STEVE COPPELL resigned as Bristol City boss yesterday and retired from football management after just two competitive matches with the npower Championship club.

DAVID JAMES opted for the chance to play first-team football over remaining in the Barclays Premier League in making the surprise move to Bristol City.

The Football League have turned down a request from Crystal Palace to sanction a replay of Saturday’s stormy clash between the Eagles and Bristol City.

Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown has furiously denied a report claiming he is to meet up with an Eastern European consortium to discuss a potential takeover of the club.