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      ‘I have no words’, says shocked fans as on-loan Arsenal keeper Okonkwo appears to push the ball over his own goal-line

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      ARSENAL fans watched through their fingers… as their on-loan goalkeeper let the ball through his. Arthur Okonkwo, 22, is spending the 2023-24 season with Wrexham as Ben Foster’s replacement.
      Arthur Okonkwo escaped after an almighty blunderCredit: Alamy
      He messed up a routine catch away at MK DonsCredit: X
      The ball bounced towards the lineCredit: X
      He dived back and got his gloves back on the ballCredit: X

      And the youngster made a very lucky escape in the League Two clash against MK Dons on Tuesday night.
      Okonkwo suffered a goalkeeper’s nightmare when a routine catch went horribly wrong.
      Instead of clutching on to the ball, he somehow spilled it backwards, sending it bouncing towards the goal.
      The former Crewe and Sturm Graz loanee desperately scrambled back and made a last-ditch dive to grab the ball before it crossed the line.
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      He ended up seemingly pushing it on to – if not over – the line.
      And plenty were convinced Okonkwo should have been penalised for his blunder because they were convinced the ball went in.
      Some even sensationally insisted this was the latest in a series of dodgy decisions to go Wrexham’s way as part of a bigger conspiracy theory.
      One said: “I have no words.”
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      Another wrote: “Clearly a goal wtf.”
      A third typed: “Did we get away with Okonkwo bringing the ball into the goal and the goal not given? Yes.”
      Some of the best saves from Arsenal youth goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo since his u18 debut
      A fourth quipped: “We got away with that Okonkwo save hahahaha.”
      And a fifth added the “pretends to be shocked” meme.
      Others, though, were not convinced due to the lack of available camera angles.
      One responded: “Tbf, there’s absolutely no way you can say, conclusively, that’s over the line.”

      Another replied: “It doesn’t look great but you’re right, you can’t say for certain.”
      It is not the first time this season Okonkwo’s goalkeeping has been in the spotlight.
      Against Blackburn in the FA Cup last month, the England Under-18 star – who had just returned from jaw surgery – came rushing out of his penalty area, gifting Rovers an easy finish.
      That prompted cutting comments like “he’s lost the plot”, “yikes” and “lettuce hands” online.
      Credit: X
      Credit: X
      Credit: X
      Other than the nervy heart-stopping moment when the ball wriggled free from his grasp, Wrexham fans were absolutely delighted with Okonkwo’s performance at MK Dons as he made a string of massive saves, including in injury time.
      The Red Dragons – co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – headed back to North Wales with a 1-1 draw.
      James McClean fired the visitors in front but Dan Kemp levelled four minutes later before both sides had a man sent off after the break.
      One Wrexham supporter said: “Arthur Okonkwo, what a guy.”
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      Another commented: “Thank goodness for Okonkwo. What a gem.”
      And a third declared: “Arthur Okonkwo is my man crush. Decent point. We move on.”
      Okonkwo scrambled back desperatelyCredit: X
      MK Dons players and fans were convinced it went inCredit: X
      The Arsenal loanee breathed a huge sigh of reliefCredit: X
      Okonkwo made a string of important saves in the 1-1 drawCredit: X More

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      EFL chairman to raise season tickets prices and cost of beer in blunt series of tweets with club in ‘million pound hole’

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      THE chairman of League Two side Accrington Stanley has raised season ticket prices and the cost of beer to fix a “million pound hole.”Andy Holt made the blunt reveal to fans through a series of posts on X.
      Accrington Stanley have raised season ticket and beer prices to make ends meetCredit: Getty
      Chairman Andy Holt said the club was looking at a ‘million pound hole’Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Accrington were relegated to League Two last season after finishing second-bottom.
      As a result, their finances have taken a huge hit.
      And with promotion back to League One looking unlikely, 12th-place Accrington are finding other ways to beat the pinch.
      Holt confirmed on social media that the first course of action was to raise season ticket prices, generating an extra £34,000.
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      Telling fans to “remember we’re in a million pound hole”, Holt revealed that “matchday ticketing will also increase, bringing in a further £145k.”
      But punters will have to cough up more for drinks and snacks too, with beer and concessions for ALL events at the Crown Ground rising to bring in an extra £70k.
      That amounts to a grand total of £249k, with Holt adding: “If you don’t want to buy a Wispa off the club, I can do nothing about that.
      “It’s your club, as I’m reminded often and agree with. First team costs will fall by a minimum of £250k. This is our future.”
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      Holt went on to reveal that some “forever injured players” are costing Accrington a small fortune.
      He said: “Saturday’s squad of 18 cost the club a total of £621,395.20 a year, out of £1.6million being blown on forever injured players and some that are having operations for long-held injuries.
      EFL clashes postponed hours before kick-off as heavy rain wreaks havoc on football calendar
      “Some of which they had when they were signed, knowing full well they are not signing a new contract at the end of the season.
      “On top of that we have the cost of physio, medical etc. It’s not good enough. I don’t accept we’re just unlucky.”
      In October, Holt sensationally put Accrington Stanley up for sale on Twitter.
      And after spelling out his plan to receive more income through TV deals, “increased commercial activity” and sell-on fees, Holt provided an update.
      He added: “There is ZERO hope of me funding football losses of over £1m again.
      “I don’t mind investing in facilities. It’s unlikely there will be a sale of the club.” More

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      My dad is a Premier League winning captain but now I’m making my own way in football with the Class of 92

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      CALLUM HENDRY believes he and new boss Karl Robinson still have time to revive Salford’s season.The sub levelled two minutes into injury time in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Swindon and nearly hit a winner in the dying seconds.
      Callum Hendry is hoping for a successful end to the season with SalfordCredit: Rex
      Hendry’s dad Colin won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1995Credit: Getty
      And he backs the Ammies, owned by Manchester United’s famous Class of 92, to make a late play-off surge in League Two.
      Hendry, 26, said: “This point was massive.
      “But the gaffer told us at half-time that he didn’t want to draw this game, he wanted us to go and win it.
      “The season’s not over, no chance.
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      “At the back of most people’s minds, especially in a league like this, is anything can happen.”
      Hendry is the son of Blackburn’s Premier League title-winning captain Colin.
      The former defender won 51 caps for Scotland during his playing career, which also included a league title with Rangers.
      He later returned to Blackburn, where his son began his career, as under-21 assistant manager.
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      Hendry left Rovers for St Johnstone in 2017 before loan spells with Brechin City, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.
      He joined Salford in 2022, with Saturday’s goal his 18th in 64 appearances for the club.
      Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers
      The forward’s style of play is slightly different to that of his ‘Braveheart’ father.
      And his leveller will have gone down well with Ryan Giggs, who was spotted in the crowd at the County Ground.
      Swindon revamped their forward line in January and threw on returning hero Harry McKirdy, new boy Aaron Drinan and old-stager Charlie Austin to turn the game in the last half-hour.
      Swindon peppered the City goal and finally went ahead with George McEachran’s strike in the 82nd minute before Hendry’s late sucker punch.
      Loanee Zachary Elbouzedi said: “We looked pretty sharp. The only thing missing was the final pass, the final shot. That comes with playing games together.” More

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      I was called a P*** b*****d in an EFL match last week – it’s second time that’s happened on the pitch… it’s sickening

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      OMAR BUGIEL was called a ‘P*** b*****d’ at a League Two game last Saturday — and said: “This isn’t the culture I want my two little girls to grow up in.”The AFC Wimbledon star was racially targeted at Bradford and on the same day, Birmingham’s Juninho Bacuna was abused during their game at West Brom.
      Omar Bugiel (left) in action against Bradford, the match in which he was racially abused by a supporterCredit: Rex
      Bugiel says he does not want his daughters growing up in such a cultureCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      Bugiel, 30, who has daughters Bria, four, and Bonnie, two, with wife Lauren, said: “It’s sickening to think someone would say such a thing.
      “I can’t believe this is still happening in football — and especially in a multi-cultural city like Bradford.
      “This isn’t the culture I want my two little girls to grow up in.”
      Towards the end of Saturday’s goalless draw at Valley Parade, ref Ross Joyce halted proceedings after a spectator was heard abusing the Wimbledon forward.

      Bugiel said: “I went down after being fouled and took my time getting up because I’d received a kick to my shin.
      “The home crowd were getting angry and vocal because they wanted the game to restart quickly.
      “But, just as we were about to take the free-kick, the ref stopped to speak to one of his assistants.
      “It was only a few minutes later, when the game had finished, that the ref approached me and said, ‘Omar, something racist was said towards you, the linesman picked it up’.
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      Even though I didn’t hear the racist abuse on Saturday, it’s upsetting to think that was directed at me just because I look a bit different.Omar Bugiel
      “It was then explained a spectator had said, ‘Get up, you P*** b*****d’.
      “I was shocked because it’s the second time that specific word has been used against me.
      “When I was at Sutton, we played Barrow in April 2022 and it was said to me face-to-face. That really shook me because I’d never experienced racism on a personal level.
      “Although, that particular season my team-mate Coby Rowe was racially abused during a game at Crawley.”
      Berlin-born Bugiel was brought up in Germany by his Lebanese dad Khaled and Polish mum Ewa. He moved to the UK aged 16 after his mother paid for him to study English in Chichester.
      The winger, who fully embraced and enjoyed English culture, became a professional footballer for Forest Green, Sutton and the Dons after doing the hard yards in non-league with Selsey, Burgess Hill, Bognor Regis, Bromley and Worthing.
      He became the first Lebanese international to play in the EFL and score at Wembley — having netted for Bromley in the 2018 FA Trophy final.
      Bugiel, whose side face Barrow on Saturday, said: “Even though I didn’t hear the racist abuse on Saturday, it’s upsetting to think that was directed at me just because I look a bit different.
      “The language might have been heard by others of a particular ethnicity or children in the crowd. It’s very sad.
      “At Barrow, a middle-aged guy directed the P-word at me.
      “I immediately reported that incident to the referee. The culprit was arrested by police for questioning and it turns out he had been drinking.
      “I completely understand emotions in football can run high — but I don’t understand how anyone can then turn that into racial abuse.
      “I’d never dream of even criticising someone I’ve never met.
      “What is ironic about Saturday is they even had ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ displayed on the screens before kick-off.”
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino has called for clubs who have a match abandoned due to racism to forfeit the game.
      But Bugiel is not convinced that is the answer. He said: “No one wants to see a game forfeited and I don’t think that would necessarily work.
      “However, if it gets to the point where the abuse from the terraces doesn’t stop, then they should perhaps play a game behind closed doors or face a points deduction if they continually step out of line.
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      “Ultimately it’s down to the home team to control their spectators.”
      Bradford are co-operating with West Yorkshire Police to identify the fan and confirmed that anyone found to be racist in their stadium will receive an immediate life ban.
      Birmingham’s Juninho Bacuna talks with the referee David Webb after he was racially abused by a West Brom fan last SaturdayCredit: Reuters More

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      Former Premier League star joins League Two side Crewe Alexandra after almost two years unemployed

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Keiren Westwood has joined Crewe Alexandra after spending almost two years in the football wilderness. Westwood, 39, played Premier League football with Sunderland between 2011 and 2014.
      Crewe have signed former Premier League star Keiren WestwoodCredit: INSTAGRAM @crewealexofficial
      Manager Lee Bell said the club were ‘delighted’ to have himCredit: INSTAGRAM @crewealexofficial
      After leaving Queens Park Rangers in July 2022, the goalkeeper had spent two years unemployed.
      However, Westwood has now found a new club with League Two Crewe.
      Westwood has signed a short-term deal ahead of the club’s next game against Crawley on Saturday.
      On the signing, manager Lee Bell said: “Keiren is going to sign for an initial month and then we will take it from there.
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      “He’s a brilliant professional and has been around the club for three years. He came with us as part of the coaching team when Fred (Barber) was ill earlier in the season.
      “He’s got great experience and he is a great influence. I’ve told him his job is to push Harvey (Davies), so he knows there is pressure on him and he has to perform.  
      “He has had plenty of offers in this league, higher above, and abroad.
      “He’s never retired but he only wants to do things that are right for him and his family. We are delighted to have him.”
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      Westwood has also represented the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Carlisle and Coventry City, accruing more than 500 appearances in all competitions.
      Born in Manchester, Westwood played for Fletcher Moss Rangers before going on to star for Manchester City.
      Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careers
      However, he never made a first team appearance before joining Carlisle in 2005.
      He was linked with a move to Shamrock Rovers last summer but the move fell apart due to personal circumstances. More

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      Crewe Alexandra keeper Tom Booth, 19, in hospital with collapsed lung after horror injury

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      CREWE ALEXANDRA keeper Tom Booth is in hospital with a collapsed lung after suffering a chest injury against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.The shot-stopper was forced off after a heavy collision on the pitch just after halftime in the League Two clash.
      Tom Booth’s lung collapsed after a heavy collision with a Tranmere Rover playerCredit: Rex
      Booth, 19, was diving to save at the feet of Tranmere striker Charlie Jolley before he was hit with the blow at Prenton Park.
      The homegrown keeper was then rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital where he has since been receiving treatment for a collapsed lung.
      Crewe have given an injury update on the teen who is now feeling better and is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.
      The club wished Tom a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing the star back on the pitch.
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      A club statement read: “He will miss the clash with Crawley Town this weekend but is hoping to get the all-clear to resume light training towards the end of next week.
      “Everybody at Crewe Alexandra wishes Tom a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing him back on the pitch.”
      He is set to miss Crewe’s next match against Crawley Town on Saturday.
      But fans can expect the goalie to be back between the sticks in training towards the end of next week.
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      The teen made his first-team debut against Grimsby in April 2023.
      Booth has been at the club for over ten years and has made nine straight appearances since mid-December for Crewe.
      And the youngster has also managed to keep three clean sheets throughout his time at the League Two side. More

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      Non-league match descends into chaos as fan pins down and PUNCHES steward and referee is hit with smoke bomb

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      SATURDAY’s Non-League match between Barnet and Wealdstone descended into chaos as a fan attacked a steward and smoke bombs were thrown onto the pitch.The hosts were on course to bag all three points courtesy of a 1-0 win before a 100th-minute equaliser from Corie Andrews.
      The Non-League match between Barnet and Wealdstone descended into a chaos after a 100th minute equaliserCredit: X
      A Wealdstone fan stormed the pitch and attacked a steward trying to stop pitch invadersCredit: X
      Wealdstone players quickly set about the lout as well as another fanCredit: X
      The joyous scenes in the away end, however, quickly turned sour as a minority of Wealdstone fans ran onto the pitch.
      And footage of the incident showed a steward being wrestled to the ground and PUNCHED by a fan after entering the field to stop pitch invaders.
      Wealdstone players, amid plumes of blue smoke, and another fan ran to the steward to break up the scuffle and remove the lout from the scene.
      The incident went viral on X and was widely condemned by footie fans, with one saying: “Disgusting.”
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      Another said: “Behaviour like this warrants a lifetime ban from football grounds and a prison sentence.”
      And another said: “Should not be allowed back in ANY football stadium ever again! Absolutely no time for this..”
      One remarked: “Absolutely disgraceful.”
      Another chimed in: “I hope that steward is paid a month’s money by the club.
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      Players from both sets of teams gave the thug a piece of their mind after his vile assaultCredit: X
      “He doesn’t get paid much money to be putting up with that.”
      The Barnet fan who originally shared the clip wrote: “Classy that from a Wealdstone fan.
      “Pinning down and punching the steward.”
      Another of the Barnet faithful said: “This is very bad. We don’t need this kind of attitude in our game.”
      Wealdstone issued a statement condemning the actions of the fans who stormed the pitch, whom they’ve vowed to punish.
      It read: “The Board of Directors at Wealdstone Football Club unequivocally condemn the actions of the individual who invaded the pitch during our National League fixture at Barnet FC yesterday, following our equalising goal and assaulted a match day steward.
      “Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and goes against the values that our club stands for.
      “We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all participants, spectators and attendees at our games, which is why we will be working closely with Barnet Football Club and the Metropolitan Police to identify and take appropriate action against any supporters who entered the pitch and those directly involved in this incident.
      Referee Dale Staines was also hit with a smoke bomb which appeared to be thrown by Barnet fansCredit: X
      “All culprits identified will face the full consequences of their actions.
      “It is with deep regret that the reprehensible behaviour of a few has overshadowed what was a moment of celebration for our team and the vast majority of our supporters, who behaved impeccably and adhered to the ground regulations throughout the match.
      “We are very disappointed that the actions of these few individuals have cast a shadow over our club and our dedicated fans.
      “The club wishes to express its sincere apologies to the match day steward affected by this incident, and we will ensure they receive our full support.
      “We also want to thank the majority of our fans who continue to show their passionate support in a respectful and responsible manner.
      Wealdstone Football Club will not tolerate any form of misconduct that jeopardises the safety and enjoyment of football.
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      “We are dedicated to maintaining a family-friendly and safe environment for all fans and participants, reinforcing the positive and respectful image of our club and its supporters.
      The draw at the Hive was also marred by a flare – which appeared to be thrown from the home end – hitting ref Dale Staines and causing him to stumble. More

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      Meet five sacked managers this season who have quickly returned to the game – but will they be a success?

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      I WAS watching that hilarious episode of hit TV comedy Alan Partridge this week where he had written his autobiography Bouncing Back.It charted a so-called comeback from his disastrous broadcasting career and break-up from his wife.
      Tony Mowbray is hoping to help Birmingham recover from their failed Wayne Rooney experiment
      That got me thinking about football managers who have been sacked but bounced back.
      And this season there have been five bosses who have been shown the door – but have quickly returned into management.
      Here I take a quick look at those managers who are bouncing back.
      MICHAEL BEALE (Sunderland)
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      Michael Beale was axed by Rangers and is now under pressure at Sunderland
      IF you’re managing Rangers, and Celtic are above you in the table, you’re always standing on quicksand and he was duly slung out of Ibrox.
      But the Londoner – who walked out on QPR last season just weeks after pledging his devoted loyalty to them – took over at the Black Cats in December.
      Like Alan Partridge, his story might be quickly pulped if he loses his job at the Stadium of Light.
      Mackems fans were not impressed with the three straight defeats which was halted by Saturday’s vital 3-1 win against Stoke.
      TONY MOWBRAY (Birmingham)
      Talking of Sunderland, what the hell were they playing at in the first place by sacking Tony Mowbray?
      This affable man was doing a superb job for the Black Cats, getting them into the play-offs last season against the odds and had them punching around those spots again this time around.
      But he has landed himself into the self-inflicted chaos at St Andrew’s after they decided the Wayne Rooney project was not a good idea after all. No s**t Sherlock, John Eustace had them flying.
      Mowbray has won one and drawn the other of his two league games so far with his priority simply to just keep Birmingham up.  Groundhog Day for Blues fans.
      DARREN MOORE (Huddersfield)
      Darren Moore was axed on the eve of the season by Wednesday
      MADCAP Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri decided to get rid of the manager who inspired his team to promotion on the eve of the season.
      Darren Moore had even helped his side come back from 4-0 down against Peterborough in the play-offs semi-finals en route!
      The ex-West Brom boss took over at Huddersfield but is hardly bouncing back and is on dodgy ground, managing three wins from 23 games so far.
      MATT TAYLOR (Bristol Rovers)
      HAVING done a decent job with Exeter, he got a big Championship break by being named Paul Warne’s replacement at Rotherham last season.
      Despite keeping the Millers in the second tier, they struggled this time around and he was booted out of the New York Stadium in November with the club third bottom. 
      But he swiftly replaced gobby Joey Barton following his sacking and had an instant impact with four wins and a draw from his first six games. However, it’s been tough since and their 3-1 win over Oxford on Saturday halted a five-game losing streak.
      GRAHAM ALEXANDER (Bradford)
      THE Bantams boss has had some bad luck when it comes to losing his jobs at previous clubs.
      Scunthorpe decided to get rid of him after he led them to the brink of the Championship, they’re now in the National League North.
      Numbnut Gary Neville crazily dismissed the Burnley legend when they were unbeaten after five games and fifth in League Two … all this after taking Salford into the EFL and guiding them to an EFL Trophy final.
      And this season MK Dons wielded the axe after just 16 games – showing little patience.
      Yet he has arrived at Valley Parade and despite a decent start they have gone off the boil, failing to win in their last seven League Two games. They need to let him have a summer to sort it all out and go again next season. 
      Newport ‘builders’ work on a Sunday?
      THERE must have been some timely structural repairs going on in Rodney Road, Newport, this week.
      Some houses along the street which runs parallel to County’s Rodney Parade suddenly needed scaffolding erected.
      It’s incredible that those ‘builders’ not only were prepared to do overtime by working on a Sunday – but also stayed on site until a good couple of hours after 4:30pm.
      That’s what you call dedication. They must have great ratings on Checkatrade.
      Alfie, 10, gives Walsall team talk
      WALSALL boss Mat Sadler let 10-year-old fan Alfie Donnelly do his team-mate before their League Two game with Sutton.
      Alfie has multiple, complex heart conditions that have left him needing four lots of open heart surgery.
      The Saddlers invited the youngster to the training ground to meet and interview his favourite player Joe Riley as well as go to the Bescot Stadium to rile up the players before kick-off as well as read out the teams over the PA system.
      Boss Sadler said: “We all love Alfie. He’s always smiling and is an inspiration to us all.”
      Little Alfie Donnelly, 10, gives his Walsall heroes a team talk
      Elokobi is just what the EFL needs 
      SURELY any EFL club looking for a new manager should be on the blower to Maidstone United’s George Elokobi. 
      I suggested, tongue in cheek, that maybe even Liverpool should look at him!
      But, seriously, what he did before the FA Cup game against Ipswich at the gates of Portman Road on Saturday was incredible – giving the Maidstone fans a passionate from-the-heart motivational speech alongside the players.
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      This is exactly the sort of thing football needs. There are too many dullards working at bigger clubs who would stop this sort of raw passion being allowed to happen or seen.
      We need less of them and more of George Elokobi.  More