Aston Villa have demolished a famous stand. Mac McColgan wonders if its replacement will match up

Could anybody argue that the Trinity Road Stand was not the finest in the history of foot­ball? Its redbrick façade, twin towers, stained glass windows, Italian mosaics and gable bear­ing the “Lion rampant” were the best that money could buy in 1924. Four years ago, wheels were set in motion to redevelop the stand. Various schemes were put forward for planning permission, each one rejected as the club battled with local residents and Birmingham City Council over the increased capacity and intrusion into nearby Aston Hall Park.

Read more…

Craig Ellyard reports on NTL's agreement to screen the Football League

Communications giant NTL may have pulled out of their pay-per-view deal with the Premier League, but they are still set to play a major role in the lower divisions. The company has an arrangement with the Football League to provide an exclusive internet “portal” for the clubs outside the Premiership in return for a payment of rights fees which could total up to £65 million.

Read more…

Danny Ruler looks at the Millwall chairman

Distinguishing Features A balding Greek Cypriot with a cheeky smile. Has a cockney accent with Greek twang that his detractors always claim is faked to try to make him “one of the fans”.

Read more…

As Saltergate falls into disrepair, Chesterfield risk going under. Jonathan Westwood reports

Older than the Football League itself and cur­rently leading the Third Division, Chesterfield are the latest club to find themselves staring extinction in the face. Home to the club since 1884, Saltergate is one of the oldest foot­ball venues in the world and it shows its age. Only the main stand has seating and the away end remains open to the elements.

Read more…

Marcus Christenson examines the past achievements of the next England manager

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment was met with a barrage of xenophobia in England. In Sweden and elsewhere in Europe, however, the discussion centred on why on earth a top European coach would go anywhere near the mangy Three Lions. It is difficult to imagine Fabio Capello, Hector Cuper, Alberto Zac­cheroni or any other successful European coach leav­ing their clubs to join up with Adam Crozier and co. So why was Eriksson prepared to swap Rome for London?

Read more…