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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

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      Ryan Giggs and girlfriend Zara Charles make rare public appearance watching Salford’s defeat to Leyton Orient

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      RYAN GIGGS made a rare public appearance alongside girlfriend Zara Charles. The Manchester United legend was pictured in attendance at Salford’s clash with Leyton Orient on Friday.
      Ryan Giggs was pictured in the stands watching SalfordCredit: PA
      He was seen alongside girlfriend Zara CharlesCredit: PA
      Giggs, 49, is one of several owners of the League Two club from the United’s iconic Class of 92.
      Fellow stars Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt bought ten per cent stakes in the club in 2014.
      Inter Miami owner David Beckham came later to the venture, purchasing his stake from Peter Lim in 2019.
      However, Salford would not prove to be a source of joy on Good Friday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat.
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      The appearance comes as Giggs prepares to go on trial later this year over allegations he attacked his former girlfriend, Kate Greville.
      Giggs was accused of attacking PR exec Kate and coercive and controlling behaviour against her between December 2017 and November 2020.
      He also denied an allegation of common assault against Kate’s sister Emma, 26.
      Jurors failed to reach a verdict following the three-week assault trial on August 31.
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      Giggs said: “After more than three weeks in court I am obviously disappointed that a retrial has been ordered.
      “My not guilty plea remains in relation to all charges. I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations.
      “I would like to thank my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend Zara, as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period.
      “I understand the level of interest and the scrutiny around this case but I would like to ask that my and my family’s privacy is respected in the weeks and months ahead.”
      A trial date has been set for July 31, 2023 – 143 weeks and one day after he was arrested.
      Over Christmas he was spotted having dinner in a Manchester restaurant with Zara and ex-wife Stacey.
      Giggs was married to Stacey for between 2007 and 2017 and have two children, Liberty and Zachary. More

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      3pm blackout set to STAY as EFL reveal preferred bidder for new TV rights deal

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      SKY SPORTS have seen off the challenge of streaming service DAZN and other broadcast rivals to retain the rights to show live EFL football.EFL bosses are looking to almost double their current £119m per season deal.
      The 3pm blackout looks set to remain in place in EnglandCredit: Getty
      Streaming giant DAZN said it planned to screen all 1656 EFL games each season and seek to end the Saturday 3pm blackout.
      Despite that bid, and other offers understood to have been made by Viaplay and TNT Sports – the new name for BT Sport – Sky is the first choice of the EFL.
      A final deal is yet to be confirmed although it is understood that Sky intends to screen more matches than the 138 games shown in the current five-year deal that runs out at the end of next season.
      In a statement, league chiefs said: “The EFL has now completed a full and comprehensive review of the multiple submissions received as part of its broadcast rights sales process from 2024 onwards.
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      “The League will now enter into an exclusive month-long negotiating period with the preferred bidder, Sky Sports.
      “No further comment will be made on this matter at the current time.”
      The news will be a blow for DAZN, part-owned by Anthony Joshua, which felt it had made a significantly competitive and ground-breaking offer.
      But assuming an agreement is found over the next month, the news will bring a sigh of relief to Sky bosses.
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      It was reported last week that EFL bosses are looking to increase the current package to £200m plus, a huge potential financial lifeline for struggling clubs.
      The blackout was introduced, at the instigation of then-Burnley chairman Bob Lord more than 50 years ago, in the belief that it would prevent TV football damaging attendances at other matches.
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters declared earlier this month that he “didn’t see” the league’s backing for the blackout ending any time soon. More

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      I played for Man Utd and was in academy with Defoe but another ‘crazy’ striker was better – no one could touch him

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      FORMER Manchester United wonderkid Daniel Nardiello has opened up on what life was like training with some of the best prospects in England. Back in the 1990s, a then 15-year-old Nardiello was sent to Lilleshall in Shropshire, where many of the country’s best young footballers lived together and learnt their trade.
      Daniel Nardiello has revealed one player who was a ‘crazy’ talentCredit: Getty
      Nardiello was joined by the likes of Jermain Defoe and Neil Danns.
      However, he reckons none of them came close to the “untouchable” talent of Leon Knight.
      Speaking on the Undr the Cosh podcast, Nardiello said: I shared a room with Knighty for a year.
      “I was a 15-year-old lad, just left home, sharing a room with Knighty. Oh my word, he’s crazy. No other words for it.
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      “He’s the nicest lad as long as you keep on the right side of him. Get on the wrong side of him and he is absolutely ruthless.
      “Great player, but angry man. Get on the wrong side of him and he’ll never forgive you.”
      Knight was a Chelsea trainee at the time, and would go on to make one appearance for the senior team in the Uefa Cup.
      However, his career would ultimately lie elsewhere, going on to star for the likes of Brighton, Swansea and Huddersfield.
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      The 5ft 5″ striker scored over 100 goals across his career, including 80 in England’s football league.
      On Knight, Nardiello added: “I wouldn’t want to fight him. He’s a tough lad.
      “I remember we played at Barnsley together for a few months, he came on loan.
      “But what he put the young lads through – initiations and stuff like that – he was ruthless. A great lad, some good times with him.
      “He was the best player there [at Lilleshall].
      “There was Joe Cole who was the year above us, and obviously he was unbelievable, he was their main man – but we had Leon Knight.
      “At that age there was no one that could touch him.
      Leon Knight was ‘untouchable’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “Jermain Defoe was there who obviously went on and had an unbelievable career but Knighty was untouchable.
      “You’d think he’d go on to be an absolute world beater because he was that good at 15, 16.
      “He had a good career, but at that age you couldn’t touch him. And he was small then, obviously.
      “But he just ran rings around teams. We beat everyone every week anyway, as you’d expect, but he was scoring like five, six goals a game. He was playing in the age group above, he was that good.”
      Knight, 40, retired in 2012.
      Speaking to WalesOnline in 2006, Tony Carroll, then-chairman of famed East London youth football club Senrab, drew comparisons to Knight with ex-England and Tottenham ace Defoe – with them pairing up at Senrab in their youth days.
      He said: “They were absolutely unbelievable as a partnership, just like a pair or whippets, so very, very quick.
      “If I had to say which one was better when they were 13 or 14 I would say it was Leon. It was a close-run thing and there wasn’t much in it, but he was just ahead on points.
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      “You could see he had that bit of class even at that age. Jermain was nearly as good and they just used to dish out the goals between them.
      “The team would win 6-0 and they would score three each. There was always a bit of friendly rivalry to see who could score the most.” More