Durham Sports Awards 2010
County Durham Sport Awards 2010 are underway and all over County Durham local decision panels are currently making their minds up!
The main County Durham Sport Awards Dinner will be celebrated on Friday 15 October 2010 at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham with host Kim Inglis and guest speaker Derek Redmond, one of Britain's greatest ever 400m athletes!
If you want to find out more – and to support the great people who give so much to deliver sport at a grass-roots level within our communities … log onto their website at : http://www.countydurhamsport.com/events/award-scheme
Recognise the achievements of those involved in sport and physical activity across the county at the County Durham Sport Awards 2010 with Star Radio
This year, nominations will be made via the five Community Sport Network areas - Derwentside, Durham and Chester-le-Street, Easington, Sedgefield and Teesdale and Wear Valley.
The categories for the 2010 Awards are:
Sports Awards
• Coach of the Year
• Young Coach of the Year
• Sports Club of the Year
• Junior Sports Club of the Year
• Sporting Achievement of the Year
• Contribution to Sport
Physical Activity Awards
• Physical Activity Achievement of the Year
• Contribution to Physical Activity
Combined Awards
• Volunteer of the Year
• Young Volunteer of the Year
School Awards
• Primary School Contribution to PE and School Sport
• Secondary School Contribution to PE and School Sport
27th September 2010 - RANGERS RACING SYNDICATE AND BORO COLLAPSE ON THE ROAD
Tuesday saw me nip down to the stables near Malton as there was some admin work to do with the Rangers racing syndicate but it gave me the opportunity to once gain see behind the scenes of the world of racing.
As well as going to the gallops at Malton to see horses working, including my own Phair Winter, I also watched as younger horses were trained in using starting stalls.
Look 'n' Listen, a horse that our Rangers Racing syndicate is considering leasing whilst our star 'Ibrox' is out of action.
Especially in the sprint races, getting out of the stalls is vitally important and until they are used to them it is slightly daunting for a young animal to be penned into a confined space.
On the evening I made my first visit of the season to the Arena to watch Darlo in Blue Square Conference action. It was an entertaining game and whilst it was another two points dropped by Darlo, they still remain very hard to beat.
He might be recovering from injury but Ibrox is still a beautiful animal.
Read my full match report by clicking here. In going to watch this game I was missing my first Rangers CIS cup game in three seasons. They obviously did not miss me as they thumped Dunfermline 7-2 at Ibrox. I will be seeing them twice in five days though in my marathon game watching spell this week.
Wednesday and I decided to go to Redcar’s eight card meeting. An enjoyable and profitable afternoon but my good mood was dampened when I got home to read the Gazette headlines regarding the ridiculous politically correct regulations that have seen banners forbidden at the Riverside.
The Darlington and Luton players leave the pitch at the end of a very entertaining Blue Square Conference League game.
I have covered this subject fully in my 'Middlesbrough Are On A Go-It-Alone Campaign Of Political Correctness' article but I wonder about the world we now live in where beaurocracy has replaced common sense.
The evening brought up some shocks in the Carling Cup and again some major talking points and again I have covered them in my Midweek Review.
Silvestre De Sousa in blue, a regular jockey for Ibrox, exchanges views with Lee Topliss at Redcar races on Wednesday before 'The Wedding Reception at Redcar racecourse Selling Stakes'.
Friday saw me set off to Scotland, initially to speak at a Masonic Lodge’s Sportsman’s Dinner with the legendary Rangers keeper Andy Goram, then on Saturday driving across to Fife and taking in Raith Rovers' game with Falkirk.
A quiet evening in Leven with the boys, then taking my life in my hands by going on the Buckhaven and Methyl Rangers supporters bus for the Sunday lunchtime game at Aberdeen.
Saturday off, Rangers not playing so the lads are at Stark’s Park to watch local side Raith Rovers play Falkirk in a top three clash.
I will drive home on the Sunday evening, but have two more excursions to Glasgow in the next seven days. My match reports from the weekend as usual can be found on my site by clicking here.
The main talking point of the weekend was another crazy goal in the Liverpool v Sunderland game. I will cover that in my Weekend Review which you can read by clicking here.
Sunday afternoon and really up north. Everything is ready for Aberdeen v Rangers, always a tasty affair, with no love lost between the teams and supporters.
Darlington left it late but took another three points at the Arena against Southport, Hartlepool came from behind to beat Walsall at Victoria Park and Boro once again collapsed on the road at Watford.
As usual the week concluded with my regular spot on Talksport at 11.45 pm.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday I am off to York to watch Darlo and Tuesday to Derby to watch Boro. I might take in the first couple of races at Sedgefield then on Wednesday its back to Glasgow for Rangers Champions League game making it a grand total of five games in five days.
Friday back up to Glasgow to host Derek Parlane’s Dinner before stopping off in Edinburgh on Saturday morning to watch Rangers play Hearts at Tynecastle.
Enjoy your week.
20th September 2010 - MIDDLESBROUGH BEAT READING AND RANGERS STOLL ON
After a ten day cruise around the Med its back to normal. Whilst away Boro had been outplayed at QPR, fought back to beat Burnley at the Riverside but the breaking news was former player and my fellow Evening Gazette columnist Bernie Slaven’s incredible attack on new Boro striker Kris Boyd in his column 'Bernie’s Bolt'.
As I was picking my cases up at the conveyor belt at Newcastle Airport the phone rang with the Gazette asking me to do an article in response to Bernie’s comments. Welcome home!
I then heard the sad news about Gary Parkinson. My God - if that can happen to a fit 42 year old then what chance is there for the rest of us. Our prayers are with you Parky.
Darlington had comfortably won at home but Hartlepool worryingly had lost again at home to Exeter City. North of the border Rangers continued their 100% League record and got a magnificent Champions League point at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
No beached whale jokes please!!! Enjoying the sun by the shore in Marmaris, Turkey, the final destination on our cruise.
So Friday morning I was on the computer early and catching up with Sky Plussed action from the previous weekend.
Saturday and back to the games. Boro were entertaining Reading at the Riverside and I had hardly sat down before 24 seconds in Barry Robson had opened the scoring.
A great start, not only for Boro but also for my Charity bets in conjunction with Star Radio and William Hill I continue to try and raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.
The previous weekend, despite Boro getting hammered at Loftus Road, I had correctly forecast three or more goals during the game. This weekend I had gone for a Boro victory and also Barry Robson to score during the game so more funds accumulated for this most worthwhile cause.
To keep up-to-date with my charity bets check out my Charity bets page. The weekend’s bets are on there from Wednesday each week.
As the Boro game was finishing I got a call from my old mate and adversary Ian Wright. The former Arsenal striker is hosting a show on the new Absolute radio station, and I did a guest spot for him at 5.45pm.
A job well done, Boro’s earliest ever scorer at the Riverside, after 24 seconds, Barry Robson clenches his fist in celebration following the teams 3-1 victory over Reading.
Elsewhere, Hartlepool were battling for a point in a goalless draw at Brentford, Rangers were thrashing Dundee United and Darlington yet again committed footballing suicide by turning victory into a point by conceding two added time goals to throw away another two points at Bath City. Still unbeaten away from home but they should have a 100% away record rather than yet another draw.
Sunday and after watching the highlights on MOTD and The Football League show I was able to start my columns, including my 'Weekend Review' (click here) and then watch the Sunday action on Sky.
Manchester United v Liverpool ended up as a decent game after United had threatened to run away with the game.
THE WEEK AHEAD
I need to go to the stables one day this week and also will be at the Arena to watch Darlington play Luton in a Conference fixture. Friday night I have another trip north of the border, the first of numerous trips to Scotland in the next few weeks. I am speaking at a Masonic Lodge’s Annual Dinner with comedian Joe Cammy and 'The Goalie', Andy Goram.
I am stopping over and on Saturday taking in the first of five games in five days; Raith Rovers on Saturday followed by a trip to Aberdeen on the Methyl and Buckhaven Rangers Supporters bus to watch Rangers' Sunday lunchtime game.
Monday I will be at York to watch Darlo, Tuesday Derby County for Boro’s game, then back to Glasgow for Wednesday’s Champions League game.
Enjoy your week.
6th September 2010
Bank holiday Monday saw Darlington in action on the night at Barrow and they managed to maintain their unbeaten away record but reports suggest that perhaps they deserved more.
Goal line technology in the Conference is unlikely to ever happen and that actually highlights the dilemma of this age old problem. If, and it is a big if, the authorities sanction a system that is proven then at what levels would it be operational?
Tuesday was transfer deadline day and I was confident that Boro would finally get their man by reaching agreement with Dundee United for our main summer target Craig Conway. I was also hopeful that at least loans would be arranged to bring in a full back or two!
Unbelievably, nothing happened and in fact it got worse as two players capable of playing at left back left the club on loan! I am annoyed, angry and frustrated, emotions that will be very hard to suppress when we meet up on Wednesday at Gazette office Towers to formulate the next 'Talking Boro' article.
I picked up my media mate and Ibrox syndicate colleague Fraser from Darlington station to head south to Southwell for the evening meeting where our horse was to make a long awaited return to action. It meant passing over another stint on Pools Player to co-commentate on Hartlepool’s JPT trophy game against Northampton. Perhaps I should have gone and witnessed their comfortable 4-0 victory.
The last evening meeting of the year at Southwell, the sunshine has brought the punters out in force.
Horseracing is problematic and uncertain at the best of terms all you can hope for is that the horse runs well and more importantly comes back safe and sound. We had to be hopeful as our horse after a long layoff usually goes well fresh, acts on the track and had Jimmy Quinn on board who has won for us before.
In the first half of the race we were going well but in the back straight it was apparent that he was not picking up and despite reminders from the jockey was not responding.
Jockey Jimmy Quinn in our famous red, white and blue colours with trainer Alan Brown waiting for Ibrox.
The front three went clear as they turned for the final run in. It looked like as at Market Rasen as if Ibrox was going to stay and run on, but quickly Jimmy stood up on him and he cantered in, worrying the jockey immediately. He then jumped off him and it appeared that the horse was lame.
The vets made an initial assessment where nothing was apparent, so an overnight wait so that he can be assessed and possibly be scanned to try and ascertain the exact problem. It could have been a lot worse. But a layoff is likely with additional expense. Oh the perils of racehorse ownership!
When not gadding about watching football, horse racing and speaking I like nothing better than catching upon my catalogue of Sky Plussed TV programmes, especially the soaps, or as my wife refers to them "watching that crap again”.
Sadly this week saw the passing of The Bill. I have not got over the end of Brookside yet, mind you a young Jennifer Ellison made that programme all the more watchable. Also on TV was the moving programme about the life and times of 'Hurricane' Higgins, a tribute to another flawed genius.
Like Bestie, Gazza and many more with brilliance comes often a sad story. Sport is made all the more enjoyable with characters like these involved.
The Sky Masters Grand Final at Birmingham. Former Hartlepool favourite Martin Scott and myself before I reffed their first game in the quarter finals. Then they were off home after losing to Manchester City.
Thursday saw a return to work but not before extensive research on how to get to Valencia for Rangers Champions League game in November. Work in progress as I had to set off to my former 'home'. I was booked to speak at a dinner at Staverton Park Hotel in Daventry, my former base for three days a fortnight for three years. It's the HQ of the Premier League's refs.
I was speaking at a dinner following a meeting of reps and guests of Frontline Solutions, a financial company. They were trying to raise money for a Charity called Childflight who raise money not only to take children suffering with terminal and serious illnesses on holiday but also their families as well.
Many charities similar to this keep it to a minimum on the family front but not this one, so a very worthwhile cause. I don’t think I have ever seen such an array of raffle prizes, all generously donated. The auction was also went very well and over £3,000 was raised on the evening.
Back home after a five year absence, Staverton Park, Daventry
Friday and onto Nottingham to speak at Meadow Lane at County’s centenary dinner to mark 100 years at their present ground. It was a nostalgic occasion with players through the generations interviewed on stage before I did my bit. The evening was hosted jointly by former BBC commentator Colin Slater and Talksport’s Andrew McKenna.
Saturday and for me an unusual and not preferred way of watching a game. If I can’t go then I much prefer the solitude of my own armchair without a barrage of questions about refereeing decisions. It’s funny how I get the blame for everything the ref does!
The Millhouse pub in Hartlepool, the spiritual home of the website virtualmillhouse was hosting an event based around the TV showing of Pools game at MK Dons. I was invited and will try anything once.
To read my account of the day check out WW Match day 11 report by clicking here.
Pre match and the atmosphere builds up in the Millhouse.
The result may have not pleased the Poolies but news that Darlington had only drawn away to Eastbourne against nine men and a midfielder in goal brought smiles to their faces. From a positive perspective Darlo are still unbeaten on the road and are handily placed in the table.
Pools, even in these early days, are as usual in a position that is a couple of wins away from hoping for the playoffs and a couple of defeats away from relegation worries.
Sunday and off to Birmingham to referee the Sky Masters Grand finals. This was the first time I had done anything like this since my back and neck injections and the first time in two years that I really enjoyed being able to ref without being in pain.
It was a good event. The Sunderland lads travelled all the way to Birmingham only to lose in the quarter-finals. A long way to go for sixteen minutes!
A stop off in a lay-by to do my weekly slot on Talksport and that’s it for the week.
THE WEEK AHEAD
I am off on a cruise so normal service will resume in ten days time. Have a good week. Jeff.
