2006–07 in English football

The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.

Overview

* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five. Level 9 decreased from fifteen divisions to fourteen.
* Wembley Stadium was completed to host the FA Cup Final, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5233596.stm Wembley 'ready for 2007 FA final'] "BBC News". Retrieved on December 21, 2006] however it was not ready for the national team's first three 2008 UEFA European Football Championship home qualifiers. The three matches were played at Old Trafford in Manchester.
* Arsenal moved into their new home, the 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5199562.stm Arsenal open doors on new stadium] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007] Emirates became the club's shirt sponsor. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3715678.stm Arsenal name new ground] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
* Following promotion from the Championship, Reading played in the Premiership and the "top flight" of English football for the first time in their 135-year history and won their first game, coming back from 0-2 down to beat Middlesbrough 3-2. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4786631.stm Reading 3-2 Middlesbrough] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*Accrington Stanley (the third, present version) played in the Football League for the first time. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/accrington_stanley/5236018.stm Accrington Stanley, who are they?] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007] The previous club of the same name dissolved with massive debts and in 1962 became the first club to leave the Football League mid-season.
*Oxford United played in the Conference National after being relegated from the Football League. [ [http://www.thisisunited.com/reports/item.asp?ID=211 Burgess hits a screamer] "thisisunited.com". Retrieved on January 2, 2007] They are the first former winners of a major trophy to play at this level, having won the League Cup in 1986. [ [http://www.thisisunited.com/history/?subject=highs Club history - The highs] "thisisunited.com". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]

Events

*22 June 2006 - Fixtures for the Premier League and the Football League are released. [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=372022&cc=5739 Barclays Premiership fixtures 2006-07] "ESPNsoccernet". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*30 June 2006 - Rupert Lowe resigns from Southampton. Michael Wilde's consortium takes control of the club. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/5133486.stm Saints chairman Lowe stands down] "BBC News". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*27 July 2006 - A consortium led by Niall Quinn takes full control of Sunderland after previously buying out the former chairman Bob Murray. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/s/sunderland/5222096.stm Quinn takes control of Sunderland] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*1 August 2006 - Steve McClaren begins his job as England manager. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4969592.stm McClaren named as England manager] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*2 August 2006 - Leeds United chairman Ken Bates reports his former club Chelsea to The Football Association, Premier League and FIFA over the alleged 'tapping-up' of three Leeds youth team players. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5238558.stm Bates makes Chelsea tap-up claim] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*5 August 2006 - The Football League season begins, with Luton Town beating Leicester City 2-0 in the first game. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/5226758.stm Luton 2-0 Leicester] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*8 August 2006 - The 500,000th goal in the history of English league football (FA Premier League and Football League) was scored by Huddersfield Town's Gary Taylor-Fletcher in their 3-0 victory over Rotherham United. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/5248238.stm Huddersfield 3-0 Rotherham] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*10 August 2006 - John Terry is appointed as the new captain of England. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4780745.stm Terry named new England skipper] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*12 August 2006 - The Football Conference begins, along with most other non-league campaigns. [ [http://www.footballconference.co.uk/News/Cmp_FC_Results/0,14015,200608,00.html Conference Results for August 2006] "footballconference.co.uk". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*13 August 2006 - Liverpool take the first silverware of the season, as they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4780739.stm Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*19 August 2006 - The Premier League season begins with Sheffield United and Liverpool drawing 1-1. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4786663.stm Sheffield United 1-1 Liverpool] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*23 August 2006 - Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher elbows Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes in the face at the City of Manchester Stadium, after the two challenged for the same ball. This left Mendes unconscious and needing hospital treatment. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5266156.stm Man City 0-0 Portsmouth] "BBC Sport". Retrieved January 2, 2007] Thatcher was shown a yellow card for the incident, but he was later banned by his club and charged with violent misconduct by The FA. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5281686.stm Thatcher dropped & charged by FA] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*31 August 2006 - Chelsea are fined £40,000 by The F.A. for breaching doping regulations. [ [http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/08/ChelseaFined.htm Chelsea fined] "TheFA.com". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*4 September 2006 - Andy Webster's controversial move to Wigan Athletic is ratified by FIFA. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/5233096.stm Fifa allows Webster to join Wigan] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*8 September 2006 - Liverpool get permission from Liverpool city council to build a new 60,000 all-seater stadium in nearby Stanley Park. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/5327426.stm Liverpool get go-ahead on stadium] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 2, 2007]
*19 September 2006 - After becoming majority shareholder at the club, Randy Lerner officially becomes chairman of Aston Villa, replacing 82-year-old Doug Ellis. [ [http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1876082,00.html Ellis replaced by Lerner] "Guardian Unlimited". Retrieved on January 20, 2007] A BBC "Panorama" programme is aired, alleging widespread corruption in the English game. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5362140.stm Panorama: Who is accused of what?] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 1, 2006]
*14 October 2006 - Chelsea goalkeepers, Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini, both received head injuries during their match against Reading. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/16/stories/2006101603311900.htm Chelsea pays a heavy price for Reading win] "The Hindu". Retrieved on December 31, 2006] Čech underwent surgery for a depressed skull fracture and is expected to be out for six months, [http://english.sina.com/sports/p/1/2006/1016/92035.html Chelsea goalie Cech recovers from head surgery] "Sina English.com". Retrieved on December 31, 2006] while Cudicini was treated and released.
*28 October 2006 - Aston Villa, the last unbeaten team in the Football League at this point, lose 3-1 to Liverpool at Anfield. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6072868.stm Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 31, 2006]
*21 November 2006 - West Ham United accept Eggert Magnússon's £85m takeover bid for the club. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6165272.stm West Ham accept £85m takeover bid] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on November 23, 2006]
*29 November 2006 - England National Game XI, the English semi-professional team, win the inaugural European Challenge Trophy after a 4-1 win over Holland. [ [http://www.thefa.com/England/NationalGameXI/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/11/EnglandNGXI_vHolland.htm England take the trophy] "TheFA.com". Retrieved on 31 January 2007]
*5 December 2006 - Macclesfield Town, the last team without a win in the Football League, beat Rochdale 1-0 at Moss Rose. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6201598.stm Macclesfield 1-0 Rochdale] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*20 December 2006 - Bury are thrown out of this season's FA Cup after they fielded an ineligible player, Stephen Turnbull, on-loan from Hartlepool United in their 3-1 second round replay win at Chester City on 12 December. Chester will replace Bury in the third round. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/6186407.stm Chester take Bury's FA Cup place] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on 20 December, 2006] Lord Stevens releases the results of his inquiry in the allegation of corruption in the English game, pin-pointing seventeen transfers that he will investigate further. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6192665.stm Bung inquiry targets 17 transfers] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*23 December 2006 - Doncaster Rovers play their final game at Belle Vue against Nottingham Forest. They move into the 15,000 seat Keepmoat Stadium. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6197873.stm All change at Doncaster] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 30, 2006]
*30 December 2006 - Moritz Volz of Fulham scored the 15,000th goal in the history of the F.A. Premier League, opening the scoring in his side's 2-2 draw away at Chelsea. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6205605.stm Chelsea 2-2 Fulham] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 30, 2006]
*11 January 2007 - Former Barrow defender James Cotterill is sentenced to four months in prison for causing grievous bodily harm to Bristol Rovers player Sean Rigg during an FA Cup first round match in November 2006. Rigg suffered a double fracture of the jaw after being punched by Cotterill. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6252157.stm FA Cup assault footballer jailed] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 16, 2007]
*25 January 2007 - Peter Taylor leaves his job as England under-21 manager, stating that he wants to focus on managing his other team, Crystal Palace. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6297685.stm Taylor quits England U21 position] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 25, 2007]
*February 1. 2007 - Stuart Pearce is appointed as Peter Taylor's replacement. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6320801.stm Pearce named as England U21 boss] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on February 5, 2007]
*6 February 2007 - George Gillett and Tom Hicks complete their takeover of Liverpool. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6244441.stm US business duo at Liverpool helm] "BBC News". Retrieved on February 6, 2007]
*7 February 2007 - Milan Mandarić completes his takeover of Leicester City. [cite news | title = Mandaric seals Leicester takeover| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/6355687.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2007-02-13 | accessdate = 2007-02-24]
*25 February 2007 - Chelsea defeat Arsenal 2-1 in the Carling Cup final at the Millennium Stadium. The match was marred by a mass brawl between the two sides during the final few minutes of the game, in which three players were sent off. [cite news | title = Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 2007-02-25| accessdate = 2007-02-27]
*3 March 2007 - Stockport County set a Football League record of nine consecutive wins without conceding a goal by beating Swindon Town 3-0 at Edgeley Park. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6408259.stm Stockport 3-0 Swindon] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on March 17, 2007] Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey keeps the club record nine consecutive clean sheets and is named Player of the Month for February 2007. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/6417015.stm |title=Hennessey's heroics secure award |accessdate=2007-03-17 |date=March 4 2007 |publisher=BBC Sport]
*17 March 2007 - The new Wembley Stadium opens for a special community event. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6459415.stm|title=Doors finally open at new Wembley|accessdate=2007-03-17 |date=2007-03-17 |publisher=BBC News]
*1 April 2007 - Doncaster Rovers win the competition for lower-division football league clubs, as they beat Bristol Rovers 3-2 after extra time in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6514043.stm Bristol Rovers 2-3 Doncaster AET] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 2, 2007]
*7 April 2007 - Dagenham & Redbridge win the Conference and promotion to the Football League. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dagenham_and_redbridge/6532833.stm|title=Daggers delight at promotion prize|accessdate=2007-04-07|author=Bevan, Chris|date=2007-04-07|publisher=BBC Sport]
*9 April 2007 - St Albans City are relegated from the Conference. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6513683.stm Tamworth 1-1 St Albans] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 9, 2007] Brentford are relegated to League Two. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6513567.stm Crewe 3-1 Brentford] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 10, 2007]
*14 April 2007 - Torquay United are relegated to the Conference. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6534985.stm Torquay lose Football League spot] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 14, 2007] Scunthorpe United are promoted to the Championship. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6534681.stm Scunthorpe 2-0 Huddersfield] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 14, 2007] Hartlepool United and Walsall are both promoted to League One. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6534995.stm Wycombe 0-1 Hartlepool] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 14, 2007] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6534979.stm Notts County 1-2 Walsall] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 14, 2007] Rotherham United are relegated to League Two. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6534677.stm Rotherham 0-1 Carlisle] "BBC Sport". Retrieved April 14, 2007]
*20 April 2007 - Luton Town are relegated to League One. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6555423.stm Derby 1-0 Luton] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 20 2007]
*21 April 2007 - Watford are relegated from the Premiership. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6555251.stm Watford 1-1 Man City] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 21 2007] Droylsden are promoted to the Conference. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6580029.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Non League | Droylsden claim Conference place ] ]
*22 April 2007 - Cristiano Ronaldo is named PFA Player of the Year as well as PFA Young Player of the Year. Eight out of the eleven players who are named in the PFA Premiership Team of the Year are Manchester United players, including Cristiano Ronaldo. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm Ronaldo secures PFA awards double] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 23 2007]
*24 April 2007 - Tamworth and Southport are relegated from the Conference. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6539895.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Ups and downs ] ]
*28 April 2007 - Southend United are relegated from the Championship. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6578811.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Championship | Southend 1-3 Luton ] ] Chesterfield and Bradford City are both relegated from League One. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6578859.stm BBC SPORT | Football | League One | Chesterfield 3-0 Bradford ] ]
*29 April 2007 - Derby County lose to Crystal Palace meaning that Birmingham City and Sunderland are promoted to the Premiership. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6605665.stm Birmingham & Sunderland promoted] ]
*4 May 2007 - Leeds United are relegated to League One for the first time in their history after they go into administration. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/6625751.stm BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Leeds United | Relegated Leeds in administration ] ]
*5 May 2007 - Manchester United come on top in the Manchester derby beating Manchester City 1-0. In doing so United extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to 8 points. City's failure to score means that they set a new record for the fewest goals scored at home in a season by a club in the top flight, with only 10 scored in the season. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6602881.stm Man City 0-1 Man United] ] Bristol City are promoted to the Championship. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6602951.stm BBC SPORT | Football | League One | Bristol City 3-1 Rotherham ] ] Boston United are relegated to the Conference. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6602951.stm BBC SPORT | Football | League One | Bristol City 3-1 Rotherham ] ] Swindon Town are promoted to League One and Walsall are League Two champions. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602935.stm BBC SPORT | Football | League Two | Swindon 1-1 Walsall ] ]
*6 May 2007 - Manchester United win the Premiership after Chelsea only draw 1-1 at Arsenal. [ [http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6630511.stm Man Utd secure Premiership title] ] Sunderland win the Championship with a 5-0 win at Luton Town, whilst Birmingham City lose 1-0 at Preston North End. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6602865.stm Sunderland win to secure title] ]
*7 May 2007 - Arsenal Ladies completed an unprecedented Quadruple of trophies, defeating Charlton Athletic 4-1 in the FA Women's Cup final, to add to their FA Women's Premier League, Women's League Cup and UEFA Women's Cup victories. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/6632373.stm Arsenal win FA Women's Cup] ] Charlton Athletic are relegated from the Premiership after they lose to Tottenham Hotspur. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6602895.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Premiership | Charlton 0-2 Tottenham ] ]
*13 May 2007 - Sheffield United are relegated from the Premiership after losing 2-1 at home to Wigan Athletic, and West Ham United beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6627849.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Premiership | Sheff Utd 1-2 Wigan ] ]
*18 May 2007 - The Football League confirmed that Boston United were deducted 10 points for entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement in the final seconds of their League Two defeat at Wrexham, a game which saw the "The Pilgrims" relegated. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/boston_united/6670393.stm |title=League confirm Boston deduction |accessdate=2007-05-19 |date=May 18 2007 |publisher=BBC Sport]
*19 May 2007 - Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the FA Cup. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/6649815.stm BBC SPORT | Football | FA Cup | Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United ] ]
*20 May 2007 - Morecambe are promoted to the Football League after beating Exeter City 2-1 in the Conference National play-off final. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6649837.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Non League | Exeter 1-2 Morecambe ] ]
*26 May 2007 - Bristol Rovers win the League Two play-off final. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6686951.stm BBC SPORT | Football | League Two | Bristol Rovers 3-1 Shrewsbury ] ]
*27 May 2007 - Blackpool win the League One play off final. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6686991.stm BBC SPORT | Football | League One | Yeovil 0-2 Blackpool ] ]
*28 May 2007 - Derby County defeat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in the Championship play-off final. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6689971.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Championship | Derby 1-0 West Brom ] ]

Managerial changes

Non-League football

Football League Championship

Sunderland won the division under new manager Roy Keane. The club had lost their first five games, and looked ominous for a second relegation but Keane's surprise appointment by rookie chairman Niall Quinn paid off and they surged up the table, losing just one of their final 20 games.

Keane's former Manchester United colleague, Steve Bruce also took Birmingham back into the Premier League, ensuring that they only remained in the Championship for one season.

Derby County spent half the season in the top 2 but fell away in the final weeks to slip into the play-off places. Nonetheless, they won promotion by beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in the final at the recently-opened new Wembley Stadium. This denied the Baggies an immediate return to the Premier League, which would have meant all 3 relegated clubs from the previous season were promoted.

Preston were perhaps the biggest chokers as they lost 5 of their final 7 games to slump out of the play-off places they had occupied through the bulk of the season, missing out on a third successive play-off finish. Cardiff City had been the early pace-setters, leading the table until almost the midway point but their form tailed off badly in the second half.

After a play-off final appearance the previous year, Leeds finished bottom amidst yet more financial worries and acrimony. Their placing at the foot of the table was due to a 10 point deduction they suffered after going into voluntary administration after their relegation was all but confirmed on the penultimate weekend.

Luton sold some of their best players and were relegated, while Southend lasted only a single season in the Championship after their two successive promotions. Colchester fared best of the newly-promoted clubs, comfortably finishing in 10th, largely on the back of their strong home form at the division's smallest stadium, Layer Road.

* Deducted 10 points for entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement

Monthly awards

Transfer deals

The summer transfer window saw many high profile moves. These included Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack joining Chelsea, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5035604.stm Chelsea complete Shevchenko deal] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 6 2007] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4769763.stm Chelsea announce Ballack capture] "BBC Sport" Retrieved on January 6, 2007] and Ruud van Nistelrooy leaving Manchester United to join Real Madrid. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200607/s1699108.htm Van Nistelrooy signs with Real Madrid] "ABC Sport". Retrieved on January 6, 2007] West Ham United secured the surprise double signing of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tévez from Corinthians, [ [http://www.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/08/31/england.hammers/index.html Tevez and Mascherano join West Ham] "CNN.com". Retrieved February 24, 2007] and Dietmar Hamann's transfer to Bolton Wanderers became the shortest in English footballing history. [ [http://www.footballtransfers.co.uk/transfers/transfer_shorts.html Transfer Shorts] "Football Transfers.co.uk". Retrieved on January 6, 2007]

The January transfer window was quieter than the summer, with Ashley Young's £9.65m move to Aston Villa [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6277389.stm Young completes £9.65m Villa move] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on February 24, 2007] and Matthew Upson's £6m move to West Ham United [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/6307255.stm West Ham capture Upson from Blues] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on February 24, 2007] the window's most expensive.

In total, Premiership clubs spent the highest amount on transfers in the summer since the transfer window system was introduced. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5305326.stm Premier clubs enjoy summer spree] "BBC News". Retrieved on January 9, 2007]

Retirements

*1 August 2006 – Peter Atherton (Halifax Town) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/5168000.stm Atherton forced to call it a day] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*13 September 2006 – David Johnson (Nottingham Forest) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/5343030.stm Back injury ends Johnson career] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*6 October 2006 – Brian O'Neil (Preston North End) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/preston/5413104.stm O'Neil retires because of injury] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*23 October 2006 – Steve Blatherwick (Chesterfield) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/5350254.stm Blatherwick forced to quit game] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*27 October 2006 – Peter Beagrie (Grimsby Town) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/6091744.stm Veteran Beagrie is set to retire] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*29 November 2006 – Micky Evans (Torquay United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/6195638.stm Veteran target man Evans retires] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*6 December 2006 – Mark Kinsella (Walsall) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/6215390.stm Kinsella joins staff at Charlton] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*13 December 2006 – Chris Plummer (Peterborough United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/6177267.stm Posh star Plummer quits football] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on March 29, 2006]
*15 December 2006 – Steve Stone (Leeds United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/6184901.stm Stone takes retirement decision] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*19 December 2006 – Thomas Gaardsøe (West Bromwich Albion) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/6193931.stm Baggies defender Gaardsoe retires] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 21, 2006]
*9 February 2007 – Mark Clyde (Wolverhampton Wanderers) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/6348091.stm Injuries force Clyde's retirement] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on February 9, 2007]
*1 March 2007 – Ian Stonebridge (Wycombe Wanderers) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wycombe_wanderers/6409457.stm Stonebridge forced to quit game] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on March 1, 2007]
*8 March 2007 – Marino Keith (Colchester United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/6431773.stm Striker Keith decides to retire] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on March 8, 2007]
*11 April 2007 – Eoin Jess (Northampton Town) cite news | title = Veteran Jess leaves Northampton | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northampton_town/6525137.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2007-04-11
accessdate = 2007-04-11]
*17 May 2007 – Martin Phillips (Torquay United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/6665703.stm Torquay's Phillips hangs up boots] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on May 17, 2007]
*End of season – Rufus Brevett (Oxford United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/6707447.stm Brevett announces his retirement] "BBC Sport" Retrieved on August 17, 2007]
*End of season – Alec Chamberlain (Watford) [ [http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1027381,00.html New page for Chamberlain] "Watford FC Official Site" Retrieved on August 17, 2007]
*End of season – Gary Kelly (Leeds United) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/6611071.stm Leeds veteran Kelly set to retire] "BBC Sport" Retrieved on August 17, 2007]
*End of season – Jason McAteer (Tranmere Rovers) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tranmere_rovers/6745631.stm McAteer opts to hang up his boots] "BBC Sport" Retrieved on August 17, 2007]
*End of season – John McDermott (Grimsby Town) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/6909790.stm Grimsby legend nets coaching role] "BBC Sport" Retrieved on August 17, 2007]
*End of season – Ian Taylor (Northampton Town) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/northampton_town/6587329.stm Taylor set for final appearance] "BBC Sport" Retrieved on August 17, 2007]
*23 June 2007 – Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/6233262.stm Bournemouth defender Howe retires] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on June 23, 2007]

Deaths

*18 July 2006 - Jimmy Leadbetter, 78, former Ipswich Town winger. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article1185315.ece Jimmy Leadbetter Obituary] "The Independent". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*21 July 2006 - Bert Slater, 70, former Liverpool and Watford goalkeeper. [ [http://news.scotsman.com/obituaries.cfm?id=1082032006 Bert Slater Obituary] "Scotsman.com". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*28 July 2006 - Sep Smith, 94, former Leicester City wing-half, and oldest living England international. [ [http://leicestercity.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=889&p=2&stid=8417486 Sep Smith Passes Away] "FoxFanzine.com". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*28 July 2006 - Billy Walsh, 85, former Manchester City defender, and Republic of Ireland international. [ [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchestercity/s/219/219313_city_legend_walsh_dies_85.html City legend Walsh dies, 85] "Manchester Evening News". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*18 August 2006 - Norman Rowlinson, 83, former chairman of Crewe Alexandra. [ [http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewealexandra/news/tm_headline=alex-saviour-rowlinson-loses-battle-&method=full&objectid=17609844&siteid=50020-name_page.html Alex saviour Rowlinson loses battle] "icCheshireOnline.co.uk". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*2 September 2006 - Lionel Pickering, 74, former chairman of Derby County and noted businessman. Bought the club from Robert Maxwell in 1990 and owned it for 13 years, during which time Derby spent six seasons in the Premier League and moved into a new stadium. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/5308336.stm Former Derby County chairman dies] "BBC News". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*2 September 2006 - Charlie Williams, 77, former Doncaster Rovers defender who later became a successful comedian. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5309634.stm Comic Charlie Williams dies] "BBC News". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*9 September 2006 - Matt Gadsby, 27, Hinckley United defender, died on the pitch in a game against Harrogate Town. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/5331422.stm Hinckley Utd defender Gadsby dies] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*9 September 2006 - Simon Patterson, 24, former Watford and Wycombe striker, died in a car accident. [ [http://www.wycombewanderers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10430~895293,00.html Simon Patterson dies] "Wycombe Wanderers Official Site". Retrieved on January 21, 2007]
*17 September 2006 - George Heslop, 66, former Manchester City defender. [ [http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=364197 George Heslop Obituary] "Manchester City Official Site". Retrieved on December 23, 2006]
*1 November 2006 - Johnny Schofield, 75, former Birmingham City goalkeeper. [ [http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/blues/tm_headline=legendary-keeper-schofield-dies&method=full&objectid=18038847&siteid=50002-name_page.html Legendary keeper Schofield dies] "IC Birmingham". Retrieved on January 22, 2007]
*31 December 2006 - Joe Walton, 81, former Preston North End full-back. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2154840.ece Obituary: Joe Walton] "The Independent". Retrieved on January 22, 2007]
*8 January 2007 - Johnny Spuhler, 89, former Sunderland and Middlesbrough winger, and former manager of Shrewsbury Town. [ [http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=11420 Former player Johnny Spuhler dies] "safc.com". Retrieved on January 8, 2007]
*20 January 2007 - Don Weston, 70, former Leeds United striker. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2401698.ece Obituary: Don Weston] "The Independent". Retrieved on April 9, 2007]
*22 January 2007 - Bobby Dale, 75, former Bury and Colchester winger, cancer. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6287369.stm Ex-Bury and U's winger has died] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on January 24, 2007]
*23 February 2007 - John Ritchie, 65, former Stoke City striker; club's all-time top goalscorer. Played in the 1972 Football League Cup triumph. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6391129.stm Stoke's record scorer passes away] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on February 25, 2007]
*24 February 2007 - Jock Dodds, 91, Blackpool striker who held the record for fastest hat-trick in English football history. [ [http://www.blackpoolonline.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2075049&SectionID=64 Jack Dodds Obituary] "Blackpool Online". Retrieved on March 24, 2007]
*14 March 2007 - Tommy Cavanagh, 78, Huddersfield Town forward who later manager Brentford and Burnley, and was assistant manager at Manchester United when Dave Sexton was manager between 1977 and 1981. Died after a five-year struggle with Alzeihmer's Disease. [ [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1002/1002114_doc_in_salute_to_cavanagh.html Manchester Evening News: Doc in salute to Cavanagh] "Manchester Evening News". Retrieved on March 24, 2007]
*7 April 2007 - Brian Miller, 70, former Burnley and England international footballer. Managed the club during the late 1980s. [ [http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/news/newsheadlines/display.var.1315047.0.clarets_legend_brian_miller_dies.php Burnley Citizen: Clarets legend Miller dies] ]
*12 April 2007 - Len Hill, 65, former Newport and Swansea wing-half; also a first-class cricketer. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/counties/glamorgan/6547863.stm Welsh dual sport star Hill dies] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 12, 2007]
*14 April 2007 - Bobby Cram, 67, former West Bromwich and Colchester full-back. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/6564099.stm Ex-Colchester captain Cram dies] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 22 2007]
*24 April 2007 - Alan Ball, 61, former England international midfielder, 1966 World Cup winner. Died from a heart attack at his home in Hampshire. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6590715.stm World Cup winner Ball dies at 61] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on April 25, 2007]
*6 June 2007 - Warren Bradley, 73, former Manchester United and England winger. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2636209.ece The Independent: Warren Bradley obituary] . Retrieved on June 9, 2007]
*24 June 2007 - Derek Dougan, 69, former Wolves and Northern Ireland forward, heart attack. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/6234726.stm Wolves legend Dougan dies aged 69 ] "BBC Sport". Retrieved on June 24, 2007]

See also

* 2005-06 in English football
* 2007-08 in English football
* Premier League 2006-07
* The Football League 2006-07
* FA Cup 2006-07
* Carling Cup 2006-07
* Bristol Rovers F.C. season 2006-07
* Ipswich Town F.C. season 2006-07
* Plymouth Argyle F.C. season 2006-07
* 2006-07 Season for Sunderland A.F.C.
* West Ham United F.C. 2006-2007

References