sports journalism profile writing and print

7/30/2019 Sports Journalism Profile Writing and Print

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ProfileJackBradburyformerSt.Helensrugbystarlet.

ItsSaturdaymorning.IhavecrossedtheYorkshireborderinsearchofanoldfriend.Mytrain

journeyhasbroughtmecrashingthroughthequintessentiallynorthernvillagehideawaysof

SaddleworthandeventuallytoGreenfieldRugbyClubthesacredlocalhomeofSaddleworth

RangersR.F.C.Therollinghillsofthechocolateboxvillageprovokememoriesofbygone

nostalgia;scoresofadolescentsadorningtheLancashirepasturesofmyyouthwithpassionsfor

football,rugbyandlife.Yetthehallowedstadiumissuspiciouslyquietforthistimeona

weekend,standsnormallyanimatedwiththeMancuniancharismaoffamiliesandfanseagerly

anticipatingarefereeswhistlelaydesolate,andoutthecornerofmyeyeIswearIspotsome

tumbleweedbeingteasedacrosstheturfbyasorrowfulwind.

Shameisntit;therehasntbeenagameforafewweeksnow.Cantaffordthematchday

attendantsandbesidesthereishardlyateamanymoreeveryonesleft.

ItseemedLifehadplayedacruelhandtotheRangersnowdesolatehomeandespeciallytoone

itsmostprizedwarriorstwentyoneyearoldJackBradbury,theformerSt.HelensandEngland

international.NotsolongagoJackhadtheovalshapedworldathisfeet:Atjustsixteenhewas

oneoftwoprecocioustalentsthatsignedprofessionalformswiththeSuperLeaguegiantsand

onlyoneyearlatergracedtheinternationalstageinadebutagainstprestigiousyouthworld

championsAustraliaachievingDemiGodstatusamongManchestersrugbyfollowers.Jonny

Lomax,theotheryoungmanwhomJacksharedeveryboysdreamwithisnowacovetedfirst

teamregularforbothset-ups.Icanthelpbutthinkofthetorturousthoughtsthatmustruna

mockinamindsoclosetograspingtheHolyGrailandwonderwhereitallwentwrong.

ImstillamassiverugbyfanandSaintsfansolikeeveryoneelseIenjoywatchingthegamesat

weekend.WhenIseeJonnyplayingandplayingverywellIdontknowwhatIthinkreally,Im

pleasedforhimdontgetmewrongbutIsupposethereareahundredotheremotionsaswell.

YoudontreallythinkaboutituntilabeerortwohasgonedownthentobehonestIjustget

pissedoffatmyself,IwishIhadntofbeensuchaclown.

IsoondiscoverthatJackisreferringtoapointofhislifewhereherelinquishedtheintense

disciplineandrigmaroleofprofessionaltraining,swappingitinsteadfortheadolescentcircusof

latenights,fastfoodanddrunkenfrolics.TheRangerspitchthathisfriendsusedtodiscard

BacardiBreezersonthroughoutaFridayeveningbecamemoreappealingthanthesameturf

Jackhadtocleanat6amonSaturdaybeforeextrakickingpractice.

Itstheclassicstoryofthehas-beensportsmanisntit?Theoneluredintoboozeandwomen

becausehehearsallofhisfriendsinschooltalkingabouttheirweekendantics.Youknowit

usedtodomyheadinatseventeen,thatsjustwhenyouwanttodiscovertheworldoutthere.

PartieswouldbebeingarrangedallaroundmeandidhavetosayIcantgobecauseImupat

daftoclockwatchingrecordingsofaLeedsgamethatKevinSinfieldhadmadeagoodtactical

moveorpassin.WhenmybestmatesweretakinggirlsouttothepicturesorwhateverIwas


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takingmyselfdowntothegymtodosquatthrusts.Iwantedtodosquatthrustsjustnotatthe

gym!

ManypeoplewouldnotblameJackforfollowingtheinnatehumandesiresofyoungmanhood

anditwasntlongbeforehefoundhimselfcreatingtheinvitationstopartieshehadonce

declined.FridaynightdrinkingsessionsspilledoverintoSaturdayandsometimesevenSundaymorningsasJacklookedtoreclaimtheyearshehadmissedbybeingonthetrainingpitch.

Salvosofexcuseswereaimedinthedirectionofclubcoaches,disgruntledteammatesand

worriedfamilymembers.

Ohyes.ItgottoapointwhereIcouldntresistanylonger,Iwasmakingupforlosttimesoas

youcanimagineIwashittingithard.Iwasturninguptotrainingeitherstilldrunkorfeelingvery

worseforwear.Icouldhideitforabit,blamingpoorperformancesonillnessorstressatcollege

orwhatever,youcanthinkofpagesofliesandexcuseswhenyouhaveto.MyMumknewIwas

treadingdangerouslybutwhenyourethatageyougoagainstanythingyourmumsaysassome

kindofrebellion.

PoorperformancesturnedintoshockingseasonsandinevitablytheaxefellonJackSt.Helens

career.AfreetransfertoOldhamRoughyheadswassanctionedbutbythistimeJackhadalready

lostthepassionheonceharboredforthegameofrugby.Drowninginaseaofdebaucheryhe

clungtoapieceofdriftwoodthatprovedtoonlyleadhimfurtherastray.

WellwhenIleftSaintsIwasatrockbottom.OldhamisagoodsidenottoofarbelowtheSuper

LeaguebutIddecidedorrathertheboozedecidedthatrugbywasntformeanymore.Thelittle

moneyIhadsavedfromtheprotermscontractwasnearlygonesoIstartedgambling.Icouldnt

bearsedturninguptoOldhamtrainingsothentheyletmegoandIendedbackupherewereit

allbegan.

FouryearsaftersigninghisprofessionalcontractJackwasPennyless,overweightanddebt

riddled.Rangers,theclubjackhadscoredhisfirstevertryforagreedtotakehimbackonthe

basisthathehelptraintheyouthteamandimprovehisowncondition.Itwasntuntilhemethis

girlfriendataclubopendaythatJackdecidedtoturnitallaround.

WellImetLeanneatoneofthekidsopendays,shewasbringinghersonandIdontknowhow

butsomethingjustclicked.IsawherafewmoretimesbeforeIpluckedupenoughconfidence

togoover.Iwasexpectingtobetoldwheretogotobehonestbutsheagreedtogooutfora

drink,onethingleadtothenextandhereweare.ShesalotolderthanIamandhasthelittle

oneofcoursebutitsexactlywhatIneed,shekeepsmegroundedandIgetsomuchoutof

showingtheladhowtoplayabit.YouneverknowwithabitofluckhemightpickupwhereI

leftoff.

SourceJackBradbury-Heisafriendofmineandhasbeensincechildhood.


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St.HelenswebsiteforinformationonJohnnyLomaxandJackBradbury

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Bradbury_(rugby_league)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Lomax


4/8

FootballManagerpostmatchinterview

ScottMcnivern:Wewereluckytowintonight

ByJoshuaHevicon

HydeFCmanagerScottMcnivernadmitsthathissidewasluckytocomeawaywith

a2-1victoryfromanentertainingencounterwithastrongCambridgeUnitedside

theYewFieldsground.

JoshBrizellslatefinishhandedamuchneededwintotheTigerswhohavemanaged

todothedoubleoveraUnitedsidesittingcomfortablyinmid-table.

McnivernpraisedtheeffortsofhisHydesidewhohesaysdeservetobeplayingin

theBlueSquarePremier.

Hesaid:TherewerentmanychancesatbothendsIdontthinkandtheyplayedbetterthanwedidsoyesIthinkapointwouldhavebeenfair,wewereluckytowin

reallybutIwilltakethesekindsofvictoriesallday.

Westartedlikeahouseonfireandgotthebreakweneeded,wequelledalittlebit

buttheearlygoalprovedtobepivotalinthisgameasCambridgewereplayingcatch

upthereafter.

Theladshavewonfouronthebouncesotheyareconfident;theydeservetobeout

ofarelegationdogfightwithastringoffourwins.Itstestamenttothequalitywe

haveintheside.

Hydefacechampionshiphigh-flyersWrexhamnextandalthoughoptimistic

Mcnivernacknowledgesthattheimportantfixturesareagainstloweropposition.

Hesaid:WewillgotoWrexhamandhopeforthebest.Itsnicetoseehowyoufair

againstsidesgunningforthetitlebutitsgamesliketonight,realisticallymorewinnablegamesthatmakethedifferencewhenyouareinourposition.LikeIsay

tonightwasbigandtheladshaveputinagreatshowthepastfewweeks,the

WrexhamgameiswinnablebutImchuffedwithtonightandwedeservetobestayingintheleague.

SpeakingaboutthestunninglatestrikebyfullbackBrizellMcnivernannounced:

Ididntseeitproperlybuttheladssaiditwasagreateffort,gavethekeeperno

chance.

JoshBrizellfullydeservedtogetthewinneritwasgreateffortforarightback,hes

beenoutstandingthelastfewmonthsandhesgreattohaveinthechangingrooms.

WhatagreatwaytoopenyouraccountforHyde.


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Fulltimematchreport

Fulltime:Hydefc2CambridgeUnited1

ByJoshuaHeviconTuesday26th

March2013

Asuperblatestrikestole3vitalpointsforHydeFCastheyovercameCambridge

UnitedinanentertainingencounteratYewfields.

OnafreezingcoldeveningitwasHydethatthawedoutfirst.Onthefour-minute

markinformwingerLouisAlmondseizedtheballintheCambridgehalfbefore

findingMathewBlinkhorninthe18yardarea.TheTigersnumber20madeno

mistakeinfiringafiercedrivepasttheflailingarmsofCambridgekeeperJonathon

HedgetogiveHydeanearlyleadandeasethererelegationworries.

Yettheearlysetbackseemedtorilethetravelingunitedplayerswhomrespondedinspectacularfashion.Cambridgedominatedforlengthyperiodsoftimeproducing

scoresofscintillatingmovesbeforeoneeventuallypaidoff;LukeBerrylatchedonto

thedefencecarvingpassofTomShawandtheimpressiverightmidfieldercrafteda

farpostcrossforLiamHugheswhowaslurkingunmarkedeightyardsoutfromgoal

todispatchtheUsequaliserandmarkhisfourthgoalofthecampaignon17

minutes.

Cambridgecontinuedtocontrolpossessionandcertainlylookedliketheteammost

likelytoedgeaheadbutagainsttherunofplayHydelivewireLukeAlmondflashed

theballinchespastthepostandfromthatHydegatheredmomentum;pressuring

Cambridgeintoconcedingaseriesofcorners.DefenderLiamTomsetttestedPopeinthegoalalthoughitwouldbehehislastcontributiontothegameashewastobe

replacedbysubstitutecenterbackRobbieWilliamsshortlyafter.

CambridgecontinuedtoknockonHydesdoorwithaseriesofgoodmovesbutthe

teamswentinlevelathalftime.BothsideshadreasontobehappyforUnitedwereplayingthemoreattractivefootballbutHyde,keepingagoodsideatbaywerealso

keepingtheirchancesofstayingintheleaguealive.

IncontrasttothefirsthalfitwasCambridgethatclaimedtheopeningexchangesof

thesecond.ThecreativecentermidfieldduoofJarvisandShawlookeddangerous

andtheycombinedinthe48minutetosetupLiamHugheswhounmarkedfromtwentyyardsoutflashedashotpasttherightpostofHydekeeperDavidCarnell.

ThroughouttherestofthehalfUniteddominatedandHydespentlargeportionsof

thegameonthebackfootbuttheintroductionofformerpremierleaguestrikerPhil

Jevonsturnedthegameonitshead.JevonsinterceptedastrayCurtisBrown

clearanceon81minutesandoffloadedtheballtotheadvancingHyderightback


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JoshBrizellwhoblastedafineshotintothebottomrightcorneroftheunitedgoal

leavingkeeperJonathonHedgehelplessforthesecondtimeinthegame.

Hydemanagedtoholdontotheleadandboosttheirchancesofsurvivalinthe

ConferencePremierdivisionbutCambridgewillcertainlyleavedisappointedfroma

fixture,astheirdominanceshouldhaveatleastcapturedapoint.

HydeFc(4-5-1):Carnell,Brizell,Griffin(capt),Dennis,Ashworth,Brown,Tomsett,

Milligan,Blinkhorn,Hogan,Almond

Subs:Poole,Jevons,Moses,Williams,McCartan

CambridgeUnited(4-4-2):Pope,Roberts,Shaw,Elliot,Dunk,McAuley,Jarvis,

Hughes,Berry,Wassmer,Haynes-Brown

Subs:Coulson,Pugh,Gorman,Ross,Smith

Referee:RossJoyce


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Immediatematchreportsubmittedonehourafterthegame

Hyde 2 Cambridge United 1 Blue Square Bet Premier

Hyde FC may not have touched the ball often during their one sided match up against Cambridge

United but this was a stark reminder that goals win football games and not pretty play.

.

Scott Mcnivens side were vacant for sustained periods of a well fought out match but managed

to muster the cutting edge when called upon, claiming a fourth straight win that has all but turned

the daunting prospect of facing life in the lower league into a distant nightmare. Mcniven elected

to start top scorer Phil Jevons on the bench and reverted back to a 4-5-1 formation familiar with

the Hyde faithful when entertaining teams in the top half of the table.

A Bob Marley serenade over the stadiums PA welcomed the players onto the pitch but the

conditions couldnt be further removed from the laid back Jamaican vibe given the unseasonably

cold temperatures and Hydes precarious league position.

Yet it was Hyde that thawed out first to take the lead after just four minutes, United midfielder

Luke Berry carelessly giving the ball away in midfield before Livewire Hyde winger Louis Almond

scorched past the hapless Luke Berry and Rossi Jarvis to set up Matthew Blinkhorn who made

no mistake in firing past Nick Pope from 12 yards out.

But conceding early only seemed to rile the visiting United site with Harrison Dunk and Liam

Hughes making telling moves into opposition territory. Dunk coming close to an equalizer twice in

quick succession.

Hyde remained dormant for large periods after their goal but with talismanic winger Almond

enthusiastically working on the left though, the home side always had an air of danger about them

and he shot inches wide from an acute angle after a mazy run past Cambridge full back Kevin

Roberts.

However, Uniteds persistent approach play paid dividend on 17 minutes and Carnells goal was

finally breached: the impressive Luke Dunk cut back for Liam Hughes who could not fail to nod

home from 8 yards out, drawing the Us level and chalking up his fourth goal of the campaign.

It went from bad to worse for the Tigers when center back Ben Dennis began to move gingerly

after a strong challenge from Tom Shaw, the resulting injury would soon lead to his substitution

and replacement by Robbie Williams.

Midway through the first half Cambridge continued to gather momentum; in form Tom Elliott was

unlucky not to cap a quality counter-attacking move with a goal. Luke Berry, Tom Shaw and Liam


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Hughes combining to capitalize on the confusion caused by the change to Hydes back line, only

for Elliot to fire into the side netting from close range.

Around the half hour mark Hughes struck wide on the turn as United continued to look search for

the elusive second goal.

After the break Hyde found themselves on the back foot as United started the second half as they

had finished the first, Roberts coming in off the right to test David Carnell with a low strike, while

the ever present Hughes fired wide shortly after.

Hyde gradually established a foothold in the game, exploiting the huge space the advancing

Wolves loanee Curtis Haynes Brown afforded down the right. Scott Hogan looked dangerous in

possession but lacked the precise final ball.

The story was much the same as the second half wore on: Cambridge enjoying a majority of the

possession but lacking the penetrative edge to cause Hyde any major problems.

The evening got colder, as did the game yet it was a dominant United side that looked the mostlikely to steal a win. But with 9 minutes to go Josh Brizells spectacular long range effort gave

Hyde the edge and looked to certain to be enough to claim an important victory.

Hyde held on to win a fourth successive match and all but cement their place in next seasons

Blue square premier division.

Hyde: Carnell, Brizell, Griffin, Dennis (Williams 18min), Ashworth, Brown, Tomsett, Hogan(Poole

73), Milligan, Blinkhorn (Jevons 80), Almond. Not used: Moses, McCartan.

United: Pope, Roberts, McAuley, Wassmer, Haynes-Brown, Shaw, Jarvis, Berry(Smith 84),

Hughes, Elliott, Dunk. Not used: Ross, Coulson, Pugh, Gorman.

Referee: R Joyce. Attendance: 404.

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