The Blog of my 2009

On the face of it, 2009 wasn't a bad year. I graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with an upper second class honours degree in Journalism and pretty much walked straight in to a job at Fast Web Media, which evolved in to my first full time job. Widnes won a cup final too.

But it's also been a year of missing things. Finishing university and moving away from the familiar surroundings and people that I had spent the past few years with was strange. I also parted company with the person that was the most important part of my life for three and a half years around the same time, which made things doubly hard, while I still miss the job and most of all the people from my part time job which helped to sustain me during my university years.

I should be grateful for the fact I was able to find employment immediately (in fact, I was pretty much head hunted), because I know of plenty of people who couldn't, and still haven't, got a job, but perhaps selfishly, I'd have liked a bit longer "sitting on my arse".

The definition of me sitting on my arse is somewhat different to your average just-out-of-uni student type. A friend said to me recently that he didn't half get bored sat at home, but the fact is, I'm never bored, as I can always find something to do. It's been a relatively successful year for Last Tackle, while I'm also always writing and doing website work for various other people - I'm currently working on a re-development of the Garswood JFC website as I write this.

The year started with a week off for me, as I was only able to secure a one week placement at the Warrington Guardian, which I trundled through. I did a few good stories and it was a relatively good week, although I just didn't feel "right". I did discover that I was a lot more confident on the phone than I thought I was, and was praised for my interviewing, but even to this day, I get very nervous prior to using the phone and interviewing.

Much of the first three months consisted of shorthand, newspaper, FIFA, takeaways, more FIFA and bed, but I enjoyed it. Producing and editing the Preston Independent over semester two of my final year was hands down the best educational experience of my life, and the rapport I built with my colleagues was superb, and hopefully something that will replicate later in life.

Exam time was a bit stressful, mainly because I knew it was make or break when I did my law exam, which I had failed twice. Admittedly, a lack of effort and underestimation of its difficulty had hindered me in the past two attempts - so this time I did actually do a bit of studying, and thankfully it paid off. It made results day a lot more nervy than it should have been, considering I had comfortably secured a 2:1 anyway.

The NCTJ week, well, was a bit of an embarrassment. I only opted to take two, and having blundered through the first one, opted to skip the second one entirely. I had become convinced that I didn't quite see myself working in newspapers, so it wasn't something that I found very pressing at the time. I do regret not maintaining the level of shorthand that I reached. I was quietly proud of achieving 100 words per minute, particularly as it was courtesy of what I would call a gutsy display in the exam. I had originally intended just to do 90, but I focused in on the 100 too, and got that nailed.

My sister celebrated her 18th birthday at the end of May, the day after I had been for an interview at Sunderland FC for the role of Media & Communication Officer. I made the shortlist of three, but ultimately turned the job down when FWM made me their offer. I didn't quite fancy moving three hours away and working six days a week, particularly as I wouldn't know anyone, and had no money anyway. In hindsight, it's still the best decision.

June was about two things - starting my new job and Ben Black. I began at FWM on June 17. Four days later, Widnes beat Halifax 27-22 at The Shay in the Northern Rail Cup semi-final in one of the best games of rugby league I've seen. It was the most nerve-wracking too. After a relatively inconsistent season, I didn't hold much hope against high flying Halifax, but an incredible away support was buzzing and Widnes raced in to a sizeable lead, only for Halifax to haul it back and take the lead at 22-20. But then Ben Black dropped the ball as he raced away for a certain try, and it was the lifeline Widnes needed. I seem to remember launching a foul-mouthed "arrogant scum" tirade at Black as I had thought he'd started celebrating and that's why he dropped it, but as it happened, he's just a duck egg.

July was remembered for two things too - Blackpool and Toulouse. Widnes won the Northern Rail Cup Final against Barrow for the second time in three years. I missed the first one due to being on holiday in Cyprus, and I was worrying that maybe I was a jinx, considering I had witnessed Widnes lose Grand Finals in 2006 and 2007, as well as seeing all but two games they played in their relegation year. Toulouse was a great weekend in France, where Widnes also won too. You'll notice a correlation between times of joy and Widnes wins, which evidently means there's a lot of time when I'm down. For instance, I'm still suffering a hangover from the play-off defeat at home to Featherstone, which of course has been forced to languish in the forefront of my memory, as there haven't been any other games.

Since then, I've been going through the motions somewhat. I've become a bit careless and disorganised, and I need to get back on top of things to become more efficient. I'm still hoping to carry on with my own projects, but it's becoming increasingly difficult while I work full time, so we'll see what happens. 2009 ends in a bit of disappointment due to a planned development of Last Tackle being a bit in the air, but here's to 2010!

2009/10 Football #3: Leeds 3-1 Grimsby

Elland Road is the latest ground to add to my list after I travelled to Leeds to watch them take on Grimsby in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last night.

It's always nice to experience a new venue, although I was hoping I would also get to visit on Saturday for the rugby league Four Nations final, but unfortunately it's not to be.

There wasn't many home fans in attendance, a total of 10,340 was announced, but a fair few had made the trip from North Lincolnshire on a cold Tuesday night. We were packed in like sardines though - in fact, Elland Road is probably worse than Old Trafford for seating space.

Grimsby, second bottom in League Two, couldn't have been much further away from Leeds in league standings with regards to this tournament, the Whites sitting top of League One, but they did themselves no shame.

It took 40 minutes for Leeds to take the lead - some way from my first goal prediction of 3 - and it was unfortunate. Max Gradel made Peter Bore not look like the right back he isn't, turning him and firing in a left footed cross which was deflected in to the goal by Oliver Lancashire.

Despite their efforts, Grimsby lost a second goal on the stroke of half time, Neil Kilkenny picking his spot in the bottom corner with a tidy finish - which, despite some remarkable criticism of Nick Colgan from fans behind me, was not saveable.

You could, however, make an argument to criticise Colgan for the third Leeds goal - he maybe could have done better with Jermaine Beckford's shot, although it came after a superb point blank save by the former Sunderland goalkeeper to keep the score down.

The Grimsby fans were rewarded for their support with a stunning Peter Sweeney volley, and the Mariners rallied in the final quarter, with Bradley Wood denied by Casper Ankergen twice late on. The game finished 3-1.

Grimsby's focus now switches to league survival, a situation they once again find themselves in. Currently managerless, Russell Slade has been linked with a return.

Last night, new left back Josh McCrory looked handy, while midfield pair Michael Leary and Peter Sweeney stifled their opposite numbers effectively, while Sweeney's touch is a class above the level he is at. Even at the back, Grimsby look relatively steady, it's just a lack of a cutting edge in the final third that is hurting them.

Missing Adam Proudlock up front, Danny North and Adrian Forbes aren't the answer. Forbes sent the offside statistics off the scale with all too frequent mistimed runs. Out wide, Jamaal Shahin showed promise but the end product was too often lacking. Jamie Clarke on the other side seems to operate within a 10 yard radius of his starting position and no where else.

Five games down then, and still no sniff of a Grimsby win in my presence. Maybe one day.

Football segregation came as a surprise

The explicit segregation of football fans was something that surprised me when I started watching Football League games last season.

My only previous live football experience before last season had been at Old Trafford and Goodison Park, where I just figured that owing to the large stadiums, the away fans would all want to sit together for familiarity and atmosphere.

I was quite surprised at just how extreme the segregation was when I went to Whaddon Road, Cheltenham for their match against Grimsby on the opening day of this season. Quite literally it was a case of you are that side, we are this side. This is our refreshments bar, this is yours. Obviously it sems from the hooliganism of the 1970s and 1980s, of which I am too young to recall.

Compare that to rugby league, when I've often found myself discussing the game with fans of the opposite side (admittedly, I've had a few heated moments with other fans, but nothing which we haven't shook hands about after the game!), and the fact fans can mingle as and where they choose at games. Heck, at certain away grounds, we even flock from one end to another in our hundreds, walking through the main stand!

So it was refreshing to see that Nottingham Forest are launching a pioneering new scheme designed to put to bed the hooligan past of English football, and encouraging mingling and interaction of opposite fans. They are trialling an initiative at their home game with Doncaster where supporters of both clubs will be able to buy family tickets in the T block of the Brian Clough Stand.

It is sad that this is a significant happening in football, but hopefully it proves successful, and is replicated throughout the country, so that fans can once again share their passion and banter, without being scared of trouble erupting around them.

FA Cup fever

It's the stuff dreams are made of. The magic of the FA Cup. 18-year-old Mid-Cheshire College student Wayne Riley prodded home a late winner for Northwich Victoria, as they made a mockery of their league standing against League One side Charlton, some 80-odd places above them in the football pyramid.

ITV1 landed on their feet with this one. It was a classic cup tie, with a fairytale ending. Charlton were on a hiding to nothing really, and they threatened rarely. Northwich though played with such determination and spirit that even the most ardent Charlton fan couldn't deny that they deserved victory.

Charlton 'keeper Darren Randolph was seemingly going to deny the Vics the chance to progress, pulling off a wonderful one-handed save in the first half and somehow keeping the ball out of his goal in a mother of goal-mouth scrambles.

It was a shame to see some empty seats at Northwich's Victora Stadium. It was surely a day the town could be proud of, and I would imagine that those empty seats will be filled come their second round clash with Lincoln City a fortnight on Saturday.

Their fans got behind them, and helped roar them home - even if the ITV production staff were no doubt cringing at chants of "you're so sh1t it's unbelievable" and "dirty southern b@stards"!

Ian Herring proved the Conference North's answer to Rory Delap, and the ball seemed drawn to centre-back Mat Bailey's head whenever the ball was pumped in to the box at either end.

It's watching games like this that make me yearn for a team of reasonable quality in my hometown of Warrington. Rugby league is by far the sport of choice in my town, and it is my own personal preference, but there is nothing quite like the magic of the FA Cup. As Town languish in some obscure Northern League, it is perhaps not worth the £6 entry fee and two hours on a Saturday afternoon to watch them. If they were in Northwich's league, I would be there every week. That may sound shallow, but it's true.

Although I appreciate the passion of football as an impartial observer, it feels strange that I have never experienced quite the same passion myself.

I love rugby league, and while it probably means more to me than anything else in my life, the fact we are hindered by inefficient administration and a lack of coverage compared to the supposedly superior, middle-class, southern-orientated 15-man code, means that there's very few people to share your passion with.

I'm proud to be from Warrington, I'm born and bred here. Sadly, my rugby league loyalties lie elsewhere, courtesy of my dad. So I'm missing an attachment to the place that well and truly is, and always will be, my home.

Maybe one day, I'll be there at Cantilever Park, and my hometown passion for football will be ignited. But until then, I'll remain in the shadows as an unattached and clubless football fanatic.

Sinfield is Smith's main man

For someone that has in the main part underachieved at international level, Kevin Sinfield has come of age in the Four Nations.

Fresh from captaining Leeds to a record third consecutive Super League triumph, Sinfield has been the primary catalyst for England's unlikely recovery from a first half hammering against Australia last week to setting up a re-match at Elland Road on Saturday courtesy of a tremendous victory over New Zealand.

Eyebrows were raised when Tony Smith made the bold move of starting Sinfield at hooker, in place of regular number nine James Roby, to accommodate the world class talent of Sam Burgess, but it worked a treat, as Sinfield's kicking game terrorised the Kiwi backline.

At times his dummy half play was slow and his distribution a little hesitant, but the decision was justified when he and Burgess linked up to send St Helens whizzkid Kyle Eastmond over for an early try. Roby played his part too, and his timely introduction injected a bit of pace in to England's play, just as the Kiwis looked like they were starting to stifle the threat of England's pack.

An outstanding member of that pack was once again Gareth Ellis. He was a top class player at Leeds, but he has hit completely another level since his move to NRL side Wests Tigers. He, along with Burgess, have proved time and time again in this tournament that they will mix it up with the big boys, and come out on top, down under in 2010.

While the pack outmuscled New Zealand at Huddersfield, Australia next weekend will be a different proposition. Smith made the bold move of replacing both Lee Smith and Tom Briscoe (something I called for in my last blog, I believe!), and in the main it worked spectacularly, with Hull KR wing Peter Fox grabbing a brace of tries.

But it remains to be seen whether Chris Bridge has the skill or the discipline to take on Greg Inglis, Michael Jennings or whoever else he has the misfortune of coming up against. Bridge was solid enough on Saturday, although was perhaps helped by the fact the game was played up the middle in the main. He has probably done enough to retain his place, although I'm sure I wasn't the only one wondering just why Martin Gleeson isn't part of Smith's plans.

The dynamic duo of Sam Tomkins and Eastmond were partnered at half-back, and while Richie Myler might have something to say about this, they showed that there's an exciting future for England - although one hopes that Tomkins doesn't overuse his wonderful step, so that it doesn't get stifled by defences in Super League and abroad.

In the traditional English way, Smith's men have give us a bit of hope ahead of the Four Nations finale. It has been a great tournament so far, and crowds have been decent enough in this country. France are still to justify their inclusion, but they haven't let themselves down, and have competed well in the first forty minutes in all three of their games.

But ultimately, it's the 80 minutes on Saturday which we will remember this tournament by. Bring it on.

Smith must find England solution

The second forty minutes on Saturday helped change the tone of this blog somewhat.

Previously, it was going to be about another embarrassment for England, a poor showing against a far superior Australian side. As it turned out, England, as they always seem to do, gave us a glimmer of hope, whether it be false or not, with a second half fightback that went some way to repairing the damage that resulted in the Wigan crowd booing them off at the break.

A notable difference in the second half was the appearance of Kyle Eastmond, who looked a threat whenever he had ball in hand, despite being stuck out in the centres for most of his 40 minutes on the field. Eastmond, together with Sam Tomkins and Richie Myler, are the future of the England side, and it is now up to Tony Smith and any potential successor of his to not let the opportunity to build a settled side go to waste.

Our southern hemisphere rivals seem to benefit from very little change to their ranks year on year, and any change that is made is assured to be a positive one - far too often, England just try a few different options without analysing their effect or their impact on the squad.

Judging by Saturday's performance too, Sam Burgess will take the NRL by storm next year. His defence was as solid as any and he, together with Gareth Ellis, showed their class. Ellis proved that the standard of players has improved in the UK by cutting it in the NRL in 2009, and it is now up to Burgess, and hopefully many others, to follow his lead.

Following the World Cup fall-out - where blame has evidently been attributed to the likes of Paul Wellens, Rob Burrow and Martin Gleeson - this year has ultimately become one of transition for Tony Smith's men. However, it is disappointing that we are still trying out new things half way through the Four Nations - wasn't the point of the mid-season international against France, and the pre-tournament clash with Wales, to discover what the best team line up was?

Smith has to produce. He's shown at club level that he has the quality - most notably with Warrington's recent Challenge Cup win - but the only success of his international reign was the series victory over a severely under-strength New Zealand two years ago. It's now time to identify, and settle, on a consistent side.

The first dilemma is where to play Eastmond, Tomkins and Myler. All three should play if fit. Perhaps this Saturday will see Eastmond start alongside Tomkins, in place of Danny McGuire, who's substitution on Saturday was greeted by painful cheers, as the talented stand-off continues to fail to reproduce his club form at international level.

If anyone put their hand up for a place in the starting 13 against New Zealand on Saturday it was Eorl Crabtree. The Huddersfield forward showed the way to his more fashionable team-mates, by taking the ball in with no fear and taking on the Australian forwards at their own game. Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley have served their country well over the years, but they had little impact last weekend, and it is maybe time now to start looking at young replacements for those two.

England's main weakness, however, continues to be in the three-quarters. Martin Gleeson, supposedly our only world class centre option, was left out of the squad by Smith, a decision which has caused a considerable divide in opinion. I'm with the side that believes he should have been selected, not only in the squad, but in the starting 13. Lee Smith should not have been called up. The biggest insult to our game is to defect to rugby union, and besides giving him a few more caps for his trouble, his inclusion in the squad is not benefiting England at all.

What use was it giving Tom Briscoe a run out with Smith as his centre, when next season it will be someone totally different? Briscoe coped admirably under pressure, but was hauled off at half time, a victim of the latest gamble by Smith that has backfired. Ade Gardner has for some reason been overlooked, despite probably being the most prolific and consistent winger in Super League for the past few seasons. Michael Shenton and Ryan Hall impressed on the other side, and we shouldn't forget the potential of Ryan Atkins, who will no doubt be a shoo-in for the centre spots next season - after all, he is playing under Smith at Warrington, which appears to give players an edge!

I've often been a critic of Ben Westwood, but he showed what it meant to play for your country with a typically passionate performance, even if he didn't spend as long on the pitch as he would have liked. However, is he the type of player that will be good enough for England if we want to consistently compete with Australia and New Zealand?

This tournament could go some way to answering a few of the questions that the future poses. A few players may well be playing in their last series for England. There's definitely a few players who are starring in their first tournament of many. It's up to Tony Smith to decide who's in and who's out, as he looks for the solution to put England on the road to success.

Just what Celtic needed

After a 2009 to forget, the appointment of Brian Noble is just the tonic Celtic needed to get back on track.

Prior to last season, the Crusaders hadn't had to deal with much adversity. They exceeded expectations in their debut season, narrowly missing out on promotion from National League 2, which helped them establish themselves even further when they ran away with the league title in season two.

Their third season, in 2008, saw them become a force in National League 1 and of course win the Super League licence for 2009 which ultimately was the primary purpose Leighton Samuel helped form the club in the first place.

But having been granted their ticket to the top flight - amidst much grumbling in Widnes and Leigh, amongst other places - they ended up giving their critics plenty of ammunition to shoot them down.

A disappointing start - they had to wait until May for their first win, 30-24 away at Bradford, at the 12th attempt - and less than spectacular attendances were just the tip of the iceberg as rumours surfaced of possible financial problems, the sale of their Brewery Field and then the visagate scandal, which saw seven Crusaders players sent home to Australia due to visa irregularities.

But after the positive move to Newport to play at Rodney Parade, home of rugby union side Newport Gwent Dragons, an off-season of positivity in south Wales gained even further momentum with the news that Brian Noble, the most successful British coach of the modern era, will lead the club in 2010 alongside the experienced Jon Sharp and dual-code Welsh international Iestyn Harris.

Harris, for me, should have been the clubs marquee signing last season. He was the player they should have built the team around, as a recognisable face to both union and league fans in south Wales. His presence would have at least given them some credibility, rather than having two Australians running around in the middle.

He's there now - if not as a player - and with him also recently appointed as the Welsh national coach, it will be in his best interests at international level to develop Welsh-born players with his new club side. Don't be surprised if Harris doesn't bring out his boots in 2010 either - he certainly looked like he could still play a bit when putting in a man of the match performance for Featherstone in their play-off win at Widnes last month.

Noble has now been handed the task of almost starting from scratch. He has a few key players, the likes of Lincoln Withers and Mark Bryant, in the ranks, but he'll virtually need a brand new playmaking arm following the departures of Jace Van Dijk, Tony Duggan and Damien Quinn amongst others at the end of the season.

He was harshly done to at Wigan. He led them to two Challenge Cup semi-finals and to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final three times. His record at Bradford speaks for himself. Leighton Samuel couldn't have found a coach with a better pedigree than Noble, and if his appointment doesn't make people sit up and take notice, who knows what will.

The challenge that faces Noble now is where he can find players. Many clubs are at an advanced stage in their recruitment, and it will take some shrewd moves for Noble to build a squad capable of improving on this season, which must surely be the short term aim. Anything better than bottom place in season two will be a success for the Crusaders. As we are often told, fans only want to see a winning side, so if the rugby league gospel is to be spread well and truly in south Wales, Noble's going to have to get some wins under his belts if the Crusaders want to keep the turnstiles ticking in Newport.

Names being linked with Celtic so far are the less than spectacular list of released Hull players - including Tommy Lee, Jamie Thackray and Paul King - but it remains to be seen what deals they have under their belts. Previously, the Crusaders have announced the bulk of their squad in one-go, so perhaps that is where they are going again this season.

They could do worse than searching the Championship for Super League standard players. There are some very good players dotted about in the part-time wilderness, with some probably with SL release clauses in their contract.

Either way, Noble's not one to shirk a challenge and nor is he one to escape the limelight. He'll be hoping that he, and Celtic, are in the limelight for all the right reasons next season.

My football fix

I've planned my live football fix for the next few months at least. I'm happy to be tempted to any other matches if anyone wishes to invite me :)

All of the below involve League Two strugglers Grimsby Town. Maybe in the games below I'll finally see the Mariners come away with three points?!

Saturday 12th December - Shrewsbury v Grimsby
Saturday 9th January - Crewe v Grimsby
Saturday 23rd January - Rotherham v Grimsby
Saturday 13th February - Bradford v Grimsby
Saturday 13th March - Morecambe v Grimsby
Monday 5th April - Accrington v Grimsby
Sunday 8th May - Burton v Grimsby

The only ground I've been is the Don Valley Stadium, which is where Rotherham play. So it will be nice to rack up some new grounds.

The Accrington fixture all depends on whether my plans for a trip to Canada go ahead...

Lack of blogging recently

I'd like to apologise for my lack of blogging recently, it's not been for want of trying. I have posted a few articles that I've wrote on LastTackle.com in to this blog to flesh it out a bit, and have back-dated them so you can treat them as when they were written.

Since starting full time at Fast Web Media, I've had less time for blogging, but I'm hoping that will change before long.

I've also been working hard, as ever, on Last Tackle, as well as an exciting new project with British Ice Hockey. Together with that, I've been working hard building the new official website for Newcastle Vipers.

Speaking of ice hockey, I've been meaning to blog on my new hockey experiences this season, with Manchester Phoenix having dropped down a level to the English Premier League. Expect something on that soon.

Don't forget, you can still catch up with me on Twitter and on Facebook, so get in touch!

The Super League Grand Final experience

Last night was a first for me as I went to Old Trafford to watch the Super League Grand Final between Leeds and St Helens. I was previously insistent that I would only ever go to a Grand Final or indeed a Challenge Cup final if my club, Widnes, were in it.

With the likelihood of that happening diminishing year-on-year, I thought what the heck, and took advantage of a few complimentary tickets to get myself to the game.

Superb seats in the west stand and a great view of the game. It wasn't the best of games - particularly as I was trying to convert my football-mad friend Dave in to becoming a rugby league fan - and Leeds came out victors by 18 points to 10.

You can view my match report of the game on LastTackle.com, by clicking here.