Tag Archives: bonanza

Stuart Pearce blamed for losing Victor Moses to Nigeria

Posted on by

Pearce blamed for losing flying Chelsea winger Moses to Nigeria

|

UPDATED:

08:31 GMT, 28 November 2012

England Under 21 coach Stuart Pearce has been singled out for blame after Chelsea’s dual-nationality forward Victor Moses chose to play for Nigeria rather than England.

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, who oversaw Moses’s development at Selhurst Park, says the often taciturn Pearce should have done more to make the 21-year-old welcome during his time with his England side.

Blame game: Victor Moses (right) will play for Nigeria not England and Stuart Pearce has been blamed

Blame game: Victor Moses (right) will play for Nigeria not England and Stuart Pearce has been blamed

More from Charles Sale…

We were wrong! But Chelsea still won't say sorry to Clattenburg over Mikel
27/11/12

Charles Sale: Jordan pondered Portsmouth deal but bowed to fan power
26/11/12

Charles Sale: Wimbledon set to avoid any MK Dons exposure in FA Cup clash
23/11/12

Charles Sale: Call this reintegration, KP After rejoining England, flash star leaves team-mates behind to upgrade at five-star hotel in India
22/11/12

Charles Sale: Games success helps the healing between FIFA and FA
21/11/12

Charles Sale: Richards causes ructions at the FA
21/11/12

Charles Sale: Premier League's TV deal bonanza continues as tender on course to reach 5bn after Indonesia and New Zealand sign up
20/11/12

Charles Sale: Premier League celebrate whopping 200m Thai deal
19/11/12

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

And managers Neil Warnock and Roberto
Martinez, who had Moses in their respective teams at Palace and Wigan,
have also criticised the FA for not persuading the player to pick
England.

Jordan’s faith in Moses’s potential extended to the multi-millionaire football chairman having a 50,000 bet with former Arsenal forward Paul Merson that Moses would win more England caps than Merson’s tally of 21 — although that wager has been voided by the Nigeria decision.

The FA strongly defend Pearce’s interactions with Moses, saying that a lot of effort was made to keep the player in the national set-up. And they point to plenty of other young internationals opting for England when given a choice.

Roy Hodgson’s assistant Gary Neville was asked about Moses snubbing England while he was doing the Sky co-commentary of the Chelsea-Manchester City game last Sunday.

Neville shifted the blame on to the system that allows England to develop youngsters through junior sides only to lose them at senior level.

Why didn't you welcome him Simon Jordan says Pearce should have put the boat out

Why didn't you welcome him Simon Jordan says Pearce should have put the boat out

Coe's pulling power

Lord Coe’s arrival as chairman of the British Olympic Association has resulted in their high-quality director of communications Darryl Siebel, who was due to return to the United States after the 2012 Games, deciding to stay on to work with the new regime under Coe. Siebel’s welcome U-turn came just as a shortlist of candidates to replace him was being drawn up.

Sugar pill: UEFA are launching a charm offensive on England

Sugar pill: UEFA are launching a charm offensive on England

Wembley choice a sweetener

UEFA are using the Champions League final returning to Wembley for the second time in three years in 2013 — as well as their Congress being held in London next year — as evidence that president Michel Platini is not as anti-English as is so often perceived.

Both venue choices were ultimately the decision of Platini, who will also improve his popularity over here if plans to reduce the extortionate price of tickets for the CL showpiece come to fruition.

A UEFA charm offensive with the English media also includes appointing former Press Association sports chief Andy Elliott as a point of liaison with UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

Chang a Monaco man

Jen Chang, Liverpool’s hapless former media chief who was never suited to the post, has shown an even more unlikely interest in becoming director of football at Monaco — especially as one of the reasons given for his departure from Anfield was that his family was still based in New York.

One link for Chang is that Bruce Bundrant, Liverpool’s former head of partnerships, is commercial director at Monaco. But he only overlapped with Chang at Anfield for a few weeks.

Hamann for all seasons

Dietmar Hamann, the former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder best known for scoring Germany’s winner at Wembley that led to Kevin Keegan’s departure as England manager, is not the first person you would expect to be so active on Twitter offering encouragement to England’s cricketers. Germany is hardly a hotbed of the game.

Remembered: Dietmar Hamann rifled home a free kick against England

Remembered: Dietmar Hamann rifled home a free kick against England

BT's Olympic aim

BT Vision’s coverage of the Premier League next season is expected to be presented from the Olympic Park’s media centre, which will give the network the 40,000 square feet of space it wanted for the hub of its new sports channel.

Talks are in progress with iCity, who won the legacy bid to develop the Press and Broadcast buildings. BT had been negotiating with ITV to produce the PL football content, for which they paid 738million.

But the discussions broke down around the proposed ITV studio location at their South Bank HQ as BT did not want to squeeze in with other productions.

After ITV’s withdrawal, the BT tender is being contested by Sunset & Vine, IMG media and North One.

Simon Jordan pondered Portsmouth buy-out – Charles Sale

Posted on by

Jordan pondered Portsmouth deal but bowed to fan power

|

UPDATED:

23:18 GMT, 26 November 2012

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has revealed he enquired about buying Portsmouth before the administrators agreed a deal with the Pompey Supporters’ Trust.

Jordan, now based in Marbella in Spain, had talks on behalf of a consortium encouraged by the potential of the financially stricken club because of their loyal fan base.

But Jordan opted out after discussions with lead administrator Trevor Birch because he didn’t believe his investment group could compete with the draw of fans being in charge of their own team.

Considered: Simon Jordan thought about buying Portsmouth

Considered: Simon Jordan thought about buying Portsmouth

Jordan showing interest in acquiring another Football League club is surprising considering that he admits to losing 50million of his fortune at Selhurst Park.

Be Careful What You Wish For, Jordan’s
acclaimed book about his Palace years — which he wrote himself — was
shortlisted for the 2012 William Hill Sports Book of the Year.

More from Charles Sale…

Charles Sale: Wimbledon set to avoid any MK Dons exposure in FA Cup clash
23/11/12

Charles Sale: Call this reintegration, KP After rejoining England, flash star leaves team-mates behind to upgrade at five-star hotel in India
22/11/12

Charles Sale: Games success helps the healing between FIFA and FA
21/11/12

Charles Sale: Richards causes ructions at the FA
21/11/12

Charles Sale: Premier League's TV deal bonanza continues as tender on course to reach 5bn after Indonesia and New Zealand sign up
20/11/12

Charles Sale: Premier League celebrate whopping 200m Thai deal
19/11/12

Charles Sale: Fayed ready to sue Premier League over fair play plan
16/11/12

Charles Sale: Cricket pundit Hughes on a sticky wicket in love match
15/11/12

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

Viagogo go abroad

Secondary online ticket dealers Viagogo are taking their time in passing on to the RFU the names of those who sold Twickenham seats via their site in 2010 and 2011 in breach of regulations. They were ordered to do so by a Supreme Court judgement but Viagogo are confident that moving their headquarters to Switzerland, with the extra layers of bureaucracy that entails, will make it more difficult for the RFU to pursue them.

Doping glory

Bike racer Tyler Hamilton’s book The Secret Race, which helped blow the lid on serial drugs cheat Lance Armstrong, was a worthy winner — for a change — of the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year title this year.

Hamilton said he had read only a chapter at most of Armstrong’s autobiography, My Journey Back to Life, which took the prize in 2000, and American Hamilton would leave it to others to decide whether his disgraced compatriot should be stripped of the book honour along with his seven Tour de France title.

The judging panel discussed expunging Armstrong from their 24-year roll of honour but took the view drugs didn’t help him write the book.

Curtain raising book: Lance Armstrong rides with Tyler Hamilton (left), whose work won the 2012 prize

Curtain raising book: Lance Armstrong rides with Tyler Hamilton (left), whose work won the 2012 prize

Andrew in position

It was noticeable during England’s defeat by Australia at Twickenham that RFU survivor Rob Andrew, professional rugby director, was seated in the row behind struggling coach Stuart Lancaster. Andrew being so visible at a big Test match comes as a review by Peter Keen and Ian McGeechan takes place into his performance department, with increasing calls for an experienced RFU performance director for rookie international coach Lancaster to lean on.

A gala dinner to benefit rugby charities is being planned by the RFU for the 10th anniversary of the 2003 World Cup win. If England go into 2013 on the back of three home defeats, such an occasion will highlight the decline of the national side since.

Donnelly put on hold

Troubled Queens Park Rangers, who wasted a fortune on sacked manager Mark Hughes’s brief regime, need to get a grip on their finances before they spiral out of control.

Yet FA group chief financial officer Mark Donnelly, who was surprisingly persuaded in October to leave a secure job at Wembley to become chief operating officer at the relegation-threatened club, has to give six months’ notice to the FA and doesn’t know when he will be allowed to leave.

It’s unlikely Donnelly will be full time at Loftus Road until after the next transfer window, during which his advice may be needed after their 27million of spending in the summer. However, Donnelly is already helping out chief executive Phil Beard when his FA duties allow.

Boycott chips in

Cricket pundit Geoffrey Boycott joined Kevin Pietersen in paying for an upgrade to the more luxurious old wing of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai when the rest of the England touring team and media were allocated rooms at the five-star hotel.

Upgrade: Geoffrey Boycott helped pay for his improved upkeep at the hotel

Upgrade: Geoffrey Boycott helped pay for his improved upkeep at the hotel

Test Match Special analyst Boycott has always been as singular an individual as Pietersen.

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘The Beeb has not paid for an upgrade in relation to Geoffrey Boycott’s accommodation costs.’

Sir Dave Richards causes ructions at the FA over John Terry statement – Charles Sale

Posted on by

Richards causes ructions at the FA

|

UPDATED:

00:13 GMT, 21 November 2012

The fall-out from the John Terry racism case continues to cause tension at the top of the FA more than a year after he clashed with QPR’s Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road.

The high-level issue yet to be resolved concerns FA board member and Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards giving evidence to the hearing that led to the Chelsea captain being banned for four matches for racist abuse.

Richards was mentioned in the disciplinary commission findings for having provided Terry with a character reference in connection with his support for charitable causes.

Support: Former FA vice-Chairman Sir Dave Richards gave a character reference to John Terry

Support: Former FA vice-Chairman Sir Dave Richards gave a character reference to John Terry

However, the FA’s group legal director Alistair MacLean has written to Richards, an FA vice-chairman at the time, wanting to know why he got involved in a case brought by English football’s ruling body.

Richards, who has since stepped down as vice-chairman but remains a director, is believed not to have replied to the letter. The FA would not comment.

More from Charles Sale…

Charles Sale: Premier League's TV deal bonanza continues as tender on course to reach 5bn after Indonesia and New Zealand sign up
20/11/12

Charles Sale: Premier League celebrate whopping 200m Thai deal
19/11/12

Charles Sale: Fayed ready to sue Premier League over fair play plan
16/11/12

Charles Sale: Cricket pundit Hughes on a sticky wicket in love match
15/11/12

Charles Sale: No way back Liverpool chief Chang return in doubt following Twitter storm
14/11/12

Charles Sale: Soccer Saturday tour scrapped… but no-one will say why
13/11/12

Sports Agenda Extra: We needed troops to step in yet G4S could WIN gong for 2012 Olympics work
05/11/12

Charles Sale: Silent Stan finally makes it back into the Arsenal stands
24/10/12

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

Viagogo await court decision on Twickenham ticket sales

The Supreme Court are due to rule on Wednesday whether secondary ticket site Viagogo have to reveal to the RFU details of people who offered Twickenham seats for sale through the website in breach of the Union’s conditions.

Yet Viagogo, despite losing the original court case and again in the Court of Appeal, were still promoting their busy sale of England tickets for Saturday’s Test against South Africa.

Viagogo director Ed Parkinson said: ‘It is perfectly legal to re-sell rugby tickets today and we believe it will be perfectly legal to do so tomorrow. Our service is more popular than ever.’

Clattenburg won't go to Brazil

It was claimed by Soccerex that referee Mark Clattenburg, who hasn’t been allocated a Premier League game in the next round of fixtures, would be in Rio de Janeiro instead to take charge of a legends football festival on Copacabana Beach featuring Marcel Desailly and Carlos Valderrama.

No beach time: Mark Clattenburg will not take charge of a legends game on Copacabana Beach

No beach time: Mark Clattenburg will not take charge of a legends game on Copacabana Beach

However, despite his free weekend, Clattenburg will not be travelling to Brazil, having never committed to the Soccerex conference proposal. The findings of the FA probe into Chelsea allegations of racist comments made by the referee are due this week.

The Secret Race favorite for book gong

The panel who pick the William Hill Sports Book of the Year have a long history of ignoring the obvious choice on the shortlist.

But cyclist Tyler Hamilton’s revelatory The Secret Race, co-written with Daniel Coyle, which set the Tour de France drugs scandal agenda ahead of Lance Armstrong being stripped of his seven titles, has to be the 2012 winner.

It would also be fitting if Armstrong’s autobiography, which won in 2000, is expunged from William Hill’s 24-year roll of honour.

Not a fan: BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew does not like rival broadcast Test Match Sofa

Not a fan: BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew does not like rival broadcast Test Match Sofa

Sofa so bad for Aggers

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew is causing ructions in India with his paranoid opposition to the irreverent and harmless Test Match Sofa alternative to the official ball-by-ball commentary on Test Match Special, which is legally available only to listeners in the UK.

Yet his one-eyed defence of the Beeb service hasn’t stopped Aggers advising cricket fans on Twitter on whom to contact for instructions to access TMS from overseas — in contravention of the rights he seeks so passionately to protect.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘We do not endorse any unofficial ways of listening to BBC radio sport output.’ But the Beeb would not comment on whether Agnew would be reprimanded for his off-piste tweeting.

Blatter visit gives Sheepshanks chance to shine as FA candidate

David Sheepshanks, chairman of St George’s Park, will get another opportunity with the visit of FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday to show the football statesman qualities that make him a contender to succeed David Bernstein as FA chairman next June.

However, the choice of chairman — after administrative incompetence, complacency and board betrayals led to Bernstein losing the vote to extend his term — is made more confusing by the Premier League looking to replace their chairman, Sir Dave Richards, at the same time.

London 2012 vice-chairman Sir Keith Mills would be the No 1 selection for both positions. But he is waiting until next month to consider fully his numerous options.

Juventus will win Champions League soon after Chelsea win – Matt Barlow

Posted on by

If this is not the Old Lady's year in the Champions League, then it will be soon

|

UPDATED:

00:00 GMT, 21 November 2012

The Juventus Stadium rocked to the noise of a proud name on the rise again. Fortunately this new Italian theatre of football is built upon strong foundations. Whether Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea can say the same remains to be seen. It did not feel that way on Tuesday night.

It felt very fragile, as if the European champions were about to unravel, just six months after their greatest triumph. They were beaten by a better team in Donetsk and again in Turin, feeling the new power of the Old Lady.

Jumping for joy: The Juventus Stadium was rocking as the Old Lady saw off Chelsea on Tuesday night

Jumping for joy: The Juventus Stadium was rocking as the Old Lady saw off Chelsea on Tuesday night

Apart from Notts County – invited to open this magnificent arena because of their historic links to the club – Chelsea were the first English team to visit. They were steamrollered and it is easy to see how Juve's new home has become a key factor in their resurgence, in terms of economics and atmospherics.

Up to 40,000 pack into steep stands and generate a frenzy of noise amid a bonanza flags depicting black-and-white adopted from County and red-and-green from Italy.

Three and easy: The Italian side scored three goals against a lacklustre Chelsea

Three and easy: The Italian side scored three goals against a lacklustre Chelsea

It is modern and pristine, clinical inside like a private hospital. The dug-outs are shielded by glass with a bench at the front for the paperwork, pens and laptops and iPads and the like to rest upon. It is nostalgic, too.

An enormous club crest with its rampaging bull stares down opposite the players' tunnel and a giant '30' is controversially displayed in recognition of the number of Serie A titles they have won. Two of the 30 have been stripped after a match-fixing scandal but there is murkiness too in the rich history.

French fancy: Zidane watched his former club overturn Chelsea

French fancy: Zidane watched his former club overturn Chelsea

Reminders of those who have worn the stripes are everywhere, begging the question: How have they failed to win this trophy more than twice

Zinedine Zidane, one of the best, was present game to admire the Italian champions, although, in his advisory role at Real Madrid, he may fear them.

If this is not Juve's year in Europe, then it will be soon. The stadium is the only one privately owned in Italian football and produces huge match-day profits. Naming rights were sold for 75 million Euros to a sports marketing company, who have not yet found a buyer.

All of which means the new home is cherished and lucrative and the team builds. Lumps of its predecessor, the Stadio delle Alpi an still to be seen but no tears are shed for the old concrete bowl where Gazza turned on the waterworks in Italia '90.

Pardaig Harrington to play in Grand Slam of Golf as Ernie Els pulls out with ankle injury

Posted on by

Bermuda bonanza for Harrington as Els pulls out of Grand Slam of Golf

|

UPDATED:

10:44 GMT, 21 October 2012

Bonanza: Harrington

Bonanza: Harrington

Ireland's Padraig Harrington has suddenly found himself called into the four-man PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal in Bermuda on Tuesday and Wednesday, and even if he finishes last he will earn 125,000.

Harrington replaces Open champion Ernie Els, who has pulled out with a left ankle injury, and in an event meant to bring together the season's four major winners is up against Masters champion Bubba Watson, US Open winner Webb Simpson and last year's USPGA champion Keegan Bradley – himself a replacement for Rory McIlroy.

Northern Ireland's world No 1 qualified with his USPGA victory in August, but is defending the BMW Masters title in Shanghai this week, while second and third alternates Graeme McDowell and Tiger Woods are also honouring commitments to play in Asia.

Harrington said: 'While my entry is under unique circumstances, I am excited to compete in the event again. I came close the last two times I was there, losing in play-offs to Angel Cabrera in 2007 and Jim Furyk in 2008, so maybe the third time will be a charm.'

Els, winner in 1997 and 2010, stated: 'I am bitterly disappointed. It is a great reward for winning a major and something I have enjoyed in the past and was looking forward to again.

Ankle injury: Els has had to pull out of the event in Bermuda

Ankle injury: Els has had to pull out of the event in Bermuda

'Unfortunately I sprained my left ankle a few days ago and while it isn't too serious and should recover relatively quickly, I have been advised not to try and play on it.'

The winner receives 375,000 and the runner-up 187,500.

Charles Sale: Pearce to pay GB man Beckham a visit

Posted on by

Pearce to pay GB man Beckham a visit

|

UPDATED:

23:27 GMT, 14 June 2012

David Beckham is surely not going to
be left out of Stuart Pearce's 18-man Team GB squad for the Olympics
after being named on the 35-strong shortlist registered with FIFA.

Yet Pearce still feels the need to
run the rule over Beckham's form for LA Galaxy by going to the United
States to watch him play in his next two Major League Soccer games: at
home to Portland Timbers on Sunday and away at Real Salt Lake three days
later.

Watching brief: David Beckham

Watching brief: David Beckham

Beckham's iconic global stature and the celebrity ballyhoo surrounding his Olympic involvement would make his omission from the Games at this stage unimaginable, even with more than the maximum three over-age players allowed included on the 35-man shortlist.

So Pearce must have doubts as to how he will best deploy Beckham at the Games, or else the England Under 21 coach is just being diligent in watching his players as much as he can before the July 6 deadline for the team announcement. Pearce may also want to involve England's most capped outfield player more deeply in his Team GB planning during his stay in the States.

Cash bonanza

Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, must be looking forward to an increase in his TV rights-negotiating bonus payment – currently 2.5million spread over four years – following the astonishing 3.01bn deal agreed with Sky and BT. But Scudamore's skills still come cheap compared to the outrageous contract his predecessor Peter Leaver signed, without consulting clubs, to hire TV consultants Sam Chisholm and David Chance. If those terms – ensuring a payout of 5 per cent of the money gained on the last deal – had still been in place, the pair would have pocketed 62.25m from the latest rights bonanza.

TV turn off

Such is the disillusion in America about ESPN's UK operation after the loss of their Premier League rights, there is a strong possibility they will sell off existing contracts before they are due to expire – especially with the British set-up proving a big loss-making venture. Eager buyers will be BT, who plan other, non-football content for their sports channel if ESPN want to offload their Premiership rugby and FA Cup rights. The ESPN debacle is a major headache for the FA, who face two seasons with their flagship Cup competition being shown on a lame-duck station with little likelihood of much promotion. An ESPN spokesman said: 'We are just focusing on next season.'

Noel Gallagher

Noel's on song in Kiev

Oasis singer Noel Gallagher (right) says: 'I do follow England because they have some good players, but when push comes to shove I'm in the Ireland end. I've always supported Ireland since I was a kid.' Yet Noel will still be watching England in Kiev, having invited FA staff to his concert in the Ukrainian capital this week as well as entertaining them backstage.

Prize guys

Factory workers at
car plants of England team sponsors Vauxhall may be upset about not
being able to watch Euro 2012 at work. However, the FA kept their 200
staff at Wembley on side by laying on a big-screen showing of the match
against France in office hours, complete with food and drink as well as a
raffle. The winning prize was a pair of England captain Steven
Gerrard's boots.

In the frame

Fortunately for the Premier League, BT were prepared to fork out 738m for 38 games a season for three years despite their last football experience being as one of the sponsors of England's doomed 2018 World Cup bid. BT will be forming a TV presentation team from scratch but plan to employ the best talent and say they have already been approached by 'household names'. Currently, Martin Keown is the only football pundit to work for them.

New jackets required

They used to be called plain old tracksuit tops, but the England versions have been redubbed 'anthem jackets' for sponsorship reasons. After wearing the white range against France, the team will be in blue for the national anthem at the Olympic Stadium to give beleaguered up-for-sale team backers Umbro some extra exposure.

Castleford Tigers brings back Man of Steel for Magic Weekend

Posted on by

Tigers boss Millward brings back his Man of Steel for Magic Weekend

|

UPDATED:

18:56 GMT, 25 May 2012

Ian Millward does not hesitate for a second. Rangi Chase is back in action, and the man whose tackle on Featherstone's Tangi Ropati split rugby league as well as his victim's jaw, does not need to change his approach.

Chase got a three-match ban, from which he returns in today's Magic Weekend derby with Wakefield that kicks off the Etihad Stadium bonanza.

For Ropati the affects are longer lasting, with two fractures resulting in three steel plates and several pins being inserted into his face.

Back in action: Rangi Chase

Back in action: Rangi Chase

But former St Helens and Wigan boss Millward, now in charge of the Tigers, is backing his star turn. He told Sportsmail: 'There was no malice or intent, so it's not a case of Rangi having to change how he plays, definitely not. No, no, no, no.'

Man of Steel Chase has become used to dividing the sport that provides his living. Seven months ago, when he made his England debut despite being born and raised in New Zealand, he created a debate on international rugby league's eligibility rules that still continues today.

But the controversy surrounding his latest spell in the spotlight has been so fierce it has led to some calling for a complete overhaul of the RFL's disciplinary system.

Last year Chase produced a thunderous tackle on Kevin Sinfield that was timed to perfection. Last month, when his timing was out, Ropati was left dealing with the consequences.

“It's coming more from Australia than anywhere,” Millward says of the spectacular if occasionally serious shoulder charges that are becoming a staple part of league. “It's something they're trying to ban, because if you get it wrong it can cause you harm and the opposition player harm. Every coach wants a player to have shoulder contact, but if you get it wrong it's not pretty.”

He adds: 'Rangi was guilty, because he made contact with an opposing head. They're the rules, but I never thought there was intent or that it was malicious.

'If you look at his hands they're by his side, his feet are together and he launches and connects with his shoulder, but the rules are there if you make any contact with the head.

'You can't say it was a soft hit to the head or a hard hit to the head, it's just a touch to the head. It'll be interesting to see how some players get viewed down the track.'

Millward will hope Chase's return bolsters Castleford after last week's 70-12 drubbing at Hull KR. The performance was so bad that Tigers' players even issued a public apology.

'It's the most I've ever seen them talk in a video session,' says Millward.

'The communication amongst each other has been a problem; a lot of them are only young guys. We've got nobody in our squad who's won a trophy, played in a Grand Final or anything like that.

'After our video session they asked if they could have a chat privately about their performance. I said “no worries” and then they came to me with a piece of paper saying “we'd like to present this to the media manager”.'

But words mean little, and only results on the pitch will save Castleford's season – starting this afternoon.

'Wakefield are on six points; we're on eight,' says Millward. 'These next couple of games are so important to us if we want to make the top eight.'

King George VI Chase: Boxing Day betting bonanza set to reach 100m

Posted on by

100m Boxing Day betting bonanza! King George VI Chase sees punters dig deep

Bookmakers are predicting that the eagerly awaited clash between Kauto Star and Long Run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton will send Britain betting crazy.

Ladbrokes say records could be smashed as between 35-40million is wagered by partisan punters on the televised race featuring four-time winner Kauto Star and the horse that took his title last season.

With a bumper programme of Barclays Premier League football also scheduled, the high street bookmakers reckon overall betting turnover on the day could come close to 100m.

Betting bonanza: Punters will be hoping to scoop a Boxing Day jackpot with plenty of money staked on jockey Sam Waley-Cohen to steer Long Run to glory

Betting bonanza: Punters will be hoping to scoop a Boxing Day jackpot with plenty of money staked on jockey Sam Waley-Cohen to steer Long Run to glory

David Williams, spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: ‘When the big horses turn up, the big money turns out. Kauto Star and Long Run have really galvanised the public. They could add an extra 10-15m to betting on the race. Turnover might get close to 40m.

‘That would be right up there, second only to Grand National day. Cheltenham Gold Cup day is big but it is not a public holiday and today punters are being served up a feast of action across the sporting stage.’

King George sponsors William Hill make Nicky Henderson-trained Long Run the 5-4 favourite with Paul Nicholls’ Kauto Star 3-1.

Bookmakers’ satchels will bulge still further if one of Captain Chris, Master Minded or Somersby can spark a surprise in a vintage renewal for the prestigious race featuring eight runners.

In three previous clashes, six-year-old Long Run, who is ridden by amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, leads Kauto Star 2-1.

He also beat his 11-year-old rival in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

But, amid calls for him to be retired, a reinvigorated Kauto Star, a two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and a steeplechasing all-time great, secured his first win over Long Run by eight lengths in last month’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Leading the way: Long Run holds a 2-1 record over Kauto Star (far right) in their three meetings to date

Leading the way: Long Run holds a 2-1 record over Kauto Star (far right) in their three meetings to date

If he succeeds this afternoon under jockey Ruby Walsh, he will win the Christmas feature for an unprecedented fifth time, going one better than the great Desert Orchid whose statue stands alongside the Kempton paddock. Nicholls believes Kauto Star is in better form than last season, possibly because it has taken him so long to recover from a heavy fall in the 2010 Gold Cup.

Form: Paul Nicholls believes Kauto Star is in top condition

Form: Paul Nicholls believes Kauto Star is in top condition

He said: ‘It just might be he took 12 months to get over that fall. It was horrific. I am clutching at straws but he seems in a great place at the moment.’

Henderson is also confident it will be a sharper Long Run who lines up compared to the Haydock model.

He said: ‘We could go on trying to dissect the Betfair Chase as long as we like but he’s a horse who does get a bit rusty. He was too fresh early on that day and got into a head to head with Kauto. He made a mistake then went back for more and that rocked the boat. In fairness, he did well to get anywhere near him.’

A crowd close to the 22,000 capacity is expected at Kempton.

With a first prize of 102,000 up for grabs, the King George also has significance in the jump trainers’ championship in which reigning champion Nicholls leads Henderson by 370,000.