A senior officer who was in charge of policing Liverpool fans outside Hillsborough football stadium on the day of the 1989 disaster has said he had "profound regrets" that he did not ask for the match kick-off to be delayed.

Manchester City 7 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Stars from 'Coronation Street' and 'Emmerdale' are to take part in a charity cycle ride between the sets of the two ITV soaps in preparation for the Tour De France.

New Year’s Day. Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Mallow, Co Cork.

Another month, another anniversary, but one that won’t be overlooked on Merseyside in a few weeks will be the birthday — September 2, 1913 — of the man who, in the broad church of football, is revered as a saint.

The Quarry

Schools closed and transport struggled to cope as Britain continued to suffer in the grip of winter today.

Freezing temperatures and a blanket of snow will continue their grip on the UK this week – though the nation might at last get a glimpse of the sun.

The persistent heavy downpours that have swamped much of the UK will continue today and cause some areas to experience a whole month’s rainfall in just 24 hours, weather experts say.

Both Haydock and Beverley are hoping for a rapid improvement in conditions in order for their cards to go ahead today.

Alex Ferguson has backed his Manchester United players to bounce back from the agony of seeing the Barclays Premier League title wrenched from their grasp.

Hatem Ben Arfa produced a moment of genius this afternoon to maintain Newcastle's unlikely bid for Champions League qualification.

REPUBLIC of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has joined the management team at Preston North End.

Manchester United defender John O’Shea has put pen to paper on a four-year deal to join Wes Brown at Sunderland.

I’VE had better days. It took us six hours to get to Old Trafford thanks to a pile up on the M6 then a magical mystery tour over the Pennines courtesy of a sat-nav with a sense of humour.

Bolton 2 York 0

Manchester United 0 Leeds 1

LEEDS striker Robert Snodgrass says he and his team-mates will not be overawed when they face fierce rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford tomorrow.

ALEX FERGUSON expects Leeds United to be back in the Premier League within a couple of years.

THE plight of the twite troubles ornithologist Derek McLoughlin.

Henry Cecil’s Ajaan will bid to gain compensation for his narrow Chester Cup defeat in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate – providing the Newcastle ground is suitable.

Alex Ferguson believes it is time the Premier League scrapped the rule which is supposed to force managers to play their best team in every game.

Sunderland 0 Wigan 3

Sunderland 0 Manchester United 4

Graham Lee made the late switch from Newcastle to Haydock pay instant dividends when taking the opener in the gloom on Naiad Du Misselot.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce made his first transfer breakthrough of the summer last night when he persuaded Joey Barton his future was on Tyneside.

Nicolas Anelka claimed his third goal in as many days as Bolton came from behind to beat Newcastle for the second time this season.

Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 0

ALEX FERGUSON hopes to see Manchester United ruthlessly shove Sunderland through the Premiership exit door before begging a massive title favour off old mate Sam Allardyce.

EVERTON assistant boss Alan Irvine has revealed how the club’s players have found themselves in a mental trough after failing to build on last season’s fourth-placed finish.

Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 0

ALAN SMITH has called on his team-mates to show the rest of the Barclays Premiership “Manchester United are still a force to be reckoned with” over the closing weeks of the season.

THESE Lansdowne Road mid-season friendlies have become so familiar that maybe the FAI should consider taking a patent out on them.

MOSCOW FLYER remains on course to complete his Cheltenham Festival build-up in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown later this month.

Owner David Johnson could be double-handed in Saturday’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock with both Therealbandit and It Takes Time.

NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness has brushed off suggestions that he is under pressure as he attempts to halt his club’s alarming slide down the Barclays Premiership table.

Kevin Keegan has claimed Robbie Fowler is ‘too important’ to Manchester City just to be cast aside.

NICKY BUTT has insisted that he has no intention of resting on his laurels after joining Newcastle.

DANNY MILLS has became the latest high-earner to be ushered through the Elland Road exit door - with Kevin Keegan confirming Leeds have given the England full-back a helping hand.

New Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell today completed his first signing with the capture of utility player Danny Pugh from Manchester United.

Alan Smith has pledged to force his way into Manchester United’s starting line-up next season no matter which galaxy of stars stand in his way.

Leeds 2 Manchester City 1