Home-town enthusiasm hands bid timely boost

After weeks of infighting and political scrapping, England showed the face of football the world wanted to see at Wembley

Junior clubs unlikely to join pyramid system

Scotland's hopes of introducing promotion and relagtion to third division appear to be dashed by financial pressures

Wick Academy ready to put themselves on map

The most northerly club in Britain has been revived and is preparing to entertain Brechin City in the Scottish Cup

Wilkie backs Kennedy to deal with early exit

Dundee United defender knows all about chronic knee injuries and believes the former Celtic player will be able to cope

Groundsharing lacking appeal in Europe

Those backing a single stadium for Everton and Liverpool should note it has not been a bed or roses in either Milan or Turin

Kennedy speaks of retirement from game

The former Celtic defender says he has no bitterness or anger over the tackle that forced him out at the age of 26

Portsmouth need Grant to be their special one

Former Chelsea manager agrees to succeed Paul Hart at Fratton Park and aims to win over doubters by saving club from drop

We're better than our results, says Benitez

Liverpool manager believes his team deserved to win many more games then they have this season

Shearer defends health of World Cup bid

Former England striker says changes to campaign team will strengthen country's chances of hosting tournament in 2018

Kirkby stadium setback will hold Everton back

Oliver Kay, The Times' Football Correspondent, delivers his verdict on what the news will mean for the Premier League club

Everton explore ground share option

Goodison Park club are prepared to consider co-habiting with Merseyside rivals, but Liverpool are cool on idea

Walcott shrugs off fears to World Cup place

Winger has played only 103 minutes for Arsenal this season but is determined to be on the plane to South Africa next summer

Powell aims to identify reserves of strength

The England head coach forced to give others their chance with women’s team shorn of a clutch of first-choice players

Bruce laughs off Wigan criticism

Sunderland manager avoids fight with former employers after the signings that he made at previous club were slammed

Host candidates pitch in for 2018 World Cup

Portsmouth withdraw their bid but 15 applicants remain after a last-minute rush to meet the deadline to submit entries

Rangers now mired in their own mediocrity

Exit from Europe has exposed the Ibrox club's shortcomings this season and put questionmarks over Walter Smith's future

Muslim women seek even playing field

Growing popularity of football stifled in many Islamic countries but game is reaching wider female audience in Turkey

Macari tackles the stigma of mental illness

Former United striker has first-hand experience of depression

Olympic stadium may not be part of 2018 bid

The decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company whether capacity will be kept at 80,000 or shrunk to 25,000 will be crucial

Grant weighs up mission impossible

Israeli may require new work permit application if he is to take up the reins at the Barclays Premier League bottom club

Beaten United find solace in Liverpool humbling

Man Utd 0 Besiktas 1: Rodrigo Tello’s long-range effort leaves home fans to comfort themselves with exit of arch-rivals

Dempsey’s double gives Fulham deserved reward

Fulham 3 Blackburn 0: United States striker hits two late goals to confirm win which lifts home side into top half of table