Tuesday trip to surrey will test title credentials.

The Metropolitan Police may be winless and bottom of the league. To many, a Hawks victory should be guaranteed, but the opening day defeat against Leiston showed that nothing in the Ryman League should be taken for granted, especially away from home considering the Hawks’ recent poor run away from Westleigh Park.

However the morale will be high in the camp following to impressive home victories against Leatherhead (3-1) and Folkestone Invicta (1-0) respectively. In both matches, especially the latter, the Hawks were by a margin the better team and if not for some great saves, the score lines could have been more.

But as much as it is good to be beating sides in the league above convincingly in Pre-season it is the matches against the Metropolitan Police that will show where you can only have it all to lose, will test the resolve. Last season, holding Pompey to a 1-1 draw and beating Forest Green Rovers is impressive, but only winning twice away from home last season less so, mainly to the type of opponent in the National League South as the Met. Police is to the Ryman.

The only downer of Saturday’s match against Folkestone was the injury that occurred to Brian Stock when he was involved in a nasty clash of heads. He was taken to hospital and was released and is ok and will be unlikely to be in the matchday squad tomorrow.

However prior to the match there was some big news as Lee Bradbury recalled Marley Ridge from his loan spell at Winchester City. This will for most Hawks fans be some exciting news as before his loan switch he was one of the stand out players for Lee Bradbury’s side in Pre-season.

However Imber Lane will be my office on Tuesday night as you can hear commentary of Metropolitan Police V Havant and Waterlooville on Hawks Radio from 19:30.

http://mixlr.com/hawks-radio–2/

BY Henry Deacon

22/08/16 at 19:13

 

So far, so good for Lee Bradbury’s men this pre-season as they have won 5 of their 6 pre-season matches thus far. After a 5-0 defeat to the hands to Portsmouth it has been all hands on pump for the ex Pompey striker’s side including a win against a Category 1 Premier League U21 side in Cardiff.

But it is AFC Totton who will become the latest visitors to Westleigh Park and they shall enter with fear as the roulette of strikers at the Hawks’ disposal enough to stress a top National League South outfit in Eastbourne Borough. Between them this menacing striking force has scored 11 goals in their last two matches against Team Solent and Petersfield Town respectively.

As much as the up front striking options excite the Hawks fans is as reassuring that the back four look solid ahead of the new campaign. It was ultimately sloppy goals that sent Havant and Waterlooville down on goal difference and so far this season they went for a period of 225 minutes without conceding.

AFC Totton however for the Hawks has been a side that they haven’t played since the Hampshire Senior Cup semi final defeat in 2013 and how Lee Bradbury’s side like to wrong a right but with Leiston only two weeks away it will be about work rate for him more than exacting revenge.

In a recent interview with me, he said that he will not be fielding a team in the Ryman League cup. He said that there is “too much travelling in that cup” and that for fringe players, good competition is “on our doorstep”. Frankly who would blame him, two competitions in which last season they won and came runner up in (Portsmouth Senior Cup), why would you throw another competition in when your season being extended enough.

The Hawks also had big news to celebrate when Charlie Searle announced his return from loan from Salisbury and then signing a new two year contract with the Hawks. We’ve not had the chance to speak to Lee about the news but most will feel that this season should be a big season for the young man who seems to never fail to impress.

So then what to expect when 19:45 comes. The Hawks will probably dominate the play and for Totton it is all about weathering the storm and with the sheer numbers of attacking options it’s a monsoon. It will give Lee Bradbury another chance to look closer towards his starting 11 at Leiston on August 13th.

By Henry Deacon

1/8/2016 at 00:38

Havant and Waterlooville prepare for life outside the National League south with a clash away to Moneyfields in their first pre-season friendly. Lee Bradbury’s side will be hoping to put last season’s misery behind them as they build a strong squad ahead of their Ryman League exploits.

Speaking ahead of the game, assistant manager Shaun Gale told the Havant and Waterlooville website that the mood is good. He commented on how ‘there is a positive buzz in the camp, we have the hunger and desire’. He also commented on how this new-look squad will put everything on the line saying that ‘we expect 110% effort every week they go out, every week is a cup final, that’s he mentality we need to succeed in the Ryman.’

He also spoke about how the side will approach the game tomorrow stating that ‘he (Lee Bradbury) will take the whole team and they will all get minutes on the pitch.’

He then rounded off the interview by commenting on the pool of talent that the Hawks have been blessed with this season. He said ‘the difference this season is that a lot of younger local talent has been available for us to sign, this is great for us it makes coming to training sessions and matches easier, players aren’t having to travel 2 and a half hours each way.’

For Moneyfields it is a big day for them. Due to the arrival of the Hawks their attendance will be high and along with that they are also opening their new VIP lounge where guests will watch the match in style. The pitch for the encounter looks like a carpet.

The Hawks have been boosted by the signing of Theo Lewis today following his loan stint at Ebbsfleet United. A player that towards the end of last season developed as a real fans’ favorite, despite his approaches at higher had ‘unfinished business’ according to Lee Bradbury.

Further news from Hawks HQ is that the early draws for the FA competitions were made today. In the FA Trophy Havant and Waterlooville were drawn away to Cirencester Town. Whilst the young guns will have a home tie in the FA Youth Cup against AFC Stoneham with the winner of that tie guaranteed another home match.

 

HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILE V MONEYFIELDS FC IS LIVE ON HAWKS FM FROM 14:45

http://mixlr.com/hawksfm/

 

 

For any fans of Havant and Waterlooville last season is one in which they will want to etch from their minds forever. However after a shock relegation to the Ryman Football League, the Hawks fans and players alike expect and demand one thing and one thing only… Promotion.

During the off-season period Westleigh Park has been a hive of activity as players were directed in and out of the Hawks’ double doors. On the way out one of the clubs most loved players Scott Donnelly and in came Bognor’s Matt Prior. Then came the return to Ryan Woodford as he left rivals Gosport.

Following the club allowing Hawks FM radio station into the first training session of the season the feeling inside the dressing room was rather upbeat and the focus on the Hawks retaining their National League South status was clear to see.

New signing Jason Prior said that the players will need to “knuckle down and work hard” as the club try to achieve promotion to the 6th tier of English Football. And as far as personal targets go he said “30 goals” and admitted “anything more than that is a bonus”.

Also speaking to Les Hyson was Ryan Woodford who admitted that “targets haven’t been discussed yet”. He did however say that the squad “is a National League south squad” and said the players will “see what they can do”. For some players it will be a case of adjusting to a new level for Dan Strugnell he was rooted to the ground and not getting carried away saying that the Hawks will “just do what they can”.

One of the few positives coming from relegation is the chance to give young talents a go and for 17 year old Alfy Whittingham he has this chance at the Hawks. Jason Prior described him as “one of the best 17 year olds in Non-league”. However he wants to push for a place in the first team and talking to Les he said that “the gaffer (Lee Bradbury) wants to put me on loan but I want to play in the 1st team”. His ambition is to “break into the 1st team in the next two weeks”.

So from an early stance it looks like a side who are down to earth and not getting carried away with their favorites tag to go up and young players hungry to try and break into the first team. The first opportunity to impress is on Saturday against Moneyfields at 3:00. You can catch this and most games this season (depending on club rules) on Hawks FM.

By Henry Deacon

03/07/16 at 17:25

PIC 1: Raymond van Barneveld after his victory over Michael van Gerwen.

It is nearly 24 years since the BDO and the PDC split and the Lada UK Masters broadcast on Anglia television. Who, from that point would have thought that it would be that matchstick that would ignite the flame in what is now one of the most popular televised sports in the UK, second behind football and growing all over the World.

They said that when the television boom came in Darts in the 1980’s that it was as big as it was going to get and for 30 years after that it seemed to be the case. Darts was a soft target, had a bad image and was trying to rebuild itself. No matter what side of the famous darting divide you sit on, it needed a much needed facelift and thanks in part to 16 rebels they did and cashed in on the offer that sky sports offered

With their American slick presentation style, they with the then called WDC would revolutionise Darts with walk-ons and the walk on girls. The success that we have today is very much down to their shoulders. When Dennis Priestley won the WDC World’s in ’94 for £16,000, all would dream, but few would realistically think that we would get to where we are today.

But now, this is a serious career option, with £300,000 going to Gary Anderson for winning the PDC World Darts Championship this year, the big bucks is coming to the tungsten. On top of that Barry Hearn (Chairman of the PDC) announced that over £10 million worth of prize money is to be won this year.

Jeff Smith playing at the World Cup of Darts.

This is a sport that continually shoves its critic’s opinions where they don’t want it. ‘Players get paid that much just to throw a dart’ people say. Well the counter argument is that you just need to look at the stupid amount of money Football players are playing. ‘All the players are fat and drink lots of beer’. Well although that might be the case years ago, you look at players like Jeff Smith (pictured), can’t see a bit of beer belly in him, not tattoos, a new image which has seen it become a more spectator friendly sport.

Modern day darts is a viewer friendly experience, Darts is an easy sport to follow, not like football where you can discuss all day whether a player is on or offside, whether it is handball or ball to hand, so it entices viewers in as you don’t need to be an expert, 501 down, first to hit a double, simple right. Then the razzmatazz that darts has. The MC, lights, steel barrier separating fan from player, beefy security guard, beautiful lass escorting you down the aisle, the music, slap of the spectator hands and the carnival atmosphere. Only at the darts could you be standing at the urinals next to a bloke dressed as a bride and sounding like he is heavy on the stella.

Darts is a sport that doesn’t have any hatred and any rivalry between players is friendly. When back in the 1980’s when Jocky Wilson and Eric Bristow had their rivalry, they may not have been best friends and my word did they want to beat each other, but they could never say a bad word about their opponent.

Because Darts, no matter at any level was used to bring people together and unite for entertainment and to entertain people. For no darts player it was no the ego, fame or money. It started by playing your mate for a few quid here and there. It was something that they enjoyed and they enjoy the fact that other people enjoy it. The other night Cristiano Ronaldo criticised the display of Iceland during their 1-1 draw with Portugal. That would not happen in Darts. It would be about winning first, respect and enjoyment.

Now Darts has come from as Dave Lanning once said ‘from spit and sawdust to champagne and stardust’. If there is a success story that is totally underplayed it is that of this sport. The top players are superstars, Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, has appeared in Coronation Street and various advertising campaigns. They get the superstar treatment, stopped in the street for autographs and photos and when they were in the doldrums for so long, they deserve the rockstar treatment.

 

The future is only looking brighter, the sport is going global, no more example more prominent than that of the PDC World Series which is currently in New Zealand, showcasing talent to us which would never get the oppourunity and opening up fan bases all over the world. Most sports shy away from places due to money, but the Darts people, don’t mind a little hit as long as the fans keep coming and keep showing their support, because that is what it is about. And if the fans keep coming as they are now, then the game could get that bit more brighter in the future.

By Henry Deacon

18/06/16 at 01:14

Any game between home nations bears a huge significance, but this one, has that little bit extra significance for that failure for the three lions here could hold extra bearing. We all know that half a century ago was the one and only time England won a major tournament, but recently our major tournament results is not one in which such a prestigious football nation such ourselves should have. Apart from the group stage exit from the World cup, since Sven left England we have only made one Quarter final, at Euro 2012, simply not good enough.

This is a young squad, the youngest in the championships and you feel should they keep the level of progression up, can be a threat at a major tournament, but unfortunatly are caught in the development stage at a time when expectation to succeed is high due to sustained periods of failure. Is it fair? Probably not, but that is the harsh reality of tournament football but if this squad does have somehting is a togetherness and a will to succeed.

Wales will fancy their chances and in my opinion rightly so. After a 58 year absence from major tournament football claim an impressive 201 victory against Slovakia and have pole position. They also know how England have famously suffered with clinchers desease and they know that if they get anything out of this match, even a draw, would be enough to qualify them for the last 16.

This is for England a game that will define them. It was an unlucky draw against Russia, if there is such a thing, but as many pundits are saying a performance of the same magnitude should be enough to win two matches, but lets just hope that England don’t rely on what they always rely on. The thought that if they had bad luck after a bad performance, stay the same and try to win. When as that worked, we did that under Capello and we see what happened, lost 4-1 to Germany for goodness sake.

This match will define a whole heap of factors and now we can talk about the Football, lets hope that both teams can produce and both can make their way out of the group.

Free to air broadcaster Dave has announced its first involvement with Darts. They have agreed a deal with the BDO and Frank Warren to broadcast the BDO World Trophy from the Lakeside in the bank holiday weekend at the end of May.

This comes following Dave’s exceptional opening fore into broadcasting live sport when a peak audience of 3.2 million people watched David Haye’s return to the ring against Mark de Mori in January. They will be broadcasting every arrow of everyday as they will be starting coverage at 12:00 pm for a 22:00 finish.

In additional good news for the BDO, the event will also be managed by famous Boxing promoter Frank Warren. This came to a big shock for many Darts fans, but considering what has been happening with the BDO lately, this is positive news which they are reeling about.

Commenting on the deal Frank Warren said: “Though I have worked predominantly in boxing for nearly 40 years, I have also promoted and been involved in various other sports and entertainment ventures throughout my career. I am delighted to have been part of setting this event up and securing the BDO one of the UK’s leading broadcasters for the event. In my opinion, Dave is the perfect channel for the event and with it taking place at Lakeside, the iconic home of British darts, I am sure the atmosphere will be electric.”

Whilst on the Dave and UKTV front, Richard Watsham, director of commissioning said:  “This is an exciting time for the BDO and I’m thrilled that we’re able to bring Dave viewers the BDO World Trophy, free to air and live from Lakeside, the iconic home of world darts. This is an important step for Dave as we continue to expand into important new genres such as live sport.”

Whilst this news was massive for the BDO’s Sue Williams, as increasing pressure was placed on her and other members of the BDO’s board following recent events commented on the deal and relieved more than anything says: “Our exciting new partnership with UKTV and Frank is certain to delight all of the BDO’s loyal members and fans. We look forward to working with Dave on the opening event of this new partnership. The World Trophy is set to be an excellent few days of top level darts.”

Tickets for the Lakeside affair are still up for sale and are availible by contacting the Lakeside ticket office on: +44 (0)1252 836 464 or are advised to visit this following website for online tickets: lakesideworlddarts.co.uk

By Henry Deacon,

20:56; 04/05/2016

Pic 1 courtesy: Dave twitter; the handle that Dave are using to promote the BDO World Trophy.

The British Darts Organisation has embarrassed themselves again as they have announced with short notice that the BDO World Trophy has moved from the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester to the Lakeside in Surrey.

In a two sentence statement, the BDO said that,”The BDO World Trophy finals will now take place at Lakeside. A new Entry Form for the Wolverhampton play-offs is available from the BDO Diary. No dates have changed.”

Fans are venting their anger as they have booked accommodation for the event in Manchester and with the move of venue are paying hefty cancellation fees. Further hit for the BDO is that Darts fans are asking people to boycott the event in late May.

What has further angered fans is that the BDO have not given any reason for why they have had to relocate the event and what they should do in regards of accommodation etc. for Manchester and for the foreign players flights to Lakeside being changed last minute.

By Henry Deacon; 28/04/16 at 23:04

There is even more good news for the BDO to enjoy as they officially announced their ‘start of a new era’. In a press release yesterday they announced a £150,000 jackpot, with £50,000 for a nine dart finish. This decision follows speculation in the darts world that the tournament would not go ahead, but Geert de Vos (pictured) and Lisa Ashton will get a chance to retain their crowns at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse at the end of May.

In other developments the reports that this and other media outlets were reporting that the advances of a free-to air broadcaster was furthered as the BDO also announced that a “major free-to air” network will broadcast the tournament. They would announce the broadcaster has “huge viewings for broadcasting live sport”. The broadcaster will be announced at a press conference in London on Wednesday.

Some media outlets are reporting that the company that will broadcast the tournament is Channel 4 or the UKTV channel Dave, both of whom has seen good figures recently with Formula 1 and Heavyweight Boxing.

The press release also said that a new promoter was to thank to pull he prize pot and broadcaster for the tournament. This could mean that the broadcaster is only broadcasting this tournament but will become more apparent on Wednesday.

It was also announced that the three wildcard picks in the Men’s tournament is Jeff Smith, Andy Fordham and Ted Hankey and no wildcards in the Ladies tournament.

For the full press release please follow this link:

Click to access press-release-world-trophy-2016.pdf

BY Henry Deacon

08/04/2016 at 17:08

Reports suggests that public broadcaster Channel 4 is interested in broadcasting the Lakeside World Darts Championship from 2017. The broadcaster who’s portfolio in sports broadcasting has increased following the acquisition of Formula 1. They gained the rights to that following a decision by the BBC to drop that sport and the same fate seems to be that way for Darts.

It is believed that the coverage would be on both Channel 4 and on sister channel More 4 and it is unknown whether the coverage will be exclusive or whether the BDO will stick to their tactic of sharing the rights around.

Should the deal not take place then it is believed that BT Sport, who has broadcast the tournament in partnership with the BBC in the last 2 years and UKTV Dave are also interested in coverage should it break down. This is a massive boost to the BDO following the recent TV disappointments.

Picture: deachy.uk

BY Henry Deacon

06/04/16 at 21:53