A Significant Friendly

England take to Wembley turf for the first time against tough opposition

Published in the Evening Standard

It takes Alex Scott a moment to remember when England last lost a competitive match. Under Head Coach Mark Sampson, England breezed through qualifying for the 2015 World Cup in Canada with 10 wins out of 10. Away from World Cup qualification, England recorded an impressive 4-0 victory over Sweden, a team ranked above Sampson’s side in the FIFA rankings.

“The last time we lost a competitive match must have been at the Euros last year. It’s something I haven’t really thought about,” the England and Arsenal defender told Standard Sport.

“I think we knew as players we should be beating the teams in our qualifying group but to score so many goals, and concede only one, we couldn’t do much better than that.”

While 2014 has been full of victories and goals, England’s women still have plenty to prove against Germany on Sunday after crashing out of the 2013 European Championships in the group stages. The early exit led to the departure of Hope Powell who had been in charge for 15 years.

Scott seems happy under the reign of Sampson, who has brought a fresh look to a team that often featured a familiar group of players.

“Mark has come in and changed the philosophy, the buzz around the team. We are going into games a lot more positive. He has freshened things up and there are some really exciting and young players coming through.”

One particularly young and exciting player is 21-year-old Fran Kirby, a striker for WSL 2 side Reading who scored 29 goals last season. Sampson’s bold decision to integrate a player from the second tier of the WSL looks to have paid off and Kirby was named Women of the Match on her debut against Sweden.

“If she keeps going the way she’s going, Fran has a big future in the women’s game. That’s the good thing about Mark, if you play well you are going to get a chance.,” says Scott.

Kirby and company will have to be in fine fettle if they are to upset the European Champions Germany – a team who also recorded the perfect World Cup qualifying campaign and are ranked World Number 2, five places above England.

Not only will the record crowd spur them on but also their poor record against their European rivals. England have never beaten Germany and the last time the teams met Germany denied England the 2009 European Championships title.

When asked to name Germany’s danger players, Scott is not sure where to start: “They are a force. There are so many dangerous players and they keep coming at you, they are relentless. Alexandra Pop is an amazing midfielder, she is so strong and technically gifted . They will be a real challenge.”

A victory on the pitch is important, but arguably a more important victory has already been achieved. The match against Germany marks the first time the England women’s team have played at Wembley and the capped 55,000 crowd is well above what anyone predicted.

“This is a special occasion and a great time for women’s football. When Great Britain played Brazil everyone thought it was Olympic fever but this match shows the interest is there and we need to put on a good show to keep fans coming back.”

Scott says playing at Wembley for England is a childhood dream but she will not be a bundle of nerves on the big occasion. The unofficial team DJ is more likely to be found dancing or making sure nerves don’t get the better of less experienced players. Scott believes the match is the ideal test before playing in front of big crowds in Canada next summer.  

Whether the players like it or not - the future of women’s football is tied to the results England achieve on the pitch.

“In order to capitalise on this support, we must do well in the World Cup next year. The media are now covering our matches and putting women’s football in people’s faces. We need to achieve results that keep us in the media so people can connect with us and follow the story and our progress.”

With clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City investing more into their women’s sides, the top flight of women’s football finally has the competitive edge it has been lacking. An exciting climax to the 2014 season, which saw reigning Champions Liverpool edge to victory over Chelsea, has no doubt wetted the appetite for the fixture at Wembley. Unfortunately for Scott, all this competition means Arsenal no longer run away with the title year after year.

“Crowd figures are up across the board. Man City get good crowd averages and Arsenal do at Boreham Wood. But we need to make sure these 55,000 fans filter down into the women’s game.”

“We are role models and seeing us play makes young players realise they can make a career out of playing football. Many never looked at women’s football like this before, but now girls are believing they can become professional and make a salary out of the sport.”

Sergi Canos: Surging into the Championship

3rd November 2015 - Bees Review - Joanna Tilley 

Sixty seconds is all it took for Sergi Canos to make an impression during his home debut for Brentford. The 18-year-old winger, on loan from Liverpool, exploded off the bench to provide the assist for Lasse Vibe’s equaliser against Preston North End.

If his cross didn’t catch the eye of the fans, the attacking energy he brought to the team certainly did. 

“Before the match against Preston, I was nervous,” Sergi told me. “I didn’t know if I was ready for the Championship, or even to be on the bench."But it was nice to get an assist in my first moments on the pitch. It made me feel that I’m ready to play at this level."

The Griffin Park faithful immediately responded to the player who changed the tide of the game with some cheeky flicks and a fearless attitude.

"The reception I’ve got from the fans so far has been incredible and to get the fans’ man of the match for my home debut was unbelievable. I don’t know if the fans expected something from me but I was really happy with that.”

It is possible Bees fans were expecting something special from a youngster with a notable footballing CV. Canos is the product of FC Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy and signed for Liverpool much to the frustration of the Catalan giant.

Championship Player of the Month for October, Alan Judge, has been impressed with the Spaniard's attacking style but it is clear to anyone who watches him for more than a few minutes that Canos is not afraid of taking on opponents, or using an audacious piece of skill when required.

“I’ve always played like that. Since I started playing football at the age of five, we would play on concrete in my hometown of Nules; we always had cuts and grazes. Now you see the boys playing on grass, whereas I played on rock.”

The quality of the pitches improved somewhat for Canos when he joined Barca’s Academy at the age of 13.

“I think the most important thing I learned from La Masia was how to be more responsible and independent. I was living alone there, although surrounded by other boys, but there was more responsibility playing for Barca.”  

Although Sergi wasn’t sure how seriously to take Bees Review’s claim that Brentford were the Barcelona of West London, he recognised that the clubs do have their similarities, as well as differences.

“Of course there are some – we play football. Not long balls or anything like that. We are not like Barcelona because we do not have Messi! But we are playing attractive football and that’s why I came here, because I knew this was the style I wanted to play.”

Currently on loan until January, Sergi says he would like to be at Griffin Park a little longer. 

“I want to stay until the end of the season. That’s my objective – to stay. I’m really happy here. I enjoy each day and am learning new things: the intensity at training and the type of football, plus playing with men like Judgey and Alan McCormack. I can learn a lot from them." 

Ultimately, he will be looking to get a place in the Liverpool first team. The city is not just home to his football club but also his family, who moved with him to the UK.

“Moving over here in 2013 was a difficult transition. But it was the best decision of my life because my family came with me and my sister is at school and speaks English like an English girl.”

“We are going to open a restaurant in Liverpool. It should be open any day now. All our lives have changed. They live in Liverpool and come to watch me play. They give me a lot of confidence and when I warm up and see them – it gives me strength.”

The Canos family are working in collaboration with renowned Spanish chef Miguel Barrera, whose restaurant Cal Paradis in Castellón has a Michelin Star.

“For me he is the best chef in Spain, that’s why he’s at our restaurant," says Sergi with a laugh. "It is a Spanish restaurant and his speciality is in rice, although there is a tapas section.”

Despite leaving Liverpool for London, Sergi was excited about the news Jurgen Klopp was to become manager of the Reds.

"It is amazing. Klopp and Liverpool is the perfect match – there is so much passion amongst the fans. And he seems very passionate. Hopefully in the future I will have a chance to talk to him.”

 

When he is not playing for Brentford, or keeping an eye on Liverpool, Sergi is cheering on Valencia.

“I am a big fan,” said Sergi. “When I was five-years-old I was going to the Mestalla Stadium regularly. My dad supports Valencia, although my sister supports Barcelona. When I went to Barcelona she was so excited, it was a dream for her.”

There is no doubt Sergi’s talent has already brought plenty of excitement, and changes, to the lives of his family and others around him.

But his career in England is just beginning, and if his first minute on the Griffin Park turf is anything to go by, it could be quite a ride.  

Alan Judge: Brentford's secret weapon

30th October 2015 - Published in Bees Review

One word which might spring to mind when you think of Alan Judge is energy. The Brentford midfielder never seems to run out of it and this quality would have served him well over a busy October.

After being called-up for the Republic of Ireland squad, Judge burst onto the Griffin Park turf against Rotherham United with an exquisite second-minute volley and his first header for The Bees. Judge was named man of the match and the performance perfectly encapsulated the energy he has brought to the club since his arrival on loan at the start of 2014.

“It was brilliant to be called up to the Republic of Ireland squad and a good experience,” Alan told Bees Review. “I must be close to making the team if they called me in and I think I have shown in training that I am a decent player. The manager more or less said he needs a friendly to come around to see me on the pitch which I understand because the lads are playing very well at the moment.”

Straight after returning from duty, Alan’s next mission was moving into a new home with his wife Emma and daughter Emily. At the time of speaking to him, he was also awaiting an addition to the family.

“He or she is due on 29 October,” said Alan. “Let’s hope it is either before or after the game as there is no way I want to be missing that match. But if she goes into labour during the game I would be running off and going straight to the hospital.”

Family comes first, but Judge understands the importance of a local derby after the fixtures against Fulham last year.

“I didn’t think too much about it in the lead up. I knew Fulham were rivals but when I played in the game at Griffin Park I started to realise how the fans felt about it."

"I remember when Jota scored right at the end and I fell to the floor because I was so exhausted. Everyone put everything into that game – it was for the fans.”

Judge also has fond memories of the match at Craven Cottage as it was an important time in his career.

“That game was brilliant. I was just returning from injury and I wasn’t at full fitness. There were niggles and I wasn’t getting into the team at the time. It was great to score in front of 6,000 away fans. It was an unbelievable atmosphere and we blew them away.”

If Judge ever forgets the importance of tonight’s clash with QPR, he has player liaison manager and match-day announcer Peter Gilham to remind him.

“I have Peter continuously telling me that we have to beat them. We have to! Peter is a die-hard Brentford fan and has become a good friend to me. I want to do well for the club and especially for people as nice as him.”

Although footballers are recognised for their competitive spirit and physicality, Judge’s doggedness often shines out – partly, perhaps, because it contrasts with his small stature.

“I hate losing,” said Alan. “Just hate it. I got used to winning last year and I like being the best at what I can do. You can accept having a bad day but I can’t accept people giving in. So I make sure I work hard. I put in the effort on the training pitch too.

“Through that hard work you reap rewards. People think you are small so you can’t tackle. If you go in and give everything most people will be surprised by your strength. The worse thing that can happen is that you get injured.”

Judge’s father played football in Ireland, is that where his determination came from?

“Well he used to go around kicking people so I’m not at his level. It does help when your father played football; it has had a massive impact on the way I play, definitely. He played for Fulham when he was younger."

“That’s not going to win me any friends around here, is it?! But he moved back home because his mother was unwell. He made a good career in Ireland.”

While Judge has many good qualities, it is probably only fair some attention is given to his faults. 

Teammate Andreas Bjelland told Bees Review at the start of the season the Irish players are the loudest in the squad, but Judge is quick to start a rebuttal.

“Andreas is the moaniest person I have ever met in my whole life," he says with affection. "Every morning he is grumbling about something or the other. If the grass is green, he moans.”

At this point in the interview, Brentford defender Alan McCormack walks by and Judge asks him who the moaniest person in the team is. McCormack points at Judge.

“Before Andreas, it would have definitely been Judge,” says McCormack. “Now he has a bit of competition.”  

When he is not busy moaning, Alan has been impressed with the new members of the team.

“Maxime Colin, I like him,” said Alan. “He’s good on the ball, knows how to tackle. Sergio is so direct and we need that."

"The new players are settling in well but it will take time. In some cases they’ve come from a country where you can barely touch a player to one when you can boot them six feet into the air. They will get stronger.”

When it comes to toughening up, chances are Judge’s presence has already sped up the process.

Brighton fans tired of homophobic chants

While Brighton fight for promotion, fans fight for respect 

This article was published on Al Jazeera English.

Sitting in the Championship play-off places, the next month will be pivotal for Brighton and Hove Albion football club.

A club that former Chelsea player Gus Poyet lifted to Championship promotion in 2011 are just five wins away from joining the Premier League big-time.

With a new 30,000 seater stadium, an attractive playing style and the highest pie sales in the country (and second best pie – after Arsenal), Brighton look to be on the up.

Could life get any better? Well one group of Brighton supporters think it could.

While Poyet and the boys will be 110% committed to what happens on the pitch, their biggest supporters club – Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters’ Club – is highlighting another battle.

The battle to rid homophobic language from the terraces.

Together with The Gay Football Supporters’ Network (GFSN), the BHASC have been monitoring the homophobic language used against their fans over the 2012/13 season. Their report published in April found Brighton fans were subjected to homophobic abuse by at least 72% of their opponents.

These chants ranged from ‘We can see you holding hands,’ to ‘Do you take it up the a***?’ and ‘You’re just a town full of fag***s.’

Banter or abuse?

While the fight against racism has intensified over the last few years, the battle against homophobia (or more accurately homophobic language) has been far quieter.

"The subject isn’t comfortable. If you took out any word that refers to gay and insert the word that refers to colour, all of a sudden you realise that it’s not actually banter," secretary of the BHASC Sarah Watts told Al Jazeera.

Brighton - a city known for its large lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community - has been on the receiving end of homophobic chants for years.

"The reason we put this report together was because not enough was being done. Our letters to clubs weren’t really getting us anywhere. We don’t want to cure the world’s ills, we just want people to talk about the issue," Watts told me.

But in a Football League which lacks an openly gay footballer, manager or coach – talking about the issue is not just the answer, but the problem.

In fact, while speaking to Brighton’s Chief Executive Paul Barber in his modern office overlooking the AMEX pitch, it turns out the issues raised from the report are extremely complex.

"The emails I’ve received since the report have varied. I’ve had people saying 'I’m gay and I’m offended,' 'I’m gay and not bothered by it', and others who worry it makes Brighton more of a target," Barber told Al Jazeera.

Almost every question I asked Barber was riddled with complexity. Is all homophobic language unacceptable, is it harmless fun, are people overreacting, are people underreacting, how do you stop anti-social behaviour?

Opinions are sure to vary but this hasn’t stopped Brighton and the FA taking a stance against the use of homophobic language. The FA send letters to every team in the league reminding them that homophobic abuse is an offence.

But despite these endeavours the BHASC have found some clubs and their stewards do not take sufficient action against perpetrators.

"Brighton can’t make demands of other clubs but the Sussex police are doing a good job at targeting fans at the AMEX... Quite often our letters to clubs get ignored. And some clubs have bad stewards that don’t respond to the abuse," says Watts.

When I ask Barber if the message could best be made by the Brighton players, he is cautious.

"Footballers have not tended to come out and openly say they are gay. They might be the last bastions of society to feel they can do that. There is a pressure on footballers to lead campaigns, but whether they are gay or not it is hard for a young man to take the weight of that responsibility."

It is an understandable but frustrating answer. With fans worrying Brighton will become a target and footballers fearful of speaking out - the battle against homophobic language is far trickier than Brighton’s current Premier League bid.

Sarah Watts is right, the issue needs to be spoken about. It needs to be discussed and debated - by fans, players and the football authorities. Even if the conclusion is that nothing more can be done or the language is doing no harm.

Brighton’s issue should be publicised. Because if we accept homophobic chants against them in the Championship, will we accept chants against them at a Premier League club? And if we do what kind of message are we sending to the rest of the world when these words are broadcast?

Both Barber and Watts believe education is the solution. But punishment might have its place too.

Blackburn player Colin Kazim-Richards was investigated for allegedly making a homophobic gesture towards Brighton fans during a match in February. The punishment doled out to players and fans found guilty of these actions will send a strong message.

Barber is eager to point out that most football supporters are good people who just love the game - that trouble is usually generated from a small pocket of fans.

"We should balance raising awareness and creating a sense that everyone is doing it. I have watched dozens of football matches and the amount of vile abuse has been minimal – but if you read the papers you would think it was inherent and prevalent all the time."

Indeed we should. But progress doesn’t come from looking at the positives. Progress comes from open discussion.

And when it comes to sexuality and football – this is easier said than done.

Thierry Henry reminds us why it is a beautiful game

Henry has brought his cheeky smile back to the Premier League

Anyone who finds themselves complaining about the hype surrounding Thierry Henry’s return to the English Premier League had better drag out last month’s papers.

There they will find the football news they had grown to love, one dominated by scandal, racist remarks and court cases.

Recent portrayals of the English game have focused on the ugly side of football, the side with a flawed, pitted complexion and a hint of distrust in the eye.

The Luis Suarez racism case, on the back of racist allegations involving England captain John Terry, made us turn to the back pages for all the wrong reasons.

While they weren’t cases the media should ignore, they were cases most of us wished never existed in the first place. They left us reflecting on whether it was possible to heal football’s many maladies.

But then along came the New Year and shortly after that Thierry Henry.

Few would have foreseen the return of Henry to the English Premier League.

Arsenal’s leading goalscorer and the man who was instrumental in guiding them to an unbeaten season in 2004 was back. It was a blessing for Arsenal, and the Premier League, as legends rarely retrace their steps.

In December, Henry fought back the tears as a bronze statue was erected of him outside the Emirates in his honour - few would have envisioned him playing inside the stadium just a month later.

Firing next shot

However, on a two-month loan from the New York Red Bulls, his enduring love for the Gunners dragged him back.

If the fairytale wasn’t yet complete, it soon would be.

On Monday, Henry popped on an Arsenal shirt, leapt off the bench and scored within ten minutes of his return in front of the Emirates crowd. The goal gave Arsenal a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup but it meant so much more than that.

Here was an amazing story that reminded us how beautiful football could be.

Surely even those who dislike Arsenal could not have suppressed a slight smile on seeing the jubilance of Henry as he scored on his return.

The occasion signified everything that is right with the game: long-lasting talent, nostalgia, passion, a player’s love for a club and a club’s love for a player. And let’s not forget those Arsenal fans.

Gooners (as they are known) can be an outspoken and arrogant bunch but they celebrated Henry’s goal simply because they love the man and the man loves them back.

It is as close to a love story as we get in football.

Paul Scholes did not manage to score on his return to Manchester United but his story is also one to celebrate.

With Man United struggling for midfielders due to an injury crisis, Scholes’ loyalty to his side and particularly to Alex Ferguson encouraged him back into the fold.

Neither Henry nor Scholes returned to the English Premier League with capes on their back or wearing a pair of blue tights but to Arsenal and United fans they are superheroes.

They are pure footballers who play for the love of the game, the love of their club and the love of the fans. Both players also have done their best to keep their head down and out of trouble in the past.

We welcome them back with open arms and over the top headlines because the ugly side of football was getting boring.

It is time to reflect on football’s more beautiful side.

The reaction to Henry’s goal is overblown, ridiculously romantic, and not quite worthy of a Hollywood script…yet.

But what would you prefer: A smiley Henry on the back page or another picture of a surly looking Suarez?

If it is Suarez you, my friend, are a spoil sport.

The Luis Suarez ban had to be harsh

A portrait of Luis Suarez in black and white  

Due to racism scandals around Luis Suarez and John Terry, football players have once again been in the media spotlight this week for reasons other than their sporting prowess.

On Tuesday 20th December, Suarez of Liverpool fame was handed an eight-match ban by the FA after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

On Wednesday 21st December, the focus shifted to Chelsea’s John Terry, who was charged over allegations he racially abused QPR’s Anton Ferdinand during a tense match on October 23rd.

As Liverpool learn to live without Suarez, Terry will sweat it out on and off the pitch before a West London court decides his fate in February.

At first glance, it would be easy to mark this as a depressing time for football. However, if these cases are dealt with in the right way it could do the world of football a lot of good.

Suarez's harsh punishment and the seriousness of the charges around the England captain suggest the ugly side of football is no longer being swept under the FA's dusty carpet.

Football players are being increasingly targeted for their behaviour and, one hopes, this is primarily because of the message it sends to the fans.

As role models the actions of footballers, and the reactions to their actions, send powerful messages to football fans.

The fight against racism or any other abuse has to start with the players as they are in the limelight.

Although the extent of racism in the terraces is unknown, general abuse in rife.    

All we need to do is look at the way Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has been treated by the clubs supporters to see how far behind football is in the decency stakes compared to other sports.

Passion has often been used as an excuse for awful behaviour from fans. Of course Rovers fans swear at Kean from the stands, travel overseas to hold up signs saying they want him out, jeer at him as he enters the ground – they are just being passionate about their club!

Human element

While not all football fans behave badly, foul language will be as abundant on the terraces on Boxing Day as alcohol for many of us on Christmas day.

BBC journalist Phil McNulty poignantly writes this week in his blog about Steve Kean, "The argument goes that supporters pay their money and have the right to air their opinion, but even seasoned observers felt unease at an individual coming under such a barrage. It is called the human element."

The human element is sadly something that doesn't always mesh well with football.

In the 1980s, when hooliganism was rife and England football fans were feared around Europe, many accepted the terrible behaviour of our fans.

For too long people associated with football, whether players or fans, have been able to get away with behaviour that would not be accepted in the office or on the street.

This is a fact the English FA, and the British media, have awoken to over the last couple of years. 

More than ever before managers are being fined for criticising officials, players for breaking club protocol, Sky Sports' pundits sacked for sexist comments and FIFA execs banned from the game for... well, all sorts.

Through bans, fines and sackings, a stricter moral code is not just being sent to football players and administrators but to unruly fans. The key message being sent is: respect.

It is something that critics of Steve Kean should maybe mull over their mulled win before staging their next ‘Kean Out’ protest.

And also something Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish should also mull over his mulled wine before he leaps to Suarez’s defence... again.

Because the message of the FA’s lengthy punishment for Suarez is far greater than the effect it has on Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations.

An eight-game ban is a powerful message to any football player or fan who believes that racist terms should be used, ever.

Spies in our midst?

As someone who has attended England international matches, the language that circulates stadiums is shocking. A yob culture does still exist and it is one that can involve homophobia, sexism and racism. 

The news that Tottenham Hotspur stewards plan to wear headcams at tomorrow night’s game against Chelsea to monitor "foul, abusive, homophobic or racist language" is a drastic action, but one that should be taken.

Racism is ugly and not what the majority of fans want linked to their sport, but taking nothing away from the seriousness of the issue, there are lots of ugly things associated with the beautiful game.

However, football organisations and the media are now sending messages that this ugliness is no longer acceptable, and about time too.