Sports films: My favourite five

Having recently seen the incredible film Senna this week, I have pulled together my five favourite sports films that have hit the big screen.

1) Senna – As soon as I heard this film was going to be made I wanted to see it. The film depicts Ayrton Senna’s life during his Formula One career, using never before seen footage from the F1 archive at Biggin Hill. Among my favourite scenes were the numerous pre-race driver meetings, which showed how political F1 had become in the late 80’s and early 90’s. The film also shows Senna’s death at Imola in 1994, identifying Senna’s frame of mind over the race weekend. A stunning film that I urge everyone to go and see, whether you’re an F1 or not.

2) Jerry Maguire – From documentary to fiction, this film is one of the best sports-dramas of all time. Tom Cruise plays a sports agent who falls from grace, leaving a major agency and starting his own company. He ends up with just one client, an Arizona Cardinals wide receiver who wants a new contract. The film features that famous line: ‘you had me at hello.’ Well worth a watch on a quiet Saturday night.

3) The Express – If you like American Football then this film is a must see. The story is that of Ernie Davis, a black football player who had to overcome terrible prejudice in order to fulfil his dream of playing professional football. Unfortunately Davis was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1961 and dies at the age of 23 having never played a game as a professional. His fight against racism during his college days is incredible and the film is a testament to the greatest player never to have played professionally.

4) Happy Gilmore – One of my favourite light hearted films that I can watch over and over again. Adam Sandler plays an ex-hockey player who takes up golf to save his grandma’s house from being sold. Funny, stupid and very entertaining. Anyone who has seen this and hasn’t tried out Gilmore’s driving technique just hasn’t got a childish side.

5) The Damned United – Another film based on a true story, the Damned United is a brilliant insight into the life of the great Brian Clough. Michael Sheen plays the English manager as he takes over Leeds, the best team in England at the time, only to be sacked 44 days later. Although a largely fictional interpretation of events, the film does give you an idea of the personality of Clough and why he is regarded as one of the greatest managers to have graced the game.

There are many other greats out there as well. Who says sports films are rubbish?



Senna was released on 3 June in the UK



Mourinho Mk II

“Chelsea sign a Portuguese manager from Porto, who has just won the Primeira Liga, a Portuguese cup and a major European title.” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

André Villas-Boas was announced today as the new manager of Chelsea Football Club, following in the footsteps of his former Porto colleague, Jose Mourinho. In doing so he became the manager with the highest transfer fee in history, with Chelsea paying £13.3 million in compensation to Porto.

However, Villas-Boas is no Mourinho. He has only had two years of managerial experience in league football, and at the age of 33 he surely has a lot to learn before he can compete with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson in the Premier League.

Statistically, he is probably the best manager in the world. His record stands at one season with Porto, four titles and a win percentage of 84.48% from 58 matches. Then you look at the team. Porto have never finished outside the top three of the Primeira Liga, winning the Portuguese top division a total of seven times. That added to 15 domestic cup titles and three European titles paints a picture of domination. Porto are arguably the easiest team to manage in football.

It seems Chelsea are hoping for lightning to strike twice; throwing away belief in trusted managers and allowing the future of the club to be determined, ultimately, by luck.

The jury is out on Villas-Boas as to whether he can succeed at Chelsea. My prediction, he’ll be gone within the next two years.



André Villas-Boas - Chelsea's sixth manager in four years



The American mentality

 “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?” – Lombardi’s famous quote captures American sporting mentality in a single sentence. Americans play for one reason, and that’s to win, whether it be a little league baseball game or the Super Bowl. However, the riots following Vancouver’s loss in the Stanley Cup prove just how destructive this thought process can be.

Now all you smart people out there may be thinking “Vancouver? That’s in Canada,” which of course is geographically correct. The fact is, despite the national border, Canadian teams operate under the same attitude.

Last night’s riot was not the first time Vancouver fans have reacted badly to defeat in the Stanley Cup, as the 1994 series also ended in violence. It could be argued that the violent nature of the sport, in which fights between players are regularly anticipated, has the capacity to overflow into the mindset of the supporters, creating such scenes as were witnessed in Vancouver last night.

What it does show is how big an effect sport has on the lives of Americans and Canadians alike. The Canucks have never won the Stanley Cup in their 40 year history in the NHL, which, for many fans, comes as a huge disappointment considering their status as one of the best teams of the past few seasons.

This, of course, does not condone the actions of those who decide to take out their frustration on society and this latest incident of sport related violence once again illustrates the need for all sports fans to realise there is more to life than sport, however big a part of their life it is.

The fact of the matter is that North American sport will never change. There is a reason cricket will never catch on with the American people – the idea of playing five days of sport without the guarantee of a winner baffles them. Nevertheless, it is vital that the next generation of Americans are not brought up thinking violence is the answer.

At the end of the day, the Boston Bruins are the new Stanley Cup champions.



Destruction in Vancouver after their loss to Boston



From Major winner to major disappointment

Tiger Woods – once a name that instantly defined greatness, it is now a name that reminds everyone just how easy it is to fall from grace.

With no Major titles since the US Open in 2008, Tiger has gone 12 Major events without lifting the trophy, the longest in his career - It took him just nine to pick up his first Major title. Can Tiger bounce back?

Even the great Jack Nicklaus, 18 times Major winner, went through rough spells. Between 1967 and 1970 Nicklaus failed to win a single major, despite having won seven in the space of five years. He also had barren spells between 1975 and 1978, as well as a five and a half year gap between his penultimate and final major title.

However, Tiger’s problems sit much deeper than performance. The death of his father in 2006 seemed to re-ignite his will to succeed, but following his much publicised affairs and divorce from Swedish model Elin Nordegren, Tiger no longer has anyone personal to support him.

Since his return to the PGA Tour, Tiger has occasionally shown the brilliance he was known and loved for, but those moments are few and far between. What Tiger does have on his side is his natural ability - arguably the best that has been, and the best that will ever be.

He has managed to make the top ten of Major Championships six times following his comeback, equalling the combined records of World number one and two golfers, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood over the same period.

Having grown up watching Tiger Woods at his best I hope he can return to the top. What is clear is that his next Major title will be his hardest.

Nike got the whole world talking with one simple advert

Why Blackpool will be back in the Premier League

Exactly 365 days following their promotion to the Premier League, Blackpool were sent packing from the top flight following a gutsy 4-2 defeat at the hands of champions Manchester United. However, The Seasiders will be back. Here are five reasons to back Blackpool for promotion next season.

1)      Ian Holloway – He’s a Bristol lad (I could stop there, but I’ll continue). There is no more enthusiastic manager in the world than Holloway. His post-match interviews entertain us every week, and his team thrive under his unorthodox style. He’s given them promotion before and he’ll do it again.

2)      Charlie Adam – Now I know you may be thinking that this is a mute point with his move to Liverpool seeming inevitable, but the transfer funds gained will be huge. Blackpool need to use this money wisely and buy tried and tested Championship calibre players.

3)      Goals – Blackpool became the highest scoring Premiership team to be relegated this season, having amassed 55 goals from their 38 matches. They should have no problem scoring for fun against weaker defences.

4)      Improvement – Nobody expected them to make the play-offs in 2009/10, let alone win promotion, but their performance in the Premier League forced football fans to change their tune. They are better for the experience and this will help them when playing the likes of Nottingham Forest and Reading, who, although are very good sides, have not tasted Premiership football for a long time.

5)      Football Manger 2011 – No, I don’t believe in the Mayan 2012 theory, but I do believe in the FM2011 theory. It took them two seasons to do it, but under my management they are back in the Premier League in 2013. Now if I can take them up on a game I am hopeless at, then they are certain to be back in the Premiership within no time.

Disclaimer: I am not liable for any money lost by readers who used this article as a guide for betting on the outcome of the 2011/12 Championship season.



MotD will miss Holloway next season