Priestley Decision to Stay is Good for Football

Twitter - @jamesAgrayson

The decision by Adam Priestley to reject the advances of Evo Stik Premier Division side Worksop Town is fantastic news for Farsley AFC fans, but also for football as whole.

It shows that there is still loyalty in football and not all players are totally motivated by money. Farsley, as a club, have seen players move on to other teams for £20 extra, but Priestley is different, he has chosen to stay loyal and stick with the management team that have improved him as a player.

As a Garforth Town last season, Priestley was not a regular starter, but with Farsley, he has started almost every game. And he has rewarded Neil Parsley with 22 goals so far. Alongside his goals, Priestley has worked on his technique and this has made him an all-round better player.

He is no soft-touch anymore. He can hold the ball up and not lose it. He is strong with defenders. He now gets back on-side quicker than he used to. I also think his shot to goal ratio is much higher this season. These are the type of attributes he needs if he wants to move higher up the football pyramid.

Priestley’s decision should be applauded. He has turned down a club throwing money around to stay at a club where he has a chance to develop his game. It doesn't happen often. And I’m sure he will reward Farsley with plenty more goals in the final couple of months to season when AFC are chasing a play-off place.

McLeish's Departure is Bad for Game

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Can the managerial merry-go-round get any madder, according to Nottingham Forest it can. Alex McLeish’s departure after 40 days is another shining example of how silly football can be at times. In 1974 when Brian Clough lasted 44 days as Leeds United, it was seen as a freak event. In 2013, if a manager is sacked after ten days, no-one bats an eyelid.

But people have to realise that departures or sackings like McLeish’s are spoiling football and making the sport a laughing stock. And most of the blame lies at the door of foreign owners. We currently have the situation where three once respectable teams are joke-clubs. Chelsea are running out of managers that they can appoint after sacking all the ones who have brought them success. Blackburn are slowly returning to normality after two ridiculous appointments in Steve Kean and Henning Berg. Now Forest have joined the show after McLeish quit to leave them absurdly looking for their fourth manager of the season.

I have a lot of sympathy for McLeish. He was obviously promised financial backing in the January transfer window, but ultimately the owners failed to deliver. The George Boyd transfer saga was the tip of the iceberg for McLeish who ended the transfer window with less players in his squad than when he was appointed at the end of December.

The Kuwaiti owners claim they want Premier League football at the City Ground, but with manager stability like they currently have, Forest will never get there. QPR had a similar problem in the early stages of Flavio Briatore’s reign as owner before they realised they needed to give a manager time to deliver. They did and Neil Warnock got them to the Premier League within a year of taking charge.

Forest have to take the same approach. I don’t think they will be able to persuade a big-name to take charge after the McLeish fiasco. However, they have to find stability and give their next manager time to do his job and not give them false promises.

Whilst not as big as other current issues in football like corruption, racism and match fixing, the hiring and firing of managers is a problem. I, for one, find that it spoils my enjoyment of the sport.

The Need for Change in the FA Vase

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After AFC Emley were knocked out of the FA Vase on Saturday, it means that the Northern Counties East League will have no representative in the final, ten years since the last one.

Brigg Town’s victorious 2003 appearance in the final is the last time. Does this mean that the quality of the NCEL is poor compared with their corresponding leagues? Probably not.

Whitley Bay and the Northern League have dominated the Vase in the last few years with Bay winning the cup three years on the bounce until last season when fellow north-easterners Dunston won it.

The NCEL did have a phase where its clubs were successful in the competition. From the late 80s to the mid-nineties, NCEL teams were reaching Wembley regularly. The original Emley made it, so did North Ferriby, while Guiseley twice appearing, winning it once. John Reid led a Colin Richardson owned Bridlington Town to Wembley glory in 1993.

I do have a simple answer to why NCEL sides struggle. When the early regionalised draws are made, NCEL clubs are usually paired with Northern League teams. Now because the money around in the NL, teams have players of Conference North quality and Paul Brayson and Craig James are two players that spring to mind. Because of the quality of players around, the NL is of Evo Stik Division One North standard. And that’s unfair on the NCEL.

Bridlington Town chairman Peter Smurthwaite wrote a letter to the Non-League Paper a few months ago outlining the same view. The FA need to act because teams in the NCEL and other leagues are not getting a fair crack of the whip. The NCEL is not full of cash rich teams and they cannot compete with the likes of Whitley Bay and Bedlington Terriers.

Have the FA considered moving the Northern League clubs into the FA Trophy?

Local Councillor Lays Down Battle Lines

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Highlighting a successful battle against Government budget cuts will be a key part of Labour local election strategy in Headlingley in 2014, says a leading local councillor.

Councillor Neil Walshaw, Headlingley, claims that his area have survived cuts in the environmental budget which has enabled improvements in services.

While there are no elections this year in Headlingley, Liberal Democrat councillor
Martin Hamilton will be up for re-election next year and Walshaw says the environment will be a major campaigning issue.

He said: “In Headingley, there will be a number of areas we will focus on.

“We started to make a lot of progress with the environment, in a time of shrinking budgets, myself and councillor Walker have successfully lobbied the North West Inner Area committee which covers Headlingley and Hyde Park, big student areas.

“Students bring plenty of positives, but also negatives and one of the negatives is a lot of litter and bins left out.

“We do put a lot of resources out to keep on top of that.

“We have put a lot of effort into how we do things over the last 18 months so are making improvements and also keeping Headlingley and Hyde Park’s share of resources.

“That’s something we will keen to talk about next year.”

One issue also on the minds of Headlingley residents, according to Walshaw, will be student fees which are now at a rate of £9,000.

He said: “Headingley is home to a significant student population, about 55 to 60% of the population of Headlingley are students.

“Because of student fees we have seen a drop in applications to Leeds University and Leeds Met University…and I would say it wholly down to £9,000 tuition fees.
“I think in 2011 there was a significant feeling of betrayal.

“It dipped in 2012, but I suspect the students in Leeds when I’m knocking on doors in 2014 in Headingley to students paying those fees, I think the sense of betrayal will come back.”

Liverpool Reaping the Rewards of their Patience

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On two occasions this week Liverpool were close to earning to memorable victories against elite clubs, but in both games they were denied by brilliance. However, the two draws show how far Liverpool have come under Brendan Rogers.

Forget about Oldham, let’s concentrate on the Premier League. Look at the table and the Reds are seventh. A good end to the season and Liverpool could finish in an unthinkable position that wouldn’t have been dreamed of at the start of the season.

When they lost at West Brom on the opening day and then had to wait until the last week of September, I thought Rodgers would be out of Anfield by November. Especially when Fabio Borini became injured – leaving Liverpool with one striker in Suarez.
But they quietly persevered by collecting the odd win and a few well-earned draws and with the help of the transfer window, Liverpool are reaping the rewards of their patience.

The win at West Ham was a key result in my eyes as Liverpool had to come from behind to take all three points. Although they then lost to Aston Villa and Stoke over Christmas, ‘Pool also thrashed QPR and Fulham and then Sunderland.

The arrival of Daniel Sturridge has made them a force to be reckoned with up-front and the 5-0 hammering of Norwich showed their quality. With Gerrard, Suarez and Sturridge, Liverpool can cause any Premier League team a problem and from now on, Liverpool will be no easy touch.

Now beating Norwich is not a result that can be taken as a ‘sign of intent’. Draws against Arsenal and Manchester City can be. West Brom are next followed by Swansea and Wigan and nine points out of nine would suddenly put Liverpool in line with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham in the Champions League spots.

While what Rodgers has achieved in seven months is probably ahead of schedule, the point is that Liverpool are getting stronger and stronger each week. And this is probably is the start of Liverpool becoming a football powerhouse again.

A Day Trip with Farsley AFC

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Those close to me know that I haven’t enjoyed the 12-13 football season as much as previous ones, but a dreaded long trip to Cammell Laird provided a shot in my arm and proved to be one of the most entertaining away games for a while.

Cammell play in the far side of Liverpool, a place called Birkenhead. It is certainly interesting there and I managed to rack up a few ‘firsts’ while I was there.

From a game perspective I was not sure what to expect. Farsley have been inconsistent so far this season. Cammell are doing alright in mid-table and picking up points against decent sides. Fortunately Gareth Grant settled nerves with an early goal and kick-started a memorable afternoon for himself and Farsley.

Granty struck again before a ridiculous penalty decision gave Cammell a way back into the game on the stroke of half-time. For those who don’t know me, my current opinion of semi-professional referees is that the standard is poor and the penalty award set the tone for the second half.

Now I didn’t realise that there was a radio broadcast when I took my seat for the second half. I did when I received a tweet from someone saying that they had heard me heckling the referee. I do keep it clean and I don’t swear at refs so all listeners heard was ‘ridiculous referee’ and something about the inconsistency of his decisions. I just remember it was something long-winded that I struggled to get out.

Back to the on-field matters, Ryan Harrison restored our two-goal lead with the goal of the game. Granty got his hat-trick with a simple tap-in late-on before Cammell scored again from poor defending.

However, this was a fantastic display from Farsley and Pars’ men showed qualities that they will need to reach the play-offs. James Riley, a colossal figure at centre-back, made a massive difference on his return from injury and deserves credit. I think he won every header, every tackle and was my man of the match. Rilo is possibly the best player Pars has signed in his five years at the club and we as Farsley supporters should be appreciative of how lucky we are to have such a quality player.

The players deserved their applause at the end. As for the referee, I asked why he booked Granty and not Cammell’s number nine as he walked off and all I got was a bemused look. So I don’t why. However my question obviously upset a local because I was then told I was a something ‘head’. I stepped forward to confront the guy, but fortunately before I got there, someone blocked me and diffused potential trouble. So it was on to celebrate.

An hour was then spent in the social club before the journey home. However, there would be one last twist. As we waited for everyone to board the coach, a bald-headed Liverpudlian man walked randomly onto the bus and asked ‘is there any tablet-heads on here?’ There was stunned silence before the man was told ‘no’.

When people are offered drugs for the first time, it is normally in a nightclub. From now on, if I’m ever asked the question, ‘where were you first offered drugs’, I can say ‘oh the Farsley AFC team coach!’

But while shocked at the question, it only added another memorable story to a memorable day.

*Please note that I have never taken drugs and never will.

Rhinos teach Hull a Champion Lesson

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Leeds Rhinos 36-6 Hull FC

Defending champions Leeds Rhinos gave a sensational second half display as pretenders to the throne Hull FC were blown away at Headingley Carnegie.

After a 6-6 stalemate at half-time, the Rhinos scored five unanswered converted tries to secure an opening night victory with the past masters Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and captain Kevin Sinfield playing key roles.

Sinfield, who overtook fellow Leeds RL legend Lewis Jones in the all-time Rugby League points chart, put Leeds ahead before debutant Joe Arundel levelled.

However, Leeds ensured the two points with tries from Joel Moon, Jamie Peacock, Chris Clarkson, McGuire and Ryan Hall to give Hull a reality check.

But rather than the result, Hull will be more concerned about skipper Gareth Ellis.
Ellis, back in the Super League after four years in Australia with West Tigers, limped off during the warm-up and was ruled out of the game ten minutes before kick-off.

It was a huge blow for Hull, who are hoping to challenge for the Super League crown this year.

If Peter Gentle’s side want to pursue such ambitions they will have to defend much better. Ben Galea’s failure to deal with McGuire’s harmless grubber kick saw Sinfield pounce to score the first try on 15 minutes.

Leeds threatened again, but with the half drawing to a close, a penalty gave Hull territory in Leeds’ half and the Black and Whites took full advantage.
Joe Westerman showed skill and strength before finding Arundel who touched down in the corner.

And it was Hull who started the second half better, but Aaron Heremaia's failed 40-20 was a decisive moment and from there Leeds never looked back in a devastating display in the final 23 minutes.

Debutant Moon, signed from Salford City Reds, recovered from a slip to force himself over the line and put the Rhinos ahead.

Straight from the restart Leeds were at Hull again and Burrow’s majestic weaving unlocked a door in the Hull defence.
He found Sinfield who in turn offloaded to Peacock whose outstretched arm ensured a third Leeds try and leave Hull staring at the barrel of a gun.

That gave Leeds the breathing space, but Brian McDermott’s men continued to press for more tries and Chris Clarkson extended the lead after a fine break after McGuire’s pass.

Super League record try scorer McGuire then scored one himself. The man who recently celebrated ten years at Headlingley bulldozed himself over the line after collecting a Sinfield offload.

And Leeds were not finished. In the closing seconds, Hall, rated as the world’s best winger, raced clear from his own half to score, despite the efforts of Jason Crookes.
Hall’s superb try rounded off a magnificent performance from the Rhinos.

Leeds: Hardaker; Vickery, Watkins, Moon, Hall; Sinfield, McGuire; Bailey, Burrow, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Delaney, Ablett
Substitutes: Clarkson, Kirke, McShane, Achurch

Hull: McDonnell; Crookes, Arundel, Yeaman, Briscoe, Holdsworth, Seymour, Pitts, Houghton, Lynch, Ellis, Galea, Westerman
Substitutes: Johnson, O'Meley, Whiting, Heremaia

Referee: Steve Ganson [St Helens]