The Latest Championship News, Views and general gossip.
- Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:46:36 +0000: EFL star told manager ‘I’ve signed for Benfica’ moments after being picked to play game - EFL Championship News, Features, Opinion - talkSPORT
Steve Bruce was once told a player had joined another club an hour before leaving for a match.
It came just months into his first ever managerial role during the 1998/99 season.
Bruce has recalled the ‘difficult’ moments he faced during his first managerial role at Sheffield United Getty Almost three decades later, the former defender has managed over 1,000 matches including 477 in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, he is currently without a club having been sacked by Blackpool in October following 13 months in charge.
Back in 1998, though, Bruce had joined Sheffield United as player manager at the start of the campaign.
Although he would play his final match in November 1998, Bruce remained in the dugout until the end of the season.
Surprise transfer exit
However, his time at the club was not without its challenges, one of which came ahead of a trip to face Bristol City on December 5, 1998.
Bruce has revealed he had picked talkSPORT’s Dean Saunders for the match only to learn he had been sold prior to kick-off.
The striker left the team’s hotel to fly to Portugal and complete a move to Benfica an hour before they were due to head to the match.
Speaking to Hawksbee and Jacobs on Monday, Bruce recalled the interaction when asked if he had ever had this communicated from the club hierarchy over team selection during his managerial career.
The former Premier League manager explained: “I’ve had it where (they said) ‘why did you play that team?’ You have that, unfortunately.
“Even when I went back in, my first bit of management was Dean Saunders.
Saunders revealed he had agreed to join Benfica an hour before the Blades were due to leave their hotel PA:Empics Sport 
Saunders ditched the bright lights of Bramall Lane for the Estadio Da Luz Getty “We were playing Bristol City, and I’ll have to say this about Dean, he’s good value on the radio and I enjoyed managing him for a short period.
“But we’re playing Bristol City away and he’s due to play, he’s playing. I’m the manager and I haven’t played for a few months and I’m the player-manager.
“I could hear him walking down the tunnel, walking down the hotel and this was about an hour (before leaving) and he was whistling away, singing away and I said, ‘Dean, we’re not leaving for another hour, why have you got your bags?’
“He said, ‘Nobody told you?’ I said, ‘Told me what?’ He said, ‘I’ve just signed for Benfica.’ I said, ‘What? Just signed for Benfica?’ He said, ‘Yes, I’m on the half past three from Heathrow.’
“He says, ‘Thanks ever so much Steve, it’s a pleasure to meet you,’ and walks out through the door and I thought, ‘Who am I going to call?’
“That was my first job in management and I thought, ‘Wow, wow, what do I do about this?’ And I found it very, very difficult I have to tell you.”
Bruce has gone on to manage over 1,000 matches after starting his career as the Blades’ player manager Getty Saunders had scored ten goals in just 23 appearances under Bruce for the Blades prior to his sudden exit.
United would go on to lose 2-0 to Bristol City, whilst the Welsh forward’s move to Benfica was completed three days later.
His time in Portugal saw Saunders score five goals in 19 appearances before returning to England the following summer at Bradford City.
As for Bruce’s Blades, they ended the season in eighth place in the First Division, now known as the Championship.
Having finished nine points adrift of the play-offs, he departed the club for Huddersfield Town at the end of the campaign.
It followed 54 matches in charge at Bramall Lane, which saw him taste victory on 22 occasions.
- Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:58:38 +0000: New footage shows EFL referee being escorted off pitch by security - EFL Championship News, Features, Opinion - talkSPORT
A referee needed to be escorted off the pitch by security following Ipswich’s 1-1 draw with Leicester on Saturday afternoon.
Patson Daka had fired the Foxes in front shortly before the break before Sindre Egeli ensured the spoils would be shared.
Busby waved away Ipswich protests for a late penalty that could have huge ramifications in the promotion race Getty Egeli’s 76th-minute strike does mean that Leicester have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 30 matches, although it will be viewed as a point gained for the under-pressure Foxes.
Ipswich were left reeling as the EFL official waved away a penalty appeal in the fifth minute of stoppage-time.
Hamza Choudhury appeared to pulled down Cedric Kipre in the Leicester box, but Busby opted against awarding a spot kick, which prompted a furious response from the home side.
Kipre sprinted over to the referee to protest against the decision while a number of teammates were hot on the 29-year-old’s heels to argue with Busby.
The defender, along with Leicester’s Jordan James, were booked in the aftermath of the incident.
Tractor Boos
Boos rang out at Portman Road once it became clear that a penalty wasn’t going to be awarded.
And Busby, who has presided over 15 Championship games this season, was joined by his assistants as they were escorted back to the dressing room by eight members of security as new footage shows the referee surrounded by staff donning fluorescent jackets.
The result may have huge ramifications in Ipswich’s promotion push as a point saw Ipswich drop behind Millwall and close the gap to second-placed Middlesbrough to just two points.
Considering Ipswich have scored more Championship penalties than any other team this season, chances are the Suffolk-side would have gone level with Boro in the automatic promotion spots.
“Yeah, I think it’s clear that’s the feeling in the stadium and in the dressing room,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna began when asked about the referee.
McKenna made his feelings known about the penalty decision after the stalemate Getty “Look, I don’t want to start with a referee, but you’ve asked me that as the first question.
“I wouldn’t have started with that, because there’s other things to the game. I loved how we chased the game in the second half.
“But I thought we had at least two clear penalties. There’s one on Anis [Mehmeti]. And the one on Cedric at the end, it’s crazy for me that it’s not given.
“It couldn’t be any more clear. There’s nowhere else that you can look. Dara [O’Shea] puts an incredible ball in the six-yard box and it’s the only place that all the officials have to look.
“Cedric gets fouled in every way he can get fouled. So yeah, it’s really frustrating because I really, really liked the way we chased the game.
“We should have a clear penalty to go and win the game. It’s the same referee and the same situation with Preston.
Ipswich players were not happy about the referee’s decision to not give a late penalty Getty 
Several players gathered round Busby and the officials were subsequently escorted off the pitch Getty “We should have had a clear penalty at the end of that game [1-1 draw in January], but today was even worse and even more clear.
“I think we should have had at least one. No, I think we should have had two penalties. I don’t know what minute that one on Cedric was [95th], but we should have a kick to win the game.
“Had we done that, I think our supporters would be going home really proud of the second half performance. The spirit and character that the group showed again and what would have been very likely a comeback victory.”
Ref ‘didn’t see it’
McKenna continued: “He said he didn’t see it. It’s not good enough, is it? There’s nowhere else to look. The cross comes in from really wide, so as soon as it’s crossed, the only place to look is what’s going on in the penalty box.
“We take his word that he didn’t see it, but I don’t know how you can’t. He was pulling me over for a chat on the side just to get away from the bodies.
“There was no aggression between myself or the referee on that. Of course there was frustration but, no, we pulled away from the bodies because there was a lot of people around.
“That’s when he explained that he didn’t see the incident. That’s all that was.”
Ipswich will hope to return to winning ways when they face Stoke City on Tuesday night before they travel to relegated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
- Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:26:13 +0000: Oxford United academy player tragically dies after collapsing during match - EFL Championship News, Features, Opinion - talkSPORT
Oxford United have confirmed the tragic passing of 15-year-old academy player, Amelia Aplin.
Aplin collapsed during an academy game against Fulham at the club’s training centre in Horspath on Saturday afternoon.
Oxford United have released a statement following the girl’s tragic death Getty “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of 15-year-old Academy player, Amelia Aplin,” a statement read on the club’s official X account.
“Amelia collapsed during a Girls’ Academy game against Fulham at the Club’s Training Centre in Horspath yesterday afternoon.
“The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Oxford United are with Amelia’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.
“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the medical staff at both Oxford United and Fulham Football Club, along with the emergency services.
“The club will offer support to Amelia’s family, players, coaches and staff impacted by this tragic event.
“We would ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Football community passes on condolences
The football community were quick to send their condolences to the club and the player’s family.
“What devastating news. The thoughts of everyone at Milton Keynes Dons are with Amelia’s friends and family and everyone at Oxford United at this extremely difficult time,” MK Dons posted.
Carlisle United wrote: “The thoughts of everyone at Carlisle United are with Amelia’s family, friends, and those at Oxford United at this incredibly difficult time.”
Didcot Town United added: The thoughts of everyone at Didcot Town are with the family and friends of Amelia and Oxford United.
A number of clubs have passed on their condolences Oxford United “Everyone at Millwall sends their thoughts and heartfelt condolences to Amelia’s friends, family and all at Oxford United at this incredibly sad time,” Championship side Millwall replied.
“Our thoughts are with Amelia’s family, friends, and everyone at Oxford United during this extremely difficult time,” Ipswich Town wrote in their post.
Football commentator Jacqui Oatley quoted the Oxford United statement by simply writing: “Tragic.”
- Sat, 07 Mar 2026 16:51:03 +0000: Championship clash stopped due to crowd emergency as club staff deployed - EFL Championship News, Features, Opinion - talkSPORT
Bristol City’s 2-0 loss against Coventry City was briefly stopped due to an emergency in the crowd.
The referee brought play to a halt around the 70-minute mark after fans in the away end desperately called for assistance.
Staff at Ashton Gate raced over to the away end to aid an unwell supporter Getty It was not immediately clear why the game had been suspended and players were seen scuffling amid the confusion.
However, stewards and medical staff at Ashton Gate then ran over to the area where the travelling Sky Blues supporters were situated behind the goal.
The stoppage only lasted a matter of minutes before play resumed.
At the time of the incident, Coventry led 2-0 thanks to goals from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Haji Wright.
Sakamoto put Frank Lampard’s side ahead in the 37th minute as he rose to head home Jay Dasilva’s floated cross from six yards out.
It was the Japanese ace’s fifth league goal of the 2025/26 campaign.
Wright doubled the Sky Blues’ advantage in first-half stoppage time with a cool effort just inside the 18-yard box.
It took the American striker’s goal tally for the season up to 16 as he remains well in the hunt to win the Championship’s Golden Boot award.
Wright’s goal came just minutes after Coventry was reduced to ten men after defender Joel Latibeaudiere was shown a straight red card.
Latibeaudiere was sent off after he brought down Robins striker Emil Riis just as he was through on goal.
Coventry’s clash against Bristol had plenty of in-game drama Getty However, the Robins’ advantage did not last long as they lost midfielder Adam Randell to a second yellow card in the 56th minute.
Despite the home side’s best efforts, they were unable to breach Coventry’s defence as they held on for a vital three points.
The result kept Lampard’s side at the summit of the Championship with 74 points.
Crucially, Coventry are eight points ahead of second-placed Middlesbrough with 10 games remaining.
However, Boro have a game in hand and could cut the deficit to five points with a win over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
As for Bristol City, they sit 10th on 50 points, seven outside of the play-off positions.
Frank Lampard’s verdict
Speaking to talkSPORT after the game, Lampard said: “It’s a tough game on paper and we didn’t start brilliantly, but we started to get into the game and we got our goal.
“Then we started to get some comfort in the game for the first time really I guess. Then the red card which changes the feel of everything.
“A quick adjustment straight away and then the beauty of getting a second goal at that point for what they did for our state of mind, probably going into the second half to have the extra cushion of a goal.
“We could change at half time to be very compact at the back of the pitch, go to a back five.
We brought on Jack Bidwell, who I thought was fantastic, to marshal us back there. A
“When it went to 10-a-side we didn’t change too much because we didn’t have to at 2-0.
“I didn’t want the lads to go and jump out too much. I’m very happy with where we defended and we created a couple of big chances late. So I thought the lads did brilliantly. It was a real character in the performance and it’s a big one for us.”
- Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:22:59 +0000: Simon Jordan predicts relegation play-offs after radical Championship rule change - EFL Championship News, Features, Opinion - talkSPORT
EFL chiefs have confirmed a significant change to the Championship play-offs and there could be more on the way.
That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan who believes that play-off reforms could soon have repercussions at both ends of the table.
EFL bosses announced a blockbuster change to next season’s Championship play-offs Getty It was announced on Thursday that the Championship play-offs will be expanded from four teams to six from the 2026/27 season.
The EFL say the decision was taken to ‘increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign’ and to provide ‘two additional Clubs the opportunity to reach the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium and progress to the Premier League.’
Tried and tested
However, Jordan believes EFL bosses could soon discuss the possibility of a relegation play-off.
The system is widely used across European Leagues such as France and Germany,
In France’s Ligue 1 – an 18-team division – the bottom two clubs are automatically relegated to the second tier whereas the 16th-placed team will face a team from Ligue 2 in a two legged tie.
The winner either maintains top flight status or in the case of the Ligue 2 club, gains promotion to the top flight at the expense of their opponents.
The method has created huge drama and jeopardy since its inception.
Last season Metz earned promotion to Ligue 1 by beating Reims 5-2 on aggregate.
In Germany, Heidenheim retained their top-flight status last season by beating SV Elversberg.
More to come
Speaking on White and Jordan, the former Crystal Palace owner – who previously pushed for an expanded play-offs a decade ago, only to be rebuffed – predicted a relegation play-off will be ‘the next conversation.’
Simon Jordan discussed the idea of a Championship relegation play-off in the future “It’s about money,” Jordan said.
“This isn’t about expanding the league and making it more opportunistic to get into the Premier League.
“This is about more games and being able to go to the broadcasters and go, ‘Look at this unique product here, these play-offs.’ It’s a league of its own.
“I’m surprised we’re not talking about play-offs for the relegation scenarios. That will be the next conversation.”
When asked by co-host Jim White whether a relegation play-off would eventuate, Jordan replied: “I don’t think it should. I think if you get relegated from the league, you get relegated from the league.
“But then some people might say, ‘Well, if we didn’t change the three-up, three-down mentality, and the play-offs were good enough to go up, why shouldn’t the play-offs be good enough to go down?’
There will now be eight teams in with a chance at promotion to the Premier League Getty “That doesn’t feel quite right.”
Been there, done that
English football had its own version of a relegation play-off in the late 1980s – and it sent Chelsea down.
When the EFL first introduced play-offs in 1987, instead of four teams from the same league playing each other, it involved three teams from the lower division and one team from the higher division.
In 1988, Chelsea finished 18th in the First Division, and because of the play-off format, they were forced into a two-legged final against Middlesbrough.
They lost 2–1 on aggregate and were relegated.
A Basic list of recent teams in the Championship
Barnsley
Birmingham
Blackpool
Bristol City
Brighton
Burnley
Cardiff City
Coventry City
Crystal Palace
Derby
Doncaster
Hull City
Ipswich Town
Leeds United
Leicester City
Middlesborough
Millwall
Nottingham Forest
Peterborough
Portsmouth
Reading
Southampton
Watford
West Ham
More Information on each Football Team will be duly added shortly, along with Daily Motion details on the latest Videos.