MORE THAN A CLUB

The philosophy of football that breeds success

FC Barcelona are the ultimate exponents of the beautiful game. All conquering innovators with a brand of football that runs through the veins of the famous club like a lifeblood.

Take a leisurely weekend stroll around the dusty pitches that surround the Camp Nou and you will understand the reason why the football club have been so successful in producing a conveyor belt of supremely talented and composed footballers.
The mantra of ‘tiki-taka’ - short, sharp passing combined with effortless interchange of position, has been woven into the fabric of each side that wears the famous blaugrana and for many players at the club, especially those who have been there from an early age, it is all they know.At the centre of this ethos is La Masia, the 300-year-old former farmhouse that sits in the shadows of the famous stadium and which has been the beating heart of the Barça youth system since opening its doors in 1979.
For 32 years youngsters lived, ate and slept together as they were taught how to play the game with a passion seldom seem elsewhere. When La Masia closed its doors for the last time earlier this year, the evidence of success was plainly evident.
Youngsters that were schooled at the complex are now at the top of the world game. Players such as Xavi, Puyol and Iniesta were all residents there, as was the greatest of them all, Lionel Messi.
The man who has had arguably the biggest impact on the way football is taught and played at Barça is Johann Cruyff, a name now synonymous with the  football club.  It is said the Dutch maestro suggested the club should introduce a system similar to that at his former side Ajax Amsterdam, who enjoy a common philosophy of the game from an early age. Like so many things involving 
the great man, he was proven right.
Cruyff returned to manage the club 10 years later and created the famous el dream team which included current manager and former La Masia resident, Pep Guardiola in its ranks. The team became the greatest in club history and swept all before them, including Sampdoria in the 1992 European Cup Final, to create a legacy that the current crop of players are continuing with aplomb.
The next generation of La Masia graduates are now also ready to make their mark on the first team and players such as Thiago Alcantara, Marc Muniesa and Andreu Fontas all have exciting futures in the game.
The bad news for opponents who thought the closure of La Masia meant an end to the production line of star players is the development and scouting system at Barça has grown stronger. The New Masia is up and running at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, a state of the art complex built in 2006, and youngsters are given the very best coaching and fitness training available.
With new UEFA financial constraints on the horizon, youth development has never been so important to future success of football clubs and as we speak, the next Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta are waiting in the wings of the famous Catalan cathedral of football.

FRUSTRATION AS DRAWS CONTINUE IN COPA

URUGUAY...........1
Suarez 45

PERU...................1
Guerrero 23

Uruguay were guilty of missing a host of chances as they were held to a frustrating draw by Peru in tonight's Group C clash in San Juan.

Last years World Cup semi-finalists went into the game hoping to inject some much needed flair into an otherwise disappointing Copa America, and started the game as overwhelming favourites.

Coach Oscar Tabarez fielded a formidable attacking trident of Edison Cavani, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez as the 14-time Copa winners looked for victory at the Estadio del Bicentario.

Despite dominating possession in the opening exchanges, Uruguay failed to create any real problems for their opponents and there were few signs of the attacking flair witnessed in South Africa 12 months ago.

Forlan tried his luck from 30 yards and Cavani almost broke free in the area, but there was little of note to test the Peruvian goalkeeper.

In the 23rd minute Uruguay were caught on the back foot when some slack defending allowed Guerrero to latch onto a looping through ball, round the keeper and stroke into an empty goal to give Peru a shock lead.

The goal sparked Uruguay into life and they mounted a late surge towards the end of the half.

Forlan and Suarez both forced the keeper in to saves as they searched for the equaliser, and the Liverpool hitman finally got the goal on the stroke of half time to send the sides into the break level.

The goal seemed to give Uruguay the momentum and they came out in the second half with a much more positive attitude which put their opponents immediately on the back foot.

Tabarez's men seemed to step up a gear in the search for the crucial second goal - playing some stylish football which overwhelmed the Peruvians at times.

Juan Vargas was thrown on with half an hour to go as Peru battled to stem the tide, but his introduction had little immediate effect as Uruguay continued to flood forward in search of the win.

In the 68th minute Forlan missed a glorious opportunity after he was played in by a neat ball from Suarez - the Atletico Madrid forward a frustrated figure as the ball went well wide.

Moments later Vargas almost punished the when he smashed the ball across the Uruguay goal only to see it fly just wide of the post.

Peru continued to prove a threat on the counter attack but it was Uruguay who looked more likely to score, and Forlan again went close with a free kick that glanced off the wall.

Despite their efforts, Uruguay lacked the end product as clever approach play was let down by a clumsy final touch time and again.

The sucker punch almost came with seconds remaining as Guerrero missed a guilt-edged opportunity to score after good work down the left by Vargas, but it was the Peruvians who were the happier of the two sides as the referee brought the game to an end with the score remaining level.










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COLOMBIA BEAT SPIRITED COSTA RICA

Colombia                            1
Ramos 45

Costa Rica                           0

Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy.

Colombia took a significant step towards the knock-out phase of the Copa America tonight after dispatching an inexperienced Costa Rica side 1-0 in San Salvador de Jujuy.

Hernán Gómez’s men went into the game knowing victory would hand them the initiative in Group A following Argentina’s disappointing draw against Bolivia last night, and few predicted anything other than a comfortable win for los cafeteros against the unfancied Costa Ricans.

The Colombians began the game as overwhelming favourites against their youthful opponents but Costa Rica, whose squad features nine players who have never been involved in the senior set-up before, started brightly as they looked to settle any early nerves.

The first real chance fell to Fredy Guarin in the 11^th minute when the Porto midfielder tested Leonel Moreira from 30 yards only to see his effort scrambled away by the rookie keeper.

Moreira, who was making his first appearance for the senior side, was called into action again moments later when he denied Ramos after the Colombian turned smartly in the area.

Colombia grew in confidence as the game wore on, with Guarin a constant threat in the midfield but Costa Rica battled well to frustrate their more experienced opponents and looked to create chances of their own.

Randall Brenes saw red on 28 minutes after his crude challenge left Luis Perea in a heap at the referee’s feet, and the momentum of the game looked to be with the Colombians.

Hernán Gómez brought on Hugo Rodallega to add to the attacking options but a solid Costa Rica defence continued to frustrate Colombia as they searched to break the deadlock.

The goal finally came moments before half time as Guarin played a glorious through ball into the path of Adrian Ramos who rounded the goalkeeper and calmly stroked the ball into an empty net to make it one-nil.

Costa Rica came out in the second half looking for a way back into the game but found it increasingly difficult as Colombia used the extra man to good effect to dominated possession with some impressive football.

Rodallega almost grabbed the second goal in the 54^th minute as his thunderous 30-yard effort had Moreira scrambling desperately across his goal to pull off a great save from the Wigan Athletic hitman.

Moments later Falcao rose unopposed in the area only to see his header thunder off the Costa Rican crossbar as Colombia threatened to run riot.

Despite their dominance Colombia found it difficult to break down a well organised Costa Rican defence as the game drifted towards its conclusion and finished without further goals.

Colombia now go into Wednesday’s tie with Argentina, topping Group A and know a win against the hosts would seal a place in the next round and throw competition wide open.


Colombia: Martinez, Yepes, Perea, Armero, Zuniga, Aguilar (Rodallega 33) , Bolivar, Guarin, Falcao, Ramos, Moreno (Gutierrez 69)

Costa Rica: Moreira, Acosta, Duarte, Salvatierra, Calvo, Guzman, Leal, Madrigal (Martinez 71), Mora, Brenes, Campbell (Elizondo 46)

Referee: E.Osses

Is the Global Game Dead?

What is the point of international football?
A week after less than 1000 people turned out to see the thoroughly inane encounter between Northern Ireland and Wales, I wonder if today’s fan even cares about the international game.

Club football is king today. The Uefa Champions League Final is arguably bigger than the World Cup and the Barclays Premier League involves so much money, that relegation brings a real danger of putting clubs out of business.
Fifa have shown they are unfit to run the world game in recent weeks, with bribery allegations dragging the governing body further down into the gutter, leaving question marks over where it goes from here.
A withdrawal from Fifa is an unlikely scenario for England and other national associations but maybe it is something they should consider?
The middle-aged suits that run the game have shown they have no concept of what is happening to the game around them and seem more focused on personal progression rather than footballing equality.
In my opinion club football will always come first for a fan and, if you listen to the constant complaints of managers, players play far too much football anyway, so what is the future for the international game? Does it have one?
There is no doubt that the World Cup is still an amazing spectacle but, for many, it is only a stop-gap until ‘real’ football starts again in August.  It could also be argued that the image of the World Cup has changed anyway.  A defensive feast of negativity and crude tactics. Cruyff and Neeskins must have been crying into their Oranjeboom when witnessing Holland’s dreadful tactics during the 2010 Final.

Would the loss of international football be such a blow for the ‘national’ game? I don’t think so.
As a fan living 200 miles north of Watford a trip to Wembley to see England is out of the question normally anyway so my only connection to them is through the television.
No World Cup would mean no qualifying tournaments and more rest for players, which in turn would mean less injuries and a better standard of club football. It would also have the benefit of avoiding the constant humiliation the England national team face when they make their usual premature exit.

This may seem like an extreme proposal but the way football is evolving, you never know.

SAMMON FISHING FOR GOALS

Connor wants to impress as Latics fight for survival

Latics’ debut maker Conor Sammon was delighted to finally get on the pitch for his new club yesterday and says there is a lot more to come as the side get ready for a crucial few months of Barclays Premier league football.

Speaking after the disappointing 1-0 defeat against Manchester City, the Irish under 21 international could not hide his delight at seeing his first action since arriving from Kilmarnock in January: “I am delighted to finally make my debut today,” Sammon said, “ It’s been a long time coming since I arrived at the club.

“The manager has been very patient with me since I arrived and has let me settle in to get a good few weeks of training under my belt and I feel it’s definitely helped me.”

The Dublin born striker got into a great position in stoppage time and almost grabbed a deserved equalizer, but the ball just skimmed the outside of Joe Hart’s goal and Sammon said: “I haven’t actually seen the replay yet but some of the boys said it may have even hit the post - to be honest I thought it was going in when I hit it.

“I am obviously disappointed it didn’t go in as it would have been a fantastic way to end a debut, but all I can do is keep working hard and getting in the positions and hopefully the goals will come. It didn’t happen today but I’ll keep my head up and keep trying.”

Sammon said he only found out he was in the squad when the gaffer put the team sheet up pre-game and he said: “I found out today in the team meeting and I was absolutely buzzing when I saw my name on the bench as it’s what I have been working towards since I came here four weeks ago.

“I m very keen to make an impression and help the boys out in the position we are in and I’m looking forward to playing many more games.

“I feel I’m ready and it would have been a fantastic way to mark my debut if it had gone in but I’ll keep plugging away at it.”

He also praised club staff for the support they have given him and said: “They’ve been great, I’ve been working very hard on the training ground and the boys have been fantastic, they’ve been brilliant helping me get up to speed with fitness and sharpness.

“When you get an opportunity off the bench, it’s a great  chance to show what you can do and stake a claim for a permanent place, and I’m looking forward to the next game when I can hopefully I keep pushing.”

“I’m keen to come here and challenge for a first team spot and I’ll be working extremely hard to force my way in.”

Sammon believes the club have what it takes to drag themselves off the foot of the table and is ready to give his all in the fight for survival: “It’s definitely possible to stay up,” he said, “ we’ve got a confident bunch of lads here at the club and we take it one game at a time.
“I’m very confident I can help the team and provide some goals, and if I can do that I’ll be delighted. I’m also very focused on the job in hand and I am eager to help the team progress up the league table.

“After coming on today I’ll be looking to do the same again in future games and maybe even push for a start in a couple of weeks time.

“The next game is Birmingham at home and I can’t wait for that to come around, it will be a crucial game for the club, as they all are at this stage, and I’ll be giving my all to get us out of trouble.

“We definitely have enough quality and fight in this side and I believe we can prove that by turning our good performances into positive results.”

MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 WIGAN ATHLETIC

Last gasp Sammon chance almost rescues point

MANCHESTER CITY 1Silva 37

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

Latics went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at big spending Manchester City today but a magnificent second-half performance meant they came away from Eastlands with their heads held high.

Roberto Martinez's men dominated the second-half and almost grabbed a stoppage time equaliser, but eventually went down to a first-half David Silva strike that leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Latics started the game brightly and won a corner within the opening minute but it was the home side who created the first real chance when Mario Balotelli forced Ali Al-Habsi into a smart save as the Italian tried his luck from 30 yards.

The game flowed as both sides showed good movement with Latics more than a match for their high-flying hosts.

Tom Cleverley and Hugo Rodallega both saw chances go wide before Carlos Tevez burst into the area for City only to see Adrian Lopez make an excellent challenge to stop him.

The Argentinian had Latics in danger again on 22 minutes as he beat two players to get into the area before fizzing a shot just wide of Al Habsi's post.

Moments later David Silva fired one past the other post as Latics battled to stem the pressure applied by City, while trying to mount counter-attacks of their own.

James McCarthy blasted an effort over the bar on the half hour mark as Latics tried to find their way back into a game that was becoming increasingly frustrating for the home side as they missed a number of good chances.

The deadlock was finally broken on 37 minutes when an Adrian Lopez slip allowed Silva  to fire a low shot past Al-Habsi, who will be disappointed he did not do better to keep the ball out.

Latic's continued to fight but the sides went in at the break separated by the Spaniard's effort.

The second-half started well for Latics as they passed the ball with a sharpness lacking in the opening 45 minutes, and Antolin Alcaraz almost brought the teams levels on 47 minutes with a deft volley that beat Joe Hart but not the frame of the goal.

McCarthy was influential in the centre as he looked to find an opening for Latics, ably supported by Cleverley and Momo Diame who started to cause City problems as the game progressed.

On 60 minutes McCarthy forced Joe Hart into a spectacular save as he struck a sublime 30 yard effort which the City keeper did well to palm away for a corner.

Latics looked a different side from the opening 45 minutes as they probed the home side's defence, with City begining to look nervous under the sustained attack from Martinez's men. This frustration soon spread around Eastlands as the game's momentum swung towards the visiotrs.

The introduction of Charles N'Zogbia added to their threat as the Frenchman looked menacing down the right flank, working well with the overlapping Steve Gohouri.

Despite the much improved second-halfperformance the goal would not come and City dug in to launch more attacks of their own in the final ten minutes, trying to finish the game off.

Conor Sammon replaced Diame with seven minutes remaining, making his Latics debut but the Irishman had little time to make an impact as they pushed for the elusive equaliser.

Rodallega had a chance in stoppage time but his scuffed effort was easily stopped by Hart in the City goal, and when Sammon wasted a guilt-edged opportunity moments later it was clear it was not going to be Latics' day.

The final whistle came leaving Latics to rue the missed chances that could prove costly in the relegation battle.


Latics:Al Habsi; Lopez (Gohouri, 67), Alcaraz, G.Caldwell, Figueroa, Diame (Sammon, 83), Watson, Moses (N'Zogbia, 59), McCarthy, Cleverley, Rodallega

Subs:Pollitt, Gohouri, Gomez, Thomas, N'Zogbia, Di Santo, Sammon

Man City:Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, Vieira, Y. Toure, Barry, Silva (De Jong, 82), Tevez (Dzeko, 85), Balotelli (Kolarov, 67)

Subs:Taylor, Kolarov, Dzeko, Boateng, Jo, De Jong, Boyata


http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10429,00.html

FUN TIME FOR FRANKIE

Gavin eases to dominant win

Exciting Birmingham southpaw Frankie Gavin produced an impressive display tonight as he dispatched Michael Lomax in a one-sided welterweight contest at the York Hall.
The former amateur world champion had too much class for his opponent and the end finally came with a seventh round stoppage after Gavin and dominated the fight.
Lomax had been a last-minute replacement when Gavin’s original opponent Jason Cook failed to make the weight, but the change did little to disrupt the Birmingham fighter as he boxed supremely to enhance his growing reputation.
Gavin went on the offensive from the opening bell and worked well behind a sharp jab that caught Lomax with alarming regularity throughout the fight.
The Birmingham prospect was tight in defence and landed a number of crunching body shots which wore Lomax down as the fight progressed.
Lomax fought bravely but had no answer as he was caught from a range of angles by Gavin who even switched to orthodox to connect with a quick combination.
By the six there was blood coming from Gavin’s nose and this seemed to give Lomax some brief encouragement but he was caught on the counter by his opponent every time he went on the offensive himself.
Gavin finally finished the fight off in the seventh when some good combination backed Lomax onto the ropes and his corner jumped in to save their fighter any more punishment.
Gavin can now look further afield after this impressive outing as he recorded his ninth straight victory since turning pro in 2009.

CAPTAIN'S ORDERS

Caldwell calls for focus during league run-in

Latics skipper Gary Caldwell was philosophical following Wednesday’s FA Cup defeat and now wants the side to focus their attention on the climax of the Barclays Premier League, starting with the visit of leaders Manchester United next week.
 The Scot was disappointed to exit the tournament at the fourth round stage but believes it now allows Latics to concentrate on the relegation battle: “Obviously it’s a blow as we wanted to go as far as we could in the cup,” he said, “ but we’ve got to take it on the chin, re-group and concentrate on eleven huge games for the football club.”
 “We’ve got a week off now and some good training where we can work hard as a group and get ready mentally and physically for the league leaders coming here, which will be a big test.
 “We’ve got to concentrate on our own job and, come the 22^nd May, we’ll hopefully have enough points to stay in this league.”

Caldwell played alongside his brother Steve at the heart of Latics’ defence against Bolton and the Scottish international  was impressed by his older sibling’s performance: “He played excellent, I thought he attacked the ball well and defended well,” he said, “ but it’s disappointing to lose. We didn’t pass as well as we can on a poor pitch. We didn’t play the conditions well and it cost us in the end.”

Suggestions that nine changes to the starting line-up had contributes to defeat were quickly rebuffed by Caldwell as he said: “The manager has done that all through the FA Cup and we’ve done really well. We played great at the Reebok with the same team so I don’t think that has got any bearing on the result or the performance.”
 The match also saw the defender sport a protective mask as he still recovers from the fractured cheekbone sustained against West Bromwich Albion earlier this month, and he said: “It’s something the doctor says I’ve got to wear because of the injury but hopefully I can get rid of it as soon as possible, but if it gets me on the park then I’ll wear it.
 “I wore it in training and it was ok but in games it does affect your peripheral vision slightly but like I said, if it gets me on the pitch to contribute then I’ll do anything I can for the team.”

Wednesday’s defeat now gives Latics a week off to prepare for the Manchester United game and Caldwell says the team are ready for the challenge: “The manager will show us what United are good at, give us options on how to deal with those things and what we’re going to do as a team.
 “I think we’ve shown enough this season that anyone coming here won’t fancy it and hopefully we can produce a good display, get the fans behind us and get a big win.
 “We’ve got talent all over the park to deal with them but they are a real threat when they’re on form.”

The skipper is pensive about the chances of survival and says all the side can do is concentrate on their own game and leave the talking to others: “Everyone on the outside world tells us who is going down and how many points are going to keep you up, but as a footballer you need to take it one game at a time. It’s an old cliché but that’s all you can do as you never know how many points it’s going to be.
 “All we can do is focus on our own performance and hopefully, with the talent we have got at this game, we will make sure we are safe at the end of the campaign.”


http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~2297717,00.html

POLLY PENSIVE AFTER LOSS

Keeper takes positives after night of cup heartbreak

Mike Pollitt was in reflective mood last night after Latics FA Cup run ended with a disappointing 1-0 fourth round loss to Bolton Wanderers at the DW Stadium.
 The defeat was frustrating for Pollitt but the keeper believes there were many positives to be gleaned from a game that otherwise gave little cheer for Latics faithful, especially the opportunity afforded the younger players to show the gaffer what they can do.
 “We’re obviously disappointed with the result,” he said, “but it gave everyone a chance to show the manager what we can do.
 “For lads like myself it gives us game time and a good opportunity to get into the gaffer’s reckoning, but it wasn’t to be tonight.”

The visitors had been fortunate to take the tie into the replay after Latics had performed magnificently at the Reebok Stadium two weeks ago, but Pollitt believes they probably deserved the victory last night: “We managed to do well in the first tie but it was always going to be tough tonight,” he said, “and all credit to Bolton as I think they deserved it.”
 “If you look at the two sides Bolton were all premier league players who play week in, week out but the lads who came in for us have done well as some of us haven’t played for a while.
 “It was difficult and looking back over the game then Bolton probably deserved it. They had two goals disallowed, hit the post, had a few shots I’ve saved, so if you’re looking at chances then the best side probably won on the night.”

Latics almost grabbed an equaliser when Jordi Gomez smashed a shot onto the Bolton crossbar mid-way through the second-half and Pollitt said: “We managed a little a counter-attack, I saw Franco running off and I managed to get it forward and into the box where it fell for Jordi, it would have been a good goal for us but it wasn’t to be.

“It would have given us a chance in the fifth round if we had won but it would have been difficult going down to Fulham but you never know, there’s always the chance to progress in the competition.”

Despite the disappointing cup exit Pollitt believes the team will re-group and can now focus on the fight for Barclays Premier League survival: “The other players came in tonight and have shown the manager what they have,” he said, “there is still eleven games left in the league campaign and we’ve got to give it everything we’ve got.
“We’re going to need all the bodies we have between now and the end of the season and hopefully we can work hard as a team and get the points to push us up the table and on to safety.”


http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~2295501,00.html

THE POLITICAL ACT OF REMEMBRANCE?

Why the nation selectively remembers it's War Dead.

It was the renowned satirist and American politician Benjamin Franklin who once so eloquently said: “Of two things in life you can be certain, death and taxes.”

To this list he could also have added a third certainty – war, for it seems, wherever man has tread, war has never been far behind.

 There are few places on earth that conflict has not touched at some moment in history and the world we live in today is shaped by conflict and continues to be so.

 Wars have begun for many different reasons throughout history whether it be religious, territorial, political or even, in the case of the infamous four day conflict between El Salvador and Honduras, over a football match.

 For whatever reasons there have been and where ever conflict has arisen there is also more certainty – there will be victims and lives will change forever.

 The traditional act of remembrance in this country has assumed more relevance in recent times as the casualty list grows from Afghanistan, with many people tiring of Britain’s involvement in a war that, in all honesty, surely cannot be won.

 Far off places such as Helmand and Sangin have become familiar names to a war-weary public – as has the small Wiltshire market town of Wooton Bassett, which its steady flow of returning flag-draped coffins.

The annual November parade of old soldiers, clad in an array of medals, first comes to mind when we think of Remembrance Day, as these men march in unison to pay respect to fallen comrades.

 But what of those victims who go largely forgotten at this time of year? Those veterans with unseen wounds as in the case of Gulf War soldier Andy P? What of those soldiers executed over 90 ninety years ago in such controversial circumstances? And how many wreaths are placed at the cenotaph for the volunteers who defied the British government and fought against fascism in Spain?

Those who have been killed or had their lives touched by war whilst outside the parameter of what is militarily acceptable seem less likely to be remembered.

 That is not to say those remembered every year are not deserving of the tributes they receive – these men and women warrant the upmost respect for their sacrifice and I challenge anyone to remain unmoved if they walk among the graves of a British war cemetery in France or Belgium, but what is undeniable is that many veterans do not receive the same focus.

When Andy P came back from the gulf in 1991 his life had changed more than he realised and instead of taking his place as a proud veteran among his comrades, he was kicked out of the army for drug taking.

 The fact that he was suffering from the experience of combat was not taken into account and he was left unsupported until finally securing a pension 15 years later with the help of the charity Combat Stress.

 Andy’s story is probably not an isolated case – and it would be interesting to see how the army’s treatment for combat veterans has evolved over the past 20 years.

 Despite this, there can be no doubt that those suffering from combat related psychological injuries today are better understood than those shellshock victims of the First World War.

 It is clear that a large number of the men executed by firing squad during that war were suffering from varying degrees of combat stress and the manner in which they were tried by courts martial was wholly inadequate.

 These soldiers were victims of circumstance in a period when the psychological effects of battle were not fully appreciated. They were also governed by army regulations that seem archaic by modern standards.

 The treatment these men received from the army was shocking and their deaths brought great shame and hardship to their families for many years after.

 The pardon granted to them in 2006 was, although welcome, little comfort as it came almost 90 years after the shameful events and the majority of those family members most affected have long since died.

It was a politically uncomfortable situation for both the government and the army following the war, and the victims went largely forgotten until the pardons were granted.

Politics also explain why the International Brigade veterans receive little national remembrance. They acted out of personal political conviction on the whole and defied the official government stance of non-intervention.

 The fact that many of these volunteers paid the ultimate sacrifice in a stand against fascism, is overlooked and it becomes more important when we see what happened when fascism brought the world into conflict soon after they had returned from Spain.

Ultimately it seems the national conscience of remembrance has been shaped by what has been politically and military acceptable to the higher echelons of power.

Many veterans are conveniently forgotten during these times of remembrance but they warrant the same respect as their former comrades who march with such pride every November for, after all, they are surely all victims of war. 

SHOT AT DAWN

The British soldiers killed as a deterrent to others during the First World War

 The memorial stands in a quiet corner of the National Arboretum near Lichfield and is a fitting place to contemplate the horror and pity of war.

   Unveiled on 21 June 2001 the white stone monument of a blindfold clad soldier was a pivotal part of the long campaign to grant pardons to the 306 British soldiers executed during the First World War.

   The Shot at Dawn Pardons Campaign began in the wake of controversy caused by the declassification of courts martial papers for the soldiers 20 years ago, which prompted calls for a case review of these young men who were ‘shot as an example to others’.

   There were claims the men may have been wrongfully killed due to a series of botched military trials. 

   Found guilty of cowardice or desertion by military courts martial many of these men were suffering from what was known in the fledgling days of psychiatry as war neurosis or shellshock.

   Eminent historian and author, Julian Putkowski, spent many years scrutinising the records and his book Shot at Dawn, co-written with Julian Sykes, was the first to publish the names of the executed men along with details of the courts martial proceedings.

Putkowski gave his support to the growing call for a pardon and, after a number of refusals by previous governments, the posthumous pardon was finally granted by the government in November 2006.

   The pardon was welcomed by the families and campaigners but Randie Cush, education officer at the NMA, says remembrance was still essential: “It is very important to remember all those lives lost, not forgetting their families,” she said: “pardoned or not, we still remembered them.”

    The families of the executed soldiers did suffer immensely and many drifted in to a life time of poverty as Putkowski explains: “ With insufficient money to pay rent or buy food, emotionally traumatised families were evicted from their homes and in at least one case, the desperate wife of an executed soldier resorted to prostitution to feed their children.”

    A number of cases initially caught the public imagination, including that of 23-year-old Private Harry Farr who was shot for alleged cowardice following the battle of the Somme in 1916.

    Farr had suffered from shellshock during 1915 and was in hospital for five months before returning to the front.  Soon after he began suffering convulsions and again reported sick to a first aid post.

   A medical officer refused to see Farr despite the fact that he was unable to move, even under a barrage of verbal and physical abuse from an NCO in his unit.

   Farr’s medical history of shellshock was overlooked at the subsequent court martial and he was sentenced to death.  He was shot in October 1916.

    A case less publicised is that of 2^nd Lieutenant Eric Skeffington Poole, one of only two officers executed during the war, and a man who had also previously suffered shellshock.

    The case gained more relevance in 2001 when an article, written by historian Lawrence James for the BBC, claimed research had revealed Poole may have been shot for political reasons.

   James alleged there had been growing concern among the high command that courts martial were more lenient to officers accused of desertion or cowardice than to other ranks accused of the same offence.

    James’ article claimed Field Marshall Haig, the commander-in-chief of the British Army, had pressured for an officer to be shot to bring parity to the situation.

    Edward Skeffington Poole had been evacuated from the line during the first week of July 1916 after being knocked unconscious during a heavy German barrage. Poole eventually ended up at the main British hospital in Étaples, home to the notorious ‘bull ring’ training area.

   The medical officers, under intense pressure to get men back to the front, declared him fit for action and he was promptly returned to his unit.

   Two weeks later, Poole again complained of feeling unwell and was sent to a first aid post but disappeared soon after.

  He was found two days later in a state of confusion, and was brought before the commanding officer.  After failing to explain his absence Poole was charged with desertion.

   Poole’s court martial was convened immediately after Haig had issued a directive to press for an officer to be executed and Edward Skeffington Poole, it is claimed, became a victim of circumstances.

 He was sentenced to death and executed in Belgium on 10 December 1916.

 Julian Putkowski suggests that the War Office were all too happy to comply with the family’s wish to omit disclosure of Poole’s death from casualty lists circulated to the press and he agrees with James' claim, saying that the research: “confirmed what had already been stated... that it was deliberate policy to have an officer executed and the unhappy victim was Eric Poole.”

 The 2006 pardon finally gave some closure to the soldier’s families but campaigners deny claims they are trying to re-write history saying they are only looking to honour those forgotten victims of the First World War: “we are righting an injustice not re-writing the past”.

WILLIAMS EASES TO WIN

Exciting Wallasey light-welterweight Steve Williams made short work of his latest bout with a second round victory in Liverpool on Saturday night.
The Wirral fighter had too much class for his opponent Charlie King, as a partisan crowd at the Olympia saw Williams overpower the Scot with some crunching body shots and sharp combinations.
It was a fast start for Williams as he pushed King back from the bell, working well behind his jab and catching him with two good right hands midway through the first round.
The Scot struggled to cope with his superior opponent as Williams landed some more measured shots that had the crowd on their feet.
In the second round Williams caught the Scot with a right to the body that rocked him back before unloading a ferocious right that connected with force on King’s chin.
The referee quickly jumped in to stop the fight and give Williams his tenth professional win.
The main fight of the evening saw Anthony Crolla stop local favourite John Watson to win the vacant British lightweight title.

CROLLA CLAIMS CROWN

Anthony Crolla claimed the vacant British lightweight title in Liverpool tonight after a sensational ninth round knockout victory over local favourite John Watson. 
The Manchester man, who moved up a weight to take a shot at the belt, had too much class for his opponent and finally caught him with a ferocious right hook which floored Watson and finished the contest. 
The partisan crowd were vocal throughout the fight but to no avail as Crolla boxed supremely against his bigger opponent , with the Liverpudlian struggling to cope with Crolla’s workrate. 
The fight opened in a cautious manner but soon warmed up as Crolla found success with two good right hands which pushed Watson back. 
The action intensified and by the third, both fighters were trading punches in the centre of the ring, turning the fight in to a battle of attrition. 
Both boxers were working hard but it was the Mancunian who was finding more success as he started the land the cleaner punches, which Watson was unable to stop. 
Midway through the sixth the Watson looked to be in trouble after being caught by a left from Crolla but he shook it off to came back with a good combination of his own. 
As the fight wore on it was Crolla who remained in control and the end finally came with the measured right that dropped Watson and  resulted in the loser needing some brief medical treatment.

SUPER MAC'S GOT THE GOAL KNACK

James gets in on the scoring but says points are more important


Two-goal hero James McCarthy was delighted by his brace that helped Latics clinch their sensational victory on Saturday but says the result was more important than any personal satisfaction.

The Irish international bagged one in each half to guide Latics to a 4-3 victory over Blackburn Rovers but said: “The most important thing was the result, without that the two goals would have meant nothing.”

 The 20-year-old’s first strike levelled the scores after the visitors had gone ahead, and his sublime second was worthy of winning any goal-of-the-month competition: “The first one was from a tight angle, I was wondering if I’d be able to squeeze it in.

“For the second I went to shoot and I saw the defender,” he said, “so then I knocked it back past him, and I was pleased with the finish.”

Goals have been in short supply this season for Roberto Martinez’s men but McCarthy says the belief has always been there: ““To be honest, we’ve always had confidence in the dressing room,” he said, “and the gaffer has remained supportive all season.

“I want to try and add goals to my own game and it was nice to get another two today.”

After battling through a tough first half Latics took control of the game in the second and McCarthy said: “The gaffer didn’t panic at half-time, He told us to keep working hard and play like we had towards the end of the first half.”

As the game wore on so did the deteriorating state of the pitch which added to the drama of the game, but McCarthy wasn’t fazed and said “The pitch wasn’t great but I’ll take playing it on every week if it means we get three points every week.”

Many thought McCarthy may have stepped in to take the penalty which would have completed a glorious hat-trick, but the midfielder says it was never an option: “Ben’s the penalty taker and I wasn’t about to stand in his way.”

Next up for Latics is a tough trip to Anfield on Saturday which also begins a run of some difficult looking games, but McCarthy says the side are ready for the challenge: “We’ve got Liverpool next week and this is where the run-in starts,” he says, “but hopefully these three points will give us something to build on and mean we can start looking up instead of down - we have the belief and the fight, and we will give it everything we’ve got.”

ALCARAZ-AMATAZ!

Captain fantastic looks to build on excellent result

Latics’ skipper Antolin Alcaraz was delighted with his side’s sensational victory against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and now wants more of the same in the last part of the season.

The Paraguayan centre-back was a surprise inclusion on Roberto Martinez’s team sheet after missing four games through injury and the skipper said: “I was surprised to be back in action so soon after picking up that injury but I am obviously very happy after today’s result.

“I thought it was an excellent performance by everyone and all the players are very happy with the result that we have got – we now need to build on it and go up the table.”

Alcaraz defended stoically at the heart of Latics’ backline and his return to action was a massive boost for the side as they battled against a heavy pitch and a determined opposition: “It was difficult to play on the heavy pitch and we needed to be more physical, “said Alcaraz, “especially against a team like Blackburn who always have a strong, physical style of play.

“I think we played very well and everybody played there part in this important victory for the club.”

The result was a massive morale-booster for Latics and saw them climb out of the bottom three, but Alcaraz knows the side need to maintain the same level of performance for the remainder of the campaign: “I feel happy for my players but we need to play like that in our remaining games,” he said, “if we can then we have a good chance of picking up more wins.”

Latics now travel to Anfield on Saturday as they begin a tough run of games that also includes encounters against both Manchester clubs but the skipper believes the side have what it takes in the battle for Barclays Premier League survival: “We are determined and the feeling is good within the squad,” he said, “it is now important to continue at the same level we have seen today.

“If we can play with the same attitude against other teams, if we can play like that against Liverpool next week - then we have a good chance of getting another crucial result.”

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~2286737,00.html

THAT'S ONE FOR YOU! - MARTINEZ

Latics' boss salutes fans after dramatic day at the DW

Roberto Martinez has dedicated today’s magnificent victory over Blackburn Rovers to the club’s loyal supporters who he says can be proud of the part they played in the crucial win.

Speaking after the 4-3 triumph at a rain-drenched DW Stadium the Gaffer said the players wanted to thank the fans for their support this season: “I’m really pleased tonight” he said, “and it’s a performance that the players want to give to the fans because they really deserve it for the support they give us each week.

“Today they can be extremely proud of the part they played in the victory and they can go home very pleased with the outcome.”

The result lifts Latics out of the drop-zone and Martinez was delighted saying: “It was a fantastic performance from the players in conditions which made it very difficult and we were really tested by the physicality and direct football that Blackburn brought today.

“We went one down but we didn’t let it affect us and we carried on with great personality, scoring some top goals. To see the quality of the goals scored on a pitch like that shows the quality of the players we have at the club.”

The incessant deluge of rain that fell throughout the match caused the pitch to deteriorate into a quagmire and the gaffer admitted it had been tough: “It became a bit of a battle and you could see the frustration from the fans when we tried to play sideways and backwards,” he said, “but it’s something that is ingrained in the way we play and we made the pitch playable.

“To be able to play in the manner we want to play; with style, bravery, and with an arrogance on the ball, you have to have the togetherness and work-ethic that allows you to convert good performances into good results.” Martinez said, “With the concentration, tenacity and togetherness we had on show today, it was a perfect performance,

 “It shows where we are, how much we have improved and also that we are ready for the last third of the season.

“The squad is healthy in numbers, we’ve got great competition and when you look at the players that were out through injury today it shows you the strength we have.”

Latics’ battled through the 90 minutes and then had to play another five minutes added time: “It seemed like the longest five minutes in world football!” joked the Gaffer, “ but the concentration and resilience we had, made it look comfortable when faced with the physicality that Blackburn showed and I thought we defended really well.”

The victory was crucial in the fight for Barclays Premier League survival that Latics now find themselves in and the Gaffer said: “We went to West Brom and played really well but couldn’t finish it off with a win but today was different and the end result is a great feeling for a young squad with huge potential.

“Today’s performance had absolutely everything and we need to carry on with that standard for the reminder of the season.”

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/PressConference/0,,10429~2286582,00.html

IRISH EYES STILL SMILING

McCarthy finds positives despite result

The goal-scoring return to full action of James McCarthy will have given Latics’ faithful a reason to be optimistic last night, despite the disappointing result against Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old Irish international was delighted to start his first game since picking up an ankle injury against Bolton Wanderers in October last year, but says the defeat overshadowed any personal joy he felt: “It felt great to get a run-out and start the game, even scoring a goal, but to be honest it almost counts for nothing.

“The most important thing was to get three points, which we didn’t and it’s very disappointing.

“I felt some of our play was magnificent but on the night it just wasn’t to be.”

The young midfielder managed to grab a goal back for Latics with ten minutes to go after Villa had gone two up, but it was too little too late and McCarthy said: “We’re disappointed but we’ll stick together as a group, come back into training tomorrow and continue to keep our spirits up by working hard.

“After getting that goal back I thought we had a real go at them, something which the Gaffer was pleased about, but the end product just wasn’t there, sometimes you have nights like that.”

McCarthy said he thought the side created some good chances during the match and said: “James (McArthur) and Hendry (Thomas) give you that bit of dig in the middle which opened up some opportunities, but we just couldn’t get the goal we needed, then a few minutes after the break they go up the other end of the pitch to score, which knocked the stuffing out of us a bit.”

Despite the frustrating defeat, McCarthy believes the team have the strength of character to bounce back and said: “We need to pick ourselves up now, it was a great performance despite the result.

“We’ve got a big derby against Bolton next week in the cup and then an even bigger match-up against West Brom the week after, which I’m sure the lad’s will be ready for and we’ll give it everything.”