Jack Charlton World Cup hero opens new pitch for Durham

by

Jack Charlton World Cup hero opens new pitch for Durham Jack Charlton, one of the winners of the World Cup in 1966, has recently taken part in a penalty event in order to encourage interest in football for the next generation. This is a particularly impressive achievement when you consider that the football player has recently had a hip operation, although it shows that it has been a great success by the fact that he could make the penalty. He took the shot against a junior keeper from Brandon United, and managed to get it in, despite being nearly 80 years old.

The former England international and Leeds United defender, part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s famous World Cup winning squad, was officially unveiling a new third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch at Meadowfield Leisure Centre in Durham that has been funded with the help of a £78,273 grant from the Football Foundation – the sports charity funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England.

Jack Charlton: “This is a fantastic surface that the Football Foundation has funded. I remember the old artificial pitches that were at QPR and Luton. The ball would bounce so high, you would think it was to take half an hour to come down again. Plus after the game the players would have grazes all over their legs.”

Jack also gave a special pep talk to the youngsters from Brandon FC, advising them: “If you want to make it, listen to your coach!”

Durham County Council worked with the Durham County FA to secure the funding from the Football Foundation. The new pitch is both full-size and floodlit, and can be used for full 11-a-side games, or divided into three to allow smaller teams to play, supporting The FA’s youth football development plan. The floodlights mean that football does not simply stop when it gets dark at around 4pm and the durable, all-weather surface will ensure that more people are able to access regular sport.

Young players from Brandon FC, one of the local clubs that will use the new pitch, showed off their skills on the new surface. The event was also attended by Football Foundation President, Lord Pendry, Durham FA Secretary, John Topping, Middlesbrough FC mascot Roary the Lion, and Durham County Council’s ‘On the Ball’ football coaches.

Brandon FC’s Under-13 captain, Cameron Allan, 12, from Bearpark, Durham, said: “It was an honour to meet someone like Jack Charlton. And I really enjoyed the night – especially playing on the new astro turf, which was the best pitch I have ever played on.”

David Barber, Chair of Brandon FC, said: “It was wonderful to have Jack Charlton come up and we are very grateful to the Football Foundation for their support in helping to build this new pitch. It is a great facility and a great opportunity for the youngsters of Brandon to stay healthy, have fun and to play football.”

Football Foundation President Lord Pendry said on the night: “It is a real honour to have World Cup winner Jack Charlton here to launch this first-class playing surface. Since its launch in 2000 the Football Foundation has helped to build nearly £1bn worth of facilities, such as this, thanks to the generosity of our funding partners – the Premier League, The FA, government and Sport England.

“This pitch may well help to produce more stars – more Jack Charltons, perhaps – of the future. But that is not why we do it. We fund the development of new facilities so that more people are able to get access to sport purely for the love playing it and to stay healthy. So congratulations to everyone involved in making this happen and, most importantly, enjoy your football!”

Maria Plews, Local Councillor and Cabinet member with responsibility for sport and leisure services at Durham County Council, said:“We are thrilled to have had this support from the Football Foundation and were delighted to welcome Jack Charlton to the official launch of these new facilities.

“This is such a welcome boost to grassroots football in County Durham and will provide high quality training facilities for young and older players alike.”

Jeff Stelling Soccer Anyday Live

by

With Sky Sports presenters Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson, Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas, plus special guest Chris Kamara!

 19 March 2012 – 8th June 2012

BOURNEMOUTH, LONDON, LIVERPOOL, NEWCASTLE & BIRMINGHAM

Following on from their Saturday afternoon success where they entertain millions of viewers every week, Jeff Stelling and the rest of the Sky Sports gang on going on their first ever tour. The popular UK football show is embarking in a 5 date tour of UK arenas that sees them visiting Birmingham, Bournemouth, Liverpool, London and Newcastle between the 19th March and 8th June 2012.

Tickets for the events go on general sale on 27th January via the website www.livenation.co.uk. Spending a Saturday afternoon in the company of Jeff Stelling, Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Chris Kamara, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas is a must for millions of footie fans across the UK. To meet the demands of those fans who want to get up close and personal with their heroes, Soccer Anyday has been developed.

Football fans can join Jeff, Charlie, Kammy, Merse, Le Tiss and Thommo as they look back over their careers and their favourite footie escapades. The lads will also be revealing some of the exploits that go on behind the scenes and entertain the audiences with footie stories from both the past and the present.

In this hilarious and engaging roller-coaster ride of an evening, the panel will reveal personal anecdotes from their footballing and TV careers, from the ultimate highs to the crucifying lows and everything in between. Brimming with anecdotes and rare footage, the evening with will give a frank and rare insight into the crazy world of football.

The brilliant Jeff Stelling will anchor what promises to be a superb night. During the evening Jeff will reveal how he keeps the show together with consummate ease despite the frenzied action on the pitch. Fans will also find out why he knows so many obscure facts about Scottish Football.

The show will also reveal why Charlie Nicholas was called Champagne Charlie and why he constantly fell-out with the Scottish National team. Paul Merson will talk frankly and honestly about the highs and lows of an amazing career and his personal battles with addiction.

Phil Thompson will tell fans what it is like to win every honour in the game and disclose his undying passion for Liverpool FC.  Matthew Le Tissier, one of the most gifted players of all time, will reveal the ups and downs of playing for Southampton and why he didn’t play for England more.  Finally Kammy, one of the most loved pundits on TV will re-live some his most comical gaffes. He will also reveal how he comes up with such unusual sayings and catchphrases such as “Unbelievable Jeff” and “As calm as a cumber”!

Audience members will become part of the action directly posing questions to the panel. After fans have been entertained by the team, Kammy will get down amongst the audience and take questions to the panel. Fans can ask the panel anything they like about the football world including current team exploits. Brave attendees can even try to catch Jeff out with obscure facts and figures.

For six hours every Saturday, Jeff Stelling and his studio guests preside over the afternoon’s football with expert analysis of the goals, bookings, sending-offs and incidents as fly in. The format is engrossing, engaging and jam packed with explosive action and hilarious gags.  “An extraordinary TV concept ….absolutely spell-binding” as the Guardian puts it.

“Soccer Anyday” is a unique opportunity for fans to get directly involved in the action.

Jeff Stelling commented;

“This is a unique opportunity for us to engage directly with our audience. Performing in a live setting will be incredibly exhilarating. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get up close and personal with fans of the show.”

“To perform at Wembley is dream come true, especially as it is the last show at the venue before the Olympics. Finally I will be able to join the same ranks as my footballing companions!”

Jeff added;

“Trying to anchor a live show with Kammy, Charlie, Thommo, Merse and Le Tiss could be impossible but probably great fun. Who knows what might happen?”

Matthew LeTissier concluded;

“To be given the opportunity to perform in arenas makes us feel like the ultimate rock stars!  It’s even more exciting and nerve-wracking than walking out on the pitch in front of thousands of people as we get to directly interact with the audience. It’s so exciting! We just can’t wait to get on the road.”

2012 TOUR DATES:

Monday 19 March – Bournemouth BIC
Monday 30 April – Wembley Arena
Monday 14 May – Liverpool Echo Arena
Monday 28 May – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Friday 8 June – Birmingham NIA

Tickets for the tour go on general sale on Friday 27th January from 9am priced at £29.50 for Bournemouth, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham and £32.50 for London-available via www.livenation.co.uk

Win Champions League tickets to Valencia v Schalke

by

Win Champions League tickets to Valencia v Schalke Tour Spain and the Valencia City, Province and Regional Tourist Boards are giving British football fans a chance toto relive and share via Facebook their favourite Champions League moment, with the chance to win tickets to the Valencia CF v Schalke 04 match on the 15 February 2011.

‘My Champions League Moment’ would like to see football banter put in to action … instead of just talking about what was the best Champions League moment, show it.

Fans must upload a photo of themselves re-enacting what they consider to be a stroke of Champions League football genius or share their own treasured photo from a Champions League match to http://www.facebook.com/My.Champions.League.

From watching Liverpool triumph against AC Milan after being 3-0 down, to the heart-stopping two goals Manchester United scored in the last few minutes against Bayern Munich, or John Terry’s penalty miss that gave Manchester United the title – there are many ‘Champions League moments’ to choose from.

Entries must be uploaded and votes cast by the 23 January 2011. The photo with the most ‘likes’ will win this unique competition

The successful fan will win flights and accommodation for two people and the chance for two tickets to the match between Valencia C.F. vs. Schalke, on the 15 February at 20.45 at Valencia’s historic Mestalla Stadium

Visit http://www.facebook.com/My.Champions.League#!/My.Champions.L… for full information on the competition rules and regulations.