Five facts on Sam Allardyce
London, United Kingdom | AFP |AFP Sport picks out five facts on Sam Allardyce who is expected to be named the new England manager on Thursday:Big SamBlunt talking is his style — reflected in his autobiography ‘Big Sam’ — and no surprise after a playing career where uncompromising and no-nonsense would be the attributes most commonly used to describe him as a central defender. Former Wimbledon and Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett quipped: “He was what I called a ball-playing defender… If he wasn’t playing with the ball he was playing with your balls.” Enjoyed his best spell as a player at Bolton Wanderers — he later established his reputation as a manager in taking the unfashionable side to the League Cup final and to the top tier. He stayed with the club for nine years. Allardyce’s father Bob was a policeman who rose to the post of sergeant. “My old man always said you only get what you graft for,” he told The Daily Telegraph in 2014. “It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, how much education you’ve got, you’ll only get there on work rate. My dad was a policeman for 25 years, a sergeant, and he taught me discipline. Any problems on our estate were always sorted out by Bob Allardyce. If we got into any trouble we’d be in trouble with my old man. So discipline was everything. Getting up for work on time, don’t be late, shave, don’t let anyone down. We lack a lot of discipline today. It’s society.”Bet your house on himHad Allardyce reached the level he did as a player today he would have been more than adequately paid. However, in his day, he had to cast around with an eye on how to supplement his playing income. He bought up modest properties in Bolton, doing them up before selling them on. “We modernised terraced houses. Buy the place for £6,000. It didn’t have a damp-proof course and needed rewiring, so you’d do a rip-out job, revamp it and sell them for £10,000 to £12,000. I did a lot of the mortgages during the season and in the summer, I’d be in there with a sledgehammer, knocking down walls,” he told The Daily Telegraph.Finds his rhythm at LimerickRafael Benitez and Allardyce have had a running feud for years. Not the least of the perceived slights was when Benitez claimed Allardyce had never won silverware — wrong because ‘Big Sam’ won the 1992 League of Ireland title as player/manager of Limerick City. The experience Allardyce had there marked him, not only because he learnt about management but about the tough side of life as the city had many poverty-stricken neighbourhoods where local priest — and chairman of the football club — Father Joe Young played a key role in giving youngsters some hope. “The collar (priesthood) has mighty powers there. Watching Joe, with his faith, was a massive eye-opener for me. He looked after one of the poorest parishes in Limerick, working with people who were struggling, down and out, but it never got him down. We had a brilliant time together.”21st century manager not stuck in the pastDespite Jose Mourinho once describing Allardyce’s style of football as being “stuck in the 19th century” the Englishman rejects that and is also an admirer of “The Special One” and Alex Ferguson. He says that unlike managers such as Benitez and Arsene Wenger, they are capable of adapting their teams’ style of play according to the opposition they are facing.Share on: WhatsApp It’s a fair cop
“Thanks @juventusfc and all Juventini. Goodbye means nothing, it is the time we spent together that matters,” Pogba posted on his official Twitter account.It is the first time since now Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane joined the Spanish giants as a player in 2000 from Juventus that Madrid haven’t got their hands on the world’s most expensive player having also bagged Cristiano Ronaldo from United in 2009 for a record fee.United brought the long-running transfer saga to an end in the early hours of the morning UK time.The reported fee does not include agent’s fees. The transfer had stalled for weeks over how the two clubs would share the sizeable payout to Pogba’s representative Mino Raiola.And the huge cash outlay will lead to questions over how Ferguson allowed Pogba to slip out of United’s hands four years ago over differences with Raiola.In his 2015 book ‘Leading’, Ferguson described his first meeting with Raiola as “a fiasco”.“He and I were like oil and water,” Ferguson wrote.“From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus.”Raiola, who also represents two of United’s other new signings, Armenian playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and star Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is set to make millions from the deal.Mourinho insisted United’s financial muscle should be a source of pride not embarrassment.“When other people break records, I don’t think it’s a reason to be sad. I think it’s a reason to be proud with the dimension of a club that can do that and can attract players of this dimension.”However, the Portuguese boss has hinted Pogba’s arrival will signal the end of United’s spending spree.“Our fundamental market is 75 percent done,” he said during United’s pre-season tour of China.“When we sign one midfield player that crucial work will be done.”Mourinho’s reign got off to a successful start on Sunday as Ibrahimovic scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Leicester City in the Community Shield. Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | French superstar Paul Pogba on Tuesday completed a sensational return to Manchester United from Juventus for a reported world record fee.United said Pogba had signed a five-year contract but did not give the cost which British media have put at 89 million pounds ($116.4 million, 105 million euros), not including agent’s fee.That would see the 23-year-old eclipse the 85 million pounds Real Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in 2013.“This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game,” said Pogba.Pogba moved to Italy when United let him go for a nominal fee after his contract expired in 2012.“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho,” added Pogba.United manager Mourinho has been tasked with bringing back the glory days to the 20-time English champions after three lean years since Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Share on: WhatsApp
Pogba the key And the former Chelsea boss believes Pogba can inspire United’s revival.“He has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond,” said Mourinho.“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is.”Pogba made just seven appearances during his previous spell at the club as a teenager, but returns as one of the world’s most famous players after winning four consecutive Serie A titles and leading France to the Euro 2016 final.
Another Newcastle counter-attack ended with David de Gea saving superbly from Hayden and after the rebound broke to Matt Ritchie, his shot was deflected just wide off Gayle’s knee.A second goal for Gayle would not have been unjust after the first-half display from Rafael Benitez’s side, who took the lead with a devastating counter-attack.– Rashford intelligence –Gayle and Joselu had a hand in the right-wing move that ended with Yedlin crossing, United defender Victor Lindelof losing his footing and Gayle scoring clinically off the left-hand post.It was the start of an impressive period for the visitors, who refused to be knocked out of their stride by a United side buoyed by the return of Pogba.Soon after the goal, young winger Jacob Murphy broke upfield before cutting in and shooting tamely at De Gea. Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Paul Pogba crowned his return from injury by scoring and laying on an equaliser for Anthony Martial as Manchester United hit back to beat Newcastle United 4-1 on Saturday.Chris Smalling was also on the mark in the first half, while Romelu Lukaku ended a drought of seven games without a goal. Smalling outjumped Florian Lejeune to power a header past Elliot at the back post.And the first-half drama was still not over. To cap a perfect afternoon for the home team, who restored the eight-point gap separating them from Premier League leaders Manchester City, Zlatan Ibrahimovic also enjoyed a 13-minute run-out as a substitute.Jose Mourinho’s men had to respond to a storming opening from the visitors, scoring twice in the closing minutes of the first half to cancel out Dwight Gayle’s 14th-minute opener.Pogba, back after over two months out with a hamstring injury, carved out a superb 37th-minute equaliser, taking a short pass from Antonio Valencia and beating Isaac Hayden with a neat sidestep.The France international then delivered a perfect cross for fellow Frenchman Martial, who rose above DeAndre Yedlin to head an unstoppable effort past the stranded Rob Elliot.The goalkeeper would be beaten by another header, deep in first-half injury time, as the visitors, rather unjustly, found themselves heading into the break a goal down.After a left-wing corner had broken down, Ashley Young was allowed space 30 yards from goal to beat a defender and send over another excellent cross. Then Jonjo Shelvey’s beautifully weighted through ball played Murphy through on goal, only for him to roll a shot narrowly wide of the far post.They were misses that looked like they may prove costly as United grew into the game, even though the hosts hardly troubled Newcastle prior to the equaliser.Thereafter, it looked like being a tough afternoon for Newcastle, with Martial threatening twice in the opening exchanges of the second half.The first of those chances saw the Frenchman miskick completely from six yards, following a clever piece of play from Lukaku, although the miss would not prove too costly.In the 54th minute, the three points appeared secure as Pogba marked a memorable comeback with a goal of his own.Juan Mata’s pass sent Lukaku sprinting into the area from the right flank and his far-post cross was headed down, selflessly and intelligently, by Rashford to present Pogba with the simplest of close-range finishes.Newcastle still had something to offer, with Murphy’s magnificent 25-yard shot being tipped over expertly by De Gea.But after 70 minutes, Lukaku played a neat one-two with Mata, Ciaran Clark failed to intercept and the Belgian was able to take his time before launching a shot into the roof of the net.Share on: WhatsApp
Justin Rose waves to the crowd on the 18th green after firing a first-round 65 in the 2019 US Open at Pebble BeachPebble Beach, United States | AFP | Justin Rose roared home with three straight birdies to match Tiger Woods’ record for the lowest US Open round ever shot at Pebble Beach, a six-under par 65 that gave him a one-shot lead after the first round on Thursday.England’s Rose, who won the 2013 US Open at Merion, vaulted over a quartet of players sharing second on five-under-par 66 as Pebble Beach showed a welcoming face in cool, overcast conditions with little wind.Americans Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele and South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Aaron Wise were in the clubhouse on 66 when Rose stormed home.“It was amazing,” said Rose, who rolled in a 10-footer for birdie at the 16th and drained a 26-footer for birdie at the par-three 17th.He took sole possession of the lead at the last, blasting out of a greenside bunker and draining an 11-foot birdie putt.Rose wasn’t getting too carried away, calling it a “very small step towards an outcome”.Knowing he had equalled the 65 shot by Woods in the first round on the way to his crushing 15-shot US Open triumph at Pebble Beach in 2000, Rose gave a restrained fist pump.“I was thinking, ‘This would be kind of cool doing it front of the great man himself,’” said Rose, who played alongside Woods and Jordan Spieth.Woods produced an outstanding performance on the greens as he scrambled to a one-under par 70.Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka headed a group on two-under 69.Scott Piercy teed off before 7am and quickly showed that Pebble Beach was there for the taking, moving as low as five-under before finishing on four-under 67. He was joined there in a tie for sixth by fellow American Nate Lashley.Reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy were among a group of eight players on three-under 68. – Woods ‘trying to hang in’ –That group also included Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who climbed the leaderboard with four straight birdies coming in, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, and Americans Sepp Straka, Gary Woodland, Chez Reavie and Chesson Hadley.After the US Golf Association was stung by criticism over course conditions at last year’s US Open at wind-dried Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach’s small, slanting greens were moist and receptive.“The putting surfaces are as good as I’ve seen them,” said Koepka, although he and the rest of the field fully expect them to firm up as the week goes on.Afternoon starter Koepka, who can become just the second player to win three straight US Opens and the first in more than a century, applied pressure on the leaders as he raced to four-under through six holes.He followed a bogey at eight with a birdie at 12, but was three-under after a bogey at 13 and dropped a shot from a greenside bunker at the par-three 17th.His tee shot at 18 found an asphalt cart path, but he hit his second shot off the deck on the way to a par, missing a four-foot birdie putt at 18.“I would have liked to have shot a couple more (under par),” Koepka said. “But considering how I hit it coming in, I’m pretty pleased. Two-under, I didn’t shoot myself out of it. I’m right there.”Woods, who captured his 15th major title at the Masters in April to cement his return in the wake of spinal fusion surgery, followed his first birdie at the fourth with a double-bogey at the par-three fifth, where his tee shot bounced off a cart path into deep rough. He rebounded with back-to-back birdies, then parred his last 11 holes.He drained a 30-footer to save par at the 14th after his second shot landed in dense rough. He needed just 25 putts on the round.“I was just trying to hang in there,” Woods said.Share on: WhatsApp
In a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida, a woman claims Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions after the wide receiver hired her as a personal trainer. She claims Brown sexually assaulted her three different times in 2017 and 2018, but Brown’s attorney says the two had a “consensual personal relationship.” The 1_Complaint says that Brown — in three separate incidents, two in June 2017 and another in May 2018 — sexually assaulted a woman named Britney Taylor, a gymnast whom he met while they were attending Central Michigan together and whom he later hired as a trainer.The lawsuit was filed one day after Brown, 31, became a Patriot following a brief, turbulent tenure with the Oakland Raiders that ended when he requested his release last week. Late Tuesday night, the Patriots issued a statement saying that the N.F.L. planned to do its own investigation of the accusations against Brown.“Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit,” said a statement from Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Brown. “He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations.”Brown recently signed with the New England Patriots after he was released from the Oakland Raiders.The Pats signed Brown last weekend after the Oakland Raiders cut the four-time All Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. The New England Patriots will be back at practice today but it’s uncertain whether the newly-signed wide receiver will be on the practice field. The defending Super Bowl champs had the day off Tuesday, the same day a woman filed suit against Brown, accusing him of sexually assaulting her.
According to the affidavit, investigators found that the victim informed a school guidance counselor about the abuse last year. The 10-year-old said that the sexual abuse started when she was 9 years old. Palm Beach police say a registered sex offender is accused of raping a 10-year-old child in West Palm Beach multiple times. The affidavit said a sibling of the victim saw Dryden in the child’s bedroom together on multiple occasions. The sibling said they told the victim’s mother about the abuse, but she did not believe them, and Dryden denied the allegations.A medical evaluation on the child confirmed that she was sexually abused.Police then arrested 28-year-old Ronnie Dryden of Davie, Florida for failure to register as a sexual offender during the initial investigation as a separate case. Dryden faces charges of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12.
The City of Fort Lauderdale is reversing course on its gym reopening policy.Gym owners in the city could now be risking fines of $15,000 a day if they decide to open.On Monday, city officials gave gyms permission to open, but are now advising them to remain closed until Broward County declares they can return to business.Broward officials issued an order last week stating that gyms are to remain closed until further notice.Nonetheless, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis signed an executive order on Saturday night that allowed gyms in that city to open.He cited an order by Gov. Ron DeSantis stating that fitness centers across Florida could open as long as they follow safety rules and operate at 50 percent capacity. Now, Broward Vice Mayor Steve Geller warns that gyms that dare to open would be in violation of the county order, bringing on a $15,000 daily penalty.“It’s almost like they want to show who’s boss here,” Trantalis says of county officials.Gyms that opened on Monday do not need to worry about being fined just yet.“We felt it would be unfair to fine them,” Geller explains, citing the contradictory city and county orders.However, county officials will send letters to gyms that opened, informing them they are violating the county order and could be fined if they do not close.“We expect gyms to open sometime next week as long as they follow safety protocols,” Geller said. “We brought in a doctor [at Tuesday’s county meeting] who said gyms should require a 10-foot separation between machines or put up plastic separation or have people wear masks. All we are trying to do is follow safety protocols.”Fort Lauderdale Challenges Broward County’s Order to Keep Gyms Closed
While most schools in Broward and Palm Beach Counties have opted to push the start date for on campus classes back a week due to the coronavirus, one Palm Beach school still plans to open it’s doors this week.Berean Christian School near West Palm Beach says they are ready to welcome students back on August 5th.The private pre-school through 12th grade school says they have done everything in there power to make coming back to school as safe as possible for both students and teachers:“We’ve spent close to $20,000 on PPE equipment, so we kind of feel like we are getting to a point where we are doing as much as is required of us to make this as safe as possible. We also will not be assigning lockers until we get further down into maybe a phase two area. We will have stairwells that are up and some that are down. We are trying to minimize the traffic as much as we can in the hallways, ” William Dupere said.In addition to those previsions Dupere says classes will operate at 50% of their capacity with students being on campus during AM or PM shifts, temperature checks will be administered upon entering the campus, both teachers and students will be required to wear and that there will be sanitizer bottles in all common areas.Some of the students have also opted to continue virtual learning, while many others will complete some classes on campus and other classes virtually to cut down on the amount of students on campus at any one time.
5 Nov 2013 England Golf loses two Past Presidents England Golf lost two eminent Past Presidents during the autumn, 83-year-old Peter Dutton and John Hall, who would have turned 95 on Christmas Eve. Cheshire-based Dutton was English Golf Union President in 1989 and lived a busy and colourful life inside and outside of golf. It is true to say his life centred on sport and music while he also had an avid interest in railways. Peter became involved in golf early on and was captain at Prenton Golf Club at the age of 31 and a couple of years ago the club honoured him with a dinner to celebrate 50 years since his captaincy. He was an accomplished golfer, getting down to a single figure handicap, and won the Cheshire Foursomes Championship at Prenton in 1967 with Jack Woodcock. Over 600 people attended his funeral at St Stephens Church in Prenton, which was an indication of the remarkable number of lives touched by him in some way or another down the years. He was chairman of his parish council at one stage and president of amateur football club Liverpool Ramblers, while he was also a season ticket holder at Liverpool FC. His musical interests involved singing with the choir at St Stephens Church and with a local group. Back in the 1980s, the EGU president also doubled as the union’s chairman but Peter felt this was too much so he bravely split the roles, nominating John Flanders as the EGU’s first chairman. It was a radical move at the time and he received a certain amount of opposition. However, he won the day. Peter was also an avid supporter of junior golf and was a regular traveller with England for the European Boys Team Championship. His interest in junior golf saw him donate the trophy which is now played for in the English Junior Champion Club event. Peter leaves a wife Ann and children Richard, Howard and Sally and six grand children. John Hall’s life was also sport orientated. Born and bred in Morpeth, Northumberland, it is told he joined Morpeth Golf Club as an eight year old. Educated at King Edward Grammar School in the town, he studied dentistry at Durham University before becoming a dentist at Bedlington. In World War II he joined the Medical Corps reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving in India and Burma. In peace time, John was always involved in sport. He loved cricket and golf and played rugby at university. He represented the army and said he played at all the major grounds such as Twickenham, Murrayfield and Cardiff Arms Park but missed Lansdowne Road in Dublin. A founder member of Morpeth Rugby Club, however he devoted much of his time to golf, both playing and administering. He joined the Northumberland Executive and was county president in 1969 and ’70. His association with the EGU began in the early 1970s when he represented Northumberland on the Council. He also joined the R&A and served on its Amateur Status Committee and became EGU president in 1979. He formed great friendships with many but especially Neil Hodgkin, another former EGU president and the architect of the EGU’s move to Woodhall Spa. He was also a passionate follower of all the English amateur tournaments, the Home Internationals as well as the Walker and Curtis Cups and could be seen attending events at home and abroad until quite recently, usually with his great friend George Logan. His wife Gladys predeceased him but he leaves a daughter, Diane.
Another game at New England against Tom Brady ends in another loss, this time in embarrassing fashion. The team should certainly be ashamed of the display they put on as they allowed the most yards against them in the history of the franchise (610), they allowed 55 points and they were outscored 31-7 after tying the game in the 3rd quarter. The defense was atrocious, as one might imagine. Tom Brady put on a show, as he always does against the Steelers and the ability to stop Rob Gronkowski was non existent. This team had no answers and no ability to stay with the speedy New England offense. It almost looked like the varsity was playing the JV squad. That’s what it’s come to however, for this 2-6 bunch, being referred to as a JV squad. They had a few guys who showed they were capable of playing varsity ball, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerricho Cotchery, Lawrence Timmons and perhaps Antonio Brown but other than that, this team was out matched, out schemed and of course out played. The offensive line successfully proved once again that they are one of the worst in the league. If I didn’t know any better I’d venture a guess that none of the linemen care for Ben Roethlisberger because it sure seems like they are trying to get him killed or at least hurt very badly. The franchise quarterback was sacked five times and hit seven more. How he hasn’t come out of a game on a stretcher yet is beyond my comprehension. But make no mistake about it, this 2-6 mark is everyone but Big Ben’s fault. There is only so much one man can do and Big Ben is doing it. He put up another 400 yards and four touchdowns. He did have three turnovers but when you are rushed as often as he was, hit as often as he was and have your receivers and backs run the wrong routes or block the wrong side of the field, what can you expect? At 2-6; the season is long gone. It’s time to play for pride, time to find out who’s going to be on this roster in 2014 and find out if these coaches have the ability to maintain a locker room and motivate guys who have nothing to play for. The second half schedule has games that are winnable, well, for the Steelers of old but the tables have turned, the Steelers are now the team on the schedule that every team wants to play and the Steelers need to prove those teams wrong.Mike Pelaia hosts the website Steel Nation Association www.steelnationassociation.com- Covering the Steelers and helping Children’s Hospital All Day Everyday. You can e-mail him at mike@steelnationassociation.com. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) and cornerback Ike Taylor (24) tackle New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 55-31. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)