2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
On the field the players resumed training at their Sir Jack Hayward training ground on 29 June 2009, before flying out to Perth, Australia on 4 July for a two-week stay where they stepped up their training and played their first two games of pre-season. Preparations were completed with the only home friendly, a game against La Liga side Real Valladolid.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The season proper began with a 0–2 loss to West Ham United in the club's first Premier League fixture in five years. Wolves immediately bounced back by winning on the road at Wigan despite a long injury list, giving the club their first ever away win in the modern Premier League.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
A further victory against Fulham put them 12th after six games, but this was their last victory for almost two months - a run which included a home loss to winless Portsmouth. Despite credible draws against the likes of Everton and Aston Villa, the team fell into the relegation zone with a defence unable to keep clean sheets. Heavy defeats followed against "Big 4" sides Arsenal and Chelsea, before a lacklustre home loss to local rivals Birmingham City put manager McCarthy under increasing pressure.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
December saw a change of fortune with three wins in four games, including a surprise away success at Tottenham, to help propel the club out of the mire. The month also brought controversy though after manager Mick McCarthy opted to field an entirely new outfield line-up to the one that defeated Spurs when they visited Manchester United three days later. The uproar caused by the decision led to the Premier League requesting an official explanation from the club, resulting in a £25,000 suspended fine. 2009 closed with two successive defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City, but enough points to remain above the relegation zone.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The January transfer window saw the club make a club record bid to sign winger Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough, and a long-winded attempt to lure Stephen Hunt from relegation rivals Hull City. Both bids failed, as did late attempts for young defender Nathaniel Clyne and even a loan offer to former starlet Robbie Keane. With no permanent transfers agreed, the club instead brought in two loan signings, both from Belgian club Charleroi – Adlène Guedioura and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The start to 2010 proved equally frustrating on the field with only two points taken from four games, as well as a convincing FA Cup exit at the hands of financially troubled Championship side Crystal Palace. The rot was stopped with a home win over Tottenham, which meant Wolves had completed their first top flight double since the 1980–81 season. Wolves added a second double over Burnley, before a draw at Aston Villa and then a 3–1 victory at fellow strugglers West Ham finished a series of three away game which yielded seven points from a possible nine, giving their chances of avoiding relegation a strong boost.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The team drew four of their five following games, their only defeat coming in the 95th minute away at title challengers Arsenal. This run of points helped assure their Premier League survival. Survival was mathematically confirmed on 25 April 2010 when Burnley failed to beat Liverpool, thus filling the final relegation spot.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The season was concluded with a 1–3 loss at already-relegated Portsmouth before a final day victory over Sunderland took their points tally to 38, yielding a 15th-place finish. This marked their highest position in the English football system since 1979–80. It also meant the club had survived at the top level for the first time in 29 years. Although they finished the division's lowest goalscorers (with 32), a strong defensive resolve meant they had conceded the least of the bottom 8 (56), creating the formula for their survival.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Pre season
Wolves took part in their first foreign pre-season tour in five years as they traveled to Perth, Australia to train and play their opening two friendlies against A-League opposition in their first visit to the country since 1972. As had become common in recent years, only their final game was held at their Molineux home. A second "Wolves XI" team largely comprising academy prospects and out of favour senior players also played a series of matches during this period.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Pre season
"Wolves XI" pre season results (all away): 0–0 vs Kidderminster Harriers (18 July),  vs Port Vale (22 July),  vs Hereford United (25 July),  vs Crewe Alexandra (29 July),  vs Wrexham (5 August)


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Premier League
A total of 20 teams competed in the Premier League in the 2009–10 season. Each team would play every other team twice, once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Three points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. The provisional fixture list was released on 17 June 2009, but was subject to change in the event of matches being selected for television coverage.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Players, Statistics
Key:  ‡ On loan from another club   * First appearance(s) for the club


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Players, Statistics
Correct as of the season's end. Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances in parentheses where applicable.


2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Kit
The season saw a new home and away kit, both manufactured by Le Coq Sportif. The away kit was notable in featuring red trims, a reference to their original red and white stripes when the club was first formed. Both shirts featured the club's new sponsor, the internet gambling company Sportingbet.com.


2009–10 Women's A Basketball League of Serbia
The 2009–10 Women's A Basketball League of Serbia is the 4th season of the First Women's Basketball League of Serbia, the highest professional basketball league in Serbia. It is also 66th national championship played by Serbian clubs inclusive of nation's previous incarnations as Yugoslavia and Serbia & Montenegro.


2009–10 Women's A Basketball League of Serbia
The first part of the season consists of 12 teams and 132-game regular season began on 8 October 2009 and will end on 21 March 2010. The second part of the season is the Play Off.


2009–10 Women's A Basketball League of Serbia, Regular season
The League part of the season was played with 12 teams and play a dual circuit system, each with each one game at home and away. The four best teams at the end of the regular season were placed in the Play Off. The regular season began on 8 October 2009 and it will end on 21 March 2010.


2009–10 Women's A Basketball League of Serbia, Play Off
Play Off is played according to the cup system. Champion is received after the final was played. In all parts of Play Off was played on 2 wins. Play Off is played from 5 to 24 April 2010.


2009–10 Women's CEV Cup
The Women's CEV Cup 2009–10 is the 38th edition of the European CEV Cup volleyball club tournament, the former Top Teams Cup.


2009–10 Women's CEV Cup, Teams of the 2009–2010
The number of participants on the basis of ranking list for European Cup Competitions


2009–10 Women's CEV Cup, Play-off, 1/16 Finals
The 16 winning teams from the 1/16 Finals will compete in the 1/8 Finals playing Home & Awaymatches. The losers of the 1/16 Final matches will qualify for the 3rd round in Challenge Cup.


2009–10 Women's EHF Cup
The 2009–10 Women's EHF Cup was the 29th edition of the competition. It was won by Randers HK, beating Spanish runner-up CBF Elda in the final. This was the sixth trophy won by a Danish club, now leading the rankings, and the second international title for Randers, which had previously won the 2000 EHF Challenge Cup.


2009–10 Women's National Cricket League season
The 2009–10 Women's National Cricket League season was the 14th season of the Women's National Cricket League, the women's domestic limited overs cricket competition in Australia. The tournament started on 31 October 2009 and finished on 30 January 2010.


2009–10 Women's National Cricket League season
The New South Wales Breakers won the tournament after finishing second on the ladder at the conclusion of the group stage.


2009–10 World Series of Poker Circuit
The 2009–10 World Series of Poker Circuit is the 6th annual World Series of Poker Circuit.


2009–10 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season
The 2009–10 Football League One was Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 's sixteenth season of League football. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club has played during the season.


2009–10 Wyoming Cowboys basketball team
The 2009–10 Wyoming Cowboys basketball team represented the University of Wyoming during the 2009–2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cowboys were coached by Heath Schroyer who was in his 3rd season and played their home games at the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wyoming. The Cowboys are a member of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 10–21, 3–13 in Mountain West play and lost in the first round of the 2010 Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Tournament to Air Force.


2009–10 Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team
The 2009–10 Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team will represent the University of Wyoming in the 2009–2010 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Cowgirls, coached by Joe Legerski, play their home games at the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wyoming. The Cowgirls are a member of the Mountain West Conference and will attempt to win their first NCAA championship.


2009–10 Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team, Regular season
The Cowgirls will compete in the BlueCross BlueShield of Wyoming Shootout on December 12.


2009–10 Xavier Musketeers men's basketball team
The 2009–10 Xavier Musketeers men's basketball team represented Xavier University in the 2009–10 college basketball season. This was head coach Chris Mack's first season at Xavier. The Musketeers competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference and played their home games at the Cintas Center. Xavier finished the season with a record of 26–9; 14–2 in A-10 play to capture a share of the regular season championship with Temple. The Musketeers lost in the semifinals of the 2010 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament to Richmond. Xavier received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, as a #6 seed. They defeated Minnesota and Pittsburgh to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. In the Sweet Sixteen, they fell to Kansas State in double overtime.


2009–10 Xavier Musketeers men's basketball team, Previous season
The Musketeers finished the 2008–09 season with a record of 26–9, 14–2 win the A-10 regular season championship. The Musketeers lost to Saint Joseph's in the A-10 Tournament. Xavier received a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Pittsburgh.


2009–10 Xerez CD season
The 2009–10 Spanish football season is Xerez's first season ever in Liga BBVA.


2009–10 Xerez CD season, Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2009–10 Yale Bulldogs women's ice hockey season
The Yale Bulldogs women's hockey team will represent Yale University in the 2009–10 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey season. The Bulldogs are coached by Hilary Witt. Witt is assisted by Kim Mathias and Paul Nemetz-Carlson. The strength and conditioning coach is Joe Maher.


2009–10 Yemeni League
The 2009–10 Yemeni League is the 18th edition of top-level football in Yemen.


2009–10 Yemeni League
Al-Hilal Al-Sahili are defending champions for the past two seasons.


2009–10 Yemeni League
The season started in November and will last until June 2010. The league winners will qualify for the AFC Cup. The bottom four teams will be relegated


2009–10 Yeovil Town F.C. season
The 2009–10 Yeovil Town F.C. season was Yeovil Town's 7th season in the Football League and their sixth consecutive season in League One, finishing in 15th position with 53 points.


2009–10 York City F.C. season
The 2009–10 season was the 88th season of competitive association football and sixth season in the Football Conference played by York City Football Club, a professional football club based in York, North Yorkshire, England. Their 17th-place finish in 2008–09 meant it was their sixth successive season in the Conference Premier. The season covers the period from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010.


2009–10 York City F.C. season
Martin Foyle made 11 signings before the summer transfer window closed, ahead of his first full season as manager. York set a new saw a new record for consecutive league wins, with eight from 14 November 2009 to 23 January 2010. They finished fifth in the table, and after beating Luton Town 2–0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, they lost 3–1 to Oxford United in the final at Wembley Stadium. York were eliminated from the 2009–10 FA Trophy in the fourth round by Barrow, and from the 2009–10 FA Cup in the third round by Stoke City.


2009–10 York City F.C. season
25 players made at least one appearance in nationally organised first-team competition, and there were 17 different goalscorers. Defender James Meredith missed only one of the 57 competitive matches played over the season. Richard Brodie finished as leading goalscorer with 34 goals, of which 26 came in league competition, four came in the FA Cup, three came in the FA Trophy and one came in the play-offs. The winner of the Clubman of the Year award, voted for by the club's supporters, was Michael Ingham.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Background and pre-season
Colin Walker was dismissed as manager of York City early into the 2008–09 season, and his successor was former Port Vale manager Martin Foyle. The team finished the season in 17th-place in the Conference Premier table, and were defeated 2–0 by Stevenage Borough in the 2009 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. Mark Greaves, Steven Hogg, Daniel McBreen, Shaun Pejic, Josh Radcliffe, Mark Robinson, Simon Rusk, Liam Shepherd and Christian Smith and Ben Wilkinson were released by York after the season ended. Adam Boyes, Craig Farrell, Darren Kelly and Onome Sodje left for Scunthorpe United, Rushden & Diamonds, Portadown and Barnsley respectively.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Background and pre-season
Richard Brodie, Andy McWilliams, Josh Mimms and Ben Purkiss signed new contracts with York. 11 players joined before the season kicked off; defenders James Meredith from Shrewsbury Town, Alan O'Hare from Mansfield Town and Djoumin Sangaré from Salisbury City, midfielders Neil Barrett from Ebbsfleet United, Andy Ferrell from Kidderminster Harriers, Alex Lawless from Forest Green Rovers, Levi Mackin from Wrexham, winger Craig Nelthorpe from Oxford United, and strikers Michael Gash from Ebbsfleet, Richard Pacquette from Maidenhead United and Michael Rankine from Rushden. Striker Michael Emmerson was promoted from the youth team after he signed a professional contract with the club. Daniel Parslow was named as captain for the season, having taken over the role during 2008–09.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Background and pre-season
York retained the previous season's home kit, which comprised red and navy blue halved shirts with red collars, navy blue shorts and navy blue socks with two white strips on the cuffs. A new away kit was introduced, and it included light blue shirts with white horizontal stripes, light blue shorts and light blue socks. There was a change in shirt sponsor, with the name of Pryers Solicitors becoming present on the team kits.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, August
York's season started with a 2–1 away defeat by Oxford, in which Brodie gave York the lead before Oxford scored two late goals. This was followed by a 0–0 home draw with Rushden, in which Rankine had a goal ruled out, as the referee had awarded a foul against Rushden. York's first win of the season came with a 2–0 home victory over Forest Green, and the goals were scored by Rankine and Adam Smith. Emmerson joined Northern League Division One club Billingham Town on a one-month loan.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, August
A second defeat of the season came after Gareth Taylor scored for Wrexham in a 1–0 away defeat. Pacquette scored the equalising goal for York in a 1–1 away draw with Hayes & Yeading United after being introduced as a substitute. The team's first away victory came with a 2–1 win against Gateshead, with goals from Brodie and Gash. Goals from Brodie (2) and Smith ensured a second successive victory of the season, after beating Histon 3–1.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, September
Goals in the opening 10 minutes from Brodie and Gash gave York a 2–0 home win over Crawley Town. A 0–0 draw away to Barrow followed, who had been beaten 6–1 by Rushden & Diamonds in their previous match. Two goals from Brodie, both of which were assisted by Sangaré, gave York 2–0 victory at home to Kettering Town. Simon Russell was loaned out to divisional rivals Tamworth, having failed to play any matches for York up to that point in 2009–10.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, September
Gash scored a header on 89 minutes to secure a 2–2 home draw with Cambridge United, after having given York the lead in the first half, before Cambridge scored two goals through Jai Reason and Mark Beesley. Goals from Brodie (2) and Gash gave York a 3–2 victory over Kidderminster. Chris Carruthers was signed from Oxford on a one-month loan to provide competition with Ferrell and Meredith on the left-hand side, while O'Hare was loaned out to Conference North club Gainsborough Trinity.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, October
Sangaré scored a goal in stoppage time to earn York a 1–1 home draw against Stevenage, who had taken the lead through a Parslow own goal. York beat Tamworth 3–2 away, which was the opposition's first home defeat in 2009–10, with goals from Ferrell, Brodie and Sangaré. The team's 10-match unbeaten run came to an end following a 1–0 away defeat by Salisbury, who scored with a penalty in the second-minute.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, October
Boyes rejoined the club on loan from Scunthorpe as cover for the injured Gash ahead of a 1–1 home draw with Oxford, who equalised after York had taken the lead through Rankine. Barrett gave them the lead away to Luton Town, before the home team equalised through Asa Hall, the match finishing a 1–1 draw. York played Bedworth United in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, and a 2–0 home win was secured with goals from Rankine and Brodie. They were beaten 3–1 away by Crawley, after Brodie had given York the lead in the first half.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, November
Carruthers' loan was extended until January 2010, and after Sangaré picked up an injury, Mansfield defender Luke Graham joined on a one-month loan. York beat League Two team Crewe Alexandra 3–2 in the FA Cup first round, with goals from Brodie and Pacquette. Nelthorpe was loaned to fellow Conference Premier club Barrow until January 2010, having struggled to establish himself in the team. Kevin Gall, a striker released by Darlington, was signed ahead of the match against Chester City, which York won 3–2 after Brodie scored a hat-trick.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, November
Former Grays Athletic winger Tyrone Berry was signed on non-contract terms, having impressed on trial. Rankine scored the only goal in a 1–0 home win over Ebbsfleet. He followed this up with the winning goal after scoring a header in a 1–0 away victory over AFC Wimbledon. Lawless scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory at home to Gateshead, with a low shot from Gash's headed assist.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, November
Cambridge were beaten 2–1 away in the second round of the FA Cup; Rankine and Brodie scored in the first half, which meant York reached the third round for the first time since 2001–02. Foyle and Brodie respectively were named as the Conference Premier Manager and Player of the Month for November 2009.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, December
Brodie scored the only goal in a 1–0 away victory over Rushden. Mansfield agreed to extend Graham's loan until January 2010, when he would sign for the club permanently. Goals from Carruthers and Brodie gave York a 2–1 home win over Wrexham, a result that equalled the club record for successive victories in all competitions with eight. Youth-team defender Dean Lisles was promoted to the first-team squad, to provide cover for the injured Sangaré, O'Hare and Purkiss.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, December
York drew 0–0 away to Hinckley United in the first round of the FA Trophy, and the replay at home was won 3–1, in which Brodie scored his second hat-trick of 2009–10. York beat fellow play-off contenders Mansfield 3–0 on Boxing Day, Brodie (2) and Gash scoring. Berry was released after failing to make an appearance, while Emmerson was loaned out to Ossett Town of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, January
York were defeated 3–1 away by Premier League team Stoke City in the FA Cup third round, after they had taken the lead when Barrett scored a header from a Lawless free kick. Carruthers and Graham signed for the club permanently, with the former signing for 18 months and the latter until the end of the season. York beat Hayes & Yeading 4–1 at home, with Carruthers, Brodie (2) and Gall scoring. A 0–0 away draw with Newport County of the Conference South meant York would have a replay in the FA Trophy second round.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, January
Midfielder Courtney Pitt joined on loan from Cambridge for the rest of the season and Russell moved the other way, while Nelthorpe was loaned out to Luton and Gall extended his contract to the end of the season. Barrett scored the only goal with a shot from outside the penalty area to give York a 1–0 win away to Cambridge. York won their FA Trophy second round replay against Newport 1–0 at home, Pacquette scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. O'Hare returned to Gainsborough on loan for the rest of the season. York beat Conference North team Corby Town 1–0 at home in the FA Trophy third round, the winning goal coming from a penalty scored by Ferrell.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, February
Emmerson was released by the club after failing to make any first-team appearances, while Ferrell joined Gateshead for a £3,500 fee and Jamie Clarke signed having been released by Grimsby Town. Purkiss gave York the lead away to Histon before Bradley Hudson-Odoi scored to equalise as the match finished a 1–1 draw, which ended a club record run of league victories at nine. A 1–0 away win over Kettering came after Rankine scored the only goal with a volley from inside the penalty area. Goalkeeper Simon Miotto joined the club as goalkeeping coach, and later registered as a player.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, February
York suffered their first league defeat since October 2009 after being beaten 1–0 away to Ebbsfleet; Brodie was sent off in this match, for which he received a three-match suspension. This was followed by a 0–0 draw at home to fellow play-off contenders Luton. York suffered their first home defeat in 10 months after being beaten 1–0 by Eastbourne Borough.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, March
A 2–1 away defeat to Barrow saw the team knocked out of the FA Trophy in the quarter-final, Pacquette scoring for York. York suffered a second straight league defeat after being beaten 2–1 away by Forest Green Rovers, in which Mackin scored after his shot hit the back of an opposition player. Chester's expulsion from the Football Conference resulted in York having the three points gained against them from a 3–2 victory expunged, meaning the team moved down to sixth in the table. York were defeated 2–1 at home by Salisbury, after Sangaré had put the team in the lead.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, March
Chesterfield midfielder Paul Harsley joined on loan until the end of the season, and made his debut in a 0–0 draw away to Altrincham, a result that ended a run of three consecutive defeats. York's first victory in six league matches was a 1–0 away win over Mansfield, Pitt scoring his first goal for the club. McWilliams was loaned out to Northern Premier League Premier Division club Whitby Town for one month. A second successive victory came after Barrett scored the only goal in a 1–0 away victory over Kidderminster. Graham opened the scoring in a 1–1 home draw with Tamworth, who equalised through former York player Chris Smith. A 4–0 victory away to Grays saw Brodie score for the first time since January 2010 with two goals; Harsley and Barrett also scored.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
York beat Altrincham 2–1 at home after going behind to a Chris Denham goal, before McGurk scored the equaliser and Brodie scored the winning goal with a stoppage time penalty. This was followed by a 5–0 home win over AFC Wimbledon, Rankine scoring goals in each half and Brodie scoring a first half hat-trick. A seven-match unbeaten run came to an end when York were beaten 3–1 away by Eastbourne, conceding three goals in the first 32 minutes before Rankine scored a penalty to finish the scoring.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
York's place in the play-offs was secured after a 3–0 home win over Barrow, with goals from Brodie (2) and Gash. Before the home match against Grays, Ingham was presented as the 2009–10 Clubman of the Year, voted for by the club's supporters. The match finished a 1–1 draw, Brodie giving York the lead before Duran Reynolds equalised for Grays on 89 minutes.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
The team completed their league programme with a 1–0 defeat away to champions Stevenage. York finished in fifth place in the Conference Premier table, which meant they would play Luton in the play-off semi-final. Brodie scored on 90 minutes to give York a 1–0 home win first leg. York won the second leg 1–0 away with a Carruthers goal, meaning the tie ended 2–0 on aggregate. Following the match, the squad were forced to leave Kenilworth Road through the back of a stand after having missiles thrown at them by a section of Luton fans. The team lost the play-off final 3–1 to Oxford at Wembley, in which York scored from an own goal conceded by goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
York spent most of the season in a play-off place, and rose as high as second in February 2010, while they were as low as 17th in August 2009. Their defensive record of 35 goals conceded was the third-best in the division, while their record of two home league defeats was the joint second-best. Meredith made the highest number of appearances during the season, appearing in 56 of York's 57 matches. Brodie was York's top scorer in the league and in all competitions, with 26 league goals and 34 in total. Rankine was the only other player to reach double figures, with 10 goals.


2009–10 York City F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
York released Clarke, Gall, Mimms, Nelthorpe, O'Hare and Pacquette at the end of the season, while Graham, Purkiss, Russell and Smith left for Kettering, Oxford, Cambridge and Mansfield respectively. Mackin and Sangaré signed new contracts. York's summer signings were goalkeeper David Knight on a season-long loan from Histon, defenders Duane Courtney from Kidderminster and Greg Young from Altrincham, midfielder Jonathan Smith from Forest Green, wingers David McDermott from Kidderminster and Peter Till from and Walsall, and striker George Purcell from Braintree Town. York handed professional contracts to two youth-team players, winger Jamie Hopcutt and Lisles.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
Having returned to Division 3 and celebrating 125 years of competitive rugby, the ‘Fera finished in 6th place, the highest level to date in the National League. The season began early with six wins and three defeats into October. This was similar to the promotion season a year before, the defeats being two friendlies versus Glamorgan County and Welsh Cup holders (shortly to be League Champions) Neath. Glynneath home was the other. In this run was a comprehensive first ever win at Seven Sisters at the 25th time of asking.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
This performance was one of the best of the season, when the ‘Fera outplayed respected opponents in every facet of the game, not allowing any opportunity for the home team to make any impact, and dominating proceedings throughout. The Swansea Valley Cup began with a Preliminary Round win over Glais 29–7. The remaining October games were against who would prove to be the final top three sides Tondu, Skewen and Kenfig Hill. Having played 12 games in 8 weeks did leave a mark against these well organised sides, Ystalyfera settling in 5th position out of 12 in the Division.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
In November, being the highest placed Swansea Valley side, success in the Cup competition was anticipated, however on a wet night at Vardre plans went astray and despite a late fight back the semi-final game was lost 14–20. December started with a hard earned 12–9 victory away at Bryncoch. A 2nd Round Welsh Plate defeat against in form Skewen, was followed by a commendable boxing day ‘revenge’ 6–5 victory at Glynneath. Four home games in January and February saw capable wins versus Briton Ferry, Seven Sisters and Cwmavon, losing to the well structured Tondu side.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
Throughout the remainder of the season, only two more wins would be achieved, both at home. Defeats away at Brynamman and at Nantyffyllon were close run affairs, the ‘Fera team more than earning the right to claim victory in both games. In summary consolidation at the higher level augur's well for the club, onwards and upwards being the order of the day.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
Both Dane Clancy and Damian James scored over 100 points, the referee in the final game at Nantyffyllon denying Damian the higher total and a win for the club. Compensation for Damian can be the most tries scored (11). The young pack more than held its own against some big and well experienced opponents, the backs giving their best against well drilled and organised sides.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
Captain was the ever reliable Paul Davies for the third time, he and other mainstream players like Mathew Scott, Steffan Jones, Gareth James and Phillip Thomas (to mention a few), were troubled by injury and it was heartening that the squad was big and strong enough to deal with these setbacks and finish in the top half of the table. Whilst the commitment and efforts of the younger members of the side can be recognised and deems well for the future, older stalwarts do provide much needed and welcomed help and support for colleagues, coaches and Team Manager alike. No less than six ex-captains played this season.


2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season
Players Player of the year was Jonathan Williams and the Supporters favourite was Jesse Patton.


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Team kit
The team kits for the 2009–10 season are produced by Adidas and was revealed since the 2008–09 season


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Current squad, Players Under 21
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Current squad, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Transfers, Overall
This section displays the club's financial expenditure's in the transfer market. Because all transfer fee's are not disclosed to the public, the numbers displayed in this section are only based on figures released by media outlets.


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Statistics, Disciplinary record
Includes all competitive matches. Players with 1 card or more included only.


2009–10 Zamalek SC season, Statistics, Disciplinary record
* = 1 suspension withdrawn ** = 2 suspensions withdrawn*** = 3 suspensions withdrawn


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season
The 2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season consists of international matches played by the Zimbabwe national cricket team as well as Zimbabwean domestic cricket matches under the auspices of Zimbabwe Cricket.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season
Having been suspended from Test cricket since 2005, Zimbabwe entered the 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup, a first-class cricket competition competed for by the leading non-Test nations. They drew their first match of the competition against Afghanistan, before beating Kenya in their second. In One Day International cricket, Zimbabwe competed in four series, beating Kenya at home, but losing all three series away from home, against Bangladesh, South Africa and the West Indies.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season
Domestically, a new five-team franchise system was introduced upon the recommendation of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Logan Cup was won by the Mashonaland Eagles, while both one-day competitions were won by the Mountaineers.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup
Due to their suspension from Test cricket, in place since 2005, Zimbabwe approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a proposal to enter a team into the 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup. The competition brings together the leading non-Test cricketing nations, playing each other in four-day first-class fixtures. The two leading teams then contest a final to determine the competition winner. A number of difficulties were admitted by both Zimbabwe Cricket and the ICC.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup
Prominent among these was the fact that a number of the countries already scheduled to take part in the competition "still have serious political reservations over travelling to, and hosting, Zimbabwe." Other issues included whether the competition format would need to be altered to accommodate Zimbabwe, and that it meant in essence that Zimbabwe were admitting they were at a lower level than their Full Member status of the ICC indicated.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup
The idea was given support from the governing bodies of cricket in Ireland, Scotland and Canada, with the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, Roddy Smith, summing up the mood, "it will give the Associates a chance to play a Full Member whilst giving Zimbabwe competitive cricket." A re-formatting of the Intercontinental Cup took place, and Zimbabwe joined the top division of the competition, into which they elected to enter an 'A' team, Ozias Bvute, Zimbabwe Cricket's chief executive explaining that "it was a chance to give up-and-coming and fringe players exposure to four-day cricket which they would otherwise not get."


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, One Day Internationals, Hosting Kenya
After the conclusion of the Intercontinental Cup tie between Zimbabwe XI and Kenya, the touring Kenyans remained in Zimbabwe to contest five One Day Internationals (ODIs) against the host nation. The series came on the back of comments from within Zimbabwean cricket that the country could make a return to Test cricket in the following years, former national captain Alistair Campbell specifying "two or three years" when speaking to BBC World Service earlier in 2009. In their preview of the series, Cricinfo was less positive, describing the series as "a battle between two sides firmly entrenched in the lower levels of one-day international cricket."


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, One Day Internationals, Hosting Kenya
Zimbabwe won the five match series 4–1, winning heavily in three of their four victories. The hosts batted first in the opening match, reaching 313 largely due to a career-best score of 156 from Hamilton Masakadza. In reply, Kenya did not form any significant partnerships due to the Zimbabweans bowlers taking regular wickets. Steve Tikolo performed best for the tourists, reaching 49, but they were all out for 222, 91 runs short of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe batted first again in the second ODI, reaching 263 off their 50 overs, due to an unbeaten 71 from Stuart Matsikenyeri, and 66 from Masakadza. Kenya started well in their reply, with David Obuya scoring rapidly, but he dismissed for 49 by Graeme Cremer, who took his best figures in an ODI, finishing with six wickets. Kenya lost all ten wickets for 177, granting Zimbabwe an 86 run victory.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, One Day Internationals, Hosting Kenya
Kenya won the third match, avoiding a series whitewash with a 20 run victory. Batting first for the first time in the series, they reached 266, with David Obuya and Alex Obanda both passing 50. Ray Price bowled economically for the hosts, conceding 22 runs in his nine overs, but Zimbabwe's reply was shaken early on when Mark Vermeulen and Charles Coventry were both dismissed cheaply. A middle-order partnership between Brendan Taylor and Matsikenyeri looked likely to give Zimbabwe victory, but the pair were out within two overs of each other, Taylor reaching 92.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, One Day Internationals, Hosting Kenya
Kenya batted first again in the fourth ODI, and surpassed their total from the previous match, setting Zimbabwe 271 to win. In contrast to the previous match, Zimbabwe "chased down [the] challenging target with ease." Forster Mutizwa top-scored during the reply, making 79, while Vermeulen and Taylor also scored half-centuries. Zimbabwe reached the total with six wickets remaining, securing the series with a match to go. The final match, a dead rubber, gave Zimbabwe their largest win of the series. Batting first, they scored 329, during which Masakadza passed his career-best score from the first ODI to record what was at the time the 11th highest score in ODIs, 178 not out. In reply, Kenya failed to recover after losing early wickets, and were all out for 187.


2009–10 Zimbabwean cricket season, International cricket, One Day Internationals, Touring
The series against Kenya was the only series that Zimbabwe hosted in the 2009–10, the remaining international contests were all tours by Zimbabwe. They played a five match ODI series against Bangladesh, losing the series 4–1, lost both of their two ODIs against South Africa, and then succumbed 4–1 to the West Indies.


2009–10 Zob Ahan F.C. season
This is a list of Zob Ahan F.C. 's results at the 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup, 2009–10 Hazfi Cup and 2010 ACL. The club is competing in the Iran Pro League, Hazfi Cup and Asian Champions League.


2009–10 curling season
The 2009–10 curling season began in September 2009 and ended in April 2010.


2009–10 figure skating season
The 2009–10 figure skating season began on 1 July 2009, and ended on 30 June 2010. During this season, elite skaters competed at the Olympic level at the 2010 Winter Olympics, on the ISU Championship level at the 2010 European, Four Continents, World Junior, and World Championships. They also competed in elite competitions such as the 2009–10 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.


2009–10 figure skating season, Season notes
It was the final season in which the compulsory dance and the original dance were contested in ice dance. Following this season, the International Skating Union instituted the short dance.


2009–10 figure skating season, Season notes
Isabelle Delobel competed at the Olympics with partner Olivier Schoenfelder just four-and-a-half months after giving birth. On 28 June 2010, the International Skating Union announced that Evgeni Plushenko had lost his eligibility due to participating in March and April shows without his federation's permission.


2009–10 figure skating season, Season notes, Age eligibility
Skaters competing on the junior level were required to be at least 13 but not 19 – or 21 for male pair skaters and ice dancers – before 1 July 2009. Those who had turned 14 were eligible for the senior Grand Prix series and senior B internationals. Those who turned 15 before 1 July 2009 were also eligible for the senior World, European, and Four Continents Championships.


2009–10 figure skating season, Season notes, Retirements
A number of elite skaters announced their retirement from competition:


2009–10 figure skating season, ISU & Olympic Champions
During the season, the following skaters won ISU Championships and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.


2009–10 figure skating season, Season's best scores
The following are all the season's best scores set over the season.


2009–10 in Argentine football
The 2009–10 season of Argentine football was the 119th season of competitive football in Argentina.


2009–10 in Argentine football, National teams, Men's
This section covers Argentina men's matches from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010.


2009–10 in Argentine football, National teams, Women's
This section covers Argentina women's matches from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010.


2009–10 in Australian soccer
The 2009–10 season was the 127th season of competitive soccer in Australia.


2009–10 in Belgian football
The 2009–10 football season in Belgium, which is the 107th season of competitive football in the country and runs from August 2009 until July 2010.


2009–10 in Belgian football, Transfers, Notable transfers
With the shrinking of the Belgian First Division from 18 to 16 teams, only few players of relegated teams were able to stay in first division, with Sulejman Smajić arguably the most important one as he moved from Dender EH to Lokeren. After an impressive season, Bryan Ruiz decided it was time to move as the Costa Rican international signed a contract with Twente and thereby left Gent.


2009–10 in Belgian football, Transfers, Notable transfers
At Standard Liège, Oguchi Onyewu moved on a free transfer to AC Milan. To replace him, four Portuguese speaking players were signed, with Ricardo Rocha from Tottenham Hotspur being most known. Club Brugge made some impressive signings as they bought Belgian international Carl Hoefkens together with striker Ivan Perišić who had just helped Roeselare to avoid relegation. Under influence of Dutch coach Adrie Koster, central defender Ryan Donk was also signed.


2009–10 in Belgian football, Transfers, Notable transfers
Most noted signing for Anderlecht was Ondřej Mazuch from Fiorentina. Mouscron was noticed for signing several unknown players from France, Italy and especially Spain, mostly coming from teams in third and fourth division. A few minutes before the deadline, Cercle Brugge and Genk finished negotiations as they formed a deal which meant Thomas Buffel moved from Cercle Brugge to Genk with Hans Cornelis making the opposite move. On top of that Jelle Vossen was loaned out by Genk for a season to Cercle Brugge.


2009–10 in Belgian football, Transfers, Notable transfers
During the first half of the season, Standard signed former French international Olivier Dacourt to replace the injured Steven Defour.


2009–10 in Belgian football, Transfers, Notable transfers
In the winter period, the bankruptcy of Mouscron caused all their players to be contacted by several teams as they were all free to sign new contracts. Club Brugge managed to sign youngsters Maxime Lestienne and Daan van Gijseghem although there was a lot of interest by many clubs, especially for Lestienne. Standard bought Belgian internationals Sébastien Pocognoli and Koen Daerden, while Anderlecht signed a player from fifth division named Paul Taylor and then loaned him to Charleroi. Also returning Belgian internationals were Luigi Pieroni, the 2003–04 Belgian League top scorer, who signed for Gent and Peter Van Der Heyden who signed for Club Brugge.


2009–10 in Belgian football, European Club results
Note that the Belgian team's score is always given first.


2009–10 in Belgian football, European Club results
Champions Standard Liège were directly qualified for the Champions League while Anderlecht had to start in the qualification rounds. Starting in the new UEFA Europa League were Club Brugge, Gent and Genk.


2009–10 in Belgian football, European Club results
The Belgian teams had one of their best seasons of the final decade as both Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Standard were not eliminated before winter and played on far into 2010:


2009–10 in Belgian football, National teams, Belgium
As interim coach Franky Vercauteren chose to resign after the loss in Armenia, prompting already signed Dick Advocaat to start already, although his contract started only on 1 January 2010. Advocaat however simply resigned in April 2010 to sign a new contract at Russia where he could earn a lot more. The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted disappointed and angry at the same time, whereas Advocaat claimed he "did not feel guilty at all". On May 11, Georges Leekens was appointed the new coach, who had already managed the 'Red Devils' between 1997 and 1999.


2009–10 in Belgian football, National teams, Belgium, World Cup qualifiers
Belgium was in qualifying Group 5 for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but did not manage to qualify.


2009–10 in Belgian football, National teams, Belgium U-21, U-21 Championship qualifiers
The Belgium under-21 squad is currently in Group 8 of the qualification process for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.


2009–10 in Belgian football, National teams, Belgium U-21, U-21 Championship qualifiers
This leaves two matches, away to Slovenia and away to France to be played in the next season.


2009–10 in Belgian football, National teams, Belgium U-19, U-19 Championship qualifiers
The Belgium under-19 squad managed to qualify for the elite round qualification process for the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship after successfully passing through the first stage of qualifying. However they did not manage to qualify for the tournament proper as they ended second to Croatia in group 1.


2009–10 in Belgian football, National teams, Women, World Cup qualifiers
Belgium was in qualifying Group 8 for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, but failed to qualify.


2009–10 in Cape Verdean football
In the 2009–10 season of competitive football (soccer) in Cape Verde: The 3rd Cape Verdean Cup took place that year.


2009–10 in Cape Verdean football, Final standings, Cape Verdean Football Championships
Batuque and Académico do Aeroporto were first in each group, second place Group A club Boavista advanced with 8 points and second place Group B club Sporting Praia advanced with 11 points and scored the most with 16 goals, Boavista was second with 15 goals. Sporting advanced to the finals with 2 goals scored while Boavista advanced with a goal scored away in the second match. Boavista defeated Sporting 2-0 in the first match and 0-1 in the final match and Boavista went to win their 3rd and recent title.


2009–10 in Cape Verdean football, Final standings, Cape Verdean Cup
The third Cape Verdean Cup took place. Boavista Praia won their 2nd and recent cup title after being winner in the final round after defeating in two matches with the most goals scored.


2009–10 in Cape Verdean football, Final standings, Island or regional competitions, Regional Super Cups
The 2009 champion winner played with a 2009 cup winner (when a club won both, a second place club from the regional cup competed).


2009–10 in Cape Verdean football, Transfer deals, Summer-Fall transfer window
The September/October transfer window runs from the end of the previous season in September up to October.


2009–10 in Croatian football
The following article presents a summary of the 2009–10 football (soccer) season in Croatia, which is the 19th season of competitive football in the country.


2009–10 in Croatian football, National team
The home team is on the left column; the away team is on the right column.


2009–10 in Danish football
The 2009-10 season is the 120th season of competitive football in Denmark.


2009–10 in Danish football, National team, Players, 2010 World Cup squad
On May 10, a preliminary 30-man squad was named for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The squad was cut down to 23 players on May 28.


2009–10 in Danish football, National team, Players, Other call-ups
In addition to the above, the following players have appeared for Denmark during the 2009-10 season:


2009–10 in Danish football, League XI national team
On December 1, 2009, a 20-man squad Denmark League XI national football team was named to play a number of unofficial national team games at the 2010 King's Cup. Before the tournament, several players had pull out. Goalkeeper Stephan Andersen due to injury, Jesper Grønkjær and William Kvist due to F.C. Copenhagen's advancement in the UEFA Europa League, and Michael Lumb due to his transfer move to a foreign club.


2009–10 in Danish football, League XI national team
The number of caps and goals reflect performances during the 2010 King's Cup.


2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.


2009–10 in English football
The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League. The season finished on 2 May 2010 for the Championship, and 9 May 2010 for the other three divisions.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, July 2009
1 July: Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo completes his world record £80 million move from Manchester United to Real Madrid. English defender Glen Johnson switches from Portsmouth to Liverpool for £18 million, one of the highest fees ever paid for a defender. English midfielder Gareth Barry ends 11 years at Aston Villa and signs for Manchester City for £12 million.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, July 2009
6 July: Chelsea sign Russian winger Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow for £18 million.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, July 2009
26 July: An England XI defeats a Germany XI 3–2 at St James' Park, Newcastle, in a charity match raising money for the cancer charity of former England manager Sir Bobby Robson. Robson, who has fought the illness since 1992 and gone into remission four times, attends the match in a wheelchair.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, July 2009
27 July: English striker Peter Crouch, who began his career with Tottenham Hotspur as an apprentice but left without playing for them, returns to White Hart Lane in a £9 million move from Portsmouth.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
5 August: Sunderland pay a club record £10 million for England and Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent. Liverpool sell Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for £30 million.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
12 August: England come back from 2–0 down to draw 2–2 against Netherlands in Amsterdam thanks to two goals from Jermain Defoe.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
14 August: Bryan Gunn becomes the first managerial casualty of the season when his contract is terminated by Norwich City of League One.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
15 August: The new Premier League season kicks off, with the highlight of the opening day coming at Goodison Park where Arsenal trounce Everton 6–1 in the biggest opening day victory at this level for 15 years. Burnley's return to the top flight after 33 years away begins on a low note when an own goal by Stephen Jordan contributes to a 2–0 defeat against Stoke City.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
19 August: Burnley achieve a shock 1–0 home win over Manchester United, with the only goal of the match coming from veteran striker Robbie Blake.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
23 August: The highlight of the second weekend of the Premier League season comes when Burnley achieve another shock 1–0 win, this time over Everton, after French striker Louis Saha missed a penalty.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
25 August: Some of the worst scenes of football hooliganism in years are witnessed in West Ham United's 3–1 home win over Millwall in the League Cup second round. Fans invaded the pitch twice and there was widespread violence in the stands and the streets surrounding Upton Park, including one incident in which a man suffered stab wounds. Manchester City pay £22 million for Everton and England defender Joleon Lescott.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
27 August: Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp suggests West Ham and Millwall should never be allowed to play each other in a cup competition again.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, August 2009
31 August: The first month of the Premier League season ends with Chelsea as leaders, level on 12 points with second-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Defending champions Manchester United are third, with underdogs Stoke City standing fourth after a strong start to the season.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, September 2009
1 September: Everton sign Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga from Atlético Madrid for £6 million.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, September 2009
9 September: England secure qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after a 5–1 win over Croatia at Wembley Stadium.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, September 2009
20 September: The Manchester derby at Old Trafford produces one of the most thrilling matches of the season as United defeat Manchester City 4–3 thanks to a stoppage time winner by Michael Owen.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, September 2009
30 September: Manchester United and Chelsea are level on 18 points at the top of the Premier League, three points ahead of their nearest rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal and Manchester City complete the top six. Portsmouth are bottom of the table after starting the season with a record seven consecutive defeats, joined in the relegation zone by West Ham United and Hull City.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, October 2009
2 October: Sheffield United striker Jordan Robertson is jailed for 32 months on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to a fatal car crash on the M1 motorway in December 2008.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, October 2009
17 October: Sunderland defeat Liverpool 1–0 at the Stadium of Light after Darren Bent's shot is deflected in off a beachball.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, October 2009
21 October: Gareth Southgate's contract as manager of Middlesbrough is terminated, despite them standing fourth in the Championship one season after relegation from the Premier League. 26 October 2009: Gordon Strachan is appointed as Middlesbrough's new manager, five months after resigning from Celtic.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, October 2009
29 October: Wigan Athletic striker Marlon King has his contract terminated by the club after receiving an 18-month prison sentence for assaulting a woman in a nightclub. It is the second time King has been in convicted and incarcerated, having also received an 18-month prison sentence in 2002 when convicted of driving a stolen car.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, October 2009
31 October: October draws to a close with Chelsea now two points ahead of Manchester United, with the rest of the top four unchanged from the end of last month. Portsmouth remain bottom, but have now gained their first seven points of the season, while West Ham and Hull City complete the bottom three once again.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, November 2009
30 November: November ends with Chelsea two points ahead of Manchester United and with a match in hand, while the only change to the rest of the top six is that Aston Villa have displaced Liverpool, who are now seventh. Portsmouth remain bottom, now joined in the relegation zone by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
13 December: Brian Laws leaves Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday after three years as manager.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
15 December: Brendan Rodgers is sacked after six months as manager of Reading, who are battling relegation from the Championship just months after almost being promoted under his predecessor Steve Coppell.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
16 December: The 11 venues for England's 2018 World Cup bid are announced. Three stadiums in London will feature – Wembley (national team), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and either the Olympic Stadium or a rebuilt White Hart Lane (Tottenham Hotspur).


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
Birmingham (Aston Villa's Villa Park), Bristol (a proposed new stadium for Bristol City), Leeds (Leeds United's Elland Road), Liverpool (the current Anfield stadium or its replacement), Milton Keynes (Stadium:mk, home of Milton Keynes Dons), Nottingham (new Nottingham Forest stadium), Manchester (Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium), Newcastle (St James' Park), Plymouth (Home Park), Sheffield (Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough) and Sunderland (Stadium of Light) have also been selected as venues if England are accepted as hosts.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
19 December: Despite being sixth in the Premier League and being on course for their highest league finish in nearly 20 years, Manchester City sack manager Mark Hughes and appoint Italian Robert Mancini as his successor.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
22 December: Albert Scanlon, former Manchester United winger who survived the Munich air disaster in 1958, dies at age 74 after a two-month illness. There are now just four players who survived the crash still alive.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
30 December: Premier League strugglers Bolton Wanderers sack manager Gary Megson after two years in charge, while Alan Irvine is sacked after the same length of time in charge of Championship side Preston North End.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, December 2009
31 December: The decade draws to a close with Chelsea two points ahead of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal are two points behind United in third place, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool completing the top seven. A surprise challenge for Europe place is coming from newly promoted Birmingham City, who have collected 32 points from their opening 20 matches. Portsmouth are bottom of the Premier League, with Hull City and Bolton Wanderers completing the relegation zone.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
3 January: Manchester United suffer a shock exit at home to League One leaders Leeds United in the FA Cup third round, their 1–0 defeat being their first defeat at the entry stage of the competition in 26 years.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
5 January: The first managerial change of the decade takes place when Owen Coyle leaves Burnley to take over as manager of local rivals Bolton Wanderers.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
6 January: Darren Ferguson is appointed manager of Preston North End and declares his ambition to take them into the Premier League and play against his father Sir Alex's Manchester United side.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
8 January: Alan Irvine is appointed manager of Sheffield Wednesday.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
9 January: Seven of the Premier League fixtures this weekend are postponed due to heavy snow across Britain. Four fixtures survive in the Championship and two will be played in League One, but the whole League Two programme is postponed.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
13 January: Another shock in the FA Cup third round takes place at Anfield, where Liverpool lose 2–1 to Championship strugglers Reading in the replay, casting further doubt on the position of manager Rafael Benítez, whose job has reportedly been on the line for weeks due to sub-standard form by his team. Burnley appoint Brian Laws as their new manager.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
18 January: Championship leaders Newcastle United announce a new four-year sponsorship deal with Northern Rock, the bank which has been nationalised for two years after almost collapsing due to the credit crunch which brought on the current recession.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, January 2010
31 January: January draws to a close with Chelsea a point ahead of nearest challengers Manchester United in the Premier League, with a match in hand. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City complete the top six. Burnley, Hull City and Portsmouth occupy the bottom three.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, February 2010
19 February: Chester City, bottom of the Conference Premier with −3 points due to a 25-point deduction imposed upon them for financial problems, are suspended from their league until further notice for breach of league rules. A takeover deal is still in the pipeline for the club, who last season were relegated from the Football League for the second time in a decade.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, February 2010
23 February: Portsmouth, bottom of the Premier League, are reported to be within 72 hours of receivership.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, February 2010
26 February: Portsmouth go into administration, the first Premier League club to do so. They are set to be deducted nine points and are already bottom of the table with 16 points. The points deduction would leave with just seven points and make relegation almost certain. Chester City, bottom of the Conference National with −3 points after a 25-point deduction for similar financial problems, are expelled from the Conference a year after being relegated from the Football League and were wound-up shortly after. Their expulsion made them the first team at this level to fold mid-season since Newport County in February 1989.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, February 2010
28 February: Manchester United steal the first major silverware of the season by beating Aston Villa 2–1 in the League Cup final at Wembley, retaining the trophy. It is the fourth time they have won the trophy – all of the wins have been under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the Premier League, United are still looking strong contenders for the title as they stand one point behind leaders Chelsea. Arsenal's good form has seen them occupy third place with just two points less than United and a nine-point gap outside their nearest contenders Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
3 March: Keith Alexander, manager of League Two strugglers Macclesfield Town, dies suddenly at age 53. Alexander had been manager of the Cheshire club since February 2008 and also been in charge of Lincoln City (twice), Peterborough United and non-league sides Ilkeston Town and Northwich Victoria in a managerial career which began in 1993. He had suffered a near fatal brain aneurysm in November 2003 during his second spell as Lincoln City manager.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
8 March: Chester City's expulsion from the Conference Premier is confirmed and their record for this season is expunged, sparking a revised league table which sees Oxford United taking over from Stevenage Borough as leaders, while York City drop out of the playoff zone and Cambridge United move dangerously closer to the relegation zone.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
14 March: England captain David Beckham suffers an Achilles tendon injury during a Serie A match for Milan (where he is on loan from the LA Galaxy) and is expected to miss this summer's World Cup.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
15 March: Newport County, the former Football League club who reformed in 1989 after going bankrupt and being expelled from the Conference, achieve an early promotion back to the highest division outside the Football League as Conference South champions.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
17 March: Portsmouth's nine-point deduction for going into administration is confirmed, making relegation from the Premier League almost certain as they remain bottom of the table but are now 17 points adrift of safety with nine matches left to play.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
18 March: Fulham defeat Italian giants Juventus 4–1 on the night and 5–4 on aggregate to progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, March 2010
28 March: Southampton defeat Carlisle United 1–4 at Wembley Stadium to win the Football League Trophy.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
5 April: The first of the promotions and relegations in the Football League are confirmed when Newcastle United seal promotion from the Championship to the Premier League after one season away, while the division's bottom club Peterborough United (in their last match under the management of Jim Gannon before the appointment of Gary Johnson) are relegated back to League One after just one season.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
6 April: Arsenal's dreams of a first UEFA Champions League triumph are ended when they are eliminated by Barcelona in the quarter-finals.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
7 April: Manchester United's hopes of winning the UEFA Champions League are ended when they are eliminated in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich on away goals.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
8 April: Fulham reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals with a 3–1 aggregate win over VfL Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals. Liverpool also reach the semi-finals by eliminating Benfica.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
10 April: Portsmouth become the first Premier League club to be relegated this season when fellow relegation side West Ham United beat Sunderland 1–0, while West Bromwich Albion are promoted to the Premier League for the fourth time in nine seasons. Chelsea's double hopes are given a massive boost when they defeat Aston Villa 3–0 in the FA Cup semi-final. In the Championship, a 3–0 victory for Nottingham Forest over Ipswich Town guarantees Forest's spot in the 2010 Football League play-offs.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
11 April: 24 hours after being relegated without kicking a ball, Portsmouth reach the FA Cup final with a surprise 2–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in extra-time in the semi-final. Manchester United's hopes of a unique fourth successive top division title are dealt a major blow when mid-table Blackburn Rovers hold them to a goalless draw at Ewood Park.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
13 April: Chelsea establish a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League by defeating Bolton 1–0 at Stamford Bridge with a Nicolas Anelka penalty against his former club being the only goal of the match.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
17 April: The gap between leaders Chelsea and second placed Manchester United is narrowed down to a single point when a Paul Scholes goal gives United a 1–0 win over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium, while Chelsea suffer a 2–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. The two results also see Tottenham take the fourth and final Champions League spot from Manchester City with three match to play.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
In the Championship, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City are now certain of a playoff place, with Leicester City and Swansea City completing the top six, and Blackpool being the only club able to reach the playoff zone. Plymouth Argyle now need a run of very good results to avoid joining Peterborough in the drop to League One, while Queens Park Rangers, Scunthorpe United, Watford, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday are the teams also battling to avoid the drop.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
Norwich City seal promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking with a 1–0 away win over fellow promotion contenders Charlton Athletic, and could be joined by any one of the five teams Leeds United, Millwall, Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town. Colchester United and Southampton are the only two clubs now capable of creeping into the playoffs. Notts County seal promotion from the league's bottom tier after six years there, while Rochdale have gained promotion after a record 36 successive seasons at this level.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
AFC Bournemouth now need only two points from their final three matches to be sure of promotion. In contrast, Grimsby Town now need a miracle to avoid relegation from the Football League and the only teams they could leapfrog are Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City and Barnet. Stevenage Borough seal the Conference Premier title to seal promotion to the Football League 14 years after they last won the title but were denied promotion because their stadium did not meet capacity requirements. Luton Town and Oxford United – arguably the biggest clubs outside the Football League – have comfortably secured playoff qualification along with fellow former Football League members Rushden & Diamonds and York City.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
19 April: Newcastle United take the Championship title with a 2–0 win against Plymouth Argyle, which consigns Plymouth to relegation to League One after six years in the Championship.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
24 April: Manchester United go top of the Premier League with a 3–1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur (in which 36-year-old Ryan Giggs scores his first two league penalties for them), although Chelsea will regain their lead tomorrow if they defeat Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, a 1–0 home defeat to Sunderland by Hull City means that the East Yorkshire club will need to record two comprehensive victories from their final two league match and hope that West Ham United are heavily beaten in both of theirs in order to achieve survival.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
In the Championship, Watford's survival is confirmed and it is now down to Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday to fight it out and try and avoid joining Plymouth Argyle and Peterborough United in the drop to League One. In League One, Norwich City (already promoted) seal the division title with a 2–0 home win against relegation threatened Gillingham. Southend United are relegated after being held to a 2–2 draw by Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
Although nobody can now muscle in on the top six for a playoff place, second placed Leeds United's automatic promotion hopes are still under threat from Millwall, Swindon Town and Charlton Athletic, while Huddersfield Town have achieved a playoff place at this level for the first time since their relegation from Division One (now the Championship) in 2001, thanks a 6–0 win at relegated Stockport County.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
Southampton would now be second if it hadn't been for their hefty points deduction at the start of the season, but as a result they have now been left unable to achieve even a playoff place. In League Two, AFC Bournemouth are promoted after two seasons in the division with a 2–0 win at Burton Albion. Grimsby Town's 2–0 away win over already relegated Darlington keeps their hopes of survival alive, though the only teams they are capable of leapfrogging are Barnet and Cheltenham Town.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
In the Conference Premier, Stevenage Borough have already been confirmed champions, leaving four former Football League members (Luton Town, Oxford United, Rushden & Diamonds and York City) to contest the playoffs for the second promotion place, while Forest Green Rovers and Ebbsfleet United are relegated to the Conference South. Forest Green Rovers was later reprieved following the demotion of Salisbury City due to a breach of Conference rules.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
25 April: Chelsea return to the top of the Premier League with a 7–0 win over mid table Stoke City, giving themselves a one-point advantage over Manchester United as well as a considerably greater goal difference. Burnley's first season back in the top flight for more than 30 years ends in relegation when they are beaten 4–0 at home by a Liverpool side who are now almost certain of Europa League qualification and still have a Champions League place in their sights.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
27 April: Notts County take the League Two title with a 5–0 win against relegated Darlington.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, April 2010
29 April: Five men are found guilty of public order offences in connection to violent clashes at a match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion in West Bromwich town centre 15 months ago.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
1 May: Tom Huddlestone scores the only goal of the match as Tottenham Hotspur defeat Bolton Wanderers 1–0 at White Hart Lane, meaning a draw at Manchester City and a win on the final day of the season will end their 20-year wait for a top four finish and put themselves beyond the reach of Liverpool, who for the last four seasons have held a "big four" dominance with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are left with no hope of Champions League qualification after they are defeated 3–1 by a Manchester City side still in the hunt for a place in the top four. In League One, Leeds United remain in second place and needing a win from their final match of the season to guarantee automatic promotion, despite losing 1–0 to a Charlton Athletic side who still have hope of automatic promotion thanks to this win. Millwall blow the chance of creeping into the top two by losing 2–0 to relegation threatened Tranmere Rovers.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
Swindon Town's 3–2 home win over Brentford keeps the West Country club in the hunt for an automatic return to the league's second tier after a decade away. Huddersfield Town have an outside chance of automatic promotion thanks to an injury time winner by Lee Novak against Colchester United. Wycombe Wanderers are relegated back to League Two after one season in League one after a 2–0 defeat by a Leyton Orient side who are now almost certainly safe. Exeter City and Gillingham are still at risk of relegation.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
Grimsby Town defeat Barnet 2–0 to ensure that the battle against relegation for both clubs will go down to the last match of the season Cheltenham Town are trounced 5–0 by champions Notts County and as a result are still at risk of losing their Football League status after 11 years, as well as suffering a second successive relegation.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
2 May: Chelsea's 2–0 win at Liverpool leaves them needing only a win against Wigan Athletic in a week's time to confirm themselves as Premier League champions, and today's result also confirms the end of the "big four" which has dominated the top of the Premier League for the last four seasons – Liverpool will now finish sixth or seventh, while Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester City will seal the final Champions League place.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
West Ham United's 3–2 defeat at Fulham means that they will go into the final match of the season knowing that a heavy defeat at home to Manchester City and a heavy win for Hull City at home to Liverpool could see them slide out of the Premier League on goal difference. In the Championship relegation crunch, Sheffield Wednesday go down after only managing a 2–2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, whose safety is confirmed. Blackpool, who last played in the top flight in 1971, qualify for the playoffs.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
Newcastle United finish the season with 102 points (the highest points tally in their history) by beating mid table QPR 1–0 at Loftus Road. Back in the Premier League, Chelsea could have sealed the title today but Manchester United's 1–0 win at Sunderland ensures that the title race will go down to the wire.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
3 May: Hull City's relegation from the Premier League is confirmed after they are held to a 2–2 draw by Wigan Athletic. It is only the third time in 18 seasons of the Premier League that all of the relegation places have been confirmed before the last match of the season. York City and Oxford United reach the Conference Premier playoff final to compete for the second promotion place to the Football League.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
5 May: Tottenham Hotspur win 1–0 at Manchester City to seal a Champions League place and take Liverpool's place in the "big four". It is Tottenham's highest finish in 20 years and they will be their first European Cup campaign for 49 years and only their second since the competition's inception.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
6 May: Hartlepool United are deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player in their 2–0 win over Brighton on 5 April, meaning they can still be relegated from League One.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
8 May: During a topsy-turvy final day, in which changing scores have Millwall, Charlton, Huddersfield and Swindon all in the automatic promotion places at one point, Leeds United seal promotion from League One after three years by winning their final match of the season 2–1 at home to Bristol Rovers, despite going down to 10 men and conceding the first goal. Gillingham are relegated from League One when losing 3–0 at already relegated Wycombe Wanderers. Grimsby Town are relegated from the Football League after 99 years.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
9 May: Chelsea win the Premier League title with an 8–0 demolition of Wigan Athletic, meaning that Manchester United's hopes of a unique fourth successive title are ended despite a 4–0 home win over Stoke City. Meanwhile, Liverpool finish in their lowest position for 11 years (seventh), though this season it is enough to achieve UEFA Europa League qualification due to second placed Manchester United being League Cup holders and champions Chelsea being FA Cup finalists. Burnley, already relegated, bow out of the Premier League in style with a 4–2 home win over fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
11 May: Gianfranco Zola is sacked after less than two years as manager of West Ham United. However, Steve McClaren, the former Middlesbrough and England manager whose name had been linked with the West Ham job amid previous speculation about Zola's future, is ruled out as a successor after ending his two-year spell at FC Twente of the Netherlands and accepting an offer to manage German side VfL Wolfsburg. A London-based manager makes the headlines for the right reasons as the League Managers Association votes Fulham's Roy Hodgson as manager of the year.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
12 May: Fulham lose 2–1 to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Europa League final at the Nordbank Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Diego Forlán, the former Manchester United striker, had put the Spaniards ahead in the 32nd minute, only for Fulham midfielder Simon Davies to equalise five minutes later. With the scores still level after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time and Forlan won the trophy with his second goal in the 116th minute.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
14 May: Wayne Brown, the Leicester City defender, is forced to apologize to his teammates after revealing to them that he voted for the far right British National Party in last week's general election.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
15 May: Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1–0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Didier Drogba scored the match's only goal from a second-half free kick, as Kevin-Prince Boateng and Frank Lampard missed penalties for Portsmouth and Chelsea, respectively. Chelsea's victory in the 2009–10 FA Cup secured the club's first league and cup double, as well as their third FA Cup victory in four years.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
16 May: Oxford United beat York City 3–1 in the Conference Premier playoff final at Wembley Stadium to secure a return to the Football League after four years away.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
22 May: Blackpool defeat Cardiff City 3–2 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium to seal promotion to the Premier League, ending their 39-year exile from the top division of English football.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
24 May: England beat Mexico 3–1 in a friendly at Wembley, with goals coming from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
26 May: Following promotion to the Premier League, Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston announces that a new stand will be built at the Bloomfield Road stadium in order to achieve a 16,000 all-seated capacity.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
27 May: Steve Cotterill resigns as manager of Notts County despite having led them to promotion from League Two, amid speculation that he is about to replace Avram Grant as Portsmouth manager.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
29 May: A Paul Robinson goal gives Millwall promotion to the Championship as they defeat Swindon Town in the League One playoff final.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, May 2010
30 May: Jon Nurse grabs the winner as Dagenham & Redbridge clinch promotion to League One following a 3–2 win over Rotherham United in the League Two playoff final. England beat Japan 2–1 in their final friendly before the World Cup


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
1 June: England's 23-man World Cup squad is announced, with Theo Walcott, who appeared in the 2006 squad despite being only 17, being the most notable exclusion. Crystal Palace are saved from liquidation by a last minute takeover deal.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
3 June: Rafael Benítez resigns from Liverpool after six seasons as manager, during which time the Reds won the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, but failed to clinch the league title which has eluded them since 1990. Meanwhile, Avram Grant is confirmed as manager of West Ham United.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
4 June: England captain Rio Ferdinand is ruled out of the World Cup by a knee injury sustained during training.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
8 June: Philippe Senderos leaves Arsenal after seven years and joins Fulham on a three-year contract.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
9 June: Chelsea give free transfers to out-of-contract players Joe Cole and Michael Ballack.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
10 June: Cardiff City pay off £1.9 million debt with HM Revenue and Customs, removing any threat of club's existence from the High Court. Swindon Town teenager Alex Henshall joins Manchester City for an undisclosed fee.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
13 June: England's World Cup campaign begins with a 1–1 draw against the United States.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
18 June: England's World Cup hopes are thrown into doubt when they are held to a 0–0 draw with Algeria in their second group match.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
23 June: England reach the last 16 of the World Cup with a 1–0 win over Slovenia in their final group match.


2009–10 in English football, Diary of the season, June 2010
27 June: England go out of the World Cup in a 4–1 defeat by Germany.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
8 October 2009: Stephen Roberts, 29-year-old former Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers and Walsall defender.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
22 October 2009: Marc Edworthy, 36-year-old right-back who last played for Burton Albion retired after playing over 500 senior appearances in 18-year career. He played for eight clubs in his career which included spells in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Coventry City, Norwich City and Derby County.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
8 December 2009: Linvoy Primus, 36-year-old Portsmouth defender, after failing to overcome a serious knee injurybut now work ambassadorial role for Portsmouth. He Previously played for Charlton Athletic, Barnet and Reading.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
11 December 2009: Dean Ashton, 26-year-old West Ham United striker, after failing to make a full recovery from an ankle injury suffered when training with the England team in August 2006.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
17 December 2009: Riccardo Scimeca, 34-year-old Cardiff City midfielder formerly of Aston Villa, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
6 January 2010: Neil Clement, 31-year-old West Bromwich Albion defender and club's longest serving player after 10 years there, after failing to make a full recovery from a knee injury suffered in August 2008.


2009–10 in English football, Retirements
6 January 2010: Patrik Berger, 36-year-old Czech midfielder who had spells in England with Liverpool, Portsmouth and Aston Villa before returning to Sparta Prague.


2009–10 in English football, National team
The home team is on the left column; the away team is on the right column.


2009–10 in English football, National team, World Cup qualifiers
England were in Group 6 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification process.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Premier League
In one of the most closely fought title races in recent history, Chelsea were crowned Premier League Champions for the third time in five years, breaking the goal-scoring record with a whopping 103 goals. Despite disappointment in the Champions League, the club managed to retain the FA Cup, recording their first domestic double under Carlo Ancelotti. The £80 million departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in the summer meant Manchester United narrowly missed out on the title, though they managed to retain the League Cup. Arsenal took third place and once again qualified for Europe's elite competition, while Tottenham Hotspur took the final spot for the Champions League by finishing fourth, with manager Harry Redknapp winning the Premier League Manager of the Year award.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Premier League
Three teams took the UEFA Europa League spots. Taking fifth place were Manchester City, whose controversial gamble of sacking Mark Hughes at Christmas and replacing him with Roberto Mancini paid off as they finished in their best position in years. Finishing sixth once again were Aston Villa, who again looked like breaking into the top four, but ultimately fell short.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Premier League
Taking seventh place, astonishingly, were Liverpool, who were nearly champions the year before, but suffered from losing key players, such as Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, Sami Hyypiä to Bayer Leverkusen and Fernando Torres several times to injury throughout the season; these factors resulted in indifferent form in all of their competitions, meaning they only took a Europa League spot after the FA Cup finalists were refused a UEFA licence and finished in their lowest position for 11 years.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Premier League
Fulham built on last season's finish of seventh place as they came close to Europa League glory in Hamburg, losing 2–1 in extra time to Atlético Madrid with ex-Manchester United striker Diego Forlán scoring the winning goal. However, critics universally praised manager Roy Hodgson for guiding a club threatened with relegation two seasons previously to the Europa League final. By a wide margin, he won the LMA Manager of the Year award. Birmingham finished ninth in their best position in the top-flight in years, even going unbeaten for 13 matches at one point, while fellow promo-tees Wolverhampton Wanderers flirted with relegation several times, but ultimately finished in a respectable 15th place.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Premier League
Portsmouth endured a season of financial worries, a nine-point deduction and four different owners that effectively ended their seven-year stay in the top flight. Hull City failed to emulate their previous season's success and were also relegated. After the departure of promotion-winning manager Owen Coyle at the turn of the year, Burnley's league form under Brian Laws declined rapidly and they were relegated to the Championship after just one season.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Championship
Newcastle United put last season's relegation behind them as they returned to the Premier League at the first attempt, staying top for the majority of the season and losing just four matches under the management of Chris Hughton, remaining unbeaten at home in the process. Roberto Di Matteo's first season in charge of West Bromwich Albion brought success as the Midlands club enjoyed automatic promotion to the top flight for the third time in eight years. They were joined by Blackpool, who were tipped by many as relegation favorites at the beginning of the season. Ian Holloway masterminded the Lancashire club's promotion with a thrilling 3–2 victory over Cardiff City in the play-off final, returning to the top flight for the first time since 1971.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Championship
Swansea City occupied a play-off place for most of the season but missed out on the final day, this despite scoring less than all 3 relegated sides. Middlesbrough made a strong start to the season, however the mid-season decision to sack Gareth Southgate while still in contention for promotion backfired. Their form subsequently declined under his replacement Gordon Strachan, and they fell out of the promotion race finishing the season in 11th place.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Championship
Peterborough United went straight back down to League One, employing four different managers and propping up the table for the majority of the season. They were soon joined by Plymouth Argyle, who didn't win a game until late September and went through a five-match losing streak towards the end of the season, ending a six-year spell in the second tier. Crystal Palace, who had been on the brink of the play-offs before being penalized ten points for entering administration, faced Sheffield Wednesday in the final match of the season as they both fought for survival. The match finished 2–2, meaning Palace survived and Wednesday dropped into League One.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Championship
Leading goalscorers: Nicky Maynard (Bristol City) – 20, and Peter Whittingham (Cardiff City) – 20


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League One
After recovering from an embarrassing 7–1 defeat to Colchester on the first day of the season, a turnaround under new manager Paul Lambert and the 24 goals from free-scoring striker Grant Holt saw Norwich City make an immediate return to the Championship. Leeds United secured automatic promotion in the runners-up spot; their season almost falling apart disastrously after they led the table by eight points at the turn of the year and also knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup. They rebounded in the final weeks of the season and a last day 2–1 victory over Bristol Rovers saw the Yorkshire side end their three-year spell in League One.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League One
Millwall, who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion by just one point, beat Swindon Town in the play-off final, returning to the Championship after a four-year absence.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League One
Despite being deducted ten points and missing out on the play-offs, Southampton managed to win the Football League Trophy and prolific striker Rickie Lambert was the league's top goalscorer with 31 goals.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League One
Stockport spent the entire season in administration and were subsequently relegated. Southend were faced with financial problems, and were also relegated. Wycombe's first season at this level for six years proved a disappointment, and they were immediately relegated back to League Two. Gillingham also suffered an immediate relegation after their play-off victory the previous year, their inability to win an away fixture all season proved to be their downfall. Hartlepool stayed up on goal difference only, after they received a 3-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, but Gillingham's loss to Wycombe confirmed their survival.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Two
Notts County's season mostly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, as they were involved in an abortive high-spending takeover by a consortium who brought in Sven-Göran Eriksson as director of football and went through four managers during the course of the season. However, they managed to shake off their off-field problems and won the title. AFC Bournemouth continued their revival under Eddie Howe and won promotion in the runners-up spot. The last automatic promotion spot was won by Rochdale, who were promoted for the first time since 1969.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Two
Dagenham & Redbridge won the play-offs, reaching the third tier of the Football League for the first time in their 18-year history.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Two
Darlington were unable to recover from losing many of their players during their spell in administration at the end of the previous season, and were relegated in bottom place, becoming only the third club (after Halifax Town and Chester City) to be relegated to the Football Conference on two separate occasions.


2009–10 in English football, League tables, Football League Two
Grimsby suffered the relegation that they only avoided the previous year due to Luton Town's points deduction; their form improved significantly in the final weeks of the season, but they were ultimately undone by an earlier run of nearly five months without a win, and were relegated to the Conference Premier after losing on the final day.


2009–10 in French football
The 2009–10 season was the 77th season of competitive professional football in France.


2009–10 in French football
The season began on 7 August 2009 for the Championnat National and Ligue 2 and on 8 August for Ligue 1 and the Championnat de France amateur. The season concluded on 14 May 2010 for Ligue 2, 15 May for Ligue 1, and 21 May for the Championnat National and the Championnat de France amateur.


2009–10 in French football, News, Supercup in Canada
On 12 May, it was announced that the 2009 Trophée des Champions will be played, for the first time, on international soil at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. The match will contest the winners of the 2008–09 Coupe de France, Guingamp, and the 2008–09 Ligue 1 champions, Bordeaux, with the objective being to promote French professional football abroad.


2009–10 in French football, News, Match ball sponsorship
On 5 June, it was announced that German sportswear company Puma will become the official provider of match balls for the upcoming season after agreeing to a long term partnership with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).


2009–10 in French football, News, Presidential departures
On 17 June, Marseille announced that they were parting ways with longtime chairman Pape Diouf. Diouf had been chairman of the club for five years and was the only black chairman ever to preside over a Ligue 1 club. Jean-Claude Dassier was announced as his replacement.


2009–10 in French football, News, Presidential departures
On 7 July, Auxerre announced that Alain Dujon will become the club's new president. He replaces Jean-Claude Hamel, who had presided over the club for over 46 years.


2009–10 in French football, News, Presidential departures
On 10 September, Paris Saint-Germain announced that president Sébastien Bazin would step down from his role in order to supervise the club's surveillance council. He was replaced by Robin Leproux.


2009–10 in French football, News, Television deal
On 29 June, the LFP board of directors announced that France Télévisions will be the official provider of Coupe de la Ligue coverage for the next three seasons.