Idol Hopeful to US Sensation

Chris Daughtry was just another American rock star wannabe. But now he has gone on to be one of the best singers in the USA and his name is known worldwide. I for one have a lot of respect for his music and I struggle to find a song that I dislike. So, how did he turn from just an ordinary man on the American streets to a music phenomenon?

Denver, Colorado. In January 2006 Chris Daughtry walked in to the famous audition room to face Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and of course, Simon Cowell. His initial performance of “The Letter” by the Boxtops wasn’t exactly mind blowing but it was enough to put him through to the next round. Many critics, including Cowell himself, complained Daughtry was too raw, too robotic and his style of music choice didn’t suit his voice. But as he went on to sing covers of songs by Bon Jovi, Fuel, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Bryan Adams and even Elvis Pressley, it became clear by the time Daughtry reached the final in May that he was far from “too robotic”.
Even he was in shock when he was announced as fourth place finisher after it coming down to himself and Katherine McPhee, Simon Cowell obviously had a change of heart at some point to declare that he felt Daughtry shouldn’t have been eliminated. Since then Chris formed his own alternative rock group installing himself as lead singer. The band has gone on to be one of the most successful acts out of American Idol, behind Carrie Underwood & Kelly Clarkson. Some of his songs are now so popular they are known to be listened to as far away as China & Korea. “It’s Not Over”, “Used To”, “Home”, “Over You” & “Crashed” were just a few of the fantastic songs to come out of the opening album released in late 2006. This year the band released their new album and hit it off with the American public straight away with box hit songs such as “No Surprise” & “Life After You”.

The band has now gone on to win multiple awards across 2007 & 2008 including best rock album, best breakthrough band, top new artist & world’s best selling rock group. Their song “Home” took home an individual award for the best rock song of 2007. So from just being an ordinary man on the dusty roads of Colorado, Chris Daughtry has become one of America’s top musicians and I can be pretty sure we will be hearing more from him in the near future, it will certainly keep me pleased.

Interview with Brad Drew

Brad Drew, Aussie rugby player for the Huddersfield Giants, spared me some time in November to give an insight into life back home at the Galpharm, his ongoing injury saga and aims for the upcoming Super League season.

When you think of Rugby players, you imagine a big, bald man with broad shoulders and a rough accent, well as you can see Mr Drew fitted the bill perfectly. Brad isn’t the most well known player in the Rugby world, but his try in 2005 for the Giants against Wigan, where he ran over 80 metres before touching down will always live long in the memory at the Galpharm.
After walking into the physio room after a quick detour through the home dressing room, Drew was sat down, knee heavily bandaged and in the company of Leroy Cudjoe. I felt it was necessary to start on the subject of his injury. It wasn’t a serious one, but enough to have kept him out of pre-season and probably the first few matches, which coincidentally I felt privileged to deliver him the news that the Giants would face Bradford on the first day of the new season. I moved on to what the Giants were trying to achieve this season, after their most successful Super League season to date, Drew stated that they were determined to put “last year’s wrongs, right”. Referring to their defeat in the play-offs and Challenge Cup final loss to Warrington at Wembley. After spending three seasons at Wakefield Wildcats, Drew had missed Huddersfield’s recent breakthrough but knew all about losing a Cup final, after experiencing the same pain with the Wildcats back in 2006. When discussing the Super League, Brad said “It’s everyone’s dream to walk out at Old Trafford, it’s what we aim for at the start of the season, what we talk about and everyone is determined to make it happen.”

Moving onto individuals (I felt it was the time to be nosy), I asked what effect a player of the calibre of Brett Hodgson had had on the side. Hodgson, full Australian international joined the Giants last year and obviously had an instant impact. Drew: “Brett’s an awesome player, I wasn’t here last season but he obviously would have a great effect on the team, anyone with his experience would.” Brad was a new signing at the Galpharm this winter, but he was joined by local boy Lee Gilmour, who funnily enough lives around the corner from me. “The other new lads have settled in great, we’re very strong now, players like Lee only enhance that and I think we have a great chance this season.” Now for the question I didn’t quite know what reception I’d get to. Paul Whatuira had recently been involved in an affray case and had been seriously affected by the incident. But as I expected, when I questioned Drew on it he said the players didn’t discuss it, but they were all 100% behind Whatuira and it would only strengthen their team bond.

I decided to end on more generalized questions. Rugby League is a very northern sport, only the Catalan Dragons are from the south; well, further south than south to be honest. The French side joined a whole host of northern sides a few years ago and I guessed the rivalry must be very heated, when you imagine teams like Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford, Hull, Wakefield and others going up against each other week in, week out. “The rivalry is intense sometimes, particularly at places like Castleford and Hull, the fans always make a great atmosphere and that’s one of the special things about Rugby League.” I finished off with a personal question to Brad himself, what had been his most memorable moment in his career. Unfortunately for him, the two he named were both defeats, but he insisted that playing infront of 80,000 at Wembley and over 90,000 in the NRL final over in Australia were moments that would live with him forever. Brad was a real nice guy, typical outgoing Aussie and a sense of humour to go with it.
Interview took place November 18th 2009

LOST

LOST is one of those shows that is there to be loved, or to be hated. After gripping most of the US since its premier in 2004 it has also captured the imagination of many people around the world, especially here in the UK. Personally, I never found the time for it. But in recent months after seeing the first two pilot episodes, aired 5 years previously, I was gripped and knew from that moment I would end up watching the 102 episodes that followed.

Now that Series 6 has begun, I have found myself gripped as I would be to any clever TV show, being able to at least watch the show at the same time as everybody else. Everything there is to love, never-ending mysteries and a diverse cast mixture who have blended together brilliantly and add to the psychotic exposure that is the LOST setting. When watching for the first time, all I knew previously was that a plane crashed on an island, I had no idea of the ensuing mayhem and endless back stories which were involved in a much bigger plot, and the surface is only just being scratched in that sense.

Actors such as Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lily, Terry O’Quinn, Josh Holloway & Michael Emerson have made the show a joy to behold, with their uniqueness and diverse personalities, have allowed the directors to manipulate stories in ways which other shows could only dream. Each has their own back-story, and because of the range of cast members (American, English, Australian, South American & African), have made the range of back stories for each character more complex which add to the whole story of LOST.

The show is something that hooks you, it wasn’t something I ever imagined myself to enjoy, I really didn’t think I’d have the patience. But once a growing sense of mystery dawns upon you there isn’t really any way in which I thought I was going to go back.

Meanwhile, J.J Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have done a fantastic job on creating the epic storyline and bringing it all to a close. As I write this, we are partially way through the final series, but when you read it everyone will know the ending. I hope after six years of hard work the directors and writers together give an ending the show deserves and leaves the audience satisfied with what they have seen, and that they will rest their minds in the knowledge they found out what they wanted to.

Interview with Andy Booth

Legend is a term used very loosely in football nowadays, but in terms of League One side Huddersfield Town, Andy Booth is just that. Over the course of seventeen years he made 293 appearances for the Terriers and claimed his 150th in his final game to become the clubs third top goalscorer ever. In January he spared a few moments with me to reveal his love of football, life at Huddersfield and his opponents.

As a football fan myself, it was fascinating to get an insight into the life of a footballer, especially who they enjoyed playing against. It makes it a realisation of what goes on in the Sport you love, and Andy had certainly played against some of the best. I decided to get an in-depth look at his career and whom he had enjoyed playing with, and against. He and Ronnie Jepsom struck up a brilliant partnership in the early nineties and it was of no surprise to me that he named Ronnie as the best striker he’d played with, some achievement when you take into account he’s also played with the likes of Paolo Di Canio & Les Ferdinand. The late nineties was his next subject of praise, naming the Arsenal defence of Dixon, Keown, Adams & Winterburn as the toughest defense he’d faced. He went on to talk about their understanding of eachother. “They never spoke, they just knew where to go, what to do and were almost unbeatable.” Communication’s important in any team then yes? He also held Ruud Gullit in high regard, naming him as his overall toughest opponent, in the Dutchman’s days at Chelsea. It’s easy to forget someone who played his late career in the lower tiers also played with some of the best around.

The conversation then moved on to his personal achievements, mainly with Town. We discussed in detail the play-offs that took Huddersfield back to the third tier of English football in 2004. He said playing at the Millenium Stadium, aswell as Wembley, was a dream and to achieve it in such fashion was one of his proudest memories in football. In all fairness, Booth was a team player, no doubt a legend at the Galpharm and his goals that season along with aid of up and coming youngster Jon Stead certainly helped Huddersfield regain some glory after a miserable 2003 campaign. Talking of goals, Boothy revealed it was a great relief to him to secure his 150th Terries goal in his final game in 2009. “I was on 148 with two games left, I managed to score in my last game here against Brighton, and then went to Leyton Orient and scored there too. It was a great feeling, it didn’t change our season but gave me something to walk away with.”

His passion for football was clear, he said he’d never even considered a career outside of football, even through education, so if football hadn’t come off he would really have been stuck for work! His passion for football shared that of former Town manager Neil Warnock, whom he named as the best manager he’d played with, closely followed by Peter Jackson. There aren’t many in the game who rival those two in terms of passion and flair when it comes to management. Andy had previously played for the England-U21 side, scoring 2 goals in just 3 games, but revealed he never harboured thoughts of the England squad, even when he was at Tottenham. “No, not really. I had a lot of injuries at the time and there were many strikers around who were getting more goals, it was just something that didn’t work out really.” That would have been another achievement to the Andy Booth collection.

Nowadays, Booth is an ambassador at Huddersfield Town. A role which covers promoting the club, and the people of Huddersfield. It appears Andy is enjoying his new found role inside the Galpharm, with more time on his hands to enjoy the football, and the arrival of new signings such as Lee Peltier & Jordan Rhodes, who had particularly caught the eye of the former striker. It was a pleasure interviewing such an icon of our local surroundings, especially in Sporting terms, and to get an insight into the life of a modern day footballer.
Interview took place January 25th 2010

England vs Spain

It’s a long running argument, who has the better league, England or Spain. Naturally, most Premier League followers believe it to be them, whilst followers of La Liga reckon that nothing beats the skill seen across the continent. Ok, so Spain have Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, Xavi & Iniesta, officially now ranked as the five best footballers on the planet. But what else do they have? They don’t have the unpredictability of a team like Wigan beating Chelsea, Liverpool’s slow decline down the league table and champions Manchester United crashing out the cup to a League One side. There were glimours of that in Spain this season when Real Madrid were miserably beaten 4-1 by third division side Alcorcon, but in Spain, this is a very rare sight. It is so uncommon that the big sides like Madrid and Barcelona drop points to teams near the bottom, whereas in England nowadays it is becoming more and more common that top sides are being beaten by teams you wouldn’t usually expect them to lose to.

The second part of my argument is the fans, yes the fans of the so called “big four” aren’t the greatest but beyond that the passion and flare that runs through them beats anything ever seen in La Liga. An atmosphere over here can have such an effect on a game, in August, Burnley had their first ever home game in the Premier League, and of all teams it was at home to Manchester United. The support of the home crowd has seen them through that game and many other matches at Turf Moor, whilst away from home, with a small support, the team has stuttered and failed to win, showing just what effect an atmosphere can have on a match. Even down to the depths of League 1 & 2, fans come out on the terraces, usually in freezing conditions every week to follow their side. Even Leeds United, who have fallen down the Leagues in recent years still turn out higher crowds than most of the bottom teams in the Premiership. Even the Millwall fans, yes we don’t condone violence but it definitely adds something different to the atmosphere when the Londoners’ turn up to play, an extra spice to the match which is sometimes from missing from places like Old Trafford and the Emirates.

There is no doubt that technically, the La Liga is a lot better. When players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo turn out on the same pitch, you can guarantee tricks, flicks and plenty of spectacular football. With the loss of Ronaldo last season the Premier League probably lost its best and most controversial player, which certainly gave La Liga some bragging rights for the summer, as Real Madrid were out spending over £250m worth of money on new talent to take over as the best team in the World. Manchester City tried a smaller version of that, but with nowhere near the same reputation as Real, they had no chance of grabbing such superstars.
Over here, I believe our league is much more physical, crunching tackles week in, week out, add an extra something to the game which always gets the crowd riled up. Sometimes though, the referees are easily capable of ruining this, too many times now a player is sent off for a good, hard tackle or a wrong decision. The play stops so much now it’s difficult to get a good passage of play going, perhaps the refs in Spain let play flow more, allowing better football and probably a better spectacle for the fans.

Overall, after many years of enjoying English football, I would have to say our league is better. Yes, we don’t have the players that Spain do anymore, but they don’t have our passion. But if it’s any consolation Spain fans, you probably have a better chance of winning the World Cup than we do!

Manchester United - A Season Of Change

Everything looked to be going so well. On the back of three Premier League titles in a row, two Champions League finals in a row, one of them successful, and a Carling Cup and World Club Cup trophy to go with the long list of trophies United had been collecting since 2007. When United won the league back in 2003, it seemed as if nothing would go wrong, but a transition period was on its way, with youngsters such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney etc about to make their impact onto the world stage.

This season, everything looked set up for another fantastic year for the Red Devils. But worries about the clubs financial situation were emphasised with the sale of World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a staggering £80m. This, coupled with the departure of Carlos Tevez to rival big spenders Manchester City, and things didn't look particularly fruity going into the new season. Sir Alex's signings left much to the imagination. The £16m spent on Wigan's Antonio Valencia was questionned, as was the free transfer of ex-Liverpool hero Michael Owen. United had originally planned to spend over £20m on Lyon's Karim Benzema, but he also decided to join the 'Real' revolution. So when his replacement signing turned out to be an injury prone free transfer, questions were more than likely going to be asked.

As usual with United, the season was full of ups and downs. Lets get the downs out of the way. United's first away trip of the season started with a trip to newly promoted Burnley, surely an easy three pointer. But no, the spirit of the Burnley team, coupled with the electric atmosphere and a one in a million strike from Robbie Blake, United crashed to defeat at Turf Moor, a result which would cost them dear. Chelsea were United's main rivals for the season and two defeats to the Blues did nothing to help Fergie's title ambitions. Both were highly contested and decided by questionnable refereeing decisions. John Terry's winner at Stamford Bridge after a debateable free-kick decision, and Didier Drogba being a country mile offside to put Ancelotti's men 2-0 up at Old Trafford, leaving United with next to no chance of a comeback. Coming up to christmas, Fulham were in inspired form under Roy Hodgson and Craven Cottage was becoming somewhat of a fortrace. United went in to the game with an injury ridden defense, with young Belgian Ritchie De Laet at right back and centre midfielders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher covering at centre back. The Reds crashed to a 3-0 hammering.

The major down in many United's fans hearts came at the turn of the decade. Leeds United visited Old Trafford for the first time in seven years, two divisions further down and nowhere near as strong as they once were. But the Yorkshiremen arrived at Old Trafford in great form, whereas the title holders were playing poorly. Despite a fairly strong side Jermaine Beckford gave the Whites an unexpected lead infront of a stunned Stretford End and sent Leeds on their way to glory. United's Wayne Rooney couldn't find the net after a stunning display by Leeds goalie Casper Ankergren, and a stellar performance from centre backs Richard Naylor and Aussie Patrick Kisnorbo. Despite the intro's of Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen the Reds couldn't break down the Leeds barrier. The Ecuadorian wreaked havoc on the wing and provided endless opportunities to equalize, but Leeds were threatening on the counter and Beckford could, and should, have wrapped the game up when he fired wide. Sub Robert Snodgrass struck the post but Leeds held on to strike a dagger into the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful.

More downs were to come in the face of Champions League woe. United had qualified from their group and swept aside AC Milan in a stunning display at Old Trafford. Despite taking a very early lead away to nemesis' Bayern Munich, United crumbled and conceded a late winner in stoppage time, at the same time as Wayne Rooney's 'ankle-gate' began, the England striker hobbling off as Bayern went on to score. In the return leg, United were in stunning form, Rooney had made a miraculous recovery, and the Reds were two up inside 6 minutes, before Nani added a third on the half hour mark. But Bayern pulled a goal back before the break and United were on edge.

Rafael's sending off after the break was the turning point, no thanks to an overreaction from Frenchman Franck Ribery, karma would hit the winger later in the tournament. But Bayern still needed someone to stand up and be counted, and Arjen Robben did just that late on with a sensational volley from outside the box. United should have been comfortably through to the semi's, and would have had a fantastic shout at a third consecutive final, but crumbled against the Germans at home.

Fortunately at United, there are always highs. Three late derby victories against City, thanks to Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, plus a great Carling Cup triumph after coming from behind against Aston Villa at Wembley. United's best performance arguably came at the Emirates. The counter attack is a fantastic form of football and the Reds used it to great effect three times through Nani, Rooney and Park Ji-Sung. Speaking of Nani, his emergence has been a major high point in the campaign and the Portuguese winger may finally be ready to take over from Ronaldo.

Things need changing this summer, money has to be spent if we are to regain our glory and challenge for supremecy once again.

World Cup Preview

With the World Cup just a few weeks away, the sense of anticipation that grips the universe is starting to build again. The tournament is a world wide phenomenon. This year I will try to bring to you the most thorough and interesting preview of the competition as possible, including insights from students, teachers and a few ex-footballers. I gathered an esteemed panel of students from Huddersfield New College Michael Handscomb, Jamie Eccles and Manvir Dhada, teachers Alan Brook and Nick Keddy, along with a few names you might find familiar with England sides of yester-year. Of course, the main focus is my very own preview of the World Cup itself, the competitors and how I feel all 32 sides will fair.

So then, you may expect me to start with England, but no, I’m not that biased. Group A doesn’t exactly look that exciting on paper, and to be honest it probably won’t be that exciting in the flesh either. Lets face it, France shouldn’t be there, but I won’t get hung up on that. Mexico are a very much improved team, which shone through at the last tournament, and I can’t see Uruguay or South Africa having much to offer. Lets face it, the latter is only there because they’re the hosts, but if Benni McCarthy sets the world alight I’ll eat my words. So, France & Mexico for me here.

Again, Group B, not looking a spectacle of entertainment. Under Diego Maradona Argentina have become a much poorer side, even with the flair of Messi and Tevez upfront. I can’t say I’d be quaking in my boots should England have to face them. Nigeria are a team that a World Cup wouldn’t be right without, they’re just sort of, there really. They have a few recognisable players, such as Obafemi Martins and Yakubu, but nothing to shout home about. Korea Republic look a decent team, a few players in there who are quite handy to have around, and usually fair pretty well at the big tournaments. Premiership talent such as Lee Chung-Yong and Park Ji-Sung make them appealing to progress. Finally, Greece. Hmmm, former Euro 2004 champions, yes it’s still hard to believe. Not all that anymore and I can’t see them offering much here. Unfortunately, Argentina will go through relatively untroubled and I believe Korea Republic will join them.

Now then, England. Nailed on World Cup winners (yeh right.) Not the toughest of groups if you look at it, and Capello’s men should cruise through, but we don’t exactly do it that way. I can’t say either Algeria or Slovenia worry me too much quite frankly. USA are a decent little outfit and have some quality running through their team. Players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Freddy Adu. Plus they showed they were no pushovers at last summers Confederations Cup. So, pretty simply, England & USA to qualify from Group C.

Group D really does look an interesting one. Germany have to be seen as clear favourites, hopefully anyway. I don’t fancy facing them in Round 2. They always pull through on the big occasions, well except the odd World War but that’s beside the point. But the battle for second will be intriguing. Australia have some good players. Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Mark Bresciano just to name a few. Serbia will be a tough nut to crack, literally. Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic at the back isn’t something I’d want to come up against, but Wayne Rooney might just have to. Ghana really impressed in 2006 but I don’t think they’ll have as good time of it this time around. Michael Essien is the one shining light amongst a team who may have already had their moment in the sun. Germany will top the group and I’m going to go for the work rate of Serbia to just pip the Aussies into second.

Group E is another one of those ‘lets just get this done with groups’. Netherlands look pretty comfortable in there, always fun to watch but always end up failing, even funner. Denmark have an annoying habit of always turning up once every four years, doing pretty much nothing and sloping back off to Scandanavia. Not my favourite team in the world. I could say the same about Japan, not a team who are considered ‘attractive’ but better than the Danes. Cameroon have a decent shout, Samuel Eto’o will always be a threat and that’s why I fancy Cameroon to join Netherlands in progressing.

In Group F, well, wow....Well, erm, no actually. Italy, couldn’t sit down and watch a more boring but effective side really. Players who will do anything to fall on the grass, yet always scramble through game after game, and end up World Champions! And unfortunately it appears they will win the group. I mean, New Zealand. They’re here mainly because Australia are now too good for Oceania. Slovakia are not the most feared opposition in the world and neither are Paraguay, with Roque Santa Cruz the only recogniseable figure. Fortunately for the South Americans, the other two sides besides Italy are so bad, they’ll go through with the current holders.

Now Group G is something to look forward to, nope, no sarcasm this time. Brazil. Have to love them. Robinho, Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, Lucio, Kleberson....ok I went too far. Anyway you get the point. They’re joined by Portugal. England’s nemesis. Cristiano Ronaldo aside, they aren’t what they once were. They’d probably still beat us, it’s tradition after all. I really fancy Ivory Coast here though. Didier Drogba upfront will give the others something to worry about, and Aruna Dindane of course. But poor North Korea, I doubt this was exactly what they wanted. Brazil will qualify for me, and to be controversial, I reckon Ivory Coast will join them. Cya Portugal.

Last but not least, Group H. Spain will walk it, end of discussion. Seriously though, they’re my favourites by a mile. Torres, Villa, Silva, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol and Casillas. Cesc Fabregas doesn’t even make the first team for gods sake. Switzerland, hmmm, just remember what I said about Denmark. Not the team I want to watch to be honest. Honduras could be underated. With Wilson Palacios at the heart of things, I could see them being a surprise. Chile don’t fuss me either. I’d like to name you some of their players to look out for, but I don’t know any, so therefore I won’t. Spain will walk the group, and I’ll go out on a limb and say Honduras will be joining them.

The Panelists View
Who do you think will win the World Cup?
Jamie Eccles: Spain
Michael Handscomb: Brazil
Alan Brook: Spain
Nick Keddy: Spain
Me: Spain
Gareth Southgate: Spain

Who do you think will be the best player?

Jamie Eccles: Xavi
Michael Handscomb: Wayne Rooney
Alan Brook: Lionel Messi
Nick Keddy: Cesc Fabregas
Me: Andres Iniesta
Gareth Southgate: Lionel Messi

Who do you think will be the surprise team of the tournament?

Jamie Eccles: Algeria
Michael Handscomb: Ivory Coast
Alan Brook: Ivory Coast
Nick Keddy: USA
Me: Honduras
Gareth Southgate: France

Who do you think will be the top goalscorer in the tournament?
Jamie Eccles: David Villa
Michael Handscomb: Wayne Rooney
Alan Brook: Fernando Torres
Nick Keddy: Fernando Torres
(No Spanish bias from the Business department!)
Me: Miroslav Klose
Gareth Southgate: David Villa

How far do you think England will progress?

Jamie Eccles: Semi-Finals
Michael Handscomb: Quarter-Finals
Alan Brook: Semi-Finals
Nick Keddy: To the airport in South Africa. Optimistic as ever Nick.
Me: Semi-Finals
Gareth Southgate: Quarter-Finals
(Bit of optimism goes a long way…)