“In recent years sport has achieved an increasingly high profile as part of New Labour’s social inclusion agenda, based on assumptions about its potential contribution to areas such as social and economic regeneration, crime reduction, health improvement and educational achievement. However, these new opportunities … have been accompanied by a potential threat: evidence-based policy-making.” So began the introduction to Fred Coalter’s 2007 book A Wider Social Role for Sport, which sounded a lone sceptical note at a time when sport was apparently perceived by those in power as a panacea, an uncomplicatedly Good Thing. Coalter’s concern was that while this…
All posts tagged Oldham
Fortunes Collide for Plymouth Argyle and John Sheridan
It’s a well worn cliché that the period over Christmas and New Year is a crucial one for professional football clubs in England. With 5 games played in the space of just two weeks, it can define a season. Sadly for Plymouth Argyle supporters, 2012-13’s festive fortnight was abysmal. Having picked up just 2 points from the 15 available, the Pilgrims now find themselves in the League Two relegation places. That it’s come as no surprise whatsoever to the vast majority of fans is perhaps the most frustrating thing about this particular pickle. Despite surviving relegation last term, the Pilgrims…
Nick Blackman and Buckling Down at the Blades
We put an end to our Monday Profile series in the Summer after a two year run but, in a bid to occasionally recapture the spirit of that venture, will occasionally shine a light on a Football League player of our choice. Today, Ian Rands of A United View on Football surveys the first few months of Nick Blackman’s Sheffield United career and wonders if his encouraging early momentum can be maintained. As Sheffield United have ground their way to second place in League One, displaying the sporting flair and efficiency of the Canadian snooker player Cliff Thorburn, one player…
Is this Tranmere Rovers Vintage the Real Deal?
The general disbelief at Tranmere Rovers’ spectacular beginning to 2012-13 has all the same brought with it a highly pleasurable set of sensations – with most onlookers happily surprised at the Wirral’s finest’s unbeaten start and clear lead in League 1. Even the manager himself has seemed perplexed in front of the microphone – for while clearly confident in his players’ abilities, he is aware as anyone of the limitations placed on a club of Tranmere’s size by budget and resources. Those doubts persist. Ronnie Moore himself, in an interview with our sister site The Seventy Two, during his last spell with…
Tranmere’s Revitalization under Ronnie Moore
Our latest guest post sees us very pleased to welcome Paul Harper, co-host of the Totally Tranmere podcast and the author of an eclectic blog. Here at TTU, we would admit to having covered the Prenton Park club less than we would like to have done in our three years of existence so to be able to call upon the services of Paul is something of a boon. Here, he looks at the remarkable progress the Wirral club has made since Ronnie Moore’s return…and they say, ‘never go back.’ Can one man turn around the fortunes of a football club…
Michael: Great stuff, John.
1992 - 1996 was a fantastic time to be a teenage N...
john unitt: Just for the record - when i posted my comment at 09.27 the one now sh...
Peter Chambers: Many Coventry fans are unnecessarily gloomy. They highlight all the th...
Ben: Re Tom Ince - I stand corrected. A good signing on loan terms, even if...
