Jamie O"Hara: Anger at Wolves midfilder"s tweet bemoaning stress of his 35,000 A WEEK salary

Posted on December 6, 2012 by adminsports

'Things were so much easier when I earned 100 a week': Anger at Wolves star O'Hara's tweet bemoaning stress of 35K A WEEK salary

UPDATED:

23:32 GMT, 5 December 2012

Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara sparked a Twitter fury on Wednesday after he wrote on the social networking site about his hard life as a professional footballer.

The former Spurs player – who is thought to be paid about 35,000 a week – posted a tweet where he appeared to bemoan his life situation, longing for 'easier' days on 100 a week.

O'Hara, 26, who is married to former Miss England Danielle Lloyd, 28, wrote: ‘Things were so much easier when I earned 100pound a week on wts #stress’.

Hard time: Jamie O'Hara, right, enraged his Twitter followers when he posted a tweet about the hard life of a footballer

Hard time: Jamie O'Hara, right, enraged his Twitter followers when he tweeted about the hard life of a footballer

Tough life: Jamie and Danielle O'Hara married in a lavish ceremony in May and she often posts tweets and pictures of their glam life together

The tweet referred to his days on the Youth Training Scheme, and it did not take long before his followers' angry reactions came flooding in.

And after an angry backlash from followers, he caused even more fury by hitting back with: ‘Why do people think cos I earn good money I don't have bills to pay we all pay tax an we have mortgages to pay, some people are deluded.’

Dozens of people bombarded Twitter with mocking tweets, accusing the footballer of being out of touch with the lives of ordinary people.

Christian Wainwright tweeted: 'Feel sorry for Jamie O'Hara, must be so stressful doing a few training sessions and playing 2 games a week for 1000s a week. #getagrip.'

Meanwhile Nick Daniels tweeted: ‘Must be so hard being Jamie O'Hara , great career, beautiful wife, nice family, rich, Saturdays off and still he is stressed! #prayforjamie.'

Tough life: The tweet from earlier today which caused a storm as it appeared Mr O'Hara complained about his lifestyle

Easier then: The tweet from earlier today which caused a storm as it appeared Mr O'Hara complained about his lifestyle

Tough life: The tweet from earlier today which caused a storm as it appeared Mr O'Hara complained about his lifestyle

Defence: The torrent of hateful tweets saw Mr O'Hara post further messages defending his original one

JOBS WHICH EARN 35K IN A YEAR
Civil engineersArchitects, Town Planners, Surveyors Secondary education teaching professionalsDesign and development engineers Recycling and refuse disposal managersSecurity managers Transport and distribution managers Chartered and certified accountants Quantity surveyors Management accountantsSocial services managers

And Graeme Wallace tweeted: ‘Wish I had a hard life like professional footballer Jamie O'Hara.’

But O'Hara, who has two children
Archie, two, and Harry, one, with his wife Danielle hit back with
references to his charity work.

He tweeted: ‘I wonder how many people are
doing hospital visits this Xmas or giving clothing to the homeless this
winter, or setting up a charity to raise money for hospitals Southey
can buy equipment that save people lives, u can talk on here but what
are YOU doing.’

But his tweet further angered Twitter users who called him a spoiled millionaire.

Aaron Ingham tweeted: ‘I see Jamie O'Hara's banging on about how charitable he is….after his disgusting tweet about life being easier when he earned 100 a week.’

Later O'Hara continued his rant,
tweeting: ‘I'm not saying I'm not privileged I'm so lucky to have what
I've got but trust me when I was 17 on wts it was a lot more easier.

‘Many peeps hating about me earning good
money that show how jealous u are, instead of realising the tweet was
about how hard life gets.’

Glam WAG: Mrs O'Hara was pictured Christmas shopping in Liverpool city centre earlier today and was later seen enjoying a pampering session at Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar

Mr O'Hara posted that he wished he could reveal to his followers the real reason behind the original tweet but that there were 'too many a******** on twitter' and that 'people should worry about their own lives'.

The midfielder has been injured and unable to play for his team since August but returned to full training yesterday.

In July O'Hara was involved in a Twitter spat with Leon Knight after the ex-Chelsea player called his wife a ‘raging s**t bag’.

His own words: Jamie O'Haras twitter biography where he describes himself as a hard worker who will never 'forget where I've come from'

Enraged O'Hara retaliated: ‘If at @leonknight82 has got a problem he should give me a call instead of giving the bigun on twitter to a women with two kids.

‘And follow me and I'll direct message you my number, anytime mate, your a disgrace to your name go and do something with your life.’

Wolves were contacted by MailOnline but declined to comment.

England fans show Bulldog spirit in Poland

Posted on October 18, 2012 by adminsports

Fans show Bulldog spirit but feel the pain after Poland clash is rescheduled

UPDATED:

21:44 GMT, 17 October 2012

Plac Zamkowy, Warsaw’s historic hub, was bathed in watery autumn sunlight and busy with tourists as midday chimed.

A group of schoolchildren gathered around Sigismund’s Column to pose for a photograph before visiting the Royal Castle.

Others burrowed down the cobbled streets towards the old-town Market Square, past the mime artists, human statues and those hawking business for restaurants and bars.

All smiles: England fans take in the sights in Warsaw ahead of the match

Weather beaten: An England fan with his ticket which was destroyed in the rain

Across the River Vistula, the National Stadium glistened, blissfully unaware it had become the focus of what Polish papers called a ‘National Scandal’.
Inside, the grass was being mown and the tarpaulin roof had been re-opened to help the pitch air. Later it was closed, as if the roof controller was making up for lost time.

In the city centre, with five hours to kick-off, there was little evidence that this was a big match day. England flags hung outside the Bulldog pub but the anticipation was not building.

Some England supporters were trying to work out if it was better to watch the first half and miss the second as they travelled to the airport, or go early to the airport and see the whole game on TV. Others were long gone.

Many were seeking help to re-arrange flights or trying to claim back their 40 ticket, as the FA had promised they could do.

In fact, England’s players have joined with the FA to part-fund the fans’ money-back scheme as a sign of their appreciation for their away support.

Heading home: Some England fans left Warsaw after the rain on Tuesday

Scott Thompson was one of a group of Stockport County fans who had always planned to stay until Thursday but still something rankled about the fact a World Cup tie in a new 400million stadium with a retractable roof had been postponed for rain.

‘We went to watch Stockport at Southport and it was raining but they borrowed a blotter from Lancashire cricket club and got the game on,’ said Thompson. ‘We were in Belarus when it was -14C on a rubbish pitch and they played.

‘The English are used to things going wrong with the weather. We were at Bristol Rovers one night when a game was called off at 7.40pm, five minutes before kick-off.

‘The worst thing with this was the lack of information. They had a state-of-the-art screen, so why not use it to get information across I found out on Twitter. They got it all so wrong.’

Resolute: Around 800 fans stayed in Warsaw to watch England play Poland

Inside the stadium, as the game kicked off under a big top, keeping the sunshine at bay, there were more than 50 St George flags on display and 800 people rattling around inside the section for visiting supporters.

There were many empty seats in the Polish end, too, left by those fans who had travelled from different parts of the country or could not get time off work at short notice.

Kevin Miles of the Football Supporters’ Federation, called for a FIFA inquiry to make sure it does not happen again.

‘We want the process to be examined and questioned,’ said Miles. ‘Never again should we have hundreds and thousands sent home from an expensive trip without seeing a ball kicked.’

England fans were praised by Polish police.

There were eight arrests after the game, for bottle-throwing and damaging police vehicles, but the night seemed to pass without major incident.

England players to help refund fans

Posted on October 17, 2012 by adminsports

English players to contribute to fans' ticket refund after rescheduling of Poland match

UPDATED:

18:07 GMT, 17 October 2012

England's players are to part-fund a 50,000 money-back scheme for fans affected by Tuesday night's World Cup postponement in Warsaw.

The Football Association were criticised in some quarters last night when the Three Lions left the National Stadium in Warsaw following the decision to call off Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier with Poland without acknowledging the fans who had made the trip.

Whilst the Polish Football Federation have already confirmed they will refund the cost of tickets for fans unable to attend Wednesday's match, the FA have taken it a step further.

Clean-up operation: The stadium in Warsaw was ready for action on Wednesday morning

Together with the England Footballers Foundation (EFF), they have agreed to cover the costs of tickets refunds for fans who did remain in the Polish capital.

'The team really appreciate the support we receive away from home,' said England skipper Steven Gerrard.

'We know that fans have spent money and taken time off work to travel to Poland and we don't take it for granted.

'The supporters have the complete respect of the whole squad.'

Refund: England fans will be reimbursed following the farce

In addition, The FA and players will
invite every one of the 2,500 fans who bought tickets and travelled to
the game to a special England training session at Wembley Stadium or St
George's Park before the end of the season.

It is a significant gesture from the
England ranks and has been agreed following discussions between the FA
and it's official supporters group 'englandfans'.

Hundreds of fans have been attempting
to change flights and secure additional accommodation following last
night's postponement, the first time an England game has been called off
because of the weather since 1979.

Saturated: England manager Roy Hodgson tests out the pitch on Tuesday night

Sachin Tendulkar may retire after England Test series

Posted on October 5, 2012 by adminsports

India legend Tendulkar considers retiring after upcoming series with England

UPDATED:

11:00 GMT, 5 October 2012

Sachin Tendulkar admits he has been considering his retirement date lately and acknowledges the end of his extraordinary cricket career is not far away.

The Indian great has suggested he may not play beyond the home Test series against England later this year.

'I'm 39 and I don't I have plenty of cricket left in me,' Tendulkar told Times Now news channel.

Saying goodbye: Sachin Tendulkar is considering his retirement date

'But it depends on my frame of mind and my physical ability to deliver. When I feel that I am not delivering what is needed, then I will relook at the scheme of things. I'm 39 and no one expects me to go on and on.'

Tendulkar, who holds many major batting records including most runs and most centuries in both tests and limited-overs internationals, said it was natural to think of retirement.

'It is not abnormal for me to think of it. At that moment, I will go by what my heart says. At this moment, my heart says I am okay. But I will have to look at it series by series,' Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, who has restricted his participation in one-dayers over the past few years and does not play Twenty20 internationals, said finally quitting all international cricket was going to be difficult.

'It's… been my life. All of a sudden there comes a moment when I say I can't go on,' he said. 'I don't know what is in store. If I knew, I would not have to wait 22 years to lift the World Cup. Perhaps, I would have done it the first time in Australia in 1992.'

Memories are made of this: Tendulkar celebrates India's World Cup win last year

A World Cup title had eluded Tendulkar until India finally clinched it in his home town of Mumbai last year.

Speculation about Tendulkar's future plans was heightened after senior batsmen Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman announced their retirements this year, and especially after he struggled during a two-test home series against New Zealand in August and September.

Tendulkar was bowled through bat and pad by Kiwi pace bowlers all three times he got to bat, with critics attributing it to his age.

'If this three-wicket ordeal had happened when I was 25, no one would have questioned it. Incidentally, it happened when I am 39, so questions were raised. This is natural,' Tendulkar said.

'I need not take a call right now. When I play in November (against England), I will reassess things. I'm still the best judge of what happens to my mind and body. When I feel it is time, I will take a call.'

Earlier this year, Tendulkar became the first batsman to complete a century of international centuries.

He has scored 51 centuries in Tests and 49 in one-day internationals – accumulating 15,533 runs in Tests, and 18,426 in one-day internationals.

Charles Green defiant after winning disrepute case against SPL

Posted on October 5, 2012 by adminsports

Green defiant: Rangers chief hits out at SPL after beating disrepute rap

UPDATED:

22:14 GMT, 4 October 2012

Charles Green won his latest battle with the football authorities on Thursday night before insisting it was time for the SPL to think again about their treatment of Rangers.

The Ibrox chief executive made a personal appearance at Hampden and was cleared of disrepute charges when an SFA Judicial Panel delivered a not-proven verdict.

Green had been accused of questioning the integrity of the SPL Commission — headed by Lord Nimmo Smith — set up to decide whether Rangers were guilty of improper payments to players when operating an Employee Benefit Trust scheme.

Winning: Charles Green emerged victorious

The Yorkshireman is now ready to meet with SFA president Campbell Ogilvie to try to build a constructive new relationship with the association.

Yet he remains deeply unhappy with the SPL over their EBT investigation, which could potentially lead to Rangers being stripped of titles.

Green has refused to co-operate with the Commission, due to convene again next month, and claims the lingering issue has damaged attempts to rebuild the club following its financial meltdown and plunge into the Third Division.

‘Perhaps it is now time that those people within the SPL who have been pursuing Rangers at every turn take stock,’ said Green.

‘As a member of the SFA, we want to work constructively within its structure and hope that all parties and organisations can take a view that what is of paramount importance is the good of the game.

‘To that end, we will be meeting with SFA President Campbell Ogilvie in the near future.

‘We want to be a force for good in football and it is surely to the benefit of all that the way forward is not frustrated by continually trying to look back.’

In a statement on the Rangers website last month, Green described the SPL Commission as ‘fundamentally misconceived’.

Fancy seeing you here: Former Rangers goalkeeper Bobby Brown (right) meets current No 1 Neil Alexander at the Scottish League Cup quarter-final draw

He also attacked the ‘breathtaking hypocrisy’ of the SPL, claiming deals over the EBT issue were on the table in the summer as part of a plan to have Rangers back in one of the top two divisions.

While insisting he was not questioning the impartiality of the Commission members, Green also said whatever decision they reached would be a ‘decision of the SPL’.

‘I am pleased the judicial panel accepted today that I had not brought the game into disrepute,’ added Green.

‘What I said, I said in good faith and I was speaking up for the interests of Rangers.

‘To be critical of the SPL’s handling of the EBT issue, does not mean that I am showing disrespect for the game and that view appears to have been shared by the judicial panel.

Looking up: Rangers are pushing for promotion

‘It is my hope that we can all move on from today and start working constructively for the good of the game.

‘The creation of the EBT Commission by the SPL following the events of the summer and the club’s attempts at constructive discussion has been particularly difficult for those of us who are new to Rangers and are trying to rebuild the club.

‘It appears for all the world to be yet another obstacle being placed in our path as we try to rebuild a great Scottish sporting institution.

‘I am the first person to accept that there are people who have been associated with Rangers who have brought the game into disrepute, particularly the previous regime, whose delinquent approach to paying taxes triggered a series of events that brought the club to the brink of destruction.

‘The consortium I led came to the table with one objective in mind: to save Rangers Football Club and rebuild what is a great sporting institution.’

Blackburn Rovers supporters" groups join forces in bid to buy club

Posted on September 25, 2012 by adminsports

Blackburn fans ramp up bid to take ownership of club as supporter groups join forces

UPDATED:

09:31 GMT, 25 September 2012

The campaign to bring Blackburn Rovers under fans' ownership has received a boost after a new membership scheme was launched.

The Rovers Trust joins together two supporters' groups, the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Investment Trust (BRSIT) and Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust (BRST), whose joint goal is to own the Ewood Park club in whole or in part.

The move comes with Blackburn manager Steve Kean's role at the club looking increasingly under threat, with owners Venky's in talks about his position since Saturday.

Dejected: Kean's side were beaten last time out at home to Middlesbrough

The new membership drive for the Rovers Trust has been launched in a bid to sign up Blackburn fans for a 10 annual membership fee to give the group credibility.

The membership push will then be followed by a share-raising plan modelled on the 'pledge scheme' first launched by BRSIT earlier this year. That scheme has seen almost 3million pledged by supporters wanting to buy a 1,000 share in a new ownership model.

A target of 10m is being set by the co-chairmen, BRST founder Oliver Jones and Wayne Wild, one of the co-founders of BRSIT.

Voting with their feet: Rovers fans are not happy with the club's plight

Jones said of the new trust scheme: 'Our principal objective is to obtain full or part ownership of Blackburn Rovers and its assets on behalf of fellow supporters in order to represent supporters' views whilst protecting the club's short- and long-term future.

'Membership of Rovers Trust is very affordable for all fans and, at the very least, gives those supporters a real say in the future running of Blackburn Rovers.'

David Gold wants Premier League wage freeze

Posted on September 14, 2012 by adminsports

Gold wants wage freeze to stop Premier League's financial demise… but he's paying Carroll 90k a week!

UPDATED:

08:00 GMT, 14 September 2012

David Gold says he wants to freeze West Ham's wages to prevent the Premier League slipping into financial 'Armageddon' – despite paying players like Andy Carroll almost 100,000 a week.

The Hammers' co-owner's proposal, which he has dubbed the 'Master Plan', aims to prevent the increase of any club's wage bill apart from inflation – a move that could change the financial landscape of England's top-flight.

Gold believes that if the scheme works and, coupled with UEFA's financial fair play regulations, Premier League clubs make profit, they should freeze ticket prices as well as wages.

Freeze: David Gold wants a wage freeze at West Ham

Despite Gold's calls for financial stability, West ham are paying the full amount of loan signing Andy Carroll's wages since his arrival from Liverpool this summer, believed to be in the region of 90,000 a week.

Gold told ESPN: 'I would personally favour a pay freeze based on the current wage bill, plus inflation on top each year.

'The wage bill for the January transfer window should not be taken into account to stop clubs inflating their wage bills.'

Last week Gold, who had spoken at a Premier League meeting to support the freezing of wages, said: 'The bottom line is that the clubs have got to stop losing money and building up debt. The Premier League is the biggest, best and finest league in the world yet collectively it lost 340 million last year.

'Fifteen years ago we were paying 40 per cent of income on wages, now its 70 per cent. What happens when its 101 per cent… we will all go bust.

'If it carries on the way it is, the my fear is that the indications are that it has gone from 40 to 50 to 60 to 70 then next year it could be 80, the year after 90 and we are heading for Armageddon, we are moving ever closer to the precipice.

Sky-high: West ham are paying Andy Carrol's wages, believed to be in the region of 90,000

'The one thing about mankind is that traditionally when we get near the precipice, at the last minute we stop and have a “will”. I sense that “will” exists now for change in the Premier League.

'If you had spoken to me five years ago I would have said you would be insane to think of change such as this even two years ago I would have said you were mad, but slowly but surely the clubs realise they have to have governance.

'They cannot be left to their own devises.

'Phase One is that all the clubs have to break even at least. Phase Two is to make a little money. Phase Three to make a lot of money and then freeze ticket prices.

'It just cannot go on the way it is, that's for sure, and everyone is coming to that conclusion.

He added: 'I’ve been in football for 20 years, the Premier League for 12 years on an off, and with two different clubs, so I have seen where there is a will, there is a way, and this summer I have seen a will.

'We can all see, if one dies, we eventually all die. So, doing nothing is not an option.

Manchester City bankroll astronomical wages for the likes of Carlos Tevez (below) and Yaya Toure (above, left)

'I am not in opposition to wealthy clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, I welcome them, and believe they should enjoy the fruits of their labour.

'If they want to overspend, fine by me, but they would need to be fined and that money should be distributed to the compliant clubs in the form of compensation.

'What I do mind is coming up with reasons why it cannot be done. I told the clubs “don’t give me reasons why we cannot do it. Instead lets’ find a way to make it happen. We put a man on the moon so we are capable of finding solutions to this problem.”

'I have my own views about freezing wages, others have different ideas, and I am happy to go along with the majority view. But the bottom line is all clubs must at least break even and to achieve that we have to control wages.'

Roy Hodgson says World Cup in Brazil will be cold

Posted on August 25, 2012 by adminsports

Going to the World Cup in Brazil Wrap up well, says England boss Hodgson

UPDATED:

21:49 GMT, 24 August 2012

Brazilian World Cup: sunshine, carnivals and a festival of football Not according to Roy Hodgson, who has advised taking a fur coat and trying to keep clear of mosquitos if England qualify for the 2014 tournament.

The England manager warned on Friday of the 'major logistical problem' posed by holding a World Cup in such a ‘vast country’, pointing out the potential difficulties of playing group games in Manaus in the north and Porto Alegre, some 2,000 miles away on the southern coast.

Hodgson praised the 'added spice' of travelling to a host nation ‘dominated by football’, but admitted day-to-day plans could be challenging if England are successful in qualifying for the next World Cup.
He said: ‘They’ve got a major logistical problem on their hands. It’s a vast country. There’s going to be enormous difficulties for the teams that qualify, according to where they’re drawn.

Looking forward: Hodgson attends a press conference with Northern Ireland's Michael O'Neill, Scotland's Craig Levein and Wales boss Chris Coleman

Put your shirt on us: Messrs Hodgson, O'Neill, Levein and Coleman will be desperate to lead their teams to the next World Cup

‘You’ve got to remember, it’s the Brazilian winter. If you’re down in Porto Alegre, you’ll going to need a fur coat because it snows and temperatures reach single figures, certainly, and maybe even sometimes lower.

‘And if you find yourself in Manaus then you won’t be sunbathing but you will find 45 or 50 degrees of heat and plenty of mosquitos as well, being near the Amazon jungle.’

Hodgson went with the FA party on their third official visit to Brazil this summer, which included attending a community scheme in the Morro dos Prazeres favela in Rio de Janeiro.

The FA have already identified three potential base camps and hope their grassroots work will help persuade the local organising committee to award them one of their preferred choices.

Roy Hodgson

The main man: Hodgson watches England's friendly clash with Italy earlier this month (left), and attends a press conference on Friday (right)

Hodgson said hotels would be a
‘challenge’ because national teams might not be able to achieve the
level of privacy they desire, but the FA stressed they have ‘no concerns
over what will be delivered’.

Hodgson will name his squad for England’s first World Cup qualifier, away against Moldova on September 7, next Thursday.

The
England manager confirmed he will select John Terry, despite the FA
charges of using racially abusive language that still hang over the
Chelsea defender. Terry is set,
however, to miss his side’s Barclays Premier League fixture against
Newcastle with a neck injury and is also suspended for Chelsea’s UEFA
Super Cup match against Atletico Madrid next Friday.

What a city: Rio will host the World Cup final in 2014

The England game would, therefore, be Terry’s first since last Wednesday’s 4-2 league victory over Reading. Hodgson also stressed he will not automatically discount players who are not playing regularly in their clubs’ first teams. This is particularly prevalent when it comes to strikers, with the likes of Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge and Jermain Defoe not necessarily first choice in the Premier League.

Speaking at the Vauxhall Road to
Brazil 2014 media conference, the England manager said: ‘The most
important thing is they are fit. ‘Whether they play is up to their club coaches and up to them, to a certain extent, as well.

Key man: John Terry, here in action for Chelsea against Reading, is set to play for England next month

‘The transfer window has not closed yet, so who knows if those players will still be with the club at the end of the transfer window

‘The bottom line is I shall choose from the players who can do the job.

‘If they are not playing for their club team that will be a disadvantage but it won’t necessarily preclude them from playing (for England).’

Widnes 40 Castleford 10: Vikings move off the bottom with big win over Tigers

Posted on July 3, 2012 by adminsports

Widnes 40 Castleford 10: Vikings move off the bottom with big win over Tigers

UPDATED:

00:08 GMT, 3 July 2012

Widnes climbed off the bottom of the Stobart Super League table with a comprehensive victory over depleted Castleford at Stobart Stadium Halton.

A Jon Clarke-inspired performance put Widnes in control after the veteran hooker had a hand in two of the Vikings' first-half tries which gave them the platform for victory.

The home side, who have been rooted to the foot of the ladder for the majority of the season, got off to a blistering start thanks to Stefan Marsh, one of eight former Wigan players in the Widnes line-up, after he latched on to a Cameron Phelps' pass.

Widness beat Castleford

Nick Youngquest replied for the Tigers, who played without a recognised pivot for 30 minutes until skipper Danny Orr showed up from the bench.

Castleford's lacklustre attacks were few and far between – clearly missing star player Rangi Chase who remains absent due to internal disciplinary reasons.

They did muster one decent bit of play towards the close of the first half through Jordan Thompson but the centre could not collect a regulation pass deep in Widnes territory.

Widnes' grip on the game continued as blockbusting second-rower Frank Winterstein barged his way over from close range in the 22nd minute before Ben Davies added a third try just before half-time.

Pat Ah Van's three conversions, all easily kickable, went over and the game was Widnes' to lose entering the second period with an 18-4 lead.

Ian Millward, the Tigers boss, must have given his troops an ear bashing at the break as the visitors came out more fired up but it did not last for long as Paul McShane crashed over from the dummy half for a converted try and then Joe Mellor flew over after a neat show and go.

Ah Van missed his first conversion of the evening but it mattered little in the grand scheme of things.

Stuart Jones got a score back for the sorry Tigers, Craig Huby tagging on the extras but Widnes were soon restoring their lead with another try, this time through debutant Eamon O'Carroll who pounced on McShane's dab through.

Ah Van then flew in for a try himself at the end with Rhys Hanbury slotting the goal from the touchline to round things off.

Roger Federer: I"ll be at Wimbledon for at least two more years

Posted on June 24, 2012 by adminsports

Federer: I'll be at Wimbledon for at least two more years

UPDATED:

21:39 GMT, 23 June 2012

Roger Federer did not talk
like a man satisfied to see the final credits on the greatest career in
tennis history this summer.

/06/23/article-0-13A7990D000005DC-24_468x372.jpg” width=”468″ height=”372″ alt=”Still hungry: Roger Federer has lost none of his burning ambition for grand slam glory” class=”blkBorder” />

Still hungry: Roger Federer has lost none of his burning ambition for grand slam glory

Yet as he sat in a small room close to the court that is his spiritual home, Federer revealed he is already planning his schedule for 2014. 'I always look two years ahead,' he said. 'All of next year is planned, or most of it, and I am planning for 2014.

'Obviously, the short-term goal is to win this Wimbledon. But for me, in the big scheme of things, what keeps me in a good state mentally is to plan long term.'

Retirement is far from his mind. Federer's affair with a game that has brought him a record 16 Grand Slam titles has not been compromised by marriage, nor the approaching third birthdays of his twin daughters, Charlene and Myla. He expressed an intense, unshakeable belief that the Australian Open championship he won in January 2010 will not be the final notch on the belt of the oldest gunslinger left in tennis.

'If you have been able to win Wimbledon six times, I can do seven,' said Federer. 'It's just logic, right I am dreaming of the title, there's no denying that. But I am aware how difficult it is. It's up to me to raise my game to do it again. I feel better than I have in a long time.'

Money ceased to be a motivating factor years ago.

According to the Forbes rich list, Federer's income from prizemoney and endorsements in the past 12 months amounted to $52.7million, a sum bettered only by boxers Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquaio, golfer Tiger Woods and basketball star LeBron James. Mayweather is currently serving a jail sentence, while Woods's life has still not recovered from being exposed as a serial philanderer.

Good spirits: Federer's work ethic has actually improved with age

Federer has avoided any whiff of controversy or scandal.

'I live in two very different places to other famous people, and that helps,' he explained. 'In Switzerland and in Dubai things are rather normal. I'm very much a family man, too. Image is something that's important to me, but it's not everything. I want to be a good role model but I don't change.'

So what is the nastiest thing said to him, on the streets or in a restaurant Federer smiled, perhaps mildly embarrassed, as he said: 'I had a couple of people come up and say, “Hi, Nadal's gonna kick your ass next time around”. That's maybe happened twice in my life over a 15-year career.'

For Federer the next two months, stretching from Wimbledon through to the US Open, is his favourite time of year, a time when he still feels he can do damage and even slow the momentum of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have contested the last four major finals. 'It's up to somebody to break that mould,' said Federer, seeded to meet Djokovic in the semifinals.

'Hopefully, I can make a run here at Wimbledon.' Federer's work ethic has actually improved with age. 'It's been an amazing 10 years, and if anyone had said my career was going to be so good I'd have been shocked,' he admitted.

'My family is with me for all but 10 days of every year. It's cool to wake up and see my daughters, to be able to play with them and put them to bed. We know how fortunate we are as a family to have the lifestyle we live.

'Today, tennis is more of an enjoyment than ever. I guess proving it to yourself again is something that is very important. And I am enjoying my practices much more than I ever have. I didn't used to like practice, fitness training, the Press, but today I can enjoy that, too.'

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Tag Archives: scheme

Jamie O"Hara: Anger at Wolves midfilder"s tweet bemoaning stress of his 35,000 A WEEK salary

England fans show Bulldog spirit in Poland

England players to help refund fans

Sachin Tendulkar may retire after England Test series

Charles Green defiant after winning disrepute case against SPL

Blackburn Rovers supporters" groups join forces in bid to buy club

David Gold wants Premier League wage freeze

Roy Hodgson says World Cup in Brazil will be cold

Widnes 40 Castleford 10: Vikings move off the bottom with big win over Tigers

Roger Federer: I"ll be at Wimbledon for at least two more years