Championship
The biggest talking point of the week had nothing to do with results. Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton was forced to issue a public apology after Nigel Farage was invited to Portman Road, photographed in an Ipswich shirt, and filmed promotional content — all while the club initially denied any knowledge of the visit. A BBC investigation revealed club consultant James Pearce had facilitated the arrangement, and fan anger was swift and substantial. Meanwhile, Bristol City made headlines of their own, appointing the remarkable Roy Hodgson — aged 78 — as caretaker after sacking Gerhard Struber. Having fallen from playoff contention to 16th on the back of one win in nine, the Robins are in genuine trouble, and Hodgson’s connection to the club dates all the way back to 1982.
In the promotion picture, Millwall are fourth and just two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough, with the international break offering time to recover key injuries ahead of a potentially season-defining Good Friday clash between the two sides. Norwich City continue their unlikely resurgence under Philippe Clement, with former winger Darren Eadie crediting the Belgian with a “Midas touch” that has lifted the Canaries from the relegation zone to tenth since November. On the financial front, Watford posted a £16.2m pre-tax loss — their first full season without Premier League parachute payments taking its toll.
Championship Table
League One
Wrexham‘s finances continued to attract attention this week, with analysis revealing record turnover of £33.3m under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — a staggering rise since their 2021 takeover. However, a 73.6% jump in wages to £19.95m contributed to losses of £14.85m, a reminder that the club’s fairytale comes with a significant financial subplot. At the other end of the table, Rotherham United reported a £4.65m loss following their Championship relegation, and now sit 22nd with just eight games to escape the drop. Exeter City face perhaps the grimmest picture of all — a fourth chairman in under a year incoming, £600,000 in supporter loans required to stay solvent, and an interim manager in Matt Taylor trying to arrest a run of 13 games without a win.
Huddersfield Town manager Liam Manning has been granted compassionate leave for the remainder of the season following the tragic death of his newborn son Theo, with coaches Martin Drury and Jon Stead stepping in. On a lighter note for the Tigers’ former foes, there is no Hull City involvement in League One this season — but with so much financial fragility on show across the division, it’s a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the third tier.
League One
Updated: 15 Apr 2026, 6:02 PM
Women’s Super League
Derby weekend delivered in style. Arsenal dismantled Tottenham 5-2 at the Emirates, with Alessia Russo scorching through a hat-trick in just 22 first-half minutes to secure the Gunners’ 11th consecutive victory across all competitions and move them into second in the WSL. Manager Renée Slegers praised Russo’s growing maturity and leadership, with Champions League qualification now very much in Arsenal’s hands. Across the city at Old Trafford, Manchester City were equally emphatic, defeating Manchester United 3-0 with Vivianne Miedema scoring twice to leave City needing just five points from three games to secure their first WSL title in a decade.
Off the pitch, Catarina Macario departed Chelsea for San Diego Wave in a record-breaking $8 million deal — the largest contract in women’s football history — as the WSL’s global pulling power continues to be tested by the NWSL’s financial muscle. Meanwhile, Leicester City Women continue their relegation fight, with Ellen White visiting the club for a podcast with manager Rick Passmoor to discuss their precarious position and the impact of January reinforcements.
Women's Super League
Updated: 15 Apr 2026, 6:02 PM
Weekly digest covering 22 March 2026 – 29 March 2026. Based on 94 articles. Sources: BBC Sport, The Guardian.
