Latest news with #JayFulton
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is the referee for Sunderland's play-off final - and who is the VAR for Wembley?
PREMIER LEAGUE referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Sunderland's Championship play-off final against Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon. The 39-year-old started refereeing in the EFL in 2014 before stepping up to the Premier League in 2017. READ MORE: Saturday's game will be his second Championship final, having refereed the 2021 Wembley showpiece when Fulham beat Swansea 2-0 and he sent off the Swans' Jay Fulton. The two assistant referees are Lee Betts and Neil Davies, with Peter Bankes having been selected as the fourth official. The final at Wembley will include the use of VAR, semi-automated offside technology and in-stadia announcements. John Brooks has been selected as the VAR official for the game, with Timothy Wood as his assistant.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Successful Scottish football academy RELAUNCHES seven years after shock decision to axe it
FALKIRK's relaunching its famed youth academy, fresh after sealing Scottish Premiership football next season. The academy, which produced the likes of Scott Arfield, Jay Fulton and Craig Sibbald, was axed in 2017 due to cost cutting measures at the club. 3 Academy graduate Scott Arfield returns to Falkirk to help them win the Scottish Championship Credit: PA 3 Jay Fulton plays for Swansea City in the Championship in England Credit: Getty 3 Dundee United's Craig Sibbald started out at Falkirk Credit: Willie Vass The focus then switched to the 'Brentford model' looking at data to identify undervalued players with the hope of developing them and selling them on for profit. But it spectacularly backfired and saw the side relegated to League One, where they would remain for several seasons. The appointment of manager John McGlynn sparked a revival in fortunes, which saw the Bairns secure back to back promotions. They went the season unbeaten in League One in 2023-2024 before clinching the Championship title on the final day of this campaign. And it was one of their former academy stars Arfield who helped get them there after he rejoined the club in January. Chief executive Jamie Swinney said: "The first team's success has given the club it's heart back, the Academy returns its soul. "Re-establishing the Academy has been an issue raised by fans continuously as a priority. "Our aim was to get into the Premiership and bring back our Academy in time for the 150th anniversary. 'This is, however a significant financial commitment. "We can afford to run the Academy in the Premiership but need to commit long-term. Scott Arfield sends fans wild as music-daft Rangers hero performs 'sensational' cover of huge number one hit "Premiership clubs' decision to refuse to share UEFA solidarity money with the Championship makes professional youth football at that level very difficult." Swinney added that the cost of re-establishing the academy at Performance Level is £320,000. Head of the Academy, Tony Begg said: "I am delighted that Falkirk's Academy is returning. "Performance Level status will bring the Falkirk Academy back to a similar level in Scotland's Academy system prior to its closure in 2017. 'We will now create teams from Under-11 to Under-19 level by July, which means signing over 100 players and hiring several qualified coaches and other support, such as physiotherapists and performance specialists. 'The Academy will play at Performance Level against Ayr United, Dundee, Dunfermline, Livingston, Morton, Inverness, Partick Thistle, Ross County, and St Johnstone, with home games taking place at the Falkirk Stadium.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
