Sorted Magazine

Category: Sport

  • UK SPEEDWAY: The adrenalin chasers

    From on top of the world to dashed Olympic dreams with velocity and veg: learning from success and setback. 

    Wisdom is defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Experience tends to imply duration, and the regular embodiment of this human trait is the quintessential elder, often with wizened features. Think Yoda.

    So far so good, but can such a rule be challenged? Is there any validity in the assertion that acumen can be possessed by anyone who has yet to reach the maturity associated with greying or even thinning hair? I was convinced – as someone north of their 50s – that this was a ridiculous claim. Then I met a bunch of elite athletes with an average age of 24: Great Britain’s Speedway of Nations squad: Robert Lambert, Dan Bewley, and Tom Brennan, along with world champion cyclist Will Tidball. Collectively, they blew this hitherto resolute assumption to smithereens at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester during a rain-sodden week in July.

    L-R: Dan Bewley, Will Tidball, Robert Lambert & Tom Brennan
    Reproduced by kind permission of Warner Brothers Discovery Sport / Taylor Lanning

    First to share his insight into the field of human achievement was 25-year-old Dan Bewley. I sought guidance for one close to my heart: “My son Adam never inherited my passion for speedway, but my 5-year-old grandson Arthur loves it. He’s just ditched his stabilisers and he’s off like a rocket! What would you recommend as the next stage as he aims to emulate you?” 

    A pragmatic Dan was clear on the path ahead: “Keep on doing what he’s doing; it’s great to see that he’s off the stabilisers. Any time he can have on a bike is a huge benefit.” In terms of the important emotional aspect, he was equally persuasive: “Keep having fun on two wheels and don’t look too far ahead – just enjoy it!”   

    Twenty-six-year-old Robert Lambert echoed Dan’s mindset. “Enjoy it. For me it all started as a hobby. Keep working hard at it and keep the dream in mind.” But any success story is rarely a solitary achievement, as Robert was quick to acknowledge: “Never lose sight of the importance of your family and the close friends around you in any endeavour you embark upon.”

    Twenty-three-year-old Tom Brennan was quizzed about the magic of mental fortitude: “Positivity in any life endeavour is vital, but it is incredibly fragile. How do you manage to maintain your obvious optimism – I don’t think I’ve ever seen your face without a smile!” 

    A grinning Tom replied, “Well obviously I don’t smile all the time, but I do focus on trying my best to enjoy every opportunity – like participating in the Speedway of Nations. It wasn’t what I was expecting so soon, and consequently I have to grab it with open arms; if I get a win, great, but if I don’t, all I can do is try my best.” 

    Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley at the National Speedway Stadium, Manchester
    Reproduced by kind permission of Steve Hone

    Next up was an unexpected but welcome spectator, Will Tidball, the 2023 world scratch race cycle champion, who by rights should have been preparing to travel to France for the 2024 Olympics. Given that he wasn’t preparing to participate in the headline event, I had a little more time to talk to the 24-year-old athlete: “How did you come to be at the Speedway of Nations?”

    “It was a bit of a whirlwind. I rode cycle speedway from the age of six to 16. Recently – as an elite cyclist – I rode in the champions league, and the mutual television rights holders (Warner Brothers Discovery Sports) invited me along.” Cycle speedway isn’t for the faint-hearted and Will was accurate in his descriptor: a war on wheels! As for his motorcycle speedway experience, this was nurtured by his grandad at Exeter – the former home of the famous Falcons –  latterly at Plymouth, and the now defunct raceway at Highbridge in Somerset.

    Will’s Olympic dreams were not to be fulfilled this time round, and I wondered how he processed this huge setback. “I was very disappointed, although I could see it coming as I had contracted the Epstein-Barr virus, causing chronic fatigue. At the same time, I flipped the situation on its head. Firstly, if I’d not won a world championship last year, would anyone have been talking about me going to Paris? Secondly, I couldn’t control what was happening to my body. As a team we have strength in depth and the squad won’t miss me.” 

    If this level of pragmatism was exceptional, what followed was even more unexpected. When I asked what advice he would give to someone who is facing their own despondency and if any positives can be gleaned from such an experience, Will was palpably profound. “Definitely. I had a lot of free time on my hands that I wanted to fill. I caught up on all the speedway grand prix rounds on the TV, then got into growing vegetables.” Yes, Will went all-action with agriculture. “It helped to take my mind off the frustration.”

    But how could such a pursuit replace the excitement of professional cycling? It couldn’t, but that wasn’t the point: “I couldn’t really do much physical activity, but I wanted to maintain routine (a significant attribute for any champion) and growing veg filled this void. I was also able to be a bit more me.” This made me reflect. The speed and agility of any demanding human endeavour may occasionally need a counterbalance: a polar opposite experience. And time in the slow lane may be just the tonic. 

    I am acutely aware of the often-cumbersome labels we all carry – drawn from the disparate threads associated with vocations and life choices – but how does it actually feel to be a world champion? Will didn’t miss a beat. “When I did it there was massive relief. All the sacrifices my parents had made – such as driving me here there and everywhere and missing out on holidays. No one can ever take this success away from me. It’s cool, but I also quite like it when people don’t know. And I certainly don’t like being treated differently because I’m a world champion.” 

    “I’ve always been ambitious. As a child pedalling my bike around my grandad’s yard, I pretended that I was a world champion speedway rider.” With a dollop of levity, he added, “Ambition is what gets you out of bed. Never be scared to dream big. If I can be a world champion than anyone can!”  

    The perseverance – and ambition – of our riders paid off. The global speedway event reached its climax with a deserved, yet decidedly heart-stopping win, when Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley beat Australia in the final heat to clinch the World Cup for Great Britain.

    Australia v GB at National Speedway Stadium, Manchester
    Reproduced by kind permission of Steve Hone

    Header image: Team GB – World Cup winners! Reproduced by kind permission of Steve Hone.

    © Ian Kirke 2024

  • Sport: Kyren Wilson wins world snooker championship

    Excitement was off the scale here at Sorted HQ as we watched Kyren Wilson win his second World Championship final against Welsh qualifier Jak Jones. BBC Sport reports Wilson beating Jones 18-14 to win the world championship. Last year I had the pleasure of getting to know Kyren a little bit better when I interviewed him for Sorted Magazine. I’m a big snooker fan so what a thrill it was to speak to one of the top guys in the world – World Number Seven, Kyren Wilson. Here’s how it went:

    Steve Legg (SL): Hi Kyren. That’s an unusual name that I’ve heard pronounced differently. What do your friends call your Ky, Kyren or nothing at all?

    Kyren Wilson (KW): Ky, Kyren or anything but never Keiron.

    SL: I’ve seen you play many times, and they mess it up sometimes, don’t they?

    KW: I know. My very first debut on TV was on Eurosport. My management company had to message the commentators saying it’s Ky as in sky and Ren as in running. That’s how they got them to pronounce it correctly. My mum and dad were actually torn between Kyle and Kieron. So they mixed the two. That is as simple as that.

    SL: So now we know. Ky, my love for snooker came from watching Pot Black, because I’m older than you. Where did it come from for you?

    KW: Just a natural obsession with it. You know, there’s a picture that my mum and dad have from when I was two or three years old. There’s like a toy baby golf set. And instead of using it the traditional way, I put the golf ball on a coffee table, turn the golf club around, and start queuing with it. You know, nobody told me what to do with it. You know, there was just a fascination. That’s the way I wanted to do it. And yeah, my dad was a very keen pool player. Yeah. And at the time, it was frowned upon for younger children to play in pubs and stuff like that. There’s an old saying of something you can’t have, you want to even more so yeah, just an obsession from a young age.

    SL: Because it’s not one of those sports like footy or tennis, you can pick up as a toddler by kicking or hitting a ball about. Snooker is an entirely different kettle of fish, though; I assume countries in the far east have some fantastic young talents. Do they have special tables for little kids?

    KW: Um, yeah, you know, one of the most amazing things that I ever saw in my travels with the world snooker tour in Shanghai, and in between the Shanghai Masters I went to visit one of their local schools. And half of the school was a snooker club. You had about four or five snooker tables, some smaller tables for the younger children. And one of them gave me their book. And I said, you know, what’s this? And it was like, their homework and it was different practice routines. So yeah, if I was born in China, I’d have loved school more.

    SL: I bet. So do you remember your first visit to a snooker club with your dad?

    KW: We were quite lucky in Kettering. There were lots of good clubs around. We went there quite often during the week. My dad used to have quite a few arguments with my mum about it, because my mum was very much into education and my dad wanted me to carry on practising. He could see that as a natural talent. So I was very lucky to have it from a young age.

    SL: So when did you realise you were outstanding?

    KW: It was when I was six years old. I played Peter Ebdon in a local charity pool match. And Peter broke off and he didn’t pot a ball. And I stepped up to the table, just six years old, wearing black trousers, a white shirt, and a red waistcoat and cleared the table. So he turned to my mum and dad and said, you know, get him into snooker. He’s got a real natural talent and that’s where his future lies.

    SL: That is amazing. Peter Ebdon is a good pal of yours and is in your corner these days and does a bit of coaching with you?

    KW: Yeah, we work closely together and he’s greatly influenced me over the years. And I was very lucky to have him as a solid, consistent practice partner for many years up until, unfortunately, recently, when he had to retire due to health reasons. So yeah, it’s been a significant impact on my career. So I’m very grateful for that.

    Footnote: The full interview was published in the July/August 2023 print edition of Sorted Magazine or listen to our conversation at Konnect Radio.

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kyren Wilson

  • Bikes, camera, action: Speedway Grand Prix 2024

    The 2024 Speedway World Championship hits the shale later this month, with series one of an 11-round tournament being held at Donji Kraljevec in Croatia on 27th April.

    Fifteen racers, led by current Polish world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik, will contest the Grand Prix series that will again be hosted at several major European cities, including Cardiff on Saturday 17th August.

    Although the action will be accessible across major TV networks – including Eurosport and Discovery+ – there is only one place to properly sample the electric atmosphere: trackside.

    Catching up with the three British contenders – multi-winning world champion Tai Woffinden from the Sheffield Tigers, blistering Belle Vue Ace, Dan Bewley, and ruthless Robert Lambert, I was keen to understand how they all prepare for the greatest show on earth.

    Tai Woffinden and Dan Bewley

    Talent-wise the Grand Prix field is pretty balanced. How important is mental attitude, and how do you prepare for the GP, as opposed to an ordinary league meeting? 

    Dan kept things as normal as possible: “We ride against the same people in the Ekstraliga in Poland and the Premiership in the UK.” Although he did concede that it is a lot tougher. Robert reflected a similar perspective, but acknowledged that unlike a league match, the focus is entirely and utterly on one person – himself.

    Tai – displaying the wisdom of many a Grand Prix campaign – provided a more detailed analysis of his pathway to success: “At this level, it’s all about having the full package – physically, mentally, and mechanically.” Rolled up within these key ingredients are mechanics, the carefully choreographed continental logistics, and not so secret elements of sleep and a nice hotel. He added, with his trademark reflective insight, “There is a much bigger picture than just rocking up to a league meeting. When all those pieces of the puzzle are in place – with a bit of luck – you are not far off.” 

    Robert Lambert

    Are you superstitious? If so, what routine do you follow and why?

    Tai and Dan didn’t disclose any unusual routines; however, Robert reflected upon his personal practice and admitted that he may have become a tad superstitious over the years by engaging with the same ‘left-hand side routine’ with gloves and boots following the regimented regime. Furthermore, he insists on listening to music with Team GB colleague Tai providing the vibes!

    Eager to follow up on this disclosure, I asked Woofy to elaborate: “I’m presently working on a Techno-Vibe collaboration with an Italian artist.” An upcoming track will be available later in May, followed by hosting a post-Grand Prix event in Warsaw, Poland, entitled “Explosion”, that will draw an audience of three thousand music lovers; fingers crossed, he will be wowing the UK public too in Cardiff after the British Grand Prix. The talented entertainer and entrepreneur revealed that this engagement is an important part of his alter ego outside the world of speedway, and helps significantly in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, since after a Grand Prix round he is so adrenalized that he can’t sleep until the wee small hours of the morning. Is there no end to his talents? The only way to adequately answer this question is to cheer him, Robert, and Dan on as they race across Europe.

    Full Grand Prix calendar:

    Round 1 – Croatia, 27th April
    Round 2 – Wroclaw, Poland, 11th May
    Round 3 – Germany, 18th May
    Round 4 – Czech Republic, 1st June
    Round 5 – Sweden, 15th June
    Round 6 – Gorzow, Poland, 29th June
    Round 7 – Cardiff, UK, 17th August
    Round 8 – Wroclaw, Poland, 31st August
    Round 9 – Latvia, 7th September
    Round 10 – Denmark, 14th September
    Round 11 – Torun, Poland, 28th September

    Title photograph reproduced by kind permission of Taylor Lanning.
    © Ian Kirke 2024 & uncredited photographs. 

  • Film: “Reaching a new generation”

    The Academy Awards are fresh on the minds of filmmakers and film-lovers alike. The ceremony is considered the pinnacle of recognition by those in and outside the film industry. However, a production house in Florida, which includes those who have worked on Oscar-winning films, have their attention fixed on what they consider the most important film they have ever worked on. The team, whose portfolios includeThe Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and The Frog, Big Hero 6, Spies in Disguise and more, is bringing the story of Jesus to life through animation.

    Ray Aguerrevere, Producer, Jesus said: “It is an honour to be working on this project. The realisation that this film will eventually be translated into over 2,000 languages and be distributed globally with the help of 1,800 ministry partners makes this by far the most important film I will ever work on. When production for Jesus started, it started humbly. As the excitement and support builds around the film, from a quality and visual standpoint, the parameters for what is possible continue to expand. We’ve had many artists leave their key positions in major studios and ask to join our production team. Some of the crew working on the film have told us that they have been longing to be a part of a film like this. 

    “Part of the beauty of it all is that ultimately this will be much more than a film. We’re creating digital assets that can stand alone and be redeployed for virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse, and in ways we haven’t even begun to consider today. We’re intentional in the way we build these assets to enable them to be as pliable and moldable for new technologies, and technologies not yet developed. 

    “With the film, we strive to be forerunners in driving the use of exciting technology. We’re utilizing a real-time pipeline which enables us to eliminate traditional rendering steps and see progress almost immediately. The Jesus film is being re-imagined from live action to animation. What better medium to transcend generations. Animation is timeless!”

    The Jesus Film Project®, a Cru® ministry, is releasing a feature-length animated film, Jesus, in partnership with production studio Premise Entertainment. This animated film stands on the shoulders of a 40-year legacy. The Jesus Film Project® released the live-action Jesus  film in 1979 which went on to be the most translated film in history. Now comes a re-imagining which is aimed at reaching a new generation with the latest technology. To find out more visit jesus.film.

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Jesus Film Project.

  • The beautiful game: generations

    I’ve been to some big games: Wembley playoffs, promotions, and championship-clinching matches and – being a Notts County fan – more relegation nail-biters than I care to remember, but this match eclipsed the lot.

    It was the debut of my best friend, partner in crime, and – by reason of osmosis – a committed Magpie, Arthur Ellis taking to the pitch in the home game against AFC Wimbledon on 9th March. He may only be four years old, but he looked Herculean as he took to the field in front of over 10,000 fans with a courage far greater than the crescendo of the crowd’s eruption as the teams appeared from the tunnel.

    I knew I’d cry that day, and thought I’d grasped the reason why. Notts are part of my DNA, and my association with the oldest professional football club in the world has shaped me and has been steadfastly there during the good times and the bad. In loss, the terraces gave me sanctuary, and in joy, Meadow Lane has given me the opportunity to collect the most vital of human possessions: memories.

    But as Arthur strode out onto the hallowed turf, with my son Adam looking on as a dad-in-waiting, along with other key members of the family, I knew that I’d discovered the missing element to my emotional conundrum: legacy. My late dad had passed the baton of belonging to me, and here I was doing the same for my partner’s grandson. I’ve held him since his arrival into this often crazy world where change is constant; often causing chaos and confusion. And maybe that’s why I love the club where I’m connected with 162 years of heartfelt heritage.

    I managed to keep it together, until captain Kyle Cameron lifted Arthur up,and in almost Rafiki style, held my little Simba up for the Notts faithful to welcome him into the Pride Lands.Then I totally lost it and blubbed like a baby.

    The scoreline was irrelevant, as my mate Arthur had come of age, and I’d done my duty in the face of fierce competition; his generous dad, Ruairi, is a massive West Ham fan…

    Thanks to the staff at Notts County for arranging the most beautiful of experiences, and especially Charlie Roach, Les Bradd and Harry Dalzell who choreographed the occasion with such care and compassion. In the immortal words of Bill Shankly: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”

    © Ian Kirke 2024. Title image reproduced by kind permission of John Sumpter @JMS Photography. Other images by kind permission of Emma Ellis.

  • Football: Which team has the most dedicated fans?

    The research, conducted by football shirt retailer UKSoccerShop, used Google Keyword Planner to analyse nationwide searches for the shirts of Premier and Championship League teams over the last five years, identifying the teams with the most eager fans.    

    New data has revealed the teams with the most dedicated fans based on which football shirts fans are most eager to get their hands on, with Manchester United taking the top spot. Liverpool and Arsenal are also popular choices, with thousands of fans searching for their football shirts. The ranking used Google search data to reveal the most popular football shirts across the UK.

    Manchester United ranked first with the highest number of searches for their team’s football shirt, with 321,760 searches in the last year. In fact, the team’s kit has been the most popular for the past four years, consistently receiving the highest number of searches.  

    Since 2014, Adidas have manufactured the iconic jerseys, replacing Nike as their official kit sponsor. In 2023, they renewed their partnership with a record-breaking £900 million deal, extending the club’s relationship with Adidas for another 10 years. 

    Manchester United’s continued popularity identifies a strong connection between the club and its supporters. It’s no surprise they top the ranking as they also have the highest social media following with 63.3 million Instagram followers, revealing them as the team with the most devoted fans. 

    Ranking in second place, Arsenal’s football shirts garnered an impressive 296,700 searches over the past year. The Gunners’ kit has firmly secured its position as the second favourite shirt, maintaining the second spot for two consecutive years.  

    The club’s timeless charm has made their football shirts one of the most sought-after in the UK, with fans waiting excitedly each year for the annual kit release. Arsenal’s substantial fan base is undeniably advantageous, as the team is currently second in the League table.   

    Ranking in third place, Liverpool’s kit was searched for over 235,000 times in 2023 alone. Liverpool is currently topping the League table and with their 44.3 million Instagram followers, there is always hope that their shirts could rise to number one next year.  

    Despite winning the 2022-2023 Premier League for the third year in a row, Manchester City only placed fourth in the findings, with 183,020 searches in 2023. It appears that, despite their impressive on-field performance, there is comparatively less enthusiasm among fans for wearing the team’s jerseys. 

    Manchester City’s ranking is even more surprising considering the presence of popular players such as Jack Grealish, who have made the team an appealing choice for fans. Despite currently ranking tenth in the League, Chelsea’s kit was the fifth most searched for last year, with over 170,000 searches. Their dark blue kit is clearly still a favourite among football fans and the team has plenty of supporters as evidenced by their 41.6 million Instagram followers.  

    In sixth and seventh place are Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa football shirts, with 116,070 and 78,460 searches, respectively. Tottenham are currently ranked fifth in the Premier League, battling it out against Aston Villa who are fourth. The eighth and ninth spots go to Newcastle United and West Ham United, with 69,560 and 64,340 searches across the UK in 2023, respectively.  

    Newcastle United’s iconic jerseys have made headlines across 2023 as the team decided to end their partnership with Castore, after multiple complaints concerning the quality of the shirts. Newcastle signed a five-year deal in 2023 with Adidas, who will be manufacturing the jerseys from the 2023/2024 season onwards. Meanwhile, West Ham United have continued their £7million deal with kit provider Umbro.  

    Only just making it into the top ten, Everton football club had 38,230 searches last year for their shirts. Unfortunately, the team is currently ranked eighteenth in the League table, but it seems they still have plenty of supporters proudly wearing their shirts. 

    Over the past five years, Manchester United has consistently taken the top spot with the most sought-after kit, except for 2019, when Liverpool shirts were the favoured kit. Liverpool and Arsenal battle for second and third place every year, leaving Manchester City and Chelsea to sit in either the fourth or fifth position. Despite ranking lower than Manchester United and Liverpool, appearing in the top five consistently indicates they still have a dedicated fan base.  

    Speaking on the findings, Simon Pretswell, CEO of UKSoccerShop, told Sorted Magazine: “The data reflects the enduring popularity of Manchester United football shirts among fans. The club’s rich history and global fan base cements its position as a frontrunner in football shirt preferences. It’s fascinating to see which teams have the highest number of loyal and dedicated fans over the years. For fans, buying a football shirt is a great way to feel part of their team’s community, and many will delight in wearing them to support their favourite teams during the games. The power of fan support is not to be understated, and it is clear teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool have hugely dedicated fans.” 

    Sources: https://www.uksoccershop.com/and Google Keyword Planner  

    Main Photo Credit: Nicholas Green via Unspash

  • The Story of Luke Littler Is Only Just Beginning

    In a captivating final display, Luke Littler’s fairy tale run in the World Darts Championship came to an end in a thrilling contest against Luke Humphries. The 16-year-old sensation, who had captured the hearts of the nation with his remarkable journey, faced a formidable opponent in Humphries, the new world champion.

    From the start of the interview, it was evident that Littler’s primary goal was to win at least one game and return after Christmas. However, his incredible journey exceeded all expectations, reaching the final and making it a truly unforgettable experience for the young player.

    A Fairy tale World Championship Display

    Reflecting on the tournament, Littler expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s been unbelievable. Like I’ve said, I just wanted to win one game, come back after Christmas, and that was it. That’s the only goals I set. So, this is just a massive, massive bonus.”

    Despite the defeat, Littler remained proud of his achievements, emphasising that losing on such a grand stage didn’t make him angry at himself. He acknowledged the incredible support from the public, describing it as “crazy” and expressing appreciation for all the encouragement.

    A Missed Opportunity

    The pivotal moment in the final came when Littler had one dart double for a 5-2 lead. Reflecting on it, he admitted, “My mind went blank, and I stopped my rhythm, and I didn’t take it.” It was a turning point that shifted the momentum in favour of Humphries.

    In response to a question about future confidence, Littler mentioned winning about six televised PDC games and set his sights on winning more in the upcoming years. He acknowledged the valuable experience gained in the tournament and the belief it instilled in him for future competitions.

    A New Global Superstar

    The interview delved into the impact Littler had on growing the sport, with him expressing hope that he had inspired young people to take up darts. He encouraged them to try the sport, emphasising its appeal once they get into it. Littler’s impact on the global audience has been nothing short of extraordinary, transcending the boundaries of traditional darting enthusiasts. The 16-year-old prodigy has not only captured the attention of ardent darts followers but has also managed to draw in spectators from diverse backgrounds who may have never tuned in to watch the sport before.

    On the other side of the spectrum, Luke Humphries, the world champion, praised Littler’s contribution to the sport, stating, “He’s grown it bigger than anybody could ever have imagined.” Humphries highlighted Littler’s fantastic attitude and family support, foreseeing a massive future for the young talent.

    ‘Relentless’ Luke Littler

    Humphries, in a gracious acknowledgement of Luke Littler’s relentless performance in the final, praised the young prodigy’s unwavering determination and skill. Recognising the formidable challenge presented by Littler, Humphries commented on the difficulty he faced in contending with such a skilled opponent, especially in the intensity of a world championship final. Impressed by Littler’s tenacity, Humphries went so far as to suggest that “relentless” could be a fitting nickname for the young player, a testament to his unyielding and persistent style of play.

    The Premier League Beckons for the Nuke

    As the darting world looks to the future, the possibility of Luke Littler joining the Premier League garners considerable attention. Fans and experts are keenly anticipating his inclusion, fuelled by his stellar performance in the World Championship. Despite the looming pressures associated with this prestigious league, Littler maintains a grounded perspective, expressing his commitment to staying true to himself and carrying forward the impressive form he showcased in recent weeks.

    In addressing this pivotal decision, Humphries imparts valuable advice, underscoring the significance of Littler making his own choice amid the challenges of a demanding schedule. Humphries acknowledges the substantial commitment that the Premier League entails but also points out the potential for Littler to relish World Series events, displaying confidence in the young player’s adeptness at navigating the opportunities ahead.

    With the darting community eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Premier League line-up, Littler’s potential inclusion injects an exhilarating new element into the already fierce competition among the sport’s elite. Humphries concludes, “It’s up to him and his family to decide. If he decides not to go into the Premier League, he’s got loads of World Series. The PDC would love to put him in. The only advise I would give Luke [Littler] would be to follow his heart, as I don’t think the Premier League would be too overwhelming for him.”

    The Future of Darts

    In conclusion, the World Championship final between the two Lukes left an indelible mark on the darts world. Luke Littler’s journey may have come to an end for now, but his impact on the sport and the promise of a bright future makes him a player to watch in the years to come. The rivalry between the Lukes is expected to continue, promising more exciting moments for darts enthusiasts worldwide.

    Source: https://www.sportsboom.com/

  • The Road to Resilience

    On the 27th August  this year, I stood, with my two ‘Team Wolfpack’ team mates, David Clement and Rich O’Connor, in the cold, pouring rain, in Chamonix on the start line of the UTMB PTL, arguably one of the hardest sporting challenges on the planet. Ahead awaited 311km of Alpine wilderness, and a lot of climbing. Twenty-five thousand metres (82,000 ft) of ascent to be precise. That’s about the same as climbing Everest from sea level – three times.

    It had been a long journey to get here. For most of my life I had played football; when I started spending more time on the bench than on the pitch, I decided to explore the world of ultra endurance.   

    This journey started with an Ironman triathlon, but I soon discovered I didn’t like swimming and wasn’t competitive on a bike. Thus, the transition into ultra running. Ultra running is classed as any distance longer than a 26-mile marathon, although, these days, 50 miles plus is probably more ‘ultra’ territory. 

    My first ultra was called The Oner, a 76-mile run along the Dorset coastal path.  A beautiful race, but, to be honest, all I remember was pain and suffering. I finished hours behind the winner, in awe of how someone could run so far, so fast. Bizarrely, I was hooked. I loved the adventure, extreme challenge and unpredictability of this sport and I wanted to know where my limits were. I also discovered that pain and suffering are actually at the heart of all ultras and it’s only when these two friends arrive that the racing really begins.  

    Resilience, rather than athletic prowess, is what makes the difference. Literally, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. 

    Other races and challenges were gradually added to my ultra CV: the UTMB, a non-stop mountain race with 10,000m of ascent, the Western States Endurance Run in California (100 miles long), the Bob Graham Round (42 Lake District peaks in 24 hours), the Haute Route (ski traverse of the high Alps in Winter) and also the legendary Marathon Des Sables (MdS). 

    The MdS has the debatable title as the ‘Toughest Race on Earth’ and it was my first multi-stage race – 250 km across the Sahara Desert. It is brutal.

    Running in temperatures of up to 50 degrees across a desert for six days, carrying all your food and kit except for water and a tent, is an extreme challenge. Each day ends at the bivouac, where you share a tent with seven other runners.  The camp is very basic (I ‘slept’ on the stony floor after losing my sleeping mat when a whirlwind came through the camp on the first evening) and is taken down each morning and rebuilt at the end of the day’s stage. Each day gets tougher as the miles, injury niggles, reduced calories and lack of sleep start to take their toll. 

    The fourth stage is the dreaded Long Stage.  On that particular morning I woke up sick from heat stroke from the previous day, when I had overcooked it in my attempt to qualify in the Elite category. I was too sick to eat properly but managed, taking about 15 minutes, to eat half a plastic cup of porridge before curling up in the foetal position in my tent, sweating with nausea and waiting for the race to start. Had I been at home I would have been too ill to go to work, but yet I had 56 miles of sand, searing heat and a vicious headwind to look forward to. 

    I knew it was going to be an utterly miserable day, but I also knew from experience that if I could just keep putting one foot in front of the other, it would be all over in 12 hours. I wasn’t wrong. 

    Overall, the MdS was an experience of a lifetime – with the highlight being the friendships built with my tent mates. They were an incredible group with exceptional positivity, grit, mental fortitude, talent, character and humour. Everyone looked out for each other and I benefited hugely from the strength that can be drawn from such company.

    Surprisingly, despite my gastric issues, I managed one of my best results, finishing 33rd overall out of 1,330 runners and second in the 50+ age category.

    These races all served as a continuing apprenticeship which brought me, this August, to the damp start line of the PTL – ‘La Petite Trotte à Leon’. It is the first and longest of the UTMB (Ultra Trail Mont Blanc) series of races, based in Chamonix, in the French Alps, each summer. Translated as ‘Leon’s Little Walk’ – the name reflects the mindset of the organisers who each year plan a route as remote, challenging and adventurous as they can conceive within ‘acceptable’ danger limits. 

    Due to its extreme nature, this is a team event, maximum three members. If team mates drop out, continuing alone is not permitted, which explains why this was now my third attempt. The maximum time allowed is six and a half days, and on the previous attempt my final teammate dropped out after five and a half days. Close, but no finisher’s cowbell.

    This year, as we left the cheering crowd in Chamonix we were immediately climbing steeply and soon discovered that above 2,000m it was snowing.  Fresh snow, rocks and trail-running shoes are never a good combination and, almost immediately, on one particularly tricky section, the two runners directly in front of me lost their footing and slipped a hundred feet down a steep rocky scree slope. They both survived their fall, but it was definitely time to focus – and put our crampons on!

    The best word I can think of to describe the difficulty of this race is ‘unimaginable’. Testimony to this is that a quarter of the teams abandoned the race in the first 24 hours. These were all experienced mountain ultra runners who had not imagined how hard things were going to get on just the first day and, clearly, repeating this experience another five and a half times was not desirable.

    The first day began at 8.00am and, for us, finished at 3.30am the following morning after 65km of climbing at high altitude in miserable conditions, with only one 45-minute refuelling stop. At the end of this journey was a hot pasta meal in a remote mountain refuge and an hour’s lie down, where I slept for about half an hour before being kicked out to make room for other arriving runners.  At this point, day two started. 

    Due to the distances and terrain that need to be covered each day, sleep has to be sacrificed. I slept less than six hours total in the whole week and by day three, sleepwalking and hallucinations became a daily occurrence. I knew my hallucinations were starting when I started hearing ice-cream van music playing up in the mountains. Before long, every rock seemed to have a face, and I kept seeing pictures of fairytale characters on the trail. Approaching one particularly dangerous section, we had been falling asleep on our feet with such regularity that we had to take a 15-minute power nap to snap us back into clarity. As we were up at 2,500m, in the middle of the night, it was too cold to stop any longer than that. There was nowhere to lie down, so I had to wedge myself upright between two huge boulders to sleep.  

    By the third day, the rain and snow stopped and the sun came out. The plus was that we could now enjoy the stunning wilderness through which we moved. It was also the low point of the race:  Rich, one of our team, called it a day when the altitude, sleep deprivation and an injured ankle were combining to affect his balance and making progress dangerous. David and I continued on. 

    Also, moving had become more painful due to blisters caused from days of wet feet. Sore feet would be a constant companion for the rest of the race. On the last day my feet were so bad that when we had 22km to the finish line I found myself calculating how many more steps I could endure. I reckoned 44,000 steps would do it. 

    One unexpected feature of the race was joy. Pure joy. Endurance competitors often speak of being broken by the experience. For me, I was repaired. The immense difficulty of this race focuses your mind on the truly important. Not once did I think about work, the mortgage or interest rates. All that mattered was to keep moving forward and my mind was free to dwell on my wife, kids, family, friends and faith.  I was blown away by the love and support from friends back in the UK and, every day, I would find myself laughing and weeping, at the same time, from the overflowing joy of feeling truly blessed and alive.

    I know it’s only a race, but finishing the PTL after two failed attempts was, without a doubt, one of my life highlights. David and I ran hard for the last four miles, determined to finish strong, no matter how I’d felt five hours earlier when I was counting my remaining steps. After days up in the remote mountains it seemed strange to see so many people again. The streets of Chamonix were busy with cheering crowds and friends and family and the final tearful sprint to the finish line, joined by my wife, Nicky, was a perfect end to an incredible adventure. And, at last, I had my finisher’s cowbell.

    A few years ago, a friend asked what was it that kept me going when others stopped. I didn’t have a clear answer, although I did know, and anyone who has seen me swimming in cold water will confirm, it wasn’t because I was naturally tough. 

    This led me to start listing the factors that contribute to strengthening my resilience. I soon observed that none of these factors were fixed traits; none were unique to me, and all could be developed. I am convinced that we are all capable of strengthening our resilience, whether we are crosssing mountains or running a family or a business. 

    Over time, I’ve started to receive more and more invitations to speak about my adventures and the ‘Secrets to Living a Resilient Life’ to businesses, schools, colleges, church groups, men’s groups and sports clubs.

    I have a passion to share what I have learned, to help others keep running in life’s race when the temptation to start walking – or to give up completely – is so strong. It’s a heartbreaking statistic that around 80 men a day take their own lives in the UK and sadly, to quote Thoreau, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”.

    In ultra endurance events, the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is simply the ability to keep going. I believe that there are steps that we can all take to help us build our resilience, run a stronger race, live more passionate, purposeful lives – and never give up. 

    Andrew uses the lessons learned from his adventures in his work as a motivational speaker, to help others learn to become more resilient; to keep going when the going gets tough. To contact Andrew about a speaking engagement, call 07950 822801 or visit andrew-findley.com

  • Analysis: Which Premier League Clubs have the most expensive tickets?

    Digital Editor’s Note: Huge thanks to the team over at https://seatpick.com/ for commissioning and sharing the following analysis with Sorted Magazine readers. They hope you find it useful! 

    Amid reports that 17 of the 20 Premier League clubs have raised their ticket prices for this season, up from 11 clubs in 2022-23, SeatPick were keen to identify the Premier League clubs with the most expensive ticket prices for fans. 

    To achieve this, the experts analysed changes in ticket prices for the 2023/24 Premier League season and compared these with the average wages per city, calculating the number of working hours required for fans to afford either a matchday ticket or a season ticket.

    Here are the Premier League clubs with the highest rise in season ticket prices:

      Team Name 2022/2023 Season 2023/2024 Season Ticket Price % Change
    Cheapest Ticket Most Expensive Ticket Cheapest Ticket Most Expensive Ticket Cheapest Ticket Most Expensive Ticket
    Fulham £460.00 £1,050.00 £595.00 £3,000.00 29% 186%
    West Ham United £299.00 £1,025.00 £310.00 £1,620.00 4% 58%
    Bournemouth £550.00 £760.00 £590.00 £1,026.00 7% 35%
    Brentford £419.00 £549.00 £419.00 £740.00 0% 35%
    Newcastle United £417.00 £811.00 £600.00 £1,055.00 44% 30%
    Aston Villa £531.00 £752.00 £610.00 £869.00 15% 16%
    Everton £465.00 £625.00 £600.00 £690.00 29% 10%
    Burnley* £319.00 £455.00 £335.00 £500.00 5% 10%
    Wolverhampton £590.00 £786.00 £525.00 £844.00 -11% 7%
    Nottingham Forest £385.00 £550.00 £465.00 £585.00 21% 6%
    Manchester City £350.00 £980.00 £385.00 £1,030.00 10% 5%
    Crystal Palace £420.00 £755.00 £545.00 £790.00 30% 5%
    Brighton £545.00 £860.00 £565.00 £895.00 4% 4%
    Arsenal £927.00 £1,839 £973.50 £1,895.50 5% 3%
    Sheffield United* £404.00 £515.00 £418.50 £528.50 4% 3%
    Luton Town* £500.00 £500.00 £510.00 £510.00 2% 2%
    Liverpool £685.00 £869.00 £699.00 £886.00 2% 2%
    Tottenham £807.00 £2,025.00 £807.00 £2,025.00 0% 0%
    Chelsea £750.00 £940.00 £750.00 £940.00 0% 0%
    Manchester Utd £532.00 £950.00 £559.00 £950.00 5% 0%

    *Refers to teams that were promoted from the Championship to the Premier league for the 2023/2024 season. For the full dataset please see the methodology.

    Fulham season ticket prices have increased the most

    SeatPick can reveal that Fulham, who finished tenth in the 2022/23 Premier League season, have almost tripled their most expensive season ticket from £1,050 to £3,000, where fans will be seated in the redeveloped Riverside Stand. This averages at £157 per game, which is almost three times the cost of the most expensive standard ticket at Craven Cottage (£55). Surpassing Tottenham’s priciest ticket of £2,025, the extensive price rise makes it the most expensive ticket in the Premier League without hospitality. In addition, the club’s cheapest season ticket will set Cottagers back an extra 29%, now at £595 compared to £460 last season, meaning Fulham’s most budget-friendly option will demand an average of 27 working hours to become affordable. Given the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis, it’s unsurprising that fans are expressing dissatisfaction with this substantial price hike.

    West Ham United have seen the second-highest price increase for tickets. This is despite star player Declan Rice leaving the club to join Arsenal, with the most expensive season ticket for the Hammers seeing a 58% increase from £1,025 to £1,620 for the 2023/24 season. These premium seats, situated in both Billy Bonds stand and West stand, are almost double that of London rivals, Chelsea (£940), who froze prices from last season. Although prices have increased 4% since last season, the Hammers’ cheapest season ticket continues to be the lowest in the Premier League (£310), which would take less than 14 hours of work to afford (13.96 hours). This is just under half what would be needed for a ticket at Fulham, which would take 27 working hours. For fans of the Hammers who are unable to attend every game, standard ticket prices have been frozen again this season ranging from £30 to £100 – the second-highest amongst all Premier League Clubs.

    Ranking third is Bournemouth, whose premium season ticket prices increased by 35% for the current season, costing £1,026. This is the club’s first price rise since the 2015/16 season and their first in the Premier League. The most affordable option at the Vitality Stadium will set Cherries fans back £590, 7% more than last season (£550), and over double the cost of a season ticket at Premier League champions, Manchester City. Despite this, the Cherries are able to purchase standard match tickets at reduced prices this season, with the most expensive option now costing 4% less, down from £55 to £53. Not only this, the cheapest ticket now costs £28, a 13% decrease from the 2022/23 season (£32). 

    Newcastle United’s cheapest season ticket rises 44%

    Following a very successful 2022/23 season, Newcastle United fans were faced with largely increased season ticket prices. The cheapest option at St James Park will now cost fans of the Magpies £600, marking a 44% surge from the previous season (£417). This increase is the steepest among all Premier League clubs, amounting to almost five days worth of work (35.13 hours). Standard ticket prices have also changed, with the most expensive option increasing to £70 (previously £67) and the cheapest having decreased to £32 (previously £36). However, the club’s new ballot system introduced for the 2023/24 season now means those successful will be allocated a seat at random and have no choice of price. 

    Liverpool have the cheapest match day ticket at £9 

    Despite a 2% increase in both their most affordable (£699) and premium (£886) season tickets compared to the previous season, Liverpool lead the way by offering the most economical match day ticket at just £9 for the cheapest seats. This remains consistent with last year’s most affordable match day ticket, and is a staggering 83% cheaper than their Merseyside rivals, Everton. Notably, Everton has increased their cheapest ticket prices from £40 to £55 (a 38% rise), despite narrowly avoiding relegation last season. As a result, Everton’s cheapest matchday ticket now ranks as the second most expensive in the Premier League, trailing only 5% behind treble winners, Manchester City, who have set their minimum price at £58. 

    Main Photo Credit: Milly Pyne

  • Sport: The speed, thrills and spills of Oxford Speedway

    Sport: The speed, thrills and spills of Oxford Speedway

    Live entertainment is unparalleled. By being there, for instance at it a concert, sporting event, theatre or air show, you are part of the unfolding history. There is an explicit emotional link between you and the main event that can often have a magical and lasting effect. Seeing Queen at Wembley in 1986 and watching Notts County’s return to the English Football League at the same venue thirty seven years later are, I am convinced, engrained within my DNA. But these experiences can come at a cost and aren’t necessarily always that convenient.

    Partisan supporters, allocated seats, and a sense of extravagant expenditure, can be the dominant reflection if the main event doesn’t match the anticipated outcome.

    Of the many choices on offer it takes a lot to beat an experience that represents value for money, accessibility, friendliness and excitement. The secret is speed and this is on offer in heaps at Oxford Speedway, the home of the Cheetahs.

    If you haven’t been for a while, or never at all, get along and check it out. Mingle with the crowd, there is no segregation, and whatever your age or background you will be made to feel instantly welcome. Choose your viewpoint, from the luxurious glass fronted grandstand to the ample terraces, or move effortlessly between the two. You will always be able to see all of the action.

    This magnificent stadium has bounced back from a fifteen year period of abandoned oblivion to be dramatically brought back to life by promoter Jamie Courtney and the many volunteers drawn from the local community. A real phoenix-from-the-fire story and in their second season back in the Championship the Cheetahs senior side are top of the league as are their junior Chargers team too.

    If you are unfamiliar with this mesmerising motor sport buckle up and take in the following extraordinary statistics: Speedway bikes, with four riders in each heat, can accelerate to 60 mph faster than a Formula One racing car. 500cc engines with one fixed gear running on methanol, a speedway bike has another astonishing attribute: they have no brakes. Let me repeat that – no brakes.

    I was at the league encounter with the Bandits of Berwick who sensed an upset from the outset. Virtually neck and neck for twelve of the fifteen heats the Cheetahs form for the remaining three races was akin to scoring three goals in the last ten minutes of a pulsating Premiership football match. Three five-ones were the perfect successive holes in one with heat thirteen being the pinnacle of passion.

    Embracing a couple of majestic manoeuvres that defied Newton’s laws of motion, executed by the scintillating Sam Masters on the inside, and the sensational Scott Nicholls on the outside, sweeping past a stunned Rory Schlein was the Speedway equivalent of the climax to the 2017 Epsom Derby when Wings of Eagles blitzed to victory in the last fifty yards.

    For a night to remember I recommend you check out the fixture list, clear your Wednesday evenings, and connect with the Cheetahs and Chargers as they create sporting drama and represent the best bang for your buck you will ever get over a couple of hours.

    https://oxfordspeedway.club/

    © Ian Kirke 2023

    @ianjkirke

    Photos: Courtesy of Ian Kirke and Scott Nicholls