Hodgson tells England only a win will do October 14, 2013 ANXIOUS England manager Roy Hodgson has told his players they must forget about the safety net of a play-off place and finalise World Cup qualification with a win against Poland tonight. England’s 4-1 victory against Montenegro on Friday guarantees them a top-two finish in Group H, regardless of tonight’s score at Wembley. But with only [...]
Gerrard still haunted by Euro 2008 absence October 14, 2013 SIX years ago England captain Steven Gerrard suffered the heartbreak of failing to qualify for a major tournament and is determined to use that “haunting” experience as motivation to beat Poland tonight. With victory against Croatia required to reach Euro 2008, England suffered a 3-2 defeat in the pouring rain at Wembley, which consequently ended [...]
Poland granted 18,000 tickets on safety grounds October 14, 2013 THE welfare of England fans was the key reason behind the decision to award Poland an allocation of 18,000 tickets for tonight’s game at Wembley, the Football Association have announced. Under governing body Fifa’s rules away teams are entitled to a 10 per cent share of the stadium’s capacity for their travelling fans. However, with [...]
Cole ready to shine for West Ham again six months after his release October 14, 2013 FORMER England striker Carlton Cole is determined to prove his worth to West Ham after returning to Upton Park just six months after his release. Cole parted company with the Hammers in the summer after seven years with the club, having scored 59 goals in 237 appearances. Manager Sam Allardyce attempted to re-sign Cole last [...]
Trafford road is renamed in Fergie’s honour October 14, 2013 RETIRED former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was yesterday granted the freedom of the borough of Trafford and had a street renamed in his honour. Waters Reach, an approach road to the club’s 75,000-capacity Old Trafford home, will now be called Sir Alex Ferguson Way. Ferguson spent 26 years as United manager, guiding them [...]
Team GB stars hit by lottery funding cuts October 14, 2013 THIRTEEN British athletes, seemingly with the world at the feet at the London 2012 Olympics, have been stripped of their National Lottery funding due to doubts about their future medal chances. Triple jumper Phillips Idowu, a silver medallist in 2008, heads a list of those who represented Team GB in Stratford last year, but will [...]
Britain’s Murray and Watson fall in world rankings October 14, 2013 INJURED Andy Murray has fallen to No4 in the world following the latest update to the rankings. Murray is set to miss the rest of the season following back surgery and has slipped below David Ferrer after the Spaniard reached the last-16 of last week’s Shanghai Masters – won by world No2 Novak Djokovic in [...]
Rugby Comment: It doesn’t get better than playing at Wembley October 14, 2013 YOU always want to play in front of big crowds and there is nowhere better than Wembley Stadium. I’ve played in all nine of Saracens previous visits there and loved it. I can’t wait to go back for our Heineken Cup tie on Friday. As an English guy it’s a dream to go to Wembley [...]
England are yet to reach their peak, insists new coach Amor October 14, 2013 ENGLAND Sevens head coach Simon Amor believes the best is yet to come from his side, following their third place finish in the opening leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Australia. Amor, who only took charge of England less than a month ago, oversaw wins against Spain and France on day one, before [...]
McIlroy begins legal action against agents October 14, 2013 TWO-TIME Major winner Rory McIlroy has begun legal proceedings against his former representatives Horizon Sports Management in the hope of recovering £5.9m in fees. The former world No1 feels he was misled by the Dublin-based firm during their 18-month association and views their fees as excessive. McIlroy also wants to end his association with Gurteen [...]