Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club has strengthened its squad once again by bringing in a skillful winger from a Staffordshire rival.
Nick Palmer joins from Leek having spent most of his career with the club.
He also had spells at Derby Rugby Club and has represented Staffordshire County First Team for a number of years, playing at Twickenham in cup finals on two separate occasions.
Head Coach Chris Rowley sang the praises of his latest recruit.
“I have known Nick for a long time and he is somebody that has been on our radar to sign for a while now,” he told Sport in Staffs.
“We nearly signed him a couple of seasons ago but it didn’t quite materialise and I am very pleased that the timing is much better for him now. He is an incredible athlete, very powerful and fast but is also experienced and understands and can read the game very well.
“He was the top league try scorer in Staffordshire last season so it is a great signing for us. Nick has played representative rugby with a lot of our players which will enable him to settle in very quickly and I certain that Nick will hit the ground running next season!”
Keep your eyes peeled for tomorrows feature article of when Sport in Staffs spoke to Head Coach ChrisRowley about what the future holds for Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club
Players of Lichfield Hockey Club’s Ladies First Team have succeeded in doubling their target of raising £250 for charity after completing The 2.6 Challenge.
After this year’s London Marathon was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, The 2.6 Challenge was set up, asking people to raise money for charities and organisations by undergoing a challenge that incorporates the number 26 or 2.6, such as 26 press-ups or jogging 2.6 miles.
Lichfield personnel elected to do 26 ‘keepy-ups’ with a hockey stick and ball and managed to raise £550 for the St Giles Hospice.
First team player Becca Eastland explained why the side decided to complete the fundraiser.
“With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events with the consequent loss of billions in income for UK charities, the Ladies First Team at Lichfield Hockey Club wanted to do a little to help,” she told Sport in Staffs.
“The activity they choose was to do 26 keepy-ups in their garden and then pass it on to one of our team mates.
“They decided to get involved and encourage people to donate to St Giles as it close to many of our first team players’ hearts.
“Carol Rodgers, who is a long-time club member and also the president of Lichfield Hockey Club, works for St. Giles, so it seemed like the right charity for the Ladies first team to support them.”
The team raised almost double their target amount
Although the regular season was largely unaffected by coronavirus, Becca said that the pandemic has affected the club in other ways.
“Unlike other sports, we were lucky in hockey that we had played most of the season and only had one game left to play in Midlands leagues, to finish the season,” she continued.
“It also meant that the End of Season awards evening had to be cancelled which is usually is a great way for the club to come together to celebrate each team achievements for this year.
“We would normally play in friendly leagues in the summer and keep in touch with each other both by continuing to play and meeting socially.
“They have been getting together on a zoom call every few weeks to catch up.”
Nevertheless, the team has made the most of being in lockdown and Becca said she and her teammates are thrilled with the amount raised for St Giles Hospice.
She also said that the page is still open so it is not too late to donate money to the cause.
Becca stated: “We were delighted that through support of family and friends raised a fantastic £550.
“If anyone wishes to see our attempt and perhaps donate to St Giles Hospice please follow the link.”
To donate to Lichfield Hockey Club Ladies First Team’s fundraiser, click here.
To watch the YouTube video put together of the keepy-ups challenge, click here.
An ex-Burton Albion forward has joined a Football Association advisory board which looks at tackling discrimination and aiding diversity in football across England.
Marvin Sordell – who played for the Brewers between 2017 and 2019, playing 84 games and scoring nine goals – is one of seven new members to join the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB) which is a sub-committee to the FA board itself.
Created in 2013, the board also looks at cross-football inclusion and is made up of ex-professional footballers, mental health specialists and social experts.
Former Brighton and Hove Albion defender Liam Rosenior also joins alongside Sordell.
The 29-year-old retired from professional football last year, saying he was doing so to protect his mental health.
He has regularly championed for mental health to be a point of discussion more often at both professional and amateur levels in the game, also speaking out against the prevalence of racism within football.
Sordell has been outspoken about the problem of racism in football
Upon the news that he had joined the IAB, Sordell said: “I’m really excited to be a part of this board, and hopefully be a part of helping create a better environment for the beautiful game in this country.
“As I made very clear throughout the process, I’m not interested in politics, or building any sort of career in football. I only want to help make change.”
Chairman Paul Elliot stated: “I’m delighted to welcome the new members.
“”The standard of candidates was outstanding, and it was important to bring in people who can offer a fresh perspective from both within and outside of football. We’ve made great strides since the Inclusion Advisory Board formed in 2013 and it’s crucial to bring in those who can challenge existing ideas.
“In Pursuit of Progress lays out our mission to make football truly for all. With an ambitious set of targets, we aim to increase the diversity of those playing, coaching, watching and leading football, ensuring it is reflective of modern society, and play our part in removing discrimination from the game we all love.”
The return of former junior JJ Broberg to Stoke Rugby Club was announced by the Midlands 1 West outfit last month, and the hooker says he is ready to hit the ground running once the new campaign begins.
The 22-year-old joins from Chester and has an impressive CV, including making his debut for Championship side Nottingham Rugby against London Welsh at the age of 18.
Now, Broberg says is he looking forward to pulling on the colours of Stoke once again.
“I’m excited for the season ahead, there is a good feeling about the team and it will be great to play with some old friends,” he told Sport in Staffs.
“From my junior days at Stoke Rugby the club was very welcoming and even 10 years on it’s something that still hasn’t changed.
“After speaking to various members of the club, it is very apparent that Stoke has a really ambitious plan for the future and this is something that really excites me.
“I want to become part of the team and enjoy my rugby while aiming to play the best I can and hopefully take Stoke to the next level.”
Broberg can also play in the back row as well as hooker
Although itching to get onto the pitch, Broberg explained the impact coronavirus has had on the usual off-season routine.
“One major effect the coronavirus has had on the up-and-coming season is the uncertainty of when it might start,” he said.
“This obviously provides obstacles for pre-season and laying a good foundation and finding chemistry between players before league games start.
“However the extra time spent at home has allowed me to focus on a different type of strength training and fitness that I wouldn’t normally be able to do due to other commitments.”
Broberg, who can also play in the back row, had a message for Stoke Rugby Club supporters:
“The team is really up for it this year so please come down and support us. Hopefully you’ll get to see some great rugby!”
Members of Staffordshire outfit Stone SP Cricket Club are aiming to run 100 miles each in the month of May to raise money for fundraising scheme Cricketers against Covid-19: Smash The Tash.
Stone Cricket Club has now gone the extra mile and set up their own fundraiser to support this cause.
“First and foremost it’s a great cause helping to provide some additional support to NHS which is a service that many of us take for granted,” Stone batsman Sam Graham, who organised the fundraiser, told Sport in Staffs.
“In a situation like this, you just realise how important this healthcare system is and the truly remarkable sacrifices they make to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
He went on explain what the fundraising scheme is about.
“15 of us Stone SP players, coaches, parents and associates are participating,” he said.
“The aim is to individually run 100 miles throughout May. We’ve set up a running group on Strava for everyone involved enabling us to track where we’re all at and gives us a good support system.
“This idea has been heavily influenced by the brilliant Smash The Tash initiative.
“We are proud to get behind our fellow cricketing peers who have been brilliant at pushing this campaign and coming up with creative ideas as well as looping in the likes of Merv Hughes as an icon figure – who has a famous tash – to drive this fundraising effort forward. The beard is growing strongly as we speak!”
Smash The Tash has raised more than £9,000 for the NHS already
Like many clubs, the coronavirus pandemic has affected Stone financially, but they are trying to remain positive throughout this tricky period, with the ‘#TonUpInMay’ fundraising effort being an example of this.
Sam said: “Like every club there has been a significant loss of income with no cricket being played so we’ve had to come up with our own initiatives to raise some funds.
“We’ve got some brilliant volunteers who have maintained the grounds with strict guidelines in place of course so that well be ready once the season commences.
“It’s not ideal preparation wise but every club is in the same boat and that’s not important at this stage. We are trying to remain as hopeful as possible that we get to play some form of cricket this summer but as mentioned, more important things to focus on right now.
“For the majority of us, the lockdown has meant we’ve now got more time on our hands and just thought that there’s no better way than utilising our time to challenge ourselves with the overall purpose of trying to raise awareness for our NHS heroes.
“In terms of a target, we don’t have a specific total number in mind but each runner will aim to raise £100.
“Any kind of donation will be greatly appreciated and when donating remember to leave the comment ‘#TonUpInMay’.”
David Fairbanks from Smash The Tash said he was thankful for the efforts those at Stone Cricket Club are doing.
Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes is on board with the Smash The Tash campaign
He told Sport in Staffs: “Stone is a fantastic club with great people. It goes to show that we may suffer from white-line fever between the hours of 1-8pm on a Saturday in the summer months – but as a community as a whole we are all in this together.
“To say the three of us (David, Craig Barker and David Edwards, organisers) are proud of our cricket community is well and truly an understatement.
“Stone have come up with their own initiative which is an absolutely fantastic idea. And then to donate that to our fundraiser is just an amazing token of cricket friendship and we can’t thank them enough for their support.
“We have one request and that is to see “Butts” (club member Adrian Butters) in a 118 outfit!”
David continued: “It’s amazing how many clubs have bought into our fundraising concept in such a short space of time.
“We are receiving many generous donations from cricket clubs around North Staffordshire. We are well and truly overwhelmed by the support from everyone. Our hope is to carry on spreading the love beyond the county borders.
“We encourage all clubs to do something similar. If we can raise money and help our NHS heroes on the front line whilst raising spirits then please do what Stone CC have.”
To donate to the Smash The Tash fundraising initiative, click here.
For updates on Stone Cricket Club’s fundraiser progress, click here.
Defender Richard Duffy has left Northern Premier League South East Kidsgrove Athletic, the club has announced.
The former Port Vale centre-half leaves to join Congleton Town as assistant manager alongside former Grove manager Ryan Austin, who was appointed as Bears boss earlier this week after leaving Kidsgrove in March.
Duffy featured 35 times for Athletic after signing with the club last summer, scoring once in their 2-0 home victory over Daventry Town in the FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round.
“I don’t know Richard but we wish him and Ryan (Austin) all the best at Congleton
“It is a great club, I played for them myself in the 2008/09 season when Anthony Buckle was the manger. So we wish them all the best and I hope they have a good season.”
34-year-old Duffy has had a distinguished career in football, playing for the likes of Swansea City, Burnley, Coventry City and Notts County.
Port Vale players have shown an act of generosity by asking that money mistakenly deducted from their payroll to be donated to the Port Vale Foundation.
The charity says its aim is “to actively contribute to local, regional and national priorities using Port Vale Football Club to positively impact on the community’s needs.”
The money deducted from the payroll was supposed to go towards the players’ food but instead it will now be used to help the community.
Co-chair of Port Vale and Port Vale Foundation trustee Carol Shanahan said: “Port Vale have the best players – they’ve asked for the monies mistakenly deducted from the payroll for their food to be redirected to the Port Vale Foundation to help with the club’s community work.
“Thank you Leon Legge (club captain) and all the squad.”
Stoke City Women and Girls players are attempting an extraordinary feet of running or walking a combined total of 2,000 miles in seven days to raise money for the NHS staff tackling coronavirus on the frontline.
The three senior teams will cover half of this while youth players who attend the Club’s Regional Training Centres and family will complete the other 1,000 miles with all money raised from the initiative going to the University Hospitals of North Midlands Charity.
The progress on miles will be tracked on a running app and the fundraiser will start on Monday (May 4).
Stoke City Women Head Coach Chloe Jones said: “Community engagement is key to what we do as a football club and we wanted to give something back at an unprecedented time for everybody.
Stoke City Women have set a target of raising £1,000
“We’ve got a little bit creative and wanted to get the whole club involved, the senior players and the RTC players, and show our support for people who are working so hard to safe lives and keep us safe.
“And naturally, now we are in our off season, it will help to keep players fit as well and I hope will bring us all together again even though we can’t actually physically meet up.
“We’ve set ourselves a target of raising £1,000 and hopefully with the community’s support we can achieve our aim.”
To donate click here, and type in ‘Stoke City Women and Girls 2,000 Miles for the NHS’ in the message box to ensure money is distributed to the correct cause.
The visit of Rick Astley to Uttoxeter Racecourse this year had to be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but now a new date for his after-races performance has been announced.
Now, Astley will be performing his live set on Saturday, May 15 2021.
The good news for visitors is that the tickets sold for this year’s concert will be valid for next year’s event.
A spokesperson for Rick Astley said: “Due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation Rick’s Live After Racing performance at Uttoxeter Racecourse has been rescheduled to Saturday May 15, 2021.
“Original tickets remain valid for the new date.”
Tickets for next year’s gig are still available for purchase.
Burton Rugby Club has raised more than £5,000 through The 2.6 Challenge, which was set up after this year’s London Marathon was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The initiative asks people to raise money for charities and organisations by undergoing a challenge that incorporates the number 26 or 2.6, such as 26 press-ups or jogging 2.6 miles.
Burton has invited members to fundraise for the club after it lost £26,000 in finance due to the cancellation of events like Ladies Day, the Annual Ball and the final farewell fixture at Peel Croft – the home of Burton since 1910 – as it moves to a new ground.
The club is aiming to travel 12,658 virtual kilometres to Cape Town, South Africa, over 26 days, starting from April 26 (last Sunday).
A spokesperson for the club said: “This year we have lost £26,000 because of coronavirus. If we can raise money together we can reduce this loss and help our club’s future survival.
“It would also be a tremendous boost as we head into our 150th Anniversary Season.
The club were denied a final send off to Peel Croft after a 110-year stay due to the coronavirus outbreak
“Cape Town is a special place for Burton RFC. For the last three years we have welcomed players from Cape Town who have been part of our rugby playing community and in return young people from Burton RFC have gone to Cape Town on rugby exchange to embrace new cultures and skills.
“It’s 12,658 km to Cape Town. Together over 26 days we can all work as one team to make it to Cape Town. Who knows we might even make it back!
“You can track your kilometres by downloading the STRAVA app and making a free account, then joining ‘Burton Rugby 2.6 Challenge’ group.
“If you don’t want to take part then we would love it if you could make a donation to the challenge as this will encourage all those that are taking part.”
As of Wednesday evening, Burton Rugby Club has raised a total of £5,321.
WE HAVE MOVED! 