Michael Brown's views on refereeing

Following the increasing rate of footballers growling and snarling at match officials over recent seasons the FA finally decided it had to act. Introducing the much scrutinised Respect campaign, with half the season gone now seems an appropriate time to see what affect it’s had on the Premiership. Wigan Athletic’s rough and ready midfield general Michael Brown has been giving his view on the campaign’s influence.

Most will recall Ashley Cole’s infantile behaviour towards Referee Mike Riley during an encounter last season with Tottenham at White Hart Lane, which undoubtedly was a fitting example to emphasise the point referees needed help. A thought echoed by Brown who felt the attitude of some players towards match officials had become ridiculous and this season he has noticed a visible change of attitude on the pitch. He said: “The refs don’t get too many favours and it was about time we started giving them a little a bit of slack.”

Although this has ment the ever exuberant Brown has become a victim of this years stricter referring: “My reputation really doesn’t help, often after the first challenge I make I get booked.” That being said he is sympathetic to the role match officials have: “It’s a very difficult job and I wouldn’t like to do it. Admittedly in the past I’ve made bad challenges and not always been punished for them.” Highlighting a challenge he made on Ryan Giggs at Old Trafford whlist Brown was a Fulham player.

Brown 32, admits the Respect campaign has been a success since it’s introduction but in response he raises an interesting point that players seem to be losing respect. Citing the treatment of Arsenal’s Emanuel Eboue by his own fans, which Brown witnessed during Wigan’s away trip to Arsenal at the weekend. Which he described as: “Disgraceful scenes.” To such an extent that Brown, who was on the bench at the time considered intervening: “No professional deserves that kind of treatment and you really wouldn’t expect it from your own supporters. Everyone has their bad days and you don‘t need reminding, we know.” Suggesting that with the transfer window upon the horizon the Ivory Coast international may want to leave the club: “It wouldn’t surprise if come January 1st the lad went to see Mr. Wenger and handed in a transfer request and made a swift exit.”

Given that Brown mentioned the transfer window he was asked to respond to transfer speculation surrounding Wigan Athletic’s brighter lights. For some time the likes of Emile Heskey, Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios have been linked with moves away the club. As well as the club’s on-loan goal sensation Amir Zaki who has a long list of admirers, Brown jokingly said: “Let them all go! We can survive without them.” Which certainly defused the tension in the air and raised a few laughs. Then stressing: “Obviously those players are important to the team and it would be a great shame to lose them. If the worse happens then I’m sure the gaffer can find worthy replacements.”

Brown told his experience of watching Amir Zaki adapt to life in England and learning to speak English. “He’s a smart lad he’s picking up the language quite well.” Although it seems he can have the odd lapse: “When things aren’t going his away in training he can’t speak a word of English.”

Nearing the twilight of his career Brown is now looking towards the future, at what he calls: “Growing up after my career finishes.” He is currently thinking over what his next step is but for now is still completely focused on playing and helping his side push on up the Premier League table. “Everyday me and Kev Kilbane come into training just thankful that our bodies are still going.”

For the latest instalment in our series ‘A day with …’ we spend the day with up and coming Manchester club promoter Adam Crowley.

On a dull and dreary Thursday Manchester morning Adam Crowley patrols the living room of his Spectrum apartment anxiously peeking out onto the balcony to see if the December rain has stopped. He stands over looking the city like an emperor gazing down on his kingdom, returning from the cold, he proclaims: “I’m going to get absolutely soaked wet through handing out flyers.”

Crowley is the Manchester face of Place2be promotions and today is his busiest day of the week, the event. This evening he’ll be fronting the club night Romp which is held at the nightclub Boutique. The day hasn’t started well, other than the weather he’s also facing a ticketing crisis for this evening, he explains: “I’ve just had a call from our ticketing agency and they won’t be able to send our tickets across until tomorrow. It’s a bit of a nightmare really as I’ve got seventy people waiting for tickets.”

He is clearly upset but Adam can’t afford to waste time being annoyed, so he quickly rushes to his mobile phone and begins making alternative arrangements. Once that problem has been addressed Crowley picks up his laptop and says: “Right, now I need to update my Facebook.”

Crowley explains that social networking sites have become essential to club promoters, he believes: “Facebook is just invaluable, it’s free, allows me to assemble my contacts and most importantly they’re handpicked. So we know what we are getting.” Although he is sceptical of other promoters who take the site for granted, he says: “It’s getting saturated with people banging on about this night and that night. I mean of course you have to hype your own night but it‘s pathetic the way some go about their business, they may as well beg ‘please come to my night’ it reeks of desperation. We don’t do that with Romp.”

Every Thursday night Romp takes place simultaneously across three cites; Leeds (Chilli White), Manchester (Boutique) and Sheffield (DQ), Crowley says: “We want to build a brand and spread the word from city to city. It’s a lot easier than setting up three separate nights.” Place2be’s ‘stylish and sexy’ Romp only moved to Manchester in September which makes it the youngest of the three siblings, he enthusiastically explains: “This is my baby and I’m really proud of it and I think it helps that I was already a fan of the venue. Boutique really helps portray the image we’re after.”

This isn’t the first time Manchester has been home to a club night called Romp. In 2002 One central played host to a funky electro night called Romp but that was brought to an untimely halt soon after the tragic death of it’s promoter Nicholas King, who died in 2004 while holidaying in Thailand. This has caused some controversy in Crowley’s efforts to establish the Place2be night of the same name, he says: “Knowing of the circumstances surrounding One Central’s Romp I was very unsure about giving our night the same name. If I’m honest I didn’t want to:” Adam explains why they kept the name, he asserts: “We are trying our best to build a brand, it came down to the fact that our other Romp nights already existed in other cites.”

Place2be’s reluctance to give their Manchester night a different name didn’t sit well with some of the city’s promoters, Crowley reminisces: “During the Freshers Fair at MMU I did get some grief from a promoter about using the name Romp. He said I wasn’t respectful, I explained the situation and I think he understood.” Adam ensures that the public know the difference between the two nights, he stresses: “Whenever anyone asks if we are the same as the old Romp I explain we certainly aren’t as I’d hate to take credit for their previous success and steal their crowd.”

There is a break in the downpour so Crowley, dressed in a hoodie and tracksuit trousers emblazoned in the company name, jumps to his feet and says: “Lets get these flyers handed out.” Crowley leaves the mod-cons of his flash apartment long behind as he heads for the ‘student central’ that is Oxford Road. Some may not expect the person who fronts an event to actually get out on the street and do the dirty work but Crowley believes: “It gives me a chance to work my magic drawing people in and it also lets me keep an eye on the staff.”

Once Crowley arrives at ‘student central’ he uses his charismatic persona to cast a spell worthy of an almighty sorcerer, as despite the blistery conditions he still manages to grab the attention of passers by enthusiastically selling them his dream. As Adam is busy giving special attention to a young lady, Taran Jefferson, one of Place2be’s street team speaks of Crowley’s technique as a boss, he feels: “Adam is a really inspiring boss mainly because he has such belief in the night. Plus it’s clear for anyone to see he’s a confident guy.”

Adam calls time on his flyering escapades as he needs to return to Spectrum and find the suitable attire for an evening Romping. On the journey home wondering through Manchester’s festive European market he talks strictly about the importance of reliable employees, Crowley asserts: “As the majority of our staff are students we tend to encounter problems. It takes a long time to get a good team together, you’ll find a lot of time wasters In this game. Although I am pretty happy with our current team.” It would appear Crowley isn’t fearful of tempting the Gods of fate as no longer than a minute after he’d uttered those words he receives a phone call which doesn’t leave him in a good mood. A member of his hostess team has rang In ill but Crowley has his suspicions: “She says she isn’t well but if she’s out in town tonight I’ll know.” Understandably he isn’t happy but this is just another of the many hurdles he has become accustomed to in his career so he takes action and starts making more calls.

Back at Spectrum headquarters all is well, Crowley has found cover and now he’s in his element delving through his wardrobe trying to find that perfect outfit. The fashion conscious Crowley covers his bedroom in piles of clothing until he finds ‘it’, the outfit that captures the image of his night, he says: “A large part of my Thursday afternoon is spending a lot of time on my appearance as I need to be dappered up and look the part. I am fronting the night after all.” Adam lets an ounce of his vanity filter into his sentiment, as he says: “The public have an expectation to see Mr. December looking good.” He is referring to his involvement in the Galaxy Manhunt competition last year, where the radio station searched the length and breath of Manchester to find the city’s top twelve eligible bachelors for their calendar. Crowley successfully made the top twelve, so what has Mr. December chosen for this evening? Adam announces: “Tonight I’m going with a casual grey suit with a black shirt. I think it represents the night well.”

The now suited and booted Crowley heads to Lloyd Street, just off Deansgate and enters Boutique an hour before opening, in order to stamp Romp’s identity on the backstreet venue. He sets up the photo booth, raises the banners, dispatches the flyers and covers the main room in posters. Adam seems pleased with his efforts and then begins to talk of the anxiety he used to feel when he first began promoting in April 2007, he says: “In the past I did get very nervous on the night and I used to kill myself with worry, now I’m much more self assured.”

As the doors open and the first revellers venture into the club Adam speaks of the main thing that really used to trouble him, he recalls: “What I struggled to get my head around was the fact we can be really quiet for the first hour.” He takes a seat with his first guests of the night, as he states: “I always hate it when the first people arrive and they’re the only ones here, I feel pretty embarrassed. I always go over give them a drink on the house and assure them, they’re in for a great night.”

Crowley has nothing to worry about as the intimate venue gradually fills to it’s 350 capacity and DJ Stylus pleases the masses, playing classic RnB and soulful dance music. This creates a good vibe that compliments the club’s red lavish décor and sultry aesthetics, DJ Stylus thinks: “These guys do a great job putting the night together it’s a great crowd as Adam doesn’t just let any Tom, Dick or Harry in.”

The night maybe missing Tom, Dick and Harry but it does have Dappy, the easily recognisable member of MOBO winning act N-Dubz, who’s in his element enjoying the hospitality, he says: “People have said good things about this night, so I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. I think it‘s one of the best I‘ve been to in Manchester.” Despite him being a celebrity Dappy best not be expecting any favours from Crowley, who explains: “It’s great getting well known people coming down but he won’t be receiving any special treatment. We have a community feel and all our regular faces deserve the very best too, we try to give everyone the VIP experience.” Never mind as Dappy doesn’t seem disappointed enjoying the relaxed atmosphere inside Boutique although that may have something to do with the female attention, he and his entourage are enjoying.

The vigorous Romping goes into the early hours of the morning and the night has been a success. Leaving Crowley looking to the future and matching his rivals, he says: “Every Tiger Tiger across the country has a Vodka Island on a Monday night and that is what I want to do, take our night national.” Although Crowley, who’ll have to go through the events of today all over again this week, realises how difficult this dream could be to achieve, when he concludes: “Obviously I’d like to say in a few years time we’ll be one of the biggest club nights in the UK but this is a fickle industry. On the good nights everybody wants to be your friend on the bad nights they look at you like it’s all your fault. All I can do is live for the moment and see how things shape up one week to another, it’s a fun ride while it lasts though.”

Mark Ollerton - Living in America feature article

On January 17th 2007 David Beckham held a press conference announcing
his departure from Real Madrid to embark upon a move to LA Galaxy. As we learnt details of the Beckham road show going transatlantic, halfway across Europe Mark Ollerton was sat in a business studies lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University unaware their lives were heading down a similar path.

Beckham cited his main desire in moving to America was to raise the profile of football in the country, opening his own academy. He said: “Soccer is huge all over the world except in America and that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.”

This sentiment struck a chord with Mark Ollerton who whilst playing football in Leeds was approached with the opportunity to coach children in America with Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps. For the last twenty years Challenger sports have ran summer soccer camps that offer professional FA qualified football coaching to nurture America‘s up and coming talent.

Inspired by his boyhood hero’s move Ollerton took up Challenger’s offer having a similar ambition to his idol. “I saw it as a great opportunity to do something fulfilling and truly different with my life.” To guarantee his place with the company he had to gain the necessary qualifications. He determinedly sacrificed his spare time to become a level one FA approved coach, making him eligible to join the Challenger team for a rigorous training weekend at Warwick University.

In March 2007 while Ollerton was struggling slightly but still working hard towards his dream of California, LA bound Beckham had resolved his differences with Fabio Capello. Making inwards back into the Real Madrid first team and inspiring the Galaticos to their first and only piece of silverware during his four year stay, the La Liga title. Both men for contrasting reasons must have been starting to doubt the timing of their moves across the pond.

After a continued effort Ollerton secured a place in the US for the summer and picked up a notable milestone. “I beat Beckham to America! He was landing at LAX airport on the 12th and us Challenger boys landed on the 11th. It may not mean a lot but it’s still odd to think I beat Beckham to America.” Although he adds the nature of his arrival was somewhat understated in comparison: “It’s fair to say there wasn’t quite as much of a frenzy for us arriving as there was when he landed a day later.”

During his three months in the sweltering California sun Ollerton spent a week at a time visiting the regions various soccer camps, lodging with hospitable families. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience of coaching children and watching them develop. “There was nothing greater than being with the kids and seeing them bust out a step over or two come Friday.” Ollerton understood his responsibility as a coach not just in terms of teaching the children activities and games to improve their ability but also as a role model to the youngsters.

Confidently he claims to have done this rather well telling tales of the armies of fans he amassed during his travels, young and old. “Whenever we left a camp at the end of the week, the kids would run up for autographs and pictures. We felt like superstars.” It must have been rather difficult not to suffer a slight ego trip with all this attention he and his fellow coaches were getting, especially when often the parents were in even more awe than the children. “The parents used to go mental getting their cameras out all the time, that was mostly the mum’s.” Cheekily adding with a rye smile: “we quite liked it when they came to see us.”

Having coached at home and in America surely Ollerton is the ideal person to be drawn on the big question. Which country is currently producing the more talented youngsters? He pauses for a second……....possibly considering just how patriotic he is and replies: “You only have to look at the performances of the American national team during recent world cups to realise as a nation they’re improving because of that and of course Beckham’s high profile move, there has been a greater focus on raising their standards. Starting at grass roots level.”

He suggests that if the growing profile of football can connect with America’s win at all cost mentality, then one day Beckham’s vision may be realised and the standard of football in America could be on par with Europe. Ollerton said: “In my opinion what I’ve seen of the MLS I’d say the teams seem to be Championship standard. Although with the introduction of proven Premiership stars such as Freddie Ljungberg, Brian McBride and Darren Huckerby joining Beckham the level is sure to rise.”

Jeff Tipping, Director of Coaching Education and Development with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America agrees with Ollerton’s view, stating: “Beckham has had a major impact on the soccer scene here.” Although he eagerly highlights that the superstars move to LA Galaxy has mostly brought increased media attention to the game in America rather than a huge improvement. “We’ve been trying to raise the profile of the game for a long time and to be honest soccer has been going through the roof here for quite a number of years before David‘s arrival. We just needed something that would attract the press and Beckham certainly does that.”

Once his time with Challenger came to an end Ollerton took a well earned rest sampling the glitz and glamour of The Golden State. Becoming a Laguna Beach regular and swindling his way into celebrity parties with Hollywood’s elite. “One of my favourite memories was when a group of us blagged our way into a VIP nightclub by pretending we played for West Ham United.” Somehow it worked leaving Ollerton with a pinch yourself moment: “It was unbelievable we were at a bar with Leonardo Dicaprio and Eva Mendes. We even had Colin Farrell asking us about life in England.”

It wasn’t all fun and games though as Ollerton recounts an ill fated roadtrip that ended in him and his companions crossing the Mexican boarder unsure of what to do next. “It was a bit scary as we didn’t have a clue how we’d get back, thankfully we rang our bosses at Challenger and they managed to save us.”

Nearly two years later Ollerton is now a veteran of Challenger’s summer coaching camps, completing his second stint in California this year. Currently he is back in Manchester completing his final year of studies and relishing returning to the US, this time as a supervisor. Reflecting upon coming home he jokingly said: “It’s grim! The other day I was thinking about getting a rope and hanging myself. It never stops raining here.” Ollerton is determined to finish his Business studies degree believing he can apply it to his work in the summer. “After I get my degree my desire is to work fulltime with Challenger and hopefully in time set up my own independent soccer school. I can’t wait to get back out there.”

Manchester City V Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester City 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur
9th November 2008
15:00 KO
City Of Manchester Stadium
Attendance 41,853


Pressure is starting to mount the shoulders of Mark Hughes as Manchester City slumped to another premier league defeat in an incident packed afternoon at Eastlands. The underperforming blues have only picked up three points from their last six matches, form which is beginning to unnerve the home faithful and their billionaire owners.

As the final whistle blew all the talk around the terraces was with regards to how long the former Blackburn manager Hughes has left to turn around City’s stuttering season. The loss saw the ambitious blues fall to thirteenth in the table and only a point in front of visitors Spurs who today picked up their first away win of the season under the Harry Redknapp revival.

Hughes dismissed talk of his future being in doubt: "This is a long-term project. The Abu Dhabi United Group understand the team is not going to be challenging immediately for the top four. They are realistic in their aspirations.” That being said it’s difficult to imagine they’d have thought their investment would be struggling this badly after the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Robinho and Jo were added to a team that finished 9th last season.

The game started well for City with Robinho giving them the lead in the 16th minute after a sweeping move which he began by finding Shaun Wright-Phillips who flicked the ball out wide to Darius Vassell. Whose shot was only parried by Keeper Gomes to the grateful Robinho.

Harry Redknapp knows all till well about Robinho after his inspired performance in City’s 6-0 win over Redknapp’s old club Portsmouth last month. He must of hoped his new side weren’t in for more of the same treatment from the Brazilian international.

The blues grew in confidence after scoring with Gomes forced to save at full stretch from Stephen Ireland’s shot to prevent city increasing their lead. The context of the game changed on the 25th minute when Mike Dean gave Gelson Fernandes his second yellow card for a late tackle on Luka Modric.

Tottenham immediately attacked with Joe Hart having to make a smart stop from Modric after he wrong footed Richard Dunne. Moments later Dunne was again at fault slipping while defending a long ball allowing Darren Bent to pounce in between him and on rushing Hart to slot home the equaliser in the Manchester rain.

Hughes felt referee Dean showing three red cards dramatically changed the game: “If the referee had used a little bit of common sense, given the conditions, then it could have stayed 11 v 11. Unfortunately he was not prepared to do that.” Harry Redknapp had the same view: “There were three sending offs but there wasn't a bad tackle in the game."

City became sitting ducks in the second half as Spurs tried to make their extra man advantage count. Despite a spirited performance in particularly from the lively Wright-Phillips, City fell behind. Darren Bent grabbed his second on the 64th minute clinically finishing after drifting away from the City defense.

After taking the lead the Spurs fans taunted the home faithful with the chant of: “Ricky Villa” referring to his mesmerising goal in the 1981 FA Cup final verses City. The determined blues pushed forward going close through Benjani, Robinho and Richard Dunne who was trying to make amends for his earlier error.

The equaliser never came and Richard Dunne’s horror show was completed when he was sent off for a professional foul on Darren Bent in the dying minutes. There was still time for Mike Dean to get his red card out one more time giving Spurs’ Benoit Assou-Ekotto his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Harry Redknapp was delighted with his side’s victory: “That was important for us today because our recent run has seen us get back amongst the pack.” Where as Mark Hughes took the positives from the defeat: “The qualities we showed will serve us well for the future, the lads showed some real character.”

Although some are questioning how much of a future Hughes has after this defeat. One thing is for certain, results will have to change soon if the Welshman is to remain in the blues hotseat.






Man Of The Match- Shaun Wright-Philips

Despite Darren Bent’s two goals Wright-Phillips ran the show and should have been on the winning side.

Save Of The Match- Heurelho Gomes

Made a diving save to his left to keep Spurs in the game when City were leading 1-0

Facts Of The Match:

Today’s defeat was city’s 1,500th in league football. A milestone Mark Hughes won’t be too proud of achieving.

Tottenham have won 7 of their last 8 encounters with City in league and cup

In their last ten home games Manchester City are on a run of win one, lose one.




Player Ratings

Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur

Joe Hart- 7 Heurelho Gomes- 7
Pablo Zabaleta- 5 Vedran Corluka- 7
Richard Dunne- 3 Jonathon Woodgate- 6
Micah Richards- 6 Ledley King- . 5
Javier Garrido- 6 Benoit Assou-Ekotto- . 4
Shaun Wright-Phillips- 8 Didier Zokora- . 6
Stephen Ireland- 7 Jermaine Jenas- . 6
Gelson Fernandes- 2 Tom Huddlestone- . 7
Darius Vassell- 5 David Bentley- . 7
Robinho- 6 Luka Modric- . 8
Benjani- 7 Darren Bent- . 8

Subs Subs
Didi Hamann- 5 Aaron Lennon- . 4

City unused Subs- Schmeichel, Ben Haim, Onuoha, Elano, Jo, Evans

Spurs unused subs- Sanchez, Hutton, Dawson, O’Hara, Campbell, Pavlyuchenko