http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/ en Copyright 2008 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:10:51 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss here to read more of Brian's blog entries. See you there!]]> http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/brians_on_the_move.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/brians_on_the_move.html Cricket Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:10:51 +0000 IT SAYS much for the stature of Duncan Edwards and the other Busby Babes who died in the Munich air crash that, 50 years after the tragedy, they are still remembered with such sadness and reverence. These were extravagantly talented young players, a truly golden generation taken from us before they had realised their full potential. RIP, lads. You are still sorely missed. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/busby_babes_remembered.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/busby_babes_remembered.html Our Say Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:58:03 +0000 AS DRIVERS sit tapping their steering wheels in frustration while they sit in jams on Birmingham's congested roads, it is clear that something must be done to get our city moving again. Year after year more cars pour on to roads whose capacity is not infinite. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/traffic_free_birmingham.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/traffic_free_birmingham.html Our Say Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:56:32 +0000 DO NOT disregard Jaguar's glitzy launch of its new XF model in Monte Carlo merely as a junket. Hundreds of influential motoring journalists from around the world are being invited there over the next six weeks. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/jaguars_big_hope.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/jaguars_big_hope.html Our Say Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:38:07 +0000 TRAFFIC cop Gavin Blease dismisses suggestions that he acted heroically as he wrestled with a gunman who had already opened fire. "I don't think it was anything exceptional," says Pc Blease, describing how the drama began after a routine decision to question a man acting suspiciously. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/hero_cops.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/hero_cops.html Our Say Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:36:13 +0000 IF THIS country is serious about reducing the damage it causes to our world, the government's plans for a generation of eco-towns must proceed. We need to build homes, schools and workplaces that are environmentally friendly and encourage people to travel less or to use public transport. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/ecotowns_row.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/ecotowns_row.html Our Say Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:01:19 +0000 HARD work, goodwill and common sense have averted a strike by Travel West Midlands bus drivers. Thank heavens for that because such a stoppage would have caused mayhem – snarling up roads with extra cars and leading to widespread absenteeism at workplaces across the region. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/bus_strike_averted.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/bus_strike_averted.html Our Say Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:59:36 +0000 THEIR music could hardly be more different. Rhydian Roberts, just 24, is the new X-Factor singing sensation and Andy Hamilton, aged 89, is a jazz saxophonist with a pedigree stretching back many decades. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/rhydian_and_andy_brummie_stars.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/rhydian_and_andy_brummie_stars.html Our Say Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:13:13 +0000 FOR eight years its peace officers have patrolled Birmingham's troubled streets. The Haile Selassie Peace Foundation has calmed community tension, built bridges with the police and helped persuade jailed offenders to live law-abiding and valuable lives. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/give_peace_a_chance.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/02/give_peace_a_chance.html Our Say Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:10:26 +0000 GRAFFITI blights neighbourhoods. Those daubings on walls, fences, bus shelters and park benches speak of an area in which youths roam after dark, free to deface and damage without fear of challenge. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/graffiti_gamble.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/graffiti_gamble.html Our Say Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:34:41 +0000 DO NOT be surprised that Birmingham author RJ Ellory has shot to fame with his book A Quiet Belief of Angels chosen by the Richard and Judy Book Club. This city has a fine and distinguished literary tradition which – in typically Brummie fashion – has remained largely hidden. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/the_write_stuff.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/the_write_stuff.html Our Say Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:53:46 +0000 IT IS too early to start celebrating success as Midlands hospitals battle against those dreadful infections MRSA and Clostridium difficule. But let us at least recognise the efforts of health managers, doctors, nurses and other staff in driving down the number of cases over the past six months. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/battling_the_superbugs.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/battling_the_superbugs.html Our Say Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:52:19 +0000 Wolves chairman Steve Morgan is probably not a vindictive sort, and lest we forget he remains a boyhood Liverpool fan, but even he could be forgiven a knowing smirk at events up on Anfield just at the moment. Morgan, who of course has tried and failed to take over at Liverpool on several occasions in the past, was never really in the frame when it came to the ridiculous amounts of money thrown into the pot by American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks. But as Morgan went on to point out when he took the reins at Molineux, this was not Gillett and Hicks’s wonga to spend. It was all based largely on finance agreements, and such has since been the state of the markets that it appears the pair now need to sort out another re-financing agreement to safeguard their position. Meanwhile the Dubai International Capital conglomerate, who were very much interested at the time Gillett and Hicks took the helm, are also now believed to be once more waiting in the wings to pounce on this current sign of weakness. Steven Gerrard says it’s all taking its toll on the players, and Rafa Benitez can hardly be thinking life is going swimmingly after the owners admitting talking to Jurgen Klinsmann about possibly moving into his job. What a farce! So what has this got to do with Morgan and Wolves? Not a fat lot other than Morgan, should he so wish, being able to stroll back into Anfield sporting both a knowing smile and a big “I told you so,” t-shirt. But what it does indicate is how perhaps Wolves have struck lucky with a entrepreneur as prudent and business-savvy as their current owner. Let’s face it, it’s not been a fantastic season at Molineux thus far. A decent run when not playing well followed by a far from decent run when not playing well has left supporters – admittedly only those seemingly suffering from amnesia – questioning whether Mick McCarthy should remain as manager. Morgan meanwhile has kept his calm, kept his counsel and kept his faith, not diverting from his preferred course to avoid becoming a “rent-a-quote” chairman whilst at the same time letting it be known he is more than happy to give McCarthy the time to turn things around. Of course he won’t be happy with how events have transpired, and rest assured there will have been some ‘lively’ discussions behind the scenes with McCarthy, one of which is known to involve Wolves’ style of play. There have also been murmurings about possible interference in the identity of transfer targets, but that’s all it’s been, murmurings. Providing those sort of events are officially kept in-house, and providing Morgan keeps the pressure off McCarthy in the way that he has by remaining cool, calm and collected, the manager is given the freedom to be able to crack on with the job in hand. And that can only be of benefit to everyone. You haven’t heard any Wolves player echoing Gerrard’s words about any off-field tensions affecting gold and black performance. There isn’t, and never will be, the slightest suggestion Morgan is going to potentially damage Wolves by operating beyond his means. So while there is still a mighty long way for Morgan to achieve the promotion blueprint he has in place at Molineux, just maybe current events at Liverpool will show that the Merseysiders’ loss is to prove very much Wolves’ gain. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/morgan_a_reliable_runner.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/morgan_a_reliable_runner.html Wolves Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:03:31 +0000 Back in 2002, following Jeff Astle's death, Albion announced plans to honour the club's very own King by building gates in his honour, which now stand by the entrance to the East Stand car park. The Birmingham Mail proposed at the time that the club should rename each one of the four stands after club legends. We suggested Tony Brown, Ronnie Allen, WG Richardson and Astle were the appropriate heroes. At the very least we called for the fans to be given a chance to vote for their chosen hero. Albion's then regime liked but, ultimately, rejected the idea, offering the counter argument that the stands were an ideal hook for potential advertisers and could, as a result, generate revenue. Six years on and there are renewed calls for 'Bomber' Brown - Mr West Bromwich Albion - to be honoured, as underlined by the overwhelming reaction from supporters to our very own Albion Legends supplement last week. Albion fan Paul Hayward has now gone one better by putting pen to paper in honour of Albion's greatest ever goalscorer and record appearance holder. Paul has kindly given the Birmingham Mail permission to reproduce his dedication to Bomber. And we reckon it'll strike a chord with Albion fans everywhere, including the Legend himself. Bobby Moore stands foot on ball at the head of Wembley way, And Sir Matt surveys Old Trafford on a wet Manchester day, A statue too for Shankly who’s been honoured by the Reds, The greatest men remembered as football thoroughbreds. There’s a sculpture too of Matthews, a legend up at Stoke, A player who was knighted, just an ordinary bloke, Even Wolverhampton’s got one; the great “Sir” Billy Wright, He played for England many times (and a club that we don't like) Have Albion got a player to match these football greats? To deserve a Hawthorns’ statue standing by the Astle Gates, Did we ever have a player, who for twenty years or more Broke all appearance records, and never failed to score, Who Baggies fans are proud to say “he played for us you know; And I saw him play in blue and white all those years ago” Yes we have an Albion player who surpassed the very best, Topped the scoring charts one season beating Charlton, Law and Best, And all this from midfield, not a striker out and out, The greatest Albion goal scorer of that there is no doubt. Who never left this club of ours when relegation came, And continued his explosive goals as ever just the same, Rarely missed a penalty, his blasts would burst the net, The ball he hit at Hillsborough ain’t stopped rolling yet! We have an Albion player, who won the FA cup, And scored the all important goal to take the Albion up, Then made his name all over again in Big Ron’s brilliant team, Netting his reputation as our greatest goal machine. Scored 2 against Valencia in a European match, With a 70s perm and flailing tongue beneath his thick moustache, The defining image of an Albion great, at the height of his success, Let’s mount that image for all to see on a plinth of bronze no less. His stats say 574 games and 218 goals scored, Those stats deserve an honour, a lifelong club award, For even now he’s scoring goals at every Albion game, From the commentary (not the penalty) box, perhaps it’s not the same, But it shows his love and support for the club after over forty years, He’s lived and breathed the Albion, the good times and the tears, What a journey it’s been since 62 - his debut at Ipswich Town, Now it’s time we honoured our greatest player – Tony Bomber Brown. With thanks to Paul. Over to you now Albion. We tried six years ago - how about now? http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/make_a_stand_for_bomber_brown.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/make_a_stand_for_bomber_brown.html Albion Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:04:41 +0000 THERE but for the grace of God go all of us. Yesterday's narrowly averted disaster at Heathrow is a stark reminder of how often our lives are in the hands of others. http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/captain_marvel.html http://birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk/2008/01/captain_marvel.html Our Say Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:51:59 +0000