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The Guardian
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
League One 2025-26 preview: the contenders, hopefuls and strugglers
Last season was grim for Luton, culminating in them suffering a second successive relegation. But there remains plenty of quality at Kenilworth Road. Teden Mengi could easily be playing in the top flight, while Millenic Alli is a leading light of the recent intake. Most importantly, perhaps, the manager, Matt Bloomfield, knows this division well. Cardiff were also relegated from the Championship last season and will be hoping their new manager, Brian Barry-Murphy, can arrest the Welsh club's slide. Stockport missed out in the playoffs last season after finishing third. They also lost Isaac Olaofe to Charlton but have invested a club-record fee in Malik Mothersille from Peterborough to fill the void. The Hatters will be confident of another promotion push as long as they can hold on to the highly rated Ethan Pye and Lewis Bate, who have attracted Championship interest over the summer. Huddersfield are another who have changed manager, bringing in Lee Grant for what is the former Stoke goalkeeper's first managerial role. Grant has sought experience on the pitch, signing Ryan Ledson, Murray Wallace, Lynden Gooch and Alfie May. Tom Cleverley has taken the reins at Plymouth after their relegation from the Championship, while Mike Dodds will need Richard Kone to stay put if Wycombe are to battle for a spot in the Championship. Steve Bruce will not want to be known as a League One manager for another season. He arrived at Blackpool midway through the last campaign and has been given the resources to push for a return to the second tier. Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe have been acquired to strengthen central defence, and with Ashley Fletcher leading the line, Bruce's men will be hoping to rustle feathers. Reading did well to finish seventh last season considering the issues surrounding the club. Rob Couhig has become the new owner and a calmer presence in the boardroom could translate on to the pitch. Bolton finished eighth last season and their manger, Steven Schumacher, will be hoping to better that this time around. The loan signings of Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Amario Cozier-Duberry should excite but the loss of the captain, George Thomason, to Wrexham will need addressing. Leyton Orient made it to Wembley but fell just short in the playoff final. Ethan Galbraith and the loan stars Josh Keeley, Charlie Kelman and Jamie Donley have departed but there is plenty of excitement around the impending arrival of the Manchester United youngster Jack Moorhouse. Rotherham were expecting to challenge under Steve Evans last season but eventually stumbled to 13th. They have subsequently had a clearout of some big earners and allowed Matt Hamshaw to shape a more youthful squad. Conor Hourihane has used the loan market wisely to bring Barnsley up to scratch, while Ryan Lowe will be hoping Paul Mullin can spearhead Wigan's promotion push. Lincoln and Mansfield have an outside chance of getting into the playoffs. Doncaster won the League Two title last season and their manager, Grant McCann, quickly moved to sign Connor O'Riordan as a replacement for Joseph Olowu after his move to Stockport. Port Vale, who finished runners-up to Doncaster, have enjoyed a busy summer in the market as the manager, Darren Moore, attempts to balance youthful potential with old heads. Bradford, the third team to be promoted from League Two, may have half an eye on more than consolidation this season. For sure, Ibou Touray and Max Power will provide Graham Alexander's men with plenty of knowhow at this level. The League Two playoff winners, AFC Wimbledon, have been here before, playing six consecutive seasons in the third tier. Gary Bowyer oversaw the great escape with Burton last season and a continuation of that momentum should result in a better campaign for them. Exeter, Northampton and Stevenage might be fearful should they not start the season well. Andre Garcia, Reading, 17 The defender does not turn 18 until late November but already has 38 League One games under his belt. Garcia's performances at left-back also earned him an England Under-18 call-up in March and plenty of scouts are known to be tracking his progress. Benony Breki Andrésson, Stockport, 19 Having spent time in Bologna's academy, Andrésson's career began in earnest in his homeland of Iceland. Stockport were alerted to his potential and duly signed the striker in January to be part of their development team. He was quickly promoted to the first team and repaid the faith of his manager, Dave Challinor, with four goals in 11 games. Cian Ashford, Cardiff, 20 The local boy who has risen through the ranks and become a regular will be looking to push on this season. The arrival of Barry-Murphy as manager should help with that given the Irishman has worked with some of the best talent in the country during his time at Manchester City.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Blackpool 'couldn't block Apter's Charlton move'
Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has said the club could not stand in the way of Rob Apter's "life-changing" move to Charlton Scotland under-21 winger, who came through the scholarship programme at Bloomfield Road, signed for the newly-promoted Championship side recently, despite being a fans' 22-year-old left after five seasons with the Tangerines, and Bruce said the undisclosed fee they received had helped to revamp the squad, with eight new signings coming told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Rob knocked my door down for the best part of three weeks, which is understandable."To play at a higher level is one thing, but when it gets into life-changing situations in financial terms, we have to respect the boy and wish him the best of luck. It's great to see a young kid come through and none of us wanted to lose him."He's a bit of a dying breed, a little dribbler who goes past people, and he can only get better because of his age. His reaction is normal, if you get asked to quadruple your wages you are going to knock on my door." The former Manchester United centre-back said he was especially pleased with the permanent signing of forward Niall Ennis from Stoke City and the recruitment of defenders Fraser Horsfall, who captained Stockport County to promotion last year, and experienced Sheffield Wednesday stopper Michael Ihiekwe on free transfers."We've had our targets but the main thing was the Bosman targets and we've used that very well," said Bruce."Bringing Niall (Ennis) back was always going to be a priority and we've done that. Now we need (players in) wide areas and up front and we can say we've put a very competitive squad together."To get the captain of Stockport is a great signing, and Michael with his experience of playing in the Championship, it's very good." Bruce has also bolstered his goalkeeping department with the addition of former Wycombe Wanderers man Franco Ravizzoli and the loan of Birmingham City's Northern Ireland international Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the said the club had tried to bring back Everton's Harry Tyrer, who was the main goalkeeper last season, but after failing to agree a deal with the Premier League club he confirmed the two new men will fight it out for a starting place."It's a straight fight between the two of them. They're both very, very good goalkeepers and that's the way I try to manage. We're a lot stronger in that department than we were last year."We had to be respectful to Everton and the more the summer was eating away and we were not getting a decision from them, then we had to make the call and once I heard Bailey was available there was no decision to be made. To get him on loan we couldn't wait any longer."For one reason or another it hasn't quite happened for him at Birmingham but maybe a change of manager and different style … he's a very, very good goalkeeper."
Belfast Telegraph
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
League One club monitor Northern Ireland striker: ‘We've done very well with young players'
The 21 year-old is currently on the books of Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, although he is no stranger to the third tier of English football enjoying loan stints at Burton Albion, Wycombe Wanders and most recently Wigan Athletic. Now, Blackpool want to recruit the striker – who has 25 League One goals - on a permanent basis. The Seasiders are also keen to recruit Sheffield Wednesday forward Michael Smith. Blackpool boss Steve Bruce said: 'Both are very good players, and are the sort of calibre that we are looking at. 'It'd be unfair for me to start mentioning names of individuals, but that's the sort of level of player we are looking at to help us for what is going to be a really tough campaign ahead. 'We'd all love someone 20 or 21, everyone enjoys a young one. We've done very well with the young players we have brought forward. 'Let's see what becomes available, we're just getting ready to go to work, and let's see.' The Belfast native has earned nine senior caps for Northern Ireland, making his debut against Lithuania in 2021.
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd legends reunite at Oasis Heaton Park gig as fans say ‘not on my 2025 bingo list'
OASIS fans were left shocked after spotting a group of unlikely Manchester United legends at their concert. Noel and Liam Gallagher are doing five shows at Heaton Park in their hometown as part of their comeback tour this summer. Advertisement 1 Legends like Steve Bruce and Michael Carrick posed with fans at an Oasis gig Credit: Instagram @4alexbruce And those in the crowd were left shocked when they spotted The stunning gang also featured ex-Premier League defender Phil Bardsley, former Leeds striker Matt Smith, Steve's son and footballer Alex Bruce and Courteeners guitarist Daniel Conan Moores. The group were all smiles and posed for photos with fans. Bruce is seen front and centre in the images dressed in a black bucket hat, while Carrick has two pints in his hand. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL The images have gone viral on social media, with one fan saying: "Imagine bouncing along to Rock n Roll Star and realising you're stood next to Steve Bruce and Michael Carrick." Another added: "Steve Bruce at Oasis in a bucket hair was not on my 2025 bingo list, legend." A third wrote: "Some forgotten legends in that photo." Bruce is currently manager of League One side Blackpool, who finished ninth in the table last season. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Carrick is enjoying a summer off after being dismissed by Middlesbrough at the end of last season. And they are not the only managers to enjoy an Oasis concert this summer after Pep Guardiola and stunning daughter Maria belt out Oasis classic as Man City boss parties with Gallagher family at gig
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd legends reunite at Oasis Heaton Park gig as fans say ‘not on my 2025 bingo list'
A member of a popular band was spotted with them ROCK N ROLL STARS Man Utd legends reunite at Oasis Heaton Park gig as fans say 'not on my 2025 bingo list' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OASIS fans were left shocked after spotting a group of unlikely Manchester United legends at their concert. Noel and Liam Gallagher are doing five shows at Heaton Park in their hometown as part of their comeback tour this summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Legends like Steve Bruce and Michael Carrick posed with fans at an Oasis gig Credit: Instagram @4alexbruce And those in the crowd were left shocked when they spotted Man Utd icons Steve Bruce, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher among them. The stunning gang also featured ex-Premier League defender Phil Bardsley, former Leeds striker Matt Smith, Steve's son and footballer Alex Bruce and Courteeners guitarist Daniel Conan Moores. The group were all smiles and posed for photos with fans. Bruce is seen front and centre in the images dressed in a black bucket hat, while Carrick has two pints in his hand. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL OFF THE MARC Rashford BANNED from playing for Barcelona initially amid registration issues The images have gone viral on social media, with one fan saying: "Imagine bouncing along to Rock n Roll Star and realising you're stood next to Steve Bruce and Michael Carrick." Another added: "Steve Bruce at Oasis in a bucket hair was not on my 2025 bingo list, legend." A third wrote: "Some forgotten legends in that photo." Bruce is currently manager of League One side Blackpool, who finished ninth in the table last season. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Carrick is enjoying a summer off after being dismissed by Middlesbrough at the end of last season. And they are not the only managers to enjoy an Oasis concert this summer after Pep Guardiola singed along to hits like Don't Look Back In Anger with his daughter Maria.
