Farewell Gary Speed

Universally, the world of sport has been brought into emotional turmoil over the past few days, after learning on Sunday morning that  former Welsh International Midfielder and current Wales National Team Coach Gary Speed, had tragically passed away.

 Speed endured an illustrious footballing career which spanned a staggering 22 seasons, having played for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, and prior to his retirement, Sheffield United. Speed, or 'Speedo' as he was more affectionately known, was the first player to reach a hugely respectable 500 appearances in the Premier League; paying testament to just what an integral part of the midfield set-up Speed was to all of his various employers. After hanging up his boots in the Sheffield United dressing room during 2010, Speed went on to start a career on touchline; firstly coaching at Bramall Lane underneath Keith Blackwell, before taking Blackwell's role on the back of his sacking in October last year. After a mere two months at the helm of The Blades, Speed had done enough to attract the scouring attentions of the Welsh F.A, who consequently appointed Gary Speed as their manager this time last year (December). A run of three out of three wins for his International squad prior to his tragic death, only seeks to ask more questions on just how and why such a great man felt the need and pressure from life to cut short such a promising, prosperous career.

 Speed leaves behind first and foremost a wife and two kids, of whom in his last interview with online magazine FourFourTwo, he stated that meant 'everything' to him and 'cherishes'. Secondary to his initial biological family, comes his family of fans, experts, former players, current players, representatives from other sports that all valued Speed for the true professional that he undoubtedly was, the brilliant performer he undoubtedly was, and the successful manager, who he undoubtedly was evolving into.

  Speed's death is yet another blot on the copybook of Sport in 2011, with fellow stars such as Boxing legend Joe Frazier, Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, and the massively talented young Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli already leaving behind them a deeply saddened and upset world, from all corners of sport alike. One can only help but pray that once Sport has limped to the end of 2011, the plagued events of this year are well and truly put to bed, despite the living memory of Speed and others, still well and truly at large.

R.I.P Gary 'Speedo' Speed

8th September 1969- 27th November 2011

BBC East Midlands Sports Awards 2011

As this blog probably suggests, I am a massive sports fan. So when I was offered the chance to attend the East Midlands Sports Awards earlier this week, I accepted almost sub-consciously. After a fantastic evening at Loughborough University, witnessing some of my localities top sports stars go head to head for various accolades, and intermingling and meeting some of my sporting idols, it's safe to say that that I left with nothing less than smile representative of a kid in a sweet shop.

 With the countdown becoming ever more prevalent, and Loughborough University being the epicentre for Team GB's preparations, it was no surprise to the spectators and VIP's alike that the night featured an Olympic orientated theme. Lisa Dobriskey, 1500 metres gold medallist in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and a former Loughborough University student, kick started the nights ceremony by presenting the 'Manager of the Year Award' to Notts County Gaffer Martin Allen. After joining the Magpies in April this year, Allen confessed himself that the team was nothing more than 'doomed', staring relegation to the basement division of the Football League, League Two, directly in the face. After a number of fantastic results however, Allen rescued County from the daldrums of League One, and so far in the 2011/12 season, his team currently sit in a play-off worthy position.
 Richard Whitehead was another victor of the night; the double leg amputee picked up the gong for Disabled Sports Personality of the year, after a remarkable year in his field, or fields, of Athletics. Having begun a training regime designed to prepare for his primary event of Marathon running, the Brit was controversially frozen out of next Years Paralympics Marathon on the basis that the only events for double amputees above the knee are the 100 and 200 metre sprints. Having had to deal with a cocktail of rage and disappointment, Whitehead switched his attention to the 200 metres; which ultimately yielded him Gold at the IPC Championships in January this year and a guaranteed spot in the Paralympic event next year in London. Having never heard of Whitehead, never mind his amazing story, the remarkable athletes' journey was inspirational. As a runner myself I know that training for a 7 mile race and a 6 mile race are completely different, so for a man already challenged by physical deficiencies, to then go change from a 26 mile event to just 200 metres, is something that strikes me as absolutely awe inspiring.

Take -Off: Loughborough sports student
wows the crowd with 2.20 metres jump.

 In-between the fantastic live entertainment that we were treated to in the form of the High Jump, BMX freestyle, and gynastics, the awards came thick and fast. Other winners from the night came in the form of Wheelchair Basketball phenomenon Maddie Thompson who won Junior Disabled Sports-person, Derby County defender Mark O'Brien who clinched the Brian Clough Breakthrough Award,promising young Cyclist Lucy Garner who picked up Junior Sports-person of the year, and the Coach of the Year award went to the performance director of the now infamously high performance British Cycling organisation, David Brailsford. The nights Special Award, chosen by a series of judges, went to Lee Penfold, a remarkable young local basketball player who has battled autism throughout his life to become a professional Basketball player and on the way to becoming a figure head at the Special Olympics Summer Games held in Leicester, 2009.
 Above and beyond the majority of the award winners however, was the BBC East Midlands Sports Personality of the year, Graeme Swann. After being embedded deep within Andy Flower's England cricket squad ahead of the Ashes series in Australia towards the end of last year, Swann became an instrumental figure; taking no less than 15 wickets come the end of the series, including an astonishing five wicket haul in the second test in Adelaide. Swann furthered his rise to stardom in the Summer this year, after demolishing Sri Lanka in the ODI test series in May, including taking a hugely efficient 7/82  to help England to a clear innings victory. By the end of the Summer and to this current day, Swann is ranked as number one in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings; and in doing so becomes the first Englishman to reach such heights of success in the Sport.  Having beaten off stiff competition from fellow England Cricketer and Derby-born Stuart Broad, and the hugely successful Rebecca Adlington, who currently sits on top of the 800 metres freestyle world in women's swimming having won Gold at this years World Championships in Shanghai, China. 

Idol: Pateman picking up
thoroughly deserved
Unsung Hero Award

 From a personal perspective, and despite each of the nights nominees and winners thoroughly deserving a degree of recognition, it was two of the ceremony's awards winners that I paid most respect, attention, and pleasure to. Firstly, the Unsung Hero Award was claimed by Steve Pateman, a gym owner. Despite the relatively low key job title, Pateman's span of employment goes much further than it initially suggests, with the Derbyshire man dedicating his every day to helping children get into Sport via the use of his personally-run gym. During Pateman's tribute video screened to the evening's audience, the hard-work, dedication, joy, passion, and determination by Pateman was clear to see, with his two loves of Boxing and helping the community being prevalent in demonstrating such qualities. During his acceptance speech, I became ever more appreciative of such a sporting hero, who in his own tear jerked words, announced that the best part of what he does is: 'Seeing kids smile after they realise they've achieved something through sport' and 'giving something back to a sport (Boxing) that has given me so much'.  A true inspiration and eye-opener to myself, aswell as anyone else who has a high regard for Sport and Personality as two key aspects to life.

Regions Finest: Alan Birchenall collecting
award with new Leicester City gaffer
Nigel Pearson and LCFC owner
Top Raksriaksorn

  As a through and through disciple of Leicester City, nothing pleased me more so far this year than seeing club ambassador and undisputed legend, Alan Birchenall pick up the thoroughly deserved Lifetime Achievement award. As is unfortunately common knowledge now, things at Leicester City very rarely feature any sense of continuity. Whether it's the manager, the players, the backroom staff, owners... everything has/is/will probably change. Everything, except Alan Birchenall. As a well travelled retired footballer who exploited his initial trade in the 60's and 70's, Birchenall has ever since been at the forefront of everything that is good about Football, and more specifically, Leicester City. 'The Birch' has forever been the link in-between management and fans; providing a bond with both sides that is vital to the beating heart , mind, and soul of the club. Whether it be his stalwart role of presenting pre-match and half time talks on pitch during Leicester City's games, or the expert analysis he provides in droves via local radio programmes ,or the old fashioned 'one on one' with a respecting fan in and around the stadium or down the local pub, no 'fan' or the Foxes' can contemplate Leicester City Football Club without The Birch. These are just a handful of reasons from my personal perspective why Birchenall's award was the highlight of the night; well, second only to my chance to meet the man himself after the ceremony had concluded! Tireless charity work and a 'big influence' in bringing back cult hero Nigel Pearson to Leicester in the words of the man himself, are a few more elaborative argumentative points as to why Alan Birchenall stands as a man who is no less than a role model to every single man and women alike who considers themselves involved in Sport in any shape or form. 

Living Legend: Me (far left) with
'The Birch' (far right).

Big thanks to Dawn Blythe for the photography, and giving me the chance to go to such a special night!

Feel free to leave comments below

Keep Calm and Carry On

Transparency?: Need of clarity at City

With a fair chunk of the 46 game Championship already gone, it's fair to say that Leicester City's on pitch antics have been more than overshadowed by the arrivals and departures at the King Power Stadium. First came the torrent of star player signings, then the shock departure of the calm and collective Swedish Gaffer (some guy called Sven Goran Eriksson), and now the inevitably controversial search for a new man to hold the City ship has also crept into the headlines like a bull in china shop.

Wally with a Brolly: I know you laughed.

 It never seizes to amaze me just how excited people manage to get when it comes to the appointment and sacking of manager. Whether it's the way in which the media makes out that it's the most exciting thing in the world, or the manner in which we all apparently have the only opinion and idea that is valid on who should be the new manager. I love a good headline, don't mistake that, but what has happened to Leicester so far this season in terms of exposure can hardly be seen as 'good'. Calling it anything more than 'embarrassing' is a bit like calling Nottingham Forest's season so far promising and successful. Always did admire Schteve McLaren and his Umbrella...

 Besides clutching at straws by slating our Trent side rivals though, the point remains that in terms of Leicester's season progression, surely it has to ring true in the inexperienced Chairman Mr.Raksriaksorn's ears that the key to keeping our mission to the Premier League on track is to, in the words of tired cliché, keep calm and carry on. Im not for one for minute crying over spilt milk hear, but I think I speak for the majority of clear thinking football fans and Foxes fans when I say that: Sven Goran Eriksson should have never been sacked as Leicester City manager. There's just no logic involved in such a decision, with £10 million pounds pumped into boosting the squad ranks being only 4 points off the automatic promotion spots after eleven games, at what point does a Chairman even contemplate such a thing. Like I mentioned: embarrassing... Anyhow, what is done is done, and the hunt for a new big cheese in the King Power Stadium's home side dug out continues.

Ladsucks: Speculative to say the least.

 With such an reputation, the hunt for a new gaffer at Leicester was never going to be anything less than hilarious. I mean, in such downbeat times for a straight thinking City fan, what is there to do other than laugh? The humour sources directly from the names that have been linked to the job courtesy of the deeply insightful and reliable long term football friends the bookmakers; Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez, David Beckham; please stop there 'Ladbrokes' and 'William Hill', my sides are hurting! The basic fact of the matter is that as long as Leicester are rooted within the stomach of the Championship division, nothing more or less than a manager who truly understands the Championship and what it requires to escape through the mouth of the league and into the atmospheric Premier League above, is fit for the job. This kind of whittles the speculative list down to only a few names who have been even vaguely associated: Roy Keane? Iain Dowie? Billy Davies? Martin O'Neil even?

 Personally, the key to making such a decision is desecration and care; with the media having such a large influence on the everyday goings on at football clubs in the limelight such as City, a well-guarded series of talks in-between the men who matter in brokering a deal, is paramount; as is the need for a careful final decision. Rushing such a vital appointment would seem ill-judged in the grand scheme of things right now, considering that the Foxes managed a highly respectful 3-1 away victory against Burnley this week under the temporary guide of joint caretaker managers Jon Rudkin and Mike Stowell. Everyone's entitled to their opinion as a fan, but in terms of who should take the job, that's an unknown to everyone outside of the offices within the bowels of the King Power Stadium.

Self Explanatory: Consistency and transparency is all we need.

So, as long as the results don't dramatically deteriorate (like they err, haven't), the most important ideology to remain core at Leicester City should be: Keep Calm and Carry On.