The Mercury Issue 1570

The Region’s Number One Entertainment & Classifieds Newspaper

Heineken to reopen more tHan 60 closed pubs

Brewing giant

Heineken will reopen 62 pubs that were closed in recent years and invest £39m in refurbishing hundreds of sites across the UK including The Black Bull in Ecclesfield plus The Junction and Ship Inn in Barnsley.

The company said the cash injection into its Star Pubs & Bars chain will create more than 1,000 new jobs.

The UK pubs industry has been hard hit by closures both during the Covid pandemic

and afterwards as cost of living pressures weighed on consumer spending.

Between 2021 and 2023, pubs have shut at a rate of 500 a year, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

A spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars said: “It would be unrealistic for any major leased and tenanted pub company to have all its pubs open at any one time.”

They said the number fluctuates on a range of factors, but added: “Around 95% of ours

pubs are open at any one time.”

Star plans to renovate more than 600 pubs, choosing locations it said reflect how many of its customers have cut back on how often they commute into city centres. Heineken said: “With working from home more commonplace and people looking to save on travel, major refurbishments will concentrate on transforming tired pubs in suburban areas into premium locals.”

The company said that by the end of

this year, the UK operation will have reopened 156 pubs since the start of 2023, “reducing the number of closed pubs in its estate to pre-pandemic levels”. The average price of a pint of draught lager reached £4.71 in March, according to the Office for National Statistics, compared to £3.76 in February 2020 before widespread pandemic lockdowns the following month. Meanwhile, the number of pubs in the UK has fallen from 47,200 in 2019, before Covid,

to 45,350 in 2023, data from the BBPA shows.

However, pub numbers have been declining for some time. A decade ago there were 52,500 in operation which is 7,150 more than 2023.

Heineken hopes the revamp of its pubs will tempt drinkers and diners back, including using “subtle zoning” to allow customers to enjoy different activities like watching sports and dining “without disturbing each other”.

GIRLS ALOUD BRING THE SOUND OF

Last year marked 21 years since cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine, Nicola and sarah were voted the winners of Popstars: The rivals and formed the all-conquering legendary pop band Girls aloud. To celebrate this milestone with all their fans, Girls Aloud will be coming together for a huge UK Arena tour that will be stopping off in Sheffield at the Utilita Arena on Tuesday 28 May 2024. The hugely anticipated shows will feature all of the band’s historic pop hits including No.1 songs ‘Sound Of The Underground’, ‘The

Promise’ and ‘I’ll Stand By You’, alongside cast-iron classics such as ‘Love Machine’, ‘Call The Shots’, ‘Biology’, ‘Something New’ and ‘The Show’. Cheryl says: “We all started talking about the possibility of doing something to celebrate Girls Aloud’s 20-year anniversary a few years ago. The anniversary seemed like an obvious thing that we would celebrate. But when Sarah fell ill all priorities changed. She passed away a year before the anniversary and it just didn’t feel right, it felt too soon. But now, I

think there is an energy that does makes it feel right. It’s the right time to celebrate Sarah, it’s the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later. That’s a big honour in lots of ways.”

Nadine: “Girls Aloud are a band that made such a huge impact on people’s lives. We grew up with the band, but so did so many other people. So for us not to do something again feels like such a shame and a waste. We want to have that moment with fans where we can all enjoy it together.”

Kimberley: “Over the last year, we’ve felt this outpouring of love –obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group. And I guess it’s ignited something in all of us again. It feels like something has changed and it does feel like the right time to celebrate Sarah and the 20-year anniversary that we didn’t celebrate at the time.”

Nicola: “I think what’s really encouraging is that whenever people ask us about reuniting it’s not, “Would you guys ever do it?” but “When are you guys gonna do it?” To know we still have

08/5/1886 Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named “Coca-Cola” as a patent medicine.

09/5/1671 Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.

10/5/1994 Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president.

11/5/1502 Christopher Columbus leaves for

THE UNDERGROUND TO THE ARENA

that love from our fans and people who watched us grow up gives us the confidence to do the tour. It will be massive celebration of everything we’ve done up to this point. We want people to leave being like, “Wow,

I’ve just had one of the best nights of my life.”

Girls aloud comes to Utilita Arena Sheffield on Tuesday 28th May 2024 tickets are on general sale now from www. utilitaarenasheffield. co.uk.

Crossword Clues

across

6) Serpent (3)

8) Profit making (10)

9) Sick (3)

11) View’s edge (7)

13) Scarper (5)

14) Seek favour (5)

15) Strait (6, 7)

16) Fossilised resin (5)

18) Above (5)

19) Payment

acknowledgement (7)

20) Of itself (3)

23) Flying machine (10)

24) Tall tree (3)

Last Week’s Solution across: 7) Wimple, 8) Larynx, 9) Tier, 10) Longboat, 11) Clever, 13) Junk, 14) Emu, 16) Plod, 17) Vulgar, 19) Invasion, 21) Cage, 22) Billet, 23) Lentil DoWN: 1) Visible, 2) Spur, 3) Well bred, 4) Flan, 5) Tribunal, 6) Sneak, 12) Valuable, 13) Juvenile, 15) Languid, 18) Snail, 20) Into, 21) Cane To sponsor our weekly Time Out page

DoWN

1) Perform (3)

2) Mischievous fairy (3)

3) Poison (5)

4) Of split personality (13)

5) Mayhem (5)

7) Egotism (4-6)

10) Mineral waste (5, 5)

11) Hare hunter (7)

12) Open (3, 4)

17) Revolt (5)

18) Reel (5)

21) Pig’s home (3)

22) Nose (3)

his fourth and final voyage to the West Indies.

12/51937 The Duke and Duchess of York are crowned as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in Westminster Abbey.

13/5/1950 The first round of the Formula One World Championship is held at Silverstone.

14/5/1889 The children’s charity National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is launched in London.

I was in off license the other day, when the shopkeeper asked me, “Do you need any help?” I said, “Yes, but I’ll get whiskey instead.”

I said to my Dad the other day: “My LSD is missing.” “We have much bigger problems son. There are dragons in the kitchen.” He told me.

I’ll never forget my dog’s last words... “You took too much acid.”

My laptop was making funny noises today, it sounded like it was singing... Probably because it’s a Dell.

Mum just said “You treat this place like a hotel”. Which she may regret when I give a lower score on Tripadvisor for “rude staff”.

I used to go out with a girl who was a medium, a clairvoyant and psychic.

I binned her off because she was seeing other people all the time.

“None of these girls have really got anything I’m looking for” “What’s that?” “Low standards”

I just opened a kitchen cupboard and loads of Omega 3 capsules fell on my head. I’m alright though, just some super-fish-oil injuries.

My Wife isn’t talking to me, she said I ruined her birthday.

I’m not sure how... I didn’t even know it was her birthday.

My Wife growled

“If you buy me another rubbish gift this year then I’ll put it in the bin”. She’s going to love the extra large bin liners I got her for Christmas.

1. As of 2018, the five tallest buildings in the United States are all located in New York and which other city?

2. Which planet spins fastest, Earth or Jupiter?

3. Which British actor played Loki in Avengers Assemble and Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager?

4. Who was the Greek goddess of Love and Beauty? a) Apollo b) Athena c) Aphrodite

5. The Pulitzer Prize is best associated with which profession?

6. Which English striker scored six goals at the 2018 World Cup Finals?

7. In which author’s work might you find the Bolger, Brandybuck and Gamgee families?

8. Which US President declared: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”?

9. Which American rock band composed the song ‘Eye of the Tiger’, best known for it’s association with the Rocky film franchise?

10. Which song topped the UK single chart in July 2018, only to plummet to number 97 one week later (the furthest one week fall from top spot in UK chart history)?

News, Information and Advice

MUMs aGaINsT CaNCER

The Sheffield Mums Against Cancer fundraising group based in Norton, have been Raising funds for Weston Park and St Luke’s in Sheffield for the last 10 years.

This group of incredible ordinary (extraordinary) mums who have either had cancer themselves or lost loved ones and friends to cancer wanted to get out there and do something about it.

Co-founder Ceri Rodgers said “Seeing the pain of our loved ones fighting the big C and losing the battle drove us on. We wanted to both help those suffering now but also help those who may be diagnosed in the future, by supporting all of the great innovations and new developments into treatments and that hopeful illusive cure which we all aspire to see”.

This May will mark their 10th year anniversary and they are hosting the 9th Annual ‘Big Sparkly Fundraiser’ at The OEC in Sheffield and are hoping to make this year bigger and better than ever before.

Amanda and Karen - both breast cancer survivors said “We feel incredibly honoured and privileged to be able to say that, together with the help of the good folk of Sheffield and even some from a lot further afield, we have been able to raise almost £175,000’ to date, which truly is a phenomenal amount of money and means a great deal to us and our chosen charities” They have set themselves an ambitious target of raising 200k in 10 years, so this year they are hoping to raise a further 25k at their annual event. Back in 2014 when they embarked on this journey, as a group of 12 very ordinary everyday mums, they hoped to do something extraordinary by doing all they could in

the fight against cancer. Sarah - another mumsaid “When we visited the charities earlier on this year to present this year’s cheques it was very humbling to discover that we are now, one of ‘if not’ the largest contributor to both charities, which only shows you the exceptional level of fundraising both of these organizations need to do each year to be able to provide Sheffield & south Yorkshire people their services, which are truly awe inspiring. It was important to us to pledge thanks to those, who have helped and nursed our loved ones. We vowed to generate and donate as much money as we could for two charities very close to our hearts St Luke’s Hospice and Weston Park Cancer Charity”” Ceri said “Our aim was and still is strongly seated in the principle of raising money through having a great time doing the things you love. Since we started we have hosted fundraisers, family fun days, sponsored runs and sporting challenges, craft stalls at farmers market, golf days, we even produced a calendar for 2017 Calendar girls style! We would like to thank all of the people who have donated over the years and made SMAC possible we could not have done it without the generosity of you and those who come to the fundraiser each year and bid generously in the auction for items money can’t buy and take part in the raffle. We are overwhelmed by the spirit and kindness of Sheffield folk and those further afield who have supported us.”

HOUsE TakEs CENTRE sTaGE

Mr Straw’s House takes centre stage in the second series of BBC TV’s Hidden Treasures of the National Trust

Airing on Friday 10 May, Hidden Treasures of the National Trust returns to the BBC for a second series.

Scheduled for 9pm on BBC

Two and BBC iPlayer the programme will reveal new and compelling stories about the work going on behind the scenes of the National Trust to conserve incredible objects and properties and the passionate staff and volunteers who care for them.

Each episode explores a different central theme, linking the houses, their histories, and collections as they undergo conservation.

From graceful Georgian homes that were platforms for political power, to houses that become display cases for the curious collections of their owners and properties designed as show-homes for the English country house idyll.

Mr Straw’s House will be one of the locations, featuring in episode 4. Viewers will get to go behind the scenes of Mr Straw’s House and see how the team care for the house and its collection.

The modest semi-detached family home is a perfectly preserved time-capsule of early 20th century life. The house and its collection remains virtually unchanged since the Straws moved in in 1923 as they threw little away and these thousands of objects offer a glimpse into their lives. Viewers will get a behind the scenes glimpse of the work that goes into taking care of the house.

The programme follows the challenges faced by the team as a rain leak leaves William Straw Junior’s bedroom in need of repair.

It shows how Collections and House Officer, Danielle Lander-Brown and her team of volunteers face a logistical puzzle as each piece in the room needs to be carefully removed. Danielle said, “A true

piece of social history, this incredibly special place documents life in the early 20th century. Being part of Hidden Treasures not only gives us the chance to celebrate that, but also highlights the challenges we face to conserve it for future generations to experience and learn from”. The six-part series will visit some of the National Trust’s bestknown locations including Stourhead in Wiltshire and Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk. Alistair Pegg, BBC Arts commissioning editor, says: “I’m delighted to be delving behind the scenes once more at the National Trust, uncovering hidden histories of houses and their owners, secrets of the painstaking conservation carried out on beautiful objects and buildings, and the wonderful staff and volunteers who work, often unsung, across the country.”

Tarnya Cooper, Curatorial and Conservation Director at the National Trust, says: “History comes to life before you at National Trust properties. Across hundreds of sites, we have well over a million objects, which tell fascinating stories of the generations of people who commissioned, made and loved them. Looking after such diverse objects and places takes dedicated teams of people as well as expert conservators, and we hope BBC viewers will enjoy learning more about them and their work on wonderful collections ranging from must-see paintings and furniture to books and textiles to amazing architectural features.”

Mr Straw’s House is open 09.00 to 15.00 on Thursdays and Fridays, and on six consecutive Saturdays between 8 June and 13 July.

Booking is essential and can be made four weeks in advance via the Mr Straw’s House website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ mrstrawshouse

MOvE TO UNIvERsal CREdIT

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment to help with your housing and living costs and provides support if you are working and on a low income, looking for work or unable to work.

The following benefits and tax credits, for working age claimants and some pension age claimants, are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit:

• Housing Benefit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Since April 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have been writing to some people who receive these benefits to let them know that they need to claim Universal Credit instead. Follow this link to find out when you will receive your letter You will not be moved automatically to Universal Credit. Therefore, it is important that you do not do anything until you receive your letter. This letter called a ‘Migration Notice’, will explain what you need to do and when. It also provides information on the help available to continue receiving support from the government. Once you’ve received your Universal Credit Migration Notice letter, you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit to continue to get financial support. There will be a deadline in your letter. This is 3 months from the date the letter was sent out.

The council’s website provides guidance on what to do when you receive your Migration Notice. Your current benefits will end as soon as you submit your claim for Universal Credit and you will not be able to go back to your existing benefit once you have claimed.

The deadline for moving people on the above benefits, to Universal Credit, is December 2025, but if affected you could be contacted any time before that date.

If you are of pension age then you are not affected – unless you are a pension age tax credit claimant or your spouse or partner you live with is still of working age.

If you receive a Migration Notice, you must claim Universal Credit within the deadline stated by the DWP, which is normally 3 months. If you are claiming Universal Credit because you have received a Migration Notice but know you will be worse off, you should still claim for Universal Credit as you may be entitled to Transitional Protection. If you need help with your Universal Credit application or you are concerned about managing your income prior to receiving your first Universal Credit payment, the internet has full details of the various types of support and independent advice available to you.

If you are claiming Universal Credit and have concerns about paying your rent then please contact the Council for advice, on 0114 2930000.

QR COdEs - Is IT a sCaM?

With the alarming emergence of new QR code scams, we reveal some expert tips to avoid falling victim to false codes and phishing scams.

Avoid payments using public QR codes

Any QR code is susceptible to tampering, but those in those placed in public are particularly so. With payment being one of the prime purposes of QR codes, make sure any code you scan in public is untampered.

If scanning a publicly placed QR code, such as in a car park, check for signs that the code is the one you wish to scan. For example, is there actually a sticker over the original code that you are scanning instead, or any other suspicious signs?

Do not scan QR codes from unsolicited emails

Email inboxes are often bombarded with links and attachments that may be malicious. While most email services can detect these, they usually can not for QR codes. Always think: Do I know the sender of this email?

Check the destination of any QR code

Your phone will display the URL to which a QR code is trying to send you and only take you there if permitted. Check the URL is legitimate by looking

out for extended domain names. It is possible to end up on a malicious website, even after taking great care, so when you have landed on a site through a QR code, remain vigilant. Unprofessional design, low-resolution images, poor grammar, or typos can be telltale signs of a fraudulent website. Do not be a victim of your own curiosity

Similar to how email scammers may entice victims, scanning a QR code may be incentivised with the promise of a reward, or by creating curiosity to bypass your suspicions. Be extremely wary of any QR code that gives you the chance to ‘win’ anything, offers up a survey, or particularly, promises free goods or services.

You do not need a QR code ‘app’

Your phone’s camera is capable of scanning and following QR codes. The misconception that you might need a new app to do this can lead to downloading fraudulent software that asks for extensive permissions and may try to install malware on your device. Always use your phone’s default camera for QR code scanning.

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Sheffield’s Icon of the Sixties Swings Again

This year marks six decades since the opening of one of the city’s most iconic clubs and the milestone is being celebrated by a newly republished book.

The iconic King Mojo club plays a starring role in the anniversary edition of the ‘Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1960s Sheffield’.

The book is full of memories, photos, flyers and more from the iconic club located at 555 Pitsmoor Road and even includes a foreword from its original owner – the one and only Peter Stringfellow who penned it prior to his death in 2018.

The band were originally booked to perform at a nearby Working Men’s Club but they were given their marching orders after a couple of numbers. The King Mojo mod audience thought they were manna from heaven and the rest, as they say, is history.

Neil Anderson added: “Few clubs anywhere in the country have a story comparable to that of the King Mojo. The contribution Peter and Geoff made to popular culture in the era was quite incredible. King Mojo dancers were regulars on the national TV pop programme

‘Ready, Steady, Go!’ and one ardent clubgoer even used to walk from Mansfield to attend!”

The book’s author Neil Anderson said: “King Mojo shaped thousands of lives down the years. It’s influence is still felt decades after it closed. It brought acts to a corner of suburban Sheffield that went on to conquer the world. This milestone deserves to be celebrated.” Arguably the venue’s biggest claim to fame was introducing the Small Faces to the audience that set them on the road to fame.

‘Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1960s Sheffield’ is available for £24.95 from dirtystopouts.com

FRIDAY 10th MAY - 2:30PM

Peter Stringfellow with the club sign

every WedneSday - free pool from 4pm!

tueSday 14th may 9pm trevor allen’S open mic night thurSday 9th may WeightWatcherS Sunday 12th may Saturday 11th may from 8.00 pm diSco & karaoke friday 10th may - 8pm quiz & open the BoX

karaoke • fun games • open the BoX chineSe Bingo • play your cards right from 5.00 pm

The Licensing Act 2003 Section 34

Notice is hereby given that We: RED THRU PURPLE LTD

Have made an application under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 to vary a Premises Licence for the Premises known as 135 THE mOOR, SHEffIELD, S1 4PH

The details of the variation are as follows:

1) To change the times for sale by retail of alcohol: Monday - Sunday 11:00 - 06:30 the following day

2) To change the times for the provision of regulated entertainment namely: Exhibition of films, performance of live music, playing of recorded music, performance of dance, entertainment of a similar description to that falling within performance of live music, playing of recorded music, performance of dance: Monday - Sunday 11:00 - 06:30 the following day

3) To remove Annex 2 Condition 16

Interested parties or responsible authorities may make written representations to Licensing Section, Sheffield City Council, Block C Staniforth Road Depot, Staniforth Road, Sheffield S9 3HD about this application by 29th May 2024

For information on representations, please see www.sheffield.gov.uk/licensinginforesidents

For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact the Licensing General Section. Telephone: 0114 2734264 or by e-mail to licensingservice@sheffield.gov.uk It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on conviction for this offence is a fine not exceeding £5,000.

The Licensing Act 2003 NOTICE Of APPLICATION fOR A PREmISES LICENCE UNDER SECTION 17

Notice is hereby given that on the 30th April 2024

Euro Garages Limited applied to Sheffield City Council for a Premises Licence in respect of premises

Asda Express PFS Crest 320 Handsworth Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S13 9BX.

The proposed licensable activities are ;-

1. The sale of alcohol on Mondays to Sundays between the hours of 00.00 to 00.00.

2. To permit late night refreshment on Mondays to Sundays between the hour of 23.00 and 05.00

Any representations by a responsible authority or any other person regarding this application must be received in writing by;- Licensing Section, Sheffield City Council, Block C Staniforth Road Depot, Staniforth Road, Sheffield S9 3HD no later than the 28th May 2024 stating the grounds for representations.

For information on representations, please see www.sheffield.gov.uk/licensinginforesidents

The register of Sheffield City Council and the record of the application may be inspected by contacting the Licensing General Section by telephone: 0114 273 4264 or email: licensingservice@sheffield.gov.uk.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

Skip Hire

Portillo’s Andalucia, Channel �, �pm

TUESDAY

Coronation Street:

Maria plants a hidden camera to catch out Gary and Sarah. Nicky reveals that she’s off to meet a girl called Ellie who was groomed as a teenager and might have information about Lauren. As Yasmeen wonders if Alya is going to miss Adam, he hands Alya an expensive law book and wishes her well in Dublin. Can she bring herself to leave? Glenda puts a proposition to Estelle, that she buys Little Big Shotz on credit and pays her back in instalments. When Rupert from Rest Easy calls at the undertakers and registers his interest in buying the business, George and Todd are furious to discover Glenda has put it up for sale. Billy and Paul are despondent following their meeting with the council about the MND funding cuts. Nick confides in Toyah that there’s £200 missing from the joint account. Toyah suspects Leanne’s spent it on her institute nonsense.

Emmerdale:

It’s the morning-after-the-night-before for Rhona and Marlon who disgraced themselves at the Kings’ dinner party. Will Rhona accept Marlon’s olive branch when he suggests they go to marriage counselling? Kerry’s money problems continue. But she is horrified when she learns Pollard swindled her when he sold her necklace for her and pretended it was worth a pittance. Determined to get revenge on him, Kerry sabotages the shop, selling everything off at rock bottom prices. Billy and Dawn’s nightmare continues. Not only did Ethan get behind the wheel of a car when he was over the limit, he crashed it and legged it leaving his passenger, and friend, Nicky injured and unconscious. As the police investigate, will they uncover evidence that suggests someone else was in the car with Nicky? Will Ethan’s guilty conscience push him to confess to what he’s done?

Eastenders:

George is given a fatal diagnosis about his health. Cindy gets tough with him and issues him with an ultimatum that could have serious repercussions.

Yolande meets with Levi and tells him about Pastor Clayton sexually assaulting her. After listening to Yolande, Levi commends her bravery and pledges to start investigating her complaint immediately. Billy is still refusing to listen to Honey’s pleas and allow their children to see his estranged dad Stevie. Amy is less than pleased to hear about Denzel’s collaboration with fitness influencer, Ebony. Will his partnership with Ebony cause even more problems?

FOOTBALLR UNDUP

WE HAVE CLIMbEd THE MOUNTAIN! ANOTHER dEFEAT FOR THE bLAdES

Danny Röhl credited the whole of Hillsborough following a remarkable recovery that secured Championship survival.

The Owls went to Sunderland needing a point but comfortably emerged with all three on Wearside.

And architect Rohl, who has steered Wednesday over the line from the most unlikely of places, hailed the efforts of everyone connected with the club:

“It is a fantastic achievement. We came here with the intention to win and this is what we have done.

“I want to thank everyone. Thank you to the chairman for giving me this opportunity and thank you to my players and all our staff. Everyone is together in the group.

“The manager is the manager but without the players taking the plans into action and delivering them, this does not matter.

“To the fans, you have

RUTHLESS ROVERS TAKE TWO GOAL LEAd IN TO 2Nd LEG

Ruthless Rovers claimed a deserved two-goal advantage heading into the second leg of the play-off semi-final with an excellent performance at Crewe Alexandra.

Goals from Luke Molyneux and Harrison Biggins saw Rovers shake off a nervy start to take a firm grip on the tie with the second leg to come at the EcoPower Stadium.

Crewe began the game at a tremendous pace but once Rovers settled, they took control and made their opportunities in front of goal count. Grant McCann made one change to the side that started the draw at Gillingham with Biggins returning from injury.

The hosts made the livelier start. Elliott Nevitt sent a tame header at Thimothée Lo-Tutala but the keeper was given a much more stern test moments later when Rio Adebisi darted onto a long throw and powered the ball on goal from close range. Hakeeb Adelakun spurned an opportunity to get a shot away after racing into the box, allowing Crewe to clear.

Tom Anderson produced the heroics moments later, after a slip allowed Crewe to race into the box two-

been amazing and thank you so much.”

With destiny in Wednesday’s own hands, in the final analysis it was vital that Wednesday did the necessaries at the Stadium of Light. Relegation rivals Birmingham, Blackburn and Plymouth all won their games and Röhl emphasised the importance of keeping the focus within.

He explained: “The focus, staying in the same direction, was essential. The results everywhere else did

not surprise me – this is the Championship, the most incredible division. In our preparations for this game, the key message was to come here and get the job done, to

come here and win. We could not and would not rely on any other team, we had to rely on ourselves.

“We have climbed the mountain, we have got back up from the floor.”

on-one. The centre half made a vital sliding block as Shilow Tracy looked to square for Nevitt, before hacking the ball clear.

Rovers settled through the midpoint of the half but there remained a frenetic pace to the game. The first real opportunity came on 25 minutes from a slick passing move only for Luke Molyneux to slip as he fired on goal from 25 yards, making for a simple save for Crewe keeper Max Stryjek.

Rovers took the lead on 35 minutes. Matthew Craig exchanged passes with Adelakun and hit the byline before cutting back Molyneux to rifle first time into the roof of the net.

Matus Holicek cut inside from the left and lashed a shot narrowly over the bar from 35 yards for the hosts.

Biggins clipped the crossbar with a first time strike from an Adelakun pass while skipper Richard Wood twice saw shots blocked when the ball fell to him inside the box late in the half.

It took three minutes of the second half for Rovers to extend the advantage. Joe Ironside pounced on a mistake at the back for the hosts and raced into the box before cutting back for the on-rushing Biggins, who swept home first time from 15 yards.

It was the last act of the game for the midfielder, who was forced off through injury in the aftermath of the goal and replaced by Tommy Rowe. Rovers were largely in control of possession after the second goal, limiting Crewe to very little.

A stinging volley from Owen Bailey drew a save from Stryjek as the game became a much more tame affair.

Substitute Chris Long diverted a goalbound header from Zac Williams over the bar in a rare moment of threat from Crewe.

Rowe drew another save from Stryjek with a low drive from 20 yards as the game ticked into the final ten minutes while Molyneux forced the Crewe keeper into a reaction save at his near post with a rasping drive.

LA PLATA S.C.

Despite taking the lead for a third game in succession, United slipped to defeat against Nottingham Forest at Bramall Lane.

Ben Brereton Diaz converted from the penalty spot early on to give the Blades hope and in truth, the hosts were dominant for much of the first 45 minutes, but a Callum Hudson Odoi double either side of a strike by Ryan Yates

VIKTOR CLAIMS SECONd SUCCESSIVE PLAYOR OF THE SEASON AWARd

Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has claimed his second successive Player of the Season gong after another outstanding season between the sticks during the 2023/24 campaign.

The Swede – who is a firm favourite with supporters, players and staff at alike – has once again been a shining light for the Millers throughout their Sky Bet Championship campaign and has been rewarded with the Player of the Season Award, which is sponsored by The Fire House Group. Johansson’s form has been recognised internationally too, where he has been a regular in the senior Sweden National Team squad, earning his first cap for his country in a 3-1 friendly success over Moldova.

He has made 46 appearances across all competitions through the duration of the campaign, with his consistent displays throughout his time at AESSEAL New York Stadium have earned him recognition as one of the outstanding goalkeepers in the Sky Bet Championship.

swung the game in the visitors favour.

United made one change to the starting XI for the hosting of Nottingham Forest with skipper Robinson restored at the expense of Holgate, who dropped to the bench where he was joined by the fitagain Brewster. Forest had the first sight of goal as Wood volley wide from a GibbsWhite cross, but at the other end following a few promising breaks, United won a penalty as Montiel, who was subsequently booked for his protests, upended BRERETON DIAZ, the Chilean international dusted himself before firing home the spotkick with 16 minutes on the clock.

Three minutes later, Archer found himself through on goal, but Murillo produced a perfectly timed tackle to snuff out the opportunity. And before the hour half hour, Forest restored parity against the run of play as HUDSON ODOI produced a controlled finish after being teed up nicely by Danilo. Despite the concession, United would finish the half strongly, creating a host of chances in the process. Bogle saw an effort deflected wide of Murillo, before the same defender somehow got his body in the way of Brereton Diaz’s goal bound strike. Archer then got the better of Boly, but a heavy touch saw Sels come off his line to deny him. The first half ended with Hamer having a shot from distance tipped over, with Archer not able to make a good

enough connection in the second phase of play from the resulting corner. At the other end, Gibbs-White crossed and Wood headed against the bar before seven minutes of added time passed without incident.

The Blades started the second half positively, but fell behind in controversial circumstances after YATES had hammered home after Boly had kept a Gibbs-White free-kick alive, but in the build-up United seemingly had strong claims for a foul by Murillo on Brereton Diaz. The Blades response was almost instant though as Hamer angled a low drive narrowly wide of the far post.

HUDSON ODOI continued to be Forest’s biggest threat though and having hit the post on the hour, curled home a game clinching third on 65 minutes, a minute after Sels had produced a full-length save to deny Brereton Diaz. Souza was introduced as Archer made way, but unfortunately the third goal ultimately had finished off the contest. Ahmedhodžić was booked for a late challenge on Hudson Odoi and in the final minute of added time received a second yellow card following an aerial clash with Dominguez to complete another disappointing second half for the Blades which ended in defeat.

MERCURYH LIDAYS

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