Former Swansea City coach Nelson Jardim will lead Newport County into the new League Two season.

Portuguese-born Jardim has been confirmed as the club's head coach, having initially joined the Exiles as a “lead coach” earlier this month.

When Jardim originally joined the coaching staff, Newport said they would "continue its search for a new head coach" following the departure of former boss Graham Coughlan in June.

But Newport chairman Huw Jenkins has now told the club website: “One or two matters needed to be discussed and agreed during the last few weeks before this announcement could be confirmed.

“Leaving his young family in Madeira (Portugal) to move to Newport and take up this challenge was a big decision for him to make. The club also needed written confirmation of Nelson’s settled status in the UK, which we have now received.”

Jardim has already taken charge of pre-season preparations at the League Two club and a 4-1 victory in the traditonal opening friendly at local side Undy.

“Nelson has made a big impact at Newport County over recent weeks, not only with the staff and players, but he has also been instrumental in helping to bring a strong, positive feel around the club," added Jenkins.

“Hopefully today’s update will allow everyone connected to the club from the staff, players and supporters to fully focus on the exciting new season ahead.’’


Former Swansea chairman Jenkins knows Jardim well from his time in west Wales. Jardim initially joined the Swans as a coach in 2009 under manager Paulo Sousa, before following the former Champions League winner to Leicester City a year later.

Jardim was assistant manager at LigaPro side Nacional before heading back to Swansea in 2017 as a lead Academy coach. He later served as a first-team coach under Francesco Guidolin, Paul Clement and Carlos Carvahal.

Following his departure from the Swans in 2020, Jardim was part of Aitor Karanka's coaching set-up at Birmingham City and then returned home to Portugal to manage Maritimo B.

At Newport, Jardim’s backroom team includes assistant head coach Dafydd Williams, goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman, head of performance Scott Wickens (strength and conditioning) and head analyst Connor McGaharan. Club legends David Pipe and Mark O’Brien will also remain part of the first team set-up.

Newport have also appointed Triston Jenkins as a new head physiotherapist. He will oversee the club’s medical department following extensive experience in the NHS, Swansea City Academy, Haverfordwest County and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Newport continue their pre-season build-up with a Tuesday night friendly at Pontypridd United.

At the club and on here

Change won't happen immediately, probably not even soon (ie before Scottish Elections in 2026).

There will be a definite change the in attitude of the Government, but will it make any positive difference to the general public?

Burnley have appointed former England midfielder Scott Parker as their new head coach on a three-year deal.

Parker, 43, succeeds Belgian Vincent Kompany who joined Bayern Munich despite relegation from the Premier League last season.

Parker has been out of work since March 2023, having been sacked by Belgian side Club Bruges after winning only two of his 12 games in charge.

After leading Fulham and Bournemouth from the Championship into the Premier League, Parker will be aiming to do the same with the Clarets.

“I’m really pleased to be here," Parker said.

"I have been speaking with Burnley for some time now which has been a positive thing as I’ve now got a real feel for the people around the club.

“To be around the training ground now you start to get that feeling again and I can’t wait to get on the training field and start work.

“For us to be successful this year is the most important thing. We have to win and build a team the fans and club can be proud of. This team can represent every single one of them in that aspect and that’s the aim.”

Parker held a second round of talks with Burnley officials this week and emerged as the preferred candidate.

The Lancashire club also held talks with former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, as well as ex-England midfielder Frank Lampard.

“His vision for the future aligns with our goals and ambitions of returning to the Premier League as soon as possible," Burnley chairman Alan Pace added.

“His track record of success along with a commitment to developing young talent makes him an ideal fit.”

“We are confident he can lead us to new heights and continue to build on the solid foundations laid at Turf Moor.”

Burnley begin their 2024-25 Championship campaign with a visit to Luton on Monday, 12 August.

It was a game of two halves for Hibs against Edinburgh City today, with different sides in each half. Hibs won 5-0 with goals from Chris Cadden, Dylan Levitt and Harry McKirdy in the first half, plus Reuben McAllister and Josh Campbell in the second.

Hibs now travel to The Netherlands for a week-long training camp, where they play MSV Duisburg and PAOK.

Wealdstone have signed former Watford, Crystal Palace and Jamaica defender Adrian Mariappa.

The 37-year-old left Salford City last month and has played more than 500 games in a 19-year career that has seen him also play for Reading, Bristol City and Burton Albion.

He has featured more than 60 times for Jamaica featuring in the Concacaf Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

"Adrian has a fantastic pedigree and for us to secure his signature is a huge bonus for the football club," Stones manager Matt Taylor told the club website.

"He will be a big character within the squad and his leadership skills will be vital for the upcoming season."

The SPL fixtures have been published, with our first one against St Mirren away on Saturday 4 August. The first one at Easter Road will be on Sunday 11 August against Celtic - no doubt it's on the Sunday because it'll be a TV game. The first Edinburgh Derby is on Saturday 26 October.

The full list is here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/tea...es/2024-08

Likely to be short as per usual



At least we are at home

Posh with a capital P for starters. Might as well get it out of the way early ....

Huddersfield Town League One fixtures 2024/25
*Asterisks indicate games set for international dates that may end up being moved depending on call-ups

Sat 10 August: Peterborough (a) (theo)

Tue 13 August: Morecambe (h) (EFL Cup rd 1) (Snooty)

Sat 17 August: Stevenage (h) (Snooty)

Sat 24 August: Shrewsbury (h) (jjamez)

Tue 27 August: Walsall (a) (EFL Cup rd 2) (jjamez)

Sat 31 August: Rotherham (a) (theo)

Tue 3 September: Doncaster (a) (EFL Trophy North Group F) (Snooty)

Sat 14 September: Bolton (a) (Snooty)

Tue 17 September: (EFL Cup rd 3)

Sat 21 September: Northampton (h) (jjamez)

Tue 24 September: Blackpool (h) (theo)

Sat 28 September: Reading (a) (Snooty)

Tue 1 October: Birmingham (a) (Snooty)

Sat 5 October: Barnsley (h) (Snooty)

Tue 8 October: Barnsley (h) (EFL Trophy North Group F) (Snooty)

Sat 19 October: Bristol Rovers (h) (Amelia)

Tue 22 October: Wrexham (a) (jjamez)

Sat 26 October: Exeter (h) (jjamez)

Tue 29 October: (EFL Cup rd 4)

Sat 2 November: Tamworth (a) (FA Cup rd 1) (jjamez)

Sat 9 November: Crawley (a) (Snooty)

Tue 12 November: Man Utd u21s (h): (EFL Trophy North Group F) (Snooty)

Sat 23 November: Charlton (h) (jjamez)

Tue 26 November: Leyton Orient (a) (theo)

Sat 30 November: (FA Cup rd 2)

Tue 3 December: Wigan (h) (Snooty)

Sat 7 December: Mansfield (a) (theo)

Tue 10 December: Bolton (a) (EFL Trophy round 2) (Snooty)

Sat 14 December: Lincoln (h) (jjamez)

Tue 17 December: (EFL Cup quarter final)

Fri 20 December: Cambridge (a) (theo)

Thu 26 December: Stockport (h) (jjamez)

Sun 29 December: Burton (h) (theo)

Wed 1 January: Wigan (a) (Snooty)

Sat 4 January: Rotherham (h) (Snooty)

Tue 7 January: Wycombe (a) (theo)

Tue 7 January: (EFL Cup semi final 1st leg)

Sat 11 January: Shrewsbury (a) or (FA Cup rd 3) (Snooty)

Sat 18 January: Blackpool (a) (jjamez)

Sat 25 January: Bolton (h) (Snooty)

Tue 28 January: Birmingham (h) (Snooty)

Sat 1 February: Northampton (a) (Amelia)

Tue 4 February: (EFL Cup semi final 2nd leg)

Sat 8 February: Reading (h) or (FA Cup rd 4) (theo)

Sat 15 February: Barnsley (a) (Snooty)

Tue 18 February: Shrewsbury (a) (Snooty)

Sat 22 February: Peterborough (h) (jjamez)

Tue 25 February: Wigan (a) (Snooty)

Sat 1 March: Stevenage (a) (Amelia) or (FA Cup rd 5)

Tue 4 March: Wrexham (h) (theo)

Sat 8 March: Bristol Rovers (a) (jjamez)

Sat 15 March: Crawley (h) (theo)

Sun 16 March: (EFL Cup Final)

Sat 29 March: Charlton (a) or (FA Cup quarter final) (theo)

Tue 1 April: Lincoln (a) (Amelia)

Sat 5 April: Mansfield (h) (jjamez)

Tue 8 April: Wycombe (h) (Snooty)

Sat 12 April: Burton (a) (theo)

Sun 13 April: (EFL Trophy Final)

Fri 18 April: Cambridge (h) (Snooty)

Mon 21 April: Stockport (a) (theo)

Sat 26 April: Exeter (a) or (FA Cup semi final) (Snooty)

Sat 3 May: Leyton Orient (h) (Snooty)

Sat 17 May: FA Cup Final

Pick your favourites for the not so cheap train tickets.