MK Dons Head Coach Paul Warne said he felt the team’s 0-0 draw with Grimsby was a sign that the team was continuing to develop positively.
Warne spoke after his side’s 0-0 draw with the Mariners at Stadium MK, in a game where the Dons had a decent array of opportunities.
On reflection, Warne said he felt the team’s work was showing that they were taking on board his methods while still thinking there were things to develop.
He said, “It was a step in the right direction. I thought we were a lot better in the final third today – we had more shots, attempts on goal and looked more of a threat on set pieces. I was pretty pleased with that and we defended really well.
“It just felt like one goal would then explode the game as in the other team would go for it a bit more. We were trying to go for it and did everything we could. The pace of the game, I prefer it to be quicker but I don’t make any excuses.”
A note of significance for the game was the final appearance at Stadium MK for Dons captain Dean Lewington, who announced his retirement and the end of a 20+ year playing career earlier this month. Warne praised Lewington both for his long-term legacy with the club and his performance on the day, and said the team’s performance was worthy of helping sign off with a win.
He said, “When Lewie came off, it was like, everyone was pretty emotional and I know that moment myself from when my career ended. So it was fitting possibly we kept a clean sheet, it was just disappointing we didn’t get a win for him.
“Lewie was excellent. Everyone’s knows what a good player he’s been and everyone has been speaking highly of him and so they should – he can pick a pass, he’s a real competitor and I asked the lads to leave everything out there for him, and I think the lads did. So in that respect, I’m really proud of the group.”
Warne said that the project was try to develop the club back towards the level it was at when it reached the Championship in 2015 and that work had begun to see what the team needed to progress next season. He also saw play-off chasing Grimsby as a benchmark.
He said, “Every set of fans wants to see goals and wins. I’m not saying it’s a sleeping giant but I have seen it in great nick when it was in the Championship and seen it really packed, and it’s our job as coaches and players to put on a show people want to watch.
“First and foremost, people want to watch winning teams and it’s our job. It’ll be our job to change what we think we’ve got a bit of a dearth of. I think we need some pace in the team if that’s available.
“I thought the fans were really positive today in fairness. I’d like to think anyone who came today saw a group of players who gave their all trying to win the game and it wasn’t to be. But in fairness the opposition are trying to get in the playoffs – I think before the game started, they were 7th, and I’d like to think we can finish above 7th next year. That’s why we’ve come here. If that’s the benchmark, I thought our lads performed really well.”
Northampton’s final away match of the season saw them beaten 3-0 by Crawley Town as the home side kept slim hopes of survival alive.
Goals by Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Jeremy Kelly and Kamari Doyle won the game for the home side, with Northampton unable to get themselves a final away win of the season.
Victory looks to be in vain for Crawley, as Burton Albion’s last minute winner against Cambridge means the Brewers are three points clear of both Crawley and Bristol Rovers but with a goal difference advantage in excess of ten and with a game in hand. Burton would confirm their survival with a point against Wigan in their game in hand on Tuesday.
As for the Cobblers, who confirmed their own survival on Easter Monday, they sit 18th with one game of the season to go, though they would be leapfrogged if Mansfield manage a surprise win away at league champions Birmingham City.
Knowing they needed a win, Crawley began on the front foot with Liam Fraser shooting just wide in the early stages.
Toby Steward denied Cameron McGeehan in Northampton’s first opportunity of note, before the home side took the lead in the final minutes of the first half.
Hepburn-Murphy received a pass from Panutche Camara, before drilling a low shot that beat Lee Burge.
Just after the break, Kelly saw a strike deflected onto the bar by Terry Taylor, with Dara Costelloe denied on a Cobblers break.
A second goal from the home side looked likelier, however, with Burge denying Hepburn-Murphy and the scorer of the first half goal seeing a later strike blocked.
Crawley would make it 2-0 with just under 25 minutes to go, as Kelly placed a finish into the back of the net beyond Burge’s grasp.
Substitute Doyle would grab a late third for the home side, which confirmed victory for the Red Devils and left them hoping for positive news from the Pirelli Stadium after Cambridge had scored a late equaliser.
It wasn’t to be for the hosts, however, as news filtered through of an injury time winner for Burton, in a result that sent Cambridge down and leaves Burton close to confirming survival.
For Northampton, the Cobblers were left to lick their wounds as they left Sussex a beaten side.
Northampton’s season ends next Saturday when they host Wigan Athletic in the final match of the campaign.
The Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park will be hosting commemorative events for the upcoming 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Events will be held on Thursday 8th May 2025 to mark the 80 year anniversary since the day in 1945 when the European front of the Second World War concluded.
The Parks Trust, which looks after the MK Rose, have said that local residents are invited to join the city’s celebration at the Milton Keynes Rose.
The celebration begins from 8pm on Thursday 8 May to enjoy music, dancing and singing, plus refreshments before processing to the Light Pyramid. At 9.30pm, the beacon will be lit along with over a thousand other Beacons and hundreds of Lamp Lights of Peace to shine throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The flames and light will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war.
Sarah Clarke DL, Chair of the Milton Keynes Rose Trust said, “This is a unique moment in our history. The purpose of the Milton Keynes Rose is to bring our diverse communities together to reflect and celebrate special moments such as VE Day 80, and to give thanks for all those who played their part in securing peace in Europe.”
Victoria Miles MBE, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, added, “We’re delighted to support Milton Keynes Rose in the significant VE Day 80 anniversary. An evening of joy, reflection, and celebration right in the heart of the city will bring communities together in the park, to join the procession, see the light pyramid illumination, and enjoy some music – with song sheets for those who like to singalong.”
To find out more about the event, visit theparkstrust.com/VE80
Thames Valley Police (TVP) have apologised after the jury at an inquest ruled neglect by a former officer lead to the death of a man in Milton Keynes.
The jury delivered a verdict regarding the death of Brian Ringrose, who passed away in early 2021.
Mr Ringrose, who was aged 24 at the time, was medically discharged into the custody of TVP officers at Milton Keynes hospital on 27 January 2021.
Officers then attempted to take Mr Ringrose back to custody but had to restrain him in the middle of the hospital’s A&E department in the view of medical professionals and the public.
After a prolonged period of restraint, officers took him to a custody vehicle, before the officers then realised he required immediate medical attention. He was taken back into the hospital and placed in an induced coma. He sadly died on 2 February 2021.
The inquest concluded the act constituted an unlawful killing as an act of manslaughter by a former Thames Valley Police officer. This was contributed to by neglect by one officer who was involved in the restraint.
Two other officers and medical staff who were also present contributed by neglect, as they did not intervene to ensure the welfare of Mr Ringrose.
Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Brian Ringrose’s family and friends.
“We are deeply sorry, and truly saddened, for what happened to Mr Ringrose.
“It is apparent that Mr Ringrose was still suffering from the effects of drugs toxicity and had been discharged by the hospital to be taken back to custody by officers.
“It is clear that how our officers dealt with Mr Ringrose was not acceptable and did not follow approved training.
“Mr Ringrose was subjected to excessive force through restraint by a former officer, which was completely unacceptable. The technique used, was and is not, an approved restraint technique and did not follow the force’s operational guidance or approved practices.
“Additionally, the care and monitoring of Mr Ringrose during the prolonged restraint was wholly inadequate and again did not follow operational training and guidance.
“Following a gross misconduct hearing with an independent chair, the officer who restrained Mr Ringrose, was dismissed without notice, another officer involved was given a final written warning for five years.
“There is nothing that can bring Mr Ringrose back, and we offer our sincerest apologies to his family after he died in these circumstances.
“Whenever a significant incident happens within the force we will always look to review our policies and training. We have reviewed our current practices alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct, who have made a number of recommendations, which have been implemented fully.
“We are aware that His Majesty’s Coroner is likely to give further direction to the force and we will of course take any actions required of us”.
TVP have confirmed that following a gross misconduct hearing on 27 July 2024, in front of a legally qualified independent chair, two officers were proven to have committed gross misconduct.
A now-former police officer was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour with regards to Use of Force and Duties and Responsibilities, in that he restrained Mr Ringrose with his arms above his shoulder, which was not necessary or proportionate. Additionally, he failed to monitor Mr Ringrose properly throughout the restraint. This amounted to gross misconduct. TVP confirmed that he was dismissed without notice.
A PC was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour with regards to Duties and Responsibilities, in that he failed in his duty of care to Mr Ringrose. This amounted to gross misconduct. He was given a final written warning to last for five years.
Three other officers were given reflective practice in relation to this incident.
Luton Town have confirmed their match against Coventry City will go ahead despite a small fire at their Kenilworth Road stadium.
A small fire had broken out in a laundry room at around 8pm last night (25/04). Crews from multiple fire stations were summoned to extinguish the blaze.
Footage of crews dealing with the blaze and closing adjacent roads had been picked up on social media.
Luton are scheduled to host Coventry in a match at 12:30pm today (26/04), but in a statement, the Championship club confirmed the fire had been dealt with by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue.
The club said, “We would like to advise supporters that following reports of an incident at Kenilworth Road this evening, there is no disruption to tomorrow’s fixture with Coventry City taking place.
“Smoke was found to be coming from a small appliance that had caught fire in the stadium’s laundry room, which was contained within that area and has been dealt with swiftly to prevent any substantial damage.
“We would like to offer a huge thank you to Beds Fire & Rescue for their quick intervention, along with club partners and staff who are also on site to help resolve the issue and ensure that everything is now safe.”
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed they had been summoned, but that their work had been successful in containing the blaze.
Their statement read, “At 8.08pm on Friday (25) crews from Luton, Stopsley, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard were called a fire in a laundry room at Luton Town Football Club.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire from an aerial platform and a 9m ladder using two hose reels. A thermal imaging camera was also used to check for hotspots.
“The fire has now been extinguished.”
The match between Luton and Coventry is the Hatters’ final home game of the season. Luton host 6th place Coventry needing points in order to help themselves climb out of the Championship relegation zone, ahead of a final day trip to West Bromwich Albion next weekend.
