Author

Hugh

2026 FIA European Rally Championship

written by Hugh

Seven all-action rounds will decide 2026 FIA European Rally Championship.

The eagerly anticipated 2026 FIA European Rally Championship will begin with the 43rd Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena – Córdoba World Heritage Site from 17 – 19 April.

Using all-asphalt stages, the spectacular event in southern Spain, an ERC newcomer in 2025, replaces Rally Hungary as the first of what will now be a seven-round calendar.

It follows notice being given by MNASZ, Hungary’s national motorsport federation, that Rally Hungary, which joined the ERC roster in 2019, won’t take place in 2026 due to internal issues affecting its operation.

While Rally Five Cities North of Portugal will continue as the season-deciding event, it will now run from 23 – 25 October having initially been scheduled to take place from 9 – 11 October.

The revised calendar for the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship, which has been approved by an FIA World Motor Sport Council e-vote, is therefore as follows:

43rd Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena – Córdoba World Heritage Site, 17 – 19 April (asphalt)BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, 22 -24 May (gravel)Rally di Roma Capitale, 3 – 5 July (asphalt)82nd Rally Poland, 24 – 26 July (asphalt)Barum Czech Rally Zlín, 14 – 16 August (asphalt)JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, 4 – 6 September (asphalt)Rally Five Cities North of Portugal, 23 – 25 October (gravel)

ERC championship manager Iain Campbell said: “Starting the 73rd ERC season in the city of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with fantastic stages a short distance away, is an exciting prospect and a great platform for the championship, the competitors and partners.

“Although we were looking forward to Rally Hungary hosting the ERC for the seventh time and had been working closely with the organisers to make that happen, Rally Hungary’s inclusion on the planned 2026 ERC schedule had always been subject to the event promoter agreement being signed. Unfortunately, we were informed that would not be possible due to internal issues affecting the event.

“We very quickly initiated contact with several rallies interested in joining the ERC and we thank the FIA, the respective event organisers and ASNs for their support during this process.

“For 2026 the decision has been taken to focus on our super seven with the aim of following an eight-event schedule once again in 2027.”

Competitors contesting the ERC1, ERC3, ERC4, Master ERC, Teams’ and Tyre Supplier championships will now count their best six scores out of seven. Junior ERC competitors will continue to count their best five scores out of six.

Registrations for the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship – the 73rd since its formation back in 1953 and the fifth promoted by WRC Promoter – are due to open soon via the FIA’s online registration portal available at https://registrations.fia.com/rally

Meanwhile, the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy calendar has been adjusted for 2026 with Barum Czech Rally Zlín taking Rally Hungary’s place on the five-event schedule, which also includes 43rd Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena – Córdoba World Heritage Site, BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, Rally di Roma Capitale and 82nd Rally Poland.

10th February 2026 0 comment

Football

Munich Air Disaster memorial – Old Trafford 2026

written by Hugh

Manchester United fans came to Old Trafford enduring the terrible weather to pay their respects to the players, officials and reporters who lost their life at the 1958 Munich Air Disaster.

Friday 6th February marked the 68th anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight Manchester United players and three officials.

The Munich Air Disaster is embedded in the club’s history and it has become a tradition for supporters to attend memorial services, both at Old Trafford and Manchesterplatz, the site of the crash.

Reverend John Boyers opened the event with hundreds of fans in attendance.

Andy Mitten, a well established United pundit and journalist gave a wonderful speech mentioning his own experiences of attending events both in Manchester and Munich.

Michael Carrick and Marc Skinner laid a wreath, followed by captains Bruno Fernandes and Maya Le Tissier.

Duncan Drasdo from the Manchester United Supporters Trust alongside representatives from the Under-13 Academy sides who read poetry.

The roll of honour was read by the youngsters followed by a gentle round of applause

Sammy McIlroy spoke on stage and other legends Arthur Albiston, Darren Fletcher, Brian Kidd, Denis Irwin, Lou Macari and Edwin van der Sar were in attendance. It was good to see Omar Berrada representing the Owners and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

The fans observed a minute of silence at the time of the crash – 3.04pm.

We will remember them.

A rendition of the song, The Flowers of Manchester was wonderful.

Please watch the event below:

Please see photographs below from Ged Noonan (@GedCamera)

8th February 2026 0 comment

Rugby

Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company launch cross‑sport drive for MND in Rob Burrow’s name

written by Hugh

An innovative new partnership between The Good Racing Company and Leeds Rhinos rugby league club will help raise vital funds and awareness for MND causes while keeping Rob Burrow’s legacy at the heart of both racing and rugby league communities.

As part of the year-long partnership, Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company will promote key events and fundraising initiatives to one another’s fanbases, helping to raise money for Rob and Lindsey Burrow’s favoured MND charities, while also giving supporters fresh ways to honour Rob’s campaigning work on and off the pitch.

To launch the partnership, The Good Racing Company will be the official match sponsor for Leeds Rhinos’ eagerly anticipated game against York Knights at AMT Headingley Stadium on Friday 20 February. The matchday will feature multiple references to the Rob Burrow Racing Club, introducing The Good Racing Company’s concept of charitable racing clubs to Rhinos supporters and commercial partners.

Rob Oates Managing Director, Leeds Rhinos says: “Together, The Good Racing Company and Leeds Rhinos are giving supporters a dynamic, cross‑sport platform to celebrate Rob’s life and help more families affected by MND in his name. We hope every matchday or raceday is a fresh opportunity to continue the amazing fundraising that Rob and Lindsey inspired.”

Established in 2020, by rugby league and racing enthusiast Phil Hawthorne as an innovative way to fundraise for Rob after he announced he was living with MND, the club was created to honour Rob’s extraordinary courage and determination, channelling Rob’s fighting spirit into a collective movement that raises awareness and funds for the MND community.

Rob’s words “Every single day is precious, don’t waste a moment” lie at the very heart of the racing club, reminding us to seize each day with purpose, and to use our collective energy to create positive change. Today, the Rob Burrow Racing Club continues to carry forward that spirit – and to date, it has donated £210,000 to MND charities.

Lindsey Burrow, who is an ambassador for The Good Racing Company, says: “Rob was passionate about two sports: rugby league and horse racing. It’s great to see Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company teaming up to champion Rob’s legacy across both sports and continue his efforts to raise funds and awareness.”

The Rob Burrow Racing Club invites supporters to join through an annual individual membership priced at £49, with proceeds donated to the Burrow family’s chosen charities, including Challenging MND, which provides financial support, grants, and memorable experiences to people living with MND and their families, including the Burrow family, who are incredibly grateful for their continued support.

For just 95p a week, members can follow the thrill and excitement of the three-year-old Flat racer Don’t Waste a Moment, while enjoying a range of benefits. The Club also offers a corporate membership at £777, providing businesses with a meaningful way to engage teams and clients while supporting a powerful cause. Whether joining as individuals or organisations, members are brought together by the excitement of British racing and the inspirational legacy of Rob Burrow CBE, turning a shared love of sport into positive social impact.

In addition to regular updates, members receive a membership pack, a Leeds Rhinos Matchday Special Offer, and exclusive experiences including stable visits in York and VIP race days as an owner with access to the owners’ enclosure and parade ring alongside the jockey and trainer. Members also enjoy priority access to TGRC racedays, Audience With events, socials, charity events, family fun days, exclusive competitions, and more. By combining sport, community and shared experiences, TGRC create days that are memorable, engaging and genuinely meaningful – bringing people together through the power of sport.

Don’t Waste a Moment is trained by Ivan Furtado at Eboracum Racing Stables near York. The gelding has had three runs so far, and The Good Racing Company is confident he is learning his job and showing plenty of promise for the season ahead.

The Good Racing Company now has ten horses in training across its various clubs and syndicates and is quickly building a track record on the turf. Its standout success to date is Alfa Kellenic, who completed a remarkable sequence of six consecutive victories that included landing the Ayr Silver Cup.

8th February 2026 0 comment

Equestrian Para Sports

Park Lane Stables RDA Coach Named the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year

written by Hugh

Sent on behalf of Riding for the Disabled

Park Lane Stables RDA Coach Named the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year

Teddington, London, UK – Natalie O’Rourke, coach and founder at Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association), has been awarded the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year in recognition of her outstanding contribution to disabled people through sport, inclusive provision, and community leadership.

At the heart of Natalie’s work is the belief that confidence, independence, and wellbeing grow in environments where people feel safe, supported, and understood. Through inclusive, participant-led sessions that harness the transformative bond between people and horses, Park Lane Stables RDA supports people of all abilities to develop physically, emotionally, and socially – delivering life-changing outcomes, while fostering a sense of belonging and joy.

“I’m totally overwhelmed to have won,” said Natalie O’Rourke. “The other nominees are incredible women carrying out amazing roles in their communities. This award is really for my team and for all the women within RDA who show up every day for others. I’m so grateful my Dad could be with me; he was the first to put me on a pony and has supported my passion for horses my whole life. The sessions we run at Park Lane Stables RDA aren’t just about learning a skill – they’re about creating moments of connection, and confidence, and a bit of pony magic that changes lives. Huge thanks to everyone who voted for me, and special thanks to those who believed in me from day one and continue to support me.”

“Natalie’s achievement is thoroughly deserved and a credit to her leadership at Park Lane Stables RDA,” said Michael Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of RDA. “Her work exemplifies the absolute best of grassroots sport – high-quality, inclusive delivery rooted in safe, supportive community environments where the human–horse connection helps people build confidence, independence, and social connection. This award recognises not only Natalie’s dedication, but the real difference she, her team and nearly 14,000 RDA volunteers make to the lives of disabled people and their families. Across the UK, RDA supports 39,000 disabled people every year, and this recognition highlights how national impact is driven by skilled grassroots leaders, like Natalie, who bring our mission to life in local communities every day.”

RDA congratulates Natalie on this well-deserved honour and celebrates the women, volunteers and communities whose commitment continues to change lives every day.

Words & Image courtesy of https://www.parklanestables.co.uk/

5th February 2026 0 comment

Football Pick Your Sport

Stick To Football Episode 115: Arsenal legend Paul Merson opens up about his career and life off the pitch

written by Hugh

On this week’s episode, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Ian Wright, and Jill Scott are joined by special guest Paul Merson, who reflects on his time on Soccer Saturday and his career at Arsenal. Merson opens up about his journey in football, including his struggles off the pitch, and shares his honest thoughts on his England career.

Credit “This week’s Stick to Football podcast is available now on YouTube and all leading podcast platforms”

Key Quotes:

Merson on Soccer Saturday…

“I love it. Every now and again you get a shocking game. I can’t watch Tottenham and I’m not a great lover of watching Man City. I think the other teams come and get their stomach’s tickled a lot of the time. I like a game where you’re going to get a bit excited. They (the producers) won’t let me watch Tottenham; I don’t want them to win.”

Merson on ringing up players after appearing on Soccer Saturday…

“I’ve rung up two players since I’ve been on that show to apologise. One was Harry Maguire when he signed for Man United because I thought it was a bad signing. I didn’t think he could play on the halfway line and I stick by that. I felt like I carried on and on and I came away from the show and I thought to myself you’re out of order. It didn’t feel good.Then last season Idid Arsenal against Tottenham and Tottenham were at home. They were atrocious that day, but I picked out James Madison. I just said it wasn’t good enough and he had to be doing more. He played in my position, and I think Scholes said it earlier when you’re playing at 10 you’ve got to affect a football match. It doesn’t matter how bad the team are playing and he didn’t do that.”

Merson on who he wanted to emulate as a footballer…

“Honestly, I always wanted to be Ray Wilkins. I always wanted to be everybody because I hated myself. Hated being in my own body but Ray Wilkins. Even when I watched him on the television, the way he talked he was a gentleman. I like people who’ve got a good football brain. Ray did everything simple which is the hardest thing in the world.”

Merson on playing in the different leagues…

“I always felt the top league was the easiest league I played in. The lower I went down, I know I was getting a bit older as I went down, but it was harder. I played a game in the conference at the end of my career and every time I got the ball, someone just took it off me. Someone would just smash you and I don’t mean smash you in a horrible way, but they would close you down enough to get your head down, so you had to play.’’

Merson on playing in his favourite position…

“I would say as a 10. I always got man to man marked. That’s what I don’t see anymore. When I used to watch Manchester City in their pomp and Kevin De Bruyne was off the charts, I always used to sit there and think just go man to man on Kevin De Bruyne. Just stop him playing first and then see what the others are like.”

Merson on Arsenal winning the league…

“I love Arsenal. Arsenal are in my heart but Chelsea’s in my blood. Chelsea isn’t winning the league. I want Arsenal to win the league this season and Arsenal will win the league this season.”

Merson on Gyokeres at Arsenal…

“Arsenal don’t trust him (Gyokeres) and the players never pass to him. You watch him next time; he comes short they go no. When I watch the game, he comes short and they don’t give it to him. I don’t think they trust him at all.”

Merson on how he was as a young professional in the game…

“I struggled with shyness and I was quiet. It was all right when I was around the lads. I hated myself with a passion. I was playing at the top level. Playing at Arsenal and winning trophies. I’d always be the same unless I had a drink and then I was a bit loud. That’s what got me out of being myself is drink, drugs, and gambling. They took me away from the way I felt. I never turned up at England and thought ‘I’m here I should be here, I always felt I’m a fraud.”

Merson on feeling appreciated by England…

“I don’t think I deserve to be loved more. I didn’t play well for England. I never felt that I’d come off the pitch at England and sat in the dressing room after and gone that’s how I used to play for Arsenal or Villa or Middlesbrough.”

Merson on how England should set up…

“I think we’re in a position and I know people might think it’s 1980 stuff, it might be better sometimes just to play two up front play Watkins and Kane, or you go an extra man in midfield, and you keep the ball and try and bring teams out. I just think it might be better off playing another midfield player or another centre forward where you’re enticing teams out. I would play Foden out there because Foden’s got guile you know he’s got guile he’s going to come inside.”

Merson on who he would’ve like to play more with…

I’d love playing with Ian Wright. There’s a lot of films where I’ve literally got my hands in the air when he’s going through. You can play on wavelength with players. I knew what Wright was going to do. When he knew what I was going to do and that makes your job very easy. He had that enthusiasm where it carried you through. There’d been dark days in my life where I’d come in where his enthusiasm would pick you up.”

Merson on his dream 5 a side…

“I’m going to pick David Seaman in goal. If I’m going to play out from the back and I’m going to play people who want to play and I’ve got to play, I’m going to go Gary McAllister. Then, Dennis Bergkamp, Gazza, Ian Wright.”

Stick to Football is brought to you by Arne Clothing

5th February 2026 0 comment

Snow Sports

Olympians assemble. Team GB’s class of 2026 are preparing to shine at the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.

written by Hugh

They are standing on the shoulders of giants with the United Kingdom having a rich history in the Winter Games, including winning the first ever curling gold medal back at Chamonix 1924 and continuing to thrive on the ice and snow.

The complete British delegation set to travel to Italy sees a total of 53 athletes selected to compete in 11 sports across 19 days of competition.

Meet the Milano Cortina 2026 team aiming make their own mark on the biggest stage in sport.

Alpine Skiing

Dave Ryding – men’s slalom

Billy Major – men’s slalom

Laurie Taylor – men’s slalom

Biathlon

Jacques Jefferies – men’s

Shawna Pendry – women’s

Bobsleigh

Brad Hall, Taylor Lawrence, Greg Cackett and Leon Greenwood (Alex Cartagena – travelling reserve) – men’s squad

Adele Nicoll and Ashleigh Nelson (Kya Placide – travelling reserve) – women’s squad

Full article from Team GB – https://www.teamgb.com/article/team-gb-olympians-at-milano-cortina-2026-full-list-of-athletes/4dbipxIFqnYGXyQTwJh5KN

4th February 2026 0 comment

Angling

From Glastonbury to the riverbank: DJ Nick Warren becomes Angling Trust Ambassador

written by Hugh

The Angling Trust is delighted to announce that internationally renowned DJ, producer and lifelong angler Nick Warren has become an official ambassador for the organisation.

Born and raised in Bridport, Dorset, Nick’s love of fishing began in childhood on the small rivers flowing through the town, targeting brown trout and sea trout, alongside formative days sea fishing on nearby Chesil Beach. That early connection to fish and water has endured throughout a global music career that has seen him tour the world while remaining, by his own admission, “an obsessed fly fisherman”.

Nick rose to prominence after moving to Bristol in the 1980s, forging close ties with the emerging trip-hop scene and touring extensively with Massive Attack during the 1990s. He went on to achieve chart-topping success with Way Out West and remixing artists ranging from The Cure to Art of Noise.

If you have been to Glastonbury over the last couple of decades, there is a good chance you will have seen or heard Nick at one of his many appearances and he continues to tour internationally with his events, The Soundgarden. Despite a demanding schedule, fishing has remained central to Nick’s life, with opportunities to cast a line seized wherever touring allows – particularly in Argentina.

As an Angling Trust Ambassador, Nick brings something genuinely distinctive: the ability to connect angling with cultural spaces far beyond the riverbank. Through his global profile and authentic passion for fishing, he reaches audiences who may never otherwise encounter angling, or understand the care anglers have for fish, rivers, and the wider environment.

Nick comments: “Alongside catching salmon and sea trout, my angling focus these days seems to be my concern at the flagrant disregard politics and business show for our waterways and fish. Anglers need to stand together, and champion our cause. Anything I can do to help the Angling Trust in their great work will be a pleasure, and I am honoured to be an Ambassador.”

Angling Trust Ambassadors help champion campaigns to tackle pollution, modernise clubs and fisheries, broaden participation, and ensure angling plays a central role in safeguarding aquatic environments.

Nick joins a diverse group of high-profile supporters who share the Trust’s ambition for healthy fish populations, thriving waters and a vibrant future for angling. His appointment underlines the breadth of angling’s appeal and its relevance well beyond traditional sporting boundaries.

Words & Image courtesy of The Angling Trust

3rd February 2026 0 comment

TSF News

“You are your athletes greatest source of competitive advantage.” The Story of Coach Linda Nicholson.

written by Hugh

This week, as part of our new series of articles supporting coaches and organisations to take a more holistic approach to addressing the persistent lack of female coaches across sport, we turn our attention back to the P of PRO – PERFORMANCE.

To borrow a quote from Cody Royle, author of Second Set of Eyes and former Head Coach of the Canadian AFL team;

“you are your athletes greatest source of competitive advantage.”

It’s a quote Cody has repeated many times across his presentations and podcasts over the years. Through his work supporting elite head coaches, he sharpens this message further, helping coaches become their team’s greatest source of competitive advantage through his Four Crafts of Coaching model: organisational craft, personal craft, locker room craft and game craft. The model recognises that coaches are required to perform across every area of their role, not just on the pitch on game day.

Cody is a global leader in advancing the idea that coaches are performers too. He challenges head coaches to recognise that performance is not something reserved for athletes alone. Coaches are required to operate under pressure, make high-stakes decisions in real time, regulate emotion, and influence outcomes when it matters most. His work with coaches around the world centres on a simple but confronting truth: great coaching is not just about what you know, but about how you show up.

Full story – https://femalecoachingnetwork.substack.com/p/you-are-your-athletes-greatest-source?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7e00bd7-bdd4-42d2-a162-27a0660e310b_1206x1056.png&open=false

3rd February 2026 0 comment

Football

STICK TO FOOTBALL – Episode 114

written by Hugh

On this week’s episode Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Jill Scott and Ian Wright look back on a big week of football as they react to Manchester United’s victory at Arsenal and discuss the growing pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side. The panel also debate Michael Carrick’s future in management, examine the increasing scrutiny on Tottenham’s manager, and turn their attention to Liverpool amid ongoing questions around their managerial direction.

00:00: Intro

10:38: United’s Victory at Arsenal

27:52: Is there too much pressure on Arsenal?

33:09: Manchester United’s Turnaround

37:36: Debating Michael Carrick’s Future

58:27: Michael’s Appointment at Man United

01:00:39: Super 6

01:07:39: Tottenham’s Managerial Pressure

01:11:05: Liverpool’s Managerial Debate

01:18:13: Best Players Without International Caps

01:20:31 Greatest January Transfers

Key Quotes:

Panel on Arsenal’s chances of winning the league…

Scholes: ‘Four points now, it’s January, and Arsenal look a bit… Wait till it gets to March and April, and it’s only four points. But then City are still having their days against United. I don’t think City are right, but I think they’ve got players coming back as well.’

Wright: I’m quite confident in the fact that whatever happened in the dressing room afterwards, something’s going to change. Something has to change. Otherwise, it will peter out for us. Something has to change, and this is what it’s surely about, winning the league. You’re meant to be on a journey. You’re meant to say, ‘oh my God, I remember when we lost that United game out of the blue. We couldn’t beat Liverpool. We didn’t beat Forest, and then Liverpool.’

Neville: ‘You have Arsenal Football Club one of the greatest clubs in this country and in Europe and you basically got to get back to winning titles. You haven’t won one for 20 years and it’s there in front of you. You must have a mentality of we have to win this league this year. You have to.’

Neville: ‘Everybody wants to win the title. Everybody hopes to win the title. Arsenal need to win the title this year. They need to win it this year. This is their year. City have dropped. Liverpool have gone. This is it. The door’s open. Don’t start being half-hearted. My point is, the language coming out of the club, the language coming out of the fan base should be, look, yeah, I get it. We’ve lost games. We’re going to lose games in a season. But this is it. We’re winning it this year and we’re going to get through this.’

Panel on Carrick making an immediate impact at Manchester United…

Neville: ‘I’m absolutely startled at the turnaround. We saw a change of manager with Ruben Amorim to go to Darren Fletcher and there was not much difference in terms of energy and strength. Then all of a sudden from Michael Carrick in those two or three days. I can’t believe it. I genuinely can’t believe what I’m seeing.’

‘Michael Carrick was just about to go into the City game. None of us could have ever imagined that what we’ve seen we were going to see, surely. No one could have ever imagined that. Nobody would have thought he’d win them first two games.’

Panel on Manchester United’s recent transformation…

Keane: ‘There’s definitely an energy, a new energy about the team. We weren’t seeing the energy at weekends. The last week or two, you look and go, there’s definitely an energy about them. It’s got nice energy as well. Nice energy about them. I think the timing was perfect. The players were probably ready for a new voice. It’s not necessarily on the new manager. They’re probably just glad to see the last manager go. Training might be a bit more intense. It might be shorter. It’ll be all these little tweaks in training. Players are back available. We brought Maguire back in. You want to have a [Steve] Holland, he’s worked with in England. This group of players still haven’t got the trust from me anyway to go, yeah, I expect them to win loads of games over the next one, two, three, four, five seasons competing. So get that balance right.’

Panel on Kobbie Mainoo’s journey back into United’s XI:

Neville: ‘I must admit. I never liked the handling of Mainoo. I think we talked about that a lot on this show. I never liked the handling of that. When he (Ruben) said at the start of the season that it was him or Bruno, I never agreed with that. It killed him. It killed him, publicly. And then he never put him in the team at all, apart from Grimsby. When you watch Kobbie now in the two games, that was nearly pushing a talented player out of the club before he’d even really had a chance to perform. You look at him now in these two matches.’

Panel on Micheal Carrick continuing as manager…

Wright: ‘His job within the last week or two was to get results at Man United. If you become a manager, you have to start looking at the structure, the scouting. I think he’ll do that.’

Keane: ‘I’m not saying Michael Carrick can’t be a top manager, but you’re talking about timing of Man Utd. I think the timing for Carrick to be manager of Man Utd in the summer, I don’t see it. And if he goes in and proves me wrong and starts competing and winning titles, I’ll tell you what, unbelievable.That’s where Man United have to be. But the next step is they have to get back in the Champions League next year. If Carrick can do that job, you go, I’ll take that off them. And I guarantee you if he doesn’t take the job, some other big manager might come and go, I’d like you to work alongside me.’

Neville: ‘We’re not going to turn on Michael Carrick. It’s not a jealousy point. Michael shouldn’t get the job at the end of the season in my opinion. I’m saying this really unemotionally. It’s nothing to do with what two weeks ago where to be fair, I agree with Roy that no one would have mentioned Michael for the job. If you’re going to earn your stripes and manage one of the biggest clubs in the world and handle the pressure that’s going to be thrown at you, I think you have to have that years of experience personally.’

Carragher on Liverpool sacking Arne Slot…

‘I’ve been taken aback by how quickly people have turned, I just think you can’t change a manager who’s won the league a year ago. You have to obviously assess it at the end of the season so I am a bit taken aback I think if you win the league and you spend that type of money it’s not just on him but other people. Liverpool have never been in this position in this social media age where everyone’s got an opinion. Klopp came about 10 years ago and they obviously had one of the best managers in the world so it was never really up for debate. I have been taken aback with the feelings concerning the manager.’

2nd February 2026 0 comment

Athletics

NOVUNA GB & NI TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD 50K RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NEW DELHI

written by Hugh

An additional three athletes have been selected to represent the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team (GB & NI) at the 2025 World 50k Running Championships in New Delhi, India, on March 14th 2026.

Becky Briggs (coach:Kris Lecher, club:City of Hull AC), Alex Milne (Wimbledon Hercules AC) and Logan Smith (James Senior, City of Norwich AC) will join the existing eight athletes who were selected before the Championships were postponed in December 2025. The event is a 5km loop run 10 times on a flat road circuit in the Indian capital, Delhi.

The team for these Championships has been selected with the stated aim from the policy of achieving individual and team medal success. There was no official trial for the event, so athletes were chosen via expression of interest from those who met the qualifying standards over marathon and 50k distances.

Briggs, who has a personal best (PB) of 2:29:06 for the marathon, ran 2:38 at the Chicago Marathon in October to secure her spot on the women’s team. Milne brings a wealth of GB & NI experience from 50k and 100k World and European Championships, with a 2:14:03 PB set at the 2025 London Marathon. Smith also raced in the capital’s iconic marathon, setting a new PB of 2:15:23.

The 2025 50k British Champion, Melissah Gibson (100 Marathon Club), leads a strong women’s team. The last time she wore a GB & NI vest was at the World 100k Championships in 2024, where she placed 5th, and the team won a silver medal.

Joining Gibson are Naomi Robinson (Daniel Robinson, BRAT), with a marathon PB of 2:30:54, and Leeds City duo, Heather Townsend (Joe Townsend, Leeds City) and Katrina Ballantyne (Joe Townsend, Leeds City), both with PBs of 2:37:00.

The men’s team includes 100k British Champion, Henry Hart (Belgrave Harriers), who has a 50k PB of 2:50:33; Sean Michael Hogan (Steven Phillips, Southampton AC), whose marathon time is 2:14:51 and Charlie Davis (Jethro McGraw, BRAT), a time of 2:19:51, both clocking those times at the London Marathon last year. Rounding off the team is Kevin Campbell (Tony O’Brien, Cambuslang Harriers), who ran 2:17:38 to finish second at Manchester Marathon earlier this spring.

The Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the World 50k Road Running Championships in New Delhi, India, on 14th March 2026:

Women

Heather Townsend (Joe Townsend, Leeds City)

Naomi Robinson (Daniel Robinson, BRAT)

Melissah Gibson (100 Marathon Club)

Katrina Ballantyne (Joe Townsend, Leeds City)

Becky Briggs (Kris Lecher, City of Hull AC)

Men

Henry Hart (Belgrave Harriers)

Sean Michael Hogan (Steven Phillips, Southampton AC)

Charlie Davis (Jethro McGraw, BRAT)

Kevin Campbell (Tony O’Brien, Cambuslang Harriers)

Alex Milne (Wimbledon Hercules AC)

Logan Smith (James Senior, City of Norwich AC)

More information regarding this event can be found on the official events website.

28th January 2026 0 comment

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