Episode 10 Late Kick Off East

It is great to be back, a little bit later than normal, but worth

staying up for, I promise, as we discussed the health of the game in

Tonight, my biggest challenge. Southend United manager on life

with Parkinson's. It is an important part of being a man.

After Fabrice Muamba, father's memories and his call for mandatory

heart screening in football. If he had been screened, he would have

had the choice to carry on playing football or to say that he had

finished. And look who is back. The former

Norwich star's Premier League return, playing for Arsenal.

can't believe it! I feel sick. Good evening and welcome to Late

Kick Off. I did wonder if Perry would have his Arsenal 2 shirt on.

He thinks that injured him? I had to work for that one! Good evening,

Dave, as well. A quick word about your iPad application? He was not

keen on it last time. I am trying to save paper but it looks like

there is a Brazilian rainforest full of notes for him tonight!

First tonight, football managing is a tough enough job at the best of

times, but Paul Sturrock has more of a challenge than most. He has

suffered from Parkinson's for more than a decade but it has not

stopped him bringing a smile back to his club.

He has been the boss for two seasons. And he still has a spring

in his step. Is that three changes? You don't believe in not changing a

winning side? It has gone the other way tonight. Quick to crack a joke,

share a smile, but this jovial exterior masks a steely

determination to succeed. He has managed the seven clubs, endured

five promotions, he has been in charge here for 100 games, and

before kick-off he is as busy as ever. Building teams is what I

really enjoyed, building a team strong enough for promotion.

inherited a club in turmoil. Tax debts, winding-up orders,

administration looming. They were in a mess. When I got here, they

had been relegated. There were nine players at the first training

session. Then five of them moved on, quite rightly, because of the

finance we chat to be sorted out. They were on big money. We finished

up with four players. Was it a challenge that he relished? I don't

think anybody has tasted the situation like that, where two days

into the job you are scrambling to get players in. It was a challenge,

something that I really enjoyed. Life as Southend manager may well

be a challenge. It is what Paul Sturrock thrives on. 12 years ago,

his life changed for good. It is an appropriate time to disclose

something. I have Parkinson's disease. He had kept it quiet for

eight years. The club doctors of all of the club that I managed new

and by coaching staff, other than that it was family and some friends.

I started to get a flicker in my left leg. There were some signs

that people were starting to notice so I did feel it was appropriate to

come out at the right time. You asked yourself sometimes if it will

affect you getting a job and it probably has in the past. To be

fair, it has never affected me. It does not affect this, which is an

important part of being a manager. When you are diagnosed, we are

concerned that it would affect your ability to manage? You ask all

those questions. The first thing you ask is if you can die from it.

That is the first thing that flashes through your mind and bang

for you cannot. It gets worse as it goes on. -- thankfully you cannot.

People are cat Muhammed Ali. That is severe Parkinson's. -- people

look at Muhammad Ali. I have got mild Parkinson's and I feel

confident that I can do the job. Parkinson's is a progressive

disease of the central nervous system. Diagnosed at 43, he is now

55 and needs regular medication and to strike a balance between work

and rest. I have got good coaching lieutenant. He works really hard

behind the scenes, organising everything. He takes some of the

legwork of me at times. When you have had it as long as me, 12 or 14

years, you really know what you can and cannot do. Did the illness

deter you from appointing him? was a consideration. We did a lot

of investigation before we interviewed him. We were satisfied

that his illness had been stable for a number of years, through

medication. And I have not seen one iota of change in him. He certainly

has not deteriorated. If anything, now he has settled into the area,

he is extremely comfortable and even more buoyant. Paul Sturrock.

He gets the shot! He only played for one club, Dundee United. 16

years' service, he still supports them now. His managerial career

began at St Johnstone in the early 90s. His first Championship

followed, and then an inevitable return to Tannadice. You have got a

hard-working manager that will give everything he has got and realises

the potential of the football club. From there, a surprising switch to

Plymouth, within the near total transformation and the title. Then

the Premier League in Southampton. Promotions at Sheffield Wednesday

and Swindon. Then returning to Home Park. When you look back at your

career as a player and the manager, which gives you greater

satisfaction? As a player, playing in one of the World Cup, I went to

two, and I got a taste in the first one and I played two Games in

Mexico, that is the pinnacle of your career. 20 caps for Scotland.

Proud moments? I was told that if Kenny Dalglish was injured, I would

play. He got 110 and I got 20. He was not injured very often! Would

you like to go on in management for very many years? I love managing

football clubs, I love coaching, I love the games, I don't think I can

do much else. I have to be involved in football. I feel great. Yes, I

think I would like to continue this as long as I can.

Quite a character, Paul Sturrock. He has not let it bother him. It

does not get him down. The King at his waistcoat! To be fair, he was

very honest when he said that he considered the illness. I actually

think, being a football manager, the others probably helps his

burgers. They need an experienced manager. -- probably helps his

focus. He kept it quiet because he thought it would affect his chances

of getting a job. Yes, and he obviously had to deal with that

when he was the only person that you about it. Now it is out in the

open. He has proven that he has been a successful manager over the

years. And some player as well. bad on your CV if you are Kenny

Dalglish's stuntman, the greatest Scottish player of all time. He is

doing a great job at Southend but he did not get the result in the

101st game at the weekend. They are struggling for goals. They have not

scored in five games. They took Freddie Eastwood on board to see if

that would give them a lift. They worked really hard and on the day

they put in a good shift. Bristol Rovers at the weekend. That is

quite a signing, Freddie Eastwood. That has never been a penalty, by

the way. Referee have to look at himself. I think he just slips.

That is definitely a home penalty. Matt Harrold late in the game, that

did not give Southend much chance to get back into it. Paul Sturrock

will be disappointed after that. They battled really hard and

created some half chances. They just need to get back on the

scoresheet. Getting Freddie Eastwood, that is quite a coup.

They sold him for 1.2 million. has been brilliant over the years.

He has scored goals and he has gone up through the divisions. Getting

him back in as a proven goalscorer can only do them good at the end of

the season. Looking at the league table, they are outside but top

three, the automatic promotion spot. three? Yes, they have a game

against Charlton and that will be a great chance for them. There is

confirmation of that game. Cheltenham. Another big game for

Northampton at the other end of the fans are very happy with the job

that Boothroyd is doing at the moment. He has brought some relief

to the squad with some great signings and loans. There were some

players that were not up to the cut. The turnaround has come from

players that wanted to play for the club. He seems to have lifted the

players' spirit and has instilled confidence slowly but surely.

a great manager. If he had come with us at the beginning of the

season, we would not be in this situation now. That player was not

fit enough to come off the bench. That is a shame. It was important

that they did not get beaten by Plymouth. Boothroyd said that

Plymouth came and parked the bus, which you expect in those

relegation battles sometimes. will be happy to have gone to

Northampton and got the draw at least. Northampton have been in

great form, 13 points out of voting. They are keeping clean sheets.

13 points out of 18. You need experienced players to help

everybody else. And the fans. The biggest crowd was there. That helps.

They all turn out and support the local team if they feel that is

needed. And a little bit of luck? That was a brilliant free-kick.

at the moment. Plymouth parking the bus is a complement to Northampton.

Let's look at them in the table. They were bottom at the start of

March and they have climbed up to 18th, five points clear of

relegation. They had two massive away wins at Burton Albion and

Dagenham & Redbridge, which enabled that gap. Boothroyd has done a good

job, hasn't he? That is no surprise. I know the enthusiasm that he

brings to the playing staff and the whole club. They will be focused on

staying up. Plenty more still to come. Everybody wishes Fabrice

Muamba of full recovery, but a reminder that other people were not

so lucky. 20 years since David Longhurst died

after collapsing on the pitch, his father renews calls for mandatory

heart screening. I cannot understand why in 22 years they

have not done more to try to prevent it. That is all still to

come. Now enter the Championship, and Peter Brooke fresh from putting

an end to Reading's unbeaten run. They could not continue their form

against Barnsley. They would have gone in with confidence because

Barnsley had not scored a goal in some time and their away form is

quite bad. The word is inconsistent, isn't it? They beat Reading,

challenging for automatic promotion, and then they lose against Barnsley.

That sums them up. This is brilliant technique here, from

David Cotterill, but that is because Barnsley like to put their

players for what. Away from home they need to be more difficult to

beat. -- put their players forward. This tackle is horrendous. What do

you think? He has got no interest in the ball and he is just taking

that man out and he has succeeded. Sometimes it is easier to get

yourself up for the games that are way. A decent chance for Sinclair.

But that challenge before... Down Ferguson was not happy.

acceptable, simple as that. If you drop your standards, that is what

too angry to cheek -- speak to the chairman after that. Back would not

be a good coach journey back. They have to set themselves up to be

more difficult. They have enough points and they are safe but they

need to look for an improvement next year. Ipswich also on their

travels. What about the weekend did not go to plan. A great start.

created a load of chances. They could have been three up in the

first half but you have to make sure you capitalise on times when

you a pint in the ascendancy. Darren Murphy had that chance and

he was the goal. God knows what he is doing at the far post. They

deserve to have gone one up. games in eight years without a win

against them. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes there is a team

that she cannot crack and it seems to be that way for these two.

Michael Chopra does Brearley. He has run 40 yards. The form he in

his in in. He tried to take it with his left for the. May be you can

blame the pitch, it was awful apparently. It is difficult if you

need to play a free-flowing game. Delaney got caught. He was robbed.

It puts Watford back in the game. Chris Iwelumo came on a made a

difference. A specially for an experienced player. Clear your

lines. He has always been a handful. He is a big player. You can bring

him in off the fence and you would not want to see him. What about

that? It is not bad. Doyle is an experienced player. It is taking a

chance. There it is again. That was quite nonchalant. He could have

brought it down and played end from the back. Crowe was suspended by he

will be back tomorrow. He is in good goalscoring form. Ipswich made

sure they were safe. I would not be surprised if you see some young

players coming and you get them tried out. Let us have a look at

the table. Ipswich are well clear. They are even looking at the play-

offs before the weekend defeat. Peterborough are nine points clear

as well, do you think they are reasonably safe? I cannot see the

bottom three teams are winning several games. Ipswich at home to

Middlesbrough Peter Brett home to West Ham will be a cracker.

West Ham game will have goals in it and Middlesbrough are not in good

form. It is a greater chance. Fabrice Muamba has been the big

story in football over the past week. He is recovering after

collapsing on the pitch at White Hart Lane. More than 20 years ago

David Longhurst died in similar circumstances. His father who lives

in Corby today repeated his calls for heart screens to become

mandatory in football, whatever the cost. The images from White Hart

Lane last week sent shockwaves through the football world. Players

and supporters were stunned after Fabrice Muamba's collapsed during a

cup tie. The incident brought back painful

memories for Vic Longhurst whose son David was a former Northampton

Town and Peterborough striker and he collapsed of a heart attack

while playing 22 years ago. There was nothing like what has happened

at the Tottenham match there. You could not put a monitor on and let

that takeover your breathing and things like that one your heart.

Two because in the case at York, that lad would probably have been

gone. Dick Longhurst has long argued that heart screening should

be as routine as physical tests for footballers and all athletes.

he had been screened, he would have had the choice to carry on playing

football and take that risk or say, I am finished. I cannot understand

why in 20 years, 22 years at the end of this year, that they have

not done more to try and prevent it. The Premier League and FA say they

are reviewing policy on heart screening. The players' union

insists lessons must be learnt from the Fabrice Muamba that incident,

calling for annual tests whatever the cost. The annual process is

something that we will be wanting to implement and that has to be

assessed and it must be made sure it is affordable for the likes of

Plymouth and Northampton who are at the bottom of League Two because we

know we shall not be a problem for the guys at the top of the Premier

League. Screening of players, swimmers, tennis, of Rugby the lot.

Anybody who takes part in sport Anybody who takes part in sport

Anybody who takes part in sport should be done.

That report from Kevin Piper. How much has changed since that

incident? On the back of previous episodes we have seen like Phil

O'Donnell, we have seen a change in what we do now in terms of

screening programmes. At the age of 16 when they come into the Academy

programme they have a hot screaming. That is part of every single club

in the Football League. They all have to do that. Then there is

another series of tests that we do. There are physical tests in the

laboratory. More than just the screening, it is the medical

services that are available to players now at the stadia. You will

have a paramedic and if Visio and a doctor. They are highly trained and

highly experienced and they know what to deal with if a situation

like this should occur. That is not just for the players but also for

the supporters. Yes we have two teams, we have one that is solely

based on the playing and coaching staff but we also have another team

who were dedicated to the fans because you can have a similar

episode happen when you are in the stadium to any of the supporters

who were watching. There are calls for heart screening to become

mandatory. One person says it should be twice the year. Do you

agree? If you can afford it. There was a lot of money in football.

happens in Italy and America. is a situation where queue is as

important as prevention. The young kids in their schools and their

curriculum should be doing CPR in biology lessons because it can so

both people's lives. Do you think this incident will mean things will

move on? Absolutely. All clubs are addressing this issue to make sure

they have systems in place to deal with it. We have to take into

account there are other sorts of incidents that we may have to be or

where Rolf, like -- aware of, like concussion. It is up to coaching

staff to be vigilant. Surely football will have learnt and no

matter what the cost will do something about it. I think so. It

will not cost an awful lot to get the players screamed, -- screen. In

terms of the player's life there is no one who will say they will not

fund a programme like that. would all echo that. Back to the

action in League One. Shaping up for a cracking run into the end of

the season. At the top of the table ad featuring all three of our teams,

the MK Dons are cursing their luck. Alan Smith went down. It was a

penalty. He got a shove in the back. penalty. He got a shove in the back.

Jay O'Shea stepped up to take it. He was just the wrong side of the

defender. Jay O'Shea stepped up. He guessed right and it was a brave

double save. Just one defeat in the last nine games for the MK Dons but

they are not making inroads at the top of the table. At least they are

not getting beat. They are keeping their run of form going. It was a

great run from Daniel. He came off the right flank. Carl Robinson's

hundredth game in charge. He could not celebrated. He was a tough nut

to crack a few weeks ago. Wycombe have been scoring goals for fun and

it is no surprise. It was surprising to see a late goal. He

has scored so many goals. Stuart Bevan without one. He created

mayhem so he will not be very happy, Carl Robinson. A let us look at the

top of the table. See what it means. They are in 5th to position. They

are seven points of Sheffield Wednesday. It is unlikely.

Stevenage are a point of the play- offs and Colchester, yourselves,

just six points of Carlisle. Stevenage other weekend. They are

having a funny old run at the moment as well. They have drawn a

lot of games but they are not winning. They have drawn six out of

the last seven. The defending is not brilliant there. The defender

did not get close enough to block the shot. Butler put them in front.

At least they are showing battling qualities. Stevenage are in blue.

Three draws in a row for them. Only one win in the last night. Is this

is a catching up with them a bit? think the Spurs game in the FA Cup

took a lot out of them. This was a brilliant finish. He was doing

Latin training week out and we came. There is a good chance to get back

on track. They just need to take their chances. They have a great

chance here. Charles went through, very unselfish. It was a brilliant

covering tackle. Michael Bostwick could play at the very highest

level. He is in great form. Look at how his finishing. You look to him

to have finished those goals. brings us on to Colchester. You're

unbeaten run continues. But again plenty of drawers. Yes, including

Stevenage midweek. They played 45 minutes with 10 men and we found

them tough to crack. That was a wonderful goal. A great finish. Did

he have an injury at the weekend? He did. He had only just returned

from an injury so it was disappointing to see him leave the

field. We are playing against another team battling for a top-six

place and Carlisle came and set up their stall and they worked hard.

They got a deserved equaliser. successive draw for your boys now.

If they could have turned two of them into wins than they would be

two points of the play-off. But it gave credit. He has only conceded

four goals in the last nine games since we highlighted on the show so

it must be working. Raeside Gavin Massey is good news. Yes, there are

exciting young players which means a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

Hopefully we can kick on. It is still in our hands a we can make

sure that we turn draws into wins. You must win tomorrow night it is a

big picture. -- fixture. Full commentary will be on the BBC local

radio. Before we go, a big well done to all of the players who

turned out to the late kick-off team in the name of Sport Relief.

Sport Relief. It is only for that. You'll never senior Arsenal search

-- shed ever again. Darren Eadie back in its -- back in a shirt for

a five-a-side event. He is a Spurs fan. Players from all over the

country headed for Norwich to represent 20 Premier League of

teams competed in every fixture home-and-away for 12 hours. He

banged a few in. He showed some nice touches. Even against his

former club, Norwich excite after I went to last I was worried about

coming back complaint against Norwich at some point. It was going

to happen at some time. Fortunately I was in an Arsenal Stirk -- share.

As a Spurs fan it is terrible. raced over �20,000 and Aston Villa

were the eventual winners. Una Darren Eadie very well. He played

about 10 that day because his knees blew up. Yes, unfortunately his

knees cut his career short but if that is some of his good touches, I

would hate to see some of the bad ones! Didn't see you out there?

do nothing they had a good dip -- big enough shared. He was wearing

undergarment, get out and play! Your game at Walsall is a must win.

We have to go all guns blazing to win that one so hopefully we will

come out with three points. We will go to Exeter and the weekend.

Peterborough against West Ham is a belter. Yes they are two

contrasting sides and West Ham are a physical side but they are better

away from home because there is less pressure so it will be a good

game to watch. Ipswich are at home to Middlesbrough. I think they will

probably win that. Agree? Yes, they have had a run of four games so it

is a good game to play. They raise �20,000 they are so fantastic