Newport County appoint John Sheridan as new manager

Newport have appointed John Sheridan as their new manager following the departure of Terry Butcher.

Sheridan, 51, unveiled as boss a day after Butcher left the club on Thursday, will take charge of this weekend's Sky Bet League 2 game against Exeter.

The former Oldham, Chesterfield and Plymouth boss is yet to confirm his backroom staff and will be assisted by Byron Anthony and Michael Flynn on Saturday.
Sheridan told the club's official website

Johanna Konta loses to Venus Williams at Wuhan Open

Britain's Johanna Konta was beaten 6-4 3-6 7-5 by former world number one Venus Williams in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open.

Konta, who won 21 of her previous 22 matches and beat world number two Simona Halep on Wednesday, served for a place in the last four in the decider.

However American Williams, 35, won four games on the trot to set up a semi-final against Roberta Vinci.

Konta's form will see the 24-year-old take over as British number one.

She started the year 150th in the world but is now 66th and will next week pass compatriot Heather Watson in the rankings.

Williams, the current world number 24, has won seven Grand Slams since turning professional in October 1994.

"I went on court to win and to do my best," said Konta. "I gave my all. It just wasn't enough.

"I lost to a pretty incredible champion. She played an incredible match. I just feel very fortunate that I got to share the court with her."

Konta made Williams work hard for the victory, becoming the first person to take a set off her at the Wuhan Open after losing the first.

She then led 5-3 in the final set and looked on course to record another upset at the tournament.

However Williams drew upon all of her experience to grind out the victory, coming out on top in a breathtaking final game that saw the crowd applaud midway through one particularly impressive rally.

"Johanna played so well. She has had a wonderful summer," said Williams.

"It seemed like I was finished but I felt the energy from the crowd."

David Beckham: Sir Alex Ferguson to manage former England captain

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will manage a Great Britain and Ireland XI captained by David Beckham in a charity match next month.


The team will take on a World XI captained by France legend Zinedine Zidane at Old Trafford on 14 November.

Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti will manage the World XI, while Italian Pierluigi Collina will referee the match.

Money raised from ticket sales will be donated to children's charity Unicef.

Ferguson, 73, retired in 2013, having won 38 trophies during 26 years in charge at Old Trafford.

Former England captain Beckham made 394 appearances over an 11-year period for United under Ferguson before he was sold to Real Madrid in 2003, four months after the Scot accidentally kicked a boot that struck the ex-Old Trafford midfielder above the left eye.

Ferguson was also critical of his Beckham in his autobiography, but Beckham told BBC Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw that he had personally called the Scot to ask him to take part.

"Everyone knows I retired three years ago and I never thought I'd be getting my boots out again and playing," said Beckham. "Football is such a powerful tool and to have Zidane on the field, Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti in the stands, I think people are going to love it."

The 40-year-old, a Unicef ambassador, added: "This match gives me the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds to help reach the children who need it most."