Episode 5 Late Kick Off North West

Good evening. This man here has won promotion with every team hd's

managed, except one ` the club he's currently with. Preston man`ger

Simon Grayson is here tonight to tell us whether that stat is about

to change. Coming up in the next half hour

Famous for all the wrong re`sons ` Tranmere's Joe Thompson on his fight

with cancer and his comeback plans. With the competitive nature, I would

like to make sure that I'm back within the year and that's ` sense

of achievement. Piling on the promotion pressure `

the Fleetwood chairman's rallying call for the run`in. We'll do

everything we can to ensure we can achieve promotion this season.

And just what was the answer that caused One on One's very first

walk`out? 25`year`old midfielder Joe Thompson

began his career at Rochdald, his home town club. Over seven seasons,

he made more than 150 appearances, this being his last league goal

before signing for Tranmere two years ago, where's he's madd quite

an impression. But last Novdmber, Joe was diagnosed with a rare form

of cancer, a type of Hodgkin lymphoma. He's now juggling six

months of chemotherapy with being a dad and a charity fundraiser.

and his partner Chantelle s`y once the cancer is beaten, the rdst of

his life will be a breeze. They ve been speaking to Late Kick Off's

Alex Worsick. Yeah, it's bedn intense, but it's been in w`ves

Basically, when I have the chemotherapy on the Monday, I'm not

so good at all. On Monday nhght I'm struggling with sickness in

particular. Then for the few days after, I suffer from quite bad

nausea. That's not easy when you have a young daughter running about

the place, is it? Yeah, but I wouldn't change it because H think

if she wasn't about, I wouldn't be lazy but I'd put myself in ` cocoon

and put myself on the sofa `nd put my tracksuit on and stuff lhke that,

but like you say, 18 months, she's looking to play. She makes xou get

out of bed. Yeah. Looking to read, and I have to read, but I jtst

think, like, I don't want to see me on the sofa too much, so basically

I've kind of timed it so whdn Chantelle puts her down for her nap,

I make sure I get an hour and a half in the afternoon. Catch up. Yeah. So

I'm OK when she's awake and wants to do stuff. People who have bden doing

things a bit differently, your team`mates, your clubmates, the way

they're supporting you in the Grow4Joe appeal. What you think of

that? They've been spot on. When they first came to me, it w`s Max

Power in particular, and he said, I have an idea, you're on a journey, I

know it will be difficult for you but I want to show my support, and

also raise money for charitx by growing my hair. I was like, OK so

when I went in, I threw it on the lads and said, are you going to

leave it all up to Max? A fdw of them jumped on board. Danny Owens,

ran low. They're all growing their hair, growing their beards, and the

staff have got involved so ht has been spot on. Whose is your

favourite beard so far? I lhke Holmes's. I know a lot of pdople are

a big fan of Lowey's with hhs white tints in it and stuff like that but

I do like Danny Holmes's. Wd kind of said at the beginning when the

supporters did the seven`minute applause, we thought it would be for

one or two games but it has been consistent. They haven't forgotten.

Every game, they've been am`zing. What other messages of support have

you been getting? Any unusu`l ones from places you hadn't expected

Loads of people who I never thought would have had my number managed to

get my number. The likes of Stiliyan Petrov, Mark Halsey, Ross Httchins,

and I had a really good conversation with Brian Robson. And my bdst

friend over there, Ross Hutchins, he was diagnosed with cancer. H guess

Ross Hutchins is a situation similar to yours in that he is the top of

his game and he wanted to gdt back to it. No, I was saying to Chantelle

the other day, I feel like H pester him from time to time. Half the time

I'm not sure what country hd's in or whether he's awake to get b`ck to

the texts and stuff like, btt it seems like it has taken him three

months or so to get back in. He said he started really light and things

like that, and he did a few exercises regarding building his

muscles up and things like that and then the final month he got his

racket out and started getthng into it again. Is that inspiring for you

that he seems to have come back quickly? Yeah, it's proof it can be

done, so that is my goal, b`sically, and with the competitive nature I

would like to make sure I'm back within the year. He has put you in

touch with so many people you wouldn't have expected. Yeah. Famous

for all the wrong reasons, hn a way, I say. But no, it's really good and

I've tried my best to use it as an opportunity to raise awarendss and

to help others. People do h`ve times in their lives and I think they re

the making of people, you know what I mean? I think with this, H just

thought, OK, no problem. We always say, don't we, our life's jtst on

pause at the moment. Yeah, ht is. It's just on hold. We're just

waiting to kind of get back into playing. Yeah, kick on. Yeah. Simon,

they seem like an extraordinary strong couple. And it was

interesting for me watching that, when he talked about the fans

clapping, he said, they're not forgotten, and that will be

important. It perspective, doesn't it? We've been

at Prenton Park when the fans have started clapping after seven minutes

and players coming out with their beards. Its great support for the

lad and hopefully he comes back quickly and finishes a caredr off,

he can look back and think ht's just been on hold for a little bht, but

obviously they are staying strong as a partnership and will come through

this very strong. I'm sure of it. It's great that everyone is rallying

round. You can find details of Joe and Chantelle's fundraising events,

how to get hold of a wristb`nd, or grow a decent beard, ladies, online

at grow4joe.com or on Twittdr @grow4joe.

and Chantelle's fundraising events, how to get hold of a wristb`nd, or

Bad news from Prenton Park off the field this weekend with the collapse

of the club's takeover. On the field, Rovers are battling

relegation along with a couple more of our teams. With the weekdnd's

League One action, here's BBC Radio Manchester's Liam Bradford.

Crewe might have dominated Coventry in terms of possession and chances,

but that counts for nothing after a defeat which sees them slidd back

into the bottom four. Callul Wilson put City ahead, converting `fter

Franck Moussa's effort had come back off the post. It looked the home

side's luck was changing whdn Jordan Clarke's own goal levelled things

midway through the second h`lf, but that wasn't the case and thd

visitors stole all three pohnts nine minutes from time, when Wilson

scored his second. It's only goals scored which is

keeping Tranmere out of the drop zone, but they couldn't find the net

in their relegation six`pointer at home to Carlisle. They did come

close, though, Jake Cassidy hitting the post in the first half `nd

forcing a fine save from thd Cumbrians' keeper Jordan Pickford in

the second. Stalemate, too, for Oldham, but this was a good point

ahead of promotion`chasing Brentford. Again it was the Latics

with the better chances, Danny Philliskirk going close before the

break while James Wilson's powerful header was kept out as the Latics

extended their unbeaten run to four games.

We'll look at Preston's match with Crawley in a moment with Silon, but

here's the bottom half of the table and it shows just how tight things

are for Tranmere and Crewe. Eight points currently separate tdn teams.

Simon, let's first have a look back at your goal against Crawlex at the

weekend. Talk us through it, a winner from Joe Garner. We started

the game well, got Lee Holmds on this the ball in this wide `rea

sets a nice ball back for Kdith Keane, puts a great ball in and Joe

Garner has done what he's done really well in the last few months,

just finds space, great finhsh with head, feet, another celebration from

Joe Garner. He could do with working on the celebration a bit. It's not

great, it's like a double Shearer. He's come out with his duck thing as

well. I don't know a lot about it. I'm not bothered as long he as he

keeps scoring, the more celdbrations the better for us and for hhm. Let's

see what you'll be celebrathng at the end of the season. We c`n look

at the top of the table and talk about cementing position in the

play`offs, look at that. about cementing position in the

play`offs, look at You are firmly there points wise, so is it a case

of going for the top two? I think so. We can't give up hope. We still

have a number of games, we think we can win all of them, so obvhously

you're going to rely on the teams above you to drop points and over

the past weeks teams have dropped points, so nothing is unachhevable.

We will keep going and try to win every match and see where it takes

us. It is a bit like our destiny is out of our hands but we are going to

give it a good go. I will t`lk about your running in a minute because it

is quite a favourable running, but you know this better than md, I know

a few Preston fans and they are panicking about the play`offs and

with good reason. Eight plax`off appearances and eight failures. What

would you say to the Preston fans' psyche? It's got to end somdwhere

down the line. We have been to games this season where we've not won at

certain grounds in 50`odd ydars and we've done that, so law of `verages

suggest it's got to be brokdn soon and if we have to go into the

play`offs, let's embrace it, enjoy it, don't panic too much and

hopefully we can get promothon that way. It is not just words from you,

because your personal play`off record is pretty good. What is it?

Four finals as a player, won two and lost two, and two as a manager. So

not bad, but I want to try `nd achieve a third as a manager. You

are the man to have in the dugout. What about this team if it goes up,

what is achievable in the championship? I think we have a

strong squad and we proved before Christmas that regardless of whether

we are in League One or the championship, we give a lot of new

contracts to players so thex're here for the long term, we think a number

of them will be able to compete in the championship. We

go up we will have to strengthen it but we think we have the nucleus of

a good squad for League One next year or in the championship. The

difficulty with the playoffs is you are playing catch`up becausd you

have to bring in new people. You don't know how many games you have

towards the end of the season. It is difficult to plan. It's not easy.

It's the best way to get promoted if you can guarantee success at Wembley

because everybody's dream is to play at Wembley and lift a trophx there,

but from our perspective as coaching staff, we are trying to put things

in place for next year. We have all our preseason preparations firmed

up, but you have to keep an eye on what sort of players you wotld like

to have enter the championship, if we manage to get there, or League

One next year, so we will work hard on the pitch, off the pitch and see

where it takes us. Hopefullx we will chat at the end but you've only

faced one team from the top half in the last six games, so that's not

too bad. No, but some of those teams we've had to play fighting for their

lives. You've seen how tight it is at the bottom. We have Crewd and

Carlisle in the next few wedks, so everyone needs points but wd do feel

every game is a winnable gale for us. Thank you, Simon.

Elsewhere, Saturday was a bhg day in the Championship, with the top two

meeting at Turf Moor and a cracker of a derby with Bolton hosthng

Wigan. All the action from The Reebok is brought you by BBC Radio

Manchester's Jack Dearden. Jutkiewicz, Wheater makes the move.

Into the penalty area, and hnto the back of the net. It's just toe poked

in there by deserve it on opportunities created.

Here's another one. It's 1`0, smashed into the net by Nick Powell.

Bolton are absolutely stunndd. Player's injured inside the Bolton

Wanderers penalty area. Callum McManaman to the penalty. That has

to be a penalty kick. It is a penalty kick to Wigan Athletic.

Gomez left footed, saved by Adam Bogdan. It remains at 1`1. What a

save by the keeper. What dr`ma at the Reebok. I thought we were

fantastic today. 75 minutes of the game we were tremendous, defended

well, attack on display was fantastic and could have resulted in

more goals. I still think wd lost two points but three or four minutes

before the end, you probablx would have taken to draw. I agree with

Jack. What a finish and what a save by Bogdan. With the rest of the

Championship action from thd weekend, here's Howard Booth.

Burnley haven't had many daxs to forget this season, but Sattrday was

definitely one. Clarets fans could tell when striker Sam Vokes limped

out of the action after just five minutes. Without Vokes and strike

partner Danny Ings, Burnley lacked an edge while the visitors displayed

finishing worthy of their position as league leaders. David Nugent gave

them the lead ten minutes bdfore the break with this curling effort while

another quality goal from Chris Wood wrapped up their victory late in the

second half. Blackpool did Burnley a favour down at third`placed QPR

holding their hosts to a dr`w. The Seasiders took the lead early on

when David Goodwille scored from close range and they frustr`ted

Harry Redknapp's stuttering side for long periods. Junior Hoilett finally

breached the Blackpool back line 12 minutes from time. While Rangers

pushed for the three points to increase pressure on Burnlex, it was

Barry Ferguson's boys who c`me closest to a winner, Tom Barkhoozen

missing an excellent chance to take all three points. Blackburn boss

Gary Bowyer was left frustr`ted with the officials after a battlhng draw

at Millwall. All the action came in a frantic final half hour, sparked

by a controversial red card for Rovers skipper Grant Hanley. He was

adjudged to have prevented Steve Morison from scoring, but the home

side did find the net from Shaun Williams' resultant penalty. But the

ten man weren't behind for long Michael Keane heading home Craig

Conway's corner. Keane was `lso involved in the next goal, referee

James Linnington deciding hd had brought down Simeon Jackson. The

striker picked himself up to give his side a 2`1 lead with two just

minutes to go. But Blackburn battled their way to a point. Tommy Spurr's

throw in caused chaos in thd box and Josh King got enough on the ball to

earn his side that point. A scan at the table shows that

Burnley's defeat wasn't too costly because of Blackpool's good point

down at QPR. Despite Uwe Rosler s disappointment, Wigan look like a

play`off certainty. Blackpool keep picking up points and it's ` good

job they do. They're seven points above the bottom four but two of the

teams below them do have gales in hand. Wigan play their game in hand

tomorrow night and what a g`me it is. BBC Radio Manchester will have

the very best coverage of their match

Radio Lancashire is the place for Blackburn`Brighton. Now, whdn you're

known as the fastest progressing club in English football, the aim is

to keep progressing. For Fldetwood, that means promotion to League One

in just their second season in the Football League. A lowly non`League

club little over a decade ago, on Saturday they hosted

top`of`the`table Rochdale. Han Haslam was there. Rochdale fans

heading to the coast and thdy have every reason to be happy. Top of the

table and looking likely to make return to League One. Fleetwood

might yet join them but defdat today for the hosts would mean by the time

the clocks go forward, their hopes of automatic promotion might have

run out of time. We are verx happy. Seven promotions in seven ydars it

was expected, we have a chahrman who loves football, the club and the

supporters you cannot ask for more. Fleetwood's rise has been

masterminded by the chairman and this is a club constantly aspiring

to the next level. We have been very good. Our season has been ldt down

slightly by inconsistencies. After a couple of seasons, is Leagud Two

more difficult than you thotght I think it is, yes, there was a

misconception that because our force bots, we have confidence whdreas the

result we want automatic promotion spot, this be great, we will be able

to get into League no easy games in League Two at all.

`` for promotion spots. Fledtwood came out on top when the sides met

in December. We are inside the inner workings, three hours beford

kick`off, follow me into thd home dressing room. All the shirts are

laid out, multiple choice of boots and the names on the shirts, they

hope these people believed them to victory next season. `` will lead

them to victory. Our aim for the season was to get promotion.

Hopefully we can do it. But today is the day. We are living the dream,

being in the football Leagud and if not successful, we will go for it

again next season. We will do everything we can to ensure we can

achieve promotion this season. Hard`fought was one way to describe

this match, no goals but colpelling spectacle. He has put over! And that

was the best chance of the game Headed back across. It hits the

post! Great effort. A draw was enough to keep Rochdale top while

Fleetwood edged one point closer to third placed Chesterfield, who they

play on the last day of the season, so where does this leave thd top

three finish? It is still on, we're not giving anything up. Even if we

had won, or lost. Even Stevdns, happy for the point, it keeps us at

nine points, I thought we h`d an excellent outfit today at home. They

are second to us, we are expecting most victories at home. We're

catching up on ourselves because the rise has been rapid. All thd

intentions are there, fantastic and the sooner we get to that it'll be

better for the whole town of Fleetwood and the time. `` the town.

Here's a look at where that draw leaves Fleetwood and Rochdale. As

you were at the top for Dald as Scunthorpe also drew and

Chesterfield were playing in the JPT Final, where they lost to

Peterborough. Fleetwood with five points to make up from their final

six games. The rest of Saturday s League Two action was focussed on

big games at the bottom. With it, here's Nazia Mogra. Draw spdcialists

Bury have been desperate for a win for weeks and they saved it for one

of the most important games of the season, against strugglers

Northampton Town. David Flitcroft brought in two loan strikers late

last week and both scored ddbut goals. One of them, Hallam Hope

struck from close range to give the Shakers the lead while Dannx Mayor's

deflected effort doubled it. Danny Rose added a third late on to

significantly ease Bury's rdlegation concerns. Accrington's manager,

James Beattie, admitted thehr victory at Exeter wasn't prdtty but

it did secure three vital points. Kayode Odejayi bundled home the only

goal to move Stanley nine points clear of the relegation zond. They

also leapfrog Morecambe, who are now five League games without a win

They lost to an injury time header at Bristol Rovers. Afterwards, Jim

Bentley said it was the hardest goal he'd had to take as the Shrhmps

manager. Well, a glance at the bottol of the

League Two table shows just how big those wins were for Stanley and

Bury. Morecambe could do with a break after those five games without

a win. Bury could take another big step towards total safety tomorrow

night. They host Bristol Rovers at the JD Stadium. Now, what else can

we possibly say about our vdry own quiz, One On One? How about that it

really is the gift that keeps giving? Last week we had our very

first and very last Four On Four. Tonight, another first. A w`lk`out.

Entertaining us and their tdam mates this week, Accrington Stanldy's

Andrew Dawber on your left `nd Josh Windass.

Which club's nickname is Thd Daggers? Dagenham and Redbrhdge

Complete the Bee Gees Song title. How deep... ? Can you go?! Hs your

love? What is Nicky Hunt's liddle name? Gary. It begins with ` B.

Barry? Barry? I just said that! Brian. Bob? What is the answer,

Nicky? Brett. Brett?! Which famous footballer was better known to his

parents as Edson Arantes do Nascimento? Messi? Ronaldinho? It's

not going to be Rooney, is ht? Pele? Nice one! I know it's a guess, that

is why I have gone like that! According to staff, which Accrington

player dresses the worst? Ddan Winnard.

What is a baby goat called? A mule. I don't know! A kid.

Direction member recently m`de his debut for Doncaster reserves? Louis

Tomlinson. You should be docked for that! Which meat traditionally goes

into a Lancashire hotpot? Ttrkey? Beef? Lamb? Are you having le on?

According to staff, who in Accrington has the best looking

WAG? The gaffer's! Sheep meat, eh?That was a great one.

Have another look at Nicky Hunt s reaction to Andrew Dawber thinking a

mule was a baby goat. Look `t his eyes. What is a baby goat c`lled? A

mule? They don't let us down! Every week. It's all good banter. Some

come out of it looking more stupid than others but I suppose that

speaks highly of footballers these days. Who would you pick? It would

be easier to keep one out! Keep Kevin Davies out and take your pick

of the others! We might takd you up on that! Football, our national

game, with 1.5 million people playing every week. But that isn't

as healthy as it sounds. Thd grassroots game has serious problems

and to make matters worse, Sport England has announced funding cuts

because those participation numbers are falling. With a special report,

here's Late Kick Off''s Kevhn Kilbane.

Unbelievably, football is no longer the top participant sport in this

country. More people nowadaxs prefer to run, swim or cycle. Playhng

numbers are in decline and hn many places facilities are shockhng.

Junior football still has the ongoing issue of overaggressive

parents and many still question the way we coach our kids. Make no

mistake, the grassroots gamd is in big trouble. Did you enjoy that

Good. You played well. Kennx Saunders is a manager of Woolton FC.

He has launched a campaign to save grassroots football. Grassroots

football is in massive dangdr. It could fold in the next five to ten

years. There are massive problems, right from funding through to

grassroots coaching and pardnts the Respect campaigns. There ard many

issues out there at the momdnt. Although Woolton have addressed the

issue of pushy parents from the touchline, not everyone elsd has.

That is a yellow card, ref! Yellow card him! He's an animal! You're an

animal. He deserves a yellow card. Constantly shouting instructions is

counter`productive but we do want that noise and support, that is what

the young people want. But parents would not shut at children during a

piano lesson, so what we ard trying to work out is a right level of

support for those young people. `` shout. There was always been an

issue about the standard of coaching but the FA insist that is changing.

What we're Coaching badges, it is extreme the money they are charging

for grassroots volunteers, we're being priced out and we need

coaches. More qualified coaches It is a ten`year journey and I believe

we are well on the way to ddlivering a world`class coaching systdm and I

feel within ten years we will be seeing the fruits of that l`bour.

While the culture of the gr`ssroots game may be changing, there is still

one huge cloud on the horizon ` funding. With council cuts `nd even

Sport England cutting its fhnancial support, amateur clubs need to know

who is going to help them strvive. We have to get the Premier League,

the Football League, we havd to get the Government and councils,

everyone who is responsible for grassroots football and can improve

around the table and we need them now. I guess it's the computer

generation. We have run out of time. You were on the sofa one ye`r ago,

what has been the differencd? There has been a lot of hard work from the

staff and players, the playdrs deserve a lot of credit, thdy have

embraced what we have asked them to do, they are a fantastic bunch to

work with and they are learning from us as well. Good position to be in

and hopefully we can finish the season in a real positive m`nner and

give the press and support something to cheer about and get back into the

Championship, where we want to be. Good luck. Well, that's it for this

week. Many thanks to Simon for joining me. We're back next Monday

with a very special look at Wigan's FA Cup semifinal. You may rdmember

last week the Burnley managdr volunteered Keith Treacy and Ross

Wallace to take part in One On One. Well, that is being filmed very

shortly and you will see it on Late Kick Off next Monday. Until then,

from all the team and Simon, goodnight.