2008–09 Polish Cup, Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals were played in two legs. The first legs were played on March 4, 17 and 18, 2009 while the second legs took place on April 7 and 8, 2009.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Semifinals
The semifinals were also played in two legs. The first legs were played on April 29 and 30, 2009, while the second legs took place on May 6 and 7, 2009.


2008–09 Polska Liga Hokejowa season
The 2008–09 Polska Liga Hokejowa season was the 74th season of the Polska Liga Hokejowa, the top level of ice hockey in Poland. 10 teams participated in the league, and KS Cracovia won the championship.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's 97th season of football in the English Football League, and first season in League Two, following their relegation from League One. After a poor start to the season manager Lee Sinnott was sacked in September, and was replaced by Dean Glover. Despite a brief period of improvement, Vale then slipped back down the table to finish in eighteenth place. The team were also poor in the cup competitions, exiting the FA Cup at the Second Round, and both the League Cup and the League Trophy at the First Round. Marc Richards was the club's top scorer with eleven goals, and goalkeeper Joe Anyon was Player of the Year despite breaking his leg towards the end of the season.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
The pre-season saw manager Lee Sinnott sign non-league midfielder Rob Taylor, former Hereford United defender John McCombe, and former Middlesbrough midfielder Steve Thompson. Both players cited Sinnott as their reason for joining the club. He also added experienced defender Sam Stockley (Wycombe Wanderers); midfielder Anthony Griffith (Doncaster Rovers); and attacking midfielder Louis Dodds (Leicester City) to the squad. Lee Collins also joined on an extended loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and would sign a permanent contract with the club in January. Stockley was appointed captain, and most of these players would become key for the club over the next few seasons. Just before the season's start, teenage Tom Taiwo also arrived on a month loan from Chelsea, as did Plymouth Argyle youngster Damien McCrory. The club was aiming for an immediate return to League One, and fans got behind the club with record high season ticket sales of over 6,000.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
The season started well in August, but all four league games in September ended in defeat. However Sinnott refused to compromise his managerial philosophy in order to pick up results. A 4–1 home defeat to Macclesfield Town on 20 September would prove to be Sinnott's last game in charge. Sinnott was sacked on 22 September, with the Valiants in 16th place, Dean Glover taking over as caretaker manager for the second time in twelve months. The players were against the decision to axe Sinnott.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
Sinnott would later take court action against the club for a breach of contract, and settle out of court. Glover was appointed as manager on a permanent basis on 6 October. A win at Shrewsbury Town instigated a run of four away wins out of five. However Vale soon returned to their poor form, and slid back down the table. At the end of October, former Vale star Dave Brammer joined on loan from Millwall, and would join permanently in the January transfer window.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
The next month Scott Brown also arrived on loan from Cheltenham Town, and would also join on a permanent transfer two months later. This is also what happened with defender Gareth Owen, who arrived after leaving Stockport County following a bust-up with Jim Gannon. Notts County player Neil MacKenzie also joined on loan, but would not enjoy his short stay in Stoke-on-Trent. Attempts to bring back Chris Birchall on loan failed. Leaving Burslem was Chris Slater, who returned to former club Chasetown. In December, Andy Porter left the club's backroom staff after seventeen years at the club, highlighting the unrest in the camp. Both Porter and Mark Grew had turned down offers to become Glover's assistant.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
In January, striker Luke Rodgers was released from his contract after a bust-up with manager Dean Glover, and immediately signed with Yeovil Town. Shane Tudor retired due to injury on 21 January. As well as the permanent signings of a number of loan players, Glover also brought in Pakistan international Adnan Ahmed on loan from Tranmere Rovers. Glover stated the club's revised aim was a top-half finish. In February, Glover signed Carlisle United striker Kevin Gall on loan. He failed to score in seven games with the club, and returned to Carlisle after picking up a calf injury.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
In March, Kyle Perry was allowed to join local non-league side Northwich Victoria, after being told he had no future at Vale. In his place came loanee winger Paul Marshall from Manchester City. On 23 March, Anyon broke his leg at Saltergate in a defeat to Chesterfield. With Vale going eight games without a win, Glover admitted he was 'a dead man walking', and implored the fan's not to boo his son. Fans protested against both the board and the manager. The final game was a 2–1 win over Barnet at the Underhill Stadium.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
They finished in eighteenth place with 48 points, 21 points short of the play-offs, and eleven points clear of relegation. Only Accrington Stanley and Chester City scored fewer than Vale's tally of 44 goals. With fourteen defeats only Macclesfield Town and Chester lost more games than Vale. Had Bournemouth and Luton Town not faced point deductions then Vale would have finished in twentieth place. Marc Richards was the club's top scorer with eleven goals in all competitions, whilst Louis Dodds also contributed ten goals.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
At the end of the season most of the playing staff were retained, though Scott Brown returned to Cheltenham Town, Kyle Perry was released and signed with Mansfield Town, and Dave Brammer had to retire after Chairman Bill Bratt informed him via voicemail that he would not be offered a new contract. Youth team graduate Paul Dixon was not offered a new contract. Dean Glover, unpopular with the fans, was also informed that he would not be retained as manager for the following season, and left the club permanently after he rejected the opportunity to remain as a youth coach.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, League Two
A slow uptake of season ticket sales was one major factor in Glover's sacking. Following Glover's departure the club withdrew their contract offer to Paul Edwards, who went on to play for Barrow. However Player of the Year Joe Anyon stayed at the club, despite claiming other clubs were interested in his signature.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Finances
On the financial side, poor results encouraged Vale fans to organize protests against manager Glover and the board, including Chairman Bill Bratt. With talks of fresh investment from shirt sponsors Harlequin Property came rumours on the internet that the company were planning to demolish Vale Park and build a supermarket, paying off Bratt to ensure his compliance.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Finances
Bratt passionately denied these accusations, seemingly angered by the suggestion and claimed that if he were to comply with the protesters demands and remove himself and the rest of the V-2001 directors from the Board, then the club would fold as banks and creditors would seek their money. He also reiterated his prior statements by stating that he would be prepared to leave his position if the right offer were to be made. The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan taken out from the local council in 2005. The club's shirt sponsorship came from Harlequin Property.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Huddersfield Town with a 4–3 win at the Galpharm Stadium, Dodds hitting a brace. They then were knocked out by Macclesfield Town at the Second Round stage with a 3–1 home defeat. This meant the Vale missed out on a lucrative home tie with Premier League side Everton. Keeper Anyon slammed his defenders for their part in the defeat.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the League Cup, Vale were defeated 3–1 by Championship outfit Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.


2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the League Trophy, Vale exited at the First Round with a 1–0 defeat to Stockport County at Edgeley Park.


2008–09 Port Vila Premier League
The 2008–09 TVL Premier League or 2008–09 Port Vila Premier League is the 15th season of the Port Vila Premier League top division.


2008–09 Port Vila Premier League
The top five of the league qualify for the 2009 VFF Bred Cup, the national league of Vanuatu.


2008–09 Port Vila Premier League
Tafea FC were champions and Erakor Golden Star and Ifira Black Bird relegated to the 2009–10 TVL First Division.


2008–09 Portland State Vikings men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Portland State Vikings men's basketball team represented Portland State University during the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Vikings, led by head coach Ken Bone, played their home games at the Peter Stott Center and were members of the Big Sky Conference. They finished the season 23–10, 11–5 in Big Sky play to finish second in the conference regular season standings. They won the Big Sky Tournament to earn an automatic bid – for the second straight season – to the NCAA Tournament. As No. 13 seed in the East region, the Vikings were defeated in the opening round by Xavier.


2008–09 Portland Trail Blazers season
The 2008–09 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 39th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the playoffs, the Trail Blazers lost to the Houston Rockets in six games in the First Round. The Trail Blazers had the second best team offensive rating in the NBA.


2008–09 Portsmouth F.C. season
During the 2008–09 football season Portsmouth played their sixth consecutive season in the highest tier of English football, the Premier League. Thanks to the exploits of the previous season, Portsmouth achieved European football for the first time in their footballing history, thanks to an FA Cup win over Cardiff City; they competed in the UEFA Cup. They also participated in the Charity Shield, against Manchester United on 10 August 2008, at Wembley Stadium, eventually losing on penalties. This was the first time since 1996 that a team outside of the "Big Four" had competed in the competition.


2008–09 Portsmouth F.C. season, Statistics, Appearances, Others
Includes players who have yet to feature prominently and former players.


2008–09 Portsmouth F.C. season, Competitions, Community Shield
Portsmouth lost the 2008 FA Community Shield 3–1 on penalties against 2007–08 Premier League winners Manchester United after the match finished 0–0 after 90 minutes on 10 August. It was Pompey's second game against United in the space of two weeks.


2008–09 Premier Academy League
The 2008–09 Premier Academy League Under–18 season was the twelfth edition since the establishment of The Premier Academy League, and the fifth under the current make-up. The first matches of the season were played on 23 August 2008, and the season ended on 18 May 2009.


2008–09 Premier Academy League
All teams played the other teams in their group twice and played 10 inter-group fixtures, producing 28 games a season. Eight of the inter-group games were played against teams in their 'paired group' (i.e. A–B and C–D are the paired groups), whilst the remaining two games comprise one game against a team in each of the two remaining groups. Winners of each group qualified for play-offs.


2008–09 Premier Academy League
Arsenal became the first group winners by leading Crystal Palace 20 points with 6 games left in Group A after a 1–0 win against Watford on 21 March 2009. Group C champions Manchester City set up tie with Arsenal in the play-off the following week by recording a 23–game unbeaten run which last to 26 games. Sunderland secured top spot in Group D after achieving the 14th win in last 15 games on 31 March. These 3 teams all clinched the group title for a third successive season. Tottenham Hotspur claimed the last play-off spot after beating Watford 2–1 on 6 May.


2008–09 Premier Academy League
Arsenal reached the 2009 Premier Academy League Play-off Final with a 2–1 victory over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium on 8 May. Tottenham Hotspur set up clash with Arsenal after defeating Sunderland 2–1 at the Stadium of Light on 13 May.


2008–09 Premier Academy League
On 17 May, Arsenal were crowned the 2008–09 Premier Academy League Champions after a 1–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Play-off Final at White Hart Lane, with a goal from Rhys Murphy. It is Arsenal's first title since the Premier Academy League reformed as an under–18 competition.


2008–09 Premier Academy League, League tables, Academy Group D
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal difference; 3rd goals scoredPos = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = PointsC = Champions


2008–09 Premier League
The 2008–09 Premier League (known as the Barclays Premier League for sponsorship reasons) was the 17th season since the establishment of the Premier League in 1992. Manchester United became champions for the 11th time on the penultimate weekend of the season, defending their crown after winning their tenth Premier League title on the final day of the previous season. They were run close by Liverpool, who had a better goal difference and who had beaten United home and away, including a 4–1 victory at Old Trafford, but who were undone by a series of draws.


2008–09 Premier League
The campaign – the fixtures for which were announced on 16 June 2008 – began on Saturday, 16 August 2008, and ended on 24 May 2009. A total of 20 teams contested the league, consisting of 17 who competed in the previous season and three promoted from the Football League Championship. The new match ball was the Nike T90 Omni.


2008–09 Premier League
At the start of this season, clubs were allowed to name seven substitutes on the bench instead of five. This season was also different in that there was no New Year's Day game, as is traditional. This was because the FA Cup Third Round is traditionally played on the first Saturday in January, which in 2009 fell in the usual spot for New Year's league games. September saw Manchester City taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group, transforming them into one of the world's wealthiest football clubs, securing the signing of Robinho for a British record £32.5 million just seconds before the 2008 summer transfer window closed in the process.


2008–09 Premier League
The first goal of the season was scored by Arsenal's Samir Nasri against newly promoted West Bromwich Albion in the fourth minute of the early kick-off game on the opening day of the season on 16 August. Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa scored the first hat-trick of the season against Manchester City, scoring three goals in the space of seven minutes. Manchester United clinched the 2009 Premier League title with a scoreless draw against Arsenal on 16 May 2009, their 11th Premier League title, and 18th League title overall, drawing level with fierce rivals Liverpool who finished as runners-up. It is the second time they clinched the title for three consecutive years, the first being in 2001.


2008–09 Premier League
West Bromwich Albion were the first team to be relegated to the Championship after losing 2–0 at home to Liverpool on 17 May 2009. They were joined in the Championship by Middlesbrough and Newcastle United on the last day of the season after Middlesbrough's defeat at West Ham United and Newcastle's 1–0 defeat at Aston Villa. It meant that Hull City and Sunderland stayed up despite home defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.


2008–09 Premier League
The fact that Hull City avoided relegation (along with Stoke City, who stayed up relatively comfortably under the management of Tony Pulis), meant it was the first time since the 2005–06 season that more than one promoted club maintained their Premier League status. Aston Villa, Everton and Fulham all secured European football for the 2009–10 season through their league position.


2008–09 Premier League, Teams
Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the Championship. The promoted teams were West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City (returning to the top flight after absences of two and twenty-three years respectively) and Hull City (playing top flight football for the first time ever). This was also Stoke City's first season in the Premier League. They replaced Reading (ending their two-year top flight spell), Birmingham City and Derby County (both teams relegated after a season's presence).


2008–09 Premier League, Teams, Personnel and kits
Also, Nike provided new match balls, white with red and yellow (autumn/spring) and yellow with purple and black (winter), based on their T90 Laser II Omni model.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Premier League Manager of the Season
Sir Alex Ferguson, 67, picked up the Premier League Manager of the Season for the ninth time. During his hugely successful spell with Manchester United, which began in 1986, he won eleven Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, three European titles, one Intercontinental Cup and one Club World Cup.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Premier League Player of the Season
Nemanja Vidić, 27, won the Premier League Player of the Season accolade for the first time.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, PFA Players' Player of the Year
The PFA Players' Player of the Year award for 2009 was won by Ryan Giggs of Manchester United.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, PFA Players' Player of the Year
The shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award was as follows:


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, PFA Team of the Year
Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)Defence: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić (all Manchester United)Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs (both Manchester United), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)Attack: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, PFA Young Player of the Year
The PFA Young Player of the Year award was won by Ashley Young of Aston Villa.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, FWA Footballer of the Year
The FWA Footballer of the Year award for 2009 was won by Steven Gerrard for the first time. The Liverpool captain saw off the challenges of Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs and forward Wayne Rooney, who finished second and third respectively.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Premier League Golden Boot
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka won the Premier League Golden Boot award for the first time. He scored 19 goals in 35 appearances, which ensured he finished as the season's top scorer.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Premier League Golden Glove
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar collected the Premier League Golden Glove award for the first time. He kept a total of 21 clean sheets in 33 appearances, including a record run of 11 consecutive clean sheets (1,311 minutes) from Stoke City on 15 November 2008 to West Bromwich Albion on 27 January 2009.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Premier League Fair Play Award
The Premier League Fair Play Award is merit given to the team who has been the most sporting and best behaved team. Fulham won this, ahead of London neighbours Chelsea and Arsenal. Hull City were deemed the least sporting side, finished in last place in the rankings


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, LMA Manager of the Year
The LMA Manager of the Year award was won by David Moyes after leading Everton to back-to-back fifth-place finishes and the FA Cup Final.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, PFA Fans' Player of the Year
Steven Gerrard was named the PFA Fans' Player of the Year.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Premier League Spirit Award
The Premier League Spirit Award is given to "the player or manager whose actions best encapsulate the spirit of the game". In recognition for leading his club to the top of the Fair Play league, the Premier League Spirit Award for 2008–09 was given to Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.


2008–09 Premier League, Awards, Annual awards, Behaviour of the Public League
Given to the best-behaved fans, Fulham won this for the third consecutive year, rounding off a hat-trick of sporting awards.


2008–09 Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 2008–09 Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnian: Premijer Liga) was the ninth season since its establishment and the seventh as a unified country-wide league. It started on 2 August 2008 and ended on 23 May 2009. Modriča were the defending champions.


2008–09 Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Promotion and relegation
Jedinstvo Bihać and Žepče were relegated after the 2007–08 season due to finishing in 15th and 16th place, respectively.


2008–09 Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Promotion and relegation
They were replaced by the champions of two second-level leagues, Zvijezda Gradačac (Prva Liga BiH) and Borac Banja Luka (Prva Liga RS).


2008–09 Premier Reserve League
The 2008–09 Premier Reserve League (officially known as the 2008–09 Barclays Premier Reserve League for sponsorship reasons) is the tenth season since the establishment of the Premier Reserve League. The season began on 1 September 2008, and ended with the play-off final on 21 May 2009.


2008–09 Premier Reserve League
The events in the senior leagues during the 2007–08 season saw Birmingham City, Derby County and Reading all relegated and replaced by the promoted teams Hull City, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion.


2008–09 Premier Reserve League
Sunderland won Premier Reserve League North title after beating Manchester City 3–0 on 14 April 2009. Aston Villa sealed the Premier Reserve League South title for a second successive season with a 2–0 win over West Bromwich Albion on 27 April.


2008–09 Premier Reserve League
On 21 May, Aston Villa were crowned the 2008–09 Premier Reserve League Champions after a 3–1 win against Sunderland in the Play-off Final at Villa Park. It is Aston Villa Reserves' first national title.


2008–09 Premier Reserve League, Tables, Premier Reserve League South
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal difference; 3rd goals scoredPos = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points; C = Champions


2008–09 Premier Soccer League
The 2008–09 Premier Soccer League season (known as the ABSA Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the thirteenth since its establishment. Supersport United were the defending champions, having won their first Premier Soccer League title on the final day of the previous season. The campaign began in August 2008, ended in May 2009. A total of 16 teams contested in the league, 14 of which contested in the 2007–08 season, and two of which were have been promoted from the National First Division.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, Season summary
Supersport United defended their title to win their second consecutive Premiership title. Orlando Pirates came close to taking the title in the final game. Both teams were tied at the top of the points table with 55 points each. Supersport United had a greater goal difference with 23 goals over Orlando Pirates's 17 goals.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, Season summary
Bay United were relegated to the National League after finishing at the bottom of the table on 21 points. Thanda Royal Zulu will go into a playoff with teams from the National League to determain if they will retain their place in the PSL or be relegated to the National League after ending 15th on the league table with 33 points.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, Season summary
Bloemfontein Celtic survived relegation on goal difference, ending 14th on the league table with 33 points. They were tied with Thanda Royal Zulu, but their goal difference were greater than that of Thanda Royal Zulu.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, PSL Awards
Teko Modise was the biggest winner at the annual Premier Soccer League awards dinner on 24 May 2009 at Gold Reef City Casino, pocketing a whopping R400 000 after he was named Footballer of the Year and Players' Player of the Year.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, PSL Awards
It was the second time that the Orlando Pirates midfielder bagged the coveted Footballer of the Year honour, following his controversial win last season. This time, however, Modise's brilliance from the unusual left of midfield position helped Pirates mount a championship bid.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, PSL Awards
Lucas Thwala, who earlier this month was named Pirates' Player of the Season ahead of Modise, was named the Premiership Player of the Year.


2008–09 Premier Soccer League, PSL Awards
Ajax Cape Town's Franklin Cale won the award for the Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby
The 2008–09 Guinness Premiership was the 22nd season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between September 2008 and May 2009. Round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham, between the four London teams.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby
This season saw the introduction of the controversial ELVs, although only 13 of the rules were used, as opposed to the 30 that were trialled in the Super 14.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, The previous season
Northampton Saints gained promotion to the league this season by finishing top of the National Division One, taking the place of Leeds Carnegie who were relegated. In 2007–2008, Gloucester RFC finished top of the league but were beaten by Leicester Tigers in the semi-finals. London Wasps went on to beat Leicester Tigers 26–16 in the final.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, Season synopsis
Leicester Tigers finished top of the league table, then were crowned Champions after defeating Bath 24–10 in the semi-final and London Irish 10–9 in the final at Twickenham.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, Season synopsis
Going into the season, the top six clubs were all assured of berths in the 2009–10 Heineken Cup. By advancing to the final of the 2008–09 competition, Leicester secured a seventh place for England. The four Premiership semi-finalists—Leicester, Harlequins, London Irish, and Bath—plus Sale Sharks and Gloucester secured Heineken Cup berths. The seventh berth was secured by Northampton Saints when they defeated French side Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup final on 22 May. The remaining clubs that will compete in the 2009–10 Premiership will compete in the 2009–10 Challenge Cup.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, Season synopsis
The club that finishes bottom of the table is relegated and replaced by the club that tops the second-level National Division One. This season, Bristol were relegated, to be replaced by Leeds Carnegie, which won promotion at the first opportunity.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, Teams
Northampton Saints, having won the 2007–08 National Division One, replaced Leeds Carnegie, who were relegated last season after finishing bottom of the table.


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, Table
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:


2008–09 Premiership Rugby, Top scorers
Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who did not earn international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.


2008–09 Preston North End F.C. season
During the 2008–09 English football season, Preston North End F.C. competed in the Championship.


2008–09 Preston North End F.C. season, Season summary
Having spent most of the previous season embroiled in a relegation battle, this season Preston edged into the play-offs in sixth place, pipping Cardiff City on the last day of the season. Though being level with seventh-placed Cardiff with 74 points and a goal difference of +12 each, Preston gained sixth place by virtue of having scored one more goal than Cardiff over the course of the season. The run of form that had seen Preston reach the playoffs saw manager Alan Irvine named the Championship's Manager of the Month for April.


2008–09 Preston North End F.C. season, Season summary
Preston were drawn against third-placed Sheffield United in the semi-finals. United won 2–1 over legs, consigning Preston to another season in the second tier of English football.


2008–09 Preston North End F.C. season, Kit
For the fourth consecutive season, Preston's kits were manufactured by Italian company Diadora, who introduced new home and away kits. The home kit was a white shirt with navy shorts and navy and white hooped socks, inspired by the club's kit from the late fifties and early sixties. (White shorts were worn for the away match at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 10 January). The away kit was a yellow shirt with navy sleeves, yellow shorts and yellow socks with navy turnovers.


2008–09 Preston North End F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Preston North End F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Primeira Liga
The 2008–09 Primeira Liga was the 75th season of the Primeira Liga, the top professional league for Portuguese association football clubs. It began on 22 August 2008 and ended on 24 May 2009. Porto was the three-time defending champions and secured a fourth consecutive title for the second time in its history.


2008–09 Primeira Liga, Promotion and relegation, Teams relegated to Liga de Honra
União de Leiria have been relegated to the Liga de Honra after finishing in last place in 2007–08 Primeira Liga.


2008–09 Primeira Liga, Promotion and relegation, Teams relegated to Liga de Honra
Boavista were also relegated as a punishment for their participation in a match fixing scandal in 2003–04 season. Accordingly, Paços de Ferreira, which was originally scheduled to be relegated, was saved from demotion.


2008–09 Primeira Liga, Promotion and relegation, Teams promoted from Liga de Honra
Leiria and Boavista were replaced by two promoted teams from Liga de Honra. The first was Trofense, which clinched the second level title. This was its first appearance in Primeira Liga.


2008–09 Primeira Liga, Promotion and relegation, Teams promoted from Liga de Honra
Trofense was accompanied by Rio Ave, which returned to the Primeira Liga after two seasons in the Liga de Honra.


2008–09 Primera B Nacional
The 2008–09 Argentine Primera B Nacional was the 23rd season of second division professional of football in Argentina. A total of 20 teams competed; the champion and runner-up were promoted to Argentine Primera División.


2008–09 Primera B Nacional, Promotion/Relegation Playoff Legs Primera División-Primera B Nacional
The 3rd and 4th placed of the table played with the 18th and the 17th placed of the Relegation Table of 2008–09 Primera División.


2008–09 Primera B Nacional, Relegation
Note: Clubs with indirect affiliation with AFA are relegated to the Torneo Argentino A, while clubs directly affiliated face relegation to Primera B Metropolitana. Clubs with direct affiliation are all from Greater Buenos Aires, with the exception of Newell's, Rosario Central, Central Córdoba and Argentino de Rosario, all from Rosario, and Unión and Colón from Santa Fe.


2008–09 Primera B Nacional, Relegation
The bottom two teams of this table face relegation regardless of their affiliation status. Apart from them, the bottom teams of each affiliation face promotion/relegation playoffs against Torneo Argentino A and Primera B Metropolitana's "Reducido" (reduced tournaments) champions. The Reducidos are played after those leagues' champions are known.


2008–09 Primera Divisió
The 2008–09 Primera Divisió was the fourteenth season of top-tier football in Andorra. It began on 21 September 2008 and ended on 7 May 2009. FC Santa Coloma were the defending champions.


2008–09 Primera Divisió, Competition format
The participating teams first played a conventional round-robin schedule with every team playing each opponent once home and once away for a total of 14 games. The league was then split up in two groups of four teams with each of them playing teams within their group a home-and-away cycle of games. The top four teams competed for the championship. The bottom four clubs played out one direct relegation spot and one relegation play-off spot. Records earned in the First Round were taken over to the respective Second Rounds.


2008–09 Primera Divisió, Promotion and relegation
Casa Estrella del Benfica were relegated after the last season due to finishing in 8th place. They were replaced by Segona Divisió champions UE Santa Coloma.


2008–09 Primera Divisió, Promotion and relegation
Further, UE Engordany and Segona Divisió runners-up UE Extremenya played a two-legged relegation play-off. Engordany kept their spot in Primera Divisió by winning 5–3 on aggregate.


2008–09 Primera Divisió, Relegation play-offs
Inter Club d'Escaldes competed in a two-legged relegation play-off against Atlètic Club d'Escaldes, runners-up from Segona Divisió, for one spot in 2009–10 Primera Divisió. Inter successfully retained their Primera Divisió spot after winning on penalties 10–9.


2008–09 Primera División (Costa Rica)
The Invierno 2008-09 season started on July 27 with 2 groups of 6 teams, they will play twice (home and away) with the teams of their own group (10 games) and once with the teams of the other group (6 games), for a total of 16 games. The 3 top teams of each group qualify for the playoffs. The winners of group A and B get a bye week, while the 2nd of group A plays the 3rd of group B and the 2nd of group B plays the 3rd of group A. The winners of these series move to the semi-final series.


2008–09 Primera División (Costa Rica)
The home field advantage in the playoffs is given to the team with the best record in the group stage.


2008–09 Primera División (Costa Rica)
The winner of the playoff series will gain entry into the group stage of the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League. The runner-up will gain entry into the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round. If the same team wins both the Invierno and Verano tournaments then the preliminary round spot will be awarded to the team with the next best regular season record in the Verano tournament.


2008–09 Primera División A season
The format for the 2008–09 season changed from 2 groups of 12 to 3 groups of 9 teams. This gave the opportunity and the number increased from 24 to 27, many teams served as reserve teams from teams in D1.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Apertura
The Primera División A Apertura 2008 is a Mexican football tournament, one of two short tournaments held each year. It began on July 18, 2008 and ran until December 7, 2008. The reigning champions, León, were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Irapuato on a 2–1 two-leg aggregate, and thus could not successfully defend their Clausura 2008 title. Querétaro won the tournament, defeating Irapuato on a 2–0 two-leg aggregate, and will earn a spot into the promotional playoff held after the end of the Clausura 2009 season, where the winners of the two tournaments meet in an effort to gain promotion to the Primera División.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Apertura
After winning the 2008 promotional playoff against León, the Indios were promoted to the Primera División. Veracruz were relegated to the Primera División A due to finishing at the bottom of the Primera División relegation table. Pachuca Juniors won the right to be promoted to the Primera División A after winning the Segunda División promotional playoff but lacked the certificate of promotion given to teams by the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación. Instead, Irapuato were promoted to the Primera División A, and two new reserve teams were created for the Indios of Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua) and Atlante (Chetumal).


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Apertura, Tournament format
A total of 27 teams are divided into three groups of nine teams each. Each team plays the other eight teams in its group twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 16 games. At the end of the regular season the top two teams in each group, as well as the next two highest placed teams, qualify to the Liguilla. The teams are seeded based on their position in the general table and are arranged before each round so that the highest seeded team remaining always plays the lowest seed remaining.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Apertura, Tournament format
The teams play a home and home series and whichever team has the better aggregate score advances. If the two teams are tied after both legs in the quarterfinals and semifinals the higher seed advances automatically. In the finals, if the two teams are tied after both legs two 15 minute halves of extra time are added. If the teams are still tied after extra time the champion is determined through a penalty shootout.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Apertura, Tournament format, Promotion
One team is promoted to the Primera División each year (two short tournaments). After the Clausura 2009 tournament, the champions of the Apertura 2008 and Clausura 2009 tournaments will play a home and home series to determine which team will be promoted. If the same team wins both tournaments it will be promoted automatically. In order for a team to be promoted it has to obtain a certification from the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación. If the winner of the promotional final is not certified for promotion a home and home series is played between the highest placed certified team and the club being relegated to the Primera División A to determine which will be in the Primera División.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Apertura, Tournament format, Relegation
One team is relegated to the Segunda División each year (two short tournaments). The team that has the worst points to games played ratio over the previous three years (Apertura 2006, Clausura 2007, Apertura 2007, Clausura 2008, Apertura 2008, Clausura 2009) is relegated to the Segunda División.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Clausura
The Primera División A Clausura 2009 is a Mexican football tournament, the second of two short tournaments held during the 2008–2009 Mexican football season. It began on January 10, 2009 and will run until May 23 or May 24, 2009. The winner of the tournament will earn a place in the promotional playoff against Querétaro, the winners of the Apertura 2008 tournament, to determine which team will be promoted to the Primera División.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Clausura, Tournament format
A total of 27 teams are divided into three groups of nine teams each. Each team plays the other eight teams in its group twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 16 games. At the end of the regular season the top two teams in each group, as well as the next two highest placed teams, qualify to the Liguilla (playoffs). The teams are seeded based on their position in the general table and are arranged before each round so that the highest seeded team remaining always plays the lowest seed remaining.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Clausura, Tournament format
The teams play a home and away series and whichever team has the better aggregate score advances. If the two teams are tied after both legs in the quarterfinals and semifinals the higher seed advances automatically. In the finals, if the two teams are tied after both legs two 15 minute halves of extra time are added. If the teams are still tied after extra time the champion is determined through a penalty shootout.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Clausura, Tournament format, Promotion
One team is promoted to the Primera División each year (two short tournaments). After the Clausura 2009 tournament, the champions of the Apertura 2008 and Clausura 2009 tournaments will play a home and home series to determine which team will be promoted. If the same team wins both tournaments it will be promoted automatically. In order for a team to be promoted it has to obtain a certification from the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación. If the winner of the promotional final is not certified for promotion a home and away series is played between the highest placed certified team and the club being relegated to the Primera División A to determine which will be in the Primera División.


2008–09 Primera División A season, Torneo Clausura, Tournament format, Relegation
One team is relegated to the Segunda División each year (two short tournaments). The team that has the worst points to games played ratio over the previous three years (Apertura 2006, Clausura 2007, Apertura 2007, Clausura 2008, Apertura 2008, Clausura 2009) is relegated to the Segunda División.


2008–09 Principality Premiership
The 2008–09 Principality Premiership was the fourteenth Principality Premiership season and the fifth under its current format. The season began in September 2008 and ended in May 2009. Fourteen teams played each other on a home and away basis, with teams earning four points for a win, and a bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match. The losing team may also earn a bonus point if they lose by seven points or less.


2008–09 Principality Premiership
The fourteen teams competing were Aberavon RFC, Bedwas RFC, Bridgend Ravens, Cardiff RFC, Cross Keys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC, Glamorgan Wanderers RFC, Llandovery RFC, Llanelli RFC, Neath RFC, Newport RFC, Pontypool RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Swansea RFC.


2008–09 Pro A season
The 2008–09 LNB Pro A season was the 87th season of the French Basketball Championship and the 22nd season since inception of the Ligue Nationale de Basketball (LNB). The regular season started on October 3, 2008 and ended on May 11, 2009. The play-offs were held from May 22, 2009 until June 20, 2009.


2008–09 Pro A season
ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, after finishing at the top seed of the regular season, won the French Pro A League by defeating Orléans in playoffs final (55-41).


2008–09 Professional Arena Soccer League season
The 2008-09 Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL- Pro) is the inaugural season for the league. The PASL-Pro is the largest indoor soccer league, hosting 21 teams spreading from Canada, the United States of America, and the Mexico. All US soccer clubs were invited to play in the United States Open Cup for Arena Soccer which 25 PASL-Pro and PASL-Premier teams, respectively, played in, as well as future PASL-Pro team, the San Diego Sockers.


2008–09 Professional Arena Soccer League season
The league kicked off at the Stockton Arena with the Stockton Cougars defeating the Colorado Lightning 10-5. The regular season concluded March 8, 2009 with three separate matches.


2008–09 Professional Arena Soccer League season
On March 15, 2009 the Stockton Cougars won the inaugural championship 13-5 over 1790 Cincinnati. Stockton's goalkeeper, Jesus Molina, was named the playoffs MVP


2008–09 Professional Arena Soccer League season, Standings
As of March 15, 2009  2008-09 League Championship  2008-09 Playoff Team(Bold indicates Division Winner)


2008–09 Providence Friars men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Providence Friars men's basketball team represented Providence College in the Big East Conference. The team finished with a 10–8 conference record and a 19–14 record overall.


2008–09 Providence Friars men's basketball team
In March 2008, head coach Tim Welsh was fired by the school after finishing with a losing record for the third time in four seasons. In April, Drake University head coach Keno Davis replaced him; Davis was named the 2008 Associated Press National Coach of the Year in his first and only season as a head coach at Drake. The Friars had previously been turned down by Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, who coached Providence to the 1987 Final Four, George Mason University head coach Jim Larranaga, a Providence alumnus, and University of Massachusetts head coach Travis Ford.


2008–09 Providence Friars men's basketball team
Davis inherited all five starters from Welsh's final season with the Friars. However, prior to the season junior guard Dwain Williams transferred to Oregon State, while reserve forward Charles Burch was the team's lone departing senior.


2008–09 Providence Friars men's basketball team
At home, the Friars twice defeated ranked opponents; on January 28 they defeated #15 Syracuse, and on February 24, the Friars knocked off #1 Pittsburgh, the first time the school had accomplished the feat since 1976. The Friars received votes in the AP Poll after each win, but were not ranked at any point in the season.


2008–09 Providence Friars men's basketball team
Finishing with a 10-8 record in the Big East, the Friars began the 2009 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament as an eighth seed, defeating DePaul in the first round before falling to top-seeded Louisville in the quarterfinals. They missed the NCAA Tournament for a fifth straight season and lost in the first round of the NIT to Miami.


2008–09 Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team represented Purdue University. The head coach was Matt Painter, then in his 4th season with the Boilers. The team played its home games in Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers finished tied for second in the conference's regular season, and captured their first Big Ten Tournament crown, defeating Ohio State 65–61 in the final game. In the NCAA Tournament, the Boilers reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2000, where they fell to the Connecticut Huskies.


2008–09 Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants season
The 2008–09 Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants season was the 21st season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).


2008–09 QMJHL season
The 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008. Eighteen teams played 68 games each. The Drummondville Voltigeurs, who finished first overall in the regular season, went on to capture their first President's Cup vs. the Shawinigan Cataractes in a series they won 4–3.


2008–09 QMJHL season, Standings, Division Standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses ; SL - Shootout losses ; GF = Goals for ; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points


2008–09 QMJHL season, Standings, Overall Standing
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses ; SL - Shootout losses ; GF = Goals for ; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points


2008–09 QMJHL season, Standings, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


2008–09 QMJHL season, Standings, Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout losses ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average


2008–09 QMJHL season, Players, 2008 NHL Entry Draft
In total, 27 QMJHL players were selected at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.


2008–09 QMJHL season, Players, Trades
2nd round pick, 2009 (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)3rd round pick, 2009 (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)


2008–09 QMJHL season, Players, Trades
Julien Tremblay2nd round pick, 2009 (Victoriaville Tigres)2nd round pick, 2010


2008–09 QMJHL season, Players, Trades
Nathan Dunnett7th round pick, 2009 (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)3rd round pick, 2010


2008–09 QMJHL season, Players, Trades
1st round pick, 2009 (Quebec Remparts)2nd round pick, 20093rd round pick, 2009 (Quebec Remparts)7th round pick, 20091st round pick, 20104th round pick, 2010


2008–09 QMJHL season, Players, Trades
Guillaume Pelletier4th round pick, 20092nd round pick, 20102nd round pick, 20113rd round pick, 2011


2008–09 QMJHL season, Canada Russia Challenge
The ADT Canada Russia Challenge is a six-game series featuring four teams: three from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) versus Russia's National Junior hockey team. Within the Canadian Hockey League umbrella, one team from each of its three leagues — the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League — compete in two games against the Russian junior team.


2008–09 QMJHL season, Canada Russia Challenge
The ADT Canada Russia Challenge has become a highlight on the CHL schedule and we are very proud to be associated with it. These two nations have such a storied hockey history that fans from across the country tune in expecting to see a hard fought series. We expect nothing short of world class hockey this November that hockey fans from across the country won't want to miss.


2008–09 QMJHL season, Canada Russia Challenge
The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge was held in six cities across Canada, with two cities for each league within the Canadian Hockey League. The series began on November 17, 2008, and concluded on November 27, 2008. All six games were televised nationally on Rogers Sportsnet, along with RDS televising both games from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.


2008–09 QMJHL season, Canada Russia Challenge
In the first game of the two part series between Team QMJHL and the Russian Selects, Team QMJHL scored five goals en route to a 5–3 win in front of 4,378 fans at Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Kmitri Kugryshev of the Russian Selects and goaltender Olivier Roy of Team QMJHL were named the ADT Players of the Game for their respective teams. The Russian Selects evened the ADT Canada Russia Challenge, winning the second game after having registered four goals in a 4–3 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 6,451 assembled at Harbour Station in Saint John, New Brunswick.


2008–09 QMJHL season, Memorial Cup
The 91st MasterCard Memorial Cup was held in Rimouski, Quebec.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League
The 2008–09 Qatari League or Q-League season was the 36th edition of top level football in Qatar and started on the 13 September 2008.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League
The 2008–09 calendar released by the QFA saw the first phase run through 13 September till 23 November before phase two kicked off on 27 November to end on 7 February 2009. The final phase started on February 12 and concluded on April 17.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League
Ten teams played for the title of league champions with each outfit playing 27 matches. The last team in the standings was to be relegated until the QFA announced an expansion to the league for the following season.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League
The competition will be played at the seven stadiums of Al-Sadd, Al-Rayyan Sports Club, Al-Gharrafa, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Qatar Sports Club, and Al-Arabi Sports Club.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League
Al-Gharrafa won the title last season after pipping powerhouse Al-Sadd into second place while Al Shamal were relegated and their place in the top division will now be taken up by Al Khuratiyat SC.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League, League Expansion
The Qatar Stars League has slowly expanded since the turn of the decade, moving from 9 clubs to 10 clubs and then latest setup of 12 clubs for the 2009–10 Qatari League campaign.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League, League Expansion
There are 2 divisions in the Qatari football structure and the league has previously seen one club promoted and relegated each year except in 'expansion' years.


2008–09 Qatar Stars League, League Expansion
It was announced on 15 April 2009 that no clubs would be relegated from the top flight in the Qatari League 2008-09 season, due to expansion reasons. The announcement was made with only one game remaining.


2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
The 2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was one of two first-class domestic cricket competitions that were held in Pakistan during the 2008–09 season. It was the 51st edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, contested by 22 teams representing regional cricket associations and departments, and was preceded in the schedule by the Pentangular Cup, contested by five teams representing the four provinces and the federal areas.


2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
The format of the competition remained the same as the previous season, with the teams split into two groups of eleven playing 4-day matches in a round-robin and a 5-day final between the top teams in each group to determine the winner.


2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
There were, however, changes to the structure of the groups; whereas the regions are departments were divided evenly between the groups in 2007–08, in 2008–09 the nine departmental teams were in Group A and eleven of the regional teams were in Group B; since both Karachi and Lahore had two teams in the competition, in order to even the groups, one from each was placed in Group A. The Group B match between Quetta and Rawalpindi was completed in 20.1 overs, with a match aggregate of 85 runs being scored. It was the lowest run-aggregate for a completed first-class cricket match, although both sides had forfeited their first innings after no play was possible on the first two days due to bad weather.


2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Sialkot beat Khan Research Laboratories, who had reached the final on net run rate, by 4 wickets in the final to win the trophy for the second time.


2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Group stage
The top teams in the round-robin group stage (highlighted) advanced to the final.


2008–09 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Group stage
Position determined by total points, most matches won after having a lead on first innings, fewest matches lost, followed by adjusted net run rate (matches with no result, i.e. those where both teams did not complete their first innings, were disregarded); matches finishing in a draw were decided on first innings scores, with points awarded as follows:


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season
During the 2008–09 season, Queens Park Rangers played in the Football League Championship, their fifth consecutive season at this level.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Pre-season, New managerial team
Ian Dowie was announced as the replacement for Luigi De Canio as manager on 14 May 2008. Tim Flowers was later named Dowie's assistant, reprising his former role with Dowie at Coventry City. Paulo Sousa was named as manager after Ian Dowie was fired. When Sousa was fired, Gareth Ainsworth became caretaker manager.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Pre-season, Sponsorship
Following the termination of the club's sponsorship deals with Car Giant, Le Coq Sportif and Sellotape at the end of the previous season, in July it was announced that Gulf Air would be the new shirt sponsors. Further sponsorship packages were also announced, including Abbey Financial Services, Chronotech and Lotto Sport Italia.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Pre-season, Matches
All but one of QPR's pre-season fixtures were held away from Loftus Road while the ground underwent upgrading work ahead of the new season. Despite the optimism surrounding the club on the back of the investment and player transfers, Rangers suffered defeats in 3 out of 5 of their warm-up fixtures. The club started positively, winning 3–1 against Conference National side Stevenage Borough followed by a 1–0 win over Football League One side Northampton Town. However a pre-season tour to Scotland saw Rangers lose 2–0 and 1–0 (respectively) to Scottish Premier League sides Falkirk and Kilmarnock. The pre-season fixtures culminated in a 2–1 defeat at the hands of Serie A side Chievo in front of just 3,540 at Loftus Road.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Queens Park Rangers started the season against Barnsley at Loftus Road. Fitz Hall scored twice in as many minutes after Iain Hume put the Yorkshire side 1–0 up in the fifth minute. Hall also missed a penalty in the second half, but Rangers held on to win the game 2–1. A win at Swindon Town in the League Cup followed before the first defeat of the season, to Sheffield United, 3–0 at Bramall Lane. Comprehensive home wins against Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United (in the League Cup) and Southampton followed, before a win away against Norwich City saw Rangers put together a five-game unbeaten streak.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
A defeat at Coventry City was followed by a 1–0 win at Aston Villa in the third round of the League Cup with Damion Stewart getting the decisive goal. The result meant that QPR entered the fourth round of the competition for the first time since the 1995–96 season, where they were drawn away to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United. The euphoria of the Villa result was short-lived and Rangers returned to losing ways at home to Derby County just three days later.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
By early October, QPR had slipped to 11th in the Championship, following defeat to league leaders Birmingham City at St Andrew's. Former manager Terry Venables was speculatively linked with a return to Loftus Road to replace Iain Dowie if no improvement was seen in the club's form. Meanwhile, Dexter Blackstock stood out as an early contender for the club's top scorer for the season with 5 goals in 13 matches in all competitions.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
On 23 October, reports in the British press announced that the club would cap the maximum ticket price at the Category "C" (£35) level as a response to the worsening financial crisis of 2007–2008. This led commentators to speculate that the club was damaged by negative press surrounding earlier proposed ticket price increases. The following day, Iain Dowie was sacked after just fifteen games in charge of the club.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
While the press continued to speculate on Dowie's replacement, touting Roberto Mancini and Kenny Jackett among several others as potential candidates, existing player/coach Gareth Ainsworth was appointed caretaker manager in the interim. In his first game in charge Rangers ended Reading's 100% record at the Madejski Stadium, grinding out a 0–0 draw.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Just over three weeks after their defeat at St Andrew's, Rangers played Birmingham again in a mid-week fixture at Loftus Road. In Ainsworth's second match in charge, a ten-man Rangers side won 1–0 courtesy of a 25-yard goal from Samuel Di Carmine. At the start of November, Rangers lost 2–0 to Ipswich Town beating Cardiff 1–0 at Loftus Road one week later. The mid-week League Cup tie at Old Trafford saw QPR defeated 1–0 missing out on the last eight of the competition courtesy of a Carlos Tevez penalty.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
The woes continued four days later with only the club's second home defeat of the season, this time at the hands of Burnley. By mid-November, the side's average of less than one goal-per-match led to them being ranked 21st in terms of the attacking statistics of the 24 Championship clubs, despite sitting tenth in the league table.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
On 19 November, Paulo Sousa, a former Portugal midfielder and previously assistant coach of the Portugal national team, was announced as the first team coach, ending Ainsworth's six-match run as caretaker. The following day, Tim Flowers stepped down as assistant coach and news sources (including the club's official website) reported Rangers had signed Bolton striker Heiðar Helguson on an emergency loan deal. Signed to a 2+1⁄2-year contract, Sousa became the sixth first team coach of the club in 13 months.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Just three days into his appointment, Sousa's first match in charge saw a ten-man QPR comprehensively beaten 3–0 away at Watford, leaving them firmly in mid-table, nine points above the relegation zone and three points from the play-offs. Purported new signing Helguson did not appear for the club at Vicarage Road, with rumours later surfacing the deal had not been completed. A mid-week fixture against struggling Charlton Athletic saw Sousa's first victory (2–1), with Dexter Blackstock (who returned from suspension) scoring twice. Four days later, Rangers travelled across London to Selhurst Park, drawing 0–0 with Crystal Palace, a match which featured Premier League striker Heiðar Helguson, who had completed his loan move from Bolton Wanderers earlier in the week.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
QPR played league-leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first match of December. Played in a late kick-off at Loftus Road and in front of the Sky Sports cameras, QPR put on a fine performance, despatching their high-flying opponents with a 1–0 win courtesy of a 20-yard effort from skipper Martin Rowlands in his first full appearance since returning from injury. Despite dominating their next match, away to Sheffield Wednesday, QPR were beaten 1–0. The game marked QPR's 6th defeat from 11 away fixtures, and in which they had only scored twice.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
One week later, QPR scored their first goal in nine "away" fixtures, managing a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle. Heiðar Helguson put QPR into an early lead before Plymouth equalised late in the second half. On 20 December, Helguson was again on the scoresheet, scoring twice alongside Dexter Blackstock's winner in Rangers' 3–2 victory over Preston North End.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
The Christmas period saw QPR draw 2–2, twice surrendering the lead, away from home at Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day. Two days later, QPR played host to Watford, holding them to a 0–0 draw. As the January transfer window opened, QPR signed former England U21 international Wayne Routledge from Aston Villa. The club also made recent loan signings Borrowdale and Helguson's moves permanent. A small crowd of under 9,000 spectators saw Rangers start their FA Cup campaign with a goalless draw with fellow Championship side Burnley, in the third round.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Returning to action in the Championship, QPR drew at home to Coventry City on 10 January with Dexter Blackstock again on the scoresheet. The result left QPR in ninth place in the league table for the sixth consecutive match, five points outside of the promotion play-off places and 13 points above the relegation zone. In the same week, Rangers also secured a permanent return to the club for Lee Cook and released veteran Italian midfielder Damiano Tommasi.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Travelling to Turf Moor for the FA Cup third round replay, QPR lost 2–1 after Burnley scored from a defensive error in the last minute of extra time. Samuel Di Carmine put Rangers ahead in the 54th minute with Burnley equalising just six minutes later before their last-gasp winner. Martin Rowlands also hit the woodwork and Helguson had a goal disallowed in an eventful match played in front of just 3,760 spectators.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
On 17 January, QPR achieved their first away victory in all competitions since September. They defeated Derby County 2–0 at Pride Park Stadium, with new signing Wayne Routledge opening the scoring. Ten days later, Rangers travelled to Bloomfield Road and defeated Blackpool 3–0, with Heiðar Helguson scoring twice. During the same month, QPR terminated former captain Adam Bolder's contract and loaned Zesh Rehman out to Bradford City. On 31 January, QPR extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a scoreless draw at home to second-placed Reading. The result left Rangers in seventh place with 15 matches remaining, two points outside of the playoff positions and 16 points above the relegation zone.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
The next scheduled match, a home fixture against Swansea City, was postponed due to heavy snowfalls in central London. However, QPR continued their unbeaten run into February beginning with a 2–2 draw away to Nottingham Forest. In an entertaining match, Matteo Alberti scored his first goals for the club within the space of three minutes after half-time. On 17 February, the club announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Jordi López on a three-month contract. QPR's unbeaten run was finally ended in their next match, at home, courtesy of Ipswich Town.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Despite QPR taking an early lead through a Samuel Di Carmine goal, Ipswich came back to win 3–1. The match was played in front of the Sky Sports cameras and with England national team manager Fabio Capello in attendance. Four days later, Rangers travelled to Cardiff City and earned a 0–0 draw. In a busy fixture period against both play-off rivals and relegation candidates, QPR next faced up to Barnsley at Oakwell. The South Yorkshire club added to Rangers' recent slump in form, running out 2–1 winners.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
Rangers' woes continued into March. A second consecutive home defeat to Norwich City (0–1) was followed by a 0–0 draw at home to Sheffield United. On 10 March, QPR suffered their |12th league defeat of the season, 2–0 away to Doncaster Rovers. The run of poor form left Rangers |11th in the Championship league table, eight points adrift of the play-off places and ten points above the relegation zone with nine matches left to play.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
QPR's defensive streak improved with a draw to now-relegated Southampton, which was further built on in a 1–0 win over Swansea City, courtesy of Mikele Leigertwood's head. The Hoop's form continued with a 2–1 win over Bristol City. QPR initially went one up with a bending free kick from Jordi López, until a powerful strike from Michael McIndoe put the visitors level. Four minutes later, Adel Taarabt scored the winner from close range.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Events
QPR salvaged a goalless draw against local rivals Crystal Palace, though they could have been 2–0 down with close shots from Craig Beattie and Paul Ifill. Equally, Heidar Helguson scuppered a near open goal. However, the experience of Radek Cerny held QPR on in the final stages.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season, Players, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Queensland Roar FC season
The 2008–09 Queensland Roar season was the club's fourth season participating in the A-League where they would finish in 3rd place in the regular season.


2008–09 Queensland Roar FC season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Queensland Roar FC season, Squad, Player Movement
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Queensland Roar FC season, Squad, Player Movement
¤ Reinaldo transferred to Busan I'Park at the end of the 2007/08 A-League season and returned to Queensland in July 2008 on a free transfer.


2008–09 Queensland Roar FC season, Hyundai A-League 2008–09, Finals Series
Preliminary Final (One Leg – Played away to loser of Major Semi-final)


2008–09 Queensland Roar W-League season
The 2008–09 season was the Queensland Roar's first season of football (soccer) in Australia's women's league, the W-League, whose home ground was Ballymore Stadium.


2008–09 Queensland Roar W-League season, Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season
During the 2008–09 season Anderlecht competed in the Belgian First Division, Belgian Cup, and Champions League. Anderlecht competed in the Belgian Super Cup as cup-winners, but lost to Standard Liège.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season
After the 34 league matches, they ended with 77 points tied for first place. As Standard Liège had the same number of points and the same number of matches won, test matches were organised to determine the winner. Anderlecht drew 1–1 at home but then lost 1–0 at Standard and thus ended in second position. In the cup they were eliminated in the early rounds by Mechelen, who progressed on to lose the final.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season
Anderlecht failed to progress past the second qualifying round of UEFA Champions League.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season, Transfers 2008-09, Players out
Last updated: 27 December 2008EU = if holds or not a European Union passport; Country: when 2 flags, 1st flag = country that plays for internationally, 2nd flag = country of birth; N = number on jersey; P = Position (for position name, pause mouse pointer on abbreviation); Name = Name on jersey (for more extensive name, pause mouse pointer on name); Age = age on the day of the signing; Moving from = only indicate the club the player was playing before start playing for this club in this season, for the type of the moving see Status column; Moving to = only indicates the club the player is going to play next, for the type of the moving see Status column; Ends = when the player's current contract ends; n/a = Not applicable.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season, Transfers 2008-09, Loaned out
Last updated: 29 May 2008EU = if holds or not a European Union passport; Country: when 2 flags, 1st flag = country that plays for internationally, 2nd flag = country of birth; N = number on jersey; P = Position (for position name, pause mouse pointer on abbreviation); Name = Name on jersey (for more extensive name, pause mouse pointer on name); Age = age on the day of the signing; Moving from = only indicate the club the player was playing before start playing for this club in this season, for the type of the moving see Status column; Moving to = only indicates the club the player is going to play next, for the type of the moving see Status column; Ends = when the player's current contract ends; n/a = Not applicable.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season, Squad statistics, Squad
Note: during the summer transfer window, Kouyaté and Proto are loaned out while Lamah and Pareja were sold. During the winter transfer window, Goor was sold and Kanu was loaned out.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season, Squad statistics, Scorers, Per Match
The list of matches is chronological, as presented at the list of competitive matches.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season, Squad statistics, Disciplinary record
Last updated: May 22, 2009Source: Match reports in Competitive matchesOnly competitive matches = Number of bookings;  = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card;  = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.


2008–09 R.S.C. Anderlecht season, Competitive Matches
Last updated: 3 May 2009Source: sporza.be1Anderlecht goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Anderlecht.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.


2008–09 RK Zamet season
The 2008–09 season was the 52nd season in RK Zamet’s history. It is their 1st successive season in the Dukat Premier League, and 32nd successive top tier season.


2008–09 RPI Engineers women's ice hockey season
The RPI Engineers women's ice hockey team (the "Engineers") had a successful season in 2008–09 under the leadership of John Burke. The club finished as the ECAC Hockey conference’s runner-up at the league tournament. The Engineers defeated Princeton in the quarterfinals, and proceeded to beat Harvard in the semifinals with a 3-2 overtime victory to advance to its first championship appearance. RPI posted an overall record of 19-14-4, including an 11-8-3 ECAC Hockey mark.


2008–09 Radivoj Korać Cup
The 2009 Radivoj Korać Cup is the 7th season of the Serbian men's national basketball cup tournament. The Žućko's Left Trophy was awarded to the winner Partizan Igokea from Belgrade.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football by Rangers.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
Rangers played a total of 49 competitive matches during the 2008–09 season. The season began disastrously as the club exited the UEFA Champions League and European football altogether, losing 2–1 on aggregate to Lithuanian side FBK Kaunas in the second qualifying round. The first leg at Ibrox finished goalless, but the return leg ended in defeat for Rangers after an 87th-minute header from Linas Pilibaitis.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
The financial consequences of the failures to qualify for the Champions League were revealed when the club posted a loss of £3.9m for the six months to December 2008, and in March decided to offer staff the option of voluntary redundancy as a way of cutting costs. There was also mounting pressure on the manager to reduce the first team squad from 28 players to a more manageable figure.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
The player excess was eased slightly with the departures of Chris Burke, Jean-Claude Darcheville and a couple out on loan deals but the increased debt meant that the club needed to find a cash injection. This resulted in the attempted sale of Kris Boyd to Birmingham City which fell through due to the players wage demands.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
In the first Old Firm game of the season, Rangers won 4–2, with Pedro Mendes scoring his first goal for the club, and Kenny Miller scoring a double against his former employers. But the team's league form stuttered thereafter. Despite a run of five wins from six matches following the Old Firm victory, the side trailed Celtic by seven points in the league at the turn of the year.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
For the first few months of 2009 both sides dropped and gained points on the other and Rangers briefly took over top spot of the Scottish Premier League on 21 February after a win against Kilmarnock. The spell as league leaders lasted less than a fortnight. A defeat and a draw, both at home, to Inverness and Hearts respectively, saw Smith's side sit second in the table, one point behind Celtic, at the split. The fourth Old Firm league meeting of the season finished with a 1–0 win to Rangers, thanks to a Steven Davis strike.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
This meant that, with three league games remaining, Rangers were two points ahead of Celtic. Further twists and turns followed, both Old Firm sides drew their matches against Hibernian at Easter Road, and so Rangers were ahead by two points with one round of matches remaining. Smith's side just needed a win against Dundee United to guarantee the club's 52nd league title. That is exactly what they got, goals from Kyle Lafferty, Pedro Mendes and Kris Boyd sealed a 3–0 win and the club's first league championship in four seasons.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
The club played in the finals of both of the domestic cup competitions for the second season running. The 2009 Scottish League Cup Final was reached by defeating Partick Thistle, Hamilton and Falkirk en route but the final ended in a 2–0 defeat at the hands of Old Firm rivals Celtic. The match was Walter Smith's first ever Old Firm final and was marred by a Kirk Broadfoot sending off deep into extra time for a foul on Aidan McGeady inside the penalty box. Celtic were subsequently awarded a penalty which McGeady himself converted.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
Rangers qualified for the 2009 Scottish Cup Final after beating St Mirren 3–0 in the semi-final. The second goal of the game was scored by Kris Boyd and was his 100th goal for Rangers. The team faced Falkirk at Hampden Park on 30 May 2009 in what was the club's 51st Scottish Cup Final appearance. A Nacho Novo strike in the first minute of the second half gave Rangers a 1–0 win and completed the domestic double.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Players, Squad statistics
List of squad players, including number of appearances by competition


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Matches, Scottish Premier League
Last updated: 24 May 2009Source: Wikipedia article1Rangers goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Rangers.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Matches, UEFA Champions League
Last updated: 5 August 2008Source: Wikipedia article1Rangers goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Rangers.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Matches, Scottish Cup
Last updated: 30 May 2009Source: Wikipedia article1Rangers goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Rangers.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Matches, League Cup
Last updated: 15 March 2009Source: Wikipedia article1Rangers goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Rangers.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.


2008–09 Rangers F.C. season, Matches, Friendlies
Last updated: 24 May 2009Source:1Rangers goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Rangers.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.


2008–09 Ranji Trophy
The season 2008–09 of the Ranji Trophy began on 4 November, and finished on 16 January with the final. 15 teams were divided in two groups. The 3 top teams of each group qualified to the playoffs, plus the two top teams of the plate league (Himachal Pradesh and Bengal). Mumbai won the final by defeating Uttar Pradesh.


2008–09 Ranji Trophy, Playoffs
Four top teams of the plate group league qualified for the play offs.


2008–09 Ranji Trophy, Playoffs, Semi-finals
Mumbai were the first team to qualify for the final after on the basis of a lead over Saurashtra's first-innings total. The latter were dismissed for 379 in their first innings by Mumbai who made 637. Wasim Jaffer top-scored with 301 for them, while Sachin Tendulkar made 122.


2008–09 Ranji Trophy, Playoffs, Semi-finals
Uttar Pradesh advanced to the final, also by virtue of a first-innings lead, over Tamil Nadu. In reply to the latter's first innings total of 445, Uttar Pradesh's Shivakant Shukla, who made an unbeaten 178 in 569 balls and 821 minutes, helped his team go past the score securing a qualification for the final. Parvinder Singh, who scored his maiden first-class century, and Shukla batted for a total of five-and-half-hours, and added 272 runs for the fourth wicket.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season
Reading Football Club played the 2008–09 season in the Football League Championship, having been relegated on the final day of the 2007–08 Premier League season. Despite a strong start to the season, especially at home, Reading were unable to secure promotion at the first attempt; a poor run of form in 2009 saw Reading win just 5 of their last 17 league games, the Royals finishing 4th in the league. Reading were defeated 3–0 on aggregate by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, Pre-season
Reading opened their pre-season with an away game against Didcot Town, winning 9–0, with nine different scorers, including a fan who won the opportunity to play at a charity auction. After further away wins at Forest Green Rovers (2–0), Havant & Waterlooville (1–0) and MK Dons (2–1), Reading went on a three-game friendly tour of Sweden, winning their three games against FC Trollhättan (4–1) in which Leroy Lita scored all four, against Lerkils IF (1–0) and against Halmstads BK (3–1) in which new signing Noel Hunt scored for the first time, ultimately scoring two. Reading's last friendly, and only home friendly, was against Aston Villa, and finished 1–1. It was Reading's only pre-season game that they did not win.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, August
Reading's league campaign began with a 0–0 draw at promoted Nottingham Forest. In a game of few chances, Kevin Doyle came closest for the Royals, glancing a header goalwards from a Stephen Hunt cross, that Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith did well to tip on to the crossbar.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, August
Two days later, the Royals enjoyed their first victory of the season, as a late Noel Hunt goal, on his competitive debut for Reading, secured a 2–1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge in the 1st round of the League Cup. James Henry had opened the scoring for Reading in the first half, with his first goal for the club, tapping home after Shane Long had beaten the Dagenham goalkeeper to a cross.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, August
Reading's first home league match followed on 16 August, a game the Royals deservedly won 2–0, Ibrahima Sonko crashing home two headers, one in each half, both from Stephen Hunt corners.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, August
A week later, the Royals lost a thrilling game 2–4 against Charlton Athletic. Matt Holland and Andy Gray's penalty gave the Addicks a 2–0 lead but Ibrahima Sonko kept up his scoring form with a thumping header before half-time. Stephen Hunt's retaken penalty completed the comeback for Reading, but further goals for Luke Varney and Hameur Bouazza gave Charlton all three points.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, August
The Royals returned to the Madesjki on 26 August with a thumping 5–1 victory over Luton Town in the League Cup 2nd Round. Noel Hunt opened the scoring after nodding in brother Stephen Hunt's cross. Soon later it was the other way around, Noel Hunt sliding in a cross and Stephen Hunt slotted home. Alex Pearce, Jem Karacan and James Henry all got their first goals for the club. A consolation for Luton was scored by Ryan Charles.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, September
The month started at Portman Road, Ipswich. Reading's bad away form continued as The Royals lost 2–0 to the hands of Ipswich Town. The game was followed up by the biggest win of the season, so far, as Reading forced six passed Sheffield Wednesday. The Royals were 2–0 up within 10 minutes, Kevin Doyle scoring them both. André Bikey got the third on the half hour mark. Noel Hunt got the fourth on the fiftieth minute. Doyle scored his third of the game and two minutes later Reading were 6–0 up. It stayed that way until the end of the match.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, September
Watford. Reading came to Watford sitting fourth in the Championship. Reading took the lead on the 13th minute. The goal was scored by no-one! The goal was not claimed for by any Reading player. Watford soon went 2–1 up and an 89th minute spot kick was turned in by S. Hunt.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, September
Reading played a cup side in the League Cup as the Royals headed to Stoke to play the Premier League side Stoke City. Reading battled hard only losing to the Premier League side on spot kicks, 4–3, after a 2–2 draw.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, September
Reading played Swansea City and a 4–0 win set up a game with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Royals went 1–0 up when an own goal by Wolverhampton Wanderers started off a hammering for Wolves. André Bikey made it 2–0 and Kalifa Cissé made a Reading win a game to forget for Wolverhampton Wanderers.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, October
Burnley came to Reading. Reading won the game 3–1. The Hunt Brothers scored two and Shane Long made it 3–0. Burnley scored a goal, but it was too little to late. Away days. Reading lost to the hands of Preston North End 2–1. Mix ups saw a loss come to Reading's hands.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, October
A home game to Doncaster Rovers followed. The Royals only won 2–1. This happened after Reading going 1–0 up, then Doncaster scored. One minute later the Royals scored to win the match.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, October
A draw to Queens Park Rangers in front of the Sky Sports cameras at home, 0–0, and a loss, 1–0, away to Burnley rounded off a bad month for the Royals, home and away.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, November
Reading returned to winning ways at Ashton Gate as the Royals opened November with a 4–1 win away to Bristol City. Kevin Doyle (twice) and Noel Hunt scored from close range, before Kalifa Cissé added Reading's fourth, smashing the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from outside of the penalty area. Reading's excellent home form continued the following weekend, Doyle (2) and Noel Hunt again got on the scoresheet in a 3–0 victory over Derby County.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, November
The Royals secured a third successive victory at Bramall Lane the following weekend, Kalifa Cissé opening the scoring in the 5th minute, before a Kevin Doyle header, just before half-time, completed a 2–0 win at Sheffield United. Reading then lost to Southampton at home 2–1. The Royals' 1st home defeat of the season so-far. Kébé scored his 1st Reading goal. The Royals then headed off to Wales to play Cardiff City. Reading went 1–0 and 2–1 down. At 1–1, Reading were down to 10 men as André Bikey got sent off. Reading's scores were Kevin Doyle and Brynjar Gunnarsson in a 2–2 draw.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, December
Reading were playing Coventry City at home in front of the Sky Sports Cameras. The Royals went 1–0 down, but came back to win 3–1. Reading won 1–0 at Barnsley and at home to Blackpool. A late rally by Reading help them win 2–0 at home to Norwich City. Reading moved into 2nd as Reading won 3–1 at then 2nd place Birmingham City.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, December
Reading then had a home draw, 1–1, to Cardiff City. The Welsh side went 1–0 in the 89th minute, but Reading's keeper Adam Federici scored in the 6th minute of injury time. Reading then drew 1–1 at Southampton.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, January
Reading met Cardiff City for the third time in six weeks in the FA Cup third round, and a largely second-string side were defeated 2–0 at Ninian Park, to end the Royals' eight-match unbeaten run. The Royals returned to the Madejski Stadium for the first league match of the calendar year, completing a 4–0 victory over Watford. Chris Armstrong opened the scoring with his first ever goal for Reading, before Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt and Leroy Lita, back from Norwich, added to the tally.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, January
A 2–0 defeat at Welsh side Swansea City followed, to end a run of 9 league matches unbeaten for Reading, before league leaders Wolves were beaten 1–0 at the Madejski Stadium, the game decided by a second-minute own-goal scored by Wolves' Neill Collins. The result closed the gap between Wolves and Reading, in 2nd place, to two points. January ended with a goalless draw at Loftus Road, as Reading and Q.P.R. drew 0–0 for the second time this season.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, February
On the 6th of the month it was revealed that Bobby Convey had left the club by mutual consent. A second consecutive 0–0 draw followed, as the Royals were held at home by Preston. On 13 February it was revealed that Ivar Ingimarsson would be out injured for the rest of the season, scheduled for surgery on a knee cartilage problem. Reading's goal drought continued two weeks later, at home to Bristol City, as the Royals lost 2–0, a second home defeat of the season. Nottingham Forest visited the Madejski Stadium on 28 February, as the Royals slumped to a second straight home defeat, and a sixth consecutive game without scoring.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, March
Reading secured a first win in five games under floodlights at Hillsborough, defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2–1, Kevin Doyle heading home from a corner, and Shane Long scoring the winner with nine minutes left.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, March
The Royals headed to Home Park, Plymouth to play Plymouth Argyle. Reading went 1–0 down, but Alex Pearce scored two minutes later. Argyle went 2–1 up and in the 80th minute, Jimmy Kebe scored, through the keepers legs.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, March
Reading played Charlton Athletic, at home, next. Reading drew 2–2 with two goals from young Irish striker Shane Long. However the Royals were denied victory by a last gasp equaliser. Reading next lost to Ipswich Town 1–0. The Royals went 1–0 down just 1 minute after the break. That meant the Royals went into a three match winless run with renewed purpose.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, March
However, that was forgotten in midweek as they won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers, thanks to a late Dave Kitson winner eight minutes from time. Kitson had returned to the club on loan, as did Glen Little.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, March
The Royals ended the month with successive goalless draws, against Crystal Palace, eventually dropping into 4th place after Sheffield United's win over Barnsley.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, April
The first game of April was away to Coventry City which ended in bore draw of 0–0. Both teams creating very little in another disappointing performance from the Royals.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, April
On 10 April 2009, Sheffield United travelled to the Madjeski for an evening game in a real six-pointer with both teams needing the win to help secure that valuable play-off place. It ended in Reading losing 1–0 with Brian Howard scoring a scrappy  goal on the hour mark.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, April
On 13 April 2009, the Royals travelled to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool and after taking a 2–0 lead, eventually drew 2–2. Jem Karacan scored his first goal of the season and league goal for the Royals.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, April
A goalless draw with Barnsley at home meant Reading had now gone 7 home games without a win. However, the Royals showed a return to form on the following Tuesday night with a 2–0 win at Derby County, Dave Kitson and Shane Long the goalscorers.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, April
With results having gone their way at the weekend, Reading went into their Monday night game with Norwich City knowing that only a win would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. Shane Long inspired Reading to a 2–0 win with both goals, both of them headers from Jimmy Kebe crosses. Reading, 4th, needed to win going into a clash with Birmingham City, 2nd. Reading lost 2–1 and Birmingham went up. Reading need to win to go up to the Premier League at the first attempt, and Sheffield United didn't win against Crystal Palace. United drew 0–0. If the Royals had won they would have gone up on Goal-Difference.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Review and events, May
André Bikey was sent off as Reading lost the first leg of their play-off  semi-final at Burnley by a single goal. Bikey was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake, minutes after pulling back Burnley striker Steve Thompson to gift the Clarets the winning penalty, scored by Graham Alexander. Burnley advanced to the final at Wembley three days later as Reading lost the second leg 2–0, goals from Martin Paterson, and Thompson, sealing Burnley's win. Hours after Burnley winning the game Steve Coppell resigned as Manager of the club.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Squad, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Squad, Reserve/Academy squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Reading F.C. season, Team kit
Reading's kit for the 2008–09 season is manufactured by Puma, and the main sponsor is Waitrose.


2008–09 Real Madrid CF season
The 2008–09 season was Real Madrid Club de Fútbol's 78th season in La Liga. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club played in the 2008–09 season.


2008–09 Real Madrid CF season, Players, Squad information
ESPN (for appearances and goals) and soccer-spain.com (for EU passport)


2008–09 Real Madrid CF season, Club, Coaching staff
Source: , El club más laureado del mundo and realmadridfans


2008–09 Real Madrid CF season, Club, Other information
Source: , El club más laureado del mundo,Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and Real Madrid closes the best year in its history


2008–09 Real Madrid CF season, Competitions
As in the last eleven seasons, Real Madrid were present in all major competitions, including La Liga and the Copa del Rey in Spain and the UEFA Champions League in Europe. They also contested the Supercopa de España as winners of the league last season.


2008–09 Real Madrid CF season, Statistics, Disciplinary record
Last updated: 2009-06-01Source: Competitive matches and LFP.comOnly competitive matches = Number of bookings;  = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card;  = Number of sending offs by a direct red card..


2008–09 Reggina Calcio season
Reggina Calcio finally dropped out of Serie A, following seven years of balancing around the drop zone. Following its previous six years, the club had stayed in Serie A by less than three points on all occasions. In 2008–09, Reggina dropped off the pace mid-season and was nowhere near survival.


2008–09 Regional Four Day Competition
The 2008–09 Regional Four Day Competition was the 43rd domestic first-class cricket tournament held in the West Indies, it took place from 9 January 2009 – 14 April 2009. Each team played the other twice, one played at home and the other away. Jamaica won the tournament after finishing top of the table with seven wins from their twelve matches. It was their 2nd tournament win in succession and their 9th overall.


2008–09 Regional Four Day Competition
Narsingh Deonarine of Guyana finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer, he made 1,068 runs at an average of 59.33, including two centuries and a highest score of 198. The leading wicket-taker in the competition was Ryan Austin of the Combined Campuses and Colleges, he took 60 wickets at an average of 24.06 with best innings figures of 6/123.


2008–09 Regionalliga
The 2008–09 Regionalliga season was the first season of the Regionalliga at tier four of the German football league system and the 15th overall since re-establishment of the league in 1994. It was contested in three regional divisions of eighteen teams in each. The champions, Holstein Kiel, Borussia Dortmund II and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 were promoted to the 3. Liga.


2008–09 Richmond Spiders men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Richmond Spiders men's basketball team represented the University of Richmond in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball during the 2008–09 season. Richmond competed as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) under fourth-year head basketball coach Chris Mooney and played its home games at the Robins Center.


2008–09 Robert Morris Colonials men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Robert Morris Colonials men's basketball team represented Robert Morris University in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I basketball season. Robert Morris was coached by Mike Rice Jr. and played their home games at the Charles L. Sewall Center in Moon Township, PA. The Colonials were a members of the Northeast Conference. They finished the season 24–11, 15–3 in NEC play. They won the 2009 Northeast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament to earn the conference's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. They received the No. 15 seed in the Midwest Region and played No. 2 seed Michigan State in the first round, losing by a score of 77–62.


2008–09 Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey season
These are the highlights of the 2008-2009 Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey season.


2008–09 Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey season, Players
During the 2008-09 season, Delaney skated in all 35 games for the Colonials. She broke the RMU single-season record for points (32) and goals (18). In addition, she tied for first on the team with 14 assists. She was 13th in the NCAA in rookie scoring. She also led the Colonials in shots (113), power play goals (6), and short-handed goals (2). She had eight multi-point games and scored at least one point in 19 games. In the postseason, Delaney scored one goal and one assist in the CHA semifinal versus Wayne State.


2008–09 Rochdale A.F.C. season
The 2008–09 Rochdale A.F.C. season was the club's 88th season in the Football League, and the 35th consecutive season in the bottom division of the League. Rochdale finished the season in 6th place in League Two, but missed out on promotion to League One after losing in the play-off semi-final against Gillingham. Adam Le Fondre finished as the club's top goal scorer with twenty goals in all competitions.


2008–09 Rochdale A.F.C. season, Players, Squad information
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.