I just think we’ve signed a real gem of a player here. He’s good now but, assuming we can keep hold of him, I believe he’ll be outstanding

Gillingham are set to appoint Shrewsbury Town head coach Gareth Ainsworth as their new manager to replace John Coleman.

The Gills are 19th in League Two and only brought in Coleman in January on a deal until the end of the season.

The former Accrington Stanley boss has managed just two wins in his 14 games at the helm.

Former Wycombe Wanderers boss Ainsworth, 51, has only been in charge at Shrewsbury since November, taking over a side that was bottom of League One.

Having won five and lost 12 of his 22 games in charge, he is set to move down a division, with Shrewsbury still bottom and 14 points from safety with nine matches to play.

Ainsworth will become Gills' fifth different manager in 18 months after Neil Harris, Stephen Clemence, Mark Bonner and Coleman.

It's fair to say this news has well and truly caught the club by surprise.

Gareth Ainsworth had talked about wanting to build something special at Shrewsbury over a long period of time, as he did at Wycombe.

The constant message was he loved Shrewsbury and the short-term pain was worth it for the long-term gain.

BBC Radio Shropshire understands Shrewsbury fought tooth and nail to keep Ainsworth after being approached by Gillingham, to the extent he was offered a two -year extension no matter what league they are in.

They also tried to keep Ainsworth until the end of the season, but the release clause was triggered and now the decision has been made with the news expected to be confirmed imminently.

Reformed Nuneaton Town have begun their intended journey back to the top of English football's non-league pyramid by winning promotion at the first attempt.

Loyiso Recci, James Harrison and Louis Baker scored the goals in a 3-1 win at Kirby as they won the Midland Football League Division One with three games to spare.

It matches the achievements of Leicestershire side Quorn FC, who won the Northern Premier League Midlands title, and Robbie Savage's Macclesfield, who took the Northern Premier League Premier Division title with six games to spare, as the earliest teams to clinch promotion this season.

Nuneaton, who have 99 points, the highest anywhere in the country, while their tally of 118 goals from 39 games makes them joint top scorers in English football, along with Bury FC.

The achievements of joint managers Russell Dodd and Darren Acton in breezing through the league with only two defeats, having taken over with no players signed up, is also a happy short-term outcome to the journey the club have been on since running into major financial problems last season.

"It is nice to see so many smiles again," club legend Acton told BBC Sport. "This is only the beginning. I hope we can go onto even better things.

"This was just testament to the lads and how hard they've worked. And the support from the fans has been unbelievable. Without them this club wouldn't be possible."

Nuneaton Borough were originally formed in 1899, but reformed in 1937 and again in 1991, before being recreated as a phoenix club in 2008 after Borough were liquidated.

The club, founding members of the first national non-league in 1979, were allowed to resume playing under the old Boro name again but, after withdrawing from the Southern League Premier Division Central in January 2024, were wound up by His Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

But, after being placed back in the 10th tier, they have now overcome two challenges this season, moving the club back up a level, whilst also generating further funds to cover the costs of finding a home back in Nuneaton.

Currently on a two-year rental deal at nearby Bedworth United, they have generated £40,000, mostly off the back of surplus gate receipts from their above-average following.

"Everyone's played a part, the board, the volunteers, the players, the management, the kitman and the physio, but especially the fans," agreed Dodd. "They've been with us home and away. We're one family. The league title is for us all.

"When we got offered the job, we did not have one player. Within the month we built a squad of about 25 for pre-season training, which we reduced to 20. It was selection game-by-game until we found our settled team and formation.


"As the season continued we kept the good run of winning games. Only losing twice is a massive credit to the lads. Since we last lost we're on a 17-game winning streak. We have that winning mentality."

The club have already started feasibility studies for a ground back in Nuneaton - one with the potential to host crowds close to 1,000 at every home game.

The club expect to be placed in the United Counties League Premier next season rather than the Midland Football League Premier, but they will not find out until the allocations are announced by the Football Association in June.

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



Division One table after Matchday 11:

1. neonfoxinthebox = 197 pts
   
2. jjamez = 179 pts
   
3. Baggiebob(BBB) = 169 pts
   
4. themaclad = 164 pts
   
5. Lord Snooty = 156 pts
   
6. St Charles Owl = 146 pts
   

Saturday 29th March:
Charlton v Town
Town scorers:
Charlton scorers:

Tuesday 1st April:
Lincoln v Town
Town scorers:
Lincoln scorers:

Barnsley v Exeter City
Blackpool v Reading
Burton Albion v Leyton Orient
Cambridge United v Wrexham
Crawley Town v Peterborough United
Mansfield Town v Charlton Athletic
Northampton Town v Rotherham United
Stockport County v Stevenage
Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town
Bristol Rovers v Birmingham City (20:00)

Bonus matches:
FA Cup quarter finals:
Saturday:
Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest (17:15)

Sunday:
Preston North End v Aston Villa (13:30)

Championship:
Saturday:
Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

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

1. ritchiebaby = 199 pts
   
2. theo_luddite = 174 pts
   
3. Devongone = 172 pts
   
4. SHEP_HTAFC = 164 pts
   
5. Amelia Chaffinch = 133 pts
   
6. WakeyTerrier = 122 pts
   

Thursday 27th March:
Leyton Orient v Stevenage (20:00)

Saturday 29th March:
Charlton v Town
Town scorers:
Charlton scorers:

Stockport County v Burton Albion (12:30)
Birmingham City v Shrewsbury Town
Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers
Bristol Rovers v Mansfield Town
Cambridge United v Northampton Town
Exeter City v Wrexham
Reading v Peterborough United
Rotherham United v Crawley Town
Wigan Athletic v Barnsley
Wycombe Wanderers v Lincoln City

Tuesday 1st April:
Lincoln v Town
Town scorers:
Lincoln scorers:

Bonus matches:
FA Cup quarter finals:
Saturday:
Fulham v Crystal Palace (12:15)

Sunday:
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City (16:30)

Scottish Premiership:
Saturday:
Hibernian v St. Johnstone

League Two:
Barrow v Chesterfield

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

Port Vale 3-0 Barrow
Carlisle 2-2 MKDons

Whow.
If I was ever going to use the word "underwhelmed', it would be to describe England - yet again - last night.
I guess it will take a while for our new man to completely free the team of the mental shackles that were securely fastened by Mr Southgate.....
... OR... is there something sinister going on? Is Agent Tuchel also secretly employed by the German FA?

Reading owner Dai Yongge has been given a deadline of 4 April to sell the club after he was disqualified under the EFL's Owners' and Directors' Test.

The date imposed by the English Football League emerged at a hearing at the Commercial Court in London on Friday, where Yongge was trying to get an injunction against ex-Wycombe owner Rob Couhig - who he claimed was blocking his attempt to sell the Royals.

The request for a mandatory injunction was not granted by judge Mr Justice Jacobs.

"Following its disclosure in open court earlier today, the League can confirm that Mr Yongge has been recently disqualified under the EFL's Owners' and Directors' Test," the EFL said in a statement.

"The disqualification requires Mr Yongge to divest his interests in the club, and in the event that he fails to do so within the agreed timeframe, the League will consider all options available within its regulations to bring the matter to a conclusion.

"The League continues to work closely with Reading FC to progress a sale of the club at the earliest opportunity, in order to end the current uncertainty surrounding its future for its staff, supporters and wider community."

In court on Friday, Yongge argued he is unable to sell while Couhig - who previously tried to buy the club - and his securities remain in place.

The Royals announced they had entered into a period of exclusivity with an unnamed party over a potential takeover late last month.

At the time, they said they were optimistic the deal could be completed quickly and it would be "for the benefit of all concerned".

A number of attempted takeovers - including Couhig's - have fallen through since Yongge committed to a letter of intent to sell the club last March.

Reading are eighth in League One, two points off a play-off place, following a 10-game unbeaten run.

Reading 'committed to working with EFL'
Following Friday's hearing the Royals issued a statement, external saying they would work with Couhig and the EFL to find a resolution.

"The club acknowledges the judge's clear indication that the parties should find a solution to the current impasse regarding the sale of the club by way of its owners providing alternative security or a payment into escrow," the statement said.

"To allow a sale to proceed, the club looks forward to working with Mr Couhig to resolve this element of his claim.

"Mr Dai remains committed to working with the EFL to sell the club and secure its long-term future."

Reading could face 'new level of ridiculous' in long-running saga
BBC Radio Berkshire's Reading commentator Tim Dellor:

Do Reading fans feel reassured or less confident following today's court hearing?

Most will be left feeling more anxious and uncertain. The hearing gave us more questions than answers.

Reading's plight has been ramped up. Had the judge issued the injunction the club sale could have been relatively easy to envisage.

We would be closer to Dai Yongge leaving the stage, and the club would have been able to move on from years of uncertainty.

Instead, with Rob Couhig's securities remaining in place, and Yongge's seemingly obstinate refusal to sell to him, or anyone else, while they are in place it seems the impasse remains.

The really worrying message from the hearing came from the EFL.

For months there have been calls from some quarters to disqualify Yongge from ownership - which they have now done.

By 4 April Reading will need to be sold, or they will be told they can't play any games while Yongge is still at the helm.

Reading have never had any success in play-off campaigns previously, so to finish in the top six but then not be permitted to even take part would be a new level of ridiculous in this long-running saga.

Reading 'don't have any excuses now' - reaction
Reading fan and SellBeforeWeDai campaigner Caroline Parker

It feels like something big is about to happen and we could be at end game.

It is mixed emotions because we don't know what the future holds, the fact the judge has cleared a path for a sale and said that the side issue with Rob Couhig can be resolved separately to the sale is really positive news.

The club don't have any excuses now to not get a sale done.

There is clarity now but the problem is that we don't know what to think, we're often left in the dark and left to piece the jigsaw ourselves.

We still have a lot of questions as to what will be the final date and what action the EFL will take but we just hope we can get a new owner, we have all had enough.

Please, can this be the beginning of the end of Dai Yongge at Reading.

Crawley Town have appointed Scott Lindsey as their manager for a second spell on a deal until June 2028.

Lindsey previously spent 20 months as manager of the Sussex club, leading them to promotion from League Two last May before he dropped down a division in September to take charge at MK Dons.

The 52-year-old returns to Crawley two days after they sacked his replacement, Rob Elliot.

The club are 22nd in League One, 12 points from safety and facing an immediate return to the fourth tier after only one season.

"We are very excited to welcome Scott back to Crawley Town," said chairman Preston Johnson.

"We all love the culture and commitment he brings to the club and the game. We're striving for success at the highest levels of English football and to strengthen relationships with our fans and the broader community.

"Our lead investors are committed to a long-term vision, and Scott Lindsey is essential

Assistant Louis Storey, who had been made interim head coach following Elliott's departure, and fellow coaches Anthony Sweeney and Steve Hafner have all left the club.

Lindsey has appointed Neil Smith - who leaves his role in charge of Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers - as his assistant manager, with his first game back in charge set to be Saturday's match at home to fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers.

Lindsey was sacked by MK Dons on 2 March after just five months in charge, having lost 11 of 16 matches and picking up only nine points from a possible 48 to drop to 17th in the League Two table.

In his first spell at Crawley he took the club to the third tier for the first time since 2015, following an 8-1 thrashing of MK Dons in the play-offs, before they beat Crewe 2-0 in the Wembley final.

Lindsey was in charge for 87 Crawley games, winning 36 and losing 35.