Central Football News

Walsall Football Club has signed James Chambers for another year and twin brother Adam, on a two year contract at Bank's Stadium.

“I’m really pleased that they have both signed new deals,” said manager, Dean Smith.

“They are fantastic professionals and good people to have around the place."

James Chambers joined the club in 2012 from Doncaster Rovers, having played for West Brom and Leicester City.

Adam joined the Saddlers in 2011 after a five year spell at Kidderminster Harriers.

The twin brothers were born in West Bromwich.

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• Walsall FC
• Football

New Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has decided to release seven first team players after their contracts with the club expired.

New Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has decided to release seven first team players after their contracts with the club expired.

Dean Whitehead, who actually made 30 appearances for the club last season, is one of the released players. As is Jermaine Pennant, and Rory Delap, who rose to cult status at Stoke with his trademark long throw-ins.

Goalkeeper Carlo Nash, former England defender Matthew Upson, midfielder Matthew Lund and long-serving striker Mamady Sidibe are the other players Stoke have decided to let go.

The club have confirmed that six of the coaching staff have also left, including first-team coach Gerry Francis.

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• Stoke City
• Football

A man has been charged with sending racist tweets to two Northampton Town football players.

Ben Townsend, 25, from Cheltenham, allegedly sent the messages to Adebayo Akinfenwa and Clarke Carlisle, who is also chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

He will appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court next month.

• UK
• Northampton
• Cheltenham

Retired footballer, Neil Clements, who played for West Brom until 2010, has been banned from horse racing for over 15 years.

Clements, who joined Albion in 2000, has also been told to pay £3,000 in fines.

The British Horseracing Authority found him in breach of three rules:

• Conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice
• Placing a lay bet on a horse which he then owned
• Failure to provide phone records

• Sport
• West Bromwich Albion
• Neil Clements

Forward Lee Novak has agreed to join Blues on a three-year contract.

The 24-year-old, previously at Huddersfield Town, will formally join on July 1 after his current deal with the Terriers expires.

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• Birmingham City
• Lee Novak

Port Vale Football Club has today announced it's found a new chairman.

The former chief executive of the club, Norman Smurthwaite, has taken over as chairman and sole owner of the club, following the departure of Paul Wildes on Friday.

The Burslem-based club is expecting up to 400 fans at tonight's Football Supporters Club Meeting where Norman will take questions.

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• Port Vale
• Football

West Brom 1 – 3 Manchester United - live updates here

Wigan 2 – 1 Aston Villa - live updates here

Southampton 0 – 0 Stoke - live updates here

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• Football

Wolves defender, Jody Craddock, has announced his testimonial year, after confirming his retirement from professional football at the age of 37.

“I always loved playing for Wolves, and gave it my all, and am looking forward to sharing this year with the club’s supporters."

His fundraising year will benefit two charities, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Balls to Cancer after Craddock's son Toby was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Speaking about Toby, Craddock said:

"He is currently doing really well, and the care and support both he and our whole family have received from the hospital has been second to none.

The Hospital is always in need of extra funding to help their facilities for both patients and their families, and at the moment are involved in a big appeal for a new Children’s Cancer Centre.

Toby is progressing really well, but is still undergoing regular treatment, and it will be great if we can help out the Hospital with their appeal."

• UK
• Wolves
• Jody Craddock