Abramovich family investing more in football

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Abramovich family investing more in football Another Abramovich is starting to make waves in the London business world. Arkadiy, the 20 year old son of Chelsea owner and billionaire, Roman Abramovich, recently invested £3 million in buying 26% of the London-listed company, Crosby Asset Management. The purchase was made through the younger Abromovich’s investment arm, ARA Capital.

Roman Abramovich made his money investing in Russia’s gas and oil industry and he is now valued at more the £7 billion making him the 53rd richest person in the world. His son appears to be following in his father’s footsteps by investing in the Hong Kong based, Crosby Asset Management which also focuses on natural resource investment around the world.

In addition to following his father’s footsteps in the business arena, Arkadiy is also looking to invest in football. His target is the company that owns the Dutch based FC Copenhagen. However, Arkadiy’s interests are not only business oriented and he is rumoured to be staring his university career next year in the United States.

Fellow Crosby investor, Robert Owen, has welcomed the new substantial investor in the company which was originally a stock broking firm established in 1984. Abramovich’s investment was made possible by two previous investors, John McKeon and Ilyas Khan decided to sell some of their assets.

Trevor Brooking comments on swearing-gate

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Trevor Brooking comments on swearing-gate Sir Trevor Brooking, the director of football development for the FA has insisted that there is no way you can compare Kenny Dalglish’s verbal outburst aimed at Arsene Wenger with the Wayne Rooney swearing incident. It was Brooking who called for action to be against Rooney after he swore into the camera during the clash with West Ham.

The camera also captured Liverpool Manager Dalglish apparently making derisory comments towards Arsenal boss Wenger after their match at the Emirates Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw. Brooking however says it shouldn’t be discussed in the same way as the Rooney tirade.

He said the major difference was that Rooney deliberately went up to the camera and swore at the viewing audience.

There have been calls for action to be taken against Dalglish and while Brooking doesn’t agree with this he says there does need to be rules of clarification introduced so both players and Managers are aware of the consequences their actions could lead too. Brooking says that the first step is getting the LMA and the PFA to sing from the same hymnsheet.

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He added that players and managers alike were looked on as representatives of the FA and must behave accordingly. Big stars like Rooney are bound to be talked more for their actions than players in the lower leagues and have to be seen to be punished otherwise several cans of worms are jut waiting to be opened.

Young Doncaster Rovers fans get on their bikes

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Young Doncaster Rovers fans get on their bikes

Young Doncaster Rovers fans get on their bikes

Young Doncaster Rovers supporters are lucky when half term rolls around as they have the possibility to hang out with the players as part of the benefits of being one of the Junior Rovers who meet at the clubs Cantley Park training ground

But now there is even more for the juniors to get involved in as Rovers Community Foundation opens up the Rovers Bike Club.

Many children arrived at Cantley Park with bikes, helmets and parents in tow, ready to take part in an active morning used to get blood pumping and hearts racing before watching the Rovers players being put through their paces on the training pitch.

Led by Rovers’ Health and Wellbeing Manager Richard Bailey, the Bike Club was launched with a ride from the gates of Rovers’ training facility and through Sandall Beat Woods. Part funded by organisation Bike Club, which is a joint venture led by ContinYou, UK Youth and CTC – the national cyclists’ organisation, representatives from Bike Club and Bike It also joined in the initial Rovers Bike Club.

“I am delighted with the turn out for the first Bike Club,” said Health and Wellbeing Manager Richard.

“I think that the event shows the importance of all the family coming together on a bonding day with everyone concerned having a great time.”

Gavin Wood, Bike Club Development Officer added: “It’s great to see a football club like Doncaster Rovers embracing cycling and offering it to the people of Doncaster, alongside the other health and wellbeing activities the Club offers. The turnout was fantastic and I look forward to seeing more people riding bikes at Cantley Park in the future.

George Peat trying to settle Celtic argument

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George Peat trying to settle Celtic argument An olive branch to try and resolve the problem between Celtic and the Scottish Football Association was offered last night. The president of the SFA George Peat that the difference between the SFA and Celtic are not the war some say, the reality is much different. He met with the chief executive of Celtic, Peter Lawwell and the Celtic CE is in full support of the plan Stewart Regan, our chief executive is driving, he said.

The Celtic manager, Neil Lennon also received words of support from Peat as well. There are fluctuations in football fortunes that continue to be a part of the game and so is an occasional visit to the sixth floor at Hampden Park but delivery of suspicions packages, death threats and the necessity for around the clock protection is most certainly not, expressed Peat.

Two managers were also in agreement when Lennon and Craig Brown agreed that the dismissal of a player for committing a foul trying to prevent a goal scoring opportunity has to be looked at. Andrew Considine brought down Gary Hooper and was sent off after having suffered the same outcome for a foul in a league match in February on Scott Brown.

Even though a penalty was saved by Jamie Langfield it was almost inevitable Celtic’s win when Aberdeen was reduced to 10 men. It was quite damaging for Aberdeen psychologically. The rule has to be looked because if a player makes a genuine attempt and is beaten, then of course a penalty should be called but a red car is harsh punishment enough.

The majority of managers want to see 11 versus 11 when at all possible. The mandatory sending off needs to be looked at because you lose the player for the game and that same player is lost for the following game and all for a genuine attempt to challenge for the ball.

Women’s semi-pro football league kicks off

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Women’s semi-pro football league kicks off The profile of women’s football looks set to be greatly raised by the developments in the game recently. Firstly, on Wednesday, it was announced that the first Women’s semi-pro league in now underway. As if that wasn’t enough, it has also been announced that A super league backed by the FA will be played over the summer.

The top 8 women’s teams – Birmingham City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bristol Academy, Doncaster Belles, Liverpool, Lincoln and Everton will compete against each other to try and become the first champions of the Women’s Super League. The FA has invested over £3m in the league, which runs from April until October. The timing is aimed so that is isn’t overshadowed by the Men’s league, thus increasing attendances.

There is a break in May however, so that England can compete in Germany in the World Cup. The FA Chairman, David Bernstein, spoke enthusiastically about the Super League, which will have 5 of its matches broadcast live on ESPN. He said that this was a landmark in women’s football, and that it was a great opportunity for game in England. The league being launched and the fact that England were also taking part in the World Cup made it a very exciting time for the game, he added.
The league kicks off with a thrilling encounter between arch rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, and Faye White, captain of Arsenal and England, can’t wait for it to start. She says she has been waiting for this for a long time, and is thrilled that it has happened while she is still playing. She thanked the FA for investing in the women’s game and said it was going to be a very exciting summer.