Owner: Will Tidey - Freelance Sportswriter URL:http://www.willtidey.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:46:23 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Freelance sportswriter Will Tidey showcases news, views and features on all things sport. Site statistics:Click here
A BATTLE OF SPORTING EVILS 2007-04-14 13:52:00 This month, we examine three scourges upon the sporting landscape. Violence, drugs and cheating are our resident evils, but which poses the biggest threat to sport in the Twenty-First century? Armed with flailing elbows, a box of syringes and a betting slip, this column aims to find out.
We begin our journey through sporting sewers in the unsavoury presence of eye-gauging, biting and raking -
THE POTATO, THE WALRUS AND THE RAGING BLANCMANGE 2007-03-16 10:45:00 For a generation weaned on heroin chic, liposuction and size zero models, sport has served as an unlikely bastion of moral sensibility. As Bermudian spinner Dwayne Leverock will testify, in our world a few extra meals can put your next one on the table.
At 19 stone, Leverock is the latest in a long line of portly sportsman to garner acclaim on the cricket field. Whether he could justify
FRIENDLIES UNDER FIRE 2007-03-05 07:59:00 If you think international friendlies are irritating, life-sapping sores on the glistening skin of sport, spare a thought for England fans in the late nineteenth century. Beginning in November 1872, our Victorian ancestors had a mere seven games over seven and half years for sustenance; all of which were friendlies against Scotland.
The first encounter, played at West of Scotland Cricket Ground,
MARCH MADNESS 2007-02-21 08:33:00 About this time of year, my brother-in-law in North Carolina calls me from his office. Fuelled by a heady mix of strong coffee, grits and adrenalin, he is frothing at the mouth by the time I get to the phone.
"Time for your picks," he'll say. "I'm all about the Wolfpack. Alabama look good again, but no defence..I hope Duke get railed. What do you think about Boston? They're on fire, but then
IN PROFILE - JACK NICKLAUS 2007-02-09 08:32:00 As he waved an emotional farewell to major championship golf upon St. Andrews’ iconic Swilcan Bridge in 2005, Jack Nicklaus was honoured with a standing ovation that bought him, and many others, to tears. The “golden bear” was both golf’s greatest player and its greatest ambassador.
Alongside Arnold Palmer, Nicklaus was influential in golf’s boom as a spectator sport in the 1960s. It was an era
A GIFT FROM GOD 2007-01-31 20:36:00 Truly great lives can resonate far beyond the dusty pages of history textbooks. Through their passion, verve and determination, some will live in the consciousness of civilization for eternity. Virginia is proud to call one such man its son.
Arthur Robert Ashe Junior was born in Richmond, on July 10 1943. Growing up black in segregated society, he faced a daunting and uncertain future from his
THE OSCAR FOR BEST GOAL GOES TO... 2007-01-29 12:30:00 Goals are like films. Each year thousands of them are made by overpaid prima donnas, but most are instantly forgettable and ultimately inconsequential.
Just occasionally, though, one appears so flawless that it transcends its genre and is universally acclaimed as a work of genius. To enter this category, two elements are nearly always in place.
Firstly, the execution must be sublime and
THE OCEAN COURSE - KIAWAH ISLAND, USA 2007-01-05 22:49:00 From the Blue Ridge Mountains of the north, to the wildlife rich lowcountry of the south, the palmetto state of South Carolina is both geographically and culturally diverse. Elegant architecture, sweeping dune-framed beaches and streets draped with Spanish moss make the region an enduringly popular tourist destination. For the sports orientated, the state also boasts one of the world's greatest
THE DAY CLAY SHOOK THE WORLD 2006-11-17 16:34:00 On February 25th, 1964, Cassius Clay, the precocious 22 year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, conjured one of the greatest upsets in sporting history; taking Sonny Liston’s heavyweight crown after the defending champion conceded his title at the start of the seventh round.
As the bell rang out Liston remained motionless in his corner and unable to continue, causing Clay to dance across the Miami
ENGLAND FANS ARE REALLY NICE, HONESTLY 2006-10-27 20:57:00 If you believe the stereotype, England football fans are drunken hellions with a rabid thirst for violence. As the FA face charges after alleged incidents in Croatia earlier this month, one passionate fan from Brighton has been compelled to give a first hand account of events that day.
As she strolled through Zagreb, Lisa Kerridge remembers the atmosphere between the two sets of fans being Read more:REALLY
CARNOUSTIE LINKS, SCOTLAND 2006-09-19 17:52:00 Barring a bizarre chain of events, I will never play football at Wembley Stadium. Gone too is any chance of playing cricket at Lord's, rugby at Twickenham or winning the men’s singles title at Wimbledon (I’m English).
It seems destiny has made me an everyman, a voyeur from plastic seat or through plasma screen. For this perennial dreamer, the door to the grandest stage is all but closed. “I
SAY HELLO TO MY SPRINTING FRIEND 2006-08-25 11:45:00 As the long suffering purists of cricket’s stuffy upper echelons bemoan the latest slight on their pristine institution, they will be quietly pleased to read at least one piece of news this morning. Thankfully from their perspective, their sport is not athletics.
For while Pakistan’s captain Inzamam Ul-Haq stands charged with bringing the game into disrepute, and cricket bears the face of an
OZZY USHERS IN THE CAROLINA RAILHAWKS 2006-07-22 12:11:00 In 1897, a small meeting held at a pub in England’s industrial heartland heralded the inception of one of soccer’s most historic teams. Having maintained their footing in the upper echelons of the professional game for over a century, Sheffield Wednesday arrived in North Carolina this week to witness a modern day sporting birth in stark contrast to their humble beginnings.
Welcomed warmly to
PROBABLY THE WORST RETIREMENT GIFT IN THE WORLD 2006-07-10 17:15:00 It was supposed to be the curtain call of all curtain calls. Zinedine Zidane, universally considered one of the greatest players ever to grace the game, was set to conduct France's footballing orchestra for the last time in the World Cup Final. The sporting Gods of destiny had shined, and it seemed Disney's next movie had been all but written for them. Even in defeat, Zidane's epic journey would
HEROES NEEDED - NO DRAGON SLAYING REQUIRED 2006-07-05 17:42:00 Ever since St. George defeated that fearsome fire-breathing dragon, we British have worshipped our sporting heroes with an almost fundamentalist fervour. It really doesn’t matter if your name’s Damien or you enjoy projectile vomiting green bile; providing you’re remotely good enough, we’ll build a pedestal ten miles high with your name on it.
When Andy Murray strolled onto Centre Court at
THE GOLDFISH GENERATION 2006-07-03 21:31:00 Some things in life are so predictable that one wonders how bookmakers survive. For anybody born in 1970s Britain, experience has taught us there are infinitely more certainties than death and taxes.
Take the once snarling sing-along rock n roll of Oasis for example. Seminal in the late 90s, but since What’s The Story Morning Glory took its place in every living room across Britain, the
FRENCH FIND VA VA VOOM AS ENGLAND CRASH OUT 2006-07-02 17:27:00 On the World Cup merchandise stand at Asda there hangs a hastily prepared handwritten sign. It reads simply “all items £1”. As bleary-eyed England football fans drift slowly passed the red and white shelves filled with everything from inflatable chairs to Wayne Rooney facemasks, it will prove a painful reminder of another failed crusade to bring home football's holy grail.
Once again, the
OWEN INJURY COULD INADVERTEDLY SPARK ENGLAND REVIVAL 2006-06-21 13:29:00 “Stop all the clocks, turn off the telephone. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.” As a nation mourns its World Cup ambitions, WH Auden’s poignant words seem strangely apt.
Bereft of creativity in midfield and showing signs of woeful defensive neglect, England once again spectacularly underwhelmed during a 2-2 draw with Sweden last night. The iridescent Joe Cole aside, they lacked
RUGBY PERSPECTIVE CAN GIVE ENGLAND HOPE 2006-06-20 10:25:00 The nation that expects has, as ever, morphed rapidly into one that is perplexed. Armed with dynamic, combative and direct players, England have somehow contrived two displays of continental-style mediocrity at this otherwise sparkling spectacle of a World Cup. Are we that bad, or is the real problem our warped perception of the English game?
Spoilt by the frivolous attacking football of our
WORLD CUP REVIEW - WEEK 1 2006-06-20 09:43:00 World Cup 2006 is finally here. The biggest sporting event on the planet is now well under way and there’s been no lack of excitement in the first round of matches.
Following a typically grandiose opening ceremony, Germany lit the blue touch paper with a thrilling 4-2 win against Costa Rica. An estimated one billion people watched as Philip Lahm scored the competition’s first goal with a superb
THE LONDON MARATHON 2006 2006-06-20 09:41:00 It’s Monday morning and I’m bathed in the afterglow of a magical and life affirming experience. Sucked breathless through our capitol’s historic streets by seas of loud and colourful supporters, I completed my first London Marathon yesterday and was left feeling humbled and inspired. Here’s how it happened.
Leaving my sister’s flat at 7am, I emerged onto the misty streets of Kentish Town
JUST A PERFECT DAY 2006-06-20 09:39:00 BOBBY JONES’ GRAND slam, Muhammad Ali’s win over Sonny Liston and Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile were recently named among the 20 greatest individual athletic achievements. Alongside them in Forbes Magazine’s rundown, stands a journeyman baseball player whose unremarkable career could be easily forgotten, but for one perfect day in 1956.
Don Larsen was born in Michigan City, Indiana in1929
ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO 2006-06-20 09:38:00 It was either late at night, or really early in the morning. I couldn’t tell, because I was only seven years old and my alarm clock didn’t glow in the dark.
I rolled out of bed and scuffed my feet through dense, cold carpet. Forcing the bedroom door open, I could see the silhouette of a man in our big green armchair. He was illuminated by the fuzzy glow of the television, and there were tears
Reina Sends Liverpool to Athens 2007-05-02 08:08:00 Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea (after extra-time, Liverpool won 4-1 on penalties)
Liverpool reached the Champions League final for the seventh time after a dramatic penalty shoot-out decided a night of unrelenting tension in the all-English semi-final.
Pepe Reina
saved from Arjen Robben and then from Geremi to allow Dirk Kuyt to fire the winning penalty and send Liverpool to Athens, leaving Chelsea's Read more:Liverpool
Seve and The Great White Shark set for Kiawah 2007-05-05 09:08:00 The Ocean course at Kiawah Island offers a sumptuos stage for golfing theatre. This year rated the "toughest" golf course in the US by Golf Digest, Pete Dye's masterpiece is awash with contradictions for the senses, rugged yet pristine, elegant yet brutal and understated yet strikingly beautiful.
This year it has the honour of bringing a major tournament to South Carolina for the very first Read more:Great
, White
, Shark
Seve and The Great White Shark set for Kiawah 2007-05-15 10:48:00 The Ocean course at Kiawah Island offers a sumptuos stage for golfing theatre. This year rated the "toughest" golf course in the US by Golf Digest, Pete Dye's masterpiece is awash with contradictions for the senses, rugged yet pristine, elegant yet brutal and understated yet strikingly beautiful.
This year it has the honor of bringing a major tournament to South Carolina for the first time when Read more:Great
, White
, Shark
A Good Day for Argentina 2007-05-26 09:19:00 Eduardo Romero received plaudits of the highest order after winning last year's JELD-WEN Tradition in Oregen. Making his way to face the world's media, the charismatic Argentinian took perhaps the proudest call of his life when his country's President Nestor Kirchner reached his cell phone to offer his congratulations.
Sitting atop the leaderboard after the opening two rounds of the Senior PGA Read more:Argentina
, Good Day
Romero Leads Senior PGA 2007-05-25 08:56:00 Many sports have tried, and failed, to extend the shelf lives of their prized athletic commodities by introducing senior events. In most cases success has been moderate at best. It appears few of us enjoy watching our heroes' legacies diluted with the onset of time.
Golf's PGA Champions Tour is a notable exception. Now in its 28th year, the tour offers over $54million in prize money (at an Read more:Leads
Career Honeymooner Bryant Set For Kiawah 2007-05-24 10:00:00 On the PGA Champions Tour life begins at 50. For some players, careers relatively untouched by success are blessed with tournament victories and earnings in dramatic contrast to the meagre returns of life at the peak of their abilities.
52-year-old Brad Bryant
is the perfect example. The Texan turned professional in 1976, but managed only one PGA tour victory, at the Walt Disney Classic in 1995 Read more:Career
The Hamilton Effect 2007-06-11 15:51:00 There's something curious happening to English sport. A nation prolifically adept at spawning over-hyped, underachieving sports stars who valiantly toil but seldom deliver, has to its name a bona fide home-grown champion. Unlike so many of his countrymen before him, Lewis Hamilton
is not a nearly man.
On Sunday, Hamilton took victory in the Canadian Grand Prix with the kind of ruthless
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