Officers who oversaw the policing of tMonday’s Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Derby County have thanked the majority of supporters for their good behaviour during the course of the evening’s match.
Superintendent Steve Cartwright, Nottinghamshire Police’s match
commander for the game, said: “Weeks of planning from Nottinghamshire
Police, Derbyshire Constabulary, the two clubs, supporters groups and a
host of other organisations go on behind-the-scenes to ensure the public
can enjoy these events safely, so we are pleased to report that the
evening has passed largely without incident thanks to the behaviour of
the majority of fans.
“However, I am disappointed by a small minority of so-called
supporters who continue to see these matches as an excuse to behave in
an antisocial way, needlessly putting the safety of both sets of
players, our officers and their fellow supporters at risk through their
actions.
“That said, I would again like to thank the majority of supporters
who did their teams proud, with most of the just under 29,000-strong
crowd inside the City Ground being able to enjoy the match – and the
evening as a whole – safely and sensibly.”
By 10.30pm on the evening of the match, four males had been arrested
in connection with incidents reported before, during and after the
match.
Officers will continue their work in the days that follow to
investigate further offences which have been reported during the course
of the evening.
In addition to the four arrests, another male was issued a Section 35
dispersal notice prior to kick-off, ordering him to leave the area
surrounding the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest football has been home to many iconic players throughout its illustrious past, perhaps none more so than former winger and cult hero Brian Rice. Brian, now 55 years old, has just landed the manager’s job at Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership having previously held assistant positions at Hibernian and St Mirren. I will return to his coaching toward the end of this piece but in the meantime prepare yourselves for a whirlwind of events during his time at Forest under Brian Clough.
Brian Rice joined Forest for £175,000 from Hibernian in August 1985. Liverpool were vying for Rice’s signature at the very same time but as the man himself explained, it was an easy choice to make. Brian had the following to say, “When I knew Brian Clough was in for me, having watched his great Forest sides over the years, there was only one place I wanted to go.”
Andrew Antcliff & Brian Rice
I asked Brian if he felt the pressure and expectancy of playing for a club whom five years previous were European champions. “It was more daunting following a man like John Robertson, who’s a God to the Nottingham Forest supporters. He’s an absolute legend, I was a massive fan of his, I’d watched Forest on the TV on that muddy City Ground pitch and seen this wee Scottish guy terrorising teams from all over Europe.” It was at this point during the conversation that I realised the two men actually crossed paths for a short while at Forest. Robertson had returned to the Reds from Derby in 1985 but featured in just a handful of matches for his former employers. Whilst the ageing legend’s contribution on the field was miniscule, his impact off it would prove to be pivotal in the development of 21 year old Rice at Nottingham Forest.
Brian revelled in his appraisal of Robertson as his mentor during those early days in Nottingham. “I was staying in the Balmoral Hotel and John would come down at night and have a drink and a chat. I was a young Scottish lad away from home and he’d been through that himself, he really took me under his wing.” Brian recalled a time when he and John Robertson went to a local nightclub, “We were in Madison’s (remember that?) And everyone was coming up to Robbo for his autograph (remember those, prior to selfies?). Robbo told me to look above his head where there was a huge picture of the man himself holding aloft the European Cup. That’s when it hit me, I was out with a guy who’d assisted and scored winning goals in the European Cup final and scored the winner for Scotland against England, it does ne get any better than that!”
Once Brian Rice had settled in at Forest he forged another great friendship with Stuart Pearce, who’d happen to sign on the very same day as him. The pair would socialise together before striking up a great on field understanding down the left flank at the City Ground. Brian then revealed a hilarious ritual that he and Pearce would engage in prior to kick off, “Pearce would beckon me to a quiet part of the dressing room as the lads went out for the warm up, then he’d get me to cut his fringe for him, I kid you not!”
Rice continued in his strong Lanarkshire accent, “Here’s the thing, I could ne draw a straight line with a ruler but he must have been chuffed because it became a regular thing.” On the field of play Rice and his teammates would be instrumental in Brian Clough’s second wave of trophy hunting. The young pretenders produced two consecutive third place finishes in the top flight of English football as well as reaching two consecutive FA Cup Semi Finals and winning two consecutive League Cups.
Mark Richardson & Brian Rice
I asked Rice what the secret to the team’s success was under Brian Clough? “First and foremost, it was great fun because everything was about doing things as a team and not as individuals. You never knew what the gaffer was going to do from one day to the next, five a side one day and then being told to bring your tennis racket the next. One time Cloughie told us to bring our passports with us to training, next thing we knew we’re on a plane to France. Every day was an adventure which made life great fun, and that was the beauty of it because it kept you on your toes.”
The next topic of conversation was all about THAT goal at Highbury, I remember it like it was yesterday. Arsenal v Forest in the FA Cup Quarter Final, with Forest hanging on to a slender lead Nigel Clough sprayed a defence splitting pass to Rice who carried the ball a good fifty yards before lobbing John Lukic with the deftest of chips.
That was my version of it but it would be remiss not to hear it from the man himself. “It was all about the ball from Nigel and my first touch” said Brian Rice. “When I went through I felt really confident even though I had England’s back four chasing me down. When I got to Lukic, who was a big lad, I waited for him to make the first move which he did by going down slightly. Then the instinct kicked in and importantly I managed to stay composed and just chip it over the top of him.” It’s no surprise to learn that Brian’s nickname has always been Chipper, which he earned those early years at Hibs.
I then asked if there were any comical encounters between Brian Rice and Brian Clough? “Aye,” said Rice with a pre chuckle brewing in his voice. “I was on the bench one Saturday, just seconds from kick off when Mr Clough ordered me to run onto the pitch, he told me to ask our No9 if he was giving his dad a lift home after the game. I felt like a right idiot as I sprinted over to Nigel and whispered the question, delaying the kick off in the process. Red faced, I returned to the bench where Clough senior asked for his son’s response.” “Well, what did he say?” asked Brian Clough. Rice tentatively relayed Nigel’s response by saying “Am I ****”
If column space permitted, I could have written at least three full pages about Brian Rice and his time at Nottingham Forest, which he emotionally described as the best days of his life. He produced some brilliant performances for Forest and weighed in with important goals too, like the winner against West Ham in 1986. The game is always remembered for Johnny Metgod’s stunning free kick but Brian Rice’s goal at the Trent End put a huge dent in the Hammers title hopes on an unforgettable evening.
Brian is still obsessed with football and has progressed through the coaching world following his retirement from playing the game. His appetite is insatiable and It was no surprise to see him land the Hamilton Job, his first as the main man in charge. He told me it would be a dream come true to coach at the City Ground one day and I for one wouldn’t bet against it, his favourite saying in football sums him up perfectly, “Hard work beats talent when talent does ne work hard.”
It was an absolute honour and a pleasure to interview such a wonderfully genuine guy, to this day Brian Rice has a great affinity for our fans and the City itself, he truly is a Nottingham Forest cult hero and will be forever more.
Ashfield District Council’s cabinet approved the land behind the current Festival Hall site as the preferred location for the development at a meeting on 21st January. The state-of-the-art provision will see the introduction of long awaited water space to Kirkby in the form of a leisure pool and a 25-metre swimming pool, as well as an indoor adventure climbing wall and cinema screen in the multi-purpose sports hall. The artist’s impressions, developed by GT3 Architects, depict the proposed design for the destination’s swimming pool, fitness suite and café. The outline plans will be developed over the next few months and further images will be made available as the project is progressed.
The facility mix approved includes:
• Water Space (25m pool with flexible floor and separate leisure water pool)
• Sports Hall (size of four badminton courts – the same floor space as the current Festival Hall)
• Health and Fitness suite with full gym
• Two multi activity studios
• Group Cycling studio
• Well-being toning and Rehabilitation suite
• Indoor adventure climbing wall
Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Tom Hollis said: “The new drawings are amazing and is another step closer to the new leisure destination Kirkby deserves. Residents have waited decades for this and it is clear residents value their Council making such a dramatic investment in our future. These are exciting times for Kirkby and we are remembering our past too with the Nag’s Head Clock going back up!”
The drawings that have been produced by the architects showcase our ambition for a state-of-the-art space that will provide Kirkby with the high quality leisure provision it so desperately needs. It’s exciting to see our vision come to life.” “The facility mix that has now been approved provides something for everyone. There are activities for the very young to older people. By bringing such excellent facilities to Kirkby, the new leisure centre will be a destination for residents to be proud of.” The Council recently met with a community focus group set up to help shape the project. Andy Hall, member of the group said:
“I think a new leisure centre will transform the local area and people’s lives. It is fantastic that Kirkby will be having both a lane swimming pool and a leisure pool, it will provide something for everybody of all abilities.” The approval will see the new leisure centre built behind the existing site, ensuring that the Festival Hall remains open to its customers throughout the build programme. It is anticipated that the new centre will be opened in 2021.
Carlton Town 2-3 Loughborough Dynamo The new year would commence with a home fixture against Loughborough Dynamo with both teams looking to get a good start on the first day of the calendar year. The opposition came with a strong squad and showed a lot of determination again under a difficult footing. The Millers would score twice in the first fifteen minutes with goals from Opoku and Clarke before the away team could really get a look in.
Opoku scoring against Loughborough Dynamo
Dynamo raised their game and were to pull a goal back thirteen minutes before the break. This would spur them on in the second half where they would equalise and ensure that they would run out the victors via a seventy-ninth minute penalty in a game where there were many hotly disputed decisions.
Pickering Town 0-2 Carlton Town. A week later Carlton would travel to yorkshire looking to avenge their home defeat from back in november and would be involved in a fight to the death in this encounter. They would score early through the now fit again Blake and with ten minutes remaining would go onto double that lead through substitute Rollinson. The Millers would finish the game with nine men with Opoku being sent off for time wasting and Clarke for being accused of throwing a water bottle off the pitch which hit the linesman’s flag on it’s way. Clarke in this instance was not to blame and was instigated in a case of mistaken identity.
It was a harsh way to end a game which on a heavily sloping pitch would produce a very hard working performance from the team.
Carlton Town 0-4 Stamford Up next were Stamford, again a team looking to reverse their result from earliar in the season and with the Millers looking to make it back to back victories in the league for the first time this season.The away side started brightly and at times produced some neat and productive play, keeping the home side in hand and under control.
They would lead at the interval two-nil with Carlton missing a penalty that could have reduced the arrears before the close. Stamford would continue their good work in the second half and eventually win the game with another two goals in the second period of play.
Ossett United 1-1 Carlton Town. Saturday soon comes round and another furore into Yorkshire beckoned. This one was an end to end battle with Carlton for long periods on the back foot and having to dig in. The home side would open the scoring six minutes after the break and Bartram would equalise twelve minutes later after a goal-less first half.
The two teams couldn’t be divided after ninety minutes and again the Millers would finish the match with only nine men with Robinson and Blake both being dismissed for two separate instances.
Newark Flowserve 0-2 Carlton Town A cold tuesday night was next on the agenda in the senior cup and at times in literally a bruising encounter the team would be triumphant. Another goal early in the game from Bartram would set the Millers on their way but at a cost. Carlton would have to use all three substitutes in the first forty minutes, losing Rollinson with a hamstring problem, Spence with a dislocated shoulder and then his replacement the recently signed McLoughlan with a broken foot. It was at times a fierce contest and was very tight until the dying embers of the game when substitute Stovell put the result beyond doubt.
Carlton Town 1-5 Cleethorpes Town An encouraging week for the team on the pitch would see a lot of expectation and with the squad now being stretched due to injuries and suspensions see Cleethorpes come to town. It was to be a very frustrating day at the office for the home side and would see them fall apart in the second half after coming back to two-one just before half-time. Stovell again would get on the score sheet to give the Millers some hope for the second half but the team would see three goals conceded in the last twenty-five minutes ruin a decent run of performances from the previous seven days.
February is now on the horizon and the expectations are still high with a group of players that are more than capable of producing a run of results to elevate them up the league. Hopefully this will be achieved this month and the team will be able to show their true quality. Forthcoming Fixtures 2nd Feb Sheffield (a) 9th Feb Belper Town (a) 16th Feb Spalding Utd (h)
WE ALL play golf for fun but the one shot that reduces most of us to shambling wrecks is the opening tee shot. It often sets the tone for the day and is all the more difficult because there is usually a crowd hanging around the first tee, and we all get nervous when we feel eyes boring into us, wondering if we are going to top the ball 20 yards or slice it out of bounds with that first proper swing of the day.
First-tee nerves even afflict the very best players – ask any European or American golfer what it feels like to strike the opening drive at the Ryder Cup and they will tell you that they are so nervous that they struggle to put the ball on the tee. In many respects it is a good thing to have some nerves and to be able to summon up a little adrenaline. But there are some things you can do to make life a bit easier. Here, we provide 10 tips that may make that opening drive a little easier.
• Go to the practice ground and hit some golf balls before you start your round. It may seem obvious, but most of us turn up in the car park 10 minutes before we are due to tee off, hit half a dozen putts and then climb onto the first tee and expect to crunch our opening drives. Tour pros warm-up properly for a reason.
• Do some warm-up exercises. It is important to stretch your muscles and get yourself ready. Taking half a dozen violent practice swings is not warming up. Tight muscles make for tight golf swings.
• Take deep breaths. It make sound like a cliche, but breathing properly is important. If you take the time to have some deep breaths before you play it will help you to relax and you may be surprised by how much better you feel when stand on the tee.
• We all have a favourite club in our bags, our go-to club. Most of us automatically reach for the driver on the first hole, but it is surely better to go for the club you are most comfortable with, the one that is most likely to help you find the middle of the fairway.
• Come up with a strategy. Don’t just walk onto the opening tee and fire off your first drive of the day without first thinking about the best way to play the hole. Think about where you want to put the ball – and use that club last of all before you walk off the practice ground or driving range.
• Don’t put down a brand new Titleist ProV1 unless you are properly prepared. If you lose an expensive new golf ball with your first shot of the day the chances are that it will put you in the wrong frame of mind for the rest of your round. But don’t put down a battered old ball either.
• Arrive in plenty of time. Even if you decide that you don’t want to spend an hour on the driving range before starting your round, give yourself time to get to the opening tee in the right frame of mind. Go for a coffee or a bacon roll.
• It may seem obvious but have you cleaned your clubs? At least give yourself a chance by ensuring that your equipment is clean, that all the mud from your previous round has been removed.
• Take some time to chat with your playing partners before you start your round. Share some banter, have some laughs.
• Have fun! No matter what, it is only a game and the reason that we play is because we enjoy it, so don’t stress about your opening drive – or anything else that follows it. No matter how badly we play, there will always be at least one shot that will bring us back.
A new exercise referral scheme will get residents with a long term health condition moving with specifically tailored gym classes, walking, cycling and swimming activities. The referral scheme has been launched at East Leake Leisure Centre by Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council, supporting residents to develop a regular exercise routine.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Leisure Cllr Debbie Mason attended the launch of the scheme with local GP Dr Neil Fraser. She said: “It is great to be working with East Leake Leisure Centre and Rushcliffe CCG to create this referral scheme which will make such a positive impact on resident’s lives.
“It is designed for those who may not consider partaking in regular exercise so residents who are referred will be given all the support and guidance they need.” There are a range of classes and activities available and a personalised exercise plan will be developed during a one-to-one initial assessment with a qualified exercise instructor.
Dr Fraser, lead for Long Term Conditions in Rushcliffe said: “We are proud to launch this scheme in East Leake, supporting residents in need by introducing exercise into their daily lives and helping them attain healthier lifestyles.
“Increasing physical levels of activity has lots of benefits including increasing bone density, lowering blood pressure, improving mobility, cholesterol, mood and lung function, as well as reducing stress and anxiety and increasing energy levels.”
To find out more about the scheme and to check the eligibility criteria please contact East Leake Leisure Centre on 01509 852956 or speak to your GP practitioner.
The winner of the Ikano Bank Robin Hood Half-Marathon revealed her Mum is her greatest inspiration for her success.
Emily Waugh, 24, an amateur runner who was a surprise victor last September, wants to empower other women to achieve their fitness goals.
She said: “My biggest inspiration is my Mum. Coming from a single parent family, she has been both parents to me and has worked incredibly hard to allow me to never limit myself. She’s now in her 50’s and still setting her own half marathon personal best’s this year!
“To any amateur runners, I would say find yourself a friend or training partner to enter a race with. The event requires you to train for the distance and this is a whole lot more fun with company.
“Days when you don’t feel motivated to get your trainers on, having someone to meet up with and share your session really helps.”
Nottingham Forest are delighted to announce that Michael Dawson will rejoin the club this summer.
The defender made his professional debut with Forest having come through the club’s academy and is set to join upon the completion of his contract at Hull City.
Dawson, 34, made just shy of 100 appearances in the Garibaldi after making his debut in 2002 and went on to play for Tottenham Hotspur and Hull.
The four-cap England international lifted the League Cup during his time at Spurs, as well as featuring in the Champions League and UEFA Cup and has also gained promotion from the Championship with Hull, captaining The Tigers to victory in the play-off final at Wembley in 2015-16.
With well over 300 Premier League appearances to his name, Dawson adds plenty of experience and leadership to the back line and returns to The City Ground to be a part of Aitor Karanka’s side, penning a two-year contract from 1st July 2018.
Two-time champion Dudi Sela will return to defend his Nature Valley Open title in Nottingham next month and will be joined by Great Britain Davis Cup player Liam Broady.
The ATP Challenger tournament will take place June 9 – 17 at Nottingham Tennis Centre.
Broady, 24, made his Davis Cup debut for Great Britain earlier this year in Spain, while 33-year-old Israeli Sela beat Thomas Fabbiano in three sets in last year’s final and also won the grass court tournament back in 2011.
After winning the title last year, Sela went on to reach the third round at Wimbledon, upsetting 23rd seed American John Isner along the way.
Dudi Sela
The duo join British No.3 Cam Norrie in the British Tennis event, who is set to break into the world’s top 100 on Monday.
Tournament director, Paul Hutchins, said: “We are excited to welcome back two-time winner Dudi Sela for this year’s tournament. He had a fantastic run to last year’s final and it is great he is coming back to defend his title.
“We are delighted that another of Britain’s young tennis talents in Liam Broady will be coming to Nottingham again, as Liam joins Cam Norrie in already being confirmed in the main draw this year. I think we have an exciting line-up this year and still have some wildcard spots to announce.
“There is a real international flavour to this year’s event with over 20 nations represented at the tournament and I am sure tennis fans are looking forward to seeing this line-up in action.”
The Nature Valley Open runs alongside a WTA International tournament with British No.1 Johanna Konta, defending champion Donna Vekic and Indian Wells winner Naomi Osaka all set to play.
Don’t miss out on your ticket to summer. Catch world-class players in action at one of the British Tennis events, formed of the Nature Valley Open, Nature Valley Classic, Nature Valley International, Fever-Tree Championships and Fuzion 100 Trophy Series.
Former and current members of the Jets Basketball Club will be joined by the new Sheriff of Nottingham, Catharine Arnold to celebrate 50 years since the club started.
The club was founded in 1968 and is the oldest junior basketball club still in existence in the city and county.
The club started when Fred Wingfield (1929 – 2012) took his son on a trip to see the legendary Harlem Globetrotters in the 1960s. When he returned to Nottingham he set up a team of his own, so his son and his friends could play. At first the kids played in the street and didn’t even have a hoop, but the club has since grown massively, began to welcome girls, has had hundreds of members and also won some championships.
The current coach, American Jimmy ‘Jumpshot’ Smith, joined when his club Leicester Riders moved him into the Meadows at the end of 1976. Jimmy soon met Fred and became a coach. Three years later Fred asked Jimmy to take over as head coach of the Jets Club.
Over the years it has been known by different names, such as Meadow Jets, but they have always been based in the city at various venues in the Meadows and Wilford. For most of the past 20 years the club has been based at Portland Centre in the Meadows, only a few streets away from where it all started, at 226 Bathley Street.
Now former players and coaches are being urged to come and join the celebration at the Portland Centre on Friday 18 May from 6-8pm. Activities like matches and shooting competitions will be held. The current coach and team hope to see anyone who was ever involved or would like to be involved there.
Jimmy ‘Jumpshot’ Smith said: “The ethos of the club has always been about providing somewhere for young people to play basketball and the club mainly exists for young people who enjoy learning and playing the game.
“There have been so many players, coaches, volunteers and parents who throughout the years have supported the teams and I would like to thank them all and encourage them to come along to the event on Friday.”
Cllr Catharine Arnold, The Sheriff of Nottingham, said: “I’m proud to attend the 50 year anniversary of the Jets and show my support for such a great team. They have done so much for young people in Nottingham and the game of basketball in the city and they are a great asset to Nottingham’s sporting history.”
