First and foremost, let it be known that this is not the outcome this particular fan wants. Like so many of us, Gareth Southgate has given me the greatest England memories of my lifetime.
However, it’s fair to say it’s not going to plan, is it?
The Three Lions are now without a win in the last six games and have been relegated from their Nations League group following a disappointing final two games before the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
On top of the lacklustre defeat against Italy, who were arguably the only team to look as off the pace as England since the Euros, Monday night’s 3-3 draw against a similarly underperforming Germany was a typically frustrating rollercoaster, to say the least.
Southgate‘s team looked dead and buried after the opener and even despite the spirited fight-back, they gave away a late equaliser. Even more worryingly, prior to Luke Shaw’s goal, they hadn’t scored from open play in over nine hours of football. Yikes.
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Many have been calling for the England boss to be dismissed ever since the disappointment of last summer — some of his detractors even date as far back as 2018. That being said, these latest defeats have only seen more people declaring #SouthgateOut, World Cup just around the corner or not.
Despite being the first coach to take the England men’s team to a final since the last time we lifted a trophy in 1966 – the first to take us as far as a semi since ’96, as well – it’s becoming more and more difficult to argue his case by the minute.
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Moreover, not only is hard to feel confident for November based on recent performances, but knowing that this could be the last major tournament for many of the core group who have delivered over the past five or six years, it does feel very much like a ‘now or never’ moment for Southgate and several players.
Speaking of which, the squad selection has been another point of contention for some England fans, the suggestion being that he has his favourites and often overlooks those in form and more deserving of a spot compared to his mainstays.
The inclusion of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw has been highlighted by many of his critics given the two are barely paying for United at the minute. The pair both started against Germany despite calls for the likes of Fikayo Tomori to be given a shot having been part of a title-winning Milan side in Italy last season.
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Some fans were also calling for Ben White to be brought into the fold, but he wasn’t even named in this squad for this international break, despite Arsenal sitting top of the Premier League and with three clean sheets, no less.
Meanwhile, sidelined Maguire was responsible for the penalty that gave Germany the lead and the second goal, as it happens.
The rationale seems to be that Maguire has been a fairly consistent performer under Southgate, scoring some big goals in both of the last two tournaments and a key player in his preferred back three/five.
Shaw was one of the stand-outs of Euro 2020 — we relive that goal almost nightly. But even besides moments like that and Monday nights’s contribution, surely ‘sticking with what you know’ only goes so far and it makes little sense to be picking players who aren’t playing regularly.
More accurately, she did so by playing a largely positive, attacking style, enjoying plenty of possession in most games and hitting fast on the counter. In contrast, Southgate’s approach is considered somewhat reserved, even when his team are at their best.
While Southgate’s sides often dominate possession in games against weaker opponents, they are rarely perceived as risk-takers and the 52-year-old regularly favours a more defensive set-up even in games when most would argue it isn’t necessary. It’s one of the several reasons fans have grown impatient.
The man himself admitted in the build-up to the Germany game that even with his 2024 contract, he knows that he’ll be “judged on what happens at [the] World Cup” and emphasised that beyond his own job security, “it’s not healthy for the team to be having this noise around them”
🗣 "It's a situation we aren't enjoying."
Gareth Southgate is determined to turn around England's poor run of performances pic.twitter.com/ajzneLYkjA
Conversely, Raheem Sterling said before the game that the players need to “take some responsibility” for the misfiring of late, but insisted that the neither team nor the fans need to panic at this stage and that the boys will find their feet when World Cup starts on 20 November.
Moreover, even before they fought their way back into the game, Germany’s coach Hansi Flick offered his support, dubbed him “the most successful in [our] history” and citing that he has the best points average of any England manager.
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Regardless of the pressure on him right now, it cannot be overlooked that Southgate has lost just 13 and drawn 17 in 76 matches, not to mention taking the nation as far in a tournament as they’ve been in 25 years. That’s what makes this debate such a painful and divisive one.
With that in mind, it’s worth reiterating that we would love nothing more than to see Southgate succeed and take this team that final step further. Nevertheless, it’s hard to ignore the very real possibility that this could be his last crack at it.
Even if they did complete the comeback against Germany, England still finished bottom of the group with a game to spare, ending on just three points and a minus-six goal difference. It’s chalk and cheese to the numbers put up by the Women’s team who filled the nation with such hope and pride just months ago.
As Sterling says, it is of course on the players as well, but you’d be hoping for a little more momentum with the World Cup starting in just 55 days.
Games like these are when you want to see a manager’s first-choice team taking shape and although we know there will be personnel changes in the final squad, it’s only going to take more time for members of the group to build that chemistry so key in tournament football.
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It really does feel like we’ve reached a point where Southgate has to win a trophy or go the way of every other manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.
Being generous, it’s reach another final at the very least, but even that might not be enough for the FA to bet on him for another four years only to risk potentially falling short again while running the clock down on a talented generation of footballers.
If it does turn out to be his final tournament as England manager, we’ll always have the memories and we look forward to creating a few more this winter. I mean, anything can happen in a knockout competition – who knows, maybe he’ll help bring it home after all?
Featured Image: England (via Twitter)
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Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025
Danny Jones
With festival season officially underway and a music-filled summer approaching faster than Stone Folca down the final furlong, we’ll take any chance to sing and dance under the sun we can get, so it’s a good job that what’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this year is great and there’s plenty of it.
That’s right, The Jockey Club Live experience at Haydock Park is back for 2025, and there’s another incredible lineup of acts joining the punters over the next few months.
Having already seen the likes of Craig David, Busted and the Sugababes, as well as rather fittingly named local band, Red Rum Club, most recently, we’ve had some ruddy good times soaking up The Jockey Club festivities and libations, and this year is already off to a storming start.
You can catch a glimpse of our latest visit to the races down below for a taster. In short, it was a blast.
As you can see, not only are the spirits high and free-flowing (if you catch our drift) at Haydock Park, but there’s more than just racing and betting slips when it comes to what’s on there during the summer.
In addition to plenty of food and drink, every year as part of their Music Night programme, The Jockey Club well and truly puts the Live in ‘live entertainment’ with a whole host of big names.
For instance, here’s who is coming up at Haydock this summer…
What’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer?
Tom Jones – Friday, 4 July
Perhaps the biggest name on the bill this year is the legendary Welsh soul singer and pop veteran SIR Tom Jones; that’s right, you could be in the presence of a real knight this July.
The 85-year-old who has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades on stage clearly couldn’t get enough the first time around, as Mr ‘Sex Bomb’ himself is coming back to the racecourse for a full headline slot as part of his ‘Defy Explanation’ tour.
Speaking ahead of another visit, he said: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Haydock Park Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience. The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar – the fans really enjoy the day, so [they] are always sensational.”
‘I can’t wait to spend a Summer’s evening with everyone this July.’ (Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr)
Becky Hill – Friday, 8 August
A month later, you can catch a contemporary pop queen and fellow British chart favourite, as solo star Becky Hill will be heading to Haydock for a headline performance of her own.
The Bewdley-born singer-songwriter and regular dance track feature artist already has 22 top 40 songs to her name and is pushing even further into the electronic music scene of late, with one of her newest hits, Swim’, becoming another big hit.
Jockey Club said of her date: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Becky and her phenomenal live show to Haydock Park. Tickets start from just £40, continuing our reputation for providing value-for-money entertainment destination for the region and beyond.”
‘With thousands of tickets for Red Rum Club sold in the presale alone, we’re urging fans to secure their spot for next summer soon to avoid disappointment.’ (Credit: Press shot supplied via Chuff Media)
Next up: Jamie Webster – 21 June
But before both of these big British names is a local Merseyside legend, as indie guitarist and Liverpool-fan anthem specialist Jamie Webster will be heading down the road for what is sure to be a very popular night on home turf.
The ‘Weekend In Paradise’ and ‘This Place’ singer may have got his break performing to supporters around Anfield, but his music journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable – a real Northern, working-class success story in action.
Our Audio North team spoke to Webster ahead of his Haydock Park show on Saturday, 21 June and let’s just say we’re now more invested than ever in hearing Jamie play his third studio album, 10 For The People, for… well – you get it.
Better still, the party doesn’t stop once the summer is over, as The Jockey Club Live will be holding a number of other events throughout the rest of the year, not to mention all the usual horse-racing action at Haydock Park.
You can find out more information on the above and everything else on at the racecourse, as well as grab tickets to any of the dates that take your fancy right HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press shot (supplied)
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‘Best signing of the summer’: Stockport County fans react to Dave Challinor’s new contract
Danny Jones
Stockport County fans are buzzing with their first and arguably ‘biggest’ signing of the summer, as manager Dave Challinor has penned a new contract at Edgeley Park.
The majority of match-goers in Stockport have fallen in love with Challinor over the past few years, with the former County centre-back having now spent nearly four years as the boss and overseeing one of the best periods in their history during that time.
With seven promotions across four different clubs, three of those coming at Edgeley Park, he’s been touted as one of the EFL‘s most underrated and quietly successful coaches in recent times.
All that being said, and with the 49-year-old now signing a new deal at the club, supporters like those behind the popular The Scarf Bergara Wore fan podcast have said, “Could be the best signing of our summer, that” – a similar sentiment has been echoed in pretty much everyone’s reaction.
Congratulations to Dave, a superb manager – would expect Stockport to play in the Championship in that time. Not many can say they’ve had success everywhere they’ve been, but he can
As you can see, while some jokingly said they were waiting to hear former Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry had been re-signed, the overwhelming consensus is that this is “superb news” for the thriving Greater Manchester side.
Having only just missed out on yet another promotion, which would have seen SCFC back in the Championship after more than two decades (having last spent time in the second division during the 2002/23 campaign, lasting just one season), keeping him tied down wasn’t a certainty.
The Chester-born ex-pro turned manager has attracted plenty of interest since his heroics at AFC Fylde and now at Stockport County, but owner and Vita Group founder, Mark Stott, as well as CEO Simon Wilson and the rest of the board were more than ready to reward his efforts with a new three-year deal.
If all goes to plan, this will see him remain at the club until at least 2028 if they make it into the Championship as planned, who knows how much longer after that.
Speaking on the new contract, Dave Challinor said via an official club statement, “I’m delighted to extend my stay at the Club beyond the end of the upcoming season. Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have.
“I’m still highly ambitious, and feel that what we have built here over the last three-and-a-half years makes County somewhere that I want to continue to build, alongside my staff, players and everyone involved at the Club.”
‘Chally’ went on to add: “Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have.
“I’m still highly ambitious, and feel that what we have built here over the last three-and-a-half years makes County somewhere that I want to continue to build, alongside my staff, players and everyone involved at the Club.
“A manager’s tenure at any football club is getting shorter and shorter, and I feel proud to have been at Edgeley Park for as long as I have. That comes from the trust placed in me by Mark and Simon to come in and have a positive impact, and I thank them both for that.”
Danny Jones -
26th September 2022 
