Episode 12 Late Kick Off Midlands

Who's going up and who's staying up? The time for talking is almost

over - not that that will stop us Do our clubs pay enough for

policing on match day? Birmingham City say they do. Someone from ACPO

said we don't spend enough, let him see. We are part of a Notts County

squad. We need to perform. And will Shrewsbury players be relaxing on

the beach or facing the agony of the play-offs again by the end of

the season? We are in a great situation at the minute to get

automatic. And I'm joined in the studio tonight by the former Forest,

Leicester and England striker Stan Collymore. Once deadly in front of

goal, now Stan's opinions on football are just as sharp. And

Mark Yates who made his name with Birmingham City and is now forging

a reputation as a manager with Cheltenham who are chasing

promotion back to League One. Gentlemen, welcome. What have been

your football highlights this week? My would be our own. Forest getting

a point against Blackpool. It keeps them safe now. Hopefully they can

build for another championship. First tonight, how much should our

clubs pay for policing games? At the moment, clubs pay for policing

in and around the stadium but the Association of Chief Police

Officers believes clubs should be made to pay for extra resources in

town centres and elsewhere. The Association claims that most

trouble involving fans now takes place away from the grounds. Late

Kick Off's Laura May McMullan spent Saturday with the West Midlands

Police at Birmingham City's game with Bristol City.

In terms of intelligence, a train The West Midlands Football Force is

the first dedicated unit of its kind in the country. Since it was

set up two years ago, the number of officers policing matches has been

reduced by 30% - therefore cutting cost to clubs. So should they have

to pay for policing in city centres and other surrounding areas as

well? I do not think that is fair. It is a social issue. There is no

need for the violence. The clubs should pay. We are all tax payers

and all paid for the police. Let them do their job. Football matches

are categorised A, B or C being the highest, depending on the

likelihood of trouble. After communication between the police

and security here at St Andrew's today's game has been downgraded

from a category B to a category A. Instead of the club paying �21,000

for policing, they'll pay �12,500. Yet the country's leading football

officer for ACPO, the Association of Chief Police Officers believes

clubs should foot the whole bill on match days. I think he has lost

touch with his troops because I know the reaction we have had

between ourselves is different. Let him look at of veils to see if we

pay enough and were the arrests are. I cannot see there is any

validation in what is being said. Crowd safety and control is a

priority. And as the Blues fans learnt in the first half - there

were to be no great expectations of a win against one of the league

strugglers. Bristol City, fighting to avoid relegation, went 2 goals

up. It wasn't until the stroke of half time that Marlon King provided

a lifeline. And the home side equalised in the second half, when

Nikola Zigic couldn't miss from two yards out. A 2-2 draw means

Birmingham keep their play-off hopes on track and Bristol City's

There will be a number arrested. I'll get my offices in. A couple of

arrests with the crowd today is a positive and demonstrates it is

only a couple of people that come to matches to cause problems.

than 1400 Bristol City fans turned up, but with police intelligence,

state of the art cameras and more than 300 fully trained stewards

violence at the ground these days It is an interesting issue. Do they

paid too little? Inside the ground, it is the club's cost and that

depends on one police officer per head depending on the game. When

you get half a mile outside the ground, it is a social issue.

Birmingham City or Aston Villa should not be paying for policing

costs a mile Al said the ground. That is what the police are there

for. There is a balancing act. In a recession the police will say

resources are stretched. I think outside the grounds within a

reasonable limit it is the police's responsibility. How do policing

costs affect a manager? We are trying a pre-season friendly with

Cardiff, one of the main topics would be to raise revenue for the

Budget. It has been taken over by the policing costs and we are

thinking about. Clubs like to think they can make a few quid from pre-

season games. We are weighing up the cost. Match-day problems, are

they different from a Saturday night? It depends what the ground

is located. We have done a lot over 20 years with technology, cameras

and football matches and there's no trouble. They used to be a lot of

trouble. We have done a lot as a football family to get rid of

trouble. Common sense, to have a stadium in the middle of nowhere,

as opposed to on the doorstep of the major urban town centre area,

the policing costs should be reflected. Still to come, Notts

County and trains through pushing for promotion. And Mark Yates gives

us the low-down. Birmingham's draw keeps them in fourth place and

they'll be certain of a place in the play-offs if they beat Ipswich

tomorrow and Middlesbrough don't beat relegated Doncaster. But the

flickering play-off hopes of Leicester and Derby seem to have

been finally extinguished. Both Successive victories had given

Foxes fans hope that a top six finish might still be possible but

losing 2-1 at Millwall all but ends those hopes. Millwall right-footed.

Millwall are two goals up. A right- footed effort, hitting a few

defenders. Drinkwater gets one back. Derby were always outsiders for the

play-offs and Middlesbrough's one goal win at Pride Park surely

confirmed the Rams will be in the Championship again next season.

Goal! At the bottom, Richard Keogh's header might have given

Coventry a deserved lead at Burnley but the match officials decided the

ball had NOT crossed the line and soon afterwards, Coventry were

He scores! Nottingham Forest are inching closer to safety. Dexter

Blackstock's radar was playing up against Blackpool but the goalless

draw means Forest should now stay up. So let's have a look at the top

of the Championship. Blues are almost sure of a play-off place.

They're at Ipswich tomorrow evening. A win there could be enough to

secure a top six finish. At the bottom, Coventry remain four points

adrift of safety. They really have to beat Millwall at the Ricoh Arena

to have a realistic chance of escaping the drop. If Coventry

don't win, Forest will be safe if they get a point at Reading. Four

points adrift for Coventry. Is there any hope? Millwall are in

decent form. Forest are out of it. I suppose the only ones drags in

our Barnsley. Andy Thorn haven't spoken so well about how bright and

lively his team have been, the Peterborough result, he came away

in said there was nothing on the bench, young lads as well. They

haven't got a call of five or six experienced players that have been

around the block. They are relying on youngsters. It might be too much

to ask. You talked about Nottingham Forest, Steve Cotterill, what you

make of his achievements? You would think they are safe. I think so.

They had a good spell over the last month. I spoke to them regularly

and they were playing quite well. But not scoring goals. After they

beat Leeds, not a lot has changed but they are scoring goals. It's an

amazing difference. They've got some good players. Leicester and

Derby will be a championship next season. Very much a differing ends

of the spectrum. A former club of mind. If I had hair I would pull it

out! How many times have they got themselves a good squad in

positions, three points away from the play-offs, but Nigel Pearson's

team-talk done. Millwall did well, they went to Pompey and one. If you

can't go down to those gains when you're in touching distance of the

play-offs and a rally at the end of the season, it doesn't bode well.

Famously inconsistent. It will be an interesting summer. It's been a

topsy-turvy season for Notts County. In mid-October, Martin Allen's team

was in third place, harbouring hopes of automatic promotion. By

mid-February, they were down to eleventh and Allen was out. The

former England and Manchester City defender Keith Curle is now manager

and took them into Saturday's game at Brentford in the final play-off

place. So, can Notts return to Championship level for the first

time since 1995? For Late Kick Off, Natalie Jackson was given access

all areas on Notts' trip to West Our away day with Notts County

began at the home of English rugby, at the team hotel in Twickenham.

The players usually come down about 11 15 and go for a walk. This

morning is a bit different because they are putting a horse on for the

Are you quite disciplined on the morning of a game? I stay in bed as

long as I can. Relax them. Because you are here is the only reason I

got out of bed. Normally I do not come down until I get on a bus. Not

many women get me out of bed in the morning apart from my missus.

have been out of the Championship for 17 years. Their journey back

heavily rests on this game with a team who are play-off rivals and

breathing down there necks on the potential road to Wembley! So Keith

what do you do on the bus on the way to the ground? Watch a bit of

football. Man City and they are winning. It is going your way.

far, so good. We will look at the pitch. 2-0 Man City. He doesn't get

Let's have a win today. Three points today, lads, come on!

Brentford are calling this their biggest games in recent years.

Could well be. There's a lot is at stake. It is our season now,

especially with just driving by Wembley as well. Have you taken to

Keith Curle? I think a lot of them are coming round to him. They are

beginning to appreciate his style For this play-off push decider, I

was allowed to sit on the bench. With my own tiny camera, we were

right the inside the Notts camp. Uwe Rossler certainly didn't like

I could hardly see Lloyd Sam's early chance. The view from the

away dug-out was actually the worst in the house. But the pace of the

game looks so much faster close up. Alan Judge curled a shot just wide.

The will to win this was etched on everyone's faces. On 37 minutes,

there was nearly a breakthrough. Jeff Hughes rattled the crossbar.

Both teams so desperately needed the points. Curle changed things

around, and his team were really asserting themselves. Well, there

are minutes to go now, and if Notts can hang on, this will be a

brilliant point. As the clock ran down, Damion Stewart headed a free

kick off the line to give Notts that precious advantage in the

We are very happy with the point, and hopefully that will be the one

that takes us into the play-offs. We have had a fantastic day, thank

you. We really enjoyed it on the bench, apart from your position

manager getting a bit upset in the first half! At one stage, I looked

round I was thinking that I might Thanks to Keith for looking after

Natalie. So Notts County remain in the

promotion hunt, but Walsall are still in danger of dropping to

Especially after the popularity of Martin Allen amongst the fans in

particular, they were a bit flummoxed. You did see one or two

Notts County fans there. They were only just starting to understand

and to get behind him. He has got a good squad there. From his last

aborted attempt from being an manager at Mansfield where he tried

to control everything, he has relaxed debate. That has been

reflected in his demeanour. The players like that, they like rules

and regulations and a manager with a smile. Home to Bury, away at

Wycombe. I do not think there is an issue. Wycombe are fighting for

their lives. Bury have made themselves safe, but they still

have something to play for. Colchester is always tough. They

are a decent run. Good luck to them. Notts County remain in the

Victory at home to Tranmere would have gone a long way towards

securing Walsall's survival, but they were beaten by a goal scored

after 62 minutes. Here's Robinson with his free kick. It's in!

Tranmere take the lead. Next up for the Saddlers are fellow strugglers

Exeter, before they finish with games against promotion-chasing MK

Dons and Huddersfield. Safety is far from guaranteed.

Walsall's game at Exeter next Saturday is starting to look as if

it might be decisive. The Saddlers are four points ahead of Wycombe

who occupy the first of the relegation places. The most

frustrating thing is being out of drawers they have had to endure.

is difficult. I spoke to Dean Smith and he is having to live within his

means with budgets and what have you. Even at that level, you have

to find that Meggitt that can do you 15, 20 goals this season.

managed a great escape last season. Does it help to have been in a

position before? Yes, it probably does. Last year, they looked down

and out. At in this ballet habit -- over the last couple of months,

they have not been beaten to many times in that period. That has

given them a cushion which will see them through. We would love to hear

from you here on Late Kick Off. We are open for business seven days a

week on Facebook, and you can continue the conversation right now

on Twitter by using the hashtag The big question in League Two is,

can Shrewsbury win promotion outright and avoid the play-offs?

The Shrews have lost out in the end-of-season jamboree no fewer

than three times in the last five years. They went into Saturday's

game against Rotherham in the third automatic promotion spot and after

a run of 29 home games without defeat. Laura May McMullan has been

to meet a group of players determined not to miss out on a

Sun, sea and success could come closer for the squad of 2012 if

they can cope with the pressure of the promotion race over the next

few weeks. You can't sit on the beach without a cocktail, so what

takes your fancy? Oh, got to go for a Marvin Mayhem. I think I have got

to go for that. Or Promotion Punch. But this beach isn't in the

Seychelles. It is in the centre of Shrewsbury, and it is the time in

the season where the hard work really starts. After two play-off

final defeats and a semi-final exit over the last five seasons, Graham

Turner's men want this season to be the lucky one, and they're focused

on the job. You've seen throughout the whole season, especially at

home when we have gone behind, we have come back and it shows great

spirit. Everyone wants to play for each other, everyone wants to play

for the club, and it has been brilliant. As soon as we go on to

the pitch, especially at home, we think we're going to win every game.

I think we're in a great situation at the minute. The town has not had

good luck in the play-offs, so we're trying to avoid that, and we

are in a great situation at the minute to get automatic. Marvin has

been determined to prove his quality this season, with 11 goals

already under his belt. Perhaps his sweetest was against his former

club Aldershot, which also helped to preserve Shrewsbury's unbeaten

home record. Every player wants to play, every player wants to be in a

starting team, but as our gaffer is, he never really changes the winning

team, and I think that is the best way to be. If the team is winning,

really, sometimes you just have to get on with it and basically keep

The manager says the determination and work ethic is second to none.

It is only nerves now that could affect results. League Two's

promotion race is one of the most demanding in years. The division is

stronger this season. We will need far more points than we had last

year to go up, probably somewhere around 85 for 86. We have just got

to do it. And on Saturday, they continued to do it. Despite an

early second-minute lead for Rotherham under new manager Steve

Evans, who made a shock exit from Crawley last week, the home side

equalised courtesy of Terry Gornell And then there was no stopping the

Shrews in the second half. Aaron Wildig on loan from Cardiff City

Wildig on loan from Cardiff City tapped in a second, and just as he

had started, it was Gornell who finished and sealed a 3-1 victory.

Graham Turner's men boast the only unbeaten home record in the

Football League and now move into Football League and now move into

the second automatic promotion spot. The equaliser right on half-time

was a key thing for us. It changes the mood in the dressing room. It

changes the whole aspect of things. I thought we came out and played

some decent stuff second half. manager's promotion success in 1979

and the glory years playing teams like Chelsea, Newcastle and Stoke

City makes interesting reading. These players say it is inspiring.

Like with the promotion before, the gaffer will go down in history at

this club. He's a legend there, he is a hero. If he can replicate that

and do it again, then he will be like the king the Shrewsbury.

season, just a single point separated them from automatic

promotion. After three near-misses over the last five seasons, this

year they are hoping they will be Sure is we's victory lifts them

into second. Cheltenham also in the hunt for promotion. They hammered

Accrington 4-1. Cheltenham's recent scoreless streak is now a distant

memory. Keith Lowe's first goal of the season put the Robins ahead and

a header from Ben Burgess doubled a header from Ben Burgess doubled

the lead 11 minutes after half-time. Marlon Pack's smart free-kick made

it 3-0, and after a consolation for Accrington, Kaid Mohammed rounded

off the scoring with his 11th goal of a very successful first season

with the Robins. Matters off the field seem more important for Port

Vale at the moment. Sean Rigg was closest to breaking the deadlock in

a goalless draw at Morecambe. There were goals aplenty at the memorial

ground. Sadly, seven of the eight were scored by Bristol Rovers.

Burton's Calvin Zola did make it 2- 1 for a short time, but a hat-trick

from Eliot Richards helped to make it a miserable day for the Brewers.

They will stay up, but Hereford are still bottom of the league and

might not. Delroy Facey gave the Bulls the lead at Barnet, but Ben

May's equaliser leaves Hereford still three points from safety.

Yoann Arkin almost won it for Hereford, but Clovis Kamjo blocked

his shot - maybe with his hand, maybe not - but no match-winning

penalty was awarded, which left the Bulls' manager very frustrated.

Bulls' manager very frustrated. is another one, again, that I do

not want to go on about it. Probably get a phone call in the

morning regarding why can't we get a decision. I know teams in the

Premiership have had the same, but it just seems to be going against

us at the moment. So, here is how the race for

automatic promotion is shaping up. Swindon are away and clear at the

top, but Shrewsbury are in pole position to join them in League One.

Cheltenham are four points ahead of Crewe, who are just outside the

play-off zone and who host the Robins next week.

This is why things look so bleak for Hereford. The Bulls are at home

to Northampton next week and then finish with games against two of

the division's top teams, Crawley and Torquay. Let's talk about

Hereford. Bottom of the League, it is looking grim for them. Things

are starting to conspire against them. With three games to go, two

games against Crawley and Torquay, they're going to be fighting

against the top end of the table. When you go beyond the football at

the end of the season, every club potentially in League Two, if you

were to go down into the Blue Square Premier, the financial

implications are very grave. SRIS we have won the last three. They

are scoring goals as well and looking tight defensively. It is

all coming together. They have done all the groundwork and they have a

fantastic manager. They have not got any teams in the next four

games of the season. They have got Accrington, Port Vale, Wimbledon

and Dagenham. All of those teams are safe in the bottom of the table.

Cheltenham are in the play-offs. You must be glad to see the end of

March? Yes. The boys have been magnificent all season. We have one

of the smallest squads in the league, but they have stepped up to

the plate in abundance. They have done themselves proud and the FA

Cup. We are still in there fighting. We have still got points to get. I

am really proud of them. I have got total belief in them. They will

finish the job of this season. Birmingham have had to do what they

have got to do. I would like to thank them for having the

goalkeeper in the first place. Just give Scott Brown the opportunity

now. I'm sure he will take it with both hands. The one thing that

struck me about you and Cheltenham is that you never really took the

Dow are run to heart. You never got down on the players. I think it is

important. Players want to see a manager who has belief in them. I

have total trust in mind. They do what I tell them. We played

reasonably well in most of the Games, but scoring became a problem.

Hopefully, we have got that out of our system. Performances have been

good in the last couple of games. Hopefully we can finish the season

on a high. You are one point of your second highest Football League

tally. Have you exceeded your own expectations? Your way stooge to --

try to do the best you can. We are trying to get to the play-offs. It

looked like they could exceed that. That is not going to happen now.

Great having unit -- in. All the very best.