English football club from Horwich, founded 1874; promoted to the 2026–27 Championship.
Lincoln City’s return to the Championship ends in stoppage-time heartbreak as Lankshear strikes a late winner for his new club after Adam Reach had given Lincoln the lead. Bolton, QPR, Charlton and Swansea collect early points in the weekend’s opening fixtures; Derby and Preston share the spoils in a 2-1 encounter, while Millwall, Bristol City, Norwich and others suffer mixed starts.
Ken Bates, the controversial former Chelsea owner and chairman, has died at 94. He bought Chelsea for £1 in 1982, steered the club back to the top flight and helped shape its stadium and ownership model before selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003.
Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from professional football at 43, ending a 25-year career that featured Hearts, Sunderland, Celtic, 84 Scotland caps and multiple comebacks from serious injuries. He leaves a legacy as one of Scotland’s most trusted goalkeepers and a beloved Tynecastle icon.