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.

Leeds-Saints monopoly set to end

Leeds and St Helens may be battling it out in the Grand Final for a third successive year, but 2009 has seen some new kids on the block threaten to end their recent dominance.

Saints of course have missed out on being crowned Super League champions for the past two years, despite finishing as league leaders on both occasions, and they will be looking to return the favour against the Rhinos at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Mick Potter has received his share of criticism this year, but he's 80 minutes from leading Saints to glory in his debut year, while Brian McClennan has avoided second season syndrome.

One man who will also be looking to avoid that in 2010 is newly awarded Super League Coach of the Year Nathan Brown, who collected the gong at an awards ceremony on Monday after a superb first season in charge at Huddersfield.

He has transformed the Giants in to potential title challengers, and their third placed finish was just reward for a fine season which also saw them reach a second Challenge Cup final in three years. Full-back Brett Hodgson capped a fine year by winning the Man of Steel and firmly establishing himself as the signing of the season.

And while the familiar sight of Leeds and Saints running out in the big game awaits us on Saturday, Huddersfield are one of a clutch of teams threatening to end the mini-era of dominance from the big two.

Both the Rhinos and St Helens have brought through a large number of academy products - from previous Man of Steel winners James Graham and James Roby to Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire at Leeds - and combined them with shrewd imports and a few old heads.

Huddersfield received recognition for bringing through the likes of Michael Lawrence and Leroy Cudjoe, while Hull KR will undoubtedly be pleased by the progress of their home-grown star in Kris Welham. The 2010 season will provide a great challenge for both Huddersfield and Rovers as they look to consolidate their places in the top four of the table.

But they will be threatened by Warrington, who under coach Tony Smith look like they could finally realise their potential as a rugby league force. Richie Myler, Ryan Atkins and David Solomona are three superb additions to an already talented squad, and despite missing out on the play-offs this term, the Wolves will be looking to keep riding the wave that was brought by their much needed morale-boosting Wembley win in August.

It's unfair to ignore the quietly improving Wakefield while Kevin Walters' Catalans could be dangerous if they find the sort of consistency away from home that served them well in their plucky play-off run.

Wigan are as yet an unknown quantity while Bradford will be hoping to stop the slide which has seen them go from play-off certainties to a bottom half team in the space of two seasons.

The removal of relegation - and the subsequent excitement - might just be forgiven if Super League can turn itself in to a competitive, hard-fought competition at the top of the table, and on the face of it, 2010 could just be the best year yet.

More significance should still be given to the league champions though, although I'm sure that will be far from the minds of the 70,000 supporters who will be in attendance on Saturday. See you there.

Cumbria for Super League

Plans have been made for a £23m super-stadium in west Cumbria - with those behind it wanting a new club to be formed to play in it.

A traditional hotbed of rugby league, Cumbria has been starved of top flight action since the demise of Workington in the mid-1990s, and there's ongoing debates amongst fans at the viability of a merged club organising itself to apply for a Super League licence in the future.

Barrow, who qualified to apply for Super League in 2012 after they reached the Championship Grand Final, have a lot of work to do to meet the increasingly stringent top flight criteria - and just like Whitehaven and Workington - their ground isn't up to scratch as things stand.

But the announcement by the Cumbria Academy of Sport that they plan to build a stadium - which would have a covered-in capacity for 14,000 spectators with state-of-the-art facilities for most sports and leisure activities, including international athletics and top flight rugby league, with the accent on community and county use - might just be the catalyst that leads to a Cumbrian presence in the top flight within a few years.

Sports Academy Trust chairman Jackie Reid said: “We’ve already got brilliant facilities in place for the whole community – it’s second to none for community sports in the county and is already well established as a centre of sporting excellence.

“If everything comes to fruition, and it could be in the next three years, Whitehaven will be able to boast one of the finest community sports stadiums in the north of England. We hope Whitehaven Rugby League Club, the council and others will see the merits of our scheme and join in with us.

However, Whitehaven, who have plans to develop a new stadium on and around their own Recreation Ground, have already distanced themselves from the plans. But the rival stadium plans could pose problems - particularly with funding.

Haven director Cath Giel, who is also deputy leader of the local Copeland Council, said: “I can’t comment on the Hensingham scheme because I am not aware of what they are proposing. However, I can say that there is insufficient funding available, both public and private sector, to finance two potentially competing facilities.

“It has always been the intention that the Pow Beck Sports Village will be a community-wide facility with close engagement and involvement of local schools. In addition, the edge-of-town location of Pow Beck Valley brings the added benefits of economic and social regeneration."

But it's hard to ignore the plans from the trust, who own the land they are looking to build on, having bought it from BNFL for £1m in 1999: "Cumbria Sports Academy’s proposed scheme incorporates a competition swimming pool, a four-court badminton hall, a gym bigger than the one in Whitehaven Sports Centre, internal and external climbing walls, two dance studios and a shop with a 264-seater cafeteria overlooking the pool. A concourse would lead through from the leisure centre to the football stadium also boasting full business, conference, exhibition and media facilities."

However, as impressive as the plans may be, they need a top quality sporting outfit to play there.

Trustee Tommy Thompson said: “The ultimate aim is to have a Super League [rugby] stadium, fit for purpose for any team in Cumbria. I think this is what most fans want. We are offering a great opportunity and the stadium we have designed, with 14,000 capacity with at least 8,000 seats, certainly meets all the Super League criteria for playing matches and spectators. We are not in the business of mergers between clubs, it would have to be a new team playing here, a Cumbrian one rather than say Whitehaven, Workington or Barrow."

It's very much a case of "we're doing our bit, now you do yours" by the trust towards the Cumbrian people, businesses and community. The issues still remain that will Workington fans watch a team in Whitehaven, or vice-versa of course. If a new franchise is developed, will existing rugby league fans choose to follow it or will they remain watching their own team? Will Barrow look to relocate to this new ground knowing that it could well fast-track them in to Super League?

A number of questions are posed by this announcement. Cumbria continues to produce quality players - Whitehaven pair Gregg McNally and Kyle Amor will be playing in Super League for Huddersfield and Leeds respectively next season - but it's the logistics of setting up a strong enough club to make it to the big time. The respective fan bases of Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow are perhaps not enough to compete, but who's to know a new club won't be able to?

A possible scenario would undoubtedly be a Cumbrian franchise with Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington acting as feeder clubs - however, would these clubs be happy with this scenario? Do Barrow believe they can make it themselves? Probably.

What is for certain - Cumbrian rugby league will be getting a kick up the backside whatever happens, it's just up to those involved to organise themselves to put together a case for Super League - and if it's good enough, it surely won't be denied.

2009/10 Football Game #2: Chesterfield 3-2 Grimsby

My second taste of live football in the 2009/10 season came at Saltergate on Wednesday night, as Chesterfield took on Grimsby.

We set off from Warrington at 5pm in good faith. Albeit rush hour, but we thought the earlier we leave, the better. A trip through Manchester, Stockport and over the Peaks ensued - we arrived at the ground with just ten minutes until kick off.


Most people were in the ground by now, but not the away fans, who were all queuing to get in the one open turnstile. The whistle for kick off went as we stood outside two turnstiles that were reserved for concessions. A few lads tried to get in on concession, but were told that Chesterfield don't do students anymore. Next minute, another student is encouraging us to go in as students. Sorted. A saving of £6 - not bad, considering we missed the first two minutes.

Grimsby looked a bit flat - something their fans have come to expect - and seemed to struggle getting it out of their own half. Young right back Bradley Wood was putting himself about with a few good challenges and good headers, but Chesterfield were winning too many corners, and something was bound to give. Eventually, a corner was drilled in, the first man missed it, and Derek Niven fired in from the edge of the box through a crowd of players. Goalkeeper Nick Colgan could have perhaps done better, after he got a solid hand to it. He had previously saved the Mariners after a mistake by Michael Linwood let in Jack Lester.

We were left bewildered by hesitant defending by Joe Widdowson at times. And in the second half, it was a mistake by Widdowson that allowed Chesterfield take a two goal lead. The goal was a result of a harsh free kick given against Peter Bore, and the resulting free kick definitely was not taken from the spot it was awarded.

I've not really seen much of Bore in a Grimsby shirt, but he could certainly beat a man. However, Grimsby's final balls always seemed more speculative than anything - Peter Sweeney put in a few nice crosses, but there was no pace on them, and it made it difficult for the Mariners frontmen to get anything decent on target.

The game was over when Donal McDermott made it 3-0 on 69 minutes with a neat finish, leading to chants of "easy, easy, easy" from the home faithful.

But a minute later, a moment of class made the long journey home that little bit more bearable for the Mariners fans. Proudlock took down a throw in on his chest, with his back to goal, turned and curled the ball in to the top corner with his left foot. Grimsby didn't show much urgency in getting the ball back, but they kept trying to come forward, and Akpa Akpro came close when he glanced a header in to the hands of the Chesterfield 'keeper.

But as time went on, the game was petering out. That was until Sweeney answered the pleas of the travelling faithful and lashed a shot from the edge of the box, which crashed in off the underside of the crossbar courtesy of a deflection, to give Grimsby a lifeline with three minutes to play.

Unfortunately, much of stoppage time was spent wasted in the Grimsby box, after the referee gave an extremely harsh back pass, after Colgan had picked up the ball in the box following a tackle by Ryan Bennett. Grimsby cleared the danger, and despite winning a late free kick, Sweeney's cross was claimed by the 'keeper, and the game finished 3-2.

Grimsby's problem seems to be that they are playing with 7/8 players, and are carrying 2/3. Sweeney orchestrates in midfield, but doesn't seem to have someone to play alongside him. And Proudlock up front did a lot of work, but didn't really have much of a back up. Conlon, Forbes and North have all tried to establish themselves in the team, but there still seems to be a lack of a unit feel to the Grimsby side.

Whether Mike Newell can find the solution within his existing squad remains to be seen.

So I left at the end of my fourth Mariners game - four defeats (Macclesfield 0-1, Port Vale 1-2, Cheltenham 1-2, Chesterfield 2-3), all by a single goal. They won't want me going again soon!