Live from Heaton Park it's Saturday Night

Ralph Lauren Shirtings

The new boys on the block like tuktuk and Mikkel Rude may be taking all the shirt related plaudits at the moment, and rightly so, however I still don't think you can really beat a nice bit of RL. A staple diet in any blokes wardrobe, found in 1969 stateside but finally going big here in the 1990s due to 'Polo Geezer'. The shirts are timeless with their classic designs, soft cotton and are always cool in style. Picked up a few more to add to the shirting collection including a short sleeved Madras check, an incredibly busy Two Ply Ellington and a pleasing green/blue Poplin Tartan. Courtesy of fleabay and TKM.

Custom Fit Madras

Ellington

Poplin Tartan

Ben Clark Interview

I did a short spell at Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme back in 2005 when trying to find my feet in journalism. It didn't happen for me although I'm pleased to say I managed to get a couple of bits published in the magazine, the most proud of which was with then Poolie defender Ben Clark. Having to write as a pretend SAFC supporter wasn't the best, so I spent my time writing about ex Sunderland players who had gone to Hartlepool, before presenting them to the ALS editor Martyn McFadden. The one he saw prospect in was about Clarky, and as the editor was still in touch with Pools assistant boss Martin Scott (again ex S'land), an interview was set up. You may notice slight Poolie biased in the interview...

"A few eyebrows were raised around SoL last October when Ben Clark swapped the bright lights of Sunderland for the slightly dimmer surroundings of Hartlepool. The former England U21 international's pedigree had been overlooked by three different managers during his time with the lads, and his skills could only be seen on a regular basis at Archibald's Stadium (S'land's reserve ground). It was a surprise to us that Clarky was always in the reserves, especially considering Phil Babb was constantly picked ahead of him.

Clark, a life-long Sunderland supporter, moved down the A19 on a free transfer. He had made only 17 Sunderland appearances in four years, despite the fact he'd been tipped to have a promising future.

Since joining Hartlepool he has helped them continue to punch above their weight, with the club looking to cement another League One play-off position come May. Pools already have a solid back line so boss Neale Cooper has decided to play him in a central midfield role, where his tough tackling, strength and good distribution have won him many fans at Victoria Park.

The addition of Clark to Hartlepool's threadbare squad was worth its weight in gold, and helped the Monkey Hangers achieve one of the best home records in the country. So with Clark doing so well for Pools, we at ALS decided to catch up with him and see how things are going since his exile from Sunderland...

You're a Sunderland lad. Who sticks in your mind as the best players you've seen play for Sunderland and why?
I think when I was there Kevin Phillips was amazing, and Quinny was really good as well. Just before I left I was also good mates with Gary Breen. And before that I used to like watching Dariusz Kubicki. A whole variety of different players basically.

Did any of them influence you?
Not really. I was there with Phillips and Niall Quinn were top pros. Jason McAteer was also a big help with the young lads. Basically all the older pros were a big help.

How did you feel when you signed for Sunderland?
I loved it. It's every boy's dream to play for his hometown club. Especially me coming back from Manchester (United) to Sunderland, and it was a dream to play in front of supporters.

What are your best memories of being at Sunderland?
I think playing for Sunderland against Hartlepool in the FA Cup. There were 10,000 Hartlepool supporters in, and the crowd was 42,000 or something at the game, so it was great to play in. Luckily Sunderland managed to win one nil
(nb - he was playing for SAFC in that game)

What was it like to captain your country at under 20 level?
It was a big honour. It's every boy's dream to play football but to captain your country at that age was a brilliant experience, a great thing to do.

How did you feel when you were told you'd be leaving SAFC?
I was disappointed. I think that I probably stayed at Sunderland too long just because I supported them. I think it was harder for me to leave the club because I'm a fan. But at the end of the day it was the right time to leave, because I had to think about myself and my career.

Do you think you were given a fair chance at Sunderland?
Personally I don't think I was. I needed more opportunities to play more games for the club, because in the games I did play I felt I hadn't really done myself justice. At the end of the day you've got to go by the manager's decision, but I still think I deserve more chances. When I left I felt the time was right, but the first result I look for when I've finished a game is to see how Sunderland got on.

Sunderland seems to have a habit of letting younger players leave. Do you think there is a problem?
I'm not too sure about that. Although it's very hard now for the young lads coming through the youth system trying to get in the first team. I know Chris Brown is doing very well there, so let's hope he keeps going. He needs to keep his head on his shoulders, try to keep progressing and knock on the door of the first team, and hopefully the manager will keep picking him.

Who helped you settle in at Hartlepool the most, and how?
Martin Scott was huge influence because he used to be at Sunderland when I was there. That helped me settle in quickly which is what you need to play well. Some of the older players helped too. Michael Barron who's been here for nearly ten years helped me too.

Why do you think Hartlepool have done so well over the past few years?
They've got a great team spirit and all the lads get on well together, along with the manager and Scotty the assistant. There is good banter between us all. Overall it's down to the good team spirit.

Any chances of getting promotion?
It's still very much in our hands I think. We don't fear anybody in this league. We just need to keep going and win a few more games. A few more wins and I think we'll be safe in the play -offs.

In your own opinion, what are your strengths and weaknesses in your game?
I think my strengths are that I'm very comfortable on the ball and I like to play football, as passing is possibly the biggest part of my game. My weakness is my heading, which I really need to work on.

What are your ambitions for the future?
Hopefully to try and get Hartlepool United into the play-offs. After that keep challenging for promotion to the Championship, and then I'll just take it from there...

A big thanks to Ben and good luck for the rest of the season. I still can't help thinking that we've let a good quality player leave the club. Admittedly Sunderland are currently strong in defence and there is more than enough talent at the back in the event of a defensive injury plague. However it is a shame that a talented young player who promised so much, starting out at Man Utd and captaining England U19s at the 2002 Euro Championship, was never really given the chance to shine at the Stadium of Light. Clark joins a list of players such as Jonjo Dickman, Craig James and Patrick Collins, who were all tipped for great things but have left the club and disappeared into the lower leagues. In this case, Sunderland's loss is Hartlepool's gain".     

This interview was at the end of 04/05 season, and Hartlepool did indeed make the play-off final losing out to Sheff Wed. Clark continued playing for Pools, suffering relegating in 2006 followed by immediate promotion in 2007, before being released in 2010 after making 162 league appearances. He has been playing for Gateshead since, being made club captain and being named player of the year 2011.

England v Sweden

At the end of the day it wouldn't be a true England tournament performance if we didn't do things the hard way. Or use the phrase 'at the end of the day'. The English were to prevail against the swedes and get the victory - it was a foregone conclusion according to messrs Hansen, Shearer and Dixon prior to the match. What insider knowledge they had I'm unsure given they were sat in Salford.

Same old England for the majority of it though. Blind optimism after a well taken header by Carroll followed by typical sloppy showing from the lions, losing possession too easily and failing to dictate the pace of play. After scoring the first it was similar to going a goal up against the French, defence sitting too deep and not closing down anyone on the edge of the area. Managed to limp to half time. 1-0.

For a team supposedly building from the back with a strong defence, England didn't half look shaky and the part time Swedes exposed this twice. The first goal was a comedy of errors and the second from static grounded defenders and lack of communication from the keeper. Any confidence gained by resolute defending vs. France, gone in two moments of madness against the unfancied Swedes. 1-2.

But then Hodgson showed tactical guile bringing on Theo Walcott. The lad has been waiting for his chance in a tournament to come. But on the flip side of that, England have been waiting for him to arrive at a tournament. Still living off his hatrick against Croatia in an ill fated qualification campaign, Mark Lawrenson rightly said 'it's time to shine'. And shine he did. Second touch he hit a decent effort on target which completely eluded eight yellow shirts and wrong footed the keeper. 2-2. Shortly after that he dashed through the defence to play a quick square ball for Welbeck to expertly bundle home. 3-2.

Four points out of six will surely see us through, but after this performance it's back to pessimism. If we play like this against the likes of Spain or Germany, what'll happen? Food for thought. However back to tonight, a victory is a victory even if you do things the hard way, and England showed us just why we love them and hate them in the space of 90 minutes.

England v France

Well that was better than expected eh? Roy Hodgson's Three Lions putting in a fairly solid performance against the French. Well taken goal by Lescott, Young and Welbeck bright as buttons up front, Parker running himself into the ground and Milner going close. Not a vintage performance by any means, old England habits dying hard as we struggled to keep possession and switched off for Nasri's goal, but definitely a better result than all the doom and gloom merchants had predicted. We'd have all taken a point from this at the start of the day.

The start of the day had the wife making a point at me - I'd put some chicken legs in late last night to cook off, but went on xbox, forgot and then woke up to her calling me a fucking idiot and finding little Egyptian mummies in the roasting bag, the house smelling of an open grave and the oven spluttering. Definitely taking a point from her, never mind the French. Then after she'd left us lads to it, we popped out and lugged a crate of Carling Zest home from Sainsburys under the bairns buggy. Then resplendent in our matching 2010-11 England 'non competiton' replica home shirts, we sat playing and whiling the afternoon away waiting for the big moment. Well I did, but Jakey is 18 months old and didn't really grasp the whole 'first tournament' thing. Plus he had a bit of a dicky tum and a cold so was a bit twisty by 5pm. Although did get a decent photo of him stood for God Save the Queen, although disappointing he had to have his dummy in. Twist.

Then as a family it was pizza, a beer each (fruit shoot for the bairn) and viewing a decent England tournament opener. One point on the board, we'll see what happens in the other match tonight and then two easy (on paper) games against Sweden and the Ukraine. Will it be same old excruciating England or the start of when things finally change...

Cardiff City - The Whobirds?

Cardiff City are suffering an identity crisis as the club's owners start a rebranding campaign, most notably in the difference of kit colours. The board of directors have sold the Bluebird's 104 year old soul to Malaysian investors in order to clear debt and raise a few bob. They'll now play in red which apparently will appeal to a wider market than their century old blue - presumably to offer them off as the Welsh Man United to oriental audiences (despite playing in an inferior league to country rivals Swansea). Perhaps more likely CCFC will appeal now because the dragon is a big cultural icon in the Far East - or is that a touch racial? I just can't believe that a board would sell the clubs identity and history just because the colourway doesn't fit in with what a couple of foreign millionaires want for their plaything. Actually I can believe it, it's all about the money even at Championship level. Sounds like they were dangling a big gold carrot - change the colours and get the wad.

Fans obviously protested when it was first mooted a month or so ago, and the plans seemed to be dead in the water, but today it became reality as it was pushed through quickly. The Bluebirds are no more. It's now the Red Dragons, with the national Welsh symbol taking pride of place on the new club badge. Sky Sports News editing only showed slightly disappointed fans who grudgingly admitted if it keeps the club afloat then they'll take it. But there'll be a real hardcore dead against it cursing the board as yet another club sells itself out losing its identity. And that's just the Cardiff fans - it's yet to be documented what original welsh reds Wrexham think about it?

A Traditional Reds vs Blue Subbuteo clash

However football fans are a fickle lot and as Simon Jordon pointed when asked about the subject - ''if they win the Championship next season the fans won't care will they?''. Which proved to be the point in Leeds in 1962 when Don Revie abolished the traditional 43 year old blue and yellow colours and changed it to all white, in order to emulate the great Real Madrid. It seemed to work as two years later they won the title and then set on a decade long spell dominating English footie like Liverpool and Man Utd did in the 80s and 90s respectively. I bet the Leeds fans couldn't remember what colour they originally played in after all the champagne consumed after yet another trophy triumph. The same couldn't be said for Millwall in 1999 when they went all white and ended up in League One. Come 2001 they changed back to royal blue and went back up to the Championship.

Leeds Home shirt (without Revie history)

However there's also the opposite end of the scale where you get the impression clubs should have changed their colours. About ten years ago our old sparring partners Darlington had safe cracker jack owner, the Sunderland born Georgie Reynolds, attempt to change their colours from black/white to red and white stripes after his beloved. The fans went apeshit but given their recent plight perhaps they'd have been better off as Sunderland B. And what about Notts County? The oldest football (league) club in the world have had a fairly mediocre time of it post war, especially when compared to their cross-city neighbours. And they gave their colours to help set up a newly formed Italian outfit in 1929, Juventus going on to become a massive club and making a major impact on Europe. On the other hand County are playing second fiddle to Forest on making an impact in Nottinghamshire. Change to blue anyone? Of course that would mean losing the moniker 'Magpies', but then the nickname 'Bluebirds' has just become available.

Magpies vs. Eyeties