Luton Town have become the first Football League club to secure promotion this season with Tranmere Rovers’ defeat at Brentford on Tuesday. Hull City appear to be strong favourites to follow them but who will take the Play-Off route to the Championship?Luton Town have become the first Football League club to secure promotion this season with Tranmere Rovers’ defeat at Brentford on Tuesday. Hull City appear to be strong favourites to follow them but who will take the Play-Off route to the Championship?

The Tigers now need three points from their remaining four games to deny their former manager Brian Little guiding Rovers to automatic promotion. As with our Championship review, despite a season of consistent form, the history of the Play-Offs in the previously named Second Division / old Third Division grade offers little solace for the Prenton Park team.

Of those 16 previous seasons, the third placed club (or its equivalent) has gone on to win the Play-Offs only fives times. Tranmere had finished in the second Play-off place when they denied Bolton Wanderers in the 1991 Final who became the first of the 11 third-placed (or equivalent) failures. The club that has finished highest in the final league table have been eliminated in the semis six times.

The fourth placed club (or equivalent) has been promoted four times, the fifth (or equivalent) just once - Stoke City in 2002 - while the sixth (or equivalent) have had the most success with six Play-Off Final victories.

It looks like its down to Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday, Hartlepool United and AFC Bournemouth are the only remaining candidates left to vie for the three other Play-Off places although - despite having to make up a gap of seven points with only 12 available - Bristol City and Huddersfield Town will continue their quest until it becomes mathematically impossible.

A key game this weekend sees fifth-placed Sheffield Wednesday go to sixth-placed Hartlepool United on Friday evening.

Our photo shows the Sheffield Wednesday team that won promotion from the old Second Division in 1950.

A week after the first details of the Burns Review into the structure of the Football Association were revealed, the Enterprise and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament has launched a consultation into the future shape of Scottish football.A week after the first details of the Burns Review into the structure of the Football Association were revealed, the Enterprise and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament has launched a consultation into the future shape of Scottish football.

As is the case south of the border, MSPs are calling on supporters to offer their advice and assistance.

The consultation has been explained by Rob Robertson in today’s edition of The Herald:

Having so many different organisations running Scottish football is having a detrimental effect, a major Scottish Parliament report revealed last night.

“Public money is going into football and our report is fully merited. We hope we can provide a national consensus about what needs to be done to improve the game.”

Related Links:

Scottish Football Inquiry Homepage

The Scottish Parliament Enterprise and Culture Committee’s Football Interim Report and Discussion Paper

Enterprise and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament

Ipswich Town’s defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers last night means that the Suffolk club remain out of the two automatic promotion places on goal difference only as the exciting Championship campaign continues towards a nail-biting climax.Ipswich Town’s defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers last night means that the Suffolk club remain out of the two automatic promotion places on goal difference only as the exciting Championship campaign continues towards a nail-biting climax.

It has appeared for many weeks that one of Town, Wigan Athletic or Sunderland will unfortunately miss out and have to fight for a treasured Premiership slot via the Play-Offs.

The perception is that the club finishing in third place does not prosper in the Play-Offs and an analysis of the Play-Offs for a top flight place since it became a competition between four Championship / First Division / old Second Division clubs in 1988 certainly proves that the preceding nine months work provides no advantage.

Of those 16 previous seasons, the third placed club (or its equivalent) has gone on to win the Play-Offs only four times. Ipswich were one of the four when they beat Barnsley 4-2 in the 1999-00 final, and one of the 12 failures when they went out in the 1998-99 semi-final to Bolton Wanderers on the away goal rule. That was one of eight times that the third club has fallen at the first hurdle.

Overall, it can be reasonably concluded that the old saying that Play-Offs are a lottery is well founded. The fourth placed club (or equivalent) has been promoted three times, the fifth (or equivalent) five and the sixth (or equivalent) on four occasions.

Sunderland currently have a five-point advantage over Wigan and Ipswich but, with four games to go, there’s still the potential for a dramatic change especially as the Black Cats go to Portman Road for their next game.

Mick McCarthy’s men also have to travel to Play-Off hopefuls West Ham United whilst they entertain Leicester City and Stoke City.

Crewe Alexandra are the team to complete the Portman Road programme. The Tractor Boys are also on the road to Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic visit Leicester City and Preston North End, and play host to Queens Park Rangers and Reading who are currently in sixth place.

Our photo shows the Ipswich Town team that won the First Division championship in 1962

A day after losing his title as Everton’s youngest-ever player, Joe Royle could indirectly play his part in other rather more obscure records.A day after losing his title as Everton’s youngest-ever player, Joe Royle could indirectly play his part in other rather more obscure records.

If Joe’s Ipswich Town team avoid defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight, they will regain their place in the Championship automatic promotion places.

The form book would suggest that they could quite likely bring a point back from Molineux as Wolves are this season’s draw specialists to such an extent that they are now threatening the Football League record for the most draws in a season.

With five games to go, Glenn Hoddle’s men have drawn 20 of their Championship games this term. The current record is 23 which has been achieved on the following four occasions:

Division 1 in 1978-79 —– Norwich City
Division 4 in 1986-87 —– Exeter City
Division 3 in 1997-98 —– Cardiff City
Division 3 in 1997-98 —– Hartlepool United

Included in their total, Wolves have featured in 12 1-1 draws. The current record for 1-1 scorelines in a Football League season is 14 and it has been achieved on the following five occasions:

Division 4 in 1968-69 —– Bradford City
Division 3 in 1970-71 —– Rotherham United
Division 3 in 1989-90 —– Reading
Division 3 in 1991-92 —– Bradford City
Division 2 in 2003-04 —– Oldham Athletic

17 year-old Ryan Smith from Grimsby is a new entry onto the list of players who’ve scored the most goals in one game by netting 16 goals in a Lincolnshire Intermediate League game last weekend.17 year-old Ryan Smith from Grimsby is a new entry onto the list of players who’ve scored the most goals in one game by netting 16 goals in a Lincolnshire Intermediate League game last weekend.

Playing for Expression Colts, Ryan fired his team to a 20-0 win against Holton-le-Clay Grasshoppers in the North League. He is now the league’s leading scorer with 57 and has notched a remarkable total of 226 goals over the last four seasons.

The delighted youngster who has already attracted the attention of Lincoln City told the Grimsby Evening Telegraph: “I couldn’t believe it. I could have scored 20, though, I hit the bar twice and missed a few chances.

“I have scored nine a couple of times in games but never this much. There was no headers, just with my right and my left foot. We went into half-time 8-0 ahead and I had scored seven of them!”

Ryan’s manager Jim Collins added: “He is just so fast it is unbelievable. He has quick feet and is a bit special - a natural goalscorer who is really passionate about his football.”

The record for the most goals in a first class game currently stands at 13 by John Petrie in Arbroath’s famous 36-0 win against Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup on 12 September 1885 and by Australia’s Archie Thompson in the farcical 31-0 World Cup Qualifying victory against American Samoa in New South Wales on 11 April 2001.

Despite his tremendous effort, Ryan will be disappointed to learn that he cannot claim the record for the most goals in a competitive game at any level. We are aware of an awesome 22-goal haul by Linda Curl of Norwich in a 40-0 win against Milton Keynes in FA Women’s Challenge Cup tie in 1983.

All is not lost though as Expression Colts are due to play the return fixture with Holton-le-Clay Grasshoppers this weekend!

If you aware of a similar extreme goalscoring feat at football’s grassroots level, we’d be delighted and grateful to hear from you. Please forward the details to mark@11v11.com

Here are some of the latest transactions added to the extensive AFS DatabaseHere are some of the latest transactions added to the extensive AFS Database

31 Mar 2005 Mo Harkin - Crawley Town to Forest Green Rovers (Free)
31 Mar 2005 Paul Buckle - Tiverton Town to Exeter City (Player / Coach)
01 Apr 2005 Wayne O’Sullivan - Exeter City to Clevedon Town (Free)

Login to our Members’ Area now to view more details in our Latest Transfers & Transfer History section.

Alain Perrin will become the latest Premiership managerial import when he is unveiled as Portsmouth’s new manager at lunchtime today. An unfamiliar name to most English supporters, Alain’s route to the top has not been via the familiar course. Alain Perrin will become the latest Premiership managerial import when he is unveiled as Portsmouth’s new manager at lunchtime today. An unfamiliar name to most English supporters, Alain’s route to the top has not been via the familiar course.

The 48 year-old Frenchman started his working life as a PE teacher. Although he did not play professionally, he became an expert in sports science methods.

In 1983, Alain became a junior coach at Nancy where he worked under Arsene Wenger. In 1988, he was named the head of the club’s academy and developed the talents of such as Mustapha Hadji and Tony Vairelles.

The move that was to change his career came in 1993 when he was appointed coach of semi-professional Third Division Troyes. He combined his first-team coaching duties with those as general manager.

They were promoted to Ligue 2 in 1996 before he led them into Ligue 1 in 1999 only 13 years after the club’s formation.

He confounded the critics by keeping Troyes in the French top flight despite a meague budget. After defeating Newcastle United in the UEFA Intertoto Cup Final, Alain’s Troyes side reached the UEFA Cup Second Round in 2001 where they lost narrowly to Leeds United.

On 7 May 2002, he was appointed Olympique Marseille’s coach and general manager in charge of sporting matters. He agreed a three-year deal to replace Bernard Tapie.

His appointment followed that of new chairman Christophe Bouchet as owner Robert-Louis Dreyfus made sweeping changes at the Vélodrome.

Marseille had finished ninth in Le Championnat; two places behind Troyes.

Christophe Bouchet commented: “In nine years Alain Perrin rebuilt Troyes from top to bottom, making them a great club. He was able to find answers to the many problems he faced there.”

With Didier Drogba being one of his notable signings, Alain took OM into the Champions League at his first attempt but, although lying sixth in the league, he was sacked in February 2004 and replaced by Jose Anigo who took the club to the UEFA Cup Final.

Ironically, his availability immediately attracted the attention of Southampton. With Saints’ boss Gordon Strachan having announced his intention to leave his St Mary’s post, chairman Rupert Lowe was reported to have travelled to France for talks.

If true, they did not reach a successful conclusion as Alain accepted the position of manager at Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in July 2004. However, he was sacked in October after a poor run of results.

Yesterday, Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric revealed Alain - who has the reputation as a strict disciplinarian - as his “number one candidate” to be the club’s new manager. It is expected he will sign a contract to June 2007 and will be assisted in a consultancy capacity to the end of this season by former Tottenham Hotspur Director of Football David Pleat.

It is thought that Joe Jordan will remain as coach while Velimir Zajec will revert to his role as executive director role.

Portsmouth are just four points above the relegation places having lost eight of their last ten Premiership games.

The first details have been revealed about the structural review of the Football Association to be chaired by Lord Burns - and we can confirm that submissions will be made by the AFS.The first details have been revealed about the structural review of the Football Association to be chaired by Lord Burns - and we can confirm that submissions will be made by the AFS.

The statement below has been issued on the FA’s official web site:

Lord Burns was appointed by The FA in December 2004 as an independent chair for the review, designed to ensure that organisation is “fit-for-purpose” to govern the game in the 21st century.

Now he has revealed a list of questions that form part of a consultation document accessible to anyone with an interest in the game.

The document is available [see below] and Lord Burns hopes that managers, fans and administrators will make their views known as well as council members and FA shareholders.

Questions deal with all aspects of The FA’s organisation and decision-making processes - and Lord Burns believes that many will say it is the right time to modernise.

He said: “I think we are dealing here with a structure which in a large part has been in place for a long time, even though there was a significant review five or six years ago.

“I think there is a sense that the world has moved on to a considerable extent. The game is now much more commercial, there is much more money at stake and indeed interest and attendance levels are at a very, very high level.

“There is now much greater involvement of some of the international bodies in what happens in football as well. So it is a sensible time to have a review and to look at it and ask whether or not the decision making bodies are the most effective they could be for the challenges they face, which are a different set of challenges to those that were there 20 years ago.

“What I’m seeking to look at here is whether the bodies are constructed in a way which makes them effective decision making bodies.”

Lord Burns has already been working on the project for four months and is due to publish his report in July.

He said: “I have spent a good deal of time reading documents, looking at minutes of meetings, looking at handbooks and seeing what are the responsibilities of the various bodies. I have also been engaged in quite a wide range of meetings, not only with the people at The FA but also with people from the Premier League, Football League, Conference, the National Game, one of the supporters’ groups and the League Managers Association.

“I have also been recruiting consultants who will help me to look at the decision making processes as they are at the moment and also to look at what happens elsewhere, both in other games and other countries.

“The priority is trying to design a structure that is capable of making effective decisions across all the range of issues that The FA is responsible for.”

The consultation process is about to begin in earnest, with a May 6 deadline for responses. But Lord Burns has already held many personal meetings with interested parties.

He said: “The response so far has been very good and people, especially those who are not members of the board such as supporters groups, managers and the Conference, have been delighted to be consulted. We are looking for as many responses as possible to the consultation document.”

Geoff Thompson, chairman of The FA, has welcomed Lord Burns’ approach and is fully behind the review.

He said: “Football has changed significantly in recent years and we need to act to ensure that The FA also evolves to respond to the increasingly diverse demands of the game.

“I am delighted that Lord Burns has agreed to act as an Independent Chair for this review. Terry Burns has extensive experience in organisational reviews and will bring a healthy degree of objectivity to the process.”

Brian Barwick, Chief Executive of The FA, added: “I welcome the Structural Review - and look forward to Lord Burns’ recommendations. The Football Association is a well-established institution but should always be open to new ideas and thoughts.”

* Lord Terry Burns was permanent secretary to the Treasury from 1991 to 1998 and was the chairman of the inquiry into hunting with dogs in 2000 and the National Lottery commission from 2000-01.

He also advised Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell in putting together recommendations for reform of the BBC.

FA STRUCTURAL REVIEW DOWNLOADS

A) FA Structural Review Consultation Document [pdf]

B) FA Structural Review Feedback [pdf]

C) FA Structural Review Sports Equity Monitoring [pdf]