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March 2001 News

Follow the news of the offspring of the class of 70-71 !

See Sons and Daughters

29 March

Owen Does it Again !! - Next Generation World Cup Update.

Incredibly, Michael Owen opened the goalscoring for England for his second successive match. The Group 9 qualifier was looking like stalemate in Albania until Owen's 73rd minute opener broke the deadlock. Owen was later substituted to allow Teddy Sherringham on, and Scholes made it 2-0 soon after.

The almost complete Manchester United line up seemed to be set on getting Andrew Cole to break his international goalscoring virginity. Ultimately this plan proved successful, but not before Albania looked to have scored 2 in injury time to make the score 2-2 ! Albania's second was thankfully offside, and Cole's strike in fact made it a flattering 3-1.

Once again Frank Lampard was a named substitute in the England side, but didn't make it on to the pitch.

At the half-way stage in Group 9, England are in the 2nd qualifying place, 3 points clear of Finland, but 4 points behind Germany.

See BBC SPORT WORLD CUP 2002 Cole goal caps England victory
and BBC SPORT WORLD CUP 2002 England player ratings

Scot Gemmill, though, did make it on to the pitch for Scotland at home to San Marino. He came on for Cameron in the 82nd minute when the score was already 4-0, which is how it finished even after 6 minutes of injury time.

After 5 games, Scotland lead Group 6 by 3 points, but have played a game more than 2nd placed Belgium and 2 more than 3rd placed Croatia.

See scotsman.com - Sport - Home - Headlines

Sven Iverson played from the start for Norway, away to Belarus. An injury time goal gave his side another defeat.

Thanks to Armenia losing 4-0 to Poland, Norway rise off the bottom of Group 5 on goal difference, but they are still a place below Wales and 8 points off the 2nd qualifying position.

See Tottenham Hotspur FC - Iverson

For full group positions see World Cup 2002 Fixtures and Results Europe

26 March

Three More Goals From Next Generation Stars !

Admit it, where else would you find these football stars in the same table ...

See

Owen:BBC SPORT WORLD CUP 2002 Beckham completes England fightback
Brownlie: QOS Match 3 and BBC SPORT SCOTTISH DIVISION 2 Arbroath 5-2 Queen of the South

World Cup News

As reported above, Michael Owen scored the opening goal for England in their 2-1 victory, but there is not such good news for three other Bob 70-71 Next Generation Stars. See BBC SPORT PHOTO GALLERIES England 2-1 Finland - in pictures, which is providing the above picture.

Frank Lampard made the squad for England, but did not make the bench for the match.

Scott Gemmill made the bench, but did not make the pitch for Scotland's 2-2 draw at home to Belgium. Scotland were 2-0 up but a goal 2 minutes into injury time threw 2 points away, which leaves then 2nd in Group Two ... er Six. See scotsman.com - Sport - Home - Headlines

Sven Iverson made the pitch in the sixtieth minute, but could not prevent a 3-2 home defeat by Norway to Poland.It was Sven's first international since his return from injury. Norway are bottom of Group Five ... even below Wales!

See RSSSF Norwegian football archive

20 March

Five Next Generation Stars Score !

This has been a bumper goalscoring month for Bob's 70-71 Next Generation stars, and there's five more to report since last week.

See :
Owen : Official Liverpool FC Website - Derby County (Premier League - H) - 18.03.01
Iverson: Spurs v Coventry City
Currie: http--www.barnetfc.com-mar2001-southendreport.htm
Cooper FGR online...Rovers v Kettering 17-03-01
Royle: Ashton United

Son of My Father

'The Non League Paper' (Issue no.51, March 11, 2001) had a middle page feature on sons to famous fathers. Including our very own, Darren Royle ...

Darren Royle Ashton United

(Picture Paul Redding / Arthur Griffiths)

Come on My Son by Colin Mafham and Neale Harvey

While Mancherster City battle against relegation from the Premiership, Darren Royle is hoping that at least one half of the Royle family has something to celebrate at the end of the season. by helping neighbours Ashton United win Promtion to the Unibond Premier for the first time.

A former youth player at Rochdale and Oldham Athletic, 26 year old Royle never quite managed to follow his father into professional ranks. But after starting out as a forward like his father, he has now established himself as a central defender and was once a Conference regular with Altringham before spells at Radcliffe Borough and Flixton.

Darren's ealiest recollections were of his father player Bristol City. Since then he has proudly followed his father's managerial career over 20 eventful seasons with Oldham,Everton, and now Maine Road.

"I think regardless of whether their dad's in football, every kid loves the game," said Royle jnr. "At Oldham it was 14 years of success with promotions and cup runs, but when he went to Everton and things weren't going so well and he was getting slated, it was hard because it was my father. My loyalties always lie with him.

"I'm a City fan now, but that's only because he's there. If things aren't going well, like at the moment, you become a bit defensive. City have been going backwards for twenty years and have just started to go forward again.

"Dad's been there before and his biggest strengths are as a shrewd tactician and a man-manager. They've been criticised this season, but I tell people they have to be patient and remember what's gone on in the past.

"If I was completely honest having a famous father probably has been a handicap. I'm not one for attention and wherever you go people will look at your name and there will always be comparisons. Obviously, he was a top class player, an international, and it always is a hindrance. He was never a hinderence personally, though, or put me under any pressure. He was brilliant and just left it to me and over the years I've come to deal with it.

"I never get problems with opposing players, but I do get some stick and banter off fans. Some of the fans at local clubs realise who I am. Witton always give me a hard time, so do Droylsden and Hyde."

Royle jnr left home when his father became manager of Everton in 1994 and went on to gain degrees in Sports Science and Psychology, and Exercise and Nutrition before starting work with a pharmaceutical company.

His immediate ambition is to help manager Gerry Quyinn's revitalised Ashton secure promotion this season and he harbours longer term hopes of making a return to Non-League's top flight.

Ashton are in contention for the Unibond Division One Championship and have won through to the final of the coveted Manchester Senior Cup.

"Since Gerry's come here the place has just moved forward. He's got a great team spirit going, there are no Big-time Charlies and we're playing good football."

"I have been fortunate with my father because I've had the opportunity to go training with Everton and City and when you play with quality players you improve yourself.

"I pride myself on my fitness so, if I can keep out of the way of injuries my immediate ambition is to get back into the Conference, hopefully with Ashton."

Whatever the future holds, Darren Royle insists nepotism will play no part in his career. "Whatever I do I'd have to do it on my own. My Dad's very good like that and he'd never sort me out with a job.

"I wouldn't want him to because that's like jobs for the boys. You want to get things off your own bat and that's the way I've always done it."

Eriksson Names the England Squad

Sven Goran Eriksson (Degerfors) named his England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland on Saturday (24 March) and Albania on Wednesday week (28 March). And it's good news as Michael Owen and Frank Lampard keep their places. Presently, 21 year old Michael has been capped 25 times, and 22 year old Frank has been capped twice.

See BBC SPORT WORLD CUP 2002 Phillips dropped from England squad

16 March

Ferguson Scores - A Varsity Double !

Darren Ferguson - Alex's son - has hit scoring form again. Darren hadn't scored for Wrexham since early November last year, until last week when he's managed three in two games.First up he got the final two goals in a 5-3 thriller at home to Oxford United in Division Two. The goals came in the last two minutes of the game, the first being a penalty.

In the next match, Darren's 83rd minute penalty strike pulled the scores level at 2-2 away to Cambridge United in Division Two. Wrexham went on to win 3-2, their fourth League win in a row. It might all be coming too late, though, as Wrexham are just 10th in the League, eight points behind a play-off spot, but safe from relegation.

See Oxford United (Home) and Cambridge United (Away)

Owen Scores - In UEFA Cup Victory !

Yes, good to see Michael on target in last night's UEFA Cup Quarter-Final match. It was the second-leg home tie for Liverpool versus FC Porto, the score in the first leg being 0-0. Michael's 38th minute goal made it 2-0, which was the final score.

Winners of the League Cup already, Liverpool could yet go on to win two more trophies. In addition to the UEFA semi-final, they are also in the FA Cup semi-final where they face Second Division Wycombe Wanderers ! Michael failed to make it off the bench in the League Cup win, so will especially keen to reach more finals.

See Official Liverpool FC Website - Match Summary 2000-01 - FC Porto (UEFA Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg - H) - 15.03.01

Scot's Call Up

Scot Gemmill - Arthur's (PNE) son - has been called up to Scotland's squad for the two up coming World Cup qualifiers. Scot has 15 caps, but won his last one in 1999. He has won favour following good form at League level with Everton, who's assistant manager, Archie Knox, is also assistant to Craig Brown, the Scottish manager.

See Guardian Unlimited Football Breaking News Gemmill recall for Scots

9 March

See Nigel Clough

Player-manager, Nigel Clough - Brian's (Derby County manager) son - has taken Burton Albion into the FA Umbro Trophy quarter-final, one of the biggest competitions in Non-League football.

They will be up against tough opposition in Hereford United of the Conference League - managed by Bob 70-71 star, Graham Turner (Chester City). Burton are currently second in the Dr Martin's Premier Division - which is lower down the Non-League pyramid. Unfortunately, Nigel is injured at present so will only be on the bench.

The match is being shown live on Sky television this Saturday (10/3/2001) at 12 noon.

See match preview from HU-FC.co.uk - The Independent Hereford United Online Resource ; and Burton Albion FC

(Postscript - the match was won 1-0 by Hereford see Match Report 2000-01 Season)

Currie Scores

Darren Currie - Tony's nephew - scored the second half equaliser in Barnet's home draw with Plymouth Argyle in Division Three last Saturday. It was Barnet's first point in four matches. They've since lost again to bottom placed Carlisle United and have slipped to 17th in the League. See BeesBeesBees.com - Story

1 March

3 Goal Win For 2 Next Generation Stars in Game 1 of New Era

Michael Owen - Terry's son (Bradford City) - and Frank Lampard Junior - Frank Senior's son (West Ham United) - both got onto the pitch in England's friendly versus Spain last night.

The score was 3-0 to England , and they played very well at the temporary venue of Villa Park. Most importantly it was Sven Goran Eriksson's (Degerfors) first game in charge. Michael played the whole game and Frank came on for the second half, which began at 1-0. Both the remaining goals were scored players getting on to corners by Frank !

It was great to see Michael and Frank play well in front of their new manager - lets hope a new era has begun in which both players are regulars in the team.(Along with Martyn in goal !!!!)

See BBC SPORT FOOTBALL Sven's England off to winning start and BBC SPORT FOOTBALL England v Spain clockwatch

See more March news at the following ...

Click to see Soccer headlines at www.bobdunning.net