Professional Player Magazine Issue 21

issue 21 • march 2018

professional player DAVID

HAYE

The former world heavyweight champion gives us an exclusive interview where he tells us he is hungrier than ever for his rematch with Bellew this May

JEFF HENDRICK

DJ COLIN

FRANCIS

Republic of Ireland international midfielder Jeff Hendrick talks about his love for the game and growing up in Dublin

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HOW A TWICE-REJECTED PLAYER BECAME ENGLAND’S BEST STRIKER

The DJ tells Professional Player’s Luke Nicoli about the career move that’s changed his life

INDULGENCE • DRESS CODE • INNOVATION • EDUCATION • INTERIORS • MOTORING • INSPIRATION

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Welcome Issue 21

“ Be careful what you wish for”

FOUNDERS THOUGHTS

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Founder Peter Etherington peter@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

Welcome to the 21st Edition of Professional Player

issue 21 • march 2018

professional player

Business Development Director Gina Wade-Taylor gina@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk 07715 974816

DAVID

HAYE

The former world heavyweight champion gives us an exclusive interview where he tells us he is hungrier than ever for his rematch with Bellew this May

JEFF HENDRICK Republic of Ireland international midfielder Jeff Hendrick talks about his love for the game and growing up in Dublin

Photography Mark Kirk markykirkphoto@gmail.com 07817 531324

HOW A TWICE-REJECTED PLAYER BECAME ENGLAND’S BEST STRIKER

The DJ tells Professional Player’s Luke Nicoli about the career move that’s changed his life

MERCEDES

SHOWCASE THEIR AMAZING VIP PACKAGES ON THEIR LUXURIOUS RANGE

PHOTO: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Support Manager Charlotte Kellett charlotte@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk 07715 653442

DJ

COLIN FRANCIS

INDULGENCE • DRESS CODE • INNOVATION • EDUCATION • INTERIORS • MOTORING • INSPIRATION

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Creative Director Chris Blyth chris.blyth@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk Fashion & Image Consultant Harriet Byczok harriet@harriet-byczok.com

2018 will be a bumper year for PP as we start the Franchising of our magazine in many European Footballing nations. This is the most exciting development in our history to date.

Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Cyprus will be the first countries for the franchise to appear in with many other countries showing interest. If you would like to know more about this please email gina@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

We have been looking at the competition at the bottom of the Premier League and noticing that there is a common factor in the three teams who are scrapping to stay in the league.

Tony Pulis has been sacked by the three clubs in 18/19 and 20th positions (at the time this was written). Stoke City, West Brom and Crystal Palace.

Features Journalist Emma Harrison harrison_ej@hotmail.com

Tony Pulis has never been relegated which is a massive credit to the manager.

Yes he has his critics, we all know that, but Tony gets the job done.

Contributors Anthony Bunn, Luke Nicoli, Euan Reedie, David Fearnhead, Harriet Byczok, ThinkBDW, Marky Kirk Photography, Very First to, Matt Fearnon, 20Five Ltd, Adgenda Media, Cube Marketing, Rex Images, Shutterstock, Leo Moynihan, Emma Harrison, Bobbi Brown, Flannels, Rex Features Published by O7 Media Ltd. Bartle House, Oxford Court, Manchester, M2 3WQE. Printed by Rowtype Printers Ltd sales@rowtype.co.uk. www.rowtype.co.uk

Terms and conditions:

The Professional Player is solely owned by O7 Media Ltd. All material is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of O7 Media Ltd. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. The publishers cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of any material, solicited or unsolicited.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or those of the advertisers.

I was privileged to meet Tony at Stoke City when my son played there.

I have a great deal of admiration for him and the fact that he is now shaping Middlesbrough into the top flight is no surprise. If he doesn’t do it this year he will next year for sure. Tony’s man management, attention to detail and ability to manage games are some of the many attributes Tony has! From everyone at Professional Player we all wish him every success in the coming months.

Tony gets the job done

To the clubs that have sacked him all I can say is “you should be careful what you wish for”!

Good luck for the rest of the season to all of you.

Peter Etherington Founder

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Issue 21 Contents

39

Contents features

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Jeff Hendrick

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Colin Francis

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Irelands international midfielder Jeff Hendrick. Here, he talks to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about growing up in Dublin, leaving home to join Derby County, and his professional football career so far.

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Troy Townsend - Kick it out

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Robert Kazinsky

PHOTO: MOVIESTORE COLLECTION/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

From a budding footballer at West Ham United to a superstar DJ renowned for his charttopping Marbella compilations. Colin Francis told Professional Player’s Luke Nicoli about the career move that has changed his life...

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PHOTO: MARKY KIRK PHOTOGRAPHY

David Haye

Euan Reedie discovers, under his new trainer Ismael Salas, the former world heavyweight champion is hungrier than ever ahead of his rematch with Bellew in May.

PHOTOS: HAYEMAKER RINGSTAR

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Kick It Out have made big strides in helping to stamp racism and discrimination out of our game, but as the organisation’s education manager Troy Townsend told Luke Nicoli, there is still work to be done.

Hollywood actor Robert Kazinsky aka ‘Sean Slater’ from EastEnders might be based thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, but he still looks out for his hometown club, Brighton & Hove Albion, as Luke Nicoli discovered…

professional player 14

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Get connected! @proplayermag

@proplayermag

theprofessionalplayer

PHOTO: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

regulars 00 men’s fashion 34 00 the other half 125 00 women’s fashion 129 00 interiors 146

Harry Kane David Fearnhead assesses what’s next for the Spurs hitman and reveals the one player to whom he must aspire.

fashion

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00 the edit 34 00 suit it up 36 00 men’s summer shop 38 00 summer events 40

partners 00 oakwrights 59 Oakwrights truly create timber framed buildings for today’s living. In this issue Charlie Mills speaks about the company’s outstanding bespoke extensions and outbuildings

104 56

The Best of European Boxsets

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00 brewin dolphin 90 00 intro-spective 32 00 mercedes 64 00 slam sports lawyers 114

The Sleeping Giants of English Football

PHOTO: GRZEGORZ CZAPSKI / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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WATSUP? Professional Player’s take on who’s saying what in football’s world of social media

Joker in the Pack Per Mertesacker When training takes over and you forget it’s Valentine’s Day!

Meet Market Kelly Smith MBE Tonight I am in London for a Q & A with these 2 legends, @officialbarnesy & #RayWilkins talking all things #football

Meet Market Christian Fuchs Great to meet two legends of their game! @markjesterselby and @BernardiniTyler #NoFuchsGiven #Legends

Chris Eubank Jr A proper Manchester welcoming. Can’t wait to fight here in a couple more days @ManUtd Mesut Özil Still unbeaten with Riri @rihanna #WorldCupFinal2014 #AFC #Emirates #luckycharm @ Arsenal @DFB_Team Héctor Bellerín Had a dope time training with the champion @LewisHamilton this weekend

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Toni Duggan Amazing to meet one of the greatest strikers of all time yesterday.

Benjamin Mendy Bye @ CityMinneapolis thx for hosting us @NFLUK @NFL !! crazy days meeting @OBJ_3 @VonMiller @ Pharrell & so much talented people !!! now time I go back to MY football #SBLII

Carly Telford We aren’t serious ALLL the time... #CaptionThis Team within the team #GKUnion #Lionesses Juan Mata García Your face when you meet Mr. VAR for the first time in your career Joleon Lescott Amazing how many people want to give up chocolate, sweets, biscuits, and dessert like stuff for lent but not as many trying to give up social media.

Abby Pope Killed off the last few of my brain cells playing head tennis tonight

New Arrivals Give a Little Bit… Fran Kirby Good result today and into the next round of the FA Cup! lovely to meet this little one after the game! Hope you had a lovely time Belle! thanks to the fans as always!! @chelsealfc #ChelseaFC #ChelseaLFC #ktbffh

Bye Bye Comfort Zone

Harry Kane Our beautiful Ivy is going to be a big sister!

Exciting times ahead! @KateGoodlandx #bigsister #pregnant #family

Harry Kane A great night at the #Brits and an honour to present an award - @Camila_Cabello. #BritAwards Héctor Bellerín Thank you to @ OxfordUnion for inviting me to speak yesterday!

Was a real honour.

Stiliyan Petrov A license assessment done. Thank you very much @maidstoneunited for looking after me. The boys were brilliant as well

César Azpilicueta Hi Reggie, tell your family to contact me right here and I’ll be happy to send you a signed shirt Take care! #BlueFamily Wayne Rooney 5-a-side team complete! Welcome to the world Cass

Tyrone Mings Haha - I tell you what, improve someone’s life in a small way or volunteer to help somewhere for a couple of hours & I’ll give you one with no RT’s

Adrián San Miguel It’s not just about football... It’s real life!

Nice to meet you again after few years big man,my old friend Zach! #WestHamFamily #Life #Friends #COYI #London #ADR13N Reply Retweet Favourite More

Trevor Nelson I will never forget the image of Cyrille Regis playing for West Brom back in the day. What an inspiration he was.

Brilliant player and proper role model.

Would love to have met him. Gone way too soon.

Trevor Nelson I am on holiday.

I don’t need to know the score,I don’t care.

Need a break from the pressures of football expectation. I am so trying to feel like I don’t know we are 1-0 down. I am on a beach but I feel miserable.

Casey Stoney Hard life #sleep #eat #poo #repeat #beautifulgirl

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PHOTOS: HAYEMAKER RINGSTAR

REMAKING

HAYE 18

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Interview David Haye

David Haye could have been forgiven for quitting boxing after suffering a stunning defeat to Tony Bellew and two debilitating injuries last year. But, as Euan Reedie discovers, under his new trainer Ismael Salas, the former world heavyweight champion is hungrier than ever ahead of his rematch with Bellew on May 5. He has also ditched trashtalking and is preaching the benefits of silence, salsa and sleep. “

I

have been uncharacteristically quiet for this fight,” David Haye declares after a gruelling day’s training ahead of his hotly anticipated rematch with Tony Bellew at the O2 on May 5.

For a normally bombastic character like Haye, whose prefight taunts and controversial antics are legendary, that is some understatement.

But Haye recognises that he is in no position to shout his mouth off after a chastening 2017.

Firstly, the former world heavyweight champion suffered a shock defeat to the WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew, a rank outsider with the bookmakers, on March 4.

The 11th-round stoppage loss owed much to the ruptured Achilles tendon in his right ankle Haye sustained in the sixth round, which severely impaired his movement.

Surgery and a lengthy period of rehabilitation followed for Haye, who was poised for a blockbuster rematch with Bellew on December 17.

But in late November, disaster befell the ill-fated Londoner again when he suffered a partially torn bicep after falling down some stairs during training.

This prompted a “devastated” Haye to pull out of his planned showdown with Bellew – the fourth time injury has forced him to call off a major fight.

Many fighters would have considered calling it a day after such persistent setbacks, especially at Haye’s age – 37.

But Haye does not want to slip off quietly into the sunset just yet, he tells Professional Player in his only major print media interview so far this year.

He is desperate to restore his credibility by beating Bellew and then aim to reclaim the heavyweight title he won so memorably in November 2009

when he toppled the 7ft Russian Nikolay Valuev.

“I did a lot of talking before the first fight [against Bellew] and I lost,” says Haye, who recently posted footage of himself in training on his Instagram account, insisting he was “fighting fit” after surgery on his bicep and “ready for war” on May 5. “This time around, I want my boxing to do the talking. There are lots of boxers out there who scream and shout and don’t produce the goods and I was one of them.”

Haye is referring to crass stunts he initiated such as the T-shirt he held bearing the decapitated heads of Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko ahead of his meeting with the latter in 2011.

Haye would lose that encounter by unanimous decision and then provoked widespread derision among the boxing fraternity for blaming a toe injury afterwards.

Likewise, ahead of his first fight with Bellew, Haye was at his belligerent best (or worst, depending on your viewpoint) in declaring he would send the Liverpudlian to hospital with a savage knockout.

Again his spiteful words – all ostensibly uttered to drum up interest in the fight, it must be stressed – would come back to haunt him.

“I was talking about knocking Tony Bellew out in one round, that he’s not in my league, blah, blah, blah,” Haye recalls, wistfully. “Me screaming and shouting and sending offensive tweets [wasn’t] helping the situation.”

As part of his recalibration, Haye recruited a new trainer, the esteemed Cuban Ismael Salas, who has trained 19 world champions. Salas, he enthuses, has taught him many things – not least the value of toning down his trademark braggadocio.

“I’ve just got my head down, I’m working hard.

[Being quieter] is something that myself and my coach came to the conclusion about. It’s no good saying: ‘Oh, I am feeling great, I am training better than ever and I am going to do this or that’.

“It’s not like I need to sell the fight. The first fight sells the second fight. It’s not like I need to drum up a load of publicity and start tipping over a load of tables at press conferences. I don’t need to do that because people are going to tune in to watch this fight because they genuinely believe they’re going to get a good, entertaining boxing match.

“Even if the worst happens and my other leg falls off, people know that I keep fighting regardless.”

If Haye fights as passionately as he speaks about his new training regime under Salas, then he will be a fearsome proposition for Bellew.

Of Salas’s revitalising influence, he adds: “[Former trainers] focused on my attributes and didn’t really look at what I do bad – they looked at what I do good and said: ‘Let’s do more of that’ and ‘that’s working today so let’s do more of that and that’s enough to win’. Whereas Ismael Salas has tried to deconstruct my style and break it down to the bare fundamentals, to the foot positioning, my chin position, where I am looking at on my opponent, where my hands are placed and when I feint.

“Seven months down the line now and things are really, really flowing and I’m enjoying boxing more than I’ve ever done. I really believe that not only are you going to see me back to my best, you’re going to see stuff that maybe you’ve never seen before that maybe people didn’t believe I had in my arsenal.”

One of boxing’s most innovative thinkers, Salas has incorporated salsa dancing of all things into the British boxing great’s training.

“Ismael Salas is Cuban and he always has his Latino vibes playing while we’re training,” explains Haye, who has only three losses from his 31 fights in a stellar résumé which includes being the first British boxer to become a unified cruiserweight world champion in 2008. “A lot of the movements we do, a lot of the foot drills, are done to a beat.

Boxing is about rhythm, it’s about timing, it’s about judging distance and moving and if you can do it to a rhythm, you can pick up on the rhythm and you can pick up on your opponent’s rhythm. Every fighter has their own rhythm and if you can figure that out, you can then find it easier to counter [them] and set traps for that fighter.

“Picking rhythms up as you’re fighting is a really useful tool and something that I haven’t really done before.

“He’s introduced this and he’s trained people like »

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maybe I wouldn’t have been forced to re-evaluate my back to his former swaggering self throughout the interview and frequently seeks to convey a more style and life, the way I eat and the times I sleep.”

He says getting enough rest and “making sure I go to self-deprecating message.

“I know this [is a case of] last-chance saloon for bed before 12am” are central to his renewed vigour. me.

I know win or lose this fight, there’s a strong “In the past, I went to bed at 2 or 3am. I was a night possibility this is going to be my last fight. owl, for no particular reason but that’s what I did. I’ve “If I win the fight, but I look like I looked in the found that by working with Ismael Salas at 9am, going first fight, then I don’t believe that’s good enough to bed at 3am isn’t very conducive [to training]. to beat the best fighters in the division, guys like “So what I’ve done is make sure I get a solid nine Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder. I don’t believe hours’ sleep before every training session so I the version of myself that turned up on March 4 come to the gym fresh. I don’t do any business or to fight Tony Bellew would last one or two rounds anything before my first session as I believe first with those specimens. thing in the morning, your brain is firing and you “Unless I show something that’s very much Felix Savon, a three-time Olympic champion and six- learn better than at any other time of the day. time world champion, since he was 14 years of age.

We’ve been hard-wiring the patterns of movement improved – and even though, hypothetically, I knock Tony Bellew out in three rounds, but I am and neurally programming what I need to do on “He knows what it takes to get the very best out falling around all over the place, my timing’s out, fight night every morning in the gym. of athletes. I truly understand that now. I always I’m getting hit with shots – I’m smart enough to knew he was fantastic but, working with him, day “Religiously, five or six days a week, we work on know this boxing game is done and dusted. in and day out, I believe that we’re going to see a technical aspects of my game and once I started “I’ve talked big in the past and didn’t produce the tremendous improvement on what you saw from introducing sparring, that has gone better than goods but this time around, I’m fully aware of what’s me on March 4.” it’s ever gone for any fight. I don’t want to get too in front of me and I’m doing everything humanly excited just yet as I could be hit by a bus tomorrow, Haye was utterly disgusted with his performance possible to make sure that I not only come away I’m just hoping I can maintain where I am right now. against Bellew – “I did not recognise myself in from this fight with a spectacular stoppage victory, the ring” – from a host of technical and physical “Because if I can, I believe people are going to be in for but I send shockwaves around the world when standpoints. a real treat and see a very, very exciting and fun fight.” people once again say: ‘We want to see David Haye But he insists: “Without this loss to Tony Bellew, fight for the heavyweight title’.”

Haye is, however, patently conscious of lapsing

HAYE ON: :Being overlooked as a heavyweight force I genuinely don’t believe I’ve been overlooked in any shape or form. I’ve got no right to be looked at currently because I lost my last fight to a cruiserweight [Tony Bellew]. What right do I have to want to be spoken about along with the likes of Anthony Joshua, who’s had 20 fights, 20 wins and 20 knockouts and is the WBA champion and IBF champion? I’ve got no right at the moment to even mention his name. But if I’m to get Tony Bellew out of there for good measure and do it in style and show the world that I’m back to my best, things start to become interesting then. It’s not like I don’t bring anything to the table. In my last fight against Tony Bellew, which was a non-title fight, it did better pay-perview numbers than every single one of Joshua’s fights except the [Wladimir] Klitschko fight [in April 2017]. I’m not coming to this cap in hand.

: Britain’s new heavyweight hero Anthony Joshua I’d like to fight him most out of anyone if I beat Bellew in style. I consider his 100 per cent knockout ratio, and the people that he’s fought, superior to all the other

20

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heavyweights. I’m only still boxing to be considered the very best and, to be considered the best, I believe you have to go through Anthony Joshua. If, and it’s a big if, I can find a time machine and get the body back to what it could do, that [fight] would be the big, big one.

a very awkward character to deal with. Wladimir Klitschko couldn’t figure [him] out [when they fought in 2015].

: A potential comeback for Britain’s former world champion Tyson Fury

I like Deontay Wilder. I brought him into my camp on two separate occasions as a sparring partner and he’s very tall and very strong and he punches very hard. I think he’ll be a hard night’s work for anybody. He’s got a lot of attitude and confidence as he’s knocked out nearly everyone he’s ever fought in 40 fights. His fight against Bermane Stiverne [in November] was a hell of a fight – he knocked him out in one round. But unfortunately for Deontay Wilder, he doesn’t have a long list of high-profile names that are willing to come over to Alabama to face him. But a fight between him and Anthony Joshua would be a very interesting fight.

I think Tyson Fury is a great addition to the heavyweight division. He’s obviously a bit of a tortured soul and he seems to have unfortunately lost his way in life, but hopefully he’s back on the right path now. There are rumours about him working hard in the gym, he’s put on unnecessary poundage but he’s done this in the past and managed to shift the weight. He’s young enough to bounce back and looks like he has a solid infrastructure around him, which will allow him to get back in condition.

As a nearly-30-year-old, it’s a lot harder to shift seven stone of blubber than it was when he was 23 or 24. You need to start working twice as hard to get the results as you did when you were younger. He’s a very talented young man and his physical dimensions are very difficult for anybody [to tackle]. He’s 6ft 9 and has very long arms and

:Deontay Wilder, the WBC heavyweight champion

: His protégé at his Hayemaker stable, Joe Joyce, the 2016 Olympics silver medallist I don’t believe there’s anyone in Britain – I’m talking the likes of Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora – who can beat Joe Joyce [who won his third professional fight after knocking out Donnie Palmer after just 38 seconds at York Hall on March

PHOTOS: HAYEMAKER RINGSTAR

Interview David Haye

Haye with his protégé Joe Joyce

Sky Sports Box Office will exclusively show the Tony Bellew v David Haye rematch on 5 May, live from The O2.

17]. Watching him in the gym sparring is very, very scary.

The heavyweight division really needs to watch out. I am hoping Dereck Chisora [the former British and European heavyweight champion, who was beaten by Haye with a fifth-round knockout in 2012] agrees to fight him on the undercard of my fight with Tony Bellew on May 5. We’re wasting no time with him. He’s 32 years old, so we’re looking at really fast-tracking him.

: Becoming a full-time promoter when he retires I’d love that. I’m not too interested in becoming the best promoter in the world. Don King [who has promoted some of the biggest names in boxing such as Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson] at one stage was considered the best promoter in the world, but you’d be hard pushed to find a boxer who said that Don King did the very best for them. I’d rather be a promoter who boxers say I’ve always done the best for them and assisted in guiding their career to the very top. I’d love to have more of a boutique promotional company. I don’t want 100 fighters, but just a select handful that I believe are going to make it to the top and focus all my energies on guiding them and assisting them to reach the best of their potential.

: His supposed feud with Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn

: What he’s teaching his nine-year-old tennis prodigy son Cassius

I don’t think he’s bad for boxing. He’s putting on tremendous shows and just dipped his toes in the American market. I think Eddie Hearn has done some very good things in British boxing and how he’s guided Anthony Joshua’s career has been punch perfect.

[Joshua’s] 20 and 0 and making millions of pounds and filling up football stadiums, so you’d be hard pushed to knock his promotional skills, that’s for sure.

Just to enjoy it. As long as Cassius is enjoying his tennis, he’ll be successful at it. I don’t want it to become a chore and don’t want him to be too stressed. He still says: ‘Oh, can we go and play tennis’. Even though he’s going to do a two-hour, gruelling session, he still thinks he’s going to play tennis. Once it starts becoming too much of a job, people don’t really like jobs. I want him to see it as a part of his life and something he enjoys doing. Having a career as a competitive athlete in any sport is an absolutely brilliant way of life. It keeps you on the straight and narrow, it stops you going out drinking when the rest of kids are drinking.

It stops you dabbling in drugs and keeps you disciplined and keeps you healthy and training and watching your diet. There are so many aspects of being a sportsman that benefit the human and I’d truly love my son to truly fulfil whatever his ambitions are.

: His long-held acting ambitions That’s always been something I want to do but it has to be done once I’ve retired. In 2011, it was always my plan to retire before my 31st birthday and then I lost that fight to Wladimir Klitschko on points, so that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I wanted to leave as the world number one.

Once I’m considered the world number one, then I’ll be able to go full steam ahead with other ventures. But at the moment, I’m still happy as a competitive boxer.

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The Mercedes-Benz VIP Programme.

GLC. 250 d 4MATIC AMG Line £449.99 per month.

For more information, please contact Robert Murray on 0113 201 5227.

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Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Mercedes-Benz range: urban 13.0(21.7)52.3(5.4), extra urban 22.4(12.6)-72.4(3.9), combined 17.8(15.9)-62.8(4.5). CO2 emissions: 378-117 g/km.

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Credit subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA.Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Based on 10,000 miles per annum and 12p per additional mile. Orders/credit approvals on Mercedes GLC models between 1 January and 31 March 2018, registered by 30 June 2018, excluding Mercedes-AMG and non Mercedes-AMG models. Guarantees may be required. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your Retailer for availability. Over 18s only. Credit provided subject to status

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Mercedes-Benz of Leeds 155 Gelderd Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS12 6BZ 0113 201 5227

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£0.00 £10.00 £26,875.00 £35,283.88 5.55% 5.7% APR

Specialist motor insurance for professional footballers Call our specialist broker, Greg Bridges, on 020 8722 5789 or email gregbridges@stackhouse.co.uk for more information. www.stackhouse.co.uk

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A

wit We all battle for each other, have a great changing room full of characters, and I’m looking forward to finishing the season strongly”

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EXCLUSIVE Jeff Hendrick

Claret

h Bottle Burnley have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season so far, and at the beating heart of Sean Dyche’s team is Republic of Ireland international midfielder Jeff Hendrick.

Here, he talks to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about growing up in Dublin, leaving home to join Derby County, and his professional football career so far. “

W

e have a work ethic that everyone buys into. We work tremendously hard on the training ground, and back each other up on the pitch, where we work just as hard”.

It seems that there’s no secret about Burnley’s successful season so far. Good old fashioned hard work, discipline, and a willingness to go that extra mile. I’m talking to The Claret’s Jeff Hendrick, an

integral part of the Lancashire club’s excellent season so far – I respond that surely, if it were that easy, all clubs would be successful?

“Ha, ha. I know what you’re saying. We also have an excellent manager, staff and squad, too. But everyone has to be pulling in the same direction, everyone has to buy into what the manager wants.

And when that happens, that little bit of quality that we have gets a chance to shine”. »

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PHOTO: MARKY KIRK PHOTOGRAPHY

To get hit with a last-minute goal against the run of play was pretty hard to take. It was a very quiet coach back to Derby that night.

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EXCLUSIVE Jeff Hendrick

Born in Dublin, 26-year old Hendrick didn’t have it easy when it came to breaking in to the professional football ranks. A large part of his school holidays and weekends were spent on trial at a number of English clubs, along with other young Irish lads, hopeful of getting a break in the professional game.

“Yes, it was hard, and it took a lot out of you”, says Hendrick candidly, before adding “but it’s just what we all had to go through to realise our dream.

Perhaps all the travelling, staying in new cities and towns, and seeing the already-signed academy lads close ranks a bit toughened us up? I don’t know, but it simply made me hungrier to succeed.”

The young Jeff Hendrick grew up with a huge love of football. His spare time would more often than not be spent playing outside and kicking a ball about until he joined one of the most iconic grass roots football teams in his home country.

St Kevin’s Boys FC is a well-known and respected club based in Dublin. As well as Hendrick, it produced other household football names such as Liam Brady, Damian Duff, Ian Harte, Stephen Carr, and Hendrick’s Burnley and Republic of Ireland team mate Robbie Brady.

“I was fortunate that I had such a brilliant start in the game, to be honest”, states Hendrick. “The coaching and facilities were first class, and it’s well documented how many lads have gone through the system there to make it at a professional club and even play for their country.

I joined at the age of 8 and left when I was 16.

We had a great team, with all of the lads going to trials and many getting youth caps.”

The young Hendrick grew up, like the rest of his family, as a Manchester United supporter, with Zinedine Zidane being his boyhood footballing hero. But growing up was slightly different for the midfielder as he suffered in his mid-teens from Osgood-Schlatter disease (“it doesn’t affect me now, but I did get loads of pain from it after matches, where I’d often have to use ice to reduce the pain”) and also through travelling to trials on a regular basis.

Hendrick was often to be found at professional clubs in England having trials, and it’s a time that he admits helped him “to grow up... Being away weeks at a time I learned to toughen up and I also missed out on doing different stuff with my mates. It was a time that made me stronger as I often was the one who made decisions whether to go back to certain clubs or not.”

I had played over 200 games for Derby and had a great time there, but I wanted to test myself at the highest level” He eventually settled on Derby County, a club who he admits made him feel very welcome and at home – and it also helped that at his age were four other players there from Ireland.

It helped the teenage Hendrick to settle in, and he was soon making a big impression at his new club, signing professional terms at the age of 18 and then making his first team debut from the bench in April 2011.

The following season was Hendrick’s breakthrough one, playing in 42 Championship games for The Rams, and instantly endearing himself to the Derby faithful by scoring the winner away at the City Ground in a 2-1 victory.

“Yes, I think it went some way to getting recognition from Derby fans. We played most of that game with ten men and a few minutes before I netted the winner I missed an easy header. So, it was good to grab what was the winning goal in front of the away end that day!”

Hendrick was now producing week in week out, and his consistent form was part of the reason why The Rams reached the Play Offs in consecutive seasons, only for both to end in heartbreak for him and his team. It was the lowest point in Hendrick’s club career to date.

“Yes, I was playing consistently and the team was flying, but it was not to be. Our defeat at Wembley to QPR in the 2013/14 Play Off Final was especially hard to take as we were easily the better team all game. To get hit with a last-minute goal against the run of play was pretty hard to take. It was a very quiet coach back to Derby that night.”

Transfer Deadline Day at the start of the 2016/17 season saw Hendrick take the leap from The Championship to The Premier League, making the move to become Burnley’s then club record signing. It was a show of faith in a player who had worked hard and performed well in The Championship over a number of seasons.

Extremely well liked by the Derby fans, Hendrick felt that “the time was right for the move for all parties. I had played over 200 games for Derby and had a great time there, but I wanted to test myself at the highest level”. »

29

That Denmark match really hurt all the lads.

I love playing for my country.”

Hendrick’s reputation only grew after an excellent Euro 2016, where he starred for the Republic of Ireland. It was enough for Sean Dyche to take the central midfielder to Turf Moor - a move that has turned out brilliantly for all concerned.

“The manager was very straightforward with me when we talked about coming to Burnley”, explains Hendrick. “He’s like that with everyone – you really do know where you stand as he’s very down to earth and straight to the point. He liked the way I play and said I would get chance to play.

It was a challenge I had to take.”

Hendrick agrees when I state that training must be very intense, as Burnley are renowned for being an extremely fit team who go that extra mile for each other.

“Of course, we train very hard, and that has shown by staying in games like our home match against Man City and scoring important late goals. I’m enjoying my football and we have a great group of lads here, including a number of Irish lads. We all battle for each other, have a great changing room full of characters, and I’m looking forward to finishing the season strongly”.

And Jeff Hendrick also wants to build on his blossoming international reputation as well. The extent of the recent World Cup Play Off defeat to Denmark came as a shock to everyone, but not being in Russia this summer is what Hendrick admits will spur him on when wearing the green top of the Republic of Ireland.

“That Denmark match really hurt all the lads. I love playing for my country. Will I be watching the World Cup Finals? Not massively to be honest with you. We play France in a friendly soon, to get them ready for it, and it will be tough to watch when we desperately wanted to be there.

I suppose I’ll just watch the odd game I want to watch... I’m now fully focused on qualifying for our next tournament.”

It’s hard to believe that the softly-spoken, personable Hendrick is only 26 as he has a wealth of experience already. With well over 300 games

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Jeff Hendrick’s Perspective :How did you get to hear about Introspective?

I’ve known the owner of Introspective for years from when I was at Derby County and we stayed in contact after I left. We’ve built a great friendship over the years.

:Why did you decide to use their services?

I trust them. Being a footballer can sometimes mean that you don’t have a main home because you may stay in one place for a few years at a time and then move on. I was lucky, because I was at Derby for over six years and then moved to Burnley.

I was in a hotel for a while and then moved into an apartment. The apartment was nice but I just wanted to get into a house and have somewhere nice so all my family could come over and stay without worrying about space – that’s where Introspective came in. My family came over at Christmas and for my birthday and it felt great to be able to have a place where we could all be together.

played at club and country level already, he states that he feels that it’s because he “hates missing games, I really do!”

Part of that wealth of experience is playing for a number of high profile, experienced managers. The list is very impressive, with the likes of Trapattoni, Dyche, McClaren, Clement, and O’Neil on there. As Hendrick states “Strong personalities, big personalities, all with various coaching and management styles. I’ve learned a lot...”

Describing himself as “pretty chilled out, spending most of my spare time watching box sets or going to the cinema” Hendrick is also “massively honoured” to be an ambassador for DeafHear in Ireland (www.deafhear. ie/DeafHear) and is “really excited about supporting awareness of issues related to deafness, hearing loss, and the Irish Deaf football team.”

:What services of theirs do you use and why?

Introspective managed the purchase of my house, and I felt comfortable because I really trust them and their judgment. They dealt with estate agents, surveyors, solicitors and vendors on my behalf.

Once the purchase was agreed and we had the keys they managed the complete renovation and the

EXCLUSIVE Jeff Hendrick

PHOTO: MARKY KIRK PHOTOGRAPHY

on Introspective: purchase of all the furniture and electrical items. I didn’t see anything apart from the new pool table! This was all happening at the time when I was concentrating on playing well for Burnley and I had the World Cup qualifiers coming up so I just didn’t have the time to dedicate to it, but they completed the renovation in 17 days and when I came back from international duty it was all done and they had done an amazing job.

I even took a video and sent it to my Mum and Dad, its lovely. Getting knocked out of the qualifiers and knowing that we wouldn’t be going to the World Cup was disappointing but it put a smile on my face when I saw what they had done for me.

Introspective do everything so well that they could support existing Player Liaison managers within a club. They could help to get new signings settled especially if they are overseas players. They do a great job and have that personal touch which is nice and they take care of all my lifestyle things for me now.

TURN OVER FOR MORE INFORMATION ON INTROSPECTIVE

I also use the VIP transport side of their business a couple of times a week because sometimes after training I just want to rest and recover. The concierge side of what they do is really good as well.

They’ve booked restaurants and hotels for me and sometimes do some personal shopping for me because they get some good discounts on top brands - everyone loves a bargain don’t they?

:Would you recommend them to other professional footballers?

100%. Not just players but clubs as well.

Player Liaisons are good but simply don’t have time to do everything and I think

Joe’s website/shop is at: www.etsy.com/shop/jbdotco

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“Introspective managed the purchase and renovation of my house. They’ve booked restaurants, hotels and sometimes do some personal shopping for me because they get some good discounts on top brands.”

JEFF HENDRICK

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Why pay more just because you’re in the public eye?

Time and time again we hear stories that prices increase because salesmen and tradesmen take advantage of the financial situation of sports professionals and high profile figures when producing quotes and invoicing.

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Kane reached his goal-scoring record in 36 games - six fewer than Shearer did when he set the record with Blackburn Rovers in 1995

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By the end of 2017 Harry Kane had scored 56 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham and England. It made him the Highest goalscorer in any of the big 5 European Leagues. More than even Lionel Messi (54) and Cristiano Ronaldo (53)

In 2017 Harry Kane scored more league goals than Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, Swansea, and West Brom

COVER FEATURE Harry Kane

Harry Kane joined the Premier League’s 100 club in 2018 having broke the record for most goals in a calendar year in 2017.

David Fearnhead assesses what’s next for the Spurs hitman and reveals the one player to whom he must aspire.

Kane is the only player in Premier League history to score six hat-tricks in a single calendar year

t’s December 9th 1961 and a coach carrying Tottenham’s reserve team is heading out of a London cloaked in thick smog. It will take them nearly five hours to reach Plymouth’s Home Park. The match is to see the debut of a 21-year-old striker who’s has just signed from AC Milan for £99,999. The unusual fee designed to free him from the burden of being the first hundred-thousand pound player. Though the pressure matters little for a player known to score on his debut.

He’ll score twice, and just a week later whilst making his first team debut he’ll bag a hattrick. A flying scissor kick, set to be regarded as one of the best in his career. It is his first introduction to the White Hart Lane crowd who will come to worship his goalscoring prowess. This is the player who’ll set the benchmark, an almost unobtainable standard

for every striker to follow in his footsteps. He will become the greatest striker England has ever produced.

A year on from his debut the country falls into the grip of the Big Freeze. Temperatures plummet, rivers freeze over as bitter easterly winds from Siberia deliver snowdrifts of over half a metre deep in the capitol. From Boxing day of 1962 to March 1963 virtually no professional football is played. Chelsea even jet to Malta for a friendly and end up staying the whole week. The Football League has to extend the season by four weeks in order to play out the long list of rearranged fixtures. Yet despite the disruptions, this player would go on to score a record 37 goals that season and Tottenham became the first English Club to win a European trophy with the Cup Winners Cup. The following season he scored 35 goals in 41 games. »

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PHOTO: COLORSPORT/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Jimmy Greaves Tottenham’s highest-ever goalscorer with

exciting prospect. Kane didn’t score. His 2012 walkon part in the 85th minute against Newcastle was never going to be a dream debut. A series of loan spells to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City all followed. Part of Tim Sherwood’s plan to blood their future players in competitive football instead of meaningless friendlies.

Les Ferdinand, who worked alongside Sherwood coached Kane in his role as part of Tottenham’s youth set up. He had long been impressed by the then teenage striker. Comparing him to a Jimmy Greaves 1969/70 composite of Teddy Sheringham, for his ability to always find the right position, and Alan Shearer for his venomous strike power. immy Greaves would go on to become “For me, the quality that made him stand out Tottenham’s highest-ever goalscorer as a youngster was this incredible self-belief,” with 266 goals and the highest Ferdinand told Jim White of The Telegraph in 2015 goalscorer in the history of top flight when Kane’s star power was just beginning its English football with 357 goals. For an astonishing ascendency. “He was very single minded. He always six seasons he was the First Division’s top scorer, and knew precisely where he wanted to go.” has scored more hat-tricks (six) for England than As a boy Kane had attended the same Chingford anyone else. It is Greaves’ records to which Harry Foundation School that once taught David Kane now aspires to. Kane may have already passed Beckham. The two even played for the same junior his idol Teddy Sheringham’s Spurs record, but eight club, Ridgeway Rovers. A lifelong Spurs fan, Kane players still separate him from Greaves. At the start was first scouted by Arsenal aged 8, however the of January 2018 Kane’s goals per game average was Gunners released him the following year. He’d 0.66. The man often cited as the best finisher in also suffer a similar fate at Watford. By the time Premier League history, Theirry Henry, is at 0.68.

Tottenham picked him up, he was aged 11 and Jimmy Greaves is above them all at 0.70. expectations of a career in professional football The comparisons with Greaves have grown along weren’t high. A late July Birthday had seen him with the increasing stature of Harry Kane. “Jimmy cursed as always the youngest player in his age Greaves was Tottenham’s all-time goalscorer group. Always the one playing catch-up against and an unbelievable player. So to be in the same older, physically stronger players. company as someone like him is incredible. It’s When a growing spurt came it didn’t help. The important that we continue to recognise the many height just made him appear gangly. His movement great players in our history who have laid the was described by one coach as “awkward and foundations for what we’re trying to achieve today,” cumbersome”. However they did note that despite Kane stated when the two met in January. appearances he was a youngster who possessed Harry Kane was born in Walthamstow, just four great technique. This was still not the Harry Kane and a half miles from Manor Park the birthplace who would go on to break goalscoring records. At of Jimmy Greaves. Both grew up watching Spurs, 15 he was mostly playing as a holding midfielder. and both showed a determination to be the best If Kane stood out at all for anything at this time it they could be. Greaves was just 17 when he made was for his willingness to work. Coaches noted he his league debut (for Chelsea). He may have beaten would deliver 100% in training every single session.

Kane by two years but even at 19 Kane looked an Kane was ever determined to become a better player

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...and highest goalscorer in the history of top flight English football with

and part of that was an obsession with improving his finishing. Whilst an apprentice at Spurs he frequently requested individual shooting sessions with Ferdinand as the two worked on his accuracy.

Tim Sherwood may have given Kane his debut, but it was under Mauricio Pochettino that Kane was truly to shine. Despite all the talk of Spurs and their youth system, we were yet to see any real evidence on the pitch to back up the publicity. That was until Pochettino’s appointment for the 2014/15 season.

The Argentinian coach would place faith in youth with the signings of Eric Dier and Dele Alli, and the recall of Harry Kane.

In October 2013 Kane scored his first goal at White Hart Lane, a late equaliser to earn Spurs a reprieve in the form of a penalty shoot-out against Hull in the League Cup. The 20-year-old Kane then converted his penalty as Spurs went on to win the tie. Though his first start in the league would have to wait until the following April. Like Greaves he scored on his starting debut as Spurs demolished Sunderland 5-1.

Kane would then go on to score in his next two games.

One year later he was handed the captain’s armband, despite having started the season on the bench.

If there was a moment when Kane cemented his place in Tottenham folklore, it arrived in February 2015 against bitter rivals Arsenal. It was personal for Kane, who was still stung by Arsenal’s release of him as an eight year old. “For me, the rejection is the best thing that ever happened to me. When I was lacing my up boots for my first start in the North London derby, I had a flashback to when I was 11, playing against Arsenal’s youth team.

I thought,‘Okay, took me 12 years, but we’ll see who was right and who was wrong.’

Trailing 1-0 at home Kane struck twice to secure a Spurs win. It took his tally to 22 goals in all competitions with three months of fixtures left to play. If the fans already knew he was one of their own, the Tottenham board had made sure of it.

A week before the derby Kane put pen to paper on a new five and a half year deal, despite having just signed a new contract in the summer.

Kane was now part of revolutionary Spurs team that had an average age of just 24. He would go on to equal

COVER FEATURE Harry Kane

PHOTO: VERVERIDIS VASILIS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

a club record 21 league goals in a Premier League season despite starting the first four months from the bench.

Only Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero scored more that season. He was also named the PFA Young Player of the Year and scored on his England debut.

He was now hot property, a fact born out when a not so factual rumour about him signing for Manchester United spread like wildfire during a pre-season friendly against AC Milan. Kane was simply an unused substitute and was set to remain a Spurs player. His new superstar rating was also causing him problems off the pitch too. A casual trip to a Sydney shopping mall during their pre-season tour saw him mobbed by excited fans. Kane had to call to be rescued by the team bus. It was a realisation that in the space of a season his relative anonymity had been lost.

In 2017 New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday and Spurs were away at Watford. In the 27th minute a through ball from Keiran Trippier saw Kane start what would become his record breaking year. Six minutes later he’d score again, reacting to Trippier’s cross quicker than the Watford defence. Both goals displayed what Ferdinand had observed in him as a youngster. If the first proved his Sheringham-like ability to put himself in the perfect position, the second could well have been Alan Shearer latching on to Stuart Ripley cross when the Geordie Striker was setting the record back in 1995.

By October 2017 it was clear the record was well and truly on. A brace at Huddersfield took him level with Glenn Hoddle in the Club’s all-time goalscoring list.

Articles which had warned of false dawns were being quickly and quietly removed from websites. Kane was now unquestionably the real deal.

Shearer’s record of most goals in a calendar year had stood for 22 years. It fell in the 22nd minute of Tottenham’s Boxing Day fixture at home against Southampton. By the 67th minute, Kane had notched up another hat-trick, something he’d done against Burnley the week before, and laid down the new record of 39 goals in just 36 games.

On the 3rd of February 2018 Kane scored his 100th Premier League goal in his 136th league appearance for Tottenham. Second only to Alan Shearer who achieved the same feat in 124 games.

Jimmy Greaves still holds the record of 220 league goals for Spurs, and 266 in all competitions.

Harry Kane looks the only man who could possibly threaten that record, but to do so Tottenham will have to hold on to their most prized asset.

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GIVE YOUR GARDEN A ROOM WITH A HERITAGE GARDEN POD

BEFORE

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GROUNDWORKS

LANDSCAPING

INSTALLATION

HERITAGE IS A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS THAT DESIGNS, BUILDS AND INSTALLS STUNNING AND UNIQUE PODS THAT ARE IDEAL FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. WE BELIEVE THAT PRACTICALITY DOES NOT NEED TO COMPROMISE STYLE OR QUALITY; AN ETHOS THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HEART OF OUR BUSINESS. NATIONWIDE SERVICE DISCREET & PROFESSIONAL POINT OF CONTACT BESPOKE DESIGNS

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// GOING CONTINENTAL / With On Demand and Online Streaming revolutionising the way we watch television, a whole new world has opened up on our screens. Just like the Premier League, viewers in the UK can now watch the very best the rest of Europe has to offer. David Fearnhead takes a look.

// GERMANY / // Dark is arguably the most talked about cult series of 2018. The German Sci-Fi thriller was initially compared to the runaway hit US series Stranger Things and whilst the two do have a similar visual feel and share some plot points, Dark is arguably more intense. It begins in the fictional town of Winden with the disappearance of a child. What unfurls is a series of twists and turns as time itself is fractured into three years 2019, 1986, and 1953. Rather than having the feel of a series, Dark has the high production standards of a film, albeit a 10 hour one. Beautifully acted and directed it has broken records as the first German-language Netflix original series and has proven to be even more popular outside of Germany. Compared to Stranger Things it has a much more claustrophobic feel. A clever plot keeps the reveals coming at a steady pace with the viewer carried upon the crest of a wave. Uncovering the truth along with, or just moments before, the series reveals some of its secrets. My advice would be to dump the sometimes clumsy American dubbing and watch it in the original German with subtitles.

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Series 1 is available now on Netflix with Series 2 already greenlit and shooting later this year.

Though it faired poorly when first broadcast in Germany, Deutschland ’83 went on to become a sleeper hit internationally. It’s success outside of its country of origin is similar to that of Dark and like Dark it has American involvement. It is co-produced by AMC, makers of the hit US show Madmen.

However, the story is told from behind the iron curtain as we follow a young East German soldier recruited by the Stasi to operate as a spy by living undercover in West Berlin. It’s a series that knows its genre tropes well and delivers many a tense moment where you feel he might be unmasked. Much like The Americans it also plays on the internal conflict of living a lie, and fighting against system which on the surface seems to offer far greater wealth and freedom to its citizens. Originally broadcast in the UK on 4OD, it’s now available on Amazon Prime who have commissioned two more series of the show entitled Deutschland ’86 and Deutschland ’89. /

// DARK / BEAUTIFULLY ACTED AND DIRECTED IT HAS BROKEN RECORDS AS THE FIRST GERMAN LANGUAGE NETFLIX ORIGINAL

// GOMORRAH /

SERIES AND HAS

SHOWS THE BRUTAL

PROVEN TO BE EVEN

EXISTENCE OF LIFE

MORE POPULAR

UNDER THE NEAPOLITAN

OUTSIDE OF

MAFIA, KNOWN

GERMANY

AS THE CAMORRA

// SPAIN / // El Ministerio del Tiempo is an immensely watchable Sci-Fi series which first aired on Spanish television in 2015 and has since enjoyed a co-production with Netflix due to it’s success with an international audience. It’s a witty, clever, and charming show that delivers with every episode. The inventive plot sees the formation of disparate group of characters – a modern-day paramedic still grieving for his wife, a pioneering female student who is too progressive for the 19th Century she lives in, and a 16th Century soldier of war who has been sentenced to die. All are recruited by The Ministry of Time, a secretive government organisation, who exist to prevent history being altered by outside forces. Though it touches on the poignancy of lost loves and lives, the series never weighs heavy on sadness and can be relied upon to deliver frequent moments of humour amongst the urgency of the plot.

Being set mostly in Spain and dealing with the history of that country it offers something fresh for viewers already well-versed in the time travel genre. To date three series have been produced and all are currently available on Netflix.

If you’re missing the Sunday night period dramas of Mr Selfridge and Downton Abbey then Spain has the answer. Gran Hotel is unsurprisingly given the title - set in a grand

// ITALY / hotel during the early years of the 20th Century and deals with much of the same class divisions of its British counterparts. When the series was adapted for Mexico they called it ‘The Hotel of Secrets’ which is an even more apt title because nearly everyone at the hotel is holding something they don’t wish others to find out. The series manages to combine romance and intrigue in equal amounts.

Originally broadcast in the UK on Sky Arts, all three series are now available on Netflix. /

// EL MINISTERIO DEL TIEMPO / IT OFFERS SOMETHING FRESH FOR VIEWERS ALREADY WELL VERSED IN THE TIME TRAVEL GENRE

// If BBC Four’s Inspector Montalbano is a little too Midsomer Murders for you then fear not. There is plenty more where Sky’s excellent Romanzo Criminale came from. The series which depicted the rise and fall of a criminal gang from Rome won a legion of fans when it was first broadcast on Sky in 2012.

It’s still available on Sky Boxsets, as is Gomorrah which has just finished broadcasting its third series. Loosely based on the bestseller of the same name by the Italian journalist Roberto Saviano, Gomorrah shows the brutal existence of life under the Neapolitan mafia, known as the Camorra. It traces the lives of two main characters Genny, heir to the powerful Savastano clan, and Ciro, aka ‘The Immortal’, who must prepare Genny for his eventual accession to capo. More than 130 countries have picked up the series which has a Game of Thrones like respect for its leading characters. Nobody is safe, which is one of the reasons it’s such addictive television. It’s depiction of Naples might not be doing much in the way of favours to the local tourist board, but there is little doubt that this is television which rivals the very best of any country.

If you’re looking for something a little less bloody, but no less addictive, then why not try another Sky offering 1992. Set in the world of Italian politics in the title year, it documents the fallout and power vacuum following a judicial inquiry into political corruption. Featuring the acclaimed actor Stefano Accorsi and a stellar cast, 1992 delivers a gripping narrative over ten episodes. Told through the intertwining lives of six main characters, it reflects life at all levels of Italian society.

Series 2 called 1993 is also now available on Sky, and a third series 1994 is set to follow. /

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// FOLLOW THE MONEY / IS A FINANCIAL CRIME THRILLER THAT GRIPPED INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES WITH AN ORIGINAL AND COMPLEX PLOT

// FRANCE /

// DENMARK / // The Scandinavians might not be heavy hitters in football but it’s they who first kicked off the appetite for overseas television in the UK. Following the success in the literary world of Scandi-Noir fiction, it wasn’t long before our television screens were finding an audience with many a Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish murder mystery. The finest examples of which have been shows such as the Swedish/Danish collaboration The Bridge. First screened on BBC Four it’s now available for purchase through Amazon Prime. However, another BBC Four screened show Follow The Money is well worth seeking out. The story which revolves around a corrupt green energy company might not initially sound too promising, yet this is merely the plate on which a mighty and varied feast is served. Political corruption, illegal banking practices, murder, hitmen, car thieves, and a single mother trying to hold on to her child, this show has just about everything. Created

by Jeppe Gjervig Gram, a former creator and writer of the hit Danish political drama series Borgen, Follow The Money is a financial crime thriller that gripped international audiences with an original and complex plot. Both series are now available for purchase on Amazon Prime. /

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// The French already have a trusted reputation for producing great television shows. The police legal drama Engrenages, known as Spiral in the UK, has been broadcast on BBC Four since 2006 and is available for purchase on Amazon Prime. In more recent years France has excelled at political dramas and the murky goings on of backroom deals for power. A perfect example of which is to be found on Channel’s 4’s online viewing platform 4OD where you can find the full three series of Spin. Known is France as Les Hommes de l’ombre, which literally translates as The Shadow Men, it begins with the death of the French president following a terror attack.

Rather than following that storyline, we get something far more innovative. Spin doctors as kingmakers manoeuvring to place their candidate in prime position for the vacant presidency. Look out for Grégory Fitoussi, familiar to UK viewers as Henri Leclair in Mr Selfridge, playing against type.

a political fox, his own life is crumbling around him as he seeks both power and revenge. An excellent portrayal by the French-Algerian actor Kad Merad helps to lift this drama beyond what could be an unlikable protagonist in the hands of a lesser actor. The first two series are available now on Amazon Prime with a third series on the way. And If you’re looking something with a more down and dirty check out the Netflix series Marseille staring none other than famed actor Gerard Depardieu as the Mayor of the iconic city. The show signals it intent early on as it opens with Depardieu at the Stade Velodrome, home of Olympique Marseille, snorting a line of coke. From there we progress through a lot of sex, more drug taking, betrayal, some more sex, counter betrayal, secrets, more sex, and an assortment of dodgy characters. French critics haven’t been too kind to the show with many ridiculing it’s plotline and turning their noses up at its lack of subtlety.

Yet Marseille has it’s charms, even if it doesn’t In a similar vein Amazon Prime offer up Baron require the same level of concentration as the Noir, which follows the chaotic dealings of Philippe Rickwaert, the mayor of Dunkirk. Whilst usual cerebral French output. /

// BARON NOIR / FOLLOWS THE CHAOTIC DEALINGS OF PHILIPPE RICKWAERT, THE MAYOR OF DUNKIRK

Partner Oakwrights

WE ENSURE THAT THE END RESULT IS PERFECT

- OAKWRIGHTS -

IN THE FRAME Oakwrights is a name that has featured prominently in this magazine before – and no wonder, as they are a company that is synonymous with building simply outstanding, bespoke, oak framed houses.

Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn spoke to the company’s Charlie Mills about a relatively new extension on the services and products that the company provides – one that is becoming increasingly popular and prevalent amongst those who want the wow factor when it comes to their property.

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“WITH AN OAK FRAME YOU CAN ADD A BEAUTIFUL FEATURE TO YOUR HOME THAT WILL GAIN CHARACTER WITH AGE”

W

ith almost two decades’ worth of experience in producing stunning bespoke properties for their clients, Oakwrights know a thing or two about ensuring that you really do get the property you have always wanted, needed, and deserved.

Based in Hereford, but with representatives all over the country, Oakwrights have a track record and portfolio second-to-none in producing homes based on good old-fashioned values, expertise and materials, but blended with the very latest in CNC cutting edge technology, industry expertise, and know-how.

Oakwrights properties are where traditional meets contemporary to stunning effect, and their clients have included award-winning celebrity chef James Martin, a Waitrose Farm shop at their headquarters in Hampshire, and in footballing circles, building houses for Wes Brown and Paul Robinson, and a garden pavilion Steven Gerrard.

But now there’s another string to their impressive bow...

As well as their superb oak-framed properties, Oakwrights are forging a formidable reputation for

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constructing Greenrooms and Country Buildings, too. So, no matter who has built your home, you now have the opportunity for bespoke, state-of-the-art extensions and outbuildings which add that touch of class and sophistication to your property.

Charlie Mills’ main role at Oakwrights is to oversee the Country Buildings and Greenrooms side of the company. That means that his 25-strong team of experienced experts will help to build (and also design) the following oak frame additions to your home:

Expert design & build for: » Garages » Garage Complexes » Stables » Garden Barns » Pavilions » Orangeries » Conservatories » Sunrooms » Garden Rooms

Charlie has been with Oakwrights for five and a half years, joining straight after leaving university, and it’s clear to see that a huge part of the Oakwrights success story is based on the company being a family business that prides itself on teamwork.

“Yes, I’ve been on the outbuilding side for over two years now, and it’s an area that is growing and growing”, he states, before adding “I have a team who really are a close-knit unit, and all based at our Hereford site. It’s an open-plan site, which means that we have to work as a team and not as individuals –

Partner Oakwrights

WHAT WE OFFER WILL ADD VALUE TO YOUR PROPERTY

The oak tree is one that is built on solid roots craftsmanship is involved. and is long-lasting - and that’s the business The benefits for using Oakwrights are mantra that Oakwrights have, too. It’s a traditional plentiful. As owner Tim Crump told me before, family company, originally built upon its owners’ (Tim “You have to remember, oak is a living material and Crump) carpentry skills - and it’s now been taken to will give your home a tactile and warm feeling. Oak another level. But it’s important to the company that frames create grand spaces and a theatre for living. despite using the latest technology and machinery, that With an oak frame you can create a beautiful feature they stay true to their principles too, with many of their to your home that will gain character with age and staff having vast experience with the company. will stand for hundreds of years.”

Charlie is Tim’s nephew, and is keen to not At Oakwrights, you will get that personalised, just continue, but to progress and develop the individual touch but with the strength of their expert outstanding reputation that the company carries. team behind you throughout the whole process, “Yes, I feel it’s important for any business to have giving you total peace of mind. As Charlie says, “Our solid foundations, based on a bank of experience clients get far more premium through dealing with a and expertise. But it’s also exciting to see how we team and not just one person. Our clients know that can develop and mould what we’ve learned from the we produce oak framed buildings for those who want past into creating dream properties and buildings the best, and we produce oak framed buildings for and that’s a massive strength in what we do!” for our client’s futures, too”. people who appreciate the best.”

What Oakwrights ‘do’ has been well documented I asked Charlie about the actual process that is Oakwrights know that every client is different, in these pages before, but their greenrooms and involved for when a client chooses Oakwrights for and that those who are successful and have worked country buildings operation means that you don’t hard for that success will want to create a statement have to have an Oakwrights built house to have their their bespoke external buildings,... home that has style and their personal stamp upon “Firstly, the client will get in touch with us. stamp on your property, land or estate…. it. They also know that an oak frame gives both As well as our base in Hereford, we have eight Charlie agrees, “Yes, we’re massively creative and what we offer will add value to your property – both representatives around the country too – so we can visual impact and longevity, too. give clients personalised support and advice based By choosing Oakwrights, you are choosing to in monetary and aesthetic terms. Our oak frame ensure that you are using the experts when it comes buildings, extensions and add-ons look superb with on local knowledge, too. to creating a statement home, and you are choosing everything. We meet your exact individual, personal We then go through the planning stage of the to use a team who can work with you to create a process, and this is where we use our expertise and needs to ensure that the end result is perfect”. sumptuous yet fit-for-purpose design, and guide you knowledge to determine what the client really wants Many footballers high-net-worth individuals, and through the process as seamlessly as possible. and why.

We look for a purpose in what our clients companies, have turned to Oakwrights to ensure want, and we are very thorough in ensuring extensive Oakwrights have a long and rich history and that they get a dream property that they simply plans are put into place before the technical drawings reputation of producing beautiful buildings to live won’t ever get tired of. These are stunning houses are submitted for the frame and structure. From in, made from oak: a beautiful, living material. that are built to last, based on style and substance. signing off the contracts we’re looking at around eight Now they are quickly building a similar reputation Don’t believe me? See for yourself, by visiting the weeks on average before completion.” through their stunning, bespoke Country Buildings company’s websites, or perhaps visit and stay in the and Greenrooms, too. Let them add a touch of For a bespoke building of beauty, this is a rapid company’s own five star self-catering oak frame show turnaround, especially when a huge level of ‘Country Contemporary’ to your property. home? This will give you a hands-on real experience of living with oak. There you will see and experience OAKWRIGHTS THE LAKES, SWAINSHILL, HEREFORD HR4 7PU the exquisite work carried out by Charlie’s team - as an TELEPHONE: 01432 353353 EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@OAKWRIGHTS.CO.UK orangerie is used as a meeting room and they’ve even WWW.OAKWRIGHTS.CO.UK WWW.COUNTRYBUILDINGS.CO.UK WWW.GREENROOMSBYOAKWRIGHTS.CO.UK turned a room over a garage into offices!

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Derwent Vehicles Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them.

Credit subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Based on 10,000 miles per annum and 25p per additional mile. Orders/credit approvals on Mercedes GLE models between 1 January and 31 March 2018, registered by 30 June 2018, excluding Mercedes-AMG and non Mercedes-AMG models. Guarantees may be required. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your Retailer for availability. Over 18s only. Credit provided subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA.

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The Sleeping Giants of English Football Professional Player profiles six of the biggest clubs in English football who are currently playing outside of the Premier League. Words by David Fearnhead.

or all the latest hoo-hah surrounding Leeds United’s proposed badge change they could well have used a sleeping giant, such is the frequency of which the moniker finds itself attached to the West Yorkshire club. In truth Leeds still exist in the shadows of giants, and none come bigger than Don Revie. When Revie first appointed manager in 1961 Leeds United’s trophy cabinet was bare. By the time Revie departed for disappointing stint as England manager in 1974, he’d guided the club to eight trophies including two as Champions of England. Such was the impenetrable shadow Revie cast even the xenon glow of Brian Clough’s ego couldn’t to cut through it. Clough lasted just 44 days as Revie’s replacement, before he was sacked after falling out with nearly every player on the team.

F

FOUNDED:

1919

STADIUM CAPACITY:

Elland Road 37,890 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND:

(3) 1968-69, 1973-74, 1991-92 HIGHEST PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH:

3rd, 1999-2000 RELEGATED FROM TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL:

2004

In an era of football’s hardmen, Leeds were the hardest of the lot. Revie’s team of Bremner, Grey, Giles, Hunter, and Jack Charlton picked up the name ‘Dirty Leeds’ and for good reason. They often crossed the line from mere intimidation into outright violence. Red cards were common and on more than one occasion matches were halted by the referee in order too cool things down. As that side aged, Leeds struggled. It would be 18 years before they won the First Division again and earned themselves the honour of being the answer to a pub quiz favourite:

WHO WERE THE LAST CHAMPIONS OF THE OLD FIRST DIVISION BEFORE THE PREMIER LEAGUE STARTED?

In the late nineties and early 2000’s Leeds fortunes were looking up. Talk of Leeds being a big club again was all over the media. A successful youth policy and astute buying was paying out on the pitch. Between 1998 and 2002 Leeds were never out of the top five. Under manager David O’Leary they made the semi-finals of both the Uefa Cup (2000) and the Champions League (2001) before it all came crashing down.

Then Chairman Peter Ridsdale had gambled that Leeds’ European success would continue. He took out sizeable loans all based on future earnings from television and sponsorship. When Leeds league form slipped, the bubble burst. The club was forced to sell off its prized assets. Most notable was the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United which prompted the departure of an protesting O’Leary. A painful process of asset stripping and administration followed which included the sale of Elland Road. Leeds even plummeted to the depths of English football’s third tier.

A club takeover by Italian entrepreneur Massimo Cellino would once again put Leeds on the back pages, but for all the wrong reason as the club became a soap opera. Cellino eventually sold out his shares to Andrea Radrizzani. Though continued instability in the club has so far prevented them for any serious challenge for promotion back into the Premier League. In February Leeds sacked Thomas Christiansen after only eight months in charge, and replaced him with Paul Heckingbottom from Barnsley - their eighth manager in just four years.

PHOTO: JAMES W COPELAND / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Last time they won the league… SEGA had just released the very first Sonic The Hedgehog computer game 66

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THE SIGNING OF BURNS WAS JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY NOBODY WAS GIVING FOREST A CHANCE FOR THE 77/78 SEASON f Revie cast a long shadow over Leeds, it is nothing to compared to the legacy of Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest. Clough took a mid-table team from the second tier of English football and transformed them into double European Champions in just three short years. It’s an achievement that is unlikely to ever be repeated again.

I

FOUNDED:

1865

STADIUM CAPACITY:

City Ground 30,445 CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE:

(2) 1978-79, 1979-80 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND:

(1) 1977-78 HIGHEST PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH:

3rd, 1994-95 RELEGATED FROM TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL:

1999

Clough became manager of Nottingham Forest on the 6th January 1975, just twelve weeks after the end of his bitter tenure as manager of Leeds United. He had a point to prove and set about assembling a team to become Champions of England, but first he had to get them out of the second tier of English football. His success was not immediate. That first season they finished a disappointing 16th. In his first full season in charge they finished 8th, and the following season they limped into the first division after finishing third with the fifth-lowest points tally of any promoted team in history. Nobody, besides Brian Clough would have predicted what was to happen next.

If ‘Moneyball’ was to revolutionise baseball it could be argued that Forest were doing it first. Peter Taylor reunited with Clough in July 1976. Taylor’s ability to talent spot was akin to alchemy. He had a rare genius in being able to identify potential in players that was often unseen by others. Kenny Burns was a Glasgow Rangers reject who was plying his trade as a striker for Birmingham City. With a reputation as a hard drinker and degenerate gambler, Burns was just as notorious on the pitch where his thuggish style of play was exactly what Clough had so despised in the Leeds United team.

Even Birmingham City’s Chairman told Clough he was too much trouble and he shouldn’t buy him. However, Taylor was insistent and eventually won out. At Taylor’s suggestion Burns switched from being a striker to central defender.

This was the era of Liverpool and the signing of Burns was just another reason why nobody was giving Forest a chance for the 77/78 season. Burns would go on to be named Footballer of the Year by the Association of Football Writers for 1977/78, and Forest would win the league. They finished seven points clear of runners-up Liverpool. The following season they stunned football by becoming European Champions, a title they successfully retained a year after that.

From 1975 to 1993 Brian Clough had been Forest. He retired the same year the club were first relegated from the Premier League. They bounced back the following year under Frank Clark, a former Forest player who’d been signed by Clough in his first year at Forest. It’s often overlooked that in the 1994/95 season when Manchester United unsuccessfully ran Blackburn to the wire, newly promoted Nottingham Forest finished third.

The 21st Century has not been so kind, In 2005 the club was relegated to League One for three seasons. In more recent years they have successfully fought off relegation from the Championship.

PHOTO: GORDON BELL / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Last time they won the league… 10/1 underdog Leon Spinks shocked the world by defeating the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali PHOTO: 360B / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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The Sleeping Giants of English Football

olves were unquestionably one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in 1950’s England, winning the league on three occasions. They also boasted arguably the biggest name in football. Captain Billy Wright spent his entire career at the club making a remarkable 541 appearances for Wolverhampton despite playing through an era when competitive football was suspended during World War II. He’d spent the war as a physical training instructor and had recovered from a bad ankle break early on that almost ended his football career.

W

FOUNDED:

1877

STADIUM CAPACITY:

Molineux 31,700

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND:

(3) 1953-54, 1957-58, 1958-59 HIGHEST PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH:

15th, 2009-10 RELEGATED FROM TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL:

2012

Wright also captained England 90 times, and was the first English player to 100 international caps. He still holds the record for the longest continued run in competitive international football. A mainstay of the great Wolves teams of the 1950’s, he missed just 31 matches for the club in that entire decade. His marriage to Joy Beverley, a singer with The Beverley Sisters, also saw him cast as the first celebrity footballer. They were the Beckhams of the mid-twentieth century.

When Wolves took on Hungarian Champions Honved in a floodlight friendly in 1954, such was the height of their popularity that the BBC took the almost unprecedented step of broadcasting the game live. Honved boasted a team which included the legendary Ferenc Puskás and many of Hungary’s golden generation who had humiliated England in a recent International. Wolves rescued English pride by winning the match 3-2, with Wright cited as a “tower of strength.” The match was significant for another reason too, it inspired one George Best to become a Wolves fan.

The end of the Fifties brought about the end of the Wolves era. Though there have been brief moments when Wolves once again looked to back amongst the giants. In 1971 they made a run all the way to the final of the UEFA Cup, beating the likes of Juventus, before finishing runners-up to Tottenham. However, by the end of the seventies they’d almost been put out of existence. The building of a new stand at Molineux left them with crippling debt. They were eventually rescued by a consortium lead by former player Derek Dougan.

It wasn’t long before the club were trouble again, going into receivership in 1986. Sir Jack Haywood bought the club in 1990 and immediately pumped in some much needed funds to renovate the stadium, and playing staff.

After winning League One by a record 103 points and gaining promotion back to the Championship in 2014, Wolves failed to initially capitalise on their first season finish of 7th. Under Chinese ownership since 2016, the club saw brief management spells for Italian goalkeeping legend Walter Zenga and Paul Lambert before Nuno Espírito Santo took the helm in May 2017.

The Portuguese boss appears to have that Midas touch.

At time of writing Wolves are sitting comfortably clear at the top of the Championship and are bookies certainties for promotion back to the Premier League.

IN 1971 THEY MADE A RUN ALL THE WAY TO THE FINAL OF THE UEFA CUP, BEATING THE LIKES OF JUVENTUS, BEFORE FINISHING RUNNERSUP TO TOTTENHAM

Last time they won the league… Cuba was overthrown by the revolutionary forces of Fidel Castro 68

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SUCH WAS THEIR DOMINANCE THAT MANY ENGLISH CLUBS, SUCH AS BURNLEY AND WEST HAM ADOPTED THEIR CLUB COLOURS OF CLARET AND BLUE ston Villa were founder members of both the Football League (1888) and The Premier League (1992) They are just one of five English clubs to be crowned Champions of Europe.

They are also the most recent of the giants to be relegated from football’s top tier, though in truth they had been struggling for some years to maintain their status amongst England’s elite. Even their FA Cup final appearance in 2015 ended in a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Arsenal.

A

FOUNDED:

1874

STADIUM CAPACITY:

Villa Park 42,660

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE:

1981-82 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND:

(7) 1893-94, 1895-96, 1896-97, 1898-99, 1899-1900, 1909-10, 1980-81 HIGHEST PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH:

2nd, 1992-93 RELEGATED FROM TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL:

2016

Villa were one of the first giants of the English game.

Between 1893 and 1910 they won six league titles. Such was their dominance that many English clubs, such as Burnley and West Ham adopted their club colours of claret and blue. Though their success in the FA Cup continued for another decade it would be 71 years before they became Champions of England again.

struggled in the league the following season. Mirroring his departure from Norwich Saunders walked after another boardroom bust-up. His replacement Tony Barton had been in place for just three months when Aston Villa won the European Cup. They bounced back from relegation in 1987 with Graham Taylor who went on to guide the club to Division One runners-up before departing for the England job. The inaugural season of the Premier League would see their best league finish. Under Ron Atkinson, Villa were top with just six games left to play, but their form collapsed in April handing the title to Manchester United.

In the new millennium Villa have made three unsuccessful domestic cup finals at Wembley, and their league form went from a high of 6th to their eventual relegation. The club has changed hands twice in that In 1968 Aston Villa were in serious trouble, with mounting time. First in 2006 when American businessman Randy debts the club found themselves at the bottom of the Lerner bought the club, he then sold it on a decade later second tier of English football. Fan pressure brought to current owner Chinese businessman Tony Xia for about the sacking of their manager before the whole £76million. In 2018, the club is challenging for promotion board was forced to resign just a few weeks later. Under back to the Premier League under boss Steve Bruce. new owners things started to turn around in 1974 with the appointment of a no-nonsense former striker who’d made his name playing for Portsmouth.

Ron Saunders had guided Norwich to the second division title in 1972 but walked out the following year after a bust-up with the board. After a brief spell at Manchester City, where they struggled in the league, he was tasked with getting Aston Villa back into the top tier of English football. He achieved it at the first time of asking in 1975 and re-established the club as a top ten team. They went on to become Champions of England in 1981 but Saunders’ over-reliance on just fourteen players began to catch up with them and they

PHOTO: UAV 4 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Last time they won the league…

The first Delorean supercar rolled off the production line PHOTO: GRZEGORZ CZAPSKI / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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The Sleeping Giants of English Football

A tale of two heffield Wednesday are the oldest and most successful of the two steel city teams. They are also one of the best supported clubs outside of the Premier League. However, they’ve not had much to support since the early nineties when they had some cup success. Wednesday won the League Cup in 1991 beating Manchester United 1-0 in the Final and were finalists in the 1993 FA Cup, knocking out rivals Sheffield United in the Semi-Final before losing to Arsenal at Wembley.

S

FOUNDED:

1867

STADIUM CAPACITY:

Hillsborough 39,732 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND:

(4) 1902-03, 1903-04, 1928-29, 1929-30 HIGHEST PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH:

7th, 1996-97 RELEGATED FROM TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL:

2000

Their much discussed name is the result of the cricket club, formed in 1820, which predates their existence as a football club. The Wednesday Cricket Club was so called because it was the only day of the week when the team were able to play fixtures. Until a name change in 1929 they were known as The Wednesday Football Club.

Their move to the suburb of Owlerton in 1899, makes them one of the first football clubs to relocate away from their traditional city centre home. It is also said to have spawned their nickname, ‘the Owls’. Twice during the early twentieth century they were back to back league champions, with the last being in 1930.

Having bounced around the second and third tiers of football since their relegation from the Premier League in 2000, the club looks to have gained more stability.

They’ve finished in the top six for the past two seasons.

Last season they made the playoffs after finishing fourth in the league. Only a penalty shootout loss to Huddersfield Town denied them a place in the final.

They parted ways with their coach Carlos Carvalhal in December after a disappointing start to this season.

January saw the appointment of a new CEO Katrin Meire formally of Charlton Athletic, and the hiring of Dutch coach Jos Luhukay from the German Bundesliga.

Last time they won the league… Queen Victoria was still on the English throne having just celebrated her Diamond Jubilee 70

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Wednesday’s Thai owners have targeted a Premier League return having purchased the club in 2014, just four years after Serbian business Milan Mandaric had rescued the club from administration, buying Wednesday for just £1 in return for settling the clubs debts.

THEY HAD SOME CUP SUCCESS WINNING THE LEAGUE CUP AND WERE FINALISTS IN THE 1993 FA CUP, KNOCKING OUT RIVALS SHEFFIELD UNITED IN THE SEMI-FINAL

cities heffield United are on the up. In their promotion winning season of 2016/17 they amassed a mighty 100 points, and finished 14 points clear of their nearest rivals Bolton.

That promotion back into the Championship was fuelled by one of their own, and Sheffield’s Billy Sharp’s goalscoring prowess continues as the Blades push for a place in the playoffs. They’ve also enjoyed a good cup run in 2015 reaching the semi-finals of the League cup.

S

FOUNDED:

1889

STADIUM CAPACITY:

Bramall Lane 32,702 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND:

(1) 1897-98

HIGHEST PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH:

14th, 1992-93 RELEGATED FROM TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL:

2007

last season is 66%. It places him third behind reigning Premier League champion Antonio Conte at Chelsea (74%) and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino (68%) during the same period.

The club is currently owned by Sheffield-born property magnate Kevin McCabe and Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdul Aziz.

Sheffield United were formed when a dispute over gate receipts led to Sheffield Wednesday departing Bramhall Lane. The famous ground has been United’s home since their inception in 1889. It took nine years before they landed the First Division title, but for a 30 year period between 1895 and 1925 they were regularly landing silverware and challenging for titles. However, the rest of the 20th Century would not be so kind. By 1981 this once mighty club was playing it’s football in the Fourth Division of English football. A Dave Bassett led revival saw an upturn in their fortunes and they returned to topflight football in 1990. Results in following seasons have been mixed but this current period holds the promise of a new golden age for the Blades.

PROMOTION BACK INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP WAS FUELLED BY ONE OF THEIR OWN, AND SHEFFIELD’S BILLY SHARP’S GOALSCORING PROWESS CONTINUES AS THE BLADES PUSH FOR A PLACE IN THE PLAYOFFS

Sheffield United last played in the Premier League in 2006/07 season having enjoyed two previous seasons in the top flight between 1992 and 1994. In 2016 the club appointed a local-born former player in Chris Wilder as head coach. His impact has been phenomenal. At the time of writing Wilder’s league win percentage since taking charge of Sheffield United at the start of

Last time they won the league…

Al Capone was listed as “Public Enemy Number One” in the United States 71

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The World’s Most Luxurious Yachts

Super Yachts

Hunky Dory

Outdoor cinemas and Jacuzzis and DJ booths, oh my! The world’s most luxurious superyachts have all the ingredients for the ultimate holiday experience and what could be more glamorous than sailing off into the sunset?

Emma Harrison rounds up the best superyachts to charter this spring.

Hunky Dory is based in Croatia and is available to charter around the Eastern Mediterranean

Hands up if you love David Bowie? This glorious 21 metre yacht is inspired by the iconic David Bowie album and has been designed to be the ultimate party pad and entertaining space. It offers an impressive flybridge with ample seating and a retractable sun canopy.

It was only built in 2018 and hosts up to 8 guests across a variety of cabins. The master cabin even comes with its very own private staircase! Hunky Dory offers a Williams Jet Tender, water-skis, a wakeboard, paddleboards and snorkelling gear.

Charter rate - €30,000 per week*

www.sunseekercharters.com

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The World’s Most Luxurious Yachts

Hanikon is available to charter throughout the Mediterranean this Spring and Summer

Hanikon An outdoor cinema on board a luxury yacht?! Don’t mind if we do! Hanikon accommodates up to twelve sleeping guests across six cabins and has a sundeck with a Jacuzzi, bar, BBQ and multiple sunbathing areas. Hanikon can host up to 80 guests across all her decks for quayside events. The main deck master suite features his and hers en suites, a study, dressing room and private lounge area. There is also a convertible massage room complete with en suite bathroom.

This is a truly stylish yacht with sumptuous interiors created by awardwinning designers HB Design. Worried about being disturbed whilst you relax in the sun? Don’t be. Hanikon was designed with exceptionally low noise and vibration levels and comes with an experienced charter crew who will be on hand to cater for your every whim.

The two twin cabins each with an additional Pullman berth and two further double guest staterooms are located on the lower deck and all have an en suite bathroom with shower.

C harter rate From €225,000 per week* www.y.co

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*All prices are for the charter only and do not include local VAT or expenses.

Aubrey With three decks, four cabins, a VIP stateroom and your very own jet ski, the Aubrey can accommodate up to ten guests in addition to her crew of four.

Aubrey offers the perfect blend of luxury and comfort, thanks to her ample outdoor space and spacious interior which has been finished to the highest standard thanks to its contemporary design.

Charter rate - €43,000 per week* www.westnautical.com

Aubrey is available to charter around the South of France and the Western Mediterranean

Takara

Takara is based out of Mallorca and is available to charter throughout the Balearics

Based out of Mallorca AND spending her time in the Balearics, the Takara San Lorenzo is a 38-metre-long yacht that comes with five cabins and includes a deck jacuzzi, gym equipment and a wide variety of grown up toys to play with. With an elegant interior and a decadent master cabin bathroom. This is a great yacht to charter if you are looking to tour around the likes of Mallorca, Ibiza and beyond.

Sicilia IV Based in Ibiza throughout the summer, the Sicilia IV is perfect for fun charters and can accommodate up to 12 guests throughout the day, with accommodation for eight overnight. Guests can take advantage of the yacht’s hot tub and a variety of water sports equipment including jet skis, snorkelling and diving equipment, kayaks and inflatable donuts. For those that want to spin vinyl instead of waves, the Sicilia IV has DJ equipment located on the flybridge.

Charter rate from €130,000 per week*

Charter rate - €7,500 per day*

www.oxfordprivatetravel.com

www.westnautical.com

Sicilia IV is based out of Ibiza throughout the summer and is available to charter throughout the Balearics

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The World’s Most Luxurious Yachts

Yacht Fleur is based in Cannes and is available to charter throughout the Western Mediterranean

Fleur This 2016 Sunseeker has 3 double cabins and 2 convertible twin cabins and comes with a crew of 5 and is based in the south of France, out of Cannes. If you love to play, then you won’t be disappointed and can choose from the yachts jet skis, sea bobs, kayaks, snorkelling equipment and your very own inflatable slide. Once you have tired with the toys, you can enjoy a drink at the Flybridge bar or soak up the sun underneath the retractable sunroof and listen to your favourite music via the yachts £100,000 Bang & Olufsen sound system. Want a relaxing evening in watching your favourite film? Simply head to the bow where you will find your home cinema. Utter bliss!

Charter rate - €115,000 per week*

www.sunseekercharters.com

Jacozami is based in Cannes and is available to charter around the South of France and the Western Mediterranean

Jacozami Impressive in style and size, the 40m Jacozami Sunseeker can accommodate up to ten guests in five chic cabins (including one sumptuous king cabin) making it a great option for those wanting to entertain family and friends. It features the very latest in onboard entertainment systems, including a large flat screen TV and an oversized L-shaped sofa in the sky lounge. If you are looking for an elegant yacht that can cater for water sports, the Jacozami is ideal as it comes with sea-doo jet skis, a wakeboard, paddleboards, seabobs and snorkelling equipment.

Planning to moor up to check out the local scenery? Why not conduct your sightseeing on Jacozami’s accompanying mountain bikes?

Charter rate: €158,000 per week*

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www.sunseekercharters.com

*All prices are for the charter only and do not include local VAT or expenses.

Music Colin Francis

FROM A BUDDING FOOTBALLER AT WEST HAM UNITED TO A SUPERSTAR DJ RENOWNED FOR HIS CHART-TOPPING MARBELLA COMPILATIONS. COLIN FRANCIS TOLD PROFESSIONAL PLAYER’S LUKE NICOLI ABOUT THE CAREER MOVE THAT HAS CHANGED HIS LIFE...

BEFORE WE GET ONTO THE MAIN COURSE LET’S START WITH A BIT OF FOOTBALL, SO WHO DO YOU SUPPORT, COLIN?

I’m West Ham, through and through. As a local lad, I first started going to games around the Tony Cottee/Frank McAvennie era when the side finish third in the top flight one year. We’ve had some great players down the years, the likes of Paolo di Canio, Trevor Sinclair, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard but my all-time favourite player is Rio Ferdinand. He was something of a local hero, who came up through the Academy, and was someone I could really relate to. We all knew he was too talented to remain with the club for long, and that proved to be the case, but for all his success at Manchester United, there’s pride in the fact that he learned his trade with the Hammers. »

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WE HEAR YOU PLAYED A BIT YOURSELF?

I actually spent some time at West Ham’s Academy, having been spotted playing for my school, Bishop Ward, in the London Schools Cup Final. I was a budding centre-forward back then and went on to play for Leyton Orient’s youth team. In fact, it got to the point where I had to make a decision on football or my education. I was approaching the YTS age but my dad was set in his ways and insisted I went to university rather than gamble on a career in football.

Football then took a back seat as I enrolled at the University of East London, where I went on to gain a degree in economics and politics.

UNIVERSITY WAS WHERE YOUR DJ CAREER REALLY TOOK OFF, RIGHT?

I was doing a bit here and there and started to get something of a following, to the point where I hosted a regular student union night on the campus. In my spare time, I also worked in promotions and marketing for the RCA/BMG record label, which gave me a further insight into the industry. I did both for the duration of my time at university and the evolution from football to music really started to take shape.

DID YOU SPECIALISE IN ANY PARTICULAR GENRE OF MUSIC?

I was playing an open format: garage, house, R&B, soul, hip-hop, drum and bass, basically I enthused all of them which, in hindsight, was the best thing to do because I engaged with a broader spectrum of people. Inevitably, it started with friends and class-mates, but then it became something of a movement when the student union nights took off.

For something that actually started out as a night for my year group, was then embraced by the entire university. It was a landmark moment for me.

SO HOW DID YOU EVOLVE INTO A LONDON CLUB DJ?

I started deejaying once a week at Bar Rumba, on a club night where Trevor Nelson was headlining. I was only 18 and basically served my apprenticeship there; doing the warm-up set, the last set of the night, or stepping in at the last minute if any of the deejays were absent. I was mainly playing R&B back then and a lot of footballers from that era would be regulars, the likes of Rio, Frank Sinclair and even Andy Cole would come down from Manchester.

From entertaining my friends, I was now spinning tunes for multi-million pound footballers and I saw that as a real privilege especially at such a young age.

Athletics Championships, even the Rio Carnival.

I was now in my early twenties and while I was happy enough, the deejaying was only heading in one direction. I was playing at some big nights, such as Fresh N Funky at Hanover Grand, and I thought to myself, if I don’t do this full-time now, then I’ll never forgive myself. So I took the plunge and the rest, as they say, is history.

HOW DID YOU THEN BUILD UP A PROFILE OUTSIDE OF LONDON?

The promoter of Fresh N Funky started to spread the club night all over the place, so it wasn’t unusual for me to be playing in Belfast one night, Dublin the next, and then I’d be off to Ayia Napa in Cyprus.

I’d be doing these nights along with the likes of Firing Squad, Shorty Blitz, Steve Sutherland… and our talents as DJs were being exposed to a wider audience. Again, I kept it as an open format, just like my mentor Jazzy Jeff has always done, and I provided something for everyone. For instance, I’d be at an R&B night and I’d throw in Michael Gray’s ‘The Weekend’ or I’d play the Shapeshifters, and it always went down a storm. Few DJs are able to make that crossover, or want to make that crossover, but I was spreading myself far and wide - a necessity at that stage in my career.

MANY OF THE DJS AT THE TIME, THE LIKES OF TREVOR, JUDGE JULES, DAVE PEARCE, RONNIE HEREL AND DJ SPOONY ALL HAD HIGH-PROFILE RADIO CAREERS. DID THAT NOT APPEAL?

I never wanted to be a presenter, it’s not something that appealed to me. I just wanted to play the music and to mix, but I would still pop up as a guest mixer on the likes of Kiss FM, Choice, Radio 1Xtra and Capital XTRA, on a host of different shows. Again, it got my name out there, without me being the focal point. It was like I was letting my music do the talking.

YOUR CAREER WENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THE MARBELLA SESSIONS 2013 COMPILATION, WHICH HIT NUMBER ONE IN THE ITUNES CHART FOR FIVE WEEKS. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

I’d worked on a few compilation albums previously, behind the scenes, but despite a flourishing club scene in Marbella, I noticed that it was relatively untouched. Alongside a couple of friends, I started doing my own parties out there; we’d also put together some videography, designed a sleeve, produced a TV advert, proposed a track listing and then approached the major record labels. To cut a long story short, we decided to go with the SO YOU’VE GOT THIS DEGREE WHILE Ministry of Sound label given the demographic DEEJAYING WAS A HOBBY – SO WAS THERE they were engaged with, and it just blew up. All of a A POINT WHERE YOU HAD TO MAKE A sudden Marbella was on the map and the demand DECISION ON YOUR FUTURE? I was working for a media company, responsible for for more Marbella compilations was there. I’ve since brought out eight compilations and each one the giant outdoor screens at some of the biggest global events, such as the Olympics, the World has reached number one in the download charts.

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HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO DJ YOURSELF IN MARBS?

With the success of the compilations and as a flagship for the scene, I needed to have a physical presence there, like we see with Carl Cox in Ibiza, and so I now do a weekly residency in Mirage nightclub, which will be starting again in May till September. It would be fair to say my weeks get pretty hectic in the summer; I’ll leave my studio in London on a Thursday night, fly in to Marbella for a gig, then fly back Saturday for a set in the UK. Monday, I’m then back into my studio to catch up with admin, so it’s pretty full-on.

THERE’S A PERCEPTION THAT MARBELLA IS FOR THE TOWIE SET BUT IT’S BIGGER THAN THAT, ISN’T IT?

It’s a global affair now. The Marbella club scene attracts people from America, the Middle East, Australia, everywhere. The scene is, indeed, influenced by celebrities, but it extends far beyond TV reality stars now and I’ve hosted nights for the likes of Maria Carey, Pharrell Williams and 50 Cent, plus a number of footballers and sportsman. Everything goes in cycles; we’ve had Ayia Napa, Malia, Kavos; Ibiza has always been there, and now Marbella is going from strength to strength. It’s heavily influenced by the UK music scene – which is stronger than it’s ever been – and I think its accessibility, with just a two-and-a-halfhour flight, will ensure its longevity.

YOU MENTIONED WORKING IN YOUR STUDIO AND THE COLIN FRANCIS PROJECT HAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED ‘LET YOU GO’ AND ‘SHOW ME LOVE’, SO IS THAT A DIRECTION YOU’RE NOW HEADING IN?

I think it will become more and more dominant in what I do. With the compilation releases, I started to get involved in production far more closely and I’m currently working on a dance track, which will come out in time for the summer. It won’t ever take over what I do, but I see it sitting equally with my deejaying. It’s a natural progression for me.

Music Colin Francis

I TOOK THE PLUNGE AND THE REST, AS THEY SAY, IS HISTORY”

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Interview

3 Stripes

One Melissa Lawley The women’s game is quite rightly getting unprecedented exposure and plaudits, and at the centre of this are a number of bright young English stars that are looking to drive the national team to new heights.

At the forefront is Melissa Lawley, Manchester City’s exciting, jet-heeled wide player who has broken into the Lionesses’ squad and made a superb impression after moving to The Etihad last season.

And her rapid rise to the top has been noticed elsewhere, too. Leading sports brand adidas have signed her up to their team, too, and here the player talks to Anthony Bunn about representing and wearing the brand with the three stripes, her career so far, and her hopes for the future.

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t’s a dark afternoon in Ancoats, central Manchester. It’s only a few hundred yards off the main drag of the city centre, and slap bang next to the trendy Northern Quarter - it’s an area that’s got a real buzz about it and is fast becoming Manchester’s hippest neighbourhood.

It’s aptly where I’m meeting Manchester City WFC and England international Melissa Lawley, who arrives dressed head to toe in adidas’ finest.

Relatively small and quiet at the start, by the end of our interview it’s really obvious just why adidas have secured her services in acquiring her as the Kidderminster-born, Wolves-supporting Melissa fits into the Ancoats’ vibe perfectly.

Melissa Lawley

I’ve always seen it as the coolest sports brand around – and now I’m wearing their trainers, boots and sportswear”

So, what was Melissa Lawley like as a kid growing up in Worcestershire?

“A bit of a tomboy, I suppose”, she answers frankly, before adding “in fact, I was a lot of a tomboy, ha, ha!”. She chuckles mischievously, orders the healthiest of dinners (putting my choice to shame!) and continues...

“I simply loved football. I grew up around older kids who were always out playing football. That’s where it started.

Whilst I’ve always loved my clothes and fashion, it was football which was my first love. And my parents really encouraged me all the way, too. I owe them a lot...”

Fast-forward a decade or more and it seems that 23year old Lawley is in a dream place: playing the game she loves for probably the biggest women’s football club in Europe and representing her country. Oh, and the small matter of her flourishing partnership with adidas too, which in her words is “a dream come true. I’ve always seen it as the coolest sports brand around – and now I’m wearing their trainers, boots and sportswear. I couldn’t be happier”.

Indeed, only days before we met, Lawley had filmed a new advert in Manchester for the global sports brand - something she admits she loved doing. I asked her if she feels like a role model for young girls who want to get into football?

“Oh, that’s a tough one. It’s my job to look after myself away from the pitch, but I also like to enjoy life, too. As professional footballers, we know the limits that are set for us and we have to abide by those as there is always someone who is ready to take your place.

But if young girls like how I look and what I wear and how I play the game and it gets them more interested in football, then that would be brilliant.

I’m just me, I suppose, and I hope people see that”.

What people have been seeing on the pitch is a player who has made massive strides in a small space of time. From playing in grass roots football, Lawley moved to London as a 17 year old at Arsenal, then joined Bristol Academy, before her big break came with her transfer to Birmingham City...

“Yes, I suppose it was at Blues that I started to play well on a really consistent level and started catching the eye of others.”

It was at Birmingham City that Lawley became more self-confident of her talent and it was no surprise that the rapid wide player joined Manchester City in December 2016. It was a move that she is very happy to have made...

“The infrastructure at Manchester City is massive, and it’s also great to see how the women’s side of things has been integrated into the club”, admits Lawley. “Everything is done properly and we are very well prepared at all times to be professional, on and off the pitch”.

This includes getting to training at 8.30am. But it’s a small sacrifice to make for a player who has the biggest year of her career in front of her: trophy hunting on the domestic front and in Europe with her club, and the small matter of the SheBelieves Cup and World Cup qualifiers with England on the horizon, too. Lawley agrees...

“It’s a key year for me, and one where I really want to win trophies, solidify my place in my club and country’s sides, and entertain people. I think entertaining supporters is a massive part of the game that can sometimes get overlooked. But

mostly, I want to be successful and help Man City and England win things”.

Lawley has made an excellent impression when she’s been with the national squad and is looking forward to working with new Lionesses’ coach, Phil Neville. And she’s made a strong start to this current season too, turning in some key performances, sparkling in her size 4 adidas boots.

“Ha, ha, yes I do have pretty small feet”, she states with a huge smile, before adding “I’m so glad to be signed up to adidas and act in an ambassadorial role for the company, too”. This included a huge photoshoot for the new adidas video in Manchester a few days before we met, as stated before, a shoot that included the likes of Melissa, Dele Alli and Mo Salah taking over Deansgate!

It’s clear why adidas were so keen to ensure Melissa Lawley was one of the first three UK women’s footballers to sign a deal with the brand, as she brings something different to the table, both on and off the pitch. And the player was equally keen to join the adidas crew too, as she “wanted to make a real point of difference with the brand that I work with. Adidas have that iconic reputation from the street to the football pitch and beyond, and I love that association. It’s a brand I grew up with, a brand I wore, and one I’m proud to wear now!”

What Melissa Lawley ‘wears now’ are the superb adidas X17+ Purespeed football boots. I ask her why...

“Well, my game is based on my speed, taking on defenders. My X17+ Pursespeed’s are incredibly light and comfortable and mould perfectly to the shape of my feet”.

They’re the boots that she hopes will fire Manchester City and England to glory in 2018 and cement her as not just one to watch, but the one to watch.

In the space of an hour it’s clear to see that Melissa Lawley is a person and a player who you can’t really pigeon-hole, either on or off the pitch: shy and quiet at times, yet edgy, extrovert and the centre of attention at others. Someone who is into upbeat dance music before matches and then “even into country music at some other times, too”. She’s an eclectic mix of a person, and one that has an amazingly bright future in the women’s game.

adidas products to keep your eye on in 2018 81

3 & Easy adidas products to keep your eye on in 2018

adidas X17+ Purespeed football boots The boots of choice for Melissa Lawley, these are the boots for those players who like to turn on the turboblast... they’re not Called Purespeed for nothing!

Ultra-lightweight for ease of movement, the Non Stop Grip textured upper keeps the ball where you need it. Comfort and supreme fit is provided by the Techfit compression upper that moulds perfectly to your foot the instant you slip it on, with the knitted upper allowing for natural movement, while a mid-cut design supports supreme stability.

adidas Stan Smith

adidas Alphaskin Performance Layer

The brand with the three stripes have released any number of pairs of iconic training shoes: think about the likes of the SL72, Forest Hill, Superstar, Samba, ZX, City Series... the list is endless.

Sport is all about getting that edge over your opponent. The devil is in the detail, and there are plenty of details in the new adidas Alphaskin Performance Layer which will help you to raise your game. When I said seamless I really meant it – the adidas Alphaskin eliminates those pesky seams which allows you to focus on what you do best, as it wraps around the moving body to follow your movements.

But one pair has a special place in the pantheon of adidas sneaker releases: the Stan Smith.

Now entering their 47th year in existence, these trainers were created in 1971 for American Tennis star, Stan Smith, and have more than stood the test of time with tennis devotees or those who simply want to spend their down-time in a pair of simply exquisite trainers.

A stylish, clean, simple silhouette, soft leather uppers, featuring the iconic three perforated stripes – adidas Stan Smith training shoes come with a rich history and heritage but still remain fresh, contemporary and sought-after.

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Beautifully simplistic in its concept and objectives, the Alphaskin is even available in a range of compression levels to meet your individual needs, and revolutionises base layer technology. When moving dynamically you want a base layer that moves with the critical areas of athletes in motion, and that’s why each section of Alphaskin is carefully constructed to match the body’s movements in sport.

“WHEN YOU WANT YOUR PERFORMANCE TO BE ABSOLUTELY SEAMLESS”

Adidas have always been about creating only the best for those who play sport - and that’s exactly what they’ve done with Alphaskin, which has used their highly-advanced ARAMIS system instead of a traditional static mannequin for testing.

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Interview

The Price Really is Right for

Colorado Rapids!

The small matter of 4,570 miles separate Wolverhampton, UK and Colorado, USA – but it’s a journey that Jack Price made just over a month ago, starting an exciting new chapter in his footballing story. He spoke to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about his time at Wolves and his excitement at signing for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

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n past issues of Professional Player, the magazine has looked at the growth in popularity and status of Major League Soccer. But it’s not all Ballon d’Or winners and global superstars that are joining clubs in the latter stages of their footballing careers - football is big business over the Atlantic in 2018, with huge crowds, an increase in the media spotlight, and the standards on the pitch getting higher and higher.

That’s also how ex-Wolves midfielder Jack Price sees it, too, after he signed a four-year deal to play in the Western Conference with the Colorado Rapids, and it’s something that he’s massively excited about.

“Yes, I feel like I did when I first made my debut, in a way”, states the affable Price, before adding “and it’s a massive challenge for me, both on and off the pitch”.

It’s not just a change of football club or football league that Jack Price will be experiencing: but a change of continent, change in climate, and change in culture, too. And he’s really looking forward to meeting the challenge head-on, with as much vigor as he confronts a 50/50 ball in the midfield.

The 25-year-old midfielder was born in Shrewsbury but was spotted at an early age by Wolverhampton Wanderers and was signed into their youth set-up, to then spend the next 18 years at Molineux.

“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my parents, as they ran me everywhere. Whilst people see the glitz and glamour of being in an academy, I never lost sight of the sacrifices that my parents made for me.”

The above is symptomatic of my view of the player by the end of our interview – that Jack Price is a really nice, easy going professional footballer and person, and one who deserves a great deal of success when he crosses the Atlantic Ocean. Well-spoken

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finish their careers. Colorado have some excellent players, play in a great stadium, and I got a great reception when I went over there from the fans. I can’t wait to start.”

Starting will mean going straight to the searing heat of Arizona for pre-season training; something that tests even the fittest of players but something else that Jack admits “is a challenge I’m really looking forward to”.

The player will also have to get used to the climate over in Denver, as many preconceived ideas about the weather in that part of The States are often misplaced.

The largest city in the state of Colorado has a and intelligent, and with a dry sense of humour, Jack population of almost 700,000, with another 2 million or so living in the surrounding areas area. Many Price should have no problem settling to life over wrongly see Denver as being a city often gripped in in Colorado, although he does admit that he’ll miss the depths of a bitter winter or at the other end of the his family and of course his friends and the fans at Wolves. It’s a club where he made a big impression... spectrum suffering unbearable humidity.

Jack Price will be living and working in a city “Yes, I loved my time at Wolves”, he admits. “I that has far less rain than expected, and one that made so many brilliant friends there and enjoyed has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, and some absolutely brilliant times. I’ve seen the club grow and grow off the pitch, and they’re now odds- relatively low humidity – so, more annual hours of sun than Miami! Winters are far milder than on to make it to the Premier League this season. expected, and the city doesn’t suffer from an But it’s the fans I’ll miss massively, too. They have been absolutely brilliant with me and I won’t forget exorbitant amount of snow, either. That’s because it is near mountain ranges, not actually in them! the support that they’ve given me”.

Denver is nicknamed The Mile High City, due to That support includes many, many messages of being 5,280 feet above sea level and located on high thanks and goodwill in the media and in social media when it was announced that the player would rolling plains – hence its mild climate. Although, be leaving The Midlands club. I asked Jack if it was a the mountains still form a superbly impressive backdrop to the Denver skyline. surprise when he heard about Colorado’s interest...

With his visa and accommodation all sorted, “Yes, it was. But it’s a great time in my career for everything looks to be in place for Jack Price to hit a new challenge, and I am a player that has to be the ground running – and he’s looking forward to his playing football. It’s a move that makes perfect sense to me, as the MLS is growing every year and partner (Lauren) joining him in The States shortly. it’s no longer seen as a league where players go to A sign of the club’s faith in the player and also how

Jack Price

I got a great reception when I went over there from the fans.

I can’t wait to start.”

highly they rate him are shown by looking at the length of Price’s contract and that he is the club’s record signing. At 25, he’s a player with many years ahead of him on the pitch, whilst off it he’s keen to look into the coaching side of things as he’d love to stay in the game when his career finished.

But that’s a long way off, as is Colorado - I asked Jack if he knew much about the area in which he would be living and playing...

“Not massively, to be honest. I have visited there when I signed and I’ve read bits and bobs about it. I’m sure I’ll be doing some more reading and research over the next few weeks. I can’t wait to get out there...

I like my American Sports and I’m sure I’ll be going to watch some Basketball, American Football and Baseball whilst I’m over there. I did some quarterback stuff for Wolves TV a while back, and I actually wore a Peyton Manning Broncos’ shirt. It’s a bit surreal that I’m now off to play in the same city as him!”

Wolves fans who have watched any of Jack’s 115 appearances in the famous old gold and black shirt since he made his first team debut in 2013 will know that the player will throw himself into the challenge of a new country and club as wholeheartedly as he did whenever he played for their team. And as the player himself states, “this isn’t an end, it’s a start. A new start.”

Jack will be playing his home games in the area of Commerce City (just to the north of the centre of Denver) at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park stadium, which hosted a World Cup qualifying match last summer. His manager will be Anthony Hudson, son of former Stoke City and Chelsea legend, Alan and in goal for the Rapids is ex-Premier League star Tim Howard. It’s a big season for The Rapids, who had a disappointing 2017.

Jack and his new team mates started the new season with two CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 games against the mighty 2017 Treble Winners, Toronto FC, before their first game of the MLS season sees them travel to the New England Revolution on March 10th. Fellow Western Conference teams include the likes of FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, New York City, Portland Timbers, and Houston Dynamo.

“Yes, it’s not exactly like playing matches against teams 40 or 50 miles away, is it?”, chuckles Price, as the combative midfielder contemplates matches thousands of miles away and in different time zones.

On a final note, I ask Jack – apart from family and friends – what he’ll miss the most about the UK? “I must admit, I’ll be gutted if I can’t get a good Sunday roast dinner whilst I’m there”, he answers with a broad smile on his face. And you wouldn’t bet against Jack Price being different gravy in the Colorado Rapids midfield.

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Contact Aaron Widdows, Partner 01603 709330 aaron.widdows@pricebailey.co.uk

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91

Fashion

Get the Balance Right

New Balance are major players on the world footballing stage.

Want proof? Well, with clubs such as Liverpool FC, FC Porto, Sevilla, and Celtic and a number of key outstanding players on board, it’s a brand that fuses the very best from the past with the very best in modern technology.

The result? Football wear and boots for the here, now, and tomorrow.

Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn showcases two of their latest football boots – both coming in striking new colourways.

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New Balance

The updated New Balance Furon 3.0 and Visaro 2.0 football boot collections tick all the right boxes: visually stunning, and constructed with you, the footballer, in mind. They allow you to stand out on the pitch – in more ways than one.

Get noticed for the way you play and the way you look, and get the peace of mind that comes with New Balance’s long, prestigious heritage of producing premium sportswear and footwear.

Visaro

2.0

Furon

3.0

For when you want to create havoc on the pitch...

the game with the accuracy of your passing, intelligent movement and creativity, then the Visaro 2.0 really should be your football boot of choice.

Dictate the play in this striking new colourway of a New Balance favourite. The Visaro 2.0 come in an opulent Maldives Blue with Hi-Lite and Black colourway that simply Data-driven Hexaprene control and strikes zones allow bosses the middle of the pitch. you to display a superior range of passing, whilst datadriven multi-directional stud placement, an engineered What I loved about them was form fitting moccasin soleplate with lightweight chassis, and fresh foam midsole, construction made from trip-layer moulded foam giving gives you the comfort and maneuverability that you want, me the feeling of total control of what I did with the ball when I trialled them. If you’re a player who looks to change need, and deserve.

Let’s take the new standout colour update of the Furon 3.0 collection – as many already have!

In its new Hi-Lite with Maldives Blue & Black accents, the Furon 3.0 is a football boot engineered for the player that looks to devastate the opposition defence. And I couldn’t believe how uber-lightweight these boots were when I trialled a pair. With a super-sleek silhouette and sharp colourway, these really do look the business. But how do they rate in the penalty box rather than the shoebox?

Well, these are made for speed, and the superior fit and comfort that comes with a lower toe spring was just the

boost I needed, especially on the turn, with a superb range of movement around the ankles, too. But the star of the show for me is the lightweight-engineered hybrid mesh with zonal support frame that allows for a cleaner strike for deadly finishing. This TPU/Polyester mesh really gives you an outstanding feel when controlling the ball.

And you want comfort? Well a data-designed REVlite foam insert provides directional in-boot traction, targeted for acceleration motions and cushioning.

The Furon 3.0 is a serious football boot for serious footballers.

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Interview

Valentine’s Day, 2015 was a day that Andy Wilkinson will look back on with not even the smallest hint of fondness. It was FA Cup Fifth Round day, and his Stoke City team were at Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers. But the Potters 5,500 travelling fans there that day soon forgot about their 4-1 reversal to lower league opposition when they heard of the injury suffered by one of their own...

Here, Andy talks to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about his latest challenge – one that will be raising thousands of pounds for something very close to his heart.

A

ndy Wilkinson grew up in the pretty Staffordshire canal town of Stone, several miles from the bet365 Stadium where he played with distinction for his beloved Stoke City. The name of the town is more than ironic as it was from stone that many Stoke fans felt Wilkinson was made of. An old skool right back who loved a tackle, and who played with his heart on his sleeve, everything changed on that cloudy February day in Lancashire three years ago when Wilkinson was hit in the temple area of the head by the ball during The Potters 4-1 defeat in the FA Cup at Blackburn Rovers.

‘Wilko’ played-on that afternoon despite having blurred vision - because that was what Andy Wilkinson always did. It later became clear that Wilkinson had suffered a very serious head injury (which would cause some damage to Andy’s brain) and he would be out for some time. That

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Andy Wilkinson

Wilkinson in typical battling mode, this time tackling Gareth Bale

perspective reached new heights in February 2016 when the player that Stoke City fans adored as one of their own announced his retirement from the game - aged just 31.

I wrote in these very pages about how Andy himself stated it was hard to replicate the buzz that he got from playing professional football and the camaraderie of the changing room environment. Luckily for Andy, he did

have a loving family and property business to fall back on, but as every single football supporter who has seen Andy Wilkinson play will know - Wilko loves a challenge!

And what a challenge he has now chosen to face...

On 22nd April this year, Andy Wilkinson will be running the London Marathon. Nothing unusual about that, you may think, as thousands do so.

But Andy’s injuries actually meant that during his initial time out of football through injury he wasn’t allowed to run at all! It’s incredibly tough for a professional athlete to not be able to compete, never mind train – but it’s testimony to the mental and physical strength of Andy Wilkinson that he’s now tackling the London Marathon head-on!

But he won’t be tackling it alone...

“Yes, I’ve managed to rope my brother in”, states Andy before continuing, “and this makes the experience even better - sharing it with him and also having someone to train with”.

And the Wilkinson’s have been putting the hard yards in, too. Starting training back in September 2017, Andy admits to doing “a slow build-up of miles and I’m up to 17 miles non-stop. It’s a bit of a slog, but it will be more than worth it to raise some money for a great charity.”

That great charity is The Donna Louise - a place extremely close to Andy’s heart, and just over a mile away from Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium. It’s a place that’s also close to our hearts at Professional Player too, being our chosen charity. The Donna Louise is a registered charity that cares for and supports children and young adults with lifelimiting conditions and their families across Staffordshire and Cheshire. And it’s recently had some tremendous news, with The Donna Louise now starting work on constructing a facility alongside the existing hospice to support young people beyond their 19th birthday.

I then ask Andy a very rhetorical question - just »

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Interview

why has he chosen to run The London Marathon?

“I think that I really fancied doing something that was going to challenge me again after all the restrictions my injury had put on me. The London Marathon has always been an event that has been in the back of my head – and I thought I fancy doing that one day. So, when the opportunity came up to do it for The Donna Louise it was perfect as I’m doing something that will push my limits again while raising money for one of my favourite charities. I adore The Donna Louise: It’s a truly humbling and inspirational place and one very close to the hearts of everyone in this area.

It’s an honour to help them.”

After watching Andy play football for Stoke City on any number of occasions and also interviewing him (and even his lovely wife, Emma) a few times too, this latest challenge doesn’t surprise me.

But it might if you met Andy Wilkinson. Softly spoken, polite and kind-hearted off the pitch, he’s a million miles away from the Wilko that all Stokies loved watching tearing about their right flank, often bearing the cuts, bruises and bandages that come from the battles of Premier League football. He’s simply a gentleman, and one who puts others first.

So, has it been easy to train for the marathon?

“Ha, ha - You’re joking, I’m doing three to four runs a week at the minute: a shorter faster one, an 8 mile hilly run, a flat 6 miles, and a long run at the weekend. The hardest part is the diet - as it means I’m starving non-stop and want to eat everything in sight. I obviously can’t though, especially when you look at the frames of marathon runners, ha, ha!”

After playing a team sport professionally at the top level for a number of years, Andy agrees that training for a run is far different than when he would head to Stoke’s Clayton Wood training complex. “Yes, I think with football training it’s a lot more enjoyable as it’s a different session most days and you can mix up your

Andy Wilkinson

Andy’s wife and children outside their home in Staffordshire

training, whereas marathon training can be a bit monotonous. But the mental strength needed for professional has definitely helped me, I think.”

But things turn serious when I ask about he could possibly be running a marathon, only a few years after being told he shouldn’t be running at all. Is it safe to do so? Will it affect Andy’s health?

“I’ve run it past all of the specialists I’ve been working with here and abroad”, admits Andy, “and they’ve all agreed that with a sensible build up program it will be really good for my recovery as all the extra oxygen going to my brain will only be a good thing.

I’m hoping the running is my medication as I’ve tried nearly every other route. It’s not easy, as when I do exercise my vision gets distorted and I still get vertigo which is the worst bit - but I’ve always loved a challenge and in comparison to what the kids and families at The Donna Louise deal with every day, it’s nothing. The rest of my body still works fine and it’s used to training...”

Emma and Andy recently welcomed their third child into the Wilkinson household, and Andy jokes that “it’s nice for me to have something to train for again, and probably think I’m doing it to get out the mad house for a few hours!”, but as every professional sportsman would do, Andy has spoken to several people who have ran the London Marathon and despite hearing a few scare stories is looking forward to the atmosphere, the experience, “and the finish line, ha, ha!”.

Emma will be there in the capital city to cheer her husband on, and Andy is grateful for the love and support shown to him by his close-knot family since retiring from football.

Andy Wilkinson is a player that gave everything in the red and white stripes of Stoke City, and he’s a devoted family man, one who never shirked a challenge. One of the brilliant football sights of recent times was of thousands of the 16,000+ crowd running onto the pitch in his testimonial match that took place at the bet365 Stadium on May 16th 2016, when Andy scored a last minute penalty.

“If Wilko scores, we’re on the pitch” was a chant heard at most Potters’ games, and the good-natured pitch invasion when he did so left many a Stokie with a tear in their eye and a lump in their throat as they sprinted across their beloved ST4 turf to mob a beaming Wilkinson.

So, what does the future hold for Andy Wilkinson, after the small matter of running 26.2 miles around the capital city?

“Well, I’m still loving property developing, and I’m now loving being a defensive coach in the Stoke City Academy, working with mainly the under 18’s and 23’s. And of course, I love spending the time that I spend with my family and newest addition.”

And as for any more charity events?

“Yes, I’m sure I will do more events for charity. I’ll check what else is on my bucket list that I can do that will raise money!”

Andy Wilkinson: Born in Stone. Made of stone.

You can help Andy Wilkinson help The Donna Louise.

Here is a link to the webpage where you can donate for Andy running The London Marathon:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/run-wilko The Donna Louise 1 Grace Road, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8FN www.thedonnalouise.org

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PINKY PROMISE WHAT WILL YOUR #ONEINAMILLION THING BE? The incredible generosity of people like you amazes us every day. And now’s the time to take it to the max and do your #ONEINAMILLION thing. Make a #PinkyPromise to do something, it doesn't matter what big or small, brave or bonkers, wonderful or wacky - just do something!

Whatever you choose, one thing is for sure - you'll be making a difference for children and young adults.

Go on do something - we'd really like you to be our #ONEINAMILLION and make a promise to support The Donna Louise in whatever way you can in 2018.

U K YO THAN ING OUR .

BE LION FOR A MIL N I ONE

Please share your promise with us at

www.thedonnalouise.org/promise

JACK BUTLAND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER

#PIN PRO KY MISE

RYAN SHAWCROSS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER

PETER CROUCH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER

Like us, follow us and visit us for our latest news and events: THE DONNA LOUISE

@DONNALOUISEUK

WWW.THEDONNALOUISE.ORG

the

Wh ere ever y m om ent counts

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Interview

Sports Management with that Personal Touch It’s a chilly February Friday lunchtime in Burnley. The surrounding hills are tinged with snow, and folk are walking briskly around town: hands in pockets and collars up. We sent Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn there to meet the main men behind DRN Sports Management - a company that has only been in existence for just over two years, but one that has a wealth of experience in ‘doing things properly’ for their clients. ou could really sum up about what DRN does in four words: “We do things properly” DRN Sports Management work with, and for, footballers and professional sportspeople. They represent contracted professional sports people, professional clubs and assist non-contracted professionals, and with a broad range of contacts in the legal, commercial and sporting worlds, they are able to offer an expert off-the-pitch package for their clients.

Their footballing clients span the length and breadth of the country, and in all tiers: from the Premier League to Non-League. But they all have one thing in common – they all get the exactly the same service from a company that has “grown beyond our expectations” in those two years, and one which the men behind it see growing further.

So, who and what are DRN Sports Management?

I’m sat in Palazzo. It’s an Italian and Mediterranean restaurant and bar that is in a beautiful old bank vault, right in the centre of town. There are five of

Y

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us sat around a circular table, feasting on a variety of superb pasta dishes, whilst chewing the fat about sports representation and management.

Premier Player gives him a superb perspective on what parents and families really need from a Sport Management company. It’s no surprise that he puts the player and their families first, and that he DRN Sports Management comprises of Kiko Rodriguez; David Lawson; Gareth Seddon and Nick specialises in player and club liaison.

Cassidy. Four like-minded friends and professionals Gareth Seddon was a professional footballer for over twenty years and has experienced the highs – all with different career and skill-sets that are and lows of being a modern player. From being perfect for what they now do. And what they a prolific goalscorer at Bury FC to temporarily ‘do’ is own a Sports Management company with retiring with a blood disease before then rea difference, and one that encompasses several building his career at Fleetwood Town FC alongside strings to an impressive bow. As Kiko states, it’s a Jamie Vardy, Gareth is able to share his own sports management company “with a difference, experiences and knowledge with clients. You may and one that makes a difference – we provide a onehave also seen him in the excellent “Class of 92” stop, all-round service, at all levels of the game”. documentary on the BBC. From his time in the So, just who are the people who make game Gareth has strong player, club, commercial up DRN Sports Management? and sponsorship contacts, and is able to assist players both on and off the pitch.

Kiko Rodriguez is the father of West Brom and England striker Jay Rodriguez. With experience David Lawson is a qualified solicitor and of management in other sectors, Kiko is a founder registered FA Intermediary and has had a successful member of DRN Sports Management, and his legal career for over twenty years. An expert advocate first-hand experience of being the father of a and negotiator with a wide practice base, David

DRN Sports Management

Kiko Rodriguez

Gareth Seddon

David Lawson

Nick Cassidy

combines his legal ability, strong contacts, and love of sport so that DRN clients get a trusted and wellrespected representative.

Nick Cassidy, like David, is a qualified solicitor and registered FA Intermediary who is an expert advocate and negotiator. Through this, he is able to draw upon his legal knowledge and previous roles in private industry to ensure players are expertly represented.

Nick has a particular interest in disciplinary and regulatory matters, and with David ensures that our clients are advised on relevant issues affecting DRN’s clients - such as social media interaction and any potential linked offences for example.

So, as you can see, with widespread expertise and experience in all aspects of the game and in legal matters, you can see why DRN Sports Management now have over signed 30 players on their books in such a short space of time: because they have all bases covered for the modern day footballer.

But what they also pride themselves on is their ability to provide an outstanding service to players

at all levels of the game. It’s something that Gareth is keen to pick up on.

“We are proud that DRN don’t just focus on elite players. The recent Jamie Vardy documentary on SKY showed that there are some extraordinary talents in non-league football. So, whilst we are delighted to have players at Premier League clubs with us, we also look at players who may need a second chance; players who maybe have been let down by other agents or by the professional game.

I played with Jamie at Fleetwood when we won The Conference. I know that there are more Jamie Vardy’s out there. And I know that there are players at all levels of the game who need sound advice, support and representation, too. For example, in a year, we took four players who had been released by professional clubs, got them playing in non-league football, and then helped them back into professional clubs again! That gives us a great buzz, and also the peace of mind that we are doing things right.”

Doing things right is all about providing a rounded, holistic package, and as Nick states “at DRN Sports Management we understand players play better on the pitch when they don’t have to worry about matters off the pitch. Our clients know that we put them and their families first. We do what is best for them, not us. Word of mouth is the very best form of advertising in whatever business you are in, and that’s why we have an excellent reputation and have grown so quickly”.

With a wealth of legal expertise to back the sporting and pastoral side of the company up, it’s clear that players are in great hands with DRN. With over two decades of legal experience, David picks up on this...

“Whatever we do is based on integrity. As a qualified solicitor we are heavily regulated, and we ensure that this breadth of accountability is at the heart of what DRN does”.

David then leans forward and asks me a question, even though I’m the one doing the interviewing!

“You are a parent of a boy in an academy. Let’s say he progresses through and he’s successful in a few years’ time - what would you be looking for in a Sports Management company for your child? Wouldn’t you want one that looks at the bigger picture, understands the game from a player and parent perspective, and has legal expertise in-house, too? Your boy wouldn’t be just a number with us – he’d get the personal service from our team that every client gets.”

Great points, well made.

I ask Nick about the process of a player possibly looking to join the DRN Sports Management roster, and his answer is unsurprisingly honest and straightforward.

“We will be contacted, usually by the player themselves, and we always ensure that if it’s a young player, at our first meeting we meet with parents present, too. They are a hugely important part of the whole process, and we understand that for them, their child’s career is a huge matter. As you know, we have Kiko and Gareth who can talk through footballing issues as an ex-pro and a parent of pro, and we can add legal input too, but it sometimes isn’t needed at that initial meeting. Indeed, we don’t take a contract to the first meeting as we will never put on any pressure to sign with us.

We also refer potential clients to the FA website and we will tell them to speak to other agents too, to get a broader picture. We are very transparent and honest throughout the whole process and we see ourselves a team, not individuals. When a client joins us, they become part of the DRN team and so get a very personalised service, as all our players do, where communication is key.”

David agrees. “Yes, we say to all potential new clients – This is our team, this is what we can offer, you’ve met us all, and you can see we have your best interests at heart, and can offer a wide range of services and support”.

And this range of services and support also extends to wealth management. As part of DRN’s whole welfare package they also, as Kiko states “offer sensible wealth advice. We see it as a kind of extra insurance and peace of mind that some Sports Management companies don’t or can’t offer. By doing this, we recognise that professional sportspersons require financial assistance from time to time.”

In the competitive and often daunting world of professional sport, DRN Sports Management’s multi skilled representatives provide the perfect off-thefield support to ensure that their clients maximise their potential doing what they do best. This is a close-knit company with a firm commitment to client care and integrity.

Created by the father of a Premiership player, a professional footballer and qualified solicitors, DRN Sports Management aims to work with players, their families and clubs in an open and transparent way: By doing things properly.

Tel 0799 058 5494 or 0790 018 2333 Email info@drnsports.co.uk Website: drnsports.com Twitter: @DRNSPORT DRN Sports Management are taking on the grueling 112 mile Coast to coast walk (Hartlepool to Blackpool) starting on 17th May for three charities close to their hearts. For more details how to donate or sponsor, please contact the company.

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Interview

From LA to the Amex

H

e’s best known on these shores for his role in EastEnders as ‘bad boy’ Sean Slater, but far from being typecast in the back streets of Walford, Robert Kazinsky’s career has gone into overdrive on the other side of the Atlantic.

It’s now ten years since he left Albert Square to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood - a place that can be an actor’s graveyard for many an aspiring Brit from this side of the pond, but Robert quickly found work in US TV drama Brothers & Sisters.

In 2012 he joined the cast of US fantasy drama True Blood as well as appearing in the sci-fi film Pacific Rim, alongside fellow Brits Idris Elba and Charlie Hunnam.

With his Stateside career very much in the ascendancy, he then appeared in the film Siren and was also the lead role in Second Chance, a drama series on FOX, in which he played Jimmy Pritchard, a murdered ex-cop who had been brought back to life.

More recently, he has co-starred as Orgrim Doomhammer in the Warcraft film adaptation, yet despite his success as an adopted Hollywoodian, Robert still misses home.

“I’ve gone from Brighton to London to Los

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Angeles, but funnily enough, the longer I’m away I miss Brighton more than anywhere else,” says the 34-year-old, who was most recently in the UK last year, filming The Revenger.

“I was born and raised Brighton, and I managed to fail my way through school and college there before I realised that academia was probably not for me.”

Living so close to the club’s former Goldstone Ground, it was inevitable that Robert would follow the fortunes of his local club, but with the Seagulls’ plight heading in only one direction at the time, he did flutter his eyelids at the top of the Premier League as well.

“Funnily enough I grew up supporting Manchester United, mainly I think because I identified with fellow ginger legend Paul Scholes,” he laughs. “But as I grew up near Brighton’s old ground, I was aware of the troubles the club was going through at the time, and obviously witnessed the Goldstone being closed down and a retail park built on top of it.

“I actually worked in the JJB Sports store that sat on the old spot for a while. Combining that with the club’s former chairman Dick Knight popping into the grocery store I worked in all the time made me focus on my hometown team.

“From that point on whenever I could I would

Robert at the Warcraft Global Premiere in Los Angeles

PHOTO: KATHY HUTCHINS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Hollywood actor Robert Kazinsky might be based thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, but he still looks out for his hometown club, Brighton & Hove Albion, as Luke Nicoli discovered…

follow Albion through all their trials, the ups and downs, and now, finally finding myself in the enviable position of having Albion and United in the same league, a problem I thought I would never face!”

Robert’s earliest recollections of actually watching the Albion in the flesh are at Withdean Stadium, but it wasn’t necessarily the action on the pitch that initially caught his eye – more a broadcasting legend in the directors’ seating.

Robert Kazinsky

PHOTO: MOVIESTORE COLLECTION/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Robert in his co-star role as Orgrim Doomhammer in the Warcraft film adaptation

I VAGUELY RECOLLECT SEEING DES LYNAM THERE AND THAT BEING JUST ABOUT THE MOST EXCITING THING THAT HAD EVER HAPPENED TO ME!”

“I vaguely recollect seeing Des Lynam there and that being just about the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me!” he reveals.

“I wasn’t particularly football mad, but I guess the first time I went to Withdean and saw what the club had become is when I saw Albion as the ultimate underdogs. I endeavoured to follow them wherever they went.”

Like many Albion fans growing up at the Theatre of Trees, Kazinsky experienced plenty of good times, with successive promotions and Championship football, but it was never lost on him the struggles the club had gone through to that point under the auspices of chairman Knight.

“Players come and go but Dick Knight fought unbelievably hard to keep Albion afloat. Then [current chairman] Tony Bloom came in and bought his boyhood club. Now we are getting to a point where we deserve to be, but people forget sometimes how lucky we are to have a team.”

And so to the present; Robert has yet to sample matchdays at the Amex given his current residency, but he still keeps a close eye on results and was delighted to see the club finally get over the line and into the Premier League.

“Unfortunately, having been out the country for a

decade I haven’t had the chance to go to the Amex yet and when I do inevitably make it home for a week or two it’s the off-season,” he explains. “In fact, I haven’t been able to watch a live game in years, so I mainly glue myself to BBC Sport or Five Live and read the live updates.

“My brother goes to the games though; he runs his own recruitment company in Brighton and unlike me (the travelling numpty) he’s a true Brightonian.

“But I was delighted to see us finally go up after so many play-off failures, and my favourite moment last season was just the quiet satisfaction of confirming automatic promotion. Even allowing Newcastle to take the big prize didn’t matter, nothing could remove that smug glow inside.”

We caught up with Robert shortly after the eyecatching 2-1 win against Arsenal at the Amex, a result which saw the side hit the heady heights of tenth in the table. Although it preceded a tough run-in, he admits the club’s debut Premier League season has gone better than expected.

“It’s been surprising to be honest,” he admits.

“From the way people were talking, if we’d won a single point we were meant to be grateful.

“But I think we’ve made some good signings; Pascal Gross has worked out from the beginning

but we’ve kept the solid spine of the team. If we can keep our solidity I think we could have a stable and happy few years before kicking on.

“It’s just incredible how far the club has come – Brighton are the Jamie Vardy of football clubs and in a few more years we’ll be winning the Champions League!”

And with that quip, our Transatlantic call drew to a close; we thanked Robert for his time, which is clearly precious at the moment given he has a big few months on the horizon.

“I have three movies coming out to look out for: Spivak, which is a slightly black comedy; Mute, a futuristic thriller from Duncan Jones, with whom I made Warcraft a couple years back, and The Revenger, a British unromantic comedy which we have also wrapped production on.

“Making a movie back home was something I always wanted to do and it was literally one big laugh from action to cut. I loved every minute of it – and it was also great to catch up with family and friends, even if I missed out on an Albion game. Don’t get me wrong, LA is great and now a place I call home, but you can’t beat Good Old Sussex by the Sea!”

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Interview Paul Hall

Beating the odds Paul Hall made 745 career appearances for the likes of Portsmouth and Coventry and played in the 1998 World Cup finals for Jamaica. He’s now embarking on a successful coaching career but says changes need to be made at boardroom level if BAME coaches like him are to make it to the very top…

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Paul we’ve spoken to Troy Townsend from Kick It Out this issue but if we look specifically at the number of black managers in the professional game, we’ve still got a long way to go, haven’t we?

qualifications in place to take the next step into management but are not even reaching the interview stage or even receiving the dignity of a reply.

When you think that around 25 per cent of players in the professional game in this country are from a BAME [black, asian and minority ethnic] background, then that’s certainly not being reflected in management. If you look at the Premier League managers right now, there’s only Chris Hughton from a BAME background, which is a damning indictment of where we are right now. I know black players who are coming towards the end of their careers and given the barriers likely to face them on the road into management, they are instead turning to the media, to sports agencies, or they are simply leaving the game altogether. Those that have gone into coaching, there are many who have all their

In your opinion what could spark a change?

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The only way it’s going to change is if we have more diversity in boardrooms up and down the country. If we get a richer mix of people, from a host of different backgrounds, then we would see more diversity in terms of managerial appointments – and, indeed, appointments in senior positions throughout football clubs and organisations. I’m privileged to be employed by what I believe is the most diverse football club in the country in QPR, and I love the club for that. If you look at our boardroom, from Tony Fernandes and Ruben Gnanalingham the co-chairmen, Amit Bhatia our vice-chairman, to Lee Hoos our chief executive and Les Ferdinand our director of football, right down

CYRILLE WAS MY IDOL GROWING UP IN THE WEST MIDLANDS AND THEY SAY THE FIRST THROUGH THE BRICK WALL GET THE BLOODIEST NOSE...”

to our academy coaching staff that includes Paul Furlong, Andrew Impey, Chris Ramsey and myself, I honestly believe we are a world leader in terms of our diversity as a sporting organisation. It’s not a short-term fix, but I hope there are many clubs looking at us as a blueprint for how things could be in the future.

So QPR are the exception to the rule right now?

It’s fair to say that the majority of boardrooms are totally one-dimensional, consisting of white, ageing men from a business background. Now there’s nothing wrong in that, but we need integration with black people, asian people, girls, women, members of the LGBT community... I think that’s a mix that reflects the generation of today and unless we do see that change, then I expect us still to be facing the same issues in 20 years’ time. We need that diversity which in turn leads to integrity, openness, accountability; we need to break the cycle.

What are your views on the Rooney Rule, which the FA has now adopted?

You could say it’s a move in the right direction, where we are going to see at least one applicant from a BAME background interviewed for future roles in the England set-up, but ultimately the

Rooney Rule is an act of tokenism, an act of box ticking. We want to get to the point where there is no need for the Rooney Rule, like we have at QPR, where our interview process happens organically thanks to that melting pot of thinking and diversity I’ve spoken about in our boardroom.

We recently lost the great Cyrille Regis and while he was indeed a trailblazer for black players on the pitch, he was ultimately lost to the game, wasn’t he?

He decided to work for a sports agency when, in all honesty, he should have – given his undoubted credentials – been handed the top job at West Bromwich Albion at some point.

We’ve also lost Ian Wright to the media, while Sol Campbell is currently struggling to find a managerial position despite having attained his UEFA Pro Licence. Cyrille was my idol growing up in the West Midlands and they say the first through the brick wall get the bloodiest nose, and what the likes of him, Brendon Batson, Laurie Cunningham and Chris Ramsey certainly went through was some serious abuse, but they were, as you say, trailblazers. Now, in terms of black coaches and managers, we are the trailblazers hoping to make the breakthrough for the next generation. Once we get one or two through, then more will follow... »

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Interview Paul Hall

You played Premier League football with Coventry, made 188 league appearances for Portsmouth and played in the World Cup, so was coaching something you always wanted to do?

We are all experts, no matter what level we play at because, by our very definition, we are professionals. I had 22 years as a player and felt I had something to give back to the game, I felt I could make a difference to the players coming through today. It wasn’t a straight forward route, however: I have teached in a college, not just football but psychology and sports analysis; and I took a sports journalism degree at Staffordshire University. All these facets, these life experiences, have helped set me up for a career in coaching.

So how did you get on the ladder so to speak?

Initially I was assistant manager at Mansfield, which coincided with the end of my playing career, and we got to the FA Vase final, only to lose to Mark Cooper’s

mentor of Chris’s calibre is absolutely invaluable.

I’m like a sponge to learning and that extends beyond coaching the players, too.

What do you mean by that?

With the under-23s you have senior players dropping down who feel they should be in the first-team, while you also have young lads who feel they deserve to be given a chance with the senior squad, so there’s a lot of testosterone flying about.

Aside from being a coach you have to be a sounding board, a friend, a mentor, a disciplinarian, a whole host of personas. You also need to approach players in a different way to when I was growing up; this is the social media generation where it isn’t unusual for lads to text each other when they are actually sitting in the same room! You need to embrace the generation you are working with otherwise you will get left behind. Win their hearts and minds then, allied with your football knowledge, you’re on the right track.

Finally, if we’re chatting again in five years’ time, where do you hope to be?

I want to be a first-team manager in the Football

HALL AND HALLS Aside from his work at QPR, Paul is also a director at Halls & Hall, a boutique agency linking sports, brands and talent. Lizzie Liebenhals, who runs the day-to-day operations, also has over 25 years experience working in the world of sport and celebrity.

the opening of two Caprice Holding Ivy restaurants; organised private parties for footballers and celebs who are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries and want amazing venues and great entertainment, all in a private environment and away from the press.

The business delivers a variety of events from working with sporting greats and placing them in corporate hospitality environments and brand deals, through to private parties, launches and dinners. Together their contacts are global and cover sport right through to music.

They have also provided ex-legends for Club Wembley hospitality; various brand partnerships with sports stars and high-profile brands; broadcast deals and media work; booked high profile music artists; and have run charity PR events.

On their glowing CV to date, Halls & Halls have provided footballing legends to play at Wembley company days; brought Mick Jagger to the FA Cup Final; assisted

“I think why sports stars and celebs like working with us is because we love what we do,” said Lizzie. “We understand how our clients work and what’s important to them, and we like to

add that sprinkling of stardust to any event we are asked to organise.

“Brands and corporate companies like the fact that we have such a wide range of people we know and, more often than not, we speak to them direct which means they are always briefed and know what’s required of them.”

“When I first met Lizzie I was pretty confident my black book was extensive, then I saw Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali and Zidane in hers and was like, ‘okay, that’s impressive’!” added Paul. “I like being part of the commercial side – it gives me a really different perspective to playing and coaching.”

www.hallsandhalls.com

Darlington. From there I went to Tamworth, where I linked up with Marcus Law, and we got through to the third round of the FA Cup, which was a massive achievement for the club. I was then introduced to Richard Allen, who was QPR’s head of recruitment at the time, and he liked my attitude and outlook on the game. I joined the club as assistant coach for the under-18s and was then promoted to the under-23s as head coach, under the guidance of Chris Ramsey. It’s a fantastic job and having a

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League or, even better, the Premier League.

Longer term I would love to be in the first-team environment at QPR as I have a real affinity with the club and the environment I’m working in. It would also be great to start a game by shaking the hand of the manager in the opposition dug-out and that hand being one from a BAME background. It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility but there’s a lot of hard work ahead, both personally and institutionally...

MICKY FALLON

TROY END TOWNS P106

P111 YASIN P108 PATEL

Professional Player has been talking to players about the on-going issues around black players in the UK. The problems do not seem to go away. The passing recently of Cyril Regis brought it into the spotlight again as the loss of this great man who was a pioneer of his time and now is a legend of the game and rightly so!

We also take a look at the abuse that previous young players have endured in their careers with an interview with Micky Fallon.

If you have any thoughts then let us know at @proplayermag on twitter and Instagram

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Interview Troy Townsend

Kick It Out have made big strides in helping to stamp racism and discrimination out of our game, but as the organisation’s education manager Troy Townsend told Luke Nicoli, there is still work to be done

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clubs. However, when my predecessor, [ex-England and Aston Villa defender] I ran a business where we supplied schools with Earl Barrett, left for a full-time post at PE teachers, but it was more than that, it was an Stoke City, I was given the opportunity opportunity to help young people believe in their to make his role my own – I would say ability within sport. I engrossed myself in all aspects due to the dedication I’d shown whilst of the role, to the point where I was even on the board volunteering. As Kick It Out’s education of governors, but then a change of headmaster saw manager, I support aspiring youngsters a change in direction at the school and I was slowly looking to break into the game, in a edged out. While I still had the business and my work capacity, by delivering mentoring own football academy, I attended a Kick It Out event conferences and supplying work out of curiosity really, and was energised by what placements, voluntarily opportunities I saw. I felt I could impact the game in a different etc. I deliver our equality and diversity way, outside of wearing a tracksuit, and started in a workshops to Premier League and voluntary role for the organisation, responsible for English Football League academy getting resources: T-shirts, banners, stickers, out to players, parents and staff.

Let’s start with you Troy, how did you get involved with Kick It Out?

FEATURE Unite against abuse

You played a bit yourself, didn’t you?

I loved the game and, like many kids, dreamed of being a professional footballer. I played for a Sunday team called Beaumont FC and we had an excellent side, which included a certain Teddy Sheringham – my striker partner – plus the likes of Martin Hayes, Jimmy Carter, Michael Gilkes and Perry Sucking, who all went on to have decent careers in the game. I went to Millwall at 14 but I was released at 16. I then had a spell under the former England coach John Cartwright at Crystal Palace but it just wasn’t to be.

My journey had ended before it really begun.

Recent figures show incidents of racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination are up by 38 per cent in England’s top four leagues compared to last year. Is that a worry or a positive in the fact that more incidents are now being reported?

We’re all aware of Cyrille Regis’s sad passing recently and what he went through – but we’ve come a long way, haven’t we?

Kick It Out has been running for 24 years and we’ve made massive strides since then. You mention Cyrille and the abuse he, Brendan Batson and Laurie Cunningham – and other black players at the time – went through was horrendous. We’re not at that stage anymore. Football has moved on but we can’t afford to rest on our laurels because of where the country is at the moment, and that’s football’s biggest challenge, not just Kick It Out’s – to make sure we don’t dip back into the dark ages again.

At the moment in our society, I don’t think we’re in good place, with Brexit splitting the country down the middle. We saw a real spike in incidents postreferendum, for example. I do believe, though, that our young people are more aware, more conscious and they don’t look at colour, language, religion – the different aspects that make up an individual as such. As they get older, however, and disseminate from the school environment that’s where young people start to come more into contact with different people, from different backgrounds, see different issues and start to take on different views. People can attach themselves to the wrong elements, and that’s when you have a problem.

Would you say social media has had a positive or negative impact?

If a player is abused, where should they go for support?

I would always advise them to reach out to people

We still have a big issue with black players taking the that they feel most comfortable with. Clubs will top managerial roles in the game though, don’t we? always provide instant support while from Kick It

There are just seven black managers out of 92 professional clubs which, when you consider how We see it as a positive in the fact that the mechanism of many black or BAME players we have in the game, reporting incidents, via the Kick It Out app and other there’s clearly an issue that needs addressing. We have channels, is being utilised more efficiently now. There initiatives in place and there is a Rooney Rule-type is more awareness that certain situations are no longer Recruitment Code in place in the EFL now, where acceptable and both players and fans know there is it’s mandatory for clubs to interview one or more always someone or somewhere to report an incident.

BAME candidate, but I echo Paul Hall’s comments People see the rise in figures and get scared by them, elsewhere in this issue in that we need more diversity but what we are more able to do now is clamp down on in boardrooms to see real change - after all, these are the perpetrators. Once we get a spike, then hopefully the people who do the hiring and firing. we’ll see a decrease because we’re on top of everything.

Do you think the youngsters of today are more educated when it comes to racism and discrimination?

a young gay player developing through the game to eventually become an England international. We show it to under-23 and under-18 players and while parts of the film make for uncomfortable viewing for some, what it does is open up honest discussion afterwards. Whether the conversations are positive or negative, the fact that the young players are talking about homosexuality, in a football environment, is massive for me.

What does Kick It Out do to pro-actively get its message out there?

One of the biggest things we do is run a programme in conjunction with the Premier League called Equality Inspires, which educates players from under-23 level down to under-9s, likewise staff and parents as well. The programme educates in terms of racism, homophobia, sexism and religion, providing awareness and understanding to those taking part.

For these young players, they could well become our role models of the future, so they need to educate themselves and make sure they’re skilled with the right kind of knowledge going into the game – and it’s important the staff at the club are also in a position to provide support in that respect. The programme has been a great success and the impact over the past three years has been massive.

Kick It Out is not just about racism anymore, is it?

Racism is just one element of discrimination. We You can look at it two ways. Social media can be a educate in terms of religious tolerance, for example, real positive tool if used in the right way, but from encouraging players to understand how someone a negative perspective it gives people a platform to else’s faith might affect their preparation for a game, vent their anger and hatred. Up until recently there in terms of prayer or, indeed, fasting, and we’re now hadn’t been a clampdown so language borne out of seeing clubs adopt multi-faith prayer rooms which is racism, borne out of discrimination, has been put a massive step forward. One area that does concern out there via someone’s keyboard. We’re at a stage me, however, is the lack of understanding towards now where we’re working closer with social media homophobia, both inside and outside the changing companies in terms of recognising vile hatred and room, and I’m using an excellent short film as a tool to stamping it out, by closing down accounts and educate players called ‘WONDERKID’. Directed by a making people accountable for their actions. talented young man, Rhys Chapman, the film depicts

Out’s perspective, we have a Professional Players Manager in Paul Mortimer [ex-Charlton striker], who is able to speak to senior players, whilst I deal with academy players. The problem we have is that if anything is under investigation, we’re not allowed to get in contact – which is an issue that needs to be addressed. Once the whole process is over we can then visit and talk about their welfare, but it’s important for me that, at the moment of impact, players are aware that Kick It Out can support them and help advise the club. At the moment, there’s still this uncertainty and we have to break that uncertainty and make players feel confident that they have the support behind them.

Where do you see Kick It Out moving forward?

I want Kick It Out to have a presence in Europe, which doesn’t recognise racism and discrimination the way we do. Bringing it back to home, we have to be realistic and realise we are never going to stamp out discrimination completely but what we have to do is continue to educate and to support the journeys of players as they grow into the game. I also want to see more awareness of what Kick It Out does, the campaigns we have, the people we connect with, and I’d like to bring all the footballing bodies closer together to achieve what should be one common goal.

Finally, let’s end with a bit of fun.

Who’s the better player – you or Andros?

[long pause]... We’re different players! [laughs] In all seriousness, it brings me great joy and an enormous sense of pride to watch Andros play. Whether it’s his debut for Tottenham, his first game for England, or watching him scoring goals for Crystal Palace, you go through the mill emotionally – it’s always incredibly tense and nerve-racking – but when he’s flying then it brings an enormous amount of satisfaction. I’m proud, like any father would be, to see my son go through the system and play at the highest level, for both club and country.

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Offended by the title?

And so you should be, but what are you going to do about it? Complain? What if you heard your team-mate say it to an opponent. Would you complain then? Are you an honest, fair, person? Or put it another way, a ‘snitch’?

Answer this at the end.

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FEATURE Unite against abuse

he next time you get fouled and are sitting on the floor: think of what happened to Rhian Brewster a few weeks ago: “I was on the floor and I had the ball in my hands. One of their players started saying stuff in Russian to the ref. I said: ‘It’s a foul, man, what you playing at?’ I was still sitting down at this stage.

Then their player leaned over me, right down to my face and said: ‘Suck my dick, you nigger, you negro.’* This is football in 2018. ‘Unbelievable, unacceptable, not on’, you may say. But what are you going to do about it?

Brewster is a World Cup winner with England’s Under-17s, as well as being the owner of the golden boot from the same tournament. Brewster, a young man trying to break his way into the Liverpool 1st XI may be a teenager in age: but his experiences of racism and racist attacks make him more experienced than most men.

The footballing world needs to listen to this young boy. UEFA, FIFA, the FA and all those at the top.

But players also need to pay attention. How can anyone allow this kind of abuse to continue? To a friend, opponent, but more importantly, a fellow human being.

History of racism in football is disgraceful: but the fight to beat it continues. Figures from years gone by have shown how to beat the racists. Remember the John Barnes photo of his having bananas thrown at him when playing for Liverpool? His reaction? Eat the fruit: pure class!

But Brewster has not had 1 incident of racist abuse. He has had five in seven months: Two while playing for England and one in the World Cup final when, he can vividly remember one of his team-mates being called a “monkey” by an opposition player.

Brewster has the backing of his parents: and their concern. They want action and for their son to be treated like a talented footballer on the pitch.

Not a victim of racism. They don’t want it to keep happening. And they’re angry because nothing has been done about it.”

In May, England played Ukraine in Croatia. *All quotes in article from The Guardian 29/12/17

Brewster got into an argument with the opposition goalkeeper and got called a ‘nigger’. The FA complained, but with no video evidence, no action was taken by UEFA. In September, Liverpool Under-19’s played Sevilla at home. He was called a ‘Nigger’ again. This time Brewster was walking off the pitch when he was stopped by his manager, Steven Gerrard. Despite a complaint to UEFA, no action resulted.

Two weeks later Liverpool were playing in Russia, against Spartak Moscow. Brewster’s was being substituted and Nigeria-born Bobby Adekanye ran onto the pitch with monkey chants from the crowds.

Sir Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out said, “Rhian has been very courageous. A guy has come out and told us exactly what is going on. Are the institutions going to fail him? Is that what the fans going to Russia are going to see at the World Cup?

out and say it is still happening all the time and that we need help to stop it. We are really happy he did that but it is not a situation you want a 17-yearold to be in. If he needs help we will give it to him.”

Racism is a criminal offence. If found guilty of racism, a person could face imprisonment. If this criminality is not acceptable in society, why is it tolerated on the football pitch? Why do the players, peers and the football authorities not punish those who are harming our game? And why do players and colleagues not come forward to report other players? Is it more important not to be seen as a ‘snitch’? Is it better not to report a racist?

Earlier this month, Cyrille Regis passed away. The former England player fought racism and was one of the leading figures in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Little would he have expected that come 2018, a young Liverpool starlet who has represented his country in an Under-17 World Cup victory, would

RHIAN HAS BEEN VERY COURAGEOUS. A GUY HAS COME OUT AND TOLD US EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON. ARE THE INSTITUTIONS GOING TO FAIL HIM?” People might say it is a 17-year-old who is not yet playing at professional elite level – well, hello, that [the lower age levels] is really where the problems begin.”

Players suffering from racism on the pitch need to be supported. They need backing, so that their complaints are heard and colleagues and witnesses need to come forward.

Brewster has received support and backing from many at Liverpool. The owners, academy director, mentors, players and the Liverpool Manager.

Jurgen Klopp, sums it up: “I am really happy he is brave enough, and he needed to be brave, to do what he did because it is such an important thing,” Klopp said. “I really can’t believe people still have these thoughts in their mind now. It’s so strange that it happens in this world now and we need a 17-year-old boy to shout

suffer the same kind of racism.

Football has come a long way. Players get paid a lot of money, stadiums are modern, footballers fitter, kit more aerodynamic. But racism, the problem remains from a distant past. The word “nigger” is as offensive now as it was in the 1970’s, the 1870’s and before. Let’s fight racism together. For the sake of society, football and the human beings who are victims of it.

Now ask yourself. Would you report your teammate for racism now? And if not, why not?

Yasin Patel is a Barrister and a Director of SLAM (Sports, Law & Media) who look after athletes needs: contracts, advice, image rights to disputes. And human rights as well!

www.slam.global

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Interview Micky Fallon

FEATURE Unite against abuse

Micky Fallon speaks outside Liverpool Crown Court after Barry Bennell was jailed

Micky Fallon was one of the countless young boys preyed upon by the paedophile former football coach, Barry Bennell, who was jailed last month. After bravely speaking out about the trauma that haunted him for more than 30 years, Fallon tells Euan Reedie how he is now desperate to support other child abuse victims and safeguard children in sport.

PHOTO: SARAH WADDINGTON

“

I

do feel like a weight has been lifted,” says Micky Fallon on a bitterly cold, yet sunny, February day at his home in Plymouth, Devon.

Speaking from the sanctuary of his conservatory, Fallon unburdens his personal hell of being abused by a serial paedophile with impressive candour and composure.

And, in an exclusive interview with Professional Player, he also conveys

his determination to help other victims like him in sport through the support group, the Offside Trust.

A week earlier, outside Liverpool Crown Court and in the full glare of the world’s media, Fallon had stood shoulder to shoulder with two fellow victims of the former football coach, Barry Bennell.

He, Steve Walters and Chris Unsworth read out impassioned statements after seeing a man described as “the devil incarnate” sentenced to 31 years in jail after being convicted of 50 offences against boys.

“We stand before you today as men united, but at the same time, we were very young boys,” Fallon said. “We were little boys with a dream and our innocence was shattered. Our dreams turned into the most horrendous nightmare.”

That nightmare – which at various stages during the 46-year-old’s life affected his relationships, turned him to alcohol and even made him suicidal is mercilessly now over.

“For me personally, there is a big element »

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Interview Micky Fallon

of closure,” Fallon admits. “I’ve been having It was at Bennell’s home – or, more aptly, lair given something positive happens and things like this counselling every week for the last year or so and can’t happen again,” says Fallon, who played the child predator that would be unmasked – that a big part of working towards that closure was the semi-professionally for various clubs in Devon their dreams were shattered and their nightmare court case. Getting the verdict we got, at first the and Cornwall – and fulfilled a childhood dream by began, however. emotions were very raw and now I’ve had a week or Fallon was only 13 when Bennell abused him playing at Wembley, where he won the FA Vase with so to take it in a little bit more.”

Tiverton Town two years running. several times and left him emotionally scarred for “I feel in a good place now and can move on with Fallon is relishing his ambassadorial role with the life, wracked with guilt and shame at not feeling life,” he continues, as his dog barks excitedly in the able to speak out about a man he had revered.

Offside Trust, the group set up by Bennell’s victims living room. to support survivors of child abuse and make sport As Fallon lamented on that momentous February safer for children.

He can finally savour the normality of everyday life day in Liverpool, he and others had “held our again – including returning to his job as a civil servant silence” about the horrors that had befallen them “We’ve kind of been hindered by the trial a bit and – after enduring “the most emotionally charged and kind of had to stay low key. Now it’s full steam ahead and “lived in decades of failure”. unpleasant experience of my life” in court. and we are working on two projects at the moment.

Now, however, he no longer harbours “the dirty Being subjected to merciless interrogation from “The first is the survivors’ toolkit and that really is secret” he buried in the dark recesses of his mind Bennell’s barrister – “the first comment she made to for 32 years. about working with guys that want to come forward me was: ‘You’re a liar and you’re making this up’” – and say they were abused in sport and giving them As he boldly declared outside court: “We are no was a harrowing ordeal. the full range of services available to us through the longer afraid of you, Barry Bennell.”

Football Association, the Professional Footballers’ He and his fellow victims were also told they were chasing compensation, fame and had been “coerced” Having dealt with his tragic past, Fallon is moving Association, Sporting Chance, which was set up by forward with his life with positivity and vigour. into mobilising a group against Bennell. the former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams [an ex-alcoholic], and other organisations. We want to “The key is making sure that out of all this, Then there was the sickening sight of Bennell laughing at him while he gave evidence – as he did during others’ testimonies.

“I’ll never forgive the guy for what • Continuing support to survivors with • Working alongside internet and • Assisting to develop a better culture he did to my childhood and also to confidential listening and referral service technology bodies to campaign around around sport where children are grooming and internet safety safe and protected, changing the my adult life,” says Fallon, who felt • Working alongside organisations and partners to end abuse and achieve the • Improving cross-sport checks, reporting conversation around abuse in sport compelled to disclose his torment healing survivors deserve and information sharing • Ensuring a survivor-centred approach last year after watching a fellow is adhered to at all levels of the survivor • I

dentifying improvements in reporting, • E

nsuring all enquiries into non-recent Bennell victim, and his childhood journey, no matter what route is taken safeguarding and information sharing abuse are able to properly identify past friend from Plymouth, Steve failures and learn from mistakes • Developing support resources for family, • H

osting further, regular support Walters, speaking to the BBC. “I loved ones and supporters of survivors events for survivors to share their • Continuing to use our platform in the think it would have gone some way healing journey through peer-to-peer media to combat the stigma of abuse, • Developing a pressure group to be the if he’d shown he was a remorseful engagement and ensure we all understand our role in independent body to ensure progress keeping children safe is made guy and that he knew what he did • Expanding our work to directly engage was bad. and educate young people and parents • Developing and distributing guidance to • Fully engaging professional clubs and as key stakeholders in the safeguarding key stakeholders regarding preventing players to use their resources and “But there was no remorse process abuse, and working sensitively with platform to keep all children in sport safe throughout the trial and he laughed survivors of abuse at nearly everybody giving evidence and throughout the verdicts. That was tough to take.” empower them to feel they’re really not alone.

Fallon’s own family has been understandably This was, after all, a man Fallon had looked up to devastated by his revelations, particularly his parents.

“We had some really big examples of this during and trusted implicitly. the trial with families who didn’t know us but we’ve They are consumed with anger and guilt, having Bennell was “one of the best youth football brought them into the fold. They had felt lonely instigated and funded the Crewe trips. coaches” in the country at the time at Crewe and on their own and had to give evidence behind But, as Fallon stresses, how could they have envisaged Alexandra; the Cheshire club has a proven track screens. By the end of the trial, that changed and we that their little boy would suffer such malice when he record of producing prodigious young talent over have helped people feel that they’re not alone. was under the care of a professional football club? the years, including ex-internationals such as David “We are trying to increase our resources to offer “[Bennell’s] a really manipulative guy, who didn’t Platt and Robbie Savage. more than just to the person,” Fallon says. “Abuse just groom kids but he groomed their parents as As such, it seemed like a dream come true for Fallon impacts not just on you, but your parents, your well and was very clever at it.” to fulfil his footballing ambitions when Bennell partner and family. What we’re trying to do is find scouted him playing for a Plymouth under-12s team. that whole family unit. The focus needs to be on the Returning to the Offside Trust, Fallon adds: “The other project we are working on is we want to work person [abused], but we’re trying not to forget the Fallon impressed at the trial that followed and, in the school holidays, used to go and stay with Bennell along family and trying to bring them and create a family- on football clubs at all levels. We’re already working with several other starry-eyed young footballers. oriented atmosphere.” with Premier League clubs like Everton and we’ve

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FEATURE Unite against abuse

Actor David Morrissey is one of the Offside Trust’s many celebrity supporters

WE’RE THERE TO LISTEN TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE AND REALLY HELP THEM WITH THEIR OPTIONS AS TO HOW THEY WANT TO CONFRONT THEIR ABUSE AS WELL” been to a few big Championship clubs as well, like Wolves and Bristol City.

“We’re trying to ensure that safeguarding procedures are in place at every club at every level and we want to bring that right down to grassroots football. I know safeguarding has changed over the years, but there are still loopholes in the safeguarding procedures.

We want to work with all clubs now to try and create a safeguarding culture and also share best practice.”

Does he feel attitudes about taboo subjects such as child abuse are changing in a male-dominated and occasionally navel-gazing environment?

“I don’t think they are changing as much as we would want them to. I think there’s still that mentality and stigma around men in sport and that changing-room mentality. We want to try and change this and get people to speak and encourage children to speak at an early age about these things.

“In the professional game, we struggled for support from the big Premier League names. We’ve had clubs follow us [on Twitter] and send us messages of support, but in terms of big names coming forward and saying: ‘Do you know what? We need to stamp this out’. That’s not been very forthcoming, so I think we still have some way to go to break down those barriers with the elite of sport.”

The former England and Newcastle United star, Kieron Dyer, revealed his own child abuse last month and Fallon was heartened by such openness from a high-profile personality.

“That just goes to show the amount of players in the Premier League alone, there must be some who have experienced some form of trauma like this.

It’s encouraging to see a top sportsman like Kieron Dyer come forward and we welcome that.

“We would welcome support from other clubs and players.”

What would his advice be to others affected?

“I would say get in touch with us at the Offside Trust,” replies Fallon, who had “eight or nine” people contact him about their own torturous tales in the wake of Bennell’s sentencing.

“We’re there to listen to and support people and really help them with their options as to how they want to confront their abuse as well.

“There are different ways you may want to do it, even behind closed doors. You don’t have to do it like we did it, which is publicly in front of the cameras. We did that for a reason: to get the message and awareness out there that this is a big thing in sport that needs sorting.

“We would encourage people and empower them to [reveal their abuse] and so if people get in touch with us at offsidetrust.com, we will give them that help.”

Fallon takes heart from the belief that there will most likely “never be a Barry Bennell again”, but fears other paedophiles are still at large in sport.

“We know in the Offside Trust there are cases being reported in sport and football [in particular] and even at different levels of football. It’s still happening.

“I run an under-11s football team, which my two boys play for. I’ve been through the whole safeguarding procedure.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s much better now than it ever was. Checks [on coaches] are being done and you do have to go to safeguarding training. But even things like CRB checks, they’re okay if you’ve been caught. But if you’ve never been caught, they won’t actually show anything up. I think the message for youth teams now is for parents to be aware as well.

I’m not saying every football coach is a predator, because they’re not. It’s a very small percentage.

“But simple things like asking: ‘Where are your children? Who’s dropping them home? Do you know that person?’ [are important]. It’s just awareness really and questions for parents and questions for kids. I have had so many messages in this last week – probably about 500 across all media sites – and a lot of them are from parents saying: ‘Thank you. You forced me to have a conversation with my children that I’ve never had’. That’s brilliant because we want parents to be open with their children and to have these types of conversations.

“I’ve got two 10-year-old boys and I’ve sat them down and talked them through it. They know about the case, not all the details, but they know about what was going on. This is about them being open and to say if anything happens with an adult and it feels uncomfortable and not right.

“I’ve been staggered by the support and the amount of people it has impacted. It’s inspired a lot of people but even I’ve been shocked by the amount of publicity and press I’ve had.”

For more information: www.offsidetrust.com Twitter: twitter.com/OffsideTrust Facebook: facebook.com/TheOffsideTrust

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Don’t be caught offside by HMRC As fans flock back to the terraces and players take to the pitch for a new season, financial matters and tax affairs are not the top priority for many professional footballers. But sporting careers are exhilarating and need complete focus, so it’s crucial to know your financial affairs are in safe hands. Now’s the perfect time to talk to Price Bailey about meeting your tax obligations and staying onside with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Filing your tax return More people have to submit a tax return each year – and even if HMRC don’t send you a tax return form, it’s your responsibility to check if you need to complete one. If you are unsure, contact us as soon as possible.

The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April; returns must be filed and any tax owing must be paid by the end of January the following year. For example, for the tax year that ended on 5 April 2017, tax returns must be filed and any tax paid by 31 January 2018. If you are late filing your tax return or paying any tax you owe, you will face financial penalties.

January is one of the busiest months in the football calendar, so it’s best to prepare and submit your return now. This gives you more time to prepare for paying your tax by January 31.

Record keeping

Benefits-in-kind

Your wages are normally taxed ‘at source’ by your club, so it’s

If your club pays expenses on your behalf, or provides you with use

important to keep your payslips and your annual P60 form, which you will

of something, it’s likely that tax will be payable. These are known as

need when completing your tax return.

‘benefits-in-kind’, and can lead to significant and unexpected amounts of tax to pay via your tax return.

Any special or unusual payments you receive – such as signing on fees, reward bonuses, or a share of transfer fees – might not be taxed at

Typical examples include where the club pays agent fees on your behalf,

source, so you will have to pay tax on these via your tax return.

provides you with accommodation free of charge, or supplies you with a car to use. Any other perks provided by the club, such as healthcare,

Some of the costs you incur as a player may be deductible for

first-class flights and holidays, or private security, could also lead to a

tax purposes. If you incur travelling costs when going to club

tax charge.

functions or public appearances, keep a record, as the costs may be tax deductible. You may also be able to claim any travel costs you incur while on loan to another club – but the costs of travelling from your home to your own club’s stadium or training ground cannot normally be claimed.

Property If you own property in the UK that you are renting out, you will have to pay tax each year on any profit you make. If you receive annual rent of more than £2,500, you will have to file a tax return.

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Unsure? Take advice Tax is a complicated financial area, and without good advice it’s easy to let things slip or find yourself facing a sizeable and unexpected bill.

At Price Bailey we have a wealth of experience in looking after the tax affairs of individuals just like you. If you have any queries in relation to any of the issues covered here – or other areas of financial concern – please call one of team, and we would be happy to help.

Profits are calculated by taking the rental income you receive and deducting expenses you have incurred, such as letting agent fees, insurance and repair costs. The interest paid on any mortgage on the property is also normally deductible (although the way tax relief is given is changing).

The same principles apply to any property you own outside the UK. If tax is paid in the country where the property is located, this tax will most likely be deducted from any UK tax charge.

When you sell a property that has not been your main home for the whole time you have owned it, there may also be capital gains tax to pay.

Contact Aaron Widdows, Partner 01603 709330 aaron.widdows@pricebailey.co.uk pricebailey.co.uk 117

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Derwent Vehicles Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle.

They may incentivise us for introducing you to them.

Credit subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Based on 10,000 miles per annum and 17p per additional mile. Orders/credit approvals on Mercedes GLE models between 1 January and 31 March 2018, registered by 30 June 2018, excluding Mercedes-AMG and non Mercedes-AMG models. Guarantees may be required. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your Retailer for availability. Over 18s only. Credit provided subject to status

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Interview

From classroom to

Premier League changing room Ben Garner certainly hasn’t taken the stereotypical route into high level professional football coaching. He talks to Professional Player’s Anthony Bunn about his varied career and coaching CV so far.

G

arner grew up near Croydon and in his own words will always be grateful for the “huge sacrifices my parents made for my brother and I. I am very grateful for the upbringing that I received”, when he was a youngster. Football was always Garner’s main love and passion, and admits “Yes, as long as we had a ball and somewhere to play my brother and I were happy” before adding “but we would fight like cat and dog - but we were happy!”

Growing up a Spurs fan, and with Glenn Hoddle as his footballing hero, the young Garner’s whole childhood world virtually revolved around football, but when he looks back he thinks that his development into a top coach may have started at that early stage. “Even as a young boy I would question training methods and how football should be played. The lack of coaching and any emphasis on technical development and tactical intelligence was the initial motivation for me to want to coach”.

Unfortunately, Garner’s hopes of being a footballer effectively ended through injury at the age of 19, but the upturn of this was that he went into coaching at a very young age. But it wasn’t quite as straightforward as that...

He managed to combine a role as Head of Boy’s PE at St. David’s College with an Academy role at Crystal Palace from his early twenties, something that he feels “complimented each other very well”.

He adds, “It was very demanding and I was never on holiday from both jobs at the same time and I worked a phenomenal number of hours including

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a coach and as a person. These have ranged from position-specific coaching courses to psychology/ NLP qualifications.”

Ever thorough, Garner has even had the foresight to have learned Spanish to an intermediate level as he feels that “communication is absolutely key to successful management and coaching. Speaking another language will enhance my ability to communicate well and I would love to learn further languages in the future”.

This vast range of industry-specific and life experiences have enabled the likeable Garner to progress all the way through to The Premier League, as an Assistant Head Coach. He spent evenings and the weekends but this allowed me a considerable amount of his coaching career at to amass a huge amount of coaching hours, to Selhurst Park, and was fortunate enough to train deal with a vast range of situations, and to go through a wide range of life experiences in a short with the first team at Crystal Palace several times under Terry Venables - someone who made a big space of time”. impact on him through his enthusiasm, the detail Ben Garner’s background in educational middle of his coaching, and “his ability to make players feel management taught him about planning and organisation, and also the importance of empathy special”. And he also pays due respect to the likes of Lennie Lawrence, Alan Pardew, Neil Warnock, and understanding the human side of coaching. and Ian Holloway too, for helping to give him Now 37, he has over 17 years of coaching experience – a phenomenal amount for someone of opportunities to develop his coaching career But it is possibly working with Tony Pulis that his age, especially with a chunk of it coming at the very top level. With a list of coaching qualifications Garner is most noted for. that sees his CV running off the page, including the “Tony was a great mentor for me. To have UEFA Pro License and the LMA Diploma in Applied managed for over 1,000 games is an incredible Management, he is superbly equipped to coach and/ feat and Tony has always been first class in passing or look at a management role, in modern football. on his experience to me. And the fact that he sees the potential in me to become a manager is very “Yes, I looked at, and did, anything that I felt encouraging, too!” would enhance my knowledge and better me as

Ben Garner

TONY WAS A GREAT MENTOR FOR ME. TO HAVE MANAGED FOR OVER 1,000 GAMES IS AN INCREDIBLE FEAT AND TONY HAS ALWAYS BEEN FIRST CLASS IN PASSING ON HIS EXPERIENCE TO ME”

Garner’s coaching style is noted for being superbly organised, well-structured and with a focus on improving either the individual or team performance. “Yes, I like to be composed as I think you then see more but that has to be combined with energy. I have a strong passion for coaching and would like to think that comes through in my sessions along with a strong desire to win”, he comments.

Whilst at Crystal Palace Garner helped to develop the careers of the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Victor Moses and Nathaniel Clyne in The Eagles’ academy, before climbing the ladder to first team coaching duties before following Tony Pulis to The Hawthorns eventually becoming the Assistant Head Coach in September 2016. This, after helping Palace into The Premier League in 2013 and maintaining and consolidating their top flight status.

As Assistant Head Coach under Tony Pulis,

Garner was responsible for the likes of planning and delivering training sessions, analysing the opposition, and delivering the team meetings to the players. Most weeks he would also be out watching matches to analyse an upcoming opponent or to look for potential recruitment targets, and he took in West Brom’s under 23 games whenever possible.

Garner sees one of his fortes as “developing close relationships with the players and understanding them as well as I can, ensuring that I become as effective as possible as a coach”. After leaving West Bromwich Albion, he admits to now having the time to reflect on his journey and now wants to “focus on moving forwards. I want to squeeze the most out of my career and to be successful. I have a talent for coaching and am ready for the opportunity to become a Head Coach or Manager”.

With his rather unusual, but extremely thorough and dedicated coaching journey - from coaching

junior sides to working in America, and from being a Head of PE to an Assistant Head Coach in the Premier League - Ben Garner has shown that he is knowledgeable, adaptable, and resilient. It’s an eclectic range of experience and skills that will surely ensure that it won’t be too long before the South Londoner is back on the training ground doing what he loves?

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Make sure you’re part of our Professional Player network. Get connected! Follow us now on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook twitter.com/proplayermag @proplayermag facebook.com/ theprofessionalplayer • Behind-the-scenes access to our latest projects and interviews • Exclusive news and offers from our carefully selected group of partners • Updates on our latest events that you can be part of 124

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The Other Half FASHION • BEAUTY • WEDDINGS • HOLIDAYS • JEWELLERY

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pring is almost in the air so now is the time to freshen up the wardrobe with a splash of colour.

We all need a little spring in our step and there is no better way than giving yourself a little treat. Our stylist Harriett has her latest tips to keep you up to date with the cutting edge of fashion. Whether it is a new pair of mules or that circle bag, make sure you are ahead of the crowd.

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Flannels are showcasing their very best of products and with stores throughout the country specialising in contemporary clothing, footwear and accessories, you are sure to be in safe hands.

Enjoy the read ladies and if you feel that you have a luxury brand or service that would appeal to our female readers then please get in touch at charlotte@theprofessionalplayer.co.uk Best wishes

Charlotte x

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We all want our skin to be glowing this season and Bobby Brown’s Extra Glow collection will ensure that you are looking your best, fresh faced and ready for the season ahead.

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Fashion Spring/Summer

Summer Trends WHAT DE SIGNER S WANT YOU TO WEAR THIS SPRING SUMMER

1

This Spring Summer trends are a mix of pastels, embellishments and Polka Dots. I give you a rundown on what designers want you to wear this season and how to wear them. With the days slowly getting brighter and the temperature rising, get ahead of the game and prep your wardrobe with the colourful joyous new fashion direction we are going to see throughout spring and summer.

Mules

Ruffles

Mules are the most enduring footwear trend we’ve seen, gaining trend status last year the mule takeover is back for round two. With their comfortable heel they are a great alternative to a high heel for the office. They come in a variety of different styles and colours to match your summer dresses or jeans.

More wearable than a sandal with the unpredictable English weather and a more formal option than the popular slider, mules are here to stay. Gucci have designed a lot of different Mules popular with Fashion Editors but I particularly love these light pink pair. More than half the designers showed pinks in their collection this season so why not invest in two trends at once?

Ruffles are a great trend to replace the smooth silhouettes we enjoyed last summer.

Christopher Kane, Erdem and Preen are just some of the designers to make their mark on ruffle dress’ at Fashion week. Ryan Lo even used ruffles to make gloves and socks but for beginners try this Self Portrait dress.

Self Portrait is known as the red carpet brand normal people can wear. Appearing on celebrities such as Kristen Stewart and Reese Witherspoon I even styled my own client Maisie Williams in one of these pieces of art for the SAG Awards. This romantic Fantasy is perfect for the wedding season or a beach holiday.

GUCCI PRINCETOWN HEELED MULES £485

SELF PORTRAIT OFF SHOULDER MINI DRESS £280

2

BY HARRIET BYC ZOK

Harriet Byczok is a London based stylist for Red Carpet, Editorial, Advertising and Film.

Previously a freelance assistant Harriet had worked for Vogue Italia, Elle and Vogue Russia.

Her career break came when she was asked to style A-list celebrities. Her name quickly gained notoriety within the fashion and celebrity industries with her clients being featured on numerous best dressed lists. Harriet has gone onto style celebrities for BAFTAS, Golden Globes and the Emmys.

With nine years in the industry Harriet has received worldwide recognition being interviewed with publications such as the telegraph, whowhatwear.com and doing a live interview with the Daily mail.

Harriet has a strong vision for both menswear and womenswear. With the years in the industry and a regular at London Fashion Week she has a wealth of fashion knowledge and an experienced eye for styles that work.

With a background in both red carpet and editorials she has an ability to recognise what trends are relevant and the pieces you should invest in that will last seasons.

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.FLANNELS.COM AND IN SELECTED FLANNELS STORES

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3

WHAT DE SIGNER S WANT YOU TO WEAR THIS SPRING SUMMER

BY HARRIET BYC ZOK

Embellishment If Fashion Week is anything to go by there will be a return of glitz and glamour this summer. In both London and New York designers have proved sparkle does not need to be saved for the festive season. If you are looking for a replacement for your summer florals an easy way to make a statement is with embellishment. These Michael Kors embellished jeans are a great way to show sparkles can be worn for any occasion and a great excuse to use the Instagram sparkle app.

MICHAEL KORS JEWELLED JEANS £295

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Polka Dots

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Pencil Skirt

Polka dots proved to be very popular by show goers this SS18 fashion week. This elegant print was shown at Giorgio Armani, Dior and Balenciaga shows to name a few. The old school feminine print is an excellent alternative to the breton tops we’ve been incorporating into our wardrobes for years. This 60’s style print has been re-done in jumpsuits, jackets, skirts and dresses so everyone can get some polka dot action this summer. The Zimmerman dress is a perfect way to keep cool and look on trend this summer.

Previously a office staple SS18 catwalks reminded us of one of the most sophisticated skirts of all time, The Pencil Skirt. With designers such as Fendi, Max Mara and Victoria Beckham designing their own twist on a fifties favourite. This Spring Summer will show an array of prints and fabrics, probably the most easy trend to style this season. The catwalks gave us some inspiration on how to style this piece in a more contemporary way. This flattering Balmain khaki skirt can be styled in a cool casual way with your favourite trainers and a tee or in a more demure way with a cami top and heels.

ZIMMERMANN POLKA DRESS £830

PIERRE BALMAIN KNIT BUTTON SKIRT £360

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Fashion Spring/Summer

MULES

Perspex is probably one of the lesser sophisticated materials but has become one of the key materials for SS18. Chanel’s thigh-grazing plastic boots aren’t for everyone but other designers and high-street brands have flooded the market with lots of alternatives so everyone can get in on the action.

I love Giuseppe Zanotti’s take on the playful trend. The unique heel and embellished strap gives a cool youthful energy. If you are looking to invest in a high fashion sandal this season perspex is a great option. This see-through material goes with everything and the almost not there appearance is a great way to avoid a clash with this season IT colours .

Circle Bags

7

Looking for a bag you don’t already have in your collection? Give your collection a sophisticated update with this vintage-inspired circle bag.

Perfectly sized and with a serious cute factor, a circle bag is the perfect way to gain extra style points with all your summer outfits. For SS18 Pastels, pinks and lilac have become extremely important and this Aspinal Of London bag is a great way to integrate these key colours into your Spring Summer look.

ASPINAL OF LONDON HAT BOX IN LILAC CROC £495

RUFFLES

•

EMBELLISHMENT

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Plastic Shoes

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI PICARD SHINING £780

•

• POLKA •

PENCIL

•

PLASTIC

•

WHITES

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CIRCLE

Whites No summer wardrobe is complete without white. The catwalks showed some big colour stories this season so it is a relief that designers such as Joseph, Tom Ford and Acne included a white alternative in their collections. If you’re like me and spend the colder months head to toe in black you’d be comforted to know head to toe white will be big this season. One of the big issues with wearing white everyday is keeping it clean so thats why I have chosen these vanilla coloured flares by Victoria Beckham. Skinny trousers died a death last summer and flares are here to stay. Although flares have been around a long time they were only really embraced in the seventies, but they have made a serious come back with all our favourite celebrities being spotted in flares for sometime now. A fitted white top is the perfect thing to pair with your vanilla flares.

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VICTORIA BECKHAM CADY FLARED TROUSERS £695

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Enchanting designs for your ‘little princess’ Luxury label launches dazzling collection of little girls’ gowns

A

cclaimed wedding dress designer, Jennifer Pritchard

Couchman has teamed up with Karen Casper, the wife of former Manchester United star Chris Casper, to launch exclusive

“Our collection represents every young girls’ fairytale fantasy. Unique dresses for those extra special moments in a little one’s life.”

childrenswear label ‘Enchanted.’

“I always work with silk, it is

her life. It was such a sweet thing

Marrying their skills, the

luxurious and I love how it gathers

to say, and that is exactly how

designers have created a couture

and folds in a way that feels like

we want children to feel wearing

collection of children’s dresses,

nothing else when you wear it.”

these dresses; special and magical, as if they are starring in

all handmade in England

a real-life fairytale.”

from luxurious silk fabrics,

Each dress is beautifully

vintage textiles, hand-painted

unique and can be designed

lace and intricately designed

and handmade bespoke to your

Karen’s intricate designs are now

embellishments.

exact requirements.

making waves across the pond.

Jennifer, a couture designer for

Jennifer’s four-year-old

the Lace and Fashion museum in

more than 20 years, explains

daughter Gigi and her school

Calais, Surprising Laces Exhibition

that this fairytale fusion of

friends are pictured modelling

in Riga, The Manchester Museum,

fine silk dresses and delicate

the first collection in the

Whitworth Art Gallery and

detailing has now become

Enchanted range. Each piece

included in international design

Enchanted’s trademark look,

is named after one of the girls,

book publications.

she says: “We adorn all of our

along with Karen’s teenage

gowns with Karen’s signature 3D

daughter Grace.

Her work has been exhibited at

For enquiries, call 01524 380 226 or hello@enchanted.uk.com

Enchanted.uk.com

Jennifer added: “Karen and I are at the start of our own

embroidery, plus hand painted lace and flowers. There is a very

Jennifer said: “One of the

fairytale story here and we are

high level of workmanship

children, Holly, described the

both excited to see how far our

that goes into each garment.

photo shoot as the ‘best day’ of

thoroughly British brand can go.”

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E X T CRO L LAE C TGI O NL O W BOBBI BROWN Cosmetics introduces the Extra Glow Collection – a beauty dream team of products for creating fresh, glowing skin.

Delivering the perfect mix of skincare and color, this brilliant collection starts with the beloved Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm - now available in new radiance-revving shades. Paired with Extra Lip Tint and Highlighting Powder for a healthy and fresh-faced look. And for a boost of moisture on-thego, the Extra Glow Skincare Palette features portable skincare essentials to maintain skin’s radiance.

Extra Lip Tint

LIMITED EDITION

This light-weight, sheer and ultra-moisturizing lip stain has all the benefits of a balm that soothes and comforts lips. This season, the classic Bare Pink shade comes with a slight twist. Bare Pink Sparkle is a limited edition pearl version that blends with the natural tone of your lips to enhance and offer an extra soft spring glow, creating the perfect just-for-you shade. £25.50

LIMITED EDITION

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Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm (ABOVE)

REMEDIES SKIN BRIGHTENER N0.42 THE FORMULA

This skin-boosting balm that illuminates skin and re-energizes with long-term treatment benefits. Skin looks instantly fresher and prettier with a burst of hydration and a unique combination of skin-illuminating pearls. New radiance-revving shades and innovative packaging help deliver an illuminating pink and bronze glow with the same great moisturizing, plumping and instant radiance benefits of the original. £44.50

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics introduces its newest addition to the brand’s potent Remedies Collection: Remedies Skin Brightener No. 42. This intensive, radiance-boosting treatment provides both a quick fix for tired skin, by gently sloughing off surface dullness to reveal clearer, newer skin, and longterm brightening via cell turnover stimulation and improved evenness of skintone.

Extra Glow Skincare Palette Limited Edition (LEFT)

On the go Skincare essentials - This portable palette features Extra Face Oil to instantly quench skin with intense moisture, Remedies Skin Salve No. 57 to protect and repair dry, chapped skin and Extra Soothing Balm to condition and provide a luminous, glowing finish. £34.00

An ultra-concentrated treatments, Remedies Skin Brightener No. 42 is formulated with a blend of potent, natural-derived ingredients, a truly targeted solution that revives tired, lackluster, and full, unhealthy looking skin. Plum, algae and molasses extract help reveal brighter, clearer, luminous, more even looking skin. £30.00

Highlighting Powder Limited Edition (FAR LEFT)

A high-impact light-reflective powder delivers a radiant and flattering lit-from-within glow. £35.50

www.bobbibrown.co.uk Follow BOBBI BROWN @BobbibrownUK

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SAINT LAURENT Opyum Heeled Sandals £770 23324903

SELF PORTRAIT Asymmetric Wrap Dress £290 65089930

Event Dressing

WOMENS

SAINT LAURENT Envelope Chain Bag £1,415 70430003

DOLCE AND GABBANA White Rose Striped Dress £1,700 65156330

BALMAIN Button Blazer £1,510 66807902

VALENTINO Quilted Rockstud Cross Body Bag £1,085 71500203

JIMMY CHOO Lancer Heeled Sandals £495 23110803

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ZIMMERMANN Lace Floral Mini Dress £715 65094406

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Velur Clutch Bag £875 70054904

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Fetish Peep Toe Heels £665 23354904

SAINT LAURENT 213 Sunglasses £220 75924190

VALENTINO Lipstick Dress £1,955 65093208

VALENTINO Rockstud Spike Chain Bag £1,800 70547804

GUCCI Sunglasses £725 75948490

VALENTINO Rockstud 100 Heels £535 23315504

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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Hand You have

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1 GUCCI Small Marmont Matelasse Shoulder Bag £1,350 70460704 2 SAINT LAURENT Sunset Bag £1,090 70433306 3 VALENTINO Twiny Bag £1,895 70409604 4 CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Paloma Medium Embellished Bag £1,895 70054304 5 DOLCE AND GABBANA Millenials Cross Body Bag £1,150 70061443 6 GUCCI Bloom Dionysus Bag £1,220 70089604 7 DOLCE AND GABBANA Vintage Medium Bag £2,800 70061803 8 GUCCI Sylvie Medium Bag £2,500 70057701

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bags to have

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K AC BL

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9 GUCCI Ophidia Dragon Embroidered Suede Shoulder Bag £1,530 70438918 10 GUCCI Guccify Dionysus Bag £3,340 70498206 11 FENDI Kani Nappa Pearl Bag £2,590 70495903 12 GUCCI Velvet Patch Shoulder Bag £1,790 70460903 13 VALENTINO Rockstud Shoulder Bag £1,900 70062940 14 GUCCI Marmont Velvet Shoulder Bag £1,260 70461003 15 SAINT LAURENT Small Sac De Jour Bag £1,925 70549203 16 GUCCI Dionysus Chain Bag £1,660 70498303

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Train Jacket £160 66710103

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Logo Tanka Top £50 34102802

MACKAGE Cindee Down Jacket £350 66861402

MONCLER Kilia Backpack £330 70075403 ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Y3 Mesh Logo Tights £90 34706448

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Logo Side Tights £60 34707402

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Ultra Boost Strap Trainers £170 23400612 PUMA Muse Low Top Trainers £105 23409902

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VERSACE Logo Sports Bra £130 34156903

FENDI Roma Sports Vest £240 65634203

FENDI Karlito Sports Vest £265 65634103

VERSACE Training Logo Shorts £150 34212203

FENDI Roma Leggings £265 67827803

FENDI Karlito Leggings £305 67827703

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Ultra Boost Parley Trainers £170 23400301 GUCCI Embroidered Hooded Sweatshirt £1,460 66509103

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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GUCCI Straw Bee Hat £265 70056710

ZIMMERMANN Ruffle Bikini £250 35438704 GUCCI Bloom Sliders £225 22322405

GUCCI GG0257S Sunglasses £190 75945490

Summer

TOM FORD Helene Sunglasses £285 75635490

VALENTINO Lycra Swimsuit £375 35438530

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CAMILLA Meet Me Here Kaftan £499 35000099 Visit: theprofessionalplayer.co.uk

ZIMMERMANN Prima Dress £835 65094806

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1 AGENT PROVOCATEUR Mazzy Bikini Bra £110 35601330 2 AGENT PROVOCATEUR Mazzy Bikini Brief £85 35704430 3 GUCCI Sunglasses £215 75948090 4 ISABEL MARANT ETOILE Hellea Sliders £285 22305403 5 AGENT PROVOCATEUR Anja Swimsuit £195 35434803 6 AQUAZZURA Embellished Sliders £335 22304003 7 SAINT LAURENT 214 Sunglasses £255 75937890 8 ZIMMERMANN Off The Shoulder Dress £715 65095101 9 VALENTINO Quilted Rockstud Sliders £560 22314222 10 SAINT LAURENT 183 Betty Sunglasses £280 75923490

Available in store and online at www.flannels.com

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Fashion Finding the Perfect Underwear

Perfect FINDING

THE

Underwear Having the right underwear is so important, Christian Dior once said

certainly not wrong.

PHOTO: POREE AUDREY / ABACA/PA IMAGES

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Editor’s Top Tips:

“without foundation, there can be no fashion” and he was

1

Make sure your bra fits securely around your body and that your bust is contained within the cup not spilling over.

2

An everyday bra should be well constructed and not too dainty. A good bra will lift your bust and give your waist definition (my favourite brands are Lejaby and Marie Jo and Curvy Kate).

3

Always put your top back on when choosing a bra. It has got to fit but also give you the right shape for your clothes.

Y

PHOTO: YUI MOK / PA ARCHIVE/PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES

our underwear provides the foundation upon which your entire style and appearance is based upon. It is so important that we get the basics right as it is where the start of looking and feeling good all begins.

Underwear should not be underestimated.

The shape The shape of your body can change for better of your body or worse depending upon the lingerie you are can change for wearing, this is where I always start with a client. better or In my experience it is possible that the first item worse depending of clothing you will probably need to buy is a bra. upon your Have you ever been measured for a bra only to be lingerie told that you’re a totally different size from TLE IT L A the one you thought? Don’t you worry, it is a fairly common complaint to the point that EXTRA HELP 99% of my clients wear the wrong size!

Whether you want to have a bust for the first Most people buy too small in the cup and too time in your life or just to enhance your big in the back. It is vital to get the right bra size, cleavage or shape, silicone gel implants not only to support the breasts properly, but are now available to give you the look also to ensure that your clothes lay properly on you’ve always coveted, without the need the body. The wrong shape or size bra can create for surgery. Full implants create a bustier unsightly bulges and can add weight. The most look for those who were not given them by important thing when choosing your bra is the Mother Nature, or they can enhance fit, you should also demand comfort, support the shape of an existing bust. They and suitability for your clothing. look particularly good with close fitting garments. Alternatively, use I recommend that you always visit a good half silicone implants local independent lingerie shop, rather than a to give you the department store. Consult them as their advice D H WAISTE cleavage you’ve always HIG and knowledge is far superior, it is their speciality BIG KNICKERS WITH wanted, or to create and they will be able to tell you your exact size as MY a younger looking well as the style of bra you should be looking for.

A CONTROL TUM DO WONDERS cleavage, replacing the Remember when it comes to bra’s they need to have the sheepdog effect… it needs to round them ski slope appearance we get as our bust heads south! up and point them in the right direction!

4

Seamless bras are good for t-shirts, knitwear and close fitting tops. Lacy bras are fine if you want to show your underwear, wear them under shirts that you can see through, under loose fitting garments or keep them for the bedroom!

5

Most important colours to buy are nude and black. Buy two of each (wash one, wear one). Nude is a must, whatever your skin colour, to wear under white garments. It gives a totally natural appearance. Black is optional and white is unnecessary.

6

Variation in cup shape gives your bust a different look, which you’ll need depending upon the shape of your garments. Always make sure your bra straps are adjusted so your bust is positioned in the right place. Do this frequently as they tend to slip down after washing.

7

You should always hand wash your bras in a soft detergent and not in the washing machine. It ruins the shape of your bra and halves its life span. It could also potentially ruin your washing machine in the process!

Alternatively use a bra saver (like a structured mesh bag) in the hand wash cycle.

It’s not just fridge pickers KNICKERS that wear big knickers, it’s

everyone, including Bridget Jones!

There is such a wide variety of knickers on the market today that can do weird and wonderful things with our bodies, that it’s worth investigating just what is available:

• G-strings are ideal for trousers and

close fitting items because they don’t give you a VPL (Visible Panty Line).

• Always buy a bigger size than your

dress size, which will make them so much more comfortable.

• If you have a lot of cellulite on your

bottom, an alternative to a G-string is a skimpy short in a very fine fabric, this will stop it being seen through certain fabrics.

• High waisted big knickers with a

control tummy do wonders worn under close fitting dresses or skirts.

• There are knickers available that lift your bottom or smooth out your thighs. My personal favourites are Spanx as they are still comfortable and do not roll down like some other brands.

These are available at most good department stores, independent lingerie shops or online. Remember it’s not about taking you down a size, it’s about smoothing your silhouette.

• Always choose knickers or

tights that have a narrow waistband as this prevents the “Michelin” effect, which is not attractive!

The underwear available today can change your body, spend some time investigating, you will be truly amazed. The use of strategically placed lingerie tape or self-adhesive cups for those skimpy little numbers can provide truly remarkable results. Dieting, exercise and liposuction are unnecessary, all you need is an amazing combination of good tailoring and some clever nip, tuck and smoothing. Now all of your assets are in the right place girls, you’re good to go!

PHOTO: NICOLAS GENIN / ABACA/PA IMAGES

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Interiors Stylish Spring Accessories

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1 Kate Spade Dickinson Medium Pendant Lamp Opulent. Check! Glamour. Check!

Achingly Chic. Check! This pendant lamp from Kate Spade has a starburst effect crafted from the most delicate pearls and glass. Intricate and ornate, this beautiful lamp evokes pure luxury and the polished brass of the base of the lamp adds an interesting contrast to the delicacy of the fine glass pieces and pearl studs. £3015 luxdeco.com

Metallics is another one of the key trends

2

Alessi Barknest Bowl Designed by Michel Boucquillon and Donia Maaoui, this bowl comes in both black and white resin as well as stainless steel and is designed with nature in mind. From £62 alessi.com

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Nautilus Vase by Katharine Pooley

Made from hand cut and handcrafted Italian crystal, this intricately crafted vase gives a nod to the popular botanicals trend which favours lush, energising greens like this vase. It makes for a striking stand-alone piece or as a luxurious vessel for a beautiful flower arrangement. £1750 katharinepooley.com

3 STYLISH

Spring Accessories for your Home

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From botanicals and brass to metallics and pastels, spring is the perfect time to revamp your decor.

Emma Harrison rounds up the most stylish accessories for your home for the season ahead.

LuxDeco Oscar Cinema Sofa An exciting collaboration between LuxDeco and renowned interior designer Natalia Miyar. It’s a modern pairing of neutral and teal tones that will suit any style of home. Think luxurious Art-Deco style with a contemporary twist. £7495 luxdeco.com 5

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Kelly Hoppen by Resource Decor Sting Bar Cabinet Gloss Veneer Brass Finish with LED Light Create a show stopping style statement with this Kelly Hoppen by Resource Decor Sting Bar Cabinet.

This artisan piece features elegant rounded corners and a striking geometric base finished with brass decals which contrast beautifully with the high gloss lacquered taupe exterior. It contains a mirror glass shelf, a stainless-steel wine glass holder, a wine rack for 12 bottles of wine and storage for spirits, decanters, and drinks accessories. Cheers! £5999 houseology.com 4

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Soane Britain Daisy Mirror Your mirror game is about to get even stronger! This floral inspired Daisy Mirror has a brass frame with surrounding ‘petals’ cut from sheet brass. You can choose to customise the finish to really make this a bespoke piece for your home.

From £5400 soane.co.uk 6

7 Turkana Rug Missoni Home Boho-Luxe and tribal patterns are another key trend for SS18. It is hand woven from 100% wool and features Missoni’s distinctive zigzag design in hues of pink, green, orange and navy. This striking rug adds a delightful pop of colour and will make a bold statement to any room. £4236 amara.com

‘Once a Week’ Marble Cone Lamp Limited Elegant, functional and distinctive, this marble lamp Edition from designer Rose Uniacke ticks two of the hottest trends for spring – pastels and brass and is versatile be placed within any room of your house and could well become a desirable antique of the future. £4440 roseuniacke.com 9

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8 Black and gold versions are also available

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Blackbird Cabinet in silver This looks like it could have been sourced from Carré Rive Gauche in Paris and is ideal for adding a vintage touch to your home. Hand painted with birds and foliage in the ‘Chinoiserie’ style which was popular in 18th Century Europe. It features ‘silver’ leaf detailing which provides an ethereal quality to the cabinet and ‘antiqued’ brass knobs. £595 indiajane.co.uk 8

11 Elysian Paradise Velvet Cushion Based on an original handpainted furnishing design, the oriental floral Elysian Paradise velvet cushion features a pattern of birds among chrysanthemum and blossom branches. £125 libertylondon.com

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A stylish addition to your barware collection

10 Ralph Lauren Bentley Decanter This decorative piece, inspired by classic Bentley designs brings understated excellence and effortless style to any dinner party.

It can also be paired with other items from the Bentley collection. £595 luxdeco.com

12 Christian Lacroix Herbarium Crepuscule Cushion With its rich and vibrant hues, this cushion certainly packs a punch and has been digitally printed with a photographic flower design on a sleek black background. £95 amara.com

13 Roberto Cavalli Enchanted Garden Silk Cushion A fabulous way to introduce a dark shade to your home, but with an added pop of colour for a touch of opulence.

Beautifully crafted from 100% silk with an intricately detailed floral design. £229 amara.com

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Bespoke Garden Solutions BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN BEAUTIFUL SPACES

0800 093 7926

info@jhps-gardens.co.uk

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN WITH A HERITAGE GARDEN POD

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 0844 225 1884 OR EMAIL admin@heritage-build.co.uk www.heritage-build.co.uk/garden-pods Heritage Building Ltd. Unit 3, 18 Bairds Crescent, Allanshaw Industrial Estate, ML3 9FD

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S E E N T H E # N E W RO S S O Y E T ?

R O S S O R E S TA U R A N T & B A R Manchester 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BG Book a Table - 0161 832 1400

www.rossorestaurants.com

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Newman Oro Limited to 15 Pieces

titanblack.co.uk | flannels.com TBlack is an independent Bespoke Watch Specialist and not in any way connected with Rolex SA

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