THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN BREIF
The Premier League and Football League have released the fixtures for next season. STOKE CITY will host Liverpool on the opening day after mauling them 6-1 on the final day of last season. In League 1, PORT VALE travel a short distance away to Crewe in a midlands derby and BURTON ALBION will play Scunthorpe at home. All fixtures will be played on the 8th August.
The draw has been made for the capital one cup and both BURTON and PORT VALE Burton and Port Vale have been pulled out of the hat. Port Vale are to host recently relegated Burnley who played in the Premier League last season and Burton face a trip to the Macron Stadium to face Championship side Bolton Wanderers. The ties will be played on August 11th
STOKE CITY are front-runners in the race to sign Dnipro’s Yevhen Konoplyanka. The 25 year-old prompted speculation to arise after revealing he would not be extending his contract at the Russian side, days after their defeat in the Europa League final.
PORT VALE have let forward Tom Pope depart for Bury. The 29 year-old bagged 69 goals for The Valiants since joining in 2011. Bury have battled off the likes of Barnsley, Millwall and Doncaster as they prepare to make their second signing of the summer. However, more positively, defender Adam Yates is set to sign another contract for Rob Page’s men.
After BURTON ALBION released Ian Sharps last month the defender looks set to join Chester FC. The 34 year-old played the second half of last season on loan at Telford United before being relieved of his duties by Burton.