So, I haven’t blogged in a long while.
This is for a number for reasons, can’t be bothered being the main one.
I just thought that now would be a good time to ask a few questions and see what people think.
We are getting in to the busy stage of the footballing year, with what seems a game a day on the TV (with streams of course) and this can cause us all to lose more money than we have on those pesky accumulators.....
As well as losing of our 25p fifteen-folds there are also a few talking points in the Premier League.
We have seen Danny Murphy talk about tackling, we have had many players put their pundit hats on and talk a load of rubbish.
Since John Terry’s outburst in South Africa -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAjxqn7e5bk&feature=fvw
It seems that players want to talk about managers, referees and contracts to the press, and this can only spell joy for me, as a practicing sports journalist.
The Terry outburst in the World Cup was amazing, not many people believed the team was ‘unhappy’ with the Capello regime until the former England skipper came out and told us all what was going on behind the scenes in Bafokeng, South Africa the five-star complex that our so called ‘world-class’ players were hidden away from for the campaign that was an utter failure.
Although it had six state of the art pitches, pools and gym for players, chill-out areas, luxury rooms, two bars...and no WAGs the current England boss could do no better than the second round with the squad that was ‘the best yet’ according to many, but was nothing more than another bunch of flops after a dismal showing in the Southern Hemisphere.
This was a fair outburst by Terry, but what many pro’s of past and present said was that he went at it the wrong way. I think that instead of doing it at the press conference just before the second game, he should’ve gone at it a different way, like wait for the group stages to be over and then it takes the next game – which happened to be against the old rivals (2 world wars and one World Cup) Germany – this way the squad might have had less pressure on their shoulders, as expectations would’ve dropped, but by doing it then England beating Slovenia, the ONLY win of the tournament, it gave fans, including myself false hope.
Anyway enough of the rant about the crappy performances, it was a Micky Mouse cup anyway – the reason I am writing this blog is to find out predictions.
Chelsea look very good, can they be caught?
Man City – inconsistency is going to be their downfall
Liverpool – what is going on? What do they need, or who do they need?
Manchester United/Wayne Rooney – was it a publicity stunt that went wrong for Wayne?
Promoted sides – Will they survive?
New managers- Grant, Hodgson and Houllier – how are they doing?
These of course are open questions, but over the next few weeks I am hoping I can take time out of my busy 3rd year schedule to answer them, and pretty much just give me something to do.
So there we go, very mixed bag, completely gone off topic (a little like my university essays) but there is a lot of potential here for some interesting reading and hopefully eye catching writing.
**Please leave comments, will make me feel like a real journalist**
Sunday 24 October 2010
Friday 23 January 2009
Fenn bottles it it front of goal!!!
Today witnessed the first of many foster friday five-a-side matches between sports journalists. We had a lovely little turn out thanks to Rob Bartlett's planning and also hatred for little angry man Alec Fenn.
Todays teams were ;
Spoons - Chris Medland
Sammy Lee
Rob Woodcock
Alec 'Angry man' Fenn
Luke Morley (debutant)
Dogs - Jon Cockrill
Geoffrey Berkley
Rob Bartlett
Sam 'Heskey' Roberts
John Leavy
After a shifty start to the game from both sides, Rob Bartlett opened the scoring after a break through the centre from John Leavy. Then some silky skill from foster sports hall veteran Sammy Lee secured a half time lead for The Spoons. With The Dogs gaining more possession as the game went on The Spoons were catching them on the counter attack, then a Medland double and Woodcock goal, it seemed inevitable that fosters top scorer Rob Bartlett would have to get a grip on the game, then a quick fire Leavy brace followed by some silky skills By Roberts bought The Dogs back into within two goals of the Spoons. With lecture banter going on all week Alec Fenn was again wishing for a good game but failed to impress, with only one controversial goal to show for his lack of team play in the game. After the game Sammy Lee said "Fenn is just an 'angry little man' and that he has to get used to working with players on his side."
Next week should see a repeat performance but this week the Spoons won the game, it finished at Foster Sports Hall The Spoons 12 - The Dogs 10.
Leavy's Man of The Match - The spoons defender Rob Woodcock played well and kept Rob Bartlett quiet for the majority of the game, but Sammy Lee, on the winning side again just pipped him to the accolade today after some impressive trickery and a bagful of goals to go with it.
Todays teams were ;
Spoons - Chris Medland
Sammy Lee
Rob Woodcock
Alec 'Angry man' Fenn
Luke Morley (debutant)
Dogs - Jon Cockrill
Geoffrey Berkley
Rob Bartlett
Sam 'Heskey' Roberts
John Leavy
After a shifty start to the game from both sides, Rob Bartlett opened the scoring after a break through the centre from John Leavy. Then some silky skill from foster sports hall veteran Sammy Lee secured a half time lead for The Spoons. With The Dogs gaining more possession as the game went on The Spoons were catching them on the counter attack, then a Medland double and Woodcock goal, it seemed inevitable that fosters top scorer Rob Bartlett would have to get a grip on the game, then a quick fire Leavy brace followed by some silky skills By Roberts bought The Dogs back into within two goals of the Spoons. With lecture banter going on all week Alec Fenn was again wishing for a good game but failed to impress, with only one controversial goal to show for his lack of team play in the game. After the game Sammy Lee said "Fenn is just an 'angry little man' and that he has to get used to working with players on his side."
Next week should see a repeat performance but this week the Spoons won the game, it finished at Foster Sports Hall The Spoons 12 - The Dogs 10.
Leavy's Man of The Match - The spoons defender Rob Woodcock played well and kept Rob Bartlett quiet for the majority of the game, but Sammy Lee, on the winning side again just pipped him to the accolade today after some impressive trickery and a bagful of goals to go with it.
Thursday 22 January 2009
Sports Journalism 5-a-side
With a few games before Christmas it now seems that a Friday morning 5-a-side game is on the timetable for the foreseeable future.
Alec ' the angry man' Fenn is the man everyone dislikes and it makes things fun when your involved!!!
Friday the 23rd of January sees the first game of the new year, and hopefully this brings silky skills and also lots of enjoyment to the boys and girls on our course.
Teams for 23/01
Fenn vs Everyone
Alec ' the angry man' Fenn is the man everyone dislikes and it makes things fun when your involved!!!
Friday the 23rd of January sees the first game of the new year, and hopefully this brings silky skills and also lots of enjoyment to the boys and girls on our course.
Teams for 23/01
Fenn vs Everyone
Monday 8 December 2008
Bamber Bridge great start
BAMBER TOP
An impressive start to the season has seen Phil Entwistles side secure their place
at the top of UniBond first Division North.
Entwistle feels his side are punching above their weight at the moment but believes when his side are at full strength they will beat anyone in the league.
After a terrific November in the league which saw the side win six of their eight games, Bamber Bridge sit top one point clear of Ossett Albion and local rivals Lancaster City. The busy schedule in November is thought to make or break a teams season, and with the Irongate side doing so well has fans looking forward to the remainder of what is going to be seen as a great one for their side.
Club captain, Glenn Steel believes his side are ‘real competitors’ in the title race this season after being written off at the start of the campaign. “We really can push forward for promotion this season, the gaffer has made the side ‘believe’ in their own ability and a great team moral is about the club.” Was the thoughts of Glenn before the recent cup game Vs Salford.
With a busy December underway The Brig are contempt with keeping up their recent good form and hopefully consolidating their status as league leaders, before the start of the new year. After Saturdays postponement, Bamber look forward to a cup fixture before travelling to mid-table side Clitheroe Saturday.
This was written with help of;
http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.lep.co.uk/
An impressive start to the season has seen Phil Entwistles side secure their place
at the top of UniBond first Division North.
Entwistle feels his side are punching above their weight at the moment but believes when his side are at full strength they will beat anyone in the league.
After a terrific November in the league which saw the side win six of their eight games, Bamber Bridge sit top one point clear of Ossett Albion and local rivals Lancaster City. The busy schedule in November is thought to make or break a teams season, and with the Irongate side doing so well has fans looking forward to the remainder of what is going to be seen as a great one for their side.
Club captain, Glenn Steel believes his side are ‘real competitors’ in the title race this season after being written off at the start of the campaign. “We really can push forward for promotion this season, the gaffer has made the side ‘believe’ in their own ability and a great team moral is about the club.” Was the thoughts of Glenn before the recent cup game Vs Salford.
With a busy December underway The Brig are contempt with keeping up their recent good form and hopefully consolidating their status as league leaders, before the start of the new year. After Saturdays postponement, Bamber look forward to a cup fixture before travelling to mid-table side Clitheroe Saturday.
This was written with help of;
http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.lep.co.uk/
Article on Money struggles
The Uni-Bond division one league is becoming a stepping stone for young players, now more so than ever. CocaCola Championship and League One teams are always looking for
a cheap buy, and non-league stars usually fit the bill.
Recently players like Michael Kightley, once of lowly Grays Athletic now of Premiership chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers, and more locally, Liam Dickinson who started his career at Woodley Sports of the Uni-Bond division One Northern sector, and is now at Blackpool, scoring 5 in 4, on loan from Derby County.
Although supporters don’t see it, this helps these clubs dramatically, Reputations are gained for producing players, which brings big club scouts. This can bring cash that can keep a club running for years, for instance £25,000 for a club of Woodley
sports’ stature can pay players and staff for six months at least.
Other ways of income for these sides is a good FA Cup run, for example, Curzon Ashton. The Manchester based club were the lowest ranked in the FA Cup second round and if they held out for a further 15 minutes would’ve been involved in a replay and would’ve been in the 5th round draw, which inevitably ended with Kidderminster Harriers playing Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena. So this cup run could’ve raised the club well over £100,000 which will help the club sign a few players, pay staff and players for upto six months.
These ways to make money always have a down point though, this one being the sourest at the present moment in time, the global credit crisis. The recent VAT cut has left clubs in this league in a pickle, cut ticket prices? Impossible. Decrease player
wages? Having a joke aren’t you.
FC Halifax Town are a club who have already had a problem in finance in the past years, they were a team who were in football league division two at the turn of the century. But due to lack finance coming into the club, they had to go into administration and unfortunately the club then liquidated, more recently Boston United also went through the same.
Entry to these matches for fans can be as little as £5 adults and £2 concessions and there are many clubs who allow free entry to under 14’s if accompanied by an adult. This scheme helps attendance averages, boosting some up from 160 – 200 which helps these clubs more than we know.
It seems the average attendance in this division has rose in the past three years form 207 to 412 with this being due to more teams playing a better style of football. “We play a better style of football these days, the average amount of goals in this league makes it a more attracting style of football. Its only £7 for me and I bring my boys with me who get in for £1 which is great.” The view of a supporter of Bamber Bridge who really likes the fact of prices in the league.
It seems that if clubs are made to cut prices in stadium facilities, tickets and merchandise they may not be able to keep pumping money into the club. If players are asked to take pay cuts they may not agree and seek a move to another club who will pay his desired wage, “We have had players in the past who have played really well in this league and get some form and then want a pay rise, but because of money restrictions it becomes impossible, at least five players in the past two seasons have moved on due to this.” Adam,28 Salford City fan.
So from all the above points made we can see the struggle that these clubs have. Sponsorship and a good supporters base is very valued by the clubs. We need leagues like this in England to have a standard of football that is attractive and players need to earn cash so we just hope money keeps coming into this so we can see more home-grown players like Michael Kightley and Liam Dickinson, who are destined for bigger things.
Web addresses that helped with the story.
http://onlinemediarelations.co.uk/chrisrivers/is-the-gap-between-the-premier.html
(this site was to see the gap between Premierleague and Championship)
http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7697979,00.html
(shows money struggles in other EU countries)
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1692
(this forum is really good for getting to know about sides)
a cheap buy, and non-league stars usually fit the bill.
Recently players like Michael Kightley, once of lowly Grays Athletic now of Premiership chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers, and more locally, Liam Dickinson who started his career at Woodley Sports of the Uni-Bond division One Northern sector, and is now at Blackpool, scoring 5 in 4, on loan from Derby County.
Although supporters don’t see it, this helps these clubs dramatically, Reputations are gained for producing players, which brings big club scouts. This can bring cash that can keep a club running for years, for instance £25,000 for a club of Woodley
sports’ stature can pay players and staff for six months at least.
Other ways of income for these sides is a good FA Cup run, for example, Curzon Ashton. The Manchester based club were the lowest ranked in the FA Cup second round and if they held out for a further 15 minutes would’ve been involved in a replay and would’ve been in the 5th round draw, which inevitably ended with Kidderminster Harriers playing Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena. So this cup run could’ve raised the club well over £100,000 which will help the club sign a few players, pay staff and players for upto six months.
These ways to make money always have a down point though, this one being the sourest at the present moment in time, the global credit crisis. The recent VAT cut has left clubs in this league in a pickle, cut ticket prices? Impossible. Decrease player
wages? Having a joke aren’t you.
FC Halifax Town are a club who have already had a problem in finance in the past years, they were a team who were in football league division two at the turn of the century. But due to lack finance coming into the club, they had to go into administration and unfortunately the club then liquidated, more recently Boston United also went through the same.
Entry to these matches for fans can be as little as £5 adults and £2 concessions and there are many clubs who allow free entry to under 14’s if accompanied by an adult. This scheme helps attendance averages, boosting some up from 160 – 200 which helps these clubs more than we know.
It seems the average attendance in this division has rose in the past three years form 207 to 412 with this being due to more teams playing a better style of football. “We play a better style of football these days, the average amount of goals in this league makes it a more attracting style of football. Its only £7 for me and I bring my boys with me who get in for £1 which is great.” The view of a supporter of Bamber Bridge who really likes the fact of prices in the league.
It seems that if clubs are made to cut prices in stadium facilities, tickets and merchandise they may not be able to keep pumping money into the club. If players are asked to take pay cuts they may not agree and seek a move to another club who will pay his desired wage, “We have had players in the past who have played really well in this league and get some form and then want a pay rise, but because of money restrictions it becomes impossible, at least five players in the past two seasons have moved on due to this.” Adam,28 Salford City fan.
So from all the above points made we can see the struggle that these clubs have. Sponsorship and a good supporters base is very valued by the clubs. We need leagues like this in England to have a standard of football that is attractive and players need to earn cash so we just hope money keeps coming into this so we can see more home-grown players like Michael Kightley and Liam Dickinson, who are destined for bigger things.
Web addresses that helped with the story.
http://onlinemediarelations.co.uk/chrisrivers/is-the-gap-between-the-premier.html
(this site was to see the gap between Premierleague and Championship)
http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7697979,00.html
(shows money struggles in other EU countries)
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1692
(this forum is really good for getting to know about sides)
Saturday 6 December 2008
Uni-Bond Northern Division One
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=117099770661471238317.00045cfd564a037b9dc36&t=h&z=7
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Thursday 6 November 2008
Charlie Lambert Invitational
After weeks of thought Rob Bartlett and Chris Medland have thought of what can only be known as the tournament of the year!
Two separate teams, 27 holes, one course!
Goosnargh golf course is the location of the Sports Journalism tournament to be held in the next couple of weeks.
Teams were announces today;
Team One
Chris Medland - Captain
John Leavy
Rob Bartlett
Rob Woodcock
Team Two;
Sam Lee - Non-Playing Captain
Calum Leitch
David Lamb
Greg Farrimond
Jon Cockrill
More to come soon!!
Two separate teams, 27 holes, one course!
Goosnargh golf course is the location of the Sports Journalism tournament to be held in the next couple of weeks.
Teams were announces today;
Team One
Chris Medland - Captain
John Leavy
Rob Bartlett
Rob Woodcock
Team Two;
Sam Lee - Non-Playing Captain
Calum Leitch
David Lamb
Greg Farrimond
Jon Cockrill
More to come soon!!
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