school athletes messages relay the the relay in competition see PA see G E 56 >> July12008 H coach at an exciting time delighted to aplayer- be u campaign of their 2008-9 Ainsworth of QPR ahead u tween the top and bottom. There are There bottom. and top the tween aneutral. you were leaders. runaway no one, every beating everyone year, last was it do not it think is going to be as crazy as “I says: Ainsworth but close incredibly atime.” at game each take have to will hasnot even taken trainingyet and we who manager new a have we but there lie. not does season of the end the at table the is with go I cliches ofhow you have done. Oneof thefew season. this game every We win to want game, every week we want to win. he said. “All I would say is every of predictions. into the club – Ainsworth is wary players, coaching new staff and money the coming given – lenge chal promotion strong a for QPR reputation season.” agood be to for going it is a has Iain that effort and workhard the with combinethat can we If there. talent got have we and us, it. with pleased ally re am I and people, great two are there told h&f he news coaching,” me keep to wanted and in came Dowie Iain that enough lucky was I but things when I helped Luigi di Canio with some Dowie. with – especially valuableabe tocount him on influence South still canhis QPR butby girlfriend, American influenced partly was Spain Flowers. Tim goalkeeper England former andDowie Iainmanager new to good use as part of a trio alongside and put benow experiencewill great his player, current longest-serving the 2003, since club Road Loftus the football. in career long Ainsworth’s choice of Spain, Gareth given the 35-year-old’s talisman QPR about tournament. the player-coach’swonforEuro2008 tip SPORTINGIt’s LIFE tom derbyshire Tee il e bge gp be gap bigger a be will “There if football for good really was “It LastseasonChampionshipthe was up be to usexpecting “Peopleare “Over 46 games it is a real reflection targets,” set really not do “I tipping pundits many Despite “We looked at the squad, the three of Tim and with as well “He is fantastic, “Itisa bit of astep upfrom last year of choice his admit does Ainsworth with beenfans’favourite hasThe But no-one should really be surprised new signingnew up agood strikes partnership support Popular midfielder is We chat to Gareth vice chairman vice chairman Bostock, CFO and executive executive and Products and

Holdings Ltd, probably a good sign that yourthat sign good probablya Marketing at Amit Bhatia, and Nathan director, of QPR Abbey : igh igh . - - - - t h Bir – g back i a r t s g n bounce i and n n u r ground the hit to expect nowpeoplethat teams League ex-Premierfewa - alongside Iain Dowie a player-coach role Ainsworth now has Gareth midfielder QPR experience passing on PICTURE BY a PICTURE www.lbhf.gov.uk cti on i on Hoops ma : ge s building onthenew arrangement. programme ‘Business inSport’ facilities throughout theyear. andtheuseofclub and seniorstaff Road, accesstoat Loftus players programme includingjointbranding financial group withabespoke financialpartner. official an becomes which Group, up with Abbey, part of the Santander deal. two-year to a new thanks group on the support of a major financial Queen Nathan Bostock, CFONathan Bostock, and Other activitiesincludea willprovide the The partnership linked have club Road Loftus The tagtwy n pol ae spending are people and straightaway mingham and Reading will both be go be both will Reading and mingham ing for it and although Derby hit a brick brick a hit Derby although and it for ing money – it will be tough. be –it will money ing in the January transfer window. transfer January the in ing wall last season they have some big big some have they season last wall season, with several new faces appear faces new several with season, prt ic hs as ih Wimble with don’s Gang. Crazy days his since spirit sion played Ihave in.” ever qa ad el i i te et team best the is it feels and squad names still. names “ s cities and have money to spend. to have money and cities Park Rangers can bank Swansea coming up are from big from are up comingSwansea - divi hardest the probably is “This The Rs finished in finishedin Rs 14th The place last did well. did Ainsworth is happy with the QPR u s wr Bakol n they and Blackpool were so but upheaval it was good to be in a in be togoodupheaval was it team not ‘battling for survival’for ‘battling not team Tee r sm big-hitters some are “There n te lcbr-on mid Blackburn-born the and A te te ed oet and Forest end other the “At fielder is optimistic about life about optimistic is fielder pinch-yourself time at Loftus Road. isot sy dsie the despite says Ainsworth We have gone from “Doncasterbitarea unknown though, with influential play influential with though, ers Akos Buzsaky and Row and Buzsaky Akos ers ad isot. I i a is “It Ainsworth. said an Vine injured. shame and we are going to goingare we and shame be missing them.” missing be players who could be very beplayerscould who influential include Martin Martin include influential It will be a difficult start, start, difficult a be will It olns ‘e s prob is ‘he – Rowlands being one of the poorest clubsto by t h pa o his of peak the at ably I i a asv blow,” massive a is “It career, playing his best’ hisplayingcareer, ad ties Dexter strikers and – isot fes other feels Ainsworth Blackstock and Patrick Agyemang, if they they if Agyemang, a so te excel the show can et om P fans QPR form lent have seen tantalising glimpses of. glimpses ------club.” that we strive to instilwithinour worldwide, andthesearequalities stands for successandexcellence ofaglobalbankingbrandthat part QPR HoldingsLtd,added:“Abbey is andcharities local communities.” our existing initiatives with schools, customers as well as building on club that will involve our staff and and community programme withthe forward to developing a business excited toofit.We be part look have great ambition and we are marketing at Abbey, said: “QPR executive director, products and Amit Bhatia, vice chairman of Amit Bhatia,vicechairman trig ih tvng Bruh v QPR 19. 3pmJuly at on Borough Stevenage with friendlies, pre-season starting of series a in action in them see Barnsley.Youcan against 9 August on home at off kicks l times.” at amazing is speculation The football. QPR has given me a good grounding in any believe it happens. until thing actually never you and time,” Ainsworth said. fairytale pinch-yourself, to clubs est poor the of one We being from change. gone have welcome a is it but days redesigned. was club badge the era new a mark to and announced was aim. arealistic become denly sud has League Premier the to return a and – future bright a to forward look clubnowtheandMittal,can Lakshmi billionaire by joined later over, took Briatore when Flavio and Ecclestone delighted Bernie were supporters but hard, biting difficulties were financial players. younger with mightithaveasnot unsettledone him ing events at QPRbewilder oversometimes the the past yearthat didis rience recruit. latest the Ledesma Argentinemidfielder Emmanuel Jorge with Paladini, Gianni chairman says days.” these squad the about all is It more. any ers not about 11“It worth. is certainly play FA Cup appearance sub, scoring two goals, and one league appearances and eight as >> >> Walsall (loan), Wimbledon Cambridge, (loan), Preston City, City, Preston, Port Vale, Lincoln >> 1973 >> Gareth Ainsworth Gareth favourite fans’ The club’s Championship campaign campaign club’sChampionship The “It is great to be high-profile now but unbelievable, is mill rumour “The these me surprise does “Nothing Sport Lotto with deal five-year A Manager John Gregory went and the expe Ainsworth’s from bonus One way, the on are signings More “We have a big squad,” said Ains said squad,” big a have “We key. the is depth in Strength Born in Blackburn, May 10, In 2007/8 he made 16 2003 June in QPR Joined Previous clubs are Cardiff SPORT 55 ------56 SPORT www.lbhf.gov.uk 1 July 2008 1 July 2008 www.lbhf.gov.uk SPORT 57 SPORTING LIFE SPORTING LIFE Tahj John, 11, GIRLS’ COMPETITION of John Betts district athletics at linford christie stadium>> School, said: “I’m School really tense. I’m Points Position taking part in the 06 Brackenbury 58 1 Year 6 relay and high jump and 21 St Stephen’s 41 2 I’m quite scared 23 Good Shepherd 25 3 because I haven’t trained much.” Stars are a bit too soon for 2012 13 John Betts 24 =4 19 St Peter’s 24 =4 Jamella Sampson, 11, 04 All Saints 23 =6 of Brackenbury 22 Larmenier Sacred Primary, said: 23 =6 “I’m feeling really Heart good because my 26 Wormholt Park 22 8 school’s come but 2016 Olympics is beckoning! first in everything 17 Old Oak 17 9 so far. I definitely think we can win u Brackenbury has overall title Deryck Fill said the meeting was a great 05 Bentworth 16 =10 the trophy today.” day out enjoyed by the children and adults 11 Canberra 16 =10 success at schools’ athletics day who attended. Charlie Lowe, u The Hammersmith primary “The weather behaved itself and all of 12 Greenside 14 12 11, of St Peter’s C of E Primary comes top of the girls’ us were treated to some very fine athletic 20 St Mary’s 13 13 endeavours,” he said. School, said: “I competition while Larmenier 29 Sulivan 11 14 hope I can win “It could be the start of something, too the 400m sprint. and Sacred Heart wins the boys’ soon for 2012 but maybe 2016.” 14 Kenmont 8 =15 We’ve all trained contest at borough stadium Brackenbury also came top in the 32 Langford 8 =15 a lot and done overall girls’ competition ahead of St quite well so far.” 02 Miles Coverdale 7 17 madeline healey Stephen’s and Shepherds Bush’s Good Shepherd school. 15 Lena Gardens 4 18 ATHLETES from Brackenbury Hammersmith’s John Betts Pri- 08 Queens Manor 3 19 Andre McKoy, 11, Primary have proved their sporting mary won the girls’ Year 6 relay while of St Peter’s C of prowess. Brackenbury won the Year 5 event. 01 Addison 0 20 E Primary School, The school, from Brackenbury Road The team from Larmenier and Sacred came fourth in the Year 6 relay in Hammersmith, finished first in the field Heart won the boys’ overall competi- race and said: of 20, ahead of St Stephen’s, of Shepherds tion ahead of Hammersmith’s St Peter’s BOYS’ COMPETITION “I’m happy with Bush, and Hammersmith’s Larmenier Primary School. School Points Position the result, but we and Sacred Heart, at the annual District Larmenier and Sacred Heart was 22 Larmenier Sacred could have done Athletics Meeting held at Linford Christie unbeatable in both the boys’ Year 5 and 43 1 better.” Heart Stadium. Year 6 relay events. The event was run by the Mr Fill said all the schools had done 19 St Peter’s 34 2 Emmie Sheehan Hammersmith & Fulham Primary very well. 06 Brackenbury 28 3 Cozens, seven, Schools’ Sports Association on June 18. “It was good to note that every school 21 St Stephen’s 27 =4 of St Mary’s Winning schools, as well as individ- scored in the overall league table,” he Catholic Primary, ual winners, will take home medals and 26 Wormholt Park 27 =4 said: “I’m nervous said. and excited. I’ve certificates after a presentation day l See the table on the right to find out 04 All Saints 24 =6 this Friday at the Town Hall. Organiser been training where the schools finished. 20 St Mary’s 24 =6 in the park and running is my 23 Good Shepherd 20 8 favourite sport.” 14 Kenmont 19 =9 15 Lena Gardens 19 =9 Rachel Shannon Quinn, nine, of St 01 Addison 16 11 Mary’s, said: “I’m 17 Old Oak 15 12 really excited! I’m taking part 13 John Betts 14 =13 in ball throwing, 29 Sulivan 14 =13 the 100m year 5 relay and an active 11 Canberra 11 15 the 100m girls lifestyle: Solmaz 12 Greenside 7 =16 sprint.” Aslan of St Peter’s in the high jump (above), the All 32 Langford 7 =16 Toby Hall, 11, Saints team in the relay 05 Bentworth 4 18 of Greenside (below), Naveed Majid of 02 Miles Coverdale 1 19 Primary said: Canberra school (right) “I’m definitely and spectators cheering 08 Queens Manor 0 20 feeling confident on their friends at Linford about throwing, Christie Stadium (above) but I’m a little bit OVERALL nervous about the relay and the 150m run.” COMPETITION School Points Position Osama Alfellini, 06 Brackenbury 86 1 11, of Old Oak Primary, said: 21 St Stephen’s 68 2 “Our school won 22 Larmenier Sacred the trophy last 66 3 year, and we’ll Heart try our best to 19 St Peter’s 58 4 win it this year. I’m taking part in 26 Wormholt Park 49 5 throwing.” 04 All Saints 47 6 23 Good Shepherd 45 7 Dan Keenan, 11, of Old Oak 13 John Betts 38 8 Primary, said: 20 St Mary’s 37 9 “We dropped the baton in the 17 Old Oak 32 10 relay and didn’t 11 Canberra do too well. I’m 27 =11 disappointed with 14 Kenmont 27 =11 the result.” 29 Sulivan 25 13 15 Lena Gardens 23 14 Kelisha Gibbons- Desouza, 10, of pass it on: 12 Greenside 21 15 Langford Primary, Angel Ukuekw of 05 Bentworth 20 16 said: “I’m feeling St Stephen’s in the 01 Addison okay about the relay (left) and Sayne 16 17 high jump but my 32 Langford legs were shaky Cabrera runs for 15 18 for my first race on their marks: The Brackenbury in the 02 Miles Coverdale 8 19 Year 6 event (above) because I was so 70m Year 3 heat (top), and Eishana 08 Queens Manor 3 20 nervous.” Thomas from Canberra Primary in PICTUREs by leigh the long jump (above) quinnell 58 SPORT www.lbhf.gov.uk 1 July 2008 SPORTING LIFE

Torch lights the kwik cricket competition>> way for youth sport in London In a somewhat less controversial way to the Olympic Torch, the symbol of London’s youth games came to the borough. It hosted the The Balfour Beatty London Youth Games’ official torch as part of a tour of the capital. Hammersmith & Fulham Mayor, Councillor Andy Johnson, was presented with the torch l New King’s l John Betts l St Stephen’s by a group of competitors from the borough’s Youth Games Team at Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green. The torch is travelling across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London on its way to Brack to Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, where the finals weekend will be held on July 5-6. This year’s Balfour Beatty London Youth Games will see 25,000 young Londoners take the future part in 33 different sports u All-borough finals held to find a representative for H&F at the Youth Games l Sulivan over the next month, from cycling to athletics and u Brackenbury are winners for the third year running after beating Sir John sailing to weightlifting. Lillie in a masterful performance at Shepherds Bush Cricket Club

TOM DERBYSHIRE between Brackenbury v New King’s and Sir John Lillie v Sulivan. North and south came together Brackenbury defeated New for an all-borough battle of the King’s in a thriller where the result bats for the privilege of represent- was not determined until the final ing Hammersmith & Fulham. ball. Sir John Lillie won the second Brackenbury school in Bracken- semi convincingly. bury Road, Shepherds Bush, were In the final Brackenbury were the winners in the H&F Primary the victors by 40 runs. School Kwik Cricket competition. The win completed an undefeat- They will now be the pride of the ed day for the school and ensured borough in the Youth Games, taking it was a hat-trick of titles after on schools from across London in securing the competition l Greenside Regents Park in this quicker version now for the last three years. light touch: of the game. H&F Mayor Andy Johnson The previous round saw teams welcomes the youth games divided into north and south of torch visit at Lady Margaret H&F, with Greenside, Sir John Lil- School in Parsons Green lie, Brackenbury, Peterborough, Su- livan, John Betts, New Kings and St Chance to work Stephen’s going through to the next stage. on cricket skills For this round, at Shepherds Forget England’s efforts Bush Cricket Club, the schools were against New Zealand – divided into two pools and played cricket can be enjoyable. three matches each before finals W12 Community were played. Cricket offers you the running in: Samuel Craig of Sulivan The two semi-finals were played chance to learn or improve (above) comes in to bowl your skills under the l supervision of a fully Sir John LIllie trained coach. Over four sessions in just the et: July and August you will wick practise batting, bowling Harry Riley (with shield), and fielding skills. Hirrash Ahmed, To test your improved Kane Brosens, skills there will be a final Jack Walker, cricket match. Amy Dhindsa, The sessions will be Arthur Morgan, held at Latymer Upper Frank Vincent, School’s cricket ground Shazeel Ahmed in Wood Lane, Shepherds and Frank Bush. Training will be on Beere, from Thursdays, July 10 and the winning 17, and August 7 and 14, Bracken- between from 6pm-8pm. bury team The final cricket match l Peterborough will at the same venue on Sunday, August 17, between 2pm-6pm. For more information contact: Jardine Finn, sports run-up: Neno development officer, Room Dodds bowls for 37, Hammersmith Town John Betts (left) Hall, W6 9JU, or call 07903 864846. PICTUREs BY leigh Quinnell 1 July 2008 www.lbhf.gov.uk SPORT 59 SPORTING LIFE CLUB OF THE WEEK FAN ZONE

l William Foulke was a big presence in his area. A very big presence. Tim Harrison looks back at a Blues keeper who was described as worth his weight in gold With Petr Cech pledging his future at Chelsea until 2012 (pocketing a handy £20,000-a-week rise in the process), it’s worth going back a century to look at the impact of the Blues’ first star keeper, William Foulke. He stood 6ft 3in in an era when 5ft 8in was considered imposing. More amazingly for a sportsman, he weighed 26 stone. Although size 12 boots are not exceptional today, they caused a sensation in 1905. The keeper in Chelsea’s first season (and the first club captain), Foulke traded on his bulk by ambling on to the pitch at Stamford Bridge followed by the smallest player in the squad, a 5ft 4in minnow called Martin Moran. During the game, the two smallest ball boys would be stationed behind the posts, to further emphasise his awesome girth. Foulke summed up a Chelsea club attitude which has persisted down the years – whether or not you are winning trophies, give the crowd entertaining characters. The club’s first manager, John Tait Robertson, said of him: “As a draw alone, he is worth his weight in gold.” Pooling talent: The Penguins ladies – Jon Lake (coach), Charlotte Hanson, Lorelle Dooley, Charlie Parkinson, Rebecca Fraser, Lis Holmes, Katie Nicknamed Little Willie, Foulke was a Collins, Rebecca Donoghue, El Thomson, Kate Allum, Karla Vega-Ponce, Morgen-Rae Graham, Claire Martin, Kelly Miller natty dresser, favouring the clothes shops either side of Fulham Broadway Tube station – or Walham Green as it was called. With a size 24 collar, everything had to be specially made. The shop girls affectionately referred A splashing bunch to him as ‘Baby’. Foulke was a skilled all-round keeper, but his real speciality was in Amazingly for saving penalties. a sportsman, of swimming fans Despite his intimidating size, he weighed Club name: West London Penguin he was surprisingly Swimming and Water Polo Club nimble, hurling his 26 stone colossal body through Nickname: Penguins the air to block spot-kickers’ efforts. Once the ball had been smothered, the HOME ‘GROUND’: Pools used include St Chelsea forwards rapidly“ set off upfield. Paul’s School in Barnes and Fulham Pools Foulke’s tactic was to hurl the ball as far as he could, and the strikers’ task was to WHAT DIVISION DO YOU PLAY IN? intercept and go for goal. National and London leagues. In training sessions, despite the fact that old, waterlogged leather footballs weighed Describe your club: Historically a lot more than their curling modern based in and around Hammersmith, Penguin equivalents, he could fling them beyond the has been the leading London water polo club halfway line. for many years. The first Chelsea programme described Shropshire-born Foulke as ‘as fine a When was the club formed specimen of manhood as ever stepped and why? After the first world war, as a on the field’. It continued: “In spite of his swimming and water polo club for the local bulk, he possesses all the activity of a cat, area. combined with the playfulness of a kitten.” It was another 60 years before the real How are you doing this TRUNKS CALL: The men – (back row, l to r) Attila Banhidy, Nick Beard, Peter Csorgo (player coach), Cat – 1970 FA Cup winner Peter Bonetti – season? Just finished second (women) David Standley, Paul Skerm, Gergely Fabian, Mark Bullerwell, Steve Cooter, Bruce Elder and Ian would pull on the green jersey, but the Blues and fourth (men) in the British Championships. Grimwood (team manager). Front: Paul Tselentis, Karl Montfort, Taka Ota and Gavin Whittaker. obviously enjoyed feline comparisons even Other members, not in the photo, are Jon Whatley, Mike Bond, Wayne Jacobs, Ed Morris, Oliver then. Any funny stories? Water polo Djordijevic, Rowan Liebbrandt, Matthew Glass, Adam Collins, Matt Fox and Leon Smith Foulke signed for Chelsea’s inaugural used to be played regularly at the old Lime team from Sheffield United for £50. Grove baths off Shepherds Bush Green. In and was selected to the ‘World VII’ at the should know about? Sadly he only lasted at the Bridge for the days before TV, spectators would queue games. We run junior water polo sessions on a single season. His final game (a clean around the block to watch. The royal family Saturdays at St Paul’s School in Barnes from sheet) attracted the second biggest crowd used to watch water polo in those days. what makes your club stand 12.30-2pm. Details are on our website: www. of the year. out? We are actively promoting water polo londonpenguin.com Paying tribute to Foulke’s performance What are the club’s biggest for young kids in the London area, and trying We are going to start introductory water after one match, an exasperated opponent achievements? The current Olympic to increase participation in schools and swim- polo sessions at Fulham Pools on a Friday told a newspaper: “When he came out and men’s team coach and national performance ming clubs. next term, and there will be a borough put his arms out, it was as though darkness director are both former Penguin players. team competing in the first mini water polo had come over the goal.” Any potential stars for the competition at the London mini youth games At 6ft 5in, Petr Cech may edge Foulke Who are the unsung heroes future? Rachel Bull is a 16-year-old cur- (U11). Miguel Ortiz in sheer height. At £90,000 a week he at your club and why? Our great- rently playing with the junior team who has just certainly edges Foulke’s fiver plus bonuses. est hero in recent memory was Ron Turner made the GB development squad. CLICK ON But when it comes to body mass index, who died last year while cycling in Shepherds Little Willie was in a league of his own. Bush aged 80. He was an Olympian in 1956 Anything coming up we www.londonpenguin.com