john the tinca
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Northampton boss Stuart Gray wants his players to start a new unbeaten run after their defeat at Yeovil ended a sequence of six games without defeat.
"Our unbeaten run is over and we need to start a new one against Gillingham on Saturday," said Gray.
"But we can only do that if we do the basic things right. We need to work hard and pass the ball better.
"If we do the things that we were doing during our unbeaten run than I am sure that we can get a result."
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john the tinca
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Ferencvaros - one of Hungary's most famous clubs - are estimated to be more than £5m in debt and were relegated to the second division in 2006.
The Blades already have an interest in a Chinese and a Belgian club.
In 2006, the Blades became the first foreign owner in Chinese football when they bought a stake in Chengdu FC and last year the club formed a partnership with Belgium's Royal White Star Woluwe FC.
Ferencvaros have a famous history with 28 Hungarian titles and 20 domestic cup wins to their name, and an appearance in the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1975.
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john the tinca
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Watford have appealed against the red card shown to John-Joe O'Toole in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Leicester City.
The midfielder was judged to have denied Stephen Clemence a goalscoring opportunity in the first half.
But Watford have asked for the decision to be overturned and intend to submit video evidence to back up their case.
The club will know the outcome of the appeal on Thursday and if they are successful will have O'Toole available for the Charlton match on Saturday
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john the tinca
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Hull City striker Dean Windass will miss Saturday's game at home to struggling Colchester after having an operation to remove some cartilage.
Windass missed the draw with Norwich on Tuesday and is now expected to be sidelined for up to 10 days.
"Dean had some cartilage trimmed," boss Phil Brown told the club's website. "The operation usually keeps people out for between seven and 10 days.
"Knowing Dean, he will want to be back for this Saturday."
Windass, 38, has been a regular for the promotion-pushing Tigers this season.
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john the tinca
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Wales striker Freddy Eastwood admits he has found life hard at Championship club Wolves since his £1.5m move from Southend last summer.
Eastwood told the BBC's Sport Wales programme he is unhappy at being left out of the side by boss Mick McCarthy.
"When I first arrived I was scoring but he said I wasn't working hard enough so he took me out of the side," he said.
"Then when I was working hard enough I wasn't scoring. I'm in and out of the side, not used to it and not happy."
But Eastwood, who scored 65 league and cup goals for Southend during his three years there, is determined to add to his tally of 10 games and four goals with Wolves.
"I want to be in the team week in, week out," he said. "That's what I came here for and that's what I want to do.
"Hopefully I can get back into the side and I want to try and finish the season with a bang.
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john the tinca
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Charlton Athletic have announced that they have called off takeover talks with potential investors.
The Addicks were linked with a £45m buy-out by a Middle Eastern consortium after they were relegated last season.
But a statement to the Stock Exchange read: "The board have concluded that the best interests of the club are served under the current ownership.
"As a result all talks regarding possible offers for the company have now been discontinued."
In August, the Championship club had brought in takeover experts Seymour Pierce Ltd to advise them.
But they have now decided to stay with the current regime under chairman Richard Murray.
The statement added: "The board of Charlton is committed to the long-term success and future of the company, including the provision of appropriate funding, so to ensure that the club is well placed to challenge for Premier League status."
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john the tinca
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Leicester manager Ian Holloway says his side's luck will turn if they repeat the level of performance they showed in the 1-0 defeat against Watford.
The Foxes have lost three in a row but Holloway says that run will not last.
"I've never known a period in my life like this with penalty decisions and all sorts of stuff going against us," Holloway told BBC Radio Leicester.
"But if the boys keep believing and keep producing that then the confidence will come back and so will the points."
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john the tinca
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Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson has been relieved of first-team duties following talks about his future at the club, BBC Radio Sheffield understands.
The news comes after Robson met club chairman Terry Robinson and plc chairman Kevin McCabe on Wednesday.
Both chairmen told BBC Radio Sheffield the talks had been constructive and there would be "reasoned changes to the football infrastructure".
The Blades sit 16th in the Championship seven points off the relegation zone.
Robson, 50, took charge at Bramall Lane in May, nine days after the Blades' dramatic relegation from the Premier League on the last day of the season.
But despite their pre-season aim of returning to the top flight, United have won just nine of their 32 Championship fixtures, and top scorer James Beattie has only just returned to action after a long lay-off because of a knee ligament injury.
The talks took place in Brussels, Belgium, and were held following a fans protest against Robson after Saturday's goalless draw with Scunthorpe.
BBC Radio Sheffield's Seth Bennett said: "Sheffield United will make clear their plans for a massive restructure of the football club later on Wednesday.
"McCabe is expected to reveal a number of other changes to the coaching and management roles in order to improve the Blades' performances, after a disappointing campaign.
"There has not yet been any clue as to what many of the other changes will be."
Robson, who admitted prior to Wednesday's meeting in Belgium that he could be running out of time in the job, said the fans' reaction had not helped the team in the goalless draw.
"They were on my back and the players' backs very early on in the game," said the former Middlesbrough boss.
"If we'd had better support from them I feel we could have gone on to win."
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Blackpool's Keith Southern is glad just to be involved again after being out since early December with an ankle ligament injury.
The 26-year-old midfielder returned for his first game in over two months to play 85 minutes in the goalless draw with Wolves on Tuesday night.
"I didn't expect to play," he said, "so it was an absolute bombshell.
"I was only told I was playing an hour before the game and thought I acquitted myself well," he told BBC Lancashire.
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson added: "He battled really well and showed a good level of fitness.
"He did the job I expected him to do so I was really pleased with Keith's contribution."
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john the tinca
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Bristol City defender Bradley Orr admitted his late winner at Scunthorpe owed much to a slice of good fortune.
Orr netted with a hopeful cross and told BBC Radio Bristol: "I was just trying put it into a dangerous area.
"You see it all the time where the keeper gets caught in two minds whether to come or not.
"Luckily for the team, it has gone over Tamas' [Vasko] head, his run has put the keeper off and it has gone it at the back post. I will take that."
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john the tinca
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Leicester boss Ian Holloway has hit back at suggestions his job could be in danger after a series of poor results.
Some newspapers claimed Foxes chairman Milan Mandaric was considering hiring his fifth manager in 12 months as the team slid closer to the drop zone.
But Holloway told BBC Sport: "Isn't it amazing - we lose a couple of games and everyone's got Milan swinging the axe.
"I suggest they come up with something cleverer than that - I've outlasted everyone else here this season so far!"
Leicester are currently 20th in the Championship table, two points off the drop zone, following three successive defeats - the latest at leaders Watford on Tuesday night.
As a result, The Times claimed Mandaric was understood to have "sounded out replacements" just 17 games after appointing Holloway, with The Sun suggesting Iain Dowie - sacked as Coventry boss this week - could be in the frame.
But Holloway insisted he was the man to turn around the fortunes of the Midlands club.
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john the tinca
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Leicester boss Ian Holloway has hit back at suggestions his job could be in danger after a series of poor results.
Some newspapers claimed Foxes chairman Milan Mandaric was considering hiring his fifth manager in 12 months as the team slid closer to the drop zone.
But Holloway told BBC Sport: "Isn't it amazing - we lose a couple of games and everyone's got Milan swinging the axe.
"I suggest they come up with something cleverer than that - I've outlasted everyone else here this season so far!"
Leicester are currently 20th in the Championship table, two points off the drop zone, following three successive defeats - the latest at leaders Watford on Tuesday night.
As a result, The Times claimed Mandaric was understood to have "sounded out replacements" just 17 games after appointing Holloway, with The Sun suggesting Iain Dowie - sacked as Coventry boss this week - could be in the frame.
But Holloway insisted he was the man to turn around the fortunes of the Midlands club.
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john the tinca
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West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray is refusing to panic despite seeing his side slip out of the automatic promotion places in the Championship.
Albion have taken just five points from the last possible 15 and are fourth.
"There's no need to be concerned. We are a decent side and there's a long way to go," Mowbray told BBC WM.
"I didn't get too excited when we were top of the table so I'm not getting too upset when we're outside the top two. There are a lot of points to play for."
The Baggies' current stumble in form has rekindled memories of what happened to them last season when they had to settle for a play-off place after looking good for a top-two finish.
Their promotion bid failed at the last hurdle with defeat in the final to Derby at Wembley, but Mowbray is urging the supporters not to get too negative.
"The fans have been fantastic all season and we have to stick together.
"We were top with ten games to go
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Middlesbrough midfielder Matthew Bates' loan spell at Norwich has ended after he suffered another knee injury.
Bates, 21, sustained the injury in Norwich's draw against Hull City and will now require surgery on the knee for the third time in 18 months.
"We were hoping it was only minor damage," Norwich manager Glenn Roeder told his club's website.
"Unfortunately, our worst fears were confirmed. He sustained more than minor damage and needs an operation."
Bates impressed during his three appearances for the Canaries and looked like making a big impact at Carrow Road.
Roeder added: "He was really enjoying his time here and was showing what a good signing he was."
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john the tinca
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Barnsley boss Simon Davey have signed West keeper Luke Steele on loan.
Davey made his move for Steele as Heinz Muller is injured and Tony Warner, who is on loan from Fulham, is cup-tied.
The 23-year-old, who is third-choice keeper at the Hawthorns, is now in line to face Liverpool at Anfield in the fifth round of the Cup on Saturday.
He has started just two games for West Brom since signing from Manchester United in August 2006 but has previous loan experience with Coventry City.
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Blackpool's Keith Southern is glad just to be involved again after being out since early December with an ankle ligament injury.
The 26-year-old midfielder returned for his first game in over two months to play 85 minutes in the goalless draw with Wolves on Tuesday night.
"I didn't expect to play," he said, "so it was an absolute bombshell.
"I was only told I was playing an hour before the game and thought I acquitted myself well," he told BBC Lancashire.
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson added: "He battled really well and showed a good level of fitness.
"He did the job I expected him to do so I was really pleased with Keith's contribution."
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john the tinca
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Football's world governing body Fifa is not convinced by the Premier League's plans to play some games overseas, reports BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.
Fifa has received a letter from the Premier League to request a meeting to discuss the controversial proposals.
But Bose says Fifa wants the Football Association to get in touch before it can consider the plans.
"This indicates that many in the organisation are very lukewarm about the proposals," said Bose.
"A letter from the Premier League asking for the meeting arrived at Fifa's headquarters in Zurich on Wednesday.
"But a highly-placed Fifa source told me that it cannot consider such a letter unless it comes via the FA, which, as a national association, is a member of Fifa.
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The Tottenham squad are still trying to lose weight after they were found to be 100kg too heavy when Juande Ramos took over as manager in October.
Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER: "Taking into account the players' size, the team was basically 100kg over.
"We realised straight away that the team was carrying excess baggage.
"They have now lost between 40 and 50kg. Getting the rest off is the most difficult part."
When Ramos joined Tottenham in October the club were in the relegation zone but have moved up to 11th in the Premier League.
They are also pursuing silverware on two fronts.
They play Slavia Prague in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and have also reached the Carling Cup final where they play Chelsea on 24 February.
Alvarez, who moved to England as part of Ramos's backroom staff, added that he instigated a fitness programme immediately upon his arrival at the club.
"I immediately talked to Tottenham and we set the wheels in motion to change things," he added. "We have turned a lot of fat into muscle."
Ramos has won the Uefa Cup for the last two seasons, both victories coming with former club Sevilla.
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john the tinca
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Manchester United have moved from fourth to second in the list of the world's richest clubs, as Real Madrid stayed top for the third straight year.
Deloitte's Football Money League, which is based on revenues generated during 2006/7, was headed by United for eight years until the Spaniards deposed them.
Chelsea are fourth in Deloitte's table, even though the Blues regularly make huge losses. Arsenal are fifth.
In all, there are seven British clubs in the top 20 positions.
Three of the four clubs that dropped out of the list were also British - Manchester City, Rangers, and West Ham United.
And, looking ahead to next year's report, the authors state that "2007/08 could see England providing half the Money League clubs".
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john the tinca
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A former Premier League chief executive says he believes the controversial plan to take top-flight games overseas would "distort" the competition.
Peter Varney, chief executive at Championship side Charlton, says he is strongly opposed to the idea.
"I don't favour it - let's not kid ourselves, this is all about money," Varney told BBC Sport.
"This is a domestic league, it would distort the competition which is so well-regarded all over the world."
Varney believes the 20 Premier League clubs will vote for the proposal because of the money involved.
"This is not about taking the game to overseas fans and thinking that some people would like to see the Premier League in different regions of the world," he added.
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john the tinca
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The Football Association has appointed Quest to conduct an audit into transfers in English football.
The audit will look at certain dealings which took place in January's transfer window and a selection of moves which occur during the summer of 2008.
Quest is a firm of investigators which conducted an inquiry into transfer irregularities between January 2004 January 2006 for the Premier League.
The FA said: "This is a very different undertaking to their previous inquiry."
FA director of governance Jonathan Hall added: "It will focus specifically on reviewing the FA's processes in respect of the new Agents Regulations, assessing compliance with FA Rules and identifying any areas of poor practice within the industry."
It is understood the audit will focus on a selection of transfers rather than being an exhaustive investigation into all the moves in January and this summer.
Premier League and Football League deals will be among the transfers examined.
The FA has thrown extra resources into policing transfers, including setting up a whistleblower hotline for anyone wanting to give information about possible problems.
Quest's previous inquiry for the Premier League looked at 362 transfers in total with the final report stating that 17 transfers, involving five clubs, were "uncleared".
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john the tinca
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Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam says he is strongly opposed to the Premier League's plan of top-flight clubs playing games abroad.
The English season could be extended by one match with the 39th round being played in five overseas venues.
"We'll vote strongly against it. The Premier League is putting money before responsibility and dignity," Hammam told BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.
"As far as Asia is concerned, I'm not supportive of this initiative
_________________
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Brentford have signed 21-year-old Fulham midfielder Robert Milsom on a month's loan.
The Fulham Academy product has yet to figure in the first team at Craven Cottage but has recently signed a new contract to stay there until 2010.
Milsom, who can also play in defence, has captained Fulham's reserve side.
Milsom will become the sixth arrival since the turn of the year as manager Andy Scott builds his own team, having been named full-time boss in January.
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john the tinca
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Former Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor thinks qualifying for the Champions League may not be in the best interests of his old club.
Villa are currently sixth in the Premier League, but are just three points behind fourth-placed Everton.
But Taylor told BBC WM: "If they were to do it then the disappointment and expectancy might work against them.
"It might be better for the long term to get in the Uefa Cup and build for the future," he added.
Under Taylor's guidance, Villa finished second in the old First Division in 1990.
But he thinks they still have a bit of work to do to be genuine contenders to threaten the Premier League's elite.
"Martin O'Neill tends to be a builder." added Taylor. "He's doing a fine job but we shouldn't get too expectant over the top four. But it is going along very nicely at the moment."
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john the tinca
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Reading captain Graeme Murty said their defence must improve if they are to pull themselves clear of danger.
Their 1-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday saw Reading drop into the bottom three, but it was a much improved performance from the Royals.
But Murty told BBC Radio Berkshire they still need to improve at the back.
He said: "There are still too many goals going in at our end. We're working hard and we have improved. But we need to keep on improving."
He added: "We always said that in the Premiership you come up against the best defences so it's going to be difficult to score goals.
"We still have faith in the guys up there - we have to make it easy for them and create the chances. We do that by building a solid base as a back four."
It is a view shared by coach Wally Downes.
"We've got to stop letting goals in. We've defended badly on a few occasions, where we haven't been strong enough to leave it at the one goal and we've lost two or three," Downes said.
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john the tinca
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Martyn Waghorn has scored in every round of the FA Youth Cup (Getty)
Sunderland's remarkable FA Youth Cup run continued as they put out holders Liverpool with Wednesday night's 5-3 extra-time win at the Stadium of Light.
Martyn Waghorn and Ryan Noble scored the all important goals in the added half hour as the Black Cats booked their place in the quarter finals.
Assistant academy manager Kevin Ball told BBC Radio Newcastle: "There's a great character the players have shown.
"The players need to be given a pat on the back for tonight."
South Shields-born striker Waghorn, 18, grabbed a brace on the night to take him to six goals in the FA Youth Cup this season.
That kept up his record of having scored in every round. But Waghorn was more concerned with the achievement of his team in beating Liverpool, who had not lost a Youth Cup tie in almost three years, having won the trophy in 2006 and 2007.
"It's good to beat the team who've won it two years running," said Waghorn. "And quite comprehensively too.
"Confidence is going well at the minute and we've got the belief and character in the team to do something."
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john the tinca
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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says the arrival of new chief scout Paul Montgomery will improve their chances of recruiting top players.
Montgomery originally spotted Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda when he was with West Ham.
"Paul comes with a wealth of experience and I worked with him at Rangers when we restructured up there," McLeish told Blues' official website.
"I feel we're a little short in that area. I hope we can unearth some gems."
Montgomery will also take an active part in recruiting younger players for the club's Academy.
"I'm delighted that the board have backed this appointment because, for the sake of Birmingham City and the club's future, this is a vitally important call."
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john the tinca
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Dorset property developer Eddie Mitchell is planning to join the race to buy AFC Bournemouth.
Mitchell is also the majority shareholder at nearby Dorchester Town, where he bought a majority stake in the Blue Square South club last summer.
The 53-year-old told BBC Radio Solent: "I like football and, if there's anything of interest that works for me, then I'll have a go at it.
"I'm local and of course I'd be interested, but it's early days yet."
Mitchell stresses that, as yet, he has had no contact with the administrators at Dean Court, but he has ideas about how things could be run.
"I think you need half a dozen businessmen that are interested in supporting football, not just at first team level but down the chain, that would invest in it and were happy to invest in it.
"I would have my own personal reasons for doing it but I'm sure other people would have theirs as well."
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john the tinca
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Northern Ireland 4-1 Georgia
A Kyle Lafferty double helped Northern Ireland to a comfortable friendly win at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.
The Burnley striker slotted in from a Steven Davis pass before David Healy's deflected shot made it 2-0.
Lafferty headed in his second on 36 minutes but Georgia pulled one back through Healy's own-goal after Maik Taylor pushed a penalty onto a post.
Linfield forward Peter Thompson scored his first NI goal with a close-range finish three minutes from time.
There was a memorable moment just before kick-off when Uefa president Michel Platini presented Healy with a special award for scoring a record 13 goals during the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
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Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington was delighted with the performance of Kyle Lafferty in the 4-1 friendly win over Georgia at Windsor Park.
The 20-year-old Burnley forward scored twice before being forced off with a thigh injury at half-time.
"Kyle is the real deal and showed potentially what a good player he could become," said Worthington.
"He is a young lad and still has a lot to learn but he worked hard and I'm delighted with his performance."
Lafferty netted with a side-foot finish before heading in from David Healy's cross.
He added: "I'm not going to give him too much praise because he is a young player.
"He was carrying a knock before the game and it started to tighten up before the break so we brought him off."
Worthington also had praise for veteran winger Keith Gillespie, who was named ahead of Lafferty as man-of-the-match.
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john the tinca
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Uefa president Michel Platini has presented NI striker David Healy with a special award for scoring a record 13 goals during the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
The award presentation took place before the international friendly against Georgia at Windsor Park on Wednesday night
"His goal tally of 13 goals is a new record and deserves to be recognised," Platini said.
"I am sure that this record will last for some time to come."
French legend Platini added that Healy's new mark "will be hard to beat".
"This is why I will be presenting him with a special award to celebrate his fantastic achievement."
Healy, whose side narrowly missed out on qualification, described the award as a "great award".
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john the tinca
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Eddie Patterson refused to concede that his side's title hopes were over after Tuesday night's 1-0 loss at Newry saw Cliftonville drop to third place.
The Reds now trail leaders Linfield by five points and Glentoran by two with four sets of fixtures remaining.
"I still think there's plenty to play for and we are still in there fighting.
"The one thing we can't do is to create the chances we are making and not take them. We have had enough chances to win both the games we have lost this week."
Patterson added that it was "back to the drawing board" after the disappointing reverse at Newry, coming hot on the heels of Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Coleraine at Solitude.
"If other people want to say that our challenge is over, that is up to them, but we are not counting ourselves out just yet.
"All the teams at the top have some difficult matches ahead, not just Cliftonville, and if we continue to create the chances, some of them have to go in."
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john the tinca
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Northern Ireland Under-21s lost 3-1 to Romania in a friendly match at Ballymena Showgrounds on Wednesday.
The Romanians led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Ciprian Deac on 32 minutes and captain Claudiu Keseru after 45.
Deac rifled the ball into the net from 16 yards and Keseru slid the ball past Northern Ireland keeper Trevor Carson.
Substitute Thomas Stewart stabbed the ball home from close range to pull one back for Northern Ireland on 65 but Keseru netted again five minutes later.
The skipper slid the ball into the bottom right-hand corner past Jonathan Tuffey to make it 3-1.
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john the tinca
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Newry City 1-0 Cliftonville
Cliftonville's Carnegie Premier League title challenge looks to have imploded after they crashed to a second straight defeat in Tuesday's clash at Newry.
Paddy McLaughlin headed the winner and the Reds are now five points behind Linfield with only four games left.
After a scoreless first half, Francis Murphy and George McMullan were denied by Robert Robinson after half-time.
McLaughlin nodded a Richard Clarke free-kick to the net on 61 minutes and the Reds could not force an equaliser.
Cliftonville created a number of chances but they were not displaying the free-flowing football which has characterised much of their season.
Chris Scannell went close for the Reds with a curling effort on 13 minutes while John Martin then tested Newry goalkeeper Robinson.
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john the tinca
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Luxembourg 0-2 Wales
Freddy Eastwood grabbed a brace as Wales strolled to a comfortable win over a poor Luxembourg side.
The out-of-favour Wolves striker scored either side of the break first cutting inside from Jason Koumas' cross and then pouncing on Simon Davies pass.
It took his goals tally for his country to four in a game that failed to burst into any life.
Wigan's David Cotterill hit the post late-on as Wales controlled without needing to put in much effort.
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john the tinca
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Wales manager John Toshack says winning was the most important thing after his side eased past a poor Luxembourg side with a 2-0 win.
"It wasn't the best game I've seen I must admit and we certainly had a few players who were short of fitness," he said.
"But at the end of the day, we've got a win. It keeps a bit of momentum going and we've seen a couple of new faces.
"Luxembourg were short of technique, but they worked really hard."
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john the tinca
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Bosnia-H U21 1-2 Wales U21
Two late goals handed Wales Under-21s a fifth straight win in their European Championship qualifying campaign.
Boubacar Dialida Diabang put the home side ahead just before the hour beating keeper Owain Fon Williams with a 20-yard shot.
Substitute Simon Church looked to have saved a point in the 86th minute.
But a minute later, Ched Evans grabbed the winner leaving Wales needing just one win from the last two games to finish top of their group.
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john the tinca
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Wrexham striker Eifion Williams has retired from football and is returning his family in north-east England.
The 32-year-old Welshman joined the Dragons last summer after spending five years at Hartlepool United.
But the former Barry and Torquay hitman struggled with injury and also failed to hold down a first team place making just 15 league and cup appearances.
Williams has not played since scoring his only goal in the 1-0 win over Bury in December.
"I have picked up one or two injuries this season and things haven't quite gone to plan," he told Wrexham's website.
"It is though, one of those decisions where I have put the family first and the travelling has not helped.
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john the tinca
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Cardiff and Swansea are interested in signing Stockport's highly-rated defender Ashley Williams.
The 23-year-old club captain is set to make his debut for Wales in their friendly in Luxembourg on Wednesday.
And his form this season has linked him with a move away from Edgeley Park in the summer.
"I know there are a few people interested in me," said Williams. "I believe Stockport are talking to some clubs, including Swansea and Cardiff."
Wolverhampton-born Williams was released by West Brom as a youngster and then spent two years with non-league Hednesford.
He was then given the chance to force his way back into the professional game by Stockport.
And Wales boss John Toshack has now included him in his senior squad for the first time after monitoring his progress.
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john the tinca
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Leighton James was born in Swansea and played for the club
A former Welsh international will not be used as a BBC Wales pundit "for the foreseeable future" after backing Cardiff City's opponents in the FA Cup.
Leighton James, who played for Swansea City, Cardiff's local rivals, said he wanted Barnsley to win the semi-final.
He said Cardiff making the final would be "hard to take for Swansea fans".
A BBC Wales spokeswoman said: "By mutual agreement, Leighton James will not be participating in any BBC Wales programmes for the foreseeable future".
Mr James made his comments in his column in the Swansea-based South Wales Evening Post after Cardiff secured their place in the semi-final, to be played at Wembley on 6 April.
He wrote that 99.9% of Swansea fans would support Barnsley on the day, and Cardiff supporters would do the same if Swansea were playing.
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john the tinca
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Swansea City's promotion hopes have been dealt a blow by the loss of influential midfielder Ferrie Bodde.
The Dutchman, 25, limped off five minutes from the end of his side's 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers at the Liberty Stadium.
"We are going to assess him, I think it's a groin injury," said manager Roberto Martinez.
"If it's what we fear, it will be at least two weeks, but we'll see how he is."
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john the tinca
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Oxford United will attempt to make striker Matt Green's loan move from Cardiff City a permanent one.
Green scored the winner against Blue Square Premier rivals Stevenage - his sixth goal for Oxford - giving the U's a third win in nine days.
Oxford boss Darren Patterson told BBC Radio Oxford: "I have had a preliminary chat with the boy.
"We know we will face competition to sign him permanently, but I had competition to sign him on loan."
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john the tinca
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Clyde defender Craig McKeown is unlikely to feature for The Bully Wee again due to a persistent groin injury.
McKeown, 23, who will join Dundee in the summer, had tests on the injury and has been ruled out for the season.
In a statement on the Clyde website, Bully Wee manager John Brown said: "Craig has been told to rest for at least two weeks, and it looks like his season is over.
"What we have in defence now has to see us through to the end of the season."
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john the tinca
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Alloa keeper Raymond Jellema has extended his contract at Recreation Park until the end of the season.
Jellema, 22, signed for Alloa last summer and has notched up 11 clean sheets this season.
Alloa manager Allan Maitland has also agreed contract extensions with Dougie Wilson, Chris Townsley, John Grant and Andy Ferguson.
The Wasps extended their unbeaten run to six matches after the 1-1 draw with Queen's Park at Hampden on Saturday.
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Hard-up Gretna have released injured Uruguayan playmaker Fabian Yantorno after admitting that they cannot afford to pay for his rehabilitation.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined since 19 January, when he suffered a knee ligament injury against Falkirk.
Gretna caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth said: "Fabian needs specialist rehabilitation, which we can't provide.
"It was his and his agent's wish that he could be released so he could go elsewhere for treatment."
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Former Celtic midfielder John Collins believes that Gordon Strachan has won the right to be given more cash for players by the club's board.
The Celtic boss is under pressure with his side trailing SPL leaders Rangers.
But Collins told BBC Sport: "He has not spent a lot of money and he has won back-to-back titles and taken them to the last 16 of the Champions League.
"I think it's time for Celtic board to give him a little bit more money to spend in the summer."
The reigning champions visit Ibrox on Saturday three points behind Rangers and having played one game more.
"In the last few years, they have been in front in the title race, so the pressure is on now that they are chasing Rangers," said Collins.
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Rangers winger DaMarcus Beasley says he is hopeful of returning to action before the end of the season.
The USA international suffered knee ligament damage against Stuttgart in the Champions League in November.
He had been expected to miss the rest of the campaign after being stretchered off following a collision with goalkeeper Raphael Schafer.
But Beasley has returned to Murray Park, having undergone treatment in his homeland.
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Dado Prso says he understands why four Rangers players have pulled out of the Scotland squad to face Croatia.
Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly and Allan McGregor have all withdrawn from George Burley's squad for the friendly at Hampden.
"We are not machines. It's impossible to perform at your best when you're playing every three days," Prso said.
"Why continue to suffer? Why not have a rest?" Prso said, in reference to the gruelling season the players have had.
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Hearts interim manager Stevie Frail has told defender Jose Goncalves that he faces a major fight to regain his place in the team from in-form Lee Wallace.
Wallace - currently with the Scotland under 21 side - took the left-back berth after Goncalves walked out on the club last month.
"Jose will have to wait for his chance now," Frail told the Hearts website.
"Lee had to wait for his opportunity when Jose was in the side and now Jose has to do the same."
Goncalves decided to leave Tynecastle shortly after being substituted during the 4-0 home defeat to Rangers.
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Aberdeen's on-loan defender Dave Bus has been told his contract with Dutch club De Graafschap will not be renewed when it expires this summer.
The 29-year-old Dutchman moved to Pittodrie in January but has made just four appearances.
De Graafschap have decided the player's wages make him too expensive to keep.
"Dave got a really good contract but it didn't fit well with the club's wage structure," club director Han Berger told newspaper De Gelderlander.
De Graafschap handed Bus a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2005 but was out of favour when he moved to Aberdeen in January.
The Eredivisie side are now ready to part company with the centre-back on a permanent basis.
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Celtic's Japanese winger Koki Mizuno is relieved that his new Parkhead career is finally up and running.
The 22-year-old signed in January but a series of reserve game postponements delayed his debut until last week.
He has now played twice for the second string and told Celtic View: "My target is to win a place on the bench for the first team over the next few months."
Meanwhile, Celtic say any end-of-season trip to Japan should not be seen as a bid to block an extension to the SPL.
The club are considering a tour of the Far East, where their popularity has grown since the signings of Shunsuke Nakamura and Mizuno.
However, SPL leaders Rangers face a possible fixture pile-up if they continue to progress in the Uefa Cup.
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Motherwell's three-time postponed SPL clash with Celtic at Fir Park has been rearranged for Sunday, 13 April.
The 6 January fixture was cancelled following the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell.
Waterlogging problems at Fir Park caused two further postponements on 30 January and 15 March.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen's potential top-six decider with Falkirk at Pittodrie has been switched from Saturday, 5 April to the following Monday evening.
The tie has been moved to a 1945 BST kick-off to accomodate a television broadcast, while BBC Radio Scotland will provide live commentary.
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Eight senior players and the former owner's son have followed ex-captain Chris Innes and six community coaches in being made redundant by Gretna.
Aurélien Collin, Mickael Buscher, Henry Makinwa, David Mathieson, David Bingham, Mark Birch, Erik Paartalu and Michael Tait have been axed.
The latter four players were on loan to other clubs.
Operations director Craig Mileson, son of Brooks Mileson, is also out along with 13 youth players.
Chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland, Fraser Wishart, said he has serious concerns regarding the employment prospects of the out-of-work players.
"We've finally reached the stage I've been warning for the last couple of weeks; that players are being hit with strict deadlines to find new employment," Wishart told BBC Scotland.
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Scotland manager George Burley was happy to mark his first match in charge with a battling draw against Croatia.
"It was a good performance against a top quality side," Burley told BBC Sport after the 1-1 at Hampden Park.
"As a unit, we worked hard and it was very much a team performance. It was a competitive friendly and the boys all gave it 100%.
"We saw the spirit and togetherness of the side and we need to keep that going and fine tune it."
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Fabio Capello declared himself "quite happy" despite watching England suffer their first loss under him as manager.
England went down 1-0 in Paris, with Frank Ribery scoring the only goal from the penalty spot and the visitors creating very few chances of note.
"I saw some important improvements. We were playing against a top level team and we did well," said Capello.
"We didn't let our opponents play and played with personality. We played especially well in the first half."
Capello added that his six substitutions were less tactical and more down to the fact he wanted to assess the credentials of other players in his squad
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David Beckham won his 100th cap in England's 1-0 defeat by France in Paris on Wednesday.
Playing on the right-hand side of midfield, Beckham was booked for a foul on Franck Ribery and was replaced by David Bentley after 63 minutes.
France won the game through Ribery's first-half penalty.
Beckham, 32, becomes the fifth player to reach a century of England caps, after Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton.
"Obviously I am very honoured," Beckham said. "When I started playing I never dreamt I'd get to 100.
"It is any footballer's dream to play for your country, let alone get to 100 caps, and I want to carry on.
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France 1-0 England
England suffered their first defeat under coach Fabio Capello with a disappointing performance in France.
Franck Ribery scored the only goal from the penalty spot with 32 minutes gone after David James had spectacularly brought down Nicolas Anelka.
Florent Malouda, Anelka and Ribery all went close to a second, while Steven Gerrard twice headed wide on a night when England created very little.
David Beckham lasted 63 minutes on the night he won his 100th cap.
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Arsenal moved into a virtually unassailable position at the top of the Women's Premier League with a 4-2 win at Doncaster Belles.
But Everton, the only club with an outside chance of catching the leaders, kept their slim hopes alive with a 5-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The Merseysiders climbed above Blackburn into third place.
And although they are 17 points behind the Gunners, they have four games in hand with 11 matches remaining.
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Crawley assistant boss Paul Raynor said he and manager Steve Evans are not concerned about being sent to the stands twice over Easter.
Raynor and Evans repeated Saturday's dismissals at Burton by being banished yet again in the 1-0 defeat to Aldershot on Monday.
"It's ridiculous, it really is," Raynor told BBC Southern Counties Radio.
"Maybe there's a directive to clamp down on people shouting onto the field, and showing a bit of passion."
It is the sixth time this season that Evans has been sent to the stands.
Raynor added: "The Crawley fans would have been pleased with the performance and the Aldershot fans would have been thrilled with the result.
"It's a shame we have to talk about referees and people in stands".
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Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish has not given up hope on getting into the Blue Square Premier play-offs, despite his side being 14 points off the pace.
The Fleet ended a run of three successive defeats with a win against high-flying Cambridge on Monday.
Daish told BBC Radio Kent: "We'll just keep going, getting as many points as we can. We know it's going to be tough, but it's not done and dusted."
Ebbsfleet's play-off push stuttered after getting to the FA Trophy final.
They will play Torquay in the final on 10 May and it is the first time the club have reached Wembley.
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Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough was delighted with Matthew Williams' goalscoring debut in the 1-0 victory at Farsley Celtic on Easter Monday.
Striker Williams has joined on loan until the end of the season from Conference North side Tamworth.
And the 26-year-old former Manchester United youth product impressed Clough with his all-round contribution.
"His overall play was very good, he looked lively and was the best striker we had," Clough told BBC Radio Derby.
It was the Brewers' second 1-0 win over the Easter weekend, having already beaten Crawley at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.
"It's been a struggle over the two games but we dug in defensively and that's been the basis for the six points," Clough added.
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Lewis Chalmers is positive Aldershot will not falter as they close in on the Blue Square Premier crown.
Aldershot lead the table by 14 points and will be five wins from the title if they can beat Droyslden on Thursday.
Chalmers told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "It is up to our rivals to catch us. But if we keep winning they cannot catch us, so just bring on Droylsden.
"They know they are going back down. They'll be playing for pride and trying to take three points off the leaders."
Midfielder Chalmers, who was manager Gary Waddock's first signing in the summer, scored one of his three goals when the sides met earlier in the season and is looking forward to a return to his native north-west.
"I'm looking forward to seeing some of the family and I think there will at least fifty of my mates in the Aldershot end cheering us on," he added
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Grays Athletic have extended the loan deals of Marlon Patterson and Jamie Taylor until the end of the season.
Both players are currently on loan from League Two side Dagenham and Redbridge.
Midfielder Patterson has played five matches for Grays since joining in February, while striker Taylor has scored once in seven appearances.
Meanwhile Athletic's midfielder Jamie Day has been loaned out to Blue Square South side Havant & Waterlooville until the end of the season.
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York City manager Colin Walker apologised for his team's 'shocking' performance in their 1-1 draw with Northwich Victoria on Tuesday.
The result all but ends the club's ambitions of making the Blue Square Premier play-offs.
Walker told BBC Radio York: "I would have still been saying the same thing even if we'd won 1-0.
"They've let themselves down, the staff down and the club down. They've certainly let the supporters down."
Walker added: "I've asked for the punters to keep coming and that was absolutely dreadful. I can't believe we got a draw.
"I'm really disappointed for the public. Those that watched on TV must have turned it off. We were shocking."
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Darlington boss Dave Penney could be forced to bring in reinforcements after losing striker Pawel Abbott to injury.
Abbott was absent during Monday's home draw with Morecambe and Penney is concerned that the Pole could be out for the rest of the season.
"It's been a big blow, he was limping about yesterday and the injury looks a bad one," he told BBC Tees.
"We've only one loan space left, we'll have to decide what the best option is to add to the squad."
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The Rotherham United administrator Jeremy Bleazard has confirmed he has asked the club's playing squad to take a wage deferral.
"The redundancies and wage deferrals are a necessity to enable the company to trade," said a club statement.
"Cashflows have been prepared until the end of the season. Even with the deferrals it remains extremely tight until a purchaser can be found."
The deal still has to be agreed by the Professional Footballers' Association.
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Bradford City are looking to extend the contract of veteran striker Peter Thorne for next season.
The 34-year-old, who has scored 12 goals this season, will become a free agent in the summer when his current deal expires.
"Hopefully we'll be in this week to tie up Thorney," City boss McCall told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
"There's no doubt in my mind that he'd have 20 goals by now if he'd been fit all season."
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Dagenham & Redbridge boss John Still said he was happy with the two points gained over the Easter period.
The Daggers drew with Shrewsbury and Wrexham to leave them nine points clear of the League Two relegation zone.
Still told BBC Essex: "They're two important points when you put everything in context.
"We could have had nothing and maybe lost here, which would have given them [Wrexham] a massive boost as well as the three points."
He added: "We've claimed another point and with the sort of performance it was, we're happy with that."
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Chesterfield boss Lee Richardson has urged the club's supporters to end their criticism of the team.
The Spireites are just one point inside the play-off zone, after Monday's 1-0 defeat to Bradford, but that has not stopped the negativity at Saltergate.
"There's a lot of pessimism around that other clubs don't have to put up with," said Richardson.
"If that could change for the last six games it would give us a better chance of promotion."
Chesterfield have endured an inconsistent season, highlighted by three wins and three defeats in their last six matches.
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Chester City have early injury concerns ahead of Saturday's League Two home clash with Stockport County.
Skipper Paul Butler is still suffering from a foot injury and striker Chris Holroyd is very doubtful with an ankle problem.
City are expecting one of their largest crowds of the season and have allocated extra seating for away supporters, with Stockport expected to bring 2,000 fans.
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Mansfield Town have named Paul Holland as their new manager until the end of the season.
Holland, 34, was originally appointed caretaker boss of the League Two strugglers following Billy Dearden's departure earlier this month.
The Stags have won just one of their four games under Holland.
But chief executive Stephen Booth told the club's website: "We have had three good performances under Paul's reign and I am confident in his abilities."
Holland has stated that he would love the job on a permanent basis but his chances appeared slim following two defeats over the Easter period.
Those losses against Grimsby and Bury have kept the Stags in the relegation zone, seven points adrift of safety with just eight games remaining.
Holland told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I'm not writing the team off. I still think we can get out of trouble."
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Lincoln City have withdrawn their appeal against midfielder Scott Kerr's sending-off in the 2-1 win over Hereford on Monday.
Assistant manager Iffy Onuora told the Imps' official website he had 'reluctantly' made the decision.
"Having viewed it again since lodging the appeal, I wasn't confident we would have been successful," he said.
Kerr starts a four-match suspension, and misses games against Peterborough, MK Dons, Chester and Brentford.
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Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy has revealed Craig Stanley could still have a long-term future at Morecambe.
The 25-year-old midfielder was transfer-listed earlier this month for disciplinary reasons, but was given a reprieve against Darlington on Monday.
McIlroy told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's well documented what happened between me and Craig.
"But at the end of the day he's still a player at Morecambe and we'll look at it again at the end of the season."
Meanwhile, the Shrimps are still waiting for news of captain Jim Bentley's hamstring injury.
Bentley was substituted after 22 minutes of the 2-2 draw with the Quakers.
"We still don't know the extent of it at the moment. I think we got him off at the right time, and we'll continue to assess it," McIlroy said.
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Accrington boss John Coleman says he is baffled over the reasons he was sent to the stands during Easter Monday's defeat by MK Dons.
Coleman reacted after seeing defender Leam Richardson knock over Dons assistant Ray Matthias.
"It is absolutely farcical," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"Our player tried to take a quick throw-in when their assistant manager stepped in front of him and then got knocked over."
I never got involved in a fight. I was trying to stop one and got sent to the stands
"It's comical because we were all laughing about it, but their manager (Paul Ince) took exception to it.
"He ran in and got involved in a melee and then the fourth official decided our player should be booked for trying to take a quick throw-in.
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Brentford manager Andy Scott has admitted the club's League Two play-off dream may still be alive.
The Bees beat Grimsby 2-1 on Monday to record back-to-back wins and are only five points off the top seven.
Scott told BBC London 94.9: ""We're not shouting from the rooftops about it. We've got six games to go. That's 18 points and we'll try to get them.
"If that takes us into the play-offs then great. I think we would have to win them all to get in the play-offs."
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Barnet captain Lee Harrison believes the club's conduct towards referees may have helped their League Two form.
The Bees recently decided only the skipper could talk to the official as a fine loomed for indiscipline.
Harrison told BBC London 94.9: "It's working brilliantly. It was a selfish reason to do it but it seems it's been taken on everywhere.
"We have gone on a 10-game unbeaten run, so we have been doing well and maybe it is working."
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Hereford United manager Graham Turner has said playing against 10 men is not always as simple as it would appear.
Lincoln City played a man short for an hour of Easter Monday's game, but still managed to beat the Bulls 2-1.
And Turner pointed out that, although supporters think it is easy to play against 10, it is often not the case.
"I would have been happier to play 11," Turner told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "10 men will often roll their sleeves up and put in a lot more effort."
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Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Simpson has promised his squad they will all get the chance to impress him before the end of the season.
Simpson has vowed to change the side around for League Two games once they are safe.
But he is still looking for a late loan signing before the end of the week.
He told BBC Radio Shropshire he has dismissed certain targets: "There were players I was considering, but I've narrowed my search."
The likes of Jimmy Ryan and Guy Madjo impressed in the reserves' 5-2 win over West Brom on Tuesday delighting the watching Simpson.
"It was a great performance, and the whole side showed great attitude - just what I want here," he said.
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Grimsby Town boss Alan Buckley says his players have harmed their chance of making the side for Sunday's Johnstones Paint Trophy final at Wembley.
Town were beaten 2-1 by Brentford at Blundell Park on Monday and Buckley was furious at a poor second-half showing.
He said: "As far as Wembley goes - who would pick a team on that performance?
"They can work hard in the week and, while I might have a Wembley team in mind, I don't think many players have enhanced their chances of playing."
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Peterborough United striker Scott Rendell is confident he and his team-mates can hold their nerve in their pursuit of the League Two title.
Posh, with six games left, are second behind MK Dons on goal difference and the leaders have a game in hand.
Rendell told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "In these situations, some teams may thrive while others will wobble a bit.
"We have got a lot of experience and quality, so we will be thriving on the situation until the end of the season"
Posh can regain top spot with a win against Lincoln on Saturday as MK Dons are playing in the final of the Football League Trophy.
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Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore was furious with his side's first-half performance at Bournemouth on Monday.
Rovers lost 2-1 to the League One strugglers and the result has seen them slip out of the play-off places.
Moore told BBC Radio Merseyside: "To be a goal down inside the first minute to a side playing a 4-5-1 formation at home shows we weren't up for it.
"For supporters to have travelled for five, six hours and see that first-half performance is totally unacceptable."
Rovers will look to get back in to the play-off places when Swindon visit Prenton Park on Friday.
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Leyton Orient manager Martin Ling believes his side's play-off hopes are over after back-to-back defeats.
The O's lost 1-0 at Cheltenham on Monday and are only three points behind the top six in League One.
But Ling told BBC London 94.9: "Deep down the loss has probably put paid to the play-offs. We've got 18 points available, that would take us to 74.
"Mathematically it's still possible but realistically its getting out of the realms of our reach at the moment."
He added: "We got back into it with the Swindon and Millwall wins and now we are starting to suffer again with two quick defeats."
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Yeovil manager Russell Slade felt some of his players let themselves down in Monday's 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool.
Nearly 150 fans braved the long journey to witness Yeovil fail to build on their victory against Doncaster.
"Players need to be performing to be honest for their own sake, for their own careers, for their own interest," Slade told BBC Somerset.
"There are one or two that are lacking a bit of consistency. There were one or two who let themselves down."
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Walsall's investment in young, talented players is set to be richly rewarded according to boss Richard Money.
Forwards Alex Nicholls and Troy Deeney are the latest to earn plaudits for their efforts off the bench during Monday's draw with Crewe.
"The two kids came on and gave everyone in the stadium a real lift, and that's the most promising thing," Money said.
"It's the biggest plus for me, and the future for the club is obviously very, very bright," he told BBC WM.
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Nottingham Forest have completed the loan signing of Coventry City goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.
The 29-year-old former Greek Under-21 international has joined until the end of the season.
Konstantopoulos has started 23 matches for the Sky Blues this season but has fallen out of favour under new manager Chris Coleman.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood says he is keen to give current number one Paul Smith more competition.
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Brighton keeper Michel Kuipers says their goal-less draw at Nottingham Forest points the way to success in their next game at Leeds United.
Kuipers was in excellent form at the City Ground, making two superb stops from Forest midfielder Kris Commons.
Kuipers told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "To keep a clean sheet at Forest gives us confidence.
"If you keep Leeds at bay for 25 to 30 minutes their crowd will be unsettled and it might work in our advantage."
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Carlisle United boss John Ward has admitted he and his staff are hard at work to bring in new recruits ahead of the loan deadline on Thursday.
The Cumbrians face a tough run-in with or without the potential of the play-offs and Ward is keen to bolster his squad accordingly.
"I've been on the telephone, staff are out at games and we've got calls in," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"We would like to bring somebody in but if we can't then we'll get on with it."
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Wales striker Sam Vokes insists the interest of two Premier League clubs as well Celtic "does not bother him".
Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has been linked with the Bournemouth rookie while Aston Villa and Celtic are also monitoring the 18-year-old's progress.
But Vokes said: "I've heard what has been said and while the interest is flattering, I'm not thinking about it.
"I've put it at the back of my mind as so long as I continue scoring goals, everything will take care of itself."
Vokes has impressed in his first full season since graduating from Bournemouth's youth academy and has scored 11 goals in a struggling team.
The relegation-threatened League One side are suffering a cash crisis with £4m of debt and Bournemouth have been placed into administration.
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Bristol Rovers defender Steve Elliott says he enjoyed his comeback in the 2-2 draw against Swansea on Monday.
Elliott returned to first team action after recovering from an injury picked up against Fulham two months ago.
He told BBC Radio Bristol: "It's been frustrating but there's nothing I can do about it. I wasn't fit enough and I wasn't ready."
"Hopefully this result now will kick us on, we'll get a few more wins and start getting up the table."
Rovers are 18th in League One, although they have games in hand on their rivals.
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Cheltenham Town striker Paul Connor insists he never doubted his ability despite a barren run of form.
Connor hit the winner in Monday's 1-0 win against Leyton Orient for only his third goal of the season.
"Every time I pull on a Cheltenham shirt on I give it a hundred percent," Connor told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"I never doubted my contribution because the manager wouldn't put me on the bench if he didn't think I was making a contribution." he added.
Town boss Keith Downing was also keen to praise Connor's efforts, revealing he played against the O's despite having been suffering from a virus.
"He had to get off his sick bed at the weekend, hasn't trained for the last day or two, lost a little bit of weight through his sickness bug," Downing explained.
"That typifies the football club really coming in and performing like that."
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Gillingham boss Mark Stimson believes his side will remain in League One, despite currently being five points from safety with just seven games left.
Stimson believes the Gills can get results they need in their remaining home games against Carlisle, Swindon and Swansea to help avoid relegation.
He told BBC Radio Kent: "The bunch of players who have travelled to Port Vale deserve to stay in this division.
"And I think they will because they've got the right attitude."
The attitude of other members of the squad - including four players who missed trained last week - has angered the Gills boss who has promised a big clear-out in the summer.
Meanwhile, Gills midfielder Adam Miller is facing a hernia operation in the summer, though he will continue to play until the end of the season.
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Crewe Alexandra want to extend Dean Morgan's loan from Luton Town and agree a loan deal with Burnley to bring Steve Jones back to Gresty Road.
Crewe coach Steve Holland told BBC Radio Stoke: "I've been pleased with Dean since he joined us, while I'll be talking to Burnley about Steve."
Morgan's current loan spell has now expired as he cannot play in Crewe's next match at Luton on Saturday.
Jones, fit after a knee injury, has indicated that he would like to return.
Crewe had a good Easter, beating Hartlepool on Saturday before being denied another victory only by a late Walsall equaliser on Monday. And, on top of the 3-0 win at Gillingham the Saturday before, seven points out of a possible nine have helped the Alex climb five points clear of danger.
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Leeds boss Gary McAllister has said defenders Paul Huntington and Ben Parker still have a big role to play at the club.
Parker, 20, has been allowed to go to Darlington on loan, while ex-Newcastle defender Huntingdon, also 20, has yet to start a game under the new manager.
"Ben has come up through the ranks of the Academy and I'm keen to keep that tradition going," said McAllister.
"Both him and Paul have big futures at this club. They are the future."
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Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson is counting the cost of injury to defender Sam Collins during Monday's 2-0 win against Yeovil at Victoria Park.
Collins, 29, hobbled off after falling awkwardly in an aerial challenge and Wilson is keen to ensure he suffers no further damage before returning.
"It has been a big blow for us quite honestly," he told BBC Tees.
Striker Richie Barker also limped off during the game and he is also a doubt for Swansea on Saturday.
"Richie Barker's done his hamstring, if it is as serious as we thought then he won't be about for the end of the season," Wilson said.
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Southend manager Steve Tilson said he was delighted with the number of his players scoring goals.
The Blues boss was speaking after defender Simon Francis scored his third goal of the season in their 1-0 victory over Swindon on Easter Monday.
He told BBC Essex: "We haven't had a striker this year who's going to score 15 or 20 goals.
"So it's important that we've scored from different areas of the park and that's what has happened this year."
Francis's strike was the 40th of the team's 60 league goals to have come from either defence or midfield this season.
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Burnley boss Owen Coyle has refused to admit defeat in the Clarets' attempt to reach the Championship play-offs.
Despite slipping three points behind sixth place after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Preston, Coyle remains confident his side can still bridge the gap.
"I think everything will have to go our way to do it," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"What we'll have to do is win our last six games and that starts on Saturday against Barnsley."
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QPR have announced a five-year kit sponsorship deal with Lotto Italia that will be worth up to £20m if they win promotion to the Premier League.
The contract will begin at the start of next season and is the most financially rewarding in the club's history.
Flavio Briatore, chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, said: "This is the first significant new partnership for the club since I became involved.
"I am very excited about it and I look forward to working with Lotto."
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john the tinca
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Ipswich reserve striker Dean Bowditch has staked a claim to play against QPR on Saturday after scoring a hat-trick in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Stevenage.
The 21-year-old's display could earn him a recall to manager Jim Magilton's starting line-up, almost 18 months after his last senior appearance.
Particularly as Jon Walters and Pablo Counago are ruled out of Saturday's game and Shefki Kuqi is doubtful.
Bowditch's last first-team goal came against QPR in August two years ago.
The former England youth international returned to Suffolk earlier this month after a loan spell at Brighton and Hove Albion was curtailed by a groin injury.
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john the tinca
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Two footballers arrested over allegations of theft at a Hampshire nightclub have been bailed.
Championship club Southampton FC confirmed its striker Bradley Wright-Phillips and winger Nathan Dyer had been detained on Tuesday.
Hampshire Police said a man, 20 and man, 23, were bailed until 17 June at Portsmouth Central police station.
The arrests follow a probe after thefts at Bar Bluu in Southsea on 28 February, which were later reported on 5 March.
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john the tinca
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Stoke forward Mama Sidibe has admitted he is frustrated at having scored only twice this season.
The 28-year-old Mali international told BBC Radio Stoke: "As a striker you are judged by how many goals you score.
"You can work hard, but the goals are the most important thing. This is what is letting me down and it is not easy but I will keep trying.
"The manager wants me to play behind the striker looking after the midfield so it is not easy to score goals."
Sidibe has also said that he feels his place in the starting line-up may be under threat after the arrival of Jay Bothroyd on loan from Wolves.
"With a player like Bothroyd on the bench I sometimes fell less confident, but if the manager still wants me to be on the pitch then that is good. It's a strange feeling."
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