Latest news with #County
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ross County relegated: How will it affect people and business in Dingwall?
Highland club Ross County's battle for survival in the Scottish Premiership fizzled out with a 4-2 defeat to Livingston on Monday night. Relegation has left the Staggies - and its home town of Dingwall - facing a potentially challenging season in the Championship, both on and off the pitch. Hotels and pubs have enjoyed a boost to takings from hosting large crowds of visiting fans from teams like Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen. Will a move into the lower leagues have an impact beyond football? Raffael Santos owns The Mallard - a pub on Dingwall Station's platform and a few minutes walk from the stadium. It is regularly packed out on home match days, with about 35-40% of business coming from visiting fans. But like many Ross County fans, he is hopeful their spell in the Championship is short-lived. "A lot of the town's businesses survive from big games like Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen," Mr Santos said. "We'll need to work hard to make the business keep going, but hopefully next year they are back into the Scottish premier league." Big games were also profitable for The Legion Club. Its chairman Mike Murray said: "We got coaches of supporters booked in - like Hearts, Aberdeen and Hibs. They'd tend to phone two-three weeks before a game. "We could have 150 to 200 supporters through in the function room, and a good Saturday was a boost to the club." Leia Stephen, co-owner of the National Hotel, is experiencing the effects of relegation for the first time. County was last relegated in 2018. Ms Stephen said home games have been helpful to the business during quieter winter tourist seasons. "Football fans usually just stay one night but sometimes make a weekend out of it," she added. "Our bar and restaurant host away and home supporters." The Championship is a highly competitive league, but experts say it will not match the financial benefits of playing in the big league brought to a small club. Kieran Maguire, a University of Liverpool football finance lecturer, said County will miss the revenue near-capacity attendances that visits by bigger clubs brought. He said the Staggies could lose at least £500,000 because of lower gate receipts, having fewer televised games and less prize money. And with an already tight wage bill, he warned there is "not a lot of fat to cut" to help make savings. But councillor Graham MacKenzie said one of County's strengths was that it was deeply rooted in the community. When he worked as a teacher he was impressed by how many young people chose the Staggies over a bigger club. "It's come as a bit of a blow to everyone," Mr MacKenzie said of relegation. "It's not so many months ago we had high high hopes we could finish in the top six." But he believes both town - home to about 5,500 people - and club have the resilience to cope with the coming season. Bruce Ritchie, one of many Staggies fans in Dingwall pondering the future outside the Premiership, said football was important to the town. "I'm really proud of the fact that we've been in the top division for so many years. "It's going to be a big miss." Other Staggies fans might be hurting, but they are far from sore losers. "I just felt Ross County weren't good enough, I'm afraid," conceded fan Panja Bethune. "It's a shame that they've been relegated. "Livingston were the better team on the day." George Meiklejohn agreed his club were beaten by a good, strong team. He added: "But they've bounced back once before and I'm sure they will again." Another fan, County Kebab takeaway manager Alex Toward, says regardless of where the club is in the leagues it should be proud. "This area is not big and not very well-known - yes, everyone knows of Scotland and the Highlands - but not many think of Dingwall specifically," he says. "I think the fact they (Ross County) are trying so hard to make a name for themselves and have come so far, they should be impressed and proud of their achievements." 'Red flags' as County face 'very tough' financial future County 'fell short' and will suffer 'financial hit' Martindale's belief rewarded as Livingston roar back to Premiership in play-off Ross County fans: We can't afford to lose the dream Ross County
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Portage breaks grown on workforce housing development
PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — Ground was broken Thursday on a new workforce housing development in Portage, the only project of its kind in the city. The $18.7 million Stanwood Crossings development is along Portage Road south of Lakeview Park. 'This housing development is a statement about our values as a city,' Mayor Patricia Randall said in a Friday statement. 'Stanwood Crossings helps ensure that hardworking individuals and families can live and thrive in the community they serve.' Construction on the first four homes should start this summer. The city says when the development is finished, it will include 42 single-family homes with either two or three bedrooms. They will specifically be for workforce families that make between 80% and 120% of the area median income. The project is supported by $3 million from the Kalamazoo County Homes for All Grant, $1 million in Congressional Community Project Funding, $1 million from the Portage Capital Improvement Program and $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars granted by the county. There will also be $100,000 for down payment assistant through Kalamazoo County Homes for All. A Brownfield tax program could allow as much as $3.16 million in reimbursements over the next 25 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Ross County must outline ambition to bounce back - and Don Cowie is the man to lead it, says Staggies podcaster
Ross County must quickly underline their ambition to bounce back to the Premiership. That is the verdict of Ross Morren, of the County Corner podcast, as the Staggies prepare for the reality of second-tier football next season. County suffered relegation on Monday following six years in the top flight, after a dismal run of 11 matches without a victory culminated in an aggregate 5-3 play-off defeat to Livingston. Meetings are ongoing this week to map out the club's strategy to attack the Championship, which they won at the first time of asking after they were last relegated seven years ago. With the play-offs delaying County's fate, Morren insists the Staggies have little time to dwell on the pain of the drop. Morren said: 'There has definitely got to be an ambition to get back up at the first time of asking. 'They were able to do it last time, but it was a much different Championship compared to what it is now. 'You look at St Johnstone who are making a couple of signings already, bringing in experienced, physical Championship players such as Jack Baird and Morgan Boyes. 'I look back to the season we were in the Championship, with guys like Callum Morris, Iain Vigurs and Declan McManus coming in having had good seasons in the league. 'It added a bit of know-how, alongside the experience we already had. 'There are definitely players in there to be had – it's just a bit concerning that because of the uncertainty about our own fate, has that put us behind other clubs?' Staggies boss Don Cowie indicated immediately after the Livingston that he believed he was the man to lead the club's charge to return to the top flight. Despite the dire end of season form, Morren would gladly see Cowie given that opportunity. He added: 'I would like to see Don lead it. 'That is based on the fact that after 29 games, we looked in a really strong position. 'If he can replicate that kind of form in the Championship, you would like to think he would give us a really good chance to get back up. 'Then again, there have been concerns over the recruitment which left an imbalance in the squad, and an over-reliance on certain players like Noah Chilvers. 'Roy MacGregor stuck with Malky Mackay after he didn't win any of his first 10 games, and he was rewarded with a top-six finish. 'On the other hand, in the past there have been managers who have been sacked for less than what has occurred at the end of this season. 'But I can see why the club would want to stick with Don, and show faith in him. 'Roy has invested a lot of time in him as a player, coach, assistant and now manager.' The Staggies finished in 11th spot for the third season running, but were unable to navigate a way past Livi following triumphs against Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers in the last two seasons. Morren felt the Staggies' fate began to look increasingly inevitable as the campaign wore on, adding: 'With the fact we have just been keeping our head above the water, it felt like we could only circle the drain so many times before we went down it. 'Especially with the past record against Livingston, the physicality of them and the way they were playing, there was always a fear that this might just prove to be third time unlucky in the play-offs. 'Maybe it was just me, but there was a sense of preparation that this was going to happen, alongside the run of form we were on. 'Inevitability feels like the right word. It was a case of when, not if, the luck was eventually going to run out.'
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League Two: Five big jobs for David Hughes at Newport County
The Exiles have long lined up the former Manchester United Under-21s coach and he was confirmed as Nelson Jardim's replacement last Friday. The 47-year-old did an interview with the club and will be unveiled to the media on his return from a short break. Hughes will no doubt still be sneaking some work in while on holiday as he plots next season with assistants Wayne Hatswell and Lee Kendall plus chairman Huw Jenkins. County return for pre-season training in mid-to-late June and the League Two fixtures are announced at midday on Thursday 26. Here are five pressing jobs for the new manager ahead of the start of the season on the first weekend of August… STAYING? Aaron Wildig has been offered a new County contract (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 1: THE EXPERIENCED QUARTET. County have offered deals to goalkeeper Nick Townsend, centre-back James Clarke, full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin and midfielder Aaron Wildig. Players must notify the club in writing within one month whether they accept 'their offer of re-engagement' or it will automatically lapse. We've been here before – Ryan Delaney, Scot Bennett and Harry Charsley were in talks last summer but left, with Wildig the only one to stay after entering negotiations – but hopefully the new management team could excite them. The devil will be in the detail and they will need to feel valued, something that Bennett didn't when he turned down a one-year contract in favour of a reunion with Michael Flynn in Cheltenham. One imagines that Townsend and McLoughlin will have other EFL irons in the fire while 35-year-old Clarke and 33-year-old Wildig, who is on the comeback trail from ruptured knee ligaments, are starting to balance playing with a switch towards coaching. The task is to convince the quartet that County is a good place to be and that the club have learned the lessons from last season. Hughes will have to outline his plans, and perhaps promise them that they won't just be joined by more EFL novices this summer. It's not just down to the new manager and chairman Jenkins, new goalkeeping coach Kendall will be part of the conversations with Townsend, who played a huge role in ensuring the Exiles aren't preparing for a return to the National League. ROLE? Anthony Glennon looks more comfortable as a wing-back or midfielder for County (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 2: PLAN A. Hughes will have given a presentation to owner Jenkins when being interviewed for the top job and his favoured formation will have been discussed. That is vital because it shapes the recruitment. Coaches always have the ability to be flexible, as Jardim showed last season despite making no secret of his desire to play 4-3-3. Yet it was a campaign in which they looked better with James Clarke in a three-man central defence but they also played with two wingers. They lacked midfield bite but often operated with just two men in there and also went the whole season with one specialist left-back, Anthony Glennon, who is more suited to being a wing-back. County need a plan that will shape their signings and players who stay on the books, then must start in that fashion in August. That worked well when Flynn and Hatswell introduced the 3-5-2 that made the most of Matty Dolan and Josh Sheehan's play-making abilities and almost earned promotion in 2020/21. It worked well when Rowberry used his midfield 'box' in 2021/22 and it worked well when Coughlan got back to basics with three solid centre-backs that got the side up the pitch. MISSED: County didn't replace key midfielder Bryn Morris (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 3: TWO BIG WEAK SPOTS. Boss confirmed, contract negotiations ongoing, recruitment to be done. County have two major areas of concern that need to be addressed – central midfield and striker. The loss of Wildig to injury and then the decision to allow Bryn Morris to leave in January for Harrogate for an undisclosed fee without replacing him played a huge part in the disastrous run-in. McLoughlin was tried as a makeshift central midfielder but didn't look half the player that he does on other flank while Cameron Antwi only played in flashes. Cardiff loanee Kieron Evans is an attacking midfielder but played deep, Kai Whitmore had fitness and reliability issues, Preston loanee Noah Mawene turned out to be a flop and we are still to really get a proper look at Keenan Patten after he was given the chance to step up from the Cymru Premier. County need some bite, and some experience. Is it really fair to make any huge judgements on Antwi, Whitmore and Patten when playing in a dysfunctional midfield that was sorely lacking a key, senior figure? County probably need to bring in two influential midfielders, definitely one with experience, and the same applies up top. Courtney Baker-Richardson is the only specialist striker on the books after the departures of Kyle Hudlin, Luke Jephcott and Hamzad Kargbo. Will Hughes play with one striker or two, like James Rowberry? County lacked a focal point last season and could do with an established striker plus one, potentially two, loanees to go along with 'CBR'. WEAK: County conceded 29 goals from set pieces last season (Image: Huw Evans Agency) 4: SET PIECES. County had League Two's worst record when defending set pieces last season – they conceded 29 goals from that department, a tally that was 38 per cent of their total. Was it coaching or personnel? Probably a bit of both. The Exiles were a weak touch in that department from the autumn onwards and Hatswell will no doubt be a key figure in sorting that out. PROSPECT: Moses Alexander-Walker on his County debut (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 5: CONVEYOR BELT. County's leavers list featured Kiban Rai, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Merthyr. The teenager didn't push on at the Exiles and force his way into the first team so will now head off for a new challenge, just like Harrison Bright did 12 months before him. Can centre-back Nelson Sanca and midfielder Jac Norris – two players who made their Football League debuts in the 2023/24 run-in – break the trend? They were given a taste of men's football with Briton Ferry Llansawel last season and will return for pre-season training, potentially with a view to another loan spell. Moses Alexander-Walker came on in the League Two finale against and has been offered a pro contract along with fellow youngsters Corey Evans, Riley Lonergan, Morgan Evans and Sam Watkins. They should get a chance to show what they can do when the squads return for the start of preparations for 2025/26. Hughes arrives with pedigree in player development but that was the case for Jardim, Graham Coughlan and James Rowberry. Sorting out the pathway is vital but there has long been a recognition of that and it's worth remember that there is a lag when it comes to working with age-grade talent. The decisions made at the start of the Jenkins era to help give academy boss Luke Hussey and his staff more help won't truly show until we are a couple of years down the line. However, the Amber Army would love to be cheering one of their own in the matchday squad next season. Hughes & Co will also be tasked with developing the players of potential - Joe Thomas, Matt Baker, Ciaran Brennan, Antwi, even the more experienced Bobby Kamwa - that have been brought into the club and could become sellable assets.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
David Hughes a perfect fit for Newport County
The Exiles are preparing for a new era after Hughes left his role as Manchester United Under-21s coach to become manager at Rodney Parade. The 47-year-old leads a new-look management team with Wayne Hatswell returning as his right-hand man and Lee Kendall, the Newport-born son of club great Mark, joining as goalkeeping coach. Hughes takes over a side that finished in the last safe position in League Two, albeit with a comfortable seven-point lead over relegated Carlisle. Nelson Jardim left the club once he had retained Football League status but the Exiles had a disappointing campaign after a summer of big change in 2024. 'I don't think we saw the best of the squad last year. We shifted between playing styles and lacked consistency – something that young players really need,' said former Swansea owner Jenkins, whose takeover of County was rubber-stamped in January, 2024. 'A number of those players are still with us and will benefit greatly from the new coaching approach. If we add four or five experienced players in key areas, we'll be in a much stronger position.' ADDITIONS: County need to add some experience, owner Huw Jenkins has admitted (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Jenkins led the recruitment drive last summer and is working with the new management team plus head of football operations Chris Finn, who has been at the club since the Graham Coughlan era. 'Ultimately, I make sure the financial side aligns with the club's goals, but recruitment decisions will be a collaborative effort,' said the owner. County are waiting for responses after making offers to the experienced quartet of goalkeeper Nick Townsend, centre-back James Clarke, full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin and midfielder Aaron Wildig. 'We've made offers, and we're waiting on responses. David is fully across all of it,' said Jenkins. 'There may still be changes — players assessing their role under the new regime – but we know we need four or five experienced signings in vital areas. 'David's contacts, and ours at clubs like Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol [City], will hopefully help bring in a few loan players or squad additions.' Jenkins outlined his reasons for picking Hughes in an interview with the club. BOSS: New County manager David Hughes (Image: Newport County AFC) 'We've brought in a team with the right balance of experience and energy,' said the owner. 'The goal is to offer more excitement, more entertainment, and to restore pride in the team. 'After last season, it felt it was important to bring a different energy into the club. A new coaching team working together is key.' Hughes has never been a boss at EFL level – although the return of Hatswell does provide reassurance – but Jenkins is not bothered by that inexperience. 'Newport County is about giving people a platform. David is at the right stage of his career to step up, and after many discussions, it was clear he was the right fit. 'Importantly, his knowledge of our current squad is excellent, which puts us in a strong position to build.' County stayed away from the relegation scrap under Jardim, who worked with Jenkins at Swansea, but dropped down the table after finishing the campaign on a nine-game winless run. The Exiles went agonisingly close to promotion twice under Michael Flynn, were in the mix in the first season under James Rowberry and in the race for the play-offs until the wheels came off in the 2023/24 run-in under Graham Coughlan. The chairman wants to slowly build back towards being contenders for League One. 'The aim is to be in the top half, looking up, not down. We're not under any illusions, this takes time, but the changes we're making now are all designed to push the club forward,' he said.
