https://thefootballfamily.com Latest news and stories from lower leagues and non-league football en-GB Tue, 12 May 2026 15:28:06 GMT https://thefootballfamily.com/favicon.svg https://thefootballfamily.com https://thefootballfamily.com/news/saints-caught-playing-peeping-tom-as-efl-charge-southampton-with-middles/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/saints-caught-playing-peeping-tom-as-efl-charge-southampton-with-middles/ Tue, 12 May 2026 10:08:49 GMT team news Southampton find themselves in hot water after allegedly sending a coaching staff member to conduct some unauthorised reconnaissance on Middlesbrough's training session ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final clash. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/tigers-roar-their-way-to-wembley-as-jakirovic-hits-career-peak/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/tigers-roar-their-way-to-wembley-as-jakirovic-hits-career-peak/ Tue, 12 May 2026 08:23:32 GMT match report Hull City's away-day heroics at The Den see them through to Championship play-off final, giving manager Sergej Jakirovic the biggest moment of his managerial journey so far. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/belloumi-s-semi-final-heroics-send-hull-to-wembley-after-goal-drought-ni/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/belloumi-s-semi-final-heroics-send-hull-to-wembley-after-goal-drought-ni/ Mon, 11 May 2026 22:59:54 GMT match report Mohamed Belloumi came off the bench to break Hull's torturous goal drought and inspire a 2-0 victory over Millwall, booking their place in the Championship play-off final. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/local-whistle-blower-gets-the-big-gig-city-referee-lands-plum-play-off-a/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/local-whistle-blower-gets-the-big-gig-city-referee-lands-plum-play-off-a/ Mon, 11 May 2026 17:15:00 GMT cup Someone from our fair city has been deemed competent enough with a whistle to take charge of what's being described as a 'big' play-off match, proving that local officiating talent can rise above the usual Saturday afternoon chaos. united counties league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/spygate-2-0-southampton-s-regulatory-blunder-overshadows-championship-pl/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/spygate-2-0-southampton-s-regulatory-blunder-overshadows-championship-pl/ Mon, 11 May 2026 15:00:28 GMT promotion As Middlesbrough prepare for their 'win or bust' Championship play-off semi-final second leg, Southampton find themselves in hot water with the EFL over another regulatory breach dubbed 'Spygate 2.0'. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/old-pals-act-takes-centre-stage-as-wilson-faces-former-gaffer-lennon/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/old-pals-act-takes-centre-stage-as-wilson-faces-former-gaffer-lennon/ Mon, 11 May 2026 14:37:15 GMT promotion Mark Wilson insists there'll be no sentiment when his Partick Thistle lock horns with Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic in their Premiership play-off semi-final - though the BBC cameras might suggest otherwise. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/hellberg-confirms-hackney-heartbreak-ahead-of-saints-showdown/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/hellberg-confirms-hackney-heartbreak-ahead-of-saints-showdown/ Mon, 11 May 2026 12:35:42 GMT team news Middlesbrough's promotion dreams take another knock as key midfielder Hayden Hackney is ruled out of tonight's Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Southampton. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/rochdale-s-wembley-heroics-fuel-fresh-push-for-three-up-three-down-syste/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/rochdale-s-wembley-heroics-fuel-fresh-push-for-three-up-three-down-syste/ Mon, 11 May 2026 08:52:11 GMT promotion Dale's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Boreham Wood after a two-goal comeback has given National League bosses fresh ammunition in their campaign to pry open the EFL's promotion trapdoor. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/rochdale-s-great-escape-from-2-0-down-to-efl-heaven-at-wembley/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/rochdale-s-great-escape-from-2-0-down-to-efl-heaven-at-wembley/ Mon, 11 May 2026 07:30:05 GMT promotion The Dale complete the most dramatic of comebacks to beat Boreham Wood on penalties and secure their return to the Football League after three years in non-league purgatory. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/when-golden-dreams-turn-to-fool-s-gold-lessons-from-england-s-2006-meltd/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/when-golden-dreams-turn-to-fool-s-gold-lessons-from-england-s-2006-meltd/ Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT team news As League One clubs dream of glory this season, England's 2006 World Cup disaster serves as a stark reminder that hype doesn't win matches - and celebrity WAGs certainly don't help penalties go in. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/alexander-finds-silver-lining-in-bradford-s-playoff-pragmatism/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/alexander-finds-silver-lining-in-bradford-s-playoff-pragmatism/ Sun, 10 May 2026 16:21:05 GMT promotion Sometimes the beautiful game isn't particularly beautiful, and Graham Alexander is absolutely fine with that, thank you very much. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/town-s-cup-dreams-dashed-as-northern-league-reality-bites/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/town-s-cup-dreams-dashed-as-northern-league-reality-bites/ Sun, 10 May 2026 07:52:52 GMT cup Another season, another cup exit for Town as they're sent packing from knockout competition, proving once again that hope springs eternal in the Northern League. northern league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/alexander-praises-bantams-rearguard-action-as-play-off-dream-stays-alive/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/alexander-praises-bantams-rearguard-action-as-play-off-dream-stays-alive/ Sat, 09 May 2026 22:24:36 GMT promotion Bradford City's defensive masterclass keeps their Championship promotion hopes flickering after a crucial League One play-off semi-final stalemate. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/bradford-city-leave-themselves-mountain-to-climb-after-toothless-display/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/bradford-city-leave-themselves-mountain-to-climb-after-toothless-display/ Sat, 09 May 2026 21:27:18 GMT match report The Bantams' attacking woes come back to haunt them as they fall behind in League One playoff semi-final first leg national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/bolton-s-clinical-edge-leaves-bradford-city-shooting-blanks-in-play-off-/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/bolton-s-clinical-edge-leaves-bradford-city-shooting-blanks-in-play-off-/ Sat, 09 May 2026 21:01:56 GMT match report The Bantams managed just four shots - none troubling the keeper - as Bolton Wanderers secured a slender but crucial 1-0 victory in what proved to be another typically tight play-off encounter. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/silva-sees-red-over-var-as-fulham-fall-to-bournemouth/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/silva-sees-red-over-var-as-fulham-fall-to-bournemouth/ Sat, 09 May 2026 16:52:57 GMT match report Marco Silva was left fuming after VAR's intervention cost Fulham dear in a narrow defeat to Bournemouth, with Joachim Andersen's controversial dismissal proving the turning point at Craven Cottage. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/boro-boss-drops-the-c-word-as-saints-spy-gate-drama-overshadows-play-off/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/boro-boss-drops-the-c-word-as-saints-spy-gate-drama-overshadows-play-off/ Sat, 09 May 2026 14:38:55 GMT team news What should have been all about Championship promotion dreams instead became a masterclass in media management gone wrong, as Southampton's head coach faced uncomfortable questions about alleged spying while Middlesbrough's gaffer wasn't holding back with the accusations. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/southampton-s-slide-down-the-pyramid-could-hit-fresh-complications/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/southampton-s-slide-down-the-pyramid-could-hit-fresh-complications/ Sat, 09 May 2026 14:06:12 GMT team news The Saints' tumble from Premier League to League One might not be the end of their worries, as BBC Sport highlights potential further repercussions for the beleaguered club. efl league one https://thefootballfamily.com/news/southampton-charged-by-efl-amid-championship-play-off-drama/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/southampton-charged-by-efl-amid-championship-play-off-drama/ Sat, 09 May 2026 05:29:30 GMT promotion The EFL has thrown a spanner in the works by charging Southampton over the infamous Spygate controversy, just as they prepare for their Championship play-off semi-final showdown with Middlesbrough. national league https://thefootballfamily.com/news/hull-city-s-jakirovic-preaches-patience-after-millwall-stalemate/ https://thefootballfamily.com/news/hull-city-s-jakirovic-preaches-patience-after-millwall-stalemate/ Fri, 08 May 2026 22:12:53 GMT promotion Assistant coach calls for calmer heads as Tigers prepare for crucial second leg at The Den following goalless draw in Championship play-off semi-final opener. national league