Can someone/anyone please explain why according to the BBC do all the playoff games kick off at 1 minute past the usual hour? Is it a shift in the time warp or someone else's cut and paste skills are as good as mine?

Newport County have named Manchester United youth coach David Hughes as their new manager.

Hughes has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach and assistant manager at Old Trafford.

The 47-year-old Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim at Rodney Parade, who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of the season.

"Leaving a great club like Manchester United is never easy, but I'm excited about what lies ahead here," Hughes said.

"You build relationships with people and that makes decisions like this challenging.

"But after speaking to the chairman (Huw Jenkins) on a few occasions, it became a straightforward decision in terms of the challenge ahead and the shared vision for the club."


Having held lead academy roles at Cardiff and Southampton before joining United in August 2022, Hughes has developed an impressive reputation at youth level.

He will now be charged by Jenkins to oversee an upturn in fortunes at Rodney Parade for a youthful squad that finished 22nd in 2024-25.

The Wrexham-born former Wales Under-21s international – who also spent four years as manager of Wales Under-17s – will be assisted by Wayne Hatswell, who was previously number two at Newport under Mike Flynn.

Hatswell leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Newport, while Lee Kendall has been named the new head of goalkeeping.

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.