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      Graham Alexander tells his MK Dons players to use West Ham’s European hero Jarrod Bowen as inspiration to reach the top

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      GRAHAM ALEXANDER has told his MK Dons players they must believe they can be future European trophy winners like Jarrod Bowen.This summer the Dons boss used West Ham winger Bowen as a perfect case study for his team — after the former non-league Hereford player scored the winner in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina to end the Hammers’ 43-year wait for a trophy.
      Graham Alexander is enjoying being back in EFL management with MK Dons
      Jarrod Bowen went from playing Hereford to being a European trophy hero
      Alexander himself laboured in League Two for several years with Scunthorpe but went on to become the oldest player to make his top-flight debut with Burnley aged 37.
      He told SunSport: “There are many examples of players who climbed the divisions — the likes of Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio, Bowen and, although not as high-profile, myself. 
      “I played at this level for seven years from 16 to 23 but ended up in the Premier League, scoring against Manchester City and Arsenal. 
      “When I was in League Two I didn’t think of being a Premier League player. I wanted to get to the next level then the next one after that and kept doing that. 

      “It was my belief the Premier League was too far for me as a player and I’m sure Jarrod Bowen would have been thinking that at Hereford rather than, ‘I’ll be playing in a European final one day and scoring the winner!’
      “This’s what players must believe. It might not happen overnight, might not happen in the next month or the next two seasons.
      “But if you keep making improvements and dedicating yourself to your job and career, if you’re good enough you can do anything if you make the right decisions and show the right level of commitment and quality.”
      It was while playing at Preston under Bowen’s Hammers boss David Moyes in the third tier that Alexander’s game improved leaps and bounds.
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      Bowen in his non-league days playing for Hereford
      Alexander converts from the spot for Burnley against Arsenal
      He said: “I turned my life upside down. I thought I knew what dedication was then I moved to a club and played under Moyes and thought, ‘That’s dedication.’ It wasn’t just Moyes driving me, it was my team-mates too.
      “Vardy left Fleetwood in 2012 then he’s won the Premier League in 2016. Anything is possible.”
      Alexander’s managerial career has seen him ruthlessly sacked twice — providing proof madness reigns supreme in some boardrooms.
      First Scunthorpe wielded the axe five years ago when they were FIFTH in League One with Alexander set to take the club into the play-offs for the second successive season.
      That decision backfired disastrously with Scunny suffering THREE relegations. 
      Under Alexander, they could have been promoted to the Championship — but instead today they are hosting South Shields in the National League North!
      Graham Alexander made the journey himself from fourth tier to the Premier League
      Our man Justin Allen caught up with Alexander in Milton Keynes
      Alexander is the League two manager of the month for August
      And then three years ago Gary Neville lost control of his senses by firing the former Scotland international with the club FIFTH in League Two.
      This was despite Alexander getting the club promoted to the EFL for the first time in their history, finishing 11th in their maiden fourth-tier season and reaching the EFL Trophy final, which they went on to win.
      The ambitious Class of 92-owned club are still in League Two, 17th in the table.
      Alexander said: “Football management is wild and brutal so what I’ve gone on to realise is you do the best you can. 
      “All people in positions of responsibility must make decisions, including me, and I won’t get them all right and it’s the same for owners.
      “Scunthorpe were my first club as a player and I went back to manage them. I left when they were high up in League One so it’s horrendous to see where they are now.
      “When I got the sack at Salford, I wasn’t shocked. I wanted to continue with the players and what we were doing but it was a unique scenario where on reflection it was right for both sides to part because I was being asked to not be myself.”
      Neville has since admitted he was wrong to sack Alexander, who added: “I’ve spoken to the guys at Salford since. I’ve got no problems with it, life’s too short.
      Alexander had Scunthorpe flying high in League One five years ago yet since his sacking they have crashed all the way to National League North
      He was bizarrely sacked at Salford by Gary Neville
      “I just put it in the bin and move on. I didn’t need Gary to say those kind things. 
      “Only one person gets to be first on the moon so to be part of that group that was the first to bring Salford into the EFL, I’m immensely proud.”
      Alexander has bounced back well.
      First he took charge of SPL club Motherwell where he not only saved them from relegation but guided them to fifth in his full season in charge — qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
      In fact, during his 18 months at Fir Park only Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers won more league points than Motherwell.
      Only one person gets to be first on the moon so to be part of the group that was the first to bring Salford into the EFL, I’m immensely proudGRAHAM ALEXANDER
      And now he is back in League Two with MK Dons where they go into today’s home game with leaders Notts County sitting second after six matches — as they bid to bounce straight back to League One after relegation.
      He has also been named the SkyBet manager of the month in the division.
      Alexander has a big family link with Milton Keynes as all three of his children were born in the city — as he lived in the city while playing for Luton in the 1990s.
      And he said: “I saw this job as an opportunity to work for a good club.
      “When you see the infrastructure and what the club has tried to do over 20 years, it’s had spells of progression where it’s been close to where it thought it could get to and then dropped back down. 
      “I remember the club being in the Championship seven years ago when I was managing Fleetwood — but they haven’t progressed as far as they would have liked to. 
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      “Football is tough. You must win on the pitch and the game in that regard hasn’t changed. 
      “We’ve got 12 points from our first six games, which we’re content but not ecstatic about. However, if we can continue in that vein, we have a great chance of doing something good this season.” More

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      Watch Swindon star leave team in shock by singing them a song after match called off as fans ask ‘when’s the album out’

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      SWINDON’s new signing Udoka Godwin-Malife stunned fans and his fellow players with a stunning rendition of John Legend’s “All of me”.The defender signed for Swindon from Forest Green this summer and sung an initiation song as is tradition at the club.
      Godwin-Malife stunned the squad with his rendition after the game was postponedCredit: Twitter @chazaustin10
      The defender signed for Swindon from Forest Green this summerCredit: Instagram @iamdokes
      But it seems as though no one was expecting “Dokes” to provide such a good rendition.
      Swindon striker Charlie Austin was keen to share Dokes’ singing far and wide and tweeted: “To the people who don’t follow me on Insta this is @udooka11 giving us a sing song.”
      After his pitch perfect rendition of the song, he was treated to raucous applause and cheers from his stunned colleagues.
      And fans were quick to jump in with praise for the new signing’s voice.
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      One wrote: “He’s in the wrong game.” With a microphone emoji.
      Another added: “And no mic or studio trickery! When’s the album out?”
      A third added: “Not seen a better one of these. Well done lad.”
      A fourth wrote: “Let’s hope his defending is that good, we’ll be up by Easter.”
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      A fifth responded: “Get on x factor lad.”
      Godwin-Malife was a key part of the Forest Green Rovers team that gained promotion to League One in 2022.
      They were unable to keep their place in the league last season however, despite bringing in Duncan Ferguson to help save them from the dreaded drop.
      The defender will still be plying his trade in League Two as Swindon bid to gain promotion.
      The Robins will have to wait until Tuesday to get their season kicked off though.
      Their opening match of League Two away at Colchester was postponed after heavy August rain in Essex.
      They will kick things off in the EFL Cup first round instead, with a match against Peterborough. More

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      EFL clash postponed less than 30 MINUTES before first day of season as Storm Antoni wreaks havoc on football calendar

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      COLCHESTER UNITED’s season opener has been postponed – less than 30 minutes before kick-off.The U’s were due to kick off their League Two campaign this afternoon at home to Swindon Town.
      Colchester United were due to face Swindon Town in their season opener todyaCredit: REX
      But the game was called of a mere 30 minutes before kick-off due to a waterlogged shiftCredit: Rex
      But the match has fallen victim to a waterlogged pitch thanks to Storm Antoni – which has left the entire nation damp and miserable.
      A club statement read: “Colchester United’s opening match of the season has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
      “The U’s were due to kick off their 2023/24 season against Swindon Town this afternoon at the JobServe Community Stadium, but heavy rain in north Essex has postponed the start of the campaign for the two teams. 
      “Referee Anthony Backhouse deemed the pitch unplayable due to the surface being waterlogged, despite the best efforts of the U’s groundstaff to get the game on, following a pitch inspection at 2:30pm.”
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      A new date for the fixture is expected to be announced in “due course”.
      Footie fans were quick to comment, with one tweeted: “Feel sorry for Swindon fans there, that’s outrageous to call it off so late.”
      Another said: “That’s embarrassing from the club there should’ve been at the very latest 1 o’clock inspection if they had doubts!”
      And another said: “Been torrential down here all day too and non-league games are going ahead. Absolute joke.”
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      One remarked: “That’s crazy.”
      Another chimed in: “That just sucks I actually feel bad.”
      One Colchester fan tweeting: Really? So close to kick-off and postponed? This gives us a bad look.
      “Apologies to Swindon fans for the huge messing around.”
      Disappointed Colchester fans, however, were soon lifted by the club’s announcement of new striker Joe Taylor.
      One U’s supporter tweeted: “Nice way to cheer us up.”
      Another said: “Get in.”
      And another said: “Ohh cheeky.”
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      Colchester’s season will kick off on Wednesday with a trip to Wales for their Carabao Cup first-round clash with Cardiff City.
      Swindon, meanwhile, will be in action the night before against Peterborough United. More

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      Major rule change to stadium clocks and big screens as new season kicks off as fans say ‘thank the Lord’ and ‘love that’

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      FOOTBALL fans are rejoicing over a rule change which means stadium clocks will now show added time at the end of each half.EFL scoreboards or giant screen timers will run until the completion of the half – rather than stopping at 45 and 90 minutes.
      EFL clocks and screens will show added time at the end of each halfCredit: Getty
      It comes as a result of IFAB guidance following the introduction of a new approach to timekeeping.
      The step has been taken to improve the “transparency” of the game as fans will be more informed as to how much time remains.
      According to The Mail, Howard Webb and the PGMOL, the referees’ body, had a major say in the decision to change stadium clocks.
      The alteration will be enforced in the Championship, League One and League Two where technology permits it.
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      It is not yet clear whether the stadium clocks will show added time in the Premier League.
      In response to the change, one fan said: “Thank the lord I think these footballing governing bodies are finally waking up ❤️⚽️.”

      While another added: “About time.”
      A third responded: “Love that, won’t have to guess how much time is left anymore 😅.”
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      And a fourth replied: “Good idea. Hated the fact that it would get to 90 minutes and just stop.”
      More minutes are expected to be played this season in an attempt to combat time wasting.
      This is set to mirror the time added during the Men’s World Cup last year and the Women’s World Cup that is currently being held.
      It comes after FA chief David Dein hinted at a possible change earlier this year.
      He told The Times: “The time has come for transparency via a countdown clock so the public can actually see how much time is left. It should not be a national secret.
      “I’m not saying the clock should be stopped every time the ball goes out of play, but certainly for those incidents which cause the greatest delays: goal celebrations, substitutions, penalties, injuries and now VAR checks.” More

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      Simon Thomas teases fans about a ‘new look Soccer Saturday’ as Sky Sports presenter admits he is ‘a bit nervous’

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      SIMON THOMAS has teased football fans that Soccer Saturday will have a “new look” when the show returns tomorrow.The presenter was named the show’s lead after replacing the long-standing Jeff Stelling.
      Simon Thomas has teased fans about a ‘new look’ Soccer Saturday
      He will be hosting the show this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
      Former host Jeff Stelling stepped down after 30 years at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      Thomas, 50, admitted that he is “a bit nervous” about starting in the role.
      In a video on Instagram, he said: “The night before the football season returned in full and not a sound in the house could be heard.
      “I know the season returns tonight with Sheffield Wednesday against Southampton, but tomorrow is the return of Soccer Saturday with a new look, a new studio and a new host.
      “And I will be honest enough to say I am a bit nervous.
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      “I think nerves are good, I would be a bit worried if I had no nerves.
      “Healthy nerves are good, overwhelming nerves, not so good.
      “But I am feeling okay, I have been working really hard for the last month to try and catch up on everything.
      “Because it has been a long time since I was involved in football full-time, obviously I have been doing bits and bobs for Amazon Prime over the last three seasons, which has been amazing.
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      “But now I am fully back at Sky, and I am really excited, the Soccer Saturday team a brilliant team.
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      “I know that the pundits that are with me tomorrow, Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith and Neil Lennon is popping in, so I know I am in safe hands.”
      The former Blue Peter star has won the race for the iconic job – six years after leaving Sky Sports following the tragic death of wife Gemma.
      The respected broadcaster quit his full-time job in 2017 to care for his son when wife Gemma died just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
      And Thomas admitted in an emotional statement that he never thought he’d end up hosting Soccer Saturday, thanking new wife Derrina and his family and friends for their support.
      Thomas is not the only new face joining Soccer Saturday next month.
      Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has landed a role offering insight into games from the perspective of an official.
      He secured the job just 24 hours after quitting football, leaving his role as a video assistant ref in the process.

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      Top footballer punched woman, 60, and left her unable to speak in bloody queue row at nightclub

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      A FORMER Premier League footballer is facing jail after he punched a 60-year-old woman and left her covered in blood following a nightclub row.Marcus Maddison insulted the victim’s daughter before launching the brutal assault which left the older woman unable to speak due to her facial injuries.
      Maddison started out at Newcastle but played most matches for PeterboroughCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Maddison attacked his victim after spending time at The Gate nightclub in DarlingtonCredit: The Gate/Facebook
      The attack happened after the ex-pro – who rose through the youth ranks at Newcastle United – left The Gate nightclub in Darlington in the early hours of September 25 last year.
      Teesside Crown Court has now heard how he got into a row with two women for apparently jumping the queue in a kebab shop close to the nightclub in County Durham.
      Prosecutor Robin Turton told how Maddison threatened: “You come near me and I’m going to pelt these cheesy chips at you.”
      Mr Turton added: “As the defendant threw the chips he fell backwards and he punched the victim with his right clenched fist.
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      “There was a steady stream of blood coming from what appeared to be a broken nose. She was unable to speak due to her injuries.
      “The victim was taken to hospital and a CT scan revealed complex midfacial bone fractures.
      “She reported that she continues to suffer numbness to the teeth, diminished sense of taste and smell and is now reluctant to go out on her own.”
      Maddison was arrested and later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
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      He now faces sentencing on August 8.
      The judge, Mr Recorder Paul Reid, extended his unconditional bail while an updated victim impact statement is prepared and a medical carried out on the victim.
      The 29-year-old midfielder scored 52 goals in more than 200 appearances during a six-year stint at League One side Peterborough United.
      He also played for former Premier League sides Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.
      He also won two caps in 2014 for England C, the team representing the country for non-league level footballers.
      Maddison signed for National League North club Darlington in June last year but had his contract ripped up days after the assault.
      Darlington FC said: “The club were made aware of an alleged incident and conducted an immediate disciplinary investigation.
      “After discussions with the player concerned, the club agreed to mutually terminate his contract with immediate effect at that time.
      “Darlington FC is a fan-owned club and has a zero tolerance towards discrimination, violence of abusive behaviour.
      “It would be inappropriate for Darlington FC to comment further at this time.”
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      Maddison took time off from football in March 2001 for mental health reasons, having played ten matches for Bolton on their way to promotion from League Two.
      Speaking a year later, he said: “Things didn’t go well at Bolton and, headspace, I just wasn’t in the right way to play football anymore.” More

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      Fans ‘pack their bags’ after discovering amazing city where streets are named after football teams – is yours included?

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      FOOTBALL fans have unearthed an incredible place where the streets are named after English football teams.This amazing area can be found in the city of McKinney, located in Collin County, TX, USA – roughly 32 miles north of Texas capital Dallas.
      The city in America has an uncanny amount of names belonging to football clubs
      Mckinney in Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA.
      After the astonishing find, fans have been declaring their intention to cross the pond and live on a road named after their team.
      Exactly why the streets have been named after the English clubs is unclear – but more importantly – has your side been included?
      Kicking things off in the Premier League, Fulham are one team to get a mention with the street name Fulham Lane.
      Newly-promoted Sheffield United and local rivals Sheffield Wednesday get a feature with their own Sheffield Drive, while Burnley Drive can also be found right off Fulham.
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      Another set of local rivals, Bristol City and Rovers also have a place in the City with Bristol Drive.
      Championship sides Southampton, Millwall and Preston are named too, with Southampton Drive, Millwall Drive and Preston Lane respectively.
      Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are there too, though a misspelling of the road – Middlesborough Drive – being spelt like the location rather than the club left a couple of fans fuming.
      One fan wrote: “And OBVIOUSLY they spelled Middlesbrough incorrectly.”
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      The city has names from all across the English football pyramid
      As of 2020 it had a population just shy of 200,000
      While a second typed: “Aaaand they f***ed up and spelt Middlesbrough wrong 😬.”
      Relegated Championship sides Reading and Blackpool are in the City too with Reading Drive and Blackpool Parkway.
      From League One, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Port Vale, Leyton Orient and Shrewsbury can also be found.
      There is even a property currently for sale on Port Vale Drive, with houses in the area selling for around £400,000.
      League Two sides also have some resident street names, namely Crawley and Gillingham.
      In Non-League there is even a mention of Dagenham and Redbridge with Redbridge Lane.
      One fan added on Twitter: “All I want in life is to live on Port Vale Drive.”
      While another wrote: “Packing my bags.”
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      In 2017 McKinney was named the third fastest-growing city in the States, and as of 2020 has a population of 195,308.
      That number may swell even more with a flood of football fans now plotting a move over. More

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      Barnsley face points deduction and huge fine as EFL find them guilty of FIVE rule breaches after play-off heartbreak

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      BARNSLEY have been charged with FIVE breaches of EFL regulations.The EFL have found the club guilty of breaches concerning its ownership.
      Barnsley have been charged with five breaches of EFL regulationsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Paul Conway and Chien Lee have also been charged by the EFLCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The EFL have said that the Tykes have failed to provide the league with “correct and/or complete information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares in the club” despite a request for the information by the League.
      Barnsley have also been charged with failing to provide “necessary notifications regarding the ownership position” and “failing to publish accurate information on the club’s website concerning the ultimate owners of the significant interest”.
      The other two charges include “allowing individuals to acquire a position of control without prior clearance from the EFL” and “failing to act towards the League with the utmost good faith”.
      Former club directors Paul Conway and Chien Lee have also been charged with “causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulations”.
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      Barnsley, Paul Conway and Chien Lee have 14 days to respond to the charges.
      The EFL could hand Barnsley a points deduction and a heavy fine.
      Reading are one club that have been the subject of similar punishments from the EFL in recent times.
      Barnsley have since released a statement addressing the charges in which it confirmed that they were the result of an investigation initiated by the club itself.
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      The club could face a fine and a points deductionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It read: “The charges announced by the EFL today are the result of an investigation initiated by the club following an internal review into the shareholdings of former directors Paul Conway and Chien Lee.
      “After bringing the issue to the attention of the EFL, the club has fully cooperated with the investigation at every stage and will continue to do so, as appropriate.
      “The steps taken by the club to instigate and then ensure a thorough investigation into the issue underline Barnsley FC’s commitment to compliance with the EFL’s regulations.
      “The club will await the EFL’s sanctioning decision and will comment further in due course.”
      Barnsley finished fourth in League One last season but missed out on promotion after losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off final. More