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Spectator
4 hours ago
- Spectator
My sitcom-worthy walking holiday
I've just returned from a walking holiday in Northumberland with Caroline and my mother-in-law. I say 'walking' but that makes it sound more physically demanding than it was. Billed as 'gentle guided walking', it was more like an ambling holiday, and the distances weren't very great. On the second day, I was anxious to make it to the pub to watch the League One play-off final, so raced ahead and completed the walk – the entire walk – in less than an hour. It was a packaged tour organised by HF Holidays, a co-operative set up as the Holiday Fellowship in 1913 by Thomas Arthur Leonard, a non-conformist social reformer. He wanted to save factory workers from the fleshpots of Blackpool by encouraging them to take walking holidays instead. A great believer in the improving effects of the great outdoors, he was a strong supporter of the National Trust and was also involved in setting up the Youth Hostel Association and the Ramblers' Association – a bit like Robert Baden-Powell, except without the links to African colonialism or Hitler Youth. Leonard was also a supporter of the Independent Labour party, a staunch pacifist and, towards the end of his life, a member of the Society of Friends. Not my cup of tea, then, but HF Holidays is now a broad enough church to accommodate sybaritic non-believers. Well, up to a point. I asked my mother-in-law if I could bring some wine, but was told this wouldn't be in keeping with the slightly frugal, ascetic atmosphere. We were staying in an hotel in Alnmouth owned by the company, and meals were communal, with the 60 or so guests sharing tables and expected to chat to each other while selecting from a limited menu.
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Plymouth in furious statement as manager Miron Muslic, 42, ‘breaks promise' to join ex-Champions League semi-finalists
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE launched a furious statement after their manager "broke promises" to walk out for former Champions League semi-finalists. Miron Muslic, 42, only took over at Home Park in January, Advertisement 2 Miron Muslic infuriated Plymouth Argyle by walking out on the club to join Schalke Credit: Rex He masterminded the But the Bosnian was However, the club were willing to stick by Muslic and had already began making plans to back him in League One and push for promotion next season. That was until he suddenly told the Pilgrims he wanted to leave for FC Schalke in Germany's second tier. Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL And Argyle "reluctantly" gave him permission to enter negotiations with Schalke. But their "Despite regular communication since the end of the season, and no mention of any issues, Miron has now made it clear that, after extended periods away from his family, this opportunity provides him the chance to be closer to them after four years on the road. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "We are frustrated by this decision, having implemented clear structures, processes and personnel to aid Miron and his coaching staff as we "Not only that, the club have also moved quickly to bring in new signings and received repeated verbal promises from Miron that he was committed to Argyle and would do everything to help the club bounce back to the second tier. 'When we go God' - Red-faced Plymouth owner accidentally admits club are getting relegated with 15 games left "Muslic joined the Greens in January 2025, on a three-and-a-half-year contract, after a period out of the game having departed Cercle Brugge. Advertisement "He will now leave Argyle just four months into that long-term commitment. "We wish him the best for his future career. "We will be making no further comment at this stage." In Muslic's press conference after the final game of the season, he openly said he needed backing. Advertisement The club responded by appointing David Fox as head of football operations and Tom Randle - who Muslic had worked with previously - as head of recruitment. Jamie Paterson and Caleb Watts signed last week - the former citing his conversations with Muslic as a major reason behind joining. One fan took to Wikipedia to edit his page name to "Plymouth Snake" in response to the shock bombshell news, which will reportedly see Argyle receive £1million in compensation. Seven-time top-flight runners-up Advertisement They finished 14th in the 2 Bundesliga this term - with the likes of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and Rasmus Hojlund's brother Emil in the squad. Die Konigsblauen are six-time German Cup winners, won the Uefa Cup in 1997 and reached the Champions League semis in 2011, losing 6-1 on aggregate to Manchester United. 2 Muslic was in charge when Argyle beat Liverpool in the FA Cup Credit: Getty
Yahoo
11 hours 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
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Huddersfield appoint Ipswich coach Grant as manager
Huddersfield Town have appointed former Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant as their new manager on a three-year deal. The 42-year-old had spent the past three years as a coach at Ipswich Town. It is Grant's first managerial role. He started his playing career with Derby County before spells with the Owls, Burnley and Stoke before finishing his career with Manchester United. Grant takes over a Huddersfield side who finished 10th in League One this season after losing their final six matches under caretaker Jon Worthington. The academy coach was placed in charge of the team after Michael Duff was sacked at the start of March after 10 months. Grant is the club's seventh different managerial appointment since they were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the Championship play-off final in May 2022. "First and foremost, it's an incredible honour to be manager of Huddersfield Town," he told the club website. "This is an exciting time to be joining the club and there is so much potential and opportunity for us going forward, and I couldn't be more motivated to play my part in that journey. "I have a clear idea of what I want my Town team to look like and how I want us to play. My priority is to not only win, but give our amazing supporters a side that they're proud to represent them and excited to watch."
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former Man United star lands first managerial job as he takes charge of League One club
A former Manchester United star has been appointed as the new manager of a League One club. It is the first time that the ex-player has taken on a managerial job. He has previous experience of working as an assistant coach and will now be eager to test himself in management. The club had finished the season with a temporary coach in charge after sacking their previous manager in March. The new boss had a lengthy playing career during which he mainly featured in the Championship. He announced his retirement from playing three years ago. Huddersfield have appointed former goalkeeper Lee Grant as their new manager. Grant, 42, has signed a three-year deal with the Terriers after the League One club agreed compensation with Ipswich, where he worked as head coach Kieran McKenna's assistant. Huddersfield sacked previous boss Michael Duff in March and had placed former captain Jon Worthington in temporary charge. The Terriers said: 'We are delighted to confirm that Lee Grant has today been appointed manager of Huddersfield Town, joining the club on a three-year contract ahead of the 2025-26 season. 'Grant has been permitted a release to join Town with immediate effect following the conclusion of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign after a compensation agreement was agreed. 'Lee will be joined at the club by his own coaching team, with full details to be shared in due course.' Grant retired as a player in 2022 after a 22-year career, making over 500 professional appearances, which included spells at Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley. He joined Ipswich as assistant coach after hanging up his gloves and helped the club win back-to-back promotions to the Premier League in consecutive seasons. Grant added: 'This is an exciting time to be joining the club and there is so much potential and opportunity for us going forward, and I couldn't be more motivated to play my part in that journey. 'I'd like to thank chairman Kevin Nagle and CEO Jake Edwards for giving me their trust, and I hope to repay that with time as we head into the summer and season ahead.' Grant was at United between 2018 and 2022 and made just two appearances for the club. He featured against his former club Derby in the League Cup in 2018 and was also involved against Astana in the Europa League in 2019.
