The joy first game on a Friday night

The National League has this evening released the following statement regarding Southend United Football Club.
The National League continues to be concerned about Southend United Football Club’s ability to fulfil its financial obligations for the forthcoming National League Season.


The Club has for several months been the subject of a winding up petition (a further hearing of which is scheduled for this week) and, on 20 June 2024, filed its accounts for the year to 31 July 2023 which underscore and amplify the concerns expressed previously by the League.

Accordingly, the National League has today advised Southend United Football Club that as a result of the Club’s failure to provide the League with detailed, objective and independent evidence that the Club has sufficient funds to meet its financial obligations for the forthcoming National League season, and in light of previously-expressed concerns (underscored by the most recently-filed accounts), the Club will be required to post a bond of £1million, which will be held in escrow to the order of the League.

The bond shall remain in place until the sooner of (i) an ownership agreement with the consortium currently in talks with the Club being successfully concluded, to the satisfaction of the National League and the FA; or (ii) the Club demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the National League, that is has sufficient financial resources within its own means to meet its financial obligations for the forthcoming Season.

In the event that the Club fails to post the Bond in accordance with the requirements that have been communicated to the Club, the National League Board will meet again to consider further sanctions against the Club.


The decision is subject to the right of appeal to The Football Association.

Birmingham's request to play Wrexham league game in the States turned down by EFL.

The many like me who can only make Saturday afternoon games due to having to travel down to the shrine on public transport from well out of the area, we have been well and truly shafted next season. We know that 24 of our games are due to be broadcast live next season, we also know that only the first days games are allowed to be shown in the Saturday 3.00 p.m. slot. Obviously this means that 23 of our games are not Saturday 3.00 p.m. kick offs. T.V. money talks louder than the fans loyalty I guess

Sunderland have appointed Lorient boss Regis Le Bris as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

The 48-year-old Frenchman, who will officially take over on 1 July, replaces Michael Beale, who was sacked in February after less than three months in charge.

Le Bris spent two seasons in charge of Lorient, guiding them to 10th in Ligue 1 in his first campaign before they finished 17th and were relegated last season.

The Black Cats finished 16th in the Championship in 2023-24.

"I'm certainly here to pass on my energy and my convictions, but also to listen and learn," Le Bris told the club website following his appointment., external

"I want us to bring joy to our fans, not only through results, but also through our style of play, and I'm convinced that with commitment and hard work, we can write an exciting new chapter."

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said Le Bris was a "talented coach, who is thoughtful and detailed in his approach and values strong relationships with players and staff".

"He is aligned with delivering our playing identity and he shares our ambition to win, as well as our passion for talent development," Speakman added.

Sunderland had been linked with a move for 31-year-old Englishman Will Still but he took over at Lens earlier this month after leaving fellow Ligue 1 side Reims.

The Wearsiders finished sixth in their first season back in the second tier in 2022-23 under Tony Mowbray but were beaten by Luton in the play-off semi-final.

Mowbray was sacked last December with Sunderland ninth in the table and successor Beale was gone after just 12 matches as they fell away from top-six contention.

They ended the campaign a distant 17 points adrift of the play-off places under the caretaker charge of coach Mike Dodds.

We're going on holiday on Monday.
Suggestions for a mixed tape or, in modern parlance, spotify playlist?

AUS vs BAN, Match 44, Super 8 Group 1, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
Match Info

• Match: AUS vs BAN, 44th Match, Super 8 Group 1, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
  
• Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
  
• Time: 6:00 AM (Jun 21)
  
• Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
  
• Umpires: Michael Gough, Richard Illingworth
  
• Third Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena
  
• Match Referee: Sir Richie Richardson
  

• Stadium: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
  
• City: North Sound, Antigua
  
• Capacity: 10,000 (20,000 for 2007 World Cup)
  
• Ends: Media Centre End, Pavilion End
  
• Hosts to: Antigua and Barbuda, Leeward Islands
  

• Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
  
• TV: Star Sports Network
  

• Australia: 55%
  
• Bangladesh: 45%
  

• If Australia bats first: 145-155
  
• If Bangladesh bats first: 135-150
  
• Prediction: Australia will win the match.
  

• Mitchell Marsh © - Allrounder
  
• Ashton Agar - Bowler
  
• Pat Cummins - Bowler
  
• Tim David - Middle-Order Batter
  
• Nathan Ellis - Bowler
  
• Cameron Green - Batting Allrounder
  
• Josh Hazlewood - Bowler
  
• Travis Head - Top-Order Batter
  
• Josh Inglis - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Glenn Maxwell - Batting Allrounder
  
• Mitchell Starc - Bowler
  
• Marcus Stoinis - Batting Allrounder
  
• Matthew Wade - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• David Warner - Opening Batter
  
• Adam Zampa - Bowler
  

• Najmul Hossain Shanto © - Top-Order Batter
  
• Taskin Ahmed (vc) - Bowler
  
• Jaker Ali - Batter
  
• Litton Das † - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Mahedi Hasan - Allrounder
  
• Mahmudullah - Allrounder
  
• Mustafizur Rahman - Bowler
  
• Rishad Hossain - Bowler
  
• Shakib Al Hasan - Allrounder
  
• Shoriful Islam - Bowler
  
• Soumya Sarkar - Batting Allrounder
  
• Tanvir Islam - Bowler
  
• Tanzid Hasan - Opening Batter
  
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib - Bowler
  
• Towhid Hridoy - Top-Order Batter
  

• Australia won by 8 wickets
  04-Nov-2021
  
• Bangladesh won by 60 runs
  09-Aug-2021
  
• Australia won by 3 wickets
  07-Aug-2021
  
• Bangladesh won by 10 runs
  06-Aug-2021
  
• Bangladesh won by 5 wickets
  04-Aug-2021
  

• Fast bowlers should expect modest seam movement from the pitch. But for those that work particularly hard, there might be more bounce available.
  
• Although the genuine pace of the game allows batters to have fun after they settle in, spinners may receive some turn.
  
• As has been the case lately, the team that wins the toss will most likely choose to bowl first.
  

• Temperature: 31 degree celsius
  
• Condition: Showers
  
• Precipitation: 40%
  
• Humidity: 74%
  
• Wind: 24 km/h
  

• Australia: W, W, W, W, W
  
• Bangladesh: W, W, L, W, W
  

• David Warner (AUS): 8 M • 321 Runs • 40.13 Avg • 158.12 SR
  
• Travis Head (AUS): 7 M • 250 Runs • 41.67 Avg • 155.27 SR
  
• Towhid Hridoy (BAN): 10 M • 248 Runs • 27.56 Avg • 126.53 SR
  
• Tanzid Hasan (BAN): 9 M • 199 Runs • 24.88 Avg • 122.08 SR
  

• Adam Zampa (AUS): 10 M • 19 Wkts • 8.65 Econ • 11.68 SR
  
• Marcus Stoinis (AUS): 5 M • 11 Wkts • 6.75 Econ • 8.72 SR
  
• Mustafizur Rahman (BAN): 9 M • 20 Wkts • 4.94 Econ • 10.5 SR
  
• Rishad Hossain (BAN): 10 M • 14 Wkts • 6.56 Econ • 14.57 SR
  

• Keeper – Liton Das
  
• Batsmen – David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head (vc)
  
• All-rounders – Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis ©, Rishad Hossain
  
• Bowlers – Adam Zampa, Mustafizur Rahman
  

Rob Elliot has been confirmed as Gateshead manager after his successful tenure as interim boss.

The club have also appointed Louis Storey as his assistant after the pair guided the Heed to a first FA Trophy triumph and sixth place in the National League.

That would have normally meant a place in the play-offs, but they were excluded for not meeting the Football League's ground ownership requirements.

Elliot and Storey were appointed after Mike Williamson left in October 2023 to take over at Milton Keynes Dons, with the team sitting in sixth.

The caretaker management team maintained that position and took them to Wembley with 21 wins from 38 games in all competitions.

Chairman Neil Pinkerton told the club website:, external "It was always our intention to sit down at the end of the season and agree terms, which we have now successfully concluded.

"Rob, Louis and the entire team have been relentless in the off-season, so rest assured that we're very well-placed in terms of our on- and off-field recruitment plans."

An international footballer who also featured in the hit TV show Ted Lasso has been hired as the new manager of Oxford City.

Sam Cox, who still plays for his country Guyana, will lead the club in the National League North, following their relegation from the National League last season.

The 33-year-old joins after a spell as interim manager at Wealdstone - where he helped the club secure National League survival.

He played fictional West Ham United player Armando in season three of the Apple TV show about an American Football coach who gets a job managing in the Premier League.

'Hopefully attractive'
Cox said the show had been a "fantastic experience", adding: "Not in a million years did I think I'd be getting the opportunity to be going on a global TV series."

He has made nearly 350 appearances during his senior football career, with 32 of those coming internationally with Guyana as captain.

He also led his country to their first ever major tournament, the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.

When asked what city fans could expect from him, Cox said: "Positivity - a style and philosophy that is hopefully attractive, and ultimately winning football matches."

"I know where I feel I can get this football club, and I'm going to do my very best to do that," he added.

Cox said he still stays in touch with some of the cast and crew of Ted Lasso, adding: "Who knows, they might even pop down [to Oxford City] one day."

ENG vs WI • 42nd Match, Super 8 Group 2 • ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024

Match Information

• Match: ENG vs WI • 42nd Match, Super 8 Group 2 • ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
  
• Series: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
  
• Date: Tomorrow
  
• Time: 8:30 PM LOCAL, 12:30 AM GMT
  
• Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
  
• Umpires: Rod Tucker, Paul Reiffel
  
• 3rd Umpire: Allahudien Paleker
  
• Referee: David Boon
  

• Stadium: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium
  
• City: Gros Islet, St Lucia
  
• Capacity: 15,000 (increasing to 20,000)
  
• Known As: Beausejour Stadium
  
• Ends: Pavilion End, Media Centre End
  

• Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
  
• TV: Star Sports Network
  

• West-Indies: 58%
  
• England: 42%
  

• If West-Indies bats first: 155-170
  
• If England bats first: 145-160
  
• Prediction: West-Indies will win the match.
  

• Rovman Powell © - Middle Order Batter
  
• Alzarri Joseph (vc) - Bowler
  
• Johnson Charles † - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Roston Chase - Allrounder
  
• Shimron Hetmyer - Top Order Batter
  
• Shai Hope † - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Akeal Hosein - Bowler
  
• Shamar Joseph - Bowler
  
• Brandon King - Top Order Batter
  
• Obed McCoy - Bowler
  
• Gudakesh Motie - Bowler
  
• Nicholas Pooran † - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Andre Russell - Allrounder
  
• Sherfane Rutherford - Middle Order Batter
  
• Romario Shepherd - Bowling Allrounder
  

• Jos Buttler © - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Moeen Ali - Batting Allrounder
  
• Jofra Archer - Bowler
  
• Jonny Bairstow † - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Harry Brook - Batter
  
• Sam Curran - Allrounder
  
• Ben Duckett - Top Order Batter
  
• Tom Hartley - Bowler
  
• Will Jacks - Batting Allrounder
  
• Chris Jordan - Bowler
  
• Liam Livingstone - Batting Allrounder
  
• Adil Rashid - Bowler
  
• Phil Salt † - Wicketkeeper Batter
  
• Reece Topley - Bowler
  
• Mark Wood - Bowler
  

• England Wins: 4
  
• West Indies Wins: 6
  
• 5th T20I, WI vs ENG 2023
  
  • West Indies: 133/6 (19.2 overs)
    
  • England: 132 all out (19.3 overs)
    
  • Result: West Indies won
    
  
  
• 4th T20I, WI vs ENG 2023
  
  • England: 267/3 (20.0 overs)
    
  • West Indies: 192 all out (15.3 overs)
    
  • Result: England won
    
  
  
• 3rd T20I, WI vs ENG 2023
  
  • England: 267/3 (20.0 overs)
    
  • West Indies: 222/6 (20.0 overs)
    
  • Result: England won
    
  
  
• 2nd T20I, WI vs ENG 2023
  
  • England: 226/3 (19.5 overs)
    
  • West Indies: 176/7 (20.0 overs)
    
  • Result: West Indies won
    
  
  
• 1st T20I, WI vs ENG 2023
  
  • West Indies: 172/6 (18.1 overs)
    
  • England: 166/7 (20.0 overs)
    
  • Result: West Indies won
    
  
  

• Total Matches Played: 20
  
• Matches Won Batting First: 10
  
• Matches Won Batting Second: 10
  
• Tied Matches: 0
  
• Matches With No Result: 0
  
• Highest Team Total: 201/6
  
• Lowest Team Total: 105
  
• Highest Total Successfully Chased: 192
  
• Lowest Total Successfully Defended: 146
  
• Average First Innings Total: 163
  

• Temperature: 28 degree celsius
  
• Precipitation: 12%
  
• Humidity: 79%
  
• Wind: 24 km/h
  

• West Indies: W, W, W, W, W
  
• England: W, NR, L, W, W
  

• Brandon King (WI): 9 Matches • 280 Runs • Avg: 31.11 • SR: 142.85
  
• Johnson Charles (WI): 10 Matches • 234 Runs • Avg: 23.4 • SR: 149.04
  
• Phil Salt (ENG): 10 Matches • 409 Runs • Avg: 51.13 • SR: 181.77
  
• Jos Buttler (ENG): 10 Matches • 311 Runs • Avg: 38.88 • SR: 161.13
  

• Gudakesh Motie (WI): 7 Matches • 15 Wickets • Econ: 6.29 • SR: 9.6
  
• Alzarri Joseph (WI): 7 Matches • 12 Wickets • Econ: 7.85 • SR: 13
  
• Adil Rashid (ENG): 10 Matches • 15 Wickets • Econ: 7.37 • SR: 14
  
• Reece Topley (ENG): 6 Matches • 9 Wickets • Econ: 7.31 • SR: 13.22
  

• Wicket-keepers: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Nicholas Pooran
  
• Batters: Brandon King, Jonny Bairstow/Harry Brook
  
• All-rounders: Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd
  
• Bowlers: Mark Wood, Alzarri Joseph, Adil Rashid, Akeal Hosein
  
• Captain: Phil Salt
  
• Vice-Captain: Andre Russell