Latest news with #EFLLeagueTwo
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Newport County collaborates with Athletic Bilbao for away jersey dedicated to refugee children
EFL League Two side Newport County on Friday released its away jersey for the 2025-26 season — a collaboration with La Liga outift Athletic Bilbao and dedicated to refugee children. 'The red and white Athletic-inspired kit will celebrate the historical ties of friendship, humanity and generosity with the La Liga club that stretches back nearly 100 years,' the Welsh team said in a statement. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐭 🔴⚪️ Designed by @VX3apparel, Inspired by @AthleticClub and the memory of the Basque Children of '37#OneClubOneCounty# — Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) July 18, 2025 During the Spanish Civil War in 1937, thousands of Basque children were evacuated from Bilbao to Britain. Out of these, 56 children found refuge in Newport. 'Many of the Children of '37 have remained in Newport and have brought up their own families in the area as firmly part of the local community,' the club added. Neal Heard, Newport County's creative director, was behind the ideation of the kit concept and collaboration. Newport begins its League Two season with a home against Notts County on August 2 before visiting Crawley Town on August 9 for its first away match of the campaign.
Belfast Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland goalkeeper delighted to seal move to League Two side: ‘I feel it's a club that's matching my ambition'
The shot-stopper has signed a contract until the summer of 2027 with the EFL League Two outfit after linking up from Bolton Wanderers in the League above. The 27-year-old Oxford native originally rose through the ranks at Reading, spending time on loan with Bath City, Eastleigh, Hamilton Academical and Cheltenham Town before signing for the latter on a permanent basis in 2023. After being an ever-present between the sticks for Cheltenham, he arrived at Bolton in the summer of 2024 where he made 26 appearances in total and he is on the move once again to Rovers, who were relegated from League One following a 22nd-placed finish in the 2024/25 season. Former England youth international and 2017 Under-20 World Cup winner Southwood made his one and only senior appearance to date for Northern Ireland – for whom he qualifies through his grandmother – in a 3-1 friendly win away to Luxembourg in March 2022. Southwood is keen to push on at The Memorial Stadium and, upon confirmation of his move, commented: 'I am buzzing. I'm really happy to get it done, and I can't wait to get going. 'I've played against the club loads of times over the last few years, and the fanbase is brilliant. 'You can feel the passion, and I just feel like it's a club that's matching my ambition, and I want to get on board with it.' Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke, who previously worked with Southwood at Cheltenham, added: 'It is great to welcome Luke to Bristol Rovers. 'Having worked with him previously, I know first-hand not only the quality and calmness he possesses but the great personality he has, too. 'He is very good with his feet, a strong influence on the defensive line and a super shot-stopper, too. I am looking forward to working with him again this season.'
Daily Record
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
St Mirren victorious over MK Dons as Stephen Robinson outlines challenge for Fraser Taylor
The Saints head into their final pre-season game against Airdrie before Premier Sports Cup action this Saturday on the back of a 2-1 win over MK Dons in Spain where Taylor impressed his gaffer St Mirren head into their final pre-season game on the back of a strong 2-1 win in Spain over MK Dons. First-half goals from Roland Idowu and Alex Iacovitti saw Stephen Robinson's men finish their warm-weather training camp in Murcia on a high after beating the EFL League Two side. It was also an opportunity to test several players, with no fewer than 22 men taking to the field in Pinatar Arena. However, Liam Donnelly and Declan John remained on the sidelines after the Saints boss confirmed they had 'niggles' and opted not to take any risk; Alex Gogic was rested for the duration of the match. The Saints lined up with a team consisting of Peter Urminsky, Marcus Fraser, Luke Kenny, Alex Iaccovitti, Jayden Richardson, Killian Phillips, Mark O'Hara, Scott Tanser, Conor McMenamin, Jonah Ayunga and Roland Idowu. A host of changes were made in the second half with Ryan Mullen replacing Urminsky in goals, as well as Oisin Smyth, Billy Hutchison, Callum Penman, Fraser Taylor, Evan Mooney, Carrick McEvoy, Thomas Falconer, Mikael Mandron and James Scott all featuring after the break. It took just over a minute for the Saints to hit the front, thanks to a well-worked goal from Idowu. Ayunga rode a challenge from the Dons' defender and worked his way into the box before playing a ball across to the Irishman who tucked it away. The Saints had another golden opportunity through Ayunga to double their lead, but the Buckinghamshire club's shot-stopper Connal Trueman was quickly off his line and did well to block the shot at the edge of the area. Ayunga finally found the back of the net, but unfortunately, it was his own when he turned in a dangerous cross from Liam Kelly on 17 minutes as Dons drew level. However, the Buddies would go back in front just before the interval. O'Hara's cross-field pass found Conor McMenamin who burst forward before seeing his shot blocked, the ball fell kindly to Ayunga who saw his strike from the edge of the area deflected just over. Iacovitti met McMenamin's delivery from the resulting corner and he nodded home at the near post. After a number of changes in the second half for both sides and a few half-chances for each team, the game petered out and saw the Saints head into tomorrow's friendly with Airdrie on the back of a win. Following the encouraging display, Paisley chief Robinson revealed he is still looking to add to his team, confirming the club is looking to add two new bodies to the squad. The Northern Irishman also says whilst some of the academy prospects will be going on loan for game time, some might have found their way into the squad due to the size. 'We have a very small squad and we still need to add two [players],' he said after the game on Saturday. 'So, when you are an academy under-18 player at St Mirren, you are never too far away from the first team. 'Some have shown that they need a little bit more. They've had a little flavour and they [now] need to go out on loan and get stronger, their decision-making needs to be quicker. 'But others, you can see the difference in Fraser Taylor after his two years on loan and he is ready to compete for a place in midfield.' Tomorrow's game against Airdrie will kick off at 7.30pm at the Albert Bartlett Stadium and will be the final friendly before heading into the Premier Sports Cup against Arbroath on Saturday.
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Roland Idowu confirms that permanent St Mirren stay was always on his mind
The Irishman turned his loan deal into a permanent one at the Saints earlier in the summer window. By Kyle Gunn Roland Idowu has outlined the reason behind his permanent move to St Mirren as he says he knew exactly where he wanted to play football this season. The 23-year-old spent the last campaign on loan in Paisley from EFL League Two side Shrewsbury Town, playing a major part in the Saints' top six finish — scoring a dramatic late winner in the final pre-split game against Ross County. And he has returned on fine form, scoring a brace in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Dumbarton in their first pre-season game. He told the Paisley Daily Express: 'I really liked it here last year. I loved playing with the boys, and I had good confidence [from management and my team mates who are all] invested in my career here, so I'm really happy to be back.' The Dubliner says he has already learned a lot from his time in the Black and White stripes and is keen to show that on the pitch this season. 'I had an up and down season last year,' he said. 'Towards the end I started to get to grips with things, and I think my plan now going into this season is to take my experience and lessons from last season and try and implement them; to have a more confident and positive season.' The Buddies are currently on a warm-weather pre-season fitness camp in Murcia, Spain. But Idowu says he has been training throughout the break to maintain his form. 'Obviously, if you're away, you're still doing that stuff,' he said. 'I was back in Dublin training again. 'I feel like I always do look after myself fitness-wise. Also, it wasn't as long a break, so there wasn't as long a time to lose fitness really.' Idowu is just one of six permanent deals to be added to Stephen Robinson's squad this summer so far, with fellow Irishman Killian Phillips also making his loan deal permanent in Paisley. The new faces in the squad are Liam Donnelly, Jayden Richardson, Ryan Mullen, and Richard King, who have come in to strengthen areas. Idowu has thrown his support behind all his new teammates that have joined, as he says that everyone settles in at different speeds, as he explained his own journey. He said: 'Everyone's different. People take longer to settle and for some people, it takes just one game, one session. So, that's definitely something that needs to be more taken into account. 'I was playing in Ireland before and I had a short stint at Shrewsbury. 'So, I hadn't really been a player for long enough to be up to speed with fitness and technical stuff [before I came here]. 'Well, I think now I've caught up and feel physically good and technically good and confident on the pitch.' Robbo's men will take on MK Dons on Saturday to wrap up their week-long stint in the heat.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wirral school team set to play at Wembley
Wirral's Higher Bebington Junior School are to play at Wembley representing Tranmere Rovers in the Community. The U11 team recently won the Utilita Kids Cup League Two Northern Finals, beating hosts Accrington Stanley 2-0 in the final. This means they are through to the final of the Utilita Kids Cup which is being held at Wembley Stadium ahead of the EFL League Two play-off final on 26th May. READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool players rush to support Harvey Elliott after exit hint dropped READ MORE: Abdoulaye Doucoure posts emotional Everton message as exit confirmed The Utilita Kids and girls cup tournaments offer schoolchildren the chance to live their dream, playing in front of thousands of fans. Mr. Rudd, teacher at Higher Bebington commented on the team's achievement: 'It's going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity (playing at Wembley) and I can't wait to experience it with the nine boys. We've come here today representing the Wirral superbly with great morals and we fought until the end, I'm so proud!'. First team Tranmere players Regen Hendry, Sol Solomon and Lee O'Connor also visited the school to inspire the team ahead of their once in a lifetime experience at Wembley
