Swans to host Lorient in pre-season
Swansea City will host French top-flight side Lorient in their final dress rehearsal for the new Championship season.Alan Sheehan's side will face last season's Ligue 2 champions at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday, 2 August (15:00 BST).The Brittany-based club had been relegated in 2023-24, but return to Ligue 1 at the first time of asking. Lorient's visit completes Swansea's pre-season programme. The will also face League One Stevenage in Spain on 19 July and then travel to League Two side Cheltenham Town on Wednesday, 23 July.They also visit another third-tier club, Exeter City, on July 26.
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North Wales Chronicle
37 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
I stormed up – Rhian Wilkinson reveals Wales Euros squad from top of Yr Wyddfa
At 1,085 metres above sea level, climbing Yr Wyddfa in North Wales is not for the faint-hearted. But Wilkinson trekked to the top in under 90 minutes – 'I was listening to political podcasts that were getting me angry so I stormed up,' she said – and hopes the breathtaking vistas overlooking the Eryri National Park will be matched by on-pitch sights in Switzerland. Squad announcement settings 😍🏔️ — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Wales may be entering their first major tournament next month as the competition's lowest-ranked team in 31st spot, but Wilkinson – the 181-times capped Canada international with Welsh ancestry – insists her players are ready to conquer 'their Everest'. 'We've used the mountain as a theme and an image throughout this campaign,' said Wilkinson, whose ties to Yr Wyddfa run deep as her parents honeymooned in the area and her family held a ceremony on the mountain in memory of her late father. 'It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks. As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.' Wilkinson's squad is a mixture of young and old, with seven players having fewer than 20 caps. There also four centurions present, with star forward Jess Fishlock – 'the face of Wales', according to Wilkinson – skipper Angharad James, Sophie Ingle and Hayley Ladd. Ingle's inclusion was the main talking point as the 141-times capped former captain has not played since suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in September. The 33-year-old midfielder has completed her recovery work at Chelsea, although she left the Women's Super League champions last month after seven years and is among five unattached players in the squad. Wilkinson said: 'We needed to make sure that Sophie was in a good place. She's still on her path to full fitness but in a position now where she can contribute, which is important for us. 'I don't want to get into it (what role Ingle will be able to play) specifically because Sophie's pushing, she's looking really good in training. 'She has to be able to contribute in some way, that was the pre-requisite that I had. 'When she was able to meet that, she was straight into the squad.' 🏴 Representing Wales in their historic #WEURO2025 campaign ✨ — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) June 19, 2025 Wales open their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on July 5 before playing France and England. Three unnamed players will be part of the training camp in Switzerland, with the squad first preparing for the Euros with a week-long stay in Portugal. 'It's felt a bit heavy,' Wilkinson said about squad selection. 'You know when you've those big decisions looming you're going to hurt someone. 'It's the worst part of a dream job. For these people it's their dream and can push them onto great things.'
South Wales Guardian
38 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
I stormed up – Rhian Wilkinson reveals Wales Euros squad from top of Yr Wyddfa
At 1,085 metres above sea level, climbing Yr Wyddfa in North Wales is not for the faint-hearted. But Wilkinson trekked to the top in under 90 minutes – 'I was listening to political podcasts that were getting me angry so I stormed up,' she said – and hopes the breathtaking vistas overlooking the Eryri National Park will be matched by on-pitch sights in Switzerland. Squad announcement settings 😍🏔️ — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Wales may be entering their first major tournament next month as the competition's lowest-ranked team in 31st spot, but Wilkinson – the 181-times capped Canada international with Welsh ancestry – insists her players are ready to conquer 'their Everest'. 'We've used the mountain as a theme and an image throughout this campaign,' said Wilkinson, whose ties to Yr Wyddfa run deep as her parents honeymooned in the area and her family held a ceremony on the mountain in memory of her late father. 'It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks. As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.' Wilkinson's squad is a mixture of young and old, with seven players having fewer than 20 caps. There also four centurions present, with star forward Jess Fishlock – 'the face of Wales', according to Wilkinson – skipper Angharad James, Sophie Ingle and Hayley Ladd. Ingle's inclusion was the main talking point as the 141-times capped former captain has not played since suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in September. The 33-year-old midfielder has completed her recovery work at Chelsea, although she left the Women's Super League champions last month after seven years and is among five unattached players in the squad. Wilkinson said: 'We needed to make sure that Sophie was in a good place. She's still on her path to full fitness but in a position now where she can contribute, which is important for us. 'I don't want to get into it (what role Ingle will be able to play) specifically because Sophie's pushing, she's looking really good in training. 'She has to be able to contribute in some way, that was the pre-requisite that I had. 'When she was able to meet that, she was straight into the squad.' 🏴 Representing Wales in their historic #WEURO2025 campaign ✨ — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) June 19, 2025 Wales open their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on July 5 before playing France and England. Three unnamed players will be part of the training camp in Switzerland, with the squad first preparing for the Euros with a week-long stay in Portugal. 'It's felt a bit heavy,' Wilkinson said about squad selection. 'You know when you've those big decisions looming you're going to hurt someone. 'It's the worst part of a dream job. For these people it's their dream and can push them onto great things.'
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Hamilton Accies confirm move to Broadwood Stadium
The embattled Lanarkshire club – relegated from the Scottish Premiership in 2021 – have been mired in financial and ownership difficulties, and were demoted from the Championship last month after incurring a 15-point deduction for breaching multiple Scottish Professional Football League rules. Amid the turbulence, Accies opted to leave New Douglas Park – their home since 2001 – due to a dispute over stadium ownership. Their request to play their home games at Broadwood in Cumbernauld was passed by the SPFL on Thursday, with a two-year lease – and the option of a third year if necessary – agreed with North Lanarkshire Council. Hamilton stated that their 'long-term ambition remains to return to the Hamilton area at the earliest opportunity' once they are 'stronger, more stable, and better equipped to serve the club and its community'. 'This relocation has not been undertaken lightly,' read a statement confirming the move. 'As part of our agreement, the club was required to commit to paying a full year of rental, operational, and security costs upfront, a significant financial obligation that has had immediate consequences for our liquidity. 'Compounding this challenge, since May we have been unable to sell season tickets, generate commercial income, or secure a shirt sponsor while awaiting formal confirmation of our league participation for the upcoming campaign. 'Despite these clear disadvantages, we remain undeterred. This move marks a turning point. A rebirth for Hamilton Academical Football Club. Our time away will be used strategically: to rebuild the club's financial strength, establish proper governance, and put in place a modern, accountable Board of Directors that will uphold the highest standards of compliance, professionalism, and ambition. 'We are committed to becoming a club of integrity, purpose, and innovation. 'We understand the emotional impact this temporary move may have. We apologise to our loyal supporters for the inconvenience, but we promise this: we will fight for our future, and when we return to Hamilton, it will be with a club that is revitalised and stronger in every sense. 'This is not the end of our story, it is the beginning of a bold new chapter.' Accies previously played outside of Hamilton – at Firhill and Cliftonhill – for seven years after selling former ground Douglas Park to a supermarket in 1994.
