The Sporting Hack

We all know that Premier League players earn a hefty wage week in week out, and they are even viewed by some as celebrities with an almost ‘pop star’ like public image. But which bands do the clubs they represent resemble most? Arsenal – Escala – Young, energetic and talented. Despite their classiness, it hasn’t brought them the success that many predicted. Aston Villa – Dizzee Rascal – A focus on youth here too. Their appointment of Gerard Houllier was arguably as baffling and complex as a Rascal verse. Birmingham City – Arctic Monkeys – Early stuff was great, yet their new stuff isn’t as attractive or productive and they’re on the slide. Blackburn Rovers – Kerry Katona – Find themselves in the headlines for controversial reasons. As well as being quite unattractive. Blackpool – Elton John – “Still standing!” but only just. They are colourful, entertaining and charismatic. Usually seen in a fluorescent orange outfit that the Watford chairman would be proud of. B...

left - fulham end. left - myself and jonny As the son of someone who saw Rovers host Newport County in front of 800, I was never allowed the apparent luxury of being a ‘glory hunter’. You don’t choose your team, your team (or dad) chooses you and you stick by it. 14 consecutive season tickets later I’m still going, though now it’s a pleasure of course. However, one day my typically stubborn father, who resisted his mates cries of “don’t make him suffer too”, was persuaded by a work colleague to let me watch his side. Not just that, but for them to win promotion too. The date was 14 th April 2000 and I missed Rovers home draw with Hayes in favour of watching Fulham gain promotion to the Premier League by winning 2-1 at Huddersfield. It felt good, but I was tinged with guilt. Despite no goals at Belle Vue, deep down I missed not being the 1170 th person watching the mid-table Conference stalemate. Nonetheless, little did I know I was stood in the same end as Luke, a Fulham fa...

Despite being just short of her 20 th birthday, Caster Semenya will remain a figure of controversy for the rest of her life. It doesn’t matter how many tests she undergoes, there will always be someone somewhere in the world of athletics that is sceptical of her feats. Her feats include winning 800M gold at the 2009 World Championships by over two seconds which raised infamous questions over her gender. The IAAF made it public knowledge that they were to investigate yet dealt with the whole process in a shambolic and embarrassing way. In a retrospective statement they claimed it was to examine whether she had a rare medical condition that gave her an unfair advantage. Whether or not she did possess this condition, no one deserves to be shamed in such a way by an internationally recognised body that regulates competition and looks to have athlete’s best interests at heart. The South African teenager who possesses a raw talent and ‘easy on the eye’ stride when on the track has for...

Black people have lived in this country for generations now. Anything new that they achieve is considered a first. Viv Anderson was the first black player to represent the England football team. Joe Ansbro is a Scottish Rugby Union player, who made the news recently, not because of his ability, but because he was the first of his skin colour to play test rugby for Scotland. The question is though, does it matter? And if so, why? I do not know anyone, who doesn’t know someone that is black. Everyone knew someone at school that ‘stood out’, but in the majority of cases it didn’t matter. Yes they probably could bowl like Michael Holding, but where’s the negative in that? However, there is a conundrum that has been on the lips of many for quite some time, why do black football managers seem to struggle? I don’t see it as an issue of respect from the players they work with, but perhaps those who employ them. Many will spin the line about Paul Ince having his chance as manager of Bla...