Leader: Ebbsfleet United

Football has seen its fair share of nonsense over the years but the takeover of Ebbsfleet United by the website MyFootballClub must surely take the cake.

Twenty thousand people have paid £35 each to form the takeover fund to buy the club.

They will all become a 'part owner' of Ebbsfleet, and will vote on every major issue, from team selection to player transfers.

Club manager Liam Daish will see his job title downgraded to 'head coach'.

In theory, giving the fans control in this manner is a nice idea. But allowing people to play Football Manager for real is surely doomed to failure.

For instance, allowing members to pick the team will clearly cause numerous difficulties. Daish will apparently brief members on what he believes the team selection should be.

But surely opposing managers will sign up, see this brief and then have a massive advantage ahead of the game?

Similarly, asking members to vote on transfers will play into their rival's hands. Other clubs will be able to tie up deals while Ebbsfleet are still putting them to the vote.

Most importantly, there are the existing fans who love their club and don't want it turned into an experiment.

For years they have been coming week in, week out and know more about the club than anyone.

We wonder how many of the subscribers will fail to pay again next season. The money would dry up and once again in football, the fans would be the victims.

TV Review: Heroes

Crikey, is this really the twentieth episode?

We have all been so mesmerised by this excellent series that time has just flown by.

Which is ironic really, because in tonight's offering on BBC2, time, erm, flew by!

The writers ripped up the rulebook tonight by taking us five years into the future where the fated bomb detonated and blew New York to smithereens.

We got the chance to see the characters we know and love in a completely new light, and this provided a refreshing and original change.

Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka) once again steals the show. Usually wonderfully excitable, he is now a wanted terrorist and master of the sword. Oka portrays both characters superbly and puts in a brilliant performance.

Far from being one of those lame clip shows, this episode still provides the levels of excitement and emotional pathos we are used too.

The final scene, when present day Hiro sees his future self killed, is as shocking and powerful as anything we have seen so far.

And when Sylar (Zachary Quinto) finally manages to kill Claire Bennett (Hayden Panettiere), it provides a chilling vision of what our heroes may face in the future.

Time travel is a tricky subject, leading to some confusion as we try to link past and future.

But in the main this gloomy look at 'what might be' sets us up perfectly for the three part finale which begins next week. We now know what happens if it all goes pear-shaped....

Personal Column: The Scots

So am I the only Englishman who was happy to see Scotland crash out of the European Championships?

All week I have been hearing things like: "It's such a shame isn't it?" and "I wanted them to make it."

Why is this? Do you think that anyone was upset north of the border after our abject defeat to Croatia?

Wasn't that Andy Murray in a Paraguay shirt shortly before our World Cup opener?

And the thing is, that is how it should be. I want competition between England and Scotland. I want the jokes and the banter. I want the passion and the hatred. And above all I want to smugly bask myself in schadenfreude when they once again fail to reach a major tournament.

What I don't want is some sort of cuddly United Kingdom lovefest.

Scotland are our rivals, our biggest foes. And quite simply, we shouldn't want them to win.

And as an England supporter sitting in England, I want the focus of the media coverage to be, erm, England.

It is infuriating when live feeds from the England camp are interrupted to bring us some pub in Stranraer that had been decked out in tartan.

Perhaps bringing back the home nations will revitalise tensions and restore some sanity.

I once witnessed some Scotland fans in kilts chanting 'Italy' after the Italians beat us 1-0. And when Christian Panucci's ninetieth minute header floated into the back of the net, I rejoiced in chanting the same.

Maroon 5 @ Notts Arena for NG

“If there are any critics here, go f**k yourself!” announces Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine midway through their set at the Nottingham Arena tonight. Well, that's just charming isn't it? As the crowd roars in approval, I suddenly feel like the pantomime villain as heads turn to look back at the guy sitting down with a notepad.

“What this? Nah, I'm not a reviewer, I'm just er, taking drinks orders!"

Luckily I make it through the night without being lynched, but perhaps this review should be written under a fake name to avoid any reprisals? Devine's outburst came just after he said: “We're not liked here” and I'm afraid that I will have to add my own insults to what is apparently a growing list.

Die-hard fans of the Los Angeles five piece clearly had a good time but for me the performance was just a bit flat. Too many songs tonight dragged on unnecessarily, so much so that it began to feel like we had gate crashed a jamming session at times. Slower numbers fizzled out to nothing and just seemed a bit dull. It was the first night of their UK tour, so maybe the lads will need some time to get into the swing of things. But I for one would have been pretty disappointed to have forked out thirty-odd quid for tonight's performance.

It didn't help that crowd favourites Harder to Breathe and It Makes Me Wonder came relatively early in the set, leaving big gaps in the middle with nothing to get really excited about. Even This Love, their big tune, failed to get things pumping as I might have thought. There were high points but these were disappointingly few and far between in a sea of mediocrity. There is no denying that the guys are top class musicians, with Levine and James Valentine wowing the audience at times with their skills on their guitars.

Crowd interaction was good with Levine instructing the fans to wave their mobile phones aloft, creating a sky of shiny white light. An intimate version of She Will Be Loved during the encore was also a highlight and Levine's vocal range was pretty impressive. It's just that a lot of the set simply seemed like filler while we waited for the good bits.

There was a lack of oomph and the gig didn't provide the levels of excitement and entertainment that you would expect in an arena. It also finished disappointingly early at just after ten, and I wonder how many paying customers left feeling a tad ripped off. So I'm going to put 'must do better' on the Maroon 5 report card I'm afraid. And I'm also going to give Mr Levine detention for swearing at journalists. Naughty boy.

Red Or Dead: Dan Palmer

Seeing Red: Chris Wray-McCann

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Dont_Look_Back_In_Anger:_NG_Magazine_reviews_Maroon_5/

Reading

Reading Evening Post will be my third work experience placement, again in the summer. Nearer to home I guess...

My Cuttings So Far

Healthy Interest In Pupil Run Tuck Shop

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133965&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133948&contentPK=19012821&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

School News

Amusingly I am featured in the school news-letter at Hillside Primary. Here is what was put:

A student in journalism from Nottingham Trent University, Dan Palmer, visited school this week and was very impressed with the all the hard work which had been done to set up the tuck shop. He has written an article to be submitted to the local press. We thought you would be interested in the following extract:

They then put in the bit of my article which bigged up the school. They concluded the piece by putting:

Thank you Dan for a great article … we hope it makes the local press.

Really I should be the one thanking them, the school has been a great help during the progression of this story. Cheers!

E-Mail From The Post

Recieved a nice e-mail today about my school story:

Hi Dan,

thanks for sending the article about the tuck shop to our newsdesk. I think we'll be using it in our Neighbourhood News pages on Tuesday, though because of where it is on the page it probably won't have your name on it. Sorry about that, but thanks again for sending articles in. We appreciate receiving copy of such a high quality!

If there is anything else you want to send in, feel free to e-mail me back at this address or send it to the newsdesk.

Rob Parsons

Cheers Rob! Third story in, not a bad return from my first five stories.

Work Experience

Recently secured a weeks work experience at the Exeter Express & Echo as well as Portsmouth's The News. These will occur in the summer. Just fired off a couple of e-mails saying what a superb journalist I was and they said, "yeah, come on down!" Cheers guys!

For The Love Of The Game

In a world of pre-match build ups, different camera angles and tiresome ‘expert’ analysis, Dan Palmer goes in search of football's grass routes.

It’s a Saturday, it’s 3.pm. and like many people I have gone to the footy. Except my experience is going to be a tad different this week. The ground I find myself in is uncovered on two sides and one end actually backs on to people's gardens. The pitch looks like it will turn into a mud bath after a single drop of rain and a dodgy looking burger van is setting up in the corner. A sixties style television gantry looms over the pitch and a creaky tannoy system echoes around the ground. I am about as far from Old Trafford as it is possible to be. This is Watnall Road, home of Hucknall Town Football Club.

I’m here to find out why people make the effort with clubs like this. With more televised matches than ever before, is there anyone left who cares about the local form of the beautiful game? I had come to meet the people who would shun the warmth of the pub, with its big screens and glamorous Premier League stars, to concentrate on football in its purest form.

Hucknall play in the Blue Square North division, two leagues away from the Football League and five shy of the Premiership. The club was formed as a colliery side in 1945 and has had reasonable success over the years, making their way up the football pyramid from the Nottinghamshire leagues to their current position. In the 2004-5 season they reached the final of the FA Trophy, the top FA tournament for non-league sides. Legendary players include prolific striker Ian ‘The Hitman’ Hannah, and ex Manchester United forward, David Johnson.

On my visit, the side were struggling. After fifteen games they were sitting rock bottom of the Blue Square North, with a pitiful ten points. Attendances were also low, with just 270 turning up to watch a dismal 3-0 defeat against Blyth Spartans.

In the club shop, which is based in a small portakabin, I meet retired sisters Lynne Taylor and Jill Nicholls. They have been coming to matches for twenty years. Lynne's husband Maurice is on the club's committee and Jill’s son Tom is training to be a physio. He hopes to join the club one day as well. So why have they given up so much of their time?

“I guess it’s just the sense of pride.” coos Lynne. “It means something to be a part of your local club.”

Jill, who has been nodding along, clearly agrees. “There is a great feeling of belonging. I feel like part of a community, and you just don’t get that at the bigger clubs.”

I watch them for a while as they sell scarves and programmes to supporters. They chat with everyone who comes in, clearly knowing them all.

“Everybody knows everybody here,” says Lynne. “It is a much better atmosphere, far friendlier. We treat our supporters like they are people, not customers.”

Soon it is time for the game. The guests today are Solihull Moors, and it soon becomes clear that the Hucknall supporters are passionate about their team.

“I have lived in Hucknall most of my life,” Jill tells me. “They are my local club, my team!”

It is not hard to see what she means. Looking around there are numerous examples of people who are passionate about their town, and therefore their team. With so many supporters opting to follow clubs miles away from home in places like Manchester and Liverpool, it is refreshing to see so much pride for a local community.

Monica Glover started coming eight years ago when Notts County no longer offered her value for money. She sells raffle tickets and also helps to take down the nets after games.

“At County it felt like they just wanted to take my money,” she tells me. “Here I am much more involved. And I have lived here for so long, so it is like Hucknall Town is my team. That means something, so I do my bit.”

Half time arrives and after a poor performance Hucknall are lucky to go into the break with the scores goalless.

“Could be worse!” says Jill, shaking her head at me. It is starting to rain and a biting breeze is blowing into everyone’s faces. With situations like this, does she every wonder why she bothers?

“Never!” she states bluntly. “This club is a part of me now, when you come every week, it becomes engrained in you. And I actually get involved at my club. I help out, make a difference. How many fans of bigger clubs can say that?”

The second half starts badly when Hucknall go behind. Jill shakes her head and sighs, clearly used to this sort of situation. Andrew Moore, another supporter, turns up to air his grievances. With the rain falling and his team one behind, why doesn’t he just pack it in and head for the warmth of the pub?

“If I were offered tickets to the Premier League, I would still come here,” he says, grinning. “It’s much more personal here. I know some of the players and they are just regular guys like you and me. You can’t say that about the Premiership, where you don’t feel part of it at all.”

Luckily, going behind seems to be spurt Hucknall into life. A good spell sees them take the lead, sending the fans into raptures. We are standing behind one of the goals and are right up close to the action. The stadium, although falling apart in places, is full of life and a stark contrast to the characterless bowl stadiums that many clubs are now building.

Hucknall look set to claim a vital three points but fate strikes a cruel blow. Solihull equalise with about ten minutes left, and the game finishes 2-2.

Lynne looks at me and sighs. “Oh well,” she says. “I’ll be back next week.”

And if it is always as friendly as that, I might be as well.

Jamie Oliver would be proud

A SCHOOL will be opening its own healthy tuck shop – and it will be ran and maintained by the kids.

Lucky children will be encouraged to eat well, and will also develop business skills by handling money and using computers to work out prices and profits.

The project is being introduced at the Hillside Primary and Nursery, in Roberts Lane, Hucknall.

It ticks all the boxes of the government’s Every Child Matters scheme, which was introduced after the murder of eight year old Victoria Climbié in London.

Under the scheme, the government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or circumstances, to have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

School learning mentor Petra Morrish (correct), one of the staff involved in setting up the shop, said: “This is a really good thing to do for the school, and for the children.”

“It covers many different areas of the national curriculum, and the children are really looking forward to it as well,” she added.

Snacks on sale will include, fruit, cereal bars, raisins, flapjacks and orange and apple juice.

The price limit on everything is 20p, making it affordable for everyone, and a small profit will be made that will go back into the school. The children will be working at the shop themselves, and coming up with the pricing systems.

School Chair of Governors Ruth Stamper (correct), said: “This gives the children a sense of responsibility, as well as promoting healthy eating.”

The school will fund the project itself, and the food has been bought by parents. Tesco donated £10 to the project.

Parent Claire Ash (correct), said: “It’s great that the children have been given the opportunity to eat healthily.”

Hot Hot Heat & The Thirst @ Rescue Rooms for NG

Hair Today - NG Magazine reviews Hot Hot Heat

Things don't start too well for me at the Rescue Rooms tonight. My first mistake comes when I spend £2.80 on what turns out to be a quite frankly awful pint of Worthington's. I'm no sandal wearing CAMRA member but this was just really, really bad. It left me desperate for a proper drink, or at least for something that wasn't 90% water, but unfortunately I didn't have any more money with me. That, as you may have gathered, was my second mistake. Right, this music had better be good then.

First on are The Thirst, who in a world full of mundane guitar bands are a breath of fresh air. Apparently ex-Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood saw them once and signed them on the spot and I can't say I'm surprised. The Brixton trio are on a bit of a roll at the moment, having recently supported the infamous Sex Pistols, and they produce a set which is loud, fast and full of life.

It is a highly original performance which sees fast paced vocals mingle with guitars, and in the main it works. Piercing riffs allow for some extremely catchy and funky music, with elements of soul and hip hop creeping into the sound. It is a pity that the crowd don't really respond. At times the set was too frantic, and you could hardly hear singing over the wall of guitars. But in the main it was a great performance which certainly quashed memories of dodgy pints of beer.

The five members of Hot Hot Heat arrive on stage led by singer/keyboardist Steve Bays, who sports a simply amazing perm. The Canadian rockers have not really hit the big time on these shores, with Bandages being the only song that most people have really heard of. I remember dancing to it back in my undergraduate days (*sigh*) and it is no doubt a corking tune, but for one reason or another it never propelled them to superstardom [Ed’s note: try the fact that Radio 1 banned it from their playlist.]

In tonight's set the song is the highlight by a country mile, sending the mosh pit into an over excited frenzy. The only problem is that most of the other songs seem tame in comparison. The lads are accomplished musicians, and they play a pleasing selection of indie-punk pop, but few of the songs could be considered groundbreaking. With nothing to back Bandages up, it perhaps becomes clear why they never broke through in this country. No Not Now and Harmonicas and Tambourines are obvious high points, but the rest just seems to blend into one and could be described as good, but not great.

You can’t fault the band's enthusiasm and energy though. Bays is a busy man, playing keyboard with one hand and holding a microphone with the other, but he still tries to play the frontman role by dancing all over the stage. He regularly surges towards us, but with one hand permanently glued to the keys it looks like he is playing a game of Twister with himself.

If I'm sounding a little harsh then it must be said that a lot of people were enjoying it. An army of teenage fans towards the front of the stage enthusiastically lap up everything the band does. Bays energetically plays the crowd, and most of them think he can do no wrong. He shows no qualms in posing for pictures on the cameras which are frequently thrust in his face, and at one point he dips his head into the front row to allow a lucky few to play with the perm.

With so many people having fun, Hot Hot Heat begin to enjoy themselves, and even I begin to let up. It's hard to be critical around so many happy people, and when they launch into Let Me In, a powerful track, I'm tempted to dance along with the rest. I left with a smile on my face, but it is important to remember that tonight’s gig took place in the relatively small Rescue Rooms. I would hazard a guess that everyone who wanted to be here tonight probably was and that Hot Hot Heat would struggle to fill bigger venues. In this country at least, the Canadians have found their level.

Gone Tomorrow: Dan Palmer

Images: Matt Birhanzel

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Hair_Today:_NG_Magazine_reviews_Hot_Hot_Heat/

Charity Walk For The Blind

FUNDRAISERS are set to come out in force – on a charity walk for the blind.

Byron’s Winter Walk takes place on Sunday 18th November at Newstead Abbey, near Hucknall, and 95 people have already signed up to take part. The Abbey is the ancestral home of the famous poet Lord Byron.

Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind are organising the event to raise much needed funds for blind and visionary impaired people within the region.

People of all ages have committed themselves to the walk, to the delight of the organisers.

Events and community fundraiser Vicky Smith said: “We are thrilled with the response so far. Loads of people have come forward, including a team of opticians.”

The hike lasts nine miles and will get underway at 10.am. Upon leaving the abbey, those taking part will pass through scenic woodland before returning to their starting point. Hot chocolate and mince pies will then be available while the walkers give their feet a well earned rest.

The charity assists around 6,500 people in Nottinghamshire with advice, information, training and support.

One of their initiatives is the Child Support Scheme, which gives visually impaired children the chance to meet others with similar conditions.

Fundraising manager Michael Conroy, (correct) said: “We hope to raise around £6000.”
“We are the only charity for the visually impaired in the Nottingham area, so this money will go straight back into the local community.” he added.

There is a registration fee of £5 for those wishing to take part, although it is free for under 16’s. Walkers will also be asked to collect sponsorship.

Anyone interested in joining in can contact the charity’s events team on 01159 706 806.

Exclusive

My eternal thanks to the Hucknall Dispatch for not only giving me a byline but for also writing EXCLUSIVE next to my church story. I only picked it up today and I was pretty chuffed to see that. This weekly rag is surely the world's greatest paper. Seriously, they had no need to put that and I can only assume that they were helping out a student.

The fact that the Nottingham Evening Post ran my story three days prior to the Dispatch being released is of course by the by.

Winter of content for historic church

Church story in the Dispatch.

http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/hucknall/Winter-of-content-for-historic.3438526.jp

Doves

A KIDS group has launched an urgent appeal to find a new youth leader.

The Doves Youth Group - which is based in Hucknall - caters for Junior School Children aged between seven and eleven.

There are plans to expand the group to involve more children, but this will not be possible unless another adult supervisor can be found.

Helen Chadwick (correct), who at the moment is the group's sole leader, said "We currently have around twelve to fifteen kids but more are interested in joining."

"This will not be possible unless we find another youth leader, as the numbers would be too great." she added.

The group meets on Wednesday evenings in the St Mary Magdalene Church on Ogle Street, from 6pm to 7pm. It has been running for six years.

Despite being based in a church, the group is not overly religious according to Mrs Chadwick. Small prayers are held but the main activities are painting, singing, arts and craftwork.

In recent years the group has also been involved in community projects. They assisted in the building of a wildlife garden in the churchyard and have also taken part in Hucknall's Christmas carnivals.

Parent Anne Jackson sends her son Jack, (10), to the group's meetings. "Jack really enjoys the sessions. He makes lots of friends and gets involved with all sorts of different activities." she said.

"It would be a great shame if other kids don't get the chance to benefit in the same way."

Mrs Chadwick believes that the role would suit someone who is interested in kids and looking to put something back into the community. However she is conscious that volunteers are likely to be in short supply.

Anyone interested in the post can contact Helen Chadwick on 0775 171 9498.