NO, YOU HAVE TO EARN YOUR OWN MONEY TO BUY THOSE TRAINERS

David Beckham made an appearance on Graham Norton's show last night and the main drift was to talk about his support of the UNICEF Fund, marking in 2015, his 10^th year as a Goodwill Ambassador.

His special focus is to provide for children, “sport for development”. Since 2005 he has been to Sierra Leone raising the awareness of high death rates of under 5s, in the country. He has been to South Africa to work with families suffering from HIV and AIDS and in 2011 to a children's centre in Manila, Philippines and East Africa for the Children's Food Crisis appeal.

In 2012 he met David Cameron to call for more action over malnutrition around the world and in 2014 he made a second visit to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, emphasising their need for support, counselling and providing safe places to play and learn. In this scheme, £5.4 million was raised as part of Soccer Aid 5.

David collaborated with Robbie Williams in 2014 to launch the Children in Danger campaign which aims to protect children from violence, disease, hunger and war especially in the regions stricken by Ebola.

He has even got his eldest son working in a local cafe to raise money-I think it was for his own “pocket money” however, to make the lad appreciate that he has to buy his own trainers and not sponge off his parents!

SPITFIRES HEADING TO GUN DOWN HARTLEPOOL

Once known as Swaythling Athletic, founded in 1946, Eastleigh FC is turning heads in the Conference. Being a “post war” club, the nickname “Spitfires” seemed appropriate and they play their games at Ten Acres, The Silverlake Stadium, which holds just over 5000.

Working their way from the Hampshire Leagues and into the Conference, by the 2014-15 season, the club now holds its own in the Premier Division, playing the likes of Aldershot, Kidderminster Harriers and Halifax Town. Have a look at the top teams in the CPL, that once had Football League status, Eastleigh sits in 6^th place amongst some serious clubs all hoping to return to the FL.

Manager Richard Hill was appointed in September 2012, having been nurtured by the experienced Brian Little and John Gregory. It seemed to work, so watch out for Eastleigh's rise towards League 2.

They beat Chester, away, a week ago and face Macclesfield next at home, so watch this space.

By the way, have a look at the bottom of League Two.....Hartlepool doomed??

WITH IL GIGANTE BUONO-WALES MIGHT HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP

Danny Murphy's Top Ten Footballers chosen on Talksport, Colin Murray's friends slot, began with John Charles at number 10. You have to be of a certain age to remember him, but he was regarded as one of the great players. It may have been that he was playing in an era when there were not so many great players around, hence less competition; the African continent had not been discovered by football agents, Eastern Europe was emerging slowly, South American still growing.

Ironically it was the great Hungarians, World Cup finalists in 1954 and a team that had whipped Engalnd 6-3 and 7-1, that prevented John Charles from enjoying World Cup glory in 1958. Had he not been hacked down unmercilessly by the Hungarian team in a play off game and badly injured, Wales might have got past Brazil in the quarter-final of the cup in Sweden. Wales lost to a goal scored by Pele, but were without their super star.

Beginning his career at Swansea Town, Charles was spotted by Major Frank Buckley the manager at Leeds United and then he was sold to Juventus for £65,000. This was one of the first transfers abroad from Britain and he won the hearts of the Italians, who called him “Il gigante buono”.

He returned to leeds having helped his Italian club to three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia wins, then had a spell at Roma, fading away to Cardiff City, Hereford United and finally Merthyr Tydfil. He made 683 appearances for these teams and scored 333 goals, finishing his career in 1972. I saw him play in a testimonial game at Elland Road in 1973.

Despite his massive frame 6'2” and 15 stone, he was a gentle giant who was never booked. Juve in their Centenary year gave him the title of their best ever overseas player, he has a bust at the Leeds United ground and a stand named after him. 

With him Wales might have won the World Cup in 1958.

Playing at centre half or centre forward, Charles was more than a battering ram; he had a knack of hanging in the air and scoring great headed goals, as well amazing unselfish play on the ground.

His brother Mel, also an international, made a very successful career in football and his grandson Jake plays at Huddersfield Town and for Wales at Youth level so far.

John died on 21^st February 2004 aged 72.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nXnPDsk9Uwnn

WE DID NOT COME FOR WAR, WE CAME TO PLAY FOOTBALL

As if the Greek government has not got enough to worry about, football is not helping. Having already suspended football twice this season due to violence at games in September and November 2014, the latest match between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, Athen's “derby of the eternal enemy”, ended in crowd violence with a brawl between club officials at a board meeting this week. Fans hurled flares, rocks and bottles at officials after Panathinaikos won 2-1 over the Super League leaders and crept nearer their rivals.Then a member of Olympiakos' security apparently punched a Panathinaikos official.

The Greek ruling party Syriza has pledged to stamp out such violence, so the Super League and the Football League have been suspended indefinitely.

An earlier league suspension was caused after the death of a fan when supporters clashed in a third division game between Ethnikos Piraeus and Irodotos, the second when there was an assault on the assitant director of the refereeing committee.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/watch-shocking-moment-panathinaikos-olympiacos-5216055

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LIONS IN THE AUTUMN AND LAMBS IN THE SPRING

Where is Doha?

At last, an opportunity to do a bit of Geography! Well Climatology actually.
So there has been a decision to play the World Cup in November and December in Doha, Qatar.
The Climate graph above shows the major climate conditions for Doha at 33 feet above sea level.
World Cup Finals played in:
July                              Max Temp 100+ deg F     Min 80+ deg F    Humidity 49%     No Rain
November-December                      75-85 deg F          59-65 deg F                  70%     Some Rain

Some, including Michel Platini, argue that English footballers are like lions in the Autumn, at the beginning of the season, and like lambs in spring, as they bluster their way through the conclusion of the long English League season, various Cup ties, European ties and Play Offs.

It may be that other nations are just better than us under any conditions. For the English, the best time to hold the World Cup Finals, if they have to be in Doha, would be in the winter months, ruining the traditional league fixtures in all the other European countries. Unlike our European neighbours, we never have a winter break, revelling in the Christmas and New Year's programme-our life blood? The rest of Europe, during the festive period, basks in Mediterranean sunshine and rest weary limbs.

It is suggested that the games are played in May, in the evening when things are cooler but why not play in closed stadia with climate control at any time of the year? Can they afford it?

DRAGONS AFTER TORQUAYS

The FATrophy reaches its penultimate stage this weekend with the second leg of the semi-finals. Bath City drew at home with North Ferriby Utd FC 2-2, in what must be the weaker of the two semis. Wrexham (17th in the Conference) beat Torquay (14th in Conference) 2-1, in the battle between the non-league clubs. Wrexham is the oldest club in Wales, founded in 1864, and reputedly the third oldest professional club in the World

Nid clwb cyffredin ydi Clwb Pêl-droed Wrecsam. Fe’i sefydlwyd ym 1864, prin flwyddyn ar ôl i'r Gymdeithas Bel-droed gyfarfod am y tro cyntaf er mwyn ysgrifennu Rheolau’r Gêm, sy’n golygu mai Wrecsam yw’r trydydd clwb hynnaf yn y byd.

Wrexham's home stadium, the Racecourse ground, is the World's oldest international stadium that still hosts international matches. Wrexham have been to Wembley recently, in 2013 in the FA Trophy Final losing to Grimsby and have a fierce rivalry with Chester City. One way of the other they like a big occasion.

Torquay, having been up and down the divisions in the Football League, into a Sherpa Van Trophy Final and in 2008, a defeat in the FA Trophy Cup Final to Ebbsfleet, are no strangers to Wembley. So they will be smelling that turf.

They also have been managed by some notable ex-footballers: Frank O'Farrrell, Colin Lee, Roy McFarland, Leroy Rosenior, Keith Curle, Bruce Rioch, David Webb, Cyril Knowles and Neil Warnock to name a few. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

Either way they should be favourite over whoever wins the other semi-final.

BLAME IT ON BRUDDERSFIELD

On a day when Hepworth United Under 11s forged a 4-3 victory against Cumberworth B in Division 6 of the Huddersfield and District league (reputedly the largest league in the country), our celebration of this great game is chastened by the news that Feyenoord football hooligans have cause permanent damage to Rome 500 year old Barcaccia Fountain at the base of the "Spanish Steps" in Italy's capital city during violence before their match against Roma during the week.
With the Chelsea supporters' racism in Paris and news that the Italian football club Parma is too poor to stage their Serie A game with Udinese, since their new owner has failed to make payments on debt due in February, it makes me wonder where all this is going? Worse than this, a referee was killed in an amateur game by one punch from an "upset" player during a match in Detriot.
Football is a wonderful game, as our kids experienced this morning on a cold and muddy pitch in the Pennines, but sometimes we must look back at the upheaval in football in the 1890s, when the game changed from being an amateur and gentlemanly sort of affair, into a global engulfing financial giant as professionalism took over.
J.P.Priestly in The Good Companions (1929) wrote about an imaginary Yorkshire textile town Bruddersfield, based on Bradford. He recognised the transformative power of football in the industrial community, where locals escaped from the industrial drudgery of the week's work and the dull life at home, to celebrate with their mates and half the town on a Saturday, at the match, "swapping judgements and thumping each other on the shoulder". It soon evolved into "bad language, free fights and disgraceful scenes" even then.
Thank goodness the "respect barriers" sometimes erected around our junior pitches protect the youngsters from their parents!

TOMMY TYKE TOP MAN

Tommy Taylor will probably only ring a bell to those who remember the dreadful Munich airplane disaster of 1958 or if you happen to be an “anorak” of Barnsley FC. Tommy was born at Smithies near Barnsley in January 1932.

He joined local club Barnsley in 1948 and then had National Service to complete before he returned to Oakwell, to play 46 games, scoring 28 goals.

Matt Busby spotted his potential and signed him for Manchester United in March 1953. With Taylor's presence, United became First Division champions in 1956 and 1957, qualifying for the new European club competition, the equivalent of the Champions League today. In 1957 United had also reached the FA Cup Final losing against Aston Villa 1-2. By this time Taylor was also an England international.
Eager not to miss league fixtures back at home, the club chartered a plane from Manchester to Belgrade for the midweek away leg against Red Star. It was a 3-3 draw which put United into the semi-final for a consecutive year. The flight from Belgrade was delayed due a lost passport by one of the United players and then had to be a refuelled at Munich. 

On February 6^th, the British European Airways flight 609, on a slushy runway, crashed after three attempts to take off in ice and snow. 57 years ago, Tommy Taylor died along with 8 members of the Manchester United squad and others.

Matt Busby survived, along with such famous squad players as Bobby Charlton, so he had to rebuild his team, which he did successfully with loanees and youth, getting to the FA Cup Final in 1958, losing to Nat Lofthouse' Bolton Wanderers 0-2.

There is an anniversary match held each year at Old Trafford to remember those who died and suffered. Tommy Taylor's nephew, Michael, attends and he hopes to raise money through the Tommy Taylor's Youth Trust, for a statue to commemorate the great man, to be erected somewhere in Barnsley; its location is undecided-at the ground, Oakwell or in the town centre?

TWO BLOGS IN A DAY-SUITS YOU SIR!

I picked up my new (and probably my last ever) suit from Owen Scott in Huddersfield yesterday and met Jax, who does all the hard work downstairs-needles and thread and stuff. She makes these waistcoats, which any self respecting Town supporter should invest in. I know how you chaps like to dress up, if evidence at the St Valentine's Dance at the Carding Shed, last Saturday, is anything to go by! So pop along to the famous tailors and check out her waistcoats. She also makes very nice Town ties if you are strapped for cash. Well done Jax.

GREAVSIE WAS A SPURS' SAINT

This weekend sees the 75^th birthday of a Spurs' legend, Jimmy Greaves. We are hoping that the club will show their appreciation of his contribution to success at White Hart Lane. A round of applause maybe, surely not enough?

Born on 20^th February 1940, he is the fourth highest international scorer and he scored on all his first class debuts at his major clubs and for England.

He was at Chelsea as a youth in 1955, signing forms in 1957 as part of Drake's Ducklings (Ted Drake was the manager, trying to match Busby's Babes). Greaves scored 132 goals in 169 appearances at Chelsea. He had an unhappy spell at AC Milan, one of the first foreign transfers, scoring 9 in 14 starts, but he wanted to get back to Engalnd, so Spurs paid £99,999 in 1961 when the manager, Bill Nicholson, did not want to make him the first £100,000 footballer.

By 1970, when there was a restructuring at White Hart Lane, he had played 381 games scoring 268 goals. He then went to West Ham, with Bobby Moore the club's senior player, in exchange for Martin Peters, who was at the top of his game, after his World Cup successes. Greaves played 57 times for the Hammers, scoring 44.

His total career stats are played 602 with 422 goals.

After “retiring” Greaves played briefly at Brentwood Town, Chelmsford City, Barnet and Woodford Town. He scored more hat tricks for his country than anyone else, but sadly was injured in the qualifying games for the World Cup in 1966, so he was replaced by Geoff Hurst, who, of course, scored his own three-up at Wembley.

Towards the end of his time at West Ham, he went away to play a cup game at Blackpool and having been told by the locals that the game would be postponed due to frost, he went out with other members from the team and drank 12 lagers! Only getting into bed during the early hours, the following morning he was quick to find that the game was going ahead and the Hammers were hammered 4-0! By this time Greaves was attracted to alcoholism and his career went down hill quickly, leading to minor stroke in 2012.
He became a pundit on the Saint (Ian St John) and Greavsie Show between 1985-92, he formed a successful business with a friend and made a fortune and finally, he drove a Ford Escort rally car in the London to Mexico Rally, with a co-driver, arriving in Mexcio in time for the 1970 World Cup, coming 6^th out of 96 rallyers.

Have a look at his website! Happy Birthday Jim.

www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1PRFB_enGB612GB612&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=jimmy%20greaves

MEDIA TAKES THE EYE OFF THE BALL

What a disappointing start to the knock-out stage of Champions League football in Paris yesterday, when a Parisian black man, at Richelieu-Drouot metro station, was prevented by “English football fans” from getting onto his commuter train before the game. A by-stander took video footage, possibly putting himself at risk, however he managed to get a shot of a few people in the doorway of the train; those who pushed the Parisian commuter twice out of the train. We cannot hear what was said, but readers are asked to help identify those involved. It may have been that the train was full? There wasn't a lot of room in the doorway, so that might have been an excuse, but the chanting of “we are rascist and that's the way we like it” suggests that the perpertrators were making a point of not wanting a black person in their carriage. http://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2015/feb/17/chelsea-fans-prevent-black-man-boarding-paris-metro-video Once this news was made public, the various chat shows today have been full of nothing else. The danger of slipping back to the old ways of the “Firm”, using football an excuse to make political point, has been discussed to death and phone-ins have been inundated with ex-players, fans and public. Is Chelsea FC to blame? Is football?
What seems to have been pushed to the background is the fact that Adrian Chiles didn't front the TV broadcast, having handed over to Mark Pougatch. Educated at Malvern College, an Independent School, and Durham University, Pougatch is married to Lady Victoria Scott, the youngest daughter of the 5th Earl of Eldon. Chiles, on the other hand, is a working class Brummie, who worked in the family scaffolding firm, supports West Bromwich Albion! He was earning £4.5 million pa as a football presenter, though-the boy's done well-up till now.
To add to this news, Chelsea's Costa got the same rating in the Times, as Ibrahimovic from PSG, both 5/10. The press has definitely been distracted.

TWO FOR ONE OFFER, WITH COCKTAILS

Originally Petersfield United awas founded in 1889. The club as it is known now was founded in 1993 by Peter De-Sisto who saved the club from bankruptcy, although he left two years later after failing to get agreement with the local council on the new lease on the ground. United folded after being denied permission to switch from Isthmian League to the Wessex League. After a full FA hearing, the newly formed Petersfield Town took their place in the first Division (Now Premier Division) of the Wessex League, under the Management of former England player Gary Stevens. Their ground is known as Love Lane and this has been the club's home since 1948. Previously the club played on land now owned by the Hampshire Cattle Breeders.
Having won promotion in the 2013-2014 as Champions of Wessex Division 1 PTFC are currently top of the Wessex Premier Division( http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=274386 ). 6 points clear with a game in hand. The club is in the semi-final of the Portsmouth Senior Cup (final to be played at Fratton Park) and of the Wessex League Cup (beaten in the final last season). Promotion again looks quite likely so long as the ground grading goes the club's way!
Former players include Maik Taylor and Nbubuisi Okosiema (Nigerian U20 and Senior team). More recently there was Guy Madjo (Cameroon U17). A journeyman would be the best way to describe him as the list of teams he played for shows! Petersfield, Bristol City, Forest Green Rovers, Stafford Rangers, Crawley Town, Cheltenham Town, Shrewsbury Town, Guangdong Sunray Cave (China), KS Bylis Ballsh (Albania), Stevenage, Port Yale, Aldershot Town, Plymouth Argyle, Macclesfield and finally Tranmere Rovers. No-one actually knows how or why he arrived at Petersfield but his English was not great so in games he pointed to where he wanted the ball to go and he generally did the rest, which might be picked up by defenders.
Always full of initiatives, the club recently offered a two for one ticket for their home game, with cocktails, so long as you come as a mixed pair-male and female , on Valentine's weekend.Thanks to OC Jason Wilson for this nugget!

http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.d58098f8a7f0ff5a206e7f15442a6b30.en.html

CHAIRMEN'S MANAGER ON THE BEST STAGE

Leighton Baines took his acoustic guitar with him to Brazil and didn't really stay long enough to improve and impress the locals, but he claims it is his way of switching off and many footballers have cultural hobbies to wind down.
Gareth Ainsworth, the Wycombe Wanderers manager, knows his way around a microphone. Music is not his obsession, thank goodness, as he drives his team towards promotion from League Two. Ainsworth has a band called “Road to Eden”; he was taught to sing by his mother, a professional performer, who favoured Dusty Springfield and Brenda Lee numbers and encouraged by his father who was into The Who, Hendrix and the Kinks. Ainsworth must be a mix of the two?
In 20033 he sang “Light my Fire” at the Cardiff City Awards ceremony, a brave move in the Valleys. At his previous clubs he has played in bands with other team members, including manager, John Gregory at QPR on guitar. When word got around about the make up of the band, crowds grew as fans flocked in to hear their heroes. One of their better gigs! The best gigs, Boxing Day for example, had to be turned down because of his career and when invited, I don't expect the Gareth or his manager could go on a tour backing Bad Manners; they were asked.
His dream dinner guests would be Jesus, Darwin and Jim Morrison. As a confirmed Catholic, he thought he would let the two get on with it while he chatted to Jim.

BILLY BANTAM GIANT KILLER

Bradford City, once known as the Paraders and now the Bantams, have a mascot that easily wins the Football League Mascots “race” normally held at a race course, raising money for charity. The reason for his speed is that he has two “normal” legs and small feet and therefore doesn't have to drag outsized feet or a huge Tommy Tyke head along the course.

The club started life as Manningham rugby club, adopting the football code in 1903. It was a major break through because although the “oldest football club” comes from Sheffield, there was a strong rugby devotion in the county and if you looked at the top schools in Yorkshire, mainly they play rugger.

City had an encouraging start when joining the Football League and won the FA Cup in 1911. But after the war, their rise in the higher echelon ceased and they dropped out of the First Division in 1922. Bradford City later had a spell in the Premier League in 1999, but not for long.

Time in the fourth division and one re-election has darkened the history, but the club did not experience the fate of Bradford Park Avenue, a club that did not survive league status.

In 2012-13 the Bantams became the first ever fourth tier team to reach a domestic Wembley Cup Final, playing Swansea (a Premier league club) in the Football League Cup final-they lost 0-5. On their way to the final they beat Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa. In the same season Bradford returned to Wembley and won a league play off final, winning promotion to League One, where they are now.

Bradford City FC is also famed for its horrific stadium fire, at Valley Parade on the 11th May 1986, when 56 supporters died. Sadly, the fire happened on the last game of the season, before which the club was presented with the Third Division Championship trophy. After much investment to regenerate the stadium, it is now called the Windows Coral Stadium. At the home end of the ground, the stand is known as the “Kop”. Yes, Liverpool has a famous one, but several grounds have kops and maybe you should research why?

Recent FA Cup giant killing feats, beating Chelsea remarkably at Stamford Bridge and today a home victory over Sunderland 2-0, takes the Bantams into the quarter-finals.

Amber and claret are the colours of the Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire regiment, whose barracks were located at Manningham Lane, the original site and name of Bradford City Football Club. Needless to say these are the colours of the club and proudly worn by Billy Bantam.

UNITED DOWN THE DRAIN

This time last year I went to Preston to watch North End play Leyton Orient in a league game and it was the weekend after Tom Finney had passed away, so there was considerable celebration of his life in and around Deepdale. I was annoyed because his fantastic statue, described as the “splash” was covered in scarves, so we could not appreciate the sculpture first hand. 

This FA Cup 5^th Round weekend, well Monday actually, Preston host Manchester United at 7.45. Garner and Davies, as home team centre forwards, will give the United back three a roughing up and in the past these journeymen strikers may have benefitted from sublime crosses delivered by the Preston maestro, Tom Finney. Finney was more than a winger. He could play anywhere on the pitch and also globally because he was much sought after by other clubs. 

He might have played for Palermo, who even in those days offered Preston £10,000 signing on fee, £130 a week wages, bonuses, a luxury car and free flights home. Unfortunately, the Preston directors never told Finney about the offer as they turned it down, so as not to lose their gem. 

Preston NE was often known as Finney and the ten “drips” alluding to Finney's major employment as a plumber.

On February 9^th 1952, Preston, with Finney at the helm, wearing a number 7, took on Manchester United at Deepdale in a First division league game. Previously in the league, Preston had won 2-1 at Old Trafford, but it was United that came out best in this return match, 2-1; a score that United's manager, Van Gaal, would very much be relieved with. 

The last league game between these two was in April 1961 and Finney's influence ceased. There have been five cup meetings, the last in 1972 when Finney watched his team take on, but lose to, Charlton, Best and Law.

Finney takes on the whole of Manchester United

MIND YOUR WORDS; WHERE'S MY ****ING BROLLY?

Steve McClaren may have been called the “Wally with the Brolly” when he was a failure as England manager, but he is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country. He has many fine ideas about playing the game and off the field he also makes himself popular, especially with those critics of our national game. A gentleman's game played by hooligans?

Steve has banned swearing at his club and the reason is to get his players and staff to maintain calm and as we all know, a milli-second these days could be crucial. Swearing shows a lack of control and concentration, so this season Derby has an all-pervading sense of calm, led from the front by their manager. The club is successful, so maybe the calm is having its affect. Energy controlled in the right areas!

Down the road, some years ago, Brian Clough tried hard to stop the Nottingham Forest crowd from using foul language in their charts. It worked to a certain extent, Clough seemed calm, didn't he?

At a 12 year old's children's party recently, a group of young lads gathered together to play half a match of football and half of rugby. The rugby players were delighted to play football for part of the game, because they said, “they could swear”! This tale apparently came from a senior official of the Football Association who was nearby.

Let us take this issue along the touch line of junior football matches this weekend where some County Associations have established “quiet” weekends. I wonder if this will educate our grassroots players, who eventually, may become players at the higher level or part of vast crowds filling stadia. Maybe this will stop the abuse and the throwing of objects, which are constantly in our news' reports??

Mind you, it would help if the English manager didn't admit to once using a shisha pipe and Berahino didn't drink drive!!

FOOTBALL IS A HEADACHE

Clarke Carlisle has come in for some stick recently, following his attempted suicide and his brave public admission to this act. It is hard to understand mental illness, so it is unfair for individuals to make their feelings public by accusing people like Carlisle as “selfish”. Neuroscientists are beginning to recognise patterns in the brain that lead to such distressing decision making, although how they manage to decode the brain and its trillions of “synapses” beats me.

We all suffer one way or another from depression triggers, such as relationships that go wrong, family bereavements, loss of prestige, unemployment or just a simple bang on the head. Footballers are classic examples of sportsmen who can have a quick “fall”. I don't think David Beckham or Frank Lampard will suffer from a “fall” but there will be many who will find a dark corner and disappear from the limelite after failing at a career that was going to give them the lifestyle they hoped would lead to fame and fortune. Some, however, will just clash heads a lot as they play football and eventually find that not all is well.

Looking at the face of debut boy, Owen Shenton, yesterday as he came on for Stoke City for a few seconds towards the end of the league game against Manchester City said it all. A 17 year old at the beginning of a career, the world is his oyster; what next? Has he got an agent? Does he have a plan? Is there a personal trainer or a psychologist nearby?Will he head the ball much?

Xpro, the charity for ex-professionals tell us that 3 in 5 ex-PL players are bankrupt within five years of retirement and one in three divorced within a year. Help lines and funding for Sporting Chance provide necessary back up when things go wrong, hoping to prevent further disasters.

Reflect on the number of individuals who are employed by clubs to keep footballers fit, safe and secure, physically and socially. Fitness coaches, pyschologists, masseurs, the dreaded agents, dieticians, spiritual healers (Glen Hoddle!), financial advisors, the Club Chaplain! It goes on. Is there a brain scanner on board? Do they do the job?

Let's hope our super stars stay sane and maybe some may remember Jeff Astle, whose brain was analysed after he died prematurely from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition which means players are “punch drunk” in simplest terms. CTE can lead to depression, mood swings and memory loss so there is much to consider. Astle's family have launched a “Justice for Jeff” campaign after the FA had delayed the report on the player's condition. Astle was a successful centre forward who put his head where it hurt.

Head injuries need better monitoring and as highlighted by the recent case of George North in rugby and many American Football League players, publicity and lawsuits will prevail.

TV MONEY MUST BOOST GRASSROOTS CLUBS

FA Cup weekend coming up and before we all getting overwhelmed by the chances of an upset, let's not forget the Trophy and the Vase, both of which are well on their to Wembley.

The Trophy is at semi-final stage and last night Wrexham and the other “X” team FC Halifax played their replay and the Welsh won 1-0 in Yorkshire at the Shay. The winners play Torquay on the 21^st February at home first and the following week away.

Bath City won their replayed quarter-final 2-1 at home against Dover and so in the other semi-final Bath will play North Ferriby United. Dates are the same as above.

Semi-final winners will receive £16,000.

North Ferriby Utd was formed as a village club in 1934. Located neat Hull they originally took part in the East Riding Church League. After the war the club joined the East riding Amateur League and eventually played in FA Amateur Cup rounds. By the 1970s the club was elected to the Yorkshire League and won the County League Cup, beating Lincoln United. 

By the 1980s they reached their best FA Cup rounds and in the FA Vase, a losing semi-final. By 1996-7 the club reached the FA Vase final losing to Whitby Town 3-0. 

In 2001-2 ,with improved ground facilities they were playing in the Northern Premier having been runners-up in the North-East Counties League. They won promotion to the Northern Premier in 2004-5, with a Championship win in 2013, with the following season success in the Conference North.

Let's hope some of that TV money gets sieved down to the “Grassroots” levels, to North Ferriby and beyond.

In the Vase the draw is at the quarter-final stage with Step 5 teams mainly-St Austell from Step 6.

St Austell (South-west Peninsular League 6) v Ascot United (Hellenic 5)

Highworth (Hellenic 5) v Tadcaster (North-east Counties 5)

Holbeach Utd from Lincolnshire (United Counties League 5 ) or Erith and Belvedere (Southern Counties East 5) v North Shields (Northern League One 5)

Shaw Lane Aquaforce (North-east Counties 5) v Dunston UTS (Northern League One 5) or Glossop NE (North-west Counties 5). 

Games to be played 28^th February, £4500 prize money.

AGE CATCHES UP WITH THE BASEMENT, BALL BOYS AND THE BARBER

Having recently given you the league table for long ball “merchants” in the Premier League, it was made public recently that Tottenham fielded the youngest squad in the PL last weekend, when they won the North London derby:- Spurs weighed in at 24 years 37 days. Looking at the average age for squads in the PL at the time of the transfer deadline, Newcastle had the youngest at 25 years 30 days, Man Utd, Southampton, Arsenal, Liverpool , Everton, appear in the next half dozen places. Oldest is Manchester City at 28 years and 80 days, with Palace, Stoke, WBA, QPR, Leicester, Hull and Villa in the oldest ranks.

On the theme of age, as I was recovering from Fiona's Pilates session this morning at the gym, I was towelling down and watching on the changing room TV,“Real Lives reunited” on day time BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b052sf7r/real-lives-reunited-series-2-1-world-cup-ball-boys-marchioness

It covered two past events, the tragic sinking of the Machioness Thames party boat and the World Cup Final in 1966. It found several of the ball boys who helped return the ball to England and Germany during our famous 4-2 victory at Wembley. They shared a bottle of champagne at the new Wembley and reminisced about the fabulous day they experienced.

As I mention Wembley, I have to make you aware of the FA Historian, David Barber, known on their website www.The FA.com as “The Barber”. He makes it his job to gather historic information about the national game and also has ground hopped to over 6500 matches in his ife, mostly grass roots. You can get him on Twitter (https://twitter.com/thebarberfan) and will soon find out that he is due to retire soon, handing over his spectacular job to some fortunate “youngsters”, who are lucky to inherit his legacy. I first met the Barber early in the early 1970s when he travelled with Charles Hughes to FA XI representative games.

In his leisure, David is going to continue his past interest in “underwater photography”, from which some of his photos have been published.

IT'S A LONG BALL PARADISE

It's 9 in the evening, I'm eating snapper in a restaurant owned by a Leicester City supporter. I don't have a lot of time since the other half is looking unimpressed. I have wifi, not an easy luxury in the Coromandel, North Island, NZ. So I am publishing a previous blog posted on the same day in Feb, a few years ago. Just in case you didn't enjoy my post several blogs ago.

Charles Hughes, the Director of Coaching at the English FA in the 1960s, studied how goals were scored in the game, concluding that most goals came from three passes in a move or fewer. It was therefore beneficial to get the ball forward as soon as possible, basing his findings on over 100 games at all levels from England Youth, Brazilian and English League.

Previous to Hughes' publication, second World War Wing Commander Charles Reep analysed the game as a science and established POMO-the position of maximum opportunity, the places on the field where goals are most likely to be scored. As a result of these two studies, many British coaches advopted the long ball, encouraging their players to get in crosses and to win free-kicks, throws and corners in the final third of the field and as early as possible.

Exponents of this form of play gained considerable success, but usually at the lower levels. John Beck at Cambridge United left long grass in the corners of his pitch, so the ball pumped into the final third would hold up. Wimbledon FC under David Bassett, was very successful and worked their way through the leagues in the 1980s. They used tall centre forwards for knock downs and clever positions of midfield players to get the second ball. Sanchez's goal in the Cup Final against Liverpool was a classic of winning a free kick in the corner of the final third and a flick on at the near post. Graham Taylor, at Watford, then as national team manager, adopted this style of play but that didn't get the England team very far at the higher level. It was embarrassing for poor old Turnip head.

So at the weekend, Sam Allardyce (didn't he get a reputation for using POMO? Kevin Davies, Long throws,Andy Carroll??), of all people, criticised Manchester United's tactics in their desperate attempts to snatch a draw at West Ham, by playing in long balls. Blind's goal came from a cross and a poor defensive header by Jenkinson, with Fellaini a target man. West Ham's earlier goal also came from a corner. Statistics do not lie:- the team in the Premier League that has played most long balls is Burnley (1877), United, with the Dutch master, comes second with 1861 and the passing masters, Arsenal, least with 1098. West Ham come 10th.

It is significant that the top ranked teams at the moment lie lowest in the “long ball league”. Man City, Liverpool, Swansea, Chelsea and Tottenham fill the lowest places. Surprisingly Stoke are just above these “tiki taka teams” and of the highest exponents Southampton rank 7th. Those struggling against relegation fill the top places, QPR 3rd, WBA 4th, Leicester 5th, Hull 6th, Villa 8th and Palace 9th. When the going gets tough the POMO gets going. Don't mistakes in your own half, work hard to get the ball back and then get it forward as early as possible.

CARLISLE LOST IN YORK; WILSHERE LANDS A HOOKA; THANK GOD FROM GERRARD

It is sad to read the sports' pages today, to see again that Jack Wilshere has been photographed with a shisha or hooka pipe in his hand, in a nightclub, posing for the photo with friends. Despite being injury and not playing at the moment, this shows a lack of common sense for a role model with such potential, setting a bad example to young players, his fans, his employers and to the sport.

Wilshere and friends.

As Steven Gerrard reached his 700^th game last night, playing an important part of a wonderful Cup Tie at Bolton, amongst a fully fired Liverpool team full of confidence, Gerrard is highly admired by all football fans; yes, even the moranic fans who still try to remind the Liverpool captain of his slip last season to let Chelsea into the Premiership spot.

Wilshere might think carefully about where he is heading. As a top rate athlete, he shouldn't be smoking and this is the third incident that will embarrass his employers, Arsenal. On one public occasion, when he was photographed smoking, he was as part of the England squad at the World Cup training hotel in Las Vegas. Not good.

Wilshere should take a leaf out of Gerrard's book and perhaps read today's newspapers about Clarke Carlisle's plight and enhance this with a browse through Carlisle's book, “You don't know me...but”.

Carlisle has just come out of hospital having been found on the A64, where he told the press that he jumped in front of a lorry in an attempt to end his life, following charges for drink-driving in Highbury and bouts of depression.

Read his book and see what he has been through. It is not just the alcohol, but what caused the abuse, the subsequent loss of a £100,000 a year job as a TV pundit and a concern about his future. He is a bright boy, has a loving family and plenty of support......but!

Scarred Carlisle.

THE BEST JOB ON THE PLANET

Tim Vickery, born London 1965, is a major football correspondent working from Rio de Janeiro where he has lived since 1995. He trained to be a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language and moved to Brazil to teach English. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, his major credits are with BBC Sport, World Soccer, Sports' Illustrated, an analyst on SporTV and frequently on Talksport and in the World Football Phone in between 2-4am on Radio 5, Saturday mornings, where he is known as the “legendhino” and “Vikipedia”. There is nothing he does not know about South American football. He has recently given expert views on the return of Anderson to his home country and Internacional and on latest signing to Chelsea, Colombian, Cuadrado, whom Vickery rates highly.

If you can get a podcast or stay up late, Vickery is definitely worth a listen.

By the way it is Jim Proudfoot's 1000^th match report coming up tonight, watching Bolton v Liverpool, having started with “DevonAir” reporting local matches in 1991. His worst reporting position was at a match at Blackpool v Yeovil when he was placed far away from the action and without cover, as the club was redeveloping the ground. The ladder to the “Gantry” at Portsmouth above the main stand at Fratton Park, was vertical and a nightmare to climb, there have been open press boxes exposed to the elements and of course issues over “calls of nature”. It is not always the best job!

His most memorable matches were the FA Cup Semi Manchester Utd v Arsenal in 1999, covering for local Manchester radio, when Peter Schmeichel saved a penalty and Ryan Giggs scored that great goal following a mazy dribble. The other was the 2000 European Champions League final between Valencia v Barcelona, probably the noisiest and most exciting match he ever experienced, at the Stade de France, won by Valencia 4-1.

NICE ONE HARRY. SAD TO SEE YOU GO.

Harry's resigned; is it because he has got a bad knee or possibly after the failure to sign Adebayor at the deadline or has he just had enough? Born on the 2nd of March 1947 in Poplar-a true East Ender, he is the oldest manager in the English Football league. A youth at Spurs in the late 1950s, Harry's career as a player continued with West Ham (149 appearances 1965-1972), Bournemouth (101 apps 1972-76)), Brentford (1), Seattle Sounders as player/coach (1976-9-24) and then Bournemouth again, drawing a curtain over his playing career in 1982. He was a "jobbing" player, never good enough to be a regular at the higher level.
He then took to management with Bournemouth in 1983, West Ham, Portsmouth (twice), Southampton (a controversial move along the Solent), Tottenham, where he had a huge success and then QPR. Many would say he failed to bring the flair to QPR that he achieved at White Hart Lane, maybe it was the lack of money??!!
In his career he has become MARMITE. Even today QPR supporters have been praising the decision to get rid of him, whilst others have shown regret. But whatever, Harry has had his moments; he has sailed close to the wind, something that prevented him from being called to manage his country. Trust him or love him? Alledgedly, he has be involved in various dodgy moments, which have not been proven. But "tapping up", "bungs", racehorse scandals, fraud, false accounting, HM revenue and customs and a mugging in Spain have appeared along side his name in the papers.
He has a lovely home on Sandbanks, Poole, a fabulously loyal wife, son Jamie is a well known good guy and Frank Lampard, a nephew-butter wouldn't melt....he was very much part of the old West Ham academy of football. Harry does many positive things including charitable works, which should not be forgotten.
Let's hope his knee gets sorted soon so he can walk his dogs along that beach (with a plastic bag I hope).

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY NEARS-FAIR TRADE?

RAs the transfer window is near closing (Monday 2^nd Feb at 23.00); the busiest clubs in the Premier League have been Swansea and Crystal Palace with four gains. Wilfred Bony going from the Swans to Manchester City has been the most expensive trade at £28m.

The busiest club, so far, has been Crawley Town signing 9 players. Most trades in January have been on loan, free or undisclosed.

Kyle Naughton to Swansea at £5m, Yanga-Mbiwa from Newcastle to Roma £5.5, Paulista from Villareal to Arsenal £11.2m are the more expensive moves in January.

The first football transfer took place in 1905 when Alf Common was sold by Sunderland to Middlesborough-it was regarded as “professionalism gone mad”.

By 1928, the famed Bolton Wanderer, David Jack, went to Arsenal for £10,000 joining a club that was to have a very successful series of Championship and Cup wins in the late 1920s and 30s.
Dennis Law became the first British player to be transferred for six figures when he went from Manchester United from Torino in August 1962 for £116,000. In 1979, Brian Clough signed Trevor Francis from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest for £1million, actually just over, including tax. Forest were the top club in the Football League at the time and indeed in Europe. Clough did the deal in his tracksuit with a squash racket in his hand, hoping to get a game in after all the publicity died down.
Between 1968 and 1999, John Burridge, a goalkeeper with longevity, played for 28 different clubs, ranging from Manchester City, Aberdeen and Witton Albion.