Author Archives: FWA News Editor

Report on FWA North East Dinner

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THE North East Branch of the FWA enjoyed a fantastic 30th anniversary awards evening at Ramside Hall in Durham.

Picking up the North East Player of the Year was Sunderland striker Darren Bent, watched by his manager Steve Bruce, chairman Niall Quinn as well as his team-mates.

Following the sacking of Chris Hughton just days before the awards, Alan Pardew made his first appearance at the event and was given a good reception by both Sunderland and Newcastle fans. His assistant Steve Stone picked up Newcastle United’s Team of the Year Award in Hughton’s absence as well as Young Player of the Year Andy Carroll’s accolade.

A special award went to non league Whitley Bay for winning the FA Vase Trophy for a second successive season while Niall Quinn was awarded the John Fotheringham Memorial Award for his contribution to North East Football.

A toast was raised to former FWA National Secretary Ken Montgomerie who sadly passed away last month.

Amongst those in the room were Phil Brown, John Hendrie, Stephen Pears, Jim Platt, Dennis Tueart, Adam Johnson, Frank Clark and England cricketer Graham Onions

Report on FWA Northern Dinner

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THE 28th Northern FWA Managers’ Awards Dinner was a significant occasion in the association’s history, as the £80,000 barrier was cracked for children’s charities.

The raffle and auction at the function, held at Manchester’s Radisson Edwardian Hotel on November 14, raised £4,500 with The Seashell Trust – formlery the Royal Schools for the Blind – and Friends of Muscular Dystrophy the two charities to benefit this year.

So we have now raised almost £81,000 for children’s causes.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, usually a regular attender of FWA functions, pulled out two days before the event, owing to a business trip to Qatar.

But all the other award-winning managers were present – Newcastle’s Chris Hughton, Blackpool’s Ian Holloway, Simon Grayson at Leeds, Rochdale’s Keith Hill, Ian Chandler from Whitley Bay, the Barrow double act of David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan and Mo Marley of Everton Ladies.

Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the League Managers’ Association, congratulated northern chairman Paul Hetherington and national chairman Steve Bates, on the event.

Bevan said: “Reading the programme, going back to past winners like Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Trevor Cherry and Kenny Dalglish, it was great to read the history of the awards and to join you for the event.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and was honoured to sit at the FWA top table.”

Book Club: ‘Thank You Hermann Goering’

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In his time working for the Daily Sketch and Daily Mail, Brian Scovell probably reported on more Test matches and international football matches than any other English sportswriter. This fascinating, amusing and moving memoir is filled with hundreds of anecdotes and insights into top sports personalities and other public figures, including previously untold stories about Maggie Thatcher, John Major, Princess Diana, Brian Lara, Enoch Powell, and Alan Sugar.

Following a German bombing raid on the Isle of Wight in 1943, Brian spent two years in hospital reading articles by Tom Philips, the leading sports writer of the day. His mother wanted him to be a banker, but in that hospital bed Brian decided to go to Fleet Street, so he has Hermann Goering to thank for the way his life turned out.

England cricket captain Ted Dexter called him ‘Scoop’ and two of his scoops, both outside sport, concerned a secret meeting between Goering and Lord Jellicoe at St Lawrence, in a failed attempt to broker a peace agreement, and a German amphibious raid on a radar station in the same area.

One of the book’s central themes is Brian’s love affair with his wife Audrey, an artist who died in 2000 and continues to inspire his writing. As he contends with the boozy Cobbold brothers, weathers spats with fellow journalists and travels the world (meeting Pope John Paul II and Reverend Canaan Banana on the way) she remains his chief allegiance, more important than newsprint or sport.

THE AUTHOR
Born in 1935 on the Isle of Wight, Brian Scovell was one of the Daily Mail’s longest-serving and best-loved sports writers.He has written 24 previous books, most famously co-authoring the autobiography of the illusive Brian Lara for Corgi, but he has also written about Dickie Bird, Trevor Brooking, Bobby Robson and Ken Barrington. His books about England Managers and Jim Laker were both nominated for the Sports Book of the Year Prize. He lives in Bromley in Kent.

Book Club: Scovell achieves third Double

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Brian Scovell, our longest serving member on the FWA Committee, has achieved a third Double in the season that Tottenham Hotspur won the first Double of the last century. His biography of Bill Nicholson commemorating the 50th anniversary has been widely reviewed and his 25th book has just come out, a memoir entitled “Thank You Hermann Goering – A Life of a Sports Writer.” Frank Keating said of it “a triumph, it’s a terrific piece of work and I read it in one sitting, well, two.”

In 1982 he brought out “Ken Barrington: A Tribute” and “Times on the Grass,” the first autobiography of Bobby Robson and in 2006 his books “The Impossible Job – The England Managers” and “19-90 Jim Laker” were nominated for the British Sports Book Awards.

Ken Montgomery passes away

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IT is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ken Montgomery who passed away on Sunday after a short illness.

Ken, who was 69, was the FWA’s much-valued Executive Secretary for fourteen years having taken over the role from Pat Signy. He reluctantly stepped down from his duties during the summer when he became unwell.

As chief football writer of the Sunday Mirror in his prime years, Ken was a respected journalist with many friends in the game and beyond.

He will be greatly missed by his colleagues on the FWA National Committee and we extend our sincere condolances to his children Leanne and Nial and his grandchildren.

Current National FWA Chairman Steve Bates paid tribute to Ken saying:”The FWA will always appreciate Ken’s tireless work in organising our major functions over the last decade and more.

“Ken was a great help to me and I know our previous chairmen all feel the same. Even though he was no longer ‘on the road’ Ken was still passionate about football – and making sure the FWA was at the forefront of the game. We will miss him.”

The funeral details are as follows:

Tuesday November 23rd 1.30pm

Service and Cremation at Forest Park Cemetary Forest Road, Hainault, Essex, IG6 3HP.

Flowers welcomed but donations encouraged to St Francis Hospice and/or The Poppy Appeal c/o funeral directors H L Hawes and Sons, 106 Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Essex, 1G6 1QE.

North East Writers Pay Robson Tribute

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North East football journalists have paid their own tribute to the legendary Sir Bobby Robson by handing over a cheque in his honour.

North East football journalists have paid their own tribute to the legendary Sir Bobby Robson by handing over a cheque in his honour.

The North East Football Writers’ Association raised £8,000 at the Footballer of the Year Awards, which it donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Football Writers’ Association North East chairman Samantha Lee presented the cheque to Steven Harper before Newcastle United’s memorial game against PSV Eindhoven on Saturday.

The Newcastle goalkeeper said: “It is a fantastic charity for an amazing man and I’m pleased to see all of the good work being done in his name.

“The Football Writers’ Awards is always a big night and I’m happy they picked the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as their chosen charity.”

Samantha said: “Every year we look for a worthy cause to donate the proceeds from our charity auction and this time the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was the first name on everyone’s lips.

“Sir Bobby was a regular at the Awards ceremony and always had time to chat with everyone he came in contact with. We do miss him. Last year, Alan Shearer spoke very movingly about him.”

She added: “The work Dr Ruth Plummer and the team at the Foundation are doing towards the early detection and treatment of cancer here in the North East is fantastic and we are proud to support them.”

This year sees the 30th anniversary of the awards in November with the organisers promising something a bit special.

Samantha added: “The North East Football Writers’ Awards are always a great occasion because it is a chance for North East football fans to put on a tuxedo and mingle with their heroes.

“For the anniversary, we are hoping to invite along as many previous winners as possible and make it a really big celebration.

“It is always a sell-out but there’s a chance that we could move it to a bigger suite within Ramside Hall so there may be a few extra tables this year.

“We will put together a waiting list for people interested in taking a table on a first come first basis.”

Anyone interested in attending the North East Footballer of the Year Awards can email fwa@publicityseekers.co.uk or call (01429) 26 58 59.

Rooney delighted by Football Writers prize

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England striker Wayne Rooney takes his place among the FWA Footballers of the Year.

The 24-year-old Manchester United forward topped the poll of journalists with just over 81% of a record number of votes cast, finishing ahead of Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez to win the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948.

Both United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England manager Fabio Capello were present to watch Rooney, who led Manchester United’s ultimately unsuccessful challenge to Chelsea for the Barclays Premier League title, receive his award at the FWA’s gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel.

On collecting his award, Rooney said: “When you look around the room and see all the previous winners, for me to be among them is a great feeling.

“I am so proud, because I play football every day, it is my job and to win this award is amazing.”

Rooney, though, has no intentions of resting on his laurels.

“I am only 24. Hopefully I can progress and the best years are still ahead of me,” he said.

“I am always learning every day, and take things in from all my team-mates, both at United and with England.

“As a player you are never the finished article. I want to keep learning and getting better.”

The striker admitted he could not see a future outside the game and revealed he intended to stay involved in the game for many years to come.

“I love football and enjoy football – I can’t see myself running a restaurant, I want to be in football.”

Sir Alex Ferguson paid his own tribute to Rooney. The Scot said: “Wayne has this unbelievable energy, which transmits itself through everyone. It is electricity – you are born with that.

“It is nothing anyone has given him, he has just got that great desire and is quite rightly on a pantheon with all these great players who are pictured on the wall around this room. He easily sits up there with them.”

Rooney scored 34 goals in all competitions and is integral to England’s World Cup hopes in South Africa.

The striker has been struggling with ankle and groin problems since United’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Bayern Munich on March 30.

But now Rooney is focused on recovering full fitness and is relishing leading England’s World Cup campaign in South Africa as Capello’s squad aim to emulate the 1966 success.

England line-up in Group C in South Africa alongside Algeria and Slovenia and begin their campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling presented a question and answer session with Rooney, another first for the FWA event.

The United striker revealed he feels there is unfinished business ahead.

“The last two tournaments I have played in both ended in disappointment for me. I broke my foot at Euro 2004 and then got sent off at the World Cup in Germany,” he said.

“In the last World Cup I did not really show enough of my quality and enough excitement, which I wanted to.

“I am looking forward to this one and want to try to take my club form in with England, to help us win the World Cup.”

Capello is in no doubt Rooney has the world at his feet.

“In addition to his great technical ability, Wayne is also a player who never gives up and has a great desire to win every game,” the England manager wrote in a personal tribute to Rooney for the FWA.

“I like working with him, because he wants to learn all the time and works to improve in training.

“He is also very popular with his team-mates because of his attitude on and off the pitch.”

Capello continued: “Wayne is a very special footballer and he is now one of the top players in the world.

“He is still a young player and he can go on to achieve a lot more in the game, for many years.

“Hopefully it will be good for England that Wayne has been in such great form this season, as he will be a very important player for us in South Africa.”

The 2010 Footballer of the Year Dinner was again sold out, and the FWA, along with sponsors Barclays, was proud to help back the England 2018 World Cup bid during the evening, with guests having received a letter from David Beckham on their arrival at the tables.

FWA Chairman Steve Bates, chief football writer for The People, reflected: “I am certain that in the 64-year history of our prestigious Footballer of the Year Award there cannot have been a more popular winner than Wayne Rooney.

“There have been many big moments in Wayne’s wonderful career already, and I am sure this won’t be the last time he will be centre stage at this event.

“Wayne joins a unique club – one started by Sir Stanley Matthews in 1948 and through the following six decades has included many of the greats of the English game.

“Our members, who voted in such overwhelming numbers for him this year, have recognised that Wayne has taken his game to a new level.

“As the 2010 World Cup in South Africa approaches, every Englishman across the globe will hope those goals keep flowing just as they have done for Manchester United this season.”

Harry Redknapp Tribute Night

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Harry Redknapp became the latest recipient of the Football Writers’ Association Tribute Award when the Tottenham manager was honoured at a gala dinner in the Royal Lancaster Hotel on January 13.

The 61-year-old, who guided Portsmouth to FA Cup glory at Wembley in May 2007, jetted back to the capital following his team’s Barclays Premier League game at Wigan to take his place at the top table for what was another memorable evening for the FWA and its guests.

A toast was presented by England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst, who recalled his playing days with a young Redknapp at West Ham, while the evening was also a special occasion for long-serving FWA member and former London Evening Standard reporter Michael Hart, presented with an honorary life membership by current FWA chairman Steve Bates.

Harry Redknapp started his managerial career at Bournemouth, claiming a famous FA Cup win over Manchester United in 1984 as well as the old Division Three title.

It was, though, on his return to the dugout at Upton Park some 10 years later when Redknapp made his name, stepping up from his position as assistant to Billy Bonds.

During his seven-year tenure, Redknapp nurtured the talents of several promising youngsters who would one day go on to represent England – such as Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea pair Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, his nephew.

Ferdinand, 30, who has captained both England and United and helped his club achieve Champions League glory last season, is in no doubt of the influence Redknapp had on his career.

“Harry was my inspiration, the manager who took a chance on a gangly, slightly awkward teenager and gave me the momentum to become a Premier League and Champions League winner, and an England international,” Ferdinand wrote in his personal tribute to Redknapp for the FWA dinner.

“Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe, Frank Lampard, my brother Anton and many others who have made a career either at the top or lower down the leagues also owe Harry a debt of gratitude.

“Harry makes you feel 10 feet tall. We went out on that pitch believing we were the greatest footballers who ever lived, whatever our ability.

“He had you working for that moment on a Saturday where you would truly believe you were a better team than Manchester United or Arsenal.

“Few managers can walk into a dressing room and generate an instant feel-good factor the way he does.”

Redknapp is often seen as a jovial character, but Ferdinand maintains a steely determination hides behind that colourful exterior – as the Spurs squad are currently experiencing.

“Harry has an image as this happy-go-lucky type, but believe me he is deadly serious about his football – he could not be without football,” said Ferdinand, who was sold by Redknapp to Leeds in November 2000 for a then a British transfer record of £18million, which also made him the world’s most expensive defender.

“He lives and breathes it. He hates players showing the slightest hint that they are taking the game for granted.

“Harry would tell me that the best way to make a success of my career was to follow Bobby Moore’s example and behave like he did on and off the pitch. How could you argue with that?”

The after-dinner entertainment at the Royal Lancaster was kicked off with a cabaret by Kenny Lynch and Bobby Davro, both big fans of Harry Redknapp.

The duo’s performance will live long in the memory for those who attended, which included current Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce as well as former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who continues his brave battle against cancer.

FWA chairman Steve Bates believes the night was a fitting tribute to one of the game’s most popular characters.

“Harry received the award from our organisation because of his outstanding contribution to football both as a player and, latterly, as a manager,” he said.

“Harry has always enjoyed a good rapport with the press who appreciate his professionalism, humour and readiness to give his time for interviews win, lose or draw.

“He follows a long list of distinguished recipients and thoroughly deserves this honour and has been a highly popular choice.”

Brian Scovell Writes…

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Over the years chairmen and committee members of the FWA have given advice to the 92 clubs about their press facilities. Around a third of them benefited, the last being Colchester which has proved to be a great success story. Three years ago we set up a Facilities sub Committee made up of myself, Tony Hudd and Jim Van Wijk and arising from an incident at Southend’s Roots Hall – when a steward declined to give some our members a programme and a team sheet – I wrote to Lord Brian Mawhinney, the President of the Football League, and asked him for a meeting.

I told him many of the smaller clubs are lagging well behind and although we realise they have financial problems, a number of changes could be brought in which wouldn’t cost a lot of money. We proposed a name for it – “Operation Goodwill.” Our committee met him and John Nagle on December 12, 2006 and we persuaded them to carry on the dialogue. We met again in the following February and we gave them 35 questions which could feature in a questionnaire sent to the 72 clubs. The questionnaire was sent out and 52 clubs responded. We felt that the errant 20 should have been ordered to take part but nothing happened! We supplied a list of suggested improvements, like compulsory programmes and team sheets, proper interview rooms, improved criteria for press boxes, adequate refreshments, a press officer for each club and many of these have been implemented.

A further meeting took place on October, 2007 and representatives of the clubs, the BBC and IRN joined in. One of the ideas was for one of our members, Jim Van Wijk of the PA, to submit a Best Practice for a journalists’ day at a Football League match. Charles Runcie did the same for the BBC. That proved to be invaluable. We suggested there should be a Media Handbook and the FL produced one for this season and sent it to the clubs. At a subsequent meeting, they agreed to issue two handbooks in future, the other one for journalists.

We welcomed the League’s plan to introduce a two tier structure with CCC clubs having a higher minimum requirement (40 seats in each press box, work tops) and a minimum tally for Division 1 and 2 (20 seats). The minimum number of power points provided should be one per seat in the CCC and one per two seats in Leagues 1-2 (with a minimum of 10). These proposals are going to be put before the League agm in June, also media rooms are going to be compulsory and in the lower Leagues, they should provide a similar room or a dedicated area under cover. (The FWA have had a number of complaints by our members about Blackpool’s open air interview arrangements!).

We also welcomed their approach about excluding people who are who not properly accreditated. These cards are the only acceptable forms of proving identity: the FL ID card, UK Press Card, AIPS card and the NPA card.

John Nagle has agreed that we should meet twice a year to review these matters and from our side, suggest new ideas to make things work better. I have written to Lord Mawhinney about the American idea – in the major sports in the USA they let the press in to the locker room. He went on a tour to the NFL recently and he might be persuaded to adopt the idea in Divisions 1-2 where some clubs cannot afford to put in press rooms. We think it would vastly improve relations between clubs and journalists. Fulham were pioneers in that field in the Sixties under Tommy Trinder they won a reputation as being the friendliest club in the country.

Others who have tried it, like Reading, soon dropped the idea……. but they did get promotion that year!

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, let me, Tony Hudd or Jim Wijk know.

The FWA Footballer of the Year Dinner 2009

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The FWA Footballer of the Year Dinner 2009 will be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Friday May 29.

Tickets will be priced £70 for members and £80 for guests.

Members will receive their application and ballot forms through the post from FWA Executive Secretary Ken Montgomery, and should return as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Voting will close at noon on Monday May 11, with the winner announced, via the Press Association, on Wednesday May 13.