mkdons.com takes a look back at some of the biggest stories from the past seven days in Sky Bet League 1...
Play-offs begin
The Sky Bet League 1 play-offs got underway this past weekend with both matches ending all-square.
On Saturday lunchtime, sixth-placed Peterborough United held Leyton Orient to a 1-1 draw at London Road. Posh’s Britt Assombalanga opened the scoring with a header after just 16 minutes but Russell Slade’s men battled back and equalised through Moses Odubajo mid-way through the second half.
The match between Preston North End and Rotherham United also finished 1-1, meaning there will be all to play for at New York Stadium later this week. The Millers opened the scoring in the first-half courtesy of a composed Alex Revell finish but the favourites, Preston, hit back with one of the goals of the season from Joe Garner four minutes into the second period.
Clubs start to release players
Sky Bet League 1 sides not competing in the play-offs have begun to reveal the list of players which will be released this summer, with a host of notable names included.
Gary Jones, Marvin Elliot, Jay McEveley, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Craig Westcarr are among the many players who will play for different clubs next season, the latter after netting 17 goals for Walsall during the 2013/14 campaign.
Off the field, Gillingham have parted company with assistant manager John Schofield and goalkeeping coach Carl Muggleton.
‘Keeper trio sign up
Goalkeepers Lee Burge, Stuart Nelson and Ben Garratt have all penned new deals to remain with their respective clubs.
Burge, 21, has signed a new three-year deal with Coventry City while Nelson and Garratt have both agreed new deals to remain with Gillingham and Crewe Alexandra, respectively, until June 2016.
League 1 sides receive Family Excellence awards
MK Dons and 15 other Sky Bet League 1 sides were among the winners of The Football League Family Excellence Award announced on Wednesday.
The award recognises the outstanding experience provided by clubs for young fans and families as part of a scheme that won Gold Award at the European Professional Football Leagues’ Best Practice Awards earlier this season.
The list of League 1 winners: Brentford, Bristol City, Carlisle United, Colchester United, Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra, MK Dons, Notts County, Peterborough United, Port Vale, Preston North End, Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town, Stevenage, Tranmere Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Football League respond to FA Chairman’s England commission
The Football League issued a statement on Thursday regarding the report published by the FA Chairman’s England Commission which called for a creation of a new tier within the Football League to accommodate Premier League B teams.
Football League Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey said: “From its outset, The Football League has engaged with the FA Chairman's England Commission and encouraged our clubs to do the same. The League Board met informally with Greg Dyke yesterday, to listen to and question him on the rationale behind the proposals he has put forward for discussion by the wider game and to consider the potential effect they would have on our competition and clubs.
"The Board considered the matter further at its meeting earlier today. It is our view that the objective of increasing the number of quality English players is laudable and, while the report may not contain a solution that is acceptable at the current time, we should continue to engage with the Commission to establish whether there is a solution that meets its stated objective, but does not leave The Football League carrying a disproportionate or unreasonable burden.
"The Commission's report signals the beginning of a consultation process in which we will play a full and active part. This will include discussing all the relevant matters with our clubs, who will determine our ultimate position on these issues."
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