Clarke and Kent take the honours: The Open from a first-time spectator's view

Bleary eyed. Darren Clarke's face this morning resembled mine and my mate's on the final day of the Open


I have never been to watch golf but after following the ups and downs of a certain Northern Irishman in the last two majors I decided I wanted to go to the Open – where
I saw the memorable triumph of another.

So at £55 a ticket, two of us made the journey to Sandwich to watch the final day of the biggest golf tournament of the year. Not bad value when it’s a similar price for 90 minutes of football.

My friend and I started our day at Royal St George’s a similar way that Darren Clarke started his first day as Open champion: hungover. It wasn’t in the original plan but after copious amounts of red wine it proved unavoidable. Still, there’s nothing like a ten-hour stroll by the beach starting at 8am to clear your hangover.

The stroll was hardly easy going. Royal St George’s is littered with mounds, bumps and hills which makes for tough walking but with it excellent vantage points to see great golf in tough conditions. Even though the tees, greens and fairways were obviously cordoned off, the spectators’ area lived up to the tournament’s name, open, and we felt like we could go anywhere. If we wanted refreshments, we had three bars to choose from. Beer wasn’t cheap but it was good quality and £4.20 a pint is par for the course at sporting events.

Before the golf started we had a look around the tented village. This activities area, complete with simulator, Wii and bunker challenge is a great way for people to take a little break from the sport and should be introduced at other all-day events, most notably Test cricket where there is nothing to do when it rains (except drink in the bar).

Registering for the tented village the staff asked us a couple of questions: do you think the ticket price is good value for money? Would you prefer to be able to bring your mobile phone in? With a stern ‘yes’ to question one I had to think about number two. It’s strange for most people not to have their mobile with them and annoying if you’re in a big group and lose each other, but I didn’t miss my phone that much. Without a radio it would have come in handy to check what was happening on the other holes other than looking out for the leader board but this was a minor inconvenience.

Cameras were also banned from the course. This was annoying in that there were so many opportunities for great snaps, close-ups of the players and mementos of the day. However that is not nearly as annoying as it would have been trying to catch a view of a putt on 10th, only to have my view blocked by hundreds of hands in the air as people try and get a photo.

What about the golf itself? That was fantastic. However, seeing the heroic shots is down to luck for the spectator while it is a guarantee for the armchair viewer. We saw some good moments: impressive shots and some important putts, not to mention getting within touching distance of the players. But while we were a few feet from watching Miguel Angel Jiminez chipping from the rough on sixth, we missed the all important eagle from Phil Mickelson on the seventh. Keen to follow Mickelson after that, we then missed Clarke complete the same feat.

That unfortunate timing is more than made up for by the atmosphere. Everyone was in such a good mood from the supporters to the volunteer marshals to the burger van staff and the players themselves. It was great to see Sergio Garcia give his ball to a little girl between holes and the constant grin on Mickelson’s face, even when he had bogeyed the 11th. And when Clarke sunk that putt on the 18th to win, I couldn’t see a thing but would not swap the memory of being there for anything.

Being so close gives you an insight into the players’ mindset. They all seem so appreciative of the reception they are getting and like normal blokes despite being ultra-talented sportsmen and multi-millionaires. Many reports have said this is why Darren Clarke is such a popular champion but many of the players give off the same vibe.

If I had a criticism, the course could do with some more TV screens because you can’t always get an ideal view, but the cost of giant TVs may impact on the ticket price.

The trip to the Open was a Sunday stroll with a difference. A memorable day out where we witnessed the heroics of a true champion.

Chelsea not feeding from the fruits of their youth system

Cast out. Michael Mancienne has gone to Hamburg after only four first team appearances for Chelsea despite starting with the club in 1995


Given the short term success and massive transfer fees for star players – many forget that Roman Abramovich’s millions have also done a world of good for Chelsea’s youth system. The sad thing is the club are not making the most of this young talent.

His money paid for the state-of-the-art training facility at Cobham which has not just benefited the first team but also youngsters trying to make a name for themselves. They are doing that, but at smaller clubs where they are loaned out before deciding to move on permanently with no imprint on the Stamford Bridge set up.

The acquisition of Frank Arnesen from Tottenham did wonders for Chelsea’s youth development, his expertise helped bring in attractive young players from abroad and nurtured the home-grown talent, but the club are already feeling the effects of his departure to Hamburg and with no first team coach to act as a mentor, it is the young blood that will suffer.

Michael Mancienne is a prime example. Coming through the ranks with Chelsea’s youth team and reserves, he earned an England call up without a first-team appearance. But Mancienne spent more time on loan at Queen’s Park Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers than at Stamford Bridge and he has now left with Arnesen to Germany with only four Chelsea appearances to his name, but remains an integral part of England’s Under 21 squad.

When you look at that squad in Denmark for the European Championships, there are others that have similar stories. Scott Sinclair came to Chelsea from Bristol Rovers at 16 and was being touted as a major emerging talent. But he was constantly shipped out on loan before feeling so disassociated with the club he left permanently, to Swansea City with former Chelsea reserve team boss Brendan Rodgers. After a hat-trick in the playoff final he will have a chance to terrorise his former employers in the Premier League next season.

His international team mate Jack Cork must feel the same way. He has over 50 first team appearances on loan at Burnley and is an integral part of the team there. He has hinted to a return to Turf Moor as he feels he has unfinished business there. Defender Ryan Bertrand will also return to Chelsea after four years in the Championship and may find it difficult to adjust.

This is the case with Chelsea’s young foreign talent brought in by Arnesen as well. Patrick van Aanholt, Fabio Borini, Gael Kakuta and Jeffry Bruma were all loaned out but will need to return to the fold to really feel part of the Chelsea set up in the future.

Of course it makes sense to loan out young players. They are not going to push the likes of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba out of a team trying to win every competition they enter so this gives them a chance of competitive first team football. But there is a balance otherwise the players are left wondering if their chance will ever come. Danny Sturridge set his stall out with his loan move to Bolton to make way for Fernando Torres in January, with eight goals in 12 games, but whether that will benefit Chelsea with goals or a big transfer fee, we don’t know yet.

Chelsea are aiming to be self sufficient so producing the next John Terry, the only real Chelsea product turned superstar, is an integral part of that. But to do that they have to make the youngsters think they have a realistic chance of making the first team.

The last manger Carlo Ancelotti got it right with 18-year-old midfielder Josh McEachran. The Italian gave him nine appearances for the Blues which gave him a chance to mix it with the big boys and show his potential. But he is one of dozens of emerging talents and he may not be the favourite of the next manager that comes in. McEachran is at least showing signs of being a Premier League superstar with his reported celebrity girlfriend, Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent.

A constant change of manager gives the club no stability and while the Champions League is the top of Roman’s list, these young stars are not getting the mentors they need to succeed and benefit the club in the long run. We will have to wait and see what the next one does for them.

England calls for a delay in FIFA election, just 150 more to go . . .

Status quo. Blatter is set to continue as FIFA chief

Despite it being the top story on nearly all main British news programmes that both the English and Scottish FAs joined forces to delay the upcoming FIFA election – today’s news looks as though the election will go ahead as planned and the sole candidate, current president Sepp Blatter, will continue.

That is because the English and Scottish FAs hold as little weight in world football as the Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan FAs. It is all equal so these two are not going to make a difference.

For a delay in the election to go through, three quarters of the 208 nations that come under FIFA have to vote in favour, just the 150 something to go then.

Of course England wanted a delay in the hope that a new candidate, who has not been investigated for corruption, would stand. In their eyes Blatter and the current FIFA set up are responsible for the failed 2018 World Cup bid. Just as much as the likes of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan would be happy for Blatter to continue, not only do their low-profile leagues not care about an absence of goal-line technology but also under a Blatter regime, they may even get a sniff at hosting a World Cup like South Africa, Russia or Qatar.

Because England is one of the top football-playing nations in the world in terms of participation and support, if not international success, FIFA see them as a big-wig trying to gain all the power. Even Prince William said the election should be delayed, but only the British care.

For all FIFA’s corruption and wrongdoing, which is finally coming to the fore, they see themselves as an organisation standing up for the little guy and there are hundreds of these little guys not paying any attention to what is happening in Zurich.

This means we will have the status quo for a little while longer. England’s players will try and qualify for competitions in the back of beyond, every week managers and fans will complain at a decision that could have been easily resolved by technology and Blatter will laud in his power over the world’s most popular game.

Ji Sung would run all over the Park to win for Man United

Breath easy. Park has earned the nickname 'Three Lungs' for his athleticism

While Ryan Giggs is the main focus of the football and gossip pages at the moment – another Manchester United midfielder will be quietly getting on with training in the hope of playing some part in Saturday’s Champions League final.

And Korean international Park Ji Sung should play against Barcelona at Wembley because he has the burst of energy and the ability to nick a goal and change a game.

Park has played 15 league games and eight Champions League games this season, with eight goals and six assists in all competitions, including the first of the four in their title winning parade against relegated Blackpool. These stats make this the best season for any Asian player in England.

One suspects that if the man on the front of all the papers had not also been at the front of United’s on-field success, then Park, injury permitting, would have played and contributed a lot more.

No doubt that Park has the ability to change a game. He has a history of grabbing goals in important matches including one against Chelsea in the quarter final of this year’s Champions League campaign, just 30 seconds after Didier Drogba had given the Blues hope.

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt made his case for Park’s inclusion in Saturday’s team:

"His athleticism is amazing. He can break up play and gives the simple passes. But he also has the energy to get forward and scores the odd important goal.

"He is one of those players that are so difficult to play against because he is non-stop. Clearly they have outstanding players of their own, but Barcelona will not like playing against Park."

History suggests that Sir Alex Ferguson feels the same way. Park played in the 2009 Champions League final defeat to Barca in Rome. This was as much for his desire as for his ability. Park does not seek the limelight, despite being the equivalent of David Beckham in South East Asia.

He simply trains and gets on with his career in the hope of playing and making an imprint of the game. He has earned the nickname “three lungs” for the reputation of running his socks off for 90 minutes.

If Barca are flowing on Saturday night and Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are frustrating United by playing the ball around, you can bet that Park will be chasing every single one.

McDermott: 'We deserve everything we get'

Royal approval: Reading go to Wembley in a 3-0 win thanks to two goals from Shane Long

Reading manager Brian McDermott has praised his players’ faith throughout the season after they won 3-0 away at Cardiff to make this season’s Championship playoff final.

Two goals from Shane Long and one from Jobi McAnuff helped the Royals secure a spot at Wembley and a match up against former manager Brendan Rodgers’ Swansea City.

McDermott said: “This was a fantastic occasion and we are going to Wembley so I am absolutely delighted . This club is all about the group and they deserved everything they get.”

Reading sat in twelfth place in the Championship back in February but a late run helped secure fifth place. This win at the Cardiff City stadium stretched their unbeaten run away from home to nine games and gives them momentum going to Wembley.

McDermott added: “We had faith in what we could do and we never gave up.”

Just as Kevin Doyle was Reading’s hero when Steve Coppell led them to the Premier League in 2006, Irishman Shane Long was the man of the match and Reading’s after two goals taking his season tally to 25. His clever chip after a Stephen Bywater mistake and cool finish from twelve yards set the stall out in the first half before McAnuff finished it off.

“It means so much to all of us,” said Long. “It has been a long time coming.

“The game was not easy, we had to dig deep and it was just enough.”

A disappointed Dave Jones said Cardiff’s “hearts were on the floor” after his team yet again failed after fighting for promotion all season.
“I said to the players they have worked so hard again but it wasn’t to be. It is hard to swallow but you have to dust yourself down.

“Now is not the right time to reflect on the season, we need to go away and assess and that’s how the club has to grow. It’s Reading’s night it’s not our night.”

Jones delivered champagne to the Reading dressing room as a goodwill gesture but they will have to put it on ice for the time being and see if they can overcome another Welsh team at Wembley on May 30.

Cardiff City 0 - 3 Reading: Match Report

Reading spoilt the Welsh Wembley party and secured a shot at a return to the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Cardiff in the playoff semi final second leg on Tuesday.

As he has been so often this season, Irishman Shane Long was the Royals’ hero with two first half goals after glaring errors in the Cardiff back line. Long’s double and a clinical third goal from Jobi McAnuff towards the end set up a match up with Swansea City on May 30.

The club’s top goal scorer cleverly chipped into an open goal after Stephen Bywater’s scuffed clearance before scoring a second from the penalty spot after Dekel Keinan brought down Matt Mills. McAnuff skipped past the defence to finish past Bywater with seven minutes left to seal it.

Meanwhile the Bluebirds, who had their own hero Craig Bellamy on the sidelines through injury, face another season in England’s second tier after capitulating at the end of the league season and then in front of their own fans in this match. Despite enjoying the majority of the possession and having contentious penalty shouts turned down by England’s top referee Howard Webb, Dave Jones’ team knew that they failed to test Adam Federici in the Reading goal and costly errors in defence led to the defeat.

Cardiff had their first penalty shout after four minutes. Michael Chopra was brought down in the box by Andy Griffin but Webb, whose appointment signified the importance of the occasion, waved it away.

Chopra was in the spotlight again when he claimed to be brought down in the box and later a left footed effort from the edge of the box shaved wide. The Cardiff front man would have scored seconds afterwards when he latched onto a through ball from Jay Bothroyd but Mills’ decisive block in one of a handful of half chances.

Despite all this pressure it was Reading who got the first goal after 28 minutes. Long was lurking as Bywater misjudged the bounce of a long ball forward and kicked the ball straight into him so he could lift it into the empty net.

The goal came against the run of play and Cardiff responded well with more. Webb turned down another penalty claim when Olofinjana appeared to be pushed over by Mikele Leigertwood.

Leigertwood nearly allowed Cardiff back in five minutes before the break when his pass back was too short for Federici, but the Reading goalkeeper read the situation and cleared his lines with Bothroyd breathing down his neck, reacting slightly better than his opposite 20 minutes earlier.

For the contentious decisions in the Reading area, their penalty shout was a no brainer. Keinan constantly tugged on Mills’ shirt before finally bringing him down in front of the referee’s eyes. Webb pointed to the spot and Long converted.

Cardiff came out of the blocks fighting and had the first good chance after the break after Jay Emmanuel-Thomas put a ball across goal but no team mates were there to latch onto it. Olofinjana then latched on to another cross but headed straight at Federici again.

With 13 minutes left, Federici, who had made simple saves from a string of close range efforts, came flying out of his area to dispossess Jay Bothroyd and clear any danger for a second time of the evening. Replays suggested he handled the ball to control the long pass outside his area and was lucky to stay on the pitch.

Noel Hunt hit the post and flashed across goal for Reading in two good chances to kill the tie, but McAnuff finally clinched it with seven minutes left when he twisted past the Cardiff defence and slotted a fierce right-footed shot home.

Chelsea must invest in some width to succeed

Everything points to being all change at Chelsea next season. Odds are on that manager Carlo Ancelotti is off, with a list of candidates lined up to replace him, and the ageing hero Didier Drogba will be ousted to make way for the £50million Fernando Torres to thrive up front.

Should all this happen, the Blues will also need to look at two areas of the pitch in order to succeed and right the wrong of going a season without a trophy, both wings.

Torres is a striker who does best on his own up front. At Liverpool he did well with service from Gerrard and co behind him and he failed for Spain recently with the prolific David Villa up alongside him. With Chelsea having a centre midfielder in Lampard who enjoys bombing forward, the service for Torres to get those all important goals needs to come from the flanks.

Under Ancelotti, and previously under Guus Hiddink, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Avram Grant, Chelsea have played very narrow football but their strength in midfield allowed them to bulldoze lesser teams and occasionally be too strong for their rivals. This style seems to have been found out this year, especially by Manchester United, and has contributed to the unsuccessful campaign.

Although many associate Jose Mourinho’s reign at Stamford Bridge with effective 1-0 wins, many forget that when Arjen Robben emerged from injury in 2004, they enjoyed a string of big wins against Premier League opposition. This was continued with those effective 1-0 victories but they came because Robben and Damien Duff were so devastating on the wings: with pace, the ability to beat players, cross the ball and a knack to get goals. They would frequently swap sides and mess with defenders heads, and everything good about Chelsea going forward went through them.

Compare that with today and Chelsea still frequently play a 4-3-3 formation. But there is no threat on the right hand side with Branislav Ivanovic at right back, as he is a natural centre half, and further up the pitch Ancelotti normally chooses a natural centre forward on the right of the front three in the shape of either Salomon Kalou or Nicolas Anelka. There is of course the option of Jose Bosingwa at right back, but his fondness for going forward often leaves gaping wholes at the back. There needs to be a balance.

It is not much better on the left. While Ashley Coleis one of the world’s best left backs and can defend and get forward equally well, his ability to cross can leave something to be desired. He is joined on the left by Florent Malouda, an enigma for Chelsea who can be the best player on the pitch when things go right, but the worst when things go wrong.

Malouda has been prolific for a left winger with 13 league goals this season. They came when Chelsea were flying, both at the start of the season and on the recent run before the loss to Manchester United last weekend. When Chelsea had the miserable run in mid-winter of seven games without a win, Malouda was anonymous. He does not boast the track record of providing service for the strikers either, with only four assists all season.

Enigma. Florent Malouda has 13 goals but only four assists on the left for Chelsea this season

So some width is needed for Chelsea to succeed next year. That way Torres will enjoy some service while Lampard can bomb on and join him while either John Obi Mikel or Michael Essien (or anyone else who comes in) can sit in front of the front two.

The trouble is the options out there. Today Chelsea were linked with exciting Spanish left winger Juan Mata and Aston Villa’s Ashley Young is frequently rumoured to leave Villa park, but there is not that much Champions League/Premier League winning talent that is available. Whether a Duff and Robben-type partnership will return to Stamford Bridge remains to be seen.

Three captains for the Three Lions - not sure they will all roar

So it is all change in the England cricket set up as the Three Lions now have three different captains for three different disciplines in the international game.

As expected, and rightly so, the most important one and the one we are best at, Test cricket, will not change as Andrew Strauss stays in charge.

Alastair Cook, a man who despite his Ashes heroics could not get in the World Cup team will now not just play One Dayers but lead them and Stuart Broad has been considered the natural successor to Paul Collingwood in Twenty20s given Collingwood’s age and loss of form.

Strauss and coach Flower, who has signed a new contract, are a pair that can lead us to be the top side in the world in Test cricket, especially if this summer goes well. So perhaps it is a good decision for Strauss to just have the five-day game to worry about given that there are holes in our recent One Day and T20 exploits.

It seems a strange decision that Strauss’ replacement is a man who, despite etching his name into Ashes folklore, has not featured in many One Day Internationals of late. But Cook’s appointment is a good decision.

Firstly he has been groomed as Strauss’ successor at Test level and although he has done so against Bangladesh, picking his wits against the world’s best regularly will be the best training. It seems as if England are using Cook in the same way Australia have used Michael Clarke to follow Ricky Ponting. But while Australia’s dominance has fallen away in this transition, England will hope they can rise from the Ashes in One Day cricket.

Secondly, Cook’s guaranteed inclusion in the One Day team will settle worries of who opens for England in 50 over cricket. There were enough problems finding an opening partner for Strauss in the World Cup so at least with Cook in the team it will nail on one opener for future matches after Strauss announced his retirement from the game altogether. While Cook has not played an ODI for Essex since March 2010, his One Day form for Essex has warranted a place in the team after 96 against Nottinghamshire and provided he manages the team well on the field he will slot straight in.

Not such a good appointment is that of Broad as the T20 skipper. He has big shoes to fill after Collingwood led them to victory in the last World T20 and only has one year to prepare before they aim to retain that title. This is another step to make Broad the world beater he will no doubt become but his first appointment as captain at senior level has come too early.

Not long ago Broad was criticised for a lack of respect to umpires, excessive appealing and genuine unsporting behaviour. This was excused for youthful exuberance and a willingness to win but there will be nowhere to hide as captain.

How he leads the team remains to be seen but there is no doubt over his place in the side but there is just a worry that his reign in charge of England in the most up and coming discipline of the game and arguably the second most important, may have a touch of the Kevin Pietersens about it.

Holt to get deserved chance in Premier League

From August those mustard-eating, farm loving, successive-promoting Canaries will be in England’s top flight once again. Delia’s Norwich City – “let’s be havin’ you.”

While much of the praise will go to manager Paul Lambert for taking Norwich to the Premier League two years after his Colchester United team beat the Canaries 7-1 in League One, the hero of the hour will be powerhouse forward Grant Holt whose 20 goals this year have helped his team to second place in the Championship.

Club captain Holt will relish his chance to impress the Carrow Road faithful once again next year in the promise land of the Premier League, having taken a backward step to League Two before joining Norwich and helping their giant leap to the top flight.

After being something of a lower-league journeyman Holt had his chance with Nottingham Forest in 2006 but was largely on the bench. So in 2008 he went down the leagues to become Shrewsbury Town’s record signing for £175,000 and managed 21 goals in his one season with the League Two outfit. Three years later he will be competing against the £50million-rated Fernando Torres in one of Europe’s best leagues.

Following last night’s win at Portsmouth which confirmed Norwich’s promotion, Holt was quick to praise the team spirit that had been galvanised by manager Lambert. But there is no doubt that Holt is the figurehead and talisman in the eyes of the Norwich fans.

Now 30, he will join a host of other strikers who have had their chance to secure a Premier League legacy. At the moment we have players like Luke Varney at Blackpool and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake at Wolves who have lit up the lower leagues in the past but the Premier League is a step to high for them. On the other hand Andy Carroll was Newcastle’s Championship hero and is now worth £35million with a chance of Champions League football next season with Liverpool.

Age and an apparent fondness for Delia’s cakes means that Holt may not enjoy the International goals that Carroll could have in front of him. But after a decade under the radar he will want to end his career with a few more years in the spotlight.

Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona: Match report

It was both Messi and messy at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night as brilliance from Lionel ensured Barcelona would take a 2-0 lead into this Champions League semi-final second leg in what was otherwise an ugly encounter.

Messi converted with a close range effort and a superb solo goal, both in the second half, after Pepe had been sent off for the home side, and Jose Mourinho sent to the stands. This leaves a repeat of the 2009 final between Barca and Manchester United very much on the cards.

So often a game where the football does the talking there had been a viscous war of words leading up to part III of this Clasico series, but finally we were back on the pitch for the first leg in the Champions League semi-final – a trophy neither side wants to drop from a double-decker bus.

There were three sendings off – one on the pitch, countless complaints and a bad tempered atmosphere. Messi’s goals, especially the second which was pure class, managed to ensure Barcelona fans at least had some good memories to take from Madrid.

First he made a surging run forward in the centre while Afellay beat Sergio Ramos to smash the ball across goal only for Messi to slot it home on 77 minutes. Nine minutes later, he dribbled past the Madrid defence with the ball glued to his feet before he trickled the ball in.

Carlos Puyol started at left back for Barcelona with Javier Mascherano at centre back. Predominantly a centre-half, this meant Barca played their famous possession football through the middle, with Xavi, Messi and Pedro supporting David Villa, who frequently dropped wide for the flair players to run through. They boasted 70 per cent of the possession in the first half.

Real meanwhile had Ramos and Marcelo on the flanks with Ronaldo just as big a threat in the air as on the ground and had Lassana Diarra and Pepe to counter the Barca threat. When Pepe departed, they simply did not have the man power to sustain it.

Mourinho was making notes early on, either thinking of more insults for Guardiola who rose to the bait before the game, or thinking of how to make sure he stopped Barcelona finding the crucial pass to split their defence, which was missing Ricardo Carvalho through suspension. But Barca were missing Iniesta.

After a first half that was all Barca with only one half chance from Xavi after some Messi magic, it was Madrid and Mesut Ozil that had the best chance of the first half. Twice he fired at goal from close range seconds before half time but twice Victor Valdes, anonymous until then, stopped a goal.

The players went down the tunnel with emotions running high and there were handbags as they came off the pitch. Substitute keeper Pinto displayed behaviour as outrageous as his braided hair and got sent off in a melee of players and coaches on the touchline. Pinto lashed out at a UEFA representative and referee Wolfgang Stark had a no nonsense response.

The second half started more evenly matched until Real Madrid went down to ten men against Barcelona for the fourth time this year. Everyone could sense the game would not finish with 22 on the pitch and it came true when Pepe was sent off on the hour. He came in high against Dani Alves and, under pressure from the entire Barca team who told him what to do, he met the requests of the pleading Barca team and produced the red card. There was a sarcastic “well done” from Mourinho and he was sent to the stands as a result.

Sixteen minutes later Messi stole the show. Substitute Afellay ran down the right wing and flashed the ball across goal, only for the Argentinian to tap in past Casillas and grab his 51^st of the season.

He grabbed his 52^nd when he skipped past all the white shirts in his path and slotted home.

There were no handshakes at the end and Madrid will have it all to do in the final chapter of the Clasico series, two away goals down and no Pepe or Ramos, who added one to his yellow card tally.

Surely we should have the best GB team? Wilshere's Olympic dream

Gold medalist? Wilshere wants to represent GB in 2012

Last week PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere said that “it would be a dream” to represent Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics.

After Arsenal’s title challenge imploded with defeat at Bolton yesterday, maybe the 19-year-old midfielder thinks this is his only chance of getting any sort of medal in the near future. But Wilshere raises an interesting debate.


An England triumph aside, England’s Euro 2012 campaign in Poland and Ukraine will play second fiddle to the Olympics next summer and for two weeks football is not likely to be the British sports fans' number one focus.

That is for two reasons: firstly that the Olympics is mainly an under 23 tournament so a large group of the players competing have not yet made a name for themselves on the big stage. Having said that both Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez have gold medals from winning with Argentina in 2004 and 2008 respectively, but a big portion of the athletes are unknowns.

Secondly, and probably more importantly, there has been no GB team since 1972. In Britain we don’t take such an active interest in the football competition because we have nobody to support in it. It looks likely to happen this year after the home nations agreed to the idea, and both Wilshere and Welsh PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale could play alongside each other which would encourage us all to watch.

Football is the country’s national sport so with the Olympics in this country, surely we must have the best team possible?

The argument against Wilshere’s pleas is a practical one: burnout. Club manager Arsene Wenger has already said that for Wilshere playing in the 2011 Under 21 European Championships in Denmark in June will tire him out for a long hard season. So what about Euro 2012 in June and the Olympics in July and August next summer?

The FA have a rule that players cannot play in two summer tournaments between domestic seasons, so they are not tired. It could be argued that these are special circumstances as is it is not likely to see an Olympics in this country for years and years, so we should let Jack Wilshere go. But then he could make the same argument every four years – provided England keep qualifying for the Euros.

The FA, responsible for the Olympic Team, said that he would have a conversation with Wilshere and Arsene Wenger to see if it was feasible to play Wilshere in 2012. His inclusion could have a huge bearing on how many people want to watch the football tournament next summer, but the deadline for ticket applications is tomorrow, so it looks like that could be too late.

Kenny and Rooney are totally different situations

Heated exchange: Dalglish and Wenger at the end of Sunday's 1-1 draw

In the week Wayne Rooney ended his two-game ban for swearing into a video camera the football viewing public heard another four-letter exchange on the Sky Sports cameras.

But Kenny Dalglish telling Arsene Wenger to “piss off” was taken in a very different way to Rooney’s rant at Upton Park.

I for one laughed and cheered when I heard the Liverpool manager respond so bluntly to Wenger’s all too familiar complaints at refereeing decisions.

So was Dalglish’s episode different from Rooney’s? The FA certainly think so. They have decided he will not be charged, with a spokesman saying: “There is a clear distinction between the Wayne Rooney incident and others as seen,” said an FA spokesman. “Rooney’s outburst was directed quite pointedly at a television camera.”

This is the right decision not just for the fact that Rooney spoke straight into the camera but also for other reasons. Exhibit A: The expletive used. Dalglish told Wenger to “piss off,” a word often heard on television and in the wider world and one not regarded as an awful one to use. Rooney used the F-word, one that I have decided not to repeat on this blog and one generally considered to be one of the worst in the English language.

Exhibit B: The situation. When Rooney swore he had just scored, the most joyous moment on any football pitch and United had taken a firm hold on the game and with that a step closer to the title. Dalglish was going towards Wenger to make the sporting gesture of “good game,” despite the controversy of two penalties at the end. When Wenger responded with a whinge he was declining Dalglish’s hand and his reaction was a spare of the moment response that happened to be caught on camera.

Exhibit C: The reaction. When asked about what happened in his post-match interview, Dalglish calmly responded that by saying: “I don’t know why a conversation on the bench between two managers is relevant when you have just had a game like that.” He held his dignity. Rooney apologised, through a statement, but then moaned when he got his ban saying he is not the first to swear on camera. No Wayne, nor is Kenny, but you are the first in recent memory to actually go into the camera and swear.

There are reasons for the Rooney argument. After Wayne’s episode, the issue of swearing on a football pitch had been highlighted so surely Dalglish should know better. A stalwart of the game, he should know that a camera would be on him at the end of the match. Secondly, it could be argued that Dalglish was insulting Wenger, something else that needs to be stamped out so not to influence younger players. If you look past all the side plots, then both were caught by the viewing public swearing on camera then what is the difference?

The difference was the intent so it is fair to say that the FA got this one right. I’ll leave it to Sir Trevor Brooking to explain why: “The reaction straight into the camera was the difference.
"I can understand why the incident at the West Ham match led to action being taken, but in this one unless it was exactly like that, which I gather it wasn't, I don't think there is any comparison.”

Why there is nothing like the London Marathon

Hard yards. Runners clamber to the finish today with a mile to go while one man gets treated for cramp

Today I walked across a Westminster Bridge free from cars to join thousands of other people cheering and waving while watching men and women in intense pain run, walk and limp their way towards the London Marathon finish.

At the risk of stating the obvious, there is something very special about the London Marathon. Elite runners aside, it is one of the few sporting events which people from all walks of life can have a go and a very high percentage manage it. But when they do eventually complete the 26.2 miles after hours of blisters, chafing and cramp, I can't imagine the achievement is like anything else.

The marathon is not like Iron Man competitions or triathlons where very dedicated and extremely fit men and women are the ones to take on the challenge. Indeed they do run marathons, but they often aim to do it in a ridiculous time. It is also about Joe Public proving to themselves that they can do it.

Watching today there were hundreds of people who may have never put on running shoes in their life but after watching last year and being inspired by an 80-year-old doing it for Save The Children or and terminally ill cancer patient soldiering on, felt they could manage it too. After New Year they ditch the booze and instead of spending their evenings in the pub, they go out for a jog.

There are many events where people do train to test themselves and raise money for charity, for example a Snowdonia climb or a sponsored bike ride. But whether easier or harder physically, the London Marathon is held in a special high regard and I join the millions more who say hats off to those who have completed it.

Maybe it is because thousands do it at once. Maybe it is because it is on TV. Or maybe it is because of the historic sites of London because experts say that no other marathon compares. It doesn't really matter why. It is just special.

I have never run a marathon. If you know me that won’t surprise you. But have been to watch on a few occasions to cheer on friends and family. This time I did not know anyone personally and went along for the occasion.

It was different because instead of planning the next spot where I could see how my dad or my mate was getting on, I just stood smiling watching the Smurfs, fairies, Spiderman and even a man with prosthetic legs get ever closer to the finish.

Not for the first time, I now feel like I want to apply to do it next year. But not for the first time, I’ll feel relieved if I get a rejection. If I get an acceptance well then I’ll start panicking.

Norwich 2 - 1 Notts Forest: Match report

Goal scorer. Grant Holt bagged his 20th goal of the season in the 2-1 win

Norwich clawed back into the automatic promotion places, albeit temporarily, after returning to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at home to Nottingham Forest tonight.

Having now gone ten games at Carrow Road without defeat, the Canaries will be hoping that Portsmouth put an end to Cardiff’s unbeaten run when they visit Wales tomorrow afternoon.

First half goals from Grant Holt and Andrew Surman were enough to secure the three points after Nathan Tyson had given Forest the lead early on.

The defeat means that Forest remain outside the playoff places with four games to go, with Leeds having the chance to extend the gap between sixth and seventh when they host Watford tomorrow afternoon.

For the opening 45 minutes, the game was intense and entertaining but Norwich got a grip on the match and held on tight to see out the result in the second period.

Forest got off to the dream start three minutes in when a clearance from Norwich keeper John Ruddy smashed the ball straight into Nathan Tyson, who was chasing a hopeful pass. It drifted in silencing the Carrow Road crowd and giving Billy Davies’ men the lucky break they felt they deserved after some misfortune in recent weeks.

In an explosive start to the match, Norwich immediately upped the tempo and got the response they wanted. Former Forest man and Norwich captain Grant Holt, fresh from passing a late fitness test, leapt high to head home a David Fox free kick to grab his 20th league goal of the season and restore the balance just seven minutes after conceding.

Both teams had chances to go ahead, Lewis McGugan was denied a Forest goal by Zak Whitbread on the goal line and Guy Moussi’s effort from 12 yards hit the post. At the other end, Forest keeper Lee Camp thwarted a golden chance for Norwich, closing down Simeon Jackson in a one-on-one. Jackson later had the ball in the net only to be caught mildly offside.

Slightly against the run of play in an entertaining first half, Norwich took the lead on 38 minutes when Andrew Surman beat the offside trap to slot the ball past Camp. Clapping in the stands, Canaries director Delia Smith would have been proud of Surman’s tasty finish to a delicious move.

Surman and Jackson both had good efforts for Norwich shortly after the restart, but Paul Lambert’s side seemed happy to keep Forest at arm’s length and hold on to their lead.

The away team could not create the clear cut chances or make the luck they had during the first 45 minutes. McGugan’s shot from range, which sailed over, proved their best effort of the second period.

Man-of-the-match Jackson came close twice towards the end, heading narrowly wide and hitting the post with a left-footed effort.

It got worse for Forest in stoppage time when on-loan Liverpool left back Paul Konchesky was sent off. Having mouthed off to the referee in the first half, a needless challenge confirmed an early bath for Konchesky.

It could be a fairytale career ending for van der Sar

Legend. Van der Sar living up to film star billing given the performances he has put in for United in the last few years

Manchester United may be on course for a second treble-winning season but one man that has helped them get to this position has eye on bowing out in a real blaze of glory.

At the ripe old age of 40, the evergreen goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will retire at the end of the season. Forget a testimonial, the way his team are playing, his swansong could be a Champions League final at Wembley. What he would give for a European-cup winning save in the same way he denied Nicolas Anelka in the penalty shootout in Moscow in 2008.

Along with Ryan Giggs, van der Sar in as an old stager who unlike many United players, is actually well-liked at grounds around the country. And like Giggs, he is playing some of his best football in the twilight of his career.

Only two years ago van der Sar passed the record for the longest period without conceding a league goal, going 14 games and 1,311 minutes without picking the ball out of the net. He remains just a reliable an asset for Sir Alex Ferguson and an imposing figure for opposition forwards today.

I have watched van der Sar in the flesh on one occasion, in goal for Fulham in a league match against Chelsea in 2004. At that time I was not the only person who felt that he had had his day and was in the middle of seeing out a successful career in a nice part of London with a mid-range Premiership side, playing for a few more years without too many expectations before putting his feet up and looking back at a successful career.

Indeed it had indeed been a successful career, with over 200 appearances for Ajax, including a goal but more importantly four Eredivisie titles and a Champions League in 1995, before going to Italy with Juventus.

How wrong was I? In 2005 he moved up north and became one of Sir Alex’s best ever bargains at just £2m. In that time he became the Netherlands most capped player with 130 appearances, a three-time Premier League champion and a member of an exclusive club to win the Champions League with two clubs, as well as a string of individual awards – all in his late thirties. Like so many great Dutchmen, a World Cup or a Euro trophy is what is missing.


Evergreen. Van der Sar leaps in the search for his third Champions League winners medal

Instead of fizzling out at Fulham, he has rivalled Peter Schmeichel as of Manchester United’s, and indeed the Premier League’s best ever keepers.

The trouble for Sir Alex is that this has made him almost irreplaceable. Left-back Patrice Evra told an
Italian newspaper: “We hope that Van der Sar will remain with us for another year. “I say that to him every day."

Evra was talking amid rumours that Gianluigi Buffon, another proven veteran keeper, could be his replacement next season. Buffon is 33, so by van der Sar’s standards even with a World Cup winner’s medal he still has room to improve, but maybe United could make an even more long term decision and signer a younger name. Ben Foster showed promise, but he wanted first team football which prompted a move to Birmingham City and now van der Sar’s understudy Thomasz Kuszczak is making similar noises. The favourite at the moment is 20-year-old Spaniard David de Gea, currently at Atletico Madrid, but experts have said he lacks the experience to handle the expectation at Old Trafford.


Whether they opt for youth or experience between the sticks. Van der Sar’s presence may hang around a little longer, especially if yet another Champions League title is on the list.

Yorkshire pride . . . and a bit of South African

This week Yorkshire staked an early claim for success in this year’s County Championship with a resounding nine-wicket win against Worcestershire.

It’s early days but if the Tykes can sustain this form it will not only bring glory to Headingly, but a statement for true Yorkshire pride, because technically they would have done it without an overseas player.

As in the past, when true Yorkshiremen would make up the whole first 11, the White Rose has gone back to its roots and decided not to look abroad for this coming county season in the hope of a 32nd County Championship - and have got off to the best possible start in doing so.

While the romanticist would say it is a throwback to the good old days and a strong statement for English cricket if Yorkshire do perform well this year, the cynic would say it is down to finance. With no Test match at Leeds this year the club are looking at losses of £200,000, familiar with the general tone of county cricket at the moment. After losing the Kolpak services of South African Jacques Rudolph in the winter, they simply cannot afford an overseas player.


There is no shortage of cricket enthusiasm in Yorkshire, personified by the likes of Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad. They are from a catchment area of cricket mad Yorkshiremen with Asian roots who will do nothing but help their county’s cause – unless they play more regularly for England.

Leg-spinner Rashid was indeed one of the heroes in the New Road victory after 11 wickets in the match and Shahzad, along with fellow Yorkshireman Tim Bresnan, had represented England in the World Cup.

But the other hero of their win was South African-born Gerard Brophy, who scored 177 in Yorkshire’s first innings. How can the former Proteas under 17s skipper be in a team full of Englishmen?

True Yorkshireman? South African-born Brophy scored 177 against the win over Worcestershire

Brophy, who has also represented Ireland, holds a British passport, meaning he is not considered an overseas player. He therefore fits a stereotype alongside the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and new England recruit Jade Dernbach as a South African who can play for England. This group that has divided cricket supporters the world over.

On one hand you have a player who has embraced the nation they have lived in for a long time and made the most of their new opportunities. But on the other you have someone who has betrayed the country of their birth to manipulate the rules and sold their national pride.

Wicket-keeper Brophy may have served the residential requirements to become an Englishman, but he is now also carrying the stigma of being a proud Yorkshireman, something regularly not taught in the East Transvaal, or when turning out for Northants earlier in his career in England.

No doubt that if Yorkshire are to claim success in the Championship, they would want to send a message to teams who have recruited overseas players on short term deals that in can be done with local talent. But remember that Brophy shows they have made the most of the rules as any other county and one expects that if they had the money they would recruit abroad as well.

Neville's United-tinted punditry will divide opinion among Sky viewers

He hates Scousers: Neville's United connections could deny him new fans on the TV screens

Next season the footballer that everyone except Manchester United fans loves to hate will be on our screens every week giving us his informed view on Premier League Football.

This week’s confirmation of Gary Neville’s appointment as Sky’s premier pundit is bound to be a talking point. To the red half of Manchester and the pockets of glory-hunting twenty somethings scattered around the land he is a hero, a man who personified the spirit and drive that led United to such success throughout his career.

To everybody else he is a rat-faced scary little man who’s dad’s first name is the same as his surname and while staying loyal, was an ordinary player who goaded supporters, provoked hate and in reality they all prefer Phil because he left Man United and went to a nice club like Everton.

You can guess which side I’m on. But nevertheless we are going to see Neville playing Jamie Redkanpp’s role when Harry’s son is playing on his Wii, filming A League of Their Own or walking through sprinklers in Marks and Spencer adverts. He will be the Manc to Jamie’s Liverpool, the solid black Primark suit to Jamie’s shiny silver M&S freebie and the ugly truth to Jamie’s beautiful features.

At least Neville’s face will be one that most fans under 30 will recognise on the pitch. Before “linogate” Andy Gray was becoming part of the furniture and was more known for his “take a bow son” and “yoouuu beauty” comments than he was for his days with the likes of Wolves, Everton and Aston Villa. With Neville you get someone else who has lived the modern game, a far cry from ‘70s and ‘80s football, and been at the forefront of title challenges and Champions League campaigns during the last ten years. In that respect viewers can trust what he says.

And he is a Manchester United fan. If we didn’t know it already from his attitude on the pitch, he showed the same, rather scary, facial expressions sitting in the stands watching his old team mates rather than the comfort of an executive box.

Neville will also provide opinions. An outspoken bloke with a widespread reputation for Scouser-hating, what he thinks is bound to get up people’s noses but that gets football fans talking. Prepare for a truck-load of pub conversations starting with: “Did you hear what that prick Neville said on Sky yesterday ….”

There is no doubt that he is not as loveable as Jamie, or maybe as Andy Gray. Jamie was not a one-club man so does not attract such a partisan following whereas Neville gives the impression that he sweats United and hates everyone else, so why would anyone else listen to him?

Neville’s chance to succeed and win over the viewing public will be to provide not just interesting punditry but memorable quotes and dodgy clothes. At least the curtains hair style and scraggly goatee stands him in good stead and who knows, in ten year’s time he could be a national treasure. Except in Liverpool.

Wigan match could make or break Torres' (and Ancelotti's) Chelsea season

Weight on his shoulders: Will Torres come good for Chelsea before it is too late for his manager?

So it has been ten games now, and if you hadn’t already realised it, Fernando Torres still hasn’t scored for Chelsea.

The Spaniard cannot be blamed for all of The Blues’ problems in the last two games. Judging by their performances a sniff at the league with a win at Stoke and later a one-and-only chance of silverware this year at home to Manchester United are still not enough motivation.

But it is the £50million man that everyone is talking about, as he has not nearly managed a shot on target since his move to the capital. Torres’ success in these remaining games, in particular at Old Trafford – if Carlo Ancelotti chooses to play him, will not just define his price tag, but definitely Chelsea’s season and possibly his manager’s future.

After the mid-winter disaster, which saw one win in seven games, the Premier League title was always going to be slightly out of reach, not to mention exits from the League Cup and FA Cup, and the former Liverpool man had not even joined at the point. But when Abramovich put his hand in his pocket for the deadline day move to smash the British transfer record, he was pretty much saying to Carlo: “Here are your tools to succeed, now win me something.”

A good workman should never blame his tools, but it is not as if Ancelotti hasn’t given Torres a run-out, in fact he played 90 minutes on Wednesday when the more effective striker, Drogba, was substituted. Ancelotti shouldn’t have to show Torres how to score goals, his record shows he can do that already – although apparently not in a blue shirt.

Torres’ influence could have more impact next year, when he comes into a Chelsea team with everything to play for once again, but that could be too late for Ancelotti. If Chelsea win nothing, he could go and if he doesn’t make the most of a £50million striker he could go. At the moment, the two do not necessarily go hand in hand.

Which is why tomorrow’s home clash against Wigan is pivotal – not for Chelsea’s chances at the title – that’s gone, possibly for securing a Champions League spot, but without doubt for Torres. In Chelsea’s last two games against the league’s bottom side, the Blues have managed 14 goals without reply, and last season’s home fixture won them the league with an 8-0 victory.

If Torres can’t score against this lot with his home fans cheering him on, a lot will wonder when exactly he will score.

Blue romanticists will say twice at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, which will instantly banish the ghost of the last ten games, get Abramovich and Chelsea fans smiling again and maybe keep Carlo in his job.

Dropping Associate Nations from World Cups is just not cricket

We have just finished one of the great Cricket World Cups that saw deserving winners, exciting matches and left a legacy that has done wonders for this waning format of the international game.

Yet the suits in charge, the ICC, want to change it all next time around. Confirming a decision made before this World Cup started, the smaller nations are to be left out when the tournament heads to Australia and New Zealand in 2015. Instead of including four smaller, associate countries, who in 2011 were Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands and Kenya, the 2015 World Cup will only have the nine Test-playing countries and Zimbabwe.

An ICC press release said: "The Executive Board confirmed their decision made in October 2010 that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand and the ICC Cricket World Cup in England in 2019 will be a ten-team event.”
"The Board agreed that the 2015 World Cup will comprise the existing ten full members."

There is a sense of injustice in this, particularly around the Shamrock nation. Ireland were everyone’s second team, except England’s, last month when Kevin O’Brien hit a match-winning century against the team that has stolen some of his country’s best players.

Fighting a losing battle: Kevin O'Brien smashes a match wining hundred for Ireland against England

That historic win made for an exciting Group B that was open well into the end of the group stages and also earned Ireland a one-day ranking above Zimbabwe.

So, ICC, if you are going to drop the tournament to ten teams then fine, but why not give it a few years and see how everyone has been playing before you decide who they are going to be. Zimbabwe are already falling behind and it is only their cricketing history that has kept them in the tournament, and the West Indies aren’t exactly heading in the right direction either.

In football, apart from the host nation, every nation has a fair chance of qualifying. If the sport adopted cricket’s ideals then it would probably just be the European countries plus Brazil and Argentina contesting the tournament every four years. We may well have not seen the North Korean tears, Ghana’s colourful climb to the quarter finals or, for that matter a World Cup in South Africa.

Some may argue that this is not a fair comparison because hundreds of countries play football professionally, but there are 95 associate cricketing nations who are going to stay as simply associate nations without a fair chance. And if you want a fair comparison, look at rugby. There have only been four different winners in World Cup history but the likes of Portugal, Romania and Canada get to have a go to fight for the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Back to cricket, you may argue that all four of these nations left at the group stage, so in the end we got the tournament we wanted and dropping the numbers will get us there much quicker. But we got there after enjoying some moments for the little men, which is what sport is all about. And why should we defy them these moments if the cricketers in those countries are willing to put in the hard yards under the radar for a slim chance of success every four years.

There were grumbles that the tournament went on too long and dropping the numbers would keep the TV audiences interested, but over a billion people watched the final – and not just Indians, so people weren’t exactly bored of it by last Saturday.

Anyway, the amount of games won’t change because a TV deal for 2015 has a minimum number of matches and the format will change to suit broadcasters. Maybe the smaller countries don’t bring in those sort of viewers that the TV companies want but they are never going to without a fair chance. That’s not in the spirit of cricket.

Another change in fortunes for the mad house of millionaires

Manchester City are boring, they are underachievers, they have got millions of pounds worth of talent and they don’t know how to use it.
These are the topics of conversation about the blue side of Manchester that have gone on between most football-loving pub goers across the country.
And they have every right to think like that. Before the international break, City had lost to Chelsea in a display where they never tried to win the game , and that dismal performance came two days after they were knocked out of the Europa League.
Yet this week they leapfrogged Chelsea after yesterday’s 5-0 win over Sunderland, are eyeing second place in the league and have the momentum going into their FA Cup semi final with their bitter rivals.
A lot changes in this mad house of millionaires, towards the end of this topsy turvy season these overpaid disappointments could be cemented into a coveted Champions League place and be on the verge of their first trophy since the League Cup in 1976.
This change in fortunes could be personified in the attitude of Mario Balotelli. Last week he couldn’t put a bib on and was throwing darts at youth team players. Yesterday the final whistle went to the sight of the first beaming smile I have seen since I started watching him play. Not quite the “perfect” Mancini described him as but a damn site better than a moaning child who has attracted criticism everywhere he goes.



Even manager Roberto Mancini was surprised at the result, but it could prove the catalyst towards the success that these long-suffering fans deserve. City’s last seven league games include two big games against Liverpool and Tottenham but five others where they would fancy their chances, including the likes of Blackburn away and West Ham and Stoke at home.
To achieve the Champions League spot they have to do what Tottenham have not done, and win these kinds of games. They are ahead of Spurs because the North Londoners have dropped points against the struggling Ws and that separates Champions League material from the Europa League Thursday nighters.
The team that last month were accused of being over defensive will take satisfaction of winning 5-0 with five different goalscorers. Just to clarify, even without Tevez they would still have won 4-0, which is unusual for City. The question is, can they take the encouragement from this result and turn it into a: dramatic win over United, a 100 per cent from their run in and a top four finish?

American rules could increase black manager quota in England

This week English football has heard a lot about ‘The Rooney Rule,’ and no it does not mean that if you score a hat-trick you are allowed to swear on live television before the watershed.

The rule is in fact a concept introduced across the pond in America in 2003 by NFL outfit the Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney. It says that a candidate from a minority group should be guaranteed an interview for any available coaching role – and there are hefty fines for anyone who doesn’t adhere to the rules.

With only two black English managers currently plying their trade in the English Football League – Paul Ince at Notts County and Chris Powell at Charlton – PFA Chief Gordon Taylor thinks that this rule could help reinforce black coaching talent and reflect the diversity in modern football.



Taylor was quoted this week saying: "We have got to learn from other sports and other countries, and we saw how many top quality black gridiron players there were and how few black coaches.
"But they came in with that rule and it's made a difference, and now it's become assimilated into the culture of the NFL."

He said that introducing the rule in England would encourage the many black players out there to take up coaching qualifications at the end of their career because they would be given an opportunity?

In fulfilling the aim of attracting black coaches, the Rooney Rule has done its job. In the 2011 season there were seven African American coaches including Mike Tomlin at the Steelers who, as well as being pioneers in the rule, were runners up in the Superbowl.

However there are no guarantees that this idea would be equally as successful in England. Playing the game has not taken off with the Asian community, only one footballer in England came out as gay and he committed suicide and as recently as last week a banana was thrown onto the pitch in an international fixture.

It’s true that racism is incredibly rare in football these days, given how black players, both English and foreign, are key men for so many of our clubs, but football has a history of being one of the last sports to accept people from minority groups.

Away from that view, it could simply be a question of talent. I am not in a position to know how many black people have gone for Football League coaching roles but it could simply be a coincidence. If a black candidate is guaranteed an interview for a job, does that mean an equally credible white candidate misses out? Out of the two black managers currently working, Ince was sacked in charge of Blackburn when he was given a Premier League opportunity and yesterday was the first time Powell’s Charlton won in 12 games – so neither has set the world alight yet.



One black manager who was doing wonders for the reputation of black managers was Chris Hughton at Newcastle, but he was sacked earlier in the season in bizarre circumstances. At least the Rooney Rule could see him back in management a lot sooner.

If this rule is introduced I believe it will take a lot longer for us to see the results in England. The big clubs with big money will nearly always go for tried and tested managers and coaches in the lower leagues often move from one club to another, as indeed Paul Ince did. But it could only take one club to take a punt and start the ball rolling.