Leeds United stage play set for nationwide tour

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Leeds United fan stage-play
– tour dates announced

A 15-date theatre tour including two nights at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds was announced for the stage play focused on one fan’s dedication to Leeds United. Paint It White is the life-story of Gary Edwards told in a hilarious play.

Edwards a decorator and painter by trade supported Elland Road through both thick and thin having missing only one game since 1968. From the 13th October until November 9th the production will travel across the country.

The play is adapted from Edwards’ book and ran successfully in Leeds in 2010 for three weeks and is based on the superfan from Kippax’s experiences. He has been able to juggle his everyday life, around his passion from the club, including a week’s long marriage and arriving via hearse to a match. The comedy follows the ups and downs of his life as well as the teams.

Gary Edwards said: “I am delighted Paint It White is returning for a tour of the country and bringing my adventures to a nationwide audience. I have got to know many fans from around the country and know it will go down well. Visiting all these theatres will be like going to Wembley every night.”

The play is also a sock-tab on the shin of Leeds-born producer and writer. For the ex-BBC journalist, it is his first play. Les Rowley said: “ In its first run on the fringes of the main theatre circuit, audiences laughed and cried in all the right places and with Leeds United there was more crying than laughing.

“The play however is about the unbelievable life of a normal bloke, and it is heartwarming to see such a character loved and admired by almost everyone he comes into contact with. You don’t even need to like football to enjoy this play.”

“It’s been a long road but the production has passed the theatrical litmus test and taking it to the Playhouse in Leeds is another step up the ladder for something that started with my first Leeds United game in the ‘70s.”

Four actors including Leeds-born actors Gary Dunnington, Johnny Dixon (Coronation Street) and Cathy Breeze (Les Miserables) all take on roles to tell the story of Edwards. The play is directed by Rayner Bourton (Rocky Horror Show) and Alun Lewis (Emmerdale).

Tour dates: 13th October Phoenix Theatre Castleford; 14th October Eden Theatre, Bishop Auckland; 16th October, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York; 17th October, Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston; 19th October, Catrin Finch Theatre, Wrexham; 20th October, Nottingham Arts Centre; 21st October, Ilkley Playhouse, 22nd October, Muni Theatre, Colne; 25th & 26th October, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds; 27th October, The Spa Theatre, Scarborough; 28th October, Balne Lane WMC, Wakefield; 30th October, Caxton Theatre, Cleethorpes; 2nd November, The Milton Rooms, Malton; 9th November, Square Chapel Theatre, Halifax.

Tickets now on sale at venue or through paintitwhite.co.uk

Government may jump into football funding row

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Government may jump into football funding row

football funding row

Pressure is beginning to mount on the government and the Premier League to intervene in a funding row that has threatened an organization behind the structuring of a number of co-operatively owned clubs. Supporters Direct (SD) lost £1.2 million of funding from the Premier League last week when CEO Dave Boyle comments were considered insulting last month on Twitter following AFC Wimbledon’s promotion to the Football league.

On Friday Boyle resigned because of his comments about two figures that were pivotal in Wimbledon FC securing approval to be relocated in 2002 some 60 miles from its traditional Milton Keynes fan base.

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), which is funded in its entirety by the Premier League, issued a statement saying that after consultation and due consideration the FSIF Board were unanimous that the Supporters Direct CEO’s behaviour was well below the acceptable standards for a person in that position.

Furthermore they said the response by the board of the Supporters Direct when told of the matter was not acceptable either, especially by an organization that is receiving funding from the FSIF. Fans’ groups, politicians, academics as well as leading figures in the co-operative movement have requested that the FSIF reconsider their decision.

All point to the excellent track record of SD that has led to over 180 supporters’ trusts across the UK being created with over 270,000 members represented since its initiation over 11 years ago. A Facebook group was created over the weekend and already has attracted over 2,000 members in only 24 hours. Dave Boyle erred and lost his job for it but that is where the punishment should stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

McLeish may not walk away from Birmingham so easily

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McLeish may not walk away from Birmingham so easily Peter Pannu the acting chairman of Birmingham City has been critical of Alex McLeish for turning his back on the club and vowed the Scotsman would receive a fight before being allowed to move on. McLeish resigned as manager Sunday via an email he sent to Pannu who was negotiating the signing from PSV Einhoven of Danny Koevermans.

Pannu said that the Club did not grant MeLeish any right to speak to anyone outside since he still is contracted staff of Birmingham. Pannu is to meet with his legal team and he said there needs to be discipline instilled in our game and he is not someone you can push around. There are two years left on McLeish’s contract at Birmingham and the club wants compensation for his leaving should it be he has another job lined up elsewhere.

The chairman said he just purchased three players that McLeish asked for and then secured a fourth, Koevermans, then he received McLeish’s email. They spent over £40m that was supported by McLeish and then end up with regulation and a snub from the manager. Birmingham won the Carling Cup last season but lost form and was relegated on the last day of the season when they lost to Tottenham.

Givet transfer probed by FA

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A bung of £50,000 was being probed by FA chiefs after Phil Black, an unlicensed middleman, had a role in the transfer and also received secret, illegal payments for the deal. Givet, a defender, joined Premier League Blackburn from Marseille in a deal worth £3 million in 2009. The deal had followed a successful loan spell.

The player said that Black, known for his fashion stores and for being a tailor, had insisted that he make a permanent move to Ewood Park from France and even had been a chauffeur for the player.

Givet then was shocked when Black requested payment for his role in the deal and eventually paid the £50,000 to Black in three payments including some in cash. The FA is examining tapes and evidence to see if there are any wrong doings.

Givet has said that Black was the first to be in touch with him about staying at Blackburn and Black even was at the Liverpool airport for a meeting with Givet’s agent Frederic Dobarje when they deal was agreed to.

Givet also said that was the first time he had met him and he Black never came to the club or any meetings with them. He thought Black was employed by Blackburn, but then after signing Givet said Black started to demand money from him.

Since he was paid the money Black has subsequently returned £15,000 but Givet has hired a solicitor and is trying to get the rest back. Black has denied he broke any rules and denied acting illegally as an agent since he is not licensed. Third parties being paid are strictly prohibited unless they are a licensed agent.

St Albans City Football Club find new owners

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Following the FA’s fine on 4 February 2011, troubled Conference League South team St Albans City Football Club has been sold for an undisclosed sum to two local businessmen: Lawrence Levy and John McGowan.

Well known locally for his love of football Lawrence said “We are delighted to have bought St Albans City Football Club from John Gibson and are really looking forward to re-building it with the support of the fans and the local community.  John McGowan and I have big plans for the future and believe that The Saints will once again be the club that St Albans deserves. We would like to thank John Gibson and to pay tribute to him for all his hard work and enthusiasm for the club over the last nine years. We also look forward to drawing a line under the recent history and taking the club forward.”

John McGowan added “Lawrence and I are here for the long term and we are investing in the future of the club. We want to work with the supporters and will be talking to them over the coming weeks and months to ensure that they are happy with the changes. But we will also be talking to schools and local businesses to get them involved.”

The club played in the Conference South league in 2010-2011 Season. For further details on the club see www.sacfc.co.uk.

The FA fined St. Albans £7,500 on 4 February 2011 and deducted 10 league points.

The punishment was in relation to alleged illegal payments to players, described by the FA as financial irregularities, by the club during the 2008-09 season. St. Albans appealed, but the original decision was upheld.