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Championship fixture list unveiled: QPR begin at home against Sheffield Wednesday

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:32:55 +0100

Harry Redknapp's rebuilding mission at QPR will start on August 3 when Sheffield Wednesday visit Loftus Road on the first day of the new Championship season.

LMA warned on Gus Poyet defence

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:20:03 +0100

Brighton have threatened to take action against the League Managers' Association over the dispute with Gus Poyet. The suspended manager was defended by the LMA after he failed to attend a disciplinary hearing at the club on Monday.

Football League announce six opening day fixtures to mark 125th anniversary

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:10:58 +0100

The Football League has announced six special league fixtures to be played on the opening weekend of next season to mark its 125th anniversary.

New Wigan manager Owen Coyle denies he will make move for Kevin Davies

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:15:46 +0100

New Wigan manager Owen Coyle has ruled out the possibility of taking his former Bolton captain Kevin Davies to the DW Stadium.

Brighton manager Gus Poyet misses disciplinary hearing

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:11:19 +0100

Gus Poyet's future as Brighton manager is no clearer after he failed to attend a disciplinary hearing at the club due to “disputed legal reasons”.

Wigan confirm Owen Coyle will succeed Roberto Martinez after the former Bolton manager beats Steve McLaren to the post

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:40:56 +0100

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that Owen Coyle will succeed Roberto Martinez at the DW Stadium.

Owen Coyle emerges as the number one choice to replace Roberto Martinez at Wigan

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:00:25 +0100

The new front-runner for the vacant manager's job at Wigan Athletic is the former Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle, who has been out of work since October.

Ricoh Arena offered to Coventry rent-free

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:05:14 +0100

Coventry have been handed the opportunity to play at the Ricoh Arena rent free next season by management company Arena Coventry Limited.

Brighton & Hove Albion lift Taricco ban

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:25:19 +0100

The Brighton assistant manager, Mauricio Taricco, has been cleared to return to his job, but the manager, Gus Poyet, and first-team coach, Charlie Oatway, remain suspended. Brighton have been considering whether Poyet breached his contract with comments to journalists following the Championship play-off semi-final defeat by Crystal Palace.

Harry Redknapp to stay with QPR

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:25:19 +0100

The QPR manager, Harry Redknapp, says he is focused on getting the club back into the Premier League, despite recent speculation about his future.

Sheffield United appoint Everton coach David Weir as manager

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:27:11 +0100

Sheffield United have appointed former Scotland international David Weir as their new manager.

Football League clubs vote to close loan loophole

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:28:29 +0100

Football League clubs today voted to close the loophole that saw Watford have 14 players on loan last season - including 10 from Italian side Udinese.

Former England left-back Wayne Bridge completes move to Reading

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:51:08 +0100

Reading have signed former England left-back Wayne Bridge following his departure from Manchester City.

Football league set to close loan loophole

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:37:32 +0100

Football League clubs are tomorrow set to impose tough new restrictions on overseas loan players following Watford's exploitation of the system last season.

Wigan hopeful of replacing Roberto Martinez by end of next week

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:31:15 +0100

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is starting the search for a new manager and hopes to have the right man in place by the end of next week.

Sheffield United are 'prehistoric' claims former Australia manager

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Former Australia manager Graham Arnold claims he has turned down an approach from Sheffield United, and called the League One club "prehistoric".

Kenny Jackett confirmed as new manager of Wolves

Fri, 31 May 2013 16:02:32 +0100

Wolves have confirmed the appointment of Kenny Jackett as their new manager.

Bolton reveal sponsorship deal with pay-day loan company

Wed, 29 May 2013 15:36:23 +0100

Bolton have announced QuickQuid as the club's new sponsor on a two-year deal.

Can Crystal Palace afford to stick and not twist to stay in the Premier League?

Wed, 29 May 2013 01:00:00 +0100

The dressing room door opens, the chairman bursts in, he beams at his celebrating players. Then he says: "Well done lads, with the money we've made today I can go out and buy some better players."

Inexperience cost Watford against Crystal Palace, says former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia

Tue, 28 May 2013 15:08:47 +0100

Captain Manuel Almunia believes youthful inexperience of the big occasion was the overriding factor behind Watford's frustrating below-par performance in yesterday's npower Championship play-off final defeat to Crystal Palace.

Promoted Crystal Palace urged to follow Swansea's example

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:30:07 +0100

Crystal Palace have been advised to be prudent in the Barclays Premier League after winning promotion to the top flight with victory in yesterday's npower Championship play-off final.

Crystal Palace on 'hiding to nothing' without Wilfred Zaha, says Ian Holloway as he considers loan move for Manchester United winger

Tue, 28 May 2013 13:21:45 +0100

Ian Holloway praised his Crystal Palace heroes and Kevin Phillips in particular after the veteran striker fired the Eagles into the Barclays Premier League at Wembley.

Crystal Palace v Watford: Championship Play-off final player ratings

Tue, 28 May 2013 12:06:14 +0100

Kevin Phillips, 39 years of age and three times a losing play-off finalist, came off the bench to score a nerveless penalty that sent Crystal Palace back into the Premier League as they beat Watford 1-0 at Wembley.

Wilfried Zaha the star turn as he gives Crystal Palace perfect parting gift

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:00:14 +0100

Eventually, after 104 minutes of witty teasing and puckish taunting, Wilfried Zaha drew the foul that won Crystal Palace the game and sent them up.

Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0 match report: Kevin Phillips spot on as Eagles are sent soaring into the top flight

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:00:14 +0100

The talk beforehand was all about the money at stake but football should be about footballers and it was one of the game's great pros who stole the headlines.

Crystal Palace keen to take play-off hero Kevin Phillips into top flight after penalty secures £120m

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:00:14 +0100

Ian Holloway hopes to convince Kevin Phillips to stay and play Premier League football for Crystal Palace after the 39-year-old's nerveless extra-time penalty won the Championship play-off final for them.

Troy Deeney: From jail to Wembley in just nine months

Sun, 26 May 2013 22:55:05 +0100

When Watford began their season against Crystal Palace, 52 games and nine months ago, in the Selhurst Park summer sun, Troy Deeney was in Warrington, in Thorn Cross Prison.

Championship Play-off Final: Ian Holloway fears sack could be reward even if Crystal Palace win £135m game

Sun, 26 May 2013 22:55:05 +0100

Ian Holloway has admitted that victory in tomorrow's play-off final could increase the chances of him losing his job as Crystal Palace manager even though it stands to earn the winning club a sum of up to £135m over the coming seasons.

Ian Holloway: 'When I don't get what I want I'm not normally very nice'

Sun, 26 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

After an eventful sojourn at Blackpool for three of the only four years in his entire 30-year career spent outside London or the West Country, one of the great characters of English football is back down south and slowly getting his bearings again. "Watford – we don't hate each other or anything, do we?" Ian Holloway enquires about Crystal Palace's opponents in tomorrow's Championship play-off final.

Promoted clubs' land of milk and honey will go sour

Sun, 26 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Brian Mawhinney served as a Conservative minister in Northern Ireland for six years, during which time some 500 people on both sides of the great divide were killed. As he was leaving a Londonderry college after an official visit, a bomb was found a few yards further down the path on which he was walking; the IRA announced later that they decided not to assassinate him in case innocent bystanders were injured.

Watford seek repeat of 2006: No-frills Lloyd Doyley eager to serve up second slice of rich promotion cake

Sun, 26 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Amid all the comings and goings and ups and downs at Watford these past few years – the greatest upheaval materialising since the Pozzo family bought the club last June – one player has remained a constant, reassuring presence. Lloyd Doyley expects to take his place in defence at Wembley tomorrow for the 408th time since Gianluca Vialli summoned him into the first team in September 2001.

Championship play-off final: Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney ready for biggest game of his life

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:29:31 +0100

“I didn’t think I would be in this situation,” said Damien Delaney, days before the biggest game of his life, with some understatement.

Championship play-off final: Gianfranco Zola reveals ambitious owners want to take Watford into Europe

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:24:11 +0100

Gianfranco Zola has revealed that Watford’s ambitious owners want to take the club all the way to European football, ahead of Monday’s Championship play-off final.

Hartlepool appoint Colin Cooper as new manager

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:58:28 +0100

Hartlepool have appointed Colin Cooper as their new manager following the sacking of John Hughes earlier this month.

Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel on verge of Millwall appointment

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:01:17 +0100

Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel is the new favourite to be the new manager of Millwall.

Exclusive: Championship clubs set to push for safe-standing trials

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:41:50 +0100

The Football League is facing mounting pressure to back trials for safe standing after an overwhelming majority of Championship clubs went against the League's stance and voted in favour of permitting trials at a meeting earlier this season.

Brentford 1 Yeovil 2 League One Play-Off final match report: 'Little old Yeovil' defy odds and tiny budget to win promotion to Championship

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:18:02 +0100

Yeovil will play in English football's second tier next season for the first time in their history after beating Brentford in the League One play-off final at Wembley. Promotion to the Championship is a remarkable achievement for a club whose wage bill was among the smallest in their division, at less than £1m.

Wayne Bridge praises Brighton's under-fire manager Gus Poyet's prowess

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:18:02 +0100

The on-loan Brighton and Hove Albion left-back Wayne Bridge, who is a free agent this summer, has come to the defence of manager Gus Poyet who was suspended by the club last week and looks likely to leave this month.

Yeovil beat Brentford at Wembley to reach Championship for first time in club's history

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:32:42 +0100

A stunning goal from npower League One's top scorer Paddy Madden helped Yeovil to an historic 2-1 play-off final victory over Brentford which secured npower Championship football next season.

Bradford City 3 Northampton Town 0: Cup kings triumph in League Two play-off final on return to Wembley to win promotion

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:44:40 +0100

Three months after their 5-0 defeat by Swansea City in the Capital One Cup final, Bradford City enjoyed a very different Wembley experience. They dominated the League Two play-off final to erase memories of that previous appearance under the arch and could even have won 5-0 themselves.

League One Play-off Final: Yeovil and Brentford chase £3.1m cash injection

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:39 +0100

The Championship play-off is billed as the richest match in football but wealth is relative. For Brentford and Yeovil Town, the League One play-off has the potential to be just as transformative.

League Two Play-off Final: Fallen stars sense chance for renewal in showpiece game as Northampton face Bradford

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:29 +0100

Seven years ago this month Aidy Boothroyd and Phil Parkinson were regarded as two of the brightest talents in management. Boothroyd, then 35, had steered Watford into the Premier League; Parkinson, then 38, had taken Colchester to the Championship.

Gus Poyet suspended by Brighton amid speculation over a switch to Fulham or Everton

Fri, 17 May 2013 01:00:00 +0100

Gustavo Poyet's departure from Brighton & Hove Albion moved a step closer when he was suspended by the Championship club along with his assistant, Mauricio Taricco, and first-team coach, Charlie Oatway.

Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish: I knew Wilfried Zaha would not shirk

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:51:19 +0100

Wilfried Zaha could almost have been excused for taking it easy during the second half of this season, knowing that he will be a Manchester United player when it ends. But Steve Parish, the Crystal Palace co-chairman, who sold Zaha to United in January for £15m and then borrowed him back, knew that it would not happen. And Palace reaped the rewards on Monday evening when the 20-year-old winger scored the two goals against Brighton to set up a play-off final against Watford at Wembley on May 27. "We said to anybody who was interested: 'We just won't sell him unless you lend him back,' Parish said. "I knew he would come back and be himself. I know what Wilfried's like. Wilfried can sit in there and tell himself he's not interested, but once he gets on a football pitch it is just what he does. He clicks into gear and everything is natural. The more people kick him and the more they get at him the better he gets. What is he? Just 20? He's had the odd game which wasn't so great but I've never seen his effort waver for one minute."

Gus Poyet unsure of Brighton future following play-off defeat to Crystal Palace

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:51:08 +0100

Brighton manager Gus Poyet fears he may have taken the club as far as he can after their promotion bid came to an end last night.

Brighton 0 Crystal Palace 2 match report: Wilfried Zaha double puts Ian Holloway back on road to Wembley

Tue, 14 May 2013 01:00:17 +0100

Sir Alex Ferguson may have retired, but on Monday night he once more proved himself a good judge of a footballer when his final signing, Wilfried Zaha scored the two goals that took Crystal palace into the Championship play-off final against Watford at Wembley on May 27.

Beattie takes over at Accrington Stanley

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:50:07 +0100

James Beattie was appointed Accrington Stanley’s first-team manager with immediate effect yesterday.

Championship play-offs: Anthony Knockaert 'distraught' after penalty miss for Leicester

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:07:34 +0100

Anthony Knockaert was “distraught” after his penalty miss cost Leicester a place in the npower Championship play-off final.

Championship play-offs: Tomasz Kuszczak poised to save best for last as Brighton take on Crystal Palace

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:58:28 +0100

In nearly five years at Old Trafford, Tomasz Kuszczak never played in a Manchester derby. Yet, after his performance in the 0-0 play-off semi-final first leg ensured Brighton go into tonight’s second leg at home to Crystal Palace as slight favourites to book a match with Watford on 27 May, the keeper is relishing another of English football’s fierce rivalries.

Amazing 90 seconds send Gianfranco Zola's Watford to Wembley

Sun, 12 May 2013 14:52:26 +0100

Football’s capacity for the dramatic has been quite remarkably high this season, but the final 90 seconds of this match will surely never be forgotten by the supporters of both these clubs.

Championship Play-off: How Terry Venables and Alan Mullery sparked a fierce and enduring southern rivalry between Crystal Palace and Brighton

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:00:55 +0100

Even Crystal Palace’s chairman, Steve Parish, is too young to remember exactly why. But last night’s first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Brighton & Hove Albion became the latest instalment of one of the fiercest grudge matches in English football.

Crystal Palace 0 Brighton 0 match report: Glenn Murray injury blow as Palace draw a blank in Championship Play-off

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:00:48 +0100

The play-offs are a tense, frustrating place and both Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion will have left Selhurst Park aggrieved at this goalless grind. It was probably a fair result – Brighton were the better team in the first half, Palace the second. But given the high stakes and slim margins at this stage of the season, there was regret on both sides.

Championship Play-off: Ian Holloway fears cruciate knee damage for Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:00:37 +0100

Crystal Palace’s 30-goal striker Glenn Murray has been ruled out of Monday’s play-off second leg with Brighton after twisting his knee on Friday night.

FA Cup final: Dave Whelan cleared to lead Wigan team out at Wembley

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:27:14 +0100

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg playing in the 1960 FA Cup final, will lead the team out for Saturday's Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.

Championship play-offs: Ian Holloway claims to have got to grips with the rivalry between Crystal Palace and Brighton

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:14:30 +0100

It may have taken him a while but Ian Holloway has finally got to grips with Crystal Palace's rivalry with Brighton.

Gianfranco Zola remains confident Watford can reach play-off final despite defeat to Leicester

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:13:05 +0100

Gianfranco Zola is confident that Watford have the firepower to overturn their deficit in the npower Championship play-offs.

Leicester City 1 Watford 0 match report: David Nugent breaks barren spell to give Foxes Championship play-off advantage

Fri, 10 May 2013 01:00:14 +0100

Watford looked set for automatic promotion when they impressively triumphed here a fortnight ago but, after this defeat, even a belated elevation via Wembley now seems a distant dream.

Hartlepool sack manager John Hughes following relegation to League Two

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:01:02 +0100

Hartlepool manager John Hughes and reserve-team coach Micky Barron have had their contracts terminated.

Championship play-offs: Crystal Palace peaking again at just the right time says Ian Holloway

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:59:42 +0100

Ian Holloway believes Crystal Palace have woken from their nightmare just in time for the play-offs.

Championship play-offs: Gianfranco Zola claims Watford are ready for 'World Cup'

Thu, 09 May 2013 01:00:31 +0100

Gianfranco Zola believes the pressure of the Championship play-offs can be compared to battling for the World Cup.

Football League: We cannot act over the mismanagement of Blackburn Rovers

Wed, 08 May 2013 01:00:12 +0100

The Football League admits that it is powerless to intervene to halt the mismanagement which has caused Blackburn Rovers' rapid decline, with the club still to agree a pay-off for sacked manager Michael Appleton.

Wolves job suits Kenny Jackett after Millwall resignation

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:00:12 +0100

Kenny Jackett has emerged as a contender for the vacant manager's position at Wolverhampton Wanderers following the sacking of Dean Saunders. Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Brighton relegated Wolves from the Championship, the second season in a row they have dropped a division.

Kenny Jackett resigns as manager of Millwall

Tue, 07 May 2013 10:59:47 +0100

Kenny Jackett today resigned as Millwall manager after almost six years in charge.

Wolves sack Dean Saunders following relegation to League One

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:52:20 +0100

Wolves have sacked manager Dean Saunders and have begun the search for their fifth permanent manager in less than 15 months.

League One play-offs: Brentford and Yeovil Town book final date at Wembley with dramatic victories

Mon, 06 May 2013 23:36:24 +0100

Brentford will face Yeovil Town in the League One play-off final at Wembley after the Bees' won a pulsating 5-4 penalty shoot-out against Swindon Town on Monday.

Boothroyd hails goalkeeper’s heroics as Northampton reach League Two play-off final

Mon, 06 May 2013 01:18:57 +0100

The Northampton manager, Aidy Boothroyd, was quick to hail Lee Nicholls after the goalkeeper inspired his team to the npower League Two play-off final following a 2-0 aggregate win over Cheltenham.

Blue Square Premier: Newport back after 25 years

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:51 +0100

Newport County will return to the Football League after a 25-year absence after two dramatic late goals gave them victory over Welsh rivals Wrexham at Wembley.

Round-up: Anthony Knockaert blow is perfect for Nigel Pearson's Leicester

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:51 +0100

Anthony Knockaert's 90th-minute goal for Leicester City helped Nigel Pearson's side set up a play-off semi-final meeting with Watford and broke the hearts of both Nottingham Forest and Bolton Wanderers on a thrilling final day at both ends of the Championship.

Final day's triumph and torment: Steve Bruce elated by return but says Hull will spend wisely

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:51 +0100

Five minutes is all it took for realism to reign at the KC Stadium. Steve Bruce had been talking about one of the strangest days in Championship history with pride and gusto before his attitude changed – and a new focus on the task in hand came to the fore.

Gianfranco Zola's body language betrays Watford's promotion disappointment

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:51 +0100

There's something of the country curate about Gianfranco Zola, a transparent decency and thoughtfulness which makes one care for his welfare. In such a harsh, unremittingly challenging environment as professional football, his body language is too eloquent for his own good.

Dean Saunders pleads his case after Wolverhampton Wanderers limp to exit

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:51 +0100

Soon after overseeing the limp defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday that confirmed Wolverhampton Wanderers' descent from the Premier League to League One in successive seasons, Dean Saunders explained why Steve Morgan, the owner, should stick with him rather than look for a fifth manager in 15 months.

Bradford triumph to earn Wembley return in play-off final

Sun, 05 May 2013 17:39:53 +0100

Bradford will return to Wembley later this month after overturning a first-leg deficit to beat Burton in the npower League Two play-off semi-finals.

Watford 1 Leeds United 2 match report: Jack Bonham left in private hell as he lets Watford's chances slip