League Two

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Meat Loaf’s bizarre love affair with Hartlepool which began over ‘a monkey washed ashore being confused for a Frenchman’

      by

      LEAGUE TWO outfit Hartlepool paid tribute to their “most famous fan” Meat Loaf following news of the singer’s death.The rock legend sadly died on Thursday at the age of 74 with TMZ reporting that he passed away from Covid-19, although these claims are yet to be confirmed.
      Meat Loaf was a Hartlepool fan and the club paid tribute after news of his deathCredit: EPA
      Tributes have been pouring in from all around the world and Hartlepool shared a special story explaining how the ‘Bat out of Hell` singer became a supporter.
      Even though the American was born in Dallas, Texas – far away from County Durham – he still became a Pools fan as he was looking for a “really odd team” to root for.
      Meat Loaf told Setanta Sports News years ago: ”I started asking, ‘What would be a really odd team for me to say that I root for?` The person who I was talking to said Hartlepool. Fantastic!
      ”I looked them up, I looked at their record, I went on the internet, looked at their ground. I do look and see, ‘Did Hartlepool win? Yeah! OK!”
      ”My favourite story of Hartlepool is the monkey that washed ashore that they hung because they thought it was a Frenchman.
      “I said, ‘Any team that will hang a monkey and think it’s a Frenchman I’m rooting for. That’s it. That`s the bottom line.”
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      A heartbreaking tribute was posted on Meat Loaf’s official Facebook page after his death.
      It revealed the singer and actor passed away with wife Deborah Gillespie by his side while his daughters Pearl and Amanda were also with him.
      The statement reads: “Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side.
      “Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.
      “His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World. Bat Out of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time.
      “We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.
      “We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!”
      Meat Loaf dead – Bat Out Of Hell legend passes away aged 74 after career spanning six decades More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Football fans set to be allowed to drink alcohol at their seats after 36-year ban if review recommendation is allowed

      by

      FOOTBALL FANS could be allowed to drink alcohol in STANDS in the near future following a fan-led government review.Supporters haven’t been allowed to enjoy booze while watching football since 1985 but a change in the rules is to be recommended.
      Fans are allowed to drink from their seats at cricket matchesCredit: Getty
      According to The Times, ex-sport minister and Conservative MP Tracey Crouch has completed an independent review of the matter.
      She is set to push for a pilot on serving alcohol at clubs in the National League and League Two with a view to extending it to a higher level.
      British football’s 36-year ban on alcohol being drank in stands was introduced in a bid to battle hooliganism.
      Other top European leagues allow supporters to enjoy a pint in their seats while they watch the action unfold.
      There is also no such ban in other British sports, such as cricket and rugby.
      Crouch believes the move could encourage fans not to binge drink before games and will generate much-needed revenue for lower-league clubs.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      She told The Times: “Take a club like Dulwich Hamlet, which is in National League South. It’s revenue is generated through its refreshments.
      “If it gets promoted to the National League Premier, it effectively stops generating that revenue during a game.
      “They said openly in evidence to us that they cannot afford to get promoted because of the rules around alcohol.
      “Lots of clubs generate a lot of their income through their bars and I think it’s time to look at this issue again.

      “We do have this bizarre situation where you can go to Headingley and drink as a cricket fan, but go to Elland Road and you can’t drink as a football fan.
      “We kettle people into drinking quickly at half-time. And that is the unhealthy aspect of the football fan’s relationship with alcohol.
      “They drink a lot in a short space of time. So my recommendation is to pilot this and not have to down a pint at half-time.”
      Chelsea fans go wild after beating Villa on penalties – but can you see why not everyone is happy More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans finally return to club football with stadiums across England packed for first time in 17 months

      by

      FOOTY fans in England returned to stadiums in their droves today as the Football League and the Championship resumed action.And unlike fans’ returns to stadiums during the height of the pandemic last year, most punters weren’t wearing masks.
      Footy fans returned to stadiums in their droves todayCredit: Rob Noyes
      The Abbey Stadium was packed for Cambridge United’s League 1 clash with OxfordCredit: Rex
      Pride Park was full to the rafters for Derby County’s Championship opener against HuddersfieldCredit: PA
      Thousands of Manchester City and Leicester City fans make their way down Wembley way ahead of the Community ShieldCredit: EPA
      Some supporters did, however, don face coverings to keep themselves protected.
      There were plenty of smiles in and around the stadiums as fans gathered freely for the first time since the pandemic began.
      The entire world was brought to a screeching halt last March when the coronavirus spread like wildfire.
      Supporters of Premier League teams weren’t allowed to see their sides in action until last December, albeit at a reduced capacity.
      But that changed in May when The Government permitted up to 10,000 fans to attend outdoor sports venues.
      That figure steadily rose during the summer due to the success of the vaccine roll-out.
      BACK TO NORMAL
      That allowed 20,000 fans to take in England’s Euro 2020 group games last month.
      And the further easing of restrictions permitted a whopping 67,173 footy fans to take in The Three Lions’ heartbreaking defeat to Italy in the final.
      Wembley will be at full capacity this evening when Leicester City lock horns with reigning Premier League champs Manchester City in the Community Shield.
      Thousands of Foxes and City fans descended on Wembley way earlier today to watch their teams vie for the first trophy of the season.
      And there were smiles aplenty as they made the famous walk to the home of English football.
      The permanent lifting of restrictions on July 19 has paved the way for stadiums up and down the country to get back to business.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET LEICESTER AT 60/1 OR MAN CITY AT 30/1

      But things are expected to change again in October when vaccine passports will be required to attend large gatherings.
      The Government are expected to make the passports mandatory for those wanting to attend events that hold 20,000 or more attendees.
      The scheme, which has divided opinion, has already been successfully implemented by nightclubs throughout England.
      A Bristol City fan expressed their delight at being back with a signCredit: PA
      Hartlepool United fans crammed into Victoria Park todayCredit: Rex
      Millwall fans go wild after Jed Wallace gave the Lions an early lead against QPRCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Jubliant Stoke City fans celebrate in the BritanniaCredit: PA
      Lionel Messi offered two-year deal by PSG and expected to complete free transfer to French giants after Barcelona exit More

    • 225 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd striker James Wilson signs for Port Vale on free transfer after being let go by Salford

      by

      FORMER Manchester United striker James Wilson has signed for Port Vale.The forward spent last season at League Two Salford City – who are owned by the Class of ‘92.

      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game

      Former Man Utd striker James Wilson has signed a two-year contract at Port ValeCredit: PAWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      Wilson, 25, found the net seven times for the Ammies but was released after they missed out on promotion.
      Now he will be hoping to go one better by firing Port Vale into the third tier over the coming 12 months.
      The Valiants confirmed his arrival on Monday, announcing the ace had penned a two-year contract.
      Boss Darrell Clarke told the club’s website: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have managed to bring in James.
      “His pedigree is fantastic and I’m sure he will prove a great attacking threat for us next season.
      “He scored seven league goals last season for Salford and played in a wide position in quite a few of those games.
      “He certainly has the potential to score more goals when leading the line.”
      Wilson burst onto the scene at Old Trafford in 2014 when he netted twice on his Premier League debut against Hull City under Ryan Giggs.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

      He went on to make a further 19 appearances at United but struggled to make an impact during Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils tenure.
      Championship loans at Brighton, Derby and Sheffield United followed his initial breakthrough at United, but goals didn’t flow for the diminutive former England youth international.
      Another loan spell north of the border at Aberdeen followed, with the move to the Dons being made permanent in 2019.
      Wilson signed a two-year contract at Pittodrie, but only started seven league matches before he returned to the Greater Manchester area to try and kickstart his career at Salford in 2020.

      Aaron Wan-Bissaka shows off his skills in training with Man Utd More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Mark Wright axed by Crawley after just six-months as club reject chance to extend contract at end of season

      by

      REALITY TV star Mark Wright has been axed by League Two side Crawley Town after just six months at the club.The 34-year-old joined the fourth tier side at the end of 2020 but has struggled to make an impact since his arrival.
      Things have not worked out for Wright at Crawley TownCredit: Getty
      And now Crawley have declined the opportunity to extend Wright’s contract beyond the end of the season.
      The club confirmed he is one of six players who are leaving the club in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
      A former star of The Only Way Is Essex, things did not get off to a great start for Wright at Crawley.
      In his first start for the club against Harrogate Town in February, he was taken off at half-time with the team 3-0 down.
      His only other appearance for the team was in the FA Cup when he came on as a 90th minute substitute against Leeds in January.
      Wright, whose wife is actress Michelle Keegan, was also humiliated by the video game developers of FIFA earlier this year.
      The Essex-born player was rated the worst player on the latest edition of the game – FIFA 21 – after he arrived at Crawley.
      In response to his 47 out of 100 rating, he joked: “RUDE – I’m switching back to Pro Evo.”
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Wright’s future in the sport is not known at this timeCredit: Reuters

      As a youth player Wright spent time at West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham, before Southen United and then Grays Athletic in their senior squads.
      After turning out for a number of lower league clubs, Wright hung up his boots at Thurrock in 2011.
      But he returned nine years later at Crawley Town, featuring twice for them in the second half of their 2020-21 campaign.
      It is not yet clear whether he will continue his career as a footballer.
      Mark Wright shares glimpse inside luxury bedroom he shares with Michelle Keegan as he reveals a great workout motivation hack More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Doncaster ready to make Richie Wellens new boss and finally replace Darren Moore just months after Salford axe

      by

      DONCASTER Rovers are ready to make Richie Wellens their new boss – and bring back their former midfield dynamo.Rovers have picked out Wellens ahead of rivals for the vacancy left by Darren Moore’s departure to Sheffield Wednesday.
      Wellens was sacked by Salford in March
      Wellens played for Rovers at the height of his playing career and leapt at the challenge after leaving Salford a couple of months ago.
      He was sacked by the League Two side after showdown talks with owner Gary Neville in March.
      Wellens had taken Swindon into League One last season but quit to return to his home town of Manchester.
      However, with the ambitious Class of ’92 outfit sitting six points off the play-offs, he was let go.
      It came after SunSport exclusively revealed that co-owner Neville had held a huge inquest into Salford’s shaky promotion campaign.
      Gary Bowyer then took charge until the end of the season to save their push to go up following Wellens’ sacking.
      The tactician secured 20 points from 11 games, but it wasn’t enough and left Salford two points shy of a play-off place.
      And this week he has been handed a two-year deal at the club after appearing to be heading back to his role as Derby U-23s boss.
      Moore left Rovers in March to take over Sheffield WednesdayCredit: PA

      Doncaster have been led by caretaker boss Andy Butler since Moore’s departure in March.
      But results have gone against him, with Rovers winning just four of his 18 league games in charge and finishing a disappointing 14th in League One.
      He will return to running the Belles side, while Wellens is one of three candidates to be shortlisted for the full-time job.
      The former Manchester United starlet, 41, will know his way around the Keepmoat, having played 84 times for Rovers from 2007 to 2009.
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville wants to move Salford City into Man City’s old training base at cost of £80,000 a year More

    • 163 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Gary Bowyer agrees two-year Salford deal in U-turn after deciding against Derby return

      by

      GARY BOWYER has agreed a stunning two-year deal to remain as Salford City boss instead of returning to Derby County.The League Two team have confirmed Bowyer is staying at Moor Lane, just days after he claimed he was rejoining Derby as U23s boss.
      Gary Bowyer has signed a two-year deal to stay at Salford bossCredit: PA
      Gary Bowyer has signed a two-year deal to remain as Manager of Salford City ✍️! #WeAreSalford 🦁🔴— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 12, 2021

      Bowyer took charge of Salford in March until the end of the season to save their season following Richie Wellens’ sacking.
      The tactician secured 20 points from 11 games, leaving Salford just two points shy of a play-off place.
      But Bowyer revealed on Sunday he was heading back to Pride Park to resume his duties as U23s chief.
      However, Salford announced in a shock statement on Wednesday that Derby have allowed Bowyer to leave the club permanently.
      And he has now put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Salford in the hope of building on his impressive work, culminating in April’s Manager of the Month award.
      Bowyer beamed: “I’m really excited, it’s all happened very, very quickly and I’m delighted that it has.
      “I have to thank Wayne Rooney and Derby County for their role that they have played in all of this, they’ve been magnificent for me.
      “Now it’s a case of getting to work very quickly, everybody was very accommodating when I was here and made a real impression on me in the short space of time so it was a very easy decision.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      “We’re really excited now leading into the summer, obviously there is a lot of work to do in terms of organising pre-season games, getting to work on the squad.
      “We’ve got a real good core group here, and we’ll be looking to add the right characters and the right players to hopefully improve the squad further and give us a real opportunity going into next season.”
      Salford captain Ash Eastham added: “The appointment of the Manager on a permanent basis is fantastic news for the Club going forward!
      “His positivity, professional demands and man management skills have been reflected in the team’s performances and results since he joined the club, and we are looking forward to working further with Gary next season.
      “As players we now need to physically and mentally re-charge for what I feel will be a season for our fans to be hugely excited about when the league campaign returns.”
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville wants to move Salford City into Man City’s old training base at cost of £80,000 a year More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Bradford want Derek Adams to quit Morecambe and become new manager after League Two play-offs

      by

      BRADFORD want Derek Adams to quit Morecambe and become their new boss after the play-offs.The Scot has emerged as the first-choice replacement for the Bantams after the sacking of joint-managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars.
      Derek Adams is wanted by Bradford to formulate a fresh promotion pushCredit: Getty
      But they will have to wait until he steers his side through the League Two shootout.
      Adams has done a remarkable job at Morecambe after also taking Plymouth to promotion from the fourth-tier.
      Bradford can offer the 45-year-old a far bigger budget and the chance to lead another side to League One – but with a better hope of staying there.
      The Shrimps almost made it into the top-three automatic places with a 2-0 final day win over Adams’ prospective new club on Saturday.
      And they face Tranmere – who have just sacked manager Keith Hill – in the two-legged play-off semis that begin next week.
      Morecambe’s successful campaign was a world away from Bradford’s miserable finish, coming home 15th after a post-Christmas purple patch gave way to a seven-game winless run.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

      Speaking after sacking double act Trueman and Sellars on Monday, chief executive Ryan Sparks detailed the need for ‘experience’ in the dugout.
      He stated: “We feel, at this point, we need more experience to take us forward into the summer and next season which, for us, is a hugely significant one.
      “We have a crucial few months in front of us, and it is important we are in the best-possible position to be able to prepare for them.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Watford promoted straight back to the Premier League at first time of asking as Sarr scores in 1-0 win over Millwall More