Redgate Rovers have gained the prestigious "Football Association Charter Standard Development Club Award". Rovers who continually work to achieve the highest possible standard are not only the first in Formby to achieve this status but also, will be the first Junior Football Club in Sefton and as such, join an elite group of only four clubs in the whole of Merseyside.

The FA Charter Standard Award program is supported by England's sponsor Nationwide. Launched in February 2001, with the aim of setting the highest standards of coaching, administration, development and Child protection for Junior Football Clubs.

Football Development Officer, Mike McGlynn at the Liverpool County FA has congratulated Redgate Rovers on their achievement, explaining the importance of junior football clubs reaching this standard. In a press release he stated; 

"The Football Association and Liverpool County FA are committed to raising the standards of 'Grass Root' football in England, to encourage more people to play, to be able to develop their skills and to enjoy the game in the right environment, clubs like Redgate Rovers who attain this award are taking part in a genuine grass roots revolution."

Rovers Chairman, Mr Derek Dreaves explains that by achieving this award it is a testament to the hard work put in by everyone connected to Redgate Rovers, from coaches to parents and sponsors to players and would like to thank everyone for their help especially the County FA for their support and expertise.

Club President, Mr George Holcroft, who established Redgate Rovers in 1975 explains that this is a significant step forward and that with a current membership of over 300 boys and girls Redgate Rovers provides a real service to the local community. This membership includes a thriving Under 5's-7's 'Mini-section' who train on a weekly basis, a girls section, 14 teams from Under 8 to Under 16 age groups competing in local junior leagues and two Youth sides playing at regional level. Redgate also boasts two Open Age teams who are competing locally at a high standard.

Pete Christian, Football Development Officer states that Redgate have over 30 qualified FA Coaches who are suitably trained in both First Aide and Child Protection. Receiving this award is recognition for all the hard work and commitment to children's football in Formby from within this club.

It is a tremendous boost for this club who are already working towards our next goal, to acquire suitable land within the Formby area to meet the demands made upon it from it's membership. It is hoped that with the use of grants and private sector funding this land can then be developed to benefit not only Redgate Rovers but also the community of Formby. Club Officials are hoping to meet with representatives from both Sefton LA and the County FA in the New Year to progress this goal.

Club Secretary, Mr Tony Francis is organising a special Celebration Evening when a member of the Liverpool County FA will present the club with the 'Charter Standard - Development Club Award'. This event will take place at the Lighthouse, Liverpool Road, Formby, on Tuesday 28th January 2003. Tony, who has been involved with the club for many years confirms that it is very important for this club to develop within the FA Charter Standard Award Program and to be in a position to provide advice and support to other local junior clubs.

Officials of Redgate Rovers with Deputy Mayor (Above),

New Vision for Wall's Future

A BOLD plan is being drawn up to boost the tourist potential of Hadrian's Wall and the economic spin offs to economies across the north of England.

For the first time, a year-long study will look at the tourist potential along the entire length of the Wall running from Wallsend to West Cumbria.

The final report will be used as a pilot study by the Hadrian's Wall Tourism Partnership in its future work on sustainable tourism at the World Heritage site and knit in with existing projects at key attractions along the wall.

Consultants are now being sought by One NorthEast and Northwest Development Agencies who have commissioned and are financing the report.

The successful candidate will start work on the study in April, taking time to gather views from people and businesses along the Wall before delivering their final report in a year's time. 

Peter Mearns, Director of Marketing at the Northwest Development Agency,
said:- "The study will unlock the undoubted tourism potential of the Wall and its hinterland. 

We're delighted to be leading on this project with One NorthEast as it complements our emerging vision for tourism in England's North West so well."

In May, an 84-mile Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail will be opened allowing walkers access to the entire length of the Wall for the first time and creating 100 new jobs. 

Miles Middleton, Chairman of the Hadrian's Wall Tourism Partnership, said: "Hadrian's Wall is one of the most important attractions in the north of England.

"It is known all over the world but has not nearly reached its full potential. I am very excited about this study, particularly the joint commitment of the two RDAs. It will build on our work and we at the Partnership look forward to working with the appointed consultants."

Report thanks to N.D.A.

G2 Review
by Eric Lyon-Taylor

A psychedelic modern art cover is the first thing you see when you get the CD, mostly purple but some red and white. I opened the cd with some trepidation and put it in my cd player.

Intro is almost a Beatles/Oasis style intsrumental, although there are some lyrics, actually G2 repeated. It's not too bad, and shows the band with some musical skill. I'm not a big Oasis fan, but I quite liked this 
peice, which means they must have something else as well, maybe it's the  modern touch.

The People, track 2, is somewhat akin to the Nu-metal sound mixed with Oasis, which I am now coming to associate with this band. Heavy with keyboards, they compliment the sound without taking over, and give the 
band their distinctive sound, stopping them from becoming a rip-off band.

Nobody Man, track 3, starts with a guitar solo, then seems to go into 80's rock style, once the lyrics kick in, you are reminded of Oasis again, but soon the piano joins in giving a jazz/blues feel. It makes for an 
interesting mix, and I think the style works well. This trck alone shows how versatile the band can be. Could do with more lyrics though, yea, yea, yea's made the song sound a little weak.

Nobody Beleive's (live), track 4, sounds again a little like the blues and a little like Oasis, and carry's the lyrics well. The keyboard is a little drowned out, which is a shame, as the keyboard player is very good, but then that could be the quality of the recording. Towards the end of the track
it starts to sound a bit 70's as well, not the best track on the CD but passable, and shows the bands ability to play all styles of music, all they need to do now is settle on one style and perfect it. Try something along the lines of tracks 1 and 2, they were my personal favorites.

4 out of 5 for this review, liked more than I thought I would. Good luck lads.

Announcement of Southport CHC.

Report with thanks to the CHC

THE announcement for the abolition date of the Southport & Formby Community Health Council was greeted with sadness as it marked the end of an era. 

Since abolition was announced over two years ago, CHC’s have worked with the government to influence the new bodies that will take over their remit. Southport & Formby CHC ran a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for Southport and Formby Primary Care Trust and now piloting a successful Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service (ICAS). They will also be involved in training the local authority, to whom they will hand over their scrutiny function of hospital, primary care and mental health trusts. CHCs nationally as well as locally have influenced the design of new services in the hope that what follows CHC abolition will offer a patient centred, efficient service.

In return the government promised that CHCs would not be abolished until all their functions were picked up by the new system. They promised that patients would not be disadvantaged but empowered by these new changes. Sadly when CHCs close, only one new body will be up and running, PALS. 

Nationally this service is at best fragmented and in some areas non-existent. The majority of the new organisations designed to take over the work of CHCs will not be in place, therefore continuity of service will be lost and service users will suffer. Inhibiting the delivery for the kind of service required. 

The government talks of more independence, more patient power and more patient influence on NHS structures, locally and nationally. This is a noble sentiment but unworkable without the commitment to support, fund and staff the new bodies appropriately.

Southport Reporter is Trade Mark of Patrick Trollope.   Copyright © Patrick Trollope 2003.