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      Man Utd legend Jonny Evans and England striker among stars Wrexham could target after promotion to Championship

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Jonny Evans is among Wrexham’s major targets as part of their Premier League push, according to reports.The Welsh club celebrated promotion to the Championship over the weekend after Leyton Orient beat Wycombe Wanderers.Jonny Evans fits the profile of stars Wrexham want to sign this summerCredit: GettyThe Welsh club celebrated promotion to the Championship at the weekendCredit: RexIt marked a record-breaking third successive promotion to make it to England’s second tier, just two years after the club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney was playing in the National League.However, the Hollywood duo have made no secret of their ambition to reach the Premier League, and have suitably bankrolled a number of lucrative deals to bring the club up the leagues so quickly.The Championship will represent arguably Wrexham’s toughest challenge yet, but a number of top flight players could become available to help them achieve their next goal.Manager Phil Parkinson said the club was “always planning” but admitted that while they have not spoken about anyone in particular they do have a profile of targets who are free agents.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “We haven’t really spoken about anything. We’ve always got our eye on players who are free transfers and are going to be available.“I think it’s interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing. Even coming up to this level, the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive.“But obviously the next level, I don’t think people outside football quite realise. “They think players in League One must be multi-millionaires, but the drop-off from what people read in the press about Premier League players is huge.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“That is a challenge but what we’ve always tried to do is make sure the culture in the club is right. “No superstars, no egos in the dressing room, and we’ve got to try to get that balance right again, to make sure the right people come into the building.”Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LAPremier League internationals over the age of 30 who are out of contract this summer could be ideal candidates to bolster the squad with a combination of quality, experience and attainability.The likes of Man Utd’s Jonny Evans, Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, Everton’s Michael Keane, Leicester’s Jamie Vardy or even Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne all fit this category.While some of these names may seem far fetched, Wrexham accounts show a remarkable robustness, making the possibility of making one of these signings more realistic.Club accounts going up to June 2024 covering their season in League Two show revenues of £26.7million – which is a figure greater than seven Championship clubs including ex-Prem champions Blackburn -with the average revenue for a club not receiving parachute payments said to land at around the £22m mark.Sponsorship for that season had risen to £13.1m from £1.8m thanks to deals with United Airlines and Stok coffee.That figure is likely to rise when the next set of accounts emerge and detail their League One books, while there will almost certainly be a new season of Disney+ documentary “Welcome to Wrexham”.The latest series of the show will Premiere on May 16, with industry experts calculating every episode to be worth £300,000 to Reynolds and McElhenney’s production company.Wrexham also have the third-highest payroll in League One at an estimated total salary of £10.7m this season, all while operating at a reported loss of £2.7m and a £15m loan repayment to Reynolds and McElhenney.The Times report that sum comes from new minority owners, the billionaire Allyn family, who have a background in medical devices and are described as the driving force behind the club’s Premier League push.Speaking about the challenge of the next level, six-time promotion winner Parkinson said: “I think everybody knows the jump is huge. “I remember when I took Bolton up [in 2016-17], it was, ‘Phew! This is huge!’ in terms of the physicality and power in the division.Read More on The Sun“But I’m confident we will be well prepared for that. I think that a lot of tough decisions will be made this summer, but let’s see if we can build a squad to compete at that level.”Only two other clubs in English football history – Truro City (South Western League to Southern League between 2005 and 2009) and Shaw Lane (Sheffield and Hallam County Senior League to Northern Counties East Premier from 2011 to 2015) – have achieved four promotions in a row across the English pyramid.How Wrexham could line up next season2025 Premier League free agents over 32A list of select Premier League stars over the age of 32 who are becoming free agents this summer:Kevin De Bruyne, 33 – Manchester City Jamie Vardy, 38 – LeicesterCallum Wilson, 33 – NewcastleBen Davies, 32 – TottenhamJorginho, 33 – ArsenalAbdoulaye Doucoure, 32 – EvertonVladimir Coufal, 32 – West HamDanny Ings, 32 – West HamJoel Veltmam, 33 – BrightonPablo Sarabia, 32 – WolvesMichael Keane, 32 – EvertonChristian Eriksen, 33- Man UtdRaul Jimenez, 33 – FulhamWilly Boly, 34 – Nottingham ForestIdrissa Gueye, 35 – EvertonTom Cairney, 34 – FulhamCraig Dawson, 34 – WolevsNathaniel Clyne, 34 – Crystal PalaceFraser Forster, 37 – TottenhamJames Milner, 38 – BrightonAdam Lallana, 36 – SouthamptonBen Mee, 35 – BrentfordAshley Young, 39 – Everton More

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      ‘Last straw’ – EFL chief reveals he’s stepping down over ‘VENDETTA’ against his club in lengthy statement

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      AN EFL chairman has confirmed they will be stepping down after a “vendetta” against his club.Andy Holt will be leaving Accrington Stanley after Saturday’s home game against Chesterfield.Andy Holt will step down as chairman of Accrington StanleyCredit: RexHe will leave the club at the end of the League Two seasonCredit: GettyThe League Two outfit are safe and are nine points clear of relegated Carlisle.Holt has claimed that he has had enough of a “vendetta” from the local authorities.The club have been hit with a series of sanctions which include the removal of a planning permission and a licence to sell alcohol on non-matchdays.Accrington Stanley have also been handed a noise abatement order.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis has led Holt to announce his decision to step down from the club at the end of the seasonA statement read: “This is the last straw.”Accrington Stanley Ladies Day, an event that never happened until we started it, was held at Fence Gate during the DAYTIME, whilst our multi-million pound facilities stand empty, silence because of the council and councillors working against their club behind my back, as though I didn’t know what was going on.”The undermining of the club has gone on since day one. And I mean day one, long before I took the club on.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”The councillors voted to remove our planning permission because of the noise complaints.”Following advice from the head planner, we paid to reapply, only for the councillors to turn it down again. After council advice to appeal and more wasted cash, they did the same.Former Premier League star, 39, sent off after 55 seconds for headbutting rival’s BACK in EFL clash”Not content, the council’s staff snooped on the club to build evidence to put a noise abatement order on us.”Not content with that, they removed our licence to sell alcohol on non-matchdays.”It’s been a vendetta, with some councillors actively working against THEIR OWN CLUB.”Whether we had planning permission or not, they have powers to stop the club trading.”Whether they stripped us of our licence or not, they still have the power to stop us trading. Now they have imposed conditions on matchdays that cannot possibly be adhered to.”The club has no opportunity to generate income bar putting prices of tickets etc. up. Prices that are high enough already enough for hard-pressed supporters.”We are not Premier League and don’t have the desire or opportunity to rip fans off.”It’s a mistake for the council to think I will continually replace funds, missing as a result of not being able to trade, forever.”I’m not wasting any more of my life arguing with the council, councillors or MPs that should support the best asset in the town. If they can’t see the blindingly obvious, that’s their problem.”Holt continued in his statement to insist that he has had a “great” time at the club.”I have done my ten years after next week’s home finale. We’re safe, and having thrown many points away through naivety this season, we’re a young team that is getting better.”We have a great club, great staff, more organised than ever, run properly by two top managers, a great medical team, and rigid training routines.”I’m so proud of what we’ve done as a team, turning Accrington Stanley Football Club into a professional club. It has the opportunity to feed the town for generations to come, if only the council, councillors and MPs support it.”I’ve had a great ten years, including with Coley [John Coleman] and Jimmy [Bell]. Players like Billy [Kee}, Seamus [Conneeley], Yosser [Mark Hughes], and Seany [McConnville] will always hold a special place in my heart, as will the rest of them. In John [Doolan] and Ged [Brannan], we have two top quality professionals.”Two of my friends. We have a great group of fans, they give everything for their club. I know many of them personally now, a major plus for me.”I will end my time at the club in any executive capacity after the last game on Saturday.”The club must become financially stable if the great future in front of it is to be realised.”Read More on The SunHolt joined the board of Accrington Stanley back in 2015 and assumed control of the club later that year.The club was on the verge of folding when he took over.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Man Utd legend, 61, set to take charge of National League side as he says ‘it wouldn’t be beneath me’

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      MARK HUGHES is preparing to take another step down to help Carlisle back up into the Football League.The Manchester United legend racked up 569 games as a Premier League boss after five years in charge of Wales.Mark Hughes was unable to steer Carlisle United away from relegation to the National LeagueHughes did everything he could to save the Cumbrians after being hired in FebruaryCredit: PANow he looks certain to remain in charge of the Cumbrians in next season’s National League after they were relegated with defeat at Cheltenham.Hughes, who also spent 20 months as Bradford City chief, sees no problem in finding himself in the fifth tier of English football, declaring: “I have no ego.“Just because I played for United and managed clubs like Manchester City, or led my country, doesn’t mean being in charge of a National League team would somehow be beneath me.“Maybe other people might feel that but not me, even if I recognise  it would be pretty unique for someone with some of the high spots I’ve had in my career.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS“I showed how much I still love being a manager by going to Bradford — when you’ve been a manager as long as I have you just miss that buzz of standing on the touchline at three o’clock on  a Saturday afternoon.”The 61-year-old — who won two Prem titles and enjoyed a clutch of cup  successes at Old Trafford — also bossed Blackburn Rovers, Stoke, Fulham, QPR and Southampton.After being sacked by the Saints in 2018, he spent more than three years out of the game before shocking the football world by turning up at the Bantams.Hughes then replaced Mike Williamson in February with Carlisle five points adrift at the bottom of League Two and had won five and drawn five of 16 games before the near–inevitable happened on Saturday.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordRelegation or not, the indications are that he will stay after signing a rolling contract three months ago.Hughes added: “The owners are good people and they still have some big plans.Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LA“Discussions have taken place about me staying and plans for the future. This has been a tough challenge but one I’d still be up for, so we’ll see.“We have around 18 players under contract for next season. “The core of the side is already there and we’ve seen how well they’ve responded over the last couple of months against all the odds.”Americans Tom and Patty Piatak bought Carlisle 17 months ago, announcing ambitious plans to reach the Championship. Instead, the logistics millionaires from Florida have overseen successive relegations.And the owners said they were “deeply sorry for putting the fans through so much pain”.But there was also a huge hint that Hughes will be staying on, with their statement declaring: “Planning for next season is already in motion. “Discussions with Mark Hughes are ongoing and positive.“In recent weeks, Mark has helped rebuild the connection between the team and supporters.Read More on The Sun“It’s a small but important step.“It shows what this football club can still become — and underlines how far we still have to go.” More

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      EFL club once sponsored by Tyson Fury relegated to non-league after 18 years as Gary Neville’s Salford deal final blow

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      TYSON FURY’S beloved Morecambe have officially been relegated from League Two.The Shrimps lost 3-1 to Salford City at the Globe Arena to confirm their drop to non-league football after 18 years.Morecambe have officially been relegated from League TwoTyson Fury used to be a sponsor for his beloved MorecambeThat result basically brings an end to a sorry season for Derek Adams’ side, who struggled both on and off the pitch.Earlier in the campaign, the cash-strapped team’s board collided with the ownership group.This term was blighted by financial problems as Morecambe were placed under a transfer embargo due to the non-payment of a VAT bill – the matter was ultimately settled with HMRC.The cub has been up for sale since September 2022 and it was around that time when Fury, 36, got involved.Read More on FootballThe Gypsy King partnered up with the club after they struck a sponsorship deal three years ago.The heavyweight’s ‘Gypsy King’ brand was embroidered on Morecambe’s home and away shorts for the 2022-23 season.The former world champion even claimed that same year that he was considering buying the club.Fury told talkSPORT at the time: “I’m thinking about buying Morecambe Football Club, they’re in League One at the moment.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”So I was thinking I invest X amount of millions in them. Basically throw it at them and keep them going up.”I’ve been offered to buy Morecambe Football Club. I own all the training facilities anyway and the training gym. ‘Definitely making a comeback’ – Tyson Fury, 36, sends fans into frenzy with latest retirement U-turn hint”So who knows? You might be looking at a football club owner.”But it wasn’t meant to be as Morecambe – currently bottom of table in the fourth division – couldn’t avoid relegation.And it was Salford – co-owned by Fury’s fellow celebrities in Manchester United legends Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Nick Butt – who landed the killer blow.The Ammies are currently ninth in League Two with only two points separating them from the play-off spots. More

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      EFL side forced into unusual kit change despite being at home as fans slam ‘nonsense’ decision

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      GILLINGHAM were forced into an unusual kit change after being banned from wearing their home shirt versus AFC Wimbledon.The League Two clubs met today and the Kent-based side ran out 1-0 winners.Gillingham’s home kit is this blue jersey with white sleevesCredit: GettyAFC Wimbledon’s three strips were deemed too close in likeness to the Gills’ home shirtBut despite the match being played at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, they were not allowed to wear their home shirt.That was because of an “EFL recommendation” over a kit clash that saw all three of Wimbledon’s strips deemed too similar to the Gills’ home look.The club usually wear a blue shirt with white sleeves when playing in front of their own supporters.But they were made to pull on their green third strip today.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEFL chiefs said Wimbledon’s kits were not distinguishable enough as their home kit is blue and their away has black and lighter blue stripes.The Dons’ third strip is white and therefore also clashed with Gillingham’s as their home shirt has white sleeves.It forced the hosts into an unusual change and enraged fans, with one saying: “We have no backbone, we are at home, it’s the other teams fault. We are being a soft touch.”Another added: “The fault is with AFC Wimbledon for not having an away kit which doesn’t clash with any team that wears blue.”Most read in EFLGillingham were forced into wearing their away green kit for their home clash against AFC WimbledonCredit: RexBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSA third wrote: “That’s absolutely pathetic to choose to play in green because of their kit issues, make them wear bibs.”More commented: “The fact we’re having to wear green is nonsense.”Football icons’ strange hobbiesGillingham’s official X account tweeted “up the greens” before the game and after the win wrote “doesn’t matter what colour shirt we’re in.”The victory sees new boss Gareth Ainsworth continue his unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in March. More

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      First EFL relegation of 2024-25 CONFIRMED as former Man Utd Class of 92 star-turned-boss guides team to drop

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      SHREWSBURY TOWN have been relegated to League Two – without kicking a ball on Good Friday. The Shrews’ ten-year stay in League One ended after Burton Albion drew 0-0 with Exeter City. Michael Appleton’s Shrewsbury are headed to League TwoCredit: GettyThe former Manchester United midfielder only joined the club last monthCredit: RexShrewsbury have been rooted to the foot of the third tier for much of the season. Even if Burton had lost, they knew they would have to win all four of their remaining matches to have any chance of staying up.Current boss Michael Appleton only took charge last month after the sudden departure of Gareth Ainsworth.Ex-Wycombe boss Ainsworth had stepped into the hot seat in November after Paul Hurst left the club. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut he has since joined League Two Gillingham, leaving the door open for Appleton to relaunch his managerial career. Shrewsbury are currently up for sale with several potential investors interested.Appleton told BBC Radio Shropshire: “Talks have been really positive.”I’m enjoying my time here and I’m enjoying the interactions I’ve had with all the staff and the players. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”I’m hoping that an agreement will happen over time.”We seem to have a good response from the fans, which is probably the most important thing, and I’m very encouraged by the talks we’ve had.”Birmingham become first EFL club to win promotion as Tom Brady’s club bounce back to Championship at first attemptAppleton, 49, had been out of work since January 2024 after leaving Charlton Athletic. The former midfielder played for Manchester United, Preston and West Bromwich Albion before going into coaching in 2011.Over a 14-year career in management, he has also been in the dugout at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Lincoln and Oxford. More

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      Former Premier League star, 39, sent off after 55 seconds for headbutting rival’s BACK in EFL clash

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      FORMER Premier League striker Billy Sharp has seen red after landing a headbutt on an opponent’s BACK – less than a minute after coming on.The former Sheffield United and Leeds striker currently plays for League Two side Doncaster Rovers.Billy Sharp was sent off just seconds into his cameo against Wimbledon on SaturdayCredit: Sky SportsThe former Sheffield United striker had only just come off the benchCredit: Sky SportsHe was involved in a confrontation with Dons’ defender Joe LewisCredit: Sky SportsSharp appeared to headbutt Lewis in the backCredit: X formerly TwitterSharp, 39, came on as a second-half substitute on Saturday as Rovers took on fellow promotion chasers AFC Wimbledon. Doncaster were looking for an equaliser after an early strike from Dons star Alistair Smith.But Sharp provided the opposite impact to the one envisaged by boss Grant McCann.Just 55 seconds after coming on, the striker got involved in a confrontation with Dons defender Joe Lewis.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSharp was spotted slamming his head into Lewis’ back before giving him a shove.Referee Neil Hair wasted no time in sending the 39-year-old for an early bath.One fan gasped in response to the footage: “League 2 Zidane!”Another said: “He should know better absolutely idiotic behaviour from Billy.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhile a third added: “I suppose it’s a red going by the rules. It’s really stupid from Sharp as he’d literally just come on the pitch.”And a fourth joked: “Still be some idiots saying he didn’t do anything.”Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline loomsDoncaster’s draw saw them miss out on a huge opportunity to reel in Bradford, who were top before Saturday’s games. The Bantams somehow managed to lose a thriller 5-4 against Swindon, netting an own goal deep into stoppage time. Just five points separate the top four in League Two.Doncaster have a game in hand over Walsall, Bradford and leaders Port Vale.Three points in that game would see them jump into second place. Sharp is enjoying a second spell with the club after two prolific seasons between 2010 and 2012.He re-joined last summer and so far has netted eight goals in 41 games. More

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      ‘He’s been s***housed so so hard’ – Moment EFL stars celebrate in face of devastated ace who scored last-minute own-goal

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      THIS is the devastating moment Bradford star Jack Shepherd scored a 95th minute OWN GOAL winner for a 5-4 scoreline – prompting rival Swindon players to celebrate in his face.The stunning moment occurred at the end of a brutal League Two clash between the rival sides.Bradford star Jack Shepherd scored a 95th minute own-goal against SwindonCredit: EFLThe goal handed Swindon a stunning 5-4 winCredit: EFLSwindon’s players celebrated in Shepherd’s faceCredit: Rob NoyesBradford had already shipped a 90th minute goal, sending Swindon back on level terms at a mind-boggling 4-4.But there was more drama to come as the game entered its final stages.As a loose ball went in, Bradford defender Shepherd got a foot in.However, the ball took a crazy deflection and ended up sailing into his own net.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShepherd collapsed to the floor in agony as Swindon’s players began celebrating.But instead of partying amongst themselves, a number of them ran over to Shepherd before screaming in his face while jumping up and down in jubilation.This then prompted a scuffle between players before the referee blew the final whistle.The devastating goal saw Bradford fall three points off League Two leaders Port Vale.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd fans were quick to react on social media.One said: “He’s been s***housed so hard.”Embarrassed KSI scores horror own goal before getting brutally mocked by opponent in Match for HopeAnother declared: “What did bro do.”One noted: “Game’s never been more back.”Another added: “This is so peak.” More