Hillsborough verdict and the return of The Hitman

After 23 long years, the truth has been uncovered; now it's time for justice.

This week the truth about what really happened at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1989 came out. Many people have discussed it at length this week, as it has been headline news on the front pages as well as the back pages, so as emotional as I feel about it I don't want to dwell too much on the past; the 96 will never ever be forgotten, but now is the time for looking to the future. Even if the future is campaigning for the people who did do wrong on 15th April 23 years ago to be held accountable for their actions, as well as those who covered it up and prolonged the pain for the victims' families.  I find it hard to think that criminal charges won't be brought, particularly in the face of such compelling evidence against certain organisations and the individuals within. Although the ninety-six will always be in our hearts forevermore, I hope that the families, the city and the club can move forward; I can think of no greater tribute to the fans that did not come home that fateful day, than to start bringing trophies (and particularly the Premier League!) back to Anfield on a regular basis. I would like to finish this section by thanking all the fans of other clubs, that have sent messages of support to our club throughout this week. Unfortunately there have been a few moronic idiots that deny the verdict of the independent panel, but the support from the football family has been fantastic. 

Also this week, former two-weight boxing world champion Ricky 'The Hitman' announced he will be coming out of retirement for a fight against an unnamed opponent in November. It has to be said that Ricky dominated the light-welterweight division before moving up to welterweight so he has nothing to prove. At his peak Ricky beat the pound-for-pound No 1 Kostya Tszyu, as well as claiming the WBA welterweight belt from Luis Collazzo before losing to two of the best pound-for-pound pugilists the planet has ever seen (or might ever see!) in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.That said, you can understand that from a pride point of view why he would want to prove to himself as much as anybody that he is better than the devastating two round defeat to Pacquaio showed. Here is Ricky's press conference.

Ricky was quick to say that he wanted to earn the right to fights at the top level, but there are certainly some hum-dingers out there if he proves his worth. A fight against Paulie Malignaggi seems likely at some point in the future; after all Hatton knows he can beat the American who has never had the greatest punch power. From there, there are huge domestic money spinners against Amir Khan and Kell Brook to consider. One fight I would like to see is Hatton v Junior Witter, just so Hatton can shit him up for good. If only his boxing was as good as his mouth! As current British welterweight champion this match up is probably a real possibility. Hatton says he is in the best pre-fight shape of his life following his training with Bob Shannon who has been using 'old school' methods which favour Ricky's approach. I think that now Ricky's head is right, we may even see the best Hitman that we have ever seen. Most of all, I hope that Ricky gets what he needs from his comeback. Roll on November 24th. 

As a final note, congratulations to Andy Murray for winning the US Open on Monday. May that be the first of many major wins now he has got the proverbial monkey off his back. It is a shame that we have to wait until the Australian Open in January to find out. 

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F1 Belgian Grand Prix preview

Well the football is back, but now I'm missing the Formula One. I don't recall the mid-season break feeling quite so long before. Some sport fans are never happy! The F1 will be back next weekend at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, which is my favourite circuit as well as many of the drivers favourite so I shouldn't be so impatient. The new pristine circuits of Abu Dhabi, India, China and Singapore may have the perfectly smooth tarmac and immaculate pit facilities, but without doubt the circuits lack the character of Spa, Silverstone, Monaco, Monza and Interlagos; You can sense the illustrious history around these places which is something that the newer tracks will never have. Fangio, Moss, Ascari and Stewart haven't pitted their wits against these less dangerous (and possibly less challenging) circuits. It may have been a horrific part of the past in motor-sport, but the clinical nature of the more recently built circuits removes the constant reminder that people have died taking part in this sport. There must be something that keeps your senses dialled in that bit more if you know that one mistake could throw you in to the wall at 200mph. Relive a bit of the circuit and the history below as Michael Schumacher in his Benetton chases down Ayrton Senna in his McLaren. It is interesting to look at the differences between the two cars in 1993; most look relatively the same in 2012 because of the regulations, but these cars are quite different. 

RIP Ayrton. I know I'm not alone in saying that you may have been taken from us far too soon, but you will never be forgotten and you will always be missed. 

I think the close to this F1 season could be the most exciting ever as at the half way point any one of the top five drivers could still win the championship. Fernando Alonso will take some beating as Ferrari seem to have found their stride, but Vettel, Hamilton and Raikkonen will no doubt have a big part to play. The man who I hope plays the biggest part, and manages to overhaul the speedy Spaniard's forty point lead is Mark Webber. With twenty-five points for a win the gap is not impossible to bridge, but the odd issue with the prancing horse may be required. I think the Australian is due his share of luck. I know that Mark is highly regarded as a good bloke off the track, as well as a hard racer on it. Four or five years ago I was lucky to spend an afternoon watching the Belgian Grand Prix with former BBC motor-sport commentator Norman Greenway. (Also sadly missed by many. Norman lost his battle with cancer at the age of 87 in 2010) Norman was the radio equivalent of Murray Walker, and was also the circuit commentator at Snetterton. Norman had spent a lot of time around all the drivers of the day, as you might imagine, and he was absolutely clear that not only was Mark Webber one of the nicest drivers he'd ever met, he was one of the nicest people he had ever met who was always generous with his time. I think there are ten races in eleven weeks to the close of the season so it will be frenetic to say the least, so I hope things swing the way of the Australian.If anybody deserves it he does. Red Bull Racing, and particularly Adrian Newey are always trying to push the boundaries to the limit which has proved a winning strategy over the last couple of years. Winning it may have been, but the favour fell mainly on the other side of the garage with team mate Sebastian Vettel as he won back-to-back world championships. This season Webber has been out-performing Vettel in the main so long may this continue and hopefully Alonso may falter. As a double world champion himself, this is unlikely but you can always hope! Come on @AussieGrit!

In a round up of other matters, Lance Armstrong has given up fighting the USADA accusations the he has taken and distributed illegal substances and hormones this week. This is a massive sports story, but as a relative newcomer to cycling I felt unable to compile a creditable story. As a result Armstrong has been stripped of all professional wins in the sport; perhaps the saddest part is that he has been a massive inspiration to budding cyclists as well as cancer victims around the world who've used his achievements in sport and life to overcome their own obstacles. Now this inspiration has been cast under the biggest shadow that perhaps sport has ever seen. 

Good luck to Andy Murray who starts his campaign to win the US Open at Flushing Meadow this week. After winning Olympic Gold at Wimbledon beating Roger Federer, hopefully his confidence is high and he can use that to win in New York. It has always been a good tournament for him, so hopefully he can go one better than in previous years and take the title.

email: floydssporttalk@live.co.uk

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The Plight of Portsmouth FC

 I have written about the disgraceful situation at Portsmouth briefly before, when Rangers were hanging on to their position in the SPL by a thread, but with only five days left to resolve the club's issues things are now looking desperate. The two potential buyers of the club, The Pompey Supporters Trust and Portpin (Balram Chanrai's organisation), have placed conditional offers on the table but the main condition is that all players either take substantial reductions in their wages or leave the club altogether. Most have done this already, but Tal Ben Haim and Liam Lawrence remain 'on the books' at the moment although it has been reported that deals are close for both. Should both players leave the club in the coming days, the next choice would be which bidder is preferred? As an outsider, there should only be one winner and they are the Pompey Supporters Trust. After all, Balram Chanrai has been part of the circus of the last few years and has had his chance; and fan ownership should be seriously considered as a viable option. There are several instances in England of fan ownership, most notably Wycombe Wanderers, Wrexham, Ebbsfleet, AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester. If it can work for some, why not others? In Germany it is a legal requirement to have fan ownership of at least 51%; when Red Bull acquired SSV Markranstadt and renamed the football team RB Leipzig it could only acquire 49% of the shares, and they weren't allowed to use the full Red Bull name due to other German rules. They may be only in the Regionalliga Nord which makes up part of the fifth tier of German football, but Dietrich Mateschitz (Red Bull owner) is an incredibly astute businessman and he's invested in many sporting franchises as well as other football clubs; things that this man turn his hand to tend to be a success. With this kind of model as an example, why can't it work for Portsmouth? Maybe they could be the first side to achieve real success with fans as owners. The gentlemen concerned might have a few more quid than the average football fan, but they are fans nonetheless so they would have the interests of other fans, as well as the club at heart. Ian McInnes who is one of the 'high net worth individuals' that look to be providing the main funds for the bid, says that 'outside his family, Portsmouth football club is the most important thing in his life' and 'the city would die without the football club as a heartbeat.' He would know. He began his life in the humble surroundings of Portsmouth's northern suburb Paulsgrove, and Portsmouth has been in his blood ever since. As well as the four individuals backing the trust, McInnes intimated that there was a 'major backer from left field' who is looking to meet with the trust to discuss investment, so even if things are looking a bit cloudy on the horizon at the moment there's bright sunlight behind there somewhere. Perhaps the first hurdle to overcome will be the biggest of all; getting Chanrai and the two remaining players to walk away so a deal can be done with the Trevor Birch and the administrators to secure the future of this club that means so much to the people of this fantastic historic city. Portsmouth may not be my club, but I live close to the city and a lot of my friends are Pompey fans so I know for a fact that extinction for this club and city is not an option. I am not one to publicise things on this website, but if anybody wants information on the trust the best place to go is www.pompeytrust.com. I wish a great deal of luck to the loudest fans the Premier League has ever seen, and hope to see you back there soon. 

SPORT SHORTS

Well, Team GB have had a bit of a turn-around at the Olympics haven't they? Crikey.This time last week we had two or three medals. Now we have twenty nine medals including fourteen golds and we're up to third in the medals table. Last night was an amazing spectacle as Jessica Ennis (Heptathlon), Greg Rutherford (Long jump) and Mo Farah (10,000m) all made the top step of the rostrum within a literal 'Golden Hour' by crushing their opponents. There are more medals in prospect today with Andy Murray already guaranteed two Silver medals at least, and others being contested in sailing, athletics and more cycling at the velodrome.COME ON TEAM GB!

The England v South Africa test match at Headingley is finely poised with things just about even as rain stopped play just before lunch on Sunday. Kevin Pietersen's 149 and Matt Prior's 68 have given England a platform to build on. I think this game has draw written all over it, but if the bowlers can have a good day there's a slim chance of a win. All to play for in the battle for best Test side in the world.

With the English Premier League season a fortnight away, the transfer rumours are starting to spread. Manchester United are said to be preparing to bid £30m for Brazil's Lucas Moura and £20m for Arsenal's Robin van Persie. 
Also, I think this one is somewhat unlikely, but it's being reported that Manchester City are thinking about buying Scott Sinclair from Swansea. Has Roberto Mancini got a blind spot where Adam Johnson is concerned; He can send him to Anfield if he wants! Liverpool have apparently made a bid £12.5m for Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez. We must have some sort of interest in Uruguayan exports! 
(C)ashley Cole wants to be paid £200,000 a week. Enough said.  

Back next week with a full Premier League preview. 

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Murray Mania... (and more!)

Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

So Great Britain has a player in the final of the Men's Singles at Wimbledon for the first time in seventy-four years, but the hard work starts now. Roger Federer looked awesome whilst beating World number one Novak Djokovic earlier in the day. He looked every ounce the champion and legend that he is, and to say that Andy Murray will have his hands full on Sunday would be understatement of the year! With Federer at 1/2f and Murray an outsider at around 6/4, the bookmakers aren't too confident that he'll win; but can he? Of course. Overall Murray has beaten Federer more times than he's been beaten by him (his record is 8-7) so it is possible although they have never played each other on grass. Roger has been the King of Wimbledon for some time winning six titles from seven appearances in the final over the years; and although he might not have been in the final for a while he has looked as good as ever this year and he has an added incentive. If he wins he will regain the world number one spot for a second time. One thing that will go in favour of Murray, is that it is highly unlikely that Roger Federer will have played in an arena that will be so in favour of the other player. I can't see the crowd being excessively vociferous as they have very much taken Roger to their hearts over the years, but they will be pro-Murray for sure. There will be lots to play for come Sunday afternoon. Aside of the glittering trophy and the adoration from the fans, there is the small matter of £1,150,000 to play for.

I ought to mention Brit Jonny Marray who's made the Men's doubles final with his partner Freddie Nielsen by beating the defending champions Mike and Bob Bryan. The last time there were British winners of the Men's doubles was in 1936, coincidentally the same year that Fred Perry won the Men's singles. The last thing I would want to do would be to tempt fate, but could it be fate? 

SPORT SHORTS

Tiger woods won the AT&T National title in Maryland last weekend to overtake Jack Nicklaus in the all-time PGA tour titles rankings. With his 74th title, Tiger is now only second to Sam Snead who won 82 titles. At the moment, Tiger is 6/1 favourite to win another Major at Royal Lytham St Annes in a fortnights time; Can you bet against him? Luke Donald at 16/1 or Phil Mickelson at 28/1 might take your fancy?

Kell Brook steps up to world level this weekend when he faces Carson Jones in an IBF World welterweight title eliminator in Sheffield. It looks like being a tasty affair as there has been a bit of needle in the build up. Both fighters are predicting a knockout so this one is a must see for any boxing fans. Hopefully Kell's class will shine through.

FIFA have decided this week that goal-line technology will now be used in football. (At last I hear you say!) The Premier League are saying that it could be brought in at some point this coming season, although the beginning of the following season looks more likely. At least there will be no repeat of Frank Lampard holding his head in his hands against Germany as it will definitely be used in the Brazil 2014 World Cup.     

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