An Audience with Pete Lennox

Irishman Peter Lennox tells of his frustration of the Republic of Ireland missing out on the chance of playing in the World Cup 2010 after a blatant display of cheating from the French.



Theirry Henry deliberately handled the ball to keep it in play before crossing to William Gallas who headed France to South Africa next year, winning the game 2-1 on aggregate.

There have been calls for the game to be replayed -including by Henry himself, but FIFA are reportedly unlikely to set such a precedent.

Deepdale Stadium - The Sir Tom Finney Stand

Named after Preston North End's most legendary player, the Sir Tom Finney Stand is the most prominant stand at Deepdale. Costing £4.4 million in 1995, the Sir Tom Finney Stand has a capacity of 8,000 and is home to press areas, restaurants and the National History Museum, which occupies the corner of this stand and the Bill Shankly Kop.

A Mixed Week for Lancashire Football

View LEP Map in a larger map

This weekend saw a good weekend of action for some of Lancashire's smaller clubs. League Two side Morecambe won their third successive league game against Cheltenham Town, while Bamber Bridge hit four past Harrogate RA in the Unibond Division One North.
Preston North End face recently relegated Newcastle United this evening at Deepdale, with a win taking the Magpies to the top of the Championship.
Off the pitch, Preston's battle to stop the National Football Museum moving to Manchester seems to be struggling, with the public now calling for the Musuem boards' heads.
The map shows where the three games were played, and the location of the National Football Museum - but for how long remains uncertain.

Last Orders for Britain's pubs?

Britain's pub industry is suffering, with around 52 closing down each week. The credit crunch, along with increases in alcohol taxes and cheap alcohol sold supermarkets are said to be key contributors towards the market's downfall, with a loss of around 24,000 jobs in the past year.

The chart shows the extent to which Britain's pubs are disappearing, with around 15,000 closing down since 1980 Although things are slightly improving with the decline in sales slowing slightly compared to the beginning of the year.

But with the Government losing £174 million in the first three quarters of 2009 compared to 2008, will the Government step in to help the falling industry? Or will the doors of some of Britain's favorite boozers continue to shut for the last time?


Useful Links:

"Where have all the pubs gone?" Guardian Datablog

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/jul/22/alcohol-fooddrinks

"Pub closures rise to record 52 a week"

http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=290892


"Pubs are closing, but who cares?"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8162943.stm

"Beer sales continue to slow"

http://www.beerandpub.com/newsList_detail.aspx?newsId=307


"Fears for pub closures"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCOXgLCwqVw&feature=related