League Two

LEWIS MACARI followed in the footsteps of his famous grandad to score a screamer on his EFL debut – winning the game and sparking wild scenes.The 21-year-old is on the books of Stoke, having come through the Potters’ academy.
Lewis Macari scored a belter on his debut in the EFL for Notts CountyCredit: Rex
Macari let fly from outside the areaCredit: Twitter / @SkyBetLeagueTwo

But after loans at non-league Market Drayton Town and Dundalk, he has now joined Notts County in League Two.
And he delivered the goods on his senior debut for the Magpies.
After replacing Richard Brindley as an early sub away at Gillingham on Saturday, Macari decided the game with a superb strike 12 minutes from time.
The right-back latched on to a pass just outside the area and thundered the ball into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
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That put County 2-1 up at Priestfield and prompted huge celebrations among the players and travelling fans as Luke Williams’ men clinched all three points.
The result keeps Notts County’s promotion charge in full swing, with the newly-promoted side second after 14 games, two points adrift of leaders Stockport.
Macari has no shortage of sporting pedigree.
The youngster’s dad Paul was a professional footballer and uncle Mike was at Stoke.
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But it is grandad Lou who enjoyed the most success in the game.
The former midfielder starred for Celtic and Swindon either side of 11 years at Manchester United.
The 24-cap Scotland international arrived at Old Trafford for £200,000 in 1973.
He racked up 97 goals in 404 appearances for the Red Devils and won the FA Cup and Second Division.
Macari Sr went on to have seven managerial jobs, including a spell at Celtic sandwiched by two stints with Stoke in the 1990s.
Away from football, he also set up a homeless shelter after being inspired to help people sleeping rough in the winter.
The ball flew into the top cornerCredit: Twitter / @SkyBetLeagueTwo
The travelling Magpies fans celebrated the stunning winner wildlyCredit: Twitter / @SkyBetLeagueTwo
The win keeps Notts County’s promotion tilt on the right pathCredit: Rex
Lou Macari spent 11 years at Manchester United and won the FA CupCredit: PA More

EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Mike Williamson has been appointed MK Dons boss.The former Newcastle star has now officially retired from playing to focus on his career as a manager.
Mike Williamson has been unveiled as the new MK Dons bossCredit: Twitter @footballdaily
He played for Newcastle from 2010 to 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor
Williamson has spent the last four seasons in charge of Gateshead.
The 39-year-old was initially appointed as a player-manager but has only made a handful of appearances over recent campaigns.
Williamson guided Gateshead to promotion from the National League North two seasons ago and leaves them sitting sixth in the fifth tier.
He replaces the sacked Graham Alexander with the club 16th in League Two.
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On his appointment, Williamson said: “It’s been a quick turnaround and it was a tough decision to leave Gateshead but when a club like this comes in, it’s a no brainer.
“We have a talented squad, with strength in depth, and we’ll come in and start getting to know the group.
“They’ve got to trust us and buy into what we stand for – we have a lot of ideas that we want to implement, but it will be one thing at a time. It is going to be an evolution.”
Club chairman Pete Winkelman added: “We believe we have found someone who is clearly aligned with what we want to see from an MK Dons team and I am very excited to welcome him.
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“Mike is a winner. He has achieved promotions throughout his playing career and already as a manager.”
Gateshead coaches Ian Watson and Chris Bell follow him to Stadium MK.
Williamson most notably played for Wycombe, Watford, Newcastle and Wolves during his career.
He was a regular for the Toon from 2010 to 2015, making 169 appearances. More

FOOTBALL fans were left in hysterics after Gillingham manager Keith Millen was sent off for TRIPPING Walsall winger Tom Knowles.Walsall beat Gillingham 4-1 in their League Two clash on Saturday afternoon.
Gillingham boss Keith Millen was sent off for tripping Walsall winger Tom KnowlesCredit: X @skyfootball
Gillingham interim manager Keith Millen sees red for bizarrely tripping Walsall winger Tom Knowles as he attempted to take a throw-in 😲 pic.twitter.com/kqb6mrr6vb— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 14, 2023

The referee had no choice but to send Millen off for his ridiculous actCredit: X @SkyFootball
But the most eye-catching moment of the game came in the 28th minute when the score was still goalless.
After Gillingham put the ball out of play, Knowles looked to take a quick throw-in.
But he was prevented from doing so by Gillingham boss Millen as he walked out of his technical area and stuck his foot out to send Knowles tumbling to the ground.
Referee Charles Breakspear had no choice but to send Millen off for his bizarre actions.
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And social media was left in stitches at the remarkable episode.
One person said: “The spirit of Pardew lives on.”
This is in reference to Alan Pardew headbutting Hull’s David Meyler while he was Newcastle manager back in 2014.
Another added: “Nothing wrong with this 🤣.”
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While a third joked: “Not a denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Yellow at best.”
A fourth brilliant added: “He went for the ball.”
And a fifth said: “This is unprofessional.”
Walsall’s Isaac Hutchinson went on to give the hosts the lead just six minutes after the incident.
And Hutchinson bagged a hat-trick with two more in the second half as Walsall climb to 13th, with Gillingham dropping to seventh. More

GILLINGHAM have sacked manager Neil Harris.The League Two side fell to eighth in the table following their 2-0 defeat at Crewe on Tuesday night.
Gillingham have sacked manager Neil HarrisCredit: PA
Harris, 46, joined Gillingham in January 2022 having previously managed Millwall and Cardiff.
The former striker couldn’t prevent the Gills from League One relegation during his first half-season in charge.
He subsequently guided them to a 17th finish in League Two amid a takeover last term.
In a club statement, the Gills confirmed: “Gillingham Football Club has today decided to part company with Manager Neil Harris, who has been in charge at Priestfield for just over 20 months.
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“Having joined the Club in February of 2022, Neil nearly kept the team in League One, getting relegated on the last day of the season on goal difference, making up a 10-point deficit in the process.
“The Club has decided it now wishes to go in a different direction and will begin the process of identifying a Head Coach to take the team forward.”
Harris’ assistant David Livermore has also departed Priestfield.
Gillingham have confirmed that Keith Millen will step in as interim boss while they conduct their new manager search.
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Millen, 57, has previously managed Bristol City and Carlisle United, as well as Swedish side Orgryte IS.
He also had three spells as Crystal Palace’s caretaker boss.

Fans have had a mixed reaction to Harris’ dismissal.
One tweeted: “Never saw that coming.”
While a second wrote: “Bit of a dip in form and sacked? Seems a strange one.”
Another fan replied, however: “Bit of a dip of form? We’ve not played well even when winning.”
A further social media user commented: “Do feel for Neil but was never going to be anything but a mid table side watching a defensive minded team I do feel he has created a brilliant team that can really achieve in this league but hasn’t been able to execute it I wish him all the best thank you for everything!”
And a fourth added: “That’s come out of the blue! Not too sad about it though, hopefully a new manager will get the best out of what is a very talented squad.”
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Harris won 31 of his 90 games in charge of Gillingham, drawing 25 and losing 34.
The Gills are set to host MK Dons on Saturday.
Keith Millen has stepped in as caretaker bossCredit: Rex More

AFC WIMBLEDON’S managing director quit after a hidden bug recorded him making vile sexist and abusive comments about a colleague, who he called a “f***ing s**g” he wanted to “murder”.The League Two club confirmed on September 4 Danny Macklin would leave his post four days later.
Danny Macklin was recorded allegedly using vile sexist and abusive comments before his AFC Wimbledon exitCredit: Twitter @dannymacca81
Rebecca Markham, works as the ticketing manager at the clubCredit: Twitter @AFCWimbledon
No reason was given for his sudden departure at the time but they simply thanked him for his “hard work” in the role in a brief 62-word statement.
But now The Times report Macklin resigned because he was exposed by a hidden recorder placed in his office by a club security officer.
Macklin, 42, was caught talking about wanting to remove ticketing manager Rebeca Markham from her job.
He called ex-Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham employee Markham a “f***ing s**t”, a “f***ing b****” and a “f***ing s**g” in a horrendous onslaught.
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In one recording released by The Times, Macklin was heard saying to two female colleagues, “I f***ing want to put her [Markham] through a f***ing window.
“I’ve never wanted to kill someone, but I’d like to kill her. F***ing slut.
“I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone more in my life. Someone has got to punch her in the face.”
He also added: “Ah, s**t, f***ing b****.
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“I’d like to put her through a f***ing window.
“I f***ing want to murder her… I f***ing hate her… f***ing s**g.”
The comments came just two months after Macklin and Markham had been part of AFC Wimbledon’s involvement in the Her Game Too campaign to fight sexism in football.
Then, Macklin had said: “We welcome initiatives that encourage more girls and women to attend our games, or take part in activities.
“The repeated use of chants that are not family-friendly will prevent us from attracting new fans.”
However, the ex-Leyton Orient CEO – who also worked as commercial director at Southend United and Essex County Cricket Club – left his job after the clandestine device caught his expletive-laden, derogatory rant.
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British army veteran Matthew Wells planted the bug amid concerns about the alleged abuse of staff at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The 57-year-old, who joined the army aged 16 and served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, threatened to take the recording to the Prince of Wales if AFC Wimbledon failed to act.
Wells met Prince William, president of the Football Association, in the army.
He told a friend: “I couldn’t believe what I heard. The way he was talking about Rebecca was terrible.
“I think the club has responded properly. When they had the evidence, they acted quickly.
“I think Danny was under a lot of pressure at work but that does not excuse the comments.”
Macklin posted a lengthy parting message thanking colleagues and supporters after ten months at AFC Wimbledon.
He then posted on LinkedIn that he is going to spend “much-needed time with my young family before taking my next challenge”.
AFC Wimbledon denied they had covered up Macklin’s alleged disgusting behaviour after The Times revealed the shocking recording.
‘UNACCEPTABLE AND UTTERLY INAPPROPRIATE’
The South-West London club – who returned to Plough Lane in 2020 – said: “AFC Wimbledon strives to be a responsible, inclusive and modern fan-owned club.
“As such, it takes its obligation to act properly and set an example, as well as its duty of care towards employees and fans, extremely seriously.
“Behaviour such as that being alleged was and is not tolerated, nor is it representative of the culture at the club.
“Once we became aware of the matter we acted appropriately in accordance with our responsibilities and values to promptly resolve it. For legal reasons we are not able to say more.”
A club official added: “What was said would have been unacceptable in any era and is utterly inappropriate for today.”
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Markham declined to comment while Macklin refused to address the recording when approached by The Times.
He said: “For legal reasons I make no comment.” More