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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Gus Poyet Sends Heartfelt Message to Sunderland Fans After Premier League Promotion
Sunderland's Premier League Return: Grit, Glory and a Hint of Destiny After years of heartbreak and near misses, Sunderland have finally clawed their way back to the Premier League, and few can argue they haven't earned it. Their dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Frank Lampard's Coventry City, capped by a last-minute header from Dan Ballard, and the emotional Wembley finale against Sheffield United will go down as one of the most iconic play-off runs in history. Advertisement Former Black Cats boss Gus Poyet, speaking exclusively to EPL Index, captured just how much it means: 'It's massive for the city. If you live there and thankfully I had the chance to feel it, you really know how much it means for the fans. It's tremendous.' Photo: IMAGO Grit Over Glamour This wasn't a campaign defined by heaps of free-flowing football or dazzling individual brilliance. What got Sunderland over the line was sheer tenacity. In fact, Poyet himself noted: 'They've done it without playing fantastic and sometimes that's what you need, to play ugly and win. That's your best chance going into the Premier League.' Advertisement And he's right. That Ballard header in the dying seconds of the semi-final wasn't just about timing – it was about belief. Similarly, in the final, Eliezer Mayenda's equaliser and Tommy Watson's stoppage-time winner were less about dominance and more about moments. The kind of moments that define seasons. Photo: IMAGO Destiny Fulfilled There's something poetic about the way this promotion played out. As Poyet observed, 'I think it was their time and sometimes destiny is there. In previous years they were close but they probably weren't ready.' This time, they were ready. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Sunderland showed a maturity and resilience they previously lacked. No collapse, no self-sabotage. Just belief and focus when it mattered most. Advertisement Even in a final where Sheffield United were tipped as favourites, it was Sunderland who came through. As Poyet bluntly put it, 'When you win a final and the man of the match is the goalkeeper, then perhaps you don't deserve it but Sheffield United were always the favourites. It's a way of winning.' Indeed, it is. It's football. And football doesn't always reward the prettiest side. Sometimes, it rewards the hungriest. Poyet's Message to the Fans No one deserves this more than the Sunderland fans. After the despair of back-to-back relegations and years stuck in League One, this promotion is a seismic moment. It brings with it not just financial reward, but the opportunity to once again rub shoulders with the best in English football. Advertisement Poyet's message to the fans is as heartfelt as it is timely: 'Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy it as much as you can. Support the team and the coach.' He continues, 'It's going to be the same coach and they know that things can change very quickly and they need to be the extra man to help their club stay in the Premier League. They'll need you.' It's a clear reminder. The job isn't done. Survival in the top flight will require even more grit, more spirit – and above all, unity between players, manager, and fans. But for now, as Poyet urges, it's time to enjoy. Building on a New Identity Sunderland's recent success isn't a fluke. It stems from a refreshed club philosophy, a core of exciting young talent, and a fanbase that never gave up. Tommy Watson's fairy-tale winner at Wembley was more than a goal – it was a symbol of what Sunderland are becoming. A team built on belief, built on community, and finally, built for the Premier League.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plymouth sign former Aberdeen defender MacKenzie
Plymouth Argyle have signed free-agent former Aberdeen defender Jack 25-year-old, who left the Dons this week, has agreed a three-year contract with the Pilgrims, who were relegated to League One this helped the Dons win the Scottish Cup last week when they beat Celtic on penalties and was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time last year. He is the third new signing for Argyle this summer after Coventry City striker Jamie Paterson and Exeter City midfielder Caleb Watts agreed free transfers last week."This is a big move for Jack, moving away from his home town, swapping the North East of Scotland for the South West of England, but I've been really impressed with his desire to join the project here at Argyle,' Argyle's head of football operations David Fox said."We see Jack as a very versatile player. He is able to play in multiple positions, and his adaptability and commitment were something we highlighted very early on in our recruitment of him."
ITV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ITV News
How did your team rank in our Midlands football season review for 2024-25?
The curtain has fallen on another action-packed football season - with highs and lows for our teams in the Midlands in the Champions League, Premier League and Championship. Some were able to smash their targets, while others fell at the final hurdle. Promotion, relegation... whatever the final outcome was, we can all agree it was a season to remember. Here is my review of the 2024-25 season. In no particular order, I have rated: Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Derby County, Birmingham City, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town, Port Vale, Walsall, Notts County and Chesterfield. Aston Villa - 7/10 What a ride it was for Villa in the Champions League. Reaching the last eight of Europe's top competition was a fantastic achievement, but they will be disappointed not to have qualified for it again next season. The wait for a trophy goes on, but the Europa League gives them a very realistic chance of that. Nottingham Forest - 8/10 It was so nearly a dream season for Forest. They were in the Champions League qualification spots for much of the campaign, but their form dropped just at the wrong time. They won just two of their last eight Premier League games. It does still mean they are in Europe next season for the first time in 30 years. To put this season in context, they won more games this season than the last two combined. Wolverhampton Wanderers - 5/10 The arrival of Vitor Pereira completely changed Wolves' season. The fact he was shortlisted for Premier League manager of the season despite them finishing 16th tells you everything you need to know about that. They were in real danger of relegation, and he steered them away from that with ease. He needs backing in the transfer market this summer, or Wolves might find themselves in a familiar struggle again. Leicester City - 2/10 What a disastrous return to the Premier League for Leicester City. It was unfortunate to lose Championship-winning manager Enzo Maresca to Chelsea last summer, but that still doesn't explain how bad this season was. The appointment of Steve Cooper wasn't popular, and his replacement Ruud Van Nistelrooy holds the worst win percentage of any manager in the club's history. Fans have protested against the board and the feeling would've been worse had it not been for Jamie Vardy's farewell. His 200th goal in his 500th and final appearance for the club was the only joyful moment in a dark season. Coventry City - 7/10 There was shock when Coventry City sacked Mark Robins but his big name replacement has delivered. Frank Lampard arrived when the club were two places above the relegation zone. He managed to get them to the play-offs that would end in heartbreak at Sunderland. With his own additions in the summer, Coventry will be an attractive place to be. West Bromwich Albion - 5/10 West Brom were going along pretty well under Carlos Corberan but on Christmas Eve, we got the news that he was leaving for Valencia. It was an unwelcome gift, but it presented an opportunity to welcome Tony Mowbray back to football after his cancer treatment. Sadly, it didn't work out, and any hopes of the playoffs dwindled. The club is taking their time to appoint the next leader and they need an injection of enthusiasm. Stoke City - 3/10 Stoke City were the first of our clubs to sack their manager this season. Steven Schumacher went in September, and his replacement Narcis Pelach lasted only three months. It is a frustrating cycle for Stoke, who are backed by the wealthy Coates family but just can't find a formula that works. They've now gone for experience in Mark Robins - he says he's never had to deal with so many 'hand grenades' before securing safety on the very last day of the season. Derby County - 6/10 Despite Derby finishing below Stoke City, they've had a better season matched against their expectations. Survival was the key for them after promotion from League One and that is what was achieved in the end. The managerial coup of the season was poaching John Eustace from high flying Blackburn Rovers. Under Eustace, they got six wins in ten games and they can now start looking up. Birmingham City - 9/10 A record-breaking season for champions Birmingham City. Their 111 points is a new EFL record, and after years of relegation battles, they are now very much used to winning. The appointment of manager Chris Davies last summer was a masterstroke and made up for the Wayne Rooney disaster, which helped take them down. Yes, anything but promotion would've been a failure, but they dealt with that pressure superbly. The only blemish was defeat to Peterborough in the EFL Trophy final. The real test will come next season when League One's biggest fish is back in the much bigger Championship pond. Lincoln City - 6/10 Another year of stability for Lincoln City, but perhaps they are victims of their own success. They came into this campaign off the back of an exciting run, which almost got them in the play-offs in 2024. So, expectations rise. Sometimes, a year without drama is good. Mansfield Town - 6/10 The Stags are playing in League One for the first time in 22 years, and it's important to remember that when reviewing their season, which started with so much promise. They carried over their promotion momentum and were third in October after winning five games in a row for the first time at this level since 1976. Their form got dramatically worse as injuries took their toll, but they survived with ease. Next season, Field Mill will be four-sided for the first time in 21 years, which will further help take the club forward. Burton Albion - 5/10 Burton Albion's first season under new owners Nordic Football Group saw them introduced to the classic British story of the Great Escape. Manager Gary Bowyer was appointed in December but struggled to make an instant impact, and by January, they were eleven points from safety. Despite that, he turned it around and pulled off a memorable rescue. Next season, they will be the longest serving club in League One. Shrewsbury Town - 2/10 This was a miserable season for Shrewsbury Town. Their decade in this division is over and they are heading back to League Two. They were stunned when Head Coach Gareth Ainsworth decided to leave for League Two Gillingham in March. Relegation is no fun but perhaps next season will be more enjoyable for Shrewsbury fans as they will surely watch more than the eight wins they managed this campaign. Port Vale - 8/10 At the first time of asking, Port Vale bounced straight back up to League One. The decision to give Darren Moore a five-and-a-half-year contract last February has been vindicated, and now there is excitement at Vale Park about what they go on to achieve in League One. Walsall - 7/10 This is the most difficult club to assess. Reaching the play-off final is a huge step forward from where they've been in previous seasons but there is no doubt fans are hugely disappointed. In January the Saddlers were 12 points clear at the top of the table and it felt like they were certain of promotion. To be stuck in the same division after that is a massive failure. Notts County - 6/10 This could've been so different. Had they taken their chances and striker Alessana Jatta not been sent off in the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Wimbledon ,they would've ended the season at Wembley. Losing Jatta meant they lacked firepower in the return leg, and Stuart Maynard has since been sacked. They say never go back, but former boss Luke Williams is now available after being sacked by Swansea City. Chesterfield - 7/10 The fact that none of our teams finished outside the playoffs in League Two is something to celebrate. The Spirites weren't able to get past Walsall but have easily settled back in the EFL after their 2024 promotion. There is a lot to build on.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton sign Coventry defender Burroughs
Northampton Town have signed versatile defender Jack Burroughs on a two-year contract following his release by Coventry whose main position is right-back, can also operate at left-back, wing-back, and in former Scotland youth international made 20 appearances for the Sky Blues, with his final game proving to the Coventry's defeat by Ipswich Town in the FA Cup in had been with Coventry since he was seven and had loan spells in the past two seasons with Lincoln City in 2023-24 and the first half of this season with Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, where he played in the Europa Conference League. "Jack is a player we've admired for a while and this is a signing we are very pleased to make," Cobblers' boss Kevin Nolan said. , external"He brings pace and athleticism, versatility, he is good on the ball and has a very good attitude. We believe he'll be a valuable addition to our squad and we believe he can have an impact here."He had other offers and other interest so it is a feather in our cap that we have been able to bring him to Sixfields."Burroughs, whose move will formally go through on 1 July, is Northampton's second summer signing, after the arrival of midfielder Jack Perkins from Nottingham Forest.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Dessers scores to help Nigeria beat Ghana and reach final
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers scored his third goal for Nigeria to help his country to a 2-1 win over Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final at the Gtech Community Stadium in 30-year-old, earning his seventh cap, gathered a low cross from Remo Star right-back Sodiq Ismail on his chest after a slip from Razak Simpson and slotted home coolly from 12 yards after just 15 second Nigeria goal had also come in London in a 2-1 win over Ghana, from the penalty spot, in the same friendly competition a year time, Nations centre-half Simpson deflected the ball into his own net for Nigeria's second goal and, although Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante prodded in a reply from eight yards with 20 minutes remaining, it was Dessers' side who progress to the Unity Cup holders will face Jamaica, who beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-2 on Tuesday, at Brentford on Saturday - new head coach Eric Chelle's fourth game in charge.
