Category Archives: Sport

Invictus Games Weekend

I can honestly say that attending the Invictus Games was one of the most humbling and inspiring experiences of my life.

The Invictus games are sporting events for injured service men and women from several countries around the World; Prince Harry was apparently inspired to create the whole thing after seeing the American ‘Warrior Games’.

I was privileged to attend the Wheelchair Basketball, weightlifting and Sitting Volleyball events; all of which were held around Olympic Park in Stratford, East London.

It was the perfect setting for such amazing athletes to show families, friends and supporters how sports had helped them reclaim their lives after receiving life-changing injuries whilst serving in the military.

There were representatives from The United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Georgia, Estonia, France, Italy, Afghanistan, Denmark and Great Britain.

The home crowd got behind the British team, but everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, was applauded and encouraged as they gave their all for their teams.

Inspiration was around every corner.  From wheelchair basketballers righting themselves after going over in their chairs due to breakneck speeds, to seeing amazing men and women lift more than their body weight after losing limbs to IED’s and terrible burns.

Israel Del Toro of the United States, absolutely conquered the weight lifting and that was a stand out moment for me.  He suffered terrible burns, but stood up as a perfect example of “I Am The Captain Of My Soul”. 

Life does go on; these amazing people epitomise that.

I know I can get very mushy and emotional in my blog, but the Invictus Games brought out some of the best moments of humanity that I think I’ve ever seen.

Prince Harry is a credit to us all in Great Britain and I have nothing but admiration for the organisers and participants; I only hope that I will be lucky enough to get tickets at the next Invictus Games.

Amazing!

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Sir Alex Ferguson Retires

I woke today to the raging news that Manchester United were due to make a big announcement at the weekend; regardless of their best laid plans, the resulting media furore prematurely brought forward the statement that Sir Alex Ferguson would step down in the Summer:

Step down in the Summer; a slightly amusing turn of phrase given that he’s due to have a hip replacement in the near future?

The news genuinely made my heart sink; it’s honestly like losing a head of state or monarch because Fergie has become such a living legend at Old Trafford.

In my humble opinion, Sir Alex is the most successful British football manager in history; debate will obviously go on about that subject for years to come, but who can honestly argue with 36 trophies in 26 years?  Mindblowing.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s record at United and list of trophies won.

Played: 1604

Won: 965

Drawn: 360

Lost: 279

Premier League: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

FA Cup: 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

League Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010

Uefa Champions League: 1999, 2008

Fifa Club World Cup: 2008

Uefa Super Cup: 1992

Uefa Cup Winners Cup: 1991

Inter-Continental Cup: 1999

FA Charity/Community Shield: 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011.

Dad and I regularly trawled around the country in the late eighties and throughout the nineties, following Manchester United whenever we could; we saw first-hand how Fergie worked his magic each year and rebuilt the squad time after time.

I was extremely lucky to meet Sir Alex when Dad and I blagged our way into the foyer at Queens Park Rangers and I spent what seemed an age talking to Sir Alex me about the game and key players at the time.  I was only a nipper and will always treasure that memory, along with the signed match programme that I have!

What now for the future of Manchester United?

Simply.

We’ll never die, we’ll never die
We’ll never die, we’ll never die
We’ll keep the Red flag flying high
‘Cos Man United will never die

Liam Brady in BBC news sex change shocker!

The BBC website ‘Sportsday’ news feed has sensationally revealed that Liam Brady has undergone a sex change.

For all intents and purposes, the gender reassignment appears to have taken place during the course of the interview!?

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The website confirms “Liam Brady,  57, says she will consider taking on another position at Arsenal when he departs as head of their youth development in May next year.”

Presumably, captain of Arsenal women’s first team??

Photos of the Wayne Rooney knee (thigh) injury – Man Utd Vs Fulham 25th August 2012

Pictures of Wayne Rooney’s knee (thigh) injury made me wince, must be a good inch wide that gash!?!

It was clearly accidental when Hugo Rodallega put his boot down Rooney’s leg; here’s hoping Wayne will be back soon (estimated 4 weeks).

Womens boxing – Olympic finals

Nicola Adams and Katie Taylor both won gold today in the womens boxing finals for Great Britain and Ireland respectively!

I am really chuffed to see them get the recognition that they and the sport deserves!

Saying that, neither of them would have had a prayer of beating my Mum in her prime!!! 

“Shoryuken you saucy cunts!”

Athletics London 2012 – Farrah, Ennis, Rutherford

Have to pop up a quick thread to congratulate Jessica Ennis, Mo Farrah and Greg Rutherford on their Olympic Gold Medal triumphs in Heptathlon, 10,000M and Long Jump respectively.  What a night, proud to be British!

We have been fortunate to see British athletes giving their all during the games, some winning medals, some not.  However, each and every one of them have been held very dearly by this great nation and rightly so!  Few can say that everyone hasn’t given their very best.

I sat watching yesterday as we smashed the life out of the opposition in the cycling velodrome, splashed everyone up in rowing before witnessing the personal triumphs of Ennis, Farah and Rutherford in the Athletics.  It was a sweet sight to see all concerned achieve their personal goals considering the huge pressure and expectations that had been levied upon them in their representation of the Team GB.

The rowers and cyclists seem to have several chances of medals given the team and individual events that they can enter, this is not to diminish their fantastic achievement in any way, I just mused that Greg Rutherford took his one chance of a medal, alright, he’s going to have a go in the Triple Jump but you know what I mean?

How much pressure must you be under knowing that you have one chance of glory?

Speaking of which, it was sad to see so many people take to the internet and slate Daniel Sturridge for his penalty kick miss in the football against South Korea.  It was a shame, but he had the balls to step up and take one, I don’t think many would have the bottle to do that as millions of people watched on expecting you to score?  Again, we had a good go!

Go on Team GB!

Olympic Boxing – London Excel Arena

Not content with getting Team GB Football tickets, my mate David went online and managed to secure 4 tickets to see Olympic Boxing at London’s Excel Arena.

I have been to Excel many times over the last decade for the uber-geeky ‘London Expo’ bi-annual conventions and was really excited to see how the riverside venue would look with an Olympic influence.

I accompanied David, his wife Jane and daughter Isabelle on the train to London Bridge before switching to the Jubilee Line which took us to Canary Wharf; both the train station and tube network was almost devoid of people other than those going to the event.  It was very cool to see the transport system so well managed and relatively empty; in all honesty it was a little bit eerie!

Passing through Canary Wharf from the tube station to Docklands Light Railway (DLR) takes you above ground and allows you to take in the giant Hong Kong-style skyscrapers which define the area; I have always loved going on the DLR as it is run by an automatic train control system (no driver!) and the route takes you through some truly unique modern and industrial sights.

Arriving at Custom House (The DLR station for Excel), we were greeted by the fantastic Olympic Volunteers which offered great advise and enthusiasm at every turn to help people get to where they were going.  I was really impressed by the general organisation of both events that I have been to.

I genuinely believe that the volunteers have really made the games as their positive spirits have clearly set a great example to everyone following the games.

Excel is situated right by theRiver Thames, huge dock cranes adorn the banks both sides and remind people of the industrial history of the area, specifically the Royal Victoria Dock.  A statue now sits in the landscaped forecourt and depicts the dockers who sweat blood for Great Britain; it was fitting given that Team GB has been doing just that over the course of the Olympic Games.

We walked up the corridor to get to the Boxing area, passing Judo, Fencing and Table Tennis as went.  How I would like to have seen the Table Tennis!

Once inside the boxing reception area, we grabbed a few souvenirs before taking our seats around the ring.  We had fantastic seats, the atmosphere was exceptional as almost 10,000 people got behind each and every boxer regardless of their country of origin.  I had felt the true spirit of the games at Old Trafford when the crowd championed the UAE against Uruguay, but the buzz at Excel took things up a notch.  It was mental.

Most people in the crowd chose a fighter, always dressed in blue or red and got behind them as if they were a member of Team GB.  Football-style chants brought great humour to the proceedings and you could tell that the boxers were both shocked and humbled by the unexpected support that they received from the crowd.

It’s moments like this which make you proud to be part of the human race.

We saw 5 flyweight bouts and 5 light heavyweight bouts.  Flyweight reminded me of watching Brian box when he was a teenager and seeing him punch some Ginger kid up in the air for fun, light heavyweight is probably my favourite because the fighters are at the top of their game and are able to demonstrate exceptional technique using their superior physique.

The boxing on show was all of a great quality, the defining moment for me was seeing Damien Hooper of Australia pack Marcus Browne of the USA in good and proper.

David and I were using the empty seats in front of us to make enough noise to scare off an army of Zulu’s, even Isabelle got in on the act whilst Jane sat in awe as the Aussie out-boxed the American who was clearly the favourite; much to the chagrin of several American fans who were draped in the Stars and Stripes.  “USA, USA, USA……oh!”.

I left the Arena absolutely buzzing for London 2012, I felt a pang of genuine regret when I realised that I did not have any others tickets to enjoy other events, however I quickly reasoned with the fact that so many tried tickets but weren’t able to and I felt fantastic that I had been part of the games having been lucky enough to go to both the Boxing and Football.

A great day.