The Sporting Hack

Review of Paul Merson's autobiography: ‘How not to be a Professional Footballer’ During the 1990’s, there were four outstanding English attacking midfielders; Paul Scholes, Matt Le Tissier, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson. The former two were loyal, one-club servants and consummate professionals. The latter two could also play a bit, sometimes more off the pitch than on it. While Gazza’s problems were well documented in full view of the media, the exact truth behind Merson’s demons have been bared publicly for the first time including how he lost in excess of £7 Million to the bookmakers. The affable joker had a seemingly darker side to his persona than the one which is played out to millions on a Saturday afternoon from the comfort of the Soccer Saturday studios for Sky Sports. In fact, the darker side wasn’t visible to the thousands on the terraces when he played or even those closest to him, who he eventually drove away. Born with what he describes as a ‘compulsive p...

If we’re being succinct over it, Dereck Chisora’s defence of his British and Commonwealth belts against Tyson Fury was two tubby ‘lard-arses’ slugging for their lives. A matchup between the 6’ 9” Fury and Chisora - seven inches smaller - was so eagerly anticipated among Boxing circles that only channel Five stumped up the cash to broadcast it. Best of British it may be, but unfortunately this fight carried on the disappointing chain of heavyweights nowhere near ready to take on the World. The trio of Michael Sprott, Audley Harrison and Danny Williams have now left the scene to let these two relatively inexperienced fighters have a go. Mancunian giant Fury unanimously, and deservedly, beat the cheeky Cockney named Del Boy who was far from savvy and generally just porky – weighing in 16lbs heavier than the last time he fought. In a contest which was similar to the dynamics of David Haye’s disappointing clash with Wladimir Klitschko, Chisora was not hindered by a broken little...

Book review of 'Beware of the Dog' - Brian Moore Former Yorkshire cricket captain Len Hutton once said of his teammate Geoffrey Boycott, that: “His idea of heaven would be to bat all night, having batted all day.” Someone as outspoken and stubborn as Boycott could also be found playing Rugby, his name is Brian Moore and his idea of heaven may not be too far off his fellow Yorkshireman’s – scrummaging was not only an art, but to Moore, became an obsession. So much so that he dedicates an entire chapter of his autobiography ‘Beware of the Dog’ to the subject. Fear not though for those of you who are not keen on Rugby Union. The trials and tribulations of his turbulent life are laid bare for all to see. Akin to his playing style, it’s straightforward and there are no punches pulled. He is even honest about his dishonesty when playing the game to international standard. The transition of a half Malayan adoptee raised in Halifax to 1991 World player of the year, Lions touris...

When Joe Frazier defeated Muhammad Ali forty years ago in Madison Square Garden’s, in their first of three brutal encounters, he probably didn’t have a care in the World. He had just retained his two World title belts and the word beginning with ‘R’ when he would hang up his gloves was most likely the last thing on his mind. Of the two fighters that left the ring in New York, time hasn’t been favourable to either. However, they are both held in the highest of regards by, not just the boxing public, but the sporting one. On the eve of David Haye’s pinnacle fight against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany we are witnessing boxers that are hyped as warriors and potential legends. Neither, in fact, is worthy of catching Frazier’s gum-shield or lacing Ali’s gloves. While Muhammad Ali is seemingly failing to deal with the subsequent severity of his Parkinson’s disease, Frazier is not just short of a ‘bob or two’, but damn near completely broke. The chance for myself to go to ‘an eveni...

Maria Sharapova (Rus) (5) bt Laura Robson (Gbr) 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 The fateful shot which saw Laura Robson exit Wimbledon 2011 was a misguided and wild backhand hack from a typically powerful Maria Sharapova serve. It was far from a fair reflection of how the 17 year old Brit had played against the Russian seeded fifth for the tournament. Having defeated Angelique Kerber on Wednesday in her first ever grand slam win, Robson, ranked 254 th in the world, was pitted against tournament favourite Sharapova and could not have asked for a better start. At 4-1 up in the first set, Robson was flying, her strong forehand down the line causing her opponent, who won at the All England club when she was just 17, an array of problems. As it was however, Sharapova’s cross court backhands equalled, if not bettered, Robson and she forced a tie-break – something both parties would have arguably settled for. The seven years greater experience of which shot to play, and when, was invaluable to the...

England under 21's 1-2 Czech Republic under 21's England Under-21’s hopes of progressing through to the European Championships semi-final against hosts Denmark were ended by a demoralising last gasp double against the Czech Republic in Group B. Danny Welbeck’s 76 th minute header looked to have given the Young Lions all three valuable points that would see them finish second behind group winners Spain – who defeated Ukraine 3-0. However, Czech coach Jakub Dovalil’s double substitution proved to be decisive as first Jan Chramosta in the 89 th minute, and then Tomas Pekhart in the 94 th minute, broke English hearts. In an all too familiar position for any England side in a major tournament, only a win would do for Stuart Pearce’s side. The Czech’s played a risky game, choosing to defend for large periods, but their robust and well drilled back line coped well with both Danny Sturridge and his namesake: Welbeck. When breached, goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik demonstrated he...

Time and again we are reassured by cricket analysts that Kevin Pietersen is the most gifted batsman in the England test side. It’s a fact few can dispute when they see highlights of KP at his best. From textbook to audacious, the South African born 30-year-old has the ability to dazzle and the skill to become one of the greats. Unfortunately he won’t ever reach the standards he could and probably should do though. Plagued by an arrogance that lost him his captaincy, Pietersen’s ego somehow doesn’t quite fit in with Andrew Strauss’ team ethos. Whether it is Pietersen’s literal Achilles heel which dogs him from a consistent spell at batting at County level or his metaphoric Achilles heel of regularly being dismissed by slow left arm bowlers, he is a player desperately short of form and, ultimately, ideas. Today at Lords with just two runs to his name and facing the fast pace of the inexperienced Sri Lankan bowler Suranga Lakmal, he wielded his bat angrily at a wide delivery outsid...

I recently read the following extract: “Anyone who approached his tasks with anything approaching dedication was viewed with suspicion. If you publicly avowed such dedication you were the object of ridicule. If you didn’t drink vast quantities you were almost certainly gay. It has never been the English way to publicly show dedication. Also you must be self-effacing about your efforts and especially any success you achieve thereby.” * For some unknown reasons, the names of two Manchester born sportsmen sprang to mind – the partially retired Ricky Hatton, and the just retired Paul Scholes. Questioning either’s success would be doing them a disservice. So what about how they approached their disciplines? For Hatton, there was no doubt he would be mentally prepared for his next bout, but his physicality could sway to an extraordinary proportion when he was out of the boxing ring. He was the typical Englishman who backed up his statements of leading a ‘normal’ life by drinking ple...

W hen it comes to controversy in sport, cricket is never far from the spotlight. Whether it is ball tampering or match fixing, often there is a point of interest and inevitably debate. And so it lived up to its slightly tainted image yesterday in match 64 of the IPL between Chennai Super Kings and the Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Michael Hussey, the Australian batsman leant forward to play a stroke off the bowling of the Tuskers’ slow left arm Ravindra Jadeja only for the ball to flick off the sweet spot of his bat, clip his shoulder and loop up and be taken easily by the wicketkeeper. Out? According to the rule book yes, however ‘not out’ was the decision given by umpire Rudi Koertzen. Naturally the Tuskers were up in arms about the decision and having appealed to Koertzen, they then set about the square leg umpire Kumar Dharmasena – who in turn could do nothing. These scenes immediately refreshed the way in which Manchester United secured their 19 th league title last Saturday....

Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (3-1 Agg.) A year ago to the week, Jose Mourinho glided across the Nou Camp turf in the aftermath of progressing to the Champions League final. His suit jacket floated in the Catalan breeze behind him as he vigorously jabbed his index finger towards a small section of Milanese fanatics housed in one of the stadium’s many tiers. Mourinho’s Inter Milan consequently defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid to record his second European conquest. How times change. Firstly, the Portuguese maestro moved to Real Madrid and joined his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital. However, they are both entirely different characters, as was epitomised by this Champions League semi-final tie. Ronaldo’s outburst in the wake of a first leg 2-0 defeat courtesy of his personal rival – and perhaps nemesis – Lionel Messi, was one of many that emanated from Mourinho’s isolated camp. It was however, the most hard-hitting, and p...