Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Friday, 9 December 2011
Laws backs Wilcox appointment
Brian Laws has backed his long term right hand man Russ Wilcox to be a success as the Cherries new assistant manager.
Laws handed Wilcox his first coaching job while the 47-year-old was still in his playing days at Scunthorpe, then took the former Preston and Hull defender with him to Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley.
Manager Lee Bradbury confirmed Wilcox as his new assistant at last night’s fans forum, and the pair took training with the Cherries squad at Canford School this morning.
Bradbury also did his homework on Wilcox, phoning Laws for his opinion on his new assistant during the interview process.
Laws said, “First of all you’ve got a terrific coach there, he’s well liked by players and staff alike. He’s incredibly supportive, and most importantly a top draw, highly qualified coach and assistant who can pass on his knowledge to the manager.
“His real strength is recognising situations that need to be changed. He’s got strong opinions but is very respectful towards the manager, and he will implement his ideas on the training ground. He will give full support to the manager, and his communication skills and work ethic are some of his major strengths.
“He’s vastly experienced and helped some quality players on their way, which shows his strength in working one on one with players. He will give them the mental support, as well as the practical support to improve.
“He’s had over four years experience in the Championship, knows the players and the team in that league, as well as League One, League Two and the Premier League. He’s got experience in all four leagues and you can’t buy that kind of experience.”
Laws worked with Wilcox for over a decade in three different posts, and feels the Cherries’ new assistant could become an important figure in the early stages of Bradbury’s managerial career. The former Burnley manager added, “One aspect I think, and I spoke to Lee about this, is that you’ve got to chose the right man. You need somebody you can trust, you can lean on and Russ certainly comes under that category.
“To be fair to Lee he’s done his due diligence on Russ, and spoken to numerous other people. That’s great to see because Lee is in the early years of his career and Russ will help him on his way.
“The key factors in any success is your right hand man. It’s a very lonely job as a manager and you need understanding and support. Who lifts the manager when he’s down? Usually it’s the assistant. Lee will have his highs, but when he has his lows, that’s when Russ is at his strongest.
“I spoke to Russ and wished him well. I’m disappointed to lose him but he’s so enthusiastic he just wants to work, he’s missed the day to day work with the players. I know he couldn’t wait to get back in. It’s my loss and Bournemouth’s gain that’s for sure.”
Cherries hit the race track
AFC Bournemouth is looking to join the race for promotion to the npower Championship this season, but found themselves in a different race last week.
With two weeks without a league fixture Lee Bradbury and his squad took a break from their normal training routine to visit Matchams Karting.
The Cherries players spent a wet December afternoon in the 200cc karts racing round the 420m outdoor track.
The players raced for just over an hour in an endurance race, and there was plenty of spins and overtaking as the three man teams jostled for pole position.
Trio Charlie Sheringham, Steven Gregory and Simon Francis finished on top of the podium, while reigning champions Shaun Cooper and Mark Molesley, along with new addition Harry Arter, took third place.
Manager Lee Bradbury said, “We really enjoyed the afternoon at Matchams Karting. It was good to do something different, but something that was still competitive. We take our preparations and our training very seriously, so we welcomed the opportunity to take the players out.
“The conditions were quite tricky which made it interesting for the boys, but the staff there were great and helped the lads push each other and stay safe as well.
“We don’t get the chance to do things like this very often but hopefully we can go back there again later in the season. The lads who were on the winning team have the bragging rights now and I’m sure they won’t be letting the others forget.”
Winning driver Steven Gregory added, “It was a good afternoon. I’ve done a few things like this at some of the clubs that I’ve been at before, but this was one of the best.
“I fancied my team’s chances before we started and thankfully we were able to take top spot. A lot of the boys were talking up their driving skills before the game, so it was nice to keep them quiet with the win.
“We have a lot of new players and we always make sure they’re welcome, as I found out when I joined the club, but days like this can really help the players get to know each other which can only be a good thing.”
George Lovell from Matchams Karting added, “We were really pleased to have the AFC Bournemouth players with us for the afternoon. The conditions were quite difficult but I thought they did well and we saw some good driving.
“These sorts of afternoons are very popular and can be good for teams and businesses, hopefully we can look forward to welcoming them back in the future and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.”
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
2010/11 League One preview
A League One preview for the Peterborough United official match day programme, click on the image to enlarge it.
I Am Kloot on fire
After ten years of almost non-stop touring and recording I Am Kloot had reached rock bottom. As a potential last roll of the dice they teamed up with Elbow’s Craig Potter and Guy Garvey to start work on their fifth album, Sky At Night. “When we recorded it we were at a point where we had no money, no manager, no record company, nothing,” bassist Peter Jobson explained.
“We just had to make it the best it could be and if everyone was happy every song was as good as each other, that was the benchmark. Listening to the record it’s the one time where we’ve made a really high quality LP with some of the best songs Johnny (Bramwell) has written. For the first time since the first record we had a thought out idea with cohesive songs and a message.”
Throughout the recording process there was feeling amongst the Manchester trio that they were creating something special. “Guy kept saying, “You’re going to get nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and probably even win it”. We released the record in time to be nominated for the award but you could never expect to be nominated. The Mercurys are superb for the level of the exposure that you get. We are very proud to be involved with the other musicians that were nominated, and a lot of really great things that weren’t,” Jobson added.
After being one of the UK‘s best kept secrets the band had to come to terms with the media attention that came their way. “We went to the ceremony where the nominations were announced and did a press run for TV and radio. We had never had that level of exposure before or that interest so it was really weird. On the day of the nominations we were a bunch of northern oiks to be honest, we were just not used to it.”
The critical acclaim brought with it a wider audience, which pleased the band who take pride in their live shows. “Since we started it was always about gigging and when we started this record it was the first time we had stopped. Over the last ten years we’ve done as many gigs as possible to sustain ourselves, to keep going. We’ve sold more records than ever, the word is spreading and we are all buzzing. We’ve been doing it for ten years now and it’s always been a word of mouth thing but there’s more and more people coming.
“The records we have done before have always been made with live gigs in mind. Before there was only three of us and we recorded what we could, with this new one we recorded what we wanted to fit the song. Then later on it was like “We are going to need ten musicians to do this”. Which is great having a couple of string players, a sax player, guitar, keyboards and everyone is singing as well, it’s a much fuller thing.”
Encouraged by their success the band have been writing news songs which could be debuted on their upcoming UK tour. “When we’ve been sound checking we’ve been writing. It’s sounding great, so if we get it together there might be some stuff we haven’t done before. We are in the process of writing so there’s a strong possibility.”
After touring Australia for the first time in May I Am Kloot plan to begin work on a new album, following a similar process used for Sky At Night. “There’s a lot to be said for taking your time and doing something with the people that you love and trust. We’ve learnt a lot about making records by not rushing it and saying 'that will do'. It’s got to be perfect or it doesn’t get on the record, whereas other times we could have done better. Our standards have been raised by Guy and Craig and I would love to work with them again.”
Published in the Daily Echo, Friday 28th January 2011.
“We just had to make it the best it could be and if everyone was happy every song was as good as each other, that was the benchmark. Listening to the record it’s the one time where we’ve made a really high quality LP with some of the best songs Johnny (Bramwell) has written. For the first time since the first record we had a thought out idea with cohesive songs and a message.”
Throughout the recording process there was feeling amongst the Manchester trio that they were creating something special. “Guy kept saying, “You’re going to get nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and probably even win it”. We released the record in time to be nominated for the award but you could never expect to be nominated. The Mercurys are superb for the level of the exposure that you get. We are very proud to be involved with the other musicians that were nominated, and a lot of really great things that weren’t,” Jobson added.
After being one of the UK‘s best kept secrets the band had to come to terms with the media attention that came their way. “We went to the ceremony where the nominations were announced and did a press run for TV and radio. We had never had that level of exposure before or that interest so it was really weird. On the day of the nominations we were a bunch of northern oiks to be honest, we were just not used to it.”
The critical acclaim brought with it a wider audience, which pleased the band who take pride in their live shows. “Since we started it was always about gigging and when we started this record it was the first time we had stopped. Over the last ten years we’ve done as many gigs as possible to sustain ourselves, to keep going. We’ve sold more records than ever, the word is spreading and we are all buzzing. We’ve been doing it for ten years now and it’s always been a word of mouth thing but there’s more and more people coming.
“The records we have done before have always been made with live gigs in mind. Before there was only three of us and we recorded what we could, with this new one we recorded what we wanted to fit the song. Then later on it was like “We are going to need ten musicians to do this”. Which is great having a couple of string players, a sax player, guitar, keyboards and everyone is singing as well, it’s a much fuller thing.”
Encouraged by their success the band have been writing news songs which could be debuted on their upcoming UK tour. “When we’ve been sound checking we’ve been writing. It’s sounding great, so if we get it together there might be some stuff we haven’t done before. We are in the process of writing so there’s a strong possibility.”
After touring Australia for the first time in May I Am Kloot plan to begin work on a new album, following a similar process used for Sky At Night. “There’s a lot to be said for taking your time and doing something with the people that you love and trust. We’ve learnt a lot about making records by not rushing it and saying 'that will do'. It’s got to be perfect or it doesn’t get on the record, whereas other times we could have done better. Our standards have been raised by Guy and Craig and I would love to work with them again.”
Published in the Daily Echo, Friday 28th January 2011.
The Vaccines: 02 gets vaccinated
Twelve months ago The Vaccines didn’t exist, today they’re one of the most exciting and talked about bands in Britain. After a whirlwind of praise in the press the band were named on the BBC’s Sound of 2011, brining even more media attention their way. Drummer Pete Robertson said: “ It wasn’t something we planned or was on our radar when we started playing music together. On the other hand, it does put the pressure on slightly, we now have something to live up to. It enables us to play to a wider audience and it’s introduced us to a lot more people who wouldn’t have heard us otherwise.”
Not only are the London four-piece seen as bright hopes for the new year but as figureheads for a new era of British guitar music too. “All of these things are a kind of poisoned chalice in a way. It makes us feel good about what we are doing, we feel like we are a good band and we are doing something interesting. At the same time it almost makes us out to be providing some kind of public service sent from the government department of guitar music, that’s not what we are here for. It’s about making music, we love what we do and we hope people like what we are doing. It’s been suggested guitar music needs saving and I don’t think it does, it never has needed saving. Sometimes it’s fashionable and sometimes it’s not, over the last few years the cycle suggests it might become popular”, Robertson added.
“When we first got together, writing and recording demos, we didn’t think that would be an issue, if anything we thought it was a nice problem to have. When we made a first foray into dealing with radio we sent our demo of If You Wanna to Zane Lowe and he played it that night. That effectively lifted the lid and we gave away control, since then we have no control over what the press say and all those sorts of things. It can be difficult, the British press are well renowned for being a little fickle. It’s kind of scary but any attention is welcome. If someone express an opinion about us, from the press or a member of the public, then we like that.”
The release of their debut album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, was brought forward in the wake of the growing interest in the band. But Robertson insists the title wasn‘t a reaction to the hype. “It wasn’t something we really thought about, it just sounded very classic. It also one of the lyrics from (the single) Post Break Up Sex. Maybe it was subconsciously, I don’t know. I guess it was a way of taking the first punch but it wasn’t really part of the agenda.”
The band began 2011 touring America, including a sold out show in New York’s Bowery Ballroom, watched by Blondie’s Debbie Harry. “It’s notoriously hard for British bands to break America and it’s been a bit of a distant dream. Going to America and playing shows there is part of the dream, which is exciting enough. Obviously we would like to go there and make a success of our time there, go back and build on it,” Robertson said.
Along with Crystal Castles, Magnetic Man and Everything Everything, The Vaccines complete an eclectic line-up for this year‘s NME Awards Tour. Robertson explained: “It’s an interesting one. It’s a double edge thing in some respects, we were really glad to be the only out and out guitar band, because it’s something a little bit different. There aren’t that many straight up guitar bands at the moment, it’s nice not to have the competition but it will be interesting to have the meeting of genres. Magnetic Man and Crystal Castle fans wouldn’t be into a guitar bands like ours. With modern tastes and technology being what it is, it does open up people’s tastes. To have a mix on the same bill is a great thing.”
“We’ve got around half an hour slot which is what we play anyway, so it suits us. Well the album is just a shade over a half an hour anyway, so we will play most of it. We will mix it up a bit. We’ve been working on a cover recently which we really like, so we might throw that in.”
The Vaccines are showing all the signs of living up to the hype, but then again what did you expect?
A lesson in football banter
Click here to see what happened when I tried to interview Bournemouth's Marc Pugh before a training session.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Tinie Tempah: The only way is up
In February 2008 Patrick Chukwuem Okogwu’s agent picked up the phone, laughed at the woman on the other end and hung up. It was a call from the New York Times, they wanted a photo to go with a review they were running on his client’s mixtape Hood Economics Room 147: The 80 Minute Course.
“They phoned us on the Wednesday and a proper American lady with an accent said, 'We're going to press on Sunday. We need a picture of Tinie ASAP.' I was flabbergasted,” he explains. But it wasn’t a joke, it was the start of the London rappers journey to become one of Britain’s most exciting talents.
Two and a half years later his debut album, Disc-Overy, is one of 2010’s most anticipated albums. It boasts two number one singles, as well as collaborations with Kelly Rowland, Ellie Goulding and Swedish House Mafia. It’s a far cry from when he took a tele-sales job to save up £800 to shoot the video for Wifey in 2006.
His struggle is documented in latest single Written In The Stars, (“But have you ever been so hungry that it keeps you awake/ Mate, now my hunger would leave them amazed”). “It really means a lot to me. There’s been a few gigs when manager has sung back every single word. He knows the struggle, 12 months ago we were in a totally different situation,” Tinie says.
The success hasn’t come without hard work, the 21-year-old has spent most of the last 18 months on the road. Including appearances at Glastonbury with Snoop Dogg, Wembley Stadium and as a support act to a host of acts. “I’ve done supports for really different artists, each amazing in their own way. Rihanna, Chase & Status, Mr. Hudson and Chipmunk, I’ve seen all these artists take to the stage in the headline slot and I’ve thought I wanted to achieve that for myself. To be able to do that a couple of months down the line is a dream come true,” he added.
This means he’s no stranger to music fans on the south coast having warmed-up crowds for Lethal Bizzle in Poole and Chase & Status at O2 Academy Bournemouth this spring. But Tinie believes crowds won’t be bored of him just yet, “The album is out a week or so before the Bournemouth date, so it’s a good opportunity to perform everything in full and let people get a taste of what the album’s like. Bring the music to life a little bit.”
And there may be a few surprises along the way, with a contacts book that includes some of today’s most high profile acts and a polished take on Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. “I’m going to keep that as a surprise. There’s a few covers I’ve been brainstorming to make sure we go out with a bang in Bournemouth. Some of them are going to shock you, some of them are going to surprise you. I’m keeping it under wraps but we are going to have a lot of fun. We’ve been talking about what we’re going to do when it comes to live performances and we’re trying to make it happen but I don’t want to give away too much,” he adds.
There will be something for the long-standing fans too, when asked if he would include Wifey in his sets he said: “Of course I will! You can’t do the Tinie Tempah experience without Wifey. One thing I have noticed is realised is that it has always got a good reaction and some people will be coming especially to see that. It’s definitely important to do that for the people that supported me before Pass Out and Frisky.”
Having spent most of the summer playing open-air gigs to huge crowds the rappers is looking forward to playing in clubs again. “I love an intimate gig, I know Bournemouth is roughly about a thousand so it’s going to be amazing to interact with people, I’m looking forward to that.”
It’s time for Tinie Tempah to finally take centre stage and Bournemouth will be there to see it when he does.
Published in the Daily Echo, Saturday 16th October 2010.
Bombay Bicycle Club: Pedal power
Convention and expectation mean very little to Bombay Bicycle Club. Just over a year after the slow-burning success of their indie-disco filled debut they unplugged their guitars for Flaws, an enchanting acoustic, folk record. Unpredictable and innovative as ever the London four-piece have returned with A Different Kind of Fix - flecked with subtle electronics, inspired by jazz samples and graced by the voice of Lucy Rose, it marks the latest chapter in the band’s ever-evolving story.
BBC have spent the last three years taking risks and experimenting, touring and recording. And they’ve barely put a foot wrong. Two top ten albums, an Ivor Novello nomination and a sold-out UK tour this autumn show how far they’ve come since recording in front man Jack Steadman’s bedroom.
Reflecting on the rise bassist Ed Nash describes the release of A Different Kind of Fix as a turning point. “We released the first album and I don’t think anyone really knew who we were,” he said. “Then people got into it. Then ‘Flaws’ came out and it wasn’t really announced so that threw everyone off. Most people thought we were a normal guitar band and we did something very unexpected. Now I think everyone knew it was coming and which direction we would be going in to some degree.”
While their latest effort is as eclectic and upbeat as their debut A Different Kind of Fix is more expansive and varied than its predecessors. Owing in no small part to the contribution of Lucy Rose. Having sung on Flaws Nash says the Warwickshire born singer was always in their plans. “Her voice lends itself nicely to Jack’s and it adds a different dimension to the music we didn’t really have on the first album,” he explains. “I don’t know if any songs were written with her in mind but we always hoped she would be involved.”
Following a handful of festivals this summer BBC have hit the road and Nash admits that the samples and electronics means “it’s harder than it used to be” to settle on live version of their new tracks. “It used to be three of us on guitars and Suren on drums and it was a straight forward set-up. But I think we’ve pulled it off, without having to use too much backing track and feeling too removed from the live performance and how we did it before.” One of the most problematic tracks has been Still - the sparse, haunting, piano lead album closer. “You would think it’s quite simple but we haven’t worked out how to do it yet,” he says.
BBC toured Flaws exclusively in churches and small theatres but they have no plans to play songs from their second album in the bigger venues they will visit on their 13 date UK tour. “It feels like a different side of the band and I don’t think it would work if we played them with songs from I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose. If we do play anything from Flaws it will be Ivy & Gold but we don’t have plans to do any others,” Nash said.
After the release of three albums in three years BBC look like they’re giving in to convention at last. “We are going to spend some time touring this album. We haven’t spent any time, in comparison to other bands, touring our other albums. We released them, did one or two tours and then went straight back into the studio and made another. This time we will go down the conventional route - go to the States and Europe and get as much out of it as we can,” the bassist said.
“If we put out another album out by this time next year there would be nothing left of us,” Nash laughs. “We’ve talked about it briefly but nothing is set yet. We were joking around saying we were going to do a big guitar-riff album or something like that.”
One things for certain, when they do return it won’t be as you expect.
Published in the Daily Echo, Saturday 15th October 2011.
Fogden: Chance of a lifetime
Over the last few years the Football League has seen a host of rags to riches stories.
Aged just 18 the former Brighton trainee learned he had a tumour that was eating into his spine. He underwent successful surgery shortly after and spent three months in a restrictive body cast before working his way back to fitness.
While some would be content with simply being healthy and comfortable in the surroundings of a Football League club, Fogden wasn't happy staying still. Following the sacking of Dean Wilkins the midfielder found his playing time limited and opted to join Dorchester Town.
Fogden's tale took another twist when he enrolled on the sports coaching and PE course at the University of Chichester. Combining the demands of the course and training for Havant was a challenge but the social side of university life added another dimension. But late night trips to clubs and kebab shops weren't on his agenda.
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
A new perspective for Partington
It's been a difficult few months for Joe Partington. After picking up what seemed a minor set-back in a reserve team friendly in April the Welsh under-21 international had surgery on a hip injury that kept him out for four months.
Forced to sit-out the Cherries play-off campaign Partington saw team-mates Danny Hollands and Anton Robinson move on, leaving a starting spot for the youth team graduate. But having missed pre-season he found himself behind new signings Steven Gregory and Shaun MacDonald as well as the impressive Harry Arter.
Recently introduced back into full training Partington has a new perspective and passion for the game formed by months of recovery and sitting in the stands.
"Five and a half months of being injured and watching games from the stands is hard," he said. "With all the games I've missed I treasure going on and try to make the most of it. You never know what will happen and if you will be out for a while and I've got to remind myself of how much of a pleasure it is to play."
Rewarded by Lee Bradbury in the spring with a two-and-a-half-year contract Partington was quick to thank his manager. "I felt lucky to be involved and I'm grateful to Bradders for putting me on. I will do whatever he, Fletch, Louis Langdown and Steve Hard need me to do so I can play a part and help the team," he said.
Calm and composed on the ball Partington made a seamless return to first-team action in a 35 minute cameo role and the 21-year-old gave an honest assessment of his performance. He said: "I feel fully responsible for the first goal and I should have dealt better with the lad in the corner. I went in for a tackle and he nicked it off me and put a cross in, other than that I felt it was alright."
The popular Cherries star has now set his sights on featuring in the reserves. "We've got a game at home next Tuesday at home to Brighton which should be a good game. It would be nice to get a full 90 minutes. I played 35 minutes and I was absolutely blowing. So, I will play in that game and kick on from there."
Pleased with his own comeback Partington was boosted by the return of fellow long-term absentee Michael Symes. Highly-rated by Partington the former Accrington man put in a lively half-an-hour display. "Symesy was brilliant when he came on. We've done a lot of stuff together and he's so strong. People don't realise how good he is with his feet and I can't wait to see him starting games because I'm sure he can score lots of goals."
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
£4.5 million stadium bid rejected
Eddie Mitchell has revealed the club have had two bids to buy back the Seward Stadium rejected, including a £4.5 million offer.
The Cherries chairman is reluctant to increase the bid, but is hopeful an agreement can be reached to purchase the stadium. Mitchell also unveiled plans to build a hotel and spa complex on the land behind the South Stand, as well as developing two training pitches in Kings Park.
Buying back the Seward Stadium has been a long term goal for Mitchell since becoming chairman in June 2009. The stadium was sold in 2005 for £3.5 million to prevent the club going into receivership, and was then leased back to the club for around £300,000 a year.
Mitchell said, "We have tabled two bids to buy the stadium back. We've got a window of opportunity, where we can raise the finances. Our highest bid was £4.5 million, which was considerably more than it was sold for. I don't think it makes sense financially to increase the bid above that ceiling. At this moment in time that offer has been rejected.
"We've got to look at what options we've got, where we invest and when we invest and how much we invest. There's always other avenues, there's other venues. We don't want to go to other venues, the club's been at Dean Court for over a hundred years and we don't want to change that and we've got no desire to move. We have got an ongoing lease at the club, which does secure our future playing here providing the rent is paid.
"I wouldn't like to draw a line under it, but for the foreseeable future I don't think we would want to increase that bid, so that's where we are."
Mitchell outlined plans to build a new stand where the empty South Stand currently is, with a hotel and spa complex, but insisted the bid wouldn't put the club back in to financial difficulties.
Mitchell is also keen to bring the club's training facilities back to Bournemouth, and has targeted the pitches behind the East Stand in Kings Park. He said, "There's already two pitches there that are derelict, and we would have to spend somewhere in the region of £400,000 or £500,000 to renovate the pitches and to landscape around there. We think it would be a good investment, and we've spoken to the council and by and large they're in agreement with what we want to do. We have put the plans in, and hopefully we can get cracking with work just before Christmas.
"We are looking to achieve a management agreement with the council where we can develop two training pitches and bring the youth back in house, train and perform alongside the first team. I'm sure that will help future local players come through to the first team and give us more strength in depth."
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
The Cherries chairman is reluctant to increase the bid, but is hopeful an agreement can be reached to purchase the stadium. Mitchell also unveiled plans to build a hotel and spa complex on the land behind the South Stand, as well as developing two training pitches in Kings Park.
Buying back the Seward Stadium has been a long term goal for Mitchell since becoming chairman in June 2009. The stadium was sold in 2005 for £3.5 million to prevent the club going into receivership, and was then leased back to the club for around £300,000 a year.
Mitchell said, "We have tabled two bids to buy the stadium back. We've got a window of opportunity, where we can raise the finances. Our highest bid was £4.5 million, which was considerably more than it was sold for. I don't think it makes sense financially to increase the bid above that ceiling. At this moment in time that offer has been rejected.
"We've got to look at what options we've got, where we invest and when we invest and how much we invest. There's always other avenues, there's other venues. We don't want to go to other venues, the club's been at Dean Court for over a hundred years and we don't want to change that and we've got no desire to move. We have got an ongoing lease at the club, which does secure our future playing here providing the rent is paid.
"I wouldn't like to draw a line under it, but for the foreseeable future I don't think we would want to increase that bid, so that's where we are."
Mitchell outlined plans to build a new stand where the empty South Stand currently is, with a hotel and spa complex, but insisted the bid wouldn't put the club back in to financial difficulties.
Mitchell is also keen to bring the club's training facilities back to Bournemouth, and has targeted the pitches behind the East Stand in Kings Park. He said, "There's already two pitches there that are derelict, and we would have to spend somewhere in the region of £400,000 or £500,000 to renovate the pitches and to landscape around there. We think it would be a good investment, and we've spoken to the council and by and large they're in agreement with what we want to do. We have put the plans in, and hopefully we can get cracking with work just before Christmas.
"We are looking to achieve a management agreement with the council where we can develop two training pitches and bring the youth back in house, train and perform alongside the first team. I'm sure that will help future local players come through to the first team and give us more strength in depth."
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
Fletcher steps down as assistant manager
Steve Fletcher has stepped down as assistant manager of AFC Bournemouth.
Fletcher took up the role of assistant manager following the departure of Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall in January 2011, and helped the Cherries to the play-off semi final last season. The striker has made 13 appearances for the club this season, including a cameo role in last night's defeat at Brentford.
Click here to read the story and watch an interview with Fletcher on afcb.co.uk.
The Wire spring 2011 sport layout
Articles, headline and layout for The Wire spring 2011 sport page.
Kano on his whirlwind year
2010 has been a strange year for Kano. After featuring on Gorillaz's latest album, Plastic Beach, he packed his bags and travelled the world with Damon Albarn's cartoon band.
Going from arena to arena, time-zone to time-zone, continent to continent left him pinching himself.
"Sometimes it is surreal performing up there with Paul Simonon and Mick Jones behind you, Bobby Womack side of stage watching you and Damon as well.
"The world tour was something that was probably never going to happen again and was going to be the experience of a lifetime," says Kano.
Now the 25-year-old has taken a break from his Gorillaz duties to tour his new album, Method To The Maadness, in some of the UK's smaller venues.
"Playing the bigger shows or the bigger festivals you always find it hard to connect to the audience. You still get a vibe off the noise from the audience and being on the stage in front of so many people.
"In the more intimate venues it's a different kind of experience. I think the bigger you get as an artist you get to a stage where, say you play stadiums, you want to come back and do smaller shows. All musicians miss that no matter how big they are".
The London rapper is looking forward to performing his latest songs but with four albums it's not easy choosing a set-list.
"I've performed quite a few songs off the album now, Get Wild and Crazy are big ones. There are some up-tempo tunes that people can let loose to. I also still perform the classics like Ps and Qs, so it's nice having that mix and a set that's more lively.
"Some songs get the elbow as you go along but some always stay. I like to change it up sometimes and not do the obvious ones, it's about doing what works for the place you are in.
"When you do your own shows they know you in and out and they know the old stuff. You might get away playing something from a mixtape or doing a freestyle".
Kano is taking Mz Bratt as support, having opened for the likes of Jay-Z and The Streets, he hopes the East London grime artist can follow in his footsteps.
"I've never had a female support before. Mainly my supports have been people I've worked with but I've been watching her and a lot of people are talking about her. Over the years there's been Ghetts and Tinchy Stryder and they've gone on to be huge, so hopefully she will do her own thing.
"I've got so much respect for support acts because I started out supporting Mike Skinner and he gave me the opportunity. We got to go up and down the UK and it put me in front of a different audience and gave me that experience of performing. When it came to my own shows I was so well prepared for it".
Method To The Maadness boasts an impressive list of producers including Albarn, Hot Chip and Chase & Status, as well as guest appearances from Wiley and Michelle Breeze. Kano, however, manages to put his own stamp on the record.
"I didn't want an album that sounded like a compilation but I wasn't just going to work with one person throughout. You've got that thing of making it sound like a body of work that works together and that has your uniqueness coming through.
"I've done that by playing to producers what I already had so they could understand where my head was at. I'm not the type of artist that gets sent a beat, records the track and lets a producer finish it. I'm there in the studio giving my input."
"I've done a lot of things for the first time this year and I think that's what I'm most proud of. Whether it is the Glastonbury show, or releasing an album independently or touring America.
"Every year I like to do something new, keep it interesting and keep growing as an artist. Then try and do it better next year, I'm just looking forward to improving".
If 2010 was a year to remember for Kano, then 2011 could be even better.
Click here to read the story on bournemouthecho.co.uk.
Sponsorship available for iconic stand
AFC Bournemouth is looking for a new sponsor for the club’s iconic Steve Fletcher Stand.
The new sponsor’s company name will sit alongside Fletcher’s at the top of the stand, as well as benefiting from a range of other brand and marketing opportunities.
Fletcher is a legend at the Seward Stadium having made over 700 appearances for the Cherries in his 18 years at the club, and had the North Stand named after him in April 2010. The 39-year-old has also been earmarked to take up coaching and ambassadorial roles when his playing career finishes.
The new sponsors will join a long list of reputable companies who have strong ties with the club including Focal Point, Seward and JD Sports.
The Steve Fletcher Stand houses some of the most passionate Cherries fans on a match day and has seen many memorable games over the past few years, as well as the club’s rise from the brink of extinction to pushing to promotion to in English football’s second tier.
The Cherries have been boosted by the arrival of Maxim Demin, who recently joined chairman Eddie Mitchell as co-owner of the club, and are assembling a young and talented squad capable of reaching the npower Championship.
AFC Bournemouth commercial director Rob Mitchell said, “I feel this represents a very exciting commercial opportunity and one that will offer a great deal of exposure to a company.
“AFC Bournemouth is one of the most well recognised brands in Dorset and Steve Fletcher is one of the club’s most well loved players, so it’s a unique package.
“There’s a positive feeling around the club and our stadium is one of the premier venues in Dorset, which make it a very attractive proposition for any local business.”
Fletcher added, “It was one of the proudest moments of my career seeing my name on top of the stand and it still means a great deal to me.
“I still love playing and always look forward to Saturdays, and hopefully I can score a few more goals in front of my stand.
“I would like to see a company who are excited to be associated with the club put their name to the stand too, and I would be delighted to work alongside them in the future.
“The club are heading in the right direction on and the off the pitch. Nobody at the club is looking to stand still and I’m sure the next few years will be as entertaining and successful as those we’ve just enjoyed.”
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
Moss slams FA Cup ball
Cherries goalkeeping coach Neil Moss labelled Umbro's Neo Pro FA Cup ball as a 'nightmare for goalkeepers'.
Moss also accused the FA of ruining the competition by using the ball, while manager Lee Bradbury added they were 'almost unfair on the 'keepers'.
The ball caused problems for both goalkeepers in the Cherries 3-3 draw at the Seward Stadium, with both Darryl Flahavan and Paulo Gazzaniga making mistakes which cost their sides goals.
The ball, which offers "a smoother, more accurate shot" according to its manufacturers, was used up and down the country in all of the FA Cup first round fixtures, which saw 115 goals scored in 38 games.
The Cherries train and play with Mitre Tenslie balls in npower League 1 matches and were supplied with eight Neo Pros in the build up to the visit of the Gills on Saturday.
Moss said, "I think it's getting beyond a joke now. I think they take the skill out of scoring. The days are gone where forwards needed to get their foot round the ball and bend it into the corners, because they can put their foot through the ball and it moves so much that shots that would be bread and butter turn into a nightmare.
"The FA want more goals and they will probably get them, but I'm a believer in that strikers should earn the right to score a goal. They should have to do some skill to bamboozle the 'keeper, and we saw that wasn't the case today. It's a just case of getting your head down, smash it as hard as you can and there's a half a chance it will fly in.
"I would just like us to use a ball we use everyday. I don't understand why we've got to change, but someone, somewhere is making a great deal of money out of it and good luck to them, but as goalkeepers and goalkeeper coaches they give us a headache that's for sure.
"We trained with them on Thursday and Friday, and only had eight of them. The Mitre ball moves around but we train with it everyday, so we can get used to it but this ball is in a different league. The powers of football managed to ruin a World Cup with the ball they introduced and they seem to have done that here with the FA Cup for me."
Cherries boss Bradbury agreed that the ball had contributed to the six-goal thriller and that its unpredictability was demonstrated by Gillingham's opening goal. Gill's midfielder Jack Payne scored a spectacular effort from 30 yards, which dipped late to deceive Flahavan.
Bradbury said, "I've looked at the first goal and it was going three or four yards over the bar. He was only three yards off his line, it's not as if he was out of position.
"I think they've (the FA) done it to make the competition more exciting and to see good goals. It's so unpredictable in the way it moves that it's almost unfair on the 'keepers.
"If you hit with a bit of slice it moves all over the place and dips, but it's the same for everyone. When I watch the highlights I'm sure we won't be the only team who had a problem."
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
Brooks: Club had no choice in vote
Cherries head of youth Shaun Brooks says the club had no choice but to vote in favour of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
The Football League voted this afternoon to back the controversial plans which will see the current academy system replaced by categorised youth set-ups, the abolishment of the tribunal system and young players able to travel for more than an hour and a half from their home to train with clubs.
Clubs were informed that if they opted against the proposal, the annual funding they received from the Premier League would be withheld.
While Brooks admitted he didn't agree with the plans, the funding was vital to the club being able to continue their youth programme.
Brooks said, "We voted yes because we need the funding as much as any other Centre of Excellence. We need funding to pay for facilities, staffing and travel costs so it wasn't a difficult decision.
"The Premier League have too much power and to a degree they've blackmailed the Football League clubs by withholding the solidarity payments.
"It's not a surprise that it's gone through and we've just got to make our product good enough that if the big clubs come calling for our boys then there's a reason for them to play for their local club.
"The problem will arise when we've got a 13, 14 or 15 year old who we feel might be worth £1 million, we could lose them to a top club for £50,000 possibly. It could be catastrophic for the smaller clubs."
Brooks added that the EPPP wouldn't change the way the club operated as they stay committed to producing local talent capable of playing in the first-team, and the approach was supported by Eddie Mitchell. "Ever since we've been at the club the chairman has backed the youth set up," Brooks explained.
"He's a businessman and he can see the money that's come into the club from the players who have come through the centre.
"We want a nucleus of home-grown players, while selling one or two players every year to keep the club financially stable.
"At the moment we will carry on and try to produce the best kids we can because it's been successful for the club. The likes of Danny Ings have brought a lot of money into the football club and have added to their value because they've got into the first-team."
Brooks believes the key to keeping talented youngsters at the Seward Stadium is to create a bond between them and the club. He said, "We are about producing local boys who have an affinity for the club. We need to enthuse the players, to have good coaches with knowledge and create a good environment for them to come and play."
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
Click here to read the story on afcb.co.uk.
The Wire spring 2011 edition news layout
Layout and headlines for the Bournemouth University student newspaper The Wire.
Monday, 14 November 2011
AFC Bournemouth Movember poster
Poster for AFC Bournemouth's Movember campaign created using Adobe InDesign CS5.5.
Friday, 4 November 2011
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