Summary

  • Luton drew with Middlesbrough in the first match of 2019-20 English Football League season

  • Ashley Fletcher headed an early Middlesbrough opener from six yards

  • Sonny Bradley's 25-yard screamer brought Luton level, Martin Cranie headed Hatters in front

  • Luton goalkeeper Simon Sluga fumbled Britt Assombalonga's tame shot into net for 2-2

  • Lewis Wing restored Boro's advantage with curling long-range effort

  • James Collins equalised again for home side with five minutes left

  1. Postpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    I make it League One o'clock.

    If you've not read anything about your club so far, brace yourself...

  2. 'Clubs are going to have to be sustainable'published at 14:26 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Mark Clemmit
    BBC Sport

    After point deductions for Bury and Bolton, Mark Clemmit warns about future funding for clubs:

    "Clubs are going to have to be sustainable because I just don’t think there are the benefactors out there that are going to take these clubs on.”

    You can listen to BBC Radio 5 Live's 90-minute EFL preview show on BBC Sounds.

  3. QUIZ: What you might have missed during pre-seasonpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    What is Forest Green's kit made out of? Why has Preston midfielder Ben Pearson's mum stopped going to his games? And which League One club beat Marseille in a pre-season friendly?

    All this and more in our quiz, which you can have a go at here.

  4. get involved

    Get Involved #bbceflpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Who will be the EFL's star player this season?

    Ivan CavaleiroImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Fulham have the option to buy on-loan winger Ivan Cavaleiro at the end of the Championship season

    Sam Gollings: Ivan Cavaleiro could be a star at Fulham this year. Cav, Mitrovic and Sessegnon as a front three is really exciting. Leeds' attack will be fun to watch as well with the addition of Helder Costa, if Bielsa can get him back to his best.

    Luke Webb: I'm looking forward to seeing Mateuz Bogusz break through. Played his socks off in pre-season. Reckon Phillips, Klich and Harrison will also be huge for L, externaleeds.

  5. Better times ahead for Reading?published at 14:16 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Jack Winstanley
    BBC Berkshire

    Reading have had a frustrating summer in the transfer market, with a 'soft' transfer embargo stifling their recruitment since the end of the season.

    Having said that, they’ve managed to attract promising goalkeeper Joao Virginia to the club on loan, alongside the experienced duo of Michael Morrison and Charlie Adam.

    Combine this with the news that Champions League-winner John O’Shea has joined Jose Gomes' coaching team following the end of his playing career and you have a situation that excites many Royals fans, who are hoping the last two years of relegation battles are behind them.

    Reading celebrate a goalImage source, Reuters
  6. Out with the old and in with the new at Millwallpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Andy Rowley
    BBC Radio London

    Millwall manager Neil Harris is the longest-serving manager in the Championship but last season may have been the toughest since he took overall charge.

    The Lions followed a superb eighth-place finish in 2017-18 with a relegation battle last season and Harris has seen enough to take a new broom to the squad.

    He told BBC Radio London earlier this week that the upcoming season is "the start of a new cycle and a new era".

    With that in mind, club stalwart Steve Morison is out on loan and the top scorer over the past four seasons, Lee Gregory, has left, along with other long-serving players Jordan Archer and Conor McLaughlin.

    Focus will instead centre on Tom Bradshaw and new recruits Matt Smith and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson as Harris again looks to his squad to punch above their weight financially and continue to play his way - the Millwall way.

    Neil HarrisImage source, Rex Features
  7. How will Luton fare in the Championship?published at 14:10 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Geoff Doyle
    BBC Three Counties Radio sport

    After two successive promotions, Luton Town are back in the Championship for the first time in 12 years.

    The Hatters have lost their two young full-backs, James Justin and Jack Stacey, to the Premier League and will feel that loss, although about £10m in the bank for the pair softens the blow.

    Luton have brought in seasoned Championship players in the form of Ryan Tunnicliffe, Martin Cranie and Callum McManaman, as well as breaking their transfer record for Croatian goalkeeper Simon Sluga.

    Nevertheless, against clubs with far heftier wage budgets and better quality players, it’s set to be a tough season for Graeme Jones’ side and finishing above the relegation zone would be an achievement.

    Graeme JonesImage source, Rex Features
  8. Can new boss Cooper cope with Swansea exits?published at 14:05 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Rob Phillips
    BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    Losing your best striker just before the big kick-off is hardly perfect for any manager, but Swansea City’s Steve Cooper has seen Oli McBurnie depart on the eve of his first campaign as a club boss.

    It’s a timely reminder of the financial realities at the Liberty Stadium following relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

    Yet the mastermind of England's Under-17 World Cup win is undaunted. Hungry, young coach Cooper has a crop of promising youngsters to mould. They will play swift, passing, “Swansea Way” football.

    Avoiding injuries and coping with the departures of McBurnie and Daniel James will dictate how much of an impact Cooper can make in his debut season.

    Steve CooperImage source, Rex Features
  9. Postpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Thank you, Mr Woodcock.

    No time to waste - there are still far too many clubs across the EFL that we're yet to touch on, so let's get around the country and give you a flavour of what to expect.

  10. Moving on...published at 14:01 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Jose GomesImage source, Rex Features

    Well, this has been lovely but it's now time for me to pass you back into the capable hands of James Law to steer you through the next couple of hours.

    Thanks for your contributions so far this afternoon and please keep them coming.

  11. get involved

    Get Involved #bbceflpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Who will be the EFL's star player this season?

    Thomas Molea: Don't sleep on Aaron Mooy - team of the season with Huddersfield in their promotion season and constantly well-performed in Premier League. Can see him being a big factor for them to try and push for a top-six finish

    Shel: Karlan Grant, Terrence Kongolo, and Aaron Mooy could all be huge for Huddersfield this season

    Any non-Huddersfield fans out there? No offence.

    We want to know who you think will be the star player in the EFL this season or just the player you're most looking forward to seeing turn out for your team. Get in touch on #bbcefl on Twitter.

  12. Forest Green looking to progress againpublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Paul Furley
    BBC Radio Gloucestershire sports editor

    Mark CooperImage source, Rex Features

    Forest Green have their work cut out to better reaching the play-offs last season and continue the club’s knack of progressing in each of the past six seasons.

    Key players Christian Doidge and Reece Brown have gone to Hibernian and Huddersfield respectively, with Matty Stevens joining from Peterborough to wear the number nine shirt and January signing Shawn McCoulsky likely to make more of an impact.

    Rovers boss Mark Cooper has a young squad and will hope new defender Matt Mills and midfielder Kevin Dawson can provide the balance of experience.

  13. New owners bring optimism to Port Valepublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Phil Bowers
    BBC Radio Stoke

    John AskeyImage source, Rex Features

    There’s a great deal of optimism around Port Vale for the new season.

    New owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan have engaged with fans and season ticket sales are up. That’s got to be measured against a lower playing budget than previous years, and a tough set of opening fixtures.

    John Askey has made some good summer signings before his first full season in charge - David Amoo and Mark Cullen have lots of quality at League Two level, but there are question marks over a lack of depth in the squad and an over-reliance on Tom Pope up front.

  14. What next for Campbell and Macclesfield?published at 13:50 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Mike Minay
    BBC Radio Manchester

    Sol CampbellImage source, Rex Features

    Macclesfield’s survival on the final day of last season was a remarkable achievement given their terrible start - another example of how the club continues to punch above its weight.

    However, it might need something similar this time around. The advantage this time, however, is that Sol Campbell has had the whole off-season to build the squad that he wants and implement his ideas.

    Off-field issues still linger over the club, with a winding-up petition from former players back in court on 14 August.

  15. Salford aiming high on EFL debutpublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Bill Rice
    BBC Radio Manchester

    Graham AlexanderImage source, Rex Features

    Salford City co-owner Gary Neville told me at Wembley after victory in the National League promotion final that they would start life in the Football League for the very first time with the same aim - promotion.

    The Ammies - co-owned by six former Manchester United players - mean business.

    Midfielder Richie Towell from Premier League Brighton and forward Luke Armstrong from Middlesbrough are the pick of their summer signings.

    With former Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney continuing to lead the line and man-mountain Carl Piergianni at the back, it will be fascinating to see if they can make it five promotions in six years.

  16. Focus on League Twopublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Been way too long since we had a proper focus on League Two and for that I can only apologise.

    Here's a few pre-season predictions from the people covering teams in the EFL's bottom tier...

  17. Six hours to go!published at 13:45 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Krystian BielikImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Derby have signed Poland Under-21 international Krystian Bielik from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee

    The clock is ticking towards the start of the season, with Luton's season-opener against Middlesbrough now just six hours away.

    Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?

    Here are the day's EFL headlines so far - for a full list of transfers click here.

    • Swansea striker Oli McBurnie has joined Premier League side Sheffield United for a club record £20m, with the Swans signing Sweden forward Kristoffer Peterson
    • Derby have signed Arsenal midfielder Krystian Bielik on a five-year deal, with Brighton defender Matt Clarke joining on loan
    • Leeds striker Kemar Roofe is the top transfer target for Vincent Kompany's Anderlecht
    • Midfielder Tom Bayliss has joined Preston from Coventry for an undisclosed fee
    • Reading have signed Argentine forward Lucas Boye on loan from Italian side Torino
  18. Moore on his way out the door?published at 13:41 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post

    Kieffer Moore scored 19 goals in 35 games as the Tykes won promotion back to the Championship last season.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved #bbceflpublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Who will be the EFL's star player this season?

    Tomas KalasImage source, Rex Features

    As always there's been plenty of hype around certain EFL signings, especially across the Championship, with Fulham signing Anthony Knockaert, Brentford adding Pontus Jansson and Leeds bringing in Helder Costa.

    But whether it's a new face or not, who do you think will be the star player across the EFL leagues this season?

    Or maybe just let us know who you're most looking forward to seeing turn out for YOUR team this season.

    The more left-field the better, just use #bbcefl on social media and we'll get the debate going.

  20. Lincoln sign Forest striker Walkerpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 2 August 2019

    Tyler WalkerImage source, Rex Features

    Lincoln boss Danny Cowley said he'd had to be patient to get the players he wanted this summer, and they've added a new striker just a day before their season starts.

    Nottingham Forest striker Tyler Walker, 22, has joined the Imps on a season-long loan deal.

    The son of former England international defender Des, he scored 22 goals in 44 league appearances for Mansfield last season.