A TODDLER is in a critical condition after a motorbike collided with a pushchair carrying a pair of twins.

The 18-month-old girl has been transferred to Newcastle’s RVI hospital after the incident this morning.

Her twin brother also sustained injured and is recovering in hospital.

The rider of the bike, a man aged 30, was also taken to hospital and received treatment for his injuries.

The woman who was pushing the pushchair was injured, but not seriously.

Police received reports at 9.52am that a motorbike had collided with a woman with a pushchair in the road on the B1286 City Way in Doxford Park, Sunderland.

Police and the ambulance service attended and two children were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment.

Officers say they are continuing to carry out enquiries to establish exactly what happened.

The road was closed for three and a half hours to allow for investigation.

Police say they have informed next of kin and are providing support to family members.

•Any witnesses are asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191.

BOUNCERS have hit back after criticisms over heavy-handed action at a trouble-hit city centre club.

Door staff have defended their professionalism after the Glass Spider had a catalogue of restrictions imposed by licensing bosses.

Security men and women at the Green Terrace club say they are being unfairly portrayed and tarnished with an outdated image of their role.

While the licensing committee which imposed the restrictions made reference to a number of clashes between door staff and drinkers, the bouncers say little is ever mentioned of the good they do in the city centre.

Between them, Les Ojugbana and Gary Pearn have 40 years’ experience of working the doors and have resuscitated people, rushed pub-goers to hospital and tackled machete-wielding clubbers.

Les, who is head of security for Wylam Leisure, the firm which owns Glass Spider, said: “I’ve personally driven people to A&E and have chased someone from Green Terrace to Chester Road because police weren’t able to apprehend him.

“It’s been made out that there’s no control over the premises which isn’t the case. Encountering trouble is part and parcel of the job. Without us that city centre couldn’t operate. The police couldn’t handle it on their own.

“We have a good relationship with the beat police because they see how we operate, but a lot of people who make decisions about licensing don’t understand what we do.”

Les, who also works the doors at Ttonic and Paddywhacks, added: “We’re in a position similar to police but we don’t have weapons. All we have is our arms. If somebody comes at you, if someone is clawing your face, you have to try and restrain them with reasonable force.

“There is also a grey area around coming off your step to intervene in a fight. In training you are told not to do this, but this is one of the things we have been criticised for.

“We have come off our step to intervene in the past and been told off by police for it.”

He added: “In two years of being open the Glass Spider has had one million visitors and 61 incidents. We can’t pre-empt what happens when people have a drink. All we can do is try and stop trouble from happening and, if it does, to intervene.”

In order to obtain a door supervision licence, staff must undergo a five work SIA course which includes a section on conflict management and reasonable force.

Though doormen have been disciplined for using excessive force in the past, Gary is keen to point out that the vast majority of the city centre’s doormen are trying to keep clubbers safe and out of harm’s way.

“I’ve been a doorman for 30 years and the profession is a lot different from what it once was,” he said. “We dress smartly, we open doors for people, we meet and greet them. We do things right.”

After Sunderland City Council imposed restrictions on the club, leisure boss Tony Griffiths announced plans to sell his prized venue, a move which Les says will have repercussions for the the city centre.

Les said: “If people think that doormen are going around bashing people, which isn’t true, then they won’t come into the town which is bad for the city centre.”

Twitter: @sunechokaty

SCRAPPING plans to impose penalties for early student loan repayment has had a mixed reaction on Wearside.

The Government is expected to announce it will be abandoning proposals to impose penalties on students in England who pay off university loans early.

Coun Robert Oliver, Tory spokesman for education in Sunderland, said he welcomed the move to scrap the idea of penalties.

He said: “I think it is a good idea because student loans need to be flexible and take into account students’ changing circumstances.

“Student loans do offer a lot of protection for those on low incomes. I do think it is right that if people want to pay it off then really they should be able to do so without being penalised.”

However, Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, who is also the Shadow Education Minister, said: “When the Government were trying to sell us their plans to land those who wanted to go to university in up to £40,000 worth of debt, we were told that this early repayment penalty was there to ensure the system was ‘progressive’ and didn’t favour the rich.

“Removing this penalty just means that those from wealthy backgrounds, who can afford to pay off such a large sum, can avoid paying the 30 years’ worth of interest and repayments that those who go into professions like teaching and nursing will never be able to get out of.

“Prioritising this just shows how out of touch ministers are with the concerns of ordinary young people who want to go to university, but are thinking twice because of the huge new fees. It’s another Lib Dem capitulation to the Tories, and yet again it’s the wealthy who will benefit most.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable had intended to introduce an early repayment penalty of about five per cent above a certain limit to prevent wealthier students avoiding interest charges on the new standard 30-year repayment plans.

However is is understood the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has decided to drop the scheme amid warnings it would be unfair on those wanting to repay their loans early.

From this September, loans of more than £16,000 a year will be offered to students to cover tuition fees and living expenses and graduates will pay back around nine per cent of anything they earn above the £21,000 a year threshold.

Twitter: @SunEchoSchools

]]> 1.4274047 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:40:39 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/friend_s_tribute_to_famous_sunderland_pigeon_man_1_4274037

“I AM going to be lost without him - we were always together.”

Pigeon fancier Maurice Surtees today paid tribute to his best pal and fellow cree campaigner Jacky Surtees, who has lost his battle with lung cancer.

Dad-of-seven Jacky, 84, was known to everyone in the community of Ryhope and hundreds turned out to pay their respects at his funeral service in St Paul’s Church.

A life-long pigeon racer, Jacky was one of a small group of people who fought to save their crees, including the one belonging to his best pal, Maurice, which gained fame as the world’s only pigeon allotment with listed status.

Jacky’s life with pigeons also saw him starring in two films produced around the working class sport, Like Father, a drama, and Homing Instinct, a documentary with pal Maurice.

Maurice, who was also distantly related to retired miner Jacky, said: “I knew Jacky for over 60 years and I am absolutely devastated.

“We used to be with each other down the allotments every day. I am going to be lost without him.

“Everyone thought we were brothers because we were always together.

“Jacky was a lovely lad and everybody thought the world of him.

“He was a true gent, he never swore and he didn’t drink either.”

Jacky’s eldest son, Robert, said his dad became ill with lung cancer about 20 years ago and doctors only gave him six months to live.

The 58-year-old said: “It was a bit of a miracle really, because the lung started to mend itself and dad got better.”

However, about 18 months ago the cancer returned and sadly this time Jacky lost his fight against the disease.

Robert said: “Dad absolutely loved Ryhope and the people. Every time he came home out of hospital he would say he was back in God’s own land.”

After a stint in St Benedict’s Hospice, Jacky was allowed home and died within three hours surrounded by his family in the place he loved.

Robert said: “My dad was a gentleman. I have not only lost my dad, but also a good friend, he will be sadly missed.”

But he said the family, which include’s Jacky’s widow, Marge, 73, their seven children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, are taking great comfort in the hundreds of messages of sympathy they have had.

Twitter: @SunEchoSchools

ALAN Pardew has his “iconic players” back for Newcastle – and they’re champing at the bit to face Wolves on Saturday, writes MILES STARFORTH.

Pardew welcomes back Yohan Cabaye from suspension and Cheik Tiote from the African Cup of Nations.

Cabaye has been banned for three fixtures, while fellow midfielder Tiote last featured in January 4’s win over Manchester United.

Newcastle were beaten 5-0 at Tottenham in their last outing, but a win over Wolves would lift them into fifth place and buoy them ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday week.

“Now I have my strongest squad to pick from since Man United,” said Pardew.

“We’ve come through the period without our iconic players, with some fantastic results still.

“Fifth in the table with a win has got to be the objective. That’s what we will work on between now and Saturday.

“We’re still disappointed with the Tottenham result, and I’ve seen that on the training ground this week. By our own standards, we need to make sure that never happens again.

“More importantly, we have two home games. Our home form’s good – we’ve won our last three. Our home form’s strong.”

Tiote returned to training on Monday after a short break after the tournament, in which his Ivory Coast team were agonisingly beaten in the final by Zambia on penalties.

Pardew added: “Everybody’s fit. Cheik’s come back on the training ground and lifted everything.

“That’s because of the way he trains. One or two have felt his presence! That’s in a good way!”

The Wolves game will also see Papiss Demba Cisse – who marked his home debut against Aston Villa with a goal – start alongside Senegal team-mate Demba Ba.

“It’ll be a full home debut,” said Pardew.

“Our fans will be coming along to see how he performs, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t going to let them down. We’re all looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, third-bottom Wolves could be without a manager, with the club yet to recruit a successor to the sacked Mick McCarthy.

However, there could be a manager-in-waiting in the stands, and Pardew is conscious that there is likely to be a reaction on the field to their last game, a 5-1 derby drubbing from West Brom.

“We come in against a team who haven’t got a manager in place,” he said. “We have to expect one may be on the sidelines on Saturday, and that would give an impact to Wolves.

“More importantly, regardless to what’s happening at Wolves, a win would leave us in fifth place.”

]]> 1.4271295 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:31:38 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/easington_colliery_well_worth_a_shock_point_1_4271300

EASINGTON Colliery produced the shock result of the season in the STL Northern League Second Division when they held second-top Gillford Park to a draw in Carlisle last night, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Paul Adamson’s bottom-of-the-table side were unquestionably the underdogs, having conceded 89 goals in 27 games, but the Colliers upset the form book with a tremendous battling performance earning a fully-deserved point.

Easington rocked the hosts by taking a 40th-minute lead as Peter Crawford’s fierce shot gave keeper Ian Milburn no chance.

Gillford mounted a wave of attacks, but the Easington defence, and goalkeeper Tom Courtney in particular, withstood all that was thrown at them until Matthew Lea claimed a late equaliser.

Brandon United are fourth bottom after losing 4-2 at Thornaby, who went three up inside 52 minutes. Scott Hind and Mark Ferguson notched for Brandon, who had Mark Brischuk sent off n.

Hebburn moved into the top six when Paul King and Alex Benjamin sank Whickham 2-0.

In Division One, Sunderland RCA climbed to second place, only a point behind West Auckland, after winning 2-0m at Marske United.

Adam McGuinness fired Neil Hixon’s side in front on 52 minutes before Joe Walton converted a penalty clincher.

John Campbell’s brace gave West Auckland a 2-1 win over Ashington, with Phil Bell replying.

Spennymoor are third and Whitley Bay fourth, despite crashing 1-0 to visitors Shildon last night, Chris Hunter grabbing a stoppage-time winner.

Dunston UTS remain fifth but they lost ground when Bedlington Terriers forced a 1-1 draw. The hosts relied on Andy Bulford to level Chris Carr’s opener.

Tow Law left it late before claiming a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Shields, who led courtesy of Stephen Ramsey until the 89th minute.

Mark Nixon levelled, then, in the last minute, Andrew Thompson’s deflected free-kick left keeper Jonathan Ball helpless.

Jarrow Roofing crashed 4-2 to resurgent Bishop Auckland, whose marksmen were Stephen Salvin, Darren Richardson, Craig Addison and Andrew Johnson. Chris Hughes and Anthony Myers replied.

]]> 1.4271300 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:30:40 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/washington_b_take_charge_in_hunt_for_title_1_4271278

WASHINGTON B are leading the way in the Second Division of the Westoe Removals Sunderland Snooker League.

They were dominant against Pennywell Comrades C, who have had a good run but are now starting to falter.

Washington are a point ahead of Cheema C, who maintained their high standard with a 5-0 win against Murton Officials, with Stephen Thompson having a 37 break in the pairs.

Glendale visited the Victory and enjoyed the hospitality by collecting four frames, with only the second between Alan Hough and Frank McParlin being close. Seaham Cons beat St Gabriel’s 3-2. They won the first two frames before Steve Hagel stopped the rot in fine style with a 68-14 success.

Gordon Elliott restored the lead before Long and Grimes took the pairs for the Saints.

Washington Snooker C registered a 5-0 win against Cheema B, but two of the frames could have gone either way, with John Hall only beating Kevin Hunter 44-42 and Derek Collins winning on a re-spotted black against Rab Cheema.

Biddick B had a tough game against local rivals Washington Union and eventually won 3-2.

Fortune seems to be with Whitburn as they continue to dominate the First Division with their rivals falling by the wayside.

A 5-0 win against Mill View B was not a true reflection of the game as Mill View had chances in two of the frames.

Steve Chandler had the early lead before Derek White came back with two breaks of 20 to claim the result.

Phil Freeman had a 39 break in the fourth before Spruce and Davis lost 67-50 in the pairs to Garvin and Burdis.

In the match of the week, Green Baize beat Hylton after a terrific battle with both teams playing at the top of their form. Norman Leslie gave Hylton the early lead before the Baize took the next three to lead 3-1.

Hylton were not to be denied and took the pairs to restrict the defeat to 3-2.

The Avenue had a surprisingly good result against Seaham Knack, who did not appear to have some of their strongest players with them.

Gary Moore had a terrific win against a notable player, beating Gary Stockton 60-25.

Mark Fox, Emma Wilkinson and Bob Fisher took the next three singles before Moore and Wilkinson took the pairs 45-41 against Stockton and Dormand.

Steels started badly when losing the first two frames against Washington Snooker A before Neil McLaren pulled one back. Jason Dewar restored the lead in the fourth with Smith and Charlton winning the pairs 65-55 to keep the score a respectable 3-2.

Woodside B visited Pennywell Comrades B and had to be pleased with a 5-0 result. Tom Stavers showed some of his old form with a 66-33 success against Dean Taylor before Dave Manning ground out a result against Stu Taylor.

Ritchie Milner and Wayne Foreman took the next two singles and combined in winning the pairs.

Hylton B struggle to put out a regular team with so many of their players working away but held Biddick to a 3-2 defeat with a win in the second frame and the pairs. They played their postponed game against Pennywell A and won 4-1 but unfortunately had seven points deducted for not cancelling a match in the approved time.

H In the Handicap Singles, Tony Hazard of Farringdon beat Kevin Brown of Green Baize, while in the Open Singles Craig Kane of Green Baize beat Graham Rutland of Washington Snooker.

Gibson and Cowell had a good win in the pairs against Collins and Jeffrey of Washington Snooker, while Green Baize won in the Five-Man Team event and the Thee-Man against Cheema C.

SUNDERLAND Harriers will be involved in a part of cross-country history when they compete in the Saucony National Championships at London on Saturday.

This will be the 125th time that the senior men’s National has taken place and all finishers will receive a commemorative anniversary pin badge.

It is actually 136 years since the first championships were held at Buckhurst Hill, but there were gaps when the race was not held during the two world wars. The first championships ended in disarray when the whole field went off course!

Now it is regarded as one of the greatest cross-country races in the world and a total of 8,000 entries for all the events on the programme is up on previous years.

This is the 12th time that the National has been held at Parliament Hill Fields and the senior men’s race has attracted 2,906 entries.

“It is not a record but it is a continuing upward trend. It is our best entry since 2005,’’ said Ian Byett, the English Cross-Country Association secretary.

The handful of Sunderland senior runners that are expected to make the trip to Hampstead Heath to pick up their anniversary pin after the gruelling 12k race are Fred Judson, Alan Hodgson, David Savage, Dean Phillips, Craig Isherwood and Roy Baker.

Houghton Harriers have a sole representative in Kevin Daglish.

Sunderland brothers Patrick and Jack Martin compete for a strong Stockport Harriers team that will be contesting for a team medal. Patrick is expected to improve dramatically on his previous performance at Parliament Hill when he finished 94th three years ago. Jack makes his debut in the National. The Stockport team also includes defending champion Steve Vernon.

Durham City Harriers will be led by Dan Garbutt, Michael Crawley and Dan Jenkin.

Two interesting entries are that of brothers Alastair and Jonathan Brownlee. The Bingley Harriers are both contenders for medals in the triathlon at the London Olympics.

Sunderland also have James McAnaney, Ben Craig and Joel Jones making their National debut in the under-15 boys’ race and Michael Wilson is down for the under-17s.

H The new over-50 course record set by Sunderland Harriers in the Royal Signals North East Road Relay Championships at Hetton Lyons Country Park last Saturday could last just 12 months. There are moves afoot to reduce the six-stage relay to four legs and run the event alongside the women’s relay.

With a record entry of over 110 teams and 85 teams finishing the race, the relay became congested around the changeover zone. It will be proposed that the women’s and over-50 men’s relay should be combined with an earlier start before the senior men’s and veterans over-40 relay gets under way.

Brian Rushworth was the second fastest veteran on show at Hetton, clocking 11.29 – one second slower that North Shields athlete Iain Twaddle.

The next major road relays for clubs is the Northern 12-stage event and women’s six-stage at Sefton Park, Liverpool on Saturday, March 31.

H The North Eastern Counties Indoor track and field championships will be held at Gateshead this weekend. Sunderland Harrier Hollie Lancaster, fourth in the Northern 60m, competes again over the distance in the under-15 girls’ event.

Also included are under-20s Anthony Barnes, Samantha McKenzie.

Other sprinters include veterans Amanda Edwards, Sandra Jackson, Graham Lee and Steve Scott.

SEVERAL players from the Sunderland and District Table Tennis league helped Hartlepool win their division in the Senior British League.

Anthony and Graeme Barella, Dave Robson, Darren McVitie, Chris Blake, Ahmed Heykal and Andy Dryden combined as Hartlepool went undefeated in the campaign, winning 12 of their 14 matches and drawing the other two.

The matches were played over a four-month period in venues across the country including Derbyshire, Nottingham and Cambridgeshire.

This was a fantastic achievement with a very high standard of table tennis being played.

Hartlepool will now look to mount a sustained promotion push next season to help secure a place in the top division.

In Division One, Silksworth IM A and St Chad’s leapfrogged Thompson Insurance A, whose match with Redby CA A was postponed.

Silksworth had a fine 9-1 win over St Gabriel’s, with St Chad’s having an excellent 7-3 away win over West CA A.

Anthony and Graeme Barella were undefeated for Silksworth and combined to win the doubles.

They were supported by Bernie Morris, who had wins against Tom Bainbridge and Norman Pescod.

Keith Weatherby and Adam Curran both starred for St Chad’s by winning all of their sets against Anthony Ainsley, John Williamson and Mark Shingler.

Jimmy Scope eventually ensured a maximum four-point victory following his narrow 11-7 win over West’s Ainsley, to keep up St Chad’s title hopes.

Thompson Insurance B and Durham CA match ended in a 5-5 draw.

Colin Hunt remained unbeaten and combined with Stuart Anderson to win the doubles. Gavin Bestford secured a draw following a fine win over Shirley Gelder.

Lynn Herrington (2), Maurice Cheek (2) and Gelder (1) ensured Thompson’s received a point.

In Division Two, Sacriston St Bede’s A reinforced their lead at the top with a 6-4 win over second-top Mortimer CA.

Silksworth IM B remain in contention for the league title following their 6-4 win over St Gabriel’s B.

Dave Revell was man-of-the-match for St Gabriel’s having remained unbeaten throughout the match.

Silksworth’s Bickle (2), Howard Brown (2) and an excellent performance from George Carlyon (2) helped them to a 6-4 win.

The two remaining matches ended in a 6-4 win for Redby CA over West CA B and a 5-5 draw in the match between Sacriston St Bede’s B and Redby CA B.

West’s man-of-the-match was Michael Redfearn, who won two of his sets.

In Division Three, St. John’s B remain in pole position following their 9-1 win over Sacriston St Bede’s C.

Second-placed St John’s A had a comfortable 10-0 win over Lanchester CC.

Sacriston St Bede’s D won 8-2 against St John’s C.

TONY Mowbray hailed Marvin Emnes’s return to goalscoring form after the Dutch striker’s double fired Middlesbrough back into the Championship play-off places.

Emnes (pictured) ended his drought with a goal in Saturday’s win over Nottingham Forest – Boro’s first league victory in 2012 –- and struck twice more to help sink Millwall 3-1 at The Den last night.

“He’s been through a bit of a barren spell and lost his confidence but now he’s back,” said Boro manager Mowbray.

“We are delighted he’s back among the goals, we need him among the goals.”

Emnes had already put a simple header over the crossbar before he got off the mark in the 14th minute, touching in a volley from Rhys Williams.

There was a touch of fortune about Emnes’s first goal, but there was nothing lucky about his second in the 38th minute.

He collected Barry Robson’s pass 35 yards out, skipped past some weak challenges on the edge of the area and thumped a superb low shot past David Forde.

But Millwall pulled one back with their first effort on target just before the break when Darius Henderson headed home.

The goal, their first at home in the league since Boxing Day, fired up the Lions and they improved vastly after the break.

But they could not find a way past Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele and the visitors wrapped up the points through substitute Curtis Main’s first goal for the club four minutes before the end.

“Ultimately, we are pleased with the points,” said Mowbray.

“It’s not easy to come here, you always know you are going to get a game but we showed our quality and should have punished Millwall more, we had some amazing chances.

“But we saw two sides of the Middlesbrough team, the quality we possess but also the fighting spirit and the ability to dig in.”

Millwall remain three places and six points above the relegation zone and manager Kenny Jackett condemned their first-half display: “We were very poor, we were physically not strong enough and we got bullied.”

MILLWALL: Forde, Smith, Robinson, Lowry, Barron (Dunne 46), Feeney (Henry 85), Trotter, Wright (Abdou 46), Kane, Keogh, Henderson. Subs not used: Allsop, N’Guessan. Booked: Henderson, Wright, Trotter, Abdou. Goal: Henderson 43

MIDDLESBROUGH: Steele, Hoyte, Bates, Hines, Bennett, Haroun (Main 65), R Williams, Robson (McMahon 86), Arca, Jutkiewicz, Emnes (Smallwood 82). Subs not used: Ogbeche, Martin. Booked: R Williams, Bennett, Hines. Goals: Emnes 15, 38, Main 86. Att: 9,286.

Ref: James Linnington (Isle of Wight)

]]> 1.4271284 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:30:22 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/web_exclusive_gary_rowell_on_van_persie_cattermole_and_west_brom_1_4271318

WHEN the end of the season arrives and the time comes along to hand out the awards, Robin van Persie will be right up there with contenders for Player of the Year.

The Premier League’s top scorer, he has been superb, but against Sunderland in these last two games, he has barely had a kick.

And I think we ought to praise the work of John O’Shea and Michael Turner in particular in the way that they have largely nullified him as an attacking force.

While we’re on about it, we can also salute Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley for preventing danger from the wing play which tends to be so crucial to Arsenal’s game.

But the shackling of van Persie was arguably the key, particularly as he has been so prolific against Sunderland down the years.

Watching him in both games, you could clearly see he’s a Rolls Royce of a player and if he leaves the Emirates at the end of the season there will be no shortage of takers among the best clubs in Europe.

It wasn’t that he was out of form against Sunderland or wasn’t interested. He always looked dangerous, as his perfect through-ball for Gervinho in Arsenals’ best chance of the match on Saturday showed. It was just that O’Shea and Turner worked their socks to ensure he barely got a kick.

Great defending.

MENTION has to be made of the towering performance of Lee Cattermole in the weekend’s game against Arsenal.

He came into the side after an injury lay-off and was right on his game, leading from the front and helping ensure Arsenal never got control of the midfield.

The difference between him now and at the start of the season is that back then he seemed indisciplined, seemed to be trying too much to make the difference.

Now there’s a control in his play and his temperament that was lacking previously. He seems to have got his head right and looks focused on his responsibilities and what he can bring to the team.

For me, he was outstanding and not only did he play well himself, he was a tremendous influence on his team-mates.

He’s always going to pick up yellow cards because of the nature of the player he is and he will have to keep an eye on that. But as a driving force, there’s few better around when he’s on his game.

IT has been such an absorbing few days, with FA Cup victory and Niall Quinn departure, that you can almost be forgiven for forgetting that Sunderland are in league action.

They have the long away trip to the Baggies on Saturday but I expect fans to travel in good heart knowing that Sunderland are in a rich vein of form and West Brom – despite their 5-1 win over Wolves at Molineux on their last outing – have been one of the poorest teams in the Premier League at home this season.

It’s never easy going to the Hawthorns but Sunderland will feel they can nick something.

Round the corner is the return game against Newcastle United at the Sports Direct Arena and Sunderland will want to go into that game in good shape.

But they can only concentrate on the game in front of them and that means looking to continue with their good form in the West Midlands this weekend, putting any thoughts of the cup or derby out of their minds.

READ the full Gary Rowell column in today’s Echo

]]> 1.4271318 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:14 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/don_t_miss_the_etc_wedding_show_1_4273214

It is your big day and everything should be perfect. and at the etc Wedding Show we have everything to make sure your wedding is just that.

Taking place on Sunday, March 25 at the stunning Rockliffe Hall, a five-star hotel in Hurworth, near Darlington, the day will feature 30 handpicked exhibitors as well as a spectacular catwalk showcasing the latest bridal gown trends, mother-of-the bride must-haves and men’s formal wear.

etc editor, Georga Spottiswood, said: “It is every girl’s dream to have a fairytale wedding and the etc team has waved its magic wand to help make that happen.

“Our event will feature the crème de la crème of the wedding industry and there will be everything from cars and cakes to beauty tips and wedding hair ideas – all the essential ingredients to make sure your big day is one to remember.

“I cannot wait for this event, it is going to be amazing.”

Brides-to-be and their families will be given five-star treatment at the wedding show with a glass of champagne on arrival.

They will then get to browse the stands, visualise their wedding ceremony taking place in the elegant Old Hall or glass-roofed Victorian Orangery – which will be set up as if to host a civil wedding – then sit back and relax while etc puts on a glittering catwalk show.

The event will take place from 11am to 5pm, with visitors being allocated one of three times slots.

etc director, Linda Burnside, said: “From stunning wedding jewellery to chair covers, hats, fascinators and honeymoon ideas, there will be something for every bride at the etc wedding show.

“This is an exclusive event and tickets are limited, so I’d advise people to book early.

“The etc Wedding Show will be a hugely enjoyable experience – it is no ordinary wedding event.”

Sponsors of the etc Wedding Show are: Poppy Bridal, Hooker and Young, Stan Seaton Photography and Simply Bows and Chair Covers.

All will be there showing brides and grooms how to add the special touches to their day.

etc has also teamed up with many of the exhibitors to offer one lucky bride and groom the chance to win some amazing prizes. They will include bridal make-up for the bride on her big day, courtesy of Eve Beauty Darlington, and a honeymoon at Rockliffe Hall worth more than £1,000.

Tickets cost £7 and are pre-paid only. Call 0191 501 7114. For more information {http://www.etcnortheast.co.uk/etc-wedding-show|Click Here|Click here for more details on the Etc Wedding Show}

A COUNSELLOR employed to help vulnerable women in their homes sexually assaulted one of them.

Ronald Crangle encouraged the woman to drink, despite knowing she had a drink problem, and then groped and kissed her.

Durham Crown Court heard Crangle left the house without saying a word, then telephoned his employers Stonham Housing to say he was sick and would not be returning.

He no longer works for Stonham, which specialises in providing housing and support services to vulnerable people.

Prosecutor Richard Bennett told the jury: “You may feel Mr Crangle groomed his victim in that he first encouraged her partner to go out, leaving him alone with her.

“He encouraged her to drink and engage in sexualised talk.”

The jury heard four days of evidence from two alleged victims.

Proceedings were interrupted when the partner of one of the victims shouted “nonce” at Crangle, before leaving the witness box and refusing to give any more evidence.

Crangle, 64, of Kielder, Oxclose, Washington, denied four charges of sexual assault between October, 2008 and December, 2010.

The jury convicted him of one charge and found him not guilty of the other three charges.

The Recorder, Mr Adrian Waterman QC, adjourned passing sentence for the preparation of a probation report.

]]> 1.4271875 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:06:05 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/community_centres_fear_axe_in_durham_county_council_cuts_1_4271683

THE long-term future of some community centres across County Durham today hangs in the balance.

A funding pot of £2.15million has been put aside to invest in several centres as part of a two-year programme, which could also signal the end for some venues.

As part of the Durham County Council’s plan, a further £600,000 is to go into a support package to allow community groups to take control of facilities, with £280,000 ring-fenced for the next financial year to hand out in grants.

The proposals, which go before the authority’s cabinet next Wednesday, have been drafted following consultation on the 54 community rooms it manages and 66 centres already run by their communities, with more than 3,600 people having their say.

Further consideration will be given to the plans, with some centres getting cash, some transferred to a community group and others to remain open but go without investment.

Others could also be passed on to the community without investment or face closure and a number could be repaired and leased.

A list of 14 communal rooms, most linked to nearby housing, have been highlighted for closure.

Social landlords are being approached to discuss the possibility of taking on ownership of the spaces, which could free up £900,000 of the £2.15million destined to be reinvested in other community-managed buildings.

The council has said 40 different groups have voiced interest in taking on the responsibility for the venues, with more offers being welcome.

Assistant chief executive Lorraine O’Donnell said the council was taking a different approach to many authorities facing making savings by empowering communities to have their say.

She said: “The hard work starts here. If anyone is interested in supporting their local building, maybe volunteers at the moment, maybe they have some ideas on how it can keep going, there will be help to bring them into reality in the future.”

Parkside Community Centre, in Heathway, Seaham, is ranked first in the list for investment – Parkside People’s Centre, which is a short distance away, is among those to be transferred or closed.

Chairman of the community centre George Jane, said funds would be used to employ a centre manager, rather than any refurbishment of the building.

It has been without a manager since a worker in the post was moved on to another community project by the council.

The money it has coming in now goes to pay bills and cleaners, with a team of six volunteers running the facility.

Mr Jane said: “We don’t know how much money we could get, but we hope it’s enough for a centre manager, which would help the volunteers who have been running it since September.”

A full list of the categories is available on www.sunderlandecho.com

l For the full list of threatened community centres, go to sunderlandecho.com

Twitter: @EchoEastDurham

SUPPORTERS of a councillor suspended after an IRA Facebook row have set up an online campaign group – on the same website that landed her in trouble.

As reported in the Echo, Hetton councillor Florence Anderson was suspended from the Labour Party and is facing calls to resign after she “liked” a Facebook page calling for the IRA to bomb a Tory Party conference.

It was the second time Coun Anderson ended up in hot water over a gaffe on the social networking site.

In 2010 she made national headlines after posting she hoped Margaret Thatcher “burns in hell” while the former PM was ill in hospital.

Now 200 people have set up a “Click like to support Florence Anderson” Facebook group in support of the councillor, a former deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, and hit out at the Labour Party.

Left-wing Labour MP and former party leader contender John McDonnell is among those to have joined the group.

The group’s founders posted a statement they said was from Coun Anderson thanking people for their support.

It reads: “I cannot believe that a casual ‘like’ on an anti-Tory post – I do many of them – made on July 25 2010 which, in all honesty, I could not even remember, can now be used with such vehemence against me.

“All my life and my 40 years in the Labour Party have been spent striving for socialism, peace, justice and equality. I have opposed war and violence of thought or deed – I have never advocated bombings or assassinations.

“My ‘crime’ has been to click a ‘Like’ button on something ‘tongue-n-cheek’ and this witch-hunt and harassment is the result.

“As ever, ‘self-confessed socialist’ and Newcastle United supporter is attached to me by certain newspapers – yes these ‘charges’ I admit but ‘terrorism’ no.”

The Echo has tried several times to contact Coun Anderson, but she has not been available for comment.

Sunderland City Council has not received any complaints about Coun Anderson.

Other members of the group include Sunderland Labour Party activist Bob Price, prominent Greens Shirley Ford and Jack McGlen, Sunderland Against the Cuts organiser Gary Duncan and Luna17 blogger Alex Snowdon.

Both Mr Snowdon and Mr Duncan were themselves expelled from their own party – the Socialist Worker Party (SWP) – over internal differences.

Mr Duncan said: “I think we should spare a thought for how Florence will be feeling towards her own party at the moment.

“I know what it’s like to feel the wrath of a party leadership that turns against you. I can honestly say that my expulsion from the SWP was one of the most devastating, demoralising and depressing events of my life and it took some time to get over.”

Coun Anderson, who led the Eppleton Area Miners’ Wives Support Group during the strikes of 1984, is also among members of the group.

On Sunderland City Council she has chaired a number of committees and is the only woman ever to have served as deputy leader of the authority.

Her Facebook page lists revolutionary Che Guevara, former Cuban president Fidel Castro and her father as inspirational people in her life.

Twitter: @Pressbench

IT’S the day Simone Clark has been praying for – her baby’s safe return home after a desperate battle with meningitis.

The 19-year-old and partner Josh Merrington, 18, were struck by near-tragedy when their newborn daughter Lillia nearly died when she stopped breathing.

The Southwick couple could only watch helplessly as their baby battled the killer bug, spending the first two weeks of her life in a high-dependency unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Now, more than 13 weeks after her birth, Lillia is finally back home after winning her fight for survival.

“We’re so happy she’s back,” said Simone. “It’s a day we feared we would never see.

“She was in such a terrible state when she stopped breathing at home and was rushed into hospital.

“She also developed an infection, which made it even worse.

“She has been through so much.”

However, Simone, who lost twins in a miscarriage at the beginning of last year, and Josh now face an agonising wait to discover the scale of Lillia’s disabilities.

She has already been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy and fluid on the brain.

“It will be quite a while before we know what problems she will have,” said Simone.

“There is no way to tell how severe the cerebral palsy will be, whether it will affect her walking or mobility. We still have to go to hospital for weekly appointments and we have a community nurse visit us twice a week.”

Following emergency treatment to bring her back to life, Lillia underwent a series of tests, which later revealed she had meningitis.

After being admitted to hospital, she was initially given a 50-50 chance of survival.

“We’ve been given so much support,” said Simone. “The hospital staff have been fantastic. Everybody has been amazing.”

It is understood Lillia, who was born weighing 6lbs 1/2oz on November 23, developed meningitis after unwittingly being passed Group B Streptococcus from her mum. About one third of adults carry the bacteria, although for most it doesn’t usually cause problems and most babies will remain unharmed if their mother is infected.

However, for some tots it can be deadly, causing early birth, stillbirth, late miscarriage and complications.

Up to a third of babies who survive meningitis are left with long-term mental and physical problems, which can include sight and hearing loss and lung damage.

“We are just hoping the disability won’t be severe,” added Simone. “She is now feeding from a bottle, which we’ve been told is a good sign.”

Twitter: @sunderlandecho

SUNDERLAND AFC star Nicklas Bendtner has been banned from driving for 56 days and fined £660 after admitting speeding at nearly 104mph in his Porsche.

The Danish striker was late for a flight from Newcastle Airport when he was caught by a Northumbria Police traffic officer on the A696 dual carriageway, which has a 70mph limit, last December.

Bendtner, on loan at Sunderland for a year from Arsenal, did not appear before Newcastle magistrates for yesterday’s hearing.

The court was told the 24-year-old was in Denmark for “contractual obligations”.

He was deemed not to be absent from court because he was legally represented at the hearing.

Sarah Robinson, prosecuting, said Bendtner was spotted driving his convertible Porsche 911 Turbo. He was measured to be driving at 103.6mph for 0.137miles at 10.53am on Saturday, December 10.

Turn to Page 3

Barry Warburton, defending, said: “I understand he was going to Newcastle Airport. He was slightly late for a flight and unfortunately he was speeding.

“It was a Saturday morning, there was very little traffic on the road and weather conditions were fine.”

Addressing the bench, he added: “Not withstanding the fact he is in Denmark, he has been absolutely no trouble to anybody. In my respectful submission, your public duty can be discharged by treating him with leniency.”

The solicitor said his client had “substantial” disposable income and could pay the fine immediately with a credit card.

Chairman of the bench Edward Wardrobe imposed a 56-day driving ban, and fined the footballer £660, plus £30 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

No penalty points were added to the three Bendtner has on his licence.

In 2009, his father Thomas said his son was “lucky” to escape with only cuts and bruises after crashing his Aston Martin on the way to training. A photograph of the written-off sports car showed it had been badly mangled.

Bendtner was engaged to Baroness Caroline Luel-Brockdorff, a wealthy member of the Danish royal family and the mother of his child. They split soon after the birth of their son in December 2010.

The striker is currently playing in a mask after suffering a broken nose. It has been customised to include his initials, the “52” shirt number and the Danish flag.

Bendtner was ineligible to play for Sunderland in the win against Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday and he was caught by TV cameras watching the game wearing a trilby.

]]> 1.4271428 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:46:13 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/gary_rowell_quinn_exit_is_a_blow_to_sunderland_1_4271303

I WAS shocked and a bit disappointed by the news this week that Niall Quinn had left Sunderland for good.

His impact on the club has been astonishing, probably as much as any individual in the club’s history because he has been player, manager, chairman, director – it wouldn’t surprise me if he also found time to fix the plumbing and do the electrics!

His influence on the course of Sunderland Football Club has been immense and he is right up there with the most iconic figures the club has ever been associated with.

His commitment to Sunderland was total and was emphasised by the fact that he didn’t just come to the club.

He came back. And he came back when there was no pressure or demand for him to do so.

If you show fans you genuinuely love the club, they will always take you to their hearts.

And that’s what fans did with Quinny.

No one has ever connected with the fans, in my opinion, as well as he has done.

He said the right things and did the right things and the supporters believed in him and were proud of him.

Now he’s gone, the fans will only wish him well. But it’s a difficult one to take.

I personally wish he had stayed on to the summer because things have become really exciting at Sunderland right now and I felt no one deserved to be more a part of that, and to enjoy it, more than Quinny.

Fans have been living in dreamland since Martin O’Neill’s arrival and are still dreaming that the season can see more progress made in the league and in the FA Cup. If there’s a few more glory days just around the corner before the end of the campaign, I can’t help feeling Niall had every right to be basking in them.

For half-a-decade or more, Niall has been the figure-head of the club, the person the fans have latched on to and identified with and it is going to feel very different with him not being around – even given the fact he’d scaled back his public profile dramatically when he stepped down as chairman last October.

It’s going to be a gap the club should not expect to plug, simply because I don’t think there’s a better public face for a club in football than Quinny.

Looking back at his time at the club, his legacy is assured.

He could have left the club for good as a player and he would still have been a legend to fans but in many ways his playing days marked only the beginning of his time here.

Sunderland was in his blood and he organised the takeover with a vision of what he wanted to achieve. It’s doubtful whether the consortium would have succeeded quite as well as it did, had it not been fronted by Niall.

The momentum the club gathered at times was astonishing and it’s hard to think of anyone who has had such an effect. There have been great players before at Sunderland but great players hardly ever end up in the club’s boardroom as chairman later.

The position of football club chairman is one where, the most you can realistically hope for is to be respected. Some, a very few, are loved.

Quinny managed both at Sunderland and that’s probably the ultimate measure of the man.

READ the full column in today’s Echo

]]> 1.4271303 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:30:40 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/gardner_has_no_issue_with_sunderland_boss_o_neill_despite_villa_sale_1_4271330

CRAIG GARDNER holds no grudges against Martin O’Neill for selling him while manager of Aston Villa.

And now the midfielder is glad to be part of the new Sunderland boss’s plans second time around.

Gardner was just a young player coming through the ranks at Villa Park when he was allowed to move on to Birmingham City in a deal worth £3million in January 2010.

The move worked out for the then 23-year-old who went on to become a first-team regular at St Andrews, scoring 10 goals in 37 appearances for the Blues last season, as well as being part of the team that won the Carling Cup.

And O’Neill has gone on record recently saying Gardner has improved as a player since he was last under his charge.

O’Neill (pictured below) said: “It was tough for Craig at Villa because he had a string of full England internationals ahead of him at the time.

“But he has benefited from playing regularly since then and he is a better player now.”

Gardner, though, says that he was the author of his own exit at Villa Park, revealing: “To be honest, I’ve read a bit about the gaffer selling me previously, but it doesn’t really paint the full picture.

“The truth is I wanted to leave, I was desperate to go because I wasn’t getting games and that’s why I was allowed to move – I was pestering him every day about going because I wanted to play football.

“The gaffer didn’t want me to leave, but I needed to go because I knew that reserve-team football was no longer any good for me if I was going to develop as I wanted to.”

Gardner had seen enough of the Northern Irishman, though, to know that he would love to play for him again and he has enjoyed seeing his team-mates at Sunderland begin to appreciate the abilities of the new manager.

“The way he turned Aston Villa around was unbelievable and the way he has turned Sunderland around is unbelievable,” mused the 25-year-old, who cost the Black Cats £5million last summer.

“Some people say he’s a genius, some people say he’s lucky; but he can’t be lucky because he does it every time.

“He’s just a top bloke and a top, top manager.”

]]> 1.4271330 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:24:12 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sunderland_s_sessegnon_called_up_by_benin_ahead_of_newcastle_derby_1_4271325

STEPHANE Sessegnon faces a return trip to Africa just days before next week’s Tyne-Wear derby.

The Sunderland hitman (pictured) has been named in the 17-man Benin squad for Wednesday’s African Cup of Nations qualifier in Ethiopia.

While many of Sunderland’s squad are on international duty next week, the Black Cats will be sweating on the condition of the ever-present Sessegnon.

The 27-year-old former Paris St Germain man has emerged as the key figure for the Wearsiders this season and Sunderland will be desperate for him to play a pivotal part in the trip to the Sports Direct Arena on Sunday, March 4.

Newcastle have similar worries of their own though, with January signing Papiss Demba Cisse selected in the Senegal squad for a qualifier in South Africa.

But Cisse’s domestic and international strike partner Demba Ba has been left out of the squad.

WEST BROM midfielder Paul Scharner is expected to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Sunderland after failing to recover from a rib injury.

The influential Austrian was forced off at half-time in West Brom’s last outing at Wolves and is almost certain to miss the encounter with the Black Cats due to sore ribs.

Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews, who joined the Baggies from Blackburn in January, is on stand-by to make his first start in place of Scharner.

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson said: “Paul Scharner’s injured. He’s still recovering with the rib problem from the Wolves game.

“Ribs are difficult things. It’s painful but he’s getting better. But how long it’ll take, I don’t know.”

Ireland striker Shane Long is fit to face Martin O’Neill’s side, while former Middlesbrough winger Chris Brunt is due to return to full training this week after an ankle injury, although he may not be involved at the weekend.

“When he comes back to training we will see how he is,” said Hodgson. “He has been out for quite a while, so it would be foolish to put a date or time on it.”

SUNDERLAND’S international ambitions won’t be derailed by the departure of Niall Quinn.

And raising its profile on the world stage will continue to be one of the club’s key strategies.

Sunderland announced Quinn’s exit from the club on Monday after the popular Irishman decided to leave his role as Director of International Development.

Quinn’s work will be continued by Mike Farnan, who was appointed as the club’s international and national marketing director in August last year.

That appointment signalled the club’s intent to seriously challenge the big names in football, with Farnan having great experience in sports marketing, including involvement with Manchester United and Formula One.

Chief executive Margaret Byrne said: “Sunderland will always be a club fiercely proud of its roots and local supporter base but to truly grow and progress we need to be looking at the bigger picture.

“Improving our standing internationally, and of course the subsequent rewards that this could bring, has been a key focus for us for some time now and that work naturally will continue.”

Trips in recent months to Korea and Ghana have sparked huge interest in Sunderland and Farnan will look to build on that in those countries as well as spreading the name of Sunderland elsewhere around the world.

“Global branding and recognition on an international platform isn’t something that is easy to achieve, nor can it be done overnight,” he said.

“It’s a gradual process that takes some time to gain momentum.

“However, in a short period, we are already seeing the groundwork we have undertaken starting to produce significant dividends.

“Recent visits Korea have seen our profile in the country increase dramatically in recent months and we’re building links with both the football and business communities.

“Ji Dong-won’s last minute goal against Manchester City created headlines around the world and that game was also broadcast in Swahili by the BBC World Service to over 25 million listeners across Africa.”

AL-AIN coach Cosmin Olaroiu is confident Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan will convert his loan deal into a permanent move during the summer.

The Black Cats hitman has proved a success in the Middle East since joining the United Arab Emirates side last September – his 10 goals helping Al-Ain to the top of their domestic league.

Al-Ain are keen to keep Gyan, pictured, when his season-long loan expires and will attempt to agree a permanent switch with Sunderland at the end of the campaign.

Olaroiu said: “If you ask me for my opinion if Gyan wants to stay in Al Ain, it is yes, but it is left for him to decide if he want to stay or not.

“From what I know about him and the way he acts, I know he feels good about this place.

“He is getting on well with the team, with us, the club management and with everybody around him.

“Gyan obviously is an important player for us. He is not only scoring for us but also creates scoring opportunities for the others and most importantly, he motivates the other players.”

Sunderland would not be averse to offloading Gyan despite the 26-year-old making just 31 appearances for a club he joined for a fee potentially reaching £13million in the summer of 2010.

Gyan, who has decided to temporarily retire from international football after missing a penalty in the African Cup of Nations semi-final, left Sunderland in the lurch in September when his attempts to orchestrate a move away finally resulted in a lucrative switch to Al-Ain.

Sunderland were well compensated with a £6million loan fee and would again demand a significant figure if they were to let Gyan leave, with another two years left to run on his contract at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill is yet to work with the former Udinese hitman, but admitted earlier this month that he was well aware of Al-Ain’s eagerness to land the striker.

“There has to be some agreement between all three parties before anything materialises,” said O’Neill.

“I think the club that he is playing for are pretty anxious to buy him.”

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger is chasing Ghana defender Daniel Opare, who has impressed at Standard Liege this season – the Sun

Liverpool are thought to be one of three clubs in the hunt for Herta Berlin midfielder Raffael – talkSPORT

Manchester City could move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain in the summer – Daily Mail

Napoli hitman Edinson Cavani has targeted a summer move to the Premier League, which could spark interest from Chelsea despite last night’s defeat in the Champions League – Evening Standard

Arsenal are prepared to re-open contract negotiations with Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie – Metro

Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in Werder Bremen attacking midfielder Marko Marin – Footylatest

AN aspiring young journalist who was once homeless landed an interview with a stage star.

Stephen Kimberley, who lives at the Salvation Army’s Swan Lodge in Sunderland, was given the chance to grill actor Sean Jones, who plays Mickey in Blood Brothers.

Sean, one of the show’s troubled twins, agreed to pay a visit to the centre in High Street East and spent time with staff and residents.

It was a dream come true for Stephen, 24, who is writing up the interview for the Salvation Army’s in-house magazine.

He said: “I asked about his life and a couple of questions about Blood Brothers and asked for his views on homelessness.

“Some of his friends had been homeless, so he had experienced it through them.

“He was very interesting and down-to-earth and friendly.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, so I just went with the flow.”

At 21, Stephen found himself without a roof over his head after his mum died.

The local authority where they had been living refused to let him take over the tenancy and he was forced to sleep on friends’ settees.

But after being found a place with the Salvation Army, he was able to start turning his life around.

Stephen, 24, now has a job at a city centre pub and goes to college in Shiney Row. He is hoping to land a place at university in York to study social sciences and journalism.

Managers at Swan Lodge contacted the production company for Blood Brothers, which visited the Sunderland Empire, who agreed to set up the meeting after discovering Stephen’s passion for journalism.

“They are very encouraging and keep pushing me to keep going with my course and encouraging me to do my degree,” he said.

“If I hadn’t come to Swan Lodge I’d probably be doing nothing, to be honest – just moving from house to house and having a fair bit to drink, going down the wrong path.”

Swan Lodge manager Christine Tait said: “We were absolutely bowled over by Sean visiting the centre, as he had such a busy schedule.

“It was a dream come true for Stephen who wanted to interview one of the stars from Blood Brothers.

“Sean expressed his interest in homelessness and said ‘it’s very humbling what people like you do for those in need, you should be proud’.”

Twitter: @janethejourno

RHYS Williams has handed Middlesbrough a welcome boost heading into tonight’s game at Millwall after committing his long-term future to the club.

The 23-year-old penned a new four-and-a-half year deal yesterday to end speculation linking him with a move away from the Riverside Stadium.

Williams has caught the eye for Tony Mowbray’s men this season and his ability to operate in both the middle of midfield and at centre-back had made him a target for Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers among others.

But the Australia international believes he can achieve his career goals on Teesside.

“I’ve always said I wanted to stay,” he said. “I’m happy here and that’s the main thing. I’m settled and get on well with the manager and the lads.

“I’ve no reason to leave except for my dream of playing in the Premier League – and I want to get there with his club.

“My fiancée has settled here, I know the town and have a lot of friends here. I couldn’t be happier, to be honest.”

Williams only returned to action towards the back end of last season after a long-standing pelvic problem had ruled him out of the 2010 World Cup.

But the Boro Academy graduate has not looked back since and is now one of the first names on Mowbray’s team-sheet.

And he added: “The manager knows what I’m capable of and what I’m not so good at. He sees me as a vital player. I don’t want to leave and be a squad player somewhere else, I want to be hopefully a major player for this club.

“He’s shown a lot of faith bringing in Jukey (Lukas Jutkiewcz) and trying to bring more players in. He’s trying to build something here and I want to be a part of that.”

And Mowbray, too, is delighted with Williams’ decision to remain on Teesside.

“Rhys is an important cog as we move forward trying to build a team to get us into the Premier League,” he said.

“This is an important statement from the club to try to tie down one of the players we feel we can move forward with.”

Boro return to action at the New Den this evening after a free weekend because of FA Cup fixtures and Nicky Bailey (ankle) could make the substitutes bench following a lengthy lay-off.

A victory could take them back into the play-off zone having slipped to eighth over the weekend.

Kenny Jackett’s Lions were beaten 2-0 by Bolton in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie.

SUNDERLAND RCA are gearing up to make a push for the STL Northern League championsip and promotion to the Evo-Stik League Division One North.

Manager Neil Hixon recently boosted his squad by bringing in two experienced players and he is now tracking a striker.

He said: “Just before Saturday’s game with Tow Law Town, we signed Craig James from Bedlington Terriers.

“He’s a defender and last season captained Harrogate Town. He has also been with Sunderland, Darlington and Hibs, so he’s got bags of experience.

“I also managed to agree a month-long loan deal with Gateshead for Robert Briggs, who plays in centre midfield.

“Both lads impressed at the weekend and now I’m hoping to boost our strike force by signing a player who is currently playing in the STL.”

Tonight, the Wearsiders travel to Marske United, never a happy hunting ground for Hixon.

RCA are second, just a point behind West Auckland Town who could find it tricky at home to Ashington.

Both sides were involved in gruelling FA Carlsberg Vase ties at the weekend and Hixon will be hoping that West, in particular, feel the pressure of playing twice in four days.

Whitley Bay, winners of the Vase in the last three seasons, were knocked out and will now concentrate on winning the title.

They are fourth, equal on points with third-placed Spennymoor Town.

Whitley host Shildon while Dunston UTS are the other team involved in a five-horse race for the championship.

Dunston coasted into the quarter-finals of the Vase and manager Billy Irwin insists his players will not be distracted when they meet Bedlington Terriers twice this week, starting at the UTS Stadium tonight.

He said: “We want promotion and therefore cannot take our foot off the pedal in the league. We’ve got to get six points on the board before we visit Peterbrough Northern Star a week on Saturday.”

Two sides in the bottom three will be fighting for points in a bid to avoid the drop.

Jarrow Roofing, winners over Stokesley SC on Saturday, face a tough task at home to Bishop Auckland.

Roofing boss Richie McLoughlin has three players doubtful and will need to check the availability of Kevin Davison, Chris Hughes and Danny Carson before finalising his squad.

Tow Law Town are second from the basement and although well clear of Stokesley SC, are 11 points adrift of Penrith, who are just outside the relegation zone.

The Lawyers are at home to South Shields.

In Division Two, Easington Colliery could hardly face a more daunting task than taking on Gillford Park in Carlisle.

Although the Colliers experienced a rare success on Saturday, Gillford have been rampant recently and moved into second place when they scored seven times against Thornaby on Saturday.

Easington general manager Andy Colledge reports that James Huntley has asked to go on the transfer list.

“SCARY, bonkers, yet really quite fabulous”.

That was the feedback retail expert Mary Portas gave to a town’s bid to attract her expertise.

The journalist and high street guru has been called on to help Seaham become one of 12 Portas Pilot areas.

The scheme invites towns to bid for a share of £1million to improve its stores and experience it offers shoppers.

It is part of Government plans to try and pull shopping areas back from the brink.

Mary, who has featured in a host of prime-time television programmes, has been tasked to lend her experience to the project.

Seaham’s bid will be submitted at the end of March, with support being encouraged from shops and their customers as well as town leaders, schools, community groups and other commercial ventures across the area.

After spotting the Echo’s story about the project on Friday, Mary Portas wrote on social networking site Twitter: “Scary, bonkers yet really quite fabulous” which went on to spark replies from businessman Carl Hopkins, who has continued to support the area after spending time in Easington as he was filmed for Channel 4 programme Secret Millionaire.

He told her: “Please go to Seaham and Easington to help them. I was there undercover, lovely people.”

Fellow followers Isobel Bailey, tweeting under the name @izzybbb, added: “Seaham is a lovely little town shops are struggling to survive there.

“The local luxury hotel and spa is amazing. Come to Seaham!,” while Daniel Wilson, who writes under the name @Drwilcouk, said: “I second this. I did my dissertation on the regeneration of Seaham. We need help from you Mary!”

The launch of the effort, which is being masterminded by Seaham Business Forum, also attracted comments to our website, sunderlandecho.com, including calls for Mary to visit Sunderland too.

Seaham looks set to go up against places including Hull, Redditch, Lowestoft, Gainsborough, and Broadstairs.

Steph Guidi, of Crazy Clearance in Church Street, is rallying round the former colliery town and Seaham Business Forum is meeting at 6pm in the Duke of Wellington pub in South Railway Street tomorrow, to discuss the campaign, with everyone welcome.

On hearing of Mary’s tweet, she said: “It’s excellent.”

Twitter: @EchoEastDurham

A SINGLE mum who left another woman scarred after throwing a glass has escaped a jail sentence.

Stevie Smith threw the glass at Chelsea Mills’ face, slicing the skin on her nose, after an argument between two groups of girls in a bar, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Smith, 19, was out with friends at Arizona bar in Sunderland when a fight broke out between two girls from each party.

Bridie Smurthwaite, prosecuting, said: “An altercation started between two girls.

“Matters were triggered when one of the complainant’s friends ‘bumped into’ one of the defendant’s friends.

“After Miss Mills apologised, the defendant suggested that they go outside for a fight but Miss Mills declined.

“A drink was thrown over her, and thereafter the defendant threw a glass towards her.”

The victim, who was 18 at the time, turned her face and closed her eyes as the glass was thrown.

The court heard how the glass shattered when it was thrown.

She suffered a cut to the left side of the tip of her nose, which required six stitches,

Smith was identified to police outside the bar, and subsequently arrested and interviewed.

Ms Smurthwaite said: “In her own words, Smith had consumed ‘loads of alcohol’ on the night in question.

“On a scale of drunkenness, from one to 10, she gave herself a seven.”

In a victim personal statement, read out in court, Miss Mills said: “This incident has left me upset.

“I’m not a trouble maker and I do not go out looking for a fight. I feel scared and my self-confidence has been knocked because of the cut on my nose.”

Appearing in court, Smith, who is four months pregnant, pleaded guilty to one count of actual bodily harm.

Alec Burns, mitigating said: “She is not a young lady who goes out drinking often.

“She is a single mother and spends all of her time looking after her child. She is currently four months pregnant with another on the way.”

Smith, of Southwick Road, Sunderland, was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for the incident in January.

She was also given a 12-month supervision order and a five-month prohibition order preventing her from drinking in licensed premises.

Passing sentence, Judge Roger Thorn said: “The order I have given requires you to be adult and to grow up.

“You won’t get another chance like this.”

Twitter: @Sunderlandecho

]]> 1.4269369 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:14:28 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/meccano_dalek_among_striking_structures_at_model_exhibition_1_4269337

MECCANO madness hit Monkwearmouth Station Museum as it was taken over by giant Daleks, London buses and more.

Volkswagen Beetles, a Tardis, trains and fairground rides were also among the creations on display as the North East Meccano Society took over the venue, attracting more than 700 visitors.

Children were encouraged to take part in drop-in sessions at the museum where they could make moving models with construction toy KNEX.

Jo Cunningham, manager of Sunderland Museums, said: “It’s always a great day when these amazing models are at the museum, and I think the parents have as much fun as our little visitors.

“Big thanks to the North East Meccano Society for coming to spend the day at the museum and bringing their wonderful creations for us all to enjoy.”

The event was part of a half-term programme of free events for families that the learning team at the museum are leading.

Children could also borrow Station Backpacks – a backpack full of fun art activities and trails to explore the museum.

Families can also visit the new Wagon Shed, complete with two immaculately restored railway wagons, a suspended miniature train set, new interactives and a 1963 classic Rover P4 car.

SUNDERLAND defender Marcos Angeleri is continuing his recovery from a second knee operation.

The Argentine defender, restricted to just two Sunderland appearances since his £1.5million arrival from Estudiantes in the summer of 2010, went under the surgeon’s knife during the summer after previously undergoing an operation in his homeland at the tail end of last season.

Angeleri was expected to be ruled out for the bulk of the current campaign and O’Neill confirmed the 28-year-old is continuing his rehabilitation.

“It must be so frustrating when you’re out with such a long-term injury,” added O’Neill.

NIALL Quinn’s leaving of the club yesterday could hardly have been in greater contrast to that of his arrival as new Sunderland chairman in 2006.

Standing, arms aloft in front of the West Stand a little under half-a-dozen years ago, trademark grin on his face as the massed ranks of cameras clicked; happily accepting the well wishes of elated fans, you could almost feel the optimism starting to flow up the Wear with each passing minute.

The warm July sunshine which beamed down only heightened the sense of a new dawn following the completion of the cash-rich Drumaville Consortium’s takeover.

And rarely can a new dawn have been more badly needed.

Sunderland’s relegation in May that year – their third in the space of a decade had been accomplished on the back of a Premier League record low points total: a shameful 15 points.

Quinn’s predecessor, Bob Murray, had delivered the Stadium of Light to Sunderland. The Academy of Light too. He had been a safe pair of hands as chief custodian over the course of two decades and supervised the successful switch from Roker Park.

But by that summer he was unable to maintain the club’s top flight presence and was weary of the continual criticism which came his way.

He was replaced by not only the youngest chairman in the club’s history by some distance, but also its most articulate.

Once upon a time, Quinny had played a good game for Sunderland. Now he talked one. And his enthusiasm was infectious.

It’s easy to forget how low spirits Sunderland had sunk that May.

And despite Quinn’s arrival, things were not helped by first-choice Martin O’Neill’s decision to turn the manager’s job down and Quinn making a poor start after appointing himself boss.

He was not helped by players lacking confidence or interest, but the shock appointment of Manchester United legend Roy Keane produced blast-off for the club as the c onsortium’s cash kicked in.

Sunderland have barely looked back since as the club pushed on towards the goal of achieving its original five-year plan – Sunderland’s promotion, the club’s establishment in the Premier League and eventual pursuit of European places.

The consortium were no longer in charge and Keane had left too, before that target was in sight.

But on the eve of his departure, Niall Quinn can take enormous satisfaction from the fact that Sunderland are looking over into the Promised Land he sought so passionately for them.

READ the full feature in today’s Echo

Q I UNDERSTAND that Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is changing. Will this mean a “witch hunt” on all receiving it or will everyone be given a medical examination?

Anon

A FROM April next year, DLA will be replaced by the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which has different entitlement criteria.

From autumn next year those on DLA and aged between 16 and 64, even those on lifetime awards, will be re-assessed for a PIP.

For most people this will mean a face-to-face consultation with an independent medical professional, but there will be exceptions decided on a case-by-case basis.

It is likely that many people who currently get DLA will not be eligible for PIP.

The Government wants a 20 per cent cut in DLA spending and under PIP there will be no equivalent of the low rate of DLA for care.

Q WE are both in our 70s with four-weekly State Pensions of £743.36 and £298.36 plus my private pension of £28.15 a month. Are we entitled to any benefits?

Mr and Mrs D. (Fulwell)

A YOU appear to be entitled to Pension Credit (Savings Credit) of about £4.21 a week and Council Tax Benefit that would reduce your Council Tax to about £356 a year. That makes about £16 a week, backdated for three months.

Q SINCE being made redundant in August I have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), but this has been stopped because the Jobcentre says I have refused to apply for three jobs.

I have appealed and claimed hardship payments while I wait for the hearing, but the Jobcentre says they need to see my dad’s payslips and bank statements.

I live with him and his wages are keeping me and my disabled brother. What has his income got to do with my claim?

Distressed Jobseeker

A HARDSHIP payments do not have entitlement rules like other benefits.

They are only payable if the decision-maker thinks the person will suffer hardship without them.

So any money that may be available to you is taken into account. This includes help from people you live with.

Unless there was reason for doubt, however, I do not see why they could not have taken your word about your dad’s income.

CHEAP and nasty. That’s the reality TV show a Sunderland couple allowed their family to be sucked into.

What is the matter with people that they so carelessly expose themselves to being part of such muck?

It’s positively pathetic that any parents would take part in what is all too predictably going to show them and their daughter up by agreeing to spy on her on her first summer holiday abroad without them.

Of course they knew she would make an exhibition of herself and 20-year-old Lyndsey Cooper did not disappoint the programme makers of Sun Sex and Suspicious Parents in Ayia Napa, that hotbed of hedonism.

As sick as it was saddening to see, party animal Lyndsey making a bid to be the slapper of Ayia Napa, getting a vajassle, balloons of laughing gas and so drunk to behave like an alley cat, it was pitiful and so wrong that her parents wanted to set her up and be involved in such a programme.

This BBC 3 show strikes at the very heart of family life – trust. Its cheap and nasty concept is that parents of youngsters follow them abroad and secretly watch their antics. Shock, horror for mothers and fathers.

Lyndsey’s mam Debs and her dad Graham must be regretting ever taking part and exposing themselves and their daughter. “Do you trust your kids?” is what this show trades on. “Do you think I trust you two after this? I don’t f...... think so,” was Lyndsey’s furious reaction when she discovered the deceit. And she stormed off with, “You have made a mug of me in the process.”

Anyone who gets involved in this programme is being made a mug of and a first-rate one at that.

Debs took her daughter’s tirade philosophically, saying “Not going to be trusted again. I can live with that. I’ll have to, until she comes round.” But Lyndsey at that moment was incensed, telling her pals, “Do they really expect me to trust them after this. They’ve got nae chance.”

It’s one thing wanting your children, as Debs does, to be able to stand on their own two feet and quite another following them and spying on them. Whether or not the Cooper’s have “come round” doesn’t change the fact one iota that what they held dear – a relationship of trust - was broken. And for what? Cheap telly.

Knowing her only child so well, Debs quipped as she helped Lyndsey pack her case for the off, “I might even go as far as putting a chastity belt in.” Along with the super noodles and Cup a Soup she wanted Lyndsey to take.

What she wanted most of all for her daughter was this: “I would like her to keep her respect and dignity.”

Sadly that’s what they didn’t put a high enough price on as parents.

They were prepared to risk that which is so precious – the regard your children hold you in. We all have to earn their respect and that comes in keeping our dignity.

What does Lyndsey think today? On Twitter she tweeted “alexstandfordx well hello there my fellow napa slappa!!!!Sun Sex and Suspicious Parents has officially ruined our lives. Laughing my a... off!”

Funny or what? How serious she is, is an open question. But one things for sure, this episode was no laughing matter.

A MAN has admitted killing a grandfather with a bat in a “moment of madness.”

Karl Donohoe was due to go on trail charged with the murder of Peterlee gas pipe worker Raymond Bates yesterday, when he entered a plea to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

The 30-year-old defendant’s counsel offered his apologies to Mr Bates’ family, who were at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court for the short hearing.

The senior counsel for the state said the plea was acceptable to the prosecution.

Mr Bates, dad to Paul, Mark and Karl, who was married to Brenda, was working in the city when he was beaten around the head with a hurley stick.

The 49-year-old died in hospital four days later.

The apparent road rage incident was sparked after the men had a row in the Sandymount suburb of the Dublin, on September 26, 2010.

Both men drove away from the scene before the confrontation was reported to the Garda.

Mr Bates, a grandfather-of-one, went to St Vincent’s Hospital the following day after becoming unwell.

He was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where he fell in to a coma and died on September 30.

Donohoe, a crane worker from the west of the city, was arrested and initially charged with assault causing serious harm.

A decision was then made to charge him with murder.

Brendan Grehan, senior counsel for Donohoe, said his client wanted to take the opportunity to pass on his regret over the incident to Mr Bates’ family.

Mr Grehan said: “He said it was a moment of madness on his part and he is sorry for his actions.”

Donohue was remanded in custody until April 16, when he will be sentenced.

A victim impact statement will be read to the court during that hearing.

Twitter: @EchoEastDurham

WEARSIDE is one of the worst places in the country to find a job, according to a new report.

Job search Website Adzuna has listed Sunderland as the third-worst city to find employment in the UK, with 53 Job Seekers Allowance claimants per job vacancy.

The report comes after think-tank Centre for Cities listed Wearside as one of the areas most vulnerable to employment, and the Local Data Company found Sunderland was in the top 10 for empty shops with one-in-four city centre units sitting empty.

Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson questioned the methods used in the survey and highlighted the work being done to boost business and create jobs in the city.

He said: “Finding work is never easy when times are tough, but there is an on-going commitment across Sunderland to continue promoting and investing our city.

“We have had record levels of inward investment over the past 10 years. Thousands of jobs have been created and we’re confident that this can continue.

“The city council and its partners are continuing to help create new jobs, improve educational achievement, increase investment and work towards further improvements.”

Coun Watson said the council had just announced £60million-worth of major projects in the city in its budget for 2012/13. These include a new £11million leisure centre in Washington and millions of pounds to develop the city centre. He said these will lever-in more private sector development.

He added: “There are (also) further developments and investments in the automotive, software, manufacturing sectors, as well as with service sector posts, that are going to boost job creation.”

The council boss criticised Adzuna’s research in determining Sunderland’s jobs ranking, which has improved slightly from last year when the city ranked second worst.

Coun Watson said the survey judgements were based on the number of vacancies per classified advert, which was a flawed way of examining the situation.

He said: “Not all jobs are advertised in this way and in certain sectors, such as leisure and retail, and in certain parts of the country, there’s a very high turnover of posts and a single post could well be advertised up to three times a year.”

Coun Watson did, however, agree with Adzuna’s findings in terms of the huge variation in prospects for job seekers across the country and the need for policy-makers to ensure unemployed people were in the best possible position to gain jobs available.

He said: “The survey highlights regional imbalances in the UK economy so it shows how important it is that we in the North East fight for our corner when it comes to the very limited funds that Government is making available for regeneration and jobs.”

A poor level of basic literacy and numeracy skills is hampering many Wearsiders from gaining work, claims Sunderland Conservatives leader Robert Oliver.

He said: “The story here is that some cities are more resilient than others during a downturn with pockets of prosperity throughout the UK concentrated on knowledge-based jobs such as IT, finance and marketing.

“The root of the problem in Sunderland is the low level of basic skills which is due to academic under performance in schools and a lack of focus on the booming sectors of the economy when it comes to education.”

Twitter: @PressBench

A DAD who suffered the loss of his oldest son in Afghanistan today spoke of his pride as his youngest prepares to go to war.

It was an emotional day for parents Tom and Carla Cuthbertson as they watched son Connan officially became a soldier during his pass out parade – just days before his 18th birthday.

Connan’s military path in life has been inspired by the legacy of his brother Nathan, killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan in 2008. He was 19.

Connan initially signed up for the Army when he was just 16.

After securing a spot at Harrogate Foundation College in September 2010, Connan took the oath of allegiance to Queen and Country before starting his military career.

After months of rigorous training, he is now a member of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment based in Colchester, Essex.

But the passing out is bittersweet for Connan’s parents after learning he could be sent to Afghanistan later this year.

Former-Para Tom, 42, of Tunstall, said: “We’re so proud of him passing out and he’s done really well at 17 to pass into B Company because that’s hard to do at any age let alone at such a young age.

“Our Nathan did the same and Connan’s followed exactly in his footsteps.

“He’s done the same training, he’s in the same regiment and company and he’s based in the same place Nathan was.

“We are obviously nervous because we believe he’s being sent to Afghanistan this year and that’s frightening, but that’s what he wants to do.”

When Connan originally decided he wanted to join up, his mum had refused to sign the parental consent form that allows under-18s into the Armed Forces.

But Tom, who was also in the Paras, relented when Connan insisted he would sign up himself when old enough.

“Connan wanted to join the Army as well as our Nathan and he wanted to get in the Paras like Nathan so he is really pleased,” Tom said.

“He’s over the moon.”

Nathan also fulfilled his childhood dream by following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a gunner for the Parachute Regiment.

But the 19-year-old private was killed, along with his colleagues Private Daniel Gamble and Private Charles David Murray, when a lone insurgent detonated an explosive device as they returned to base in Helmand Province in 2008.

The Parachute Regiment requires its soldiers to operate with minimal or no support behind enemy lines and against numerically superior forces.

Twitter: @sunechochief

TITUS BRAMBLE faces at least another month on the sidelines as Sunderland attempt to bring a conclusion to the defender’s injury woes.

Bramble has been sidelined with an Achilles/calf problem since Boxing Day after being handed a fresh opportunity by Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill.

The 30-year-old had been due to return to the fold last month, only to suffer a relapse in training.

Bramble has now been fitted with a protective boot, which he will wear for the next three weeks in a bid to hasten his recovery.

But like fellow injured central defender Wes Brown, Bramble is unlikely to feature before the end of March, although the deadline day acquisition of Sotirios Kyrgiakos and the return to fitness of Matt Kilgallon ensures Sunderland have at least got cover at the heart of the back four.

O’Neill said: “Titus has got a boot on and he’s going to be immobile now for a few weeks.

“He’ll be in it for the next three weeks which is a setback.”

Bramble’s time at the Stadium of Light has been continually hampered by injuries, the former Ipswich man making just seven appearances this season, albeit he was suspended by the club for six weeks in the autumn.

After injuring his knee in November, 2010, Bramble suffered a relapse in March last year and spent the summer trying to work his way back to fitness.

But the former England U21 man looked rusty during pre-season and was forced to wait until September for his opportunity in the starting XI after Anton Ferdinand’s departure to QPR.

Bramble had looked sharp after O’Neill adopted a clean slate with the defender and installed him in the side, only for his comeback to last just three-and-a-half games.

]]> 1.4267918 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:22:38 +0000 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sunderland_winger_mcclean_revels_in_ireland_call_up_1_4267944

MAN-OF-THE-MOMENT James McClean is relishing life in the fast lane after establishing himself as a first-team regular at Sunderland and yesterday breaking into Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland squad for the first time.

McClean wasn’t in the Italian’s original squad to face the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium at the end of February.

But the 22-year-old winger’s outstanding performances for Sunderland in recent weeks have made a call-up almost inevitable and yesterday, he and Derby County midfielder Paul Green were added to what is now a 26-man squad.

McClean was elated after his debut call-up, the Derry man having played for Northern Ireland Under 21s but having exercised an option to make himself available for Republic selection.

“I couldn’t believe it when I read the text informing me that I had been called into the squad,” he said. “It came as a major surprise to me and I’m absolutely delighted to have been called up.

“But I realise this is basically an opportunity, nothing more, and I can’t afford to take anything for granted.

“Naturally I’m keeping my fingers firmly crossed that I will get a run-out but, at the same time, I won’t be disappointed if I don’t.

“Meeting the players and getting involved in the international set-up will be brilliant for me.”

It won’t be altogether a new experience for McClean when he meets up with his new colleagues – the squad including Sunderland’s John O’Shea and Keiren Westwood.

McClean acknowledged: “I know some of the players, having already met them when playing with Sunderland, so I’ll not be a stranger.

“And with two other lads from Derry also in the squad – Darron Gibson and Shane Duffy – it should make it easier to settle in.”

McClean is rated as having an outside chance of bursting into the Irish team for the European Championships this summer but the player himself prefers not to think long term, pointing out that he needs to focus on consolidating the progress he’s made already.

“I’ve had a very interesting six or seven months since joining Sunderland,” he said. “That was a dream come true for me and now another dream could lie ahead when making my debut for the Republic of Ireland.

“It’s the next step for me but I can’t afford to get carried away.

“To make my debut, be it against the Czech Republic or at another time, would make that dream come true and that’s all I’m focused on.

“Things have gone really well for me since I moved to Sunderland in the summer and it’s important that I keep working on that front.

“Holding down my first team place is obviously very important to me but to make my senior international debut would be absolutely fantastic.”

SCOTLAND boss Craig Levein hopes Craig Gordon will provide a welcome selection dilemma after handing the Sunderland stopper an international return.

Gordon, pictured, has played just three reserve games for the Black Cats since returning from injury after a year on the sidelines with a knee problem.

The 29-year-old is yet to feature even on the bench for Sunderland this season, with doubts continuing over his future at the Stadium of Light as he enters the final four months of his contract.

But Gordon is in contention to make his first Scotland appearance since November 2010 against Slovenia next week after being named alongside Sunderland team-mate Phil Bardsley in Levein’s squad.

Levein believes Gordon and Rangers keeper Allan McGregor can spur each other on in the race for the number one spot and is confident the Sunderland man can return to form despite such a long absence.

“He’s an important player for us,” said Levein. “He’s had a terrible time with injury but he’s back playing reserve matches and it’s a good time to get him involved.

“At this moment in time Allan McGregor is my number one choice and that’s partly because Craig has been out so long.

“For me there is nothing between the two of them. I hope Craig can get back to the level he was at and then I have a difficult, but tremendous, decision to make as a manager when picking between players of such quality.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan has been included in the Wales squad for next week’s Gary Speed Memorial Match against Costa Rica.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined for the past three weeks but is nearing a return to full fitness and may be in contention for Sunderland’s trip to West Brom on Saturday.

TONY Sweeney admits there is a haunting feeling of ‘what if?’ among the Hartlepool United squad – but he still hasn’t ruled out a late assault on the League One play-offs.

Pools disposed of another mid-table rival on Saturday as Notts County were sent packing 3-0 at Victoria Park.

The result lifted Neale Cooper’s men from 14th to ninth in League One, seven points off sixth-placed Stevenage.

But Sweeney cannot help pondering “what could have been” had Pools not dropped a club-record 24 points in succession on home soil.

“We are ninth now, but there’ll always be a case of what could have been,” the midfielder admitted. “We could be a lot closer to the play-offs than we actually are, and we should be.

“To lose eight in a row at home in the league just wasn’t good enough and we’re paying the price for that now. But you can’t dwell on hard-luck stories and we’ve just got to carry on as we are now, which is a good place in terms of confidence and results.”

Sweeney believes that the momentum gained by the arrival of Neale Cooper makes Pools the dark horses to gatecrash the promotion push as the season enters its final third.

“We have jumped five places after just one win,” he went on. “So the play-offs? It’s not impossible and there might be one place up for grabs with seven, eight or even nine teams pushing for that.

“We just have to carry on in the manner we are and see where we end up. Finishing in the top 10 would be good in itself, but can we push for the last 15 games and surprise a few people?

“I think we can. The manager has come in and we’ve picked up massively and there’s no better way to get everyone buzzing than a play-off campaign is there?”

Sweeney and co travel to Wycombe Wanderers this weekend looking for another victory to bridge the gap between themselves and the top six.

CALLS for a permanent thank you to Niall Quinn have started to pour in after the Sunderland legend stepped down from SAFC.

Soon after the former striker and chairman announced his decision to leave the club, a petition was started to have one of the stands at the Stadium of Light renamed in his honour.

It has already been signed by more than 4,330 people.

Fans, ex-players and friends of the Mackem hero have praised the influence he has had, and applauded him for the work he has done for SAFC and Wearside as a whole.

“Quinny has been a great man for the club,” said Charlie Hurley, Sunderland fans’ player of the century. “And he has always been a real gentleman.

“I can understand his reasons for wanting to spend more time with his family in Ireland, as for a lot of people family is the most important thing.

“To replace Niall will be a tough task, and it will have to be someone special to do the job he has done.

“They will need to be someone who loves the club as much as he does.”

Ex-SAFC captain Gary Bennett said: “He has had a massive impact on the club and without him we would not be where we are now.

“The club was going nowhere when he took over and he’s made us back into a magnificent club.

“The club is now known across the world because of him and he has put us on the map.

“He was a great professional as a footballer and as a man he always had the time of day for you and would always say hello.

“Going forward the club will continue, but he has laid a fantastic foundation and now we have to build on his legacy.”

The petition to rename the South Stand, created by fan and Seventy3’ Magazine online editor Gavin Henderson, says Quinn is regarded as the saviour of Sunderland football club and he is not only a hero to the fans but also to the community.

He said: “We’re overjoyed that so many people have taken to the petition, and I sincerely hope that with enough of a push, the club will also take notice and consider our thoughts.

“It is clear that from the immense support the Sunderland fans have given the campaign on Facebook, Twitter and message boards that this is what we the fans want, and that it’s a great way to pay homage to a club legend.

“We’ve received fantastic feedback from other Sunderland fans – and players such as Titus Bramble, Fraizer Campbell and Jordan Cook have lent themselves too it as well by sharing the petition with their legions of Twitter followers.

“Please keep on helping with the cause as we will be forwarding the petition to Sunderland football club.

“We may be chasing a lost cause, but there is no harm in trying.”

One of the men who was part of the Drumaville Consortium that took over Sunderland in 2006, John Hays, founder of Hays Travel, said Quinn had done a fantastic job.

“If you look at where we were when he took over, we had just been relegated with a record low number of points and morale was very low.

“Even after he took over we lost the first few games, and there was a genuine worry that we could have carried on slipping down.

“But since then we have done amazing things and he has done a fantastic job over the last five years.”

•Click on the link to the top right to visit the petition

RUSH hour traffic has been brought to a standstill on the A19 after a four-vehicle collision.

Police were called to the incident at about 7.45am today after reports of the smash on the northbound carriageway, near the Chester-le-Street turn off.

Officers remain at the scene and it is not yet known if there were any injuries.

WEST Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes Newcastle risk losing 16-goal former Hammers striker Demba Ba for as little as £3.5million this summer – BBC Sport

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is eyeing Ajax’s 17-year-old midfielder Viktor Fischer, as he contemplates a £15m summer move for Dane Christian Eriksen – Manchester Evening News

Meanwhile, United will hold off on a move for 16-year-old IF Urædd keeper Sondre Rossbach until the teenager recovers from an ankle injury – talkSPORT

Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Napoli all watched Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud in action during the recent draw with Paris Saint-Germain – Metro

Everton are close to agreeing a three-year deal with midfielder Jake Adelson after the Australian impressed the club’s scouts while playing for Blacktown City – talkSPORT

Liverpool are considering a move for Sampdoria winger Jonathan Biabiany this summer, with the 23-year-old spending the season on loan at Parma – Caught Offside

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