Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Michael Owen unveiled at Newcastle!


The England striker, who passed his medical on Tuesday, has agreed a four-year deal and is believed to have cost the Magpies a club record £17m. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "Bringing Michael here will rank alongside the signing of Alan Shearer as my proudest moment at Newcastle."

Alan Shearer and Michael Owen started together for England 13 times England won four, drew four and lost five of those games. The pair combined for nine goals in those games (Shearer five, Owen four). Liverpool had wanted to re-sign Owen but baulked at Real's asking price. Once Owen completes his move to Newcastle, his arrival at St James' Park will eclipse the money the club spent in signing Alan Shearer for £15m from Blackburn in July 1996.

The details of his contract with the Magpies are not known but reports suggest there may be various get-out clauses depending on the team's performance. "It will be a great achievement if we sign Michael," Newcastle manager Graeme Souness told the club's official website. "In football, the hardest thing to get is someone who puts the ball in the back of the net and Michael is the best at doing that for England. "I'd say it's the biggest transfer I've been involved in as a manager of any football club."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes it is a major boost knowing Owen will play regular football before next year's World Cup. "It is a great club. He will play regular football, much more than last season. I suppose he is very happy," said the Swede. "He will score goals for them and it is great to play with Alan Shearer. He is a good targetman and will give Michael Owen many chances, I am sure of that."

Owen was left out of Madrid's squad for the first game of their season after falling behind Ronaldo, Raul, Julio Baptista and Robinho in the pecking order at the Bernabeu.

Owen will bring a proven goalscoring pedigree to a team who have yet to score a Premiership goal so far this season. He was named European Footballer of the Year in December 2001 and, after 158 goals in 297 games for Liverpool, left for Real Madrid where he scored 16 goals as a bit part player.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Cup win could boost Hull!


Marketing chiefs are hoping to use Hull FC's high profile Challenge Cup victory to boost interest in the city. City officials believe the 25-24 win over Leeds has put the city's name on the map for the right reasons.

Hull Cityimage, the body in charge of promoting the city, said it was going to use the confidence generated by the result to positive effect.

Director John Till said: "We have got a whole number of things that we will be looking to do to build on this."

Monday, August 29, 2005

Hull City 1 - Leicester City 1

Unfortunately a second-half header from Patrick McCarthy rescued a point for Leicester as the Foxes rode their luck at the KC Stadium.

Hull hit the crossbar three times in a one-sided first half, before Craig Fagan eventually gave them the lead six minutes into the second half. However, Leicester dominated the closing stages of the game and deservedly drew level through McCarthy 20 minutes into the second half.

A superb cross from Stuart Elliott was headed on to the top of the crossbar by Fagan and then Elliott himself headed on to the other side of the bar following a free kick from Andy Dawson. Hull continued to threaten and visiting goalkeeper Robert Douglas produced an excellent save diving to his left to deny Fagan before Elliott's thumping header grazed the top of the woodwork yet again.

I think it was a bit unfortunate on the day that Hull couldn't make more of the chances Leicester gave to them at home, but that is they say football!

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Gym!


Today, I made my way to the gym I have joined at Hornsea Leisure Centre for only the fourth time since EuroJam!

Now I am feeling tired so I shall say goodnight, sorry for such a short update this evening!

Saturday, August 27, 2005

BBC plans to put channels on the net!


The BBC's TV channels will be made available on the internet, BBC Director General Mark Thompson has confirmed. He announced plans for the MyBBCPlayer - which will allow viewers to legally download seven days of programmes - at the Edinburgh Television Festival.

He said he hoped the service would launch next year. Mr Thompson said that unless the BBC adapted "we won't deserve or get licence-fee funding beyond 2016... that is very definitely not our plan".

A simulcast of BBC One or BBC Two, letting UK viewers see programmes on the web at the same time as they go out on TV, is also planned as part of MyBBCPlayer. I personally think that any other way to access BBC content is a good idea and is a must for the BBC!

Friday, August 26, 2005

Hull Slavery Museum Closed until 2007!


A museum devoted to the work of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce is closing on Wednesday for 18 months. Wilberforce House in Hull city centre was where the MP was born in 1759.

Improvements to the galleries and displays are being made in time for the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in Britain in 2007. When the museum reopens, the whole of Wilberforce's personal library will be on display for the first time.

Councillor David Gemmell said: "The redevelopment of Wilberforce House will form the centrepiece of the 2007 commemorations in Hull. "Its significance will raise the profile of the city both nationally and internationally."

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Scouts!


Tonight I went to Explorer Scouts as usual in Hornsea, I helped to pack all the equipment needed for Summer Camp at Marlow next week. However, I have to say that with all the Scouting things I have done over the Summer it is good to return to the normal less tiring routine rather than the exhausting but enjoyable camping one! However I did have to answer lots of questions about the EuroJam experience which was good.

It did turn out to be a little bit strange because one of the leaders who hadn't actually being at EuroJam had a son in law who was a special constable at the event, and it was a little bit worrying when she seemed to know more about the event than me! However, this was pretty easy as I was on the web development team for the whole event so spent most of the time in the Communications Marquee.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Gym!


Today, I made my way to the gym I have joined at Hornsea Leisure Centre for only the third time since EuroJam! At present I am using the all new word plugin to blog with I don't know how long this will last though!

Now I am feeling tired so I shall say goodnight, sorry for such a short update this evening!

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Fainting Goats!


This is very amusing. You need the sound on to appreciate it fully. I think they're moving to the top of the farm yard animals list. Hope everyone is well and enjoyed SAGGA summer camp. Yes, I am finally feeling well enough to post consistently after my strong cold and flu I caught at EuroJam, why can't the weather in the UK be consistent?

Monday, August 22, 2005

Gym!


Today, I made my way to the gym I have joined at Hornsea Leisure Centre for only the third time since EuroJam!

Now I am feeling tired so I shall say goodnight, sorry for such a short update this evening!

Sunday, August 21, 2005

McClaren win in Turkey!


Kimi Raikkonen surged to victory in the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix ahead of championship leader Fernando Alonso. The Finn's McLaren-Mercedes started on pole but was beaten to the first turn by Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella.

Raikkonen regained the lead on lap one and was never threatened again, reducing Alonso's lead to 24 points. Alonso took second in his Renault after a late error by McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya, who was third. Fisichella unfortunately held off BAR's Jenson Button who finished fourth.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Hull City 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 0


Today, I was pleased to see Ben Burgess, the Hull City striker who has recovered from a serious knee injury, got on the scoresheet for the first time in 14 months. Burgess replaced Nick Barmby with half an hour to go and made a big impact as he secured Hull's first championship win after 87 minutes.

Hull, who had been struggling to hold on to a first-half lead given them by Ryan France, were relieved when Burgess bundled the ball home after first hitting the post. "It's been a long battle for me but I know I can succeed at this level," he said.

Both teams went into the game looking for their first win and in a scrappy first half there were a lot of mistakes. However, Craig Fagan finally unlocked the Brighton rearguard late in the half with a strong cross-field run followed by a neat lay-off to France whose 20-yard drive was deflected past Wayne Henderson.

Finally as Brighton committed numbers to attack, Hull broke away with Burgess racing into to open field and driving against the post before scoring from the rebound. "I was really relieved that it came straight back to me," added Burgess.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Floral Hall!


Tonight I am going for a night out once again at Hornsea Floral Hall, which hopefully should be good!

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Gym!


Today, I made my way to the gym I have joined at Hornsea Leisure Centre for only the second time since EuroJam!

Now I am feeling tired so I shall say goodnight, sorry for such a short update this evening!

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Denmark 4 - England 1


A season that England hope will end in World Cup glory began in humiliating fashion last night with their heaviest defeat under Sven-Goran Eriksson. Denmark, superior tactically and technically, brutally exposed England's defensive weaknesses in the second half, striking four times to the sole response from Wayne Rooney.

This score line was particularly worrying even though it was from a friendly played last night and away from home, hopefully we can improve before the world cup qualifiers start, as normal.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Out in Hornsea to watch football!


Went out in Hornsea for the evening to watch the football before getting back in and getting back to everything!

Monday, August 15, 2005

Gym!


Today, I made my way to the gym I have joined at Hornsea Leisure Centre for the first time since EuroJam!

Now I am feeling tired so I shall say goodnight, sorry for such a short update this evening!

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Looking at EuroJam Pictures!


Have spent the day collating my photos from EuroJam and whilst I was doing this I thought I would look at Mikes photos which are located here, they all seem to be very good photos, but after all it was a good fortnight and a very good way to spend your holidays, role on 2007! Even though I might regret saying that in the very near future!

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Wolves 1 - Hull City 0


The Tigers suffered their first defeat of the season on a wet afternoon at Molineux. On the one hand, Wolves would have scored about 5 but for Boaz and a strong defence. On the other, we had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed, and Elliott forced a pair of good saves late on.

I thought we had the best of the last 20 minutes too. Positively, the defence was superb. Wiseman coped very well, Myhill was immense, Coles and Delaney were awesome. The 'offside' goal looked OK to me. Ellison pressured, defender slipped, Elliott whacked across the face of goal and Barmby knocked it in. Will have to see it again, but looked OK to me.

Damien Delaney scored an own goal as Wolves beat Hull to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to a club-record 21 games. Boaz Myhill saved from Kenny Miller in the opening minute but could do nothing when Delaney deflected a cross from Ki-Hyeon Seol.

Myhill saved from Carl Cort while Hull's Nick Barmby had an equaliser ruled out for offside. Stuart Elliott then went close for Hull, as did Joleon Lescott for Wolves. Peter Taylor said after the match that "For us to be in the Championship is a really big test and I've said all along Wolves would be one of the clubs up there challenging for promotion. In the first half Wolves produced lots of good moves, but we hung in there. In the second half we looked more confident in our chances of scoring a goal. Overall, I've been quite pleased with the way we played."

Friday, August 12, 2005

Floral Hall to see everyone!


Tonight as it was my first night out in Hornsea for a few weeks, I decided to spend a night in Hornsea, and not go to the Floral Hall. As I was tired from EuroJam and my job interview late in the week.

However, on after my visit to a pub in the town some friends of mine decided that it would be a good idea to go to the Floral Hall and you have to join them? Anyway, I decided to go to have a night out and see everyone which was good after several weeks of Scouting & EuroJam! Even though by 2a.m I was very tired and exhausted, but I enjoyed it all the same.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Back from EuroJam!


Today, I got back from the South of the UK after my fortnight at EuroJam, overall I wouldn't have missed the fortnight for the world as it has been a good few days, meeting lots of new friends and some old ones who it was good to see, including Simon, Heather and Jon from SAGGA. Seeing all these people made the event good for me.

However, towards the end I was particularly worn out and tired. So I am sorry if I missed saying goodbye to someone before leaving, I hope everyone is well, now I have finally got back round to blogging. I will try to keep this more up to date in the future, and I hope all the participants at EuroJam enjoyed the experience as it was certainly good for me!

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Very, very tired!


I am very tired at this point but for most of the Jamboree the websites all seemed to work which was what the team I was on was responsible for during the event. Unfortunately the weather seems to be quite changeable at present with showers interspersed by sunshine!

Anyway at this point I am going to bed to try and get some rest as this is needed at present I will blog more when I arrive home! One thing I will say is the food at EuroJam is some of the best food I have ever had at camp, so congratulations go to the IST sub camp kitchens!

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Sheffield Wednesday 1 - Hull City 1


Championship newcomers Sheffield Wednesday and Hull had to settle for a point each from an entertaining Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough. The hosts took an early lead when on-loan Leon Best finished from close range on his home debut.

Nick Barmby levelled with a superb half-volley and Jason Price and Leon Cort had attempts cleared off the line. But it was Stuart Elliott who missed Hull's best chance when he somehow missed with the goal at his mercy.

Monday, August 08, 2005

EuroJam!


Due to me spending time at EuroJam my blogging will be sporadic over the next few days, will return to normal after the 11th August 2005!

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Sorry for the sporadic posting!


Due to me spending time at EuroJam my blogging will be sporadic over the next few days, will return to normal after the 11th August 2005!

Saturday, August 06, 2005

City get first draw of the Championship


City got a respectable draw in their first match since promotion to the Championship, drawing 0-0 with QPR.

I thought that it was a rough, physical game, and neither keeper had too many saves to make. The first strong challenge came in the opening minute, and ended debutant Mark Lynch's involvement for the day. The right-back shepherded the ball out for a throw-in, and after it did he received a kick from QPR centre forward Paul Furlong that sent him flying into touch.

QPR had a few reasonable chances they failed to make more of. Tommy Doherty put a shot from the edge of the area over, Kevin Gallen shot wide after receiving a ball over the top that Delaney couldn't deal with, and Furlong also missed to the pleasure of the home fans, who had been on his back since his controversial challenge on Lynch. The City defence were under some pressure, but played it safe to deal with it.

City also had a couple of sights of goal themselves in the first half. The linesman flagged when Steve McPhee redirected a shot onto the bar, and saw the ball deflected just wide after it was pulled back by Ryan France on the byline.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Developers see Londons Eastern Promise!


In East London, where towering skyscrapers stand alongside some of the UK's most deprived areas, is to be transformed over the next two decades! According to the BBC, see the above link, some of the projects involved include the Thames Gateway, Stratford City, London 2012, A large wind farm and new transport system including a new Thames Gateway Bridge! I am still at EuroJam, having a very good time, if a little damp! I am still maintaining the websites will see everyone soon!

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Starting to get tired!


After another long and exhausting day at Hylands Park, Chelmsford! I think I need a rest, sorry for the short post and goodnight!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Met lots of new people from countries I have only heard of recently!


At these European Scout Region activities you certainly meet a lot of new people from countries you have never visited, or in some cases never even heard of! Today, I have been talking to a Canadian, a Irish person, some Spanish people and even some French people, although I hasten to add that all these conversations have been in English as we are in the U.K. after all, and English seems to be the international language of these camps anyway, (luckily)!

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Hull City A.F.C. vs Queens Park Rangers

With the Championship season almost upon us, the visit of Queens Park Rangers to the KC Stadium is something that we are all very much looking forward to this weekend!

Hull City A.F.C. have worked hard for the last four weeks, so everybody is looking forward to it. Everyone in the team has had a good pre-season, we've had a lot of games, everyone is fit and raring to go.

I'm sure there will be a fantastic atmosphere and it will be a fantastic game on Saturday.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Sorry for the sporadic blogging!

I should just apologise about the delay in my blogging over the past few days, but I have been busy with EuroJam related things and have simply not had the time! When I get back I will use bloggers picture posting facility to upload pictures from the event that you may enjoy!