Play-offs postponed as Bulls appeal points deduction
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ITV News
25 minutes ago
- ITV News
Morecambe FC match against Altrincham will go ahead under new manager Ashir Singh Johal
Morecambe FC will play Altricham as planned on Saturday, 23 August, under new manager Ashvir Singh Johal. The Shrimp's previous two league matches were postponed following the club's suspension for failing to comply with National League rules. The club took to X to confirm that tickets are now on sale for their match at home to the Robins, despite doubts over whether the new manager could rebuild an 11-man squad in time. Morecambe FC, who were relegated from League Two at the end of the 2024/25 Season, were suspended from the National League in July amid ongoing financial issues. The suspension has now been lifted, with Owners Bond Group and investment firm Panjab Warriors agreeing a deal for the sale of the club, after more than a year of protracted talks and the Shrimps at risk of "immediate closure". The new owners first action was to part ways with manager Derek Adams, announcing Ashvir Singh Johal as the club's new manager just hours later. The 30-year-old is now the youngest head coach in the top five tiers of English football, and the first Sikh to take on the role at a British football club. Despite the uncertainty of the immediate future, the new boss is looking to the long term. 'The immediate priority right now is going to be to identify the players that we need in this building to ensure Morecambe Football Club can perform well in the National League,' he said in an interview with the club's official website. 'I think the short-term plan this year is to make sure that we retain our place in the National League by playing exciting, energetic football and working hard. I think that is a short-term aim. 'The long-term aim is to build the processes, the infrastructure. There's a clear commitment from the owners about the direction they want the club to go in. 'OK, now it's about building, and it's about growing and making sure that in three, four, five years' time, this is a completely energised and galvanised more football club that thrives in the EFL.' The club has confirmed the National League has lifted the embargo, and they are now free to sign players ahead of their first match.
Press and Journal
7 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Danny Strachan: The Peterhead footballer recruited by his headteacher mum to help kids back into school
Peterhead footballer Danny Strachan has been seeing great results off the pitch as a 'positive male role model' in Buchanhaven Primary School. Danny Strachan, who has also had spells at Aberdeen and Dundee, has some more academic goals alongside his football these days. The 22-year-old defender is spending time in the classroom to help keep kids in school and taking part. Danny is there to help everyone from P1 to P7 – but his presence is particularly improving attendance among some of the boys. And there is a family twist to the tale – Danny's mum is head teacher at Buchnahaven. Even his little sister Aimee, 21, is in on the act, with an admin job at the school. Danny said: 'Quite regularly I'll spend 30-45 minutes in the classroom with an individual or a small group to help them stay focused. 'I think me being there helps them get it done as best they can – and they know that afterwards they'll get some football and some time outside.' Danny's own school years were dominated by football. He started playing for Aberdeen when he was just seven and stayed until he was 17. He then went to Dundee FC for three years, before coming home to Peterhead – and the town's football club. Although Danny was busy enough with twice-weekly training sessions and games most Saturdays, there was room for some community work. Danny's mum Linda, 47, had the great idea of getting the club – and her son – involved in what could be a life-changing scheme. At the time, only Aberdeen were offering community projects and Peterhead didn't have a community foundation. So she asked if Peterhead would be interested in creating a post for outreach in schools – and she had Danny in mind for the job. Linda explained: 'Obviously football is a huge part in lots of bairns' lives. 'At Buchanhaven I was aware we were really in need of a positive role model, especially a male one. 'We needed somebody that could offer something slightly more than the staff that were there. 'The badge is a huge thing – bairns love the idea that they're getting to spend a bit of time with a football player. 'I just thought it would be a good tool to use.' And the rest is history (…and a bit of maths and English). Buchanhaven is one of the first towns in the north-east to pilot the innovative approach, bringing Peterhead FC player and 'community coach' Danny Strachan into the school. As well as working on the schoolkids' dribbling skills, Danny spends time in the classroom every day. The idea is to help all children but particularly those who may be struggling to tackle schoolwork head on. Danny said: 'It's something I've really enjoyed doing. It gives me something different during the week and it's still linked with the club, so that's good. 'I've enjoyed going back and having a positive impact on the place. 'I think it has been a really positive thing for both the club and the school.' Danny says he did well at school and was 'well-behaved enough – maybe due to my mum'. He added: 'I think it's something I obviously would have loved, just loving my football. We didn't get too much of it at school and it's a release for some of the people who are maybe not enjoying the academic – and even social – side as much. 'It gives them something to enjoy for a little while. 'When you're actually at the school, you can see that kids are growing in confidence and just looking happier around the place and coming out of their shell and wee bit and starting to socialise more and enjoy themselves.' The results so far at Buchanhaven – just finishing the third year of the programme – have been impressive. A study commissioned by the Peterhead FC Community Foundation, which kicked off the initiative, shows improved attendance for 45% of pupils working with a coach, and no instances of exclusion. For one pupil among the 430 at the school, attendance improved by 45%. Linda, who has taught at the school for 26 years and been head for 13, said: 'Some of the stories can't be told just through statistics. 'For one or two bairns, it's why they're at school. 'Although a lot of girls enjoy it as well, I think it's harder to engage boys, especially if they've got any difficulty in their learning. 'Working with Danny has helped a lot. He is well known locally, he attended this school himself, and just the fact he is here is an incentive for a number of the children to come in. 'It is good to have a young, positive, male role model in the mix and it's been a really positive experience for the school.' Other initiatives in the Peterhead school programme include men and women's wellness clubs, a community kitchen, a dementia support group and Buchan-Moor Bairns – an outdoor play space for pre-schoolers inside Peterhead FC grounds. The school programme is supported by funding from sponsor Buchan Offshore Wind. And how about scouting? Has Danny found any emerging talent during his work at the school? He said: 'I always keep an eye and try to push them in the right direction.' A wellbeing coach is in the school five days a week. Danny himself does it two days a week now, as he prepares to roll the programme out across Peterhead. He says he has been building up programmes for different schools, and the ultimate aim is to target every school in the town. Linda added: 'Danny has helped quite a few boys connect with the school's values. 'It's a resource that's really beneficial for any school to have.' And what about the Strachans keeping things in the family when it comes to work? Dad Graeme is a plumber – so the only one not working at the school. Linda laughed: 'People probably wonder what on earth is going on. 'It definitely does have a family feeling about the school, that's not just us. 'I managed to avoid teaching Danny, though.'
Press and Journal
7 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Boss Jimmy Thelin says Ipswich and Fulham are the level Aberdeen need to be at after friendly loss
Boss Jimmy Thelin insists English Championship side Ipswich Town and top flight Fulham are the levels Aberdeen need to reach going forward. Aberdeen lost a pre-season friendly 3-1 to Ipswich, who were relegated from the English Premier League at the end of last season. They also lost 4-1 to top flight Fulham in a closed door friendly in London last weekend. With European league action guaranteed in the new campaign, Thelin insists the English duo are the level the Reds must strive to reach. This was Aberdeen's first match at Pittodrie since winning the Scottish Cup with a penalty shoot-out win against Celtic at Hampden in May. Thelin said: 'Both of these games, Fulham and Ipswich, were really good ones for us to play. 'They are opponents with extra intensity, speed of the game and decision making. 'When you make a mistake they are really quick to punish you. 'This is the level we are aiming for and pushing for. 'The best way to improve your team and improve yourself is to play against this kind of competition. 'You learn and grow from these games. 'These two games have been really important for us to grow as a team and also as individual players.' Ipswich were 2-0 up at the break following goals from Jaden Philogene and Scotland international George Hirst. Philogene netted a second to extend the Portman Road club's lead in the 58th minute. Substitute Peter Ambrose pulled one back for the Reds from close range to make it 3-1 only a minute after his introduction. Thelin said: 'I'm happy we had these games. 'When they break against you and have speed and decision making you get punished. 'It is good preparation for us for the season.' Facing Ipswich is the final friendly before Aberdeen kick-off their Premiership campaign with a clash against Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday, August 4. Boss Thelin has made seven signings during the summer transfer window to strengthen for a campaign with guaranteed European league action. Six of those signings were in the squad against Ipswich Town, with two starting – striker Kusini Yengi and on loan Sunderland midfielder Adil Aouchiche. Three more, winger Nicolas Milanovic, midfielder Kjartan Már Kjartansson and centre-back Alfie Dorrington featured off the bench. Keeper Nick Suman was an unused substitute and left-back Emmanual Gyamfi, signed from Bundesliga 2 Schalke, was ruled out due to injury. German youth international Gyamfi's injury has missed all three pre-season friendlies. Thelin said: 'We try to improve all the time and be more compact. 'Some parts against Ipswich were quite good but there are still some small things to adjust. 'In some movements, such as their first goal, we were stuck in the moment. 'They used that very well as they can accelerate a game when they have time on the ball. 'It is how can we be better to control these parts of the game. 'How we can be more stable.' Aberdeen kick-off their continental campaign in the Europa League play-offs on August 21, with the return leg on August 28. Should the Reds win the play-off they progress to the Europa League and are guaranteed eight league matches until mid January. If they lose the play-off there is the safety net of dropping into the Conference League, with six league games until mid December. The friendly also marked the return to action of Sivert Heltne Nilsen from a long term injury absence. Norwegian midfielder Nilsen had been out for four months with an eye injury suffered in training. Nilsen was introduced off the bench in the second half. Thelin added: 'We are looking forward to the season starting. 'Then during the season you always strive to be better. 'We are fully ready.'
