IT was out of the gym and back to the classroom as one young boxer headed to his old school with a very famous friend.

Five years after leaving Carr Hill High School, Kirkham boxing prodigy Adam Little was back in the school hall – but this time he had champion boxer Ricky Hatton alongside him.

The 21-year-old, the first professional boxer to be trained by Hatton, was keen to share his inspirational story with the Kirkham school’s pupils ahead of his fifth professional fight next month.

Adam who still trains at Kirkham gym, said: “If after me and Ricky coming here today just one person goes to a boxing gym and it changes them then it’s worth it.

“I was all over the place when I was younger. I was pretty hyperactive and I needed something to put my energy into. I got kicked out of football, rugby and swimming so to find something I was good at and could stick at, it’s made me so much more disciplined.”

Adam was spotted by Hatton – who he describes as his “hero” – as an amateur, and took to the ring as his professional protege for the first time in November.

Ricky told the pupils not to waste their school days.

The 33-year-old, who won four world titles in his career, said: “I never took my schoolwork seriously and gambled on becoming a boxer. The joke would have been on me if I hadn’t made it.”

Aspiring boxer Kyle Fuller, 15, trains at the same gym as Adam and said: “It’s a really good experience to see them and hear about them.”

And year 11 pupil Adam Robinson, 16, added: “The visit was exhilarating, it encourages you to do something.”

Adam’s next fight is in Bury on March 2.

KIRKHAM boxer Adam Little has only had four professional fights – and he reckons potential opponents have been scared off already.

Unbeaten Little makes his next appearance at Castle Leisure Centre, Bury, a week tomorrow, though finding someone to face him has been far from easy.

Little said: “It’s a bit of a shock that some people are unwilling to fight me already.

“People watching my last fight against Billy Smith will have got a bit of a shock and found out that I am not just a showy fighter – I have some power as well.

“Journeymen don’t want to get knocked out. They want to fight the next week, so any inclination that they could get knocked out and they don’t want to fight me.

“I will probably find out in the next day or two who I am fighting. They had someone, a southpaw, but I will fight southpaws next time.

“Every opponent I have had so far has had a different style. Next week it will be a come-forward fighter, then a southpaw.”

And Little has a clear ambition how he wants his career to pan out, adding: “I will have an English title shot in the next 12 months.”

Little said he had improved 100 per cent under the direction of his trainer Ricky Hatton. “Everything has come on, not just in my moves but mentally as well.”

Hatton believes his protégé is ready to move up in class, despite being a professional for less than 12 months.

The Bury fight will be the final four-rounder for the 21-year-old, who has impressed Hatton since he began training Litttle last October.

The two-weight world champion said: “Adam’s training for the Bury show has been exceptional and the longer we spend together in the gym understanding each other the better he will become.

“In the few months I have trained Adam, he has shown massive improvement and I feel ready to move him on to six-round class.”

In the top of the bill contest at Bury, Heywood’s Kieran Farrell challenges Yorkshireman Jon Baguley for the vacant Central Area light-welterweight title.

Little’s training has intensified and this week he was sparring with Matthew Hatton, who is himself in training for a big contest with Kell Brook in Sheffield next month.

Little and Hatton made a special appearance at the Fulwood branch of Preston College this week to show students some of the training routines that go to make a professional fighter. They also visited Little’s old school, Kirkham Carr Hill.

It proved a worthwhile exercise as the students got a fascinating glimpse into how a fighter prepares.

Little, who is studying sports development at Preston, said: “It’s great to come to the college to show people exactly what I do.

“It’s all right telling people at the college that I do this and that, but in this way I can show them and it opens their eyes.”

Hatton, a self-confessed ‘scallywag’ who neglected his studies as a youngster, stressed the importance of having academic achievement to fall back on. He regrets not making more effort at school, though he succeeded in his lone ambition to be a world champion.

GOAL ace Jamie Vardy insists Fleetwood Town are still in control of their own destiny following Tuesday’s spectacular 6-2 victory over Ebbsfleet United.

The striker’s 29-minute hat-trick helped Town remain two points clear of Wrexham at the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier, although the Welshmen have a game in hand.

Vardy said: “I know Wrexham have that game but it’s in our hands at the end of the day

“They still have to come here (on April 10) and we’ll do everything we can to get a result.

“All we have to do is keep winning our games and not worry about what is happening anywhere else.”

Vardy’s second hat-trick of the campaign, taking his Town tally for the season to 25, was rounded off with a spectacular lob over Fleet keeper Lance Cronin from the halfway line.

The striker said: “I just heard the players around scream, ‘Shoot, shoot!’

“The ball just broke free from one of their players. I spotted the keeper quite far away from his goal-line and just went for it.

“I was delighted it went in ... because (if it hadn’t) the gaffer would have been furious.”

Manager Micky Mellon again named four strikers in his starting line-up and Vardy was full of praise for fellow forward Andy Mangan, who added to his tally for the season from the penalty spot.

The 25-year-old added: “Andy’s passing game has been fantastic for all season long. The way he can pick a pass and unlock defences is brilliant. He’s set up quite a few goals for us all and he linked up so well Magno and myself on Tuesday.”

Vardy was linked with big-money moves to a number of Championship and SPL clubs during last month’s transfer window but inists he is happy at Highbury.

The Yorkshireman said: “You hear all the talk but I’m happy here and we’ve got a job to do – to get Fleetwood promoted.”

Mellon insisted there was never any chance of losing his top scorer, despite all the rumours and offers, including one from Ian Holloway’s Blackpool. The manager confirmed: “Selling Jamie was never part of the plan. “It was never going to happen.

“We had a plan when Jamie signed and that was for him to be here until the end of the season. That was always going to be the case.”

Town, unbeaten in the 18 league games since mid-October, will be hoping to complete a third home victory in eight days when they entertain struggling Alfreton Town on Saturday.

Don’t miss our What’s On section for all the best in entertainment across the Fylde coast.

Attractions

NICKELODEON LAND. Discounted fun February half term. www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com. Details 0871 222 1234

MADAME TUSSAUDS. The best of British celebrities. More information www.madametussauds.com/blackpool. Central Promenade, Blackpool. 10am to 4.30pm. Details, (01253) 299483

SEA LIFE CENTRE. More information www.sealife.co.uk/blackpool. Golden Mile, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621258.

BLACKPOOL TOWER BALLROOM. Open daily except for special events. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details, (0844) 8561000.

BLACKPOOL TOWER DUNGEON. Open daily. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. (01253) 622242

BLACKPOOL TOWER EYE. Open daily. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. (0844) 8561000

BLACKPOOL TOWER JUNGLE JIM’S. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details, (0844) 8561000.

BLACKPOOL ZOO AND DINOSAUR SAFARI. Home to more than 400 animals as well as 32 different dinosaurs. Daily from 10am. East Park Drive, Blackpool. Details (01253) 830830.

FARMER PARR’S ANIMAL WORLD. Rare breeds galore. Wyrefield Farm, Rossall Lane and Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood. Daily, 10am to 5pm. Details, (01253) 874389.

RIPLEYS BELIEVE IT OR NOT. Two floors of interactive exhibitions and displays. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, South Shore. Daily from 10am. Details, (0871) 2221234.

Theatre and shows

TWO. Justin Moorhouse and Victoria Elliott star in the latest revival of Jim Cartwight’s funny, stunning and sad exploration of all the stages of love. The Royal Exchange, St Anns Square, Manchester. Monday to Friday, 7.30pm. Wednesday, 2.30pm. Saturdays, 4 and 8pm. Ends February 25. Box office, (0161) 8339833.

ALFIE. David Thacker directs this revival of Bill Naughton’s 1960s kitchen sink comedy drama about a working class Don Juan of the East End, . The Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton. Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm. Some matinees. Ends February 18. Box office, (01204) 520661.

THE GATEKEEPER. Award winning writer Chloe Moss’ latest – set in the Lake District, a darkly comic tale of one family’s celebratory get together which falls apart. The Studio, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anns Square, Manchester. To February 25. Box office, (0161) 8339833.

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. Northern Broadsides in partnership with the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme present director Barrie Rutter’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s unlikely comedy. The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster. To Saturday, 7.30pm. Saturday matinee, 2pm.

Karaoke

KARAOKE. £50 cash prize to be won. The Townsman, Topping Street, Blackpool.

KARAOKE PARTY. Bar 19 Queen Street, Blackpool. 2 to 6pm.

KARAOKE AND CURRY NIGHT. The Albert, Lytham Road, South Shore.

KARAOKE. Churchill’s, Topping Street. Blackpool.

KARAOKE. Daily do it yourself session. Chubby’s Bar, The Promenade, Blackpool. From 9am to 6pm.

KARAOKE. Knobby’s Bar. West Street, Blackpool. And Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From 7pm.

KARAOKE CONTEST. £50 top prize to be won each week. The Whittle Springs, Talbot Road, Blackpool. From 8pm.

KARAOKE. With Glenn. The Travellers Rest, Beach Road, Cleveleys.

KARAOKE PARTY TIME. With host Sam. The Duke of York, Dickson Road, Blackpool. From 9pm.

KARAOKE NIGHT. With DJ Danny. The Belle Vue, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool. 9pm.

Cabaret

AN AUDIENCE WITH ROXY HART. Plus cabaret from Rita International. Free admission. Roxy’s, Queen Street, Blackpool.

80S GOLD. Ultimate tribute to the decade that taste forgot. With or without meal. Sands Venue, Central Promenade, Blackpool.

Nightclubs and dance

METRO. House, dance, party anthems, live music, drinks promotions and more. Nellie Deans, 150/152 North Promenade, Blackpool. From 10pm. free admission.

STUDENT NIGHT. DJ Caino playing dance, r ‘n’ b and pop, drinks offers, free admission. Che Bar, Market Street, Blackpool.

INNOCENCE. R’n’b, urban and house with Vince Williams. CoCo, Market Street, Blackpool. Free admission.

Pubs and bars

LOCALS PARTY NIGHT. With DJ Andy P, free admission and cut price drinks. Ego, Market Street, Blackpool.

LIONEL VINYL’S DECADES PARTY. Motown, disco, 80s, 90s and present day. The Litten Tree, Queen Street, Blackpool.

STUDENT HOUSE PARTY. With DJ Gaz Peck. Bar 19 Queen Street, Blackpool. 9pm to 4am.

JAMMIN ’NIGHT. All welcome. The Burn Naze, Gamble Road, Thornton.

CURRY NIGHT. Meal and drink deal. Frenchman’s Cove, South King Street, Blackpool. 4 to 9pm.

OPEN MIC. The Hansom Cab, Station Road, Lytham.

DJ SCOUSE’S PARTY NIGHT. Drink promotions, interactive DJ. Yates’s, Market Street, Blackpool.

SPANK NIGHT. DJ Sean in action. Drinks promotions. The Wyre Light, Fleetwood. 9pm to 2am.

THE THURSDAY FIESTA. Party tunes, prizes and balloon drop with DJ Mad Matt Munroe. Walkabout, Queen Street, Blackpool. To 3am.

GALLEON BAND. Resident house band plus guests – swing. blues and beyond.. The Galleon, Abingdon Street, Blackpool. Also Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free entry.

TEA DANCE. And bingo. North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 2 to 4pm.

ROB JOHNSON. Singer/guitarist. Buckingham’s, Queen Street, Blackpool. 3 to 5pm.

COCKTAIL NIGHT. Special offers, two djs with disco house and bar grooves to midnight. Bar 137, Church Street, Blackpool.

Line dancing

LINE DANCING. Beginners, 7.30 to 8.30pm. Intermediate with tuition until 10.30pm. Garstang United Reformed Church Hall, Garstang. Details, (01995) 670932.

LINE DANCING DISCO. Free tuition. Thornton Cleveleys RBL Club, Rough Lea Road, Cleveleys. Details, (01253) 595790.

FANCY FEET LINE DANCE. Social dancing and instruction – 10am to noon. Beginners and improver dancing with instruction – 1.30 to 3.30pm. Beginners first hour then all levels 6 to 10.15pm. Holy Trinity Memorial Hall, Dean Street, South Shore. Details, (07984)188972.

BEGINNERS LINE DANCING. Details 01253 760804. Marton Social Club, Daggers Hall Lane, Marton. 1 to 3pm.

LINE DANCING. And tuition. With Paul and Shirley. Progress Sports & Social Club, Exchange Street, Blackpool.

Social dancing

TEA DANCE. With David Windle on keyboards. The Ballroom, North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 2 to 4pm.

TEA DANCE. Ballroom, Latin and popular sequence. Rio School of Dancing, Bispham United Reformed Church Hall, Cavendish Road, Bispham. 2 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 356558.

DANCING. Ballroom, Latin, Modern, Acro and more For fun. Chesters Dancing Academy, 19 Victoria Street, Fleetwood. Details, (07989) 144423.

SEQUENCE AND BALLROOM. To the maestro of Alan Reid. All welcome, with bingo and raffle. Bispham Conservative Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. 8pm.

BALLROOM AND SEQUENCE. Ansdell Institute, Woodlands Road, Ansdell. 8 to 11pm. Details, (01772) 682012.

EASY SEQUENCE. Anchorsholme Friendly Club. Senior Citizens’ Hall, Victoria Road, Cleveleys. 1.30 to 3.45pm. Details, (01253) 854562.

SEQUENCE AND BALLROOM. Senior Citizens Association Hall, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. From 7 to 10pm. Details, (01253) 852462.

SEQUENCE DANCING. All welcome. Central Methodist Church, Adelaide Street, Blackpool. 1.30 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 694846.

Salsa

SALSA AND MERENGE LESSONS. Beginners 7-8pm, intermediates 8-9pm, social dancing 9-10pm. The Station Tavern, Lytham.

PERUVIAN SALSA LESSONS. Beginners to intermediate. St Bernadette’s Parish Hall, All Hallows Road, Bispham. 6 to 8pm. Details, (07879) 413649.

NOCHES DE SALSA. Salsa lessons – beginners to advanced. Co-Operative Sports & Social Club, Preston New Road, Marton. 8pm to 9.30pm then dance until 11pm. Details, (012523) 401941 or 07967 768582.

SALSA. With Vitelio Ramos. Poulton Youth and Community Centre, Breck Road, Poulton and Thornton Sports Centre, Thornton. Details, (01253) 304996.

Other dancing

JC DANCE CLASSES. Childrens’ and adult dance classes. United Reformed Church, Queensway, Poulton. and Norbreck Primary School. Details, (07792) 410390.

RED SHOES CHEER AND DANCE ACADEMY FOR CHEERLEADING. Boys and girls welcome. Rear 147/149 Highfield Road, South Shore. Details from (01253) 310401

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING. All welcome – partner not necessary. Dancing to live music. The Scout Hut, St Patrick’s Road North, St Annes. 7.30 to 9.30pm. Details, (01253) 640247 or 07960 626836.

ADULT IRISH DANCE. Nicky Figgins Centre Stage School, Rear 216 Red Bank Road, Bispham. 7pm. Details, (07708) 642908.

CAROL MAY SCHOOL OF DANCE. Children and adults’ ballet, tap, jazz and keep fit. St Paul’s Parish Church, Ansdell & Fairhaven. 6 to 9pm. Also Saturday, 9am to 1pm. Details, (01172) 258525 or (07840) 167225.

STREET DANCE WORKOUT. Over 14’s sessions by Mimi Dance. Ansdell YMCA, Lytham High School, Worsley Road, Lytham. 6.30pm. Details, 07584 359310

Quizzes

QUIZ AND KARAOKE. Plus Strike It Lucky. Four Lane Ends, Hawes Side Lane, Marton.

QUIZ NIGHT. The Co-Operative Club, Preston New Road, Marton.

QUIZ AND CASH BINGO NIGHT. Hotel and Apartments Club, Coronation Street, Blackpool.

QUIZ NIGHT AND STRIKE IT LUCKY. Bloomfield Hotel, Ansdell Road, Blackpool.

NEW DUNES QUIZ. The Dunes, Lytham Road, South Shore. 9pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. Featuring Play Your Cards Right. £1 entry. Free buffet. The Boars Head, Preston Old Road, Marton. 9pm.

FUN QUIZ AND JACKPOT RAFFLE. The County Hotel, Lytham. From 9pm.

FUN QUIZ. Meal and drink vouchers to be won. Plus Open The Box. The Shovels, Hambleton.

STEVE JAMES QUIZ NIGHT. Cash prize for winners plus runners up prizes. Bispham Hotel, Red Bank Road, Bispham. 9pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. Drink prizes, snowball minimum £100. Free entry. The Shovels, Common Edge Road, Marton. 9.30pm.

FUN QUIZ NIGHT. Questions and prizes with host Johnny B. The Ship, Elswick. 9pm.

FUN QUIZ NIGHT. Prizes and laughs. Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 9pm.

DAVE WARD ROADSHOW QUIZ NIGHT. The Squirrel, Bispham Road, Bispham. From 9.15pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. Bay Horse Hotel, Station Road, Thornton.

QUIZ JACKPOT NIGHT. Minimum jackpot £100. Register by 9pm. The Golden Eagle, Anchorsholme. 9.15pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. Big money prizes, unlock the crock, free to enter. The Queens, Beach Road, Fleetwood.

QUIZ NIGHT AND FUN FORTUNES. The Strawberry Gardens, Fleetwood.

QUIZ NIGHT. Cash prizes, spot prizes and Play Your Cards Right – starting at £100. The Ashley Club, Victoria Road East, Thornton. 8.30pm.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ. Cash jackpot accumulator. The Rossall Tavern, Larkholme Parade, Fleetwood.

QUIZ NIGHT. Big cash prizes. The Old England, Red Bank Road, Bispham.

QUIZ NIGHT. Devonshire Arms, Devonshire Road, North Shore. Starts 9pm.

Keep fit and exercise

ZUMBA FITNESS. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Queens Promenade, Bispham. 11am.

ZUMBA FITNESS. Dalmeny Hotel, St Annes. 7.30 to 8.30pm.

PILATES AND ZUMBA. Pilates (5.30pm) and Zumba (6.30pm) with Lindsey Woolstencroft. Thornton Little Theatre, Four Land Ends, Thornton. And Sunday.

OVER 50S EXERCISE CLASS. St Bernadette’s Church Hall, Bispham. 2 to 3pm.Details, (01253) 853295.

AEROBICS. For over 50s. St Bernadette’s Church Hall, Bispham. 2 to 3pm. Details, (01253) 853295.

MUAY THAI/THAI BOXING. Pure Impact Fitness Studio, 34 Dover Court, Dover Road, South Shore. 7 to 8.30pm. Details, (07928) 128674.

ANNE’S LOSE SIZE - RE-ENERGIZE. Lytham Methodist Church, Park Street, Lytham. 12.30 to 1.30pm (aerobics), 5.45 to 6.45pm (salsacise). Details, (07983) 684855.

ZUMBA. With Phoebe. Wesby Hall, Park Street, Lytham. 7 to 8pm.

NEW BEGINNERS WALKS. Walk changes weekly. St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 1.30pm.

PHOENIX TAE KWONDO. New members welcome. White Church Hall, Ansdell. And Monday, 6.30 to 8pm. Details, 07963 104353.

EASY DOES IT. Movement to music. Whiteholme Community Centre, All Saints Road, Bispham. 10am to 10.45am.

PILATES. Whiteholme Community Centre, All Saints Road, Bispham. 11am to noon. St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 1 to 2pm; Blackpool Cricket Club, Stanley Park, Blackpool. 6.15 to 7.15pm. Details, (07738) 434991; Palatine Leisure Centre, St Annes Road, South Shore. 5.30-6.30pm.

Folk, Irish and country

FLEETWOOD FOLK CLUB. Singers’ night - all singers, musicians, poets and storytellers welcome. The Strawberry Gardens, Poulton Road, Fleetwood. admission free, 8.30pm.

Social clubs

DJ CLARKE AND KARAOKE. North Shore Sports and Social Club, Cross Street, Blackpool.

CABARET. Guest acts. Blackpool Catholic Club, 30 Queen Street, Blackpool. 2.30 to 4.30pm. Details, (01253) 628835.

WYRE LEVEE STOMPERS. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. 135, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. Details (01253) 852709.

TERRY ON THE ORGAN. Blackpool RBL Club, 33-39 King Street, Blackpool. Details (01253) 626308.

Pool, poker and sport

POKER NIGHT. Weekly – all welcome. The Plough, Chain Lane, Staining. 7.45pm.

POOL AND POKER. The King Edward, Central Drive, Blackpool. 8pm.

HOLDEM POKER NIGHT. The Queens, Beach Road, Fleetwood. 8.30pm.

Others

AT LAST!. Musical entertainers. 20 Holbeck Avenue, Blackpool 7pm. Details, (01253) 319488

CLEVELEYS JUNIOR CHESS CLUB. Weekly during school term time. Juniors of all abilities welcome. Cleveleys Park Methodist Church, Cleveleys. More details, 07966 231211.

BERYL’S PSYCHIC CLUB. The Old Town Hall, Market Place, Poulton.

ONE ACCORD. New ladies harmony group. New members welcome. Cleveleys Park Methodist Church, West Drive, Cleveleys. From 7.30pm. Details, (01253) 823805.

GIRLGUIDING. Meet for evening of fun, games, challenges, craft, sleepovers and camps. 19th Blackpool Rainbows 4.45 to 5.45pm, Brownies 6 to 7.30pm, Guides 7.30 to 9.15pm, St Marks Church Hall, Westcliffe Drive, Layton; 1st Norbreck Rainbows 5.45 to 7pm, Scout & Guide HQ, Kelvin Road & Carr Road; 3rd Norbreck Guides 6.30 to 8.30pm Beaufort Avenue Methodist Church, Beaufort Avenue, Bispham. Details 352098.

JUST GOOD FRIENDS. A group for people in their 40s and 50s wanting to meet new friends. Wings Club, Victoria Road, Cleveleys. 8pm. Details, (01253) 869519.

AT LAST. Instrumental and vocal ensemble. New members welcome. Brun Grove WM Club, off Ansdell Road, Marton. 1pm. Details, (01253) 319488.

PENCIL AND WATER COLOUR CLASS. All levels, beginners welcome. YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 1 to 3.15pm. Details, (01772) 654461.

POULTON PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. Catering for photographers of all interests and experience. Poulton Methodist Church, Queensway, Poulton. 7.30pm.

YOUNG AT HEART. Arts, crafts, cooking, guest speakers, flower arranging – and more. All ages welome. S Michael and ll Angels Church, Grange Park. 2pm.

GENERAL PAINTING. 9.30am. Contact Lynne Cray (01253) 317722. Blackpool Art Society. The Studio. Wilkinson Avenue (off Woodland Grove). Blackpool.

BRIDGE CLUBS. Lytham Bridge Club – competitive duplicate bridge. Lytham Bridge Club, Pembroke Road, Lytham. 7.15pm; Clifton Bridge Club, Ansdell Institute, Woodlands Road, Ansdell. 7.30pm.

LEGENDARY comic Frank Carson has died at the age of 85.

The funnyman - who made the Fylde coast his home for many years - lost his battle with stomach cancer, his family said tonight.

Belfast-born Frank had been in ill health and died at home surrounded by his family in Blackpool.

In a statement, his family said Frank was a “husband, father, Gaga and comedian” who had “set off for his final gig today”.

“He went peacefully at his home in Blackpool surrounded by his greatest fans - his extended family. We will be taking him home to Belfast to lay him to rest and celebrate his joyful life.

“It’s quieter down here now. God help them up there!”

The comic, who supported many Fylde coast charities, rose to fame in the 1960s after winning talent show Opportunity Knocks three times. He went on to appear in The Comedians and Tiswas.

Frank had undergone a successful operation for stomach cancer last year.

Born in Belfast on November 6, 1926 to a family of Italian descent, the son of a binman grew up in the Little Italy area of the city and worked as a plasterer and electrician before joining the Parachute Regiment.

He served three years in the Middle East in the 1950s before turning to showbusiness.

Spotted for his stand-up work, he was a popular performer on Irish television before moving to England.

Celebrity friends who died before him included Eric Morecambe, Bernard Manning, Tommy Cooper, Spike Milligan and Norman Wisdom.

He also worked ceaselessly for charity and was made a Knight of St Gregory by Pope John Paul II in 1987, the highest honour in the Catholic church.

Frank dedicated much of his life to looking after his wife Ruth, who had serious eyesight problems, with his sons Tony and Aidan and daughter Majella, despite his own heart problems. They have also put a huge effort into bringing the two sides of the community in Northern Ireland together through education.

His agent said: “His audience and friends alike will remember him as a genuine, kind-hearted and generous man who was also very funny because of ‘the way he told ‘em’.

“We will remember him as one of the nicest people in showbiz, a gentleman and a friend.”

Frank continued to perform his stand-up show until December last year. One of his final performances was for the Duke of Edinburgh.

FULL STORY AND TRIBUTES, SEE THURSDAY’S GAZETTE

LEAVE YOUR MEMORIES OF FRANK AND TRIBUTES BELOW

A FLAGSHIP Blackpool store is set to close with the loss of all jobs.

Peacocks, on Bank Hey Street, is one of 224 stores in the chain to close after the firm was bought by Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

In total, 3,100 staff will be made redundant across the UK. The exact number of jobs to go in Blackpool has yet to be revealed.

KPMG, joint administrators of Peacocks, who were called in in January, made the announcement late yesterday but said the chain’s two other Fylde coast stores – in Fleetwood and Poulton – will remain open.

Jeff Pope, of KPMG, said: “While it is unfortunate redundancies have been necessary, we are pleased that we have been able to preserve the majority of the business and jobs.”

Blackpool town centre manager Eileen Ormand said it was another blow for the resort’s high street.

She added: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear of the closure.

“We just seem to be losing one after another and it’s hard to see a brighter future at the moment.

“It was such a flagship store and a prime destination in town.

“We couldn’t be more sorry to lose it and feel for the management and staff who had been left dangling.

“My hope now is that the Government’s Portas Review of the high street will help.”

Peacocks employed 9,100 people in 611 stores and 49 concessions, but crashed into administration in January.

While many parts of the firm were profitable, a failure to restructure some £240m of its debts caused its downfall.

It was the biggest retail failure since Woolworths, placing 7,500 jobs in jeopardy.

Edinburgh, which beat off Indian textile and clothing giant S Kumars Nationwide to secure the deal, today said it would attempt to save some of the stores and jobs being lost.

John Gorle, a national officer for the Usdaw union, said: “While this is obviously fantastic news for those workers whose jobs have been saved, it is absolutely catastrophic news for the 3,100 people now facing the dole queue and this remains one of the worst redundancy situations of recent years.”

]]> 1.4275418 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:21:28 +0000 http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/book_review_a_walk_in_the_park_by_jill_mansell_1_4266083

If any film-makers out there have never curled up with a Jill Mansell book, then perhaps now is a good time to start.

A Walk in the Park is just the latest of her trademark romantic comedies which seem to gravitate to the top of the best-seller lists like a compass point to magnetic north.

And judging by this sparkling little number, she’s just getting better and better...

Wryly funny, wise and always deliciously on-song, her stories feature the kind of characters we have all met ... or would like to meet.

Take Lara Carson – at the tender age of 13, she was understandably hacked off when her father installed his new love Janice in their home just six months after Lara’s mother died.

It was clear from the start that Lara wasn’t welcome there any more. ‘Why can’t she just join the army or something,’ the lovely Janice was overheard confiding to a friend.

Three years later, life was still grim but she did have the consolation of Flynn Erskine, the handsomest and ‘best boyfriend’ in the world who made up for a lot of the misery in her life.

That is until her father chucked her out for being late home one night and she ended up on the doorstep of Aunt Nettie in Keswick who welcomed her with a big, warm maiden aunt hug and the promise of a new home with her.

There was just one problem... Lara had brought an extra ‘item’ with her baggage, the baby she was expecting to the blissfully unaware and now ex-boyfriend Flynn.

Fast forward over 18 years and Lara and her beautiful and bubbly daughter Gigi have returned to Bath for the funeral of Lara’s father and the unexpected news that his house is now theirs.

Of course, Lara’s return is causing a stir – not least with former best friend Evie who has a lot to catch up on and is on the verge of marrying her ‘bad boy’ dream lover Joel Barber.

There’s also the not insignificant and disturbing re-acquaintance with once adored boyfriend Flynn, now a handsome, mature and be-suited man rather than the dishevelled teenager in a T-shirt that she remembers.

The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how will Flynn react when he discovers the secret she has been keeping from him? There’s a lot of catching up to be done, that’s for sure...

Mansell knows all about life and love, how to make us laugh, how to make us cry and how to keep us reading long after the clocks have struck midnight.

Resourceful Lara, the lovable Gigi and ever-resilient Evie make a terrific starring threesome in a story as full of surprises and drama as it is of comic capers and true romance.

Now turn all these gorgeous goings-on into a film and the likes of Notting Hill and Love Actually would really get a run for their money!

(Headline Review, hardback, £14.99)

POLICE discovered a stolen haul when they searched a shopping trolley being used by a busker.

Thomas Heaney had filled the trolley with copper piping he had taken from a building being renovated and was trying to make his getaway.

Unemployed, Heaney, 21, of Alexandra Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to burgling an address on Waterloo Road.

He was sentenced to a two months electronically tagged curfew from 9pm to 7am and ordered to pay £40 costs by Blackpool magistrates.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said on February 10, at 12.10am, police stopped Heaney as he pulled the shopping trolley along Lytham Road.

His trousers and jacket were covered in mud and dust.

When officers asked what he had been doing Heaney said he had been in a field.

When asked what was in the trolley, he replied “Just clothes.”

After copper piping was found in the trolley, police contacted the owner of the property it had been taken from.

The owner found removal of the piping from the address being renovated had resulted in water running into the property. He said he would now have to replumb a water pipe to the mains.

Gary McAnulty, defending, said Heaney had owed his mother money from a time he had stayed with her.

He usually made cash from busking in the town centre, but the weather had been too bad, Mr McAnulty added.

Heaney took the piping on impulse from a property he knew was empty, hoping to sell it.

HEARTS are set to skip a beat when one of pop’s hottest talents invites thousands to dance with him under the gaze of Lytham’s iconic windmill.

Fresh from a sell out arena tour, X-Factor star Olly Murs will top the bill for the final night of this year’s Lytham Proms festival.

And the festival’s St Annes-based organisers couldn’t be more thrilled to have secured the star, who has been part of the Illuminations Switch On ceremony for the last two years.

Olly will headline the Sunday night slot, and a spokesman for Cuffe and Taylor said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Olly Murs to Lytham Proms Festival Weekend.

“We wouldn’t want anyone else to be closing the festival this year.

“Olly is a star, and with a sell-out tour, Brit Award nomination and number one album to his name he is sure to thrill the crowds this summer.”

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Hit singles Dance With Me Tonight and Heart Skips A Beat also went to number one, and Olly is promising fans his “best show of the year” when he takes to the Lytham Green stage.

It’s the singer’s only North West date this summer, and he said: “We’re not going too far down the dancing route – I’ll get a bigger band, build that up. I just want to put on the best show of the year, if I can. I want people to come away feeling it was money well spent.”

Olly joins a host of 80s stars – performing on the Friday night as part of the Here and Now tour – and Saturday headliner, Fleetwood’s very own West End star Alfie Boe, on the bill for this year’s three-night festival, between Friday, August 3 and Sunday, August 5.

The organisers added: “Lytham Proms Festival Weekend has really become a renowned event and one that creates a real buzz in the local area. The event has three very different nights of music and Olly will be a memorable way to close Lytham Proms Festival Weekend 2012.”

Tickets go on sale on Friday. For full details see today’s Gazette.

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CRESTFALLEN Ian Holloway pulled no punches after the Seasiders’ biggest home defeat in more than seven years.

The boss described last night’s 4-1 mauling at the hands of 10-man West Ham as “hideous” and claimed his team were unrecognisable from the side which had started 2012 in such style.

Pool have not been hit for four at Bloomfield Road since losing 4-0 to Stockport in August 2004, when Colin Hendry was in charge.

Holloway copped some flak from a couple of supporters close to the dugout but he accepted it, saying: “I was getting slaughtered by two or three of our fans and quite understandably so. I understand that wasn’t good enough.

“The first 45 minutes was probably the worst performance, I’ve seen since I’ve been here. It was pretty shocking and nobody was more shocked than me.”

The Seasiders were handed a lifeline when West Ham keeper Robert Green was sent off early in the second half with the score at 2-1. The Hammers didn’t have a keeper on the bench, so midfielder Henri Lansbury went in goal.

But Holloway’s men could not make the most of the opportunity.

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The manager added: “I didn’t care who they put in goal. I just wanted my lads to exploit their 10-man situation and I didn’t see them doing it anywhere like they should have. I was trying to get messages out, but it just summed up our evening that we didn’t put any pressure on their keeper.

“With an extra man you need to get it wide. We needed to do that all night but we didn’t.

“It is quite surreal. Just when you think things are going well, that happens.”

Holloway suggested the pre-match talk about how victory would lift his players to third in the Championship table affected their performance.

Instead they have dropped out of the play-off zone because Birmingham and Middlesbrough both won.

The manager believes the occasion got to some of his squad and will order everyone to get back to basics ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bristol City.

This was Pool’s first home defeat since October – and only their third setback on home soil all campaign – but the manager had no excuses after watching West Ham run riot. He says the victors fully deserved the points.

“Our lot couldn’t get anything going,” he said. “When Barry Ferguson hits it with the outside of his right foot, and it pops up in the air and puts their bloke through, you think, ‘Good God’.

“That was hideous and hard to stomach but we have to get on with it, simple as that.

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SPENDING on CCTV cameras in Blackpool looks set to be cut again this year – as local authorities come under fire for pouring too much cash into surveillance.

Figures obtained by civil liberties campaigners Big Brother Watch show Blackpool Council has spent nearly £1.2m on CCTV cameras in the past four years.

Nationally the pressure group says councils have spent £515m.

It has accused Britain of having an “out-of-control surveillance culture that is doing little to improve public safety.”

Blackpool slashed £908,000 from its parking and CCTV budget last year while this year it is proposing to cut another £100,000 leaving a proposed £125,000 for CCTV in the 2012/13 budget.

Coun Eddie Collett, portfolio holder for community safety on Blackpool Council, said: “I think overall the case for CCTV is far from proven.

“It clearly helps detect crime once it has been committed but as a preventative measure it only works in very limited circumstances, one of which is in car parks.

“But when it comes to general surveillance of the population in town centres, there is very little evidence it achieves much at all.

“The money could be better spent on things like more police officers and security officers, and better street lighting.”

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As part of last year’s town hall cuts, monitoring of cameras was reduced and the system is now unmanned for three days a week, although cameras are still recording round the clock.

The number of operators based at the monitoring centre, which opened in 2001, was cut from 11 to three.

Nick Pickles, director of privacy at Big Brother Watch, said: “Britain has an out-of-control surveillance culture that is doing little to improve public safety but has made our cities the most watched in the world.

“Surveillance is an important tool in modern policing but it is not a substitute for policing.

“In too many cities across the country every corner has a camera but only a few ever see a police officer.

“Despite millions of cameras, Britain’s crime rate is not significantly lower than comparable countries that do not have such a vast surveillance state.

“There is no credible evidence that more cameras will reduce crime, yet councils have poured enough money into CCTV in just four years that would have put more than four thousand extra police officers on the streets.”

The figures, obtained by Big Brother Watch using Freedom of Information requests, also show Fylde Council has spent £72,533 on CCTV over four years and Wyre has spent £310,466.

A spokesman for Fylde Council said its system was mainly funded by outside bodies including the fire and police authorities.

He said: “It costs very little per year to the council tax-payer and it provides public confidence in town centres and some of our parks. Criminals know if they commit a crime, they are likely to be caught.”

Two additional cameras will be provided in Lytham this spring.

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CAMPAIGNERS have lost a last ditch attempt to keep a tram crossing open.

Town hall chiefs have confirmed a decision to close the junction at Lauderdale Avenue in Anchorsholme after it was brought before the council’s executive for a fifth time.

The crossing is now expected to be formally closed to traffic in time for the launch of the new tram service at Easter, although residents are considering a costly legal challenge.

There will still be pedestrian access across the tracks.

Anchorsholme ward councillors Tony Williams and Paul Galley have led the fight.

Coun Williams said: “The fact this decision has been challenged and called in on three separate occasions and been considered five times by the Labour executive shows we have been able to prove there are both doubts and concerns as to the legality and safety of this council’s determination to close the Lauderdale crossing.”

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Coun Galley added: “It is very frustrating, and we have now exhausted the call-in process. There now follows a series of questions from residents of the area in regard to their house title deeds and the value of their properties that may have been affected by the closure of a right of way that was granted in 1896.”

Residents are considering seeking a judicial review of the decision.

A 3,000-signature petition opposing the closure was submitted along with concerns from emergency services.

However, the council executive said the crossing needed to be closed to allow the new supertram system to run efficiently and safely, given the increased speed and quietness of the new rolling stock. Following consultation, objections were received in response to the closure order.

The issue went before the scrutiny sub-committee which agreed to refer the decision back to the executive once more.

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WORK is due to begin next month on a £1m project to transform a former Blackpool library into a day care centre.

The council is joining forces with health chiefs to create a new hub for people with learning difficulties at the former library on Bispham Road.

It is due to be completed by September and, along with facilities at Whitegate Drive Independent Living Centre, will replace the Langdale Centre in Mereside.

Coun Kath Rowson, cabinet member for adult social care on Blackpool Council, said: “The new building will be much more practical for many people who currently have to travel across Blackpool to use our disabled facilties.

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“The plans for the old Bispham Library site look very impressive and we have kept the front of the building unchanged, which was an important part of the design for us.

“We are also retaining the garden at the front of the library as this is a peaceful oasis that is appreciated by many local residents.”

The new facilities will continue to be called the Langdale Project and to be run by the Learning Disability Partnership.

Plans have been approved which will see the demolition of the existing health centre and dental clinic, and the construction of a single storey rear extension to the former library which was replaced by the new Moor Park Library last year.

Cruel con men are literally stripping a Blackpool-based charity bare by stealing recycled clothes donated by the public.

he items are destined to raise vital funds for the North West Air Ambulance charity.

But before they can be officially collected, well-organised gangs collect the clothing using fake flyers and even false uniforms, and then ship the goods for sale to the continent.

The North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) estimates as much as £1,000 a week is being lost because of the heartless thieves.

Towns right across the North West – known to include Blackpool and the Fylde coast – are targeted with the false flyers saying donated clothing will be collected on a certain day but sadly the items aren’t reaching their intended destination.

Footage filmed on behalf of the charity clearly shows bags of clothes being picked up and put into the back of unmarked vans.

Now the charity, which uses Blackpool Airport as a base and needs to raise £4.2m each year to keep its two emergency helicopters flying, is considering halting all genuine collections of recycled goods for one month in the hope of flushing out this illegal operation.

Charity Chief Executive Lynda Brislin said, “We are appalled people are taking these clothes knowing full well they have been donated to a charity.

“We are sadly thinking of taking the drastic measure of halting our collections for one month in the hope the police and trading standards officials could flush out the people who are hurting the charity financially. I am extremely saddened by this situation.”

NWAA says recycled clothing will only ever be collected in official North West Air Ambulance vans and if anyone is suspicious about the people collecting the items they should immediately contact the charity on 0800 587 4570.

The charity’s plight has received the support of Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.

He said, “The North West Air Ambulance does fantastic work and people give generously to support their work.”

“Targeting charity collections for financial gain is not just criminal, but deeply wrong. The people who are benefiting from this must not realise that their crimes lead to lost lives.”

>> Anyone wishing to donate to the North West Air Ambulance Charity can do so by calling 0800 587 4570, or by post to: FREEPOST NORTH WEST AIR AMBULANCE, North Mersey Business Centre, Woodward Road, Knowsley, L33 7UY. All cheques should be crossed and payable to North West Air Ambulance.

It’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Hello Blackpool Headlands – and not before time!

Last time Elton John performed in Blackpool was 30 years ago and the then chairman of Watford Football Club wished Blackpool FC well from his team’s loftier position in the top division.

There have been many changes since Sir Elton last graced a Blackpool stage – two nights at the Opera House in November 1982.

Pinball Wizard, Crocodile Rock, Daniel and even a Beatles medley were part of his electrifying set which left fans clamouring for more – even after three encores.

A spokesman for the venue’s then owners Trusthouse Forte said: “We want to attract as many star names as possible to the resort.”

The fact is Blackpool still does – and with the availability of the Headlands as a live music facility we will continue to do so.

Already lined up are McFly and Wanted. Optimists are still keeping their (sticky) fingers crossed for the Rolling Stones to return now their Blackpool ban is lifted, but in the meantime pop and rock’s greatest showman will certainly do quite nicely, thank you very much.

It’s unlikely his costumes will be quite as flamboyant as they were in 1982 but Elton John is a major coup.

Hopefully one of many to be announced in the not too distant future for a performing area which should finally put Blackpool back in with a chance of luring the calibre of act requiring the kind of audience figures only major big city arenas and open air festivals have been able to boast.

We’ve got the space, we’ve got the accommodation and now we are beginning to once again get the acts.

Bring them on.

The National Theatre’s West End and Broadway smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, is coming to Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Based on the 1743 Italian play Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, One Man, Two Guvnors replaces 18th century Italy with 1960s Brighton.

Written by Richard Bean and directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner this award-winning play has been hailed as “a glorious celebration of British comedy: a unique, laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners.”

Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his fiancee’s dad… but Roscoe is really Rachel, posing as her own dead brother who ha been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.

Holed up at The Cricketers’ Arms, the permanently ravenous Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with one Stanley Stubbers, who is hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel. To prevent discovery Francis must keep his two guvnors apart

Richard Bean spent five years as a stand-up comedian before turning his hand to writing and joining BBC Radio’s Control Group Six. His plays include England People Very Nice for the National, Harvest which won the Critic’s Circle Award for Best New Play and a new version of The Hypochondriac for the Almeida Theatre.

Sir Nicholas Hytner became Director of the National in 2003. For the National Theatre he has directed The History Boys, Henry V, His Dark Materials, The Alchemist, Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet amongst many more. On screen he has directed The Crucible, The Madness of King George and The Object of My Affection along with the highly acclaimed The History Boys. He was knighted in the 2010 Honours for services to drama.

A sell-out on both the West End and Broadway One Man, Two Guvnors has been described in the national press as ‘one of the funniest plays in the National’s history’ and ‘one massive hit.’

Neil Thomson, the Grand Theatre’s CEO said: “I am highly delighted that the National Theatre are returning to The Grand.

“This is the first direct National Theatre tour since The History Boys in 2007 and it is fantastic that the National have recognised the Grand Theatre, and Blackpool, increasing its cultural and quality presence. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the show before it goes down under to Australia in 2013.”

One Man, Two Guvnors is at the Grand Theatre from Tuesday November 27 to Saturday December 1.

Tickets from £12 (before booking fee). Call the box office on (01253) 743339 or click on {http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk|www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk|Click here to visit the Grand Theatre website}, or visit the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

URBAN regeneration and property development company Muse Developments – delivering Blackpool’s £220m Central Business District regeneration – contributed to a resilient set of preliminary results for the year.

Parent construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall Group plc recorded profit before tax, amortisation and non-recurring items of £45.3m (2010: £51.3m) with revenue up six per cent at £2,227m.

The group’s forward order book currently stands at £3.4bn with a growing regeneration pipeline of £1.8bn, and a further £600m of regeneration schemes at preferred developer stage.

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In Blackpool, Muse is working with Blackpool Council to deliver the £220m business district which will create new retail, commercial, community and hotel space, town centre parking and transport facilities.

Nigel Franklin, joint managing director of Muse, said: “We are actively building new offices, homes and retail and leisure facilities.

“This is an endorsement of our business model which provides both geographic and sector spread through a focus on truly mixed-use development.”

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Friday’s Fylde Arts Mid Day Recital at Poulton Methodist Church is being given by Rossall School’s director of music Margaret Elizabeth Young (clarinet) and Philip Kubilius (piano) who will be presenting a programme of Brahms and Weber.

Margaret is originally from Preston and excelled in her early years, gaining a grade VIII aged just 11 and with later study achieving a BA Hons and both LRSM and LTCL diplomas.

Since then she has performed as soloist and chamber musician and was also in demand as a teacher. For nine years she was director of music at Cardinal Newman School before taking on the same role at Rossall.

Philip studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music graduating with special merit in performance. He has accompanied many famous singers and instrumentalists and has appeared as soloist and chamber musician.

His work in education includes 24 years as head of keyboard studies at the Blackburn School of Music.

In complete contrast he has also been a teacher of Tai Chi and Qigong for over 30 years.

Friday’s recital celebrates the 20th anniversary of the two artists working together as a duo and the programme includes Brahms (Sonata No 1) and Weber’s Grand Duo.

Starting at 1pm, admission is £7 (£5 Fylde Arts members). Hot lunches are available.

A POLISH man punched a fellow countryman in the mouth damaging three of his teeth.

Paul Elman, a 29-year-old sales assistant, of Hornby Road, Blackpool, admitted assaulting Radoslaw Pawlik when he appeared before Blackpool Magistrates Court.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said that on November 4 the victim went to a party at an address in Hornby Road.

After drinking Polish beer he went outside for a cigarette with a friend at 11pm.

Elman approached them, started arguing and punched the victim in the mouth, knocking him to the ground where he hit him again.

Three of the victim’s teeth were damaged and when contacted Elman said he would pay £700 towards dental work.

The victim’s dentist later fully assessed the teeth and said the repair work would cost £2,500.

Martin Hillson, defending, said his client had been dropped off near his home by a friend.

Elman said he saw the victim and another man and they said to him: “What are you looking at, we will smack you.”

Elman was bailed for pre-sentence reports by Blackpool magistrates.

STOP fouling our wood! That is the message to inconsiderate dog owners who are making life a misery for volunteers striving to protect a popular wood.

And the problem of dog mess in Lytham’s Witch Wood is now so bad, the Lytham St Annes Civic Society is calling on Fylde Council to bring in new rules to tackle it.

Cycling and horse riding could also be banned at the beauty spot if the society – which owns the wood – gets its way.

Marion Coupe, the society’s chairman, said: “A huge amount of volunteers’ effort goes into the wood.

“People look after it so carefully but they only have to go into the undergrowth to do some work and they find dog mess. Some people put it in bags and throw it or hang it on a tree.

“This wood is so loved by the responsible dog walkers – and there are plenty of those – but because of the minority of dog owners that go in there and don’t pick up, there’s dog mess.”

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The council has the power to introduce a dog control order preventing dogs being let off leads, and will consider the issue at next week’s Community Focus Scrutiny Committee.

It can also introduce bylaws banning cycling and horse riding, something the society claim is damaging the wood.

Mrs Coupe added: “Cycling is very dangerous in the wood because the paths are so wiggly.

“They’re not supposed to go down there but unless there are four of us in the wood we can’t tackle cyclists because people are very rude.

“We don’t want to cover the wood with notices but a bit of help from the council would not go amiss.”

The report to go before next Tuesday’s meeting states paths in the wood – and nearby Linnet Lane Wood – have been cracked by cyclists and riders. Before any changes are made, the council will embark on a public consultation to gather views on what should be done.

The meeting takes at 6.15pm in St Annes Town Hall.

A trio of star names have been confirmed for two of Blackpool Grand Theatre’s future shows.

X Factor finalist Ray Quinn replaces Gareth Gates in The Rise & Fall of Little Voice and Dave Willetts and Marti Webb have been confirmed as the two leads for 42nd Street in July.

Written and directed by Jim Cartwright The Rise & Fall of Little Voice features two national treasures – Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald from Coronation Street) and now Ray Quinn (X Factor, Dancing on Ice, Grease).

Ray Quinn began his career in Brookside but is best known for coming second to Leona Lewis on 2006’s X Factor. Since then he has had a platinum selling album, Doing It My Way. Ray has also had his own nationwide tour as well as appearing on the X-Factor arena tour and winning 2009’s Dancing On Ice.

He recently played Warner in the tour of Legally Blonde, appeared in the West End production of Dirty Dancing and Grease along with other roles in Buster, Me and My Girl and Peter Pan.

Beverley Callard is best known for her role as Liz MacDonald in Coronation Street, who she first played in 1989. Beverley left the soap in 1998 to concentrate on her other career as an aerobics instructor, and to spend more time with her family. In 2001 she joined the cast of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and stayed with the series for the next four years. In 2003 she returned to Coronation Street where she stayed until filming her final scenes in April 2011.

The Rise & Fall of Little Voice is at the Grand Theatre from November 19 to 24.

42nd Street returns to the Grand Theatre due to public demand this July, starring West End stars Dave Willetts and Marti Webb.

Winner of the 1980 Tony Award for Best New Musical and the 2001 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, 42nd Street is the timeless, inspiring tale of small town Peggy Sawyer’s rise to fame.

Dave Willetts became interested in amateur dramatics in his 20s and caught the attention of Bob Hamlyn, artistic director of the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Hamlyn cast him in Annie and Willetts began his rise to the top.

Trevor Nunn cast him in the chorus of the original London production of Les Misérables and within a year he was understanding Colm Wilkinson in the lead role of Jean Valjean which he took over this role in 1986.

In 1987 he succeeded Michael Crawford in Phantom of the Opera later taking the show on tour. Since then he has appeared in a concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar, taken the lead role in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd and appeared in the 20th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats as well as returning to his role as Jean Valjean for the 10th anniversary production of Les Misérables in Sydney.

Most recently he has appeared in the West End revival of Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love and the first UK tour of Legally Blonde.

Marti Webb is best known for her roles in Evita and Tell Me On a Sunday.

In the mid 80s she succeeded Elaine Paige as Grizabella in Cats and in 1995, at 50 she reprised her role in Evita in the UK tour. In recent years Marti has appeared alongside Sheila Ferguson and Rula Lenska in Hot Flush and in 2008 she played Mrs Johnstone in the UK tour of Blood Brothers. During 2010 she starred as Aunt Eller in a UK tour of Oklahoma.

42nd Street is at the Grand Theatre from July 24 to 28.

Book at (01253) 743339, www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk, or the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Don’t miss our What’s On section for all the best in entertainment across the Fylde coast.

Attractions

MADAME TUSSAUDS. The best of British celebrities. More information www.madametussauds.com/blackpool. Central Promenade, Blackpool. 10am to 4.30pm. Details, (01253) 299483

SEA LIFE CENTRE. More information www.sealife.co.uk/blackpool. Golden Mile, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621258.

BLACKPOOL TOWER BALLROOM. Open daily except for special events. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details, (0844) 8561000.

BLACKPOOL TOWER DUNGEON. Open daily. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. (01253) 622242

BLACKPOOL TOWER EYE. Open daily. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. (0844) 8561000

BLACKPOOL TOWER JUNGLE JIM’S. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details, (0844) 8561000.

BLACKPOOL MODEL VILLAGE. Take a big look around this tiny world which recreates English life from times gone by. East Park Drive, Blackpool. Open daily 10am. Details (01253) 763827.

BLACKPOOL ZOO AND DINOSAUR SAFARI. Home to more than 400 animals as well as 32 different dinosaurs. Daily from 10am. East Park Drive, Blackpool. Details (01253) 830830.

FARMER PARR’S ANIMAL WORLD. Rare breeds galore. Wyrefield Farm, Rossall Lane and Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood. Daily, 10am to 5pm. Details, (01253) 874389.

PENNY FARM RESCUE & REHABILITATION CENTRE. Meet the horses and ponies. Visitor centre, guided tours. Free entry. Preston New Road, Peel. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Details, (01253) 766095.

RIPLEYS BELIEVE IT OR NOT. Two floors of interactive exhibitions and displays. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, South Shore. Daily from 10am. Details, (0871) 2221234.

Theatre and shows

TWO. Justin Moorhouse and Victoria Elliott star in the latest revival of Jim Cartwight’s funny, stunning and sad exploration of all the stages of love. The Royal Exchange, St Anns Square, Manchester. Monday to Friday, 7.30pm. Wednesday, 2.30pm. Saturdays, 4 and 8pm. Ends February 25. Box office, (0161) 8339833.

ALFIE. David Thacker directs this revival of Bill Naughton’s 1960s kitchen sink comedy drama about a working class Don Juan of the East End, . The Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton. Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm. Some matinees. Ends February 18. Box office, (01204) 520661.

THE GATEKEEPER. Award winning writer Chloe Moss’ latest – set in the Lake District, a darkly comic tale of one family’s celebratory get together which falls APART. The Studio, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anns Square, Manchester. To February 25. Box office, (0161) 8339833.

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. Northern Broadsides in partnership with the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme present director Barrie Rutter’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s unlikely comedy. The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster. To Saturday, 7.30pm. Matinee today,1pm and Saturday, 2pm.

Pubs and bars

THREE DECADES OF DANCE. DJ Kieron with hits from the 60s to 80s. The Mardi Gras, Talbot Road, Blackpool.

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT. Bar 19 Queen Street, Blackpool. 2 to 6pm.

WICKED WEDNESDAY. With DJ Darrell Lord. Bar 19 Queen Street, Blackpool. 9pm to 4am.

NORTHERN AND SOULFUL SOUNDS. With Mike Hughes. Soul Suite, Queen Square/Queen Street, Blackpool.

KEEP IT FRESH. With DJ Matt Munroe. Walkabout, Queen Street, Blackpool. To 3am.

GET KINECTED. Play against giant versions of yourself. Yates’s, Market Street, Blackpool.

OPEN MIC NIGHT. Churchill’s, Topping Street. Blackpool.

LIVE MUSIC NIGHT. Guest musicians and singer songwriters. The Galleon, Abingdon Street, Blackpool. Free admission.

BRANDY BABYCHAM’S FULL DIAMANTE. Full line-up of female impersonators and vocalists. Free admission. Roxy’s, Queen Street, Blackpool.

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT. Games night with fun quiz. The Shovels, Green Meadows Lane, Hambleton. 9 to 11.30pm.

Quizzes

TONY’S QUIZ AND PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT. Cash prizes and free sandwiches. The Station Tavern, Lytham. From 9pm.

JOHN KNIGHT QUIZ NIGHT. The Hansom Cab, Station Road, Lytham.

QUIZ AND BINGO. Numbers permitting. Up to £100 to be won. Churchill’s, Topping Street. Blackpool. Afternoon.

QUIZ NIGHT. And Play Your Cards Right. The Shovels, Hambleton.

DJ BASTIAN PLUS QUIZ NIGHT. Lucy’s @ Tobago, Abingdon Street, Blackpool.

QUIZ NIGHT. With the Dave Ward Roadshow. The Tramway, Victoria Road, Cleveleys.

QUIZ NIGHT. Free to enter. Beer to win. The Blue Room, Church Street, Blackpool. From 8pm.

JOHNNY B’s FREE QUIZ. The Ship. Elswick. From 9pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. Whittle Springs, Talbot Road, Blackpool.

QUIZ NIGHT. Prizes for winners, free sandwiches. The Station Tavern, Station Square, Lytham. From 9pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. Plus Open the Box and Play Your Cards Right. The Admiral, Clifton Drive/The Square, St Annes.

QUIZ NIGHT. Stanley Road WMC, Stanley Road, off Hornby Road, Blackpool.

Sport and poker

POKER NIGHT. The Burn Naze, Gamble Road, Thornton.

POKER NIGHT. Frenchman’s Cove, South King Street, Blackpool. From 7.30pm.

LADIES ONLY POKER NIGHT. The Washington, Topping Street, Blackpool.

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER. The Lane Ends, Marton. 8pm.

Social clubs

CABARET. Guest acts. Blackpool Catholic Club, 30 Queen Street, Blackpool. 2.30 to 4.30pm. Details, (01253) 628835.

JAMES ALEXANDER. Brunswick Club, Bethesda Square, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 624208.

Karaoke

KARAOKE. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Queens Promenade, Bispham.

KARAOKE. A gallon of beer to be won. The Townsman, Topping Street, Blackpool. 3 to 8pm.

KARAOKE NIGHT. The Victoria, Church Road, St Annes.

KARAOKE NIGHT. Free shot for singers before 10pm. The Victoria, Dock Street, Fleetwood.

KARAOKE. Blackpool RBL Club, King Street, Blackpool.

KARAOKE. Daily do it yourself session. Chubby’s Bar, The Promenade, Blackpool. From 9am to 6pm.

KARAOKE. Knobby’s Bar. West Street, Blackpool. And Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From 7pm.

Line dancing

T& A’s DANCE RANCH. All welcome, partners not necessary. Beginners 12.30 to 1.30pm. Teaching and social dancing, 1.30 to 4pm. Bispham United Reformed Church, Cavendish Road, Bispham. Details, (01253) 594043.

LANCASHIRE ROSE LINE DANCE CLUB. Assembly Rooms, Warrenhurst Road, Fleetwood. 7.30 to 10.30pm. Details, 07766 310260.

LINE DANCING. St Annes Conservative Club, Clifton Drive North, St Annes.

LINE DANCING. With John and Marion. Hampton Road Club, South Shore.

Social dancing

TEA DANCE. Langdales Hotel, Clifton Drive North, St Annes. 2 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 721342.

SOCIAL DANCING. Senior Citizens’ Hall, Victoria Road, Cleveleys. 1.30 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 852462.

BALLROOM & SEQUENCE. With John Peate (keyboards) and Dave Miller (drums). Cleveleys Mens Club, Slinger Road, Cleveleys.

PARTNER DANCING. Singles, groups and couples welcome. Fylde Rugby Club, Blackpool Road, Ansdell. Beginners, 7.15pm. Intermediates 8.45pm. Ends 10.30pm. details, 07904 713599.

SEQUENCE. With David and Rita Harrod. Holy Cross Church, Central Drive, Blackpool. 2 to 4.15pm. Details, (01253) 356284.

Other dancing

LADIES BELLYDANCE CLASSES. Beginners 6pm. Intermediate 7pm. Bispham Community Centre, Bispham Road, Bispham. Details, (07709) 723822.

DANCING. Ladies only – all ages, all shapes welcome. Open level. Norcross Civil Service Social Room. Noon to 1pm. Open level. St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 5.45 to 6.45pm. More details, (01253) 394830 or 07811 189980.

JC DANCE CLASSES. Childrens’ dance classes. United Reformed Church, Queensway, Poulton and Womens’ Institute Hall, Great Eccleston. Details, (07792) 410390.

Salsa

SALSA AND AEROBICS. All abilities and ages over 12. Anchorsholme Methodist Church, North Drive, Anchorsholme. 6 to 7.30 and 7.30 to 9pm. Details, 07545 057064.

SALSA DANCING. Beginners welcome. Mammas Too, St Annes. 7.30pm.

NOCHES DE SALSA. Salsa lessons for beginners to advanced. Methodist Church Hall, Kirkham Road, Freckleton. 8 to 9.30pm. Beginners to advanced classes at The Royal British Legion Club, Rough Lea Road, Cleveleys. 7.10pm (beginners) and 8pm (advanced) then dance afterwards until 11pm. Details, (012523) 401941 or 07967 768582.

SALSA DANCING. Free tuition from Joanna. The Tavern, Adelaide Street, Fleetwood.

SALSA. Advanced 8 to 9pm, intermediate 9 to 10pm. St Annes Parish Rooms, St Annes. Details, (0780) 8351436.

SALSA. With Vitelio Ramos. Our Lady’s Parish Centre, St Annes. Details, (01253) 304996.

SIMPLY SALSA. Beginners, improvers, intermediate and advanced lessons and social dancing. St Anthony Padua Social Club, Cadley Causeway, Fulwood, Preston.

Keep fit and exercise

CALLANETICS. All Saints Church, North Drive, Anchorsholme. 5.30 to 7.30pm.

SALSA-CISE. Tiptoes Theatre School, Collingwood Place, Layton. 7.30 to 8.30pm. Details, (07951) 012888.

CLEVELEYS TAEKWONDO CLUB. Juniors (year one and above) – 5.30 to 6.30pm. Teenagers and adults – 7.45 to 9pm. Frank Townend Community Centre, Kensington Road, Cleveleys.

FAMILY FIT PROGRAMME. Fun exercise programme for all the family – children free. Fleetwood Lofthouse YMCA, Fleetwood. 5.30 to 6.30pm. Details, (01253) 882105.

XL FITNESS. Fitness for the fuller figure. Beginners fat-burning aerobics class. Elswick & District Village Hall, Elswick. 6.30 to 7.30pm. Details, (01772) 865645.

YOGA FOR STRESS RELIEF. Five week course. Palatine High School, St Annes Road, South Shore. Details, (01253) 883601.

YOGA/TAI/CHI/PILATES. For posture, strength and flexibility. YIP Centre, Inskip. 8 to 9pm. Details, (01772) 865645.

YOGA. Trained teacher. Suitable for all. The Assembly Rooms, Dicconson Terrace, Lytham. 7 to 8.30pm. Details, (01252) 640247 or (07960) 626836.

TAI CHI. Beginners classes. Wignall Church, Victoria Road East, Cleveleys. 10 to 11am. Details, 0771 501 4018.

MUAY THAI/THAI BOXING. Pure Impact Fitness Studio, 34 Dover Court, Dover Road, South Shore. 8 to 9.30pm. Details, (07928) 128674.

KUNG FU & SELF DEFENCE. VIDA, Garstang Road, Blackpool. 7.30 to 9pm. Details, (01253) 206155.

SHOTOKAN KARATE. For fitness and confidence, eight years plus. Beginners welcome. St Albans Church, St Annes. 7 to 8.30pm. Details, 07989 908135. Also adults and children from 10 years. Palmer Avenue Methodist Church, Blackpool. Also Friday, 7.30 to 9pm. Details, (0780) 1716380.

BLACKPOOL & FYLDE SUB AQUA CLUB. All diver associations and diver levels welcome. Dover Road, Marton. Details, (0790) 820693.

SUB AQUA DIVING. Turn you hand to Try-a-Dive or snorkelling. Fleetwood Leisure Centre, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 7.45 to 9pm.

PILATES. Senior Citizens Association Hall, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. From 6.30 to 7.20pm. Details, (01253) 852462;

Chess

CHESS AND WHIST. Senior Citizens’ Hall, Victoria Road, Cleveleys. 12.45 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 852462.

Others

MEDITATION CLASS. Relax, unwind and combat stres. Soma Thweraptry Centre, Hesketh avenue, Bispham. 7 to 8pm. Details, 0783 4072273.

BUDDHIST TEACHING AND MEDITATION. Weekly classes to September 28. Creative Support/Lighthouse Cafe, Crescent West, Cleveleys. From 7 to 8.30pm. Details, (01253) 352721.

DARK HORSE WRITERS GROUP. Weekly creative writing group. Blackpool Catholic Club, Queen Street, Blackpool. 7 to 9pm. Details, (01253) 347556.

JUST GOOD FRIENDS. Fun social group for 35s/50s. Wings Club, Victoria Road, Cleveleys. From 8pm. Details, (01253) 869519. Social group for 40s to 60s. Bispham Conservative Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. 8.15pm. Details, (01253) 869519.

OVER EATERS ANONYMOUS. Self help group for people with eating disorders. Friends Meeting House, Raikes Parade, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 823418.

PUBLIC SKATING SESSION. The Arena, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. 10am to noon and 1 to 3pm.

SELF DEVELOPMENT CLASS. Learn about past lives, meditate and heal as part of a group. The Fleetwood Arms, Dock Street, Fleetwood. Details, (07722) 539461.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION. Weekly classes. Keajra Buddhist Centre, 64 Holmfield Road, North Shore. 7.30 to 9.30pm. details, (01253) 352721.

CAPRICORN SINGERS. New members welcome. Varied repertoire. Cleveleys Park Methodist Church, Cleveleys. 7.45pm.

POULTON JUNIOR BRASS BAND. Members (8 to14 years) welcome (min 18 months playing experience required). Poulton Band Headquarters, Station Road, Poulton. 6.30 to 7.30pm.

FYLDE COMPUTER CLUB. Enthusiasts always welcome. Lostock Gardens Day Centre, off Clayton Crescent, Blackpool. Second and fourth Wednesday each month, 7.30pm.

BLACKPOOL CIRCUS SCHOOL. Circus training weekly. Beginners, 5.30 to 6.30pm. Advanced, 5.45 to 7.45pm. Sports Hall, Highfield Humanities College. Details, (01253) 735725.

BLACKPOOL ART SOCIETY. Portrait painting. 10am. Life Drawing 2pm. Contact Brian Halliagan (01253) 393552. The Studio. Wilkinson Avenue (off Woodland Grove). Blackpool.

BRIDGE CLUBS. Gazette bridge club – friendly duplicate bridge. The Wainwright Club, Hornby Road, Blackpool. 7pm; Lytham Bridge Club – friendly duplicate bridge. Lytham Bridge Club, Pembroke Road, Lytham. 7.15pm; Clifton Bridge Club – improvers’ night. Ansdell Institute, Woodlands Road, Ansdell. 7.30pm.

GIRLGUIDING. Meet for evening of fun, games, challenges, craft, sleepovers and camps. 1st Bispham Brownies 6.30 to 8pm, Guides 8 to 9.15pm, Scout & Guide HQ, Devonshire Road, Bispham; 3rd Norbreck Rainbows 5 to 6pm, Brownies 6.15 to 7.45pm, Beaufort Avenue Methodist Church, Beauford Avenue, Bispham; 20th Blackpool Brownies 6 to 7.30pm Holy Family Church Hall, Links Road, Claremont. Details (01253) 352098.

A tribute to Radio Luxembourg’s once hugely popular Battle of the Giants programme is launching its 2012 tour in Lytham – and you could be taking part.

Organisers of Battle of the Giants: The Rock and Pop Years which is at the Lowther Pavilion on Saturday, March 24 want to hear from IDTA dance schools wanting to take part in an Ovaltinies routine and also an Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard tribute to front the “Battle.”

A tribute to the hugely popular Radio Luxembourg 208 show of the same name, Battle of The Giants takes a humorous look back at the music of the 1960s featuring a 14 strong cast of singers, actors, dancers and musicians including Sally Molloy as Brenda Lee.

Battle of the Giants is an interactive audience participation show with audience members choosing the winning Elvis and Cliff act from each performance.

There are also on screen vignettes from television archives and motion graphics featuring a variety of personalities including Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Tim Rice and the late Sir Jimmy Savile talking about what the radio station did for their careers.

With pre-recorded links from Doug Stanley (the original presenter of Battle of the Giants) Tony Prince, Emperor Rosko, Bob Stewart, and off air items from the legendary Kenny Everett, it’s a nostalgic 60s show written and directed by Todd Slaughter and choreographed by Vivienne Shelley. The soundtracks and dancing recreates hits by Elvis, Cliff, The Beatles, The Four Seasons, Brenda Lee and Cilla Black, together with dozens of other golden classics.

At each venue local performers will be invited to compete to be the Best Cliff and the Best Elvis. Auditions will take place prior to the show. The winners from each local contest will appear in a grand final show at the end of the year. Would-be performers should email their details and telephone numbers to battleofgiants@aol.co.uk

You don’t have to look or sing like either Elvis or Cliff, and the competition is open to both men and women – but you MUST be able to sing in tune!

IAN Holloway admitted Sam Allardyce caught him off-guard with an unexpected team selection last night.

The Seasiders boss had anticipated West Ham starting with targetman Carlton Cole up front.

Instead Allardyce sprang a surprise by relegating Cole to the bench and starting with Nicky Maynard instead.

Maynard, signed last month from Bristol City, went onto score the Hammers’ second goal and produced a fine performance which had Craig Cathcart and Ian Evatt on their toes all evening.

Holloway admitted: “They had a surprising line-up without Carlton Cole up the middle.

“They had Maynard, a mobile frontman, and five across the midfield … and to be fair it looked like they had ten.

“Normally we close very well. Last night it looked like every one of my players was in a glass bowl and couldn’t get to a West Ham player.

“Right from the off that was quite alarming and we couldn’t pass it either. They squeezed up.

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“I told my lads what we were going to do and how they closed, but we kept playing into their hands.

“It drove me insane and we went two down. But to be honest what could the score have been? Much more. It was unrecognisable.

“We got back in it when we didn’t deserve to just before half-time. We actually got out wide for once and put a cross in and scored.

“It was probably the first time in a long time that Sam won’t be happy with his defending. They weren’t in the right place.

“Kevin Phillips headed it in and it looked like we might get out of jail.

“Then at half-time I put the other two subs on, and you know it’s not your night when you we can’t get back into it after they have an outfield player in goal. That killed us against a team which closed down very well.”

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COUNCILLORS are bidding to find a way of making taxi fares clearer to local residents.

Fylde Council is concerned although there is a maximum taxi fare set by then, up to five different tariffs are being operated in the borough.

The council’s public protection committee – who first raised the issue last year – had asked officers to investigate whether it was possible for the council tariff to be shown on the meter, and any discounts only applied at the end of the journey.

As it stands, Whitesides taxi company offer two separate fares – both lower than the council maximum – and Premier Fylde charge the council maximum for taxis hired off the stand or flagged down and a separate tariff for journeys booked through the company’s operator.

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The situation has led to safety concerns from independent hackney carriage proprietors, who feel they are bearing the brunt of customers confusion and are being accused of overcharging.

But, in a report to go before the committee on Thursday, the council’s officers state it would be “unlawful” to force taxi drivers to only discount at the end of the journey.

Instead, the committee are being asked to consider instructing officers to undertake a consultation exercise, with a view to attaching a condition to the Hackney Carriage Proprietors Licence requiring signage to be displayed in the vehicle clearly indicating the fares charged.

The report to councillors states: “It could be reasonably necessary to condition the Hackney carriages so that fares are clearly displayed and impose a condition requiring the vehicle to display or explain any differences between the different tariffs in use.”

The council has stressed it has no issue with discounted fares, viewing them as “beneficial” to customers and fair competition.

Fleetwood Town 6, Ebbsfleet United 2. HAT-trick hero Jamie Vardy unleashed a wonder-strike as six-goal Fleetwood sunk The Fleet.

Town’s hotshot increased his season’s tally to 25 with an audacious lob from virtually the halfway line – the crowning moment on a night Micky Mellon’s men ran riot.

Mellon spoke of changes ahead of the clash with Ebbsfleet United and stuck to his word – Gareth Seddon was handed a start in place of Richard Brodie, with Jamie McGuire also back in the XI, Peter Cavanagh filling in for the injured Shaun Beeley at right-back.

And the shake-up appeared to have had the desired impact as Fleetwood started brightly, Seddon, Magno Vieira and Peter Cavanagh all having early chances. But it was the visitors who grabbed the lead against the run of play.

McGuire gave up possession too easily inside the Fleetwood half, Liam Enver-Marum unleashing a stinging shot from 20 yards which beat Scott Davies. Their advantage would last less than a minute.

From the restart, Town broke down the left, McGuire making up for his earlier error with a pass to tee up Vardy. The striker’s shot rebounded to Seddon, who tucked home the equaliser. With Andy Mangan, one of four strikers named in Mellon’s starting XI, running the show, it was only a matter of time before Fleetwood grabbed a second.

Vardy made space wide on the left and picked out Alan Goodall, whose looping cross went beyond Seddon. Fortunately, Cavanagh was following in at the back post – 23 minutes played and Town were ahead.

And it took the home side less than seven minutes to double their advantage – Vieira’s stinging shot was parried by Lance Cronin in the Ebbsfleet goal, Vardy pouncing to open his account for the evening.

Fleetwood were in total control, opening up the visitors’ defence at will. And before the break they made it four.

Vardy’s run was brought to an abrupt end by Yado Mambo and referee Richard Clark had little choice but to award a penalty. Mangan coolly converted the spot-kick and the Cod Army cruised into the break with a three-goal advantage.

And, from the restart, they wasted little time in adding to it. Vardy’s run went unchecked and the striker was given space to unleash a stunning right-foot curler past Cronin. Ebbsfleet had rung the changes at half-time and looked to test Fleetwood’s ever-fragile defence.

{/sport/football/cod-corner|Click here to see Town’s latest results, league position and up coming fixtures|Click here to see Town’s latest results, league position and up coming fixtures}.

Goodall had to be on the ball to prevent substitute Ricky Shakes from going one-on-one with Davies, and McGuire got stuck in with a crucial block after Gozie Ugwu was allowed room to shoot.

Attack for Ebbsfleet was, almost certainly, the best form of defence as the visitors struggled to cope with Town’s goal threat.

Ranbir Marwa earned a booking after cynically clipping the heel of Vardy as the frontman looked to launch another raid into Ebbsfleet territory.

Two minutes later, the striker proved he didn’t need to break deep into the visitors’ half to grab his hat-trick.

Spotting Cronin off his line, Vardy launched an inch-perfect lob from just inside the Ebbsfleet half – the stranded keeper nothing more than a spectator.

Mangan could easily have made it seven minutes later, his shot blasted over the bar, and Gareth Seddon also fired wide as Town looked to turn a rout into a massacre.

Five goals up, Mellon decided it was time for changes – first Vardy was replaced by Brodie, then Jamie Milligan made a welcome return to first-team action in place of Lee Fowler.

Without their Mohican-haired talisman, Town looked a shadow of their earlier selves but still created chances.

Brodie had a glorious opportunity with almost his first touch of the game – had that touch been considerably more subtle, he would surely have beaten rattled keeper Cronin.

Fleetwood’s struggle to adapt to the second half changes handed Ebbsfleet a way back into the game and the visitors carved out a number of good chances.

Keeper Davies could only chest down Ross Smith’s piledriver, Nathan Pond clearing the danger. And Davies was called into action again minutes later, tipping Neil Barrett’s shot around the post.

With Town’s foot most definitely off the gas, the visitors did grab a second with five minutes to play.

Enver-Marum’s speculative shot from the edge of the 18-yard box took a nasty deflection, wrongfooting Davies and sneaking low into the bottom right-hand corner.

A needless late booking for Goodall, following a clumsy tackle, was symptomatic of Fleetwood’s stumbling finish – the home side did rally in injury time but were unable to convert any of a series of corners.

Two soft goals are a reminder of the frailty of Town’s defence but thankfully Mellon’s men have no such fears up front – good news for the goal difference with Wrexham, two points behind Fleetwood with a game in hand after last night’s 1-0 win at Kidderminster, seemingly relentless in their pursuit.

Fleetwood: Davies, McNulty, Pond, Goodall, Vieira (Rose 57), Mangan, Maguire, Seddon, Cavanagh, Fowler (Milligan, 67), Vardy (Brodie, 60); not used: Atkinson, Stevenson

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, Stone, Lorraine (Phipp 45), Marwa, Willock, Howe (Smith, 30), Enver-Marum, Mambo, Ugwu, Barrett, Pinney (Shakes, 45); not used’: McNeil, Williams

Referee: R Clark; Attendance: 1,411

A PERVERT convicted of making indecent images of children threatened to kill the police officers involved in his case.

Keith Barrow told his probation officer he would not comply with a Sexual Offences Prevention order and, if he was sent to prison, he would buy a gun and shoot the police officers.

Preston Crown Court heard the 46-year-old, formerly of the Promenade, Blackpool, also threatened to go after the officers’ families.

His remarks were taken seriously and Barrow was charged with making threats to kill.

Jon Close, prosecuting, explained a sentence of 18 months supervision was imposed at Guildford Crown Court in January last year for offences of making and possessing indecent images of children.

He said: “His behaviour throughout the proceedings was a cause of concern. He was volatile, unpredictable.

“It appears he was unhappy with his guilty plea. Attempts were made to withdraw that plea. He blamed his legal team, refused to accept his conviction and also blamed the officers who investigated the case.”

Barrow was living in a hotel in Blackpool when he had a meeting with a probation officer on January 19 last year.

Mr Close added: “He claimed he wouldn’t comply with the conditions of the order and should the police arrest him he would kick them and break their legs.

“He said if the police were to arrest him and he should go to prison, he would sell his van, buy a gun and shoot three to four police officers.

“He made threats to shoot the police officers involved in the previous investigation, saying they had wrecked his life and if he couldn’t get to them he would go after their families. After shooting officers he would turn the gun on himself, he said.”

Barrow pleaded guilty to making threats to kill although he maintained he could not remember what was said to the probation officer.

He was sentenced to 27 months in jail at Preston Crown Court yesterday. A restraining order was also made not to contact two particular police officers.

Barrow Rachel Woods, defending, said: “He doesn’t have the means or the criminal sophistication to have done any of those things he claimed he was going to do.

“He accepts in making the threats, in the circumstances he did, it was bound to lead to some genuine concern on behalf of the recipients. But he had no idea where those officers reside.”

Judge Pamela Badley told Barrow: “That was a very wicked thing to say, particularly because all of the individuals, the police officers themselves, were public officials trying to help you in order to ensure you become a decent member of society.

“Your frustration with regard to the way in which your conviction had been misunderstood was not to be held at their door.

“Threats to kill are always looked at seriously because it is the effect upon the person listening that has to be ascertained.

“Whether you had the intention to carry out those threats is entirely a different matter.”

FYLDE RFC are set to give a debut to back row forward Rob Taylor in the National League One clash at home to Cambridge on Saturday.

Taylor, formerly of King Edward VII & Queen Mary School, Lytham, has played for the Fylde second team this term as well as Lancashire Under-20s.

He is currenty studying at Manchester University and is expected to start on the bench on Saturday for the rearranged fixture, which kicks off at 2pm.

Coach Mark Nelson said of Taylor: “We have high hopes for him.”

BLACKPOOL Seagulls ice hockey team come out of cold storage on Saturday.

They make a return after a break of 20 years when they take on the United Kingdom Firefighters in a charity match.

The team has been reformed by a group of former Seagulls players from the 1980s following the opening of the new Sub-Zero ice rink on Cleveleys Promenade.

Bolstered by an enthusiastic group of younger players, they will play regular challenge matches against other recreational teams.

The revival of the Seagulls follows the launch of Fylde Flyers, who feature in the English National League and also play at the Cleveleys venue. Saturday’s game will raise money for two charities: “Children With Cancer” and “Help For Heroes”

Barclays Bank have offered to match pound for pound all funds raised on the day.

Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for children. Doors open at 4.30pm and face-off is 5pm.

ROYAL Lytham and St Annes golfer Emily Taylor warmed up for the new season in style at the 54-hole Hacienda Ladies’ Open in Murcia, Spain.

She was runner-up in the main competition, before which she claimed first prize in the St Valentine’s Day pairs event.

In this she teamed up with Amelia Taylor (St Annes Old Links). They scored 38 points in the fourball, better-ball stableford event.

The two Taylors are not related. The main event was won by Jess Wilcox, from Lincolnshire.

Her prize was a golf break worth 400 euros. Wolcox had six shots in hand at the finish with an aggregate of 214 (71-71-72). Emily’s final total was 220 (73-75-72).

Lancashire girls were in top form in the handicap event that was won by Eloise Healey (West Lancashire) with Hollie Muse (West Lancashire) second and Emily Shea (Fairhaven) third.

Audrey Lee (Fleetwood) was the leading Lancashire player in the senior stableford in Murcia.

>> ONE of the world’s leading golfers Jason Day, the Australian who has moved to seven in the global rankings, could miss the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes in July.

He has confirmed that he won’t play at Lytham if his wife gives birth at the same time. The couple are expecting their first child on July 11, a week before the Open. Day finished runner-up in both the US Masters and the US Open last year.

>> THE world’s No.1 golfer Luke Donald is guaranteed to get his hands on a trophy at Lytham this summer, regardless of the fact of whether or not he wins the Claret Jug.

The Golf Writers’ Association will present Donald with his golfer of the year trophy at a ceremony at Lytham for his exploits during 2011.

>> Entries are now welcome for The Gazette Matchplay Golf Tournament 2012, sponsored for the third year by Blacktax taxis.

The final four will again battle it out at Vilamoura on the Portuguese Algarve on some of the continent’s most spectacular courses.

Any Fylde coast club member with an active handicap can enter. For full details call (01253) 361843, {http://bit.ly/Gazette_Promo|click here|Click here for more details} or look out for the entry coupon in tomorrow’s Gazette.

PLANS for a new Supermarket in Thornton were given a warm welcome after they went on public display.

Bosses at Sainsbury’s say almost 85 per cent of responses to their consultation on the plans for Fleetwood Road North, next to Thornton Cleveleys FC, have been positive.

The retailer staged an exhibition of its plans at the football club – which will be unaffected if proposed new store gets built – over the weekend.

Around 100 people took the opportunity to speak with members of the development team and a preview event was also held, attracting around 30 councillors, officers and community leaders.

The initial feedback received from members of the public showed almost 85 per cent of responses in favour of the proposed development.

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Jo Hawley, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, said: “We’re delighted so many people took the opportunity to come along to the public exhibition and have a look at the proposals.

“From the feedback we’ve received, it’s clear that the local community are pleased to see new investment in the local area, improved retail choice and the creation of around 400 new jobs.

“We’ll continue to consult with the local community right up until we submit a planning application to Wyre Council.

“I’d encourage people who didn’t have the chance to attend the exhibition to either have a look at the plans online, follow the Twitter feed for regular updates or speak with our consultation team should they have questions.”

The proposed 50,000sq ft store is set to create 400 jobs in the area – alongside a further 400 which will be created by another Sainsbury’s store in Blackpool’s Central Business District. One third of the jobs will be full time.

The proposals were met with a mixed response on their announcement with some traders welcoming the jobs, while others feared the store would take trade away from town centres.

Anyone who wishes to give the firm their views can do so at {http://www.sainsburys-thorntoncleveleys.co.uk|www.sainsburys-thorntoncleveleys.co.uk|Click here to visit the website}, by following @SSL_TC on Twitter, or by calling 0800 319 6162.

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ROMAN Bednar has joined Gary Taylor-Fletcher on the casualty list as Pool’s injury problems continue to mount.

The targetman was clattered by Rob Green, resulting in the dismissal of the West Ham keeper.

Bednar limped through the remainder of the game – he had to as the Seasiders had used all three substitutes.

“He’s hurt himself quite badly,” said manager Ian Holloway. “We don’t know what the exact problem is yet but it’s painful.”

Bednar is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Bristol City, which means Pool are two strikers down as Taylor-Fletcher is also sidelined.

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Taylor-Fletcher’s scan results are encouraging – there is no ligament damage following his collision with Everton keeper Tim Howard at the weekend.

However, he has suffered extensive bone bruising and probably won’t play again until well into next month.

Holloway added: “I don’t really know how long Gary will be out for yet.

“It is bone bruising and sometimes that can be absolutely lethal.

“Those things can take ages to clear but let’s hope it’s not that kind.

“He is sorely missed, though, and God knows what’s wrong with Bednar now and how long that is going to be. It has not been a good night.”

A MAN told police he turned to drug dealing because his car-selling business was not doing well.

Forty bags of mephedrone – known as “bubble” – and of cannabis were found at Travis Hilton’s home when police carried out a drugs raid there.

Hilton, 64, of Langdale Road, Mereside, pleaded guilty to possessing methoxetamine and cannabis with intent to supply the drugs.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said how on December 20, at 5.30pm, police executed a search warrant at Hilton’s home.

Six snap bags of cannabis were found in a coat pocket and 32 bags of bubble in a safe on the landing.

Ms Connah added: “He told police his business selling cars was slow and that is why he was selling drugs. He said it was the first time he had done any dealing.”

David Charnley, defending, said his client had no previous convictions for drug offences.

He was bailed to appear for sentence at Preston Crown Court on March 29 by Blackpool magistrates.

A FYLDE businessman is offering a £1,000 reward in a bid to catch robbers who ram raided his premises, leaving thousands of pounds of damage.

Andy Gillett, who owns Lytham St Annes Skip Hire and Gilletts Environmental Ltd, says raiders broke into the premises on Boundary Road in Lytham by ramming a vehicle through the 16ft high steel gates.

The burglars then stole scrap metal and tools, leaving Mr Gillett with a loss of more than £3,000 and damage in excess of £2,000.

Mr Gillett, from Lytham, said: “They’ve been quite brutal in the damage they have done. They have used a large vehicle to ram the steel gates. They are 16ft high and 15ft wide and they’ve smashed them up.

“You can see skid marks on the ground where they have been ramming into the gates.

“They’ve cut the locks off the shipping containers and stolen copper, stainless steel and equipment including a boring tool.

“This is the fourth time I’ve been robbed in two years. They are taking my livelihood away from me.”

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Mr Gillett, who received a phone call from another businessman on the site on Sunday morning to say the premises had been turned over, is so determined the thieves are caught he is offering a reward which leads to the conviction of the crooks.

He is also spending £5,000 on installing more security, including extra gates and CCTV cameras, at the site to prevent another raid.

He added: “I’m offering £1,000 for the conviction of whoever is responsible. I’m so angry. They need to be caught.”

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

It is thought the burglars broke into the premises sometime between 11.30am on Saturday and 10.30am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: “Officers have carried out inquiries with nearby local business and made house to house inquiries. They have also been looking at CCTV and crime scene investigators have been at the site.

“An incident like this has a massive impact on a business and we would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious over the weekend or if they have come across anyone trying to off-load the stolen goods to contact us.

“The neighbourhood policing team have been made aware and are carrying out reassurance work in the area.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Lancashire Police on 101.

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ELTON John - the world’s most flamboyant showman - will play a massive live concert on Blackpool’s Golden Mile this summer.

The “Rocket Man” today confirmed he will be the first act to grace the resort’s new Tower Festival Headland, on Saturday, June 16.

Sir Elton told The Gazette: “I’ve played more than 3,000 concerts – but I haven’t performed in Blackpool for 30 years.

“I’m looking forward to revisiting this legendary seaside town and playing on the Golden Mile, right near Blackpool Tower. See you in June!”

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The last time Sir Elton took to the stage was in November 1982 when he played two nights at the Opera House.

Tickets for his 2012 return - which is set to be a 10,000 sell out - will go on sale on Friday at 9am ({http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/elton_john_ticket_news_1_4267653|click here for more ticket details|Click here for more ticket details}).

The gig, which will feature Sir Elton’s full band, is a major coup for Blackpool Council’s marketing firm Marketing Blackpool which is working with London-based promoter Marshall Arts.

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE TUESDAY’S GAZETTE

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FYLDE coast civil servants have backed a legal challenge which has been launched to fight cuts to their pensions.

An appeal hearing has started at the Royal Courts of Justice challenging the Government’s switch to use the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the normally faster-rising retail price index (RPI) when measuring price increases influencing pension upgrades.

The Government claims CPI is more appropriate. But unions have always contended the change would cost the average worker £15,000 over the course of their pension.

The move was announced by Chancellor George Osborne in June 2010 budget, without consultation or negotiation.

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Duncan Griffiths, representing government workers at Norbreck and Warbreck for the PCS Union, said: “The switch is an example of how this Government wants public servants, pensioners and people entitled to benefits to pay the heaviest price for the recession.

“For new entrants to the civil service it means an immediate cut in their pensions, ripping up an agreement we reached just a few years ago. It is estimated that the change will cost public sector workers about £15,000 over an average retirement.

“We refuse to accept civil servants, nurses, teachers and council workers should be bullied into paying more and working longer for less, just to pay off debts racked up by greedy bankers who are still pocketing their bonuses.”

A Treasury spokesman said: “The reforms will save the taxpayer billions of pounds and significantly improve the long-term fiscal sustainability of this country.”

But Mr Griffiths said there were other ways to save. He added: “Cut pension tax relief for higher rate taxpayers, scrap the Trident missile system and tax the rich – 50 per cent rate on earnings over £150,000 a year would raise an additional £1.8bn.”

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THE widow of a joiner who died after plunging 20ft from unstable scaffolding has backed a new safety initiative which aims to reduce deaths on construction sites.

Christine Walton’s husband, Peter, suffered catastrophic head injuries after an unsecured board gave way. He died five weeks later in hospital.

Mrs Walton, from Anchorsholme, said: “Peter is still my first thought in the morning and my last at night.

“We are all pushed by money and time constraints but work should still be checked.

“If someone had done that where Peter was working, he would still be alive today.”

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will spend the next month visiting sites in Lancashire where refurbishment or repair work is being carried out as part of a country-wide drive to improve standards.

Mrs Walton, 57, added: “Any initiative that helps to tackle deaths, and prevents other people from having to go through what I and my family went through, has to be a good thing.

“Peter trusted the scaffolding had been erected safely, but it wasn’t. He died because the companies responsible for his safety didn’t do their jobs properly.

“Health and safety should be at the forefront of employers’ minds in the construction industry, as what happened to Peter could happen to anyone.”

Mr Walton, a 55-year-old father-of-two, died following the fall at Altham Industrial Estate near Burnley in May 2006.

GlenMill Group Developments Ltd and Howorths Scaffolding Services Ltd were fined after pleading guilty to a charge of exposing to risk persons not in their employment.

During 2010 and 2011, four workers were killed while working in construction in Lancashire and 71 serious injuries were reported.

Dorothy Shaw, HSE’s principal inspector for construction in Lancashire, said: “The refurbishment sector continues to be the most risky for construction workers, but small changes to working practices can make all the difference.

“Poor management of risks in this industry is unacceptable. Even the smallest of firms should have a culture which allows workers to raise issues.

“As we have demonstrated in the past, we will take strong action if we find evidence workers are being unnecessarily put at risk.”

Emergency goalkeeper Henri Lansbury kept out Blackpool as 10-man West Ham returned to the top of the Championship.

In the absence of a specialist replacement, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Lansbury was summoned from the bench to reprise a role he briefly filled for England Under-21s last season after Robert Green was sent off for a professional foul on Blackpool substitute Roman Bednar in the 53rd minute.

At that stage United were 2-1 to the good following a dominant first-half display.

James Tomkins and Nicky Maynard scored two goals in four minutes, but Kevin Phillips brought the Seasiders back into the contest on the stroke of half-time.

But Ian Holloway’s men rarely resembled a side on a seven-match unbeaten run and, with the exception of some routine handling that drew huge cheers from the away support, Lansbury was largely untroubled as Gary O’Neill and Ricardo Vaz Te completed a handsome victory.

West Ham are now one point ahead of Southampton at the summit with a game in hand, while Middlesbrough’s victory at Millwall means Blackpool drop out of the top six.

Winger Matt Phillips returned form a hamstring problem to celebrate his Scotland call-up with a place in a Blackpool starting line-up that displayed five changes from the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Everton on Saturday.

West Ham made two alterations to the side that drew with Southampton last week as George McCartney replaced the suspended Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole dropped to the bench for Maynard to make his full debut alongside fellow January recruit Vaz Te.

A clever Julien Faubert pass from the right flank gave Maynard a yard on the Blackpool backline, and the former Bristol City striker’s low effort across goal was touched wide by goalkeeper Matt Gilks’ outstretched boot.

Blackpool were struggling to establish any rhythm and when Ian Evatt fouled Maynard on the right in the 28th minute, the visiting supporters’ chant of “We’re gonna score in a minute” proved prophetic.

Mark Noble delivered the set-piece beautifully for Tomkins to plant a header past Gilks.

Moments later it was 2-0 as Jack Collison and Joey O’Brien combined down the right channel. Collison collected the scraps on the byline when O’Brien’s cross was blocked, and cut the ball back to make Maynard’s first West Ham goal a formality.

Holloway took action soon afterwards, introducing Kevin Phillips in place of Chris Basham, and the veteran striker gave Blackpool a lifeline they scarcely deserved in first-half stoppage time when he nodded home Alex Baptiste’s speculative cross.

Seemingly buoyed by this success, Holloway sent on two further attacking options from his bench, with Nouha Dicko and Bednar replacing Ludovic Sylvestre and the frustratingly wayward Lomana LuaLua.

The contest was thrown wide open when Kevin Phillips’ through-ball pierced the Hammers defence and Green charged rashly from his line to bring down Bednar.

Referee Colin Webster was well placed and ignored the efforts of West Ham defenders chasing back, to brandish a red card.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce turned to Lansbury and sacrificed Faubert.

Lansbury was impressively protected by the West Ham defence and with 16 minutes remaining substitute O’Neill lashed a crisp 20-yard drive into the bottom corner after Winston Reid’s effort from Vaz Te’s corner was blocked by Stephen Crainey.

Kevin Phillips then rattled the inside of the post with a lofted volley as Lansbury’s positioning finally failed him, before Vaz Te raced clear of a largely absent Seasiders defence to open his Hammers account in the final minute.

]]> 1.4270443 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:26:39 +0000 http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpool_1_west_ham_4_minute_by_minute_1_4270293

GOALS from James Tomkins, Nicky Maynard, Gary O’Neil and Ricardo Vaz te handed West Ham the win on an eventful night at Bloomfield Road.

The away side found themselves 2-0 ahead before Kevin Phillips headed the Seasiders back into the game on the stroke of half-time.

And when West Ham’s keeper Robert Green was sent off on 52 minutes, then replaced by midfielder Henri Lansbury, Ian Holloway’s men looked to be favourites.

But as Pool threw men forward, O’Neil and Vaz Te sealed the win against the run of play.

Follow our minute-by-minute report below.

FULL TIME: BLACKPOOL 1 WEST HAM 4

LATEST: BLACKPOOL 1 WEST HAM 4

90 mins: GOAL FOR WEST HAM!

Ricardo Va Taz’s deflected effort fires past Gilks.

82 mins: Kevin Phillips rattles the post from 25-yards.

81 mins: Blackpool haven’t hit the target since the keeper was sent off.

80 mins: Nicky Maynard almost put the game beyond doubt as he raced away from Cathcart, his trip drifted wide.

LATEST: BLACKPOOL 1 WEST HAM 3

74 mins: GOAL FOR WEST HAM!!

Totally against the run of play Gary O’Neil, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, finishes superbly from 16 yards.

71 mins: Ian Evatt is now up front for Blackpool. Pool playing a 3-2-5 formation.

70 mins: Ricard Va Te almost scores against the run of play with a decent effort from 18 yards.

61 mins: The game is hectic here as Blackpool throw everything at the away side. Need to be patient and get some shots on target.

55 mins: West Ham down to ten men, with a midfielder in goal. A real chance for the Seasiders here.

54 mins: West Ham forced to put Arsenal loan midfielder Henri Lansbury in goal!

53 mins: West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green is SENT OFF for a foul on Bednar! West Ham have no sub keeper on the bench, this could get interesting.

46 ins: Bright start from Blackpool, John Fleck shoots over after a pull-back by Roman Bednar.

45 mins: Double substitution for Blackpool. LuaLua and Sylvestre are replaced by Nouah Dicko and Roman Bednar.

HALF-TIME: BLACKPOOL 1 WEST HAM UNITED 2

LATEST: BLACKPOOL 1 WEST HAM 2

46 mins: GOAL FOR BLACKPOOL!!!

Game on! Kevin Phillips heads home from an Alex Baptiste cross!!

45 mins: ONE minute time added on.

34 mins: Change of tactic here for Blackpool. Chris Basham is replaced by Kevin Phillips.

33 mins: No surprises here so far, Blackpool have been outplayed all over the park sadly. Big job for Ian Holloway at half-time. Pool need to stay in the game here.

LATEST: BLACKPOOL 0 WEST HAM 2

32 mins: GOAL FOR WEST HAM!!

Nicky Maynard fires home from inside the six yard box to double West Ham’s lead.

LATEST: BLACKPOOL 0 WEST HAM UNITED 1

28 mins: GOAL FOR WEST HAM!!

James Tomkins arrives unmarked in the box to head home Mark Noble’s free-kick from five yards. Gilks had no chance.

20 mins: A mistake by West Ham’s Joey O’Brien leads to an ambitious over headkick from LuaLua going just wide. Nice bit of skill.

13 mins: Blackpool have settled down a bit here now, keeping the ball better.

10 mins: Blackpool haven’t turned up here yet. Struggling against a strong looking West Ham side.

7 mins: Another shakey moment for Pool as Abdoulaye Faye heads a corner over unchallenged from five yards.

6 mins: Big scare for Blackpool as Maynard turns well at the edge of the box before firing wide, he should have scored.

4 mins: A game of free-kicks so far. Ian Evatt bundles Nicky Maynard over at the edge of the box, free-kick shot straight at Gilks by Ricardo Vaz Te.

3 mins: Matt Phillips fires the free-kick straight at Rob Green.

2 mins: Free-kick to Blackpool 25 yards out as LuaLua is fouled.

8pm: West Ham kick-off. Come on you Pool!

7:55pm: Here come the teams, good atmosphere in Bloomfield Road this evening.

Pre-match: Pool make six changes. Barry Ferguson, Ian Evatt, Matt Phillips, Stephen Crainey and John Fleck all return for Ian Holloway’s men.

Don’t miss our What’s On section for all the best in entertainment across the Fylde coast.

Attractions

MADAME TUSSAUDS. The best of British celebrities. More information www.madametussauds.com/blackpool. Central Promenade, Blackpool. 10am to 4.30pm. Details, (01253) 299483

SEA LIFE CENTRE. More information www.sealife.co.uk/blackpool. Golden Mile, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621258.

BLACKPOOL TOWER BALLROOM. Open daily except for special events. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details, (0844) 8561000.

BLACKPOOL TOWER DUNGEON. Open daily. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. (01253) 622242

BLACKPOOL TOWER EYE. Open daily. More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. (0844) 8561000

BLACKPOOL TOWER JUNGLE JIM’S. . More information www.the blackpooltower.com. Blackpool Tower, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details, (0844) 8561000.

BLACKPOOL ZOO AND DINOSAUR SAFARI. Home to more than 400 animals as well as 32 different dinosaurs. Daily from 10am. East Park Drive, Blackpool. Details (01253) 830830.

FARMER PARR’S ANIMAL WORLD. Rare breeds galore. Wyrefield Farm, Rossall Lane and Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood. Daily, 10am to 5pm. Details, (01253) 874389.

RIPLEYS BELIEVE IT OR NOT. Two floors of interactive exhibitions and displays. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, South Shore. Daily from 10am. Details, (0871) 2221234.

Theatre and shows

TWO. Justin Moorhouse and Victoria Elliott star in the latest revival of Jim Cartwight’s funny, stunning and sad exploration of all the stages of love. The Royal Exchange, St Anns Square, Manchester. Monday to Friday, 7.30pm. Wednesday, 2.30pm. Saturdays, 4 and 8pm. Ends February 25. Box office, (0161) 8339833.

ALFIE. David Thacker directs this revival of Bill Naughton’s 1960s kitchen sink comedy drama about a working class Don Juan of the East End, . The Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton. Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm. Some matinees. Ends February 18. Box office, (01204) 520661.

THE GATEKEEPER. Award winning writer Chloe Moss’ latest – set in the Lake District, a darkly comic tale of one family’s celebratory get together which falls apart. The Studio, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anns Square, Manchester. To February 25. Box office, (0161) 8339833. 7.30pm. To March 24 (no performances March 1, 4, 11, 12 and 18). Box office, (01524) 64998.

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. Northern Broadsides in partnership with the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme present director Barrie Rutter’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s unlikely comedy. The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster. To Saturday, 7.30pm. Matinees, Wednesday 1pm and Saturday, 2pm.

Folk, Irish and country

MUSIC, SONGS, POEMS AND PINTS. Hosted by Penny Black. The Plough, Chain Lane, Staining. 9pm.

COUNTRY & WESTERN NIGHT. With line dancing. Bispham Conservative Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham.

Pubs and bars

CHILL OUT TUESDAY. With DJ Ric Smith. Bar 19 Queen Street, Blackpool. 9pm to 4am.

OPEN MIC NIGHT. Contact the venue for details of how to take part. Yates’s, Market Street, Blackpool.

FUNKY BOX. With DJ Danny. Walkabout, Queen Street, Blackpool. To 3am.

ANDY KNIGHT’S FREE AND EASY. Buckingham’s, Queen Street, Blackpool. 3 to 5pm.

LIVE MUSIC NIGHT. Guest musicians and singer songwriters. The Galleon, Abingdon Street, Blackpool. Free admission.

Music

SOUNDWAVES LADIES HARMONY CHORUS. Simple singing techniques taught. Springfield Church Hall, Bispham Road, Bispham. 7pm. Details, (01253) 724817.

LYTHAM LIGHT ORCHESTRA. Weekly meeting. Michael Hall Theatre School, Preston Old Road, Marton. 7.30 to 9.30pm. Details, (01253) 696990?

CHOIR PRACTICE. For youngsters aged seven to 17. Chesters Dancing Academy, 19 Victoria Street, Fleetwood. Details, (07989) 144423.

THE ELSWICK SINGERS. New members welcome. Elswick Village Hall, Roseacre Road, Elswick. 7.30pm. Details, (01253) 890209 or (01995) 679312.

GUARDIAN CONCERT BAND. Rehearsals – brass players (grade 5 plus) always needed. Lytham Methodist Church, 4 The Serpentine, Lytham. Weekly, 7.45 to 9.30pm. Details, (0771) 424 1860.

BARBERSHOP HARMONY. New members welcome. Help and teach tapes provided. Brun Grove WM Club, Blackpool. 7.30pm.

Poker and sport

RED TOOTH POKER NIGHT. The Boars Head, Preston Old Road, Marton. 8pm.

MENS’ WORLD POOL LEAGUE. The Burn Naze, Gamble Road, Thornton.

POKER LEAGUE. Weekly points and cash. Free food for players. The Ramsden Arms, Talbot Road, Blackpool.

RED TOOTH POKER NIGHT. Open to all. The Gynn, Gynn Square, North Shore. 7.45pm.

POKER NIGHT. With free supper. The Dunes, Lytham Road, South Shore. From 8.30pm.

DARTS AND DOMINOES. The Albert, Lytham Road, South Shore.

Quizzes

QUIZ AND BINGO. Cash prizes and free supper. Up to £200 to be won. Churchill’s, Topping Street. Blackpool. 9.30pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. And Take Your Pick. Free buffet for contestants. The Washington, Topping Street, Blackpool. 8pm.

FOREST DAVE’S QUIZ NIGHT. Plus cash bingo and free supper. The Clarence, Preston New Road, Marton.

QUIZ NIGHT. And Play Your Cards Right with Mel and Chris. The No 4 & Freemasons, Newton Drive, Blackpool.

CASH QUIZ. Plus free supper.The Farmers Arms, Lytham Road, South Shore.

QUIZ NIGHT. The Air Balloon, Squires Gate Lane, Squires Gate. 9pm.

THE BIG FUN QUIZ. Free sandwiches, cash and other prizes. The Swift Hound, Rigby Road, Blackpool. 9.30pm.

QUIZGO. The Old England, Red Bank Road, Bispham.

QUIZ NIGHT. The Castle Gardens, Fleetwood Road, Carleton. 9pm.

QUIZ NIGHT. The Squirrel, Bispham Road, Bispham.

FUN QUIZ. Win drinks vouchers. Thornton Cleveleys Royal British Legion, Rough Lea Road, Cleveleys.

Karaoke

KARAOKE AND BINGO. Bar 19 Queen Street, Blackpool. 2 to 6pm.

KARAOKE COMPETITION. Weekly heats with semi final on November 29 and final on December 6. Top prize £500. Soul Suite, Queen Square/Queen Street, Blackpool.

KRAZY KARAOKE. With Bonnie La Blue and Collette Ryan. £25 cash prize. Roxy’s, Queen Street, Blackpool.

DJ TIM’S KARAOKE. Prizes for best singers. Lucy’s @ Tobago, Abingdon Street, Blackpool.

KARAOKE. Daily do it yourself session. Chubby’s Bar, The Promenade, Blackpool. From 9am to 6pm.

KARAOKE. Knobby’s Bar. West Street, Blackpool. And Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From 7pm.

KARAOKE. Cleveleys Ex Servicemen’s Club, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys.

Line dancing

ANN’S DANCE RANCH. Line Dancing, easy teaching and social dancing. Bispham Conservative Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. 8-10.45pm. Details, (01253) 594043.

JULIE’S STEP IN LINE. Wyre Villa Sports Club, Stalmine. 7.30 – 10pm. Details, (01253) 811719.

LIBERTY BELLES LINE DANCING. St Mark’s Church Hall, Westcliffe Drive, Layton. 1 to 3.30pm. Details (01253) 352559/ (07870) 556440.

LANCASHIRE ROSE LINE DANCE CLUB. Trinity Methodist Church, Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood. 2 to 4pm and 7.30 to 10.30pm. Details, (07766) 310260.

SUE O’KENNEDY’S LINE DANCE. Poulton Youth & Community Centre, Breck Road, Poulton. 11.30am to 1am. Details, (01253) 826262.

LINE DANCING. Instruction and dancing, live act last Tuesday each month. Cleveleys WM Club, Slinger Road, Cleveleys. Details, (01253) 594043.

FANCY FEET LINE DANCE. Social dancing and instruction. Holy Trinity Church Memorial Hall, Dean Street, South Shore. 10am to noon. Beginners first hour, social dancing and instruction. The Ashley Club, Victoria Road, Thornton. 7.15 to 10.30pm.

LINE DANCING. Cleveleys Men’s Club, Slinger Road, Cleveleys.

Social dancing

AFTERNOON TEA DANCE. Live music from the Frontline Dance Band. Ticket only or afternoon tea inclusive The Sands Venue, Central Promenade, Blackpool. 2 to 4.30pm.

TEACHING AND MIXED SOCIAL DANCING. Bispham United Reform Church, Cavendish Road, Bispham. 8 to 10.45pm. Details, (01253) 594043.

BALLROOM AND LATIN CLASSES. Beginners (7.30 to 8.30pm), improvers (8.30 to 9.30pm). The White Church, Ansdell. Details, (07909) 945567.

MODERN SEQUENCE. New dances taught. Poulton Community Centre/YMCA, Poulton. 7 to 10pm. Details, (01253) 873122.

AFTERNOON DANCING. With John Peate (keyboards) and Dave Miller (drums). Cleveleys Mens Club, Slinger Road, Cleveleys. 2 to 4pm.

UP TO DATE SEQUENCE. St Paul’s Parish Church, Lake Road, Ansdell. 7.15 to 10.15pm. Details, (01253) 776255.

AFTERNOON SOCIAL AND DANCE GROUP. Sequence dancing. Verona Association. Verona Hall, Fleetwood Road North, Thornton. 1.45 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 865494.

THE FRIENDLY DANCE CLUB. Modern and sequence dancing. Singles and couples, all welcome. Wainwright Club, Hornby Road, Blackpool. 8 to 11pm. Details, (01253) 620555.

SEQUENCE. Senior Citizens Association Hall, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. From 1.30 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 852462.

MODERN SEQUENCE. New dances taught. St Paul’s Parish Church, Lake Road, Ansdell. 7.15 to 10.15pm. Details, (01253) 776255.

Salsa

SALSA CHEVERE. Salsa classes at all levels followed by social dancing. Marton Institute, Oxford Square, Marton. 7.30pm onwards. Details, 07749 812352.

SIMPLY SALSA CLASS. Beginners from 7pm. Then all levels and social dance. North Shore Golf Club, Devonshire Road, North Shore.

NOCHES DE SALSA. Beginners to advanced 8pm to 9.30pm then dance until 11pm. Co-operative Sports and Social Club, Preston New Road, Marton. Details, (01253) 401941 or (07967) 768582.

SALSA. With Vitelio Ramos. St Thomas’ Church Hall, Caunce Street, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 304996.

Other dancing

TAP DANCING. Adult beginners. Chesters Dancing Academy, 19 Victoria Street, Fleetwood. 8 to 9pm.Details, (07989) 144423.

JC DANCE CLASSES. Childrens’ and adult dance classes. United Reformed Church, Queensway, Poulton. and Norbreck Primary School. Details, (07792) 410390.

DANCE FOR THE UNDER 5’s. Afternoon dance classes. Poulton Youth and Communty Centre, Breck Road, Poulton. Details, (0779) 2410390.

BELLY DANCING. Ladies only – all ages, shapes and levels welcome. Fleetwood YMCA, London Road, Fleetwood. 6.30 to 7.30pm – open level. Details, (01253) 394830 or 07811 189980.

STREET AND BREAK DANCE. Mimi Dance at Thornton Little Theatre, Victoria Road East, Thornton. Under eights, 5pm, over eights, 6pm. 07584 359310

PRESTON CIRCLE DANCE GROUP. Music from around the world. Newcomers always welcome. Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood. 7 to 9pm. More details, (01772) 793658.

Keep fit and exercise

ZUMBA FITNESS. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Queens Promenade, Bispham. 11am.

ZUMBA FITNESS. For seniors/beginners. Drive Methodist Church, St Annes. 6.45 to 7.45pm

WYDANCE STRETCH AND BOOGIE. Get fit and loose weight to music from around the world. Led by Jacqueline Greaves from Ludus Dance. No special footwear needed, just enthusiasm. Marine Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. 6 to 7pm. Weekly to April 5.

CALLANETICS. All Saints Church, North Drive, Anchorsholme. 6pm to 8.30pm.

ANNE’S LOSE SIZE - RE-ENERGIZE. Diet and fitness. Victoria Congregational Church, Newton Drive, Blackpool. 6 to 7.30m. Details, (07983) 684885.

SLIMMERCISE. Aerobics, salsa, conditioning, slimming club. The Christian Centre, Waterloo Road, South Shore. 7.30 to 8.30pm. Details, (07795) 030922.

DANCERSIZE. The Therapy House, St Annes. 7 to 8pm. Details, (01253) 403273.

MUAY THAI/FITNESS. Women only. 5.45 to 6.45pm, Pure Impact Fitness Studio, Dover Road, South Shore. Details 07928 128674.

DANCERCISE. 7 to 8pm. Pure Impact Fitness Studio, Dover Road, South Shore. Details 07928 128674.

50+ EXERCISE. St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 9.30 to 11.30am.

POWER WALKS. St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 6.30 to 7.30pm. Route varies.

MEND. Free, fun programme for seven to 13 year old children to become fitter and happier. Fleetwood Lofthouse YMCA, Fleetwood. 5 to 7pm. Also Friday. Details, (01253) 882105.

FAMILY FIT PROGRAMME. Fun exercise for the family. Poulton Community Centre, Breck Road, Poulton. 5.30 to 6.30pm. Details, (01253) 882105.

HATHA YOGA CLASS. Hewitt Room, off Clifton Street, next to the Old Police Station, Lytham. 6.30 to 8 pm. Details, Karen (07989) 985466

YOGA. All abilities. Our Lady of the Assumption Church Hall, Common Edge Road, Blackpool. 7.30 to 9pm. Details, (01253) 640247 and (07960) 626836.

AQUA AEROBICS. Dalmeny Hotel Leisure Club, The Promenade, St Annes. 1 to 2pm. Details, (01253) 716010.

PHOENIX TAEKWONDO. New members always welcome. Kincraig Primary School, Blackpool. 6.30 to 8pm. Details, (07963) 104353.

TAI CHI. Main Hall, St Annes Parish Rooms, St Annes. 8.15 to 9pm. Details, (01253) 315478 and (07976) 773559.

TAI CHI. Beginnners, 10 to 11.30am. St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. Details, (01253) 724117. And Main Hall, St Annes Parish Rooms, Headroomgate Road, St Annes. 8.15 to 9pm. Details, (01253) 315478 or 07976 773559.

Pilates

PILATES. Blackpool Cricket Club, Stanley Park, Blackpool. 6.15 to 7.15pm. Details, (07738) 434991; St Annes YMCA, St Albans Road, St Annes. 1 to 2pm; Dalmeny Hotel Leisure Club, St Annes. 2 to 3pm. Details, Details, (01253) 403273; Marton United Reformed Church Hall, Wordsworth Avenue, Marton. 6.30 to 7.30pm. Details, (01253) 694918.

YOGA/TAI/CHI/PILATES. For posture, strength and flexibility. Details, (07941) 0123053. WI Hall, Great Eccleston. 8.15 to 9.15pm.

Others

BUDDHIST MEDITATION AND ADVICE FOR LIFE. Keajra Buddhist Centre, 64 Holmfield Road, Blackpool. 7.30 to 9pm. Weekly. Details, (01253) 352721.

OFFICIAL HOBBY LEAGUE CLUB. Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon. All ages, player duels, tuck shop on site. Marton Methodist Church, Midgeland Road, Marton. 6 to 8pm. Also Saturday, 5.30 to 8.30pm. Details, (01253) 695334.

CLEVELEYS WRITERS SHORT STORY AND POETS MEETING. Cleveleys Library, Rossall Road, Cleveleys. 1.30 to 3.30pm. Second and fourth Tuesday. Details, (01253) 852147.

PUBLIC SKATING SESSION. The Arena, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. 10am to noon and 1 to 3pm.

BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION. Second and fourth week of the month. Lytham Rugby Club, Ansdell Road, Lytham. 7.30pm. Details, (01253) 293957.

GENERAL PAINTING. From 2pm. And Portrait Painting from 7.30 to 9pm. Blackpool Art Society. The Studio. Wilkinson Avenue (off Woodland Grove). Blackpool. 7.30 to 9pm. Details, (01253) 767667.

GIRLGUIDING. Meet for evening of fun, games, challenges, craft, sleepovers and camps.2nd Bispham Rainbows, 4.45 to 5.45pm, Brownies 6 to 7.30pm, Guides 7 to 9pm, St Bernadettes Church Hall, All Hallows Road, Bispham; 5th Bispham Rainbows, 4.45 to 5.45pm, Brownies 5.45 to 7.15pm, Guides 7.15 to 8.45pm. St Annes Church, Salmesbury Avenue, Bispham; 27th Blackpool Brownies 6 to 7.20pm at Revoe School, Grasmere Road, Blackpool; 29th Blackpool Rainbows 6 to 7pm, Brownies 6 to 7.30pm, Guides 7 to 8.30pm, Layton Senior Section 7.30 to 9pm, Christ the King Youth Centre, Gateside Drive, Layton; 31st Blackpool Brownies 6.30 to 7.45pm, St Kentigerns Church Hall, Newton Drive, Blackpool; Staining Rainbows 5 to 6pm, Brownies 6 to 7.15pm, Staining Scout Hut, Staining Road, Staining. Details: (01253) 352098.

ODEON+CULTURE. The Royal Opera House – Il Trittico. ODEON, Rigby Road, Blackpool. 2pm.

FYLDE ON FILM. Memories of the coast from the North West Film Archive. Lowther Pavilion, West Beach, Lytham. 7.30pm.

Chess and bridge

CHESS AND BRIDGE. Senior Citizens’ Hall, Victoria Road, Cleveleys. 12.45 to 4pm. Details, (01253) 852462.

POULTON CHESS CLUB. All abilities including beginners welcome. Sevenoaks Drive Day Centre, Hobart Place, Cleveleys. 7.30pm. More details, (01253) 899742.

GAZETTE BRIDGE CLUB. Friendly duplicate bridge. The Wainwright Club, Hornby Road, Blackpool. 7pm.

LYTHAM BRIDGE CLUB. Friendly duplicate bridge. Lytham Bridge Club, Pembroke Road, Lytham. 1.30pm.

BISPHAM CHESS CLUB. New members welcome. Community Centre, Bispham Road, Bispham. 7.30pm. Details, (01253) 300918.

CLIFTON BRIDGE CLUB. Ansdell Institute, Woodlands Road, Ansdell. 7.30pm.

Social clubs

DJ KEIRAN. And karaoke. North Shore Sports and Social Club, Cross Street, Blackpool.

CABARET. Guest acts. Blackpool Catholic Club, 30 Queen Street, Blackpool. 2.30 to 4.30pm. Details, (01253) 628835.

MAGGIE & CHRIS. Stanley Road WMC, Stanley Road, (off Hornby Road), Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621168.

BOBBY TAYLOR. Duple Social Club, 96a Bond Street, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647.

LINGFIELD: 1.45 Drawnfromthepast, 2.15 Alhaban, 2.50 Palmyra, 3.20 Performing Pocket, 3.55 Mein Notte, 4.30 Pale Orchid, 5.0 Sea Anemone.

KEMPTON: 5.30 Novabridge, 6.0 John Louis, 6.30 Mambo Spirit, 7.0 Red Orator, 7.30 Fire In Babylon, 8.0 Earlsmedic, 8.30 Rigid.

DONCASTER: 1.55 Eagle Rock, 2.25 The Cockney Mackem, 3.0 The Weatherman., 3.30 Mark The Book, 4.5 Crop Walker, 4.40 Rathcor, 5.10 Pebbleglen.

LUDLOW: 1.35 Charlie Wingnut, 2.5 Monte Cavallo, 2.35 Blue Ronnie, 3.10 Esteem, 3.40 A Little Bit Dusty, 4.15 Main Head, 4.50 Bermuda Boy, 5.20 Knockalongi.

NAP: Monte Cavallo.Next Best: Charlie Wingnut.

]]> 1.4269566 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:36:40 +0000 http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/holloway_blasts_fa_over_phillips_1_4267796

IAN Holloway has blasted the FA for failing to make Matt Phillips an England player.

The Blackpool winger, who has recovered from a hamstring problem and is fit to play some part against West Ham at Bloomfield Road tonight (8pm), has decided to pledge his international future to Scotland.

But Seasiders boss Holloway says Phillips has done so only because he was being ignored by the country of his birth.

Phillips qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandparents. His parents alerted national team boss Craig Levein, who has selected the 20-year-old for the friendly in Slovenia a week tomorrow.

It comes just four months after Phillips went to South America to represent England at the Under 20 World Cup.

And Holloway is angry his own country has failed to nail down a player he describes as one of the best he has ever worked with.

The Pool boss said: “I have been in the game a long time and seen an awful lot of players, and I think Matt is good enough to be an England international.

“Unfortunately, he hasn’t been noticed – possibly because he isn’t at Arsenal, Chelsea or one of those clubs.

“It is great news if you are Scottish, but not quite such good news if you are English.

“I mean, what more did Matt need to do to get in the Under-21s at least? He wasn’t getting picked and I feel a bit irked.

“My country, I believe, has now lost one of the best players it has ever had.

“He is going to Scotland. I don’t blame Matt at all for that.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY SEE TUESDAY’S GAZETTE.

BLACKPOOL’S clubland is set for a shake-up after two of its biggest premises were put on the market.

The former Syndicate club on Church Street has been remarketed with a leasehold guide price of rent in excess of £100,000 per year.

Previously the ABC cinema, the building is almost 50,000sq metres of clubbing space.

It is thought anyone taking on the premises would have to re-apply for licences to operate as a club.

And Talbot Square sister venues Hush and Rumours have been put on the market for £975,000 – for the business and building – by Blackpool’s Duxburys Commercial.

Peter Bowden, owner of Sanuk on the Promenade, said times were hard – but Blackpool’s night time economy would emerge stronger than ever.

He added: “One of the good things we’ve seen recently is the cumulative impact policy which says that this is the area set aside for bars and clubs so we will see reinvestment in the area.

“It will help, during the next few years raise the bar higher and higher

“It’s hard times for everyone at the moment – not just the nightclubs and bars.

“We’re in the same recession everyone is in, but we will be well-placed in Blackpool, especially with all of the investment coming in from Merlin.”

The large venues are joined on the market by 400-capacity Liquid Lounge on Topping Street, at £130,000.

Mr Bowden added: “All the different aspects of the resort have to live together – it’s important to have the families back here but equally we’ve got to look after the stags and hens who come to Blackpool.

“We’re doing reasonable business still at Sanuk, but the biggest change is that young people don’t come out until later and instead spend their money in supermarkets.

“It would be good to see the spotlight put on them for their drinks offers – we have to be reasonably cheap now to compete with their deals.

“But I think there is a strong future for the clubs and bars in the town, especially with all of the investment going on.

A MAN once accused of being involved in the disappearance of Blackpool schoolgirl Charlene Downes was punched in the face by her brother.

Wharehouseman Robert Downes, 20, hit Mohammed Reveshi in the eye and shouted: “That is for my sister.”

Reveshi was assaulted outside his home on Caunce Street, Blackpool, after he had just got out of his car, Blackpool Magistrates Court was told.

Downes of Boothley Road, Blackpool, admitted throwing the single punch to the victim’s eye which drew blood.

Alison Quanbrough, prosecuting said the assault took place on February 8.

Landlord Mr Reveshi had locked his car when he noticed Downes who was about six yards away.

Downes came towards him and flung a single punch and made another remark as he pointed at Mr Reveshi stating: “You are dead….”

When questioned he admitted what he had done and said he had drunk four can of strong lager prior to the incident.

Mr Reveshi was charged with helping in the disposal of her body which the prosecution later alleged at Preston Crown Court had been put in the food chain.

The case against Mr Reveshi collapsed because of the quality of police covert evidence was questioned.

One officer involved was ordered to quit Lancashire Police.

Downes was granted bail until February 28 so that reports can be prepared on his by the Probation Service.

He must have no contact with Mr Reveshi and must not enter Caunce Street as terms of his bail.

OUR fans’ panellists hardly had time to live the FA Cup dream before their hopes were dashed at Goodison Park on Saturday, but they agree that the past week’s other Seasiders result carries far greater significance.

DAVE WHITE

Unfortunately, I won’t look back on my first experience of FA Cup round five with fondness, as two early goals turned what already looked a difficult prospect into a mountain of a challenge. That is to take nothing away from Everton, who were excellent and were in a rich vein of form, having taken care of much better teams than ourselves at Goodison Park recently.

I have no argument with the 11 Ollie put out – as the vast majority of them had got us through the earlier rounds, they deserved their place.

However, our midfield was crying out for the presence of Barry Ferguson, who may well have been better able to prevent Fellaini from having so much time and space on the ball. He and others were being rested for the match tonight, and that is fair enough.

Thankfully, we had a much better outcome at Doncaster last week and our progress up the league continues apace. Both Rovers and ourselves are desperately battling for points, for different reasons, and it made for an interesting game, which the better side won comfortably.

GTF has faced criticism from the internet community recently but he made them eat their words with two excellent goals, not forgetting Eardley’s world-class assist for the first.

It’s a real shame that GTF’s injury at Everton on Saturday looks like ruling him out for a while, just as he was getting back to his best.

The importance of tonight’s game cannot be underestimated – win and we go third, regardless of what happens elsewhere. Exciting times ahead.

Men of match: Taylor-Fletcher (Doncaster), Gilks (Everton)

PHIL CORBETT

A mixed week of results and performances. At Doncaster we were in total control and consolidated our place in the play-off positions by scoring twice early on, with GTF in great form.

Despite conceding and letting them off the hook slightly, the third goal killed the game and sent the travelling support home happy.

Similarly, the two early goals against killed Saturday’s game as a contest, with the emphasis from that point being on damage limitation. On another day, Everton could have had a bagful, but all credit to the team who stuck in there and should have had a more flattering scoreline by scoring the penalty.

I thought the referee was very inconsistent, giving us very little against a robust Everton side who outmuscled as much as outplayed us.

The game gave us a marker of what still needs to be done in terms of aspirations for a higher level, but that’s irrelevant unless we can consolidate on the Doncaster result against West Ham.

I think Ollie’s team selection recognised that fact, with the likes of Crainey, Ferguson and Matt Phillips not featuring on Saturday.

The injury to GTF didn’t look good – a real shame as he has only recently fought his way back into form after a series of injuries. Let’s hope he makes a speedy recovery as he is a vital member of the squad.

Men of match: Taylor-Fletcher (Doncaster), Gilks (Everton)

{http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/pool-passion|CLICK HERE FOR OUR GALLERY OF POOL’S FA CUP MATCH WITH EVERTON|Click here for our gallery of Pool’s FA Cup match with Everton}.

FIONA MARTIN

The most important thing about the last week was the three points at Doncaster. Going out of the cup was disappointing but not altogether unexpected.

It was a good performance at Doncaster, against a team better than their league position suggested. The highlight was definitely a wonderful second goal, and whilst we weren’t necessarily always at our best we were good enough to win.

Saturday though, was a little different. Unfortunately we got caught sleeping for the first six minutes and found ourselves two goals down, and from that point Everton didn’t need to get out of second gear.

We weren’t up to our usual standards, though I have seen us play a lot worse – a reminder perhaps of the gap in quality.

If nothing else, Saturday showed the difference Barry Ferguson makes to the side. His contribution was distinctly notable by his absence, although Angel Martinez deserves credit for his performance. It was one that can certainly be counted among the better ones on the day.

We did suffer from the loss of Taylor-Fletcher – and I really do hope that injury is not too long-term.

The lack of movement in attack, and between midfield and attack, became one of our biggest problems.

Quick word too for Bob Harris, who I have seen enough of to know he is a very good and improving footballer. The experience he will have gained from the Everton game will be invaluable to him. For that alone, Holloway was right to start him.

Now is not the time to dwell on being out the cup, however. We have bigger fish to fry, starting tonight.

We still have to play eight of the top 13 teams at home, and that’s a position a lot of other teams would like to be in.

Men of match: Taylor-Fletcher (Doncaster), Gilks (Everton)

MIKE MORRISON

Despite all the rhetoric about FA Cup ‘magic’, when was the last time a lower league team won the FA Cup? It hasn’t happened in recent history, that’s for sure.

Yes, I get it – it’s a chance to pull off a giantkilling in the third or fourth round; a chance to brag to the rest of the country that your team can beat a big name. But it’s still a distraction from what is important – the league.

I don’t care about the cup, and judging by Holloway’s decision to make seven changes at Everton, I think he’d agree with me.

Not that there was anything wrong with the team he played – they’re all good players.

But you don’t ring so many changes without running the risk of too many not being on each other’s wavelength – and that’s what happened.

I can accept defeat graciously but I can’t accept such a woeful performance. The rest of the country now believes a toddler with a stomach full of sugar has a greater concentration span than Blackpool.

On a wet and windy Wednesday away to Barnsley, I could maybe understand – if not excuse – a slow start. But away to a Premier League side in the FA Cup, it was bizarre.

But… it allows us to concentrate on winning promotion.

Men of match: Taylor-Fletcher (Doncaster), Kevin Phillips (Everton)

PETER GILLATT

On his third attempt, Jimmy Weston’s cross was met by Bill ‘Hatchet man’ Bentley, whose powerful header flew past Burnley keeper Payton, whose punch flattened Bill in the process. That goal, the only one in the tie, sent Pool to the fourth round of the FA Cup. It was January 1976 and is still the last time the Seasiders beat a top-flight side in the competition.

As a Koppite, it was also the first Bloomfield Road game I actually saw sitting down after I was given a spare ticket for the back of the West Stand. It was an awful view and I never sat in that stand again.

Jumping forward 36 years, and I’m at the back of the Upper Bullens stand, faced with another dreadful view.

Things didn’t improve on the pitch either as the ball, obscured by girders and pillars, somehow fell to Everton’s Dutch loanee Royston Drenthe who despatched the first goal after 49 seconds without a Pool player in sight. In fact, no-one in a Tangerine shirt got anywhere near him all afternoon.

Five minutes later, Everton doubled their lead, effectively ending the contest. They could have easily scored another five if it hadn’t been for Gilks, and with GTF being stretchered off this proved to be an expensive afternoon all-round.

We badly missed our own ‘hatchet man’ Ferguson on Saturday, and will need him and the rest of the team back to fighting ways if we are to give out a similar hammering to Big Sam’s visiting outfit tonight.

Men of match: Gilks (Everton)

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Lytham Ladies are through to hockey’s Caley Trophy final, though the club’s place in the showpiece was assured even before the semis had been played.

That’s because Lytham were drawn against their own Second team and won 5-3.

The seconds were determined to prove a point, though, and led three times in the first half.

Courtney Spector opened the scoring, set up by Gilly Shields.

Sophia Crawshay looked like doubling the lead but Jane Evans made a superb diving save.

Charlotte Evans equalised for the first team, assisted by Amy Horrocks, only for Crawshay to break clear and restore the seconds’ lead.

First team captain Danielle Bamber equalised from Bronte Edgar’s cross only for Shields to make it 3-2 at half-time with a thunderous strike into the corner.

Natasha Singleton’s skill was rewarded with another equaliser shortly after the restart, despite good defending from Lorna Leach and Abi Eagles.

Eleni Cullen made some superb saves and Nina Sethi worked hard to keep the first team at bay, though they clinched victory in the final ten minutes.

Bamber scored her second from a short corner, then Edgar showed her speed to seal the win. Heidi Williams was player of the match for the seconds.

Lytham will play Garstang in the final on March 31.

n Blackpool Men went down 3-2 to Lymm at Stanley Park as they began a series of crunch games against their North West division three promotion rivals.

Lymm started the stronger in their bid to avenge a defeat this season, with Nick Rainbow forced into several key saves and Pete Latimer making another goal-line clearance.

Blackpool passed poorly in the first half, forcing only one short corner, and trailed 1-0 at the interval.

Lymm continued to look dangerous and doubled their lead before Blackpool’s James Slater fed Dave Morgan – the league’s top scorer – for his 31st of the season.

However, their hopes of a comeback were thwarted when Lymm scored their third from a deflected free-hit.

Ian Swaine netted Blackpool’s second with a reverse sweep after the keeper had parried Kieran Harris’ cross.

However, third-placed Lymm are now three points above Blackpool, who may well need other results to go their way even if they win their final five games.

Blackpool Seconds won their derby with Lytham St Annes Fourths 3-1 to remain second in division seven north . The visitors went two up, through captain Simon Allen and Matt Atherton, despite Doug Green’s staunch defensive work.

Rob Davies pulled one back for Lytham, though Blackpool secured victory with a goal by the skilful Chris Hocking.

Blackpool Thirds lost 5-3 to a disciplined Southport Badgers as Josh Hughes scored his first goal for the club between two Nathan Woodman strikes

Blackpool’s Beavers (under-13s) were impressive in beating their Preston counterparts 6-3. Owen Williams netted four, with Lucas Higginson and Ciaran Johnson also scoring.

n Lytham Men recorded a 2-2 draw at Didsbury Northern, while the seconds consolidated third place in North West division four with a 4-1 home success against Bolton Seconds.

Battling LSA Thirds paid for their mistakes in division six north, losing 3-2 to Prescot Seconds.

Trailing 2-1 at half-time, LSA fell further behind before Mallieux reduced the deficit.

Tom Lees had a goal disallowed, while Lewis Gannon made a promising debut.

n Blackpool Ladies’ losing run continued in the Lancashire Central premier division with a 4 2 home defeat by Clitheroe Seconds.

Blackpool dominated the first half and led 2-0 through their player of the game Kandy Cardwell and Lauren Burrell.

Clitheroe pulled one back shortly before half-time and took their momentum into the second period, adding two quick goals.

Blackpool piled on the pressure but could not break through and Clitheroe sealed victory with a fourth goal.

FYLDE coast MPs have pledged to continue the fight to help BAE recover its multi-billion pound Indian deal.

And they spent time with the Prime Minister yesterday to hear how the fight to secure the order is going on.

BAE’s bid to supply India with 126 Eurofighter Typhoons was struck a devastating blow when France’s Rafale aircraft was selected as its preferred option.

The French bid is understood to have been lower than BAE’s – but the Indian authorities have yet to examine the detail around technology transfer and the manufacturing facilities offered by the two countries.

Any deal would see the vast majority of the planes assembled on Indian soil – meaning there will be no job losses at Warton should the deal not be won.

Fylde MP Mark Menzies and Wyre and Preston North MP Ben Wallace joined Ribble Valley’s Nigel and at Number 10 Downing Street to discuss the Indian deal with Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Menzies said: “We were supposed to be there 20 minutes, which doesn’t sound a lot – but it is for Downing Street – and we stayed for more than half an hour.

“The Prime Minister talked us through what he’d been doing regarding the Indian deal.

“There’s been around 50 ministerial visits to India since the coalition took over, and there has been meetings with BAE’s chief executive as well.”

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Mr Menzies said talks had also taken place with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as her country was the lead partner in the Eurofighter consortium on the Indian bid.

Mr Menzies added: “The Prime Minister accepted the Typhoon is a technically superior aircraft to anything the French can build.

“He was also full of praise for the Lancashire workforce.

“The Prime Minister was in a determined and resolute mood and he is of the opinion that while BAE is not the preferred bidder at this stage, the Government will do everything it can to put forward its case.”

BAE bosses have pledged to continue fighting for the Indian contract.

Dassault, the French aviation company behind the Rafale, has previously been named preferred bidder on other projects, but has lost the bid when other factors, such as how it would help infrastructure in the buyer’s country, have been examined more closely.

BAE is still in talks over hundreds of potential job losses at the Warton site – but pledged from the outset there will be no more should the Indian deal collapse.

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FARMGEN, the UK’s leading expert in ‘energy farming’, has warned the Government must get its review of feed-in tariffs for technologies other than solar power right – or face the consequences of a stalling industry.

The Government was recently defeated in the courts after trying to reduce the feed-in tariff for solar energy early.

Energy minister Greg Barker says reforms will provide greater confidence for consumers and those investing in green technologies.

The Government has launched a consultation period that closes on April 26 and says it plans to make tariffs more predictable.

The review includes potential tariff guarantees for wind, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) and hydro projects to give greater certainty about rates of return.

Farmgen, based at Whitehills business park, and led by Fylde green energy entrepreneur Simon Rigby, plans to bring a string of farm-based AD plants on stream this year, as part of a £30m UK expansion programme.

He said: “The Government’s stop-start approach and continual direction changing has done nothing to secure confidence in the future of renewable energy and has made it increasingly difficult to get investment decisions.

“This really is its final chance to get things right and to put in place measures that will bring confidence and a sense there is a credible policy and direction from Government that is robust and will stand up to scrutiny.

“The mess it got itself into over the solar feed-in tariffs was extremely harmful to the whole renewable energy sector. It must not repeat the mistakes of the past.

“Only last June we had the results of a consultation and to say it was disappointing is putting it mildly.”

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