At long last, a home match for Hibs!!! We'll see if it makes any difference though!! I see this fixture as a match between two big SPFL clubs that have clearly "lost their way" due to various circumstances; in Hibs case, hammered by injuries, hardly any strikers left while Hibs selling off a prime scoring asset named Martin Boyle. I don't see Hibs winning this game v a poor Dons' team that has has its own probs. Therefore, a draw is my only hope for this match unless a Hibs player crops up from somewhere and scores a "random goal" at ER Stadium, a rare event indeed during an SPFL season in which the whole league has collectively regressed beyond belief. In Hibs case, this particular season is one to forget and we are part of this unimpressive regression where the standard is nowhere near what it should be.

GGTTH

Just watched most of the PL2 semi final against Fulham which the Young Baggies won 2-1. Some really excellent young players in the side and a great performance.

Steve Bruce was there watching. Obviously, he won't select any of them, that goes without saying....I can only assume there was a good selection of pies at half time to make his attendance worthwhile.

Nevertheless, well done Young Baggies

Shrewsbury Town have agreed new contracts with midfielders Josh Vela and Elliott Bennett, whose deals were due to expire this summer.

The club, who finished the season 18th in League One, have not disclosed the length of the deals for either Vela, 28, or Bennett, 33.

The Shrews have offered a new deal to 19-year-old goalkeeper Jaden Bevan.

They have also exercised an option to extend the contract of keeper Harry Burgoyne, 25, by 12 months.

Striker Shaun Walley, defenders Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Arron Pierre, midfielders David Davis and Josh Daniels and goalkeeper Cameron Gregory have been released.

Speaking about the new deals for Vela and Bennett, boss Steve Cotterill told the club website: "I'm delighted that we've agreed a new deal with Josh.

"He's a great lad who was obviously in the team when I first arrived at the club and no matter whether I've been here or when I was away, he's always given maximum effort.

"Elliott is a fantastic character not just in and around the dressing room, he is also an excellent professional when he crosses the white line as well. He gives everything and has shown incredible fitness levels for his age and thoroughly deserves another year."

Bournemouth and Wales winger David Brooks says he is cancer free.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October and has not played for the Cherries since.

"I am delighted to say the treatment was successful and I can now say that I have been given the all clear and am now cancer free," Brooks said.

"Those words feel incredible to say and I am so thankful for all your messages and good wishes, these really helped me through the tough times."

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, an important part of the immune system.

At the time of his diagnosis, Brooks paid particular thanks to the Wales medical team whose "swift attention" had helped detect the illness while he was on international duty for their World Cup qualifiers.

Brooks, who has been capped 21 times and made three appearances for Wales at Euro 2020, last played in Bournemouth's goalless draw against Peterborough on 29 September, when he came off after 69 minutes.

The former Sheffield United player also thanked the medical team that had been treating him and now hopes to get back to playing.

"I am so excited to start the journey back to full fitness and continuing my football career," he added in a post on social media.

"The lads at Bournemouth have had an excellent season so far and I am looking forward to being back at The Vitality to cheer the team on as we head into the most important fixtures of the season.

"I am determined to work my hardest over the months ahead and I can't wait to be back out there and playing in front of you on the pitch in the not too distant future."

Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club website: "This is fantastic news and everyone at the club is delighted for David.

"He has shown incredible resolve and courage throughout this journey and we will continue to support him as he begins his journey back to full fitness."

Charlton manager Johnnie Jackson has left the League One club.

The 39-year-old was named interim manager in October before being appointed permanently in December.

The south London club won three of their last five league games and finished the season 13th in the table.

Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard said it had been a "very difficult" decision to dispense with Jackson, whose contract renewal at the end of the campaign was dependent on results.

"I would like to thank Johnnie for everything he has done for the club," Sandgaard told the club's website.

"He is a Charlton legend who has given his all for this club as a player, captain, coach, assistant manager and manager.

"I am grateful for all he has contributed during my time at Charlton, including stabilising us this season when he took over as manager, following our poor start to the campaign.

"This decision has been a very difficult one to make, Johnnie has done so much for the club, but I felt the time was right to make the change as we continue our preparations for next season."

Jackson joined the club as a player on loan in February 2010, before joining permanently that summer, and played 279 games for Charlton, scoring 55 league goals.

Bolton Wanderers have released Alex Baptiste, Andrew Tutte, Liam Gordon, Nathan Delfouneso and Liam Edwards at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Baptiste, Tutte, Gordon and Delfouneso all helped Wanderers to win promotion from League Two in 2020-21.

Delfouneso made 20 appearances for the club this season before joining Bradford City on loan in February.

Meanwhile, Xavier Amaechi, who joined on a season-long loan from Hamburg, will return to the German side.

The club have offered a new deal to defender Adam Senior, 20, who has played seven senior games, and opted to keep goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson and forward Finlay Lockett.

Goalkeeper Matty Alexander, striker Jay Fitzmartin and defender Reiss Greenidge will also leave the club after the Trotters finished the season in ninth in League One.

THE MATCH

FRIDAY 6TH MAY KO 7:45 PM

v

LAST MATCH



After conceding early, we found our feet and eventually ran out easy winners. Pompey started brightly and inevitably George Hirst fired in from close range. We found our feet and Gregory steered in Johnsons cross. We were on top and took the lead when Berahino forced on in from close range following a set piece. We then went 3-1 up Byers crossed for Storey to prod home from close range. 3-1 up @ HT and with Plymouth 0-3 down to MK Donuts, the Playoffs were secured. We saw out the 2nd half both sides had a few chances but it was us who scored again, Byers flicking in Windass corner.

THE MATCH



So onto the playoffs and we start with a trip to Sunderland. Sunderland finished the season very well, with no defeats in 13 games, there last one a home defeat to MK Donuts. Ross Stewart is there danger man, delivering 24 goals, 3 of those against us when we lost 5-0 back in December at the SOL. Our back 3 that day was Palmer, Dunkley & Johnson with Wing as a DM Alex Neil is the manager, been in charge since February and has that one defeat to the Donuts. Be quite happy with a draw at the SOL and see if we can turn them over at Hillsborough.

ALL TIME H2H

OWLS 48 WINS
SUNDERLAND 49 WINS
DRAWS 28

CURRENT FORM

OWLS                -                                                

PORTS               -                                                 

EFL STOOGES

DOES IT MATTER THERE ALL CORRUPT  



THE TEAM

Peacock-Farrell
Storey Dean Iorfa
NML Byers Bannan FDB Johnson
Berahino Gregory

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

1-1 Gregory

ATTENDANCE

N/A

BML STANDINGS

Pei 17
SCO 16
Kev 14
Wereham 13
Maddix 9
Imre 9
Wash 8
SS 5

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Luton Town v Reading
Preston North End v Middlesbrough
Sheffield United v Fulham
Stoke City v Coventry City
Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers

HAADH

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE

PEI




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC

weren't even good.

Just a million miles better than us.

At least for those not involved in the cup final or play-offs.

Gamball:
Burnley - Aston Villa

Others:
Brighton - Man Utd
Birmingham - Blackburn
Hull - Nottingham Forest
Preston - Middlesbrough
Sheff Utd - Fulham
Stoke - Coventry
Swansea - QPR
Walsall - Swindon
Leicester - Everton

US businessman Chris Kirchner hopes to be cleared to take over Derby County at a meeting later this week.

He was confirmed last month as the preferred bidder for the club by administrators Quantuma.

And manager Wayne Rooney said last week that he expected the takeover to be completed within 10 days.

Kirchner is returning to England for a specially convened meeting on Thursday with the English Football League board when he expects to be given approval.

He posted on Twitter: "All approved except for the purchase agreement and the membership agreement (for the league membership of the club that I'll assume) which will be done Thursday with the EFL board. I'm coming over for that in person."

However, Rooney said last week that Derby City Council is working towards a deal to purchase the club's Pride Park ground from former owner Mel Morris and Kirchner confirmed his takeover would not go ahead until that happens.

Answering questions on social media, he said: "I'm conditional that MM no longer owns the stadium. I'm not directly involved in those discussions, so I don't have a comment right now. That's the last hurdle though."

Derby have been in administration since September 2021 and, having had 21 points deducted this season for going into administration and breaches of financial regulations, their relegation from the Championship was confirmed by a defeat at Queen's Park Rangers on 18 April.

However, they won 2-0 at Blackpool on Saturday and will play their final game before dropping into the third tier of English football for the first time since the mid-1980s at home to Cardiff City on Saturday, which Kirchner plans to attend.

He first expressed an interest in buying debt-ridden Derby last October, but withdrew his initial offer just before Christmas.

Kirchner subsequently re-entered the process and on 6 April Quantuma said his offer represented "the best deal for creditors and one which will secure the long-term future of the club".

He has already submitted information for the EFL's owners and directors' test and a forward business plan.

Derby remain under a transfer embargo until a takeover is completed and only have five players contracted for next season, but despite that, Rooney is pressing ahead with summer recruitment plans.