Sports Journalists’ Association BULLETINBULLETIN Editor: Keir Radnedge www.sportsjournalists.co.ukwww.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010

SJA STEVE R O WE

SJA TRIBUTE TO THE BEST OF BRITISH An unbeatable line-up . . . British sport’s stars of 2010 were hailed by members of the association and guests in at the 62nd SJA British Sports Awards, the original and thus longest-running event of its kind on the domestic calendar. A P McCoy, Jessica Ennis and the Ryder Cup team took the top trio of honours. See Pages 2-7 awards next on red carpet agenda

HEADING into 2011 is the perfect time to reflect winner of the regional sports writer prize, said: on the great writing, stories and photographs of JON RYAN “I’ve been coming to these awards for 25 years. It 2010 and who will be honoured at the was a much smaller event then. Now, they’re like association’s British Sports Journalism Awards in the Oscars.” No red carpet perhaps but you get London on March 7 and sponsored by UK Sport. change, sackings, new regulations in their chosen the drift. Considerable debate over the awards has sports some stalwartly believe that if words do For an incentive, review the list of Sports focused on whether they cover all aspects of not appear in print they are not worth the reading. Writers of the Year since 1976 or photographers sports journalism and whether their scope should Also, who says that ‘Fleet Street’ has the who have been voted the best in the business be increased or reduced? monopoly on top writers? Why should talented since 1977. Some 18 different journalists have Views are as varied as the range of journalists journalists working outside London not be been voted Sports Writer of the Year in 33 years who will enter - which is exactly as it should be. recognised for the quality of their writing, no while 24 photographers have reached the peak in But two points came across loud and clear: the matter in what medium. 32 award years. need for an award to the Sports of the The SJA awards are the highest recognition of Review the awards lists: these are both Year and the application of more imagination talent for sports writing and photography from a incredibly strong, no one-off horrors to haunt the over the submission of entries. pool of talent unequalled in the English-speaking judges. These are lists to inspire and set standards, Why should a writer working for the internet world. The last thing any journalist should think exactly as they should. Go down the list of other not be considered for any of the writing awards? is: ‘What’s the point of entering, I won’t win.’ If awards and if anyone cannot find a category Top-quality writing is to be admired and praised you don’t enter you certainly won’t win. something is very wrong. For any sports wherever it appears and there is hardly a writer To ensure that the very best are chosen we call journalist to win the acclaim of his or her peers is from ‘old Fleet Street’ who does not top up his upon tremendous talent for the judging panels and part of what drives us all but to win with grace output via , a blog or a separate piece it is down to the leading sports editors to judge and modesty is the highest achievement. online. Newspaper journalists are wonderfully the Sports Writer of the Year * Entry forms are enclosed with this Bulletin old-fashioned. Even while they campaign for At last year’s awards Mike Aitken, second-time or can be downloaded from the SJA website

www.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010 1 Bad weather helps McCoy past winning post with a difference STEVE R O WE Sportsman of the Year AP McCOY Presented by SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON, SJA president

WHEN it became clear that AP McCoy was going to be among the leading contenders for the SJA’s Sportsman of the Year Award he was naturally invited to attend the awards lunch. The response had a dreadful inevitability about it, there was racing that day at Leicester and he would be due to ride: “Sorry, but riding comes first.” He meant no offence to the SJA: not so long ago McCoy sought permission from Buckingham Palace to have the award of his OBE (he already has an MBE) delayed until next June when there is no racing. Given Her Majesty’s enthusiasm for racing it was a request she granted. But the SJA had no need of such artifice. Bad weather forced the cancellation of racing at Leicester and permitted AP (Anthony Peter) a rare awards appearance. It’s not that the 36-year-old – champion jump jockey 15 years on the trot and known in Writing SJA history: A P McCoy and wife Chanelle the weighing room simply as Champ – does not appreciate the awards, the praise, the acclaim. Rather, he prefers life away from the tweak but breakages and serious ones at that. pretty much a year-round sport) in relentless spotlight, although he almost appeared to To hear AP recount an operation on his broken pursuit of winners to keep ahead of the enjoy the fuss after riding his first Grand back at his table at the SJA awards was to talented chasing pack. National winner, Don’t Push It, back in April. listen to someone who assumed that this was In the world of AP McCoy, life is about McCoy is the most driven sportsmen just what you did. winning. But it is also about being a performing on our shores and in a sport which For this bruising, often painful but deceptively humorous, honourable and decent accepts that once in every 10 rides or so the sometimes glorious privilege AP McCoy has man of which his sport is rightfully proud and rider will come crashing down to earth no to live on a strict and paltry diet, eschewing for whom the SJA was delighted to award the matter how good or how good the horse. the big nights out, driving the length and title of Sportsman of the Year. Falls happen which means a constant risk of breadth of the country to take around 800 JON RYAN injury - not just a pulled hamstring or a muscle rides a season (summer jumping makes it

Standing ovations are becoming a habit

AS AP McCoy stood on stage at the such as Colin Montgomerie accepting the conclusion of the UK Sport-sponsored 62nd BARRY NEWCOMBE Team of the Year award on behalf of the SJA British Sports Awards, cuddling his European Ryder Cup men and becoming a Sportsman of the Year trophy, so members SJA chairman target for the men with cameras from the and guests rose as one to salute him. Tickets for Troops force who just wanted to This reminded me that McCoy had also like leaves,” as Andrew Longmore put it in be pictured with him. So the SJA wound up received a standing ovation at the Grand - but until this past year he the first decade of the 21st century with an National Press conference, not something had never nailed the . awareness that soon the of bestowed on all champions. He had admitted: Putting that one finally to rest ensured his London 2012 will be drawing us ever closer, “For a long time I had no interest in what sporting status expanded into public an enticing prospect. anyone thought or wrote or anything.” consciousness beyond the world of racing. Simultaneously, the SJA also faces a Perhaps now, at 36,and with one huge Other impressive cameos lit up the SJA’s restructuring in losing our direct link with pinnacle scaled, he has changed his mind. last major event of 2010 – such as Jessica UK Sport for whose enthusiastic support and McCoy has had a long and staggeringly Ennis being acclaimed Sportswoman of the financial backing we have cause to be successful career over – “Piling up winners Year for the second successive time; and extremely grateful.

2 WINTER 2010 www.sportsjournalists.co.uk STEVE R O WE Jessica Ennis… on why she was not Bad weather helps McCoy past undertaking warm-weather training: “I'm training in Sheffield cos I'm winning post with a difference hard.” On her fame as a model on poster hoardings: “I'm getting text messages from everyone saying: ‘I keep seeing your sweaty body everywhere.’”

Dai Greene . . . on accommodation arrangements at the in : “Once I kicked the dog out of my room it was fine, to be honest.”

Zoe Smith . . . on making the weight Ennis still beating for competition: “Difficult, considering I do like all the pressure a chocolate bar now and then.” Jessica Ennis was the 2010 choice, Sportswoman of the Year for the second year in succession, of SJA members as Sportswoman of the Year, the JESSICA ENNIS first woman since Paula Radcliffe in 2003 Presented by Sir Michael Ellen Faulkner, Commonwealth Games to win in consecutive years. Parkinson, SJA President gold medallist . . . on the image of bowls: Ennis won the pentathlon at the World Indoor Championships in Doha in March “I’m one of the more and the heptathlon at the European always want to build on the year before, Championships four months later, both keep progressing, and I know there are senior members of the times eclipsing championship records set bits I can improve. team and I'm 31. We have by the great Swedish all-rounder Carolina “Am I feeling the pressure? I’ve always Kluft. felt pressure, even before I had won any a 19-year-old, a 21-year- Also, for the second year in succession, medals. I always put pressure on myself. old and a 22-year-old.” she was ranked by the IAAF as the Now it’s changed. It’s pressure from other world’s No1 heptathlete, short-listed people. among five for their world award and “I kinda have an idea of what people chosen already as British athlete of the expect me to do, what they are thinking, Maggie Alphonsi, women's rugby year for a second straight year by the but when I go into a championships I star . . . on spreading the word: British Athletics Writers’ Association don’t read the papers or the tweets, or She said: “It’s so nice to have had the anything. So still the pressure is what I “You’d think that, votes and won again. Last year was put on myself.” brilliant but you always kind of worry: Her 2011 goals are the European with getting girls ‘Are you going to perform as well the indoor pentathlon championships in Paris involved in playing next year? Make the most of it here and in March and a defence of her world now.’ But yes I’ve had another great year heptathlon title in , , in rugby, they wouldn't and to win this award again, it’s brilliant. August. Along the way she hopes to pick like the contact but “Having a good year in 2009 and up the world pentathlon record and the backing it up with another good year, British 100 metres hurdles record. in fact they're often winning gold in the world indoors and the Should she achieve all of that, who will more up for it than European outdoors, was really special. give odds against her equalling the I’m still surprised when you say out loud achievement of her heptathlon the boys.” what I’ve achieved. It does give you predecessor, Denise Lewis, in winning goose pimples. I’m obviously very proud. the SJA award for a third time? “It’s important to me to stay on top. I NEIL WILSON

www.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010 3 SJA members’ favourites: Beth Tweddle (left) and Zoe Smith (above)

Role model status driving Tweddle on towards 2012

UK Sport Award (Recognising fair England’s first female weightlifter to take are part of the reason we are here in the play and those who inspire others a Commonwealth Games medal, she is a first place.” Reviewing the Ryder Cup as role models) tremendous prospect for Team GB. triumph, Montgomerie said he hoped to BETH TWEDDLE Commonwealth Games medallist, she is a return to the team as a playing member in Presented by Nigel Walker (National tremendous prospect for Team GB. 2012: “I’ll be 49 at that stage, but golf Director, English Institute of Sport) “I loved every minute in Delhi. It was gives us that opportunity to keep going on. the highlight of my life so far” said Smith, I’ve just got to get my own game in shape BETH Tweddle became world champion just 5ft 2in and who can lift three times her and not worry about other people for a once more in 2010 and is the most own body weight - but who started out as a change.” successful British gymnast of all time. Yet, gymnast. although a veteran in her sport, she has no “I went into the gym and my coach said SJA Committee Award intention of giving up just yet. would you like to try lifting some weights. EMMA POOLEY “I still have one ambition to achieve, an When I did, he wouldn’t let me leave!” she Presented by Mark Foster (former British Olympic medal,” she said. “I’d rather look said. Olympic swimmer and world and back in 10 years time and say I tried in Smith is juggling Olympic ambition with Commonwealth champion) 2012 than I wish I’d have tried.” A Levels: “It is not easy but I am coping.” Tweddle won world championship gold So, shouldn’t you be at school today? AMID the gold rush in , Emma on the uneven bars in Rotterdam and two asked host Jim Rosenthal. “Yes actually,” Pooley’s Olympic silver was overshadowed European titles in front of an adoring home she grinned. The SJA won’t tell. but she stepped into the spotlight with a crowd in . Yet her role model tremendous year on the road in 2010. She status has come as a surprise. J L Manning Award (Recognising an followed up a win in the Tour de L’Aude, She said: “You don’t realise it until you outstanding contribution to sport) the biggest stage race in women’s cycling, turn up for a championships and you’ve COLIN MONTGOMERIE with gold in the individual time trial at the suddenly got all these little girls coming up Presented by Christina Schmid (Patron, World Road Race Championships in asking for your autograph.” Tickets for Troops) and Lance Corporal Geelong, Australia. Pooley combines Matt Croucher GC, Royal Marines riding with her reading for a doctorate in Peter Wilson Trophy (Recognising the geotechnical engineering and believes even Best International Newcomer) RYDER Cup captain Colin Montgomerie making the Olympic team in London will ZOE SMITH paid tribute to the nation’s armed forces as be a huge challenge. Presented by Alec Stewart (former England he received his award from the widow of She explained: “Cycling is very course- cricketer) bomb disposal hero Olaf Schmid. specific. There aren’t that many hills He said: “I might be here representing a around London and I’m more of a climber ZOE Smith was only 11 when London was marvellous team, but we know ourselves so I’ll have to get better on the flat if I awarded the 2012 Olympics but, as that the troops here with us on these tables want to do well in 2012.”

4 WINTER 2010 www.sportsjournalists.co.uk STEVE R O WE

Left: Swimmer Fran Halsall collects the President’s Award. Below: Dai Greene (right) with Andrew Castle

SJA President’s Award targets were European and Commonwealth FRAN HALSALL Words gold and I managed to deliver both of them,” Presented by Sir Michael Parkinson, SJA PHILIP BARKER he said, looking back with pride to the President European Championships in Barcelona and to Pictures having become the first Welshman to win gold FRAN Halsall was not going to let recent at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. surgery on a troublesome ankle prevent her STEVE ROWe He recalled: “It was OK to have one or two stepping up to collect her award, even thought guys coming up to wish you luck but when it she said: “To get up here was really hard. I am was the whole Welsh team – a hundred people a lot faster in the pool than on crutches.” – that’s when you feel the pressure.” Halsall had demonmstrated that truth in Greene dipped below 48 seconds for the first winning 100m freestyle gold at the European time but ’s 18-year-old British Championships in Budapest, her first record still eludes him. The Welshman said: individual title at this level and among a medal “He sent me a text saying: Close but no cigar!” haul which made her the most successful British swimmer at these Championships. Bill McGowran Trophy (Recognising the “I thought if I spread it over a few I’ll just get Achievements of an Athlete with a Disability) lucky in one,” she added. Halsall followed up DANIELLE BROWN with 50m butterfly gold at the Commonwealth Presented by Ade Adepitan (basketball Games in Delhi and plans an ambitious Paralympian) programme for 2012 where she expects to race in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m DADANIELLE Brown took up archery only butterfly. She is also targeting two of the relays. five years ago but made an immediate impact with Paralympic gold in Beijing. Her disability Pat Besford Award (Recognising makes it difficult for her to stand for prolonged Outstanding Sporting Performance periods but she shoots from a specially adapted DAI GREENE stool. Chosen for the able-bodied England team Presented by Andrew Castle (former British in Delhi she won Commonwealth Games gold Davis Cup player) in the Team Compound event. Paralympic basketball star Ade Adepitan received the HURDLER Dai Greene can look ahead to award on her behalf, promising: “I'll make sure London 2012 with real confidence after a Jim Rosenthal: linking it she gets it. She's a dead eyed shot with the wonderful year. “At the start of the year my all together in style arrows." www.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010 5 How Montgomerie STEVE R O WE and his men rose to the Ryder Cup challenge – again

RARELY does the the Ryder Cup let anyone Sports Team of the Year down. For almost three decades the great tussle between the best golfers from EUROPEAN RYDER and their counterparts from the United States CUP TEAM has offered a modern-day template filled with competitiveness, good grace and high PRESENTED BY drama. JOHN INVERDALE Judged even by the highest recent standards, however, this latest version played out across the rolling acres of a soaked Usk been voted the year’s top team by SJA Valley at Celtic Manor proved high-level members underlines the impact that this rain- sport of the very best sort. Golf, sometimes, affected, occasionally dishevelled but can be as dreary as the next game but this ultimately brilliant event had on the general Ryder Cup was compelling to everyone who sporting consciousness. savours a battle properly played out. The drama was, of course, studded with The fact that the European side has now sub-plots. How would Tiger Woods play? Would Colin Montgomerie implode under the emotional intensity he brought to the European captaincy? Had his American rival Corey Pavin secretly ordered an airstrike if things went wrong? As it turned out, Woods played excellently, Monty held himself together to roll-out a Roving interviewer shrewd, understated, sensationally effective John Inverdale with captaincy while Pavin, sort of, evaporated. Captain Charisma, Monty’s players responded superbly to his Colin Montgomerie subtle touch. A team made up of four Englishmen (Luke Donald, Ross Fisher, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood), three Irishmen (Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy), a brace of Italians (Francesco and Eduardo Molinari), a Swede (Peter Hanson), a German (Martin Kaymer) and a jolly Spaniard (Miguel-Angel Jimenez) AN ENVELOPE raffle held during the formed an impenetrable partnership. SJA Awards lunch raised more than These guys only come together once every £2,000 for Tickets for Troops, the two years, the rest of the time they are trying event’s nominated cause. The J L to beat each other’s brains out but for one Manning Award had been presented to long week in they became a band of Colin Montgomerie, captain of the brothers. In the end, individual glory fell to European Ryder Cup winners, by McDowell whose last-match heroics against Christina Schmid, one of the Hunter Mahan clinched the trophy for organisation’s patrons , together with Europe. Lance Corporal Matt Croucher GC, It was, he says, the most nervous he ever Royal Marines (above). Christina has felt. This from a man who had won the Schmid is the widow of Staff Sergeant US Open a few months earlier. Then, as all Olaf Schmid GC, who was killed trying the bouquets began to fly in his direction, he to disarm an improvised explosive sounded a verbal barricade against individual device in Afghanistan in October 2009, applause: “I have 11 team-mates who gave his last day of deployment. She has me the opportunity to do what I did. Without joined the News of the World as a them, without what they did first, I could not campaigner for the military and their have done anything. This team was families. fantastic.” BILL ELLIOTT

6 WINTER 2010 www.sportsjournalists.co.uk Guests with plenty to celebrate in 2010 – Top: England rugby star Maggie Alphonsi. Above: Bid-winning PR specialist Mike Lee Surely it doesn’t get much better than this

I SHARED a table with two lovely ladies achievements, pales set against those who put from hockey, an ex-Daily Mirror man now TREVOR BOND their lives on the front line every day. proving that there is life after death as a Inverdale pursued a libation line. From Dai successful PR and two SJA members – one a Greene who came so close to breaking Kriss mad golfer who would have probably left Akabusi's 400 metre hurdle time and will not early if the Ryder Cup team had not been so Colin Montgomerie, Dai Greene and Beth rest until he does: "I might have a tipple on honoured. He was arguing all the way home Tweddle but, as John Inverdale in his round-the- Christmas Day." that Graeme McDowell should have won the tables mike chat, highlighted celebrities such as Then McCoy, collecting the coveted top award. Alec Stewart, former England cricket captain, Sportsman of the Year trophy for the first time I mention our table's meagre contribution to Maggie Alphonsi from the England women's for horse racing: "Wine or water? Definitely the superb occasion because we three stalwart rugby team, Ellen Faulkner the Commonwealth water". members, while indulging in Fleet Street Games bowls gold medallist and Mike Lee who Back to my table. It would normally have nostalgia, continue to support the event in the fed the assembled press some juicy thoughts on included that doyen of sports writing Patrick belief that ours is still the finest sports writing England's World Cup bid. Collins, many times winner of our journalism association of them all. The additional presence of troops back from awards and stalwart SJA member Ian Cole, a For a non-Olympic year, I cannot recall a Afghanistan, with the raffle proceeds going to former chairman. Last I heard of them they higher gathering of super stars - not just the Tickets for Troops, made the room aware that were soaking it up in a bar in Adelaide but I am winners – such as AP McCoy, Jessica Ennis, all that is good and great about sporting sure they were with us in spirits, so to speak.

www.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010 7 F O T O S PO RTS.C O M FIFA president Sepp Blatter appeals for football to trust FIFA after the suspension of two exco members

Media the wrong target when it comes to World Cup blame game

THE media always struggles to find the corruption at the heart of its power base but correct perspective when it becomes a part KEIR RADNEDGE the exposure; that FIFA and Sulser and later of the story as it did in the run-up to the president Sepp Blatter resented having to FIFA executive committee’s award of the come clean. 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and In fact, it became clear within hours of Qatar. expendable Adamu and Temarii - closed the announcement of the ballot results that Did the various assaults of the Mail on ranks in ungracious but predictable fashion. the media coverage – whether the media Sunday, The Sunday Times and BBC’s Ethics chairman Claudio Sulser, a lawyer may like it or not - had had very little effect. Panorama play a decisive role in what and former Swiss international, offered The Russia had long since had its core votes ended up as a first-round knock-out for Sunday Times no well-deserved words of sewn up; England, whingeing about broken England’s bid? Readers/viewers might have acknowledgement or thanks, complaining promises, crashed for other reasons. thought so considering the amount of time instead about the manner in which video On this score Sunil Gulati, president of bid leader Andy Anson had to spend and audio footage had been edited down to US Soccer, had the right attitude from the discussing the issue. a conveniently tight soundbite for website outset. As he told me: “The only members To recap: in May, the Mail on Sunday publication. you believe are the ones who say they won’t produced the eavesdropping articles which There was more. Like a school teacher vote for you.” forced Lord David Triesman to quit as lecturing naughty children, he added (amid When the original vote-rigging story chairman of and of much more): “You [journalists] need to ‘broke’ the Zurich daily Tages Anzeiger ran the England bid; in October The Sunday establish real facts not those which could a headline: “Blatter should thank the Times splashed its vote-rigging allegations lead to sensationalism and to selling more journalists.” FIFA could do that, indeed, by which forced even FIFA to suspend .” awarding The Sunday Times the fairplay Nigeria’s Amos Adamu and Oceania’s As he rambled on about ethics in the prize at its annual gala in Zurich in mid- Reynald Temarii; then in late November – media – this representative of a body which January; but, frankly, there is more chance three days before the vote – Panorama has just banished six of its own senior of Blatter-badgerer Andrew Jennings resurrected the ISL scandal to point an officials - one wondered who was more at becoming FIFA president. accusatory finger at exco members Brazil’s fault? Was it the Guilty Six? Or was it the At least the media inquisition did serve Ricardo Teixeira (Brazil), Issa Hayatou newspaper for exposing them? one purpose: it gifted exco members a (Cameroon) and Nicolas Leoz (Paraguay). It was almost as if what had upset perfect excuse – if they needed it - for FIFA – with the exception of the football’s hierarchy the most was not breaking those promises.

8 WINTER 2010 www.sportsjournalists.co.uk ACTI O N IMAGES Eric Burley, a tribute

ERIC BURLEY of Agence France Presse, who has died aged 87, was a sports writing name better known England’s across much of the world than in hockey women Britain. The association knew him took bronze for his wisdom, his quiet strength in Delhi and his constant amiability, all of which were freely available throughout his extraordinary length of service to what was then the Sports Writers’ Association. Eric was on the committee Delhi delights the shop before I had my first job in Fleet Street. He was still there when I became chairman in 1977, some 23 unbroken years. floor not the front office It was Eric’s relentless determination which cracked open the SWA’s sexist barriers and MEDIA arrangements in Delhi were just like the admitted women to the annual Commonwealth Games themselves, up and JOHN WRAGG awards. For years, first the running and pretty near perfect just as the Games committee and then the were over. Daily Express membership had voted to exclude The Main Press Centre looked excellent when even its own female members. The you walked in, gleaming computers, rows and very first woman member, Millie rows of pigeon holes for info, new desks, nice things and creepie things that attacked you. Those Hudson, signed up in 1949, was chairs, power points everywhere. Except very little senior management and government officials who once offered two theatre tickets in worked. put on these Games did a dreadful job but it has to compensation. She returned them. There was no information system whatsoever, be said that the people on the ground floor, those Eric would not be beaten and in nothing to put in the pigeon holes by the way of you dealt with at the main press centre and sub 1963, the year of his chairmanship, start lists or results and banks of desks where the centres every day, could not have been more he prevailed. power wasn't on. And I never did get the wifi helpful. For 40 years from 1943, Eric had working, although some did. When the mouse on my laptop packed up the been AFP’s sole British sports and In one corner there was a little media café where excellent people on the main press centre help desk motoring correspondent. His you could get cups of tea or coffee. With sugar. went into Delhi town and bought me a new one. career, which ended in retirement Not without sugar. It was all pre-prepared. And When the wifi failed at the swimming venue, in 1983, included covering five water. But you had to pay for it. The sub centres people quickly fixed it. And the staff waited and Olympic Games and three football were much the same. At the swimming venue the waited long into the night until English reporters, World Cups, and many historic climb to get to the media seats was Everest-like not on tight deadlines, finished their work. sporting events such as Roger and equally cold if you sat by the giant air- We might not have liked the green bread some Bannister’s first sub-sour-minute conditioning systems that offered instant colds and of the sandwiches were made of, but the media mile in 1954. flu. staff were delighted if we were delighted with their The SJA sends its condolences to Seating at the boxing, one of the key events, was service. Had they swapped things around and put Eric’s widow Margaret, daughter limited and the outdoor press box at the athletics the people on the shop floor into the management Julie, and their family. track should have been named the David offices, this would have been a hugely successful DAVID HUNN Attenborough Box, such was the amount of flying Games.

SportAccord heading for London

ONE of the first signs that the Olympic Games of the major national and international sports and 2016 Games as well as IOC spring are about to roll in to town will be there for all federations, IOC members, other leading executive board meetings. SJA members to see at the southern end of industry figures and, of course, the The SJA has been in discussions with the Westminster Bridge in early April, when the international media. organisers about staging a special event that SportAccord International Convention is This is the first time the event has come to week, details of which will be posted on staged in London. London when it will be staged at the Park sportsjournalists.co.uk and emailed to SJA Sport Accord is the effective annual Plaza Westminster Bridge from April 3-8. The members. conference of world sport, attended by leaders programme includes presentations on the 2012 STEVEN DOWNES www.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010 9 Hatch Match and JohnJackson despatch Comings and goings at the sports desks around the country How that man in the brown n TWO respected and high-profile sports bowler got in on the act journalists died in November - Ken Montgomery, the former chief football writer when Chile had something on the Sunday Mirror, and Christopher Hilton, the Daily Express’s one-time F1 correspondent. Ken, the long-time stalwart of else worth celebrating the Football Writers’ Association, died after a short spell of illness. Chris, the author of IT WAS the wondrous rescue of the around 80 books on history, sport and even a Chilean miners, and their chanting of: couple of novels, died suddenly while on a ”Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le, Viva Chile,” as business trip in Germany. they emerged from the depths, that rushed back memories of the mother of n Peter Cooper, the former Daily Mirror, all hangovers, and that legendary rascal Sunday Express and Sunday Times sports among sports writers, Desmond Hackett. writer and broadcaster, died in October after a The occasion was a noisy night in Vina long illness, aged 77. del Mar, Chile, shortly after a quarter- final of the 1962 World Cup had seen n Doug Wilson, who competed on the track England (including present BBC pundit at the 1948 London Olympics and went on to Jimmy Armfield and two young Bobbies, become the athletics reporter for the News of Moore and Charlton) despatched 3-1 by the World, died in Winchester in October, Brazil. aged 90. For the last 17 years, Wilson had I had decided on an early night but edited The Olympian magazine. The SJA soon realised that not even the snoring sends its condolences to all families and from my roommate, AP’s Argentinian friends. photographer Francisco Caruso, which flew to the United States - with the tank could normally drown out any tenor of a full of whisky. This cunning ploy was to n Kevin Garside is the Telegraph’s new golf similar name, would silence the “Chi Chi get round the fact in those days that bars correspondent. Garside replaces Mark Chi Le Le Le, Viva Chile!” celebrations on airliners had to be closed by law when Reason, who is leaving the company as his outside. Chile had beaten the Soviet crossing States which were “dry.” They family is emigrating to New Zealand. Union to reach the semi-finals. ordered glasses of water, then With an if-you-can’t-beat-them-then- surreptitiously enjoyed a quick squirt n Martin Chilton, deputy sports editor at the join-them decision I strolled from the from the fire engines. Telegraph, has moved within the Victoria Hotel O’Higgins, to be greeted by a So here was I, a young agency reporter offices to become Digital Culture Editor. familiar: “Well, old commander, I feel at my first World Cup, heading for what Chilton has been at the Telegraph since 2008, this calls for a modicum of local lotion.” turned out to be lashings of local lotion. having previously been sports editor and It was true Hackett-speak. At the first bar Hackett ordered two pisco columnist for the Evening Standard. Desmond Hackett was known to the sours, the lethal South American cocktail, readers of the then top-selling Daily and told the barman to serve one to every n The Observer has not renewed the contract Express as the ‘man in the brown bowler’ person there. And that was it! of its golf correspondent of 15 years, Bill who would make the most amazing Unknown to us it was an unwritten Elliott. predictions. He said that if boxer Jack Chilean custom that if you bought Bodell beat Joe Bugner in 1971 to someone a drink, you could not leave n Nick Harris has been appointed as the become British, Empire and European until they had returned the compliment. chief sports news correspondent at the Mail heavyweight champion he would clean I am sure I still had pisco lingering in on Sunday. Harris had written for The all his windows. Hackett duly climbed a my system when we later met up at the Independent since 1996, as well as contibuting ladder with bucket and leather. 1964 Tokyo Olympics. to the Sunday Times and other titles. Harris’s After seeing Chelsea’s first match in There Hackett arrived with a white appointment follows Dan King’s move from the 1967 FA Cup campaign he said that if smock and stethoscope in his suitcase, the Mail group’s Sunday title to the News of they won the Cup he would walk then scribbled an additional “r” to the D the World. barefoot over broken glass down Hackett GB on his plain card Wembley’s Olympic Way. He arrived at accreditation, and got himself entry to the n Roger Ryan, the Hong Kong-based SJA Wembley for the Chelsea v Tottenham segregated women’s village as Dr member, has been hired as a senior sports sub- Hotspurs final with boxes of empty Hackett. British golden girls Mary Rand editor at the South China Morning Post. bottles. and Ann Packer thought it was a James Porteous will be joining him there in Losing Chelsea manager Tommy tremendous wheeze. the new year, having left his job as deputy Docherty was devastated he missed the And Hackett wrote this memorable sports editor of Glasgow’s Herald. chance to help smash them. line: “Everyone here is so polite that even Hackett, like close rival Peter Wilson the pigeons flew upside down over the n World Soccer magazine is 50 years old. A of the Daily Mirror, always included a Emperor at the Opening Ceremony”. special issue published in October included toy fire engine in his luggage when he What a star!

10 WINTER 2010 www.sportsjournalists.co.uk interviews with the outstanding players of the past half-century, including Bobby Another fantastic year caps Charlton by Jim Holden, Pele by Keir Radnedge, Diego Maradona by Eric Weil and Emilio Butragueno by Sid Lowe.“I a fantastic sponsorship know a lot of SJA members have contributed to the magazine since the launch in October 1960, and many more 2010 could have been a very difficult year. have been regular readers,” World Soccer’s Uncertainty over future funding of sport, TIM HOLLINGSWORTH Editor, Gavin Hamilton, said. “I’ve combined with the 'mid-Olympic cycle' feeling, always encouraged my staff to help that the hard work required is not yet showing Chief Operating colleagues from across the industry when true reward, suggested an environment where Officer, UK Sport they contact the office with inquiries. We doubt might have been allowed to grow. like to think that mutual support has Fortunately now it is possible to look back contributed to our success and enhanced and realise that in fact we have built some very our reputation.” solid foundations. Our Olympic and Paralympic sports, less n MVP was launched in October as Britain’s than two years away from the most important only magazine dedicated to basketball. sporting event of our lifetimes, have in the main Published by Response London, the £3.50 performed terrifically. quarterly is edited by Greg Tanner. MVP’s To the list of those from whom success is launch team includes Edinburgh-based SJA expected – such as rowing, once again topping member Mark Woods. the world championships’ medal table; or sailing, delivering five world champions in 10 n JF Media, the publisher of Brighton- Olympic classes - we can now add a number of inspire others by being role models" at the SJA based Golf Punk and Football Punk sports showing real performance improvement. British Sports Awards. magazines, has ceased trading. Golf Punk The likes of hockey, whose men's and From our first winner, Sally Gunnell, through editor’s since 2008 Shaun McGuckian, women's teams performed so well at both the to this year's outstanding winner, bob skeleton travel editor Joe Lancaster and Football world championships and Commonwealth gold medallist Amy Williams, we have sought Punk editor Richard Lenton, lost their Games; of equestrian, whose outstanding to recognise true excellence on the field of play jobs without any redundancy payment. Golf performances in both the able-bodied and and, through our sponsorship, also pay tribute Punk was launched in 2004. Despite Paralympic competition at the world to the many outstanding sports journalists investments from the likes of ex-footballers championships in Kentucky led to their winning without whom the exploits and achievements Phil Babb, Jason McAteer and Stephen a record number of medals; and of gymnastics, of our many funded athletes would not be Wright, Golf Punk struggled financially a sport in the doldrums six years ago, now recognised. and in recent years published only winning three medals at the world UK Sport is a public body however, and one pasmodically. It collected several County championships. outcome of the spending review is the Court Judgments, brought by disgruntled Overall we are very much on track - with requirement for us to greatly reduce our funding and unpaid contributors, and was results suggesting we are as a nation further of non-'front line' activity and indeed to freeze condemned by an Advertising Standard forward at this stage of the Olympic cycle than any spend that could be deemed 'marketing and Authority ruling in 2009 brought by angry at any previous Games. Add to that the certainty advertising.' subscribers. provided by a good settlement from Government We had already agreed to sponsor the 2010 in the Spending Review - which also recognised Sports Awards and Sports Journalism Awards. I n The National Union of Journalists has the need for continued funding beyond London am delighted to honour those commitments. condemned plans by Northcliffe Media to and also the importance of UK Sport's Major However after that we will have to bring to an axe more than 50 sub-editor jobs on its Events and international responsibilities - and end this long and very productive relationship. regional papers, and instead rely on a you can point to welcome progress, and I still hope that UK Sport will remain close to system of direct entry of articles by confirmation that, as a nation, we are doing the the SJA in the future and I will work with the reporters. The use of six regional subbing right things, the right way, at the right time. officers to make sure the transition is as smooth “hubs” – set-up by the company just 18 There is one unfortunate outcome of the tough as possible. months ago as a cost-saving, job-cutting economic times however. It has been UK I wish you all well, know that I will still see exercise – will be subject to another Sport's great pleasure to be the main sponsor of and speak to many of you as we build up to the reorganisation, with the subbing centres at the SJA for nearly 10 years – and to provide an excitement of London 2012 and beyond, and on Nottingham, Stoke and at risk of award "recognising fair play and those who behalf of everyone at UK Sport, thank the SJA. closure. The moves leave the regional titles with vastly reduced staffs: at the Nottingham Post, where four years ago n Brian Scovell, the former Daily Mail and Daily Express, was not the first to point there were 25 reporters, under the latest sports staffer, has published his 25th book, out that we had omitted from our list that proposals there will be just 11 reporters. an autobiography, Thank You Hermann Olympian sports journalist, John Rodda, and Goering (Amberley Publishing). The fast- he reckons we were a decade out on when n The British Athletics Writers’ paced book tells of many of Brian’s countless Tony Stenson inhabited the sports desk on Association annual awards dinner did not scoops during his 50 years on the Fleet Street Leigham Court Rd. “I worked with Tony and take place in 2010, for the first time in beat, in both football and cricket. then succeeded him as sports editor of the nearly 50 years.The athletics writers could SLP, and that was a lot more than 30 years not reach an agreement with the sport’s n Eric Brown has written to the Bulletin to ago,” says Brown. “No one could be expected national governing body, UK Athletics, who highlight a couple of omissions from our to recall all the Fleet Street fodder produced wanted to shift the event to Loughborough, listing in the last issue of the roll of honour of by the SLP. There’s also Peter Smith (long or their sponsors, Aviva, who had in recent one-time South London Press journalists (we time Daily Mail cricket correspondent now years funded and largely organised the gala wondered aloud whether any other local deceased) and George Binyon (now chief event at a central London hotel. The weekly could have produced as many high- sports sub at The Sun) who succeeded me as BAWA’s Ron Pickering Memorial Award fliers as the likes of the BBC’s David Bond, SLP sports editor,” says Big Eric. will now be presented at a lunch, supported News of the World’s Paul McCarthy, and In the last issue, we challenged other local by the Virgin , being others. Brown, these days to be found paper veterans to come up with as impressive held in central London on January 14. working on the back bench at the Daily Star a list of former staffers. Any offers?

www.sportsjournalists.co.uk WINTER 2010 11 contacts Happy new Official address Sports Journalists’ Association Yearbook – but c/o Start2Finish Event Management, Unit 92, Capital Business Centre, 22 Carlton Road, South Croydon, only for those Surrey, CR2 OBS. who have paid Direct contacts Petta Naylor T: 020 8916 2234; F: 020 8916 2235 their dues [email protected] Martin Castle T: 020 8916 2492; F: 020 8916 2235 PAUL TROW [email protected] AS THE SJA prepares for the biggest sporting year in Britain for more than 40 years, publication President: Sir Michael Parkinson CBE of the 2011 SJA Yearbook has been moved to [email protected] coincide with the SJA British Sports Journalism will they receive the complimentary copy sent to Chairman: Barry Newcombe Awards dinner in March. members. [email protected] All nine previous editions of the Yearbook have The membership rate remains unchanged at Vice-chairman: David Walker been launched at the Sports Awards in December. £30 including VAT, or £20 for those working [email protected] The SJA committee has decided that the March more than 50 miles outside London. Members Secretary: Steven Downes event offers better timing, as it attracts a far who have set up bank mandates should receive [email protected] greater turn-out from the SJA membership. their membership cards towards the end of Therefore, the revised deadline for members to January. For those paying by cheque, make it out Treasurer: Randall Northam submit their profiles or updates has been extended to “SJA” and send to: [email protected] to February 15. Anyone who has already Mr Bill Colwill Membership: Bill Colwill OBE submitted a profile for the 2011 Yearbook needs 31 Chesham Lane Birchen, 31 Chesham Lane, Chalfont St not re-submit. Chalfont St Peter Peter, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 OPG. It has also been decided that basic contact Gerards Cross [email protected] details of every SJA member should be included Bucks SL9 0PG Immediate past-chairman: in the directory, in keeping with other professional The directory form is available online. Members Peter Wilson journalism handbooks. Those members who have can complete the form and send it online, or print [email protected] never previously submitted fuller profiles are it off and send by post to Paul Trow at 3 Clifton therefore encouraged to take charge of their own Avenue, London N3 1BN. Mugshots, preferably Bulletin editor: Keir Radnedge entries and submit short biographies of using a properly labelled jpg attachment, can be [email protected] themselves. sent by email to [email protected]. Inclusion in the Yearbook is a service exclusive In addition to the members’ directory, the 2011 to fully paid-up members of the SJA. Yearbook will include a calendar of sporting General committee Philip Barker Annual membership fees fall due, as ever, on fixtures for the coming 12 months, an enhanced [email protected] January 1. Anyone who has not paid their 2011 and expanded contacts’ section, articles and subs by the time of the Yearbook deadline will not updates from London 2012, and detailed reports Ben Clissitt have a profile included in the Yearbook, and nor from the SJA’s events over the past year. [email protected] Ian Cole [email protected] Mary Fitzhenry [email protected] Security note for SJA annual meeting Jim Munro [email protected] THE SJA’s annual general meeting will be held the coming 12 months as well as hear reports Stuart Robinson in London on Wednesday, April 13. Sponsor on the association’s activities and finances. UK Sport will again provide the venue at 40 Members who wish to stand for election or [email protected] Bernard Street, WC1N 1ST, opposite Russell propose motions or amendments to the Steve Rose Square Tube station. Security concerns mean association’s rules, need to advise the committee [email protected] attendees must pre-register through the SJA in advance. Candidates and motions need to be David Welch secretary in the month before the event. proposed and seconded by current SJA members. [email protected] The AGM will start at 12.30pm, and is open For more information contact SJA Hon Secretary to all current members. The meeting will elect Steven Downes at stevenwdownes@btinternet. the SJA president, officers and committee for com or on 07710 428 562. Ex-officio Keith Elliott (Careers) [email protected] Paul Trow (Yearbook) Dates for your diary Wednesday, April 13 SJA annual [email protected] general meeting (UK Sport, 40 Monday, March 7 SJA Sports Bernard St, London WC1N 1ST) Journalism Awards (The Brewery) © 2010 Sports Journalists’ Association March 23-26 AIPS Annual * For lunches contact Mary Congress (Seoul) Fitzhenry (see Contacts); Bulletin & Yearbook design April 3-8 SportAccord convention for golf days, Paul Trow at chilldesign.co.uk (Park Plaza, London) [email protected]

12 WINTER 2010 www.sportsjournalists.co.uk