Premiership Footballer Danny Ward

Meet Danny Ward. A 20 year old Premier League footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers, currently on loan at Huddersfield Town. A left winger by trade who enjoys getting chalk on his boots, an old fashioned wide player.

Upon meeting Ward, we don’t see eye to eye. This is because he is deceptively taller in real life than what television pictures show. He`s not a player who could crawl through an opposition defender`s legs. No, Ward is more likely to hit the ball through a player`s legs and run round the other side.

 It`s Friday morning and Ward has a training session with his new Huddersfield Town team mates’  down at the Galpharm Stadium in preparation for their televised Sky Sports fixture with Notts County.

As if on interview for a new job, Ward is clean shaven, wearing a polo t-shirt buttoned to the top and black trousers.

"Perfect face for radio there Danny boy,” shouts Peter Clarke. “Guten morgen Danny,” says Danny Cadamarteri. A return to Huddersfield after two years away seems to have rekindled Cadamarteri`s love for football after a shady past which included a spell in prison. His infectious personality is clearly rubbing off on some.

The pair walk past Ward and down the tunnel. Spirits are clearly high at Huddersfield at the moment with the team unbeaten in 18 league games.

The form of Lee Clark`s team is one of the main reasons he joined the West Yorkshire side.

Ward said: “Owen Coyle wanted me to join a team doing well in the league that plays the same style of football as Bolton. After speaking to Lee Clark I couldn’t wait to come down and join up with the lads. The manager has helped me settle in and now I`m looking forward to the next few games. ”

Ward it seems has unfinished business with League One.  He scored 9 goals when on loan at Swindon Town last season including a play-off semi-final goal against Charlton Athletic, only to be beaten 1-0 at Wembley by Millwall in the final.  

“Getting to Wembley last year was a great experience to play in front of so many fans but heartbreaking at the same time. We had a couple of chances in that game that didn’t go our way. It was really unfortunate after having such a good season but now it`s all about looking ahead to the end of the season and hopefully winning promotion with Huddersfield, ” said Ward.

Before that final his manager at Bolton, Owen Coyle told him to `light up’ Wembley. Certainly big pressure put on his shoulders but it was a compliment to Ward`s ability. It`s an ability that has been present since day one. Coyle, after all, did include him in the pre-season tour to Scotland, Canada and USA.

Ward said : “ I started off at a local team called Farsley in Leeds, I was only there for about six months when I got signed by Bradford City under 8`s after we played against them. I was at Bradford for three years before moving to Leeds under 11’s, they thought I played well too. I was then at Leeds for five years until the age of 15 but then I got spotted playing by Bolton and I have been their ever since. ”

Ward confesses to idolising David Beckham from a young age. The gap between world star and loan rookie couldn’t be further apart. However Beckham also began his career on loan at Preston North End.

 “I would pretend to be Beckham when playing in the street or on the field and copy his style of free-kick. The free-kick against Greece especially sticks out for me, it was a special moment, ” said Ward.

After a quick glance at his wrist watch, a firm handshake and a nod of appreciation, Ward collects his boot bag and heads for the dressing room.

Perhaps one day younger generations will pretend to be Danny Ward when playing football in the street.

Ward said : “In 5 years time the overall aim is to be playing regularly with Bolton in the Premiership and with England at European Championships and World Cups. ”

Ward certainly has time on his side.

Eric Cantona

The glaring stare that often frightened opponents in the Old Trafford tunnel is still as intimidating as ever.

Sat upright in the chair like an old school headmaster with his broad shoulders, chest out, flat cap, Cantona  may have retired from football 14 years ago but his eccentric personality is still very much shining bright.

It was almost as if he was about to jump to his feet, turn his collar up and don the famous number seven shirt once again.  

Cantona, since retiring at the age of 30 has gone into new avenues. The New York Cosmos is his latest project with Cantona being appointed Director of Soccer. Quite a far cry from a Premiership appearance or teaming up with film director Ken Loach for the film `Looking for Eric’. And Perhaps that is exactly was he has done.

Why New York Cosmos: “It`s a very special club with a great history, a big project. I want to win the Championship with 5-6 academy players in the team.

“I signed the contract in May 2012; I have put people in the right places and have started to work hard, 100% for the past 8 months. I have a very strong urge, it`s a special city. I`m not tired, I can walk all day.”

This desire to win trophies was embedded into him when in five years at Old Trafford; he won four Premiership titles, scoring 66 goals in 144 appearances and being voted the PFA Player of the Year in the 1993-1994 season. A true legend amongst the United fans.  

From what he said it is certain that at five years under the stewardship of Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, playing alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, all products of the United academy, has had more of an impact on his philosophies than some might have imagined.

“Ferguson has humility, humanity, passion, a psychologist, I admire him. Big clubs have problems with different generations but he has adapted to all the generations, the different personalities and helped them develop their own, find freedom, the energy to become competitive. A great tactician, a kind of genius.”

Despite Cantona adopting a forward thinking mentality, it does seem as if there is still one topic that angers him and still gets under his skin. The French national team.

In 1997 he was fined for punching Bruno Martini in the face. A year later he was banned from playing for France for a year when he called the national coach `a bag of shit’. 6 players at Montpellier wanted him sacked after he threw boots at a team mate’s face. 1991 saw Cantona throw the ball in the ref`s face and called all members on the committee panel `idiots’.

“I don’t really care about France. I watch teams who I want to watch, who will entertain me. I like to watch Barcelona and United, players who enjoy the game.

This hurting and anger stems from the above incidents and failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup after defeats to Israel and Bulgaria when they only needed a draw to qualify.

New York Cosmos have certainly got the right man in terms of passion and belief. Temperament may be an issue if things don’t go smoothly but that reflects Cantona, the maverick, the life of a genius so far. Troubled artist or just troubled. We shall see. Long live the king. 

Eric Cantona

The glaring stare that often frightened opponents in the Old Trafford tunnel is still as intimidating as ever.

Sat upright in the chair like an old school headmaster with his broad shoulders, chest out, flat cap, Cantona  may have retired from football 14 years ago but his eccentric personality is still very much shining bright.

It was almost as if he was about to jump to his feet, turn his collar up and don the famous number seven shirt once again.  

Cantona, since retiring at the age of 30 has gone into new avenues. The New York Cosmos is his latest project with Cantona being appointed Director of Soccer. Quite a far cry from a Premiership appearance or teaming up with film director Ken Loach for the film `Looking for Eric’. And Perhaps that is exactly was he has done.

Why New York Cosmos: “It`s a very special club with a great history, a big project. I want to win the Championship with 5-6 academy players in the team.

“I signed the contract in May 2012; I have put people in the right places and have started to work hard, 100% for the past 8 months. I have a very strong urge, it`s a special city. I`m not tired, I can walk all day.”

This desire to win trophies was embedded into him when in five years at Old Trafford; he won four Premiership titles, scoring 66 goals in 144 appearances and being voted the PFA Player of the Year in the 1993-1994 season. A true legend amongst the United fans.  

From what he said it is certain that at five years under the stewardship of Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, playing alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, all products of the United academy, has had more of an impact on his philosophies than some might have imagined.

“Ferguson has humility, humanity, passion, a psychologist, I admire him. Big clubs have problems with different generations but he has adapted to all the generations, the different personalities and helped them develop their own, find freedom, the energy to become competitive. A great tactician, a kind of genius.”

Despite Cantona adopting a forward thinking mentality, it does seem as if there is still one topic that angers him and still gets under his skin. The French national team.

In 1997 he was fined for punching Bruno Martini in the face. A year later he was banned from playing for France for a year when he called the national coach `a bag of shit’. 6 players at Montpellier wanted him sacked after he threw boots at a team mate’s face. 1991 saw Cantona throw the ball in the ref`s face and called all members on the committee panel `idiots’.

“I don’t really care about France. I watch teams who I want to watch, who will entertain me. I like to watch Barcelona and United, players who enjoy the game. This hurting and anger stems from the above incidents and failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup after defeats to Israel and Bulgaria when they only needed a draw to qualify.

New York Cosmos have certainly got the right man in terms of passion and belief. Temperament may be an issue if things don’t go smoothly but that reflects Cantona, the maverick, the life of a genius so far. Troubled artist or just troubled. We shall see. Long live the king. 

Max Mosley

Only the close associates of Max Mosley, a former barrister and president of the Federation Internationale du Sport Automobile (FIA) might have had any kind of inkling as to what makes Mosley`s engine tick.

Many in the media industry have tried, failed and been left frustrated from interviews in an attempt to paint a picture of the type of personality that the wealthy, smart, sharp suited Mosley holds locked away.   

Fast forward to 2011 and Mosley, son of Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930`s, who had an admiration for Adolf Hitler has had his world turned upside down as his private life is no longer private. Mosley`s dark secrets have been unveiled but at a cost as Mosley sets out to shackle the British press.

If Mosley is successful when he takes his case to the European Courts of Human Rights in Strasbourg then this could change the way that journalists work forever.

Sparks will certainly fly as the implications for journalists could be chilling with Mosley arguing that `prior notifications’ ought to be given beforehand to warn the people involved so that these stories can be challenged in front of a judge.

Sarah Firth, a reporter from the Nottingham Post, believes in what Mosley is trying to achieve even though it could affect her day to day working life.

“I think it's only fair to offer a right of reply, also for the safety of the story. The subject might turn around and say “Actually, it's not me on that tape" or "Well, I can prove you're wrong" so it is definitely worth it,” she said.

The main concern of the British press is that Mosley could apply the brakes to the overall freedom of the press.

“It could. I think if the Mosley clause does become law it could affect genuine public interest stories. I would argue the Mosley story was not in the public's interest. It would allow time for people to seek injunctions, which would be expensive in court. However, again, it could be argued that if it was genuinely in the public interest the publication would win,” Firth said.

Mosley is keen to test the professional standards that journalists should abide by, with hopes that journalists and editors will think twice about publishing stories that Mosley claimed has `ruined’ his life.

Mosley wants to take away acts of being irresponsible which Sarah Firth has no problem with.  

“As a journalist you should be able to stand up your stories as true. It can only be libellous if it is defamatory, the person can be identified from the story, and it is published. But to be defamatory it has to be untrue. So you should be able to stand up in court and prove it to be true,”  

The case has been ongoing since 28 March 2008, when the News of the World published the headline `FI BOSS HAS SICK NAZI ORGY WITH 5 HOOKERS’. This was assisted by the sub-heading `Son of Hitler loving fascist in sex shame’.

Mosley had a strong case against the claims that `Nazi overtones’ were used, which he strongly denied. Mosley argued the story was a breach of privacy and that the News of the World editor at the time Colin Myler should never have allowed the story to be made public. Mosley was successful in court and received a record payout of £60,000.  

Many sources in the media industry have taken the view of Mosley and believe it will only add to the validity of a journalists work.

Roy Greenslade, Professor of Journalism at City of University, London “The publication of a malicious, scurrilous and sordid piece of tittle-tattle now threatens the practice of serious and sober journalism. Blame the News of the World for the danger we face, not Mosley,”

For nearly three years Mosley`s background has been scrutinised but now it seems Mosley is back in the driving seat as potentially he could be about to rewrite the rulebook for journalists.  

Huddersfield Town Vs Carlisle United- Match Report

Date: Tuesday February 01

Competition: Npower League One

Venue: Galpharm Stadium

Time: 7 45pm

Referee: D. Deadman

                                                  Huddersfield 2 vs 0 Carlisle United

The stadium tannoy system may have announced that a car outside the Galpharm had a window left open, yet in fact it was the visitors Carlisle United who will be awaiting the emergency loan transfer window to open after a lacklustre display.

Two clinically taken and identical goals from Gary Roberts in the space of six first half minutes was enough to seal a comprehensive win and increase the pressure on the chasing pack at the top of the table.

It was the fourth time this season these two sides had met, with still the second leg of the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy to be played next week. The three points for the Terriers leaves the West Yorkshire team only four points behind leaders Brighton Hove Albion.

Both teams lined up with a 4-3-3 formation with both managers wary of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Lee Clark will have called for a positive opening to the game but it was Carlisle who threatened twice inside the opening two minutes.

Former Huddersfield crowd favorite James Berrett fired wide from 18 yards before the away team found the back of the net; only for it to be disallowed by referee D. Deadman.

 A Frankie Simek throw from the left touchline bounced inside the six yard box and found the back of the net via the post. The ball however had not touched any player and was correctly ruled out.

Huddersfield replied on five minutes with Anthony Pilkington finding his low drive blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Adam Collin after being put through down the right flank.

Dogged defending from Greg Abbot`s side hushed the home crowd as they looked content to sit back and hit Huddersfield on the break.

A free-kick was awarded to Huddersfield for a tug on Alan Lee`s shirt which brought ironic cheers from the stands. Anthony Pilkington stepped up and curled the low free-kick around the wall from 20 yards but it could not beat Collin.

It was Huddersfield goalkeeper Ian Bennett who was then called into action as he threw himself in front of a Zoko follow up from a fierce Lubomir Michalik free-kick from 35 yards.

Bennett then made a more impressive save on 36 minutes. Zoko again dug out a shot from 12 yards which was heading for the top corner, only for Bennett to show his agility and tip over the bar with his fingertips.

Six frantic minutes before half time saw the home side take a 2-0 lead. Kevin Kilbane, in central midfield, opened up the Carlisle defence with two perfectly weighted ball s with the outside of his left foot. Gary Roberts timed both his runs accurately and shot across Collin to give Huddersfield breathing space at half time.

That wasn’t the end of the action in the first half however. Gary Roberts looked to complete a first half hat-trick as he lobbed the static Collin from 30 yards, only for the ball to land on the top of the net.

In truth the second half didn’t bring much goalmouth action as Huddersfield played some impressive two touch football.

Carlisle Manager Greg Abbot brought on three substitutions before 60 minutes with Robson, Noble and Loy replacing Taiwo, Berrett and Curran. Former Terrier Berrett received a sympathetic round of applause as he left the field.

Two half chances saw Kevin Kilbane had a volley whistle past the post on 74 minutes before needing treatment for cramp. Before Peter Clarke stabbed the ball wide from 6 yards which would have rounded off a very comprehensive and professional performance from Lee Clark`s men.

Five minutes added time was announced by the fourth official to the bemusement of the home supporters which only added to the misery of the 238 travelling Carlisle fans.

Carlisle visit the Galpharm on Tuesday but this time with a 4-0 first leg lead, knowing they are only 90 minutes from a trip to Wembley.

On paper it looks too big of a difference for Huddersfield to overturn but if they can replicate their first half performance for the whole 90 minutes then Carlisle could well be hanging on.

No price for loyalty

As the news broke on Monday lunch time that Darren Bent was heading for a medical at Aston Villa after Sunderland had accepted an offer of £18 million rising to a staggering £24 million, my first reaction was to check Twitter to see if he had tweeted about his move. Of course I was not expecting another F-word rant from Bent that earnt him a £120,000 fine for his outburst against Daniel Levy when moving from Spurs to Wearside.

On July 30^th 2009 Bent tweeted "Do I wanna  go Hull City NO. Do I wanna  go Stoke NO.  Do I wanna go Sunderland YES. So stop f*****g around, Levy. Why can't anything be simple? It's so frustrating hanging round doing jack s**t. Seriously getting p***ed off now. Sunderland are not the problem in the slightest."

After handing in a transfer request following Sunday`s 1-1 draw with Newcastle, I`d imagine the loyal Sunderland fans would have been asking their own questions about his loyalty with some strong words for his motives themselves.   

Perhaps when Aston Villa were challenging for a place in the Champions League under previous manager Martin’O Neill then maybe Randy Lerner splashing 18 million on a striker who has scored goals wherever he has been including Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham would not have been met with such shock and confusion.

Some will say it is a sideways step as Villa languishes 4^th from bottom in the Premiership and only a couple of weeks ago entered the relegation zone for the first time since 2002. Gerard Houiller then became under increased pressure as his team lost 2-1 to fierce rivals Birmingham City in the Carling Cup Quarter finals.

Looking at the bigger picture though and Bent has moved to a club with great tradition, history, a set of supporters who will sing and applaud his name if he does the business on the pitch and least not forgetting that he has doubled his weekly wage from £40,000 to £80,000. Previous manager Roy Keane said that Wearside is a hard place to attract players to come to and it seems Steve Bruce has found out the hard way.   

Sunderland supporters were becoming concerned with his recent form, no coincidence that Bent had got a sniff of the interest in him from Villa and abroad. It wasn`t that long ago that Bent said he could see himself staying at Sunderland for many years to come. A similar situation to the Wayne Rooney saga which ended up in him earning £250,000 at Manchester United, the only difference being that when players leave Old Trafford, not many prosper, whereas Bent who leaves the Stadium of Light for Villa Park will thrive on service from Ashley Young and Marc Albrighton.

Good business all round seems to be the mood from both clubs with Aston Villa getting a proven striker in the Premiership, although not at International level. If Aston Villa were to be relegated then with staggering wage bills the club would be crippled and forced to sell their star names so if Bent scores the goals to climb the table, £18 million will seem a bargain.    

Sunderland have nearly doubled their money they paid Spurs and now can reinvest that money in buying 3 or 4 quality players to bolster a team in a strong position for Europe. Some of the Sunderland faithful may question the purchase of Asamoah Gyan for £12 million pounds in the summer if the club was not financially stable.

When at Spurs, manager Harry Redknapp said that his wife Sandra could have scored some of the chances that Bent missed at White Hart Lane, Randy Lerner will hope that Bent doesn’t fancy another Twitter rant come the end of the season.

British Home Championships Driven By New Sponsors – Positive or Negative?

Forget the title race in the Premiership for a second or the sack race for that matter as my focus this week is on the possible return of the Home Championships in Britain since 1986.

The new England sponsors Vauxhall Motors are the main driving force behind the return of the `friendly’ international football matches between England, Scotland and Wales. Within hours of completing their 20 million pound sponsorship, Vauxhall Motors stepped on the gas to bring back the fierce championships that were brought to a halt after Scotland fans invaded the pitch in 1977 after a 2-1 win at Wembley. Weakened line ups followed this as the breaks were applied to the competition.

From a personal point of view I would welcome these types of games being introduced once again as I have no recollection of them taking place as I was born in 1992.

The championships have several positives and negatives which will decide whether the competition can go through the gears and gather some momentum.

England vs Scotland will most certainly see sparks fly but will surely be more beneficial than non competitive friendly matches which usually results in either manager still not knowing their best team or preferred formation.

Fixture congestion could prove to be a frustrating traffic jam for managers but will provide a summer of football for fans when the World Cup and European Championships are absent. It will also provide an opportunity for some young potential stars to show they are worthy of a Rolls Royce to be included in their next contract.    

The Football Association will be counting the coppers in their piggy banks rather than the coppers in yellow jackets outside Wembley as I don’t see hooliganism being such a problem as it was previously.

This will provide the FA with extra funds to pour into the tank of the Burton National Football Centre but more than likely will be used to pay off the debts of Wembley stadium.

Some players might feel like having a rest in a service station along the roads of New York or Las Vegas but some will be keen to prove themselves and clock up the extra miles.

The British media will of course tailgate the International managers but when has an English manager never been under pressure?

Weakened teams will also hopefully be thing of the past as of course this is not the FA Cup.

For me, International matches for England have been in the wilderness for a long time but with help from the Vauxhall Motors Satellite Navigation system, the England football team will pass its MOT in the summer of 2013 and win the competition.