Author Archives: FWA News Editor

Loftus Road report, June 2011

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Brian Scovell and Christopher Davies were the Football Writers’ Association national committee representatives who visited Queens Park Rangers to see media officer Ian Taylor about their new press facilities. If all goes to plan the press box/press room/mixed zone will be excellent. As you will know, Loftus Road does not have too much space but they seem to be making the most of it.

TV INTERVIEW ROOM(s)
One for Sky Sports; one for BBC etc. This does not really concern football writers but the TV interview room is to be where the boutique is, towards the front of the main entrance.

PRESS ROOM
At present it is just to the right as you come down the stairs from the press box. It was adequate for Championship games but not for the extra demands of the Barclays Premier League. It is being moved to where the Platinum Bar is at present – turn left as you come from the press box and it is situated at the end of the corridor, about a 35-yard walk. While not perfect, it is hardly the biggest inconvenience in the world. Inside will be a self-contained radio room rather like Ipswich have at Portman Road. The managers will be brought in and there will be eight rows of eight seats, each with a ‘flip top’ to facilitate a lap-top. There will be around 24 work stations with power plugs, mainly around the perimeter of the room. Sky Sports and ESPN will be available on three decent sized screens. There are male and female toilets.

FOOD and WI-FI
At the moment QPR supply soup and a roll, pies and sandwiches plus coffee, tea and soft drinks. They hope to ‘upgrade’ this to, for example, chili con carne and a jacket potato.

PRESS BOX
At present a nightmare (or an afternoon-mare on Saturdays and Sundays). One long row with access only at each end. The idea is to take out every seventh seat with access from the front to a row of [maximum] seven seats, rather like White Hart Lane. This way only three journalists would be ‘inconvenienced.’ They are taking out a row of ‘season tickets’ seats at the front of the PB to facilitate this. The PB will be tight in numbers – 16 radio and 49 written press – but it conforms with Premier League requirements. There will be four new TV monitors showing games; only when the matches are live on television will there be action replays.

MIXED ZONE
This will be conducted pitch-side in the tunnel area with a designated player(s). The mixed zone (on a Saturday) is essentially for the Mondays and the idea is for the Press Association, a Monday national representative plus a local journalist from the home and away clubs to be present. This will always be an area of contention and we will never get what we want because different people want different things. This is probably as good as it gets, though.

Exclusive – What An Exclusive Really Is

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A WELL-RESPECTED football writer told me when I was making my way in what we still call Fleet Street that there are usually about five meaningful -exclusives per season.

‘Get one and you’ve done well.’ he said. ‘Two and you’ve done really well. Three, prepare for an award.’

Of course the word ‘exclusive’ is used like confetti these days, for an ankle strain to a transfer that usually doesn’t come off.

The football writer in question explained his definition of an exclusive as ‘a story which no one expected’ and has ‘will today’ in the intro.

Footy hacks would have been going through what they had written about Chelsea and Andres Villas-Boas when the news broke on Monday evening. Many, indeed most, had linked the former FC Porto coach with the job – he has never been out of the first three in the betting – but to the best of my knowledge no newspaper, on Monday, had the story ‘Chelsea will today move to make Andres Villas-Boas their new manager with the FC Porto coach expected to be confirmed tomorrow.’

Now THAT would have been an exclusive. Most of us, yours truly included, had expected Guus Hiddink to be Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.

A grudging well-done to Chelsea for keeping the appointment as secret as possible. Football writers rarely miss much. While it may be more difficult, putting it mildly, to build up a relationship with managers and players as could be done in the Seventies and Eighties, the secret is to know the people who know the people. And contrary to what some believe, not every story is bought in. Good old fashioned journalism, phoning around contacts, still reaps rewards.

When I was on the Daily Telegraph the then football correspondent Colin Gibson told me the secret can often be out-thinking the opposition…asking the right person the right question. Think of a topical theme…telephone the Football Association, Premier League, UEFA or whoever and fire away. In my experience, sporting bodies cannot lie. The spokesperson may be reluctant to go on the record but the proper ‘steer’ will do. Aware that giving false information will rebound on them, they would prefer to say ‘no comment.’ In football writerspeak that is usually taken as a confirmation that the story they are checking is correct. After all, it hasn’t been denied, has it?

Christopher Davies

Liberty Stadium report, May 2011

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Dylan Thomas famously wrote “Swansea is the graveyard of ambition.” Championship promotion hopefuls Swansea City Football Club beg to differ with the great man.

When Football Writers’ Association national committee members Brian Scovell and Tony Hudd visited the Liberty Stadium to check out their press facilities ahead of the Swans’ push for promotion they found a lively, vibrant club willing and able to meet the challenge of Barclays Premier League football.

With club media and communications officer Jonathan Wilsher, a former local paper football writer, as their guide, the pair were left in no doubt that Swansea are determined to provide the best possible press facilities at their 20,524 capacity stadium.

The present press box, which accommodates 40 seats, all with power points under each desk, will be expanded to meet Premier League criteria. The existing facility is also wired for 3D.

At present, Swansea have two mixed zones, one home, one away, which is near the exit for the visiting team coach. This will become one as the existing home arrangement means interviews being conducted on the main concourse close to the reception area which is unsuitable.

The big press room, which is equipped with work desks and power points, also has toilet facilities. At the moment, reporters and photographers share the room.

This will change with photographers being given their own facilities.

Should Swansea reach the Premier League, the club will do their best to make sure all reporters are given a car parking space and are in the process of purchasing a plot of land that will increase parking capacity.

Brian and Tony wish to place on record their thanks to Jonathan Wilsher for his time and meticulous attention to detail in wanting to improve the club’s press facilities.

Bates re-elected for final year

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Following the 2011 FWA Annual General Meeting held in London on Tuesday May 24th current National Chairman Steve Bates, who has held the post for the past three years, was unanimously re-elected to serve a final year in office.

The meeting also unanimously approved the appointment of Andy Dunn as Deputy Chairman. Andy will succeed Steve as Chairman of the FWA at the start of the 2012-13 season.

Also re-elected was Executive Secretary Paul Hetherington. Samantha Lee, representing the North East region, has stepped down from the National Committee while Ralph Ellis was confirmed as the new Midlands representative.

Steve Bates commented: “I am delighted to serve our members as chairman for one more year to oversee the changes that we are currently implementing.

“The FWA has taken great strides recently and the National Committee are fully committed to moving the organisation forward in the coming seasons.”

Staggered Parker collects FWA award

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Scott Parker admitted he was “staggered” to have collected the 2011 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year Award.

In what was one of the closest contests of recent seasons, Parker topped the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham defender Gareth Bale.

The England international – who started his career at Charlton before spells with Chelsea and Newcastle ahead of joining the Irons in 2007 – was guest of honour as he collected the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948, at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on May 12.

Parker, 30, is the first Hammer since England World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore in 1964 to receive the FWA Award, and the midfielder admitted it was a moving occasion.

“It feels pretty amazing, when I first got the call to say I had won the award, you can imagine all of the emotions into one, exciting and shock,” said Parker, who has been an inspiration as Avram Grant’s men battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League. “I am staggered I have won and am very, very proud.

“This is a massive thing, when you look back at the people who have won this award in the past, especially someone like the great Bobby Moore, to think my name will be along side them is pretty special for me.”

Parker added: “I feel like I have been playing the best football of my career over the past couple of years, which is down to a number of things and I guess you come wiser with age.

“I feel like I am as strong as ever and I would like to think I can carry on maintaining my performances.

Parker also took time to pay tribute to his team-mates in what has been a difficult season for all involved at Upton Park.

“At the end of the day, I am in a team sport and ultimately am not doing it by myself,” the England midfielder said, who joined West Ham in 2007.

“I could change all this for me to stay up and be involved in a successful team.

“I would not want to be involved in a team which went down, along with all the rest of the squad, so hopefully we can get some results before the end of the season and other results go our way, so we can get out it.”

British Sports Books Awards: Results

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Patrick Barclay and Brian Scovell, both members of the FWA Committee of long standing, both had books nominated in the 2011 British Sports Books Awards at the Savoy on May 9. Patrick’s was “Football – Bloody Hell” a biography of Sir ALex Ferguson and Brian’s was “Bill Nicholson: Football’s Perfectionist.”

Brian’s book which has just come out in paperback, was also entered in the Biogaphy Section. Five of our Committe members chose Anthony Clavane’s “Promised Lane The Reinvention of Leeds United” in the Football Section and they were Mike Collett (chairman), Martin Lipton, Glenn Moore, John Ley and Gerry Cox.

Catrine Clay’s “Trautmann’s Journey – From Hitler Youth to FA Legend” won the Biography Award.

Parker named Footballer of the Year

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West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been voted 2011 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association.

In what was one of the closest contests of recent seasons, Parker topped the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham defender Gareth Bale, who was last week named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.

The England international – who started his career at Charlton before spells with Chelsea and Newcastle ahead of joining the Irons in 2007 – will receive the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948, at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on May 12.

FWA chairman Steve Bates, chief football writer at The People said: “Scott Parker has been so consistent this season with his performances in a West Ham team battling for Barclays Premier League survival and as such has forced himself back into the England national set-up.

“He has been an inspirational figure for the Irons and hopefully his professionalism will be rewarded with West Ham staying up at the end of the season.

“In what was one of the tightest votes of recent seasons, Scott is certainly a worthy winner and follows in the footsteps of a long line of superb footballers who have been given this prestigious honour.”

Liberty Stadium report, March 2011

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Dylan Thomas famously wrote “Swansea is the graveyard of ambition.” Championship promotion hopefuls Swansea City Football Club beg to differ with the great man.

When Football Writers’ Association national committee members Brian Scovell and Tony Hudd visited the Liberty Stadium to check out their press facilities ahead of the Swans’ push for promotion they found a lively, vibrant club willing and able to meet the challenge of Barclays Premier League football.

With club media and communications officer Jonathan Wilsher, a former local paper football writer, as their guide, the pair were left in no doubt that Swansea are determined to provide the best possible press facilities at their 20,524 capacity stadium.

The present press box, which accommodates 40 seats, all with power points under each desk, will be expanded to meet Premier League criteria. The existing facility is also wired for 3D.

At present, Swansea have two mixed zones, one home, one away, which is near the exit for the visiting team coach. This will become one as the existing home arrangement means interviews being conducted on the main concourse close to the reception area which is unsuitable.

The big press room, which is equipped with work desks and power points, also has toilet facilities. At the moment, reporters and photographers share the room.

This will change with photographers being given their own facilities.

Should Swansea reach the Premier League, the club will do their best to make sure all reporters are given a car parking space and are in the process of purchasing a plot of land that will increase parking capacity.

Brian and Tony wish to place on record their thanks to Jonathan Wilsher for his time and meticulous attention to detail in wanting to improve the club’s press facilities.

Ray Matts Remembered

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The Football Writers’ Association are saddened to hear the news Ray Matts, the long-serving Daily Mail sports reporter and FWA member, passed away after a short illness aged 70.

Ray joined the Daily Mail from the Birmingham Evening Mail as Midlands football reporter in 1980 and would go on to cover both Nottingham Forest’s and Aston Villa’s European Cup victories.

In 1989, Ray took up the position of Motor Racing Correspondent and proved just as popular a figure among Formula One as he had done in football.

Although officially ‘retiring’ in 2006, Ray continued to cover football matches in the Midlands whenever he could.

Ray remained a popular figure both within both sides of the reporting ranks. The late Brian Clough was a close friend, while Martin O’Neill and Ron Atkinson both recently attended a lunch for his 70th birthday.

FWA National Committee member for the Midlands, Ralph Ellis said: “Ray had the wonderful knack of breaking big stories yet still keeping close trust with people.

“He was an inspiration both in print and as a person and will be hugely missed.”

Paul Hetherington, Executive Secretary of the FWA, said: “Ray became a life member of the association during my tenure as chairman, and it was a status I was delighted to award him.

“It was a reward for his outstanding career as a football writer, his long-standing membership of the FWA and the help and guidance he offered to young journalists.

“Mattsie was a great character who will be sadly missed in press boxes and at our functions.”

Ray Matts’ funeral will be held Monday March 28th, Streetley Crematorium, midday. Afterwards Bloxwich Golf Club.

No flowers.

Donations to British Heart Foundation.

FWA Shortlist for Football Book of the Year

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EACH YEAR, a select band from the national committee of the Football Writers’ Association, take some time out from writing their own words to read as many football books as possible before deciding on the Football Book of the Year, one of the main categories in the increasingly influential British Sports Book Awards. This year’s winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the Savoy Hotel on May 9.

Fifteen or 20 years ago, there were few intelligent, thoughtful and discersive books published about football, with cricket and rugby writers in general waxing far more lyrically, and in greater numbers, than those from our game. But all that has changed.

Now there appears to be more outstanding publications reaching the bookshelves than before and 2010 was no exception. However, the book committee of the FWA had to draw up a shortlist from the dozens of great books that were produced and after lengthy deliberations, their recommendations are listed below.

Mike Collett, chairing the Committee this year said: “What we are looking for is a book that tells a story in a special, unique way, and there were plenty of candidates to chose from before we settled on our final seven. We now have to give very careful consideration to the strengths and merits of these finalists and each one in their own way is superb and a deserving winner. . It is not going to be easy – but its going to be highly enlightening.”

The shortlist is (in author’s alphabetical order):
PATRICK BARCLAY: Football – Bloody Hell ! – The Biography of Alex Ferguson Yellow Jersey
MICHAEL CALVIN: Family – Life Death and Football. Integr8 Publishing
ANTHONY CLAVANE: Promised Land – The Re-Iinvention of Leeds United. Yellow Jersey
CATRINE CLAY: Trautmann’s Journey – From Hitler Youth to FA Cup Legend Yellow Jersey
JAMES MORGAN: In Search of Alan Gilzean – The lost legacy of a Dundee and Spurs legend. Back Page Press
BRIAN SCOVELL: Bill Nicholson – Football’s Perfectionist. John Blake Publishing
JONATHAN WILSON: The Anatomy of England – A History in Ten Matches. Orion Publishing

The committee will make its choice by the end of April with the winner announced by Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock at the dinner at the Savoy on May 9.