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Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

THE Magpies surrendered a half time advantage to go down 2-1 to Barnet in filthy conditions at The Hive. The constant wind was joined intermittently by driving rain as both teams went at early. The frantic pace made for exciting watching.

Ntumba Massanka and Marcus Carver tested Scott Loach with decent efforts, but the hosts were the more fluid going forward. The quick-footed duo of Mauro Vilhete and David Tutonda caused a number of problems down both flanks, with both creating chances close to Matt Urwin’s goal that were wasted by Josh Walker and Medy Elito.

The Bees continued to press and looked the most likely to break the deadlock, until a Jake Cottrell corner on 31 minutes was headed back in by Martin Smith, nudged on by Lewis Baines and spectacularly overhead kicked home by Carver. That was as good as it got for the visitors, however, as Barnet hit back after the break. The equaliser came from the penalty spot after an hour following a Matt Challoner foul on Medy Elito; Sub Jack Taylor dispatched past an unlucky Urwin.

Then, with 10 minutes remaining, and the conditions as worse as ever, Mauro Vilhete was in the right place at the right time to beat Urwin after the ‘keeper had initially thwarted Walker one-on-one.

Barnet: Loach; Alexander, Johnson, Reynolds (c), Dunne, Boucaud (Taylor, 46′), Vilhete, Elito (Fonguck, 81′), Walker, Tutonda, Sweeney (Mason-Clark, 53′). Subs not used: Matrevics, Akinola.
Chorley: Urwin; Challoner, Meppen-Walters, Carver (A.Newby, 60′), E.Newby (O’Keefe, 78′), Ross, Cottrell (c) (Almond, 83′), Smith, Baines, Nortey, Massanka. Subs not used: Dodds, Eccles.
HT 0-1 / FT 2-1
Goals: Taylor (pen, 62′), Vilhete (80′); Carver (31′)
Cautions: Dunne (33′), Walker (68′); E.Newby (26′), Nortey (54′), Massanka (85′)
Dismissals: None Referee: James Durkin
Assistants: Shaun Farrer & Craig Green
Fourth official: Scott Williams
Attendance: 1,040
Coming up: The Emirates FA Cup first round proper. We travel to EFL League Two’s Mansfield Town next Saturday, with tickets only available in-person at Victory Park (on the day tickets only if our allocation doesn’t sell out) priced £15 adults, £10 65+/under-18s & £5 under-12s.

Away travel costs £20 and is available to book online or in person.

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

adidas has announced a limited edition Blackburn SPEZIAL trainer.
The new shoe will be launched at a SPEZIAL exhibition in the town next month – with tens of thousands of people expected to attend. The Blackburn SPZL has been created by Darwen adidas designer Gary Aspden and is the lead release from the adidas Spezial AW19 range. A special run of 200 will sport the Nightsafe logo – with all proceeds from the sale going to the Blackburn charity which helps homeless and vulnerable youngsters and will be exclusively available from the exhibition. The green and red used in its design is inspired by the red rose of Lancashire.

Councillor Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Executive Member for Growth and Development, said: This all came out of a conversation during a chance meeting on the street in Darwen during one of Gary’s visits home.

Since then a lot of work has taken place behind the scenes and it’s just brilliant that the shoe and exhibition is now a reality. I think that says a lot about the attitude we have here, making sure we grasp every opportunity. There is a growing interest in Blackburn from some really talented people, like Gary.

Without a doubt the best creative projects are really driving improvements and now we have a global brand Adidas coming. I’m really looking forward to seeing the town come to life and lots of different people getting involved.
We are also expecting some national and international visitors. Businesses will benefit and also Nightsafe is going to get another boost. The adidas SPEZIAL exhibition will showcase the evolution of adidas footwear past and present in the magnificent Cotton Exchange.

It’ll be part of the first-ever British Textile Biennial – with Blackburn being a hub of events. Curated by Gary, a brand consultant for adidas and designer of the SPEZIAL range, the exhibition features shoes from his personal archive alongside those of other fellow adidas collectors – 1000 pairs of adidas trainers.

Highlights of the exhibition will be numerous versions of the vintage adidas ‘City Series’ models with a full archive of the adidas SPEZIAL range giving context to a new City Series silhouette – the adidas Blackburn SPZL. The adidas Blackburn SPZL is the lead release from the adidas Spezial AW19 range, and is named after the town where Gary spent much of his youth which has been a key inspiration in his work.

A full programme of events including gigs, talks and screenings will take place within the exhibition space, featuring special guests and friends of adidas. All proceeds will go to the Nightsafe charity. Hanon store will have a pop-up space in the exhibition retailing Spezial product.

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Burnley Leisure has announced the launch of its new “bistro” dining experience in the tranquil surroundings of Towneley estate and golf club.
Bistro 197 has relocated to the golf clubhouse from its former premises just across the road from the Todmorden Road entrance to the golf course, into a larger venue and offering a new menu.

Husband-and-wife team Daniel and Natalie Stevenson met working in a local resturant at the age of 15 and have built up a passion for creating delicious food. Daniel later travelled the world, spending time in Spain and two years working on the Queen Mary Cunard cruise liner.

Mark Dempsey, the leisure trust’s hospitality general manager, said: “We’re really proud to be partnering with another great local family business.
The opening of the new Bistro 197 has enabled both Burnley Leisure, and Daniel and Natalie, to invest in Towneley Golf Club’s future. We have extensively refurbished the bistro and bar, introduced a new wine list and added premium lager and cash ales with excellent food and service to match.” Burnley Leisure’s head of group operations Neil Hutchinson said: “This is another exciting expansion of our portfolio of facilities.

We are proud to be investing in and securing the future of another of our local iconic buildings, supporting the local economy and complementing our other facilities in the borough.” The partnership is a further extension of the hospitality arm of Burnley Leisure whcih already has bistro and food outlets at the Mechanics Theatre, Prairie Sports Village and Thompson Park.

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

The EFL Board met on Tuesday 27th August and, after a long and detailed discussion, determined that Bury FC’s membership of the English Football League be withdrawn after the deadline passed at 5pm without a successful resolution. Despite repeated requests to its owner Mr Dale over a sustained period of time, the necessary evidence in respect of how the Club would meet its financial commitments, has simply not been provided and, as a result, attentions turned to securing new ownership at the Club.

At its meeting on 24 August 2019, the Board agreed a short extension to 5pm Tuesday 27 August to enable Mr Dale and the Club to explore the possibility of a proposed sale with C&N Sporting Risk Limited, with Mr Dale having accepted their offer. Following due diligence, C&N Sporting Risk Limited opted not to pursue its interest. Therefore, having fully considered all available options, including a number of late expressions of interest provided to the EFL, the EFL Board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.

The EFL Board had maintained that there could be no further suspensions to the fixture list and that these ongoing concerns and the integrity of the competition were a significant factor in the decision. Recent events have highlighted how decisions taken at Bury FC over the last few seasons have caused the Club and individuals close to it significant financial distress and there are a number of matters which, in our view, will require further investigation.

League One will now comprise of 23 Clubs for the remainder of the campaign and relegation places in the division reduced to three, which will result in a full complement of 24 Clubs in 2020/21. A discussion will take place with EFL Clubs on the consequential impact in League Two when Clubs next meet in September 2019.

Debbie Jevans CBE, EFL Executive Chair, said: “Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the League’s recent history. The EFL has worked determinedly and tirelessly to avoid this outcome and it is with a heavy heart that this situation has been forced upon us.

“The EFL has to place the integrity of our competitions at the heart of every decision we make, and we simply cannot allow this unacceptable situation to continue or countenance the prospect of postponing further fixtures.
“I understand this will be a deeply upsetting and devastating time for Bury’s players, staff, supporters and the wider community.

There is no doubt today’s news will be felt across the entire football family.
“No one wanted to be in this position but following repeated missed deadlines, the suspension of five League fixtures, in addition to not receiving the evidence we required in regard to financial commitments and a possible takeover not materialising; the EFL Board has been forced to take the most difficult of decisions.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Following the news that the Bolton Wanderers takeover has been completed, the EFL has released the following statement.
Debbie Jevans CBE, Executive Chair, said:

“On behalf of the EFL Board, I am pleased that the administrators appointed in respect of Bolton Wanderers Football Club have today concluded the transfer of assets with Football Ventures to place the Club under new ownership and out of administration.

“Having worked closely with the administrators since their appointment in May, the EFL has been focused on working through this difficult and complex period of uncertainty with all parties. “Following the completion of the sale, the Club is no longer in administration and the notice of withdrawal issued as per the EFL’s insolvency policy has been cancelled.
“These past few months have undoubtedly been challenging and, at times fraught – never more so in the past few days – and I would like to thank all parties for their efforts in achieving the desired outcome.

“I would also like to place on record my grateful appreciation and thanks to the players, former and present management, staff and supporters for their patience and understanding in allowing us to get to this point. “Everyone at the EFL is now looking forward to working with the new ownership during the 2019/20 campaign and beyond.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Burnley-born Jay Rodriguez has returned home after the Clarets swooped to sign the striker from West Bromwich Albion.

The 29-year-old, who began his career within the Academy at Turf Moor, has signed a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, with further one-year option.

The move completes the circle for Rodriguez, who left for Southampton in 2012 in a then record deal, having scored 41 goals in 129 appearances during his first spell with Burnley and earned England U21 recognition.

Rodriguez also earned a full England cap in 2013, when he appeared for the Three Lions against Chile at Wembley Stadium.

And after putting pen to paper on his new deal, bringing to an end his two-year spell with the Baggies, Sean Dyche’s second summer signing flew to Portugal on Monday evening to join fellow new boy Erik Pieters and the rest of the Clarets squad.

The Burnley fans’ love affair with ‘one of their own’ was instant, from the moment the rookie front-man graduated through the ranks to make the Burnley first team in 2007.

Following a loan spell with Stirling Albion in the second half of the season, he scored his first Burnley goal by grabbing the winner against Fulham in the League Cup in September, 2008.

The goals soon flowed, although Rodriguez was used sparingly during the Clarets’ first foray into the Premier League in 2009, following promotion via the play-off final at Wembley where Rodriguez appeared as a late substitution.

However, following relegation back to the Championship, Rodriguez spearheaded the Clarets attack, and scored 15 times in the 2010-11 campaign and landing both the Player and Players’ Player of the Year awards.

The following season, he scored 21 goals in total and won a place in the PFA Championship team of the year and made his England U21 debut against Italy.

By now, however, his goalscoring exploits had attracted a number of admirers and he became the Clarets then record sale when he was lured to newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton in the summer of 2012.

He scored 35 goals in five seasons on the south coast, where a serious knee injury ruled him out of a shot at the World Cup in 2014 and sidelined him for over a year.

In the summer of 2017, he was again on the move to WBA in a four-year deal, where his goalscoring exploits brought 33 goals in 84 appearances, including 22 goals in the 2018/19 season to help Albion make the Championship play-offs.

Now, Rodriguez is back where it all began, reigniting a love affair with his hometown club as Burnley gear up for a fourth successive season in the Premier League.

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Figuring out what time of the day you play golf best at can be difficult. One day you may play at 7.30 in the morning and shoot under your handicap, but then a week later play the worst you have in a long time.
But, is it all just in our heads? Is there really a “best” time to play golf? Well, I suppose it depends if we’re talking about competition or social golf.
If you really love golf, whenever someone asks you to play a social golf you tend to accept the invitation. Most of the time this is after work. The only time I would advise not to play social golf is right behind a competition, as you will be stuck on the course for a long time…a very long time.

If you are new to the sport then avoiding mornings could be beneficial. This tends to be when most golfers play and having a group of established golfers playing behind you may put you off, and you may not enjoy it.
If possible aim for mid-afternoon, as this is when courses tend to be quieter. This way you can play at your own pace and maybe even drop a couple of balls down if there is a shot you are struggling with. Overall, this should make your round a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.
However in a competition, there may be a “good” time to tee off, although there are many variables that may make this change on a day-by-day basis. For example, if you look back the 2016 Open Championship, it was very apparent that there was a desirable side of the draw.

The players that played late on Thursday and early Friday arguably got the better of the conditions. In fact, the top 14 after 36 holes all played later on the Thursday then early on the Friday. The first half of the draw were a combined 175 over par, with the latter half over double that at 362 over par. In competitions I have always favoured playing around 10-11am, although you could say my performances over the past few years would suggest I should think about changing that. After looking into my scores compared with the time I teed off, it is apparent that between 3 and 4pm is actually a better time for me to play. And 4pm is a time that Dr Charles Czeisler, the director of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, believes “golfers might perform best.”

But why?
Well, 4pm is the time your body is coming out of a period when the desire to sleep was strong. During the late afternoon, we are catching a second wind, which is actually a real phenomenon. Czeisler said: “Every study of shift work reveals that people on the 3pm-11pm shift are most productive.”
But what about that person who tees off at 7.30am every Saturday and always seems to be in the prizes I hear you ask? Well, every golfer is different and many cannot bear to be stood waiting over every shot, hence why an early tee time is more desirable. To add, many club golfers mainly play due to their enjoyment of the sport, not necessarily to compete.
This tee time is also the only time some golfers can get to be able to play in competitions. Local Saturday/Sunday tournaments tend to fill up reasonably quickly so taking any available time slot is the only option for some.

However, it turns out that this is possibly the worst time of day that you could choose to play golf, and more so expect a good score.
This is because your body is less flexible, your mind is half asleep and your body-mind connection isn’t quite what it should be when you’re tired. Dr Czeisler said: “It would be the absolute nadir of performance preparedness,” to play really early in the morning. “You will be less flexible, your coordination will be off a little, your judgement will not be as good and your short term memory would be affected.”

So there you have it. If you want to be at your very best and potentially end up in the prizes, you should play at 4pm.

Lancashire News, Lancs Leisure, Lancs Sport, Lancs What's On

Barrow BID has teamed up with The Super Soapbox Challenge Company Ltd, a professional event organiser, to host a major soapbox race in Barrow-in-Furness town centre later this year. The event takes place on Barrow’s high street on Saturday 29th June and will become an annual event, attracting crowds that have topped 20,000 people in other locations.
The races will take place throughout the day, with the wild and whacky soapbox carts hurtling down a huge ramp to launch themselves down the course. Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards will be starting the event and launching himself down the ramp to set the first time of the day. Prizes will be for the fastest times of the day, but there will also be a number of other prizes including; ‘most innovative cart design’, ‘best turned-out soapbox crew’ and ‘joker of the day’.

Given Barrow’s engineering heritage, it is hoped that the event will attract plenty of well-built carts although entries so far have come from as far away as Manchester. There are two prices for team entry, the first is £400 inc VAT for businesses and companies who will gain significant promotion as part of the event. The second price is £200 inc VAT for; individuals, charities, not-for-profit organisations, emergency services and armed forces, which is an affordable price to provide access to this prestige event. As well as the racing itself, culminating in the cork-popping, prize-giving ceremony, there will be a large funfair, live music and lots of food and drink concessions.

If you would like to enter a team in the event visit: www.supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk/barrow Follow this event and other events in Barrow on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/visitbarrow

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Following questions being raised by supporters relating to the early kick-off for the forthcoming home fixture against Preston North End, Blackburn rovers would like to clarify why the kick-off time was moved. Following the announcement and release of the 2018-19 fixtures last June, discussions were held with the Police around the fixtures that would attract a sell-out of the away end.

Preston North End and Leeds United were the two games identified as attracting away support in excess of 7,500 and therefore a mutually agreed decision was reached by the club and the Police for these two homes games to have the kick-off times brought forward.

For the visit of Preston North End, due consideration was given to the game being a local derby, previous encounters between the two clubs, the large away allocation and the short distance for the Preston fans to travel.The impact on the wider Blackburn public and those residents living in close vicinity to Ewood Park was also taken into account. We realise that by moving the start time will cause inconvenience to some of our home supporters and we can only apologise for that impact on those affected.

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

With support from Proffitts – Investing in Communities, work to create Rishton United Football Club’s new £306K home ground at Norden Recreation Ground is nearing completion. The work will help to improve and protect Norden Valley Playing Fields in Rishton for future generations of football players. The move comes after Hyndburn Council granted the club a 25 year lease for the site which enabled the club to establish this land as their home ground and apply for funding from Sport England and the Lancashire Football Association, who require a twenty-five year lease as an essential part of any funding application. Funding for the £306,000 refurbishment scheme has also come from Lancashire Environmental Fund, Newground Together and Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ fund with a contribution being made by Hyndburn Council.

Drainage and levelling works to the grass areas has allowed more pitches to be created and therefore more game time. A new fence installed around the pitches will prevent horses and motorbikes damaging the playing surface. The work has also included a seating area for visitors and spectators and improved access paths.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Leader of the Council, said; “We are committed to helping local communities access quality sporting facilities and so it’s great to see to see this project for Rishton nearing completion. It will not only provide the town’s football club with a home ground, but it will also help develop and inspire the next generation of footballers in the area.” Chic Kelly, Rishton Utd FC Chairman, said; “We are really excited to see the project progressing and finally bringing local grass roots football back to Rishton. Our teams have had to travel across the Borough to play matches and attend training so this will be welcomed by everyone to have our own home ground. Whilst we’ve spent 7 years on this project there’s still some fund raising to organise to ensure we complete phase 2 and provide changing facilities and a club house.”

Martin Proffit of Proffitts, Investing in Communities, said; “We’ve been working with the club on this idea since 2012. Together we have overcome many hurdles to get to the stage we are at today. With thanks to the funders involved Rishton United can now provide a great place to train and play for the benefit of many teams throughout Hyndburn for many years to come”.
John Townend, Trustee of Newground Together, said: “By reinvigorating the site, we hope to boost membership to attract more people, in particular young people and women back to the club.”

Fellow Trustee of Newground Together, Laurence Loft, added: “This is a great example of what can be achieved when partners work together. In addition to improving security and maintenance, we expect the landscaping to promote biodiversity on the site.”