May 27 2012 By Gordon Waddell
chris iwelumo Image 1
CHRIS IWELUMO stood side by side with pal Steven Fletcher as he came on to make his home debut for Scotland.
But last night he backed boss Craig Levein for axing the Wolves striker – because he knows Scotland’s unity is their strength.
The Watford giant was back home last week learning the managerial ropes, arming himself with the tools to make the big decisions when he steps from dressing-room to dugout.
If he knows one thing already, though, it’s that there can be only one leader – and everyone has to follow.
The deeply patriotic 33-year-old said: “Everyone in the country would hope the manager and Fletcher can thrash things out. We all want our country to do well.
“Fletch is a fantastic player and a great lad as well.
“But I understand the manager’s view. Sometimes your hand can be forced.
“There’s no one more clued up about things like that than Craig. He will make his decisions and he’s the leader so we’ve all got to go along with it.
“He’ll have a direction he wants to take and will want people who have the same outlook. Even if you don’t agree with him you’ve got to be open to his ideas.
“I’d say fingers crossed that something can be done – but the bigger picture is Scotland being successful.
“If you’ve got a good united group you can move forward. We’ve all shown time and again that we’re a fearless bunch.
“The unity here has been the biggest thing I’ve noticed. That will take you further than any level of ability. I’m positive there are good times ahead.”
Fletcher’s issues with Scotland started the day he sent a text saying he didn’t want to be considered for the Carling Cup clash with Northern Ireland.
Iwelumo finds that inconceivable. The four-times capped frontman said: “I would never say never.
“Last year was probably my worst season in the Championship in terms of goals. I had good performances but I usually nick a lot more goals and for whatever reason that didn’t happen.
“And it’s goals that get you noticed. You’re only going to get in to the international squad if you’re on fire.
“My regret with Scotland is that I didn’t get in earlier. I got in to Scotland B when I went to Charlton.
“I then had three or four years before I was picked while at Wolves.
“If I’d got in early, done well, got my face known – then you never know.
“But I would never say no to Scotland, I would rather just fade away instead!” Mention Iwelumo’s name in a Scotland context, though, and only one thing leaps to mind for most. THE miss.
Called on as a sub with Fletcher by George Burley as a crucial clash with Norway lay deadlocked – a decision that ironically caused Kris Boyd to throw HIS toys from the international pram – the pair did well.
Iwelumo had scored eight goals in six games leading up to the match and netted seven in the 10 following it.
But when his big chance came from a couple of yards out?
He said: “That’s the thing with football isn’t it, that centimetre? Would life be different? I’ve thought about it often.
“At least I don’t scream about it any more. It’s funny, we did a psychology session on Tuesday and were asked what our best and worst moments were – and I put that in both boxes.
“Because it is. I played for my country at Hampden on my home debut, that’s the dream – then there’s the miss.
“The month after it was a low point for me. The goals kept on coming for my club. Before that Norway game I’d been scoring a lot and had a great week prior to the match.
“If you took the miss away my performance was perfect, it was just one of those things that wasn’t meant to be. Who knows what would have happened, even to the manager, if that shot went in? It’s the sliding doors thing but you can never tell what’s round the corner.”
Iwelumo hopes management is around the corner for him – but not too soon.
With Watford exercising a year’s option on him, he still has a part to play in the Championship.
Articulate and passionate, though, he’s a natural on the training ground.
And he credits his former boss Mick McCarthy with giving him the bug for the change. He said: “I’m still in the best shape of my life, still going strong.
“But when I went to Wolves I broke my foot on the first day of pre-season and was out for four months.
“I started watching matches, Mick was great, whatever way he wanted to play he’d ask my opinion on it.
“I’d have arguments and he shot me down most of the time but was always open to it and would explain it all to me.
“So I decided then to do my licence to see if it was for me. When you’re hitting 28-29 you have years ahead – but it was only when I had so much time out of football I began to think what comes after.
“However, I plan to keep going as long as I can.”
■ Iwelumo was speaking at the SFA’s A Licence coaching course at the sportscotland National Centre in Inverclyde.
The SFA provides education to thousands of coaches at all levels of the game every year.
Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Man, 25, drowns trying to rescue two children just yards from Sussex shore - Daily Mail
- The man was not related to the children
By Emily Allen
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A man died while trying to rescue two children in a rubber ring after they got into difficulties just yards from the shore.
The 25-year-old had gone to the youngsters' aid barely five yards off West Wittering beach near Chichester, West Sussex after spotting them in difficulty in their inflatable.
He then found himself in trouble but could not be saved.
A helicopter lands on West Wittering beach in West Sussex yesterday. A man has died while trying to rescue two children after they got into difficulties in the sea
Tragedy: Witnesses at West Wittering beach, where a 25-year-old man drowned while going to the aid of two children who got into difficulty in the water
The incident happened yesterday afternoon as thousands of sun-seekers flocked to the beach to enjoy temperatures of around 26C.
Horrified onlookers called the emergency services when the incident happened about 12.45pm but by the time paramedics arrived it was already too late.
Ambulance crews then called in the police to deal with the incident.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said the man was not related to the children.
He said: 'On Saturday a tragic incident occurred on West Wittering beach, whereby a 25-year-old male accidentally drowned.
'The male went to the assistance of two children playing in a rubber ring some five metres from the shoreline.
Tribute: Flowers laid at West Wittering beach to the man who died attempting to rescue two children
A view of West Wittering. Horrified onlookers called the emergency services when the incident happened about 12.45pm
'In doing so he put himself in danger, which sadly resulted in him drowning,' said the spokesman.
A Solent Coastguard spokesman said: 'A man was pulled from the water on the West Wittering estate after he had tried to help two children.
'Their mother was understandably upset that this man had had this accident when he had tried to help them.'
A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'On Saturday 26th May a tragic incident occurred on West Wittering beach whereby a 25-year-old man accidentally drowned.
'The male went to the assistance of two children playing in a rubber ring some five metres from the shoreline.
'He managed to get the children to safety but in doing so put himself in danger which sadly resulted in him drowning.'
The West Sussex Coroner will be informed of the death so that an inquest can be opened and adjourned.
A post mortem examination will also be conducted on the man's body to confirm the cause of death.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Watford's mayor and MP to abseil off 170ft off Meriden high rise - Watford Observer
Watford's mayor and MP to abseil off 170ft off Meriden high rise
10:30am Sunday 27th May 2012 in News By Mike Wright
Watford’s directly elected mayor and MP have signed up to drop 170ft of a Meriden high-rise flat to raise money for the Peace Hospice in a charity abseil.
The event, planned for September, is being organised by Watford Community Housing Trust to mark its fifth birthday and aims to raise £50,000 for the Hospice.
Among other Watford dignitaries who will climbing off the edge of the 17-storey Munden View will be new Watford Borough Council Chairman Shirena Counter.
Mayor Thornhill said: "I'm pleased to help celebrate the Trust's fifth birthday and proud of the bold decision we took six years ago that meant that tenants could decide to have their own local housing trust, with all the extra investment this has brought.
“I can't pretend I'm not nervous about the abseil, but what better way to celebrate than helping to raise money for the Peace Hospice.”
In addition to the abseil, the trust’s staff will also be out and about in Meriden on September 10 doing work to improve the local community as part of the celebrations.
MP Richard Harrington said: “I am delighted to be supporting Watford Community Housing Trust as they celebrate their fifth anniversary."
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Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
Sussex with work to do - SkySports
Nottinghamshire are well placed in their LV= County Championship Division One clash against Sussex, but Riki Wessels missed out on a double century by the narrowest of margins.
Wessels passed his previous highest first-class score of 197 before prodding at a good length delivery from Steve Magoffin and was caught behind on 199. His innings had lasted six hours and 21 minutes and included 33 fours and two sixes from 278 balls.
Nottinghamshire, who resumed on 320-4 on day three, were eventually bowled out for 428 to stretch their first-innings lead to 119.
Andy Carter (three for 52) then took three quick wickets as Sussex slumped to 99 for four in reply before Murray Goodwin and Luke Wright led a fightback.
Goodwin ended a lean run which had seen him make just 39 in eight Championship innings by ending the day on 52 not out while Wright continued his good form with an unbeaten 37.
The pair came together with Sussex still trailing by 20 runs but put on 78 to take Sussex to 177 for four, a lead of 58 going into the final day.
Day Two
Riki Wessels hit a marvellous 184 not out as Nottinghamshire moved past Sussex's first innings total on day two of their championship match at Hove.
Wessels guided his side to 320-4 in reply to the hosts 309 all out, with Alex Hales adding 80 in an opening partnership of 171 with Wessels.
Their progress was fairly circumspect before lunch, but on a flat pitch offering little assistance to Sussex's seam attack or Monty Panesar's left-arm spin, they blossomed in the afternoon.
Michael Lumb was dropped on two by Mike Yardy at slip off James Anyon and celebrated his reprieve by adding 95 in 25 overs with the highly impressive Wessels, who brought up his hundred with a pull in front of square off Anyon.
He then launched an assault on Panesar, twice lofting him down the ground for six, the second of which brought up his 150.
Part-time bowler Chris Nash struck trwice to remove Samit Patel and James Taylor but the day belonged to Wessels, who finished needing another 14 runs to lodge a new career-best.
Patel (4-67) wrapped up the Sussex innings for 309 in the third over of the morning when Naveed Arif was caught at mid-on for 23.
Day One
Chris Nash continued his fine run as Sussex moved to 305-9 in their LV= County Championship Division One match against Nottinghamshire at Hove.
The opener, who made 98 and 84 in last week's draw with Worcestershire, scored 128 and, when he was putting on 145 in 39 overs with Luke Wright (81), Sussex were in the ascendancy.
He lost opening partner Ed Joyce early when the left-hander was caught at backward point driving loosely at Ben Phillips, but Nash and Joe Gatting settled down to add 39 for the second wicket before Sussex lost three wickets.
Wright had a slice of luck on 26 when a ball from Andy Carter hit the off stump but failed to dislodge the bail, while Nash was soon celebrating his century, made off 144 balls with 14 fours.
Nash played on to Harry Gurney after over four hours at the crease and Samit Patel picked up his second wicket courtesy of Andre Adams' good catch at short mid-wicket when Wright had made 81, including 11 fours.
Patel got one to turn and bounce as Ben Brown edged to slip and before the close Steve Magoffin was taken at point and James Anyon caught off a mistimed pull from the penultimate ball of the day.
Source: www.skysports.com
What a hero
- Liz Lemon, London, 27/5/2012 16:16
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