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F A launches “Respect” scheme

The FA have introduced a new programme which is designed to promote respect in all levels of football and embodies players officials and fans taking part in matches. Over recent years there has been an influx of cases which seem to suggest that anti social behaviour is infiltrating the game at all levels.

The “Respect” programme aims to address this issue and find a mutually beneficial way in which everybody can keep the passion but lose the abuse and harassment which is commonplace in the game.

It has been suggested that one in three matches last season saw some type of disorder, whether this be on the pitch or from within the terraces and it is thought that this is having a profound affect on attendance levels – particularly within the lower leagues. Families are said to be put off by the foul and abusive language which is common within the stadiums and it is this large section of the country which the FA are targeting to experience live football in the future.

With today’s technological breakthroughs, it is all too easy for people to reject going to watch their local team and switch on the television instead and this new FA initiative hopes to entice more families through the turnstiles.

The main features which are being introduced are making the teams shake hands with each other before the kick off in every match in the Football League, and also restricting the amount of access which the players have to the referee by placing more importance on the captains.

The success which this will have is debatable though – especially on crowd attendances where I would suggest that capping the admission prices per league would yield a much greater reward.

Robbie Williams to miss Unicef game

Stoke’s finest, and ardent Port Vale fan, Robbie Williams has picked up a knee injury that will keep him out of a Unicef charity game rematch against chef Gordon Ramsey’s ‘Rest of the World’ side.

The original game took place in 2006 where Robbie’s England IX defeated Ramsay’s rest of the World, despite Ramsay having Diego Maradonna in their line up.

The rematch is scheduled for September 7th and will be held at Wembley, screened on ITV and hosted by Ant and Dec. Both sides will feature 11 celebs, and 5 former professional footballers. The idea for the game was thought up by Robbie Williams and his friend Jonathan Wilkes.

Robbie spoke of his disappointment at missing the game:

Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life.

I’m gutted that this time around my knee isn’t up to it so, unfortunately, I’m out of the game.

Robbie’s replacement hasn’t been chosen yet, but his are a sizable pair of boots to fill. Whoever it is will have to captain a side featuring Alan Shearer, Jamie Redknap and Gareth Gates???

Ramsay’s team features former United legend Peter Schmeichel. The first game was won by Robbie’s team 2-1, despite Maradonna scoring a penalty, and raised a staggering £2.6 million for charity.

The League Play-Offs 2008 - League Two Stockport V Rochdale

Two Greater Manchester Sides battle it out for the League Two play off final on Monday as Stockport face Rochdale. Stockport County under the guidance of former County great Jim Gannon reached the final after finishing fourth in the league. The narrowly beat Wycombe 1-0 in the second leg to reach the final, County have been the bottom football league for some time but manager Jim Gannon as done well on a limited budget and has set his sights on the Champion Ship.

Rochdale have remained in the bottom league since 1974, the longest any club has ever stayed in the bottom tier. A victory over County would be an amazing feat for manager Keith Hill. Dale reached the final after beating
Darlington 5-4 on penalties following a 3-3 draw.

Odds are with County who have won at Wembley on four previous occasions.

Doncaster promoted to Championship

Doncaster won the battle of Yorkshire this afternoon beating Leeds United 1-0 in the League One play-off to gain promotion to the Championship. The one goal just after half time from striker James Hayter was enought to seal victory.

Leeds huffed and puffed but they were unable to get past the impressive Sullivan in the Doncaster goal. The nearest Leeds games was a shit from Beckford which was easily saved by Sullivan. Really Doncaster should have taken the lead earlier and gone on to score more.

Similar to Hull who were promoted to the top flight yesterday Doncaster have risen through the leaves. It was only four seasons ago they were playing in the conference. The League Two final takes place tomorrow between Stockport and Rochdale.

Leeds secure final place

Leeds United continued their amazing season beating Carlisle last night to grab a place in the League Two play-off final. A last gasp goal from Jonathan Howson secured a 2-0 win on the night go progress 3-2 on aggregate. The goal in 90th minute was Howson’s second of the game after his first ten minutes into the match had put the tie level.

Carlisle had taken a 2-1 lead into the second leg at home and with a crowd of 12,873 but they were not good enough to keep the lead. Howson, 19, gave the away side the lead driving the ball home from a Dougie Freedman cross.

It seemed that the game was going to go into extra time, but Howson’s third of the season, a low shot into the bottom corner sealed the win and a place at Wembley. Leeds will face either Doncaster or Southend who play tonight after a first leg score of 0-0.

Westlake to remain a Seagull

League One giants Leeds United have given rivals Brighton permission to extend the loan of Ian Westlake until the end of the season.

Westlake,24 was due to return to Elland Road after this weekend’s match with Port Vale but he now remains free to stay on the south coast a little longer.

Spekaing to Sky Sports, Dean Wikins stated –

“Ian has shown he brings balance to the side, for the obvious reason of being left-footed, but he also brings an enthusiasm and a personality which fills in well with the club.”

It has also been disclosed that should the Seagulls make the League One play offs, then he would be eligible to play, although not against his parent club should Leeds also achieve a top six position.

Leeds close in on play off positions

The most unlikely of promotions is still on the cards today after Leeds United left South Yorkshire with maximum points against rivals Doncaster Rovers.

United were deducted fifteen points at the start of the season and just so survive in League
One would have been a monumental achievement. Yet the Elland Road outfit now find themselves back in the play off spots after this hard fought victory.

The home side bossed much of the game with visiting keeper Casper Ankergren making a string of fine saves to keep his side in it.

Yet the game was ultimately won in the twentieth minute was Alan Sheehan’s outstanding free kick left former Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan with no chance.

There is still some debate whether or not the initial fifteen point penalty will stand, but at the moment Gary McAllister’s side are proving that this could well be irrelevant.

Where will your team finish?

Its that time of year where things start getting decided again folks!

One teams delirium is matched by another’s desperate plunge into the abyss.

But who do you think will be the movers and shakers this season?

The Pieman has been thinking about this over the past couple of days and would like to make the following predictions –
Premier League Winners – Manchester United
Relegated from the Premier League – Derby, Fulham, Bolton

Championship Winners – West Brom
Also Promoted – Stoke City
Play offs – Hull City, Bristol City, Watford, Wolves
Relegated from Championship – Colchester, Scunthorpe, Barnsley

League One Winners – Swansea
Also Promoted – Carlisle United
Play Offs – Doncaster, Southend, Notts Forest, Leeds
Relegated – Port Vale, Luton, Bournemouth, Millwall

League Two Winners – MK Dons
Also Promoted – Peterborough, Hereford
Play offs – Darlington, Rochdale, Stockport, Wycombe
Relegated – Mansfield, Wrexham

Conference winners – Aldershot
Play offs – Torquay, Burton, Exeter, Stevenage
Relegated – Droylsden, Stafford, Halifax, Altrincham

Champions League Winners – Manchester United
UEFA Cup Winners - Rangers
FA Cup Winners – West Brom

Port Vale hoping to avoid unwanted record

League One side Port Vale go into tonight’s match with rivals Crewe Alexandra with more than local pride to play for.

Vale are looking to halt a run of nine away defeats in succession – their worst run since 1971/2.

Even more astonishingly if the Alex were to claim maximum points this evening it would be Vale’s worst away run for over one hundred years. In 1895/6 the Valiants lost fifteen away matches on the bounce which is their current record.

The poor run of form which has seen Vale all but relegated to League Two began with the FA Cup defeat to non league Chasetown and has been followed up with reversals at Cheltenham, Notts Forest, Swansea, Hartlepool, Bristol Rovers, Doncaster, Millwall and Carlisle.

Within this period twenty goals have been conceded (which isn’t too bad I guess!) whilst only seven have been scored.

Boss Lee Sinnott has blamed a lack of continuity in the side as the cause of the poor run but Vale now need a minor miracle to avoid relegation to the league’s basement division.

Yeovil move in for Frenchman

League One side Yeovil Town have an international feel about them nowadays especially following their signing of former RC Lens midfielder Jean-Francois Christophe from Portsmouth today.

The Frenchman has signed for the Glovers initially on a one month loan deal and is expected to play some part in the clash with Millwall at Huish Park this evening.

Christophe,25, turned out for fellow League One side Bournemouth earlier this season and hit the net once in eleven matches.

Yeovil are said to be employing the Frenchman in a holding role behind the front two and at 6ft 2ins he certainly has the height for it!

Assistant manager Steve Thompson told the Western Daily Press that –

“Having a big midfielder is good for defending set pieces and attacking set pieces”.

We wish him the best of luck!

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