SportsDesk

Horrible - but Aaron Ramsey will be back

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:57:00 GMT

One of the big weekend talking points was Aaron Ramsey’s horror injury at Stoke on Saturday.

Sadly it’s an annual occurrence seeing a player suffer such a bad break to his leg and we all wish him a speedy recovery, one which sees him fulfil his undoubted potential.

Of course, there is a morbid curiosity in wanting to see the incident – a voyeurism in judging for yourself how bad the injury was, as well as the inflicting tackle from Ryan Shawcross.

For me, Shawcross is a quality defender and his tackle was one you would see hundreds of times in a weekend – this one just happened to end in disaster. But you have to feel sorry for the centre-back, who was clearly distraught afterwards.

You hope it doesn’t affect him as badly as Martin Taylor, whose tackle on Ramsey’s Arsenal team-mate Eduardo at Birmingham two years ago was arguably worse.

The Croatian striker is back playing now, and you would expect Ramsey will recover just as well.

I can remember watching Phil Mulryne’s leg snap thanks to Christian Dailly’s challenge in 1999 – that was a bad challenge and one few City fans have forgiven him for.

That is a natural reaction and one Arsene Wenger is clearly feeling now - probably for the third time after Abu Diaby suffered a similar compound fracture at Sunderland in 2006.

Then there is the horrendous break suffered by Coventry defender David Busst at Old Trafford in 1996. That injury ended Busst’s playing career – and almost his ability to walk.

That moment was a real sickener - but thankfully, as bad as Ramsey’s plight looked on Saturday night, the odds are very good he will be back playing and hopefully back to his best.

Joe Kosich, David McNally and THAT story

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:34:00 GMT

Having been pointed in its direction, I’ve finally heard the radio interview David McNally gave before Saturday’s game on my story in the Evening News last week.

The main body of the story is here – missing a few extras that went in the paper.

Mr McNally was clearly not a happy man, but then I know that from when I spoke to him on Wednesday.

Now, I was going to put a couple of points across – but I actually think PurpleCanary’s post on the Pinkun message board says plenty enough. You’ll find it below.

In addition to the interview on the BBC website, the live broadcast included calling me a junior reporter and stated I seemingly ignored him in printing the story.

Well, the conversation I had with Mr McNally was off the record. I’m sure if it was me deciding to suddenly report one of those he would be livid.

Everything I had on the record went into the paper – and I kept asking for more.

The only factual error I’ve seen from Wednesday or Saturday is the statement I am a junior reporter, which I’m not. I am a senior. So there. Ner.

I don’t appreciate my integrity as a journalist being questioned for a perfectly reasonable story and despite mud being flung my way, I’m still to hear an objective reason why the story should not have been printed.

PurpleCanary:

“Firstly, Bailey’s original story is a perfectly respectable, sober, fact-laden piece of journalism. It sets out clearly who Kosich is and what he does (with Kosich himself making fun of the Tranmere stunt).

It sets out clearly the process by which potential investors contacted Kosich, and what happened next – that he contacted the club and the club told him to contact Deloitte’s.
And Kosich makes it quite clear that things are very much at an early stage and, by implication, that fans should not get any hopes up prematurely. ‘In my view nothing is serious until there are letters of intention.’

At no point does he remotely say or suggest that that stage has been reached, that he has investors lined up. On the contrary he warns that ‘capital is hard to find’. He also praises the process the club has set up to find investment: ‘They are going about it in the right way.’

So what do we get from McNally?: ‘I think that to some extent the supporters have been misled by some sensationalist press this week.’
Well, if there are some Canary fans out there so dense they can’t understand a simple, well-balanced story that’s not the paper’s fault. Or that of Joe Kosich.

Then we get this: ‘We have not had any American investor contact the football club.’ Er, well, you wouldn’t have had, would you? Since you told Kosich not to pass on any names to you but to contact Deloitte’s.

Then we get ‘I’m staggered then to read that Joe Kosich is waxing lyrical about all these American investors he has lined up. Well he hasn’t brought them to the football club’ when Kosich very clearly has done no waxing lyrical at all. On the contrary, he has made it clear all he has had are preliminary expressions of interest that might not lead anywhere.

In other words McNally is using the old trick of setting up a false target and attacking that. And, again, HE told Kosich not to pass on any names to the club.

Then we get this: ‘I’ve had Canary fans say to me, ‘what about this American money?’.’ Again, we are back with supporters who can’t understand a simple story. McNally is attacking Kosich for what some idiot fans thought he said, not what he actually said. Not Kosich’s fault. Or that of the paper.

Then it is put to McNally that it is a legitimate piece of journalism and should have been published. His response? ‘No.’

In other words, Archant should have suppressed what by any standards is a newsworthy story. That doesn’t really do it for me. So, yes, unimpressive.”

Who dat coming over the hill? It's Scoop Jackson

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:52:00 GMT

I know it was a couple of days ago now, but Sunday night’s Super Bowl XLIV has stayed with me – I really enjoyed it.

Time for a slight confession: As a kid I loved my basketball. I fondly remember buying Slam Dunk magazine from WH Smiths and watching Scoop Jackson keep me up-to-date with the NBA on Channel Four every week.

At the same time I would also take in American football’s latest.

When I passed the age of 18 I lost track of both the NFL and NBA, but Sunday rekindled my interest.

Admittedly, it felt like it took until the New Orleans Saints had actually won at the weekend to remember how the game worked.

It probably wasn’t as crushingly dramatic as the last two seasons, but the game was enthralling from start to finish.

There was obviously overwhelming support for a Saints win – and they do have their own equivalent to On The Ball, City (sort of), so that was good enough for me.

I have to admit, watching ‘SPXLIV’ alone in your front room into the early hours was made more fun by debating the proceedings simultaneously on Twitter. It was the kind of event that makes tweeting work. It probably makes me fairly sad, too.

And kudos to Jake Humphrey and the BBC for turning an American television schedule into some pretty interesting and comprehensive coverage.

I’ve now got an ESPN score board app for my phone – my NBA and NFL renaissance starts here.

Not that I can’t still take the mick. Clearly American football is in no way actually football. But doesn’t every sport have its flaw?

Here's why the Super Bowl is super

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:05:00 GMT

Work experience Thomas Crabb gives his take on the big one:

This weekend sees one of the biggest spectacles on the sporting calendar hitting our screens. Super Bowl XLIV is upon us, arguably the most over the top, extravagant and financially driven sports event to be played out over the year.

But yet, no matter how much the farcical nature of the spectacle is apparent, you still have to watch it. The entertainment side of things is fantastic and, Americans being Americans, it usually ends up in some exciting last minute play to decide an incredibly close game. Sport at its finest! That is, unless you’re a purist.

This year’s Bowl sees two-time champions the Indianapolis Colts take on the New Orleans Saints, who are partaking in their first ever Super Bowl in the side’s 43 year history. They face a stern test in that of the Colts, who won 14 out of their 16 regular-season games and have looked extremely formidable throughout the season.

However, the Saints have had a fine season by their standards, winning 13 out of their 16 regular-season games and following that up with two impressive displays against the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings in the play-offs.

With this in mind, the outcome of Sunday’s showpiece might not be as clear cut as some bookmakers are suggesting, with most predicting the Colts to win by at least four, with some saying the margin could be as big as 10.

One thing that we can be certain about is there will be two quarterbacks at the top of their game running out onto the Sun Life Stadium pitch, with Peyton Manning and Drew Brees both showing great form throughout the campaign. Manning will be taking part in his second Super Bowl, both with the Colts, and he will looking to repeat his performance of three years ago, where he helped his team to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears, picking up the MVP prize in the process.

And who would bet against him? He has a great record this season, completing 68.8% of his passing and reaching the 4,500 yard mark in his last game. Brees’ record is equally impressive however, with a 70.6% passing rate, throwing 4,388 yard over the 15 games. The showdown will be interesting, but you have to back Manning just for his experience. He is looking to leave a legacy with the sport, leading him to a place in the NFL hall of fame. Whether or not he will get there is another matter though.

You can take all the facts and figures that you like, but what it all comes down to is the day itself. Super Bowl’s can do funny things to a player, especially ones under such massive scrutiny like the quarterbacks. It is set to be a corker, although I’m not going to lie to you, I am more looking forward to the 45-minute half time show and the ludicrously expensive advertising slots that pretty much take away all of the focus from the game itself.

It’s what the Super Bowl is about and without it, the event just wouldn’t be the same. Well, it wouldn't be as long, that's for sure.

Howard Lloyd’s work experience blog

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:45:00 GMT

Had someone told me on Monday I would be alternating my time between interviewing the likes of Chris Sutton and Jarno Trulli, watching copious amounts of Sky Sports News, I simply would not have believed them. Yet that is how my week of work experience on the sportsdesk has panned out.

I arrived on Monday morning fresh faced and keen to start work. However, in place of the pre-match predictions I hoped to be writing, I found myself covering the plethora of sporting fixtures cancelled in the region thanks to the weather.

The story turned into a real eye-opener. Hearing regional managers complain in Arsene Wenger-esque tones about immanent ‘fixture congestion’ and ‘a backlog of games’ at the end of the season demonstrated just how serious the situation was for all clubs, not matter how small.

Rugby teams faced playing games on consecutive days, training was severely disrupted and the lack of activity put a serious financial strain on the clubs involved.

A trip down to a boxing gym to interview the Walsh brothers was Tuesday’s order of the day.

Ignoring the gym’s stench of sweat and testosterone, I found Liam and Ryan (Michael was ill) to be very pleasant chaps and was amused to see the sibling rivalry reminiscent of my younger days is alive and well in the community.

On Wednesday, tired from my incessant requests, the media department at Lincoln City finally put me through to Chris Sutton.

I picked his brains on City’s successful strike partnership of Chris Martin and Grant Holt, and did my level best to conceal my elation at interviewing a former City hero of mine, with reasonable success.

By Thursday, however, I had bigger fish to fry (sorry Chris) as Italian Formula One driver Jarno Trulli was in town to discuss the new Lotus Formula One team.

The affable Italian was engaging and all too happy to do the talking, even when eating his two packets of sandwiches.

I left grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat, soon to be erased though following England’s dismal showing in the first day of the fourth Test in South Africa.

Friday called for an indecently early start as we were off to Colney for Paul Lambert’s press conference ahead of the grudge match with Colchester United.

Unlike England’s cricketers, he managed to deal with everything thrown at him with a straight bat. Adam Drury toed the same line, but Gary Doherty – though not rising to the bait over the Colchester game – was remarkably candid in discussing just how close he came to ending his affiliation with Norwich following his spell in the reserves earlier in the season.

The week had been a satisfying one. In spite of the relative lack of actual sporting action, I had interviewed well known sportsmen, sat in on a Norwich City press conference, visited a boxing gym and had a number of stories published.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a week.

We should all have pride in Lotus' F1 return

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:49:00 GMT

While most people on Friday were gleefully taking a day off because they were ‘snowbound’, me and Sports Desk Pete didn’t have the luxury.

We had to skate our way (in a Vauxhall Astra) to Hingham, to take in Lotus’ new Formula One surroundings.

Now most seem sceptical about the reincarnation of Norfolk’s great marquee, which is set for the 2010 grid and the season opener in Bahrain in two months’ time.

And I wasn’t around when Colin Chapman created one of the best loved names in the sport.

But to write off Mike Gascoyne’s new outfit as something that would be lucky to spit on the shoes of Chapman’s endeavours is to miss the point.

Gascoyne is Norwich born and bred. He grew up in Old Catton and went to Wymondham College. And he grew up with Lotus being integral to the local sporting scene – both in performance and ethos.

Lotus’ new technical director knows what the marquee is all about – and from speaking to him, he’s not about to run that name through the mud on his watch.

Chapman’s days were a bygone era – and things are different now.

Whether the money comes from a multinational conglomerate, the Malaysian government or Pukka Pies, the car is being put together (mostly) in this county. In Hingham.

The drivers will play golf at Barnham Broom.

The engineers and other support staff will know the area and its proud motorsport heritage.

So for me, come Sakhir on March 14, there will be a Norfolk team – and a green car with yellow stripes – on the grid, to follow and cheer.

Two cars we should all get behind and be proud of.

Boxing, balls, engines on and wheels coming off

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

It has been one hell of a year, so much to write about – good and bad. Here are the select few moments that stick in my memory…

Jon Thaxton losing, first, his European belt in controversial circumstances to Anthony Mezaache in February – and then effectively his career to Tom Glover in July. It seemed like an anticlimax for someone who had done so much in the sport. Still, in the Walsh brothers and Sam Sexton, there is plenty to look forward to in the ring this year.

Lotus, Super Nova and iSport promise a superb year on the motor racing circuit in GP2 and Formula One respectively.

Personally, I got taken round Snetterton in a touring car by Colin Turkington – the man who would be champion by the end of the year. That was something else. However, the three laps were over all too quickly for my liking.

Watching Shaun Murphy wrack up more frames than any of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s previous final opponents to secure a shock Premier League Snooker title at Potters in November was terrific. I love my snooker, and Murphy managed to topple a man that has owned the event in recent seasons. Brilliant.

But there is one moment that sticks out for 2009 – and probably the decade.

Even in a season of disappointments, from the almost palpable euphoria and optimism at 2.55pm on Saturday, August 8, to the anger, disappear, shock and disbelief eight goals and 90-odd minutes later.

City lost 7-1 to Colchester and it took me an extra hour to write my copy that warm afternoon because of the scale of the event. Paul Lambert was almost sheepish in the post-match interviews – on the other side of the fence then, of course.

I remember then-assistant boss Ian Butterworth walking past the tunnel in his suit minutes after the ground emptied. I gave him an almost apologetic commiseration – but he looked inconsolable.

Sometimes you just know when things hit a low and if that is what 2009 is remembered for, then for us Norwich fans 2010 promises to be a much happier year.

So on that note – Happy New Year.

Three is the magic number

jonathan.redhead@archant.co.uk — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:12:00 GMT

So that was 2009 then.

Wasn't it great?

I really do mean that actually. I think we've had a pretty good year of it sports-wise in this country.

Our footy team is doing well under Don Fabio (or Postman Pat as my Mum calls him), our cricket team won the Ashes and destroyed South Africa the other day, Andy Murray had another top year, but arguably best of all Jenson Button won the world Formula One championship.

In this part of the world it's been ok, but not great.

Norfolk's cricketers won the KO Cup, and the King's Lynn Stars won more trophies.

Norwich City have had an awful year, despite signs of recovery, but it's not been as bad as the Linnets who don't exist any more.

The real ray of sunshine for me in 2009 has been a football team wearing blue from Suffolk (not that one).

At the start of 2009, Lowestoft Town were well clear of everyone at the top of the Ridgeons League Premier Division.

Since then it's all gone very, very well.

In the calendar year they've played 58 games, won 43, lost just eight and scored and incredible 150. Throw into that mix a Suffolk Premier Cup title, an FA Vase semi-final and an FA Cup first round appearance.

They are now clear at the top of the Ryman League Division One North.

They haven't broken the bank to reach the highest point in the club's history (like King's Lynn did). In fact they've adopted a rather novel method to secure success.

For many years Micky Chapman and Ady Gallagher have been joint managers. Now they insist the club is run by a management team, which includes Craig Fleming.

And when you think about it, having three managers instead of one, probably makes sense.

They all get on well for a start. But surely they must look at problems in a different way? They must have a wealth of ideas and individual traits for bringing out the best in their players - which they obviously have.

I've been to several Town games in 2009 and seen how they all work in different ways during the warm up. They put their arms round some players and gee up the others.

But having more than one brain in the box seat at a football club is not a new thing - although you have to wonder why more don't do it.

Look at the success of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor at Derby and Nottingham Forest. Look at the lack of success for Clough at Leeds when he was on his own and Taylor's failure at Derby by himself.

Look at Sir Alex Ferguson. The men sat alongside him at Old Trafford apparently play as big a part as Sir himself, like Brian Kidd and now Mike Phelan.

Arsene Wenger has had Pat Rice sitting faithfully alongside him for years, while Martin O'Neill has John Robertson as his right-hand man.

And if two heads are proving good for big clubs why not three?

Lowestoft have shown it can work and I'll bet anyone a tenner that the three musketeers of Chapman, Gallagher and Fleming are lifting another Championship trophy in May 2010.

AUDIO: Norwich chillaxing II

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:04:00 GMT

Happy Christmas to all – the Boxing Day win over Millwall certainly did the trick.

For those who wondered, yes – me and Sports Desk Pete did come up with the idea of a “Holty says chillax” T-shirt for Grant Holt.

You can see the finished article here.

I got it to Carrow Road early on Saturday – when, or indeed whether, it made it to Grant himself I don’t know.

Then Paul Lambert became embroiled in the whole sorry chillax affair in the post-match press conference.

You can hear that here.

Quite how this all turned to him finding out about my music ‘career’ I’m not sure – but it seems I’ve promised to write a song for the Norwich manager at some point. Better get on it.

To complete the Christmas gifts, and as he showed an interest, I’ll get Mr Lambert a couple of my CDs. I’m sure they’ll go down well – always a good stocking filler… (shameless plug, I know)

AUDIO: The Norwich City Chillax Montage

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:19:00 GMT

A Christmas present to you all - The Chillax montage.

Featuring Cody McDonald, Grant Holt in the background, soon followed by Adam Drury and Simon Lappin.

Enjoy - and Happy Christmas.

Listen to it by clicking here!

Grant Holt and chillax-gate - once a fool...

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:53:00 GMT

To think I had the gumption in my last blog to state I hadn’t made an idiot of myself too often in this job.

Off the back of my poor memory ahead of the Southampton JPT match, Paul Lambert trooped into Tuesday’s presser for the Millwall game openly questioning whether I had my facts straight this time – a fair question.

So you’d think, after my McNamee issues, I’d have taken more care. Well… no.

This time the ridicule spread across two days and four players.

On Monday I slipped (literally, given the ice and my shoes) down to the Castle Mall to interview Grant Holt and Cody McDonald, as they signed away various titbits for the queuing fans.

We’d already spoken to Holt and were halfway through our chat with Cody when I asked him if his first Christmas as a professional would mean he’d miss the time he would usually get to relax.

Only, for some god awful reason, I didn’t use the word relax… “chillax” seemed to slip out instead.

Now, I’ve used the word once or twice, and usually in a insincere (I like to think) sense.

But clearly this wasn’t the time for such colloquial turns of phrase and, quite rightly, Grant continued to rip the proverbial for the rest of Cody’s interview.

And that wasn’t it.

Come Tuesday’s visit to Colney, Adam Drury was the first player lined up for us to speak to. He, rather impressively, managed to state City’s form was so good he hoped things would continue to “snowball”.

As we all sniggered at his blatant festive pun, Drury exclaimed: “Well it’s better than chillax.” Good point, well made.

Simon Lappin was next – mid interview, nonchalantly stating he planned to “chillax” rather than enjoying any Christmas parties.

Apparently Mr Holt had a little word in each player’s ear before they made the trek from their breakfast to one of Colney’s mobile homes.

Smiles all round on each occasion, and maybe a red face from me, but there you go.

I expect this one will take a little while to live down – and my New Year’s Resolution? Not to add too many more.

I’ll stick some of the audio together and put a link on the blog to it for a festive laugh – may as well make the most of my own mistake, after all.

Listen to it by clicking here!

Me being an idiot; the David McNally answer

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:12:00 GMT

I’ve managed to avoid making an idiot of myself for most of my two years-plus in this job.

There was ditching my four bowls at Potters in front of a few hundred pensioners and the odd dodgy photo, but nothing too bad.

And, with the banter that tends to fly around the sportsdesk, I’ve been more than happy to jump on other people when they’re afflicted.

So as I fumbled through one of my questions for Paul Lambert at Colney on Monday – on how Anthony McNamee could have a chance to impress at Southampton – I was unwittingly confident.

Lambert – with a smile on his face – gave me plenty of rope to hang myself with, allowed me all the time in the world to finish my question (I’m not the best at phrasing questions) before almost gleefully exploding with the fact the winger is cup-tied.

Laughter erupted.

No complaints from me – I should have known better. Or at least remembered. I was at Swindon when McNamee came on as a sub for the Robins, and wrote several times when he signed here that he couldn’t play in the JPT for City.

Alas, I put it down to moving house at the weekend.

So, what is the most striking thing posted on the noticeboard behind David McNally’s desk?

Ten points to those who correctly guessed… an A4 sheet of paper with only these words in large print: “Norwich City 1, Colchester United 7.”

Unusual for any Norwich fan to have that on their wall, was my remark to McNally.

His reply? If he has a good day, he looks at the board to remind him there is still a long way to go.

So it’s basically like one of those ‘geese flying in a V-formation’ motivation things. But like McNally, me and most likely you, it probably does the trick with a little more oomph.

Dean and out; David McNally's noticeboard

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:37:00 GMT

It’s getting to the time of year when a Friday morning at Colney is a freezing place to be.

If anyone watches the player interviews we conduct during the prematch press conferences, you’ll probably see a collection of hands – some (the more fashion conscious of us) using the fingerless variety of glove attire – all shaking uncontrollably.

Honestly, it’s cold enough without having to try and hold your dictaphone in the air.

Sadly, I read my text from David Cuffley too late to ask anyone at Colney for their views on Dean Ashton’s retirement.

Both Gary Doherty and Adam Drury were part of the City side that slipped out of the top flight with Ashton as a team-mate.

For me, he was one of the best, technically gifted players I saw in a Norwich shirt. The volley he scored against Manchester City was something special.

And although we’ll never know the answer, I would still put money on things having ended differently that season if he’d been at Carrow Road from August.

There were reasons why he wasn’t, but still…

Thankfully my meeting with David McNally earlier in the week was in the shelter of his Carrow Road office.

What do you think was the most striking thing on the noticeboard behind his desk?...

(Leave a guess, if you so wish. Answer on Monday)

The Wrong Trousers

jonathan.redhead@archant.co.uk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:49:00 GMT

As some of you may be aware; I had a little bit of local difficulty at Southend on Tuesday night. To cut a long story short, I wasn’t allowed in the press box, because I was wearing jeans.

A bit of a communications break down meant I had to cover the game live for the Pinkun via my laptop in the stands, as I wasn’t aware of the ‘no jeans’ rule. It was ok, although I did get dogs abuse by some of the less friendly home supporters.

Indeed, one even decided to take my picture to send into Soccer AM – I have no idea either.

Anyway after the jeans incident, I can safely say I’ve completely learned my lesson about my attire in Southend.

Therefore, I’m never going back to Roots Hall again.

I've not long returned from a fortnight's holiday in America. Suffice to say I got my fill of the American sports. I've always beena big fan of American Football and baseball, less so ice hockey and basketball. But you just have to admire the coverage they give their sports. It really is wall-to-wall particularly at the weekend.

I know the three hour time difference between east and west allows staggered starts, but it is just game, after game after game of their football and basketball. It's great for the sports fan.

It was disappointing to note and almost total lack of interest in the final game of the Major League Soccer campaign between David Beckham's LA Galaxy and Salt Lake City. There was little coverage and the main channels were more interested in the latest 'tossed salad' haircut sports by Mr Posh Spice.

It's a shame because sport is massive in the States and almost every school you drive past has goalposts on the playing field. I'm just not sure that it will ever catch on. Maybe it's time to send the World Cup stateside once more.

By the way, Beckham's side lost on penalties after their captain Landon Donovan missed the vital kick from the spot. He was the chap who gave Beckham tonnes of grief for his alleged lack of professionalism earlier this year. Beckham scored his penalty.

How many Weetabix did Virender Sehwag have on Thursday morning? 284 runs in a day against Sri Lankan of just 239 balls. That's more than I've got in the last ten seasons!

The 'Paul Lambert and John Higgins' story

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:07:00 GMT

I have a newfound respect for matchmakers – and no, not the mint chocolate things that come out at Christmas.

Ahead of the weekend’s Premier League Snooker at Hopton, my preview work included an interview with semi-finalist John Higgins – a boyhood Celtic fan.

Now, it probably sounds obvious but when it comes to interviewing these nationwide stars we’ve got to look for a local angle, and Bhoys legend Paul Lambert doing the trick at Norwich seemed ideal – especially given Higgins had never been to this area before.

One of his football heroes was the gist.

My follow-up: bet it would be good for him to watch you do your stuff this time round?

The snooker star was adamant, give Lambert my numbers and get him to call me. Turns up they’d met a few times before and Higgins fancied another chat over coffee.

Speaking to Paul Lambert in the following days it was clear the big reunion was on and I duly passed him a card with the magic digits.

But then disaster. Lambert came up to me after the Carlisle defeat. He’d lost the number I’d given him for Higgins – maybe he’d thrown the card at one of his lacklustre Brunton Park performers in a fit of rage?

Then, no sooner had that been rectified and halfway home from Carlisle, Higgins was already out of the competition to eventual winner Shaun Murphy, and that was that.

By Sunday, Higgins had set off back to Scotland and the two had shared a text message. The coffee never happened.

Lambert walked in to the press conference on Monday, ahead of Southend, with a curse at the weekend’s events, both on the football pitch and snooker table – not surprising given the Canaries’ FA Cup exit and Higgins’ failure to carry through his unbeatable Premier League group success into the knockout stages.

Who would’ve thought getting two people together would be so tricky – even for 30 minutes over a cuppa?