St Mirren are preparing to close the gates for the final time on Love Street, the ground they have called home since 1894.

The Scottish Premier League side, who are currently sitting pretty in 8th place, will be hosting their final ever game at the much cherished stadium against Motherwell on Saturday.

Love Street has seen many a great moment in the Saints history, with the record attendance coming against one of the Old Firm in the guise of Celtic, when over 47,000 fans literally packed it to the rafters in 1949.

Although it is an historic moment for the Saints, manager Gus MacPherson is insisting that all sentiment is put on hold until the final whistle as a win could see his side climb to sixth in the table, and put further distance between St Mirren and their visitors Motherwell: “We’ll not use (the last game at Love Street] as an excuse as the only way we will get a result is if we play the way we did against Falkirk away, Kilmarnock away, and our two home games.”

The Saints will move to their new stadium, adaptly named St Mirren Park and having a capacity of 8,000, for their fixture against Kilmarnock on 31st January.

By Alex Zielski

Red cards have a habit of cropping up and changing the course of games.

Most of the time, the game will already have a set course. One fixture however, didn’t even get that chance.

Chippenham Town striker David Pratt has broken the record for the fastest ever sending off, and nearly his opponents leg in the process.

Just three seconds into is side’s Southern Premier Division clash with Bashley, Pratt lunged at Chris Knowles straight from the kick off, and was subsequently given his marching orders.

Bashley boss Steve Riley, whose side went onto win the fixture 2-1, said: “The lad’s gone in with his studs showing and went straight through my player. It was a potential leg-breaker. The ref had no choice.”

Luckily Knowles was able to continue after treatment.

The sending off will now go into the record books having surpassed Giuseppe Lorenzo of Bologna who saw red after only 10 seconds for hitting an opposition player against Parma in 1990.

Do any AFS members have memories of fast sending off’s? If so, please add your comments.

By Alex Zielski

Further data courtesy of The Knowledge section of the Guardian web site:

Pratt was indeed reported (by this very website, among others) to have set a new record when he was dismissed for ploughing into Bashley’s Chris Knowles after three seconds of Chippenham’s 2-1 British Gas Business Premier defeat on December 27. We had all forgotten, however, about Cross Farm Park Celtic striker Lee Todd, who was sent off just two seconds into a game back in October 2000.

Where Pratt was sent off for a reckless challenge, Todd got his marching orders for foul language. Todd had his back to referee at the start of Cross Farm’s Sunday league game against Taunton East Reach Wanderers, and was startled by the force with which the whistle was blown for kick-off. “*#%$ me, that was loud,” muttered Todd, and the referee promptly showed him the red card.

“I wasn’t swearing at the ref or anyone else,” protested Todd afterwards. “Anyone else would have done the same - he nearly blew my ear off.” Manager Mark Heard was supportive. “Players should be sent off for swearing at the ref or a player,” he added after his team won the game 11-2. “But referees are supposed to use a bit of common sense.”

Previously we discovered the record for the quickest dismissal at the beginning of a professional match was believed to have been held by Giuseppe Lorenzo of the Italian club Bologna, who was sent off after 10 seconds in 1990 for hitting a Parma player. And then there are the substitutes. Sheffield United’s Keith Gillespie was technically sent off after zero seconds during a Premier League game against Reading in January 2007, but that was after he had come on as a substitute. After replacing Derek Geary early in the second half, Gillespie elbowed Stephen Hunt in the face and duly saw red before the game had even been restarted. Walter Boyd achieved a similar feat whilst at Swansea, earning himself a dismissal before play had resumed when he was brought on as a substitute by Swansea during a game against Darlington back in 2000.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was arrested this morning after a disturbance at a Southport restaurant in the early hours.

Gerrard, 28, who scored twice in Liverpool’s 5-1 mauling of Newcastle yesterday, was detained after police were called to the Lounge Inn on Bold Street.

It is believed that the Reds midfielder was arrested along with six other men on Lord Street, which is around the corner from the entertainment venue.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We are investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday December 29 on Bold Street in Southport. Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault, on Lord Street.”

Liverpool Football Club have so far declined to comment on the incident.

Jewell Resigns As Rams Boss

Paul Jewell has left his position as Derby County manager following his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town yesterday.

Suspicion had been growing on Jewell’s future at the club when he failed to attend the post match press conference following the loss.

It was the former Wigan Athletic manager’s 50th game in charge of the Rams, out of which he had only won seven with 30 defeats.

Jewell’s former assistant Chris Hutchings will now take charge of the club for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Forest Green Rovers.

Jewell had guided Derby to the semi finals of the Carling Cup where they face Manchester United, but the club sit 18th in the Championship and only five points off the relegation area.

County chairman Adam Pearson said: “It was probably one result too far for Paul. He came to see me after the game and said that he felt it just wasn’t working out and didn’t want to club to suffer as a result. He just feels that the club needs a fresh impetus and a new direction.”

Bloods Given The Boot From Cup

Droylsden have been kicked out of the FA Cup after they fielded an illegible player in their Second Round replay against Chesterfield.

Sean Newton, who scored both goals to send Droylsden through to the Third Round to face Ipswich Town, should have been serving a one match ban for a suspension.

The FA have now taken the decision to throw the Blue Square North side out of the competition for their breach of the rules. Droylsden chairman and manager Dave Pace said: “It is ludicrous as we have beaten Chesterfield fair and square on the field. It was a genuine mistake by our secretary. Fine us by all means but don’t kick us out.”

Droylsden now have until tomorrow to appeal against the decision. The replay was the fourth time that the tie was attempted to be resolved, with the first being abandoned due to fog, the second finishing in a draw which resulted in the replay and the third called off due to floodlight failure. The draw at Saltergate also saw Chesterfield allowing their visitors to score a ‘free goal’.

Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson said: “This has been a cup tie with many talking points and it seems that the FA has now had the last word.”

By Alex Zielski

Liverpool ensured that they are going into the new year at the top of the Premiership pile as they destroyed Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Captain Steven Gerrard was influential as the Reds took Newcastle apart, with Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given ensuring the scoreline didn’t resemble that of a cricket match.

Liverpool played without both Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres, but this didn’t stop them getting five with Gerrard grabbing two, which sandwiched Sami Hypia’s header and Ryan Babel’s strike.

The homeside had pulled it back to 2-1 with David Edgar rising to pull one back. However, Xavi Alonso’s 76th minute penalty completed a resounding win that sees Liverpool move three points clear after Chelsea were held by Fulham, 2-2 at Cravern Cottage, Frank Lampard also getting a double.

A mention must go to Peterborough United who won a nine goal thriller at Cheltenham by six goals to three. The win sees Darren Ferguson’s men firmly in the play offs, just six points behind MK Dons in second. Leicester City continue to lead the way, recording their eight successive home win over Hereford United with a 2-1 victory.

By Alex Zielski

Celtic have moved seven points clear of Rangers after their narrow Old Firm victory.

Scott McDonald’s excellent second half strike was enough to give the visitors all three points at Ibrox and put Celtic in control of this year’s title race.

Artur Boruc had pulled off a strong save to deny Kris Boyd when he was clean through on goal, but it was Celtic who took the win when McDonald turned and hit a half volley past Allan McGregor.

Elsewhere, Dundee United maintained third place when they beat Falkirk 1-0 at home, Scott Robertson getting the decisive winner.

By Alex Zielski

Colin Calderwood has become the latest managerial casualty following Nottingham Forest’s 4-2 home defeat to relegation rivals Doncaster Rovers.

Calderwood took charge of the East Midland side where he guided them to the Championship at the second attempt, snatching second spot on the last day of the season thanks to a win against Yeovil Town, who had defeated Forest in the 2007 Play Off semi finals.

Despite a positive start to the season, Forest have spent most of the campaign in the bottom three, winning just four games out of 25.

Chief Executive Mark Arthur said: “We’re grateful to Colin for his efforts over the last two and a half years, in particular for leading us to promotion from League One. But we’re in a results business and it’s imperative that the club stays in the Championship. We need to give ourselves every opportunity to do that.”

Elsewhere in a packed Boxing Day schedule, Liverpool and Chelsea kept up their fine form with 3-0 and 2-0 home victories over Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion respectively, while Manchester United needed a late Carlos Tevez strike to overcome 10-man Stoke City.

Manchester City recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory over Hull City at Eastlands, while Champions League chasers Aston Villa and Arsenal had to settle for a point each in a 2-2 draw following Zat Knight’s last minute leveller. Everton grabbed all three points at the Riverside as they beat Middlesbrough by a goal to nil, Tim Cahill making his mark. West Ham United recorded an impressive win at Fratton Park against Portsmouth, Craig Bellamy getting two in their 4-1 win, whilst Tottenham Hotspur against Fulham and Sunderland versus Blackburn Rovers ended goalless.

By Alex Zielski

Simon Grayson has resigned from Blackpool in controversial fashion, and appointed the new manager of Leeds United.

Grayson handed the Seasiders his resignation, which they rejected, only for him to leave anyway.

Grayson had a successful period as Blackpool boss including leading them to promotion to the Championship when they beat Yeovil Town in the League One Play Off Final in 2007.

However the lure of Leeds United, even though they are a division below Blackpool, proved to be too much for the 39 year-old who started his professional career with the Yorkshiremen before joining Leicester City in 1992.

United have moved quickly to bring in a new manager before Christmas following the departure of Gary McAllister on Sunday.

The move has angered Blackpool who are considering their legal options.

A club statement read: “The resignation was not accepted by the board of directors and the club are now considering legal action against both Grayson and Leeds.”

By Alex Zielski

John Terry was given his marching orders as Chelsea had to settle for a hard earned draw at Everton.

Terry was sent off in controversial fashion by referee Phil Dowd after his tackle on Leon Osman earned him a straight red card.

This upped the tempo after the restart, with Everton coming close through both Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar.

However, both sides had to settle for a point which benefited Everton’s Merseyside rivals more than anyone else.

By Alex Zielski

Gary McAllister is the latest managerial casulty of the season after he was sacked following Leeds United’s fifth straight defeat.

The final straw for chairman Ken Bates and the Elland Road board came in yesterday’s 3-1 defeat to MK Dons.

Leeds had been having a shocking run which included being knocked out of the FA Cup by non league Histon.

McAllister joined the club following Dennis Wise’s departure to Newcastle United in January this year, and steered Leeds to the League One Play Off Final, despite a 15 point deduction, where they were defeated by Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers.

However after a positive start to this season’s League One campaign, recent results have seen the former Champions League semi-finalists drop to ninth in the third tear of English football, and five points adrift of the Play Offs.

The former Coventry City manager, who took a break from the game due to the illness of his wife, was thanked for his efforts: “The club would like to place on record its thanks for the loyal service given to Leeds United by Gary since joining the club as manager in January 2008, and wish him every success in the future.”

Milan Parade Beckham

David Beckham was unveiled at the San Siro following his loan switch from American side LA Galaxy today.

The 33 year-old was paraded around the pitch before AC Milan’s home fixture against Udinese, a game which they won 5-1.

He has been given the number 32 shirt and could make his debut against Roma on the 11 January when the Italian season resumes following the Christmas break.

By Alex Zielski

Sam Allardyce made the dream start to his new managerial era as Blackburn Rovers easily overcame Stoke City in his first game, winning 3-0.

All of the goals came in the first half, with a Benny McCarthy double sandwiching a Jason Roberts strike to hand Rovers victory.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Aston Villa found themselves moving upto third after beating West Ham United by a solitary goal at Upton Park, Lucas Neill deflecting James Milner’s late strike into his own net.

Stand in Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia did himself no harm in gaining the vacant managers post as the Black Cats thumped Hull City at the KC Stadium. Three late goals, including one apiece from strike partners Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse, secured a 4-1 win.

The most important result of the day in the Championship was in the early kick off at St Andrews.

Reading have subsequently replaced Birmingham City in the second automatic promotion spot following a 3-1 victory.

Noel Hunt opened the scoring for the Royals with Kevin Phillips equalising midway through the second half. However the visitors let their dominance show when Kevin Doyle and Kalifa Cisse wrapped up the points.

This meant that Wolverhampton Wanderers had the chance to move clear at the top, and duly obliged when they won at Doncaster Rovers. Neil Collins headed the only goal of the game in the 81st minute.

In League One, Gary McAllister’s Leeds United suffered their fifth straight defeat, losing to 3-1 to MK Dons, who are now in second behind Leicester City after they trounced Peterborough United 4-0.

By Alex Zielski