The retained list has been announced with four players leaving the club.

The club thanks those who are leaving for their service and wishes them well.

This is a summary of the status of all the players in the squad:-


Under contract: Connor Cook, Armando Dobra, Dylan Duffy, Chey Dunkley, Will Grigg, Bailey Hobson, Paddy Madden, Liam Mandeville, Tom Naylor & Ryheem Sheckleford.

In negotiation: Ollie Banks, Ryan Boot, Janoi Donacien, John Fleck, Kyle McFadzean, Ash Palmer & Tyrone Williams.

Leaving the club: Kane Drummond, Michael Jacobs, Ali Mohiuddin & Darren Oldaker.

Contract option triggered: Ryan Colclough, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Lewis Gordon, Jamie Grimes, Liam Jessop & Ashton Rinaldo.

Returning to parent club: Harvey Araujo, Jenson Metcalfe, Michael Olakigbe, Bim Pepple, Jack Sparkes & Max Thompson.

My pointless opinion: The Under Contract section seems pretty lame with only FOUR current first choice players in the list. Leaving the club is difficult to disagree with, Michael Jacobs did well in our promotion season and retains ability, but has hardly been fit this time. Oldaker is a nearly man, not quite good enough in any aspect, Mohiuddin is untried and there must be a reason and Kane Drummond, a player I long advocated signing, seems to have been offered every chance to fail, especially in roles to which he was unsuited and in loans where he appeared unhappy - Mr Cook clearly doesn't fancy him so that is that.

Of those returning to their parent clubs - I'd love us to sign Araujo if we could keep him fit, which we can't, Jenson Metcalfe has been a success I'd like to keep him, Olakigbe is a player of real talent but he was so poor in the play-off game I couldn't make his case, Bim Pepple came having scored goals, works hard and does a job but doesn't look like a goal machine, Jack Sparkes is okay, but there are better raiding full backs out there, Thompson did fine, but wasn't good enough to unseat Ryan Boot so .........

In negotiation worries me. Fleck, McFadzean, Palmer, and sadly Ty Williams should require no negotiation. They are depreciating with every Tik of the Tok. We need newer and younger. Donacien I could like but is he ever fit? Ryan Boot the keeper should be a definite keeper if he'll stay. And Ollie Banks covers a multitude of managerial sins so he should stay if he agrees.

Contract option triggered - Grimes has been a great club man, but the past tense has caught up with him. Colclough has speed, some ability, but the decision-making of a house fly, I couldn't disagree with any outcome, Lewis Gordon, well we could do worse and Sparkes is no better, Daley-Campbell and Jessop would have to be viable playing options to convince me and I don't think so, as would Ashton Rinaldo and would Cookie trust him anyway?

We are in a position in which we could head into a new season with a predominance of dodgy, prematurely-ageing old blokes and a few new signings who on current form might not be much younger. I think a clear-out is indicated, but with the leading figure at the club incurably ill this might not be the time that there is the impetus for it actually to happen. Bob's Board seems to be investing its hopes in a Markanday return, but we need strengthening all over the pitch.

Not sure about this, thinks he is unlucky

Notts County have sacked head coach Stuart Maynard after he failed to guide them to promotion from League Two.

The 44-year-old's 16 months in charge of the Magpies have come to an end five days after the club were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by AFC Wimbledon.

After their second-leg defeat at Plough Lane, Maynard had said he was "confident" about keeping his job under mounting pressure.

Notts' regular season had ended two weeks earlier to the sound of boos from supporters at Meadow Lane as the Magpies were beaten by League Two champions Doncaster Rovers.

It was a game the East Midlands club needed to win to have any chance of snatching an automatic promotion spot on the final day.

They ended up finishing sixth in the table, with a woeful run of just one win from their final eight matches – including the play-offs - costing them dearly in their bid for promotion to League One.

Notts owners Chris and Alex Reedtz said Maynard's sacking came down to those final weeks of the failed campaign.

"After being unable to achieve our aim of winning promotion this season, we share the disappointment felt by everyone connected with the club," the Danish brothers said in a statement.

"While football is a game of fine margins, and Stuart undoubtedly faced numerous challenges over the course of the campaign, neither results nor performances reached the levels we believe the team was capable of - particularly during the defining period towards the end."

Maynard took over at Meadow Lane in January 2024 from Notts' National League promotion-winning boss Luke Williams, who left the club to take charge of Championship side Swansea City.

The job at Notts was Maynard's first in full-time management, having worked part-time as Wealdstone boss while juggling his long-time career as a telecommunications engineer.

His first few months in the role produced 11 defeats and just five wins in 19 games as Notts ended up finishing 14th in the table last season.

By that time, sections of Notts supporters were already calling for him to leave with banners of 'Maynard Out' appearing in the crowd.

His first full season in charge brought about improvements, with Notts' defence transformed from the worst in the division to among its best as they kept up their challenge for promotion to the very end despite their form stalling badly.

Four successive defeats at home, including a 1-0 semi-final first-leg loss to Wimbledon, were just one reason that former Notts striker Mark Stallard said the club had to make "a quick decision" about the future of a boss that "split the fan base".

Notts' owners say "work is well under way" to find Maynard's replacement, with the Reedtz brothers adding that they are "highly optimistic about the club's future".

Kidderminster Harriers have appointed their former midfielder Adam Murray as manager following the sacking of Phil Brown.

The 43-year-old took AFC Fylde into the National League as champions in 2022-23 and Harriers are hoping he can do the same for them after a near-miss under Brown.

Murray left Eastbourne Borough last week after guiding them to a third-placed finish in National League South, just a point off the title. He took that job in January 2024, with Eastbourne 21st, and steered them to safety.

He has also managed Mansfield Town and Boston United, as well as having two spells as caretaker manager at Barnsley.

In addition to a season with Harriers in 2003-04, Murray's playing career also took in Derby County, Notts County, Burton Albion, Mansfield, Carlisle United, Torquay United, Macclesfield Town, Oxford United and Luton Town.

Brown was sacked a fortnight ago after defeat by Southport on the final day of the season cost Kidderminster the National League North title, and they then lost to Chester in the play-off semi-finals.

Club owner Richard Lane said of Murray on the club website, external: "His enthusiasm, commitment and passion for the position came through loudly when we met and his CV, as a player and a manager, speaks for itself."

Great to see Palace's win on Satday.

Up until a year or 2 ago I'd never have wanted a cockney team to win any match against more Northern teams. But now, I'd probably support even a French team against the Moneybags Clubs!

That's not saying Palace wouldn't buy their way to the Top.....or even Albion, for that matter!........ I'll wait and see on that big scenario!!!

Good foundations built by Hibs over the last 6 months to comfortably finish in 3rd place. A terrible start to the season with SDG's head on the chopping block just after Hallowe'en, but by Christmas we (and he) never looked back.

Probably the best bit of today's draw against Radgers was getting them all wound up about the rules. As if they don't see the irony in them, of all people, complaining about the application of the rules.

We have developed a good habit of never giving up when things go against us and give our all in remedying the situation.

It's far too early to anticipate a good European run but things are looking favourable so far.

When I saw the team selected for our second leg of the play-off I immediately switched back to watching Aston Villa. I thought our chances of winning were minimal, but it took only a few seconds of reflection to realise that heading for my 73rd birthday in June I couldn't just desert the club I'd supported all my life. As it turned out the second leg, even in defeat, made me wonder what the hell was going on a few days earlier. We made some changes it is true, but in truth we looked like a wholly different side last night. We passed the ball with apparent purpose. We appeared to have located the opposition's goal. And we seemed to have discovered the determination and spirit that had been previously entirely Walsall's. We lost. Walsall deserved to win. The wonderful Albert Adomah cast aside his zimmer and demonstrated that talent is ageless. And Levi Amantchi notched the winner which was just as things should be. The pitch invasion suggested Walsall should refrain from setting up a branch of Mensa any time soon. The solution to it merely emphasised that the fans were not the only ones who needn't worry about Mensa membership. So the season ends, not with a whimper, but a colourful smoke bomb.

My man of the match, indeed the whole tie went to Simkin the young Walsall keeper, whose goalkeeping was excellent, and whose behaviour was such that at his age he should be sent to the headmaster's study to explain his behaviour. He has it within him to play the game at any level. He was the best player on the pitch twice. He does not need to imitate a "mardy" child, sitting down whimpering and holding his poorly leg, when the obvious motive is simply to waste time. He is too good for that and needs to stop listening to any voices encouraging such behaviour. Imagine Gordon Banks doing that! He played for Stoke City too! Try to emulate him will you, not disgrace his memory!

Player Performances:-

Boot - 7 - did well in both legs, enhanced his reputation
Gordon - 6 - stopped passing back and pushed forward. Looked a player.
McFadzean - 6 - hewn not born. Too old to become creative, he stood as a barrier throughout, nail a sign on him.
Palmer - 5 - the less time he's given the better. Give him a last-ditch tackle, no decision time involved.
Mandeville - 7 - not a full back, but did a job and provided options going forward.
Fleck - 6.5 - didn't do what I expect of a defensive midfielder in front of his centre backs, but provided a couple of class touches and attempted to bring Dobra into the game to the extent of often slotting in behind him.
Naylor - 7 - a warrior, committed to the cause, he worked his socks off and ignored the blood.
Metcalfe - 6.5 - works, tries to create, can see a pass, can miss with one too, but he did more than okay.
Dobra - 7.5 - showed why we are a better team with him than without. Displayed skill and cheek in equal measure. Tried things, took players on, caused trouble and is brave enough to get things wrong sometimes too! Scored.
Banks - 6.5 - quite what his role was meant to be, baffled me, but it also troubled Walsall. Showed skill, caused problems, I'd like to have seen him take a couple of surprise pops at goal to test out the young keeper.
Pepple - 6 - seems permanently on the verge of falling. Turned defenders superbly but having made space always stumbled. Fought his aerial duels bravely, but would have been better served by a traditional wide man.

Sparkes - 6 - came on a sub' and lit up the place with dangerous crosses until Albert Adomah decided to show him some proper football.
Jacobs - 5 - came on too late to show he has genuine class.
Colclough - 5 - showed pace and tried a shot, looked the part, but it was only a bit part.
Grigg - 5 - not much of an opportunity to shine, but did show Pepple how to remain calm and decisive in the box.
Duffy - 4.5 - he's a winger and he tried but he isn't the man to win a cross in defence.

Cook - 6 - Manager. Never achieved full beetroot, his odd selection looked for a while as though it might work. Personally I'd have brought Grimes on with 20 minutes to go. He's a hero time guy who would have died to get on the end of a dead ball and score.

We lost. We tried. We will still be an EFL team next season.

Hull City have parted company with head coach Ruben Selles after six months in charge.

The Spaniard, 41, left League One Reading to replace Tim Walter on a two-and-a-half-year deal in December.

After an inconsistent season they eventually avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the campaign having secured a draw against Portsmouth.

However, chairman Acun Ilicali has chosen to make another managerial change, exactly one year after he sacked Liam Rosenior after they finished seventh in the Championship.

"Following a thorough review of football operations after a challenging campaign, the club feels a change in leadership is necessary to move the team forward in line with our ambitions," a club statement said.

Assistant head coach James Oliver-Pearce and first-team coach Tobias Loveland have also left the club.

Selles had guided Reading to sixth in League One despite their off-field concerns when he left for East Yorkshire on 6 December.

Predecessor Walter had been relieved of his duties the previous week after a run of nine matches without a win.

Selles claimed his first win as Tigers boss with a 2-1 home victory over Swansea on 21 December to end a winless run of 13 matches.

Although they claimed notable results away from home under Selles, including wins at promotion-chasing Sheffield United and Sunderland, they found home wins incredibly hard to come by and ended the season with the worst home record in the division.

Defeats at the MKM Stadium by fellow strugglers Luton and Derby meant they went into the final game of the season in the Championship relegation zone.

Other fixtures meant a win would guarantee their survival and, although they were pegged back at Fratton Park after Matt Crooks had given them the lead, a point proved to be enough to keep them up on goal difference.

After the match Selles told BBC Radio Humberside: "Everyone in the club managed difficult moments and it has been a tough season for everyone and we deserved to stay in the division.

"We had a team that was rock bottom and to achieve the target this season with all the injuries and everything else is just massive.

"Now it's over and we crossed the line, we can rest a little bit and I told the players that we will remember this day for years to come."

2 points for correct result
4 points for correct score
2 points for each correct scorer
Correct joker doubles your score   (correct score on a joker would give you 8 points)
Wrong joker result gives you minus 2
Correct Badger gives you 2 points

The prize for winning the league is one rep point.

Cup games: In the event of a draw, it's half the points if you've predicted a draw when it gets to 90 mins and the full points if it's still a draw after extra time. Half the points will be awarded for correctly predicting the winner of the match if it goes to penalties. However, if you do predict a draw and it's a match that won't be going to a replay, you can get a possible extra point by stating which of the two teams you think will eventually win.

Random score generator: I will be using the random score generator again for those who miss predicting, so we shouldn't get some people too far behind that after missing a couple of weeks they lose all interest, because I know it's not easy getting on here every week.
To be fair to everybody, this is going to be like, say if three people in one week miss their predictions, the first one in the table will be given all 0-0, the second one down the line will get 1-0 and the third will get 0-1 and so on, like if there's four missing the 4th will get 1-1, then 5th 2-1, 6th 1-2. and if there are so many missing, might as well pack in.
And if you miss two weeks on the trot, I'll stop until you come back on again. Not doing it for half a season like I did t'other year.  


At the end of the season, the winner of group 2 and the bottom of group 1 will swap places in what is commonly known as "promotion" and "relegation". It's something that most football fans will be familiar with, unless you're a fan of Liverpool or Arsenal or one of those other fashionable clubs.

The second placed player in group 2 will then have a play off with the player who finishes second from the bottom in group 1 to decide whether they will be going up, down or staying where they are.

We're going to have two seasons in one though, just to try and make it a bit more interesting and not so long drawn out. The first season will end on the Boxing Day fixtures, with the play offs being on the dates of the Twixtmas fixtures and the NYD fixtures.

The second season will start the following week, which is usually the FA Cup 3rd round, finishing on the last game of the League One season. Then another period of relegation/promotion play off games, taking in such fixtures as the EFL play offs, FA Cup Final, UEFA finals and such like.

Each group will have it's own set of fixtures. Both groups will have the Town games, with scorers to predict as before. Then it will be a split of League One fixtures and bonus matches, hopefully around ten, eleven or twelve games per Matchday.

The random badger is restricted to three goal scorers in any of the fixtures in your group.

Here's how that will appear at the end of the fixture list. All you have to do is fill in the blanks.......


*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***

Any of those will score two points if correct. No minus points for getting it wrong.

Postponed matches will only count if the match is re-played before the next Matchday is under way. Abandoned matches will be awarded half the points for the score at the time of abandonment, so 1 point if you have the correct result, 2 points if you have the correct score.

Substitute or scorer in one of the Town games:- These will be only be allowed if you change them before the match involved has kicked off.

Prediction League Archive: https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12830


So we now have a two legged Play Off between St Charles Owl and SHEP_HTAFC. The usual rules apply, but in the case of the match ending in a tie, we will have a tie breaker. That will be to predict the total number of corners in the Wolves v Brentford game. The closest wins. If it's still a tie, the winner will be the one who scored most points over the season, which in that case would be Shep.


Final Division One table for 2025:

1. Baggiebob(BBB) = 302 pts
   
2. neonfoxinthebox = 301 pts
   
3. Lord Snooty = 295 pts
   
4. jjamez = 283 pts
   
5. St Charles Owl = 278 pts
   
6. themaclad = 254 pts
   

1. ritchiebaby = 307 pts
   
2. SHEP_HTAFC = 300 pts
   
3. theo_luddite = 294 pts
   
4. Devongone = 268 pts
   
5. WakeyTerrier = 206 pts
   
6. Amelia Chaffinch = 193 pts
   

Saturday 24th May:
Championship Play Off Final:
Sheffield United v Sunderland (15:00)

Sunday 25th May:
League One Play Off Final:
Leyton Orient v Charlton Athletic (13:00)

Premier League (all 16:00):
AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City
Fulham v Manchester City
Ipswich Town v West Ham United
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Newcastle United v Everton
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
Southampton v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brentford

Tie breaker:
Total number of corners in the Wolves v Brentford game = ??

*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***