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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
How many miles Blackburn Rovers fans will rack up on the road next season
The 2025/26 Championship line-up has been confirmed and Rovers supporters will have to rack up the miles again if they are to visit every ground next season. There are more long journeys on the agenda following Ipswich and Southampton's relegations in addition to the likes of Norwich and Portsmouth. Supporters who head to any of those grounds will rack up more than 500 miles across both legs of the journey. The average trip for Rovers fans in the Championship next season works out at 161 miles each way, setting off from Ewood – Made an immediate return to the Championship after clinching the League One title with a record 111 points, having spent big on the likes of Jay Stansfield. Past form: Andre Dozzell scored the only goal when the sides last met in February 2024. The last victory at St Andrew's was in the FA Cup a year earlier after Auston Trusty's own goal in extra time. The trip: 112 miles BRISTOL CITY – Secured a play-off spot on the final day but were well beaten against Sheffield United in the semi-final. Now speculation over head coach Liam Manning's future amid strong links with Norwich. Past form: Rovers suffered a narrow defat at Ashton Gate in January despite Andi Weimann's goal. The last win there was in December 2019 when Bradley Johnson and Adam Armstrong both got on the scoresheet. The trip: 198 miles CHARLTON – Gearing up for life back in the Championship after beating Leyton Orient in the play-off final last weekend following a five-year stay in the third tier. Past form: Rovers won 2-0 on their last trip to the Valley in February 2020 thanks to goals from John Buckley and Tosin Adarabioyo. The trip: 247 miles Charlton clinched the final promotion spot (Image: PA)COVENTRY – Another side who came up short in the play-offs after an impressive second half of the campaign under Frank Lampard. Past form: Rovers were beaten 3-0 on a miserable night at the Coventry Building Society Arena in January. The last victory there was in October 2020 when Rovers produced an emphatic display to hit four past the Sky Blues. The trip: 128 miles DERBY – Looking to build on survival under John Eustace, who left Ewood Park to join the Rams several months ago. Past form: Rovers were beaten 2-1 at Pride Park in March as Eustace secured his first three points in the job. The previous trip was in October 2021 when Ben Brereton Diaz bagged a brace in a victory by the same scoreline. The trip: 112 miles HULL – Searching for a new manager after parting ways with Ruben Selles despite finishing above the relegation zone. Past form: Rovers won 1-0 at the MKM Stadium in December as Selles watched from the stands after being named the new boss. Callum Brittain's cross-shot was diverted by Sean McLoughlin into his own net. The trip: 110 miles IPSWICH – Looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League after finishing in the bottom three. Sam Szmodics made his return from injury last weekend, coming off the bench for the final 12 minutes against West Ham. Past form: Rovers lost a seven-goal thriller on their last trip to Portman Road in September 2023 despite Szmodics and Arnor Sigurdsson's strikes, plus a Harry Clarke own goal. The last victory there was in November 1994 with Alan Shearer, Tim Sherwood and Chris Sutton all on target. The trip: 258 miles LEICESTER – Another club relegated from the top flight, ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin has been linked with the vacant position in the dugout. Past form: Rovers' last trip to the King Power Stadium in May 2024 was a rather memorable one as the side secured a 2-0 victory thanks to Szmodics' brace to avoid relegation on the final day. The trip: 135 miles MIDDLESBROUGH – Aiming to improve on their 10th-place finish, missing out on the play-offs following a disappointing end to the campaign. Past form: The Riverside has been a happy hunting ground for Rovers in recent seasons. There were 1-0 victories in the league and FA Cup over the past year thanks to goals from Dom Hyam and Weimann respectively. There was also a 2-1 win in October 2022 after Sam Gallagher's brace. The trip: 102 miles MILLWALL – Another side who missed out on a top six spot on the final day following defeat down the M65 at Turf Moor. Past form: Rovers were beaten 1-0 at the Den in December after Mihailo Ivanovic's last-gasp winner. A year prior, Joe Rankin-Costello and Brittain's goals completed an impressive comeback in the capital. The trip: 248 miles NORWICH – Searching for Johannes Hoff Thorup's successor after finishing in 13th place and, as mentioned earlier, have been heavily linked with Bristol City boss Manning. Past form: The points were shared at Carrow Road last August after Yuki Ohashi's equaliser in the final stages. The last victory there came a year earlier when Szmodics' brace followed Tyrhys Dolan's early opener, although Rovers played the final half hour with 10 men after Scott Wharton's red card. The trip: 268 miles OXFORD – Finished in 17th place and four points above the relegation zone under Gary Rowett, who took charge in December after Des Buckingham's departure. Past form: Rovers were beaten 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium in January, with Cameron Brannagan getting the decisive goal. The previous trip was a 4-2 victory in November 2017 when Charlie Mulgrew netted twice. The trip: 189 miles PORTSMOUTH – Another side aiming to build on a consolidation season following promotion from the third tier, finishing in 16th place. Past form: Josh Murphy scored the only goal at Fratton Park in March. Rovers' last win there was in February 2018 when Armstrong bagged a brace either side of half time before Lewis Travis' late sending off. The trip: 268 miles PRESTON – Survived relegation on the final day after a difficult campaign under Paul Heckingbottom, who took charge last August. Past form: There was nothing to separate the sides at Deepdale last September in a game remembered most for Milutin Osmajic's bite on Owen Beck, which saw the forward hit with an eight-game ban. Rovers' last away win against their Lancashire rivals was in April 2022 when Gallagher, Buckley, Darragh Lenihan and Travis all got on the scoresheet. The trip: 13.5 miles Rovers will make the short trip to Deepdale again (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd)QPR – Also searching for a new boss after Marti Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave last month following a 15th-place finish. Past form: Rovers were beaten 2-1 at Loftus Road in February despite Dolan's second-half penalty. There was an emphatic victory in October 2023 when Sigurdsson bagged a brace, plus goals from Dolan and Szmodics. The trip: 228 miles SHEFFIELD UNITED – Will spend another season in the Championship after falling at the final hurdle at Wembley in their promotion push, losing in the 95th minute against Sunderland. Past form: Rovers couldn't quite find the winning goal at Bramall Lane on the final day which would have taken them into the top six. It is a ground they haven't won at since January 1994 when Alean Shearer struck either side of half time. The trip: 64.8 miles SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY – Finished in the top half but speculation persists around the future of boss Danny Rohl, who has been linked with a couple of jobs in Germany. Past form: Rovers won at Hillsborough in December thanks to Makhtar Gueye's header. The towering forward had to wait a while for his first Championship goal but couldn't have picked a better moment. The trip: 63.4 miles SOUTHAMPTON – Finished bottom of the Premier League on a measly 12 points but there is a renewed sense of optimism following the appointment of Will Still. Past form: Rovers suffered a heavy defeat on their last trip to St Mary's in December 2023, playing the final 35 minutes with 10 men. The last victory there was in November 2001 when Tugay and Craig Hignett both struck on the South coast. The trip: 250 miles STOKE – Finished two points above the drop zone and now looking to push on under Mark Robins, who took charge at the turn of the year. Past form: Rovers suffered a narrow defeat at the bet365 Stadium in March and former loanee Lewis Baker was in the Potters' starting line-up. A season earlier, supporters were treated to a comfortable 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Wharton, Andrew Moran and Szmodics. The trip: 73 miles SWANSEA – Alan Sheehan is entering his first pre-season in charge after guiding the Swans to a top-half finish during his stint as caretaker boss. Past form: Rovers were beaten 3-0 at the Stadium in February and it came as a sucker punch after David Lowe had overseen victories against West Brom and Plymouth following Eustace's departure. The last win over the border was in August 2022 with Szmodics, Brereton Diaz and Travis all on target. The trip: 258 miles WATFORD – Axed Tom Cleverley after finishing 14th despite a strong start to the campaign. Paulo Pezzolano is the latest manager to take charge of the Hornets following promotions in Uruguay, Brazil and Spain. Past form: Rovers were beaten 1-0 at Vicarage Road last October after Edo Kayembe's spot kick. A season earlier, Ryan Hedges produced a moment of magic to secure a narrow win in the capital. The trip: 209 miles WEST BROM – Another club with a managerial vacancy to be filled and the latest reports suggest that Tottenham coach Ryan Mason could be a potential candidate. Past form: The build-up to Rovers' trip to the Hawthorns in February was dominated by the managerial situation but the squad produced a spirited display against the Baggies to secure a timely victory under Lowe. The trip: 106 miles WREXHAM – Looking to make their mark in the Championship after three successive promotions from the National League under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Past form: Rovers have not played a competitive fixture at the Racecourse Ground since March 1982 and their last victory there was in September 1980. The trip: 72.6 miles
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stansfield helped by psychologist over Blues move
Jay Stansfield has scored 36 goals in 91 games for Birmingham City so far in his two spells [Getty Images] Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield says he spoke to a sports psychologist this season to help deal with the pressure of his big-money move to the League One champions from Fulham. Blues paid the highest fee for any player in the history of the third tier when they spent £10m to bring the 22-year-old to the club permanently last summer, after a loan spell the season before. And Stansfield's superb performances, scoring 19 goals, spearheaded the club's exceptional campaign as they stormed to the title with a record 111 points to seal an emphatic return to the Championship after one season away. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Stansfield never went more than five games without scoring as he netted 24 times in 46 appearances in all competitions. Despite the impressive return, Stansfield said he had to deal with a lot of scrutiny over the fee Blues paid and faced a hammering from opposition fans throughout the season. "When I first came there was a lot of noise around it [the fee] and I took some stick about it. But that's the game and I let my football do the talking," Stansfield told BBC Radio WM. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "I wouldn't say it weighed heavily [the price] but it got to the point in the season when it I thought 'this is getting difficult' and I had to find a way to manage it, to deal with it and I did that. "I spoke to specialists around the club who know how to deal with big pressure moments so getting help from a football psychologist and learning to deal with things helped. "It's been tough getting absolutely hammered every game for no reason but I did my talking on the pitch and we're in the Championship now and that's all that matters." 'To get 17 players to bond is quickly is really special' Stansfield was one of 17 new players brought in by Birmingham's big-spending owners for a total of £25m with rookie boss Chris Davies charged with delivering an immediate return on that investment with a place in the second tier. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement After experiencing relegation with Blues in his loan spell in 2023-24, when he scored 12 goals in 43 appearances, he said delivering promotion for the fans was a big motivation. "The main aim was to repay them for what happened last season and getting this club back to the Championship and that's what we've done," he said. "The gaffer's kept us going and as you saw against [relegated] Cambridge [on the final day] - it's the worst game of football to play in when both teams have got nothing to play for. "But we found the motivation to get the record points." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Stansfield also paid tribute to Davies' powers of man-management as he got a new squad to gel so well. "The gaffer said there were 17 players who had probably heard of each other but never spoken to each other and to get a group to come together so quickly and bond is really special."
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jay Stansfield: Birmingham City striker sought help to deal with pressure of record move
Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield says he spoke to a sports psychologist this season to help deal with the pressure of his big-money move to the League One champions from Fulham. Blues paid the highest fee for any player in the history of the third tier when they spent £10m to bring the 22-year-old to the club permanently last summer, after a loan spell the season before. And Stansfield's superb performances, scoring 19 goals, spearheaded the club's exceptional campaign as they stormed to the title with a record 111 points to seal an emphatic return to the Championship after one season away. Stansfield never went more than five games without scoring as he netted 24 times in 46 appearances in all competitions.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Exeter City set for £5m transfer windfall
Exeter City say the club will earn more than £5m from recent Grecians' accounts to the end of June 2024 show they made more than £5m from sales from July last year onwards. Former Exeter academy player Jay Stansfield's move from Fulham to Birmingham City in the summer of 2024 for reportedly £15m with possible add-ons saw the Grecians benefit thanks to a sell-on also sold striker Millenic Alli for a fee understood to be worth £1.5m in January, while Will Aimson also moved to Wigan for an undisclosed fee in July say the funds are payable "over a number of years rather than being received upfront and allow the club to plan investment in the first team, academy and capital projects whilst supporting the day-to-day running of the business"."The manager has been able to recruit a number of players to replace those leaving with both loans and permanent transfers," City added in their annual report."The board will continue to do all it can to provide the manager with the resources to support the ambition of the club whilst not compromising the sustainability of the business."Stansfield's move is the latest in a long line of Exeter City academy players who have been sold for big fees in recent club has earned more than £5m from England striker Ollie Watkins' moves to Brentford and Aston Villa, while Ethan Ampadu, Matt Grimes and Joel Randell have all commended fees in excess of £1m. The fan-owned club's annual accounts show a pre-tax profit of £182,000 for the year ending 30 June Grecians were profitable thanks to £3.1m in transfer income during the 2023-24 season after the sale of striker Sam Nombe to Rotherham United for what the club described at the time as a "record fee".City also made around £1m from a sell-on clause from former academy player Ampadu's £7m move from Chelsea to Leeds addition, the club earned compensation for Archie Collins after he left for Peterborough United and agreed a compensation fee with Swansea City for Josh Key's 2023 move after a figures come as Exeter's turnover increased by £725,000 on the previous year although pre-tax profits dropped by £130,000 over the 12 months as the club's wages bill rose by £1.1m.
The Guardian
01-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Football League: Birmingham extend lead at top as Wrexham left chasing
Jay Stansfield's late penalty was the difference as Birmingham extended their lead at the top of League One to 11 points with a 2-1 win against Bristol Rovers. Keshi Anderson gave Blues the lead after only three minutes and, although Gatlin O'Donkor equalised, Stansfield's spot-kick made it back-to-back league wins. The second-placed Wrexham were held to a 2-2 by struggling Cambridge. Liam Bennett cancelled out George Dobson's opener and Josh Stokes gave United the lead from the penalty spot before Sam Smith snatched a point for Wrexham. Wycombe in third were also left frustrated following a goalless draw with bottom side Shrewsbury, meaning they sit only three points above Charlton after Tyreece Campbell scored the winner for the Addicks to beat Mansfield 2-1. Stockport are a point further back in fifth after beating Stevenage 3-0 with efforts from Jayden Fevrier and Jack Diamond and a Luther James-Wildin own goal. Leyton Orient were dealt a 2-1 defeat by struggling Burton as Rumarn Burrell scored the winner. Chris Forino's stoppage-time effort snatched a 1-0 for Bolton against Wigan, while Abraham Odoh scored a hat-trick as Peterborough secured a last-gasp 4-3 win against Crawley. The relegation-threatened Crawley went ahead through Junior Quitirna before Odoh struck twice in seven minutes to give Posh the lead. The winger scored his third after Jeremy Kelly struck for Crawley and, although Rushian Hepburn-Murphy equalised to make it 3-3, a stoppage-time penalty from Ricky-Jade Jones snatched three points for Peterborough. Sonny Carey's brace helped maintain Blackpool's playoff push with a 3-0 win against rivals Reading, while Reeco Hackett's goal was the difference for Lincoln to beat Huddersfield 1-0. Rotherham had a good start after Steve Evans's sacking with a 2-0 victory against Northampton and a late Josh Magennis strike earned Exeter a 2-1 win against Barnsley. In League Two the leaders, Walsall, picked up their fourth successive draw after salvaging a point at Doncaster. Taylor Allen cancelled out Luke Molyneux's opener, but in a late drama Billy Sharp put Rovers ahead before a Danny Johnson header snatched a 2-2 draw. Bradford, in second, missed the chance to go top as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against their promotion rivals Port Vale, with Lorent Tolaj and Mitchell Clark on target. The win moved Vale level on points with their opponents. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion A late brace of penalties from Kabongo Tshimanga secured a 2-1 win for Swindon against the playoff contenders AFC Wimbledon, who finished the game with 10 men after John-Joe O'Toole was dismissed in stoppage time. Ben Fox scored the winner for Harrogate as they edged out Tranmere 3-2. Ellis Taylor and Tom Cursons put the Sulphurites ahead before Regan Hendry pulled one back, but Fox then struck and Harrogate held off a potential comeback after Omari Patrick pulled one back. Crewe moved closer to the playoff places with a 2-0 win against Grimsby, and Gillingham drew 1-1 with Colchester after Max Clark's penalty cancelled out Jack Payne's opener. Morecambe beat Cheltenham 2-0, while Fleetwood earned back-to-back wins after goals from Mark Helm, Phoenix Patterson, Mackenzie Hunt and a Conor Grant own goal gave them a 4-1 win against Accrington. Wyll Stanway's own goal cancelled out Tyler Smith's opener as Barrow drew 1-1 with Salford, while top scorer Michael Cheek rescued a point for Bromley with a 1-1 draw against Newport.
