero with two penalty savesCredit: ReutersThey did it in Donny’s own back yard too with Mickey Demetriou getting on the scoresheet before an own goal from James Maxwell.But it was Stryjek who proved the hero as he saved two penalties in the shoot-out, which Crewe won 4-3.He also came up with a cheeky tactic to disrupt Doncaster goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala.Stryjek ran behind the goal and hurled away his rival’s water bottle far into the crowd.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe bottle contained a list of instructions on which way to dive for each Crewe player’s penalty.Doncaster’s club photographer managed to still pass on some notes from the coaching staff to Lo-Tutala.But they had no effect as he did not stop a single spot-kick.Fans loved the underhand tactic and praised Stryjek for his ingenuity, though the keeper did receive a yellow card for his behaviour.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne reacted saying: “I didn’t understand why he’d been booked at the time. [Emi] Martinez would be proud of that 😂.”Another added: “Legend.”A third wrote: “Top s***housery from the goalkeeper 👌”And another commented: “This is the kind of tremendous b******ry that you just absolutely love to see. Fantastic stuff.Stryjek only joined Crewe on an emergency loan deal in April but could play a decisive role in their promotion bid, with Lee Bell’s men facing MK Dons or Crawley at Wembley on May 19.Watch never-before-seen Premier League ‘RefCam’ footage of Crystal Palace’s 4-0 demolition of Man Utd More

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      Gary Neville and co bring in forgotten ex-Premier League star, 40, as Salford City look to recover from dismal season

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      SALFORD CITY have appointed a former Premier League ace as their new Under-18s manager.Manchester United’s Class of ‘92 Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and brother Gary and Phil Neville purchased a stake in the club in 2014.Ex-Burnley star Dean Marney has joined Salford City as under-18 lead coachCredit: GettySince then they have enjoyed great success as Salford climbed up the non-league pyramid and into the Football League.But they have been stuck in the fourth tier since winning the National League play-offs in 2019.Gary Neville, who says he has become “disconnected” from Salford due to a change in role, worked as the club’s CEO for eight years before stepping down in October 2022.That was just prior to Salford sacking former Man Utd youth coach Neil Wood, the fifth boss they had axed in five-and-a-half years.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe experienced Karl Robinson arrived in the dug-out in January and he managed to guide them to safety with a 20th placed finish.Now the former MK Dons chief will be hoping to bring in recruits and add his stamp on the club over the summer, and that may even include their youth set-up.Salford have today confirmed that Dean Marney is the new lead U18s coach.The former England U21 international made nearly 400 appearances as a midfielder in the Premier League and Championship.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe came through the ranks at Tottenham, where he ventured out on loan to Swindon Town, QPR, Gillingham and Norwich before departing permanently despite two goals in his eight appearances for Spurs.He headed to Hull City and was part of Phil Brown’s team which won the Championship play-offs in 2008 and then stayed up the next term.Roy Keane in touching moment with Gary Neville as he tells Man Utd pal ‘you deserve better’Marney, 40, signed for Burnley in 2010 and he helped them to win the Championship in 2016.He then had a two-year stint at Fleetwood before hanging up his boots in 2020 and starting his coaching journey.He has completed his Uefa A and B licences and spent last season coaching Burnley’s U15 and U16 teams prior to taking up his new job.Marney said: “I am looking forward to the opportunity, there are some really good players at the club, some of whom have already made it through to the first team, so hopefully there will be more to follow soon.“I have already taken a few sessions with the lads, and they went well, the team trained really well. “I think in the current under-16s who will be full time next season, there are some good players, and it is a good group.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It is just about trying to create the right mentality, because it is all very well having the ability, but you also have to have the other side too, so that is something that I can help bring.”Marney added: “This feels like the right time to be joining the club, with the new manager and with the academy moving up to a category three level, it looks like everything is moving in the right direction towards looking to push players through from the academy, so to be part of that is great and is the next step in my own coaching development, so I am very grateful for the opportunity.”DEAN MARNEYAll you need to know about his playing days:
      Position:
      Midfielder
      Clubs:
      Tottenham, Swindon (loan), QPR (loan), Gillingham (loan), Norwich City (loan), Hull City, Burnley, Fleetwood Town
      Career league total:
      378 apps, 21 goals
      International:
      England U21 (1 cap)
      Honours:
      Championship play-offs (2008)
      Championship title (2016) More

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      Football’s most famous goalscoring goalkeeper Jimmy Glass, 50, now working at non-league side after becoming taxi driver

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      LAST-MINUTE winners are always memorable but few live longer in the memory than Jimmy Glass’ dramatic goal for Carlisle United in 1999.The most remarkable thing about that goal was that Glass was a GOALKEEPER, but still managed to secure his side’s place in the Football League.Jimmy Glass has returned to football over 25 years after his famous last-minute winner for CarlisleCredit: AlamyGlass netted a last-gasp goal to keep Carlisle in the Football League in 1999Credit: Sky SportsHe was mobbed by his team-mates in the celebrationsCredit: Sky SportsScarborough fans were left stunned on the pitch at the news after they had prematurely carried out a pitch invasionCredit: Sky SportsIn a straight shootout for survival that day, Glass swept home a winner in the dying embers to keep Carlisle in the Third Division (now League Two).Their relegation rivals Scarborough thought they had done enough to stay afloat with a 1-1 draw against Peterborough United.But Glass’ winner against Plymouth sunk the Yorkshire club who had already carried out a pitch invasion after thinking they were safe.Glass has gone down as a club hero in Carlisle as a result despite only making three appearances during what was an emergency loan at the club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the moment went down in television history too as Jeff Stelling and Co were sent into frenzy on Soccer Saturday when watching on at the stunning moment.Speaking to TalkSPORT, recalling the dream day, Glass said: “I could never believe the way that the day panned out, the way that the scores panned out and what happened across at Scarborough.“For it all to come down to the last 10 seconds and for me to be able to run up and score was just a magical moment for me.”He added: “In Carlisle they still talk about it, I’ve been talking to journalists this week and it’s just a magical moment for Carlisle fans.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJimmy Glass’ last minute winner
      Jimmy Glass’ last minute goal is one of the most famous late winners in English football history.
      Glass was just 25 when he was loaned out to Carlisle on an emergency loan deal from Swindon Town.
      The goalkeeper was making only his THIRD appearance for the club on the last day of the season.
      Carlisle needed to win against Plymouth Argyle to stay in the Football League in the knowledge that relegation rivals Scarborough had drawn their match with Peterborough United.
      With just seconds remaining for Carlisle and their game tied at 1-1, Scarborough fans were convinced they had secured safety with a draw and stormed the pitch to celebrate.
      But their joy was cut short when they learned that loanee goalkeeper Jimmy Glass had found the back of the net at a corner with just 10 seconds left on the clock to send Scarborough down and keep Carlisle up.

      “It’s one of those football moments and that’s what I’m really proud about.”Glass’ career didn’t quite take off after the incredible moment and after a few years floating around the lower leagues with clubs like Crawley and Oxford he called an end to his career at just 27 years old.I was Gareth Southgate’s best man and walked out on Arsenal – now I’m managing EFL’s newest club after Wembley promotionFollowing his early retirement the shot-stopper turned to life as an IT salesman before then becoming a taxi driver.But after a period of time away from the game, he has returned to football as a general manager. The 50-year-old is now a bigwig at newly-promoted Southern Premier League club Wimborne Town.The sensational comeback comes after he spent a number of years alongside Eddie Howe as part of the team at Bournemouth – a club he played for during his career.He discussed his new role on TalkSPORT, saying: “I was at Bournemouth with Ed [Eddie Howe] for eight years and then when he left it was time for a change.”And believe it or not, I’m the general manager of Wimborne Town Football Club.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We just got promoted out of the Southern League South Division One and into the Southern Premier, so I’m now the general manager of a football club which sounds crazy but it’s true.“We’ve got big aspirations. It’s a great club with good backers and we’re hoping to push on into the National League South or even the National League so it’s a different world for me now!”Glass spent a period of time as a taxi driver before returning to footballCredit: GettyThe former goalkeeper is now the general manager of a non-league clubCredit: Rex More

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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