The Fan

Predictions: England to win cup

A world cup predicted.

A part serious, part tounge-in-cheek, part hopeful prediction for the World Cup.

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Scarborough have been relegated from the Conference after an unspecified breach of rules and the league’s board has now reinstated Altrincham.

After finishing bottom of the table, Scarborough earned a brief reprieve when Altrincham were docked 18 points for fielding an ineligible player.

From: BBC

 

See also: Altrincham 18 point deduction fails

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Ladbrokes currently have Brazil clear 5/2 favourites, with a clutch of European teams and Argentina from 7/1 to 14/1. USA are 80/1.

(Top prices: Brazil 5/2,  England 7/1, Germany 7/1, Argentina 8/1, Italy 8/1, France 12/1, Holland 12/1, Spain 14/1, Portugal 22/1, Czech Republic 25/1)

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Holland sustained three injuries during their 1-1 friendly with Australia on Sunday with Wesley Sneijder’s ankle knock considered to be most serious.

From: BBC

 

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Crouch hat-trick buoys England

England 6 - Jamaica 0

England gain confidence boosting win in their final friendly before the World Cup, with Peter Crouch scoring a hat-trick and missing a penalty.

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Celtic striker John Hartson says he is shocked by the news that the SPL champions have accepted an offer for him from West Brom.

 

I’m shocked that West Brom have bid for John Hartson, but probably different reasons.

By the way (and I know I’ve said this before), I cannot believe John Hartson is only 31!

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England new boy Aaron Lennon took a pay cut when leaving Leeds Utd for Tottenham Hotspurs, despite rising a league from the Championship to the Premier League.

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell explained: “The contract that he had was so prohibitive to Leeds - it came from the Premiership days - that there was no way we could afford to keep him.”

From: BBC

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Crystal Palace have taken legal action against former boss Iain Dowie, who has been named as Charlton’s new manager.

 

Dowie had a compensation clause for £1m if he left for another club. Palace chairman Simon Jordan had agreed to waive this in view of Dowie’s desire to return north to be closer to his family.

The distance between Crystal Palace and Charlton is (according to Google Maps) 12 miles (about 32 minutes).

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Altrincham’s appeal against the Conference’s decision to dock them 18 points for fielding an ineligible player has been rejected.

 

Scarborough seem likely to escape relegation despite finishing bottom. Canvey’s resignation from the league, and the Conference’s expansion to 24 teams next season now means no one will have been relegated this season.

Related: Club deducted 18 points

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First play-offs decided

Watford skipper experiences high and low of promotion and relegation

The weekend saw the first 2 play-off finals decided. Watford won promotion to the Premiership, defeating Leeds United 3-nil, and Hereford United returned to the league after 9 years in the Conference, beating Halifax Town 3-2 after extra time.

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