In the Championship – Season almost over

As for the Championship play off, it is a difficult one to call. Preston have been as good as anyone since Christmas but West Ham on their day are capable of beating anyone and have already won at Sunderland, Wigan and Ipswich (twice) this season.

Preston won both league games between the two sides but will that be an omen or will it be a repeat of the 1964 FA Cup Final? Either way both clubs have completely sold out so a full house is assured in Cardiff.

Television coverage of Preston’s game at Derby did give us a laugh and a reminder of how far away they would have been had they not changed manager. The Weary Whinger himself was there and in discussing a penalty decision that did not for one go Preston’s way WW claimed that Eddie Lewis is not a diver.

For one of the play off losers it’s been a busy time as Ipswich sort out their squad. Joe Royle said there had to be changes, his number two Willie Donachie said they didn’t need to change anything. I think one former Burnley defender has won that battle and the only player released is another former defender Drissa Diallo.

There’s been fun down on the south coast at Southampton but also some terrible news from the same club. They got rid of Jim Smith and Steve Wigley this week from the coaching staff as they cut costs following relegation whilst players have gone also. Wigley started the season with the youth squad, became manager, left, returned to work with the youths again but is now on his way to Manchester City where he is replacing Asa Hartford.

On the playing side Graeme Le Saux has retired and has taken on the job of trying to make sense out of John Motson whilst captain Jason Dodd has been shown the door and looks set to move along the coast to Plymouth.

Graeme Le Saux - retired after suffering relegation with Southampton

There has been some really dreadful news from Southampton though concerning supporter Jamie Turner. The 45 year old father of two was beaten over the head with a baseball bat on his way to the Saints last home game of the season against Manchester United.

He’s still in a coma and fighting for his life after having blood clots removed from his brain. It is thought that should he survive he could well be left with lasting brain damage. It’s dreadful and our thought’s are with Jamie’s wife Karen, his children, family and friends.

Clubs are already planning their pre-season tours and fans can join Sheffield United on their trip for just £1,200 per person. They are off to China where they will play three games in three of the biggest stadiums in the country.

They will have another new player to take with them too after completing the signing of Paul Ifill this week from Millwall for a fee of around £800,000.

Things are not good at the Den and now it looks almost certain that their best player Darren Ward will also be on the move in the very near future.

Former manager Dennis Wise looks set to stay in this league and is having talks with QPR regarding a playing contract. I’d be very wary if I was Ian Holloway, that’s all Mark McGhee offered him at Millwall. QPR have made a singing though, taking goalkeeper Simon Royce from Charlton having released Chris Day.

If Jason Dodd does join Plymouth he will be alongside another new signing who is already familiar to the Home Park crowd. They didn’t think they had a chance of clinching a deal for Agos Buzsaky from Porto at the end of his loan spell but he’s now a Plymouth player and has cost around £700,000.

Wolves have also clinched the permanent signing of a loan player with news that Rohan Ricketts has agreed a two year deal but it is not the same news at Crewe. Jon Otsemobor was expecting to sign for them after Liverpool released him but Dario G has changed his mind and said he won’t be joining them.

Wayne Thomas - looks set for a move to Norwich

The Legend has been busy again at Hull this week and made two more signings. Former Port Vale midfielder Steve McPhee has signed from Portuguese club Beira Mar and he will be joined by Keith Andrews who has moved from Wolves.

Stoke have released Chris Greenacre and told Carl Asaba he can go but they have offered new deals to Gerry Taggart, Ed de Goey and Wayne Thomas. Don’t expect Thomas to sign though, he’s expected to pen a deal with Norwich after turning Derby down earlier in the week.

Coventry fans are campaigning to get their 1987 FA Cup winning team the freedom of the city but I’m not sure some of those players would want sending back to Coventry to collect it. Former Claret Nick Pickering was in the side and I wonder if Gary Mabbut’s knee is included.

Nobody is too sure exactly what has been going on at Derby amidst suggestions that manager George Burley was under investigation. The board though have issued a statement refuting it and that’s the end of the matter – it appears there is smoke with no fire after all.

Sean Gregan has described the last season as the worst in his career, we’d better let him know that it’s all downhill from now and not to expect the improvement he thinks he is going to make. Don’t the Leeds fans just love him (and Ian Moore as well of course).

Do you fancy the idea of spending the summer taking in the grounds in the Championship, someone certainly is and it all starts tonight at the Madejski Stadium at Reading where he is appearing on stage.

The new Leicester away kit

Elton John is touring and it all begins with concerts on various football grounds up and down the country including six in our league. His yellow brick road through the Championship will take him from Reading to his spiritual home of Vicarage Road, and the looking up Adrian Boothroyd, via Southampton, Norwich, Stoke and Coventry. He’s taking Lulu with him to Watford so they’ll all have to Shout as He’s Still Standing.

Derby County can boast his mate Rod Stewart on their summer bill whilst Ipswich’s Song Sung Blue will come from Neil Diamond.

Luton are working hard for life at a higher level and they have found a way of increasing the capacity by 754. When they installed a scoreboard a few years ago it removed the view from some seats so they have decided to get rid of it again so people can use the seats again. Only short people need apply – have you ever checked out the leg room at Kenilworth Road?

We’ll finish today with a look at one kit we are likely to see at the Turf next season. It might not compete with Coventry’s all chocolate or the Hull tiger shirt but I think Leicester’s white kit with black and blue trim is going to take some beating. And I thought our amber and black stripes from 2002/03 season was bad.