PREVIEW: Tykes look to kickstart season against Huddersfield this weekend
Barnsley are looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday, in the Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town at Oakwell.
With an unimpressive 0-0 draw vs Peterborough United last weekend, the Tykes are 23rd in the Championship, 8 points away from safety, and new manager Poya Asbaghi is yet to see his team score as Barnsley boss.
Last Saturday’s fixture saw Barnsley’s dismal season continue, as they were dominated in the possession battle in what was only their second clean sheet of the season.
Particularly concerning is leading marksman Cauley Woodrow’s form as he only has 3 goals so far this season and is without a goal in his last 10 games.
Belgian striker Aaron Leya Iseka, could make his return at the weekend, with the former Anderlecht and Toulouse star missing the Peterborough game due to illness.
This positive sign may mean no major changes to the team, aside from the potential return of Callum Brittain at full back after injury.
History shows that Barnsley have favoured playing their Yorkshire neighbours, the last time Huddersfield won at Oakwell being in November 2012.
Huddersfield come into the fixture 8th placed in the league but their playoff chances took a hit after a frustrating 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough last Saturday.
Barnsley defensive stalwart, Michał Helik said to the media on Thursday:
“We still feel like we stay in the league and we are fighting for this. I personally expect another clean sheet to start building some momentum”
“I think we have confidence; it is a little bit tough if your results are not there to be confident, but I think under a new coach he is telling us to have confidence in every game we have, so we are believing in him and I think we will bring that confidence to this game and try to show it on the pitch.”
Seb Jones, writer for The 72 and Tykes Blog, said:
“There might be a few attacking changes, especially as Callum Brittain and Aaron Leya Iseka will both be back. I think Devante Cole will drop out and Jordan Williams at right back as well.
“Huddersfield have been playing well this season and play a very counter attacking style of football under Carlos Corberán. It has taken time for them to get the players in and get the system in the players minds. Something has obviously clicked for them.”
https://youtu.be/weC1Se6UkqQ
Tim Cooper’s new book celebrates the spirit of Sheffield’s people
Sheffield's story of independence and revolutionary spirit has been celebrated in a book that held its launch last night. Tim Cooper's 'The Story of Sheffield' tells the tale of the Steel City from its industrial origins to its reinvention as a centre of education, innovation, and creativity. Dr Cooper, 60, said when he first came to Sheffield "It was collapsing in a heap", but now it is considered one of the best city break destinations in Europe. Over 40 people attended the event, which was online due to social distancing. The writer began the launch by inviting the audience to join him in raising a glass and apologised for the lack of canapes. The book, which took 5 years to write, was commissioned by The History Press as part of their 'Story of' series. Dr Cooper, who completed his PhD in medieval and modern history at the University of Birmingham, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Sheffield from 1990-1995 said the commission "came out of the blue." He was chosen because of the local Sheffield history tours that he runs, as part of the Global Campus Programme at the University of Sheffield. Over the years, Dr Cooper said that he had read numerous histories of Sheffield, but that what was missing from them is that they always seemed to get off track about Sheffield itself and Sheffield's people. In 'The Story of', Dr Cooper, wanted to keep the people of Sheffield very central to it. He focused on the working people, as "very few cities, are so solidly, culturally, working class" he said. "I wanted to tell their story" He added. The book was released on the 19th of November. 'The Story of Sheffield' can be found in all major bookstores.
Pop-up bookshop encourages visitors to “pick up a book, and have some tea and cake”
A pop-up bookshop selling works by four independent Sheffield publishers has set up shop in the Moor Market for two weeks. The Sheffield Independent Publishers’ (SHIP) pop-up bookshop is open for business, occupying four stalls, one for each publisher taking part, from 1 December to 14 December. Published work from And Other Stories, Longbarrow Press, The Poetry Business and Vertebrate Publishing will be sold at the pop-up with the aim to support Sheffield’s independent publishers. “It’s good to support each other, especially at this really important time. “Come down, pick up a book, and have some tea and cake" said Lorna Brogan from Vertebrate Publishing. The publishers taking part in the event will be selling a variety of genres including poetry, fiction and outdoor guides. Stefan Tobler from And Other Stories said: “It’s fun for [the publishers] but also it’s just a really nice chance for people to see what’s being published here in Sheffield.” https://soundcloud.com/chelsea-cheetham-138262702/ship-popup-bookshop-at-moor-market Listen to the full interview with Stefan Tobler here. One particular book was spoken about with excitement by the publishers. “Beastmaking” by Ned Feehally, published by Vertebrate Publishing, is a book dedicated to training and climbing and currently sits as their best selling book. Mr Tobler added: “This is just a nice chance for people to understand what we’re doing and see the breadth of the work we do.”
The pop-up bookshop is located inside the Moor Market.
Sheffield youth homelessness charity launches Christmas appeal
South Yorkshire based charity Roundabout has issued a plea for the public to donate spare decorations to help homeless youths get in the "festive spirit". As part of a special Christmas appeal, Roundabout has also invited public members to either donate money directly or buy a gift from their Amazon Wishlist to help make Christmas a special occasion for the young people they work with. Jess Hudson, Roundabout’s Community Fundraiser, said Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for young people without a home. “A lot of people we work with don’t have those close family and friends support networks that others have at Christmas. “We try and really make sure that they have a gift to open on Christmas Day so they feel special and value,” she said. The charity has set out what public donations can help provide young homeless people with this Christmas. Examples range from £7.50 for a festive meal, £15 to ensure they have a special day, and £30 to help keep a family together with a meditative session. Items included in the Wishlist include wash sets, board games and gift cards.
Ms Hudson said the events of the pandemic have resulted in the breakdown of family relationships, with rising numbers of young people getting in touch with the charity. She said: “With the pandemic family relationships have become strained, and that often hits breaking point at this time of year.” The youth homelessness charity works with over 300 young people aged 16-25 across South Yorkshire every day to help provide them with the shelter and care they need. “Our Christmas campaign is really just about trying to raise that awareness and trying to get as many gifts to people as possible,” said Roundabout’s Community Fundraiser. If you would like to support Roundabout this Christmas, visit https://www.roundabouthomeless.org or call 0114 253 6753.Give the gift of a brighter future this Christmas 💙 Whether you donate so we can keep young people safe, or give a gift for a young person to open, you’ll be helping to make Christmas a special occasion for vulnerable young people we support. Thank you 🥰https://t.co/YMYnL5ixHW pic.twitter.com/pregl8piMN
— Roundabout (@RoundaboutSheff) December 1, 2021
“Amazing staff” make Sheffield United FC’s prostate cancer fundraiser a huge success
Almost £5000 has been raised by staff from Sheffield United Football Club as part of a yearly fundraising challenge for Prostate United. The fundraiser challenged participants to run or bike anywhere between three and 25 kilometres everyday. It was started by Rotherham United's Stephen Gilpin and Ross Burbeary in 2018, encouraging other clubs to take part. Nathan Winder, Sheffield United's Lead First Team Strength & Conditioning Coach, said: "We have rallied around and got more people involved. "It's been a really big success this year. There's been 40 football clubs involved and individuals from different sports as well."
Nathan Winder, Lead First Team Strength & Conditioning Coach
Team members Nathan Winder, Paul Evans, Lee McMahon and Iggy Szuba cycling for the fundraiser
Yorkshire County Cricket Club sacks multiple staff members amid racism scandal
"We can confirm that Martyn Moxon, Director of Cricket, and Andrew Gale, First XI Coach, have left the Club today, in addition to all members of the coaching team." Yorkshire County Cricket Club said in a statement released today. Moxon had been signed off from work due to a stress-related illness while Gale had been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing since November 9. The total number of departures is 16, including six members of the backroom medical team provided by Pavilion Physiotherapy Clinic, and that an interim medical team is in the process of being appointed. The club is aiming to appoint a new Director of Cricket in the next few days. This is the latest development in the racism scandal that has hit the club, as former player Azeem Rafiq's made explosive allegations of institutional racism against them. Mr Rafiq recently gave harrowing testimony to the DCMS parliamentary committee. Yorkshire Chair Lord Patel said: “Significant change is required at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and we are committed to taking whatever action is necessary to regain trust." More to follow.
Living Advent Calendar returns to Dore after lockdown success
The Dore Living Advent Calendar is set to take place again this month after its success during lockdown last year.
Throughout December, Dore residents and businesses will decorate their front windows with Christmas scenes to celebrate advent.
A new window will be revealed every day on the countdown to Christmas.
Margaret Peart, the organiser of the Living Calendar and a Committee Member of Dore Village Society (DVS), said of last year's event: "It was a very positive thing at quite a bleak time.
"The feedback we got was very positive. Because of the circumstances and the restrictions we were under, it was a really good thing to be part of."
This year, 27 windows will be revealed, meaning some advent days will have multiple displays.
One Advent day one, 33 Church Lane presented their Christmas window, before Dore Dental Care uncovered their Festive scene yesterday.
Tonight, the Methodist Church will reveal their advent widow.
Rev Gail Hunt was "delighted" to be involved in the Living Advent Calendar again this year.
She said: "The church stands in the centre of the village and the people are keen to live out their faith in the community.
"Our window reflects the light of Christ which shines even in the darkest days."
Last year, there were 41 advent windows. The calendar trail was eight miles long and stretched from Totley Brook Road to Brickhouse Lane.
The trail this year is not as long but DVS hope it will still encourage the community to get out the house.
Margaret has creative an interactive map to guide you around the Living Advent Calendar.
https://twitter.com/DoreVillageSoc/status/1465639939903827969?s=20
She said: "You don't have to do the advent walk in order. You can make up your own trial. that is the great thing about it."
The Living Advent Calendar wants families to work together and be creative.
Last year, there were a range of window designs. Some were created by younger members of the family, while other people went for a more artistic approach.
Margaret said it was hard to pick a favourite 2020 window: "We had a cycling Santa wearing a La Vuelta T Shirt. We also had a fantastic Van Gogh 'Starry Night' styled window. There were some peace angels and one drawn by a younger person of father Christmas asleep in bed.
"There were loads and loads. Everyone was my favourite."
Sue Unwin, a Dore Resident who is involved in the Living Calendar again this year, said: "It's quite exciting spotting people driving, walking and cycling by checking out the windows.
"I volunteered last year. My window was two peace doves with olive branches in the beaks facing each other. It was great to focus on something creative in such a difficult period."
"This year, the main image on my bedroom window will be climate related."
The window scenes will be on display until January 1 2022.
Margaret wants to encourage other villages to get involved.
She said: "I think it is a really fantastic thing to do. If any other community wanted to do it, it is not that onerous to set up.
"Once you've got your participants they get on with their own windows. You don't have to produce a theme or organise them in any way.
"It's a really nice way to get a community involved with each other."
Christmas Puddings awarded to runners in Sheffield
The annual Percy Pud 10km charity run awards runners with a Christmas pudding for all their hard efforts. This is the 28th year of the event, after it was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Over 3000 runners are expected to attend the event and £1,000 will be awarded to any male or female athlete who sets a new course record. Richard Dunk, the race organiser, said: “We wanted to create an event that was a bit different, and we needed a logo to go alongside the race that wasn’t too serious, so we came up with ‘Percy Pudding’.” This is his 20th year organising the event and he said there is always a good atmosphere on the day. Runners of all abilities will be taking part, but in 2019, triple Olympic medallist winner Eilish McColgan broke her own course record with a time of 31:48.
Merchandise and a race number from the Percy Pud race, 2019
Percy Pud 2021 Promotional Poster
Swimming championships make a splash at Ponds Forge
After a year off due to the pandemic, the Swim England National Winter Championships return to Ponds Forge this weekend. The short course meet is the biggest of the winter cycle and will feature some of England’s top athletes, including a number of Team GB Olympians who competed at the Tokyo 2021 summer games. The action kicked off at 9am this morning, with heats in the men’s 50m freestyle and women’s 100m breaststroke opening proceedings. Several changes have been made to the running of the event this year, due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19.
As well as placing limits on the number of spectators, qualifying times were adjusted to take into account restrictions on training and competition over the past two seasons.
“We’re actually having more swimmers at this meet than we’ve ever had before,” said Richard Bradshaw, Head of Talent for Swim England, adding that the goal this year was to make the championships accessible to as many swimmers as possible:
“We hope that [the meet] has really inspired swimmers to come back to training, to enjoy their swimming and given them something to really focus on at the end of cycle one.”
DONCASTER ROVERS: Richie Wellens sacked after a dismal start to the season
Doncaster Rovers fired former player and manager Richie Wellens yesterday after only 199 days at the club.
With only one league victory since October 16th, the Doncaster board decided to cut ties with Wellens after the club’s crushing 2-0 away defeat to the hands of Crewe Alexandra on Wednesday in the Papa John’s Trophy.
The move comes ahead of Doncaster’s second round FA Cup tie against Mansfield Town on Saturday, with U18 boss Gary McSheffrey set to take charge.
Former manager of Oldham, Swindon and Salford, Wellens was at the helm in Doncaster for just under 7 months after being appointed in May.
This is now the second time Wellens has been sacked this calendar year with the 41-year-old having been fired by Salford City in March.
Wellens won the League Two title with Swindon Town in 2019-20, but only managed to rack up three total wins this season, none of these appearing away from the Keepmoat Stadium.
In all competitions, Wellens managed Rovers for 26 games, winning 6, drawing 5 and losing 15.
According to BetVictor, the current bookies favourite to replace Richie Wellens are Jonathan Woodgate (5/1), Simon Grayson (6/1), Michael Flynn (8/1) and Graham Coughlan (10/1).
Doncaster Rovers issued a statement saying: “Doncaster Rovers can confirm that Richie Wellens has left the club with immediate effect.
“The club's board have taken the decision that a change is required at this time in order for a permanent appointment to be made in time for the opening of the January transfer window.”
"The club would like to thank Richie for his efforts and wish him well in the future."
Aaron Challoner, from the Forever Football DRFC Youtube Channel said: “I consider Richie Wellens to be a close friend of mine, but in a results based business, if we keep going the way we’re going then he wasn’t going to stay long.
“The Papa Johns Trophy (defeat vs Crewe) was the final straw.”
“I think Jonathan Woodgate would be a great appointment, because he’s worked with and built up a lot of young players, he would be an interesting appointment.”
“However, Nigel Adkins and Simon Grayson would be the most realistic we could go for.”
Doncaster city status consultation ends next week
Doncaster Council is asking for support in its fourth attempt to get city status in 2022. In honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, The City Status Civic Honours competition will provide the chance for towns to gain city status. Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: "We are a city in all but name, we act and feel like a city." The council's campaign, Going for City Doncaster, was established to gather public support to boost Doncaster in the running against competitors such as Warrington, Crawley, and Milton Keynes. Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said that city status would be "fantastic for the local economy, fantastic for inward investment, and great for jobs." Doncaster has a population of over 300,000 but has lost out in past bids to cities including Chelmsford, Preston, and Brighton and Hove. The grant of city status would not give Doncaster extra powers or funding. Doncaster Council has asked residents to share their thoughts on the bid using #GoingForItDN on social media. The deadline to submit the bid is on 8 December. https://soundcloud.com/maisie-marston/doncaster-city-status-vox-pops?si=a64c33e1c1cf46578f609700a7f49fe6
Sheffield photographer opens live music exhibition at The Dorothy Pax
A new photo exhibition showcasing the live music industry in Sheffield is up and running at The Dorothy Pax music venue. Sheffield-based photographer, Mal Whichelow, 68, (pictured with Barnsley-born singer Harriet Rose) has been ever-present at live music events over the past decade at a range of venues covering many genres. The exhibition will remain until January 12, 2022, however the photos will be rotated each week and available for sale as print copies. On opening the exhibition, Mal said: “It feels pretty good to have my work displayed. I’ve put it off for a while, but I think it’s time I put my photos out there in the real world rather than just online.”
