FA Cup Third Round: Gateshead end a 60-year wait

GATESHEAD will bring to an end a 60-year wait tomorrow when they take their place in the FA Cup Third Round against West Bromwich Albion.

The Heed last played at this stage of the world's oldest knockout cup competition in 1955 when they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in front of over 19,000 at Redheugh Park.

A couple of years earlier, Gateshead had been as far as the quarter finals, beating Liverpool 1-0 in the third round on the way to defeat to Bolton Wanderers by the same score in the last eight.

But, ever since, the FA Cup has been a source of frustration for the Tynesiders with second round exits coming in 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1974, 1975, 2000, and 2011.

Current manager Gary Mills knows just how much the visit to the Hawthorns will mean for the Heed's long-suffering fans.

Mills, a European Cup winner under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, said: “This is what I’ve come to this club for.

"The supporters deserve to be going to places like the Hawthorns and Wembley – I want people to get pride and enjoyment out of supporting Gateshead.

“I don’t want Gateshead to be going to smaller grounds, and lesser leagues - and I think that the mindset of everyone at the club is that we – as a football club – deserve to be going to the Hawthorns after what we’ve done in the past 12 months.

“After all of the hard work, and the foundations we have laid, you reap the rewards by going to places like this.”

But, hopefully, the Heed will not be heading to West Brom just for a grand day out.

For, while 86 league places separate the two teams at kick-off, the Baggies have hardly been in sterling form in the Premier League this season.

Just four league wins have left the Midlands club in 17th place, one point outside of the relegation zone, a position which has prompted trigger-happy chairman Jeremy Peace to make yet another change at the top.

In has come former Stoke City and Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis as the Baggies' fourth permanent head coach since Roy Hodgson left for England in May 2012.

And, while West Brom might therefore enjoy the so-called "new manager bounce", Heed's perspective must be to take advantage of yet more upheaval at the Hawthorns.

Of course, fellow north east non-leaguers Blyth Spartans have a slightly better recent Cup reputation than the Heed, having reached the fifth round in 1978 before bowing out to Wrexham in a replay held at St James Park.

Spartans also reached the third round in 1972 and in 2009 - when they lost 1-0 at home to Blackburn Rovers in front of the television cameras.

But, while the television companies have eschewed tomorrow's third round tie at home to Birmingham City, BBC Football Focus and Radio Five Live sport have confirmed they will be basing their respective broadcasts at Croft Park.

Live television coverage instead has gone, somewhat disappointingly, to two of the four all-Premier League ties.

Yes, Arsenal v Hull City is an immediate repeat of last May's entertaining FA Cup Final - but the tie has a clear favourite. Meanwhile, there is very little romance about Everton v West Ham United.

Indeed, out of the five non league teams left in the competition, only Dover Athletic have landed live match coverage as they host Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.

Thankfully, a couple of the other television ties have also captured the essence of the magic of the Cup.

On Sunday, Yeovil Town - bottom of League One - face 11-time winners Manchester United for just the third time in their history, the previous two meetings having ended 3-0 and 8-0 to the Red Devils.

Then, on Monday, Liverpool travel to AFC Wimbledon in a match sure to evoke memories of the famous 1988 Final.

Even back then, when Wimbledon were a top division club, the tie was a David v Goliath encounter with the unfashionable south London club taking on the dominant force of the decade.

However, a Dave Beasant penalty save - the first such occurrence in Wembley Cup Final history - and a Lawrie Sanchez flicked header meant the underdogs came out on top.

Or, as BBC commentator John Motson memorably put it: "The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture club!"

It is a quote which, even 27 years on, can be recalled - which tells you all you need to know about the FA Cup.

This is the big weekend of the upset - where the non-leaguers pit their wits and skill against some of the country's best.

Hopefully, if nowhere else, a little bit of FA Cup magic has been sprinkled over the Hawthorns for Gary Mills' passionate Heed Army supporters. Could 60 years of missing out be brought to an end in style?

FA CUP THIRD ROUND NON-LEAGUE TEAMS IN GREEN

	Friday 2 January
19:45	CARDIFF CITY	3-1	COLCHESTER UNITED
	Saturday 3 January
15:00	BARNSLEY	0-2	MIDDLESBROUGH
15:00	BLYTH SPARTANS	2-3	BIRMINGHAM CITY
15:00	BOLTON WANDERERS	1-0	WIGAN ATHLETIC
15:00	BRENTFORD	0-2	BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
15:00	CAMBRIDGE UNITED	2-1	LUTON TOWN
15:00	CHARLTON ATHLETIC	1-2	BLACKBURN ROVERS
15:00	DERBY COUNTY	1-0	SOUTHPORT
15:00	DONCASTER ROVERS	1-1	BRISTOL CITY
15:00	FULHAM	0-0	WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
15:00	HUDDERSFIELD TOWN	0-1	READING
15:00	LEICESTER CITY	1-0	NEWCASTLE UNITED
15:00	MILLWALL	3-3	BRADFORD CITY
15:00	PRESTON NORTH END	2-0	NORWICH CITY
15:00	ROCHDALE	1-0	NOTTINGHAM FOREST
15:00	ROTHERHAM UNITED	1-5	BOURNEMOUTH
15:00	TRANMERE ROVERS	2-6	SWANSEA CITY
15:00	WEST BROMWICH ALBION	7-0	GATESHEAD
	Sunday 4 January
13:00	DOVER ATHLETIC	0-4	CRYSTAL PALACE
13:00	QUEENS PARK RANGERS	0-3	SHEFFIELD UNITED
13:00	SUNDERLAND	1-0	LEEDS UNITED
15:00	ASTON VILLA	1-0	BLACKPOOL
15:00	MANCHESTER CITY	2-1	SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
15:00	SOUTHAMPTON	1-1	IPSWICH TOWN
15:00	STOKE CITY	3-1	WREXHAM
15:30	YEOVIL TOWN	0-2	MANCHESTER UNITED
16:00	CHELSEA	3-0	WATFORD
17:30	ARSENAL	2-0	HULL CITY
	Monday 5 January
19:45	BURNLEY	1-1	TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
19:55	AFC WIMBLEDON	1-2	LIVERPOOL
	Tuesday 6 January
19:45	EVERTON	1-1	WEST HAM UNITED
19:45	SCUNTHORPE UNITED	2-2	CHESTERFIELD

ON THE BOX
Friday 2 January
BBC WALES Cardiff City v Colchester United
Sunday 4 January
BT SPORT 1 Dover Athletic v Crystal Palace
BT SPORT 1 Yeovil Town v Manchester United
BBC1 Arsenal v Hull City
Monday 5 January
BBC1 AFC Wimbledon v Liverpool
Tuesday 6 January
BT SPORT 1 Everton v West Ham United


FA Cup Fourth Round Draw  
Ties to be played w/e 24-25 January

Southampton or Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace
Cambridge United v Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City
Chelsea v Millwall or Bradford City
Derby County v Scunthorpe United or Chesterfield
Preston North End v Sheffield United
Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
Cardiff City v Reading
Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers
Burnley or Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal
Rochdale v Stoke City
Sunderland v Fulham or Wolverhampton Wanderers
Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City v Everton or West Ham United
Manchester City v Middlesbrough

The Championship 2012/13

BARNSLEY
The Tykes - Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET. Capacity 23,009
Last season: 21st, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 1997-98
Manager: Keith Hill (since June 2011)
Players In: Ben Alnwick, Mido, Jacob Mellis, Kelvin Etuhu, Lee Collins, Toni Silva
Players Out: Jacob Butterfield, Jay McEveley, David Cotterill
Pre-season form:
17.07 v Alfreton (A) W2-1
21.07 v Rotherham United (A) L1-2
28.07 v West Bromwich Albion (H) D0-0
04.08 v Doncaster Rovers (A) D2-2
07.08 v Crewe Alexandra (A) L0-1
11.08 v Rochdale (A) W4-3 aet [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 20th
Barnsley's fourth-bottom finishing position belied the comfort with which they achieved safety last season - the Tykes were eight points clear of a stranded bottom three, helped of course by Portsmouth's 10-point deduction. But Barnsley flirted with the playoff places before Christmas and the second half of the season still came as a disappointment for Keith Hill whose primary aim will still be collecting around 50 points again this time.

BIRMINGHAM CITY
The Blues - St Andrews, Birmingham, B9 4RL. Capacity 30,009
Last season: 4th (lost playoff semi final to Blackpool), FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round, Europa League Group stage
Most recent top flight season: 2010-11
Manager: Lee Clark (since June 2012)
Players In: Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose, David Lucas, Hayden Mullins
Players Out: Jordon Mutch, Ben Foster
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Borussia Moenchengladbach (A) D2-2
24.07 v Shrewsbury Town (A) W2-1
28.07 v Cheltenham Town (A) L0-1
31.07 v Bury (A) W5-1
04.08 v Plymouth Argyle (A) W5-0
11.08 v Royal Antwerp (H) L1-3
14.08 v Barnet (H) W5-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 2nd
Chris Hughton restored some soul to St Andrews last season with a more attacking approach than his predecessor Alex McLeish and just one home league defeat all season. However, such were Birmingham's finances that Hughton felt compelled to take his chance in the top flight with Norwich, leaving Lee Clark to pick up the pieces. But, despite the poor off-field situation, the former Huddersfield boss cannot complain too much at a squad which includes the likes of Marlon King, Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose, and youngster Nathan Redmond.

BLACKBURN ROVERS
Rovers - Ewood Park, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 4JF. Capacity 31,154
Last season: 19th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup Quarter finals
Most recent top flight season: 2011-12
Manager: Steve Kean (since December 2010)
Players In: Colin Kazim-Richards, Dickson Etuhu, Fabio Nunes, Nuno Gomes, Leon Best, Danny Murphy, Paulo Jorge
Players Out: Nick Blackman, Matthew Pearson, David Hoilett, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Herold Goulon, Vince Grella, Michel Salgado
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Fleetwood Town (N) W2-0
21.07 v Accrington Stanley (A) L0-1
25.07 v Rochdale (A) L0-1
29.07 v AEK Athens (A) W2-1
03.08 v Go Ahead Eagles (A) L2-4
05.08 v NEC (A) D0-0
12.08 v Cork City (A) W3-1
Prediction: 6th
Steve Kean has been given just three games to save his job going into the new season in the latest crass measure by the Venkys owners. Yes, if last season's car crash of a relegation was not enough, the Scot - who has a measly 25% win ratio - now goes into the season under more pressure than ever. Frankly, it is hard to see him beating the odds this time but, with Rovers fans having just about unanimously given up on Kean, perhaps the only way that the club can thrive again is without him. Yakubu and David 'Junior' Hoilett may have left Ewood Park but the likes of Leon Best and Danny Murphy should be at ease in this division and Rovers should still be thereabouts at the end of the season. It is likely, though, that they will be without their bête noire Kean, come next May.

BLACKPOOL 
The Seasiders - Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 6JJ. Capacity 17,338
Last season: 5th (lost playoff final to West Ham United), FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2010-11
Manager: Ian Holloway (since May 2009)
Players In: Jake Caprice, Isaiah Osbourne, Tiago Gomes, Scott Robertson
Players Out: Keith Southern
Pre-season form:
28.07 v Wrexham (A) W2-1
04.08 v Hyde (A) D1-1
05.08 v Everton (H) W2-0
07.08 v Swansea City (A) L2-4
12.08 v Morecambe (H) L1-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 4th
Blackpool were just 90 minutes away from an immediate return to the Premier League but the Tangerine dream died at Wembley after a late West Ham winner. Nevertheless, Ian Holloway could be satisfied that his squad suffered no real hangover from relegation - and with the sprightly youth of Matt Phillips and Tom Ince ably assisting 39-year-old Kevin Phillips - the Fylde Coast club should see another playoff push this time around. Indeed, the Tangerines would be in a position to push even higher if it weren't for their leaky defence.

BOLTON WANDERERS
The Trotters - Reebok Stadium, Burnden Way, Horwich Way, Bolton, BL6 6JW. Capacity 28,723
Last season: 18th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup Quarter finals, League Cup 4th round
Most recent top flight season: 2011-12
Manager: Owen Coyle (since January 2010)
Players In: Matt Mills, Keith Andrews, Joe McKee, Andy Lonergan, Benik Afobe
Players Out: Mark Connolly, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Robbie Blake, Ricardo Gardner, Sean Davis, Paul Robinson, Ivan Klasnic, Nigel Reo-Coker
Pre-season form:
18.07 v Ayr United (A) D1-1
21.07 v Hamilton Academicals (A) L0-2
25.07 v Falkirk (A) D1-1
28.07 v Crewe Alexandra (A) D1-1
01.08 v Morecambe (A) W2-0
04.08 v Portsmouth (A) L0-3
07.08 v Tranmere Rovers (A) W3-1
10.08 v Barcelona B (H) D2-2
Prediction: Champions
While Blackburn's demise was entirely predictable, the relegation of near neighbours Bolton Wanderers was rather less foreseen. In fairness to Owen Coyle, the Trotters were a tad unlucky with the loss of vital midfielders Stuart Holden and Lee Chung-Yong to season-long injuries but the club was also foolish in its failure to replace outgoing forwards Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge. Holden and Lee are back from their year of torment now and, if the signing of Matt Mills from Leicester can shore up a porous backline, Coyle and Bolton should be able to restore their damaged reputations.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 
The Seagulls - The Amex Community Stadium, Village Way, Falmer, East Sussex, BN1 9BL. Capacity 22,374
Last season: 10th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 1982-83
Manager: Gus Poyet (since November 2009)
Players In: Andrew Crofts, Tomasz Kuszczak, Bruno Saltor, Wayne Bridge
Players Out: Alan Navarro, Michael Poke, Jake Forster-Caskey, Yaser Kasim, David Gonzalez, Tommy Elphick
Pre-season form:
14.07 v Maidstone United (A) W5-0
17.07 v Lewes (A) W3-0
20.07 v Dorchester Town (A) W3-0
21.07 v Hastings United (A) L2-3
24.07 v Portsmouth (N) W5-1
28.07 v Cordobo (A) D0-0
04.08 v Chelsea (H) W3-1
07.08 v Reading (H) D1-1
14.08 v Swindon Town (A) L0-3 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 11th
Brighton continued their upwardly mobile projection last season with a solid 10th-place finish in the Championship. An excellent start at their new stadium in Falmer left Seagulls fans dreaming of a return to the top flight after 30 years of absence but that was not to be following a mid-season slump and a failure to win any of the last eight games. However, between January and March, Poyet's men lost just once in the league, and there could be no doubt that Brighton looked as if they belonged at this level. Can they make the next step up? Probably not, unfortunately - there will always be bigger clubs than Brighton in this division and a similar topsy-turvy season on the south coast awaits.

BRISTOL CITY 
The Robins - Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ. Capacity 21,497
Last season: 20th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 1979-80
Manager: Derek McInnes (since October 2011)
Players In: Greg Cunningham, Jody Morris, Paul Anderson, Tom Heaton
Players Out: Christian Ribeiro, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, David James
Pre-season form:
28.07 v St Johnstone (A) L1-2
30.07 v Kilmarnock (A) W3-2
01.08 v Dunfermline Athletic (A) W2-0
04.08 v Bristol Rovers (H) W3-0
07.08 v Southampton (H) D1-1
11.08 v Bournemouth (A) W2-0
14.08 v Gillingham (H) L1-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 24th
The last couple of seasons at Ashton Gate have not made for easy viewing for Bristol City supporters. Nine home league defeats in 2010-11 were followed up by 10 in the last campaign as the Robins spent almost all season in the bottom four. Fifth-bottom was ultimately where they would end up, thanks in part to a late unbeaten run of seven matches but also because of the 10-point deduction for Portsmouth. City's main problem was a lack of goals - their top scorer in the league was Nicky Maynard with eight, and he left in January. It still remains a problem now so it hard to be optimistic about the Robins' chances of avoiding the drop again this time.

BURNLEY 
The Clarets - Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley, Lancashire, BB10 4BX. Capacity 22,546
Last season: 13th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 4th round
Most recent top flight season: 2009-10
Manager: Eddie Howe (since January 2011)
Players In: Luke O'Neill, George Porter, Jason Shackell, Joseph Mills, Sam Vokes, Brian Stock
Players Out: Jay Rodriguez, Zavon Hines, Tom Anderson, Joe Jackson, Brian Easton, Clarke Carlisle, Andre Amougou, Ross Wilson, Dave Lynch, Dominic Knowles, Alex-Ray Harvey
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Altrincham (A) W4-1
24.07 v Bury (A) W1-0
28.07 v Alfreton (A) W3-0
31.07 v Bath City (A) W3-1
04.08 v Cheltenham Town (A) W4-0
07.08 v Rochdale (A) L1-3
14.08 v Port Vale (A) W3-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 16th
Burnley lurched from the sublime to the ridiculous last season as a result of some pretty wretched home form at Turf Moor against some impressive performances on the road. No surprise then that Eddie Howe's men finished right in the middle of the table, 13 points off the playoffs - and there was also no surprise that such an outcome was not enough to convince 15-goal Jay Rodriguez to stay. The youngster has instead moved to Southampton for £7m and Howe will at least hope to reinvest some of that money so that he can build a side around the impressive Charlie Austin instead. There is a lot of pressure on the 23-year-old's shoulders now.

CARDIFF CITY 
The Bluebirds - Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ. Capacity 26,828
Last season: 6th (lost playoff semi final to West Ham United), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup Runners-up
Most recent top flight season: 1961-62
Manager: Malky Mackay (since June 2011)
Players In: Craig Bellamy, Jordon Mutch, Filip Kiss, Joe Lewis, Etien Velikonja, Kim Bo-Kyung, Heidar Helgusson
Players Out: Jon Parkin, Tom Heaton, Anthony Gerrard
Pre-season form:
28.07 v Forest Green Rovers (A) L0-1
31.07 v Cheltenham Town (A) W4-0
04.08 v Oxford United W2-1
07.08 v Bournemouth (A) W2-1
11.08 v Newcastle United (H) W4-1
14.08 v Northampton Town (A) L1-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 3rd
Cardiff coped really well last season after a tumultuous summer of 2011 which saw the loss of manager Dave Jones and key forwards Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra and Craig Bellamy. The Bluebirds reached the playoffs and pushed Liverpool all the way in the League Cup final before defeat on penalties in a solid first season under the wily Malky Mackay. Bellamy is now back in the Welsh capital on a permanent basis, despite showing for Team GB this summer that he can clearly still cut it at the top level. Of course, his real hope is that he will return to the Premier League with his hometown club - and, certainly, Cardiff's chances have got all the better with his arrival. 

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 
The Addicks - The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8BL. Capacity 27,111
Last season: Winners (promoted from League One), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: 2006-07
Manager: Chris Powell (since January 2011)
Players In: Lawrie Wilson, Jordan Cook, Salim Kerkar
Players Out: Conor Gough, Gary Doherty, Mikel Alonso, Freddie Warren, Tosan Popo, Jason Euell
Pre-season form:
14.07 v Welling United (A) W4-0
19.07 v Sporting Libson (N) W1-0
26.07 v Barnet (A) W4-1
01.08 v Crawley Town (A) W1-0
04.08 v Gillingham (A) L0-1
08.08 v Southend United (H) W3-2
11.08 v Fulham (A) W2-1
14.08 v Leyton Orient (H) D1-1 (lost 3-4 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 10th
Charlton Athletic ended three seasons at the third level with a glorious championship-winning campaign which finished with the Addicks breaching the 100-point mark. Manager Chris Powell can take a lot of credit for re-energising the south Londoners following a five-year decline after he brought in no fewer than 18 new players last summer. By contrast, this coming campaign at the Valley will be more about consolodation, and the likes of scoring midfielders Johnnie Jackson and Bradley Wright-Phillips should ensure that this target is well within their grasp.

CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles - Selhurst Park, South Norwood, London, SE25 6PU. Capacity 26,309
Last season: 17th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup Semi finals
Most recent top flight season: 2004-05
Manager: Dougie Freedman (since January 2011)
Players In: Joel Ward, Aaron Wilbraham, Peter Ramage, Aaron Martin
Players Out: Sean Scannell, Darren Ambrose, Nathaniel Clyne, Antonio Pedroza, Anthony Gardner, Jake Caprice, Lee Hills, Charlie Holness, Nathaniel Pinney, Calvin Andrew, Kieron Cadogan
Pre-season form:
20.07 v Lewes (A) W5-1
24.07 v Dulwich Hamlet (A) W3-0
28.07 v Aldershot Town (A) W2-0
04.08 v Welling United (A) L1-2
08.08 v Swindon Town (A) W1-0
11.08 v Reading (A) L0-2
14.08 v Exeter City (A) W2-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 19th
Following a couple of years which included administration, points deductions and final day survival missions, last season was a rather quieter affair for Crystal Palace. The Eagles may have finished down in 17th as a consequence of a late-season slump but they were never really in any real danger of falling through the Championship trapdoor. Young manager Dougie Freedman even had time to fit in a run to the League Cup semi finals and his impressive tenure should continue this term with Palace far away enough from the drop. The departures of Darren Ambrose and Nathaniel Clyne will be felt but not too much if Wilfried Zaha continues his progress after his breakthrough season last year.

DERBY COUNTY
The Rams - Pride Park Stadium, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8XL. Capacity 33,597
Last season: 12th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2007-08
Manager: Nigel Clough (since January 2009)
Players In: Michael Jacobs, Paul Coutts, Richard Keogh, Michael Hoganson
Players Out: Jason Shackell, Paul Green, Chris Maguire, Miles Addison
Pre-season form:
25.07 v Mansfield Town (A) L1-2
28.07 v Burton Albion (A) W1-0
31.07 v Northampton Town (A) W4-3
03.08 v Colchester United (A) D2-2
08.08 v Sunderland (H) D1-1
11.08 v Chesterfield (A) L1-3
14.08 v Scunthorpe United (H) D5-5 (lost 6-7 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 21st
The prevailing feeling is that if Derby were managed by a Smith or a Jones rather than a Clough, then there would have been a change at the top by now. Perhaps that is a little harsh - last season's 12th place was the best that the Rams have done since their humiliating Premier League relegation in 2007-08 - but, despite more big attendances at Pride Park, they are unlikely to better it this time around.
 
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
The Terriers - John Smith's Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG. Capacity 24,500
Last season: 4th (promoted from League One via playoffs), FA Cup 1st round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: 1971-72
Manager: Simon Grayson (since February 2012)
Players In: Sean Scannell, Paul Dixon, Oliver Norwood, Adam Clayton, Joel Lynch, Keith Southern, Anthony Gerrard
Players Out: Jamie McCombe, Anthony Kay, Gary Naismith, Nathan Clarke, Aiden Chippendale, Tommy Miller, Danny Cadamarteri, Gary Roberts, Joey Gudjonsson and Kallum Higginbotham
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Guiseley (A) L0-1
25.07 v Kilmarnock (A) D1-1
28.07 v Hibernian (A) D2-2
01.08 v Crewe Alexandra (A) L0-1
04.08 v Oldham Athletic (A) D0-0
07.08 v Chesterfield (A) W3-0
08.08 v Barcelona B (H) L0-2
13.08 v Preston North End (A) L0-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 23rd
Huddersfield finally did it! After two playoff bids which had faltered at the semi final stage under Lee Clark, the Terriers made their experience count at the third time of asking, beating Sheffield United on penalties under former Leeds boss Simon Grayson. But, while promotion was long-awaited and richly-deserved, the more sobering news for the west Yorkshire club is that the hard work starts now. Despite years of preparation, staying in the second flight will still be an arduous journey, made even rockier if hot-shot Jordan Rhodes ends up agreeing terms with an array of potential suitors. The Terriers are more than a one-man team but Rhodes' goals have been vital in covering for a somewhat leaky defence and Huddersfield's survival chances could ultimately depend on him. 

HULL CITY 
The Tigers - Kingston Communications Stadium, Walton Street, Hull, HU3 6HU. Capacity 25,586
Last season: 8th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2009-10
Manager: Steve Bruce (since June 2012)
Players In: Ben Amos, Eldin Jakupovic, Nick Proschwitz, Abdoulaye Faye, Sone Aluko, Alex Bruce
Players Out: Kevin Kilbane, Richard Garcia
Pre-season form:
16.07 v North Ferriby United (A) W3-1
17.07 v Winterton Rangers (A) W5-0
20.07 v Grimsby Town (A) D0-0
28.07 v Rochdale (A) W1-0
31.07 v Doncaster Rovers (A) L1-3
04.08 v Hartlepool United (A) D1-1
07.08 v Norwich City (H) D0-0
11.08 v Rotherham United (H) D1-1 (won 7-6 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 9th
Nick Barmby seemed to be doing well at Hull City last season with Tigers regularly stalking the playoff places. However, while the defence worked well, a desperate lack of goals meant Hull fell short of the top six. Only 47 goals were scored from their 46 league games, the fifth-worst in the division and, when Barmby subsequently made comments about the club's finances, his employers were not shy in giving him short shrift. In has come Steve Bruce, desperate to restore his reputation after his sacking by Sunderland. But, while Bruce has some pedigree at this level after two promotions with Birmingham City, the attacking problems remain. 

IPSWICH TOWN 
The Blues - Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA. Capacity 30,311
Last season: 15th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2001-02
Manager: Paul Jewell (since January 2011)
Players In: Luke Chambers, Elliott Hewitt, Scott Loach, Massimo Luongo
Players Out: Grant Leadbitter, Jimmy Bullard
Pre-season form:
17.07 v Helmond Sport (A) D1-1
19.07 v Den Bosch (A) D1-1
25.07 v Cambridge United (A) W2-0
28.07 v Luton Town (A) L0-2
31.07 v Southend United (A) L1-2
04.08 v West Ham United (H) W3-1
08.08 v Colchester United (A) W2-1
14.08 v Bristol Rovers (H) W3-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 15th
Of all 24 clubs playing in the Championship this season, Ipswich Town have been at this level the longest. Four managers have tried and failed to take the Portman Road club back up over the past decade with Paul Jewell as the latest. The Scouser enjoyed promotions from this division with Bradford City and Wigan Athletic in the past but his first full season finished with Town down in 15th and it would be foolish to expect any more from an average-looking squad this time around.

LEEDS UNITED 
The Whites - Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES. Capacity 37,697
Last season: 14th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 2003-04
Manager: Neil Warnock (since February 2012)
Players In: Jason Pearce, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Paddy Kenny, Andy Gray, Jamie Ashdown, Luke Varney, David Norris, Rodolph Austin, Lee Peltier, El-Hadji Diouf
Players Out: Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam, Mikael Forssell, Danny Webber, Maik Taylor, Adam Clayton, Andy Lonergan, Robert Snodgrass, Andy O'Brien, Billy Paynter
Pre-season form:
20.07 v Farsley (A) W5-2
23.07 v Tavistock (A) W6-0
25.07 v Bodmin Town (A) W4-0
27.07 v Torquay United (A) W2-1
01.08 v Sandefjord (A) D1-1
04.08 v Preston North End (A) W3-1
07.08 v Burton Albion (A) W1-0
11.08 v Shrewsbury Town (H) W4-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 13th
Experienced promotion campaigner Neil Warnock was not exactly a surprising choice for Leeds after everything went wrong last season but the Yorkshireman may have bitten off more than he can manage at Elland Road. Certainly, anyone expecting a promotion challenge from the Whites needs a reality check after last season ended with a bottom-half finish and the club's worst home record in its history. The loss of Robert Snodgrass to Norwich will be keenly felt and puts even more pressure on the admittedly impressive Ross McCormack. Ultimately, Warnock will need more than one season to turn this ship around.

LEICESTER CITY 
The Foxes - King Power Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL. Capacity 32,262
Last season: 9th, FA Cup Quarter finals, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 2003-04
Manager: Nigel Pearson (since November 2011)
Players In: Jamie Vardy, Matty James, Richie De Laet, Anthony Knockaert, Zak Whitbread, Marko Futacs
Players Out: Lee Peltier, Steve Howard, Chris Weale, Matt Mills, Sol Bamba, Darius Vassell, Franck Moussa, John Pantsil
Pre-season form:
24.07 v Hinckley United (A) W4-1
28.07 v Shrewsbury Town (A) L0-2
01.08 v Burton Albion (A) W3-1
07.08 v Nuneaton Town (A) W3-1
11.08 v Sunderland (H) W1-0
14.08 v Torquay United (A) W4-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 5th
Last season, Leicester City were expected to march up the division but the Sven-Goran Eriksson reign always looked like it might end in tears. The Swede paid for a terribly inconsistent start and in came former boss Nigel Pearson who eventually oversaw the Foxes' first back-to-back league wins of the season at the start of March. It was too little too late for Leicester, who finished in ninth, but Pearson has reduced the average age of the squad over the summer and expectations will be high again at the King Power Stadium.

MIDDLESBROUGH 
Boro - Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS. Capacity 34,988
Last season: 7th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 2008-09
Manager: Tony Mowbray (since October 2010)
Players In: Mustapha Carayol, Jayson Leutwiler, George Friend, Jonathan Woodgate, Grant Leadbitter, Emmanuel Ledesma
Players Out: Tony McMahon, Jonathan Grounds, Jon Franks, Barry Robson, Matthew Bates
Pre-season form:
22.07 v Falkirk (A) W7-3
27.07 v Tottenham Hotspur XI (N) W5-0
31.07 v Hartlepool United (A) D2-2
03.08 v Carlisle United (A) W2-1
04.08 v York City (A) W2-1
08.08 v Scunthorpe United (A) L2-3
11.08 v Bury (A) W2-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 14th
Middlesbrough made an excellent start to the 2011-12 season, taking 21 points by mid-October after going unbeaten for the first 11 games. But the longer campaign went on, the tougher it got for the Boro who won only six league games after Christmas to fall short even of the playoffs. As such, the feeling is that the Teessiders may have missed the boat and their sojourn in the Championship, already entering its fourth season, shows no sign of coming to an end. Despite this, club legend Tony Mowbray should have no problem retaining the support of the fans who appreciate the limitations of his young squad.

MILLWALL 
The Lions - The Den, Zampa Road, Bermondsey, London, SE16 3LN . Capacity 20,146
Last season: 16th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 1989-1990
Manager: Kenny Jackett (since November 2007)
Players In: Maik Taylor, Scott Malone, Chris Taylor, Karleigh Osborne
Players Out: Chris Hackett, Josh McQuoid, Hameur Bouazza, Jordan Stewart, Tony Craig
Pre-season form:
16.07 v Shelbourne (A) D0-0
18.07 v Longford Town (A) W4-1
21.07 v Glenavon (A) W3-0
28.07 v Crawley Town (A) L0-1
04.08 v Exeter City (A) W3-2
07.08 v Southend United (A) W2-1
14.08 v Crawley Town (H) D2-2 (lost 1-4 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 18th
After the first 12 games in the Championship last year, it looked as if the departure of Steve Morison to Norwich City had wounded the Lions fatally. Millwall had won just once and were stuck in the bottom three - but then came three successive wins to raise spirits at the Den. Although form then remained terribly inconsistent until April, Kenny Jackett's men finished their second successive season with a flourish, taking 16 points from their last six games to finish nearer the middle than the bottom. A repeat of that outcome, but without the eight-month relegation worry, would do just fine.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 
The Reds - City Ground, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ. Capacity 30,603
Last season: 19th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 1998-99
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll (since July 2012)
Players In: Adlene Guedioura, Danny Collins, Greg Halford, Dan Harding, Simon Gillett, Daniel Ayala
Players Out: Luke Chambers, Gareth McCleary, Paul Anderson, Marlon Harewood, Joel Lynch
Pre-season form:
28.07 v Mansfield Town (A) L1-2
04.08 v Aston Villa (H) W3-1
07.08 v Notts County (A) D2-2
10.08 v West Bromwich Albion (H) L0-2
13.08 v Fleetwood Town (A) W1-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 7th
It has been a rather dramatic 12 months at the City Ground, starting from last summer when the Steve McClaren reign predictably failed to get off the ground. McClaren's slow start left Forest at the wrong end of the table and matters were little improved by his successor Steve Cotterill. The Tricky Trees enjoyed just one league victory in 13 matches between November and February, and there was more bad news when former club owner Nigel Doughty died suddenly. However, an upturn in fortunes in the last third of the season was followed by a change of ownership in the summer as Kuwaiti tycoon Fawaz Al-Hasawi put the east Midlanders in the money. A big name manager was subsequently promised but, instead, in has come Sean O'Driscoll. But, what the former Doncaster boss lacks in terms of a name, he makes up with an impressive CV. Hopefully, for O'Driscoll's sake, the Al-Hasawis will be happy enough with a steady improvement for now.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED 
The Posh - London Road, Peterborough, PE2 8AL. Capacity 15,314
Last season: 18th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: N/A
Manager: Darren Ferguson (since January 2011)
Players In: Michael Bostwick, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Bobby Olejnik, Danny Swanson, Shaun Brisley, Tyrone Barnett, Jonson Clarke-Harris
Players Out: Joe Lewis
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Crawley Town (A) W1-0
24.07 v St Neots Town (A) W6-0
28.07 v Norwich City (H) L0-2
01.08 v Aston Villa (H) L0-2
04.08 v Stevenage (A) D1-1
10.08 v Manchester United XI (H) W2-0
14.08 v Southend United (H) W4-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 22nd
Peterborough gave a much better account of themselves last season than in 2009-10 when they finished rock-bottom of the division. As usual, though, the philosophy was very much based upon their attacking approach as the defence conceded 77 goals, the second highest in the division after Doncaster Rovers. It remains to be seen if the Posh forwards can continue to make up for such an obvious deficiency, harder still considering the sparse resources at London Road.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 
The Owls - Hillsborough Stadium, Owlerton, Sheffield, S6 1SW. Capacity 39,732
Last season: Runners-up (promoted from League One), FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: 1999-2000
Manager: Dave Jones (since March 2012)
Players In: Anthony Gardner, Chris Maguire, Joe Matlock, Kieran Lee, Chris Kirkland, Diogo Amado, Nejc Pecnik, Rhys McCabe, Michail Antonio
Players Out: Jon Ostemobor, Clinton Morrison, Rob Jones, Ryan Lowe
Pre-season form:
10.07 v Dinnington Town (A) W4-1
17.07 v Sheffield FC (A) D1-1
17.07 v Stocksbridge Park Steels (A) W4-0
22.07 v Sporting Lisbon (A) L0-2
24.07 v Reading (A) W2-0
28.07 v Doncaster Rovers (A) D0-0
04.08 v West Bromwich Albion (H) D1-1
08.08 v Kilmarnock (A) W4-1
13.08 v Oldham Athletic (A) W4-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 8th
Wednesday won perhaps the sweetest promotion, pipping neighbours Sheffield United by beating Wycombe Wanderers on the final day. More than 37,000 turned up at Hillsborough for that decisive moment, showing just how big football still is in this part of the Steel City, despite years of underachievement. But, far from putting pressure on the Owls as has happened in the past, the fans really were like a 12th man last season as Wednesday boasted the best home record in League One with 17 wins. More of the same this time around will ensure Dave Jones's men have no worries of falling back to League One for the third time in a decade.

WATFORD
The Hornets - Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER. Capacity 17,477
Last season: 11th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2006-07
Manager: Gianfranco Zola (since July 2012)
Players In: Manuel Almunia, Fitz Hall, Almen Abdi, Ikechi Anya, Steve Leo Beleck, Daniel Pudil, Matej Vydra, Alexandre Geijo
Players Out: Rene Gilmartin, Michael Bryan, Tom James, Chez Isaac, John Walker, Adrian Mariaappa, Scott Loach, David Mirfin
Pre-season form:
17.07 v Boreham Wood (A) D1-1
21.07 v Wealdstone (A) D1-1
24.07 v Cork City (A) W2-0
01.08 v Barnet (H) W8-0
05.08 v Tottenham Hotspur (H) L0-1
07.08 v Gillingham (A) W3-0
11.08 v Wycombe Wanderers (H) W1-0 aet [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 17th
Watford spent all of last season proving the doubters wrong, starting the campaign as relegation favourites and ending it with their best finish for five years. All that good work under Sean Dyche is pretty irrelevant now, though, after a complete sea-change at the Hertfordshire club. In have come Italian backers - owners of Udinese, no less, Dyche was swiftly dumped and Gianfranco Zola installed, despite his patchy management record at West Ham. Hornets fans still recall the disastrous Gianluca Vialli reign with horror, and will probably simply accept history not repeating itself over the next 10 months.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Wolves - Molineux, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR. Capacity 31,700
Last season: 20th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 4th round
Most recent top flight season: 2011-12
Manager: Stale Solbakken (since July 2012)
Players In: Frank Nouble, Jamie Tank, Bjorn Sigurdarson, Tongo Doumbia, Slawomir Peszko
Players Out: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Ashley Hemmings, Adlene Guedioura, Sam Vokes, Michael Kightly
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Bray Wanderers (A) W5-1
28.07 v Walsall (A) W3-0
31.07 v Shrewsbury Town (A) D2-2
04.08 v Southampton (A) L0-2
11.08 v Aldershot Town (H) D1-1 (won 7-6 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 12th
The Wolves faithful was finally put out of their misery at the end of last season, largely accepting of a relegation which had, in truth, been coming for a couple of years. The final nail in the coffin undoubtedly came after the sacking of Mick McCarthy following the horrendous 5-1 derby defeat to West Brom. Candidates for the Molineux hot-seat came and went without being appointed, and Wolves were eventually left with only one option - to promote reluctant assistant, Terry Connor. It did not work out and Connor has been reassigned his assistant role but that still did not stop the Wolves board from taking another risk this summer by approaching the unproven Stale Solbakken. The Norwegian could have a tough time winning over some notoriously difficult fans if he makes a slow start.

The Season 2010/11 - For the record: Swans soar after Sinclair hat-trick

SCOTT SINCLAIR scored a hat-trick as Swansea City became the first Welsh club to be promoted to the Premier League after they beat Reading in a pulsating playoff final at Wembley.

The Swans raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to two goals from Sinclair and a fine strike from Stephen Dobbie.

But two set-pieces early in the second half brought Reading right back into the game. Joe Allen could only divert the ball into his own net before Matt Mills reduced the deficit to 3-2 with more than 30 minutes to play.

Swansea were on the ropes and, as the Royals poured forward in search of an equaliser, Jem Karacan struck the base of the post and Gary Monk blocked Stephen Hunt's shot on the rebound.

But, with that chance gone, Brendan Rogers' men could breathe a little easier as the Reading comeback began to run out of steam.

Swansea gradually regained composure and Fabio Borini won a penalty after he was unceremoniously bundled over in the box by Andy Griffin.

Former Chelsea youngster Sinclair kept his composure and hit the ball right in the corner out of Adam Federici's reach to fire the Swans into the top-flight for the first time since 1983.

On Sunday, Peterborough United beat Huddersfield Town 3-0 to regain their place in the Championship which they lost 12 months ago.

Tommy Rowe, Craig Mackail-Smith and Grant McCann scored the three goals in the last 12 minutes of the game as Posh broke Huddersfield hearts.

The score was harsh on Lee Clark's men who had gone 27 matches unbeaten in the league since December, only to see their good work undone in a matter of minutes at Old Trafford.

But Peterborough deserve a lot of credit for their ultra-attacking approach which saw them score 106 goals in the regular season with Mackail-Smith hitting 35 of them.

The goals continued to flow in the playoffs for Posh and Darren Ferguson's men are worthy of their place back in the second flight.

While Peterborough are making a return to the Championship, Stevenage will play at their highest level ever next season after gaining back-to-back promotions.

The Boro, who only went up from the Blue Square Premier last season, beat Torquay United 1-0 in a tight League Two playoff final at Old Trafford.

John Mousinho scored the only goal towards the end of the first half which Stevenage had dominated.

The Gulls went close of an equaliser through Jake Robinson but Graham Westley's side held on to cap a meteoric recent rise through the divisions.

The curtain now comes down on Season 2010/11 though football-starved fans will be encouraged to hear there are numerous tournaments throughout the summer.

After Euro 2012 qualifiers for the senior team next weekend, England Under-21s will be play in Euro 2011 which takes place in Denmark between 11-25 June.

Stuart Pearce's men face Spain, Czech Republic and Ukraine in Group B with the top two qualifying for the semi finals. Denmark, Belarus, Iceland and Switzerland are in the other pool.

England have a good recent record in the Championships having reached the Final in 2009 and the semi finals in 2007 when they lost 13-12 to Netherlands in an epic penalty shootout.

Then, in July, there is the Copa America, hosted in Argentina, and the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.

At this point, though, this seems a fitting time to provide a list of ups and downs, for the record:

ENGLAND
PREMIER LEAGUE
Champions: Manchester United
Runners-up: Chelsea
Champions League: Manchester City, Arsenal
Europa League: Tottenham Hotspur, Birmingham City, Stoke City, Fulham (fair-play award)
Relegated: Birmingham City, Blackpool, West Ham United

CHAMPIONSHIP
Champions: Queens Park Rangers
Runners-up: Norwich City
Playoff winners: Swansea City (beat Reading 4-2 in the Final)
Relegated: Preston North End, Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United

LEAGUE ONE
Champions: Brighton & Hove Albion
Runners-up: Southampton
Playoff winners: Peterborough United (beat Huddersfield Town 3-0 in the Final)
Relegated: Dagenham & Redbridge, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town

LEAGUE TWO
Champions: Chesterfield
Runners-up: Bury. Also promoted automatically: Wycombe Wanderers
Playoff winners: Stevenage (beat Torquay United 1-0 in the Final)
Relegated: Lincoln City, Stockport County

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER
Champions: Crawley Town
Playoff winners: AFC Wimbledon (beat Luton Town 4-3 on penalties in the Final after 0-0 draw)
Relegated: Southport, Altrincham, Eastbourne Borough, Histon

BLUE SQUARE NORTH
Champions: Alfreton Town
Playoff winners: Telford United  (beat Guiseley 3-2 in the Final)
Relegated: Hyde United, Stafford Rangers, Redditch United

BLUE SQUARE SOUTH
Champions: Braintree Town
Playoff winners: Ebbsfleet United (beat Farnborough 4-2 in the Final)
Relegated: Thurrock, Lewes, St Albans City

DOMESTIC TROPHY FINALS
All matches played at Wembley
FA Cup Final: Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City
League Cup Final: Birmingham City 2-1 Arsenal
FA Community Shield: Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea
Johnstone's Paint Trophy: Carlisle United 1-0 Brentford
FA Trophy: Darlington 1-0 Mansfield Town (after extra time)
FA Vase: Whitley Bay 3-2 Coalville Town

SCOTLAND
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Champions: Rangers
Europa League: Celtic (runners-up), Hearts, Dundee United
Relegated: Hamilton Academicals

SCOTTISH DIVISION ONE
Champions: Dunfermline
Runners-up (not promoted): Raith Rovers
Relegated: Cowdenbeath, Stirling Albion

SCOTTISH DIVISION TWO
Champions: Livingston
Playoff winners: Ayr United (beat Brechin City 3-2 on aggregate in the Final)
Relegated: Alloa Athletic, Peterhead

SCOTTISH DIVISION THREE
Champions: Arbroath
Playoff winners: Albion Rovers (beat Annan Athletic 4-3 on aggregate in the Final)

DOMESTIC TROPHY FINALS
FA Cup: Celtic 3-0 Motherwell
League Cup: Rangers 2-1 Celtic (after extra time)
Challenge Cup: Ross County 2-0 Queen of the South

WALES/NORTHERN IRELAND
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
Champions: Bangor City
Europa League: Llanelli AFC (cup winners), The New Saints (runners-up), Neath
Relegated: Haverfordwest County

IFA PREMIERSHIP
Champions: Linfield
Europa League: Crusaders (runners-up), Glentoran (third), Cliftonville (fourth)
Relegated: Newry City

DOMESTIC TROPHY FINALS
Welsh FA Cup: Llanelli 4-1 Bangor City
Welsh League Cup: The New Saints 4-3 Llanelli (after extra time)
IFA Cup: Linfield 2-1 Crusaders
Irish League Cup: Lisburn Distillery 2-1 Portadown

EUROPE
UEFA FINALS
Champions League: Barcelona (Spa) 3-1 Manchester United (Eng)
Europa League: FC Porto (Por) 1-0 Sporting Braga (Por)
Super Cup: Atletico Madrid (Spa) 2-0 Inter Milan (Ita)

MAJOR EUROPEAN LEAGUE WINNERS
Spain: Barcelona
Italy: AC Milan
Germany: Borussia Dortmund
France: Lille
Portugal: FC Porto
Holland: Ajax Amsterdam

The Season 2010/11: Birmingham and Blackpool drop in dramatic finale

Premier League
Final table
SURVIVAL Sunday lived up to its SkySports-hyped billing for once as the Premier League relegation battle went right to the wire.

In the end, Carling Cup winners Birmingham City and, perhaps inevitably, Blackpool were the teams to drop but only after a dramatic and constantly-changing couple of hours.

After a quiet opening in all of the games, Blackburn Rovers struck first against fellow relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers with Jason Roberts getting the goal.

But, at about the same time, Blackpool fell behind to champions Manchester United at Old Trafford, meaning Wolves were still safe.

That had changed by half-time, though, as Charlie Adam curled in a wonderful free-kick to bring the Seasiders level and Wolves conceded another two goals to trail 3-0 at Molineux.

It meant that, as the sides went into break, Wolves were going down with Wigan Athletic who were drawing 0-0 with Stoke City while Blackburn, Blackpool and Birmingham were safe.

There was early drama in the second half, though, as goal-shy Birmingham went 1-0 down against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane thanks to Roman Pavlyuchenko's strike.

The Russian's goal meant that the Blues were heading down with Wigan and that Wolves were off the hook despite their embarrassing first half performance.

Indeed, Blackpool's situation briefly got even better when Gary Taylor-Fletcher gave Ian Holloway's men a 2-1 lead but the leaky Tangerines defence soon gave Anderson too much space to make it 2-2.

A 74th-minute Ian Evatt own goal sent Blackpool tumbling back into the bottom three and spoilsport substitute Michael Owen then made sure of the demotion by scoring a fourth Man United goal.

Brave Blackpool's attempts of staying up were over but, even going into the last 10 minutes of the season, the other place remained undecided.

Wolves had improved their chances of staying up by closing the gap to 3-1 behind against Blackburn after a clever free-kick which allowed Jamie O'Hara to stroke the ball home.

However, their dreadful first half performance still looked like it was going to cost them when Birmingham grabbed an equaliser through Craig Gardner and Hugo Rodallega headed Wigan into the lead at Stoke.

Wigan withstood some late pressure from the Potters and held on to ensure there will be a seventh consecutive season of Premier League football at the DW Stadium next season.

And, then, it all changed between the Midlands clubs. First, Wolves pulled another goal back through a fine Stephen Hunt curler meaning the Molineux club, despite losing, were staying up all of a sudden - above the Blues on goals scored.

Birmingham knew that they had to score themselves but, as their game went into stoppage time and the centre-backs were sent forward on a desperate mission, Spurs applied a sucker punch.

Pavlyuchenko scored his second goal of the game and Birmingham were condemned to the Championship alongside Blackpool and West Ham United.

Wigan had worked some final-day magic once again while Wolves had stayed up despite defeat against Blackburn, who were never in serious trouble.

Rather oddly, of course, Birmingham will be in the Europa League with their conquerors Tottenham after their Carling Cup win in February as they became the first club since Norwich City in 1985 to win a Cup and go down.

The last-day results confirmed that Spurs finished above Liverpool in fifth, having suffered just one defeat in the league at home all season, as the Reds lost 1-0 to Aston Villa.

Above that battle, Manchester City continued their strong finish to the season with a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers to claim third place ahead of Arsenal.

Indeed, Roberto Mancini's FA Cup winners ended the season level on points with runners-up Chelsea after the Blues lost their ninth league game 1-0 at Everton who finished seventh.

That result proved terminal for Carlo Ancelotti who was sacked by owner Roman Abramovich barely an hour after the game had ended.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, with just two wins in their last 11 league games, only just rescued a point against Fulham thanks to Theo Walcott's late goal in a 2-2 draw.

And the fourth-placed finish for the Gunners means the London club will face a potentially tricky Champions League qualifier early next season.

The Championship
Final table
SWANSEA CITY will take on Reading in the Championship playoff final at Wembley after both clubs won the second leg of their semi finals to progress.

Both first-leg matches - Nottingham Forest v Swansea City and Reading v Cardiff City - had finished 0-0, leaving the two Welsh clubs with a clear advantage.

But, while Swansea coped with the pressure well, Cardiff could not and Dave Jones' men failed in the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Swansea had survived playing the first leg with 10 men for virtually the whole game after Neil Taylor was sent off after 52 seconds.

Brendan Rogers' men seemed to cope quite well with their deficit in numbers in the first half but Billy Davies' Forest applied plenty of pressure after the break.

Their failure to make the breakthrough left Swansea confident that they would be able to win the tie at home in the second leg.

And it was no surprise to see the Swans make a cracking start in front of a lively atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium.

Leon Britton curled a brilliant opener before Stephen Dobbie sprinted past Guy Moussie to fire in a second.

However, the match was a much more even contest than the score suggested. Forest had two penalty appeals turned down and hit the woodwork three times through David McGoldrick, Lewis McGugan and Robbie Earnshaw.

Former Cardiff striker Earnshaw gave Forest the chance of forcing extra time with a goal 10 minutes before the end.

But it was confirmed that the Forest play-off hoodoo - four semi final defeats in four attempts - would continue when Darren Pratley scored from the half-way line with Lee Camp out of his goal.

Pratley's strike brought to an end a pulsating, quite breathtaking game which the other semi final could not match for drama.

After Cardiff had held Reading at home 0-0, the Bluebirds should have been favourites for the tie.

However, a poor late run of form in the season meant confidence was fragile and it took another hit when club captain Craig Bellamy was ruled out of the second leg altogether with a hamstring injury.

The Royals seized on Cardiff uncertainty as Shane Long put the Berkshire club ahead after a mix-up between Kevin McNaughton and his goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

Long scored a second on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after Dekel Keinan had brought down Matt Mills with a shirt-tug.

And, with Cardiff struggling to make any impact, the tie was sealed in the closing minutes when Jobi McAnuff kept his balance to fire past Bywater after a 30-yard run.

Earlier, in the regular season, Queens Park Rangers had their promotion and league championship confirmed just minutes before their final league match.

Rangers had feared a points deduction after breaching regulations in the 2009 signing of Alejandro Faurlin.

But, after one-day delay in the verdict from the hearing, the FA decided not to take any points away from Neil Warnock's men but to fine them £875,000 instead.

Norwich City will join QPR and either Reading or Swansea in the Premier League next year while Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United and Preston North End were relegated to League One.

League One
Final Table
FREE-SCORING Peterborough United face Huddersfield Town in the League One playoff final at Old Trafford after both clubs scrambled through exciting semi finals.

Posh beat Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 at London Road to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg.

Craig Mackail-Smith scored his 34th goal of the season to add to Grant McCann's early free-kick as Darren Ferguson's men gave themselves a chance of an immediate promotion back to the Championship.

It was a far cry from the first leg at Stadium:mk where the home-side scored three goals in nine minutes at the start of the second-half to take control of the tie.

However, Posh remained in touch in that game thanks to Mackail-Smith's early goal and McCann's late penalty, leaving them only one goal down going into the decisive second-leg.

The second-leg was barely decisive in the other semi final as Lee Clark's Huddersfield and Lee Bradbury's Bournemouth went toe-to-toe until the very end.

After the first leg had finished 1-1, this dramatic tie remained on a knife-edge as two Steve Lovell goals helped the Cherries twice come from behind to force the match into extra time.

Lee Peltier and a Danny Ward penalty had given the Terriers the lead but the west Yorkshire club fell behind for the first time in the tie early in extra time when Danny Ings headed Marc Pugh's inch-perfect cross.

However, Bournemouth's joy was short-lived when Antony Kay replied with another header to make it 3-3 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

Bournemouth were reduced to 10 men before the extra period was finished, Jason Pearce having been shown a straight red for a studs-up challenge, but Huddersfield could not take advantage.

And so, onto penalties which manager Clark had said his Huddersfield team had been practising.

The practice made perfect, so it seems, as the four Terriers players all scored while Bournemouth's Liam Feeney and Anton Robinson missed for the cruelest of exits. Huddersfield, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten league run to 27 games.

Another club who made a cruel exit in the regular season were Dagenham and Redbridge who, despite a tiny budget, still had hopes of survival going into the final day.

However, a 5-0 defeat at Peterborough on the final day ended the Daggers' dream as their hosts racked up their 106th league goal of the season.

Dagenham thus join Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town in League Two with Walsall and Notts County just surviving.

Gus Poyet's Brighton and Hove Albion had of course won the division ahead of second-placed Southampton who also gained automatic promotion.

League Two
Final Table
STEVENAGE have given themselves the chance of winning a second successive promotion in the League Two playoff final against Torquay United at Old Trafford.

The Boro, who won promotion as Blue Square Premier champions last season, have had a brilliant first year as a league club, knocking Newcastle United out of the FA Cup before finishing sixth.

That gave Graham Westley's men a playoff semi final place against Accrington Stanley who are also a fairly recent addition to the Football League.

But Stevenage proved stronger, taking advantage of two Stanley red cards to win the second-leg 1-0 for a 3-0 aggregate victory.

First half goals from Stacy Long and Joel Byrom had given Stevenage their comfortable first leg advantage but Stanley threatened a comeback at the Crown Ground.

That threat was ended once Joe Jacobson was sent off for a challenge on Lawrie Wilson and Sean McConville followed straightaway for an alleged punch.

Accrington's chances in the tie were effectively over and Chris Beardsley's late goal simply confirmed the Boro's progress.

Torquay, who were promoted from the Blue Square Premier themselves as recently as 2009, also enjoyed a relatively comfortable path to the final after a first-leg win against Shrewsbury.

The Gulls won 2-0 at Plainmoor thanks to first-half goals from Chris Zebroski and Eunan O'Kane, and a dominant display deserved even more goals.

The Shrews were well aware of their uphill task in the second leg and could not force an early breakthrough as the tie petered out as a contest.

It was a second disappointment for Shrewsbury in as many weeks after the Salop club only missed out on automatic promotion on the final day despite a 3-0 win over Oxford United.

That was because Wycombe Wanderers had held onto third spot with their own home win - a 3-1 success over Southend United - to join Chesterfield and Bury in League One next season.

But, while that came as no surprise, there was a shock at the other end of the table as Barnet pulled off a great escape.

The Bees won 1-0 at home to Port Vale thanks to Izale McLeod's penalty early in the second half while Lincoln City lost 3-0 against Aldershot at Sincil Bank to be relegated alongside Stockport County.

Blue Square Premier
Final Table
AFC WIMBLEDON reached the Football League just nine years after their formation following a dramatic penalty shootout win over Luton Town.

The Dons and the Hatters had finished in second and third in the final table so it was no surprise that they had beaten Fleetwood Town and Wrexham in the semi finals, respectively.

And, in the final itself at Eastlands, the two teams could not be separated after 120 minutes of action.

Dons' top scorer Danny Kedwell struck the decisive penalty, condemning Luton to a third successive season outside of the Football League.

For Wimbledon, though, this represents perhaps to end of the beginning of their task to regain their place at football's top table.

Their next aim: to get above Milton Keynes Dons - a task made all the more realistic by their rival's failure to progress through the League One playoffs. The two clubs are now just a single division apart.

The Season 2010/11: Survival Sunday calculations

Premier League
Full Table
MANCHESTER UNITED secured an English-record 19th league title last weekend as a late Wayne Rooney penalty ensured the Red Devils came away with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men have finally overcome Liverpool's long-standing record thanks largely to a phenomenal home record in this season of 17 wins and a draw.

However, Man United's away record in the league has been less impressive with just five wins throughout the campaign - the same amount as Ian Holloway's Blackpool.

Ferguson's men produced another edgy away performance at Ewood Park, falling behind to a Brett Emerton first-half goal after a mix-up involving stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak

But, Man United eased their way back into the contest and Rooney kept his cool to convert a 73rd-minute spot-kick and send the large travelling army of supporters into raptures.

Meanwhile, cross-city rivals Manchester City enjoyed the prelude to their FA Cup Final win over Stoke City by beating rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

A year ago, Peter Crouch scored the only goal as Spurs beat Man City late in the season to reach Europe's elite competition.

And Crouch was on target again in the repeat fixture - but, this time, he could only divert the ball into his own net, ensuring Roberto Mancini's men would finish somewhere in the top-four.

Indeed, Man City are now favourites to finish third after a second win over Stoke in a week took advantage of another Arsenal lapse after Arsene Wenger's men were beaten at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Spurs had similarly been on an ill-timed poor run of form but Harry Redknapp's men at least beat a resurgent Liverpool team under Kenny Dalglish at Anfield to leapfrog their hosts into a Europa League spot.

And so, with most of the important matters at the top of the table already decided, attention will turn to an extraordinary situation at the bottom.

Five of the bottom six heading into Survival Sunday, as it stands, are separated by just a single point and many of the teams carry similar goal differences:

15	Blackburn Rovers	37		10	10	17	43	57		-14	40
16	Wolverhampton Wndrs	37		11	7	19	44	63		-19	40
17	Birmingham City	37		8	15	14	36	56		-20	39
18	Blackpool	37		10	9	18	53	74		-21	39
19	Wigan Athletic	37		8	15	14	39	61		-22	39
20	West Ham United (R)	37		7	12	18	43	67		-24	33

Selected final-day fixtures (kick-off: 4pm)
Manchester United v Blackpool
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
Tottenham Hotspur v Birmingham City
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

Only West Ham United have been so far relegated after a dreadful campaign, neatly summed up by their penultimate match against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in which they gave away a 2-0 half-time lead.

That 3-2 win, thanks to two goals from Charles N'Zogbia and one from Connor Sammon, has given Wigan a chance of salvation heading into the last day.

However, as you can see, the permutations for each of the five teams involved are far from straightforward:

BLACKBURN ROVERS
Win (43 points)
- Definitely safe
Draw (41 points)
- Rovers will remain above Wolves on goal difference, and will be safe UNLESS Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan all win
Loss (40 points)
- Rovers will be relegated IF they suffer a particularly heavy loss AND two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan draw
- Rovers will also be relegated IF they lose by any score AND two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan win

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Win (43 points)
- Definitely safe
Draw (41 points)
- Wolves will remain below Blackburn on goal difference but will only be relegated IF two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan win
Loss (40 points)
- If Wolves lose by one goal, they will be relegated IF two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan win
- If Wolves lose by two or three-goal margins, they will be relegated IF Birmingham and Blackpool draw, OR one of those teams draws and Wigan win
- If Wolves lose by four+ goals, they will be relegated IF two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan get a draw

BIRMINGHAM CITY
Win (42 points)
- The Blues will be safe UNLESS the Wolves-Blackburn match produces a winner AND both Blackpool and Wigan win by a greater margin than Birmingham
Draw (40 points)
- Birmingham will be relegated IF both Blackpool and Wigan win. Also relegated IF one of Blackpool and Wigan wins UNLESS Wolves are beaten by two goals
Loss (39 points)
- Birmingham will be relegated IF both Blackpool and Wigan draw OR they suffer less severe defeats - Blackpool need to be one-goal better while Wigan need to be two-goals better off.
- Birmingham will also go down IF either Blackpool or Wigan draw AND the other escapes with the aforementioned narrower defeat than Blues

BLACKPOOL
Win (42 points)
- Blackpool will be safe UNLESS the Wolves-Blackburn match produces a winner AND Birmingham and Wigan both win. Note: Wigan require a greater margin of victory than Blackpool.
Draw (40 points)
- Blackpool will be relegated if Birmingham draw or win OR Wigan win UNLESS Wolves are beaten by two goals
Loss (39 points)
- Blackpool will be relegated UNLESS Wigan also lose AND Birmingham lose by at least one more goal than Ian Holloway's men

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Win (42 points)
- Wigan will be safe UNLESS the Wolves-Blackburn match produces a winner AND Birmingham and Blackpool both also win
Draw (40 points)
- Wigan will be relegated IF both Birmingham and Blackpool draw
- Wigan will also be relegated IF one of Birmingham or Blackpool also draws UNLESS Wolves are beaten by four goals
Loss (39 points)
- Wigan will be relegated UNLESS both Birmingham and Blackpool lose by at least two goals more than the Latics

Carling Cup Final 2011: Martins benefits from last-minute Arsenal mix-up

ARSENAL 1 van Persie 39'
BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 Zigic 28', Martins 89'

Arsenal Szczesny - Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy - Rosicky, Song, Nasri, Wilshere - Arshavin (Chamakh 77), van Persie (Bendtner 69).
Subs not used: Almunia, Denilson, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs.
Booked: Koscielny, Clichy
Birmingham Foster - Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell - Fahey (Martins 83), Gardner (Beausejour 50), Ferguson, Bowyer, Larsson - Zigic (Jerome 90+2).
Subs not used: Taylor, Murphy, Phillips, Parnaby.
Booked: Larsson, Jerome, Ferguson
Attendance 88,851 at Wembley Referee Mike Dean (Wirral)


OBAFEMI MARTINS took advantage of a dreadful late defensive muddle to fire Birmingham City to their first major trophy since 1963.

Martins pounced on the mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and centre-back Laurent Koscielny to tap the ball into an empty net from 12 yards in the 89th minute.

It was no less than the Blues had deserved after they stunned strong favourites Arsenal with a surprisingly enterprising performance.

Birmingham are the most goal-shy team in the Premier League with just 25 from 26 games but they could have been 1-0 up within three minutes.

Nikola Zigic slipped the ball through to Lee Bowyer who was brought down by Szczesny in the box.

It would have been a red card for the keeper and a penalty for the Blues but Bowyer was incorrectly flagged offside.

Undeterred, the Blues continued to play above the standard of a team sitting 16th in the league and they took the lead on 28 minutes.

The goal predictably came from the head of 6ft 8in striker Zigic who exposed the Gunners' continued inability to deal with set pieces.

More than half of the goals conceded by Arsenal have come from dead-ball situations in the league this season while Birmingham have had notable success in this area.

And, this time, Roger Johnson and Zigic won successive headers in the box with Szczesny stranded in no-man's land.

Zigic could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards but he proved to be less adept with his feet after the ball had broken to him kindly in the box.

But, as the half drew to a close, Arsene Wenger's men finally began to respond. It looked as if Jack Wilshere had brought the Gunners level but his 25-yard screamer crashed off the bar.

It did not matter as the ball rebounded back into play where Andrey Arshavin twisted and turned before fashioning a cross for Robin van Persie to score with a fantastic finish.

However, in the process of hooking the ball from behind him, the Dutchman appeared to pick up a knock and he was replaced midway through the second half by Nicklas Bendtner.

If van Persie is injured, it would cause Wenger a further headache after he was deprived of the services of Theo Walcott and captain Cesc Fabregas for the Final today.

There are worries that, after this defeat, the injuries and fixture pile-up may cause Arsenal's season to be derailed with further important cup matches against Barcelona and possibly Manchester United coming up.

But the truth is that deficiencies in the Gunners' defensive armoury was well-known before this season's assault on all four competitions - and yet Wenger has still not sought to rectify this.

To give too much focus to Arsenal's weakness would be doing a disservice to Birmingham, though.

The Blues were unlucky not to have retaken the lead earlier than they did when Irish midfielder Keith Fahey hit the inside of the post.

But, in a refreshingly entertaining and open Cup Final contest, Arsenal threatened with notable efforts from Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri.

Clearly looking to avoid a period of extra time, Wenger's second half changes pointed towards an attempt to win the match inside the 90 minutes as Marouanne Chamakh replaced Arshavin and Bendtner stepped in for the ailing van Persie.

It was the equally-positive substitution from Alex McLeish which ended up making the difference, though.

With extra time looming, former Newcastle United man Martins, on for Fahey, found himself in the perfect place at the perfect time to capitalise on Koscielny's indecision.

And, with such little time left - four minutes of added time - Arsenal were unable to find a second equaliser.

Indeed, Martins could have made doubly sure of Birmingham success in stoppage time but he could not find a finish to his mazy run.

But, in the end, that mattered nought as McLeish became only the second-ever Birmingham manager to win a major trophy, after Gil Merrick beat Aston Villa over two legs in the 1963 Final of this competition.

In the build-up to the match, much had been made of Arsenal's supposed 'Cup drought' of almost six years but Blues fans had been waiting for 48 years until today.

Now, for the blue half of the Second City, the wait is over.


ROAD TO WEMBLEY
Arsenal
R3 beat Tottenham Hotspur (a) 4-1 after extra time
R4 beat Newcastle United (a) 4-0
R5 beat Wigan Athletic (h) 2-0
SF1 lost to Ipswich Town (a) 0-1
SF2 beat Ipswich Town (h) 3-0 to win 3-1 on aggregate
Birmingham City
R2 beat Rochdale (h) 3-2
R3 beat Milton Keynes Dons (h) 3-1
R4 beat Brentford (h) 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw a.e.t
R5 beat Aston Villa (h) 2-1
SF1 lost to West Ham United (a) 1-2
SF2 beat West Ham United (h) 3-1 after extra time to win 4-3 on aggregate

PREVIOUS LEAGUE CUP FINAL APPEARANCES
Arsenal
1968 lost 0-1 to Leeds United
1969 lost 1-3 to Swindon Town after extra time
1987 won 2-1 against Liverpool
1988 lost 2-3 to Luton Town
1993 won 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday
2007 lost 1-2 to Chelsea
Birmingham City
1963 won 3-1 against Aston Villa on aggregate (3-1 home, 0-0 away)
2001 lost 4-5 on penalties to Liverpool after 1-1 draw