Latest news with #MarkHoward
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Callan Ward image breaks AFL hearts as fans pray for a miracle
Callan Ward's AFL career could potentially be over after the veteran hobbled from the ground in emotional scenes. The 35-year-old fell to the turf in agony clutching at his right knee after being shoved aside by Richmond's Hugo Ralphsmith. Ward remained down on the turf as the medical staff rushed to his side with the contest brought to a standstill. The 326-game star appeared to know his fate as he clutched his knee before being helped back to his feet and slowly making his way off the ground. 'It doesn't look good at all,' Mark Howard said on Fox Footy. The cameras then panned back to Ward who was laying on a trainers table as teammate Lachie Whitfield came over to give him a hug. 'Very emotional scenes down here guys, Lachie Whitfield giving him a hug … I think he knows,' Cameron Mooney said. 'He's pretty devastated down here at the moment. His family have already moved back to Melbourne so I think this was going to be his last year. 'Hopefully this isn't the way he goes out.' Leigh Montagna added: 'Hopefully it isn't the last time we see Callan Ward on a football field.' The heartbreaking scenes left fans across the football community hoping for a miracle that it wasn't the last time they'd see Ward out on the field. Mark Stevens wrote on X: 'Cal Ward a legend. Hoping for a miracle.' Another added: 'F***, heartbreaking to see Cal Ward like that.' A third wrote: 'That's heartbreaking for Cal Ward. Deserved to end a stellar career on his own terms.' A fourth posted: 'F*** that is shattering for Cal Ward. Tough scenes to watch there.' Giants coach Adam Kingsley was asked about the emotional scenes following the quarter time break. 'I haven't spoken to him yet, but it looks like a knee so that's really disappointing.' In the wake of losing Ward, the Giants were overran by the Tigers in the first term as the underdogs ran riot. Richmond slammed home six goals to two as they took a 28-point lead into the first break as they look to secure their fifth win of the season.
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Kayo Sports heralds record viewership for expanded AFL coverage
Footy fans are watching AFL in record numbers on Kayo Sports in 2025, with audiences up 25 per cent on 2024 and 3.4 billion minutes streamed already as the season approaches the halfway mark. This year Fox Footy launched dedicated commentary teams, bespoke graphics plus 4K for all games, providing audiences with more choice than ever before and ad-free coverage. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. After 11 rounds it's clear that fans streaming on Kayo Sports are loving the quality and variety that Fox Footy is delivering to Thursday Night Footy up 41 per cent compared to last season led by the all-new calling duo of Matt Hill and Mark Howard supported by in depth analysis from Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King and Leigh Montagna. With Anthony Hudson and Gerard Whateley the new voices of Friday Night Footy, viewing has increased by 30 per cent on Kayo Sports, with the callers teaming up with analysis from host Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley and Jordan Lewis each week. The all-new Super Saturday LIVE, hosted by Kath Loughnan, Jack Riewoldt and King, recorded the season's most-streamed match on Kayo Sports with an average audience of 389,000 for the Collingwood and Geelong Round 8 match with Saturday audiences up 27 per cent overall. The Friday night Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon clash delivered the second biggest audience to date with 381,000 streaming viewers. Steve Crawley, Managing Director Fox Sports, said: 'We have loved the opportunity to bring fans the fresh Fox Footy look and sound, with our graphics and commentary teams, to Thursday and Friday Night Footy for the first time. The numbers tell us we have hit the right note, backed by some quality on-field contests. 'We couldn't be happier with our new calling combinations. You've got Matt Hill, he is new and firing, with Mark Howard, he's the Peter Pan, for Thursday's call. And Fridays is the tried and absolutely first class pairing of Anthony Hudson and Gerard Whateley. Most people who know the game, know they are the best.' Cate Hefele, Executive Director Kayo Sports, said: 'We've seen an incredible surge in Kayo Sports viewing this AFL season, as more and more fans come onto the platform and see the value, plus quality of Fox Footy's coverage. 'What's most pleasing is seeing audience growth across the entire round with fans choosing our dedicated commentary teams, graphics, 4K and no ads during live play. 'These numbers, including the record numbers for Saturday's Round 8 Pies and Cats clash, are helping drive growth across the Foxtel Group, as more fans tune into Fox Footy's coverage.' Every match of every round of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season is LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, in 4K, on Kayo Sports. Action continues tonight (May 29) when the Lions host the Bombers on Thursday Night Footy, before the Pies take on the Hawks on Friday Night Footy.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Is ruthless streak key to Wrexham's success?
It was a case of Las Vegas and bust for a string of Wrexham stalwarts who have been shown the door by the club ahead of next season's Championship sooner had several stepped back onto UK soil following a lavish promotion party in the American casino capital, than they found out they would have no stake in the club's Fletcher headlined a list of fans' favourites who have been released by Wrexham following their promotion to the second tier, the 38-year-old former Scotland striker revealing he was leaving "with a heavy heart" and "not by choice".Other key figures in Wrexham's rise through the leagues - or some with strong attachments to the club - have followed Fletcher out of the Stok Cae Ras, including goalkeeper Mark Howard and hometown hero Jordan recent history tells us this apparently ruthless culling of popular players is nothing new - and is only likely to help their bid to be a force in the 12 months and it was Red Dragons captain Ben Tozer who was ditched by manager Phil Parkinson, despite being a crucial part of Wrexham's rise from National League to League One. Tozer was joined on the exit list by club captain Luke Young - a hugely popular figure with fans and another key component of their back-to-back promotions - while Welshman Davies never got to play in League One for his local club, spending the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Grimsby than stay loyal to everyone who helped Wrexham reach League One, Parkinson chose to roll the dice and upgrade his squad. And, of course, it has paid off handsomely with another step up the Football League ladder. So perhaps it should come as little surprise to see the likes of Fletcher departing this summer, despite the Scot scoring eight goals for the club in 2024-25 and his invaluable heroics from the subs' that is the plan once more, to free up space in the squad for better - and, in Fletcher's case, younger - players who can help Wrexham thrive in the second course, that ruthlessness is not just a summer thing - Parkinson showed plenty of it in the January transfer window by signing strikers Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in the belief it would help get Wrexham over the promotion meant goalscoring heroes Paul Mullin, who is still contracted to the club until 2027, and Oli Palmer, who has a year left on his current deal, were frozen out for the last few months of the perhaps now comes the ultimate test of Parkinson's ruthlessness - is Mullin, the club's seventh highest goalscorer of all time, having netted 110 times since joining from Cambridge United in the summer of 2021, really still part of the manager's plans? Or would he encourage the striker to find a new club? Parkinson said earlier this month that 30-year-old Mullin and Palmer, 33, would return for pre-season, but even if there is still room in the squad for them once any new strikers arrive, how much game time would they get?Ruthless business, football. Watch this space.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Vegas party over: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney axe 8 Wrexham players days after lavish promotion bash
Wrexham AFC releases 8 Players/ Image: Composite -Wrexham AFC, File (AP) Just days after celebrating their remarkable rise to the Championship with an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, Wrexham AFC have confirmed that eight players will be leaving the club following the expiry of their contracts this summer, The announcement comes after their automatic promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship , marking the club's first appearance in the second tier of English football since 2004–05. Under the leadership of manager Phil Parkinson , Wrexham have achieved three successive promotions. The latest promotion was sealed on April 13, when Wrexham secured a 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers at the Racecourse Ground. The victory guaranteed a second-place finish behind Portsmouth in League One, completing a rapid rise that began in 2021–22 when the club was still playing in the National League (fifth tier). Wrexham earned promotion to League Two at the end of the 2022–23 season, before climbing to League One this past season, and now head into the Championship (second tier) for the 2024–25 campaign. This latest step marks their third promotion in four years under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney , who took over in 2020 and have backed the club with significant investment and global attention through the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham . Fletcher among 8 players departing The released/retained list was made public on May 14,confirms the exit of Steven Fletcher , Mark Howard , Jordan Davies , Sam Dalby, and four academy players: Josh Adam, Harry Dean, Brad Foster, and Liam Hall. Welcome to Wrexham hero, Steven Fletcher, 37, joined in September 2023 and scored 8 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. The former Scotland international and ex-Premier League striker saw his role reduce toward the end of the campaign. In an Instagram post, he called Wrexham 'the most magical club I have ever played at,' adding the decision to leave was 'not by choice.' Goalkeeper Mark Howard, 37, departs after three seasons. He made 54 appearances in total, including 10 games this season across the EFL Trophy, League Cup, and League One. He had been the starting keeper during the 2022–23 National League title-winning season before being replaced by Ben Foster and then Arthur Okonkwo. Speaking to Wrexham's media team, Howard said: 'I've been given some of the best team-mates I could've asked for. I'll leave with a smile, proud to have helped us take this club to where it belongs.' Jordan Davies, 26, exits after two spells at the club. A former academy graduate and key figure during the club's non-league years, Davies spent this season on loan at Grimsby Town in League Two. He had been with the senior squad since 2020, scoring over 25 goals in more than 100 appearances. Sam Dalby, 24, also departs after rejecting a contract extension in January. He scored 7 goals in 47 games in 2023–24 and joined Dundee United on loan in March. He had been instrumental in Wrexham's 2022–23 promotion campaign, often coming off the bench behind Paul Mullin. The four released youth players, Adam, Dean, Foster, and Hall, did not make first-team appearances this season. Next stop: Championship, but eyes already on Premier League-calibre talent With promotion to the Championship confirmed, Wrexham are expected to bolster their squad significantly. As reported by The Telegraph, the club has made an approach for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, whose contract expires this summer. The 33-year-old midfielder has been with Fulham for nearly a decade, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League multiple times. Wrexham are also anticipated to recruit other high-calibre players to ensure they're competitive in the second tier. The club's rise has so far been strategically backed with experienced signings like Ben Foster, James McClean, and Eoghan O'Connell to balance out younger talents like Elliot Lee and Jacob Mendy. The team is expected to report back for pre-season in July, with the 2024–25 Championship season kicking off in August 2025. While surviving the Championship will be the immediate aim, the long-term goal—openly hinted at by the owners—is a push toward the Premier League. Also read: How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took Wrexham to £150M and just 46 games away from the Premier League Owners' ambitions remain sky-high Reynolds and McElhenney, who bought Wrexham in 2020 for £2 million, have transformed the club's profile and infrastructure, including improvements to the Racecourse Ground, global commercial deals, and increased investment in the women's team, which also secured back-to-back promotions. After Wrexham's win over Forest Green Rovers, McElhenney posted on X: 'We're not just going to the Championship. We're going all the way.' Following the promotion, the owners flew the team to Las Vegas for a celebratory trip, mirroring the one they gifted the squad last year after promotion to League Two. The gesture has become symbolic of the club's bold, big-dreaming spirit. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Vegas party over: Wrexham axed eight players days after lavish promotion bash
Wrexham AFC releases 8 Players/ Image: Composite -Wrexham AFC, File (AP) Just days after celebrating their remarkable rise to the Championship with an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, Wrexham AFC have confirmed that eight players will be leaving the club following the expiry of their contracts this summer, The announcement comes after their automatic promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship , marking the club's first appearance in the second tier of English football since 2004–05. Under the leadership of manager Phil Parkinson , Wrexham have achieved three successive promotions. The latest promotion was sealed on April 13, when Wrexham secured a 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers at the Racecourse Ground. The victory guaranteed a second-place finish behind Portsmouth in League One, completing a rapid rise that began in 2021–22 when the club was still playing in the National League (fifth tier). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like サントリーロコモアが５,９４０→１,０８０円で試せる ロコモア こちらをクリック Undo Wrexham earned promotion to League Two at the end of the 2022–23 season, before climbing to League One this past season, and now head into the Championship (second tier) for the 2024–25 campaign. This latest step marks their third promotion in four years under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney , who took over in 2020 and have backed the club with significant investment and global attention through the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham . Fletcher among 8 players departing The released/retained list was made public on May 14,confirms the exit of Steven Fletcher , Mark Howard , Jordan Davies , Sam Dalby, and four academy players: Josh Adam, Harry Dean, Brad Foster, and Liam Hall. Welcome to Wrexham hero, Steven Fletcher, 37, joined in September 2023 and scored 8 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. The former Scotland international and ex-Premier League striker saw his role reduce toward the end of the campaign. In an Instagram post, he called Wrexham 'the most magical club I have ever played at,' adding the decision to leave was 'not by choice.' Goalkeeper Mark Howard, 37, departs after three seasons. He made 54 appearances in total, including 10 games this season across the EFL Trophy, League Cup, and League One. He had been the starting keeper during the 2022–23 National League title-winning season before being replaced by Ben Foster and then Arthur Okonkwo. Speaking to Wrexham's media team, Howard said: 'I've been given some of the best team-mates I could've asked for. I'll leave with a smile, proud to have helped us take this club to where it belongs.' Jordan Davies, 26, exits after two spells at the club. A former academy graduate and key figure during the club's non-league years, Davies spent this season on loan at Grimsby Town in League Two. He had been with the senior squad since 2020, scoring over 25 goals in more than 100 appearances. Sam Dalby, 24, also departs after rejecting a contract extension in January. He scored 7 goals in 47 games in 2023–24 and joined Dundee United on loan in March. He had been instrumental in Wrexham's 2022–23 promotion campaign, often coming off the bench behind Paul Mullin. The four released youth players, Adam, Dean, Foster, and Hall, did not make first-team appearances this season. Next stop: Championship, but eyes already on Premier League-calibre talent With promotion to the Championship confirmed, Wrexham are expected to bolster their squad significantly. As reported by The Telegraph, the club has made an approach for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, whose contract expires this summer. The 33-year-old midfielder has been with Fulham for nearly a decade, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League multiple times. Wrexham are also anticipated to recruit other high-calibre players to ensure they're competitive in the second tier. The club's rise has so far been strategically backed with experienced signings like Ben Foster, James McClean, and Eoghan O'Connell to balance out younger talents like Elliot Lee and Jacob Mendy. The team is expected to report back for pre-season in July, with the 2024–25 Championship season kicking off in August 2025. While surviving the Championship will be the immediate aim, the long-term goal—openly hinted at by the owners—is a push toward the Premier League. Also read: How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took Wrexham to £150M and just 46 games away from the Premier League Owners' ambitions remain sky-high Reynolds and McElhenney, who bought Wrexham in 2020 for £2 million, have transformed the club's profile and infrastructure, including improvements to the Racecourse Ground, global commercial deals, and increased investment in the women's team, which also secured back-to-back promotions. After Wrexham's win over Forest Green Rovers, McElhenney posted on X: 'We're not just going to the Championship. We're going all the way.' Following the promotion, the owners flew the team to Las Vegas for a celebratory trip, mirroring the one they gifted the squad last year after promotion to League Two. The gesture has become symbolic of the club's bold, big-dreaming spirit. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
