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      Rivals fans offer EFL club ‘condolences’ after two horror blunders that made supporters ‘squirm’ lead to goals

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      FANS have offered their “condolences” to Notts County after they made two embarrassing blunders leading to goals.It was not a Good Friday for the Magpies as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Swindon.A poor pass back from Scott Robinson hit his own post and set up Swindon for the openerKeeper Sam Slocombe made a horror error and gifted Swindon another goalPaul Glatzel chipped it into an empty net to make it 2-0Notts County gave their League Two rivals the opening goal via a shocking pass back.Scott Robertson tried to give it to No1 Sam Slocombe and his awful ball hit his own post.It rolled out to Aaron Drinan, who converted the easy chance.Trailing by a goal Notts County gave Swindon another Easter gift with Slocombe at fault this time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs the goalkeeper tried to play out from the back, he dallied in possession on the edge of his box and was closed down by attackers.He ended up passing the ball straight to Swindon’s Paul Glatzel, who had the simple task of chipping the ball into an empty net.The horror gaffes left fans with their heads in their hands, one said: “If you don’t laugh you’ll cry.”Another added: “My condolences, that’s hard to watch.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA third commented: “Comical.”Slocombe made an infamous blunder in last season’s play-off final, conceding a penalty for a rash tackle on Andrew Dallas.Biggest football kit fails after controversy over new England shirtNotts County went on to win the game and secure promotion but fans were reminded of the error today.One supporter reacted: “It’s laughable for sure. Reoccurring mistakes. Almost makes me squirm as much as the Wembley final.”The loss to Swindon leaves Notts County 16th in the table amid pressure mounting on manager Stuart Maynard. More

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      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney owed huge sum by Wrexham as League Two high-flyers announce latest losses

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      WREXHAM owe owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney a huge sum according to their latest financial statement.The League Two high-flyers announced losses of £5.113million for the year ending June 30 2023.Wrexham have announced losses of £5.113million for the previous financial yearCredit: GettyThose losses are an increase from £2.913million the previous year.Meanwhile, The R.R. McReynolds Company, LLC are now owed £8.977million.That figure has increased from £3.714million following promotion to the Football League during the 2022/23 season.Their National League triumph secured a return to League Two after 15 seasons in non-league.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe latest financial statement comes after executive director Humphrey Ker claimed in December that Reynolds and McElhenney were “losing a tonne of money”.The Hollywood actors had recently installed a new £250,000 temporary stand at the Racecourse Ground.Opened just before Christmas, the temporary stand holds 2,289 fans and was added to the Town End.As well as the losses, Wrexham have also announced an increased turnover to £10.478million from £5.972million in 2022.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis comes after increases in retail, sponsorship and revenue from the club’s 2022/23 FA Cup run.Wrexham reached the fourth round of the competition for the first time since 2000, taking then Championship side Sheffield United to a replay.Prince William visits Wrexham’s The Turf pub made famous by Ryan Reynolds after Palace gives update on Kate’s recoveryThe financial statement also outlined an increase in payroll to just under £7million.A club statement explained: “The financial losses suffered by the Club since the takeover shouldn’t be repeated, with income generated by the Club now sufficient to meet the operational costs of the Club going forward.”Wrexham are currently on course for a second consecutive promotion this season.Phil Parkinson’s side sit third in League Two with seven matches remaining, three points ahead of fourth placed MK Dons.They could even move level on points with league leaders Mansfield when they meet at the Racecourse Ground on Friday.Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElnenney have owned the club since 2020Credit: Getty More

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      Justin Allen: Shelf-ish West Ham chief Sullivan shows he doesn’t live in real world with bizarre EFL supermarket analogy

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      DAVID SULLIVAN likened the Premier League to Tesco and the EFL as a small supermarket chain.And the West Ham owner argued that the retail giants don’t pay out a subsidy to the little shops. he questions why should the top flight pour more money into the three lower divisions?David Sullivan does not back the Premier League paying more to the EFLCredit: GettyI don’t know if Sullivan ventures much into our high streets.But if he does, he will see that they have mostly been destroyed by retail giants. He will see boarded-up windows all over the place.Little shops were, and still should be, at the heart of communities… as should our EFL clubs.Sullivan can afford to shop at Harrods and Selfridges while most of us have to scour the shelves for bargains at Aldi or Lidl.READ MORE ON EFLJust like West Ham can afford to pay more than £50million for Brazil international Lucas Paqueta while the EFL’s bottom club Sutton United are a team packed of freebies.The Hammers chief does not seem to live in the real world – or appears at least detached from it.Does he care much about the loss of things such as our independent greengrocers, butchers and bakers?And does he give a damn about what has happened to clubs like Bury and Macclesfield as well as what is unfolding at Reading?Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIf he does, Sullivan should be front and centre of a Premier League campaign to safeguard the EFL for generations to come.He should be sticking up for the little guys because once upon a time he himself heralded from humble beginnings.Sky Sports Soccer Saturday crew burst out laughing after mascot’s hilarious reaction to being shoved in EFL clashSullivan was brought up in a council house and should understand the value of things.The West Ham owner has rightly been receiving widespread stick for his ridiculous comments and has been accused of being selfish.His remarks smacked of “I’m alright Jack, pull up the ladder”.What Sullivan failed to mention is that EFL clubs, and non-league ones for that matter, are vital to the health of the Premier League.I wonder if it dawned on him in Prague in May when West Ham lifted the Europa Conference League trophy that matchwinner Jarrod Bowen started his career in non-league with Hereford and then honed his skills in the EFL at Hull City.And key frontman Michail Antonio also did the non-league yards with Tooting and Mitcham before touring the EFL with the likes of Reading, Cheltenham, Southampton when they were in League One, Colchester, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.Without these clubs and lower divisions, neither player would have developed to become Premier League household names.Sullivan’s central argument is against introducing an independent football regulator to clean up our national game – and oversee a fairer distribution of funds across all levels of football.He believes that redistributing more funds out of the Premier League clubs’ ever-expanding coffers would threaten its status as the best football division on the planet.EFL chief executive Rick Parry pointed out clubs dining at English football’s top table pay more than £2BILLION more in wages than the four other major European leagues.Jarrod Bowen with the Conference League Trophy he won with West HamWest Ham’s Jarrod Bowen started in non-league with HerefordMichail Antonio also started his career in non-league and the EFL before West HamSo the notion that the Premier League will somehow be overtaken by other countries is fanciful and for the birds.What peeves me about the likes of Sullivan is his seemingly complete ignorance to the fact that the Premier League do not OWN our national gameThey are simply top of a highly-successful English football pyramid system that has been around for more than a century,Nowhere else in the world do you see a fourth-tier club like Bradford pulling in average gates of almost 18,000, apart from when Rangers were booted down to Scotland’s bottom division in 2012 of course.Or do you see elsewhere a cup competition for third and fourth-division clubs (the EFL Trophy) that in recent years have seen attendances at Wembley finals of 85,021 in 2019 for Charlton v Portsmouth and 79,839 for Bolton v Plymouth last April?Since the Premier League was formed in 1992, West Ham have only spent four seasons of the 32 in the second tier.Sullivan has experienced relegation from the top flight in East London and twice while he co-owned Birmingham with the late David Gold.So he knows first-hand how huge the disparity is between the Championship and Premier League.Sullivan does not want the parachute payment system to stop.Simple solution, David: manage your finances and contracts better then.But something has got to give. It is not right that clubs like Leeds, Leicester and Southampton should this season have received around £55m each while the other Championship clubs, apart from those still getting parachutes, receive just £8.2million. The West Ham owner does not think it is right for clubs like his to help those lower down the food chain who have mismanaged their finances.But then he contradicts himself by saying parachute payments are “not big enough” to help support teams that get relegated. He argues going down to the Championship would be “horrendous”.Well, simple solution, David: manage your finances and contracts better then.All deals should have relegation clauses in them where wages MUST drop as a result. I’m afraid Premier League footballers should also start living in the real world.If you fail, your wages must be cut accordingly.The Premier League right now have an opportunity to avoid a regulator coming in – but they want to play with the ball all to themselves.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo I am afraid it’s time for an adult to enter the room, crack their heads together and tell them to play fairly with the others.That will be the best way to make sure the EFL doesn’t turn into a little shop of horrors.Bury fans during the run-up of the Shakers being booted out of the EFL in 2019Macclesfield supporter protests about his club’s woesThe future of Reading is under threat More

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      League Two clash hit by 10-minute delay after linesman suffers nosebleed and undergoes treatment on the pitch

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      ONE League Two clash was delayed by almost 10 minutes after the linesman got a nosebleed during the first half.The Yorkshire derby between Harrogate Town and Bradford City was brought to a halt following the unusual incident.Harrogate Town vs Bradford City was delayed after the linesman suffered a nosebleedCredit: ©MI News & SportThe official could be seen struggling with the bleedThe linesman was treated on the pitch before play continued almost 10 minutes laterFans in the Envirovent Stadium in North Yorkshire had to wait for the linesman to be treated before the game could get underway.The official could be seen with a blooded nose, but appeared to be in good spirits despite the strange situation as he laughed while being seen to by club medics.Harrogate Town’s official X account posted: “A stoppage in play as the Assistant Referee receives treatment for what looks like a nose bleed.” Before adding five minuted later: “Still waiting for play to restart here…”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe stoppage led to an astonishing NINE minutes of additional time being added to the first half.One fan joked that Bradford’s misfiring forward’s may have been the reason for the delay in the game on social media.They wrote: “Saw city have a shot on target and had a nose bleed.”While another added: “More likely a shot that was off target caused the nose bleed.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe delay came just six minutes after Josh March had put the Sulphurites 1-0 up against their Yorkshire rivals Bradford.Both sides are languishing in mid-table in League Two this season and despite ambitions of pushing for play-off places it was the local bragging rights that were the main prize on offer between the two.Firefighters forced to intervene as Europa League Conference match delayed after fans throw fireworks on to pitchAnd it was Harrogate who will be able to boast until their next meeting as they went on to add two more goals to March’s opener.A 3-0 victory for Simon Weaver’s side gives them an outside chance at sneaking into a play-off place in the back end of the season.Harrogate Town won the derby clash 3-0Credit: Rex More

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      Did you spot former Premier League manager bizarrely quoting KUNG FU PANDA in his post-match interview?

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      TRANMERE manager Nigel Adkins went viral after trying to share words of wisdom by quoting Kung Fu Panda.Adkins, 59, currently coaches in League Two after years working in the Premier League for Southampton and Reading.Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins tried to share some words of wisdomBut Adkins accidentally quoted a line from Kung Fu Panda 2Credit: APThe Birkenhead tactician analysed the Rovers’ 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town during his post-match interview on Tuesday.And the ex-Sheffield United boss decided to focus on the present and forget about the past as well as the future.Tranmere shared their manager’s words of wisdom on social media with the following caption: “Some #WednesdayWisdom from the gaffer!”Adkins said: “Well you have to be in the present moment. You can’t turn back time.Read More on Football”The past is history, the future is a mystery! Today’s a gift, that’s why they call it the present.”However, Adkins’ post-match comments were extremely similar with some notable lines from Kung Fu Panda 2.The ex-Hull boss sounded like Grand Master Oogway when he tried to comfort key character Po in the popular movie’s sequel.Oogway told Jack Black’s character: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present!”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Tranmere are currently 16th in the League Two table with 14 wins and 19 defeats in 38 matches so far this season.Adkins took over at Prenton Park in November and has since amassed 11 wins as well as nine losses in 24 games across all competitions.EFL fans demand ‘automatic relegation’ after goalkeeper and defender combine for ‘Sunday league’ own-goalTranmere defeated Mansfield with goals by Regan Hendry and Rob Apter following Will Swan’s equaliser.[embedded content] More

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      Did you spot AFC Wimbledon star’s ‘top class s***housery’ in warm-ups before fiery clash with hated rivals MK Dons?

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      HARRY PELL has been hailed by fans for his “top class s***housery” before the clash between AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons.The midfielder was spotted winding up the travelling MK Dons supporters during the warm-ups on Saturday.Harry Pell has been hailed for his ‘top class s***housery’ against MK DonsCredit: RexPell was spotted booting balls at the MK Dons fansPell was an unused substitute for Wimbledon as they snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over their bitter rivals.Ronan Curtis came off the bench to score in the 94th minute and claim all three points.Prior to the match, though, Pell was seen booting balls straight into the away end at Plough Lane.Footage of his antics have since gone viral on social media, to the amusement of supporters.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne fan reacted by writing: “This is top class s***housery.”Another added: “That’s f***ing brilliant.”A third supporter also commented: “So much time for this.”However, an MK Dons supporter group have since confirmed they are planning to lodge a complaint against Pell.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIn a statement shared on social media, Franchise Dons said: “We plan on making a formal complaint by whatever means necessary and to whoever it may concern regarding the AFC Wimbledon player that booted 10+ balls into the MK Dons away fans prior to kick-off, whilst his team-mates peacefully warmed up.”Pell is in his second spell with Wimbledon having re-joined the club from Accrington in the summer.Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel MessiThe 32-year-old, who has scored twice this season, previously spent two years on their books between 2013 and 2015.With their derby win, Wimbledon are now just four points off the League Two play-offs in 10th.Meanwhile, MK Dons remain in the top seven in fifth and are five points adrift of the automatic promotion spots. More

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      EFL fans slam club’s ‘disgraceful’ 43-word statement sacking manager after 25 years – as owner DELETES his Twitter

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      ACCRINGTON STANLEY fans slammed the club’s “disgraceful” 43-word statement after sacking their long-serving manager.The League Two side were thumped 4-0 away at Wrexham yesterday – conceding all four in the first half in North Wales.John Coleman’s ten-year stint as Accrington Stanley boss ended after defeat at WrexhamCredit: RexCredit: Accrington StanleyThat left the ‘Owd Reds 16th in the table after a third defeat in a row as hopes of securing a play-off spot appear to be fading. And it spelt the end for Coleman, who had been boss since 2014, and his assistant Jimmy Bell.Before this decade-long stint, Coleman had also managed Accrington from 1999 to 2012 taking them from the Northern Premier League to the EFL – totalling nearly 23 years in the What Stadium dugout. But despite his dedicated service to the club dating back to the previous century, the 61-year-old’s exit was announced with a brief, blunt comment from the club. READ MORE ON EFLThe statement said: “Accrington Stanley can today confirm that John Coleman and Jimmy Bell have been informed that their contracts are terminated with immediate effect.”Everyone at the club thanks them for their long-standing service and we wish them all the very best for the future.”However, the ridiculously short press release prompted a furious backlash from raging supporters on social media.One said: “Are you taking the p***? They deserve better than that, after such brilliant and long service.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother wrote: “Is this statement for two people who have given nearly 25 years of service to the club?”A third added: “The manner of this statement is horrendously thought out. Two paragraphs for almost 25 years of promotions from obscurity in non-league to punching their weight in the EFL really does leave a very bad taste. It’s the end of a bloody great era.”EFL clash POSTPONED just an hour before kickoff as fans fume ‘you’re a disgrace’A fourth fumed: “A truly graceless statement. Over two decades at the club, John Coleman has the respect of many in the game and deserved better than this shoddy paragraph.”And a final user simply replied: “Shocking.”To make matters worse, unpopular Accrington owner Andy Holt appeared to delete his X account immediately after news of Coleman’s sacking broke. Holt – who famously put the club up for sale on the social media platform – regularly got into bitter spats online.That included a row with Boris Johnson during Covid and Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham over ticket prices.The Hollywood pair’s side were angered that Accrington hiked up prices for their fans’ trip to the Wham Stadium – and responded by reducing the costs for yesterday’s return fixture.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat led to Holt hitting out at Wrexham’s “stupid mistimed statements”. And just two weeks ago, the controversial owner revealed on X he was raising season ticket prices and the cost of beer to fix a “million-pound hole” at the club relegated last season. More

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      FA set to use FANS in trial of radical new countdown plan to stop goalkeepers time wasting

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      FANS in stadiums will be invited to join in a “five second countdown” before time-wasting goalkeepers give away a throw-in or a corner.The radical trial could be used in the EFL lower divisions or the Football League Trophy from next season after being backed by the game’s Law-making body the International FA Board.Refs will be encouraged to punish goalkeepers taking too long on goal kicksCredit: GettyWhile introducing sin-bins in professional football has gone on the backburner after a global backlash, Ifab chiefs, at their annual general meeting at Loch Lomond, believe their latest idea will help reduce time-wasting.The current six second rule, rarely punished, will be extended to eight seconds, but with referees then holding up their hands to count down to zero with five seconds left.FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “So many times we see the goalkeeper holding onto the ball for five or six seconds at 0-0 and then when they’re 1-0 up they suddenly hold it for 25 seconds.“That’s not right and people get frustrated.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Once the goalkeeper has got the ball under control, and the referee puts up his hand so that the five seconds gets counted down, you’ll see the crowd respond to that and the other players will.“In terms of how you give possession to the other team, the protocols being discussed are either a throw-in in line with the penalty spot or a corner.“There are pros and cons to both of them. They are still working that out but both will be trialled.”Other trials available from July 1 will see only captains allowed to speak to referees and the use of “cooling off periods” where feuding players would be ordered back to their respective penalty boxes until tempers calmed.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPushed on whether that would see the discussions with the EFL and other leagues on introduction of any of the ideas next term, Bullingham added: “I’m sure we will.“We haven’t got to that point yet but I anticipate that some will be looked at lower levels of English football.’How is he our captain’ moan Man Utd fans as Bruno Fernandes spotted furiously arguing with referee after Fulham loss“What level we will look at is an open discussion, I’m sure we’ll get that discussion with the relevant leagues.“It’s clear that we’re not aiming at the top two leagues in any country. But we’ve got so many options in England.”The meeting took place hours after Fifa President Gianni Infantino gave a “red card to blue cards” as the way of signalling sin-bins.But Ifab chiefs insisted they are not turning their backs on the sin-bin principle – although it will be purely for dissent and not, as previously suggested, cynical “action football action” fouls.Trials at grass roots levels will continue ahead of possible future extension.Bullingham added: “We’ve focused on the area that is more straightforward, which is dissent and encouraging referees to come into the game.“It’s something that affects 90 per cent of the game at all levels.“The cynical foul aspect is a subjective one and that potentially makes applying it harder. Let’s get sin-bins right first and then see if there is a broader application.”Changes for next season will see the option of permanent concussion substitutions written into the Laws as well as red cards for penalty box defensive handballs which deny scoring chances.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Premier League and PFA have called for a trial of temporary concussion replacements and Bullingham conceded: “Permanent substitutions is a positive and there are medics who say that means there is no risk of an injured player being sent back on the pitch.“We operate in an environment where different opinions are aired. English football does think temporary substitutions is worth being trialled at some point but we’ve made big steps forward.” More