Former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has joined Sunderland’s backroom staff.

Three people who were arrested after a pitch invasion during a pre-season friendly match have been charged by British police.

THERE was a time, maybe 15 or more years ago, when if you’d imagined Keith Gillespie playing in red and black stripes, the club you’d have had in mind would have been AC Milan.

IN one of the most eye-catching transfer coups in the domestic game for many a season, First Division Longford Town have announced the signing of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie.

Bolton 2 York 0

English Football League clubs paid out £12.7m (€15.4m) in agents’ fees last season – a rise of £3.9m (€4.7m) from the previous year.

THE jeers at the final whistle told its own story.

Midfielder Andy Reid will be travelling to Ireland as part of Sunderland's pre-season training next week after finally shaking off a calf problem which left him needing surgery.

Oldham have parted company with manager Dave Penney following the club’s dismal League One campaign.

OVER the past couple of days, it’s been hard to avoid those doleful images of Tony Mowbray, head in hands while the rain sheeted down, barely able to watch as mighty St Mirren ran riot against his battered Bhoys.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

DARLINGTON have parted company with a manager for the second time this season after opting to relieve Steve Staunton of his duties.

The FA Cup is feeling the force of the winter freeze with three of today’s third-round ties falling victim to the weather.

The cold snap continued to bite in the UK this afternoon as a raft of sporting fixtures fell prey to the sub-zero conditions sweeping the country.

Blizzards and plummeting temperatures across the UK have already claimed a number of the weekend’s sporting fixtures with more set to follow later in the day.

DEAN KIELY insists he has not quit international football with Ireland and has claimed Giovanni Trapattoni broke an understanding that he would not be called up just to sit on the bench.

Leeds United face an away tie against Oldham Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup.

KEVIN KILBANE has backed Steve Staunton to resurrect his management career at League Two basement club Darlington.

DARLINGTON have appointed former Ireland coach Steve Staunton as their new manager.

Darlington have appointed former Republic of Ireland coach Steve Staunton as their new manager.

Damien Duff produced a moment of magic at Craven Cottage to defeat Everton and kick-start Fulham’s Barclays Premier League campaign.

FRANK LAMPARD believes he can smash another 20 goals from Chelsea’s midfield this season after enjoying a new lease of life in Carlo Ancelotti’s ‘diamond’ formation.

Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has named a 24-man squad to face Australia in Thomond Park on Wednesday, August 12.

HULL and Aston Villa have joined Sunderland in the race to sign Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

THE Republic of Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa suffered a blow yesterday after it was confirmed Paul McShane will be out for the next three months through injury.

Football League new boys Burton Albion face a difficult away trip to Coca-Cola Championship club Reading following the draw for the first round of the Carling Cup today.

Crisis-hit Darlington have confirmed all but one of their playing staff are available on free transfers.

West Brom will take up the 12-month option on central defender Shelton Martis’ contract after a series of promising performances since breaking into the first-team squad.

Champions Wolves dominate the Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Year which has been announced at last night’s PFA Awards.

SOUTHAMPTON remain confident of avoiding a 10-point penalty after the Football League called for an independent report into the club’s financial position.

Today’s Barclays Premier League match between Portsmouth and Manchester City has been postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Bournemouth have fired manager Jimmy Quinn after just 121 days in charge.

A LAST-GASP goal from Craig Mackail-Smith gave Peterborough a 1-0 win over Ryman Premier side AFC Hornchurch in the first round of the FA Cup yesterday.

Leeds have been handed a home clash against fellow Coca-Cola League One outfit Northampton following the draw for the first round of the FA Cup.

BIRMINGHAM secured their place in the second round of the Carling Cup with a routine 4-0 victory at Wycombe as all four Coca-Cola Championship teams avoided upsets last night.

Fulham 3 Celtic 1

Former Manchester United youngster Sean Evans has failed to win a contract with Inverness.

Roy Hodgson’s rebuilding programme at Fulham continued with the signing of Iranian defensive midfielder Andranik Teymourian on a free transfer from Bolton.

Fulham have finally completed the free signing of midfielder Zoltan Gera from West Brom after the Hungarian passed a medical today.

West Brom returned to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after Zoltan Gera’s second-half goal earned the Baggies a 1-0 win at Wolves.

Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Cardiff.

The wintery weather conditions across the country have taken their toll on tonight’s Football League programme, with six of the planned 10 matches already postponed.

CHRIS TODD and Danny Stevens both scored twice as Blue Square Premier side Torquay upset League One Yeovil at Plainmoor.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate could go into Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash at Manchester City with just one fit striker.