Kettering back in the Blue Square Premier

Kettering Town have been promoted as Blue Square North Champions after a 3-0 win over AFC Telford at the A-Line Arena.

Over 2,500 fans saw goals from David Bridges and a brace from Andy Robinson ensure the Poppies’ return to the top-flight of non-league football after a five-year absence.

Promotion was finally confirmed at the final whistle after the news that Stalybridge had lost and Harrogate drew.

Kettering Manager Mark Cooper, 39, was quick to recognise the achievement of his players, but encouraged the jubilant fans to enjoy the success while it lasts.

“All I would say to you is: savour it, savour the moment because next year we’re going into a real tough league.

“It’s not like it’s going to be as easy as it was this year.”

Tough league

Cooper has a wealth of playing experience under his belt, after having played at various levels with Wycombe Wanderers, Birmingham City, Macclesfield Town and Hinckley United.

The young manager had previously had an unsuccessful managerial spell at Tamworth, but has led his Kettering side to the Blue Square North title at the first attempt.

Terry Freer from Kettering Borough Council said: “It’s been a great season for the club and winning promotion is a fantastic boost for the town and everyone connected with Kettering Town Football Club.”

Kettering’s attention now focuses on scoring their 100^th goal of the season, and breaking Northwich Victoria’s record of 92 points in their 2005/2006 title winning season.

The team will finally get their hands on the Blue Square North trophy on Saturday 19^th April before the club’s penultimate home game with Workington.

Crowd violence may lead to increased security

Kettering Town may be forced into having an increased police presence around the A-Line Arena before future home fixtures.

An increased number of stewards and police could be deployed as early as next season following crowd trouble before Kettering’s match against Telford.

Eight Telford fans were arrested as violence broke out in The Shire Horse around 4.15pm.

Terry Freer from Kettering Borough Council feels that following recent events, a change in the security structure may be needed.

“I think that when the team goes up a league they will need to look into the issue further.

“It’s not often that you see scenes like that at a non-league fixture, but I imagine the club will want to ensure that those scenes aren’t repeated.

“They might want to look at extra security for games against Rushden and Diamonds in particular.”

Extra security

Season ticket holder James Hilling claims that that the violence erupted between both sets of supporters before kick off at the A-line Arena, with most of the trouble centring in Britannia Road.

“I heard there was some trouble on the other side of the ground, but by the time I got round there the police were dealing with it.”

Football hooligans were also seen to be being marched away from the stadium in both directions along Rockingham Road around 2.45pm.

Hilling added: “I saw the police walking some fans towards the centre, and I guess that’s when they started trouble in our pubs.”

Gatland has the last laugh in the wake of O'Sullivan resignation

Ireland's dramatic fall from grace has been well-documented in recent times. Following a poor showing at last year's Rugby World Cup, the Irish team could only manage a disappointing fourth place in the Six Nations.

The Independent's Chief Rugby Correspondant Peter Bills recently summed up the collective disappointment at the current state of Irish Rugby, and cited in particular how poor confidence is rife amongst the current squad.

Bills' prediction that O'Sullivan would soon walk away from his post came to fruition last night as the Irishman announced that he would be stepping down in front of the world's media. Wyn Griffiths broke the news today, and also went on to speculate on who the IRFU might choose to take Irish Rugby forward.

O'Sullivan's resignation will please many in the rugby world, but nobody more so than Warren Gatland. After widespread speculation that the Irishman had been influential in removing the Kiwi during his spell as Ireland Head Coach, Gatland will have more than a wry smile when he picks up his paper this morning.

How fitting, perhaps, that in O'Sullivan's last game at the helm of Irish rugby his side were comprehensively beaten by none other than Warren Gatland's Wales. For Gatland and Wales the future looks considerably brighter, leaving a fractured Irish set-up in tatters.

Croke Park braces itself for Celtic clash

This weekend the rugby world will have one eye on the latest score in Dublin as Wales look to take another decisive step towards winning the Triple Crown and achieving their first grand-slam since 1978.

However, if history is anything to go by then Wales can certainly expect a formiddable task awaiting them at Croke Park. Guardian columnist Eddie Butler believes that even though the international set up of both sides may have altered slightly over the years, this weekend's fixture is sure to be as passionate as ever. Indeed, Ireland still harbour dreams of over-hauling Wales and lifting this years' Six Nations trophy.

It would appear, however, that not everyone is prepared to buy into the propaganda that Wales are certainties to steam-roller their way to grand-slam success. Indeed, Rugby writer Paul Ackford from the Telegraph feels Wales' dreams of achieving a memorable grand-slam by be thwarted if not by Ireland, then by the French.

This is certainly no sign of bitterness towards the Welsh, far from it. But when you analyse that Wales' three victories so far have come by comprehensively beating the two statistically weakest sides in the tournament, coupled with the fact that England effectively handed them victory in their opening match, it is not wrong to suggest that tougher challenges lie ahead.

This brings us back to this weekend's crucial fixture. Defeat for Wales would throw this years' Six Nations wide-open. However, a victory for Gatland's warriors may signal a rise to prominance of a new force in world rugby, and one which should be taken very, very seriously.

Preston and North-West News Stories

This is a map of various news stories from the Preston and surrounding area.


View Larger Map

Could defeat for England cost Ashton his job?

The eve of another crucial match for England, and yet again the debate over Brian Ashton's position rumbles on.

After taking a beleaguered England team to the brink of World Cup glory, Ashton has seen his side collapse in both their opening Six Nations matches, and were fortunate to escape from Rome with a victory.

This has led to the latest round of media specualtion regarding Ashton's future, and in particular, whether he should be relieved of his duties this weekend should England stutter in Paris.

What should also be taken into consideration is whether England have just not been playing to their full potential in recent weeks. We are all aware of just how far this England team can go when they put their minds to it, and Phil Vickery has today called for England to show some responsibility if they are to improve.

One thing is for certain, England will have a tough job over-hauling a French side who have not lost to England at the Stade de France in the Six Nations for eight years. Indeed France have enjoyed something of a renaissance of their own since losing to England in last year's World Cup Semi-final.

A victory for England may buy Ashton a few more weeks, but the question to be asked is whether it would simply just prolong the inevitable?

Can Wales win the Six Nations?

Well a lot of people think they can.

These are sportsmen who for too long have lived in the shadows of their British and French neighbours, but now this rejuventated side has achieved back-to-back Six Nations victories and produced some scintilating rugby along the way. Those who felt the victory over England was a flash-in-the-pan were treated to a display of talent and belief against the Scots which proved that this year Wales are a force to be reckoned with.

Any coach who is willing to shuffle six members of his pack must be very confident in his squad's abilities. Indeed Warren Gatland has gone as far as comparing his side to the famous All Blacks. Some feel that Gatland is simply experimenting against the Italians. However, the Welsh coach hit back in today's (13/02/08) Independent with: "I don't think when you see the likes of Gethin, Dwayne, Stephen and Mark (Jones) coming in you can say we're experimenting."

Forget the images of a Welsh side that had quietly slipped into mediocrity, with Warren Gatland at the helm it appears that Welsh Rugby is ready to rise again.