Burton Albion

Burton Albion slideshow

File Photo: Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
File Photo: Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith
FILE PHOTO - Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith
FILE PHOTO - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
FILE PHOTO - Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith
Jordan Pickford may be edging towards becoming England’s No 1 goalkeeper at the World Cup, but those formative years on the gnarled battlefields of non-League are never far from his thoughts. Pickford can still clearly recall one particular afternoon when, as a teenager on loan at Alfreton Town, he was shadowed by seven Wrexham players while attempting to defend a corner. There were other loan spells, learning his trade at other clubs including Darlington and Burton Albion, and it will only continue his remarkable career trajectory if, as expected, he faces Tunisia in England’s opening group game. Yet Everton’s player of the season is convinced those tough afternoons at remote football outposts will have prepared him for the pressure of Russia. “I always remember my time at Darlington and just coming for crosses. I was confident in my ability and in my bravery. Back then I was just coming for crosses when I could but as you get older, it’s all about learning game management from those games you played in. That is the biggest learning curve you get when you are younger,” he said. World Cup 2018 | The best of the Telegraph's coverage “I was at Alfreton and remember a corner at Wrexham when they put seven players on top of me. The first one I could have come and got it, the second one I came and took it. And they ran away. “You can’t be frightened as you only get one chance. I’ve always taken that chance and taken it well. You are always learning and always crossing bridges.” Pickford only made his England debut in November, yet is firmly in contention to become first-choice ahead of Jack Butland and Nick Pope. Gareth Southgate’s decision to award him with the No 1 jersey, when naming the full 23-man squad, seemed significant. World Cup squad analysis And the 24-year-old insists the prospect of featuring in a major tournament, with the crushing weight of expectation back home, does not faze him. Indeed, he says he is even prepared to take a penalty if required. “I can’t wait to get out there and do my best. I’ve always embraced it and wanted to do well. I feel that you can’t let it faze you too much because that is when you put pressure on yourself – I’ve never put pressure on myself before,” he said. “Even making my debut at Wembley against Germany and it was sold-out, 90,000, that was new to me but I embraced it and used that atmosphere to make me better. World Cup whatsapp promo “I’ve always wanted to be a footballer and I’ve always wanted to play for England, so I’ve never really felt any other way. I’ve kept level-headed and just kept plugging away, day-in day-out, That’s all I’ve ever known really.” Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Chelsea midfielder, has revealed he will thrash out his club future after the World Cup. Loftus-Cheek impressed on a season’s loan at Crystal Palace, with manager Roy Hodgson admitting he would be keen on signing the 22-year-old on a permanent deal this summer. Yet Chelsea are stuck in limbo as they consider the future of Antonio Conte, the manager, and Loftus-Cheek admits his plans for next season are on the back-burner. WorldCup - newsletter promo - end of article “I’m really just focused on the vision the England team have. It’s unfair to my team-mates if I’m not fully focused on this, so all the talk about my future will have to wait until after the World Cup,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed Palace but I don’t know what happens from here, there are so many variables. “Different things happening at Chelsea may affect my whereabouts next season. I just don’t know. There’s nothing I can do at the moment other than concentrate on doing my best here. “At the start of the season I never thought I’d be sat here in the World Cup squad, so this is a big opportunity for me.”
Jordan Pickford on how his tough non-League battles helped him fight for England No 1 jersey
Jordan Pickford may be edging towards becoming England’s No 1 goalkeeper at the World Cup, but those formative years on the gnarled battlefields of non-League are never far from his thoughts. Pickford can still clearly recall one particular afternoon when, as a teenager on loan at Alfreton Town, he was shadowed by seven Wrexham players while attempting to defend a corner. There were other loan spells, learning his trade at other clubs including Darlington and Burton Albion, and it will only continue his remarkable career trajectory if, as expected, he faces Tunisia in England’s opening group game. Yet Everton’s player of the season is convinced those tough afternoons at remote football outposts will have prepared him for the pressure of Russia. “I always remember my time at Darlington and just coming for crosses. I was confident in my ability and in my bravery. Back then I was just coming for crosses when I could but as you get older, it’s all about learning game management from those games you played in. That is the biggest learning curve you get when you are younger,” he said. World Cup 2018 | The best of the Telegraph's coverage “I was at Alfreton and remember a corner at Wrexham when they put seven players on top of me. The first one I could have come and got it, the second one I came and took it. And they ran away. “You can’t be frightened as you only get one chance. I’ve always taken that chance and taken it well. You are always learning and always crossing bridges.” Pickford only made his England debut in November, yet is firmly in contention to become first-choice ahead of Jack Butland and Nick Pope. Gareth Southgate’s decision to award him with the No 1 jersey, when naming the full 23-man squad, seemed significant. World Cup squad analysis And the 24-year-old insists the prospect of featuring in a major tournament, with the crushing weight of expectation back home, does not faze him. Indeed, he says he is even prepared to take a penalty if required. “I can’t wait to get out there and do my best. I’ve always embraced it and wanted to do well. I feel that you can’t let it faze you too much because that is when you put pressure on yourself – I’ve never put pressure on myself before,” he said. “Even making my debut at Wembley against Germany and it was sold-out, 90,000, that was new to me but I embraced it and used that atmosphere to make me better. World Cup whatsapp promo “I’ve always wanted to be a footballer and I’ve always wanted to play for England, so I’ve never really felt any other way. I’ve kept level-headed and just kept plugging away, day-in day-out, That’s all I’ve ever known really.” Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Chelsea midfielder, has revealed he will thrash out his club future after the World Cup. Loftus-Cheek impressed on a season’s loan at Crystal Palace, with manager Roy Hodgson admitting he would be keen on signing the 22-year-old on a permanent deal this summer. Yet Chelsea are stuck in limbo as they consider the future of Antonio Conte, the manager, and Loftus-Cheek admits his plans for next season are on the back-burner. WorldCup - newsletter promo - end of article “I’m really just focused on the vision the England team have. It’s unfair to my team-mates if I’m not fully focused on this, so all the talk about my future will have to wait until after the World Cup,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed Palace but I don’t know what happens from here, there are so many variables. “Different things happening at Chelsea may affect my whereabouts next season. I just don’t know. There’s nothing I can do at the moment other than concentrate on doing my best here. “At the start of the season I never thought I’d be sat here in the World Cup squad, so this is a big opportunity for me.”
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Jordan Pickford: If I need to step up, I'll take a penalty for England at the World Cup
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Jordan Pickford: If I need to step up, I'll take a penalty for England at the World Cup
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Jordan Pickford: If I need to step up, I'll take a penalty for England at the World Cup
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Jordan Pickford: If I need to step up, I'll take a penalty for England at the World Cup
Just 1.2 seconds. That is the difference, Jordan Pickford reveals, that shows how England take their penalties quicker, that they hurry them in fact, than other nations during shoot-outs; shoot-outs that they have lost six times in their last seven attempts in European Championships and World Cups. This week England have been practising at St George’s Park, as part of their World Cup preparations, with part of that practice being to replicate the solitary walk from the half-way line to the penalty spot and, crucially, to slow it down after detailed analysis from the Football Association showed that no other country takes their penalties quicker. “It's 1.2 seconds or something,” Pickford says of the slender but crucial time difference adding that it was also part of the preparations for last summer’s Under-21s European Championships when, yes, England lost again on penalties. “I'd say we're doing a lot of work on that at the moment,” the 24-year-old says. “Behind the scenes we're doing a lot of work to get preparation for how we'd want to go about it. But it's pot luck sometimes, isn't it?” It may be pot luck but Gareth Southgate is not leaving anything to chance - not least because the FA report details practising as much as possible, and players taking their time as they approach the spot, as key factors for winning a shoot-out. Pickford would be happy to step up and take a penalty for England in a World Cup shootout Credit: PA Southgate is also aware of the need not to make shoot-outs an obsession and in Pickford he has a confident character, a goalkeeper who is able to “mentally block out mistakes” and who is not only hoping to stop spot-kicks – if it comes to that – but take one also. “If I need to step up, I’ll take one,” Pickford says. “I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve never taken one in a shoot-out but I’m always practising in training. I remember the Under-17s World Cup, I was down as third to take one. But the manager John Peacock changed it so I dropped to seventh. And the lad who took the third penalty smashed it over the bar!” With Pickford vying with Jack Butland and Nick Pope to be England’s number one in Russia that confidence with the ball at his feet is expected to be a crucial factor in the Everton goalkeeper being selected. “I think I've always been good at it,” Pickford says. “I always practised, even when I was younger. Just passing balls with my mates. It's coming into the game a lot now, playing out from the back.” World Cup 2018 | All you need to know Pickford adds, laughing, that he sees himself as a “holding midfielder, little quarter-back role” if he ever had to play outfield. “It's definitely a thing you need to do as a goalkeeper now,” he says of that ability. “And something I'm very capable of doing.” Even so England go to the World Cup with three goalkeepers who have just nine caps – and just two for Pickford (both clean sheets) - between them after Southgate took the decision to leave out Joe Hart, who has made 75 appearances but has struggled for two seasons now. Is the lack of experience for England’s trio a concern? “You have got to thrive on it, really,” Pickford claims. “Nine caps but look at our experience in the Premier League. I have played 38 games this season and numerous (games) in cups and Europa League. That is where you get your experience from.” Pickford has leapt ahead of Joe Hart in the England pecking order Credit: CAMERASPORT For Pickford, like Butland, Hart was a hero for him growing up. “He's a legend in the game for us,” Pickford says. “And he's been the top keeper in England for eight years. It's a bit different not seeing him here.” Of Hart’s career, Pickford adds: “The pathway, from Shrewsbury and getting his move then going out on loan. That's the pathway I wanted to take to getting where I am now. I think it's the right pathway, not just playing reserve team football. You've got to go and learn your trade.” Which is what Pickford did – with loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston during his time at Sunderland before earning his £30million move to Everton last summer where it has been a difficult, turbulent campaign. “Being at Sunderland, I was used to a change in manager!” Pickford says with first Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce sacked at Everton. “It was a hard one because the Europa League is very tough and there were a lot of new signings. It either goes one way or the other. You either start off flying or it takes a bit of time to bed in. And it took a bit of time to bed in with the new signings. Butland is vying with Pickford for England's no.1 spot at the World Cup Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I felt like I just cracked on straight away, I just enjoyed it…For myself, personally, I thought it was a great season. But as a squad, we were a bit disappointed, we wanted to finish as high as possible. Seventh or higher would have been our target. But from where Big Sam got us, from 16th up to eighth, the form we had with him was top-six form, so you can’t dwell on it too much.” That is something Pickford does not do – even when he was criticised, at Sunderland, by the then manager David Moyes over his dietary habits. “He never said it to me, he just said it to the papers,” Pickford says. “It would have been nice if he’d come and said it to me. Sometimes on the field you learn, but off the field you learn the most, becoming a better person and nutritionally, I’ve worked a lot on it. Getting down where I’m flying and feel much lighter and getting across the goal even quicker. You say you can learn on the pitch but it’s all about off the field, what you do in the gym and your nutrition.” And if England succeed in Russia? If they even, finally, win a shoot-out? “After the final? We’d be having more than a pizza if we win the final,” Pickford says.
Stoke are close to appointing Gary Rowett as their new manager after agreeing to pay the £1.8m compensation fee. Relegated Stoke have returned for Rowett, their No 1 target in January after the dismissal of Mark Hughes, and are hoping to agree a deal in the next 48 hours as they prepare for the Championship. Rowett was top of Stoke's list in the New Year, yet opted to stay at Pride Park as negotiations over a new contract were advanced, subsequently guiding Derby to the Championship play-offs. But Stoke have revived their long-term interest in the former defender and want him to lead their promotion challenge following relegation from the Premier League. It is understood the move is being driven by John Coates, Stoke's influential vice-chairman, who has admired Rowett for some time. Sources at Stoke have revealed that Rowett has been on Stoke's radar since his start at Burton Albion, with the 44-year-old also impressing in spells at Birmingham City and Derby. Rowett signed a new £1.5m a year contract in January and it is understood compensation is just under the £2m mark. Stoke parted company with Paul Lambert last Friday and are keen to bring in a new manager by the end of the week. Derby issued a statement on Monday evening. It read: "Derby County Football Club can confirm that Gary Rowett has asked for permission to speak with Stoke City regarding the vacant manager’s position at the bet365 Stadium. "The club is now in discussion with Stoke regarding the matter and will update our supporters in due course." Rowett's past achievements include leading Burton to the League Two play-offs on two occasions, while he finished sixth with Derby in his first full season in charge. Fulham lost the first leg at Pride Park but went through as winners after a 2-0 home win last Monday. Derby are set to slash their budget after missing out on promotion, with owner Mel Morris determined to lower the club's cost base. As a result, leading scorer Matej Vydra is likely to be sold to the highest bidder. Stoke, meanwhile, have the incentive of parachute payments and are making a huge attempt to seal a swift return to the top-flight. Though stars such as England goalkeeper Jack Butland, Xherdan Shaqiri and Joe Allen could be sold, Stoke are focusing on building a competitive squad capable of mounting a serious challenge. Rowett is the man they want to lead them into a new era and his appointment could even be confirmed on Tuesday.
Stoke in talks to appoint Gary Rowett of Derby as new manager
Stoke are close to appointing Gary Rowett as their new manager after agreeing to pay the £1.8m compensation fee. Relegated Stoke have returned for Rowett, their No 1 target in January after the dismissal of Mark Hughes, and are hoping to agree a deal in the next 48 hours as they prepare for the Championship. Rowett was top of Stoke's list in the New Year, yet opted to stay at Pride Park as negotiations over a new contract were advanced, subsequently guiding Derby to the Championship play-offs. But Stoke have revived their long-term interest in the former defender and want him to lead their promotion challenge following relegation from the Premier League. It is understood the move is being driven by John Coates, Stoke's influential vice-chairman, who has admired Rowett for some time. Sources at Stoke have revealed that Rowett has been on Stoke's radar since his start at Burton Albion, with the 44-year-old also impressing in spells at Birmingham City and Derby. Rowett signed a new £1.5m a year contract in January and it is understood compensation is just under the £2m mark. Stoke parted company with Paul Lambert last Friday and are keen to bring in a new manager by the end of the week. Derby issued a statement on Monday evening. It read: "Derby County Football Club can confirm that Gary Rowett has asked for permission to speak with Stoke City regarding the vacant manager’s position at the bet365 Stadium. "The club is now in discussion with Stoke regarding the matter and will update our supporters in due course." Rowett's past achievements include leading Burton to the League Two play-offs on two occasions, while he finished sixth with Derby in his first full season in charge. Fulham lost the first leg at Pride Park but went through as winners after a 2-0 home win last Monday. Derby are set to slash their budget after missing out on promotion, with owner Mel Morris determined to lower the club's cost base. As a result, leading scorer Matej Vydra is likely to be sold to the highest bidder. Stoke, meanwhile, have the incentive of parachute payments and are making a huge attempt to seal a swift return to the top-flight. Though stars such as England goalkeeper Jack Butland, Xherdan Shaqiri and Joe Allen could be sold, Stoke are focusing on building a competitive squad capable of mounting a serious challenge. Rowett is the man they want to lead them into a new era and his appointment could even be confirmed on Tuesday.
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Year of the underdog: Every single promoted team in English football's top four divisions avoids relegation
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Year of the underdog: Every single promoted team in English football's top four divisions avoids relegation
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Year of the underdog: Every single promoted team in English football's top four divisions avoids relegation
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Year of the underdog: Every single promoted team in English football's top four divisions avoids relegation
Huddersfield's battling draw with Chelsea completed a remarkable season in which every team that won promotion to English football's top leagues remain in the division. David Wagner's side earned a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to guarantee their Premier League safety for another season. The result meant that Huddersfield joined fellow promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle in safely avoiding a return the Championship as Stoke, West Brom and - barring a miracle - Swansea all dropped out of the top flight. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, when Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton defied the odds, every single team that earned promotion to one of English football's top four leagues avoided relegation. Alan Alger, PR manager at bookmakers Betway, said the odds on such an outcome would have been bigger than Leicester City's Premier League title triumph in 2016. Stoke City lost to Crystal Palace last weekend to end their 10-year stay in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images In the Championship, Burton Albion and Barnsley were relegated on a dramatic final day after Sunderland's fate had been sealed a week earlier. Below the top-flight, Championship new-boys Sheffield United and Millwall both enjoyed top-half finishes while Bolton Wanderers escaped the drop on the final day. In League One, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool all stayed well clear of the bottom four as Bury, MK Dons, Northampton Town, and Oldham Athletic were relegated to the fourth tier. League Two's Forest Green narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Vanarama National League while fellow promoted side Lincoln enjoyed a seventh-place finish, booking their place in the play-offs. Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest on the final day and avoid an instant return to League One Credit: Getty Images In fact, the trend extends beyond the Football League, with Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town and Fylde all securing safety after earning promotion to National League One last season. Huddersfield manager David Wagner was last night quick to praise his players for the "incredible achievement" of defying Premier League relegation. “This is an absolute over-achievement,” said Wagner. Huddersfield came up via the Championship play-offs Credit: PA “It's a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles and I understand it. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. "To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn't count. It's about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. We search a chance in every game. Today we were chance-less, more or less. It's an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.” Promoted teams avoid relegation | English football's top five leagues
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' Ryan Gravenberg celebrates his sides second goal an own goal by Spain's Arnau Tenas Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' Ryan Gravenberg celebrates his sides second goal an own goal by Spain's Arnau Tenas Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' coach Kees van Wonderen Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' coach Kees van Wonderen Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' coach Kees van Wonderen Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' coach Kees van Wonderen Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' Ryan Gravenberg in action with Spain's Victor Mollejo Carpintero Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Netherlands' Ryan Gravenberg in action with Spain's Victor Mollejo Carpintero Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Spain team group Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain
Soccer Football - UEFA European Under-17 Championship - Group D - Netherlands v Spain - Burton Albion FC Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent, Britain - May 8, 2018 Spain team group Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Louis Moult on the pitch at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Louis Moult on the pitch at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Luke Murphy reacts after conceding their second goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Luke Murphy reacts after conceding their second goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End fans Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End fans Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion fan reacts Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion fan reacts Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Louis Moult scores their second goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Louis Moult scores their second goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Tom Naylor look dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Tom Naylor look dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Tom Naylor look dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Tom Naylor look dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan looks dejected at full time Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Billy Bodin walks off the pitch after receiving his second yellow card Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Billy Bodin walks off the pitch after receiving his second yellow card Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Billy Bodin appluads the fans as he walks off the pitch after receiving his second yellow card Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Billy Bodin appluads the fans as he walks off the pitch after receiving his second yellow card Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's manager Alex Neil Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's manager Alex Neil Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Alan Browne in action with Burton Albion's Marvin Sordell Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Alan Browne in action with Burton Albion's Marvin Sordell Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Kyle McFadzean in action with Preston North End's Callum Robinson Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Kyle McFadzean in action with Preston North End's Callum Robinson Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson scores his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson scores his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson celebrates scoring his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson celebrates scoring his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson scores his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson scores his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson scores his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Preston North End's Callum Robinson scores his sides first goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Luke Murphy in action with Preston North End's Callum Robins Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Preston North End vs Burton Albion - Deepdale, Preston, Britain - May 6, 2018 Burton Albion's Luke Murphy in action with Preston North End's Callum Robins Action Images/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland fan before the match Action Images/Lee Smith
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland fan before the match Action Images/Lee Smith
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman Action Images/Lee Smith
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman Action Images/Lee Smith
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith
Sunderland have sacked manager Chris Coleman following the north east side's relegation to League One ahead of the club's takeover, the club confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The 47-year-old, hired in November last year following the dismissal of Simon Grayson, watched on from the dugout as a 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion last weekend confirmed the Black Cats' second successive demotion. Sunderland pre-Coleman this season: 0.625 points per game Sunderland with Coleman this season: 0.83...
Sunderland Part Company With Chris Coleman After Ellis Short Announces Debt-Free Sale of Club
Sunderland have sacked manager Chris Coleman following the north east side's relegation to League One ahead of the club's takeover, the club confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The 47-year-old, hired in November last year following the dismissal of Simon Grayson, watched on from the dugout as a 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion last weekend confirmed the Black Cats' second successive demotion. Sunderland pre-Coleman this season: 0.625 points per game Sunderland with Coleman this season: 0.83...
Sunderland have sacked manager Chris Coleman following the north east side's relegation to League One ahead of the club's takeover, the club confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The 47-year-old, hired in November last year following the dismissal of Simon Grayson, watched on from the dugout as a 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion last weekend confirmed the Black Cats' second successive demotion. Sunderland pre-Coleman this season: 0.625 points per game Sunderland with Coleman this season: 0.83...
Sunderland Part Company With Chris Coleman After Ellis Short Announces Debt-Free Sale of Club
Sunderland have sacked manager Chris Coleman following the north east side's relegation to League One ahead of the club's takeover, the club confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The 47-year-old, hired in November last year following the dismissal of Simon Grayson, watched on from the dugout as a 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion last weekend confirmed the Black Cats' second successive demotion. Sunderland pre-Coleman this season: 0.625 points per game Sunderland with Coleman this season: 0.83...
Nigel Clough hopes Burton Albion have not timed their impressive dash for Championship safety too late. Goals from Hope Akpan and Luke Akins booked a convincing victory over Bolton Wanderers, who themselves sunk deeper into the relegation mire. Burton – who have the lowest wage budget in the second tier - have been in the bottom three since Boxing Day, and remain so on goal difference, but their pragmatic manager knows his team may still require favours on the last weekend as they travel to Preston North End. “For a team which hadn’t won in six months at one point, that wasn’t bad,” smiled Clough. “But we know we have still got a lot of work to do, and that we can’t afford to lose next week. We lose at Preston, we are down, so we go to Preston with the same sort of attitude. “It would have been nice to be out of the bottom three. But of course you only have to be out of it on the final day. Jon Flanagan and Lucas Akins battle for the ball Credit: GETTY IMAGES “The lads have got a great spirit and they are up for it. We knew what we had to do after the Hull game; win three and draw one minimum. We have got three and now we are going to try and win the game next week.” Bolton have endured a miserable time away from home this season, winning just one of their 23 games since returning to the Championship. It is little wonder with the weak defending produced in the first half as the Brewers secured a two-goal lead before half time. Hope Akpan finished off an intricate move to score his first Brewers goal on 28 minutes and it was not long before more dithering by Derik Osede and Mark Beevers allowed Lucas Akins to stab in the second just before half time. Fighting broke out among travelling supporters, a small group even trying to confront Bolton boss Phil Parkinson before stewards blocked their path. Such passion, however misguided, was in short supply among the Bolton players. Burton’s determination to hold on to their Championship status was only let down by their finishing. Liam Boyce, Marvin Sordell and Akins all spurned opportunities to make the margin of victory more extravagant. Bolton, who drop to second-bottom, now require a win against Nottingham Forest next weekend and hope other clubs around the bottom three drop points. “I can’t do anything else but apologise for that performance to our supporters,” said Parkinson. “I can understand their anger. I share it. We simply were not good enough and Burton were better than us all over the pitch. “Believe me, no-one is hurting more than me and my staff at this moment in time. “Once we had gone two goals down there was nothing to suggest we could get back into the game and that is bitterly, bitterly disappointing. “All we can do is pick ourselves up and try to get something from the game next weekend and hope it is enough.”
Hope Akpan and Lucas Akins give Burton hope of avoiding relegation as Bolton sink further into the mire
Nigel Clough hopes Burton Albion have not timed their impressive dash for Championship safety too late. Goals from Hope Akpan and Luke Akins booked a convincing victory over Bolton Wanderers, who themselves sunk deeper into the relegation mire. Burton – who have the lowest wage budget in the second tier - have been in the bottom three since Boxing Day, and remain so on goal difference, but their pragmatic manager knows his team may still require favours on the last weekend as they travel to Preston North End. “For a team which hadn’t won in six months at one point, that wasn’t bad,” smiled Clough. “But we know we have still got a lot of work to do, and that we can’t afford to lose next week. We lose at Preston, we are down, so we go to Preston with the same sort of attitude. “It would have been nice to be out of the bottom three. But of course you only have to be out of it on the final day. Jon Flanagan and Lucas Akins battle for the ball Credit: GETTY IMAGES “The lads have got a great spirit and they are up for it. We knew what we had to do after the Hull game; win three and draw one minimum. We have got three and now we are going to try and win the game next week.” Bolton have endured a miserable time away from home this season, winning just one of their 23 games since returning to the Championship. It is little wonder with the weak defending produced in the first half as the Brewers secured a two-goal lead before half time. Hope Akpan finished off an intricate move to score his first Brewers goal on 28 minutes and it was not long before more dithering by Derik Osede and Mark Beevers allowed Lucas Akins to stab in the second just before half time. Fighting broke out among travelling supporters, a small group even trying to confront Bolton boss Phil Parkinson before stewards blocked their path. Such passion, however misguided, was in short supply among the Bolton players. Burton’s determination to hold on to their Championship status was only let down by their finishing. Liam Boyce, Marvin Sordell and Akins all spurned opportunities to make the margin of victory more extravagant. Bolton, who drop to second-bottom, now require a win against Nottingham Forest next weekend and hope other clubs around the bottom three drop points. “I can’t do anything else but apologise for that performance to our supporters,” said Parkinson. “I can understand their anger. I share it. We simply were not good enough and Burton were better than us all over the pitch. “Believe me, no-one is hurting more than me and my staff at this moment in time. “Once we had gone two goals down there was nothing to suggest we could get back into the game and that is bitterly, bitterly disappointing. “All we can do is pick ourselves up and try to get something from the game next weekend and hope it is enough.”
Nigel Clough hopes Burton Albion have not timed their impressive dash for Championship safety too late. Goals from Hope Akpan and Luke Akins booked a convincing victory over Bolton Wanderers, who themselves sunk deeper into the relegation mire. Burton – who have the lowest wage budget in the second tier - have been in the bottom three since Boxing Day, and remain so on goal difference, but their pragmatic manager knows his team may still require favours on the last weekend as they travel to Preston North End. “For a team which hadn’t won in six months at one point, that wasn’t bad,” smiled Clough. “But we know we have still got a lot of work to do, and that we can’t afford to lose next week. We lose at Preston, we are down, so we go to Preston with the same sort of attitude. “It would have been nice to be out of the bottom three. But of course you only have to be out of it on the final day. Jon Flanagan and Lucas Akins battle for the ball Credit: GETTY IMAGES “The lads have got a great spirit and they are up for it. We knew what we had to do after the Hull game; win three and draw one minimum. We have got three and now we are going to try and win the game next week.” Bolton have endured a miserable time away from home this season, winning just one of their 23 games since returning to the Championship. It is little wonder with the weak defending produced in the first half as the Brewers secured a two-goal lead before half time. Hope Akpan finished off an intricate move to score his first Brewers goal on 28 minutes and it was not long before more dithering by Derik Osede and Mark Beevers allowed Lucas Akins to stab in the second just before half time. Fighting broke out among travelling supporters, a small group even trying to confront Bolton boss Phil Parkinson before stewards blocked their path. Such passion, however misguided, was in short supply among the Bolton players. Burton’s determination to hold on to their Championship status was only let down by their finishing. Liam Boyce, Marvin Sordell and Akins all spurned opportunities to make the margin of victory more extravagant. Bolton, who drop to second-bottom, now require a win against Nottingham Forest next weekend and hope other clubs around the bottom three drop points. “I can’t do anything else but apologise for that performance to our supporters,” said Parkinson. “I can understand their anger. I share it. We simply were not good enough and Burton were better than us all over the pitch. “Believe me, no-one is hurting more than me and my staff at this moment in time. “Once we had gone two goals down there was nothing to suggest we could get back into the game and that is bitterly, bitterly disappointing. “All we can do is pick ourselves up and try to get something from the game next weekend and hope it is enough.”
Hope Akpan and Lucas Akins give Burton hope of avoiding relegation as Bolton sink further into the mire
Nigel Clough hopes Burton Albion have not timed their impressive dash for Championship safety too late. Goals from Hope Akpan and Luke Akins booked a convincing victory over Bolton Wanderers, who themselves sunk deeper into the relegation mire. Burton – who have the lowest wage budget in the second tier - have been in the bottom three since Boxing Day, and remain so on goal difference, but their pragmatic manager knows his team may still require favours on the last weekend as they travel to Preston North End. “For a team which hadn’t won in six months at one point, that wasn’t bad,” smiled Clough. “But we know we have still got a lot of work to do, and that we can’t afford to lose next week. We lose at Preston, we are down, so we go to Preston with the same sort of attitude. “It would have been nice to be out of the bottom three. But of course you only have to be out of it on the final day. Jon Flanagan and Lucas Akins battle for the ball Credit: GETTY IMAGES “The lads have got a great spirit and they are up for it. We knew what we had to do after the Hull game; win three and draw one minimum. We have got three and now we are going to try and win the game next week.” Bolton have endured a miserable time away from home this season, winning just one of their 23 games since returning to the Championship. It is little wonder with the weak defending produced in the first half as the Brewers secured a two-goal lead before half time. Hope Akpan finished off an intricate move to score his first Brewers goal on 28 minutes and it was not long before more dithering by Derik Osede and Mark Beevers allowed Lucas Akins to stab in the second just before half time. Fighting broke out among travelling supporters, a small group even trying to confront Bolton boss Phil Parkinson before stewards blocked their path. Such passion, however misguided, was in short supply among the Bolton players. Burton’s determination to hold on to their Championship status was only let down by their finishing. Liam Boyce, Marvin Sordell and Akins all spurned opportunities to make the margin of victory more extravagant. Bolton, who drop to second-bottom, now require a win against Nottingham Forest next weekend and hope other clubs around the bottom three drop points. “I can’t do anything else but apologise for that performance to our supporters,” said Parkinson. “I can understand their anger. I share it. We simply were not good enough and Burton were better than us all over the pitch. “Believe me, no-one is hurting more than me and my staff at this moment in time. “Once we had gone two goals down there was nothing to suggest we could get back into the game and that is bitterly, bitterly disappointing. “All we can do is pick ourselves up and try to get something from the game next weekend and hope it is enough.”
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Ben Turner celebrate after the match Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Kyle McFadzean and Ben Turner celebrate after the match Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins celebrates after the match Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins celebrates after the match Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Tom Naylor in action with Bolton Wanderers' Adam Le Fondre Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Tom Naylor in action with Bolton Wanderers' Adam Le Fondre Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Tom Naylor celebrates at full time Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Tom Naylor celebrates at full time Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins in action with Bolton Wanderers' Darren Pratley Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins in action with Bolton Wanderers' Darren Pratley Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Marvin Sordell and John Brayford in action with Bolton Wanderers' Sammy Ameobi Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Marvin Sordell and John Brayford in action with Bolton Wanderers' Sammy Ameobi Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Ben Turner in action with Bolton Wanderers' Dorian Dervite Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Ben Turner in action with Bolton Wanderers' Dorian Dervite Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Bolton Wanderers' manager Phil Parkinson Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Bolton Wanderers' manager Phil Parkinson Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Bolton Wanderers' manager Phil Parkinson Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Bolton Wanderers' manager Phil Parkinson Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton AlbionÕs Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton AlbionÕs Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion’s Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion’s Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins scores their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Lucas Akins scores their second goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton AlbionÕs John Brayford in action with Bolton Wanderers' Darren Pratley Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton AlbionÕs John Brayford in action with Bolton Wanderers' Darren Pratley Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan scores their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan scores their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan scores their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
Soccer Football - Championship - Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers - Pirelli Stadium, Burton, Britain - April 28, 2018 Burton Albion's Hope Akpan scores their first goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The dreaded double relegation: what comes next for Sunderland?
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The dreaded double relegation: what comes next for Sunderland?
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The dreaded double relegation: what comes next for Sunderland?
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The dreaded double relegation: what comes next for Sunderland?
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The dreaded double relegation: what comes next for Sunderland?
Sunderland’s dramatic late defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday condemned the Black Cats to relegation in successive seasons. Having seen their side slip down the leagues, many fans hold genuine fears about the future of their club. While back-to-back relegations are unusual, however, Sunderland’s plight is not without precedent. Here we look at how other clubs in English football history have bounced back from dropping down multiple tiers rapidly. Bristol City 1980-1982 How did they go down? City were promoted to the top flight in 1976 under long-term manager Alan Dicks and stayed up until 1980. The club’s fortunes changed, however, when promising defender Gary Collier was sold to Coventry City in controversial fashion after the freedom of contract laws were changed in 1978. In response to losing Collier for far less than he would have wished, Dicks and his fellow club executives set about signing multiple members of the squad to 10-year contracts, a situation unheard of until that point. City relied on maintaining their top flight status to keep the club stable, so when they went down in 1980, the club spiralled into financial ruin. Roy Hodgson's first managerial job in England came at Bristol City Credit: Getty Images By September 1980, City were adrift at the bottom of the Second Division and Dicks was quickly replaced by Bob Houghton, fresh from leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup Final, and his assistant Roy Hodgson. Rumours of the extent of City’s debts began to surface as soon as they arrived and the club were relegated once again in a season clouded with uncertainty and departures. Things went from bad to worse in February 1982. As the club sat in a mid-table position in the Third Division with Hodgson now in charge, it became obvious that the Robins were heading towards folding completely, unless serious action was taken. It took eight City players, now remembered as the Ashton Gate Eight, to agree to surrender their lengthy contracts and sacrifice their careers to save the club. Things continued to fall apart on the field and City were relegated for a third successive season, but fans were more relieved about the continued existence of their club. What happened next? City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division before winning promotion under Terry Cooper in 1984. The club have shifted back and forth between the second and third tiers but have been on an upward trajectory since winning the 2015/16 League One title, their first league title since 1955. City are currently sitting in 10th in the Championship with two games remaining. Why selling Wembley makes perfect sense Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984-1986 How did they go down? Bristol City fans were not alone in watching their club succumb to severe financial mismanagement in the 1980s. After many successful decades, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1972, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division in 1982 and only avoided liquidation when a consortium, led by former player Derek Dougan, swooped in to save the club. While they bounced back up the following season, star striker Andy Gray departed for Everton and a poor run of form saw Wolves finish bottom of the league. Wanderers then found themselves in the relegation zone of the Second Division by New Year and, with crowd numbers at Molineux starting to diminish, the club were demoted for the second consecutive season in 1985. Andy Gray in his Everton days after leaving Wolves Credit: David Cannon The club were still yet to reach their nadir as they embarked on their first season in the Third Division. The side, managed by Sammy Chapman, would never string together a run of positive results and the West Midlands club were subsequently relegated to the Fourth Division. What happened next? Dougan had resigned as chairman in 1985 and his business partner, the Bhatti brothers, pulled out soon after. As the team embarked on their first campaign in the fourth tier, Wolverhampton Council bought the stadium and the surrounding land. The club would bounce back with promotion that season and by 1990, was back in the familiar surroundings of the second tier. Swindon Town 1994-1995 How did they go down? Swindon fans were in dream land when their side reached the top flight of English football thanks to a memorable 4-3 victory over Leicester City in the Division One playoff final. Player-manager Glenn Hoddle, who scored the first goal in the Wembley final, had rebuilt the team following their financial struggles at the turn of the decade, but left the club in June 1993 when Chelsea came calling. Assistant John Gorman took charge, but Swindon struggled right out of the gate, failing to win any of their first 15 games. The Robins never put up a fight, becoming the first top flight side for 30 years to concede 100 goals in a season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman later worked together with England Credit: PA Gorman expected Swindon to bounce straight back up ahead of the 1994-95 season and they looked on course to do so after the opening months of the season, but four defeats in November saw them slide down the table. Gorman was replaced by Steve McMahon but, despite a run to the League Cup semi-finals, the former England international could not keep the Robins from falling to their second relegation in two seasons. What happened next? Swindon’s rollercoaster period continued in the 1995-96 season, as 17 league goals from Wayne Allison led the Robins to the Second Division title and brought smiles back to the County Ground. The club’s financial situation remained an issue, however, and McMahon’s side settled down in the lower half of the First Division for the next three seasons. In 2006, the club were relegated into League Two, becoming the first former Premier League club to play in the fourth tier, where they still find themselves today. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2012-2013 How did they go down? Wolves won the Championship title in 2009 with Mick McCarthy at the helm and spent three seasons battling for survival. After McCarthy was sacked in February 2012 and replaced by his assistant Terry Connor, the West Midlands club failed to win any of their remaining league games and were relegated, having accumulated just 25 points. Chairman Steve Morgan replaced Connor with Stale Solbakken ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Norwegian had enjoyed success as manager of FC Copenhagen, where he would return in 2013, but his tenure at Molineux lasted just six months. Stale Solbakken was destined to become a pub quiz answer Credit: Getty Images Dean Saunders was brought in with the team flirting with the drop-zone but was unable to save the club from demotion to the third tier for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Five defeats in their final six games saw Wolves slip to second-bottom and a final day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed their relegation. What happened next? Saunders was sacked less than a week after the loss to Brighton and the experienced Kenny Jackett was brought in to steer the club in the right direction. The 2013-14 season would prove to be historic, as Wanderers conceded just 31 goals all season and amassed a points haul of 103, a record for the third tier, to cruise to the title. The club have been in the Championship ever since, but following a takeover in July 2016 by Chinese investment group Fosun, Wolves ended a six-year absence from the top flight by winning the title this season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
Burton Albion fighting for 'even bigger miracle' with great escape sequel
The Great Escape II is on. Nigel Clough loves nothing more than reading a good thriller when he spends time away from Burton Albion, yet the final weeks of his latest relegation fight are proving an unbearably tense sequel to the original. Last season he defied the odds by guiding the Brewers to Championship safety with a game to spare but this survival mission is going right to the wire, ahead of a do-or-die encounter with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Clough’s strugglers face Bolton with the huge incentive of knowing that a victory could take them above their opponents and out of the bottom three, provided Barnsley fail to beat Brentford. The fact Clough even has a slim chance of survival is remarkable; Burton operate on a modest £8.5m wage bill, their record signing, Liam Boyce, cost £500,000 and has missed most of the season with injury, while their average gate at the Pirelli Stadium is just under 4,600. But optimism is building after last weekend’s heroics at Sunderland that another escapology act is on the way. “Last season it was a miracle to stay up, it will be an even bigger miracle if we do it again this year,” Ben Robinson, Burton’s chairman, told Telegraph Sport. Championship | What can still happen? “It’s David vs Goliath stuff for us every week but the dream is still alive. We’ve got a big chance of playing Championship football again next season, when we looked dead and buried just two games ago.” Burton’s dramatic 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Boyce heading the winner two minutes into added time, relegated the stricken Black Cats to set up their monumental meeting with Bolton. Clough’s old club, Nottingham Forest, then did him a favour on Tuesday night by thrashing Barnsley to raise hopes of a memorable finish to a difficult campaign. Forest, who approached Clough last year, also face Bolton on the final day. Nigel Clough encourages his players at Cardiff Credit: Athena Pictures/Getty Images Yet Clough’s hopes of success arguably depend on beating Bolton at home, with the 52-year-old battling valiantly this week to ease the pressure on his players. “If we lose, we’re down at 5pm on Saturday. But we’re very pleased to be in this position and our intention is to take it to the last day, as it has always been,” he says. “We wanted to improve and get better this season, it hasn’t worked out like that, we’re disappointed in an awful lot of ways but we’re still in with a chance. Of course, it's a massive game. “What would staying up again mean? It would be exactly the same next season, trying to finish fourth from bottom, there’s no sugar daddy here, the chairman gives us everything he can.” Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the goal that has kept Burton's survival hopes alive Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Clough has found this season even tougher than last year, the chasm growing ever wider between Burton and the majority of the Championship’s other 23 clubs. Earlier this month they played Middlesbrough, relegated from the top-flight last year, with a £15 million striker on the bench [Britt Assombalonga] and wage bill topping £30m. "Wolves have won the league and rightly so but they've got a £15m midfielder [Ruben Neves] who has played in the Champions League. It's a different world,” says Clough. “We're Burton Albion in the Championship. It's not so long ago we were in the Unibond League playing against Marine and Droylsden [Burton won the title in 2002 to reach the Conference]. “It puts it all into perspective and whatever league we're in next season it’s still an incredible achievement.” Chairman Ben Robinson, second left, and Clough, second right, toast their FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in 2006 Credit: DAVE THOMPSON/AP Robinson, who has been Burton’s chairman since 1995, released a statement earlier this month to remind supporters of their humble resources, in what he called a “reality check” following criticism of Clough on social media. Yet the Burton manager admits the continual fighting against bigger clubs, and the annual battle as the underdog, can take its toll. “It’s certainly demoralising at times when you go into games like Wolves knowing deep down you can’t compete. “The players aren’t daft either, when they look at the quality of players they come across at times. “Whether it’s Burton Albion or anywhere else, you ask any manager at this stage of this season, they will say they're tired. “But for us, competing at this level is very, very difficult so it's probably a bit more increased. At this stage of the season you're certainly looking forward to your holidays.” By 5pm on Saturday Clough will know if the final game of the season at Preston has any significance. But as his late father Brian once famously said, “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off…”
Chris Coleman has described Sunderland as a club in “complete darkness” as it comes to terms with relegation to League One and the continued failure of owner Ellis Short to find a buyer. Short has been trying to sell the club for almost two years, but having failed to find anyone suitable when the Black Cats were in the Premier League, he has found it even more difficult as they followed relegation from the top flight by crashing out of the Championship last week following a home defeat to Burton Albion. Coleman has not spoken to Short since he replaced Simon Grayson as manager back in November. The former Wales manager answers to chief executive Martin Bain, who has also been heavily criticised in recent weeks as Sunderland made it two relegations in 12 months under his watch. Bain reassured supporters this week that, while Short has no interest in the day-to-day running of the club and is still searching for a buyer, he will not put the business into administration and will cover external debts. Coleman, though, knows a new owner is needed and painted a bleak picture of the future without one. Sunderland are facing up to life in League One Credit: Getty Images “The unthinkable has happened,” said Coleman, who has won just five games as Black Cats boss. “The club needs a lot of change, which is obvious. “Because of the uncertainty, it’s open season or criticism. A club like Sunderland, it’s almost floating aimlessly in the dark. We can’t start working yet because we haven’t got anyone telling us what we can or can’t do. “The sooner we know who it is that’s going to be here [as owner] and what the plan is, then at least we can get on with things and start moving forward. But at the minute, it’s complete darkness. It’s unnerving and unsettling. “There’s still been no conversation with Ellis. There’s nothing I can do about that. My conversations are with Martin, who has been here for a bit longer than me, and this season has almost been the front man, taking all the criticism. “He works his socks off. There’s not a lot he can do about it. He’s got a menu and he has to stick with that and get on with it.” Coleman is adamant he wants to stay to try and lead Sunderland back to the Championship, but he could not resist taking a swipe at one of the players who has come to symbolise the extraordinary waste of money that has put the club in such turmoil. Jack Rodwell has not played a first team game since September Credit: Reuters Jack Rodwell was signed from Manchester City for £10m in August 2014 but has rarely played in that time because of a catalogue of minor injuries. The former England international claimed all he wanted to do is play football in an interview earlier this season, but is understood to have turned down a loan move to another Championship club in January. As a result, the 27-year-old, who earns £70,000-a-week on Wearside has not played a first team game since September and has been banished to train with the Under 23 squad by an exasperated Coleman. “I don't even know where Jack is [physically or mentally] to be honest,” Coleman explained. “He won't be involved [this weekend] and I'm sure if there was a sniff of a first team appearance, I'm not sure he would be 100 per cent fit for it. “I’m quite sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation, and we're stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland Football Club and wants to leave. "But then where's he going to leave and go to? There's the conundrum. He's here and he's got one more year on his contract. He doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else. But the stumbling block is the contract. "But we'll see, it's the end of this season now. I know Jack did that big article (and said) he wanted to play for England again, so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere. The proof is always in the pudding." Although Rodwell will take a 40 per cent pay cut if he stays at Sunderland when they are in League One, he will still be the highest paid player in the division’s history if he refuses to leave again over the summer.
Sunderland are a club 'in complete darkness', says Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman has described Sunderland as a club in “complete darkness” as it comes to terms with relegation to League One and the continued failure of owner Ellis Short to find a buyer. Short has been trying to sell the club for almost two years, but having failed to find anyone suitable when the Black Cats were in the Premier League, he has found it even more difficult as they followed relegation from the top flight by crashing out of the Championship last week following a home defeat to Burton Albion. Coleman has not spoken to Short since he replaced Simon Grayson as manager back in November. The former Wales manager answers to chief executive Martin Bain, who has also been heavily criticised in recent weeks as Sunderland made it two relegations in 12 months under his watch. Bain reassured supporters this week that, while Short has no interest in the day-to-day running of the club and is still searching for a buyer, he will not put the business into administration and will cover external debts. Coleman, though, knows a new owner is needed and painted a bleak picture of the future without one. Sunderland are facing up to life in League One Credit: Getty Images “The unthinkable has happened,” said Coleman, who has won just five games as Black Cats boss. “The club needs a lot of change, which is obvious. “Because of the uncertainty, it’s open season or criticism. A club like Sunderland, it’s almost floating aimlessly in the dark. We can’t start working yet because we haven’t got anyone telling us what we can or can’t do. “The sooner we know who it is that’s going to be here [as owner] and what the plan is, then at least we can get on with things and start moving forward. But at the minute, it’s complete darkness. It’s unnerving and unsettling. “There’s still been no conversation with Ellis. There’s nothing I can do about that. My conversations are with Martin, who has been here for a bit longer than me, and this season has almost been the front man, taking all the criticism. “He works his socks off. There’s not a lot he can do about it. He’s got a menu and he has to stick with that and get on with it.” Coleman is adamant he wants to stay to try and lead Sunderland back to the Championship, but he could not resist taking a swipe at one of the players who has come to symbolise the extraordinary waste of money that has put the club in such turmoil. Jack Rodwell has not played a first team game since September Credit: Reuters Jack Rodwell was signed from Manchester City for £10m in August 2014 but has rarely played in that time because of a catalogue of minor injuries. The former England international claimed all he wanted to do is play football in an interview earlier this season, but is understood to have turned down a loan move to another Championship club in January. As a result, the 27-year-old, who earns £70,000-a-week on Wearside has not played a first team game since September and has been banished to train with the Under 23 squad by an exasperated Coleman. “I don't even know where Jack is [physically or mentally] to be honest,” Coleman explained. “He won't be involved [this weekend] and I'm sure if there was a sniff of a first team appearance, I'm not sure he would be 100 per cent fit for it. “I’m quite sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation, and we're stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland Football Club and wants to leave. "But then where's he going to leave and go to? There's the conundrum. He's here and he's got one more year on his contract. He doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else. But the stumbling block is the contract. "But we'll see, it's the end of this season now. I know Jack did that big article (and said) he wanted to play for England again, so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere. The proof is always in the pudding." Although Rodwell will take a 40 per cent pay cut if he stays at Sunderland when they are in League One, he will still be the highest paid player in the division’s history if he refuses to leave again over the summer.
Chris Coleman has described Sunderland as a club in “complete darkness” as it comes to terms with relegation to League One and the continued failure of owner Ellis Short to find a buyer. Short has been trying to sell the club for almost two years, but having failed to find anyone suitable when the Black Cats were in the Premier League, he has found it even more difficult as they followed relegation from the top flight by crashing out of the Championship last week following a home defeat to Burton Albion. Coleman has not spoken to Short since he replaced Simon Grayson as manager back in November. The former Wales manager answers to chief executive Martin Bain, who has also been heavily criticised in recent weeks as Sunderland made it two relegations in 12 months under his watch. Bain reassured supporters this week that, while Short has no interest in the day-to-day running of the club and is still searching for a buyer, he will not put the business into administration and will cover external debts. Coleman, though, knows a new owner is needed and painted a bleak picture of the future without one. Sunderland are facing up to life in League One Credit: Getty Images “The unthinkable has happened,” said Coleman, who has won just five games as Black Cats boss. “The club needs a lot of change, which is obvious. “Because of the uncertainty, it’s open season or criticism. A club like Sunderland, it’s almost floating aimlessly in the dark. We can’t start working yet because we haven’t got anyone telling us what we can or can’t do. “The sooner we know who it is that’s going to be here [as owner] and what the plan is, then at least we can get on with things and start moving forward. But at the minute, it’s complete darkness. It’s unnerving and unsettling. “There’s still been no conversation with Ellis. There’s nothing I can do about that. My conversations are with Martin, who has been here for a bit longer than me, and this season has almost been the front man, taking all the criticism. “He works his socks off. There’s not a lot he can do about it. He’s got a menu and he has to stick with that and get on with it.” Coleman is adamant he wants to stay to try and lead Sunderland back to the Championship, but he could not resist taking a swipe at one of the players who has come to symbolise the extraordinary waste of money that has put the club in such turmoil. Jack Rodwell has not played a first team game since September Credit: Reuters Jack Rodwell was signed from Manchester City for £10m in August 2014 but has rarely played in that time because of a catalogue of minor injuries. The former England international claimed all he wanted to do is play football in an interview earlier this season, but is understood to have turned down a loan move to another Championship club in January. As a result, the 27-year-old, who earns £70,000-a-week on Wearside has not played a first team game since September and has been banished to train with the Under 23 squad by an exasperated Coleman. “I don't even know where Jack is [physically or mentally] to be honest,” Coleman explained. “He won't be involved [this weekend] and I'm sure if there was a sniff of a first team appearance, I'm not sure he would be 100 per cent fit for it. “I’m quite sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation, and we're stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland Football Club and wants to leave. "But then where's he going to leave and go to? There's the conundrum. He's here and he's got one more year on his contract. He doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else. But the stumbling block is the contract. "But we'll see, it's the end of this season now. I know Jack did that big article (and said) he wanted to play for England again, so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere. The proof is always in the pudding." Although Rodwell will take a 40 per cent pay cut if he stays at Sunderland when they are in League One, he will still be the highest paid player in the division’s history if he refuses to leave again over the summer.
Sunderland are a club 'in complete darkness', says Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman has described Sunderland as a club in “complete darkness” as it comes to terms with relegation to League One and the continued failure of owner Ellis Short to find a buyer. Short has been trying to sell the club for almost two years, but having failed to find anyone suitable when the Black Cats were in the Premier League, he has found it even more difficult as they followed relegation from the top flight by crashing out of the Championship last week following a home defeat to Burton Albion. Coleman has not spoken to Short since he replaced Simon Grayson as manager back in November. The former Wales manager answers to chief executive Martin Bain, who has also been heavily criticised in recent weeks as Sunderland made it two relegations in 12 months under his watch. Bain reassured supporters this week that, while Short has no interest in the day-to-day running of the club and is still searching for a buyer, he will not put the business into administration and will cover external debts. Coleman, though, knows a new owner is needed and painted a bleak picture of the future without one. Sunderland are facing up to life in League One Credit: Getty Images “The unthinkable has happened,” said Coleman, who has won just five games as Black Cats boss. “The club needs a lot of change, which is obvious. “Because of the uncertainty, it’s open season or criticism. A club like Sunderland, it’s almost floating aimlessly in the dark. We can’t start working yet because we haven’t got anyone telling us what we can or can’t do. “The sooner we know who it is that’s going to be here [as owner] and what the plan is, then at least we can get on with things and start moving forward. But at the minute, it’s complete darkness. It’s unnerving and unsettling. “There’s still been no conversation with Ellis. There’s nothing I can do about that. My conversations are with Martin, who has been here for a bit longer than me, and this season has almost been the front man, taking all the criticism. “He works his socks off. There’s not a lot he can do about it. He’s got a menu and he has to stick with that and get on with it.” Coleman is adamant he wants to stay to try and lead Sunderland back to the Championship, but he could not resist taking a swipe at one of the players who has come to symbolise the extraordinary waste of money that has put the club in such turmoil. Jack Rodwell has not played a first team game since September Credit: Reuters Jack Rodwell was signed from Manchester City for £10m in August 2014 but has rarely played in that time because of a catalogue of minor injuries. The former England international claimed all he wanted to do is play football in an interview earlier this season, but is understood to have turned down a loan move to another Championship club in January. As a result, the 27-year-old, who earns £70,000-a-week on Wearside has not played a first team game since September and has been banished to train with the Under 23 squad by an exasperated Coleman. “I don't even know where Jack is [physically or mentally] to be honest,” Coleman explained. “He won't be involved [this weekend] and I'm sure if there was a sniff of a first team appearance, I'm not sure he would be 100 per cent fit for it. “I’m quite sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation, and we're stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland Football Club and wants to leave. "But then where's he going to leave and go to? There's the conundrum. He's here and he's got one more year on his contract. He doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else. But the stumbling block is the contract. "But we'll see, it's the end of this season now. I know Jack did that big article (and said) he wanted to play for England again, so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere. The proof is always in the pudding." Although Rodwell will take a 40 per cent pay cut if he stays at Sunderland when they are in League One, he will still be the highest paid player in the division’s history if he refuses to leave again over the summer.
Chris Coleman has described Sunderland as a club in “complete darkness” as it comes to terms with relegation to League One and the continued failure of owner Ellis Short to find a buyer. Short has been trying to sell the club for almost two years, but having failed to find anyone suitable when the Black Cats were in the Premier League, he has found it even more difficult as they followed relegation from the top flight by crashing out of the Championship last week following a home defeat to Burton Albion. Coleman has not spoken to Short since he replaced Simon Grayson as manager back in November. The former Wales manager answers to chief executive Martin Bain, who has also been heavily criticised in recent weeks as Sunderland made it two relegations in 12 months under his watch. Bain reassured supporters this week that, while Short has no interest in the day-to-day running of the club and is still searching for a buyer, he will not put the business into administration and will cover external debts. Coleman, though, knows a new owner is needed and painted a bleak picture of the future without one. Sunderland are facing up to life in League One Credit: Getty Images “The unthinkable has happened,” said Coleman, who has won just five games as Black Cats boss. “The club needs a lot of change, which is obvious. “Because of the uncertainty, it’s open season or criticism. A club like Sunderland, it’s almost floating aimlessly in the dark. We can’t start working yet because we haven’t got anyone telling us what we can or can’t do. “The sooner we know who it is that’s going to be here [as owner] and what the plan is, then at least we can get on with things and start moving forward. But at the minute, it’s complete darkness. It’s unnerving and unsettling. “There’s still been no conversation with Ellis. There’s nothing I can do about that. My conversations are with Martin, who has been here for a bit longer than me, and this season has almost been the front man, taking all the criticism. “He works his socks off. There’s not a lot he can do about it. He’s got a menu and he has to stick with that and get on with it.” Coleman is adamant he wants to stay to try and lead Sunderland back to the Championship, but he could not resist taking a swipe at one of the players who has come to symbolise the extraordinary waste of money that has put the club in such turmoil. Jack Rodwell has not played a first team game since September Credit: Reuters Jack Rodwell was signed from Manchester City for £10m in August 2014 but has rarely played in that time because of a catalogue of minor injuries. The former England international claimed all he wanted to do is play football in an interview earlier this season, but is understood to have turned down a loan move to another Championship club in January. As a result, the 27-year-old, who earns £70,000-a-week on Wearside has not played a first team game since September and has been banished to train with the Under 23 squad by an exasperated Coleman. “I don't even know where Jack is [physically or mentally] to be honest,” Coleman explained. “He won't be involved [this weekend] and I'm sure if there was a sniff of a first team appearance, I'm not sure he would be 100 per cent fit for it. “I’m quite sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation, and we're stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland Football Club and wants to leave. "But then where's he going to leave and go to? There's the conundrum. He's here and he's got one more year on his contract. He doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else. But the stumbling block is the contract. "But we'll see, it's the end of this season now. I know Jack did that big article (and said) he wanted to play for England again, so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere. The proof is always in the pudding." Although Rodwell will take a 40 per cent pay cut if he stays at Sunderland when they are in League One, he will still be the highest paid player in the division’s history if he refuses to leave again over the summer.
Sunderland are a club 'in complete darkness', says Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman has described Sunderland as a club in “complete darkness” as it comes to terms with relegation to League One and the continued failure of owner Ellis Short to find a buyer. Short has been trying to sell the club for almost two years, but having failed to find anyone suitable when the Black Cats were in the Premier League, he has found it even more difficult as they followed relegation from the top flight by crashing out of the Championship last week following a home defeat to Burton Albion. Coleman has not spoken to Short since he replaced Simon Grayson as manager back in November. The former Wales manager answers to chief executive Martin Bain, who has also been heavily criticised in recent weeks as Sunderland made it two relegations in 12 months under his watch. Bain reassured supporters this week that, while Short has no interest in the day-to-day running of the club and is still searching for a buyer, he will not put the business into administration and will cover external debts. Coleman, though, knows a new owner is needed and painted a bleak picture of the future without one. Sunderland are facing up to life in League One Credit: Getty Images “The unthinkable has happened,” said Coleman, who has won just five games as Black Cats boss. “The club needs a lot of change, which is obvious. “Because of the uncertainty, it’s open season or criticism. A club like Sunderland, it’s almost floating aimlessly in the dark. We can’t start working yet because we haven’t got anyone telling us what we can or can’t do. “The sooner we know who it is that’s going to be here [as owner] and what the plan is, then at least we can get on with things and start moving forward. But at the minute, it’s complete darkness. It’s unnerving and unsettling. “There’s still been no conversation with Ellis. There’s nothing I can do about that. My conversations are with Martin, who has been here for a bit longer than me, and this season has almost been the front man, taking all the criticism. “He works his socks off. There’s not a lot he can do about it. He’s got a menu and he has to stick with that and get on with it.” Coleman is adamant he wants to stay to try and lead Sunderland back to the Championship, but he could not resist taking a swipe at one of the players who has come to symbolise the extraordinary waste of money that has put the club in such turmoil. Jack Rodwell has not played a first team game since September Credit: Reuters Jack Rodwell was signed from Manchester City for £10m in August 2014 but has rarely played in that time because of a catalogue of minor injuries. The former England international claimed all he wanted to do is play football in an interview earlier this season, but is understood to have turned down a loan move to another Championship club in January. As a result, the 27-year-old, who earns £70,000-a-week on Wearside has not played a first team game since September and has been banished to train with the Under 23 squad by an exasperated Coleman. “I don't even know where Jack is [physically or mentally] to be honest,” Coleman explained. “He won't be involved [this weekend] and I'm sure if there was a sniff of a first team appearance, I'm not sure he would be 100 per cent fit for it. “I’m quite sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation, and we're stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland Football Club and wants to leave. "But then where's he going to leave and go to? There's the conundrum. He's here and he's got one more year on his contract. He doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else. But the stumbling block is the contract. "But we'll see, it's the end of this season now. I know Jack did that big article (and said) he wanted to play for England again, so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere. The proof is always in the pudding." Although Rodwell will take a 40 per cent pay cut if he stays at Sunderland when they are in League One, he will still be the highest paid player in the division’s history if he refuses to leave again over the summer.
A couple of Sunderland supporters react to the club’s relegation from the Championship following their 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Sunderland’s feckless decline was coming. At least fans have a parrot
A couple of Sunderland supporters react to the club’s relegation from the Championship following their 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Burton Albion's Liam Boyce celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Burton Albion's Liam Boyce celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 General view during the game Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 General view during the game Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 General view of the big screen during the game Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 General view of the big screen during the game Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland v Burton Albion - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - April 21, 2018 Sunderland manager Chris Coleman reacts Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

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