Latest news with #WilliamHillChampionship
STV News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Captain Docherty and midfielder Babunski released by Dundee United
Dundee United have released club captain Ross Docherty and fellow midfielder David Babunski. The pair join Declan Gallagher and Louis Moult in being told their time is up at Tannadice after the former Motherwell pair's summer exits were confirmed earlier in the month. Docherty led United to the William Hill Championship title and then a fourth-placed Premiership finish but manager Jim Goodwin had admitted the former Partick Thistle player's future was in doubt because of his injury record. The 32-year-old started the last eight games of the season – taking his total this term to 15 – and helped United clinch a top-six place and then a European berth, but it was not enough to earn himself a new deal. A club statement read: 'Named as captain after impressing manager Jim Goodwin with his leadership qualities in the early stages of his Tannadice career, Docherty has been a colossal figure in midfield when available for selection. 'Across his two-year stint in the City of Discovery, United have only lost nine league matches in which he has featured.' Babunski began the crucial 2-1 win over Aberdeen on the final day of the season but it was only his second start in 2025. The Macedonia international scored three goals in his first five appearances but could not maintain the same level of impact. The statement added: 'The club remains in contractual discussions with several players – a further update will be provided to supporters in due course.' Goodwin recently spoke of his desire to retain the services of former Rangers, Hibernian and St Johnstone winger Glenn Middleton. Loan spells have expired for goalkeeper Jack Walton, top goalscorer Sam Dalby, plus Luca Stephenson, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Allan Campbell, Lewis Fiorini and Ruari Paton. United also confirmed the departure of Tony Watt, who spent the majority of his final season on loan with Motherwell. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Valakari delighted to have St Johnstone backing to lead Championship charge
Simo Valakari expressed his gratitude at being given the green light to lead St Johnstone's rebuild as they look to bounce back from relegation. Saints' demotion to the William Hill Championship, ending their 16-year stay in Scotland's top flight, was officially confirmed on Wednesday night after their 2-1 defeat at Hearts. Owner Adam Webb provided some clarity on Thursday when he released a statement confirming that Saints will back Valakari and that the Finn – appointed manager last October – was 'just getting started on the project to return St Johnstone to its glory days'. 'It meant everything to me,' Valakari said of receiving such emphatic backing. 'The first day he signed me, he put faith in me and I feel it most that I could not do it (keep St Johnstone up). 'We're all disappointed about the results, all disappointed about the outcomes. Of course, we need to understand that nothing is guaranteed in football. That's why, yes, it was good from our club, from Adam, to make it clear again that this is what we are, that's where we go and now we start working on it.' Valakari explained that Saints are intent on committing to a long-term plan to revive the club after four consecutive seasons struggling in the bottom six of the Premiership since their stunning cup double in 2021. 'When I first came here, we already started to work on two sides,' said Valakari. 'We had this short term that we wanted to stay in the Premiership. I need to be very, very clear, we wanted really badly to stay in the Premiership and do the rebuilding in the Premiership. 'We could not do it, so now we are in the Championship and the rebuilding continues. On the football side, all the aspects of the club have been together, but now because we know where we are, we can open it. We only have one plan and we start working towards it.' Saints looked like they might be about to take their fight to the last day of the season until rivals Ross County scored a stoppage-time equaliser away to Dundee following a hotly debated penalty. Valakari was of no mind to make an issue of the goal that ultimately sealed his side's fate, saying 'no excuses, we were not good enough'. 'Believe it or not, I have not watched the penalty (at Dens Park),' he said. 'I have not seen it because, as I always said, I look first in the mirror and I look at myself. I had enough games to do it right, so I have not even looked at what happened there.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Motherwell pipped by Rangers to pitch of the season as Fir Park surface 'highly commended'
The Steelmen have been recognised in the inaugural Motherwell's Fir Park pitch has been recognised as one of the best in the country in the William Hill Premiership Pitch of the Season awards. The North Lanarkshire side installed a hybrid pitch in 2022 after significant investment and their efforts over the last few years have led to them being 'highly commended' by the SPFL in the awards' inaugural season. The home of Rangers, Ibrox Stadium, came out on top in the ratings, with Aberdeen's Pittodrie surface also high commended alongside the Steelmen. Motherwell chief executive, Brian Caldwell, said: 'This is recognition for all the hard work Alan [Carlin], Derek [Young] and their team put in, on a daily basis, to maintain the playing surface at Fir Park. 'It's great that they have been recognised for their exceptionally hard work. The pitch has been in magnificent condition for the entirety of the season, and that is a credit to their efforts and dedication. 'With the pitches now being monitored by the SPFL's pitch consultants, Propitch, this has raised the standards of all the grass pitches across the top-flight. There has been significant work and expenditure to achieve and maintain the high standards we have set for our playing surface. It's great news that this has been recognised.' Head Groundsman, Alan Carlin, added: 'I want to thank Derek Young, James Gray, Steven Drummond and all the staff who help us on matchdays for their continued hard work to maintain the playing surface at Fir Park and at the training facilities. 'They work around the clock, all year round, to ensure the players have a professional pitch to play football on at the weekend. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Brian Caldwell and the Executive Board for their continued support, which has allowed me to purchase the correct appliances. 'Although the season is drawing to a close, the work begins to ramp up for us during the off-season. This is the part many people don't see behind the scenes, and it shows the dedication the staff at the club have to producing a surface they can be proud of. "It's nice for everyone to receive this recognition, as it's thoroughly deserved.' A statement from the SPFL read: "Rangers, Aberdeen and Motherwell have all been recognised in the inaugural year of the SPFL's partnership with ProPitch. "In a bid to drive up standards of the natural and hybrid pitches in the William Hill Premiership, the league began working with the leading pitch consultancy firm at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. "Based on data from three pitch assessments over the course of the campaign, ProPitch awarded Rangers with the William Hill Premiership Pitch of the Season prize. Aberdeen and Motherwell received a highly commended award for their surfaces. "The SPFL's partnership with ProPitch has been extended and will also include William Hill Championship clubs in season 2025/26."
Scotsman
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Neil Lennon future addressed as Dunfermline release statement on ex-Celtic and Hibs boss
Pars in talks with manager over extended stay Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Dunfermline Athletic hope to keep manager Neil Lennon at the club for next season after securing their safety in the Championship. Former Celtic and Hibs boss Lennon took over at East End Park on a short-term deal for the final seven games of the season after Michael Tidser's brief spell in charge. A 15-point deduction for Hamilton eased relegation fears and Dunfermline finished seventh in the William Hill Championship after taking eight points from a possible 21. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Neil Lennon guided Dunfermline to safety this season. | SNS Group Chairman David Cook has revealed that negotiations are under way with Lennon and his assistant Ian Brunskill about retaining the Northern Irishman for longer. The Pars have lofty ambitions after being taken over by James Bord and Evan Sofer. Cook, who revealed league attendances at East End Park this season were the highest for 18 years, said in a statement: 'Undoubtedly, the appointment of Neil Lennon has played a big part in the club and fans feeling more connected for the run in. Lennon feels the love 'His management skills along with his stature, values and character played a significant role in helping us get the points we needed to stay up. We have all loved having him at the club. 'Negotiations always take time, but talks are progressing, and we are hopeful that we can put something in place for a future with Neil and his assistant Iain Brunskill. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Neil's initial appointment and the subsequent desire to extend his stay does give an indication to the scale of the ambition for your club under our new owners, James Bord and Evan Sofer. Victor Wanyama joined Dunfermline on a short-term deal. | SNS Group 'James and Evan continue to participate in the day-to-day running of the business and are deeply engaged in our club. It's a pleasure working with them and seeing that we share the same ambition and desire to improve our fortunes.'
Edinburgh Reporter
07-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
KDM Group named as new title sponsor of revamped Challenge Cup
The SPFL has agreed a multi-year deal with the Scottish based, internationally operating construction firm as the league reveals further details of its new competition format and a record-breaking prize pot. The title partnership marks another milestone in KDM Group's growing and significant support of Scottish football alongside their Soccer Centre partnership with the Scottish FA and stadium sponsorship of Dunfermline Athletic's KDM Group East End Park. The competition logo, also revealed today, features the illustration of the brand-new competition trophy which has been commissioned by the SPFL and KDM Group to celebrate this exciting new era for one of Scottish football's best loved competitions. The final trophy will be unveiled this summer, in time for the tournament's kick off. An estimated £1.25 million in prize money will be shared with clubs for the 2025/26 KDM Evolution Trophy – an increase of more than 50% on this year's competition. Next season's winners will receive £150,000, with increased prize money at every stage in the competition. Competition format changes were confirmed earlier in the year alongside a new Scottish FA Cooperation System, which is designed to strengthen youth development in the Scottish game. The new set-up will continue to include William Hill Premiership B teams in support of the Scottish FA's aim to provide more opportunities for players in the key 'transition phase' of ages 16-21, as they move from the academy environment to senior football. In a further move to allow the best young players in the country to experience first-team football at an earlier age, youth prospects aged 15 will now be eligible to participate in the competition. The new format includes an opening round league phase and was inspired by UEFA's new club competition formats. The first round league phase will comprise 10 William Hill League 1 clubs, 10 William Hill League 2 clubs, and 10 William Hill Premiership B-teams. Clubs participating in the league phase of the competition will be split into three pots by division and regionalised into North and South sections, reducing travel costs for clubs and supporters across six league phase matchdays. Points gained by clubs across six league phase matchdays will feed into a single league table, with the top 22 clubs qualifying for the seeded knock-out Round of 32. William Hill Championship clubs will enter the competition from the Round of 32 as seeded clubs, alongside clubs finishing in the top six of the league phase, with the remainder of the competition following a traditional knock-out format. Neil Doncaster, group chief executive of the SPFL, said: 'We are really pleased to welcome KDM Group as the title sponsor for the KDM Evolution Trophy from season 2025/26, and to announce a significant rise in prize money for next season's competition. 'KDM Group is a highly-respected and well-established firm in Scotland, the UK and beyond, and have already demonstrated a passion for Scottish football. They have a proud history of supporting our national sport and thislong-term deal isreally positive newsfor all 42 member clubs. 'We're confident the new competition format will help develop some of our most promising players across the country. Allowing players to compete at a high level from the age of 15 will pay dividends for them, for their clubs and ultimately, for the national side.' The changes to the KDM Evolution Trophy format were made following lengthy consultation with SPFL clubs and the launch of a Scottish FA Transition Phase report last year which sought to establish trends in successful player development from across the world, and those recommendations fed into discussions with clubs, the SPFL and Scottish FA. William Hill Premiership B-teams will play all league phase matches away from home in a further move to reduce travel costs for William Hill League 1 and League 2 clubs and their supporters. Clubs participating in the league phase will also be permitted to play a limited number of trialists to support squad management in the early stages of the season. Doncaster added: 'We've had long discussions with our member clubs and the Scottish FA about this new competition format and we've also introduced some key principles to reduce travel time and costs, particularly for William Hill League 1 and 2 clubs. 'We would lastly like to thank the SPFL Trust and the donors who support them, who have been fantastic supporters of this competition for the last four seasons.' KDM Group offers a variety of construction services to blue chip clients across the UK and Europe, which includes delivery of services such as: general contractor, interior fit-out, mechanical and electrical, manufacturing and design. The company is based in Dalgety Bay, Fife, with regional offices and operations throughout the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Republic of Ireland. Iain Jones, Chief Executive of KDM Group, said: 'We're incredibly proud to support the launch of this exciting new football competition and to see the KDM Evolution Trophy come to life. The name reflects the evolution of our business, from a smallshopfitting company to a leading international brand. It mirrors the journey of this tournament and the aspiring players it supports. Our investment in football spans all levels of the game, from grassroots to the professional stage. 'Through our KDM Group Soccer Centres, we provide primary-aged schoolgirls access to the game whilst having fun, helping to grow the game from the ground up. We've previously been the official partner of the Scottish Cup and are proud sponsors of the Scotland Women's National Team & Dunfermline Athletic FC. 'This new tournament is another step forward, providing a platform for talent to grow and evolve, just as we have.' The full schedule of prize monies for the KDM Evolution Trophy is set out below: Winner – £150,000 Runner up – £100,000 Losing semi-finalists – £75,000 Losing quarter-finalists – £50,000 Round of 16 losers – £40,000 Round of 32 losers – £30,000 1st round (league phase) losers – £15,000-18,500 (depending on final league position) A summary of key competition dates is set out below: League Phase MD1: 12/13 August 2025 League Phase MD2: 26/27 August 2025 League Phase MD3: 6/7 September 2025 League Phase MD4: 23/24 September 2025 League Phase MD5: 11/12 October 2025 League Phase MD6: 11 November 2025 Round of 32: 9/10 December 2025 Round of 16: 6/7 January 2026 Quarter Final: 27/28 January 2026 Semi Final: 24/25 February 2026 Final: 28/29 March 2026 / 4/5 April 2026 Like this: Like Related
