Olympics: How will Agenda 2020 change the future of the Games?



Olympic athletes gather in Lausanne, Switzerland for the launch of Agenda 2020 last month (IOC)


By Steven Oldham


The International Olympic Committee's Agenda 2020 will reshape the Games as we know them by focusing on the key themes of affordability, legacy and inclusion.

Since IOC President Thomas Bach introduced the set of 40 (20+20) proposals last month, it is clear that the future of the Olympic movement is changing to reflect economic and social issues faced by the world.

Simplifying the bidding process to host future Games and reducing the costs of doing so is one of the central proposals. Being able to submit joint bids with other cities or countries is a step in the right direction, as is the reduction in presentations by bidding cities. With the IOC also covering some logistical fees for bidders, this should drive down overheads and make hosting the Games an attractive, viable option to a broader range of nations than in previous years.

This will open up the prospect of a first Middle Eastern Games, for example. After securing both the 2019 World Athletics Championships and the 2022 football World Cup, Qatar would be the obvious candidate in this part of the world. However, the sheer scale of the event might mean a joint bid with neighbouring countries could be more realistic.

Another option would be a Nordic Games - and not necessarily a Winter one, given that Sweden has previously hosted the Summer Games. Both Norway and Finland have experience in hosting Diamond League and European Championship athletics respectively.

Hopefully, these reforms will help avoid another situation like the bidding process for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will now only be contested by Beijing and Almaty after four European cities, for various reasons, withdrew their candidacy in quick succession this year.

Wherever future editions are held, a key part of bids will be legacy plans after the Games have left town.  IOC members will be keen to point to London as a good example, which used a good mix of existing and temporary facilities. New builds are also well used - the Olympic stadium will host the 2017 World Athletics Championships and will become West Ham United's new home. The Copper Box regularly hosts professional boxing and is home to handball and badminton teams as well as community sports facilities. Next year, the Lee Valley Hockey Centre will host that sport's Euro Championships.

Sadly, this is not always the case - just ten years ago, the Games returned to Athens, the birthplace of the Olympics. However, ill-thought plans to build stadia exclusively for beach volleyball, softball, taekwondo and so on have led to them standing derelict and in ruins.  Costing an estimated €9bn, the Greeks have precious little left to show for their money.

The abandoned Olympic Aquatic centre in Athens, ten years on
(Milos Bicanski)

The IOC are looking to take a more hands-on and supportive role for prospective hosts in the sustainability of their infrastructure to avoid this in future. The use of existing facilities is to be further encouraged, and to avoid potential white elephants, temporary arenas will be preferred to costly unviable stadia.

Another aim of Agenda 2020 is for the Games to be ever more inclusive. This includes a target of 50% participation rate for female athletes and the principle of non-discrimination against athletes is to be expanded to include sexual orientation.

The commitment to gender equality follows the first Games in which every country included at least one woman in their team. Concerns about non-participation of women in the Olympics were eased by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei all including women in their teams for the first time at London 2012 but there is still work to be done to reach the desired 50/50 split.

Women's sport continues to grow in popularity and it is vital that the IOC is seen to be trying to balance the number of places to make the event as a whole fairer and representative of participation levels at the grass roots.

Another point of the gender equality recommendation was to encourage the introduction of mixed gender team sports. In recent days, FINA have announced the introduction of mixed diving and synchronised swimming competitions to their events. Whilst there is no guarantee these disciplines will be added to the Olympic programme, the IOC will no doubt look favourably on this development.

Agenda 2020's proposals will no doubt affect how we view the Olympics. Work is now needed by the NOCS to implement them. If they succeed in making the Games fairer, more cost-effective and inclusive, the movement will have changed for the better.

The IOC are due to vote on the Agenda 2020 proposals at the 127th IOC session on December 8-9. This article is not a full summary of the proposals - I have concentrated on what I feel are the most important aspects. A full list of the 40 proposals can be found on the Olympic website here



Will future Olympics feature synchronised swimming with
men competing alongside women? (Sports Tribe)

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Who should be on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist? Part 2

By Steven Oldham

If you haven't read the first part of this blog, click here for the first five sportspeople I think should be included in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist, which is due to be released on November 24th.

Gareth Bale (Football)

Bale has made a brilliant transition to La Liga

 

The Welsh wing wizard stands football's best chance of winning the top gong since countryman Ryan Giggs took the prize in 2009. The world's most expensive player's 2014 form suggests Real Madrid were right to spend such an amount on him. After an inauspicious start at the Bernabeu, struggling with injury, Bale has quickly become one of his team's most consistent and exciting players. He scored goals in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, and was instrumental in his side's Super Cup victory in September. Since moving to Spain, he's averaging a goal in less than every two games, easily the most potent his strike rate has been at any stage in his career. He also saved his international team from embarassment in Euro 2016 qualifying, scoring both goals in a narrow 2-1 victory over minnows Andorra.

 

Fran Halsall (Swimming)

 

2014 has been a great year for Fran Halsall 

A long standing member of the British and English swimming teams despite being just 24, Halsall has had one of her best years in 2014. She was at the forefront of the British revival at the European championships in Berlin as Team GB returned to form in their biggest event since the disappointment of London 2012. She won both 50m freestyle and backstroke events, and picked up another sprint double at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she won the 50m freestyle and butterfly events. Back in Germany, she was part of the 4 x 100m mixed medley team that broke the world and European records by over two and four seconds respectively.

 

Max Whitlock (Gymnastics)

 

Max with one of his Commonwealth gold medals

 

Max Whitlock is another athlete whose success belies his young age. The 21-year-old has had another stellar year on and off the mat for Great Britain and England. He won three gold medals at Glasgow 2014 - in the team, floor and all around events - and topped these off with a silver in the pommel horse and bronze in the parallel bars. He also won European gold in Bulgaria in his favoured pommel horse event, beating the Hungarian Olympic champion Krisztian Berki, and came a close second in the all-around event at the World Championships in China. His performances are getting stronger, with 2014 being his most decorated year to date.

 

Paul Wellens (Rugby League)

 

Rugby league veteran Paul Wellens

The St Helens and former England full back captained his club to a Super League Grand Final and League Leaders' Shield double in 2014. The one club man has become a legend both in Saints and Super League history, now picking up titles in three decades. This season, he also moved past the 1,000 points scored margin, and is the player with most Super League appearances under his belt. He has joined the England coaching staff but he has not yet retired from the game he has served for so long.

Kelly Gallagher (Skiing)

 

History maker Kelly Gallagher

 

The Northern Irish skier created history back in February by becoming the first British athlete to win Winter Paralympic gold as she won the Super-G event for visually impaired athletes with the help of sight guide Charlotte Evans. Her performance in Sochi (and that of the Paralympic team in general) showed vast improvement from the Vancouver Games four years earlier when no medals were won. Gallagher was the closest on that occasion, finishing fourth in the giant slalom. Similarly to Lizzy Yarnold, Kelly's success bodes well for the future of Paralympic winter sports in the UK as funding has been increased given the team surpassing their medals target. She was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list following her success.

 

It is always hard cutting down a list of sporting achievements to find a shortlist, and I for one don't envy the panel who are drawing up the real shortlist. How do you separate achievements in mainstream sports like football and tennis, where money is no object, and success to an extent is expected, to sports like skiing, where money is at a premium? Some athletes narrowly missed out on being profiled in my two blogs, but I feel it's right to include them as they have all had great years. 

 

Honourable mentions

JACK LAUGHER: The diver from Leeds has been the star performer in the British team this year - he won two golds at Glasgow 2014 and his synchro partnership with Chris Mears is improving year on year.

EILIDH CHILD: Hurdler Child has a brilliant chance of being shortlisted for her European Championship gold winning performance in the 400m in Zurich this year. She also captured a memorable silver medal in the same event at her home Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

GREG RUTHERFORD: The long jumper is another strong contender for the award longlist. He captured both European and Commonwealth titles for the first time this year, and holds the British record in his event.

JONNY WILKINSON: The England legend bowed out of rugby union in some style this year, playing a key role in Toulon's victories in the Heineken Cup and the Top 14 finals, in which he scored a lion's share of the points in his final games as a player.

HANNAH MILEY: The Scottish swimmer set a new Games record while winning gold in the 400m medley at the Commonwealths.

DANNY BROUGH: The Huddersfield Giants and Scotland captain topped the Super League points scored and assist tables this season and led his country to a first European title, despite being the lowest ranked nation of the four teams involved.

ROSS MURDOCH: The swimmer burst onto the international stage this by winning medals of all colours at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games, but his best and most surprising moment came when he beat Glasgow 2014 poster boy and compatriot Michael Jamieson to gold in the 200m breaststroke.

 

MORE  READING:

 

Who should be on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist? Part 1

 

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Glasgow 2014: DAY 6: England dominate gymnastics team events, Canada rack up the medals, Kenya lock out long distance podium

 

Glasgow 2014: DAY 1: Hosts Scotland off to golden start as 20th Commonwealth Games get under way

 

Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Gymnastics



Who should be on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist? Part 1

By Steven Oldham

It's almost that time of year again. A month today, we will know who has succeeded Andy Murray as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. 

Pleasingly, there is no shortage of contenders this year, with standout performers in big sporting occasions including the Winter Olympics, Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and continental championships in a number of sports.

While the award is seen as old fashioned and irrelevant in some quarters, it still manages to attract A-list stars from all sports to the ceremony and remains a strong ratings winner among the general public.

The official shortlist of contenders is not due til late November, but here I look at who could and should be in the running.

Jo Pavey (Athletics)

European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey
 

The distance runner from Devon should be a certainty for this year's shortlist - and among the favourites to win. She was crowned European 10,000m champion at the age of 40 after a memorable victory in Zurich earlier this year. What's even more is impressive is she gave birth just ten months earlier. That she is still competing at such a competitive level is an inspiration to other athletes - both elite and amateur - who retire or think they are past their best. For this alone she should be included as one of the award's criteria is the impact the athlete has had beyond their achievement. As well as her European title, she also picked up a Commonwealth bronze in Glasgow in the same event just ten days later.

Rory McIlroy (Golf)

2014 has been a standout year for McIlroy
 

Rory McIlroy's stunning year is the perfect antidote to an off-par 2013.  He won the Open Championship for the first time, PGA Championship for a second time and helped Europe to a third consecutive Ryder Cup win. In addition to this he has already been named PGA Player of the Year and returned to number one in the world rankings, a position he has held since May. Rather than affecting him negatively, his romantic split from tennis star Caroline Wozniacki seems to have invigorated his form on the green.  He also settled the debate on which country he will represent at the Olympics in 2016 should he qualify. He'll play for Ireland rather than Great Britain as golf returns to the Olympic programme for the first time in over a century.

 

Claudia Fragapane (Gymnastics)

Fragapane has burst onto the international gymnastics scene in 2014

 

The teenager is eligible to win the Young Sports Personality trophy, but her achievements in 2014 are worth a nomination for the main award.  In her first year of senior competition, she has represented her country at European and international level. She was one of the stars of Glasgow 2014 - taking four gold medals in both team and individual events - all at aged 16 - she only turned 17 in October.  This made her the most successful English female competitor at the Commonwealth Games in over 80 years. She also scored European and British silver medals and if she continues her current rate of progress, could be a leading star for Team GB in the Rio 2016 Olympics.

 

 

Lewis Hamilton (Motor racing)

 

Lewis is one race away from being a double champion

 

 At the time of writing Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is one race away from winning his second world title. Should he triumph, he will become only the fourth Brit to win more than one world title at motor racing's highest table. He now owns the record for most British victories, with 32 surpassing Nigel Mansell's previous best which has stood for over 20 years. In every race he has finished, he has stepped onto the podium. A crucial five straight victories in the latter part of the season has helped him catch and overtake Mercedes team mate and title rival Nico Rosberg. The pairing have both contribute to their dominant team racking up the most points by one constructor in a season in history with a hefty 86 points still available in the final race in Abu Dhabi, where double points are controversially awarded for the first time.

 



 

 Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)

 

Team GB's sole gold medallist in Sochi: Lizzy Yarnold

 



Lizzy Yarnold continued Team GB's proud record in the skeleton event at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February as she won the same title as compatriot Amy Williams did four years earlier. Despite not being an atypical winter sports country, this was the fourth consecutive Games a British woman has stepped onto the podium in this event. Her triumph was the highlight of a successful Games for Britain, who enjoyed their best Games since 1924 with four medals. Largely down to her success, UK Sport funding for skeleton was almost doubled for the next Olympic cycle to the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, as part of a record level investment in winter sports following the British Olympic and Paralympic teams outperforming targets with a total of ten medals. And Yarnold? She wants to defend her title in Korea.

 

You can read part two of this blog HERE

 

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FA Cup: Giantkillers will have to do it all again to progress past second round; Scunthorpe vs Worcester, Cheltenham vs Dover, Barnsley vs Chester, Hartlepool vs Blyth Spartans



Second round Cup draw

By Steven Oldham

FA Cup giantkillers Worcester City have been rewarded for dumping former winners Coventry City out with a trip to Scunthorpe United in the second round.

The Conference North side will be looking to claim another League One scalp as they visit Glanford Park.

Conference side Dover City will also be facing Football League opposition again in the shape of Cheltenham Town after dumping Morecambe out on Saturday.  Cheltenham produced a shock result of their own in the first round, trouncing Swindon Town from the league above 5-0.

Chester have been handed a tough away game at Barnsley in round two having shocked Southend in the firsr round. Barnsley were in clinical form on Saturday, disposing of Burton by five clear goals.

Warrington Town - the lowest ranked side left in the competition - have been drawn away to Gateshead - after they caused a big shock in knocking out Exeter City, who compete four divisions above the part timers from the Evo Stik Division One North.

Elsewhere in the draw, there is a tasty-looking North East derby between Hartlepool and Blyth Spartans on the cards. With Hartlepool bottom of the Football League, Blyth's players will be looking to claim another famous moment for their team, whose history is full of FA Cup magic.

Bradford City's reward for knocking out fellow Yorkshiremen Halifax is a home tie against Dartford, who won by the odd goal in a seven goal thriller at Bromley.

There are also competitive all League games between divisional rivals; League Two promotion contenders Bury and Luton will square up at Gigg Lane, with Oxford United and Tranmere Rovers also drawn together. League One's Milton Keynes Dons will face Chesterfield, and Colchester United must beat Peterborough United to progress.

Part timers Warrington Town knocked out League side Exeter

Ties will be played between 5-8 December.

Full FA Cup second round draw:

Oxford United vs Tranmere Rovers

Bury vs Luton

Wrexham vs Stevenage Borough/Maidstone Town

Scunthorpe United vs Worcester City

Colchester United  vs Peterborough United

Wycombe Wanderers vs York City/AFC Wimbledon

Notts County/Accrington Stanley vs Yeovil Town

Hartlepool United vs Blyth Spartans

MK Dons vs Chesterfield

Dagenham & Redbridge/Southport vs Eastleigh

Gateshead vs Warrington Town

Oldham Athletic vs Weston-super-Mare/Doncaster Rovers

Havant & Waterlooville/Preston North End vs Walsall/Shrewsbury Town

Barnsley vs Chester

Bradford City vs Dartford

Crewe Alexandra/Sheffield United vs Plymouth Argyle

Cheltenham Town vs Dover City

Cambridge United vs Mansfield Town/Concord Rangers

Bristol City vs Basingstoke Town/AFC Telford

Portsmouth/Aldershot Town vs Northampton Town/Rochdale

Worcester's first round two goal hero Sean Geddes (FA, Getty)

Five mid-ranking countries who need to take advantage of extra Euro 2016 places

By Steven Oldham

Qualifying for Euro 2016 starts today with 16 teams starting their quest to reach the 15th championships in France in two years time.

UEFA have changed the format of the competition to past tournaments, with the most notable difference being an increase to 24 finalists from the current 16.

Is this too many teams for a continental competition? Almost certainly - the World Cup only has eight more teams, and logistically 24 doesn't make for the easiest fixture breakdown unlike the simple 32-16-8-4-2 format we are all familiar with.

Putting those concerns aside, the extended format will obviously provide more opportunity for mid-ranking nations to qualify for a major tournament - some for the first time, some for the first time in a long while. 

The top two in each group qualify automatically as well as the best performing third place team. The remaining eight third place teams will play off to settle the final four places.

Here I look at five countries who need to make the most of this opportunity and book their places at Euro 2016.

Romania's Ciprian Marica (London24)

ROMANIA (Group F)
Romania are so often the nearly men of European football, both in continental qualifiers and for the World Cup. Having missed out on a place in Brazil this summer to Greece in the playoffs, they have an early chance to exact a bit of revenge as they have been paired together in Group F and play each other today.  Greece are the top seed in this group but this is arguably the kindest group Romania could ask to be in. Hungary, Northern Ireland, Finland and the Faroe Islands are all opponents they will not fear, and if they get off to a good start, could challenge the Greeks for the group victory. In doing so they would qualify for a first major tournament since Euro 2008, but they are still some way short of the golden era team of the 1990s.  

Man to watch: Ciprian Marica - Both his country's captain and their most prolific goalscorer - he scored five goals in their most recent World Cup campaign.

Today's match: vs Greece (h)



Hungarian striker Balázs Dzsudzsák (UEFA.com)

HUNGARY (Group F)
Hungary's wait for qualification to a major tournament now stretches to 28 long years since they made the Mexico 1986 World Cup. Long gone are the days of Ferenc Puskas and world and continental medals. However, there are signs that the Hungarians are once again moving in the right direction over recent years. In both preliminary rounds for Euro 2012 and this summer's World Cup, they finished third in their group, which if they match this time, will guarantee at least a play-off.  They have beaten higher ranked opposition in this time, namely Sweden and Turkey. They also have the opportunity to avenge a loss that ultimately cost them a playoff place for Brazil 2014 - Romania beat them 3-0, a defeat which proved decisive in the group - with the Hungarians finishing third, two points adrift.  As with the Romanians, they will not lose much sleep about the other teams in the group, but need to take this opportunity with both hands and cannot afford any slip ups as the draw for the next tournament may not be so favourable.

Man to watch: Balázs Dzsudzsák - The 27-year-old winger now captains his team and has seven years international experience to call on. The Dinamo Moscow man also weighs in with goals as well as providing them and is a successful product of his country's youth setup.
 
Today's match: vs Northern Ireland (h)

Montenegro's Stefan Jovetic in action against England (London24)

MONTENEGRO (Group G)
This could finally be the time Montenegro break through and make the big leagues. They have made quick progress since their competitive debut as an independent nation in qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, where they gained nine points and were only beaten three times in ten matches. Moving forward to Euro 2012, they pushed England close in their group, and showing up the more established Swiss, Bulgarian and Welsh teams.  The qualification stage for Brazil 2014 was littered with inconsistency - good results such as beating Ukraine and holding England to a third consecutive draw between the countries were nullified by the lack of a killer instinct to secure vital wins over Poland. Their inexplicable 5-2 defeat to Moldova in the final round of fixtures could show a worrying trait of waving the white flag when a playoff place was still possible (granted, it was unlikely given Ukraine's vastly superior goal difference). They will need to find the winning mentality again as Russia and Sweden will be expected to fighting for the group win. Only Austria can realistically block them from at least third, bar a miracle for Moldova or Liechtenstein. A good start against Moldova tomorrow will set them on  their way.

Man to watch: Stevan Jovetic - The Manchester City striker started the season with two goals in an important game against Liverpool.

Tomorrow's march: vs Moldova (h)

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher is back after illness (The Guardian)

SCOTLAND (Group D)
France 1998 was the last tournament the Scots qualified for but there is a genuine chance they can change that this time around. Their opening fixture - away against newly crowned world champions Germany - is as hard as it gets, but they should be quietly confident of a top three finish. Under Gordon Strachan they restored some respectability to a previously disastrous World Cup campaign. They recovered to finish fourth in their group with an impressive double victory over Croatia towards the latter stages of qualifying. It was a case of too little too late though for a side beaten twice by Wales and held by Macedonia.  This time, their main competition will come from Ireland and Poland. Games against Gibraltar and Georgia should not cause any problems, though they have let their foot off the gas against lesser opposition in previous campaigns. The combination however of an experienced squad and a full qualifying under Strachan's leadership should give them the push they need to progress.

Man to watch: Darren Fletcher - Back captaining the side after two years due to illness, his big game experience at Manchester United should benefit his country as well as the squad's younger players.

Can Vladimir Weiss help Slovakia make Euro 2016? (Soccernet)

SLOVAKIA (Group C)
Since qualifying for their only major tournament to date (South Africa 2010) - where they made the last 16 - Slovakia have gone backwards. They were awful in qualifying for Euro 2012, where they were soundly beaten twice by Armenia on the way to a fourth place finish behind Russia, Ireland and the Armenians. Mustering only seven goals in their ten games was the obvious problem, and things didn't get much better for the World Cup qualifiers, finishing a distant third behind Bosnia and Greece. Again, the inability to close down games against supposed lesser opponents proved critical failures - they drew with Lithuania (twice), Latvia and were embarrassingly held by Liechtenstein - all results which rendered their impressive victory over the Bosnians meaningless. This time, there will be less expectation on them to do well, which could play into their hands. If they fail to make the top three in a group containing Belarus, Macedonia and Luxembourg, they don't really deserve to make a big tournament. However, they have the potential to surprise Ukraine and might not need the playoffs if they get their act together.

Man to watch: Vladimir Weiss - The winger, now playing in Qatar, has the ability to change games on his day and has already played in six countries at the age of 24.

Tomorrow's match: vs Ukraine (a)

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UEFA Nations League: What's good? What's not?

 



Europa League needs to change...but is still a competition worth winning

Football League: Five new signings who could make big impacts in the Championship

By Steven Oldham

Ross McCormack's £11m move to Fulham may have captured the headlines this summer in the Championship, but the ex-Leeds striker is not the only man looking to make an impression for his new team on the season's opening weekend.

In this blog, I will look at five players who have moved onto pastures new over the summer break and who could play key roles in their club's fortunes as the season unfolds.

Of course, there are many players who have moved. Too many to mention in one blog post! So I've picked five players, all at different clubs, with a mixture of youth and experience.

Let me know who you think will be your team's most influential new signing here or on Twitter.

Britt Assombalonga
Peterborough United - NOTTINGHAM FOREST (£5.5m)

Britt Assombalonga (Getty Images)


The 21-year-old striker's cool £5.5m move from Peterborough to Forest is one that instantly catches the eye. Completed only yesterday, it represents something of a risk for Forest boss Stuart Pearce in that the Congolese player is unproven at Championship level.  However, he's signed a five-year deal at the City Ground, and it is high time he planted some roots. He's never stayed long at a club since debuting for Watford in 2011 - two loan spells in non-league followed before starting to make a name for himself at League Two Southend, where he spent the 2012/13 season on loan.  He scored 15 goals that season from 43 appearances, but would move on once more to Peterborough, who signed him from Watford for a club record £1.5m fee.  He proved to be one of the stars of the season in League One as the Posh missed out on promotion via the playoffs. Nevertheless, at a higher level, he played the same amount of games but increased his goal tally to 23. He has broken another club transfer record and it will be interesting to see how he performs at this level given he never really got the opportunity at Watford.  He's honed his skills further down the leagues but this could be his biggest chance to shine and an international call-up would not be a surprise - if he commits his future to DR Congo. (he is also eligible for England having moved here as a child)

Dean Moxey
Unattached - BOLTON WANDERERS

Dean Moxey (teamtalk.com)

Left back Moxey arrives at the Reebok after being deemed surplus to requirements by Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis after three and a half seasons with the London club. The versatile 28-year-old is now reunited with boss Dougie Freedman, whom he served under at Selhurst Park.  He is obviously well thought of by the Scot, who signed him for Palace from previous club Derby in 2011. He has plenty of experience at this level, having played four seasons in the division for Palace and Derby, including appearances in the playoffs when Palace went up. He will not be phased by the physical side of the Championship - he's not a player to duck out of a challenge.  He will also be an example to follow for the squad's younger players. Bolton could be challengers this season - they have seasoned campaigners such as Moxey, Neil Danns, and Kevin McNaughton, and Jay Spearing will continue to relish the responsibility of being captain. Jermaine Beckford is a proven goalscorer.  


Scott Hogan
Rochdale - BRENTFORD (Undisclosed fee)

Scott Hogan (Brentford FC)

Another front man rewarded for a fine season last time out, 22-year-old Scott Hogan is set to make the two division jump from League Two to the Championship.
His 17 league goals last season helped Rochdale to automatic qualification to League One, but Brentford stepped in and took him on after their own promotion to the second tier.
This will undoubtedly be the biggest test of the Salford-born attacker's career to date. A product of Rochdale's youth system,  he was eventually released without a game to his name, with an unused sub credit the nearest he came. He put the work in, and took in spells at no less than six non-league clubs before returning to his first club for the 2013/14 season. It proved an inspired decision by boss Keith Hill, as the striker weighed in with a quarter of the team's goals for the season. He will be frustrated to be ruled out of the season's early games with an ankle injury, and The Bees will be looking to him to use his pace and accurate finishing to help them establish themselves in the division.

Keiren Westwood
Unattached - SHEFFIELD WEDNEDSAY

Keiren Westwood (Sky Sports)

Sheffield Wednesday will not be short of quality in goal this season after they signed up Irish international Keiren Westwood on a free following his release from Sunderland. Existing 'keeper Chris Kirkland has also signed up for another season and the strength in depth the Owls now have in this department should give them a solid grounding to build on. At 29, Westwood should be entering his best years, and he will be looking to put a frustrating period at Sunderland behind him where he only made 19 appearances in three seasons, behind Simon Mignolet and then Vito Mannone in the pecking order. He will also be hoping to regain the Irish number one shirt from Millwall's David Forde who has made the most of Westwood's inactivity. Good both in the air and one-on-one, Westwood is already familiar with the Championship style of play, having spent three seasons at Coventry where he was highly impressive, making the PFA Team of the Year in his first season at this level. Should he get the nod over Kirkland tomorrow against, it will give a clear sign that Stuart Gray sees him as first choice.

Conor Coady
Liverpool - HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (Undisclosed)

Conor Coady (TeamTalk.com)

Promising midfielder Conor Coady is set to spend his second season in Yorkshire having signed for Huddersfield Town on a three year deal. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in League Two so this move represents a step up from both last season and youth football at Liverpool. He's signed up for three years, and the Terriers should be applauded for their foresight in doing so - he's highly thought of both at Liverpool and in the England youth set up, where he is the current under 20 captain. Leadership seems to come naturally to him having held the same role in Liverpool's under 21s. He proved he had the legs last season, making 50 appearances for Sheffield United in all competitions, and weighed in with six goals. A disciplined, committed player, his presence in a holding role will provide more attacking minded players such as club player of the year Adam Clayton the confidence to get forward and join the attack.

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Glasgow 2014: DAY 11: Australia finish with a flourish, England and Wales take road race gold medals as Commonwealth Games come to a close



Australia's men have won every Commonwealth hockey tournament

By Steven Oldham MISS DAY 10 HIGHLIGHTS? CLICK HERE

Australia enjoyed a successful as the Commonwealth Games came to a close today, but still had to settle for second on the medals table.

The team from Down Under completed a double in hockey, with their men's team beating India 4-0 in the final, a day after their women beat England.

Their victory ensured Australia's 100% record in men's hockey gold is maintained - they have won every Commonwealth tournament since the sport was added to the programme in 1998.

They also regained the netball title from reigning champions New Zealand, winning 58-40.  Australia now have bragging rights in this sport too, having won three gold medals - one more than great rivals New Zealand.

They also picked up the final with David Palmer and Cameron Pilley picking up the men's doubles in squash, with Palmer picking up double gold, having won the mixed doubles with Rachael Grinham, with both victors  defeating teams from England.

Joy for husband and wife Chris & Gabby Adcock (Guardian Sport)

 

England sealed their place on top of the medal table by taking two more gold medals on the final day of action.

Husband and wife badminton players Chris and Gabby Adcock won an all English final in the mixed doubles, beating team-mates Chris Langridge and Heather Oliver 2-0. They became the first married pair to win the title and add Commonwealth gold to the national title they won earlier this year.

In this morning's first action, Lizzie Armitstead took the first gold of the day in the women's road race from team-mate Emma Pooley. The 25-year-old won silver in both the Delhi Games and London 2012 so this becomes her biggest achievement on the road.

Wales' Geraint Thomas wins road race (Team Sky)

Wales celebrated the final day with gold in the men's road race for Geraint Thomas, the country's fifth of the Games as they finished 13th on the medal table - the same position as in Delhi four years ago, but with two more gold medals.

Thomas - who also won bronze in the time trial - survived late drama with a puncture with 6km left to run to take gold ahead of New Zealand's Jack Bauer and Simon Thwaites of England.

Malaysia's women's double winners (Starsport)

Malaysia won both doubles titles in badminton to take home half of the six gold medals available in the sport, but even this impressive performance failed to match their success in Delhi.

Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Wei Shem won the men's competition with Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and Woon Khe Wei taking the women's doubles.

Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland wins silver

Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour lost to Canada's Michelle Li but still made history by being the first woman from her country to make a Commonwealth badminton final.

She was easily beaten in the end, but had the honour of picking up her country's 53rd and final medal of a record breaking Games as they finished in fourth in the medals table.