Episode 10 Late Kick Off Midlands

If the with the health of young people out of the microscope we ask

whether we do enough to look after On the show tonight, five years

after the death of the young Walsall player and Tom Reid, D

football clubs do enough to look after they'd young players? There

clubs in their divisions who may only be screened once or twice in

their entire career. With three wins in four games are Derby making

a light bid for the play-offs? After a season at the wrong end of

the table to Coventry fans think their fans Campbell it off?

With me tonight to make you would have paid good money to see going

head-to-head, Stan Collymore, a deadly marksman in his day, and

crowd favourite wherever he played, Darren Moore. First, is more

stringent screening the way to prevent undetected heart conditions

in young footballers? With Fabrice Muamba continuing his recovery from

a cardiac arrest the mother of young Walsall player is calling for

regular testing. Anton Reid was an apprentice when he collapsed and

died during a training session five The family and friends of the young

footballer who collapsed and died during a training session have been

paying tribute to him. One in 330 young people harbour a condition

that is potentially dangerous. him to just collapse and day, such

a shock. Anton Reid had a promising future. Sadly he collapsed and died

in training nearly five years ago, just before his 17th birthday.

someone that young, 16 going on 17, to collapse and die, he broke

everybody's heart. You don't expect your child to die before you do.

had just begun an apprenticeship at Walsall, football was his life. His

mother wants to see more screening for all youngsters in sport.

would like to see screening done within the clubs, and I think he

should probably be done every six months or so. To see what is going

on with those children. Because I remember when Anton had his

screening be said to me he was one of the fittest children. Walsall

have learnt lessons from his death. The club's physiotherapist says it

affected everybody deeply. It was probably the most traumatic

experience I have had in my life. I put structures in place where a

training session cannot take place unless we have defeated within 100

metres -- we have the teeth of the later. The sudden death rate in the

UK are alarming. Every week 12 young people, often in sport, died

as a result of sudden cardiac arrest. Walsall of one of the

club's backing a campaign for all 14 to 35-year-old to have their

hearts screened. The charity Cardiac Kepler to risk in the Dung

says -- cardiac risk in the young, say they won people have their

condition that can be treated. Patients are reports third for

further tests. That is the muscle in the heart. When we take this

view we checked to see how thick the heart muscle is and how the

cavity pumps blood. The team at St George's Hospital in London are

carrying out research on behalf of the organisation. This man is one

of the country's leading cardiologists. Can a simple ECG

save lives? Absolutely. There is a screening programme in Italy that

has been in progress for 30 years, where every single person between

12 and 35 who participate in competitive sport needs to have an

annual fitness test including an ECG. There death-rate have gone

down from 3.6 per hundred 1,000, to 0.4 per hundred 1,000, and 90%

reduction. He has now been asked by the Football Association to look at

their current screening procedures. I would say we should be in line

with the recommendations by Uefa and Fifa or, and they recommend one

screening every two years at least. A undercurrent FA procedures it is

mandatory for all sixteen-year-old to have a thorough medical which

involves screening. After that is his really up to each individual

club as to how often it is done. The Professional Footballers'

Association spends around �300,000 each year supporting the tests for

sixteen-year-old, but recognises further screening can be costly.

The errors are cost measure involved. Because it is not

mandatory some clubs with times being hard, think it might be one

step too far. But when you get a circumstance like this, I do think

cost should be a factor, we are talking about the safety of a human

being, never mind a footballer. That must be of paramount

importance. The very elite top clubs do have screening in place by

virtue of the type of sportsmen they have on an annual basis but

there are other clubs in lower divisions who may only be screened

once or twice in their entire career. But screening doesn't

detect 100% of problems. And on Reid had had a medical at 16, and

Fabrice Muamba had been repeatedly tested before his cardiac arrest.

We will make sure everybody gets Greens who is eligible, but the

real problem is it does not pick up everything. Anton's mother has

campaigned to raise funds for screening clinics. An ECG costs

just �35. The the obvious question is, should

the FA make heart screening compulsory?

I think so, when it comes to lives at stake. We have moved to a level

with recent events over the last couple of weeks, it has given the

football industry to scrutinise the actual area. I would agree, yes.

He should be mandatory. Anton's mother said six months, I wouldn't

disagree. In professional sport, the 92 clubs we have, their unique

group of clubs, is that the heart muscle is being used on a day-to-

day basis to the maximum. So you have to look after it like you do a

hamstring or a calf or anything. I was just saying to Darren earlier

Aston Villa have wonderful facilities, why not allow Walsall's

youngsters or in the catchment area, some of the smaller clubs that

cannot afford to be able to do that to go and have those cheques, use

it every five or six months. It wouldn't cost Aston Villa anything

extra. It is good communication between the clubs, and should be

mandatory. The big issue for the lower league

clubs for those tested at 16, if they stay at those clubs and don't

play for their country, they will not get tested again. You have a

situation whereby you sign a two- year contract, you have a medical,

I only had an exercise ECG twice, at Liverpool and Aston Villa

because they will be clubs, but you can quite easily have a four-year

contract, resign and not have one for seven or eight years, it is not

acceptable. A procedure needs to be set so once you do have want you

updated every single year. Again, I look at the centre at St George's,

they will have these particular facility available and it is up to

the club's to get regularly checked. Interesting what happens now in the

wake of recent events. Still to come, the goal which kept

Shrewsbury right up in the Birmingham City are back in the top

six of the championship after a draw at home to Cardiff but one

player not involved in the game was on the mind of everybody at St

Fabrice Muamba played more than 60 games for Birmingham City between

two dozen than six and 2008. He joined on loan and help them to win

promotion to the Premier ship. The pleas of 20 to offer far from their

best yesterday as one did it has to Marshall. They did go ahead when

this was set up. Cardiff's equaliser caved 12 minutes from

full-time -- came 12 minutes. A draw, but the manager thought his

side could have taken all three Perhaps not our best side but if it

looked like a team was going to win, when this equaliser was scored, the

4th League goal of the season. Two minutes later a martial completed

the turnaround with a spectacular shot which turned out to be the

winning goal. Leicester had to play more than half-an-hour with 10 men

and after the skipper was set off, the decision was contested. Forest

tomorrow. At this stage the Games come very

fast. We have got a few problems in terms of midfield player's

availability at the moment. We will get through that. If the players

showed the same spirit and application as they showed today,

it bodes well. Derby are only five points off a

place in the top six in their victory against Crystal Palace. It

was 2-0 before half-time, courtesy of this finish by Geoff Hendrick.

The 9th goal of the season for fear Robinson made it 3-0 after half-

time. Palace as a ghost -- secured a foothold in bizarre circumstances.

With Derby miffed about the decision palace took the free-kick

quickly and Chris Martin scored. Baron Ambrose was to at the second

to put the Rams held out for the club's two thousandth professional

A nerve the finish but a good win. We have got separate games left.

Les take a look at the running. -- let's take a look at the run in.

Obviously you're looking at your home games. Interesting to see what

happens in that home game. Two tough away games. Cardiff and Leeds

United will be vitally important. That comes off the back of a good

They have definitely been up there or thereabouts. Apart from West Ham

away which is arguably, and Brighton way, bedding at home, it

is horses for courses. If it goes down to the last two games, their

opponents have got a lot to play for. Brighton away at Reading at

home. They have been the worst team in terms of form in March. They

have won one game. They need to rejuvenate. Finally, Leicester.

Gutsy performance against Hull at the weekend. Renewed hopes once

again. What about those? They are all tough, a local derby against

Forest. Burley, never easy. West Ham, the good thing is looking

through this that earlier one in March they have scored 13 goals in

six games, no problems about them moving forward but they have

conceded too many. If you can get the defence right they have got the

As for the bottom of the championship, Nottingham Forest is

still inching their way to safety, but after scoring at Leeds, goals

were harder to come via. Forest hit the post instead of the net twice

more. There wasn't Cashel defending and it was Brighton's first attempt

on target. For while it seemed it was not going to be Forest's day.

In the 4th minute of injury-time, and with bite and down to 10 men,

but. Was seized for the home team. -- a point was seized for the home

team. We played very well. There was an excellent team spirit. To

score a late goal, it would have been easy to accept defeat. They

did not do that. The fans were tremendous today. Between them and

the players and their spirit, that is what has got us the result.

you are Forest fan, don't go away because we have a treat for you

later. Coventry began Saturday's gained just two points above their

nearest rivals. There has been a long, hard season, but if we keep

battling on will be fine. Coventry beat the drop this season?

Yes, without a shadow of doubt. has been another roller-coaster

season for the Sky Blues. Just 35 points from 39 games has seen them

struggling in the relegation zone. Do you think Coventry are going to

stay up or go down? I think they are going down. I decided to do my

own survey of 100 fans on Saturday. To the Coventry faithful think they

will stay up or go down? I think they are going to stay up. I would

say we are going down. The we will stay up, absolutely. The prospect

of a third tier football next season would be devastating for Sky

Blues fans, but today 84 % of them believe Coventry can beat the drop.

There was an upbeat mood with the presence of 50 legends, perhaps

providing inspiration for the club's current battle. We have got

to draw a line in the sand and push Coventry have only lost at home and

a championship just once in their recent gains. They are striving for

those crucial three points. Relegation from the Premier League

two years ago, for different owners in one season and administration

twice in three seasons has been a bitter pill for Portsmouth fans to

swallow. Their away record this season has been poor. Just one

victory on the road in the last six games. Despite a strong Pompey

following drumming up support, it was an impressive second half

display from the home side that boosted Coventry's fight for

survival. Gary McSheffrey netted his eight gold of the season.

Oliver nor would sealed the three points 14 minutes from the end. It

ended a 2-0 victory and they Arnaud one point from safety. What has

that been done for you today? belief has always been there from

us. We have made this place the place for teams to come to. We have

built up momentum over the last few months. We have only lost one game

in eight. Seven to go and we will pick up as many as we can. We are

confident of beating anyone at home. We need to just pick up some points

a way. Seven games to go and Coventry know it will be a battle

for survival. They have got two more crucial clashes against teams

in the bottom four. Starting with Coventry, they have given

themselves a decent chance. Not that long ago they looked totally

out of it. They have done extremely well, Coventry, and they are

definitely showing that they can pick up results. I am looking at

them and they have great momentum. They fancy themselves out of those

fixtures there to continue. It is just worrying that away from home

they have not shown their true form and that could be a stumbling block

for them. As the Auk old club, Forest, Stan, they are in decent

form from. What about that? It's not great. They have to go to Hull,

they have got to go to Reading, but I think the important thing is that

people like Becks but Blackstock are in good form. If Forest have a

good, if it's got, they have a talent - Iraq if they have a good,

fit squad, bears no reason for them not to do well. - that there's no

reason for them not to do well. are open for business seven days a

week on Facebook and you can continue the conversation now on

Twitter. It was a frustrating weekend for

the Midlands teams. No-one was able without a win. Allan judge went

close before half-time. Lee Hughes Louis the best chance of the second

half. 0-0 the final score. Walsall fell to capitalise on the ideal

start given to them by Andy Butler after just three minutes. Stevenage

equalised 15 minutes into the second half. It could have been

worse if it was not for this 18 draws now for beans my's sight.

That says it all. It is a difficult job because there isn't a massive

budget, but they have been competitive in every game. They

need just a little bit more quality. As for Notts County, their game

against Gunthorpe, it should have been better. -- against Scunthorpe.

It's a point in the right direction. Then is to be consistency and if

they can get that, they can get into the play-offs. Now to League

Two. Shrewsbury continued their search for promotion at Morecambe.

Shrews BR in the automatic promotion picture after their third

win in four games. They enjoyed the best of the game's chances and

finally broke through with just over 20 minutes remaining. The

Charlton manager bemoaned his team's bad luck. They couldn't

manage a goal against Oxford. Cheltenham and now six. -- are now

Davies brings him down inside the penalty area and it is a penalty.

Joe Davis has got a red card. He scores. He sent Tomlinson the wrong

way. It's got past Tomlinson and it is a goal for Torquay. They have

turned the game around. Burton's caretaker manager accused some of

these players of giving up the ghost and not been fit enough after

a four-match goal hammering from Wimbledon. -- 84 call hammering

from Wimbledon. Hereford slipped to defeat when it look Murphy scored

with 11 minutes to go. -- when Luke Murty. -- Murphy. what has gone

wrong at your old club but now being? There is clearly a lack of

confidence. Since the turn of the year, they have lost two games at

home to Hereford and Plymouth. Since then it has just been a

downward spiral. It is not good on their fitness levels get question.

Not a tour. For that to be called in, it is a bit alarming,

especially at this stage in the seas and. -- at this stage in the

season. Can Shrewsbury avoid the play-offs? I think they can. The

difference between a club by Shrewsbury and Hereford, they are

putting away chances. You saw their, Bible six shots on target. They

kept on creating chances. On the flipside, Hereford had chances, but

could not deal with them. They are arguably the best team in the

division, the players they have got, but then need consistency. For the

final six or seven games, they need to find they gained quickly.

Hereford Derek? They can't. Yes. That is it for tonight. Remember