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      EFL clubs agree £1BILLION TV deal with Sky Sports.. but fans will be devastated by key part of mega-money agreement

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      EFL clubs voted for a record new five-year live TV deal with Sky Sports worth almost a BILLION POUNDS.The £935million agreement will see more than 1,000 matches broadcast, starting in 2024-25.
      Fans will see a hefty increase in live EFL games from 2024-25Credit: Rex
      Club chiefs unanimously approved the new deal —  a 50 per cent increase on the current terms in place since 2018 — after being informed of Sky’s offer on Friday morning.
      The EFL were willing to consider ending the Saturday 3pm TV blackout but it WILL remain as part of the new  deal.
      In total, 1,059 league, EFL Cup — including all 93 ties — and EFL Trophy matches will be shown live on Sky or a streaming platform, replacing the iFollow service.
      Currently, Sky televises 138 EFL league games each season.
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      The league entered into an exclusive  negotiating period with Sky  in April.
      The deal is made up of guaranteed payments of £895m — plus £40m in marketing benefits.
      EFL chief exec Trevor Birch called it a “landmark  deal for EFL clubs”.
      He said: “This  will showcase much more of our compelling match action to fans while delivering record rights values as we seek to make our clubs sustainable at all levels.”
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      Birch added: “With some 20 million attending Sky Bet EFL matches each season and significant interest in the League at home and abroad, we look forward to growing our collective fanbase further.”
      Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht said: “This is a ground-breaking deal for Sky and our long-standing partners, the EFL.
      “This is the biggest deal in football, in terms of the number of matches being broadcast.”
      Licht also promised: “Between Sky and the league, we’re pleased to be able to make a commitment to fans that will ensure greater notice periods around the movement of matches for broadcast.
      “There’ll also be greater parity in the number of times clubs are selected to be live on Sky Sports.” More

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      Former Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris SACKED by Swindon after just three months

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      SWINDON have sacked former Chelsea assistant Jody Morris after just THREE MONTHS in charge of the club.The 44-year-old has been axed by the League Two side with one game remaining this season.
      Jody Morris was only appointed Swindon manager in JanuaryCredit: Alamy
      Swindon sit 10th in the table but have no chance of making the play-offs on the final day.
      Morris’ departure comes after back-to-back defeats at the hands of Stevenage and Crewe.
      He won just four of 18 games at the helm.
      Coaches Steve Mildenhall and Gavin Gunning will take charge of Swindon’s final game of the season against Crawley on Monday.
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      A club statement read: “Swindon Town can today confirm it has parted company with First-Team Head Coach, Jody Morris, and his assistant Ed Brand.
      “Morris, 44, was appointed at the end of January in what was his first senior management role in the game, and was later followed to the County Ground by assistant, Ed Brand, in early March.
      “We would like to thank both Jody and Ed for their contribution and efforts since joining the football club, and wish them all the very best in the future.
      “Our aim when they took over was to push on and finish the second half of the season strongly, but as a club, we haven’t achieved our objectives.
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      “With just one more league game remaining before we reach the conclusion of the season, we feel now is the right time to take a fresh approach as we look to bring success back to this great club for 2023/24.
      “Work is well underway to find our next manager, with an announcement in due course.”
      Morris, who played more than 100 times for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, was assistant to Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge having previously been his right-hand man at Derby.
      He left the Blues in January 2021 following Lampard’s sacking.
      Meanwhile, Swindon were promoted to League One in 2020 but suffered immediate relegation back down to the fourth tier.
      The club had aspirations of another promotion this season, but they are 17 points adrift of seventh place heading into the final day. More

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      Premier League legend wanted by Walsall as new manager after sensationally quitting his club despite winning title

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      WALSALL will look to see if Kevin Phillips wants to be their next boss.The Saddlers sacked Michael Flynn this week.
      Michael Flynn was sacked by Walsall this week after a dismal run of resultsCredit: Getty
      They now want Kevin Phillips after the Sunderland legend led South Shields to promotionCredit: PA
      Now they are keen on Sunderland legend Phillips, who has impressed as a boss with a title win at non league South Shields.
      The ex-England striker, 49, and North East club announced the mutual decision following their final day 3-0 defeat to Stafford Rangers.
      Despite the result, South Shields are still looking forward to playing National League North football this term.
      A club statement read: “Since promotion to National League North was confirmed earlier this month, discussions over the future direction of the club have been held between Kevin and chairman Geoff Thompson.
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      “It has now been decided it is in the best interests of all parties to go their separate ways as the club continues on its road to a more sustainable model.”
      Phillips added: “I feel that this is the right time for me to depart, for a number of reasons.
      “To be manager of South Shields has been an amazing experience and I’m very grateful for everything Geoff has done during my time at the club.”
      The 2000 Premier League Golden Boot winner worked as a coach at Leicester and then Derby and later Stoke after retiring from playing in 2014 before taking over South Shields a year ago.
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      Walsall axed Flynn having won just once in League Two since the start of the year.
      That miserable run left them floundering in mid-table, with his final match in charge being Tuesday’s 3-0 home defeat to Harrogate.
      Assistant coach Wayne Hatswell also left the Bescot Stadium with Mat Sadler placed in charge for the rest of the campaign. More

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      Football star receives death threats on social media as sick fans blame him for not stopping goal

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      BRADFORD CITY star Romoney Crichlow has deactivated his social media accounts after claiming to receive death threats from fans.The defender was in action for the Bantams yesterday as they took on Gillingham at Valley Parade.
      Romoney Crichlow has played 35 times for Bradford this seasonCredit: Rex
      The Huddersfield loanee had his pocket picked by Timothee Dieng in the 12th minute, with the Gills ace going on to score.
      After the 2-2 draw, Crichlow revealed on Snapchat that he had deactivated his other social media accounts following a barrage of vile messages.
      He wrote: “The way I’m getting death threats in my DMs right now, I had to deactivate my socials. This is going private now.
      “I always take accountability for my mistakes but no time to dwell, still got a job to do! Three games left to get the job done.”

      Crichlow, 23, is on a season-long loan at Valley Parade from Huddersfield.
      He has appeared 35 times in all competitions – helping Mark Hughes’ side in their promotion bid.
      After revealing the abuse he had received, fans rallied round the centre-back.
      One wrote on Twitter: “This is absolutely disgraceful whoever has sent this to Rom deserves a lifetime ban.”
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      Crichlow revealed on Snapchat that he would be deactivating his social media accountsCredit: Snapchat / RC
      A second commented: “Find them, ban them, prosecute them.”
      While a third Bantam tweeted: “What in the hell 😳 some of our fans are beyond a disgrace.”
      Another added: “Disgusting people. No true fan does anything remotely like this, shame on them.”
      Bradford rallied after Dieng’s opener.
      Andy Cook’s header levelled for Hughes’ men on 48 minutes, and it looked as though League Two’s top scorer had won it for Bradford when he converted an 84th minute penalty.
      Gillingham came roaring back, however, with Oliver Hawkins equalising seven minutes into stoppage time.
      The draw saw Bradford fall to seventh in the table, four points off the automatic promotion spots and only above the non-playoff positions on goal difference.
      They travel to second-placed Northampton on Saturday before a mid-week trip to Crewe.
      On the final day Bradford host Leyton Orient, with Richie Wellens’ side having already been crowned champions. More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville responds after Jeff Stelling takes cheeky dig about Salford fans

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      GARY NEVILLE hit back at Jeff Stelling after the Soccer Saturday presenter slammed Salford City’s attendance.Hartlepool fan Stelling, 68, watched his side lose 2-0 to Salford on Tuesday evening – a club co-owned by Neville and his ex-Manchester United team-mates David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes.
      Jeff Stelling criticised Salford’s attendance against Hartlepool on Tuesday eveningCredit: Getty
      Gary Neville is a co-owner of Salford and did not take kindly to Stelling’s tweetCredit: Getty
      The result leaves Hartlepool three points adrift of safety in League Two with three games remaining.
      Meanwhile, Salford occupy the final spot in the play-offs, sitting above Mansfield on goal difference having played a game more.
      But Stelling was quick to focus on the size of the crowd for the fixture.
      The Peninsula Stadium welcomed 2,139 fans in for the game – several hundred of which were the away contingent.
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      And the Soccer Saturday host was quick to hit out at Salford for their attendance figure, citing Bradford’s regular 20,000 fans as a total that dwarfs the Greater Manchester-based club.
      Speaking on Twitter, he said: “Did someone forget to tell fans of@SalfordCityFC there was a game? 2,139 – 500 of those from @Official_HUFC [Hartlepool United]!
      “Some may say they are an artificially created club. After all@officialbantams [Bradford City] get 20000.
      “And yes I know we will probably get relegated, but support your team ffs!”
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      Neville swiftly leapt to the defence of his club as he responded to Stelling.
      He replied: “We’re quite proud to have got to a crowd of 2,139 from an average of 120 and 40 season ticket holders 7/8 years ago in the Evo-Stik North!
      “Hope the head isn’t too woolly when you get up 🍺🍷😂.”
      When one user suggested Hartlepool’s attendance isn’t much higher than Salford’s, Neville added: “Founded in 1908 and have crowds of 3,500.”
      Another follower then intimated it will be awkward when Stelling sees Neville in the Sky offices.
      To which the former Man Utd man said: “Thankfully I don’t 😂.”
      Salford secured four promotions in five seasons between 2015 and 2019.
      The 2022/23 campaign is their fourth successive term in League Two, with 11th, 8th and 10th-place finishes to date.
      But they are now into the play-off places as they seek a spot in the third tier.
      Salford beat relegation-threatened Hartlepool on Tuesday eveningCredit: Alamy More

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      Fans claim they’ve watched the worst own goal of all-time as Rochdale’s attempt to stay in EFL goes hilariously wrong

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      FOOTIE fans reckon they saw the WORST own-goal ever in Rochdale’s crunch League Two clash with Tranmere Rovers.Dale welcomed the Merseysiders to Spotland Stadium on Tuesday night for a must-win match in their bid to beat the drop.

      Richard O’Donnell had to deal with a tricky back pass in the first half of Rochdale’s clash with TranmereCredit: EFL IFOLLOW
      But he failed to get the ball under control and it ended up going into the back of his netCredit: EFL IFOLLOW
      The stopper couldn’t quite believe what had happenedCredit: EFL IFOLLOW
      Jim Bentley’s troops started the match rock bottom of the league and nine points away from safety with four matches remaining.
      And they made the worst possible start by conceding an absolutely comical own goal in the 19th minute.
      Goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell inadvertently put the ball into his own net trying to control a tricky back pass – albeit with his wrong foot.
      And watchers of the game couldn’t quite believe their eyes.
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      One tweeted: “That Rochdale own goal might be the worst I’ve ever seen.”
      Another said: “Rochdale masters of their own downfall with the own goal.”
      Along with a series of face-palm emojis, another said: “That Rochdale own goal.”
      One remarked with a shocked-face emoji: “Rochdale own goal.”
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      Another chimed in: “Another comedy goal for Rovers!”
      Things went from bad to worse for the home side when Joshua Hawkes doubled the visitors’ advantage from the penalty spot.
      But Danny Lloyd gave the Dale faithful a glimmer of hope of a great escape by pulling one back in the 69th minute.
      And an 89th-minute equaliser from defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell saw them secure an invaluable point in their bid to beat the drop.
      Rochdale will be back in League Two action on Saturday, travelling to Edgeley Park to take on fourth-placed Stockport. More

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      Leyton Orient clash DELAYED after floodlights go out – but team get PROMOTED as fans celebrate in the dark

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      LEYTON ORIENT celebrated in the dark as they got promoted from League Two.There were incredible scenes as their match against Gillingham descended into darkness when the floodlights went out at the Priestfield Stadium late in the game.
      Leyton Oreint’s game has been delayed after a floodlight failureCredit: PA
      Orient players were celebrating promotion while their game was still going onCredit: PA
      But amid the chaotic scenes, the O’s were promoted as Bradford lost to Swindon Town 1-0.
      That result was enough to ensure Orient were mathematically certain of going up to League One.
      The lights then eventually came back on again and the game resumed.
      But in bizarre scenes, due to the delay to their match, Orient players were seen celebrating on the pitch while their own game was still being played.
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      Orient lost 2-0 to Gillingham but it didn’t matter as they got promoted.
      Despite being on the losing side, the O’s supporters were enjoying the scenes.
      The club’s social media account confirmed that the fans were singing in the dark as they waited for news about the resumption of the match.
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      One fan tweeted: “Never had so much fun losing a game.”
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      A second commented: “Love the drama! We’ll be celebrating promotion in the darkness!!”
      A third wrote: “League Two Classic.”
      A fourth said: “Somewhere out of shot is an Orient fan with a pair of pliers and access to a fuse box.”
      While a fifth added: “Refs gonna give a yellow to the electricians.”
      Gillingham’s social media account tweeted that the floodlight failure was down to a power cut in the local area.
      O’s boss Richie Wellens is hoisted aloft by his playersCredit: Reuters
      Orient will be playing League One football next seasonCredit: PA More

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      EFL set for almost DOUBLE number of televised games next season with Sky Sports agree to condition to edge out ViaPlay

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      THE EFL may end up almost DOUBLING the number of live games from the next TV deal.Sky are negotiating final details of a fresh contract that will see them pay much more.
      The EFL is set to get double the coverage next seasonCredit: Rex
      Part of those talks is about how many games they will show as the EFL seeks more exposure, especially down the divisions.
      Sky were initially looking to do fewer games in future but the fear of losing the whole deal brought them to the table with the best offer — as we tipped last month.
      There is still a chance that Sky “sub-contract” some of the coverage and insiders reveal the whole process has “a bit to go”. 
      That means fans will get to watch much more from their favourite Championship, League One and League Two teams.
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      Football enthusiasts could also watch more from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham.
      The Red Dragons are fighting it out with Notts County in the National League as they seek automatic promotion.
      Fans of Premier League teams set to be relegated will take comfort in the fact they won’t be missing any of the action when they bid to return to the top.
      However, that won’t include Burnley, who earned promotion to the Premier League.
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      The Clarets returned to the English top flight just a year after their relegation.
      Burnley were led by manager Vincent Kompany on his first season at Turf Moor.
      Kompany will now get the chance to lock horns with former mentors like Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. More