Category Archives: News

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.

Don Saunders Obituary

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Don Saunders, a lifelong member of the Football Writers Association, died on Tuesday aged 85. Don famously covered both football and boxing for The Daily Telegraph for more than three decades. His funeral will take place on Monday, May 12, 2.30pm at St. Andrews Church, Whitchurch, near Plymouth. Refreshments will be available afterwards at a pub nearby, and all are welcome. Our sincere condolences go to Don’s family and friends.

Don’s Daily Telegraph Obituary…

Cristiano Ronaldo – Footballer of the Year 2007-08

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Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo insisted he would not rest on his laurels following his memorable season in 2007/2008.

The Manchester United winger, 23, collected the award voted for by the Football Writers’ Association at a gala dinner in London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on May 15.

The Portugal international topped the poll of journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper David
James.

Ronaldo, who also won the prestigiuos FWA accolade last season, netted an outstanding 41 goals during the regular season – including 31 in the Barclays Premier League as United beat Chelsea to the title and would go on to be crowned champions of Europe following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in Moscow a week later.

Following a tribute from former Manchester United and England midfielder Bobby Charlton, Ronaldo said: “I am very happy to win this award. It is very important for me to win again, but most important is the collective awards (of the team).

“I am still going to want to win more, to carry on like this, I will not stop because I have these two awards.

“Next season I will try to do my best again.

“I have improved every season and will try to improve next season.

“I am enjoying my football, and want to carry on.”

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has been
impressed by Ronaldo’s development into one of the world’s greatest players since arriving from Sporting Lisbon.

“The great thing for Manchester United is that Cristiano is getting better all the time and has made considerable progress as a player since arriving at the club five years ago,” Robson wrote in his personal tribute to Ronaldo for the FWA.

“When I first saw him play my initial impressions were that he was a great athlete with terrific ability, but that he needed to learn the game in terms of awareness.

“Basically he needed to be more aware of his team-mates. He’s done that now, become more of a team player yet hasn’t had to sacrifice his exciting dribbling ability.”

It is the second season in succession Ronaldo received the accolade, now in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.

Chairman of the FWA, Paul Hetherington, commented: “Ronaldo’s award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record – 38 at the moment -and he is, of course, essentially a winger.

“Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way.”

Another Award For Ronaldo

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Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted Footballer of the
Year by the Football Writers’ Association.

The 23-year-old Portugal international – who last week was named the
Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year – topped the poll of
journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper
David James.

It is the second season in succession Ronaldo has received the accolade, now
in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to
collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.

Chairman of the FWA, Paul Hetherington, said: “Ronaldo’s award is no surprise
after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record – 38 at
the moment -and he is, of course, essentially a winger.

“Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the
potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented
way.”

Ronaldo – who has helped take United to within touching distance of the
Barclays Premier League title as well as the Champions League final in Moscow –
will receive his award at the FWA’s gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in
London on May 15.

Norman Wynne passes away

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Norman Wynne, former Sunday People chief northern football correspondent and an honorary life member of the Football Writers Association, died on Tuesday in North Manchester Hospital. He was 77. Norman was secretary of the northern branch of the FWA for many years before being made an honorary life member of the national association.

His funeral service will be held at the Synagogue, Gigg Lane Cemetery, Bury (near the Bury FC ground), on Thursday at 2.15pm. The family have requested no flowers but donations can be made to Brookvale Home (caring for people with special needs), Simister Lane, Prestwich, Manchester M25 (Tel: 0161 653 1767).

Please note: There is no vehicle access to the cemetery from Gigg Lane. Car drivers need to use St Peter’s Road, off the main Bury-Manchester Road (A56). Coming from Manchester, turn RIGHT into St Peter’s Road at St Peter’s Church , which is directly opposite the Swan and Cemetery pub (about 400 yards before Gigg Lane). The synagogue is a small one-storey red brick building.

Our sincere condolences go to Norman’s wife Jean and the family.

David Beckham Tribute Night

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David Beckham brought a touch of Hollywood to London when he was guest of honour at the 2008 Football Writers’ Association Tribute night.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder and former England captain is hoping to reach the landmark of 100 caps for his country, with Fabio Capello now in charge of the side.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson led the tributes at the gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Gate Hotel, which was also attended by ex-national team boss Steve McClaren as well as the Football Association’s Brian Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking.

Beckham, who found fame with Manchester United and Real Madrid before his move to the United States, paid tribute to the figures in football who helped him during his career, including Eriksson.

“For me it was the best time as an England player, a positive time and we played some great football,” said Beckham, whose last-gasp free-kick at Old Trafford sent England to the 2002 World Cup.

“He was a manager that looked after the players, he wasn’t interested in anything else going on.

“That is why he is so well liked by every England player who played under him. He’s a great manager but even more of a great man.”

Beckham signalled his determination to get match fit for Capello’s
first match in charge of England, which is a friendly agianst
Switzerland at Wembley, and has been training with Arsenal during the Major League Soccer close season.

“I’m there to get my fitness for the MLS season and also to try to get fit for the England game,” said Beckham.

“Even if it wasn’t just for the 100th cap, for an England game I’d do the same.

“I want to be fit and be available for Mr Capello’s first team and first game.”

Beckham revealed he had thoroughly enjoyed working with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in the past week.

“It’s been great. I’m lucky that Arsene Wenger has given me the chance to train with the team,” he added.

“It’s nice to be with a Premier League team that is obviously so talented.

“The players have accepted me really well.”

Former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson was another to pay tribute to Beckham at the dinner, recalling the youngster who once polished his boots at Old Trafford.

“He was proud to clean my boots and sometimes that goes away from the game now,” said Robson. “YTS boys now want to be superstars before they start.

“That’s why David has been the player and person he is – he was proud to clean my boots because I was a hero of his when we were younger.”